Bluetooth

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Review – Connect Any Way You Like

The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lighting dock is priced under $140 and lets you connect to iOS Lightning-enabled device, via Bluetooth, USB and much more. It even includes an FM radio, an IR remote and an iOS and Android app are also available. Best of all, the speaker sounds great.  We have seen a huge proliferation in the number of available Bluetooth speakers. Similarly, lightning-enabled docks designed to work specifically with current generation Apple products have been increasing in number. The result is an ever-growing number of choices when looking for a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy your music at home…


DBoom Custom Bluetooth Speaker from Musemini Review

In a world of same-same Bluetooth speakers, Musemini’s DBoom speaker is looking to stand out in terms of looks and features. From a looks perspective, the speaker comes in five different colors: it will soon offer the added ability to create custom skins that give a unique look to the front and back of each speaker. From a technology and feature perspective, the DBoom sports both Bluetooth 3.0 and NFC (Near Field Communication) that makes pairing the speaker to any NFC-enabled device quick and simple. Add in the ability to Daisy-chain the speaker, and you have a versatile unit that will…


Three Great Bluetooth Speakers for Your Son or Daughter’s College Dorm Room

If your son or daughter is headed off to college no doubt he or she wants a way to listen to some tunes while studying (or not studying as the case may be). Over the past months we’ve seen a host of decent bluetooth speakers and many would be great for a college dorm. Three that recently came to us for review stand out as excellent options. They are the Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 for PC/Mac computer, tablet and smartphone, the Soundfreaq Sound Step with Lightning Connector and the iLuv Mo ‘Beats HD High Definition Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker with Viewing…


Logitech Z600 Bluetooth Speakers Review- Multiple-Personalities Never Sounded So Good

Logitech’s new Z600 Bluetooth Speakers are proof the company can not only put out excellent sounding speakers but they can put out excellent sounding speakers that look great AND come in at a surprisingly reasonable price. The speakers, which are available for preorder, have an MSRP of $149.99 and have impressed me more than I expected they would. Let’s take a look at them on video and then dig a little more deeply into some of the specifics. It should be clear from the video that I am really impressed with the speakers. And when I take into consideration the…


USB Fever Aluminum iPad Keyboard Review – High Quality at a Great Price

When my MacBook Pro died, I was not able to replace it, and so I decided to use my iPad as my only mobile work device. Mastering my workflow has taken some adjustment, but it seems to be getting better with time. One issue I had to resolve was data entry. While I have become competent with the on-screen iPad keyboard, there are times when a true keyboard is just the best way to go. The only negative to an added keyboard is transportation; my gear bag now needs another spot for a second device. We recently brought news of…


Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 Promise Big Sound from Small Towers

I didn’t think I would see the day when I wanted to return to having a pair of computer speakers, but a new computer and Logitech’s new Bluetooth Speakers Z600 may change all that. Yes, now that I once again have a MacBook air my MacBook Pro will likely become more of a desktop computer than anything else. Suddenly I want good desktop speakers again. The timing is perfect since Logitech’s new Bluetooth Speakers Z600 are about to hit the market. Tall and thin, the stereo speakers are designed to look good when sitting next to today’s stylish computers. And…


Over-the-Ear Headphone Shootout – A GearFest Video

Last week Judie and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with a few pair of the over-the-ear headphones I have reviewed over the past year. With prices ranging from just $149.99 all the way up to $379.95, these headphones cover a good deal of ground. Moreover, one pair offer active noise cancellation while another can be used in either wired or wireless modes. In other words, these headphones don’t all sit nicely in a single product category. At the same time, if you are in the market for new headphones then you are likely going to purchase…


Bluetooth Speaker Shootout- GearFest 2013

At GearFest 2013, Judie, Mike, Carly, and I sat down with a number of Bluetooth speakers to do a blind test listening to two pieces of music Travis had put together. (Thanks for jumping in to help us Coach!) With Mike’s wife Lisa helping us out (and offering up a few dance moves at the beginning of the video), we listened to six different Bluetooth speakers that have previously been reviewed here on the site. The speakers included: The JBL FLIP (Read the review) The MiPow Boom (Read the review) The Jabra Solemate (Read the review.) The Braven 600 (Check…


ZAGG Origin 2-in-1 Bluetooth System Review- Cool Gear or Total Gimmick?

When I first saw the ZAGG Origin 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker I was intrigued. The Origin looks like a large gray plastic desktop speaker with the ZAGG name proudly displayed on the front. It is, in fact, a large gray plastic desktop speaker with the ZAGG name proudly displayed on the front. But that is only part of the story. Grab the middle portion of the large gray plastic desktop speaker’s back and the ZAGG Origin breaks into two pieces. You see, the ZAGG Origin is both a large desktop speaker and a small portable speaker. When the two pieces are together they…


USB Fever Introduces Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard For iPad

I am approaching one year since my MacBook Pro took ill and departed. Rarely was there a day that laptop was not seen with me at work, on trips or even while hunting. Due to economic challenges I was not able to replace the computer so I moved to using an iPad as my primary mobile device. I have found that almost everything I need to do can be accomplished on my iPad. I have also discovered that the use of a Bluetooth keyboard is a must. I currently use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard that I keep in my gear…


Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Offers Multiple Ways to Connect to Your Music

If you are looking for a small speaker that gives you maximum flexibility, then you will want to check out the new Sound Step Lightning from Soundfreaq. The Sound Step Lightning not only lets you dock your Lightning-equipped iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, but it also offers the flexibility of Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The speaker features a 2.1 speaker configuration with a dedicated sub-woofer and Soundfreaq’s proprietary UQ3 spatial sound enhancement. The result is the ability of the speaker to “deliver natural bass and stereo separation, unique for a compact speaker”.


Dream Cheeky Releases the Cube Wireless Speaker

As summer gets into full swing, many of you will spend a lot of time outside soaking up the sun and having a great time. Nothing makes these kind of days more enjoyable than some of your favorite music. When I take my boys to the pool or we camp, we always have some tunes that match the occasion playing in the background. Of course, most people have some sort of mobile device capable of streaming or playing their music collection, but the speakers are usually less than desirable. What everyone needs is a way to listen to the music that…


The Zooka Wireless Speaker Bar for Tablets and Laptops Review

This is our review of the Zooka. Before reading further please say that out loud five times fast. Now please say it five times slowly. Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka It is just fun to say isn’t it? Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka! Okay enough of that. Let’s dig into this successful Kickstarter project. The people behind it, Carbon Audio, were looking to raise $25,000 dollars. By the end of the campaign they had 678 backers and had raised $70,540. Neither Judie nor I backed the Zooka, but now the Bluetooth speaker is available…


Kinivo BTX350 Digital Wireless Speaker Review

I’m a big fan of Bluetooth enabled, wireless speakers in this age of cell phones, tablets, and computers.  We’re always on the go, always have our mobile phones with us, and therefore, many of us carry our music collections with us as well.  Even if you don’t carry your MP3 collection on your cell phone, most of our phones can use Pandora, Spotify, or any number of mobile music apps.  The market is ripe for great sounding, decently priced Bluetooth speakers.  Unfortunately, the Kinivo BTX350 does not meet that first criterion.


Geneva Sound System Model XS Review

Geneva Sound markets the Geneva Sound System Model XS as “the world’s first portable audio system with true Hi-Fi sound”. That’s a pretty daring claim to make and one that can easily be dismissed as a good bit of hyperbole. Does this Bluetooth speaker whose design is inspired by the classic travel clock, truly sound like something much bigger and more expensive? We couldn’t wait to get out hands on one and find out. We did get one for review, and were immediately impressed by the sturdy leather-like clamshell case. It really does look like the travel alarm clocks of…


Scosche boomBOTTLE Weatherproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

“Another Bluetooth speaker?” Elana asked when the package arrived? (Okay she actually didn’t say that but she COULD have said it, considering just how many Bluetooth speakers we have reviewed in recent months.) Yes, the Scosche boomBOTTLE is yet another Bluetooth speaker that has made its way into the marketplace. This one, however, is an award winner, having been recognized at CES 2013 this past January. Why does this Bluetooth speaker stand out? Does it deserve the recognition? Let’s take a look so you can decide for yourself.


3 to 5 Hours of Streamed Music from the MiPow Boom mini? Not Even Close!

We brought an exclusive first look at the MiPow Boom mini (read the post), and then we shared the first ever review of the diminutive new speaker coming from MiPow. As you might recall, Judie and I met with MiPow in January when they were showing off their newest offerings at CES 2013. We were impressed by the company and its products and were glad that the company, unknown in the US but widely popular internationally, was finally bringing their products State-side. Here’s our unboxing of the MiPow Boom mini. So here’s the thing, the MiPow Boom mini sounds great,…


Phiaton PS 210 BTNC Noise Canceling Headphones Review

I had the opportunity to look at a number of different headphones from Phiaton in recent months. The first pair of Phiaton headphones I reviewed were the Phiaton’s PS 20 BT Stereo Headset. (Read the review.) These wireless bluetooth headphones were incredibly comfortable and sounded great. I found the control module to be a bit awkward. It’s round and the buttons were rather difficult to access times. I also didn’t love the fact that you couldn’t use your own earbuds but, thankfully, the earbuds that came with the PS 20 BT Stereo Headset were comfortable and sounded great. Here’s what I…


Turtle Shell Boombox, Is It the Bluetooth Speaker for You?

Bluetooth speakers are pretty much everywhere you look; there’s the granddaddy of them all — the rectangular JawBone JamBox. There’s the strikingly similar rectangular shaped Braven 600 speaker that adds an external battery for charging your devices. If you want the speaker that stands up tall rather than sitting low you might want to check out the SuperTooth Disco 2. If round is more important, then you’ll definitely want to check out the impressive and well-priced JBL Flip. If you want something that’s got more curves than the JamBox and is far tougher, then you’ll definitely want to check out the…


MiPow Boom Bluetooth Speaker Review

We posted our review of the MiPow Boom mini the other day. (Read it.) The speaker is tiny but the sound is anything but tinny. I’m impressed by the sound such a small speaker is able to pump out and I still can’t believe that, after using the speaker pretty continually since we got here to Jamaica, I still have not had to charge it. There is no question in my mind that MiPow’s battery rating is more than a bit conservative. The company also sent me the first ever review sample of the MiPow Boom. This speaker, the larger…


The Scosche boomBOTTLE Is a Ruggedized Portable Speaker for Tunes on the Go

We’ve reviewed a host of different Bluetooth speakers but never one quite like this. The Scosche boomBOTTLE is a new mobile speaker that is ideal for streaming music while biking, hiking, camping and more. The boomBOTTLE not only has a unique design, but it has the features to match. A durable non-slip, shock absorbing TPU exterior is strong enough to withstand drops or vibrations caused from rough terrain, which makes it perfect for biking. An IP4X rated weatherproof construction means you can use the boomBOTTLE even when it is wet outside. The boomBOTTLE even features sealed dustproof speaker grills. The…