Saturday, April 18, 2009

Monster Digital PowerCenter MDP 900 review

When it comes to surge protectors and power conditioners, Monster makes some of the best. Up for review is the Monster Digital PowerCenter MDP w/ Green Power and USB Charging MDP 900. This is not an ordinary surge protector. It can be used for computers, home theater systems, and features Monster GreenPower.

For surge protection and power filtration, the MDP 900 uses Monster’s PC Clean Power Stage 2. It removes electromagnetic and radio frequency noise to help your data transfers be more reliable and helps computer performance. The Monster Dual Mode Plus feature sounds an alarm and automatically disconnects in the event of these dangerous conditions, to isolate your equipment from the source. Since Cable modem, DSL, and Ethernet lines can also carry damaging power surges and spikes, the phone, network and coaxial connections are also protected. And monster is so confident in their product that the MDP 900 includes equipment replacement protection up to $300,000.

There are even some advanced features. The MDP 900 includes two high-current surge protected USB ports to safely charge MP# players, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronics. This helps free up USB ports on your computer, as well as outlets on the PowerCenter for peripherals such as a printer, external hard drives, etc. It is also PLC Network compatible. HomePlug is a growingly popular form of creating a home network using your homes electrical wiring. Ordinary surge protectors can block PLC, but not the MDP 900.

Last but not least, many companies are jumping on the bandwagon and going green. Monster is one of them. The MDP 900 includes Monster GreenPower. This will not only reduce energy waste and thereby being “green,” but by doing so it will use less energy and therefore save you some green. All you would do is plug in your computer or receiver into the main outlet, and your other peripherals into the other outlets. When you turn the receiver or computer off or in standby mode, all of the other outlets switch off. No more energy vampires.

So Monster has created another great product. And it was nice to see that it actually works. In hooking it up to my computer, when I turn it off all of my peripherals also turn off. While I am not sure how much green I have saved so far, it is still nice to know that I am doing something for the environment and there are companies out there like Monster that want to do their part. For more info and detailed specs, please check out Monster’s website at www.monstercable.com



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Sunday, April 5, 2009

Zaggphone Closed Dynamic Headphone Review


With any type of speakers, whether they are home speakers, car speakers, or headphones, the desired result is the same. To produce enjoyable sound at given price points is the goal. Up for review is a pair of Zaggphones from a company called Zagg. They are a large over the ear closed dynamic design. They can be found at Zagg’s website for an introductory price or $80.

I had a hard time reviewing these headphones. It was difficult because I kept getting dragged into the music. I try to be alert to the different sounds that I am used to hearing in the music that I use in my reviews. But the Zaggphones sounded better than expected for their price point, and I kept having to remind myself to pay attention and not just enjoy the music. That is probably one of the best compliments for a pair of headphones. They truly are enjoyable.

The Zaggphones performed very well overall. While they are not the performers as my Skull Candy SK Pro’s, they also don’t come with the same $150 price tag. And with that being said, they perform admirably for their price point. The highs sounded very clean, and only occasionally got a tad overextended or harsh. The mids were sufficiently smooth, and the lows supplied plenty of deep low bass and can satisfy bass heads like myself. There was also a good level of resolution and nice sized soundstage. Mannheim Steamroller is one of my favorites, and in Fresh Aire V’s “Creatures of Levania,” there was plenty of low end extension, and the flute had air. Listening to many of the tracks in Sound & Vision / Telarc Heads up SACD sampler disc, both male and female vocals as well as the piano sounded natural. In Junior Wells’ track “Why are people Like That?” The harmonica took me away.

Thank you Zagg for an enjoyable experience. The Zaggphones are a great sounding product. And with a lifetime warranty, they are a bargain at this price. Anyone in the market for some good headphones at this price point deserves to give them a listen. For more info, please check out their website at www.zagg.com.


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