Jay's Reviews

Sennheiser PX100 Headphones

2009-07-21T17:28:00.018-04:00

Sennheiser PX100 Open-Air Headphones
Overall Rating: 10/10
Acquired June 2009

Overview:

The Sennheiser PX100 open-air headphones are headphones that Sennheiser has been selling for many years now. They’ve continued to update the ‘phone incrementally, such as adding a white version for Apple loyalists and changing the headphone plug to a “narrow” profile that will fit in the recessed jack in the 1^st generation iPhone. Despite these minor changes, the main focus of the headphones—the speakers—remains unchanged. And by unchanged, I mean absolutely phenomenal.

I bought the PX100 to listen to music while at work. But I find that I like them so much that I take them home and sometimes wear them on my commute.

Upside:

Simply put, the PX100 headphones sound incredible. The reviews I read before buying them for myself often compared the PX100 to the Apple earbuds. The PX100 headphones are so far and away better than the Apple earbuds that this is not a very useful comparison. In my opinion, the PX100 headphones sound better than the two other sets of headphones I own: the Sony MDR-V6 studio monitors and the Etymotic ER-6 Isolators (though I would choose the Etymotic ER-6 headphones for noisy environments).

The stand-out feature of these headphones, aside from the great sound, is their portability. The PX100 headphones fold up to fit in a hard case that is about the size of a sunglasses case. The PX100 case takes up relatively little space and protects the headphones well enough that you don’t need to worry much about them in a bag or suitcase.

The Sennheiser PX100 headphones are very lightweight. I wear them almost all day at the office, and they are so light and comfortable that I often forget they are even on my head.

The open-air design makes for extremely clean and warm sound. It also allows outside sounds to pass through. This allows me to enjoy my music and still be aware of my surroundings at the office.

For First-generation iPod owners (those of the dreaded recessed headphone jack), the PX100 will fit without an adapter.

I also very much like the retro look of these headphones. They remind me a bit of the original headphones that came with the early Sony Walkman.

Downside:

The only downsides could be better described as consequences of purposeful design decisions.

The open-air design of the headphones, which is the key to their incredible sound, is also the reason the headphones are incapable of blocking much outside noise. They also don’t contain their own sound very well either. As a consequence, your ability to fully enjoy these headphones will depend on the amount of outside noise you’re exposed to while wearing them. I’ve found that they are perfect for listening at moderate to low volume in a large office space.

The folding design and sturdy case are a great way to make the headphones more portable and well-protected during transport. However, the getting the headphones in or out of the case is just complicated enough to make it hard to do while walking. So, if you have the headphones closed up in the hard case, you will probably have to wait till you can stop for a minute to open them up and get the music playing.

Specifications:

Collapsible open-air headphones
Fold and flip: registered design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90° and fold the headphones closed (headphones will lock in open and closed positions)
Fits into the shirt pocket: rugged transport case with cord take-up (145 x 75 x 27 mm)
Warm natural sound for all types of music
High energy driver system for max performance
High-resolution sound due to Sennheiser "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing
Crisp and fast bass response due to system "twin damping" with 80ppi polyurethane and special perforated elements
Easily replaceable ear pads and headband padding (ear cups and headband can be replaced by your dealer)
Super lightweight design

Technical Data

Audio transmission range..................... 15 – 27,000 Hz
Cable length........................................ 4.6 ft. (1.4 m)
Ear coupling........................................ On-the-ear
Jack plug............................................. 3.5 mm stereo
Nominal Impedance............................. 32 Ω
Sound pressure level (SPL).................. 114 dB (SPL)
Total harmonic distortion (THD).......... 0.1%
Transducer principle............................ Dynamic, open
Weight w/o cable................................. 2.1 oz. (60 g)

Verdict:

These are quite simply the best-sounding headphones I’ve ever listened to. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Lifechangers: Episode 1

2008-08-05T14:44:00.005-04:00

Technology that has Changed My Life
In a departure from my usual review format, I’d like to discuss a few gadgets that I’ve acquired over the years that have had a profound impact on my life. I don’t need to rate these items on my usual 1-to10 scale. These are all 10+ ratings; I wouldn’t mention them here if these gadgets weren’t stellar devices.

iPod
In December of 2004, I ordered an iPod 4G, 20 GB. This was not my first MP3 player; I already owned a 256 MB iRiver IFP-390T. I was extremely disappointed with the interface iRiver provided. This gave me an especially high appreciation for the power of iTunes. In fact, it was iTunes that made me want an iPod much more than the iPod itself.

Not long after I had iTunes installed and my iPod plugged in, I started ripping CDs, gathering music files, and downloading audiobooks from Audible.com. Soon enough, I had most of my music collection on my PC and on my shiny, new iPod.

Once I was at that level, I soon found myself using my iPod during almost every waking hour of the day. I listened in the car (through a head-unit adapter) on my way to work, I listened all day at the office, and I listened in the car again on my way home. I would also usually listen to the iPod in bed for a while as I fell asleep. Side note: this was the death-knell for books for me; drifting off to sleep to an audiobook (and later, podcasts) proved far more enjoyable than reading. In total, I was listening to my iPod for about 11 hours every day.

For the curious, I still own and use the same iPod, and for almost as many hours each day. It’s working fine, still holds a charge, and has plenty of room for all my music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Sure, I’d love to upgrade to an iPod Touch and have a big, fancy screen to appreciate album art and watch videos. Unless it stops working properly, though, I plan to keep my 4G running.

Axbo Sleep Phase Alarm Clock

2008-03-24T17:01:00.004-04:00

aXbo Sleep Phase Alarm Clock
Overall Rating: 6/10
Acquired August 2006

Overview:
The aXbo sleep phase alarm clock (SPAC) is an alarm clock designed to monitor which phase of sleep you’re in throughout the night and wake you at the ideal time. It works by connecting to a wireless wristband and senses the degree of body movement. It doesn’t actually measure brainwaves or eye movement.

The idea is that the best time to wake up is when you’re in the lightest phase of sleep. By sensing the amount of movement in the wristband transmitter (and hence your arm), the SPAC can guess at your current sleep phase and wake you at time that will be most likely to leave you feeling refreshed instead of disturbed into wakefulness.

You might be thinking, “what if I reach the proper phase of sleep 20 minutes after my bus leaves?” Don’t worry—if you don’t reach the proper phase of sleep before your set wake time, the SPAC will always go off at the set time regardless. So you’ll always wake on or up to 30 minutes before the time you set the clock for.

Something to keep in mind: my experience has been that the SPAC does, indeed, wake you at the best time. However, you should NOT expect the clock to somehow rejuvenate you or enable you to wake refreshed if you don’t get enough sleep in the first place. In other words, if you only get a couple of hours of sleep, it really won’t matter what sleep phase you’re in when the alarm goes off. You’ll still be too tired to wake up.

Sure, the aXbo alarm clock sounds quite promising with its ability to monitor your sleep phases and wake you at just the right time, but does it promise too much? Martin Regtien doesn't seem to think so, and after reviewing the Sleeptracker as well, he seems to think the aXbo not only bests its rival, but happens to be one of the best systems on the market for waking up right. Unfortunately, he didn't receive the USB cable with his review unit that allows you to check out your sleep patterns with your computer, but he did have an easy time setting up and using the actual aXbo. Turns out the wristband sensors are plenty comfortable, but though you can set separate alarms for both you and your partner, Martin's wife was wakened by his alarm. He suggests that the makers of aXbo create a vibrating alarm for the ultimate in sleep bliss, but for the casual user the aXbo seems to fit the bill exactly if you're prepared to fork over the $250.

Upside:
First things first: this is a remarkably well-made and, for an alarm clock, extremely sophisticated piece of technology. It has interesting styling cues (a not-too-subtle iPod derivative). The wireless wristbands are a great way to connect you to the clock without making you uncomfortable or restricting movement. Also, there are two separate frequencies, enabling the clock to monitor two sleepers at once and wake each person separately. I’m a big fan of other nice touches, like the cool blue backlight (activated by pressing any button on the clock or the button on the wristband), the many wake tones and volumes, the white noise sounds, the built-in rechargeable battery, and the ability to turn off the alarm sound by pressing the wristband button. Another neat feature is that the clock itself is small enough to be portable, so you won’t mind traveling with it. I travel with mine all the time.

Downside:
As you may have guessed by my score above, the aXbo SPAC has a few shortcomings. The biggest, and in my opinion, worst offender is the lack of a snooze function. According to aXbo, the very nature of how this clock works negates the need for snooze, but I think that’s applying an overly-idealized expectation. Waking me at the right phase of sleep may be easier than at other times in the night, but if I only went to sleep 4 hours ago, I’m still going to want to fight the alarm.

The cool blue backlit screen is quite nice to look at under ideal conditions, but it is more often than not difficult to read. Because the screen is translucent, there are twice as many angles for light to hit it at the wring angle and make the screen appear blank. So unless you’re close enough to press a button and activate the backlight, or you’re already wearing the wristband, you might have a bit of trouble checking the time.

The fact that the SPAC can monitor and wake two sleepers is great. The fact that it does so with audible alarms is not. This essentially forces one person to wake at the other’s ideal time. It just depends on who gets there first.

The price: With shipping, I paid 209EUR for aXbo. The exchange rate at the time converted that to about $270.

Did I mention no snooze??

To make this perfect:
Let’s start with the obvious: Add a snooze function. The next thing I’d add is a silent vibrating alarm setting. Keep the audible alarms, but make it possible to have the wristband buzz you awake.

Specifications:

Each person goes through various sleeping cycles during sleep.
Each sleeping cycle, which lasts approx. 90 to 110 minutes, alternates with deep-sleep, light-sleep and REM-sleep.
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is the phase in which you dream. Sleep gets less deep towards the morning and REM phases get distinctly longer.
There are also sleeping differences between the sexes. Women move more in their sleep but less intensive, whereas men move less but more intensive.
Both REM and deep sleeping phases are marked by almost no movements. If you move from a deep sleeping phase into a REM-phase and from a REM-phase into a deep sleeping phase your body movements get more active.

This is where aXbo comes in. The physical activity that characterizes the various sleep phases is monitored, so that aXbo is able to calculate the optimal point at which to wake you.

Verdict:
The aXbo SPAC has proven to be a very nice alarm clock, and I continue to use it every day. However, I don’t think it’s worth the money. If you’re like me, and you have a hard time waking up every morning, there are a lot of other less expensive options out there. I can’t say that they work better, but considering the price gap, I’d give the others a try first.

JOBY Gorillapod Flexible Tripod

2008-03-21T14:52:00.000-04:00

JOBY Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
Model number: GP1-01P

Overall Rating: 10/10
Acquired November 2006; acquired second one December 2007

Overview:
The JOBY Gorillapod is a small, lightweight tripod with a unique twist: it completely bendable and grippy, allowing you to set it down or even wrap it around just about anything. This gives you most of the advantages of a full-size tripod, as well as the ability to do things a traditional tripod cannot do.

I bought and use my Gorillapod for one main purpose: to take shake-free photos is low-light conditions without a flash.

The Gorillapod comes in several sizes and colors, and there are even other designs on the horizon. My favorite of these is the Solo—a bendable monopod that is long enough to wrap around larger object, or just curled to make a stable platform to sit on a flat surface.

Upside:
Like any tripod, the Gorillapod excels at enabling hands-free shots. The fact that it’s pocketable and very lightweight make it very easy to take with you wherever you take your camera.

It didn’t take very long for me to discover that my very handy point-and-shoot took lousy low-light photos. Most of the time, the flash makes the shot seem artificial, poorly lit, or posed. And that’s when the flash is bright enough to actually light the scene. Add a tripod, use the countdown timer, and you have instant hands-free photography.

I’ve traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia with my Gorillapod. I was able to take fantastic low-light shots with my 5 megapixel point-and-shoot and no flash.

None of this is unique to the Gorillapod. What is unique is that I was able to place my camera on the ground, attach it to a bench, tree branches, fences, railings, rocks, banisters, car doors, (you get the idea).

In other words, the Gorillapod is a highly-portable tripod that enables me to get great low-light shots from a camera with a maximum ISO of 400 and no image stabilization.

A style note: the Gorillapod has a two-piece mounting system that allows you to very quickly connect / disconnect your camera. So, you can stick the tripod back in your pocket when you don’t need it.

And then there’s the get-yourself-into-the-photo factor. Having a tripod handy allows you to be in your own pictures.

Downside:
Except for the fact that my first Gorillapod broke after a year of heavy use (and is back in action after a little glue to the rescue), I don’t see any downside to the Gorillapod. I could mention that it’s stiff and sometimes a bit difficult to position, but it needs to be stiff to maintain its shape.

Specifications:

Flexible tripod designed for digital cameras weighing up to 9.7 ounces (275 grams)
Fits into your purse, backpack, or jacket pocket
Innovative segmented leg design to ensure secure mounting
Standard universal 1/4-20 screw for attaching your camera to the tripod mount
Lets everyone get into self-timer shots
Compatibility: Compact digital cameras
Load capacity: 335 grams / 12.5 ounces
Interface: Universal 1/4-20 screws
Dimensions: 30 x 150 x 30 millimeters / 1.2 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches (W x H x D)
Weight: 45 grams / 1.6 ounces

Verdict:
Every time I’ve used my Gorillapod, I’ve had to smile. I still remark that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever gotten myself. It has improved the quality of my low-light shots immensely. It has also allowed me to take more low-light shots that I never could have managed without a tripod. I take it everywhere I take my camera, and it always works great.

I’ve gotten many positive comments about the Gorillapod, several curious stares, and a great many jealous looks (I want one of those!) each time I’ve used it.

If you like to take pictures on the go, but you don’t’ want to lug a traditional tripod around, the Gorillapod is a lightweight, pocket-sized option. I can’t recommend the Gorillapod highly enough. If you own a camera, you should own one of these.

Timbik2 Blogger wool

2008-03-14T17:22:00.010-04:00

Timbuk2 Blogger *Wool*
Overall Rating: 9/10
Acquired January 2008

Overview:

I recently bought a MacBook, and my new work (HP) laptop is almost identical in dimensions. In other words, I needed a bag I could use to commute to the office and safely transport and protect either of my laptops. This led me to the Timbuk2 Blogger (‘07) bag. When I came across a limited edition version made with wool instead of the usual nylon, I was sold. The Blogger is a variation on the classic messenger bag: it is oriented so the laptop (and any books, notepads, etc) ride vertically in the bag.

The Upside:

While the standard nylon materials that Timbuk2 uses are top-notch, the wool on this version of the Blogger really gives the bag an extra touch of class and refinement. I imagine the same could be said for the other limited-edition materials that Timbuk2 offers.

The build quality and hardware are fantastic. The strap is comfortable, quickly adjustable, and the bag itself is very lightweight. One of my favorite design elements is the sliding shoulder pad. At first, I thought this might be a source of annoyance, requiring me to constantly adjust the pad. instead, it has proved to be an ingenious way to allow you to swing the bag from behind you to in front of you (for access or security) while allowing the shoulder pad to remain where it should be: on your shoulder.

I also love the corduroy-lined laptop sleeve. On the Blogger, the sleeve is fixed to the back of the bag, and there's a wide Velcro strap that secures a padded corduroy "door" at the top. Since the laptop is almost always vertical, you almost don't need this, but it enables the bag to protect your laptop from all sides.

The Downside:

I have very few complaints about this bag. Because your satisfaction with this bag will depend largely on your personal needs, I should phrase my criticisms as "considerations" of your needs versus mine.

The bag's capacity is relatively limited. If you need more space than about the volume of two more laptops, you may need a different bag. Of course, you can always use the space in the laptop sleeve during the times you're mot transporting your laptop. (I do this a lot.)

The nylon version of this bag has a rubber base, which is great to protect the bag from dirty, wet floors. The wool version just has a wool base. This had made me a LOT more reluctant to put my bag on the ground.

The only real complaint I have about the bag is the lack of external stretch pockets. If I want to carry a bottle of water, or stow a wet umbrella, I need to put those items inside the bag. This is not always ideal, especially if you’re toting other items that you may not want to get wet. UPDATE: The new version of the Blogger bag has added two of these pockets, so it looks like Timbuk2 is on the case.

Specifications:

Vertical shoulder bag featuring ballistic nylon exterior, classic Timbuk2 three-panel design and a built-in padded laptop compartment (fits 15" laptop)
Wool exterior
Exterior zip pocket with secured organizer pockets, ticket pass holder, cell phone pocket and key ring tether
Main compartment with MP3 pocket
Built in padded laptop compartment
Padded handle
Quick-adjust cam shoulder strap
Laptop Fit Summary: Fits Apple 12" and 15" PowerBooks, and standard PC laptops with dimensions up to 15.5" x 10.75" x 1.5"
Volume: 793 cu. in. (13 L)
Weight: 2.35 lb. (1.07 kg)
Dimensions: 11.75"w x 15"h x 7"d (29.85 x 38.10 x 17.78 cm)

The Verdict:

I’ve been carrying this bag every day for 2 months now, and it’s been a pleasure. It does everything I need it to do, and it’s a joy to handle the wool material. It lies flat and close to my body, and its vertical design makes it narrower than I am wide. These are great attributes when commuting on a crowded subway.

If you can get your hands on one of these bags, I highly recommend it.

Plantronics MX500i 3-in-1 Headset

2007-08-03T11:15:00.000-04:00

Plantronics MX500i 3-in-1 Headset
Overall Rating: 10/10
Acquired May 2007

Overview: I initially purchased this headset to replace my IPEVO Free-1 phone, (which stopped working after a few months for no apparent reason). I was looking for a completely hands-free option, and I'd used other Plantronics devices at work. I work from home, so having a headset that I can use with either my cell phone or my cordless house phone was necessary. This model also has a USB adapter to use for VoIP calls, and it works great with Skype.

Upside: The Plantronics MX500i looks good, works very well, and is comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. The inline mute / volume controls are a great feature, too. When I'm on long conference calls, it's great to be able to mute my line so any background noise near me doesn't disturb the call. There's also a microphone sensitivity switch. If you work in a quiet environment, or just tend to speak softly, you can increase the gain on the headset microphone so others will hear you without having to raise your voice. The headset is also very lightweight, and you can switch ears in less than a second. I should also include the price in the list of Upsides: at $30, this headset was very affordable, especially considering the USB adapter is included in that price. I've seen other USB adapters for more than $30 without a headset.

Downside: I really can't find anything to complain about with this device.

Specifications: This headset come with a USB adapter for use with a PC, and a standard 2.5mm headset jack to plug into a cordless or mobile phone. Other features:

WindSmart microphone reduces unwanted wind or fast motion noise when moving quickly
Clear sound for internet and other calls, unique design, comfortable style for all-day wear
USB adapter included for Internet phones. Also works with cordless, IP and most mobile phones
Unsurpassed, all-day comfort with lightweight under-the-ear Flex Grip design
Easily adjust volume and mute with one-touch controls, perfect for a noisy home environment
Single-ear design for easy side conversations and listening to your surroundings while working

Verdict: The Plantronics MX500i has proven to be a solid investment, and I have recommended it to several friends and colleagues. If this ever breaks, I'll buy another immediately. If you need a corded headset for use with a cell phone, cordless phone, VoIP calls, or even online gaming, look into the Plantronics MX500i.

SunRocket VoIP Telephone Service

2007-07-20T14:39:00.000-04:00

SunRocket VoIP Telephone Service
Overall Rating: 8/10
Acquired November 2005

**UPDATE** July 18, 2007: Apparently, SunRocket has just gone out of business (find out more here and here). As much as I like the service and options, it seems that the company went bankrupt without warning to its subscribers. I've had spotty, intermittent service on my SunRocket phone so far. I'm hoping this will hold out until the equipment for my new VoIP carrier, ViaTalk, arrives (look for a review in the near future).

Overview: Since my primary phone will always be my mobile, an expensive land line just didn't seem to be wort the money. I was going to just stick with the mobile phone option until I saw an ad in Wired magazine for SunRocket. Not only was the service very inexpensive, but they were also giving away a pair pf Uniden cordless phones. After signing up for the $199 per-year unlimited plan, I had two decent phones, two phone numbers (handy to keep work and personal separate), and bonus features like call forwarding and email alerts. All this for less than $17 per month.

Upside: I very much liked having two phone numbers, and the voicemail alerts are very handy too. The best part, though, is the price. You really can't beat $17.

Features: The $199 Unlimited plan (there are other options if you like) offers the following features: 3-way calling, call forwarding, caller ID, call logs, call waiting, distinctive rings, do not disturb, Find Me, SimRing, and others.

Downside: Since this is VoIP, you will experience occasional glitches. Sometimes I'd have to try two or three times to connect a call, but that was rare. Also, the "widget" (SunRocket's VoIP adapter) prioritizes your voice calls. This is good for when you're on a call, but bad for download speeds if you need to use the phone at the same time.

Verdict: I love the SunRocket service, and have been almost evangelical about it to my friends and family. I highly recommend it.

Moleskine City Notebook

2007-07-20T01:35:00.001-04:00

Moleskine City Notebook
Overall Rating: 9/10
Acquired February 2007

Overview: I bought the Moleskine City Notebook, Paris edition to first plan and then accompany me on a recent trip to Europe. Moleskine bills these notebooks as the "guidebook you write yourself." I did just that: I made sure the notebook contained all of the information I would need before I left home, and added my thoughts and observations as I went along. I was able to use the detailed Paris city map (built in to the notebook) to mark the location of my hotel and places I wanted to visit. The built-in subway map was also very handy, both before leaving home (to familiarize myself with the general layout) and during my stay.

Upside: The build quality, the weight of the paper, and the compact size make this notebook a joy to use. As mentioned above, the built-in maps were indispensable. I also enjoyed writing in the notebook so much that it encouraged me to keep notes and jot ideas as I traveled. This kept my entries fresh. The pocket in the back of the notebook was very handy too: I used it to store receipts, ticket stubs, business cards, a copy of my itinerary, and a bit of emergency cash. All this, and it fit comfortably in my back pocket.

Downside: The only downside I found was that the three ribbon bookmarks tended to fray very easily. Even after just a few days of use, the ribbons began turning to small puffs of thread. But even that only added to the "lived-in" character the notebook attained after accompanying me all over Paris.

Specifications:

Each notebook has an elastic closure, 228 pages, with up to 44 pages in colors and have a sewn binding. There is an inside accordion pocket and three ribbon place markers, each in a different color. 9 x 14 cm (3 1/2 x 5 1/2").
The Key Map summarizes the overall layout of the city, showing the sequence and location of the zone maps. Each book includes a map of the metro system and list of stations.
Up to 36 pages of zone maps, ranging in scale from 1:5,000 to 1:17,000 with large-scale maps of the city center, and an alphabetical street index.
Up to 76 blank pages, giving you all the space you need to write, jot down useful information, and record your thoughts, stories, and memories.
32 removable sheets for loose notes and for exchanging messages. 12 translucent sticky sheets, to overlay and re-position, so that you can trace your route as you go. A personal, 96-page archive, with 12 tabs in two series of 6, so that everything that matters most is at your fingertips. The first 6 tabs are printed; the others are blank so you can personalize them with the enclosed adhesive labels.

Verdict: I wish there were Moleskine city guides for more cities. It's not that I'll be able to travel to all of the places they already cover. It's more that I don't want to travel to a city without one. If I head to a city that doesn't yet have a Molskine City Notebook, I'll just have to make do with a blank book. Or perhaps Moleskine's generic travel guide.

Elmer's Ultimate Glue

2007-07-12T12:21:00.000-04:00

Elmer's Ultimate Glue
Overall Rating: 9/10
Acquired July 2006

Overview: I bought a small bottle of Elmer's Ultimate Glue last September just to have around the house. You never know when you'll need a really strong glue, and it's usually not when you have plenty of time to run out and buy some.

Upside: This glue really does work well. I recently used it to reinforce my keyboard tray. After it hardened, I noticed that it has expanded just slightly and worked its way even further within the crack in the wood. I was extremely impressed by this, as it made for a bond that was all the stronger.

Downside: There's a fairly strong odor to this glue. You'll be best off using it in a well-ventilated room or even outdoors. Also, it requires chemicals to clean up when wet, and sandpaper (or scraping) when dry.

Specifications: Elmer's Ultimate Glue is good for bonding almost any kind of material, and accepts paint and stain when dry:

Interior or exterior use
Water Proof
Bonds Virtually Any Material
Paint It Or Stain It
Solvent Free
Industrial Strength
Made in the USA

Verdict: I highly recommend this glue. It works as advertised, and was even easy to unclog the spout after months of sitting unused (usually fatal for glue bottles).

Aliph JawBone Bluetooth Headset

2007-07-02T23:36:00.000-04:00

Aliph JawBone Bluetooth Headset
Overall Rating: 8/10

Acquired June 2007

Overview: I got my JawBone as an upgrade from my Motorola HS850 headset. The JawBone promised better sound, a cooler look, and of course, the noise-cancellation feature. I've been using it now for several weeks, and it's been working great. So far, no one has had any trouble hearing me. In fact, they haven't even noticed that I've been using a headset! The device itself came in an acrylic case, with the JawBone on display like a tiny sculpture. The headset came well-equipped: in addition to the headset, there's a USB cable (for charging, not data), a USB-AC adapter, two left-side ear loops, two right-side ear loops, and four different ear buds.

Upside: The biggest upside is the noise cancellation. It really does work. There's a small rubber "button" that rests against your jaw. When the button detects movement in your jaw--that is, when you're talking--it boosts the microphone. When your jaw stops moving, the microphone is muted. This greatly reduces background noise.

Downside: Even with all of the ear loops and ear buds to choose from, I couldn't quite get an ideal fit. It's not too bad, but I feel like it should be better, considering all the options. I dropped my rating from a 10/10 to an 8/10 because of the less-than-perfect fit. Also, since the most important and unique feature--the noise cancellation--is dependent on contact with your cheek, it can waver in effectiveness if the device should swing away from your face.

Verdict: The JawBone is a stylish, high-end bluetooth headset. While it might be a little bulkier than some others in its price range, it's the only headset with an effective noise cancellation system. If you're going to make a lot of calls from noisy environments, like city streets or while driving with the windows open, you'll really appreciate how well the jawbone works.

Creative SBS Vivid 80 Speakers

2007-07-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

Creative SBS Vivid 80 Speakers

Overall Rating: 6/10
Acquired June 2007

Overview: I bought the Creative SBS Vivid 80 speakers to replace the stock (crappy) Altec-Lansings that came with my Dell. After a bit of searching on Google Product Search, I found that the lowest price was direct from the manufacturer: $10.00. The main purpose for these speakers was to listen to music at low volume while working. I also have limited space at my workstation, so a 2.1 system with subwoofer wasn't an option.

Upside: These speakers look great, they're compact, they are inexpensive, and for my needs, sound great.

Downside: These speakers lack any hint of bass. They offer clear sound, but the absence of any bass makes certain types of music sound flat. Also, the blue LED on the right-hand speaker is extremely bright. Since I'm not in the habit of turning my speakers off, my computer area is awash with a blue glow even after I've shut down all my monitors.

Specifications:

4 Watts RMS Power
2 Watts RMS per speaker; 110 Hz - 20 kHz
7 Watts Total System Power
Dual Driver Design: one active micro driver and one passive radiator

Verdict: Would I buy another pair of Vivid 80 speakers? Maybe. For the price, their sound is decent, but I'd like more bass. Perhaps a few more dollars for speakers with a little more low-end would be a smarter buy. And I'd avoid using these speakers in a bedroom; the LED will keep you awake! Overall rating: 6/10, losing points for missing bass.

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