Audio & Visual Gear | Gear Diary

Reviews August 24, 2014

“Theater To Go”, Thanks to the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 – Part One

I’ve heard of churches using projectors to beam words to songs, images, and page numbers onto a screen during services, and we’ve been considering it for our sanctuary; we wanted to test it out during the summer. Fortunately, I had a review sample of the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 2D/3D 1080p 3LCD Projector in hand. It turns out that the projector is phenomenal for home use, and it held its own during services as well.

Reviews August 21, 2014

Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver

If you care about your music, then you simply must check out the $189 Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver. And since Audioengine offers a no-strings attached “30 Day Audition”, there’s no reason NOT to check it out and add high-quality Bluetooth streaming to your current sound system. Easy to set up, it will be music to your ears.

Reviews August 12, 2014

SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones Review

If you listen work out to music, you know that the right pair of headphones make all the difference. Whether you have in-ear or On-ear headphones they have to be comfortable and stay put. Oh, and they have to sound good too. Right? The new SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones are comfortable, stay put and sound awesome.

Reviews August 3, 2014

Bayan Audio SoundBook X3 Review – Great Sound and Fab Design

We have reviewed quite a few portable speakers that offer excellent audio and multiple ways to stream or connect, but with few exceptions it seems like most could be described as more utilitarian and less refined. The $299.99 Bayan Audio soundbook X3 is one portable speaker that not only sounds fantastic, it also looks terrific. Bayan Audio, a UK company founded in 2011, focusses on creating “outstanding products to help you enjoy sound wherever you are”, and with whatever device your music happens to be stored on, whether it be “Audio Systems, Smartphones, Tablets or Notebooks.” They focus on making quality products that use wood, aluminum, and…

Reviews August 2, 2014

Sony Stereo Microphone STM10 Review: Excellent Mic for Android Phones

One of the best features of the Sony Xperia Z2 phone and tablet is the built-in noise cancellation. It works great with Sony’s NC headphones, but it also does a good job if you pick up a Sony Stereo Microphone STM10. I got mine a few days ago, and I’m already impressed by the quality of the audio it captures.

Reviews August 2, 2014

Decibullz Custom Molded Earphones Review: They Offer an Affordable Custom Fit

A few years ago, I reviewed a pair of custom earphones of the type that only musicians usually get to use. You know, those earphones with a custom mold of each ear. The fit and finish are amazing but the price? Ouch. Decibullz Custom Molded Earphones is a new brand looking to bring an affordable custom-fit approach to the masses.

Music Diary, Reviews July 17, 2014

Disney Karaoke: Frozen App Review for iPad

You’ve seen all the different variations and spoofs of “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel from Frozen, Disney’s animated film remake of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen story. Now it’s your turn to perform, record, and share your musical performance of the nine original featured songs in the Disney Karaoke: Frozen app on iPad.

News & Features, Vehicles & Gear July 8, 2014

Kinivo Bluetooth Car Kit Makes Your Hooptie Hands-Free

My car is a 2008 Yukon Denali XL, and while it has tons of bells and whistles, it doesn’t have a hands-free bluetooth hookup for calls or audio. I figured I’d have to wait until we eventually upgraded vehicles (not any time soon!) before I had that feature, but with the $45 Kinivo Bluetooth Car Kit, there is no need. Setting up the device is as simple as plugging the BTC455 directly into the auxiliary port on your stereo (assuming that your car stereo has at least that) and then plugging it into the volt outlet. Once that’s done, you’ll have hands-free streaming through your…

Reviews July 2, 2014

Monster 24k Over-Ear Headphones Review

The other day we reviewed the Adidas Original by Monster Headphones; I was impressed with both the comfort and the sound they offer. They are, however pricey. The Monster 24K Over-Ear Headphones make a statement and are even pricier, but they also sound great, and they offer superb comfort. Let’s take a look and then give the review sample away!

Reviews July 1, 2014

Adidas Originals by Monster Over-Ear Headphones Give Sound to Your Workout

When I first saw the adidas Originals by Monster Over-Ear Headphones I thought it was all about the branding. After all, these are Monster Headphones that sport Monster AND adidas logos. As such these headphones are all about style right? How comfortable could they possibly be? How good could they actually sound? The answers actually surprised me!

Reviews June 16, 2014

ZVOX SOUNDBASE.420 Offers Huge Sound for an Amazingly Low Price

The biggest challenge with televisions these days, at least in most cases, is the lousy sound they offer. A huge television with a beautiful big screen and smart functionality may be great, but if the speakers stink watching it won’t be enjoyable. The ZVOX SOUNDBASE.420 fixes that for surprisingly little money, and it’s simple to set up.

Reviews June 6, 2014

Clip, Go, Rock with the JBL Clip Bluetooth Speaker

If you are always on the go and love your music, the JBL Clip is the “ultra-portable rechargeable speaker” for you. At under $50 and sporting an integrated carabiner, it is an affordable way to enjoy your music anywhere you go. Whether connecting via Bluetooth or the integrated 3.5mm cable, you’ll be ready to rock on the go.

Reviews June 3, 2014

Kanto Link 3X HDMI Auto Switcher Review – Connects Your Home Theater

I’m setting up a home theater and, in the process, discovered how much I hate having multiple cables running from the back of my television. Still, when I connect an Apple TV, a gaming console etc each needs its own cable right? Wrong. The Kanto Link 3X HDMI Auto Switcher is one HDMI cable that connects three devices.

Reviews May 28, 2014

Harman Kardon Esquire Bluetooth Speaker Isn’t Kid’s Stuff

Over the past few years I have come to appreciate the fact that great industrial design and quality audio are not mutually exclusive. One of the companies that consistently proves it possible to have speakers (or headphones) that look gorgeous and sound great is Harman Kardon. The Harman Kardon Esquire Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect example.

News & Features May 27, 2014

Iglo Pulse: Fiber Optic Headphones that Pulsate to the Music’s Beat!

Whether you run at night or you just want to be seen in the dark, the iGlo Pulse headphones are the world’s first to “pulsate to the beat of your music using fiber optic technology.” Take calls, listen to your music, and enjoy hours of lights due to the headphone’s rechargeable battery. Available in either blue or green for $29.95.

Reviews May 27, 2014

Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard Review

If you have a SmartTV or a computer connected to your media center the Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard is for you. This keyboard/trackpad combination brings the two input methods together in a compact and easy-to-use package. Considering you get both a backlit illuminated keyboard AND a trackpad the $99.99 isn’t bad. Designed for Windows, it also works with Macs.

Reviews May 25, 2014

Velodyne vTrue Over-the-Ear Headphones for the Win

A year ago I wasn’t familiar with Velodyne, a company that has been producing speakers for quite some time and recently moved into the headphone market. I reviewed the company’s vQuiet noise canceling headphones and was impressed. When the opportunity to review the top-of-the-line Velodyne vTrue Studio Headphones came my way I jumped. Are they worth the $399 price tag?

Reviews May 24, 2014

Tonino Lamborghini Quantum EL-01-R Headphones Review

For most of us, the name Lamborghini evokes images of power, style and phenomenal design. So when we learned that Tonino Lamborghini, son of the great automobile designer, was releasing a line of in ear headphones we took notice. The Lamborghini Quantum EL-01-R Headphones are the most affordable of the three offerings that are coming this spring; here’s a look.

Reviews May 14, 2014

iFrogz Tadpole is a Tiny Speaker for On-the-Go

The iFrogz Tadpole Bluetooth mini speaker does not put out big, bold, quality sound. It doesn’t get great battery life, it’s not waterproof, and it doesn’t double as a speakerphone. It doesn’t have Bluetooth 4.0 or NFC. So the tadpole isn’t worth your time or money, right? Actually no, in the right situation it’s a rather compelling device. Here’s why.

Reviews May 13, 2014

Speck CandyShell Amped for iPhone 5S Pumps Up the Volume

What if you could have all the good looks and great protection of a Speck CandyShell case for iPhone 5S and significantly improve the sound? That’s what the Speck CandyShell Amped for iPhone 5S promises — and delivers. Until you examine it a bit more closely, the case looks like any other CandyShell case. It, however, is hiding a secret.

Reviews April 29, 2014

Jabra Rox Wireless Headphones Are Wireless Wonders of Sound

Jabra’s Revo Wireless headphones have been a constant companion of mine for over a year. These on-ear headphones are tough, comfortable and sound impressive. Jabra’s latest product, the Jabra Rox Wireless headphones, shrink things down quite a bit. These small, in-ear headphones pack plenty of sound and have a few extra tricks you are going to love.