Blackloud Soundot AF1 FM radio earbuds for iOS review

REVIEW – Do you still enjoy listening to FM radio? I listen to it every day on my drive to and from work. But have you ever wanted to listen to FM radio with your smartphone but not using a streaming service like iHeart Radio which uses your data? Then you will be interested in learning more about Blackloud’s Soundot AF1 earbuds for the iPhone or iPad.

What is it?

The Soundot AF1 earbuds from Blackloud look like any other pair of wired earbuds, but there are two notable exceptions. First of all, they have a lightning connector instead of a 3.5mm headphone jack. So right away, you know that these headphones are for iPhones and iPads (USB-C version coming in 2019). The other difference is that you can listen to FM stations using these earbuds and your iOS device, without using any of your data. Kinda…

What’s in the box?

Blackloud Soundot AF1 earbuds
2 extra sets of eartips
Drawstring storage pouch
Quick start guide

Design and features

From all outward appearances, the Soundot earbuds look unremarkable unless you count the snazzy red color of the aluminum housings. The earbuds have an in-line 3-button control for volume adjustments and play/pause operations. The earbuds also have an in-line microphone so you can use them to make and receive calls as well as listening to audio.

The app




To use the Soundot earbuds to listen to FM radio, you have to install the Soundot app and you’ll have to log in to the app using your existing Google, Twitter, or Facebook account, or by creating a Soundot account. Then you can plug in the earbuds and you’ll be greeted with a simple interface for tuning FM radio stations.

There’s a tuning dial in the center of the screen that you can use to zero in on a known station, or you can also use the scanning buttons to find stations. At the bottom of the screen, there are 6 presets that you can use for your favorite stations.

The app also features an EQ for fine tuning the sound and a lock screen widget for quick control.

What the app doesn’t feature is RDS (Radio Data System) to display the song title and artist info. That is a feature that is coming soon. Another thing to be aware of is that you have to have a network connection (cellular or WiFi) in order to first set up the app which requires that you sign in either with your existing Google, Facebook, or Twitter account, or you can create an account with an email address.

Then when you do want to use the Soundot when you have no cellular or WiFi connection, you will have to click past the No Network error message, which is a little confusing as it leads you to believe that the product is not going to work without being on the network.

If you can get past these caveats, the FM radio sound quality is decent, but that all depends on how strong the FM stations are in your area. I was able to pull in the biggest stations without any issues.

I can see how an accessory like this one would come in handy during a natural disaster when cellular, and internet connectivity isn’t available, but a mobile device like an iPhone only has so much battery life and in a disaster, electricity is probably the first thing to go. I think a regular battery-powered radio or one with a crank that you can use to generate a few minutes of use without needing batteries would be a better option.

What I like

  • Good sound quality
  • Dongle-less lightning connector earbuds

What needs to be improved

  • Don’t require a login or account
  • Add RDS capability
  • Price is too high

Final thoughts

Some phones (maybe all of them?) have a built-in FM chip, but the carriers don’t allow you to use that chip to listen to FM radio. Why? I’m sure it has to do with money like everything else. The Blackloud Soundot AF1 earbuds give you back the freedom of listening to FM radio on your iOS device as long as it has a lightning connector and you can log in to the internet for the initial setup which for me seems to defeat the point… but if you don’t mind these restrictions, or the price, head over to Blackloud.com and check them out on your own.

Price: $79.89
Where to buy: Blackloud
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Blackloud.

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Blackloud Soundot AF1 FM radio earbuds for iOS review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 8, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Denon C820 Dual-Driver In-Ear Headphones review

I’m a big fan of high-end headphones and jumped at the opportunity to review Denon’s C820 ear candy. Just the specs alone made me want to pull up my most sublime musical selections.

What is it?

The Denon C820s are “dual-air compression” dual wired earbud type headphones that fit snugly and deliver sweet, sweet music into your ear-holes.

Hardware Specs

  • Impedance – 16 ohm
  • Sensitivity – 115 dB/mW
  • Frequency response – 4-40,000 (Hz).
  • Maximum power input – 250 mW
  • Weight – 10.4 g (not including cable)
  • Aluminum, die-cast resin construction

What’s in the Box?

  • C820 Headphones
  • Rubbery earphone holder
  • Four extra ear tip pairs of various sizes
  • Instruction manual
  • Cord clip

 

Design and features

The C820 headphones arrived in blue and white boxing nestled into a rubbery-feeling holder. A number of different size ear tips are included.

I tried several pairs and decided the default memory-foam ones were the most comfortable and provided the best sound isolation. I was a little worried that the angled metal bits that the cords connect to would cause some discomfort, but I was pleasantly surprised. No problem there. Please excuse my scruff.

The cords are heavy duty and should hold up well for years of being tossed into my pockets or day bag. These headphones FEEL sturdy. They are metal and have some decent heft to them. Rapid head movements might make them pop out, but I had no troubles even when using them while mowing the lawn. I used the cord clip for a bit of added security, Good sound isolation means I can keep the sound at a safe level even with the mower blades engaged. The 1/8″ stereo jack is narrow enough to fit into most cases without the need of an adapter.

I pulled up a relatively eclectic parcel of tunes. Music of the Koto, Eric Clapton, Handel’s Messiah, and Kenji Kawai’s “Making of a Cyborg” from the 1995 Ghost in the Shell anime film were a few of my choices.

These headphones are impressive. Even at reasonable volumes the bass booms. In fact, I had an odd sensation during a particularly bass-filled passage. The specs indicate full spectrum sound down to 4Hz and Denon wasn’t kidding. These headphones produce sound you can feel. You know that sternum-vibrating bass you feel when you go to a live concert? These headphones gave me that bass-shaking felling in my ears that I expected to feel it in my torso. Delicious!

Treble is also well-represented with crystal-clear highs. I was easily able to pick out tiny details featuring the triangle in the percussion section of orchestral pieces.

Great sound, tough construction, and good sound isolation, what more could one ask?

What I like

  • Metal construction
  • Tough cords
  • Extremely wide frequency response
  • Comfortable

What needs to be improved?

  • Nothing. These headphones are works of art.

Final thoughts

While testing these headphones, I accidentally bumped the volume bar while listening to Family Force 5’s “Put Ur Hands Up.” I actually scared myself! I felt the same way I did as a kid when I visited the stereo section in the department store and turned on a stereo to find someone had spun the volume knob all the way to the upper limit and everyone in the entire store knew some unsuspecting chump had punk’d.

I’ve been a long-time fan of balanced-armature headphones with their flat frequency curves, luscious bass, and crisp highs. For many years my Etymotic ER-4 headphones have been my go-to choice. I believe Denon’s C820 headphones with their comfortable fit and “dual air-compression” drivers may have usurped my beloved ER-4s as my new audio buddy.

Price: $159.00 and worth every penny
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Denon.

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Denon C820 Dual-Driver In-Ear Headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 18, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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1More goes Quad by adding 1 more to their Triple Driver earphone

I’ve reviewed my share of earphones with dynamic and armature speakers as well as a combination of both technologies, known as hybrids. What’s interesting is that hybrids are becoming more and more popular, especially within the last year or so. The thinking is that hybrid earphones offer the best of both worlds—the warm bass of dynamic matched with the clarity of armature speakers. Some hybrid earphones I’ve reviewed are more successful with this approach than others. 1more has been working in this audio marriage business for a few years and has released a new 4-Driver model—the 1More Quad Driver earphones.

The Quad Driver earphones are an extension of 1More’s current Triple Driver earphones that they’ve become known for (not to mention their Triple driver over-ear headphones!). Having four drivers is the equivalent of having four speakers in each ear dedicated to highs, mids, and deep bass. 

Each earphone’s THX certified sound chamber contains a carbon dynamic driver plus 3 balanced armatures and has tungsten textured accents that are designed for premium comfort and sonic spaciousness while also helping to eliminate ear fatigue.

45° oblique angled ear fittings should match anyone’s ear canals for a secure fit, noise isolation, and enhanced sound stage. The Quad Driver earphones are tuned by Grammy winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi.

For controls, a built-in chip automatically identifies which smartphone, tablet, or computer’s operating system is being used making it easier to make phone calls, control volume, and adjust tracks. A MEMS microphone is used to deliver exceptional talk quality.

The 1More Quad Driver earphones sell for $199.99 US and come with a gift box, leather traveling case, 9 ear tip sizes, ¼” and airline adaptors and a matching shirt clip. Visit 1More for more information.

The post 1More goes Quad by adding 1 more to their Triple Driver earphone appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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1More goes Quad by adding 1 more to their Triple Driver earphone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Brainwavz B200 Balanced Armature earbuds review

I’ve traveled extensively throughout my varied careers and learned a long time ago that if something is too large to be easily carried, it will ultimately be left behind for smaller versions. As a result, I’ve opted for the smallest, lightest weight devices I can lay my hands on, sometimes sacrificing higher quality.

With balanced armature headphones, I quickly learned that smaller headphones did not mean I would have to sacrifice audio quality.

Since buying my first pair of balanced armature headphones, Etymotic’s ER-6, back in 2005, I’ve been hooked. Unlike conventional headphones that use a miniature speaker, in balanced armature headphones, a coil of fine wire is wrapped around a central spindle (armature).  The armature is suspended between two magnets and the audio signal causes the armature to move inside the magnetic field, the sound. The architecture permits tiny drivers that can fit into the ear canal, but still produce a very wide frequency range, relatively flat frequency response and very low distortion. I’ve never turned back, even purchasing a pair of Etymotic ER-4 headphones which I have used as the standard for what headphones are supposed to sound like for almost $600 in 2008

I jumped at the chance to review Brainwavz B200 in-ear earphones and I am so thankful I did! They arrived in an understated black box with red highlights. Inside, a form-fitting plastic tray housed a swanky black and red storage case encasing the headphones, a slurry of ear tips, clothing clip, instructions and the obligatory silica gel to keep the goodies dry.

I pulled the headphones from the packaging with the default ear tips and jammed them into my skull, draping the cables behind my ears. They fit remarkably well and I was very pleased to find excellent isolation from ambient sounds.  I tried several other ear tips to ensure the best fit. The best at isolating ambient sound was a pair of red “memory foam” but I found the default pair was the most comfortable for me.

The audio plug on the cord end is angled. This might make it difficult to plug into some of the narrower sockets without an adapter.

Next, I chose a playlist that included Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Billy Joel, Evanescence, Family Force 5, Frank Sinatra, Guns N’ Roses, James Taylor, Jars of Clay, Louis Armstrong, Ottorino Respighi’s Pines and Fountains of Rome, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd,  Regina Spektor, Skillet, and TobyMac. I chose these artists because they represent a wide variety of musical styles, volume levels, and potential tastes.

The sound from these headphones is nothing short of superb. Bass is rich and luxurious, wonderfully clear. There were no distortions or harmonic buzzing. The bass was so clear, it made me think I was attending a live concert, but without the ear-ringing and sternum vibrating.  I dare say that the bass rivals my $600 Etymotic ER4s.

Highs were crystal clear – think of the clinking of fine lead crystal stemware clear.  Even subtle passages with quiet piccolo or triangle tones were beautifully reproduced.

Mid-range was balanced, and luscious, to the point that if I closed my eyes, I could almost picture myself in the same room with the recording artists. Beautiful.

The audio from the Brainwavz B200 headphones is spectacular, fit is comfortable and construction is first-rate. The only problem I encountered during the review is that when asking my wife to listen to them, her response after 10 seconds of listening was, “These are mine!” I think she’s going to have trouble getting me to give them up.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Brainwavz Audio. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $119.50
Manufacturer: Brainwavz Audio
Retailer: http://amzn.to/2xlT9Kg
Pros:
  • Fantastic audio quality
  • Very comfortable
Cons:
  • Expensive

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Brainwavz B200 Balanced Armature earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 9, 2017 at 9:02 am.

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Earhoox 2.0 review

If you are like me, headphones and earphones are a personal thing. I have several pairs of both but I have my favorites. One of the earphones I use a lot are the Apple EarPods that came with my iPhone. They work well enough, but one issue I have with the design is that they tend to fall out of my ears and that annoys me. Earhoox has a solution to this problem and they were nice enough to send me that solution to test out.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

As the name implies this is version 2.0 of the Earhoox, the company has been making a version of this product for five years now. Each package of Earhoox contains two pairs of Earhoox, a small pair, and a large pair.

Earhoox are made of silicone and are designed to fit on Apple EarPods and AirPods. They are available in three colors; blue, white and black.

Putting the Earhoox on my EarPods was not overly difficult, you simply place the front of the EarPod into the front opening of the Earhoox. The hook part goes to the top of your EarPods in case you are wondering.

All that being said, I will say that I was a little disappointed with the included instruction sheet. The visual representation of how to put the Earhoox onto the EarPods and use them was okay but, the white outline on the light brown paper made it really hard for me to see what exactly I was supposed to do. I had to look at the instruction under a bright light to fully see everything.

I have a small ear, so I used the small Earhoox to test out the product. First, let me say that my EarPods feel a little tight without the Earhoox on them, but I did not notice that much difference in the feel with the Earhoox on the EarPod. Although my EarPods are not my main earphones when I am out and about, I do use them just about every day when back in my bedroom watching videos or movies on my iPad. I often have an issue with my EarPods falling out of my ears over an extended time of using them, with the Earhoox in place I did not experience that issue.

So, what’s my bottom line here? To me, the Earhoox is a great product. They do exactly what they advertise, keep my EarPods in my ears. The fit and finish on the Earhoox are excellent and the price is right. For $9.99 through the Earhoox website, you get two pairs of Earhoox, a small and large pair (so you may even be able to share them with a friend). I will admit that I did not use them during my workouts, but I did use them for everyday activities and had no issues. If you are looking for a way to keep your EarPods or AirPods secure in your ear while using them you should check out Earhoox.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Earhoox. Visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $9.99
Manufacturer: Earhoox
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Apple EarPods or AirPods
Pros:
  • Great price
  • Good fit and finish

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Earhoox 2.0 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 27, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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