iPhone not included.
(Credit: JayBird)LAS VEGAS--With smartphones taking the place of standalone MP3 players more and more, it's no wonder we have a proliferation of stereo Bluetooth headsets on the market. No stranger to this space is JayBird, which has been making uncharacteristically comfy sets for the past several years. The latest release from the company is the BlueBuds Bluetooth Headphones, a lightweight set with earpieces that measure just an inch long.
Despite their small size, the BlueBuds manage to integrate a full array of tactile controls into the right earpiece. There's a volume knob and buttons for controlling music playback and call functions. The headset is quite stylish in a low-key way, with rounded rectangular earpieces and muted silver and gray accents. It also appears to be fairly comfortable, based on the adjustable, contoured ear loops and angled earbud arms. The earpieces are connected via a flexible band that is designed to be worn at the base of the neck.
JayBird also asserts that the headphones have a new wireless audio
... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
(Credit:
iWave)
LAS VEGAS--Despite my jaded, bitter facade, there are times when I am easily impressed. Now is one of those times. A new, graffiti-inspired line from iWave is turning my head, and all the company did was splash a flashy exterior on to some otherwise pretty standard products.
The products in the Urban Collection include iPod/iPhone cases, earbuds, headphones, and speakers, which range in price from $9.99 to $39.99. Such budget pricing doesn't bode well for sound quality, but they sure do look purty! I'm especially fond of the speakers pictured above. Look for them on virtual shelves in Q2 of this year.
Here are my picks for the best-sounding audio products of 2009, in no particular order.
Pioneer VSX-1019AH Receiver
The VSX-1019AH has just about every gotta-have feature and its stellar performance makes it the go-to choice for sound-quality-conscious midprice receiver buyers.
Onkyo HT-RC180 Receiver
Sure, the HT-RC180 goes for around double the Pioneer's price, but its power and dynamic slam put it over the top.
Onkyo HT-S9100THX Home Theater in a Box
The HT-S9100THX is not only the best sounding HTIB on the planet, you can easily upgrade its performance by adding better speakers or subwoofer. Few HTIBs offer owners that capability.
Onkyo's HT-RC180, our favorite receiver of the year.
(Credit: Onkyo)Monster Turbine Pro (Gold) in-ear headphones
I'm a big fan of the original and still-available Monster Turbine in-ear headphones, but now that I've gotten to spend time with the Pro I can tell you this: it's simply the best $300 in-ear I've heard.
Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference Strada Speaker
The double-balled Reference Strada ($995 each) measures a lifestyle-friendly 6.5 inches tall by 12.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches long, but the compact speaker makes a huge, room-filling sound. The Strada is jam-packed with unique technology.
(Credit:
jarrettphoto.com)
There might be a solution to one of the most obnoxious linear relationships: as Grandpa gets older, the TV gets louder. TV Ears is a wireless headset that allows Grandpa (or anyone) to listen to television audio in isolation. And though its design screams "geek!" the wearer can sacrifice fashion for a peaceful household.
A small transmitter plugs into the audio-out ports located on the back of the television set, satellite box, or cable box and wirelessly transmits the television's audio to the headset. The user can adjust the volume and tone dials on the headset, while television volume can be set to any level or turned off.
George Dennis, CEO of the Spring Valley, Calif.-based company, explains that unlike other wireless headsets or hearing aids, TV Ears amplifies dialogue more than other sounds with its "Voice Clarifying Circuitry." Since the digital transition, consumers are complaining of muffled dialogue, Dennis said.
TV Ears is made for a niche market--seniors--but parents who complain of loud video games might administer it to ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
Once Monster dipped its toes into the headphone market, there was no stopping the cable manufacturer from releasing a bevy of earphones on the unsuspecting masses. From in-ear to on-ear to over-the-ear, you shouldn't have trouble finding a pair of undeniably stylish Monster headphones to suit your needs.
The latest offering is the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo, an on-ear model that features ControlTalk, which is essentially fancy terminology for an inline mic and integrated controls for the iPod. This $200 set offers all the bass we expected from the first two Dr. Dre headphones in a slick, compact package. Unfortunately, while the low end is satisfyingly ear-shaking, it also tends to muddy up the overall sound space.
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
(Credit:
Yurtopia)
The comfort of earbuds, especially those issued with MP3 players, is often unpredictable--they fall out, sit loose, or just plain hurt.
Seth Burgett, CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Yurtopia, realized the need for a comfortable earbud while training for the Iron Man triathlon.
Using his background in minimally invasive surgical devices, he saw an opportunity for consumers to improve instead of replace their existing earbuds with "earbud enhancers."
Consumers can send in a photo of their ear, which Yurtopia uses to determine the correct size. There are a total of 12 different sizes, so although Yurbuds aren't individually molded, the range of sizes allows for a more appropriate fit.
Yurbuds isolate the sound and prevent leakage, which tends to occur with loose-fitting earbuds. As a result, a consumer might be able to reduce the volume from on their device by up to 40 percent, Yurtopia explains.
Yurbuds are available now for $20 a pair, or $30 for a pack of two.
Monster Turbine earphones
Q: Can you help me to choose an earphone? I have $150. For the sound, I like an earphone that has great bass and clear sound. Which one is the best between Dr. Dre Tour, Shure SE210 and Bose earphone? -- Yudanto, via e-mail
A: Personally, I would not go for any of those, though for the Dr. Dre Tours, it's more a matter of fit (the earpieces are very long). As for the Shure SE210s, those are not the best model for thumping bass. And the Bose In-Ear 'phones have had lukewarm reviews overall from users and editors alike.
I'm not sure what the availability is like in Indonesia, but my recommendations for you are as follows, in order:
- Monster Turbine
- Klipsch Image S4
- Ultimate Ears Super.fi EB (if you have a little extra to spend or can find a deal)
SanDisk Sansa Clip+
Q: My girlfriend is getting a gift for a relative who likes to read, so I recommended a Sansa Clip and an audiobooks gift card. Before she goes through with it, I wanted to check with the MP3 queen to see your thoughts on the Clip as an audiobook player, and your favorite audiobook purveyor. If you've got a better idea for a gift, I would appreciate it, but keep in mind that her budget is $75 (preferably less). -- bereezy, via e-mail
A: I would go with the Sansa Clip+. You can check out our list of top choices for audiobooks; as you can see, the Clip+ is the best option in her price range. It also leaves plenty of the budget left over for a gift card.
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Where's the "All of the Above" option?
(Credit: AT&T)Before we get into the stories on today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast, let's spend a moment on the magic of Lady Gaga. In this morning's pre-show, Jeff admits he's finally fallen for the incendiary pop star, and it's all because of her newest video, "Bad Romance." We all agree that the diva is definitely the most talented pop star, but the nerds inside of us have to ask: does she have to constantly pimp her Monster Heartbeat headphones in every single music video?
Wilson also shows us a "no duh" iPhone app from AT&T called "Mark the Spot." The app gives AT&T customers a chance to vocalize and report their poor service complaints. It even lets you note your current location and the frequently of the issue. Anyone else think it's ironic that you have to use AT&T's servers to access this complaint software? How are we supposed to use it if the network is struggling?
We've been patiently waiting for Space Beer to come out ever since the debut of Space Beer Guy back on Episode 109, and it's finally here! The beer made with barley grown in space is finally available for the low price of $113, which actually isn't that much when you consider the shipping fee. Unfortunately, there are only 250 boxes of the stuff available, so you might have to fight us to get your hands on a bottle.
Finally, we've received so many new theme song submissions that we've decided to play a new one every day for the rest of this week! Today's entries include two 8-bit versions from Callum and Adam and a synth-y remix from Mad Dogg. Keep listening to the rest of this week's episodes for more submissions, and thanks to all the talented folks who are taking the time to help out this podcast. We owe you all a Coke!
EPISODE 482
Listen now: Download today's podcastSubscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video
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In the vast sea of MP3 players, headphones, and other portable audio accessories, not all can reign supreme. Some have the best battery life, some provide the boomiest bass, and some offer the best bang for your buck. But we're not addressing these more "nebulous" items here. Instead, we've got a list based only on the hardest data we can get: hits.
The top 10 most popular portable audio gadgets list is based solely on traffic numbers. Of course, even this measurement is not without a couple of caveats. Namely, these numbers favor older products, since newer products have had less time on the site to build traffic. In addition, gadgets on our top products lists also get some favoritism because--well--they're the most popular pages on CNET.
Check 'em out--in order from 1 to 10--below.
