REVIEW – One of the great things about writing for the Gadgeteer is the number of fun and interesting products I have a chance to review. That being said it isn’t often that I get to review a product that is really unique. The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio cushion is one of those products. I was excited to be given the opportunity to test it out. Let’s see if my excitement was warranted.

What is it?

The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion is a binaural stereo cushion that makes you both hear and feel the sound from your favorite entertainment. The cushion is boosted by Flexound Augmented Audio technology that adds the sensation of touch to all audiovisual experiences. HUMU also uses near-field audio so you can listen to it without disturbing others around you.

What’s in the box?

• HUMU sound cushion
• Micro USB charging cable
• Users manual

Design and features

With its removable vegan suede cover and wedge shape, HUMU has a modern look. Made up of 50% polyurethane and 50% nylon, vegan suede is artificial. Despite not being real suede it feels soft and comfortable against the skin.

I received the cushion in graphite, it’s also available in gray.

There are two zippers one on either side of the cushion that allow you to remove the cover. The zippers blend so seamlessly into the cushions design that it took me a while to find out how to access them.

The cover is easy to remove and put back on. You can spot clean it using a wet cloth or wash it by hand.

On the left side of the cushion, there’s a magnetic flap that lifts up to reveal the power button, charging port and indicator lights.

On the other side of the cushion, there’s a fabric carrying handle.

The cushion itself is pretty comfortable, although it does take a little breaking in. And it holds its shape well.

Battery & Charging

HUMU runs on a rechargeable Lithium battery. On a 3-hour charge, the battery can last up to 8-hours.  A provided 62-inch long Micro USB cable makes it easy to charge the cushion during use.

To charge the cushion plug the cable into the charging port located behind the magnetic flap. The indicator light glows orange while charging and turns off when fully charged.

Connection

HUMU uses Bluetooth 4.2 technology to connect to any Bluetooth enabled device. It can also be connected using a 3.5mm audio cable (not provided).

Bluetooth set up is easy as one, two, three. 1. Turn on HUMU. 2. Enable the Bluetooth function in your smart device. And 3. Select “Flexound Xperience” to pair.

I was able to easily connect it to my iPhone X, iPad Pro, and my 4K Apple TV.

Note: When using the cushion with a Bluetooth transmitter, my tv’s built-in Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio cable I was unable to control the volume level.

How it works

Unlike loudspeakers that vibrate sound into the air, Humu contains a single, proprietary Flexound Augmented Audio module with patented Elastic Vibrating Element (vibrating soundboards) to vibrate sound into an intelligent foam interior. This allows it to produce a wider range of frequencies (20 to 20,000 Hz) than most consumer loudspeakers or headphones. 

Performance

Movies, music, gaming, and relaxation all take on new life using HUMU.

Movies

During action movies, you feel every explosion, gunshot, and punch.

Horror movies are more immersive making them even more intense. I admit I even jumped a few times from the vibration of the cushion during scary scenes.

Even soundtracks seem to come to life.

HUMU’s like a mini home theater built into a cushion.

My experience using Humu to watch movies blew me away. So it’s not surprising that the technology will soon be available in movie theater seats.

If you’re a big fan of movies, you’ll love the 3D home theater experience that Humu provides.

Music

Listening to music provided a front row experience. I could feel the music as though I were actually sitting in the front row of a concert. Vocals, highs, and lows were all crisp and clear. The bass, especially from hip-hop tracks made the cushion rumble. HUMU creates a personal 3D stereo sound bubble that gives music a more spatial element, a wider soundstage if you will.

Gaming

I’m not much of a gamer but I tested a couple of games out on my Apple TV using HUMU. Like with movies and music it made gaming a more immersive experience.

Relaxation

I like to try to sneak a catnap into my daily routine whenever possible. Humu was a perfect excuse for me to take one of those naps. For testing purposes of course. Using my iPhone, I popped on a relaxing thunderstorm soundtrack. The experience was immersive, the rain felt like it was falling around me and I could feel a gentle vibration from the cushion with every roll of thunder. The sound was both resonate and soothing. To say it was relaxing would be an understatement, I was out like a light within 5 minutes. Humu took my relaxation to a whole other level.

What I like

• Everything

What needs improvement

• Nothing

Final thoughts

Was my excitement about HUMU warranted? You better believe it was. The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion is one of those magical products that don’t come along very often. It provides a personal audio experience, unlike anything I have ever heard or felt before. And it immediately shot to the top of the list of my favorite products ever reviewed for the Gadgeteer. If you’re looking for a unique audio experience that you can actually FEEL, then you need to get your hands on a HUMU.

Price: $279.99
Where to buy: Indiegogo and Sharper Image
Source: The sample of this product was provided by HUMU.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 23, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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REVIEW – The world of Bluetooth speakers continues to grow. With summer weather, there are more opportunities that ever to venture outside and take your tunes or podcasts with you. Sbode has created another in the endless list of portable Bluetooth speakers. What can they possibly add to the device to make it stand out? Read on to find out.

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

What is it?

This 11 ounce, 4+” high 3” cylinder can handle sound from your Bluetooth or AUX stereo devices. With a speakerphone, FM Radio and memory card support, as well as the option for stereo linking with another speaker, it’s a weatherproof can of fun.

Hardware specs

(from product website)

• Crystal Clear Bass Sound
• True Wireless Stereo Function
• Durable & Portable & Waterproof
• Hands-Free Calling
• FM Radio
• Micro TF/SD card supported
• Aux line-in

What’s in the box?

• Speaker cylinder
• USB-A to microUSB cable for charging
• Instruction folder

The Sbode Bluetooth speaker (that’s really the official name, even on the product box!) is a black cylinder with a rubbery, wavy black rim on both ends. The wavy ridges allow sound to eek out from the underside if you happen to set it down on a flat surface. The rubbery texture prevents scratches to delicate surfaces and adds a touch of grippiness. If you set it down beside your plate at lunch, however, expect to accidentally try to drink out of it at least twice.

The surface of the outside, where you’d print the label for a soda can, is a woven fabric with a single row of rubberized buttons down in one place. They cover the basics – volume + or -, play/pause, or pairing – or so one would think. Turns out, the + and – take you forward and back in your playlist, but the play/pause and on/off toggles work as expected. The only control over volume comes from the device you’re playing from. On the opposite side of the top rim, there is a braided cord lanyard 3” long. Below that is the covered input inset.

By far the most noticeable feature is the center metalized plate in the center of each end. They’re speakers, but they don’t resemble the usual cone we’re used to seeing. Also, since this is a sealed, IPx6 system, there’s no ingress point for sand or water. It’s not submersible, but camping or poolside activities should pose no threat. I feel a bit like Monk when I look at these flat, slightly vibrating discs, though. I just wanna poke them.

The AUX in and charging port are under an easily opened silicon seal, along with a reset pinhole and a TF/SD card slot. There is also an FM radio tuner built-in, in case you don’t have any tunes on a card or your device is otherwise in use. Simply press the power-on/pairing button, and the friendly voice announces “FM Radio Mode.” In FM mode, the “+” and “-“ buttons take you through a group of scanned presets of stations. Holding down the play/pause button will initiate scanning of local stations. The instructions weren’t clear on how to stop scanning on a station you like or add it to the presets. And I was never able to figure out how to control volume.

The weight and size of the unit are perfect for the use cases suggested: taking along everywhere, either in your cup-holder, bike water-bottle cage, or hanging from a carabiner from a branch or equipment of some sort. It sits easily on any remotely flat surface and the sound will radiate from whichever end happens to be up. If you have two (and, at $36 each, it wouldn’t break the bank), you can pair both of them and there is some circuitry inside that handles audio channel separation. (I’m perfectly willing for Sbode to send me a second review unit to give this feature a try.)

For what it is, the sound and durability is quite a nice bundle for the price. There are many better-sounding speakers units on the market, but most are gonna cost a good bit more than this one. I found the sound could not get as loud as I would like, for one thing. Not that I want my music blasting, mind you, but I never felt I was going to hurt my hearing with it all the way up. And often, other things in the environment (oven timers, cars driving by while on the porch, lawn mowers a few yards over) could not be overcome. By contrast, most of the other speakers I’ve tested have had a good deal more volume headroom. The sound is uniform in all directions around when it’s firing upwards. I did find that sitting it on the side gave a little better sound, but I never heard the “crystal clear bass sound” mentioned in the website verbiage listed above.

What I Like

• Easy pairing and use
• Integrated carrying loop
• Weatherproof

What needs to be improved

• Cannot adjust volume, except on device
• No way to adjust volume in FM mode
• Volume is never really “loud”

Final thoughts

If you’re someone who likes to have music, podcasts or even sports coverage with you, having a speaker you can carry along usually enhances the experience, and allows you to share your audio with those you are with. If you want to hear details and “get into” the music, this speaker, while functional, is not going to fill a room or deck or campsite with sound. If your needs are a quiet podcast by your chair on the porch, you’ll probably be OK, unless someone starts up a leafblower closer than 3-4 houses away. There are better options out there for the same or maybe a little more money.

Price: $35.49
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Sbode.

The post Sbode Bluetooth speaker review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

Sbode Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 1, 2018 at 9:45 am.

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As Bluetooth speakers continue to become mainstream and par for the course, companies continue to design and redesign their products to provide more convenience and better sound for consumers, and of course to be a better choice than the competition.

Tivoli Audio is an audio company that has been around for a while, and recently they decided to offer the Andiamo, which is a small compact Bluetooth speaker. It is being marketed as a high-end compact Bluetooth speaker, with finishes that include an Italian leather carrying strap. It will be offered in a black or silver model, and hopefully since the name Andiamo means “Let’s go” in Italian, it will sound as good as or better than the competition.

Tivoli Audio is scheduled to release the Andiamo in June 2018, and it will cost $199. You can visit the Tivoli Audio website for more details.

The post The Andiamo by Tivoli Audio is a small Bluetooth speaker that may pack a big punch! appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

The Andiamo by Tivoli Audio is a small Bluetooth speaker that may pack a big punch! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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