Anker Announces New Security Cameras, Soundbars, & More
After holding their “On Board” event earlier this week, Anker announced a host of new products that have been teased all year, including some unexpected new editions.
Audio & Visual Gear
Roku and Walmart Partner to Release New Onn Roku Smart Soundbar for Big Streaming Sound
Roku usually gets lost in debates about Chromecasts, Fire TV, and Apple TV, but they’ve quietly chugged along putting out solid streaming boxes and carving out a reputation as a solid neutral choice in the streaming wars. They’re taking that further with a new exclusive partnership with Walmart and their new onn Roku Smart Soundbar and onn Roku Wireless Subwoofer!
Roku Launches Pre-Orders for New Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer
Roku, long known for their streaming devices, has decided to up the ante in the audio market by introducing the new Roku Smart Soundbar and Roku Wireless Subwoofer. The Smart Soundbar is said to produce excellent sound on its own, but the new Wireless Subwoofer should a punch of bass. Preorders are open now on Roku.com for October 2019 shipping.
Sonos Move Is a Portable Smart Speaker That Sounds Just as Good Indoors as Outside
Sonos has become a leader in home audio for those who want great sound throughout their home. Sonos systems are not only easy to set up, but they are also intelligent, connected, and beautifully designed. The one thing missing from their line-up was a portable Bluetooth speaker; today that gets rectified with the Sonos Move.
JBL’s New Speakers Will Put Your Ears in a Party Mood
JBL has a solid reputation for making some of the best audio products you can buy. For IFA 2019, they’ve unleashed a Pulse update, three new soundbars, and two new LINK Google-Assistant speakers.
Austere’s Stylish A/V Accessories Are Now Available
A few months ago we wrote about Austere, a new A/V accessory company. Austere Describes their products as delivering “more than what’s expected, from design to performance.” Their products are pricey but look great. After that post, Judie and I had a chance to check out their offerings; we were impressed.
Creative Has Three New Products That Make Audio Better at Home or Away
As a personal fan of Creative’s products, I was pretty stoked to hear that they would be releasing three products that would be sure to bring the noise. I had a chance to check out all three, so let’s dive in.
RHA Wireless Flight Adapter Is Great for Travel
The last time I flew to Israel, I had a choice. I could enjoy the quiet provided by my wireless noise-canceling headphones, or I could use United’s crappy wired earphones and watch the onboard entertainment. The new RHA Wireless Flight Adapter makes that choice a thing of the past by letting you cut the cord to your airline entertainment system.
Harmony Express Is the Simplest but Most Powerful Harmony Remote Yet
My living room home theater has gotten a bit too complex. There are remotes for the cable box, for the TV, for the Apple TV, and the Amazon Fire TV Cube. I’ve tried universal remotes but came back to using the individual devices. With the new Harmony Express, I’ve finally found a universal remote that works for me.
How Do $20 Bluetooth Headphones Stack Up Against More Expensive Pairs of Headphones?
Some time ago, Tejas was sent a pair of $20 Bluetooth wireless over-the-ear headphones. During a conversation with the Gear Diary team, he raised the question of how they might stand up to far more expensive headphones. It was a good question. So… we got the New Jersey members of the team together to find out.
The JBL PartyBox 300 Review: Your Party’s Ultimate Music Machine
I’ve reviewed plenty of oversized connected speakers, but the JBL PartyBox 300 takes that concept to the next level. It’s cordless when you need it to be, it has microphone and guitar inputs, it can put on a light show, it’s loud enough to fill your backyard, and man — it sounds amazing!
Check out Austere, a New Mobile Accessory Company
It’s always fun when a new company comes on the mobile technology scene. Austere is just such a company. The recently launched brand describes itself as delivering “more than what’s expected, from design to performance.” Their products are pricey, but they look great.
MAS Audio Science X5h On-Ear Headphones Deliver Top Notch Audio
MAS Audio Science brings us the X5h on-ear headphones designed to deliver audiophile-class sound quality. With a 5Hz to 50Hz frequency response, the Japan Audio Society awarded a Hi-Res Audio Headphone Certification to the X5h. The X5h is also compatible with MAS’s XX Bluetooth Cable, which takes the X5h from wired to wireless with a switch of a cable.
Logitech BRIO Webcam Brings 4K to Your Live Streams and Skype Calls
Arguably the best webcam I’ve personally ever used, the Logitech Brio 4K Pro Webcam puts my MacBook’s eyesight camera to shame, although it comes with a hefty price.
Blue Blackout Spark SL Condenser Microphone Review
Being a podcaster, I’ve learned that a good microphone is hard to find. You can search any group, any forum, and someone will suggest the Blue Yeti Mic as a starter microphone. But what if I told you that while USB microphones are great, Blue Microphones offers better microphones that are more versatile, that will grow with you over time?
Get the Master & Dynamic MH40 Headphones for $50 off During Their Memorial Day Sale
We are huge fans of Master & Dynamic here, and how could we not be? Their headphones are extremely well made, and they produce excellent sound. If you’ve been looking for a great pair of wired cans, now is the time to check out their MH40 Over-Ear Headphones, as they are on sale for $199 from $249 for Memorial Day.
Blue Ember XLR Microphone: Making Podcasting Easier
Alright, let just get this out of the way now: If you’ve ever attempted to podcast using a USB Microphone, it’s not the greatest experience you will have. Sure, a USB microphone may be most convenient, but with the Blue Ember XLR Microphone, you can have complete control as you record your audio.
Using Zoom’s H6 As an Audio Interface for Podcasting
Let me just begin by saying this: Without the Zoom H6, my podcast experience has been less than mediocre. I’ve recorded using a USB Mic for the better part of year to record my show, but Zoom’s H6 has been a delight to use, and going forward it’s the only way I’ll record my show.
Stealth Labs Speaker Backpack Review: Guaranteed to Be the Coolest Backpack at School
A few weeks ago, Tejas wrote about the Stealth Labs Speaker Backpack that’s currently on Indiegogo. At the time, I thought a backpack with a built-in speaker could be an interesting idea, but only if it were executed properly. After being sent a pre-release model to try out, I’ve decided that this backpack, for what it is, is nearly perfect.
Audioengine’s New A2+ Wireless Speakers Are Small but Mighty
The first hardware I ever reviewed was a set of Audioengine A2 speakers; they were small, powerful and sounded amazing. In fact, the only knock I had was their lack of wireless capabilities that required me to get a Bluetooth adapter. Now Audioengine has released the Audioengine A2+ Wireless Desktop Speakers, and all I can say is “wow!”
Audioengine A2+ Wireless Speakers Take a Classic and Cut the Cords
My first website was an iPhone app review site. When we expanded into covering hardware, I was fortunate enough to get a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers as my first review item. Now Audioengine has refreshed the line and added Bluetooth. The new Audioengine A2+ has a classic look, but they are an entirely new offering from a fantastic company.