Editorial Reviews


Editorial Reviews | Headphones | Pro-Review | Sports

NB639 New Balance Heart Rate Monitor Sports Headphone Combo Review

By   November 29, 2011

We have been running almost since the day we could walk. It has even been argued that endurance running has contributed to the evolution of the human body.  Likewise, music has also shaped the development of man. However, it has only been recently that both running and music could be experienced together, and today it seems we are at that nexus. Finally a true melding of technology and music intended to enhance the runner’s endeavors.  Bulky Walkmans are now nano-sized iPods, and heart rate monitors and pedometers are now smaller than our thumb. The new NB639 from New Balance/iHome is proof.

Continue reading →

Computer Speakers | Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles

JBL Creature III Computer Speakers Editorial Review

By   October 25, 2011

JBL Creature III Computer Speakers, What You Need To Know

Unique is the best way to describe the Creature III computer speakers from JBL. And, thankfully the Creature III’s sound is almost as good as their looks. The Create IIIs produce a large and engulfing sound stage when seated near field, and are powerful enough to fill a small room with sound.

Continue reading →

Editorial Reviews | Floorstanding Speakers | Speakers

Polk Audio Tsi400 Floorstanding Speaker Editorial Review

By   October 24, 2011
  • Mid/Woofer – 3 – 5 1/4″ Diameter (13.34cm) Bi-Laminate Organic Fiber cone
  • Tweeter – 1 – 1″ Diameter (2.54cm)
    Silk Dome Dynamic Balance
  • Overall Frequency Response – 34-25KHz
  • Nominal Impedance – 8 ohms
  • Recommended Amplifier Power – 20-200 w/channel
  • Efficiency – 91 dB
  • Crossover – 2500 Hz, 2nd order

Polk Audio Tsi400 Floorstanding Speakers, What You Need To know

Do you have champagne taste on a beer budget? Or prefer a warm mid-range with crystal clear highs and a detailed low end? If so than the TSi400 floorstanding speakers from Polk Audio are for you.

Continue reading →

Earphones | Editorial Reviews | Headphones | Pro-Review

Creative Aurvana In-Ear3 Earphones Review

By   October 24, 2011

Creative Labs has expanded since their early days of manufacturing PC soundboards. Currently they make speakers, webcams, MP3 players, and of course some of the best soundboards in the consumer market. They have worked hard to offer excellent products, yet, until now, they have not been on my short list of manufacturers who produce audiophile grade earphones.

The Aurvana In-Ear 3 earphones landed on my desk a few weeks ago, and after about 20 hours of burn in, they have become my all day listening preference. There are three very good reasons for this choice. First, the A3 offers a coherent and tonally rich mid-range that has a slight boost to the upper mid-range emphasizing the recording space of acoustic instruments and vocals. Secondly, they offer an expansive and three-dimensional soundstage. And finally they are never fatiguing.

Continue reading →

Computer Speakers | Editorial Reviews | Speakers

JBL Duet 2.0 Speakers Editorial Review

By   October 04, 2011

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Good enough sound for the money
  • Slick design and look good on the desktop
  • Easy to use, access volume and on/off

Continue reading →

Editorial Reviews | Outdoor Speakers | Pro-Review | Speakers | Wireless Speakers

Audio Unlimited SPK-24GX-DUO Editorial Review

By   October 03, 2011

Pros:

  • Good Sound
  • Light weight
  • Mild Blue Mood lighting
  • Good signal distance and strength

Continue reading →

Amplifiers | Editorial Reviews | Integrated Amplifiers | Pro-Review

Trends Audio T-10.2 Integrated Amplifier Review

By   August 30, 2011

www.trendsaudio.com

Summary

Overall we’d absolutely recommend the T-10.2 amplifier. Assuming you only needed a single input and could pair it with musical and smooth sounding gear.  One gets a stunning amount of performance from the $189 T-10.2. Detailed sound with touch of warmth, hints at a real body and musical presence, and pure enjoyment. Trends has a winner here. Though we’d love to see a version with a few more inputs, a higher quality volume control and a dimmer blue light. Though it sounds like that might be in the works…

Page 2 – The Sound

1

2

3

Editorial Reviews | Floorstanding Speakers | Speakers

Polk Audio RTi A7 Floorstanding Speaker Editorial Review

By   August 29, 2011

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Polk RTiA7 floorstanding speakers were in more living rooms than any other speaker. Or at least in the race for that title.

The RTi series from Polk Audio, which includes three variations of the floorstanding speakers and two bookshelf speakers offer:

  • real wood veneer
  • a warm balance of high fidelity and musical precision
  • perfect for home theater application or stereo applications
  • are damn good looking
  • go wayyyyy… down to 20Hz with clean, fast bass
  • non-fatiguing and detailed tweeter that is easy to listen to for hours on end
  • good stage imaging and can fill a room with wonderful sound

All of which are damn hard to beat at this price point. The RTi speakers use the same tweeter and mid-range woofer across the series. Only bass woofer and size or woofers vary. So voicing in the series in near identical. Which is ideal if you are setting up a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater system. The RTi A7 use 2 – 7-Inch diameter polymer composite with rubber surround bass woofers with a ported cabinet. These puppies go all the way down to 20Hz, so there really is no need for a subwoofer unless you want more power in your explosions and thumps. With one 1 – 6-1/2-Inch mid-range woofer and a 1-Inch silk polymer composite dome tweeter.
Continue reading →

Audioholics | Bookshelf Speakers | Editorial Reviews | Pro-Review | Speakers

Energy Veritas V-5.1 Bookshelf Speaker Review

By   August 23, 2011

These are… bar none… the most beautiful speakers I’ve ever seen. While also available in a Gloss Piano Black, the samples we have here are the Piano Rosenut finish and, as you can tell, they are absolutely pristine in terms of the veneer and the gloss coat. Everything about these speakers screams high-end, yet they cost just $400 each. While that’s not exactly pocket change, it’s a far cry from what many people consider “high-end” and yet most of the audiophile speakers we’ve seen in our day don’t approach this type of build quality and styling.

Continue reading →

Editorial Reviews | Headphones | Wireless Headphones

Motorola S305 Bluetooth Headphones Editorial Review

By   August 22, 2011

The Motorola S305 Bluetooth headphones offers quality sound, play, pause, mute, volume controls, all without the fuss of cables. Bluetooth headphones aren’t generally recognized for good sound, but the S305′s have run against that grain. The S305 offer a comfortable and sports friendly fit, stylish looks, and good sound quality all for less than $100 big ones. Sound wise the bass is a bit thin but mid-range, especially in the vocals, is rich and the high end is friendly to the ear. They seamlessly integrate with just about any Bluetooth device.

Continue reading →