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Blue Yeti Nano USB microphone review

REVIEW – What if you took the Yeti USB microphone and took a shrink ray to it? That was my thought when I saw the Blue Yeti Nano microphone. But how does it sound, and what features would be missing from the smaller package? I tried out the Nano to find out.

What is it?

The Yeti Nano is a high-quality USB microphone designed for professional podcasting that comes in four different colors.

Hardware specs

Power Required/Consumption: 5V 150mA
Sample Rate: 48kHz
Bit Rate: 24bit
Capsules: 2 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules
Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity: 4.5mV/Pa (1 kHz)
Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz)
Dimensions (mic w/stand): L: 4.29” (10.9cm) W: 3.78” (9.6cm) H: 8.31” (21.1cm)
Weight: 1.39lbs (0.63 kg)
Headphone Amplifier
Impedance: >16 ohms
Power Output (RMS): 130mW
THD: 0.009%
Frequency Response: 15Hz – 22kHz
Signal to Noise: 100dB
System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or macOS (10.10 or higher)
USB Compatibility: 1.1/2.0/3.0

What’s in the box?

Yeti USB microphone (including desktop stand), USB cable, 3/8” to 5/8” adapter

Design and features

The Nano really does look like a smallish version of the regular Yeti. It comes attached to a handsome desk stand.

The only control on the front is a volume knob. It also doubles as a mute button.

There’s only one button on the back to select between microphone patterns. You can choose between cardioid or omnidirectional.

I was elated to find a threaded adapter on the bottom for boom stand users like me. There’s also a low-latency headphone jack and a microUSB port.

Here’s a nice design feature: There’s a notch at the base of the stand to allow your cables to exit gracefully. I like it!

Blue was good enough to include a threaded adapter so you can use a standard microphone stand.

Setup

The Nano was detected by my Apple laptop without issue. Once powered up, the volume knob turns red for mute, and green for on. Pressing the rear button toggles between mic patterns.

Performance

I returned to my recording booth and placed the Nano next to my studio mic, the Neumann TLM103 connected to a tube preamp.

Then, I spoke an excerpt from “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” and recorded on both mics simultaneously. No processing was done whatsoever. The Nano was plugged directly into the computer with no further modification.

What I like

I have no complaints about the sound quality of the Nano- unless I compare it to my studio mic. It’s a very unfair comparison because my Neumann mic setup plus tube preamp costs over 10x as much vs. the Nano. However, there’s a LOT of fiddling involved to get my studio setup dialed in just so. There’s virtually no setup at all with the Nano. It is the closest thing to plug and play.

I also noticed that the Nano “only” comes with two mic patterns (cardioid and omni), but it’s all most podcasters or voiceover artists would need. If you need a figure-8 pattern for interviews with a single mic, you’d be better off with the standard Yeti.

What needs to be improved

None. For this price, it’s hard to go wrong.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a starter USB mic that has everything you need and nothing you don’t, the Yeti Nano is a fine choice.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Blue Designs and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Blue Designs.

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Blue Yeti Nano USB microphone review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 13, 2018 at 11:30 am.

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Take your Apple Watch from “sporty” to “fine jewelry” with a Smart Caviar band

NEWS – Forget about plastic, leather, or stainless steel bands – these Apple Watch bands from LAGOS are firmly pegged at the “fine jewelry” end of the spectrum.  The Smart Caviar bands are made of sterling silver, 18K gold, and diamonds.  Steven Lagos, the founder and Creative Director of LAGOS, says:  “I’m a big fan of the Apple Watch® and love the functionality. It is perfectly designed for the sporty lifestyle but something was missing – there was no fine jewelry element to it.”  He wanted to create a way to turn the sporty Watch into a jewelry Watch, and these Smart Caviar bands are undoubtedly a beautiful way to do so.

The Smart Caviar bands are available in four unisex styles.  The sterling Smart Caviar band is $950, and the sterling/18K two-tone band is $3500.

The partial diamond Smart Caviar band had 1.20 carats of diamonds and is $5000; the full-diamond band with 2.48 carats is $8500.  All four styles accommodate both the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch (Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3), and all come with a sizing tool and one extra link to ensure a comfortable fit.  Additional links, if needed, may be purchased for $80 – $700 each, depending on the materials.

The LAGOS Smart Caviar bracelets are available exclusively at Bloomingdales (online and in-store). Learn more at Bloomingdales at the above links or at the LAGOS website.

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Take your Apple Watch from “sporty” to “fine jewelry” with a Smart Caviar band originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 13, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Etymotic ER3XR earphone review

REVIEW – Etymotic is not an audio company the public knows much about. However, they’ve been around for a while and are famous among hard-core earphone fans. Part of the reason is that Etymotic has a sound signature they strive for and nothing will cause them to deviate from it. Each of their models—from the early ER4 line of earphones to the latest—have supported their mission of replicating music as realistically as possible, even if that alienates some people. You see, many feel Etymotic earphones are light on bass, but it’s more accurate to say that most people like and want artificially enhanced bass—and that’s not what Etymotic does. Heck, even I’m guilty of wanting that extra bass kick—even if it is fake. So with the new ER3XR earphone, Etymotic has attempted to please some bass fans while still adhering to their core goal of accuracy. Did they succeed?

What is it?

The Etymotic ER3XR earphones are an earphone that has been enhanced with what Etymotic calls an extended bass response. This intrigued me because it almost sounded sacrilegious what Etymotic was selling. To get to the chase, my worry was premature. Etymotic has managed to retain their uber-accuracy while slightly warming up the sound … and I do mean slightly. 

Specs

  • Frequency response: 20Hz-16kHz
  • Driver: Balanced armature micro driver
  • Noise isolation: 35-42 dB
  • Impedance: 22 Ohms
  • Max. Output: 120 dB
  • Cable: 4 ft. detachable
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Custom-fit option: Yes

Design and features

A few things immediately become apparent regarding the ER3XR earphones that make them seem like a throwback to earlier times (like, two years ago):

  • They are not wireless
  • There is no microphone or remote control
  • They have a mini plug meaning that if you have a smartphone without a jack, you’ll need a dongle

Having said that, there is nothing “retro” about the sound. As I said earlier, the ER3XR earphones retain that Etymotic sound signature—but slightly different.

The ER3XR earphones come with a minimum ear tip selection. There are two sizes of triple-flanged silicone tips and one pair of squeezable foam tips that are great at isolation. Also included are extremely tiny filters that protect the interior of the earphone shell and a tool made for swapping them out. There is an included zippered carrying case for keeping the earphones clean. The cable is detachable—a nice change for Etymotic at this price level. 

The ER3XR earphones are an armature-based speaker design. What does this mean? Armature speakers come from the hearing aid industry. The drivers are tiny and operate in a different way than the more common dynamic speaker drivers. Dynamic speakers look just like tiny versions of familiar speakers. Dynamic speakers are usually less expensive, a bit smoother and more bass friendly, but this comes at the expense of audio clarity. Armature speakers cost more to produce and have a lot of detail, but can be weak in bass. Keep in mind that these explanations are a gross generality—I’ve heard dynamic speakers with much detail and armatures that had decent bass, but you get the idea. 

Even though the ER3XR earphones are tuned for enhanced bass, it’s relative. If you are used to the Beats-type bass-heavy sound, then these are not for you. Etymotic earphones are famous for accuracy over boosted bass. However, if you’ve been previously put off by other Etymotic earphones too-bright sound, you will be pleasantly surprised by these. 

Note that Etymotic makes a visual twin to the ER3XR; the ER3SE. It features a higher level of sensitivity without the bass boost. Both cost the same but I chose the ER3XR specifically because of that bass boost. I’m glad I did, too. On certain songs, even the ER3XR earphones are too bright for comfort—but that’s rare.

How much enjoyment I get from the ER3XR earphones is dependent on what I’m listening to. For instance, early Beach Boys did not have prominent bass in their surf songs. As a result, the songs are not that great sounding. But a later song like “Kokomo” sounds terrific. Here’s why: the armature speakers in the ER3XR earphones do not smooth out any rough edges in a song. If it’s there, the earphones will reproduce it—good and bad. That’s the downside to portraying detail in music, which the ER3XR‘s do. Be careful what you wish for.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate how much the ER3XR earphones reveal, I just have to be more selective when I hit the play button. With these earphones, I stick to higher resolution files that I’ve ripped as opposed to lower resolution streaming.

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: 90% (a made up number) of how a recording sounds comes from the mastering and mixing of the song/album. So if a song sounds too bright or bass heavy, it sounded that way before the public ever heard it. Music can later be tweaked with an equalizer, but only so much. For me, I usually either turn off EQ or set it to flat. It’s the most realistic way to hear music as it was intended. Plus it’s a pain to constantly adjust so I leave it. 

Another plus for the ER3XR earphones are audiobooks or spoken content. If you (like me) spend time with audiobooks, the ER3XRs don’t “bass up” the vocals, which makes the narrator sound much more natural and easier to understand. 

What I like

Even though some music may sound too bright, I like the detail and musicality of the ER3XR earphones. Given the right music, they are a pleasure to listen to and have reminded me that Etymotic is still in the game—big time. 

What needs to be improved

At times, I would have preferred a smoother approach to music, but in this price range, you can’t have an overall smoothness and the kind of detail the ER3XR earphones provide. It’s a minor issue for my ears.

Final Thoughts

The Etymotic ER3XR earphones are not cheap, but they are priced well for what you get. Plus, the cables are now detachable—always a welcome addition. These earphones are made for that choosy listener who cares as much about a music file’s resolution as how the recording was made. 

Price: $179.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Etymotic. Visit etymotic.com for more information.

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Etymotic ER3XR earphone review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 13, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Bring Harry Potter to your tabletop gaming nights!

NEWS – A new version of Trivial Pursuit based on the Harry Potter movies would be the perfect gift for any devoted Harry Potter fan.  The game has the traditional board, modified for the Potter world.  It comes complete with four custom House Mascot movers, 24 wedges, 300 cards with 1800 questions, and instructions.  It’s designed for two or more players, aged 8 and up.

The categories include:  Slytherin House, Death Eaters and The Dark Arts; Objects & Artifacts; Animals, Magical Creatures and Magical Beings; Witches, Wizards, Ghosts and Muggles; Hogwarts, Other Locations and Transportation; and Spells, Potions and Other Magic.

The Harry Potter Ultimate Trivial Pursuit game is officially-licensed.  It’s available for $49.99 at ThinkGeek.

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Bring Harry Potter to your tabletop gaming nights! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 13, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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TicWatch Pro smartwatch review

I enjoy looking at watches and reading about watches, but I don’t actually wear a watch. Weird right? I used to wear a watch every day but that was back before smartphones. Now I don’t really need one. Or do I? That’s a question I planned to answer by reviewing the TicWatch Pro from Mobvoi. For the answer to that question, keep reading.

What is it?

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro is a smartwatch powered by Google’s Wear OS that runs for 5-30 days on a single charge due to it utilizing two different display technologies which are layered on the watch face.

What’s in the box?

TicWatch Pro smartwatch
TicWatch Pro Charge Dock
User Manual

Hardware Specs

Operating System: Wear OS by Google™
Dimensions: D45mm x 14.6mm
Display: 1.39” AMOLED 400 x 400 + FSTN display
Chipset Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 2100
Memory RAM: 512MB / Storage: 4GB
GPS / AGPS
NFC payments: Google Pay™
Connectivity: Bluetooth: 4.2 / Wi-Fi: 802.11bgn 2.4GHz
Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, Magnetic Sensor, PPG Heart Rate sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Low Latency Off-Body Sensor
Battery and Charging Capacity：415mAH Charging method: Dock with USB cable
Battery Life Smart Mode: 2 days;
Essential Mode: 30 days
Mixed usage: between 5-30 days
Water and Dust Resistance: IP68

Design and features

The TicWatch Pro is available in two colors. A silver and black version like the one that was sent to me and is shown above, and an all-black version. I think the silver and black version is a nice looking premium smartwatch. Most of the silver metal part has a brushed finish and the nylon and glass fiber black part has a matte finish, so you won’t have to worry too much about fingerprints and smudges.

The smartwatch comes with a 22mm leather and silicone buckle style wrist strap that is easy to use and comfortable to wear. As you can see from the image above, the TicWatch Pro swallows my puny wrist, so it’s not the most flattering watch for women. It’s also chunky and heavy. But even so, I wore it for a couple of weeks and didn’t notice the weight and bulk most of the time.

The back of the watch has a built-in heart rate sensor in the center and electrical contacts on the edge for the included charger. There’s also a speaker on the back of the watch near the connection point for the left side of the watch band (non-buckle end).

There are two large easy to press buttons on the side of the watch. The top button is the power button, voice assistant activation button, and app list view button. The bottom button can be programmed to launch a favorite app when pressed once, double-clicking the button launches the payment app, or pressing and holding the button will launch the shortcut menu.

The tiny hole between the two buttons is the TicWatch Pro’s built-in microphone.

The TicWatch Pro’s most notable feature is its dual-layer AMOLED/FSTN display that enables you to continue to use this watch even after the battery is too low to power the watch in Smart mode. A typical smartwatch can be used for a little over 2 days before you have to charge it. But with the TicWatch Pro, you can continue using this watch in what Mobvoi calls Essential mode for an additional 27 days.

Of course, you won’t be able to interact with the Wear OS apps when the watch is in Essential mode, but it will still function as a regular watch with a step/activity counter and a heart rate sensor. So it doesn’t turn into a totally “dumb” watch when it switches to Essential mode.

Charging the TicWatch Pro is quick and easy with the included magnetic charger. Just click it in place and it recharges to 100% in about 2 hours.

Here’s the watch in idle/Essential mode. It looks like a “dumb” LCD watch with an always-on display that shows the time, date, and step count. Pressing the button on the side while in Essential mode will turn on the heart rate sensor and will show your current heart rate above the time.

When the battery has enough juice, it will operate in Smart mode which will show the AMOLED display in full color when you either press one of the buttons on the side of the phone or tilt your wrist to see the watch face.

A swipe across the watch face from left to right will let you choose from a variety of watch faces like the ones you see here.

You can find more watch faces by using the Wear OS app on your phone.

Swiping the watch face from top to bottom will show the settings icons and will let you see the battery capacity if the watch face you’re using doesn’t already show that info.

Clicking the top button on the side of the watch will bring up the app list that you can scroll through to launch the apps that you install through your Android phone on to the watch. Pressing the top button while you’re in an app will exit back to the main clock screen.

When notifications pop up on your phone, your watch will vibrate so you don’t have to take your phone out of your pocket to see the notification. Just swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to scroll through the notifications from apps, text messages, etc. You can even interact with text messages and read emails, etc. You can swipe individual notifications away to remove them, or you can scroll through all of the notifications and click the Clear All button to remove all of them at once.

It’s probably obvious that due to the small size of the watch face, that you’re not going to want to read all your emails on the watch. But it’s handy to be able to have that option if you can’t get access to your phone for some reason.

Mobvoi App

To use the TicWatch Pro you’ll need an Android smartphone and you’ll need to install the Wear OS app on that phone. But you’re also required to install the Mobvoi app which is kind of weird because the app really doesn’t offer much functionality at all.

It will let you see your fitness data and it has an online storefront if you want to buy other Mobvoi products, but other than that, it’s pretty meh. There is a Routines option that seems to allow you to create some automation macros, but from what I could tell, it doesn’t work yet.

Making and receiving calls with the TicWatch Pro

Yes, you can use this watch to make and receive phone calls. Of course, you have to have your smartphone in your pocket to do this because the watch is just acting as a hands-free Bluetooth speakerphone. How’s the sound quality? The sound quality isn’t horrible but let’s just say I am not going to be using it for calls on a regular basis.  Mainly because I’d look like a dork talking to my wrist. But, if your phone is on your desk and you’re a short distance away when a call comes in, it does work just fine in a pinch.

Other ways to use the watch for more than checking the time

  • Read notifications
  • Check alarms
  • Listen to music with paired Bluetooth earbuds without needing your phone
  • Use it as a fitness tracker with built-in GPS features

Battery life

I’ve tested the Smart mode battery life a few times so far with this watch and am finding that it lasts around 2 – 2.5 days. After that, the watch will automatically change over to Essential mode. Mobvoi says that the watch will work in Essential mode for an additional 27 days or so for a total of 30 days of use on one full charge.

What I like

  • Doesn’t become useless once the battery is too low to power the smartwatch functions
  • Can be used up to 30 days before charging
  • Even in Essential mode, the watch still offers a few smart features like activity tracking and heart rate sensor

What needs to be improved

  • Mobvoi app isn’t useful
  • Notifications don’t show up in the Essential mode

Final thoughts

I think most people are in one of two camps. They are either in the smartwatches are awesome camp or they are in the why do we need a smartwatch when we already have a smartphone camp. Which camp am I in? I’m still in the why do we need a smartwatch camp. I’d rather just pull my phone out of my back pocket and interact with it instead of a watch on my wrist because it’s much easier to interact with the larger touch display on a phone vs. a watch.

But hold on a sec… let me say that I do like the TicWatch Pro smartwatch quite a bit. I liked using the TicWatch Pro with the Google Keep app while shopping for groceries because having the watch on my wrist to tick off items is more convenient to use than my phone. I also like using it to check the time while in a theater or while talking to someone as it isn’t as conspicuous as using a big smartphone. I also like using it to check notifications while on a daily walk.

If I was in the market for a Wear OS smartwatch, I would seriously consider the TicWatch Pro over other brands for the main reason that it is still quite useful as a regular watch (with extra features) even after the battery is too low to use the smartwatch features.

Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mobvoi.

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TicWatch Pro smartwatch review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 12, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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