JBL UA Headphones Wireless

JBL partnered with Under Armour for their UA Headphones Wireless. If you have an active lifestyle, these could be for you. Whether it is just running, or playing basketball, they are designed to stay in your ears. They are wireless IEM with built-in controls, so you can also use them with your smart phone, and link to it with Bluetooth.

Features and specs:

Features

TwistLockTM Technology

With a proven ergonomic ear tip designed specifically for athletes, twist and lock them into place – they’re guaranteed never to hurt or fall out.

Durable Build

Internal and external strain reliefs along with IPX5 sweat proof construction provide the ultimate durability.

JBL Signature Sound

Premium 5.8mm dynamic drivers deliver big sound in a compact size. JBL’s legendary Pure Bass Performance will keep you driven to finish strong.

Bluetooth Compatible

Bluetooth connectivity to iOS and Android devices allows for a wire free, distraction free workout

Universal control.

Control tracks, volume and calls easily with a inline 3-button mic.

8 Hour Battery.

Get a week’s worth of workouts with 8 hours of battery life per charge.

MapMyFitness Premium Membership

With a membership to to MapMyFitness Premium you can precisely monitor your health and track progress.

Specs

Audio Specifications

Frequency Response

10Hz–22kHz

Speaker Specifications

Driver

Premium 5.8mm Dynamic Driver

Control and Connection Specifications

Connector

Micro USB cable for charging

The JBL UA Headphones Wireless came in a nice red box, and were well protected being held in foam molding. Construction was mostly plastic and soft plastic rubber. And I can see by their design how they would give a solid fit and not fall out. Quality of materials used was good, as was the fit and finish. Also included was the owners' manual, additional set of ear tips, charging cable and soft carry case.

The manual was easy to follow, with how to charge them and get them to pair with my HTC One M9 smartphone.  Charging them was very easy. Getting them paired with my smartphone was very simple as well.  And their Bluetooth performance was good.  I was able to have good quality crystal clear sound up to 40 feet away from my phone, and with a wall between me and the phone.  The design of the IEM's definitely made for a secure fit.  I tried shaking my head and they held a firm fit.  They were not going to fall out!  I was able to get a great fit with one of the tips as well.  SO while they were not going to fall out, I also had a good seal for the tunes as well.  Now it was time to test their sound performance.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, bass from kick drum had good depth with authority. The wood knockers revealed a fairly wide soundstage. Percussion had good dynamics, vocals were natural sounding.  Journey: Don't Stop Believing, piano sounded very natural. Vocals were very natural with good resolution. Kick drum had nice impact and depth. Imaging was good for their price point.  Also Sprach Zarathustra, low end rumble had good depth and played with authority. Trumpets were smooth and not too brassy. Tympani had nice dynamics and impact.  Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, vocals were very natural with really good resolution. Bass had nice low end extension and output. Piano sounded very natural. Harmonica had nice harmonics with very good dynamics.  Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet sounded very natural and clean with some woodiness. Horns were really smooth. Piano sounded more natural than expected. Bassoon had good depth and texture.  

If you like to be outdoors and have an active lifestyle, these JBL UA Headphones Wireless could be for you.  Whether it is be jogging, basketball, or raquetball, you won't need to worry about them falling out.  And you can get your game on with some great sound!  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the JBL UA Headphones Wireless has earned our Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.jbl.com. 

Audio-Technica ATH-S700BT Wireless Headphones Review

Audio-Technica is known for providing very good bang for your buck. And that appears to hold true for the Audio-Technica ATH-S700BT. They are an over the ear style headphone. The ear cups also rotate for easier storage. Their lightweight design also helps make them comfortable for long listening periods.

Features and specs:

·         Bluetooth wireless technology with mic and music & volume controls built into the earcup for answering/ending calls, controlling music & video playback and controlling volume on Bluetooth wireless devices

·         Remembers up to eight devices and automatically connects with the last paired device 

·         Housings contain an acoustic chamber that’s separate from the electronics and helps to maximize driver performance

·         40 mm drivers for outstanding sound quality

·         Built-in headphone amplifier ensures clear and accurate sound reproduction from the wireless signal

·         Soft, memory foam earpads provide a comfortable fit with outstanding sound isolation

·         Smooth, easily adjustable headband slider ensures a comfortable fit

·         Headphones fold flat for easy transport

·         Internal battery provides six hours of continuous use (200 hours on standby) on a full charge

·         1.2 m (3.9') cable with mic/controls provides a wired connection for when wireless operation is prohibited (e.g., in airplanes or hospitals) or when battery power is low

·         Includes 1.0 m (3.3') USB charging cable

The Audio-Technica ATH-S700BT came in a nice looking box with colored photos and specs for the product. They were well protected in a custom fitted box. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic. Quality of materials used was good. The fit and finish was also good. They are also very light. And while they are light, they are not cheap or cheaply made. Also included were the owners' manual, charging cable, audio cable and soft carry bag.

The instructions were very easy to follow, and walked you thru how to get them charged and paired with my HTC One M9.  I also liked the ability to be able to use the included audio cable, incase either the battery dies, or you have a non-wireless device.  The earcups were very comfortable and gave a very good seal.  And the Bluetooth radio worked very well.  I was able to go over 50 feet away from my smartphone, and thru multiple walls with having great perfectly clear sound.  They seemed to be a great bang for the buck, and couldn't wait to hear how they sound!

David Bowie: Let's Dance, kick drum played deep and with a lot of authority. Wood knocker showed good resolution and a wide soundstage. Vocals were very natural with good texture with nice smoothness. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, piano was impressively natural sounding. Vocals were nice and smooth with great timber and texture. Kick drum had very nice depth, impact, and played with authority. Also Sprach Zarathustra, revealed excellent low end extension and depth, with very good authority. Trumpets sounded very smooth and clean and a nice wide soundstage. Tympani had very nice dynamics, impact, and resolution. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, vocals were very natural sounding with excellent resolution and texture. Bass had very good depth and output. Harmonica had really nice clean harmonics with excellent dynamics. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was really natural with good tone and woodiness. Trumpet was really clean and smooth without being brassy. Bassoon had nice depth and texture. Timpani had nice impact. They threw a really wide soundstage and imaging was very good. 

Audio-Technica is known for giving a very good bang for your buck with their products.  In terms of the ATH-S700BT, they hit it out of the park!  The Audio-Technica ATH-S700BT are a perfect example. They had a very neutral sound with very good resolution, and bass.  And they would give other models twice their price a run for their money!  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Audio-Technica ATH-S700BT has earned our Highly Recommended Award.  For more info, check out their website at www.audio-technica.com. 

Massive Audio Flex Wireless Headphones

Massive Audio is known for high quality car audio that is, well, MASSIVE! They have started to do headphones, and the Flex is their wireless model. They are a large over the ear design. They have multiple colors to choose from, and come with a Super Bass feature. Given their car audio heritage, having super bass makes sense.

Features and specs:

Features:

•  Bluetooth enabled for wireless connection

•  Carrying bag with MASSVE logo

•  Noise rejection circuitry

•  Built-in Omni-directional microphone for phone calls and gaming

•  Glossy piano finish with leather ear pads

•  Auxiliary in/out for linking for music sharing

•  3.5mm Flat AUX cable included

•  SUPER BASS button for powerful low frequency or enhanced sound quality 

•  Multi-Function interface for Volume / Play / Pause / >> / << / Phone / Power / Mute

•  Dual oversized speakers for high performance sound quality

•  Mil spec PCB with SMD parts for amplification

•  Battery status LED with low battery audio indicator

•  USB Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 30 hours music / 35 hours talk & 1200 hours standby

•  Micro USB to USB flat charging cable included

•  Battery indicator display / voice battery low indicator

Specifications:

Connectivity   Wireless Bluetooth

Wireless Range:  33 Feet / 10 meters

Accessories: 3.5mm Flat Wire Auxiliary Cable / Micro-USB Charging Cable / Doctor Who Carrying Bag

Dimensions Open:  7.3"H x 7.3”W x 3.1”D

Dimensions Folded:  4.7"H x 6.8”W x 3.1”D

Battery Life:  30 hours music / 35 hours talk & 1200 hours standby

Battery:  Rechargeable Lithium-ion via Micro USB

Speakers:  2-Way Dual Oversized High Powered Drivers

Finish:   Glossy Piano Finish with Leather Ear and Head Pads

Direct Connect / Linking:  3.5mm Auxiliary In/Out

Microphone:  Omni-directional -43db, SNR>60dB

USB Port:  Micro-USB, DC5V, 350-400mA

Frequency Response:  20Hz - 20KHz

Tuning:  Bass Boost Button For Optional Low Frequency Enhancement

Sensitivity:  110dB

Magnet: Neodymium

The Massive Audio Flex came in a nice box that held it securely and allowed you to see them through the clear plastic window, and the molded plastic that held them firmly in place. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic. Quality of materials used was good, and the same can be said for the fit and finish. They felt in hand to be a well made product. Also included in the box was the manual, charging cable, audio cable and soft carry bag.

The instructions were easy to follow, on getting them charged, and the same for getting them to pair with my HTC One M9.  There is built-in Supper Bass.  And there is a audio in cable to you can listen to them wired for non-wireless devices.  There is also an audio out connection.  This allows a friend to connect up and enjoy the same tunes you are.  The Flex charged easily, and the connections worked well.  I was a bit surprised though to see that power had to be on, even if you were listening to them wired.  So you will want to make sure they have a good charge.  The Bluetooth worked well as well, with me being able to go over 40 feet away and thru multiple walls between me and my HTC One M9.  But how do they sound?

David Bowie: Let's Dance, bass from the kick drum was nice and deep with excellent authority. Wood knockers sounded fairly natural with some resolution and they threw a nice sized soundstage. Percussion was nicely dynamic. Vocals were natural with some smoothness. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, piano had nice tone. Vocals were fairly smooth and natural. Kick drum had very good impact, depth, and played with lots of authority. Also Sprach Zarathustra, showed excellent low end rumble with excellent depth and played with lots of authority, being only a tad boomy. Trumpets sounded very smooth with good resolution. Tympani had nice dynamics, depth and impact. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, vocals were natural sounding with very good timbre. Bass had nice low end extension and output. Kick drum had excellent impact. Harmonica was really clean with really good dynamics. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet had sufficient resolution and sounded natural. Piano sounded natural. Trumpets were smooth and fairly clean and just a touch brassy. Bassoon had good depth and texture. Soundstage was better than expected as was the imaging.  

Massive Audio made a nice product with the Flex wireless headphones.  And the built-in super bass does give an extra boost of bass.  Massive Audio while being new to the headphone industry, put forth a good product.  If you are someone who like a lot of bass, these could be just what the doctor ordered.  And being able to share your tunes with a buddy is icing on the cake.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Massive Audio Flex wireless headphones have earned our Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.massiveaudio.com.

Monster ClarityHD Wireless IEM Review

We typically do not review anything under $100, but Monster was adamant about their Clarity HD, that they would perform as well as a $100 model would, so we are reviewing them. While they are entry level for Monster, they are still designed for high quality audio. In speaking to Monsters rep, they understood that most individuals are on a tight budget, so they wanted to bring out a product at a low price point. While the price point is low, they still wanted to have great sound quality and give consumers a big band for their buck.

Features and specs:

• Advanced construction with reinforcement at critical stress points
• Ergonomically designed, with multiple ear tips for a better fit
• Won't fall out of your ears like other earbuds
• Premium wireless Bluetooth sound quality at an incredible value
• Superior noise isolation
• In-line mic for clearer phone calls and music control
• Extremely lightweight
• Innovative battery design for 5+ hours of listening

The Monster ClarityHD came shipped in a standard colored box with its specs listed. There was also a clear plastic window on the front, so you can see the IEM. Materials used in the construction is mostly plastic. Quality of materials used as well as build quality was good. Also included was the manual, charging cable, extra eartips, and carry bag. They looked better than a $80 product, that's for sure.

Using them was very simple.  After charging them, it was time to get them linked to my HTC One M9 phone.  The owners manual was easy to follow on instructions for getting them charged, and paired. Getting them to pair with my phone was easier than expected.  Next it was time to see how well they held a connection, and I was equally impressed.  I was able to go over 50 feet away with multiple walls between me and my phone and still able to hear clean sound. I was still amazed at the $80 price tag, and could not wait to test them with this years sound tracks.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, had nice deep bass in the kick drum that had really nice authority. Nice resolution in the wood knocker that showed a big soundstage. Vocals were very natural sounding.  Journey: Don't Stop Believing , piano sounded very natural, vocals sounded very natural with good resolution. Kick drum had nice depth and impact.  Also Sprach Zarathustra, ultra low bass rumble had really nice depth and authority, trumpets sounded smooth and natural. Tympani had nice dynamics and resolution.  Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, vocals were impressively natural with lots of resolution and texture, bass had nice depth and impact. Piano was very natural sounding, cymbal and percussion was crisp. Harmonica was very dynamic, with nice harmonics.  Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet sounded very natural with great woodiness. Horns sounded smooth, piano was very natural. Bass had nice depth, texture and low level harmonics. Flutes had nice air. They throw a larger soundstage and had better imaging than expected. 

I was blown away by the sound at such a low price point!  The saying may go....you get what you pay for.  But not this time.  This time, you get a lot more!  I could see why Monster was adamant about wanting their Wireless ClarityHD included.  I could easily see them competing with products twice their price.  If you are on a tight budget, the Wireless ClarityHD should be on your short list.  If you are not a Monster fan, after buying the ClarityHD...you will be!  Based on the design, features, quality, and performance, the Monster ClarityHD Wireless has earned our Highly Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.monstercable.com. 

Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z Hi-Res Headphones Review

Audio-Technica is known for providing excellent quality headphone, for a big bang for the buck. With the increase in popularity of the newer Hi-res audio format, it was time for an update. Audio-Technica is starting to redo their lineup with new Hi-Res Audio compatible models. Up for review today is one of those new models, the ATH-A1000Z.

Features and specs:

• Newly designed 53 mm drivers with OFC-7N bobbin-wound voice coils
• Hand-assembled drivers include top-mounted PCB and pure iron yoke, ensuring precise diaphragm movement and superior transient response
• High-rigidity aluminum housings
• Lightweight magnesium alloy baffle decreases unwanted vibration
• Proprietary 3D wing support system for excellent fit
• Stitched, ergonomic earpads offer superior comfort and sound isolation
• 3.0 m (9.8') OFC-6N dual-sided, four-core cable with elastomer sheath
• Includes 6.3 mm (¼") stereo adapter

Type	Closed-back dynamic
Driver Diameter	53 mm
Frequency Response	5 – 43,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power	2,000 mW
Sensitivity	101 dB/mW
Impedance	44 ohms
Weight	265 g
Cable	3.0 m (9.8') OFC-6N dual-sided, four-core cable with elastomer sheath
Connector	3.5 mm (1/8") gold-plated stereo mini-plug
Accessory Included	6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated stereo adapter

The Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z came in a great looking glossy colored box with photos of the product and it's specs. Materials used in the construction is mostly metal, with some plastic. The quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. The ATH-A1000Z is a premium product, as you can tell. It can be seen in the metal earcup backs, in the thick cable, and even the metal connectors on the end. Also included in the box was the manual, and a 1/4 " adapter.  So far so good, but just how good do they sound?

David Bowie: Let's Dance, Kick drum had very good depth and played with good authority. Percussion was very crisp, clean dynamic. Knockers had detail and woodiness, and revealed a huge soundstage. Vocals were extremely natural with great timbre. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, keyboard was extremely natural with really good resolution. Vocals were palpable in resolution and very natural with great harmonics. Percussion was crisp and dynamic with nice depth in the kick drum. Soundstage was huge. Also Sprach Zerathustra, nice really deep bass that could be heard, brass was smooth and really crisp and clean with excellent harmonics and no audible coloration, throwing a wide soundstage. Tympani had really good impact with resolution to hear the pad being pounded. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, bass had nice low end extension with good output. Vocals were lifelike in detail and resolution, and had plenty of texture. Harmonica was extremely dynamic with excellent harmonics. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was extremely natural with so much resolution you could fairly easily hear things like the breathing technique, it's woodiness, and the nice air from the clarinet. Brass was crisp, clean, with nice detail. Piano was also extremely natural, with excellent resolution to be able to hear the striking of the keys. Imaging was very accurate and the low level harmonics as well as dynamics were striking. 

The Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z are a new product designed for Hi_res Audio, and it shows.  The level of detail and resolution needs to be heard to appreciated.  They will bring a new experience to music you thought you knew for years.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z has earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.audio-technica.com.