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Solgaard LifePack backpack review

Backpacks come in a variety of sizes, styles, and designs. Some are meant to serve students, some are more for photographers or commuting information workers, and some are designed more for travel. As much as I like satchel bags or messenger-style bags, there’s sometimes nothing like a backpack when traveling. On my last vacation, I didn’t take one, and my shoulders regretted it every day. I was happy, then, when SolGaard offered us their LifePack for testing, and I was given the opportunity to use it. There are a couple of superpowers in this traditional looking bag that are great for travelers.

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

First things first: The bag is a traditional one, with permanently attached shoulder straps in a cushioned yoke at the top, and adjustable webbing at the base. At the ends of the padded area, just before the webbing, there are hidden zippered pockets that will hold travel documents, cash, passports, or treasure maps.

At the top of the bag is a wide, cushioned haul loop. This is not just seatbelt webbing with some foam over it – this is a purpose-built, multi-piece handle with the same breathable fabric that covered the underside of the straps and the pack of the pack. On either side of this haul loop, there is a cavernous pocket accessed through a dual-pull metal zipper. The zipper pulls are 2” long and have a .75” hexagonal loop at the tip. You can thread any lock or cable you want through these things! And, being dual pull, you can put the opening just where you want it. The front-most section is gusseted at the bottom, so it won’t easily open and spill out all the little stuff that settles down to the bottom. In the pocket against your back, there is a padded laptop sleeve that dwarfs my iPad Pro (12.9”) or my 15” MacBookPro. Your gaming rig is gonna love this bag! On the inner side of this is a letter-paper-sized pocket that is translucent, perfect for tossing in receipts, maps, brochures, etc. There’s also a snap-closed business card pocket of the same material on the front of that pocket. Since I rarely deal with paper, I use this sheath for my iPad Pro 10.5”. It’s totally covered in there.


On the opposite side are two mesh zippered pockets roughly passport-sized, a credit-card sized gusseted pocket about .5” thick, and 3 pen silos. The space at the bottom is wide enough that I can lay my iPhone 8 Plus flat on the bottom, with an inch or two top and bottom, and it doesn’t quite hit the sides. While it’s not protected, you could fit a drone or headphones or even a DSLR in here with no problem. Sneaks or textbooks as well, but I don’t think a rigid cycling helmet would go.


The outside pocket has a notable feature showing through on the outside: a 5” x 2.25” window allows the sun to reveal a solar charger for an 11,000 mAh battery pack! It is housed in its own Velcro-and-snap secured holder, perfectly centered over this window.

Inside, you’ll find access to the two USB charging ports. There’s even a cable built into the bag, which routes the power from one of those ports down to a small pocket on the corner, down where the straps connect!

You can keep a cable in there, pull it out and top up your phone or iPad between flights, without ever opening your bag. When you remove this battery pack, you also find that the reverse side is a very powerful Bluetooth speaker!

While it’s in your bag, the sound is a bit muffled, but pull it out, and you’ve got an instant party! There’s also AUX input and a micro USB charging port for the battery pack. Five “gas-gauge” LEDs tell you the amount of charge left with a quick push of the adjacent button.


The power bank is rated to have 96 hours of non-stop listening or 6 smartphone charges. When it’s flat out of juice, 4 hours in the sun will bring in enough power to charge a smartphone completely, or play music for 8 hours. You can also charge two devices at once, while still playing music. Below this specialized holder in that front-most pocket, there’s open space to the bottom of the bag. The pocket is about an inch thick, so an iPad, pico projector, or novel for in-flight reading would be right at home. There are a few more card pockets and pen silos in that back panel as well. Sewn into this seam is a key holder with a cap lifter attached.

Coming back to the outside of the bag, remember that small pocket by the right strap that has the USB cord socket? There’s one on the opposite side that has a shock-corded holder for a water bottle. And, up above that left corner pocket, what’s that black clip peeking out? It’s a 3-digit combo locking carabiner with a 9” length of red-insulated steel aircraft cable attached!

This cable is bolted to the bag and allows you to tether the bag to a post, chair, or another object to avoid snatch & dash thieves. Or you could lock the four dual pull tabs together with the cord around a chair arm, and no one can get into the bag or remove it from where you place it, as in the photo above. Wish I’d have had this when I was doing trade shows!

There is still one last trick in the LifePack – to make up for a dark day when you can’t charge your battery, in the bottom, there is a zippered pocket that contains a full-sized waterproof cover.

All in all, this full-sized backpack can handle quite a lot of travel needs, from full-sized laptops to a variety of smaller gadgets. The safety and security features don’t really have the usual cost of added weight: I can tell no difference between this and 2-3 other full-sized packs in my collection. It was actually lighter than most. The handles and yoke where the straps attach are very comfortable, great for a full day of museums, travel, or classes.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SolGaard. Please visit for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $269.00 MSRP
Manufacturer: Solgaard
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • none
Pros:
  • Solar charging battery pack
  • built-in wiring
  • good organizational pockets
Cons:
  • window through front pocket for solar panel – can't be used without power bank inserted
  • only one "outlet" for power routed outside of main compartment
  • speaker plays into pack

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Solgaard LifePack backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Electrolux ProSwivel Vacuum review

Think about all the regular housekeeping chores that you have to do on a regular basis. Now think about the ones that appear close to the bottom of that list. Maybe it’s taking out the garbage or cleaning the toilet. But if you would have asked me what I least enjoy, it would probably vacuuming.

Just the thought of dragging out that heavy, cumbersome machine and lug it around the living room for 10-15 minutes is enough to make me think “ehh… the carpet’s not thaaat dirty” and push that idea right out of my head for another day or two. But I learned sometimes, you just need the right tool to make the job enjoyable, and Electrolux’s ProSwivel vacuum really hit that sweet spot for me.

Specs and Build

The ProSwivel has a lot of features for such a small, unassuming vacuum. Hidden in the body is a long, 2-foot aluminum cleaning wand that is attached to the hose, giving you 12 feet of reach, making those ceiling fans and door frames a breeze to suction-dust.

I was pleasantly surprised by the cleaning attachment. Initially, I was looking around for 2-3 individual brushes and funnels to pop into the body but realized that they were all the same piece. Depending on which end you place on the hose, it can serve as a dust brush, crevice tool or furniture nozzle. Pretty clever space-saving trick.

The ProSwivel features…

  • Onboard (and quite innovative) 3-in-1 tool
  • 10-foot hose and 12-foot attachment reach
  • Easy floor height adjustment
  • Floor-height front LED lights
  • Easy-empty 1.2 quart cyclonic dust container
  • 13 inch cleaning width
  • Washable filter
  • 11 amp motor, 30 foot cord
  • 16 pound total weight

The vacuum is solidly built. I didn’t hear any rattling or strange noises while it was running. And as you can see in the photos, it has a clean, modern design. After several weeks of normal use, it still looks brand new. Of course, this is a product that you would use for years, hopefully, so it’s hard to ascertain how rugged the ProSwivel is.

The hidden handle extension pulls out of the body, allowing extra reach for brush attachments.

I did find one area that could be a cause for concern, over time. Where the hose is attached to the handle hangs at a sharp angle, and with the weight of the rest of the hose pulling on it, it seems like a stress point that could stretch or maybe even tear over time.

Here’s the hose stress point I mentioned, which could pose a problem after months and years of stretching.

In Action

I think the initial joy from using this vacuum was in just how lightweight and maneuverable it was. My other cleaner was an old basic Eureka upright… fairly no frills, and an absolute beast. I have fairly thick carpet and the ProSwivel glides over it while still effectively brushing and suctioning up plenty of dirt and dust.

That 360º swivel point allows the ProSwivel to turn on a dime.

I also like the very visible cyclone dust canister. It gives a good idea of when it’s getting a little too full and needs emptied. It also demonstrates just how much dust, crumbs, and hair are being picked up, which, you know, can be both impressive that the vacuum is working so well and embarrassing that the carpet (mine, anyway) was that filthy.

All that dirt and dust surprises me every time.

Going back to the swivel feature, the head is easy to snake around corners and furniture legs. It takes some getting used to, sort of like driving with a trailer attached, but once you get the hang of it, something as pedestrian as vacuuming becomes, well, sort of fun. The width of the suction head is only a little over a foot wide, which gives it the advantage of being able to fit in a lot of narrow areas. Of course, that means more passes on large open areas of carpet. And since rounding corners and skirting against walls and furniture is so darn fun, it makes the wide expanses of carpet with that tiny head seem tedious by comparison, like painting the side of a barn with a paint roller.

That’s a fair trade.

The brush attachment and hose stay out of the way until you need them.

The actual suction seems very good. I tested it on several surfaces with the brush roller on and off (there’s a handy brush switch near the power button) and it handled the floor height difference very well. I have a dark carpet and can plainly see crumbs and all the normal bits that land on the floor, so it’s very easy to tell when something doesn’t get picked up on the first pass. The only thing it missed was bits of food that had dried and stuck to the carpet fibers…. I have a five-year-old, so that’s a common sight. One good lap around the living room picked up all the visible mess and then some.

This clever brush attachment is actually three in one, depending on which end you place within the handle.

Conclusion

One of the largest hurdles in getting around to vacuuming the floors, at least for me, is the thought of getting up and lugging out a heavy, loud, clunky machine and pushing it around the room. The ProSwivel goes a long way toward removing that barrier with its light weight and fun design. I love anything that is designed to make me more productive.

Hunt down those dust bunnies with 4 bright LED headlights.

That transition from “Ugh, vacuuming” to “Ooh, vacuuming!” could be an accurate wrap-up of my experiences with the ProSwivel.

The Electrolux ProSwivel vacuum is currently available on Amazon for $219.99.

Source: The sample for this review as provided by North St Bags. Please visit their site for more information or Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $219.99
Manufacturer: Elextrolux
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • – Lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • – Long, built in cleaning wand has good reach
  • – Very easy to empty and store
Cons:
  • – Not very wide, so it can be tedious for large areas
  • – Narrow base also makes upright unstable when using wand, falls over

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Electrolux ProSwivel Vacuum review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 28, 2017 at 12:45 pm.

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PhotoBulk 2 image editing software for macOS review

So there you are, staring at that big batch of beautiful images on your desktop that needs to be prepped for publishing and/or distribution. Image editing can be a time-intensive task when done manually, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of content. You could be in for a long night. Enter PhotoBulk 2 for the macOS, an app that enables you to batch process common image editing tasks like resizing, converting formats, optimizing, and renaming. You can even create custom watermarks that include both text and graphics.

How does it work? Will it save you some precious sleep? Let’s go find out!

PhotoBulk 2 is the latest update to Eltima Software’s well-received bulk image editor, with a bunch of new enhancements and features. The interface is wonderfully simple. Select the batch of images you want to edit, which will then appear in a carousel at the bottom of the app window. Then you can select from a menu of 6 processing functions to apply to the batch, which can be toggled independently.

Watermarking

You have four watermark options to choose from, each of which is customizable to your specifications. Check the “Watermark” box to set your options, at which point you can any combination of watermarks you like.

You can import an image (like your logo) which can be resized, rotated, and set to the opacity of your preference.

You can also add a date stamp for the image, with complete control over the font, size, color, positioning, and opacity. The date is automatically pulled from the photo metadata. You can also rotate the text placement if desired.

Additional text (like a byline or web site address) can also be added. As with the date stamp, you can customize all aspects of the text presentation (font, size, color, position, opacity, and rotation). Double-click on the text window to type your text, which can include multiple lines if desired.

Finally, there’s a “script” watermark (not shown here) that will automatically wash the formatted text across the entire image in a repeating pattern. This is especially useful if you want to embed a copyright tag, and can be formatted like the other text options (except for rotation).

The chosen options appear in the preview window, and you can toggle through images in the carousel to see the final results.

Post processing options

You have two post-processing options you can toggle: resizing and optimization.

The resizing process has 5 options that enable some pretty sophisticated flexibility. You can resize each image to a fixed height, a fixed width, a specific height & width for a “max size” to resize everything up to the largest possible size specified. Any of these choices also have a toggle that prevents the batch from enlarging images that are smaller than the set size. You can also set a generic “percentage” resizing that applies to every image in the batch.

Optimizing is an automated process that reduces the file size without deterioration. You can set your options on a sliding scale.

As with watermarks, you can use the preview window (and the carousel) to see how the selected options will impact your final images.

Export options

After you’ve set your desired watermark and post-processing options, you can set up the details for the final file exports. Note that PhotoBulk 2 enables you to choose your destination folder (or create a new one), retaining your original images if you want to process them again.

The “format” option allows you to export your final images to JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP or TIFF format. You can also select the quality level for JPEGs if desired. You can also use the “metadata” option to keep or discard GPS data, camera info data, and copyright/contact info data embedded in the image. You can edit these options, but you can choose to keep or discard the data.

Finally, you can set your renaming options for the images if desired. You can pick a generic image name and append a common prefix or suffix to the file name, including sequential numbering with up to 4 digits (such as 1, 01, 001, or 0001). When I set up the processing for this review, this made it a snap to standardize my file naming. Here’s a screenshot of the output folder. No selecting and renaming for every picture!

Processing and saving your preferences

Once you have all of your options set, you press “start” to begin the processing. PhotoBulk 2 lets you choose your destination folder, and off you go!

You have the ability to save your presets for future use, including the watermarking options. We use a standard image sizing and naming convention for our work here at The Gadgeteer, which I now have set for bulk processing of my review photos. I also do illustration work as a hobby, and I can save a different batch setting for managing the images I put up on my website or in social media. I can also change preset options and save them for future processing (like changing copyright dates with the new year). It’s a nice option that saves a bunch of time.

General notes on use

I really like the PhotoBulk 2 package. The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, enabling you to be up and running with a few minutes of orientation. Eltima also does a nice job with tutorials and support to help you along the way if needed. The app is also very fast, significantly faster than the previous edition based on my research.

You should note that the same watermark settings are applied the same way to all photos in the batch, regardless of the image size. It looks like PhotoBulk defaults to a standard xy measurement for positioning from the image edges, and uses the same size specifications for watermark options. I tested three photos here to show this. The first two are the same vertical orientation and size, while the third image is horizontal in orientation and 50% smaller. Check it out:

See the difference? If you’re processing a bunch of images that are the same (or close to the same) dimensions, this probably won’t be an issue for you. If you have dramatically different sized images in your collection, however, you may want to set up two different batches. Again, you can check all the images in the preview screen before you run them out.

Finally, please note that this app is designed specifically for use on the Mac desktop. If you’re on a windows device or an iPhone or iPad, you’ll need to look elsewhere for a batch processing solution.

Conclusions and Pricing

If you need a simple batch processing app with robust watermarking, formatting and export features, you can’t go wrong with PhotoBulk 2. With a clean, easy-to-use interface and intuitive functionality, I really like it as a massive time saver. It’s also bargain priced at $9.99. Check it out at the PhotoBulk web site or buy it at the macOS app store!

Source: the sample for this test was provided by Eltima Software. Please visit their site for more information.

 

Product Information

Price: $9.99
Manufacturer: Eltima Software
Retailer: macOS app store
Pros:
  • Intuitive, easy to use interface
  • Robust processing capabilities
  • Versatile watermarking options
  • Great value for under $10
Cons:
  • Only works on the macOS… no support for iPhone or iPad use

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PhotoBulk 2 image editing software for macOS review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 28, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Burkley Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet iPhone X case review

Last year I reviewed several Burkley iPhone 7 cases, one classic case, and one minimalistic wallet. Both very well made and designed to not only protect your smartphone but accentuate it in nicely done Turkish leather. With the release of the iPhone X, Burkley has recently introduced a suite of cases meant to protect Apple’s latest & greatest flagship. For this review, they sent their magnetic detachable leather wallet case for us to check out. 

The Burkley magnetic wallet combines 2-in-1 functionality into a single case. A book-style leather wallet and a detachable snap-on case that can be used independently or in combination.

The case is constructed of an impact resistant polycarbonate infrastructure with a piece of well-finished leather inlaid into the back of the case. The smooth rubber finish and natural Turkish leather skin inside the case protects the back of the handset against scratches and smudges.

The case is nicely fitted for the iPhone X, having a very tight fit with zero gaps along the curved edge where the plastic meets the stainless steel sides.

My only gripe in craftsmanship is there is a small gap between the inlayed back leather and the case itself. This space goes around much of the leather. Even though it is a small thing, I envision that void eventually getting ick/dust/crumbs trapped in the gap.

The snap-on case magnetically connects to the leather wallet. As I mentioned above, the wallet has a book-style orientation that is held closed by a magnet flap.

The wallet can hold identification, credit cards, bills, etc. Once broken in, the wallet can hold 6 or so cards and a fair amount of money. I hate to say it, but a majority of the time I need to carry more junk/happiness than this wallet has a capacity for. But my wife was VERY interested in its functionality and form factor. So, if/when she inherits my X next year (when I upgrade to the X+) this case maybe a serious contender as her case.

This case clicks onto the smartphone, covering and protecting nearly all of the iPhone’s sides and back. There are push-throughs for all the buttons and a cutout that allows access to the iPhone’s mute switch. The buttons themselves are easily pressed when desired and have a good tactile feel to them.

The case covers the entire top of the iPhone.

The right side has a single push-thru for the Siri/Apple Pay/power button.

The base of the case has cutouts for the lightning connector and speaker holes.

The Burkley case perfectly wraps around all sides of the X but does not extend above the screen. Which I actually prefer in a case so your thumb and fingers can flow/swipe on & off the screen without bumping into any edging. The case works well with a screen protector, as seen installed in this pic.

While the case itself doesn’t add much bulk or weight to the iPhone, once you add the wallet full of cards and money the combo does get pretty thick. That said, I can see this wholistic single solution working for many folks.

The case feels great on the iPhone, adding grippability and protection without adding much weight or bulk to the sleek and slim device. The leather on the back and rubber sides is a great combination of look, feel, and form while adding a decent amount of protection.

Even the wallet and case combo has a nice feel. It’s combined form factor isn’t too unwieldy and would easily fit in a coat pocket or purse.

The Burkley magnetic detachable leather wallet case also adds a good deal of operational functionality to the iPhone. Not only does it enable you to carry credit cards and money, but allows you to use magnetic mounts and the wallet acts as a stand for watching media content.

The iPhone X’s camera bump is slightly recessed providing greater protection.

In addition to Distressed Coffee, the Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet Case For Apple iPhone X is also available in: Burnished Tan, Pebble Black, Antique Golden Brown, Distressed Antique Camel and Saffiano Navy Blue.

Overall, I like the Burkley’s detachable/magnetic leather case and wallet combo. The pair adds both protection and functionality to the iPhone X. Its detachability and magnetic interface make it extremely versatile as well. The rubber and leather case gives excellent grip-ability to the very slick iPhone. A solid choice for consideration if you’re looking for this kind of wallet/case combo.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $69
Manufacturer: Burkley Cases
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • iPhone X
Pros:
  • Excellent material quality
  • Nice functionality/combo case
  • Detachable
  • Well fitted for iPhone X
  • Can carry many credit cards/ID and bills
  • Can transform into iPhone stand
Cons:
  • Back leather in case should be more precisely fitted for inset.

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Burkley Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet iPhone X case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 4:51 pm.

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V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones review

I generally put headphones I review into three categories: Too bassy, too accurate or a balance between the two extremes. Headphones that are too bassy make music sound muffled and oppressive. Overly accurate headphones will accentuate everything that is good in music if the music you are listening to is taken from high-resolution files. But they also expose the bad because they can’t tell the difference. It’s the middle ground—mama bear if you will—where many headphones belong. Among these are the V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones.

V-Moda entered the headphone market by wisely crowd-sourcing—among headphone enthusiasts—the sound signature for their original Crossfade headphone. V-Moda’s plan worked. The Crossfade sold well and spawned other models culminating in the Crossfade 2. Now, V-Moda has made a wireless version of the Crossfade 2 and why not? Bluetooth quality has improved dramatically over the last few years and keeps getting better. Plus, everyone seems to be jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon.

V-Moda’s Crossfade 2 Wireless has managed to keep its unique and wonderful folding engineering called “CliqFold”. It has to be seen to be appreciated. These are full-sized headphones that fold into something quite small and can be put into their equally small form-fitted hard case. So you get the best of many worlds. The Wireless Crossfade 2 headphones are truly portable.

The case will hold both the charging and wired-mode cables, although it does get a bit cramped when closing the case. The case also has two clever, removable vent port covers. When removed, air can circulate inside the case during storage. This is a bigger deal than it seems at first. I’ve actually found a fine mold on ear pads inside cases that were sealed a bit too well.

Speaking of ear pads, the Crossfade 2’s pads are really comfortable. I have experienced no discomfort after hours of wearing. Surprisingly, this is not the norm. The Crossfade 2 headphone is called over-ear, but on my head, the ear cups are on the small side (for over-ear). That’s not a big deal for me, but it’s something to consider if you have larger ears.

The headband is made of vegan leather (I prefer real leather—apologies to cows everywhere). More headband padding would be better, but that’s a minor complaint since comfort is not compromised.

V-Moda has used materials judicially—the Crossfade 2’s metal frame is thin, yet quite strong. There isn’t any wasted space. Each piece serves a purpose and still, the Crossfade 2 Wireless is one of the better-looking headphones on the market in its price range. However, they are not conservatively designed, so you may disagree.

The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones come in three color combinations: Matte Black/black metal; matte white/silver metal and black/rose gold metal. I received the white model with a silver steel frame. Even though I prefer black, I have to photograph what I review and white shows details that are difficult to highlight when everything is black. So, white it is.

It doesn’t stop there. V-Moda wants to promote an interesting aspect to the Crossfade headphones: The metal plates on each ear cup are customizable. You can either choose one of V-Moda’s designs or send V-Moda one of your own. If you’re not creative, V-Moda offers many (almost too many) choices and colors in either 3D printed precious metal, 3D printed steel, 3D printed fibre or laser etched metal, which is what I chose. I sent V-Moda my logo to be printed white on black. They are quite unusual looking on the white model I received. This makes for great photos, but I’ve also grown to like the look. Putting your name on some headphones makes them yours. I like that! Note that the custom plates are an extra-cost option.

Obviously, these are Bluetooth wireless headphones. With many headphones, pairing with your smartphone or other Bluetooth enabled device can be a pain, but not with the Crossfade 2. Just slide the On/off button and hold for 3 seconds. That’s it. Weird radar sound prompts tell you when you’re connected. I prefer voices that actually say “Connected” as some headphones do, but it’s no big deal. What is a big deal is that you have to remember to turn the headphone off when you’re done. Despite the generous 14+ hours of battery life, I have drained the battery by forgetting. For forgetful people like me, it would be nice if the headphones could automatically shut down after a few minutes of not being worn.

The right ear cup houses basic music controls: Volume up/down; pause/play and track skip forward/backward. The buttons have embossed controls that are easy to feel without distraction.

The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones have a built-in mic for calls. In testing, persons I was talking to could hear me fine, but the quality was not as good as speaking directly into the phone itself. V-Moda makes an optional boom mic that makes calls sound great and they are perfect for gamers. In my testing, the mic had to be used in wired mode because plugging them in shut off Bluetooth.

As I said earlier in this review, the sound signature of the CrossFade 2 Wireless headphones is what I call “mama bear”. This middle ground makes them slightly warm sounding and accurate at the same time. What does this mean? As long as you are not listening to heavily compressed MP3 files, these headphones will accurately portray your music with all its nuances giving you a pleasing reproduction. However, they are not so accurate that they reveal every glitch in a music file. Minor irritants that are brought out with super accurate phones are masked over, so what’s left is the fun factor of listening to your favorite song. That’s what “warm” sound means. That is not an easy thing to do when making headphones, but V-Moda did it with these.

While testing the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones, I primarily used my iPhone 7+ as the music source. Whether using Bluetooth or hardwired or listening to Apple Music or CDs I’ve stored on the device itself, I’m not disappointed. Having said that, the Crossfade 2s do sound better hard wired than wireless. The volume is louder, plus there is more clarity and punch to the music. That’s normal. Hard-wired always sounds better. Bluetooth has vastly improved, but it still can’t compete with wires—at least not yet. I’m convinced that one day soon, it will sound just as good as wired. Despite that, I used Bluetooth almost all the time. It’s just too convenient and the audio is still great.

Rachmaninov’s choral masterpiece “Bless the Lord, O my Soul” is music that is so beautiful that it will give you goosebumps. The Moscow Chamber Choir is pitch perfect and haunting at the same time. The recording is sublime and the Crossfade 2 wireless headphones add just the right amount of warmth. When you’re as big a fan of Russian Choral music as I am, listening with these headphone is a major treat.

Speaking of goosebumps, Enya’s “Water Shows the Hidden Heart” from the album “Amaratine” is a speaker tester halfway through the song when Enya’s voice reaches into the stratosphere. It’s at this point in the song where distortion can happen. The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones breezed right through the passage with no problems. Her singing retained all its beauty, sans distortion.

That’s not to say that the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones can’t rock. Siouxsie and the Banshees thumper, “Peek-A-Boo” packs a bass wallop that can cause people to rip headphones off heads in bass distortion frustration. However, these headphones provide a bottom kick that can be felt in your head as well as heard. And I even cranked up the volume. My ears gave out before any distortion showed up. Fun.

V-Moda offers what they call Six-Star service, which is a one-year warranty plus a 50% replacement cost for life.

\V-Moda clearly has a winner with the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones. They’re not cheap, but if you want a pair of headphones that fit that middle spot where they sound good with all kinds of music, are built like a tank and are wireless, then the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones will start to look like a bargain.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by V-Moda. The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones sell for $330 US. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $350 US
Manufacturer: V-Moda
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Fit that middle ground for all kinds of music
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Built well
  • Fold into an impossibly small shape
Cons:
  • Not cheap
  • So-so built-in mic (optional boom mic fixes that)

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V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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