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Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Hollyland’s Solidcom M1: the Next Generation in Wireless Intercoms for Teams
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Wednesday, June 2, 2021
JBL Clip4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review
So many of us get busy, we also need time to relax. One
great way to relax is going outdoors, such as the mountains, lake, or beach.
Since most of us like music, we tend to take it with us on the go. We also tend
to take our smart-phones everywhere with us. After all, they can do so much.
But face it, playing great sounding music is not one of them. Enter the JBL
Clip 4.
Features and specs:
General Specifications
Output power (W): 5
Frequency Range Hz (-10 dB): 2400 – 2483.5MHz
Audio Specifications
Dynamic frequency response range (Hz): 100Hz-20kHz
Dimensions
Dimensions (in): 3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8”
Weight (kgs): .24
Weight (lbs): .53
Control and Connection Specifications
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6
Bluetooth transmitted modulation: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
Bluetooth transmitter power: ≤ 10 dBm (EIRP
Bluetooth version: 5.1
Battery
Maximum play time (hours): 10
Charging time (hrs): 3
Features
Bluetooth: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Wireless: Yes
IP67: Yes
The JBL Clip 4 come in a great looking color printed box,
with specs and features printed on the box. The front also included a clear
plastic window so you could see the JBL Clip 4. The JBL Clip 4 was held
protected in place with custom molded plastic. Materials used was mostly
plastic with some cloth and metal in the clip. Quality of materials used was
very good, as was the fit and finish. Also included was the charging cable and
owner’s manual.
I really liked the minimalist approach to the JBL Clip 4. There are a lot more wireless speakers out there that are waterproof. They also sound really good, but they are also much larger in size. This means that they are not nearly as portable as the JBL Clip 4. But if portability is the greatest concern, like if you are going hiking for a long trip, the JBL Clip 4 could be perfect. It’s very small, yet still sounds much better than turning on the anemic speakers in your phone. Now let’s see how they sound.
Toto- Africa: kick
drums had good impact, depth, and authority.
Congas had good resolution of the pad.
Cow bell sounded a little recessed, as if it was in the background, but
it had good tone. Cymbals were crisp and
clean, but also a bit recessed. Recorder
had good air, and piano sounded natural.
Vocals were very smooth with good harmonics. Vocals sounded excellent front and
center. There are a lot of instruments
in this track, and they were resolved very well.
Guns N Roses- Paradise City:
cymbals were crisp and clean, although sounded a little recessed. Guitar was crisp with good resolution of the
strings. Kick drum shockingly did not
just have good depth, it also revealed a deep soundstage which I was not
expecting to hear from this small speaker. Vocals were also smooth with good texture of
the timbre.
All-in-all, I was not expecting much from the Clip4 based on
its size. Boy was I wrong! It had a little difficulty at times resolving
some instruments, but did a better-than-expected job of it, being able to
typically resolve a lot of different instruments in a track like Toto
Africa. Bass performance was also better
than expected providing good depth and output. The whole housing vibrated from the bass
output. It’s extremely small, yet the JBL Clip 4 has earned our Highly
Recommended Award. It’s a well-built good sounding speaker, that is designed to
give years of use. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at
www.jbl.com.
Read more!
Monday, May 31, 2021
Focal Listen Premium Wireless Headphones Review
I really like to take my music on the go, and so does
everyone else I know. Yet I also don’t
care to be seen with the same ones most others have. I guess I’m a bit of a Connoisseur. If you
are looking for a great sound, and unique look, the Listen from Focal may be
for you. The Focal Listen came to us
from a French manufacturer who knows a thing or two about high-quality sound.
When you hear the brand Focal, you may think of their high-end car audio and
home audio components. But they also do headphones as well. Tapping into their
heritage of over 40 years in the audio industry, they are able to use their
expertise in their headphones.
Features and specs:
Type: Circumaural closed-back ear-cup headphones
Bluetooth® wireless technology: 4.1
Range: > 15m
Battery: Up to 20h
Impedance (passive mode):
32Ω
Sensitivity (passive mode):
122dB SPL @ 1kHz – / 1Vrms
THD @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL:
< 0.4%
Frequency response: 15Hz -22kHz
Driver: 40mm Electrodynamic (137/64“) Mylar Titanium
Microphones: 2 Omni-directionals (Clear Voice Capture)
Net weight: 300g
The Focal Listen came in a great looking color printed box
with images and specs of the headphones. Opening the box showed a
well-protected headphone held in place in custom molded plastic. The materials
used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality of
materials used was excellent, as well as fit and finish. Also included was the
charging cable, audio cable, manual and soft zipper case.
I really enjoyed the elegant looking design of the Focal
Listen. The plastic being both a gloss as well as a matte finish, look
extremely elegant together. The look gives a more high-end impression. This is
a good thing, as some of the specs are a little dated, such as using Bluetooth
4.1 and not being Hi-Res Audio ready. I would have hoped to have real leather
at this price point, but it is Focal. The fold in design of the earcups for
more compact storage is a nice touch, as is the raised metal Focal logo on the
earcups. The large memory foam earcups enclose your ears for nice sound
isolation. Now let’s see how they sound.
Toto: Africa- Kick drums had really good tight clean impact
with good low-end extension that played with very good authority. Congas had a
really good full sound with great dynamics. Cow bell had excellent resolution
of the metallic tone. Vocals were smoother than honey with loads of resolution
of the timbre that yielded excellent harmonics. Soundstage was huge, not just
wide but also deep, providing the realism as if you were in the recording
studio. Drums had excellent dynamics and impact. Cymbals were really crisp and
clean. Gong had excellent resolution of the mallet and decay. Recorder had
excellent air. Piano sounded natural. Marimba’s woody texture shown through
excellently.
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Soundstage had to be heard to
fully grasp just how good a soundstage can sound. Harmonics of the vocals were
off the charts, with phenomenal resolution of texture of Freddy’s timbre. Piano
sounded extremely natural, much more than it should at this price point.
Cymbals were crisp and clean. Drums were extremely dynamic with great
authority. Guitar sounded nice and raw. Gong had nice decay.
The HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder sounded extremely
natural. There was sufficient resolution to hear the bow slide across the
strings of the lute. Drums were extremely lifelike with all of the dynamics
that their being played in fury provided. The raw texture of the vocals came
out in layers upon layers. There’s no way that blasting this would not get you
psyched up to bring your A game.
Overall sound:
Focal is known world-wide for their high-end home and car
audio speakers. They have now put that experience in their headphones. The
resolution is taken to another level, with excellent huge soundstage and
precision imaging. Sound signature is neutral, leaning just a hair on the
bright side. Their specs may not look the best on paper, maybe a little aged.
But shhh…don’t tell their drivers, because they sound like absolute champs!
They have to be heard to be believed!
Bluetooth performance:
Before we get into the Bluetooth performance, let us tell
you about the testing. It’s a torture
test, designed to be too much for just about any headphone. Few go unscathed. But that’s ok, because I know of no
manufacturer who has headphones designed to go this distance. Most are rated
somewhere between 50 – 100ft. For indoor
testing, using my LG V40 Thinq smartphone, I place my phone in one corner of
the basement, walk all around and to the other end of the basement which is
about 50ft away. I then walk up to the
main floor and walk all around the main floor. I then walk up to the second
floor and walk all around the second floor.
And for outside testing, I set my smartphone on our front porch, and
walk out to the corner of the street, which is around 250 ft. It’s a test designed to get the phone to
fail, but see just how far it’ll go before it does. Now lets test the performance.
There were no problems on the same floor up to 50 feet
through multiple walls. It was more glitchy on the main floor and 2nd floor,
although it did work on the 2nd floor. Outside it got glitchy at around 100
feet, again at 175 feet, but did make it to around 250 feet. So the Focal Listen performed great based on
their specs, and even performed very good in distances over their specs.
The Focal Listen Wireless isn’t ANC, and was a little dated
in their specs, yet they still had the best sound overall in our recent
Headphone Shootout. They are not priced
for everyone’s budget, but if they are in your budget, they will provide you
with excellent sound from your tunes. Based on their design, features, quality,
and performance, the Focal Listen Wireless earned our Editor’s Choice
Award. For more info and complete specs,
check out their website at www.focal.com.
Read more!
Friday, May 28, 2021
JBL Club 950NC Wireless Headphones Review
You
may not know a lot about headphones. If that’s the case, buying a
JBL headphone is a safe bet, getting you that JBL sound. Up for review is their
JBL Club 950NC. Not only is it a quality wireless headphone, but you also get
active noise cancelling. There’s even a cool app to control it.
Features
and Specs:
Frequency
response (Passive): 16 Hz - 40 kHz
Frequency
response (Active): 16 Hz - 22 kHz
Sensitivity:
91 dB SPL @ 1 kHz / 1 mW
Maximum
SPL: 105 dB
Maximum
input power (Passive): 2000 mW
Microphone
sensitivity: -24 dBV @ 1 kHz / Pa
Impedance:
32 ohm
Driver
size: 40 mm dynamic driver
Weight:
372 g
Bluetooth
transmitted power: <6 dBm
Bluetooth
transmitted modulation: GFSK, _x001F_/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
Bluetooth
frequency: 2.402 GHz - 2.480 GHz
Bluetooth
profile version: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6
Bluetooth
version: V5.0
Battery
type: LITHIUM ION POLYMER BATTERY (3.7 V / 730 mAh)
Power
supply: 5 V 1 A
Charging
time: <2 hrs
Music
play time with BT on: Up to 55 hrs
Music
play time with BT & ANC on: Up to 22 hrs
Music
play time with Aux-in & ANC on: Up to 30 hrs
The
JBL Club 950NC came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs
of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected headphone held in
place by custom molded plastic. And they were secured in a quality hard zipper
case. Opening the zipper case revealed a quality headphone made mostly of
plastic, but with some metal in places it mattered most, like on the hinges.
Quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. Also
included was the charging cord, audio cord, and manual.
I liked the design of the JBL Club 950 NC. Like DJ headphones, the earcups flip up for monitoring like a DJ. But it also works great for easier storage in the zipper case. And as stated before, I really like the metal hinges for increased durability. The app is also really cool, allowing you to control not only the active noise cancelling modes, but to also control the EQ settings and DSP, for your personal preference. Now let’s see how they sound.
Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good tight clean impact with very good low-end extension. Congas also had a nice full sound with good resolution of the pad. Cowbell had very nice crisp metallic tone. Vocals were very smooth with very good resolution and texture of the timbre. Drums had very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had very good air. Piano also sounded pleasantly natural. Soundstage was very wide.
Queen:
Bohemian Rhapsody- the soundstage was huge, making you feel like you are right
in the studio. Vocals were very smooth with very good harmonics of the texture
of the timbre. The piano sounded very natural. Cymbals were really crisp and
clean. Drums were very dynamic with a full deep sound.
The
HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the beginning was very lifelike, showing a
huge soundstage. There was enough resolution to be able to hear the bows slide
across the strings of the lute. Vocals were pleasantly raw and portrayed very
well. The bass played very deep and with good authority.
Bluetooth performance and ANC performance:
Before we get into the Bluetooth performance, let us tell you
about the testing. It’s a torture test,
designed to be too much for just about any headphone. Few go unscathed. But that’s ok, because I know of no
manufacturer who has headphones designed to go this distance. Most are rated
somewhere between 50 – 100ft. For indoor
testing, using my LG V40 Thinq smartphone, I place my phone in one corner of
the basement, walk all around and to the other end of the basement which is
about 50ft away. I then walk up to the
main floor and walk all around the main floor. I then walk up to the second
floor and walk all around the second floor.
And for outside testing, I set my smartphone on our front porch, and
walk out to the corner of the street, which is around 250 ft. It’s a test designed to get the headphone to
fail, but see just how far it’ll go before it does.
This JBL was good for 50 feet same floor through multiple walls with
no glitches. Got occasionally glitchy in-between floors, but made it from
basement to 2nd floor with only occasional glitches. Outside it was a little
glitchy at around 200 feet, but made it to 250.
ANC worked very well, removing about 90%.
JBL knows music, and it shows. The JBL Club 950NC provided great
performance and great build quality including some metal. And they even provide an app so you can do
your own sound customizations, as well as control the ANC modes. If you are looking for a quality pair of
headphones, these deserve to be on your short list. Based on their design, features, quality, and
performance, the JBL Club 950NC has earned our Highly Recommended Award. For more info and complete specs, check out
their website at www.jbl.com.
Read more!
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Kanto Audio Introduces its YU Passive Speakers
Kanto Audio Introduces its YU Passive Speakers
-- Two new compact passive loudspeakers offer outstanding sound and value --
COQUITLAM, BC, CANADA, May 25, 2021 – Kanto today announced the introduction of its YU Passive 5.25” and YU Passive 4” speakers, two compact models that offer high-performance sound and outstanding value.
The YU Passive 5.25" (MAP: $199 per pair) features a 5.25-inch Kevlar® woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter, and the YU Passive 4" (MAP: $159 per pair) has a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter. Both models are ideal for use as desktop speakers with a DAC/amplifier or amp, as part of a compact high-quality stereo music or TV sound system, or as the rear, side or height channels in a home theater setup.
Measuring just 10.7 inches high by 6.9 inches wide by 8.1 inches deep (YU Passive 5.25") and 8.7 inches high by 5.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep (YU Passive 4"), both speakers utilize the same high-quality drivers as the acclaimed Kanto YU6 and YU4 active speakers to deliver clear, powerful sound with the ability to create a wide soundfield with precise imaging. The YU Passive 5.25" and YU Passive 4" offer a smooth, natural tonal balance that complements any type of music listening. They’re available in black or white vinyl wrap to complement any home, office or desk setup.
“The YU Passive 5.25" and YU Passive 4" are Kanto’s return to the passive speaker segment, and were designed to offer high-quality sound at attractive price points,” said Jason Zavarella, Kanto Product Manager. “They’re ideal for listeners in small to medium-sized rooms, for use in home theater systems, or as an affordable speaker upgrade.”
The YU Passive 5.25" and YU Passive 4" cabinets are constructed from acoustic-grade MDF to eliminate unwanted internal resonances for detailed and uncolored sound. Both models feature knurled 5-way speaker binding posts that enable easy connectivity, and include standard 1/4"-20 mounting holes for securing the speakers to optional Kanto floorstanding or desktop speaker stands.
The Kanto YU Passive 5.25" and YU Passive 4" speakers are currently available in black and will be available in white in June. They carry a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Click here for YU Passive 5.25" and YU Passive 4" high-resolution images.
# # #
ABOUT KANTO (kantoaudio.com)
Operating out of Metro Vancouver, BC, Kanto Audio has been designing and manufacturing audio products since 2007. Their mission to provide an auditory experience to excite the senses has led to the development of a full line of speakers and audio accessories. For laid-back listeners, hardcore gamers and vinyl enthusiasts alike, Kanto speakers leave no one behind. For more information, visit http://www.kantoaudio.com or email marketing@kantoliving.com.
The DuPont Oval logo, DuPont™ and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
Kanto Living Inc., 110 – 2440 Canoe Ave., Coquitlam, BC V3K 6C2
778-284-6942 toll free 888-848-2643 kantoaudio.com
Read more!
Monday, May 24, 2021
Creative SXFI Gamer Headphone Review
If you are a gamer and want a quality headphone to get your
game on, one for your short list is the Creative SXFI Gamer. It is a gamer
headphone with a big bang for the buck. The prized award winning feature of
these headphones is the SXFI chip, which after programing it to you, most will
concur that it sounds as good as if magic was employed. Being able to get this
sound in a gaming headphones is really cool!
SPECIFICATIONS
Interface: USB, 3.5 mm Stereo Input
Product Type: Wired Headset
Weight: With Mic 349g (12.31 oz), Without Mic 336g (11.85
oz)
Color: Black
Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz
Driver: 50 mm (1.97 inches) Neodymium magnet
Wearing Style: Over-ear
Microphone: Frequency Response: 100–16,000 Hz
Sensitivity: - 42 dBV / Pa: Controls
Mic mute, Super X-Fi, Volume, RGB lighting On/Off
RGB Ear-Cup Rings: Choose from 16 million colors
Windows® OS
Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD® equivalent processor
Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
Microsoft® Windows 10 32 / 64-bit
1 GB RAM
>600 MB of free hard disk space
USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
Mac® OS
Mac OS X® 10.9 or higher
1 GB RAM
USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
Firmware Ver 5.0 or later
Available USB port
Nintendo Switch
Switch OS 5.0 or later
Available 3.5 mm headphone port on console
Available USB port
Voice communications supported when connected via 3.5 mm
port and with Bluetooth to Android and iOS Nintendo Switch Online app or VOIP
client
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Creative SXFI GAMER
Commander Mic
USB Cable
Analog 4-pole 3.5 mm Cable
USB-C to USB-A Converter
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Leaflet
WARRANTY
1-year Limited Hardware Warranty
The Creative SXFI Gamer came in a nice-looking color printed
box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected
product held in place by custom molded plastic. Materials used in the
construction was mostly plastic with a little bit of metal. Quality of
materials used as well as the fit and finish was good. Also included was the
detachable mic, audio cable, USB-C charging cable, USB to USB-C adapter and owner’s
manual.
I really liked the design of the Creative SXFI Gamer. The
leatherette earcups are soft with thick foam for good comfort. All of the
connections are on one earcup, and the touch controls are very nice. I also
like the way the earcups light up, and that you can change the color. And of
course, there’s also the SXFI chip so you can set up your own profile for your
own head and ear-mapping. It’s easy to think it’s gimmicky, but it’s not. I’ll
never forget the demo I participated in at CES last year. They demo’d creating
surround sound through the SXFI chip and a sound profile for the user. To tell
you how well it sounded, I’ll use an analogy. Remember the scene in the movie
Antman, when Antman puts on the suit, and shows his guys that he can shrink?
The reaction of his guys was a lot like the reaction of everyone in the demo.
Let’s see how they actually sound.
Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good, tight, impact and
depth. The congas also had very nice resolution of the pad. Cowbell had nice
tone. Vocals were very smooth with very nice texture of the timbre. Drums had
very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had
very good air. Piano sounded natural.
The HU: Sugaan
Essana- The thunder at the beginning sounded startlingly life-like! Soundstage
was as good as multiple times their price point. There was enough resolution to
hear the bow slide across the strings of the lute. Vocals were nice and raw
with very good resolution of the texture. Bass played with very good authority.
The Creative SXFI Gamer had a more neutral sound, that was
maybe just a hair on the bright side for a pair of headphones more marketed
towards gaming. They held their own very well for music. Yet they also had the
full deep bass that sounds great with all the explosions on gaming. Giving the
sound quality I would expect to hear at almost twice their price, they are a
huge bargain! I was surprised at just
how well the Creative SXFI Gamer sounded for their price point. Based on their design, features, quality, and
performance, the Creative SXFI Gamer earned out Highly Recommended Award. For more info and complete specs, check out
their website at www.us.creative.com.
Read more!