AKG N700NC Over-Ear Foldable Wireless, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones review


REVIEW – For many years, I have used and purchased several models of the same noise canceling over-the-ear headphones from a famous brand/manufacturer. I have compared several brands of a similar product within the same price range and always ended up purchasing that brand. Now I have the opportunity to review the recently released AKG N700NC Over-Ear Foldable Wireless, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. I wonder if these headphones will suffer the same fate as the others or can they finally give me a reason to switch brands. Let’s see!!

What is it?

The AKG N700NC Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Headphones feature wireless Bluetooth connectivity as well as wired connectivity which comes in handy especially if using the flight adapter to listen to in-flight programming, or if using a legacy device that does not have Bluetooth capability. In addition, it has built-in active noise-canceling technology that tunes out ambient noise so that you get a fully engaged listening experience. This technology includes the ability to let in ambient noise with the push of a button which activates the TalkThru capability. This is great for listening to announcements or if you have the need for a short conversation.

What’s in the box


1 x AKG N700NC Adaptive Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
1 x Carrying Case
1 x Flight Adaptor
1 x Micro USB Charging Cable
1 x Straight Cable
1 x User Manual

Design and features

Specifications:

Impedance: 16 ohm
Sensitivity: 98dBSPL/1mW @1kHz
Max Input Power: 30mW
Bluetooth type: 4.2
Frequency Range: 10-20 kHz
Weight: 261g

The AKG N700NC headphones feature Bluetooth connectivity to work wirelessly with most Bluetooth enabled mobile devices and it also offers the ability to connect via hard wire to legacy devices or devices without the Bluetooth capability. According to AKG, the built-in battery can provide up to 20 hours of listening with noise canceling engaged when being used via a Bluetooth connection. In addition, if you decide to connect to an audio device via the included straight cable, the battery life goes up to 36 hours per charge with noise canceling active.


On the right side earpiece of the headphone, there is the power/Bluetooth button, the Smart Ambient button and the Micro USB charging port. The correct side for wearing is also indicated on the hinge of each earpiece.




Bluetooth LED Indication:


Smart Ambient LED Indication:


On the left earpiece, there is the 3.5mm port for the wired connection, the + and – buttons for track forward and backward and in between the track buttons, there is the play/pause/call answer/hangup/reject/voice assistant button. For the track selection, you press and hold the – or+ button for 2 seconds, for the call functions and play/pause you press the button once and for the voice assistant (Siri/Google Now) you press the button once.


The headphones are built with memory foam earpads and a padded headband that makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They also include hinges right above each earpad that allow each side to be folded. The headband is also adjustable.


AKG includes a cable for wired listening. The cable has 3.5mm male plugs on each end and a button remote in the middle that controls phone call and audio functions. To control using the button remote you press once to answer/hang up on calls and to play or pause music, press twice to move to the next track and 3 times for the previous track. The picture below on the right shows the included flight adapter.


AKG also provide a very nice braided and branded micro USB cable for charging the headphones.

Performance


The headphones fold to become very easy to carry either in the case or otherwise. They are adjustable to create the perfect and very comfortable fit over my head, and the earcups make a nice seal over my ears.


These AKG headphones perform amazingly well in every area. I love listening to Contemporary Jazz with them because it is a nice audiophile experience and they do not cost the $1000s that many of the audiophile headphones that I have tried retail for. I love the Smart Ambient feature that allows you to adjust the Automatic Noise Cancelation (ANC) so that there is a really nice balance between the noise cancelation and the ambient environmental sounds. What is even more impressive, is that you can change the assignment of the Smart Ambient button from the default ambient feature to the Talkthru feature that allows you to have a conversation with others without removing the headphones.

While I prefer listening to music wirelessly, I love that I have the ability to use these headphones as wired as well. I actually do like the wired sound a bit more, since from my perception it has a bit more of an audiophile quality to it.

I have also used these headphones when editing video and they also work great as a studio option and especially when I am working and I don’t want to be distracted by the noise that the kids are making in the background.

Phone call quality is great including clarity and solid connectivity when using Bluetooth.

App

Below are some screenshots from the app that allows you to manage a few features like performing firmware updates, customizing equalization settings and reassigning the Smart Ambient button function.





If you would like even more information and operational details on these headphones, you can click here to download the user manual.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The fit and finish
  • The sound
  • The balanced noise canceling
  • The weight and size
  • The features

What can be improved

  • Compared to other headphones in this price range and how the ones that I have tested measure up, I have no complaints

Final thoughts

After many years of using one specific brand of over-the-ear noise canceling headphones, I am happy to have found a new brand that does an amazing job at not only accomplishing the same goal but in my opinion, does it better. Sound and fit are all individually subjective features, and different people can and do have different opinions, However, I believe that those that try these headphones will not only be very pleased but will also agree with most of if not all of my experience with them and review of them. I love the Smart Ambient feature that creates the right balance between noise canceling and the common sense application of it to be able to hear in an emergency. I have experienced using other noise canceling headphones when I was on a train that got canceled, and because my eyes were closed, I did not see everyone leaving their seats. Another passenger had to nudge me to tell me what had occurred. The design, features, and sound of these headphones offer true performance and versatility and they get two thumbs way up from me. Well done!!!

Price: $349.99
Where to buy: B&H Photo Video or Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Samsung.

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AKG N700NC Over-Ear Foldable Wireless, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 17, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Don’t let your small car stymie your DIY projects

NEWS – Ever run into the problem of having to pay the hardware store to deliver something like a few boards or some wood trim because you have a sedan or a truck with a short bed and can’t fit your supplies in it?  Well, with the Sidekick VSC side-mount car carrier system, you’ll never have to pay big sums for small deliveries like that again.  The Sidekick VSC is simply temporarily added to the passenger-side doors of your vehicle, so you can transport over-sized items over short distances.

The kit consists of :

  • 2 Z Brackets
  • 2 pins
  • 2 bolts
  • 2 wing nuts
  • 2 bungee cords
  • 2 side supports with protection pads to protect your car’s finish

Just keep the kit in the trunk of your vehicle, and you’re ready to bring home supplies whenever you need them.  The system is designed to work with lumber, trim, or plastic pipe up to 16 feet long.  The SideKick VSC system is normally $99.95, but it’s $79.95 at the time of writing.  Purchase at The SideKick VSC website.

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Don’t let your small car stymie your DIY projects originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 17, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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2018 Holiday gadget giveaway!

NEWS – To celebrate the holidays, we are giving away six awesome prizes. Entering is easy! Just answer three questions in a comment at the bottom of this post. And if you’re willing to jump through a few extra hoops, you can get up to three additional entries which greatly increases your chances of winning. Please click through to read the details on the prizes and to submit your entries for a chance to win our Holiday gadget giveaway prize pack!

Prizes:

First place: One person will win a prize pack consisting of 1 of each of the 6 products shown below:

Lasso Compression Socks

Lasso is the first in-garment joint support that was created with medical technology that prevents ankle rolls by 75%.

  • Lasso socks utilize the science of medical taping to form a pattern of compression that surrounds and complements your ligaments and tendons
  • Lasso’s special blend of yarns mimic the support of kinesio taping & shorten the timeframe of existing injuries
  • Formed with high tensile strength fabrics that create pressure along critical ankle muscles and ligaments
  • Patent-pending technology stimulates the reactive support of ligaments and tendons in the foot
  • Lasso studied kinesio-taping and ankle braces to create an all-in-one ankle support solution that is built into the comfort of an athletics and sports sock for men, women and kids
  • For runners, athletes, kids, military and those with ankle injuries and worn by many pro-athletes, including investor NFL legend Champ Bailey

Price: $29.99
Read our review: Lasso Compression Sock review
Available at: www.lassogear.com.

Tile Pro and Tile Mate

Tile Pro and Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers will make sure you never lose your stuff again.

  • Tile has updated the Tile Mate and Tile Pro models, which will now include longer range, louder volumes and replaceable batteries – one of the leading pieces of feedback from customers.

  • Tile Pro will have increased ring volume, and Bluetooth range for both products will expand as well.

Price: $20 – $35
Read our review: Tile Mate and Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers review
Available at: Tile

PhoneSoap: PhoneSoap 3

The first and only cellphone charger that cleans and sanitizes your phone while it charges, leaving your phone cleaner than when you bought it.

  • UV-C light sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs multiplying on your phone in just 10 minutes
  • Fits all phone and case sizes
  • Acoustic audio amplifier allows you to hear alarms and notifications so you can leave your phone in the PhoneSoap overnight
  • Two charging ports allow it to act as a universal charger for any device
  • Comes in 7 fun colors
  • Microfiber cleaning pad included

Price: $59.95
Available at: PhoneSoap.com, Amazon.com 

Eve Room (2nd Generation)

Compact, Newly Redesigned Air Quality Monitor with HomeKit Technology

  • Indoor air quality, temperature and humidity sensors. Customizable high-contrast E-Ink display with anodized aluminum body
  • Precise measurements and historical data can be viewed via the Eve app
  • Micro-USB-rechargeable battery lasts 6 weeks or longer
  • Support for sensor-based automations of other HomeKit-enabled accessories
  • Fast and easy configuration thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy technology, no bridge required
  • Requirements: iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11.4 or later
  • Automation & Remote Access: HomePod, Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later or an iPad with iOS 11 or later set up as a home hub
  • Dimensions: 2.1  x 2.1 x 0.5 Inch

Price: $99.95
Available at: evehome.com, Amazon

Kano: Computer Kit Complete

Build-it-yourself laptop is a powerful learn-to-code tool designed to unlock potential and unleash creativity

 Fully working computer featuring a web browser, YouTube, Google Docs, Wikipedia, WhatsApp, Google Maps and more apps access online

  • Share your creations on Kano World, and play and change the rules of games created by friends
  • Get creative with your technology: hack Minecraft; create art with Javascript; code shapes and patterns; follow along with Story Mode to learn about hardware, software and code; solve a mystery and choose your own adventure using Linux commands
  • 100 step-by-step challenges and tutorials guide people of all ages as they learn to code and begin to understand loops, variables, and logic
  • Build and code your own Raspberry Pi 3-powered portable computer, with a 10.1′” HD screen, speaker, wireless keyboard, sound sensor and battery.

Price: $249.99
Read our review: Kano Computer Kit Touch review
Available at: kano.me/store, Amazon

Roland: GO:MIXER

 

A compact audio mixer for smartphone video production that can be used with iOS and Android.

  • GO:MIXER connects digitally via an included cable, providing clear stereo sound that’s a marked upgrade over using the phone’s built-in mono mic or analog line input.
  • Supports connecting five sources at once via inputs for a vocal mic, guitar/bass, stereo keyboard, and two stereo line-level devices (such as music players, drum machines, etc.).
  • Powered by the smartphone connection, so no batteries are required.
  • Compact in size, just 3.75 inches (95 mm) square and 1.1 inches (28 mm) tall
  • One of GO:MIXER’s line-level inputs offers a selectable Center Cancel function, which reduces the volume of the main vocal in a music track that’s playing through the input. This is a great feature for singers, allowing them to create karaoke-style tracks on the fly.
  • Works with Roland’s Virtual Stage Camera, New Beat Sync App and the 4XCAMERA App.

Price: $99
Read our review: Roland GO:MIXER audio mixer review
Available at: Roland and Amazon

How to enter (please read carefully – any missed steps and your entry will be disqualified):

Between now and 12/19/2018 midnight EST leave a comment on this page answering the questions below.

  1. Would you like to see us do more video reviews or do you prefer reading written reviews?
  2. What is your favorite gadget topic?
  3. Are you a new visitor or a long time reader?

Get a 2nd bonus entry by subscribing to our newsletter:
You’ll receive 3 emails a week with latest post info. Subscribe here.

Get a 3rd bonus entry by tweeting:
Celebrate the holidays and win six gadgets from The Gadgeteer https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/12/16/2018-holiday-gadget-giveaway/

Get a 4th bonus entry by linking to The Gadgeteer home page on Facebook.

Make sure you come back to this page and leave a separate 2nd comment stating that you subscribed to the newsletter, a 3rd comment with a link to your tweet and a 4th comment with a link to your Facebook post. To get the links for Twitter and Facebook, just click the time stamp of your post and it will give you the page with that post so you can grab the link.

At some point on 12/20/2018, I’ll pick 1 random winner using random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hrs to claim their prizes. If I do not receive an answer to my emails in that time period, I’ll do other random.org drawings until the prizes are gone.

Rules:

1. Only one entry per person (warning: I check IP addresses).

2. Gadgeteer writers and their immediate family members may not enter this contest.

3. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for any lost packages due to incorrect shipping addresses.

4. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for the winner not accepting their prize offer within 48hrs. The winner will be posted on this contest page, in the contest page comment section and will be emailed using the email provided in the comment section. Check your spam folder.

5. Winner must have a US shipping address.

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2018 Holiday gadget giveaway! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2018 at 4:41 pm.

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Get a cool foldable Bluetooth keyboard as a stocking stuffer

Do you need ideas for stocking stuffers or perhaps a gift for the office Christmas party? The BATTOP Upgrade Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Kickstand may be the ticket. It’s not your typical foldable keyboard. This one folds lengthwise. What a great idea! It works with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. You’ll have to use a key combination to select operating systems: FN+Q for Android devices, FN+E for iOS devices, and FN+W for Windows devices. In addition, you’ll get about 40 hours of use before you have to charge it using the provided USB cable. The keyboard will also go into power savings mode if it is idle for more than 12 minutes and pressing any key will wake the keyboard. When unfolded it measures 9.25″ x 6.29″ x 0.19″, and when folded it measures 9.25″ x 2.16″ x 0.72″. The BATTOP Upgrade Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Kickstand normally costs $26.99 but if you use the code VXXFCUVF, it will only cost you $15.92 on Amazon.

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Get a cool foldable Bluetooth keyboard as a stocking stuffer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2018 at 10:30 am.

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Dreampad Memory Support Pillow with Music & Sleep Technology review


REVIEW – For many years, I have struggled with getting a good night of sleep and it usually starts with difficulty falling asleep. I have tried many things including sound machines, but I have found that listening to Contemporary Jazz music that I love gives me the best chance to easily fall asleep. The problem is that although my wife enjoys that type of music as well, she needs the room to be quiet when she is really ready to sleep. So, what do I do? The Dreampad Memory Support Pillow with Music & Sleep Technology from SleepScore Labs seems like a possible solution.

What is it?

The Dreampad is a 20” x 28” pillow that utilizes embedded transducers to deliver music through gentle vibration that only the user can hear and will not disturb anyone sleeping nearby.

What’s in the box

1 x Dreampad Pillow
1 x AC Adapter and Micro USB Charging Cable
1 x Bluetooth Adapter
1 x Quick Start Guide

Design and features

The Dreampad pillow is covered in a very soft and smooth white cover that is 100% cotton. There is a zipper on one side that reveals a pocket that includes a built-in wire with a 3.5mm plug that connects to the Bluetooth adapter. They also include an extension 3.5mm cable so that you have the option of a wired connection to maybe a larger radio or music source on your nightstand or otherwise some distance away.

The Bluetooth adapter connects to the micro USB cable to be charged and has a touch plower/play/pause button on the front.

On one of the thin sides, it has a volume up/down control.

On the other side if the 3.5mm port for connecting the adapter to the pillow.

Performance

The Dreampad is very easy to set up and you can quickly start to enjoy the benefit of it. The Bluetooth adapter arrived with some amount of charge and I charged it the day before I started using it. Once I turned on the adapter, it showed up in the list of the available Bluetooth devices on my phone as Dreampad. The pairing was easy, and it was ready to go. My first test was to play music wirelessly from my iPhone. At first, I could not hear anything, then I realized that it is designed to be used with very little to no ambient noise and that for me, I could only really hear it with my head turned to the side with an ear on the pillow. If I was lying flat with the back of my head on the pillow, I could not hear it. Maybe someone with better hearing than I have might. This was not a big issue for me since I tend to sleep on either side but rarely face up with the back of my head on the pillow. I was also able to test the pillow using a transistor radio with a 3.5mm output auxiliary jack since you can use the 3.5mm cable that is built into the pillow to connect directly to the music source as opposed to the Bluetooth adapter. I went back to my iPhone, and I opened my Pandora app and started playing my Contemporary jazz selections, and soon dozed off to sleep. For me, it is a very soothing experience and it does help me to fall asleep easier and faster. One important point to note is that I decided to purchase a zippered pillow cover to cover the Dreampad and then I put the pillow cover on. I did this to keep the Dreampad clean and to protect it in case I spill water on it while taking a sip during the night and especially so if I fail to completely close its zipper. I am not sure how water resistant it is.

APP

The Dreampad also can be managed via a mobile app, that can broadcast any selection of music or sounds you select. It comes with 10 songs that are designed to specifically support sleep. The app also features volume control, play time control, and an alarm. The following are some screenshots from the app:



What I like

  • The quality of the pillow
  • The design and capability to connect to various audio sources and in multiple ways

What can be improved

  • The price

Final thoughts

When I first heard about the Dreampad, I was not certain that I would actually use it regularly, but I was willing to try it because of the difficulty I have sleeping. While it does have its limitations, it actually works quite well and succeeds at helping me to drift off to sleep. I do think that it is the kind of product that you will either use regularly if you like it or not at all if you are on the fence about it. Having said that, I personally like it. However, the sample I received is the medium support version, and  I do need it to be much firmer for me to use it as my only pillow. I checked the ordering process on the website, and they do offer a selection of levels of firmness that includes a firm support version, and apparently a variety of material types that includes memory foam. I use the Dreampad almost every night along with another pillow, even when at times I fall asleep before actually connecting it to music.

Price: $127.20
Where to buy: SleepScore Labs
Source: the sample for this review was provided by SleepScore Labs.

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Dreampad Memory Support Pillow with Music & Sleep Technology review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2018 at 9:31 am.

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