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Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth speaker review

 

REVIEW – Music in a cylinder. Ten years ago, no one thought of having a complete music system in a handheld unit about the size of a 24-ounce can of malt liquor or a sleeve of tennis balls. Yet, on sites like ours, there are dozens of these cylinders that vie for the attention of the masses of music-needing folks. Last Summer, I brought you the little brother to the unit under review today. The one we’re looking at today is slimmer, taller, and has a few more features, along with an upgraded moniker. Meet the Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth Speaker.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Sbode M400 is a music playing cylinder that offers IPX-6 weather resistance, networking with another device of the same model for stereo pairing, just about any source for sound, and 8 hours of non-stop music from the 2200mAh battery.

Hardware specs

  • Superior Bass Sound
  • True Wireless Stereo (requires two units)
  • Lightweight Design
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Waterproof (IPX6)
  • FM radio
  • Built-In Mic for speakerphone functionality

What’s in the box?

The box contains the cylinder, with a nylon cord attached, a charging cable (USB A/3 to microUSB), and an eighth-inch stereo plug that will work with your headphones or any device you still have around that connects with this method.

Design and features

As with the Sbode 350 reviewed earlier, the overall design is a cylinder with speakers top and bottom, a cloth-covered body that protects and hides higher-frequency speakers, and a band of buttons and power ports down the side. The fabric looks coarse but is actually soft, but tough. The rubberized areas along both rims and down the side with the buttons is matte-finished silicon or rubber, which provides sureness of touch, but doesn’t show fingerprints, unless you’re on a picnic having fried chicken. In that case, a damp cloth will clean it right up. Speaking of damp, this speaker is IPX6, which means even a huge splash or a drenching shower that spoils that picnic won’t ruin it. The videos show it in the surf or in a mountain brook, but that’s not how the specs read. (Please record the tech support call if you do that and it makes the unit fail. We need the entertainment.)

The buttons provide control over power/speakerphone access, playback mode (more on this later), play/pause for TFF-card playback, and volume up/down buttons. The final button is for syncing two devices together. According to the instructions, this is almost instantaneous, but I was not able to test, having only one unit.

Performance

The Sbode m400 is a very affordable, good-sounding music player. It’s not one of those top-of-the-line, blow-off-the-ceiling-with-no-distortion systems that will make your block parties invite police visits, but it’s perfect for a dozen friends at the beach, on a deck, or camping. If you want even better stereo, apparently you can sync it with another identical system, but this was not tested. (This feature was not tested, as I was only sent one unit.) At $80 ($40 each), it’s way cheaper than $350 for an Apple HomePod or even $200 for a Sonos One.
I tested mine mainly with my iPhone 8 Plus around my house. I could easily clear a room with Joe Cocker’s She Came In Through the Bathroom Window or even something like Crazy Train from Ozzy. I never had the volume up fully, either.

The various input modes, accessed via a semi-long press of the power button (a long press turns the unit off) rotate through Bluetooth, FM Radio, AUX-in, and TF card playback. The FM mode is supposed to automatically tune into a station, but there is no volume control. So, you get this loud static, and the plus-minus keys just cycle through other pre-set stations. It’s horrid. I think there is firmware out there that could automatically sense which device is actively playing, rather than having to manually hold the button in just a touch less than what will turn it off. I wound up using it exclusively with Bluetooth and never missed the other input modes.

Once I entered the initial full charge, I rarely paid attention to the four LEDs that indicate power when you power it on. Once it got down to only one LED, I noticed the Bluetooth connection with my iPhone would seem weaker, but it seemed to last forever.

What I Like

  • Good coverage in virtually any placement area
  • Decent sound, exceptional at the price point.

What needs to be improved

  • The FM mode is useless.
  • Having to switch input modes is kinda fiddly.

Final thoughts

Speakers of this type are everywhere. This unit sounds very good, but there are those that cost more that sound a bit better. If you want something to toss in your camping gear or just to sit on your screen porch, this could be the one. No reason not to recommend it, but I don’t see any reason not to use the one you have, or to buy a better brand if you want audiophile sound. For background and on-the-go, however, this is fine. And for the price, getting two and using linked may be a huge boon to your listening experience.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Sbode.

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Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review


REVIEW – For each of the past 2 years, I have invested in the newly released iPad 12.9″ Pro tablet for that year. I have become very dependent on using the iPad for many tasks including my daily email and MS Office tasks as well as for video and photo editing. The investment in the iPad is relatively expensive, so I always keep a lookout for any new case that will protect my device and if it can conquer fit, finish and function, then it is a winner. I recently received the Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro case for review. At first glance, it is very attractive. Let’s see if it is just all looks or if it has much more to offer.

What is it?

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is an attractive and sleek iPad Pro 12.9″ case designed as a protective carry case and stand.

What’s in the box


1 x iPad Leather Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro

Design and features

This leather iPad case is available in four colors which are tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut, and black. For this review, the case is the dark brown. It is an attractive case with well-done edge stitching and leather straps on one side and loops on the other to accommodate the straps. There is a cutout on the sides with the loops to accommodate the camera.



The outside of the case is “finished” leather while the inside has the raw look. There are “pockets” on each edge that are holders for the iPad.


The picture below shows the iPad inserted into the case with the Apple pencil attached. For the 2018 iPad, the Apple pencil attaches and charges magnetically on the iPad.


The next picture below shows how the cover of the case is bent backward and the leather straps are inserted into the loops to allow the case to function as an upright stand.

Performance

When the case is closed, it allows the Apple pencil to remain attached and charging as necessary. It is quite slim and when closed everything feels safe and secure.


There are sufficient openings on each side that allow access to the speakers and USB-C port.


When the case is utilized as a stand, it reverses the orientation of the iPad so that the pencil is on the bottom which for my use is very inconvenient. It is almost impossible for me to remove or replace the pencil without lifting the case. When the case is bent to form the stand, at least one edge of the iPad tends to pop out of its holding pocket, and in one instance almost resulted in me dropping the iPad. Also, in the position as a stand, it works well on a desk or hard surface, but not so comfortable for hand holding or in my lap.


One other issue is that I noticed that the case scratches easily, so I am not sure if it will look nice and rustic over time, or just a complete mess.

What I like

  • The sophisticated look
  • The quality of the leather and construction

What can be improved

  • The design for use as a stand
  • The finish or type of leather that needs to be more resistant to scratches
  • The surrounding pockets/holders for the iPad
  • The design that allows the iPad and pencil to be in the correct orientation when the case is being used as a stand
  • A design that allows practical use when in your lap

Final thoughts

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is made from really nice quality leather and looks very attractive and professional. The stitching is well done and it just looks like quality. However, from a functional perspective, the design needs a bit more thought so that the fit and function match the materials used. While it may add to a sophisticated look when carrying your iPad, I do not find its function practical for my daily use. Maybe this is just my issue, but I do suspect that many users will experience the same.

Price: $129
Where to buy: Saddleback website
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Saddleback Leather Company.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Wohome S9920 TV Soundbar review


REVIEW – Watching movies and listening to music are two things that I do frequently and as much as a few times weekly when I have some time to relax and unwind. Even when just watching television, I like to have the experience include nice clear and defined audio. These days, there is a multitude of soundbars on the market and they all seem to tout their features as better than the others hoping for a bigger share of consumer interest and purchases. One such entry into this crowded market is the Wohome S9920 Soundbar. Here is the summary of my review.

What is it?

The Wohome S9920 is a 2 channel system soundbar that is 40 inches long that can produce up to 80 Watts of audio output from 6 built-in drivers. It offers several connectivity options along with a remote control for convenience. It is also wall mountable.

What’s in the box


1 x Wohome S9920 Soundbar
1 x Wall Mounting Template
2 x Wall Mounting Brackets
1 x AC Power Adapter
1 x Remote Control
1 x Optical Audio Cable
1 x 1/8” to RCA Audio Cable
2 x Wall Anchors and Screws
1 x Quick User Guide
1 x User Manual
1 x Satisfaction Contact Card

Design and features

Specifications:
Input: Bluetooth, AUX in, 3.5mm in, USB, optical, coaxial
Distortion: <1%
Frequency response: 40HZ-20K HZ
Speakers: 4*15W full Range+2*10W Tweeters
Audio: 3D Surround Sound System: designed with DSP Technology
Output: 80W
STN: ≥105dB
Input power: DC 19V, 3.4A
Channels: 2
Dimensions: 4.0 x 4.1 x 39.7 in

On the back of this sleek 40-inch soundbar, there is a wall mount hanger on each side that allows you to mount it to a wall using the included hardware and template to accurately drill the mounting holes accurately.


Also on the back of the soundbar, there are the connectivity options. As shown in the picture below from left to right, the connections are the optical port, the coaxial input jack, the left and right RCA input jacks, the auxiliary input port, a USB port, the power port, and the on/off switch.


On one side of the soundbar, there are control buttons that allow you to manually turn the power on or off, raise or lower the volume and pause or play the sound. The power button also shares the mute function.


On the front of the soundbar, there is a LED that is red when the power switch is on but the audio is turned off either via the manual button on the side or by the remote, and blue when the audio power is turned on.


Performance

Once I removed the soundbar from the box, setup was very easy. I decided not to mount it on a wall, but rather I choose to rest in on one of the shelves of my TV stand. Once I connected the AC adapter and the optical cable, it was ready to go. I powered it on and it immediately worked. I already had a soundbar that was connected via the optical connection, so I just had to swap the optical cable to this one. There was no additional configuration needed. After testing the optical connectivity, I then tested via the auxiliary port by connecting to the 3.5mm audio output port on my BenQ projector. Again, it worked like a charm. I was also able to test using the 3.5mm to RCA cable via the RCA inputs since my projector has the 3.5mm audio output. It worked with no issues. My plan is to use this soundbar dedicated to my projector and it passed all of my requirements with the exception of what I deem to be a major flaw that stops it from being a completely versatile soundbar. There is no output port to connect a subwoofer. This is not a deal breaker for listening to music, but a bigger deal when watching movies, and especially movies that take advantage of low frequencies for their special effects. In my opinion, the lack of this option was a big miss and a lost opportunity to appeal to a larger consumer base.

The option of using the USB port works by inserting a USB drive with music on it. I am not sure if all types of music files will play, but .mp4 files do. This feature may appeal to some, but with streaming or network drives being commonly used these days, I don’t have much use for it.

I do use this Wohome soundbar every evening when I play my Contemporary Jazz via Pandora as a part of my relaxation and bedtime wind down. I love the Bluetooth capability that paired very easily and works flawlessly. The sound and frequency separation are adequate both for television and music, and there is no discernable distortion even at the maximum volume. The lows, mids, and highs are well balanced and provide a pleasant listening experience, and for movies, the 3D and surround sound features work as expected. The soundbar is not exceptionally loud, but very adequate for my 240 square foot room. Despite the lack of the option to add on a subwoofer, it is adequate for relaxation music and works well for a genre like jazz.

What I like

  • The sound
  • The Bluetooth connectivity
  • The sleek look and finish
  • The ease of operation
  • The variety of connectivity options

What can be improved

  • The ability to connect a subwoofer should be included
  • Batteries for the remote should be included

Final thoughts

The Wohome S9920 Soundbar has filled a desired need of mine to have a dedicated soundbar for use with my projector. In that capacity, it works well but loses big points for not having a subwoofer output. I also use it almost every night at bedtime to listen to my Contemporary Jazz as I drift off to sleep and it fits that role perfectly both in function and in audio capability. It is a good deal for the price, and if you do not want or need to connect a subwoofer, it is a winner. For folks like me, it gets a well done but could be better!!

Price: $109.98
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wohome.

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Wohome S9920 TV Soundbar review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 28, 2019 at 10:30 am.

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Julie’s favorite gear, Airthings Wave radon detector, Neo smartpen M1, and more – Review updates

REVIEW – I like to think that our reviews are evergreen. By that, I mean that they aren’t forgotten once we post them. We can go back weeks, months, and years later to add updates so that you will know how a product stands up over time. Today we have a new batch of review updates so click through to see the list of updated reviews and you’ll find the updates at the bottom of each review.

Julie’s favorite gear page

Airthings Wave smart radon detector review by Julie Strietelmeier

Neo smartpen M1 review by Julie Strietelmeier

BenQ PD2710QC DesignView 27-inch Designer Monitor review by Julie Strietelmeier

Neato Botvac D7 robot vacuum review by Julie Strietelmeier

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Julie’s favorite gear, Airthings Wave radon detector, Neo smartpen M1, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 27, 2019 at 11:01 am.

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Naztech MagBuddy Wireless Chargers review

REVIEW – With Google’s Pixel line finally joining the party, most of the latest cellphones now utilize wireless charging  This option can be both convenient and frustrating, but it has most certainly meant a boon for accessory makers. Dozens of new wireless charger options are now available and the list grows longer every day. Naztech is one accessory maker capitalizing on this new market with their Magbuddy Wireless Chargers. These Magbuddy chargers hold a phone in place magnetically while charging it wirelessly.

All of the Magbuddy Wireless options are priced at $59.99, which is a bit high in my opinion since there are a lot of other options out there. I reviewed the Magbuddy Wireless Vent and Desktop versions. The tech works well with both options, but the desktop version has a stability issue.

What is it?

Naztech MagBuddy Wireless Chargers allow you to wirelessly charge your phone while conveniently having it held in place by strong magnets. This is especially helpful with the car charger since you can jump in your car, pop your phone on the holder, and be on your way without fussing with cables or tricky mounting devices. The convenience isn’t as apparent to me with the desktop version I reviewed, but it’s still helpful albeit expensive. The desktop version also comes with an attachment to hold an Apple Watch, not charge the watch, just hold it.

One particular challenge with newer phones that can be mitigated with the right accessory is the lack of a headphone jack. Since wired headphones now plug into the same port as a phone’s power source, if you prefer using wired headphones while charging your phone at the same time you’re out of luck. Wireless chargers can solve this problem, and with the added benefit of magnetic mounts, these chargers become even more useful. Although, when dealing with cellphones, magnets, and power things can get tricky and design becomes a challenge. Luckily, companies like Naztech are on the case with devices like the MagBuddies.

The Magbuddy Wireless chargers work with all Qi-enabled devices or devices equipped with a Qi-Enabled receiver. The Magbuddy should be able to deliver a fast charging 10W to Qi-ready devices like some iPhones and Samsung Galaxies. All other devices, like my Google Pixel 3, will get a base 5W.

The Magbuddy Wireless chargers work by utilizing four strong magnets which cling to an included metal plate that is either placed on the outside of your phone or within a case that is no thicker than 3mm. Just above the magnets is the charging coil that transmits power to your phone.

The packaging for the Magbuddy line is pretty similar for all of the options. The product is clearly shown on the exterior along with a description of that particular Magbuddy’s specs.

I like that the front of the box opens up so you can see the actual Magbuddy unit along with the size of the metal plates for your phone. The charging unit is the same throughout the Magbuddy Wireless charger line. The only thing that differs are the mounting options, brackets, and power supplies that come with the version you purchased.

What’s in the box?

  • MagBuddy Vent
    • 1 Magnetic Head
    • 1 Vent Mount
    • 2 Adhesive MagBuddy Plates
    • 2 Clear Protective Stickers
    • Car Charger
    • USB-C Cable
    • User Manual

  • MagBuddy Desktop
    • 1 Magnetic Head
    • 1 Desk Mount
    • 2 Adhesive MagBuddy Plates
    • 2 Clear Protective Stickers
    • 1 Surface Adapter
    • Wall Charger
    • USB-C Cable
    • Optional Apple Watch Mount
    • User Manual

Design and features

The main component of the whole Magbuddy Wireless line is the charging unit or magnetic head as Naztech refers to it. This is a small little puck that holds the magnets and charging coils.

There’s a USB C port on the back of the charging unit and each Magbuddy Wireless comes with a USB C to USB A cable for power delivery.

The USB cables connect to the charging unit and then to whichever power supply your Magbuddy version uses.

The Magbuddy Wireless Vent is powered by a two port car charger.

The Magbuddy Wireless Desktop is powered by a standard USB power block.

Setup

Preparing the Magbuddy Vent and Desktop are relatively simple. Both the Desktop and Vent versions utilize a ball and socket type mounting solution.

Simply loosen the socket nut on the charging unit and pop the ball joint of the mount into place.

Both the ball and socket are made of plastic though, so do not force them too hard. Make sure the socket nut is loosened all the way before attempting to pop the ball joint in.

The Vent mount has a small clamp that has another socket nut on it to tighten the clamp on to your vent.

Both units also come with detailed instructions on how and where to place the metal plate that will hold your phone firmly to the charging unit magnets.

The metal plates conveniently have an adhesive already applied to them, which I really appreciated. Simply peel off the adhesive backing and you’re ready to mount the plate.

The Magbuddies include mounting cards to show you the ideal position for the metal plate depending on which phone you’re using. Once the metal plate is mounted, you’re ready to use your Magbuddy.

To use the Magbuddy Desktop, you must first secure it to your desktop. The bottom of the unit has a sticky-like suction cup base for this purpose.

To secure the Desktop, lift up the clamp on the base, push down hard on the unit and close the clamp.

The Desktop mount should stay in place after the clamp has closed. Although, in my testing the clamp frequently lost its suction to the table and the whole unit, phone and all, fell over. I tried it on several different surfaces all with the same result.

I feel like the overall design of the Magbuddy Desktop is to blame here. Because the arm comes up so high from the base at such a steep angle it’s inherently unstable, hence the need for the suction cup. If the arm was designed a bit differently, the suction cup might not have been necessary. Naztech must’ve realized this because they include a small round plastic sticker to adhere to the table top before mounting the suction cup base. This seems like a really inelegant solution for something that costs $59.99.

If you happen to have an Apple Watch, the Magbuddy Desktop also includes a plastic mounting arm for it.

The mounting arm attaches between the charging unit and socket nut with the use of a longer screw.

Once the arm is attached, you can hang your Apple Watch alongside your phone. The Magbuddy doesn’t charge your Apple Watch though, you still have to run a separate charging cable for that.

Performance

The Magbuddy Wireless Vent Charger worked fine for me. The mount held the unit securely to my car’s vent with minimal effort.

Every time I popped my phone on to the magnetic head it stayed firmly in place. Although I did have to move the phone around a bit to get the charger to engage. This was frustrating because my phone’s case does match the recommended thickness of less than 3mm.

I really liked that the car charger has two ports and lights up. The lights made it very easy to find in the dark.

I never got stellar charging performance from the Magbuddy, but that’s because my Pixel 3 only does fast charging with Google approved devices. The Magbuddy was able to top off my phone and keep it charged. You may get better results depending on which phone you have.

I had a similar performance experience with the Magbuddy Desktop since it’s essentially the same charging unit. I did like being able to quickly grab my phone and go, but as soon as the suction cup lost its hold I was just frustrated by the poor design and it lost its appeal.

What I like

  • Magnets hold device firmly in place
  • Charge is consistent
  • Well-built and engineered
  • Easy setup

What needs to be improved

  • Desktop stand unstable
  • Sweet spot for charger could be larger

Final thoughts

I really liked the convenience of the Magbuddy Wireless Vent Charger. The magnets always held my device firmly in place while driving and I never worried about my phone slipping off the mount. My Pixel 3 couldn’t enjoy the full 10w potential of the Magbuddy, but the unit kept my phone topped off and charged nonetheless. The Magbuddy Wireless Desktop Charger worked similarly, but the suction cup never held the unit in place for long and at such a high price, I expected more.

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Naztech and Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Naztech.

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Naztech MagBuddy Wireless Chargers review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 27, 2019 at 9:30 am.

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