THEGAYUK

Tag: Audio Review

The latest Audio Review from THEGAYUK.

  • TECH REVIEW | Jabra 65t – True Wireless Earphones

    TECH REVIEW | Jabra 65t – True Wireless Earphones

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    I’ve been using a pair of Jabra 65t earbuds for a while now and they have become pretty invaluable. Going out without them feels as bad as leaving your phone at home. 

    Aesthetically, the Elite 65t is a pretty compact pair of earbuds and are well shaped to sit, largely, flush with your ears. They are supplied with 3 pairs of ear gels, I use the largest. They fit snugly and have never fallen out or even come loose while I’ve been using them. The 65t’s are comfortable and light and actually, you don’t even notice you are wearing them.

    I think that’s the beauty of these earbuds. They are so convenient, so easy to use, they become essential.

    You can of course use the Jabra 65t as a handsfree kit. Jabra’ four-microphone technology seems to be effective in reducing wind noise. There are perforations on the body of the buds with mics inside to supply ambient sound. The amount of ambient sound can be controlled by the app and we’ll come to that in a minute.

    The Jabra Sound+ app is the perfect companion to your Jabra earbuds and allows you to customise your sound so your music and calls experience always suits your surroundings. Through the app, you can personalise your experience by customising the way your sound is delivered. You can choose your preferred voice assistant from Amazon Alexa, Siri® or Google Assistant™. I use the Google Assistant installed on my phone to keep things simple.

    Sound quality is very good. There is a deep warm sound which was a pleasant surprise. Earbuds are so small, it is often difficult to get enough bass due to the size of the speakers. In this case, the speakers are 6mm for example. However, the sound quality is excellent for earbuds.

    The Jabra Elite 65t earbuds and charging case are made entirely out of plastic. I have used some with a metal case that tend to feel a bit more premium, but these headphones still feel like a premium product and the case is very practical, durable and fun. The lid is a bit of a pain at first, hard to open. You quickly discover that the lid has a cool, spring-loaded hinge that needs to be pushed back, then flipped up. 

    The earbuds sit neatly inside and an LED signifies they have made connection and are charging.

    Battery life is great at up to 5 hours. Perfect for long drives or a boring meeting. The case provides a further 2 full charges. That’s a serious amount of battery life. The case is charged via a micro USB.

    Controlling the music and playback is simple. Fingertip controls give you easy access to core functions. On the right earbud, you can control: play/pause music, answer/end call, reject call double-press the button when you receive an incoming call, voice assistant. on the left earbud, you can control: volume up/volume down, next track, previous track.

    When you crack open the case and remove the buds, they turn on automatically. Wireless performance is excellent and you can connect more than one device which is a great feature. I have two phones so this works well for me.

    Through the app, you can control a range of functions from updating the software, customising the sound through the inbuilt equaliser, modify your call settings by adjusting how much of your own voice you want to experience on a call for a natural, comfortable sound and adjusting the amount of ambient sound you let in.

    You can also select from a range of presets for situations like commuting, relaxing, and others, although the 65t’s can sense if you are stationary, moving, in a quiet place and more, and it will select the correct preset for that situation. Oh, there’s also a handy ‘find my Jabra’ function in case you lose them too.

    If I had to criticise, I would say the case doesn’t feel as premium as other earbuds I’ve used but is tough and durable. The earbuds themselves are smooth and on occasion, I have almost dropped them. 

    Other than that, they’re great. I use them every day and always have them in my pocket.

  • HEADPHONE REVIEW | August EP750 Noise Cancelling Headphones

    HEADPHONE REVIEW | August EP750

    August EP750 Noise Cancelling review

    Introduction

    We’ve become a bit obsessed with noise cancelling headphones recently – and there are so many choices out there. All of the big brands in audio have released their own versions, with their own sound cancelling technology – some with amazing results, but for the best, you’ll have to fork out a huge wad of cash.

    Recently a pair of headphones from the relatively unknown manufacturer August landed on the Tech desk at TGUK HQ. They just might be, for their price, be best we’ve tested in 2017.

    Build And Quality

    Out of the box, the first thing you’ll notice about the August EP750 headphones is that they are big. If you like your ears covered (perfect when it’s cold outside) then these will please. Each ear cup is covered with soft padding, making extended listening a pleasure. Access to the buttons that control volume, calls making and answering, and the noise cancellation feature are all easy to find and navigate. They feel solid and they don’t feel like they’ll slip off your head. The padding is thick and comfortable and should fit over the average ear and provide a good basic level of sound isolation, even before you turn on the noise cancelling.

    The other thing you’ll notice is that they are incredibly easy to use. The headphones include a rechargeable battery, which charges by USB. Pairing them with your device is no problem, but if you’re a bit over the Bluetooth faff, generally, they’ve included a gold plated jack cable, which you can plug in directly.

    You can also use these headphones to place and answer calls and amazingly, you can connect these headphones to two devices simultaneously.

    In the box, you’ll find a selection of adapters, easy to read instructions and a robust storage case for your new headphones.

    Sound

    Sound wise, the August EP750 is near perfect. Rounded base, clear vocals and the EQ is nicely balanced – a little coloured to add good bass tones and a crisp, but not painful, high ends. When I went back to my standard pair (the headphones I always use, which happen to be a pair of Bose) I found that the August EP750 actually outperformed them.

    There is a little issue with wind noise when you’re walking – especially if it also happens to be windy out – although this is an issue with most over-the-ear headphones. You might notice the sound of the wind as you walk from location to location.

    Is the noise cancelling affective on these headphones? Well, it’s not as good as others we have tested, like the Libratone, but you pay for what you get. It does a could job of eliminating traffic noise and general hum noises – so these would be perfect on a flight for instance. For more general noise cancellation, say an open plan office, they might need to fork out a bit more cash.

    Verdict

    Great sounding headphones, with good general hum killing technology. They also won’t break the bank.

     

    LOVE

    Price  – Sub £70 for Noise Cancellation is great

    Fantastic sound, better than some bigger brands

    Lots of extras in the box

    LOATHES

    Wind sound when walking

    Noise Cancellation not as good as others

    You can buy them from Amazon.co.uk

    Tech Spec

    • Bluetooth: v4.1
      NFC: On left ear piece
      aptX: Enabled
      Noise reduction level:-18DB
      Operating Range: Up to 10m
      Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
      Speaker Output: 20mW
      SNR: =85dB
      Distortion: = 1.0% Battery: 3.7V/270mAh Li-ion
      Working Time: 15 Hours
      Charging Time: 3 Hours
      Standby Time: 540 Hours
      Weight: 235g
      Dimensions: 201 x 180 x 65mm

  • HEADPHONE REVIEW | Libratone Q Adapt

    HEADPHONE REVIEW | Libratone Q Adapt Noise Cancelling Headphones

    Introduction

    Noise cancelling headphones have become increasingly popular in recent years, as we look to envelop ourselves in our own world, cutting out the distraction of the world around us. It’s especially beneficial in open plan offices, packed tubes, homes near busy roads and well, maybe even a snoring partner. You’re going to have to fork out a fair wedge for a decent pair; my money is on the Scandinavian designed Libratone Q Adapt, do happen to come in a sub £180 price tag.

    Build And Quality

    I had not heard about the Libratone brand before. When you think of headphones, the mind tends to go for Bose, Beats or even Sennizher, so when I was offered a pair of the Q Adapt noise cancelling headphone I was intrigued.

    When reviewing tech items, we ask for new out of the box items, just as you’d find in a shop, in order to give a full summary. So my first impressions aren’t great – the pair sent, still had earwax or ear fluff – or whatever it was – on from the previous reviewer. I have to say this nearly made me heave.

    However, I’m glad I stayed the course and reviewed them, as they are, without a doubt, the best noise cancelling headphone I have ever reviewed.

    Out of the box and charged the headphones are simple to pair with a Bluetooth device. They also come with a standard mini jack socket so you can plug them directly into your iPhone, computer or iPod.

    Controls for the unit are simple. Volume and skip functions are controlled by various hand actions on the right-hand ear cup. Pausing your audio happens when you just take them off your ears.

    The Noise Cancelling feature has three levels of reduction, and I have to add, the best I’ve ever tried. The first setting filters out lower rumbles, the second filters out higher frequencies, the third, and most impressive reduction is impressive. They call it the CityMix and I can see why.  You could be standing in the middle of traffic and be none the wiser. Although I didn’t try these on an aeroplane, I imagine this would be incredibly effective.

    My gripe with the set is that they felt a little loose on the head, even at the smallest and tightest setting – but without knowing how many people had used these before me, I can only summarise that numerous different head sizes have stretched them.

    The design is classic and unfussed, and they come in three colours, Cloudy White, Elegant Nude and Stormy Black.

    You can use them to answer calls and speak wirelessly.

    Sound

    The fact that these earphones do such a great job of filtering out external sounds, means your audio sounds incredibly clear. The bass response is warm and crisp. They provide a very comfortable listening experience – no sharp edges to the sound, music sounds fully rounded – while speech feels crisp and clear.

    Verdict

    If you’re looking for a pair of headphones, which feel comfortable, have a long-lasting battery (30 hours playback) and have incredible noise cancelling capabilities and have £149.00 to spend, then the Libratone Q Adapt headphones are the option for you.

     

    LOVE

    Awesome noise cancelling ability

    Classic design

    Feel comfortable, even after an extended listening period.

    LOATHES

    They felt a little loose

    You can buy them from Amazon (£143.00 at time of publishing) John Lewis, £179.00 (at time of release)

  • EARPHONE REVIEW | Jam Ultra

    EARBUD REVIEW | Jam Wireless Audio Ultra

    Introduction

    If you’re not a fan of the headphone, then earbuds are the only other option – and what with Apple doing away with the standard audio jack, wired head and earphones could be a thing of the past. Wireless earbuds are a marvel – no tangled wires, no choking yourself when getting up from your desk when you’re still attached to your computer. There’s a lot of freedom. But there are problems too. Earbuds don’t always stay in the ear, you have to remember to charge them and then there’s the worst bit – pairing them. Jam have sorted two of these issues out perfectly with their Ultra earbuds – the pairing issue – not so much.

    Build And Quality

    Out of the box and charged in their own little charging dock, the Jam Ultras are incredibly easy to use. The individual earbuds have built-in batteries and as you lift them out of the dock they pair with each other – pairing them to your device, be it, phone or desktop isn’t too much of a sweat either. Most of the time.

    Speaking of sweat they are resistant to it, which is fantastic if you should use them whilst out jogging or in the bath. They are dark in colour and once fitted into the ear are almost unnoticeable. None of the ridiculous white stork thing that’s going on with Apple’s own earbuds.

    They last for three hours on one charge – but with their own charging dock, which can charge them up to 10 times, these buds can last for 30 hours. Rather brilliantly because there’s a USB port you can also charge your phone while you’re at it.

    They have a simple look to them, dark and with a slight material texture to them. Once they’re in, the noise blocking from the external world is brilliant. If you’re looking for noise cancelling headphones these, although not actually “noise cancelling”, are a great find.

    Now here’s the problem – I found that these were impossible to use for TV or for watching any kind of streaming. They can’t keep up with your device and the lipsync is terrible.

    They also, rather annoyingly have a habit of desynchronising with each other – meaning that one ear suddenly goes dead and then comes back after a moment. Considering the wireless feature is probably why you’d buy these earphones, it’s utterly infuriating.

    Controlling the earbuds is a simple process. There’s a pause button, which doubles up as the pairing and off button. You can’t change the volume or skip to the next tune on these.

    You can use them to answer calls and speak wirelessly.

    The JAM ULTRA’s come with their own charging dock.

    Sound

    The fact that these earphones do a great job of filtering out external sounds, means audio feels very present – and up close. The bass response is good for the tiny speakers – but perhaps the top end feels a little dead, which gives an overall mid to bottom sound palette.

    Verdict

    If you’re looking for sub-£100 wireless earphones that come with their own docking station – which are easy to set up then these are a good fit. If you’re looking to watch TV with your earbuds then these aren’t for you.

     

    LOVE

    Good bass response for little speakers

    Nicely packaged

    Charging Dock

    LOATHES

    Desynchronising earphones

    Shortish battery life

    You can buy them from Amazon.com

  • HEADPHONE REVIEW | Noise Cancelling Lindy NC60

    HEADPHONE REVIEW | Noise Cancelling Lindy NC60

    Introduction

    Noise cancelling headphones have become increasingly popular in recent years, as we look to envelop ourselves in our own world, cutting out the distraction of the world around us. It’s especially beneficial in open plan offices, packed tubes, homes near busy roads and well, maybe even a snoring partner. The only problem is that they tend to be very pricey, especially if you’re looking for solid construction and successful noise cancellation. The Lindy NC60’s tackle this on all three fronts – they are sub – £60.00, they look robust and they promise to cancel 85% of noise.

    Build And Quality

    Out of the box, the Lindy 60s are incredibly easy to use. Simply insert the batteries supplied, plug in the jack into your device, turn on the ‘ANC’ (active noise cancelling) function and away you go. There’s no pairing to do as they aren’t Bluetooth.

    They feel solid and have a rubberized texture to the cup and that signature red inner. The padding is thick and comfortable and should fit over the average ear and provide a good basic level of sound isolation, even before you turn on the ‘ANC’. They are padded with leather, not great if you’re a vegan or someone who doesn’t like animal products in everyday objects. In past experience, although not of these headphones, leather headphone pads can begin to degrade after a couple of years of use, especially if they get wet – from sweat or indeed using them in the bath and having wet hair.

    The cup has a couple of simple controls. A volume fader and the on switch for the noise cancellation, which as a blue LED to show whether it’s on or not.  On the other ear a standard wired headphone jack output – which attaches to your device.

    The bridge between the two ear cups is well padded and fits nicely on top of the head. The squeeze between the two cups is good and doesn’t feel uncomfortable.

    The noise cancellation feature is powered by two AAA batteries which are supplied, but not rechargeable, which is a huge let down for these headphones.

    The product also comes with a neat hard-body travel case and a couple of adapters.

    Sound

    When the ‘ANC’ is turned off the sound is plain and dull, feeling distant and to be frank muffled, however, once the noise cancellation feature is turned on, the sound comes alive. It’s certainly a lot more present as the background sounds are also filtered out. The headphone gives a good performance, that rivals much more expensive sets. In fact, once you’ve experienced Noise Cancelling headphones, it will be hard to go back to any other type of headphone.

    Is the noise cancelling affective on these headphones? Well, as they say, you get what you pay for. It’s not as deadening as other headphones we’ve tested, some offer different levels of cancellation, these just take out the lower end frequencies, which can mean you get bleed through of higher end noises.

    Verdict

    A good entry-level to noise cancellation that won’t break the bank.

     

    LOVE

    Price  – Sub £60 for Noise Cancellation is great

    Good bass response and bright sound

    Nicely packaged

    LOATHES

    Leather padding

    Batteries not rechargeable

    You can buy them from Lindy.co.uk or Amazon.com

    Tech Spec

    • Over-ear design with breathable protein leather ear pads
    • ANC reduces external low frequency noise by up to 85%
    • 40mm high output drivers with neodymium magnets
    • Impedance: 32Ω passive mode / 100Ω ANC mode
    • Sensitivity (1mW@1kHz ±3dB): Passive 93dB ANC 103dB
    • Nominal THD: Passive <0.1%@ 1kHz / ANC <0.5% @ 1kHz
    • Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Battery Life:
    • ANC mode only (no audio playback): 130 Hours
    • ANC mode with playback at 50% volume: 72 Hours
    • Adjustable volume
    • Powered by two AAA batteries
    • 3.5mm Stereo Jack Socket for detachable 3.5mm cable
    • Dimensions: 196 x 160 x 45mm
    • Weight: 203g (including 2 x AAA battery)
  • AUDIO REVIEW | RHA S500i In-Ear Headphones

    AUDIO REVIEW | RHA S500i In-Ear Headphones

    The world seems to be full of huge, chunky earphones/headphones – you’re nobody if you don’t wear huge “cans”…

    S500i_postcard_image_2

    Except, they don’t necessarily give you the best fit or sound. I prefer in-ear headphones, buds that sit inside your ear, snuggly and giving you excellent music pleasure.

    These new earphones from RHA, the S500i gives you style and substance in one tiny, well-designed package.

    As with this style of headphone, the S500i is lightweight and comfortable to use and wear – mainly being down to the big quality aluminium used in the production of these beauties. Add to that a fabric cord and an easy to use mic/volume control and you have a future classic. These come with a selection of dual-density replaceable ear tips that ensure you don’t disturb the other commuters!

    iPad_x_S500i_Master

    The 1.35m fabric cable gives you more than enough cable to pop your phone in your pocket and still do the head bop to your favourite tunes without dislodging the earbuds. The lightweight, aluminium construction helps to make it feel like you’re not wearing anything – in your ears…

    The selection of replaceable ear tips means a snug fit but also keeps your earphones clean and tidy. This is something I’ve struggled with using the white ones supplied by “you-know-who”.

    Now I love my cheesy music, and sometimes I want to listen to it without the judgement looks from those around me – you know who you are. So, the fact that these lovely things actually do what they say they will and keep the noise in your ears, rather than anyone else, is a bonus for me. I can look like I’m listening to Megadeath or Mahler, instead of actually bopping away to Steps or Scootch.

    I’m biased when it comes to this type of earbud, I prefer my headphones small and easy to transport/store so these are ideal. My only negative is, as usual, the fact the cord tangles – but this is something that happens with all headphones so it’s no major issue. They come with a lovely drawstring pocket to keep them safe and tidy so at least RHA are thinking about how to transport them and try to keep them tangle free.

    The Positive

    Lightweight aluminium

    Changeable ear tips

    Fabric cord

    The Negative

    Not aimed at RHA, but I wish someone could design a tangle-free cord?

  • TECH REVIEW: Majority Newham DAB Radio

    TECH REVIEW: Majority Newham DAB Radio

    Ok, I admit it, not everyone knows this but I’m a DAB virgin!

    Newham Radio

    Yes, I know what it is – that’s Digital Audio Broadcasting folks but I’ve fallen out of love with radio over the years.

    This item is an ideal introduction to the genre of tech – it’s easy to set up, it’s easy to use and it’s easy on your pocket.

    It took 5 minutes to set up the radio and that included setting up the clock and alarm.

    This UK lifestyle brand, based in Cambridge, has 2 models on offer – the Newham and Chesterton (named after areas of their home town). I got my grubby little mitts on a Newham for this review and from the moment of first opening the box, it was true love.

    I’m a sucker for well designed tech, and this model fits that bill.

    The Newham is sleek and black and takes me back to the 80s with this tactile finish, its minimalist controls and blue display. It’s slick and not in a bad way. Quite ironic that the first channel that appeared was Absolute 80’s and I love the way that the unobtrusive display lets you know what song is playing – who needs Shazam?

    It’s controls in a chrome colour are simple and straightforward with easy to use scan and prev/next buttons to help you find and tune in to your favourite stations. Believe me, with this little beauty, you’ll be discovering more favourite stations.

    The unit weighs practically nothing and once charged will let you have 4-6 hours of playback so it’s ideal for carrying around as you Dyson or, you know, whatever you do.

    As mentioned before, the set-up is minimal, and sourcing decent stations is done for you – to some extent. You do have to store the ones you love as favourites but hey, you got to do some of the work, right?

    At a manageable 210mm x 180mm x 65mm, this unit isn’t huge – but doesn’t need to be. Following the trend for fitting lots into small units, this item has everything you need, from the headphone jack to a 2 line display, rotary volume control and clock/alarm – this is all you need to get your toes a-tapping and butt a-shaking to whatever tunes you prefer.

    Ok, let’s be frank, this isn’t a Roberts radio, it might not have that build quality but the price reflects this. It has a manageable £39.95 price tag, and more than delivers for that. It has everything you’d need to listening to DAB radio and still allows you to tune into FM too – if that’s your thing!

    The Positive

    ▪ The price

    ▪ Design

    ▪ Ease of use

    The Negative

    ▪ NONE!

    Specifications:

    Dimensions: 210mm x 180mm x 65mm

    Boxed Product Weight: 962g

    Mains Power (UK lead included)

    Rechargeable Battery With 4-6 Hours Playback

    Radio Frequency Range: DAB 174 – 240 MHz / FM 87.5 – 108MHz

    Audio Output: 1 x 3.5mm Mini Jack Socket

    Dual Alarm With Snooze Function

    20 Presets

    Clear LCD Display

    Auto-Scan Tuning

    Auto Set Time & Date

    Price: RRP is £39.95 and can be bought:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk

    As I’m writing this, I am singing my head off to Fame – coz I am gonna live forever ok, too much? Ahem, I love this little unit. I’m a convert to DAB. As someone who works from home, I listen to a lot of music and sometimes, just sometimes, prefer someone to choose the music for me? Apple Music gives you too much choice and I can see me getting more and more into radio, thanks to this item!

    Our Rating: ★★★★★

  • REVIEW | VAIN STHLM Originals In-ear Headphones

    ★★★★★ | VAIN STHLM Originals In-ear Headphones

    The packaging on these beauties is very reminiscent of Apple – from the beautiful tonal card outer, magnetic flaps covering information in sleek typography through to the copper coloured tin that holds the stunning earphones.

    This is a product that has thought through all aspects, from the colour range on offer across the range to the fabric covered cord, from the copper agents on the buds themselves to the magnet that allows you to secure them around your neck and avoid tangles.

    This is sleek, studied and stunning Scandi design at its best. But do they actually sound any good? The simple answer is yes, yes, yes!

    These beauties come in several colours and I got my mitts on a pair in raw umber – think Armani greige and you get the picture. Subtle and understated design, but very on trend for all you fashionistas out there. The copper detailing on each bud makes them stand out from a crowded marketplace. If you’re looking to replace your apple buds, then these are ideal!

    Having just invested in a new iPhone 6S, and trial access to Apple Music, now was the ideal time to take these babies for a test drive – and they didn’t disappoint. With the now expected built-in volume control and mic for those all important calls, this mirrors apples offering but has extra style and the ability to stop/start music.

    They come with 3 sets of buds in different sizes to ensure a good, comfortable fit – unlike some others on the market, and they are very comfortable. As someone who travels a bit for work, I hate those hard plastic ear-buds that don’t feel secure or comfortable after a period of time, but these lovelies are perfect.
    As for sound, they offer a deep, sexy bass with great treble and an excellent mid-range – I tried them with everything from Mariah through Madonna to Kylie, visiting some Will Young, Billie Holliday and Adele along the way – they handled it all with aplomb.
    I know that most smartphones give you a pair of headphones with each handset, as do most tablets – but these buds work wonderfully with all of the above and I’m struggling to find anything that they could improve.

    LOVES
    Sound – which is a good thing for earbuds
    Design – gorgeous choice of colours and shape

    LOATHES

    Not A Single Thing

    TECH SPEC
    Driver : 11mm Dynamic Driver
    Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20 kHz
    Impedance: 16 Ω
    Sensitivity: 107db @ 1kHz

    Price: £62.50 RRP
    Currently available exclusively in Harrods, London and online via: http://vainsthlm.com

    The price may seem steep for ear-buds but these are a classy item, with quality built in. I’m rating these so highly because, after comparing them with the apple version, these little beauties stand out, for all the right reasons.
    Our Rating: ★★★★★

  • TECH REVIEW: Majority Titan Speaker

    The publicity for this speaker makes a bold statement about the dock based speaker systems being back, and back with a vengeance.

    (more…)

  • TECH REVIEW | Minirig Bluetooth Speaker

    I love it when you get a new piece of tech, fresh out of the box and it feels so intuitive that you just plug and play! That’s how it is with this new speaker from Minirigs.

    It is beautiful to look at, all curves and matte colour. Mine for review was a deep red, with black accents and my favourite part – nothing superfluous in terms of buttons and flashing lights.

    This isn’t a piece of kit for the kids – but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t have one, or two…

    It is a boutique British brand, built in Bristol – ok, am out of B words now. It’s not as small as some speakers out there but it’s packed with features, and, as mentioned above, it has some serious sleek looks and an eye-catching array of colours (7 in total) which means it’s suitable for everyone’s decor. It’s anodised aluminium shell has a cool feel, and contrasting textured polycarbonate adds an accent that doesn’t jar.

    It’s not just the looks that win you round though – this is a speaker that delivers. No tinny sound here – you get full-bodied bass, and a volume to wake the neighbours, home or away…

    It also comes with a proven 50 hours of battery life – that’s 50, a 5 and a 0. Just charge up the speaker, and you’re off and running to whatever festival you’re heading to this summer – and not only does it play from your smartphone but it has a charging capability too. It can charge your phone via its unique USB in and out cable. You may need to check the connectivity heads but, hey, that’s why we have Maplins, right?

    The guys and gals at Minirigs have mastered a way of delivering Bluetooth connectivity, without draining the battery faster than me with a wine bottle. This means it holds its charge if not used, and provides an average of 30 hours playing time per charge.

    Also, it has True Wireless Stereo (TWS) which means you can connect 2 units for stereo sound or double the volume. I used the connecting cable when test driving this little thing, and it worked a treat – perfect for getting that deep down sound you need when watching Game of Thrones on your iPad.

    At the moment, there is an app, but it’s Android only, with an iOS due shortly, so I wasn’t able to test this functionality but am assured that the inbuilt media controls allow you to stream Soundcloud, YouTube, etc and also manage your battery life – all whilst tweeting and posting and snap chatting!

    Right, now down to the good, bad and ugly:

    Good:
    Love the colours
    That body with no flaws
    Ease of use
    That sound
    The battery life

    Bad:
    No iOS app yet? Come on guys!

    Ugly:
    Nothing!
    Not a blinking thing…

    Price: Single speakers: £139, 2 speakers and a subwoofer: £390 (special offer only from Minirigs site) and are available here:

    http://www.minirigs.co.uk

    I’m not one for loud music anymore – too long in the tooth, but I do like my music without distortion and a lot of the speakers on the market these days are cheap for that very reason. This doesn’t distort, and is so well built it could be the only one you need for some time to come – with the option to add when you feel the need to release your inner Flashdance or Footloose (told you I was old!).

    I give it 5 huge stars as I see this having longevity – it isn’t a trend or a flash in the pan idea but a well thought out piece of kit.

    Our Rating: ★★★★★

    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
    MINIRIG BLUETOOTH
    Dimensions : 101.62mm x 73mm
    Net Weight : 435g
    Frequency Response : 75 – 20kHz
    Battery Life : 50 Hours (Low Volume)
    : 30 Hours (Average Use)
    : 10 Hours (Maximum Volume)
    Input Power : USB (5V DC @ 500mA)
    Output Power : USB (5V DC @ 500mA)
    Bluetooth : 4.0 With APTX and Wireless Stereo
    Bluetooth Range : 10-50 Metres Line-Of-Sight
    Charging Time : 6-8 Hours
    Audio Input / Output : 2 x 3.5mm Mini Jack Socket
    Construction : Anodised Aluminium And Polycarbonate
    IP Rating : IPX4 – Air Tight Enclosure With Waterproof Cone
    Maximum Peak Output : >100DB
    Colours Available : Silver / Black / Red / Blue / Purple / Gold / Green

  • TECH REVIEW | Bloc & Roc Galvanise Headphones

    TECH REVIEW | Bloc & Roc Galvanise Headphones

    ★★★★★ | Bloc & Roc Galvanise Headphones

    Bloc & Roc Galvanise Headphones

    Sometimes, just sometimes, this job gives you the chance to get your mitts on some really lovely kit. This is one of those times.

    From first opening the package, to fitting these kitten soft headphones on my my head was all pure, unadulterated pleasure. The looks, the feel, the… but I’m getting carried away here.

    The brand is a new UK based purveyor of audio excellence. Based just outside London, this group of individuals have done their homework, and have been willing to put the hours in to design and manufacture something truly wonderful.

    I got to road test the Galvanise S2 in grey and fell in love almost immediately but you can view both new styles at the website (address below) and choose between the S1 or S2.

    Lets consider the design of these puppies. Each set has been crafted from British aerospace grade aluminium and the softest leather I’ve ever seen (or felt!). They weigh nothing and really do caress your ears – I don’t think I could ever go back to plastic in-ear type again. The contrast between the black leather and matt metal with a flash of red inside is sheer genius – the look may be industrial chic but the feel is pure handmade.

    Bloc & Roc Galvanise Headphones

    The cord is a woven nylon, giving them a slight retro feel, and they come with both a soft and hard case for storage or travelling. All in all, a well thought out product.

    I don’t pretend to understand some of the technical aspects of headphones, I’m more a looks and sounds man. The Bloc & Roc site talks about customised 40mm dynamic drivers being enhanced to deliver a powerful and well-balanced audio experience, all I know is they simply sound wonderful and envelope you in whatever you choose to play.

    Could be a foreign language to me – but features like the fit, the cord being fabric and not cheap plastic, the inbuilt mic that allows you to take calls, and the near perfect sound they allow you to enjoy are all I need to know. The technical stuff, I leave to those that understand it, but these headphones deliver, in spades!

    Technical Specifications:
    Headphone: On-ear, closed-back.
    Speaker: 40mm dynamic neodymium
    Sensitivity: 116 ± 2dB
    Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz
    Impedance: 16Ω ± 15%
    Cable material: nylon-type fabric
    Cable length: 1200mm
    Audio connector: 3.5mm gold-plated
    Total weight: 215g

    My only gripe? I still like my music loud, and there is some noise leakage with these, so avoid the quiet coach if travelling by train, otherwise, crank it up and let the world hear your choice.

    The Positive

    ▪ The design
    ▪ Craftsmanship
    ▪ The extras (both hard and soft cases)

    The Negative
    ▪ Some noise leakage at high volume

    Price: £129..95 (plus £5.00 p&p to UK addresses)

    Note: they do ship worldwide, so contact them for details.

    Available from the site:
    http://www.blocandroc.co.uk

    I’m rating these a 5. Why? Firstly, I am sick of seeing that headphone with the B everywhere. Secondly, they are a UK product that shows design at its best. Thirdly, and most importantly, they work and work well.

    Our Rating: ★★★★★

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