Category: #Reviews

Unboxing and Review – The Edifier XM3BT Multimedia speakers. #Edifier #Tech #Audio #Speakers

Edifier have a serious range of Bluetooth speakers and from what we have tried so far they all deliver on the most important aspect which is sound and to throw some more goodness in they deliver on build quality too and style no matter what shape or form they come in.

We have two sets in for review and the first set is the XM3BT multimedia speakers. These come with an FM tuner  built in and are made with MDF and also have some nice lights on board which is something we don’t see too often these days.

These are well built solid and have a removable cover on the speakers for those who like to bare it all, this does not have a remote which I found odd but not a big deal, the beauty with these is the i/o factor as you will see in the video review below.

There is four buttons on the side of the central woofer and the satellite speakers have no functionality at all only sound and they emit an Orange light. The last of the 4 buttons gives you the option to change your source which is AUX/Line in /Bluetooth and Radio. You do have the options there to use SD cards and USB which is great to have and the speaker will play these directly.There is also two master controls high quality made dials for volume and bass and yes there is good bass folks trust me…

The overall sound here is what you want to know and I can tell you it delivers with all genres high and low volume it will shake those floorboards or press or where ever you have it situated and be pleasure on the ears no matter the soundstage. The only gripe I have is the omission of a remote control but you can look at that another way and stop being lazy and get up and change it yourself.

  • POWER OUTPUT :R/L: 8W+8W SW: 22W
  • SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO :R/L: ≥85dB(A) SW: ≥80dB/li>
  • FREQUENCY RESPONSE :R/L: 150 – 20,000 Hz SW: 50 – 180 Hz
  • BASS UNIT :5 1⁄4 – inch (148mm)
  • MID-RANGE + TREBLE UNIT:3 1⁄2 – inch (88mm) x 2
  • WEIGHT:5.31kg

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Unboxing and Review – The Edifier W860NB headphones with ANC. #Headphones #ANC #Edifier #Tech

We have several products in from the cool guys at Edifier so we wont spoil you with what we have just yet but today we will be talking about the new Edifier W860NB which are an update to the 830BT which are also a great set of cans.

First off the presentation is as always great here with premium packaging and contents inside, this colour we have is also probably the best looking though having said that we most tend to see the generic coloured headphones but this tan colour is really nice and stand out which for me is what I like.

There is some differences here to take note of compared to the 830, the design language is similar given a few changes and the main change here is how you control these. With the 860 we have touch controls rather than buttons and this is something you tend to see on much higher priced headphones alongside ANC.

Touch sensitive controls are not for everyone but I have tried a few pairs and it does not take long to get the hang of how it works One thing here I was worried about was how well this would work at the price point and overall over the test period they never failed which was impressive so I did not have to repeatedly swipe to perform an action and look like an idiot which I have often seen people do. The controls are sensitive enough to get the command you want first time everytime.

All the touch controls are on right cup including ANC which shines best in quiet environments however not as good as some higher priced headphones but still good in general anyone moving onto a pair of headphones like these will be easily pleased with the sound. Speaking of sound they are not as loud as I would like but that’s my choice but having said that in a quieter environment fully maxed out they shine as I expected from Edifier. With using the controls you will see demoed in the video its simple and call management is the same though I only had a few calls whilst testing the controls did as they are supposed to.

From listening to all genres I was pleased with the well balanced sound stage and so will anyone who puts these on, the comfort level on these is great with the leatherette cups that just sink onto your ears blocking much of the outside world and the same applies to the headband so in short you can wear these for hours. The only hit hear is the battery life but you get ANC thrown in which is not a bad thing you will get up to 25 HRs without ANC on and up to 45 with ANC off but really you should just leave it on and sit back and enjoy the great sounds the cans give you overall.

W860NB Specs Driver Unit: 40mm Neodymium drivers Bluetooth Version: 4.1

Supported Profiles: HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 97dB Nominal Impedance: 32 Ohm

Weight: 10.1 ounces

BUY https://www.edifier.com/int/en

Review – Netgear Alro Pro 2 HD security camera,Doorbell, Chime & App. #Security #Tech #Arlo #ArloPro2 #Netgear #CCTV

Over the last while we have been testing the new ArloPro 2 homekit and security in the home inside and out is something we should all take seriously and with the availability of affordable kits like this which does not require professional installation there is no excuse not to have something as simple as this in your home or on a premises.

This is simple to set up as mentioned above and you are giving help within the app which is also great compared to others out there. For the bell you can simply swap out your existing bell which should have two wires that can be attached easily to the Arlo bell the only things need changing is the chime setting and there is a switch inside the bell to pick from depending if mechanical or chime within the app you can also change to tone which is great and this is all shown in the video below and if you get stuck along the way feel free to ask. After that it is a matter of fixing the new bell to the wall and for me my existing screws matched the Arlo bell so it was simple.

For the chime itself you just plug it in and the same applies to the base station which just has to be connected to your existing router at home all the tools and cables are in the package so there is no need to get the toolbox out unless your doorbell fitting is different to the existing one and a new small hole drilled or if you need to mount the camera externally.

The app is really easy to use be it for live feeds, or looking back on footage and image capture within the live feed itself again the app is full of tutorials to help you along the way should you run into issues, I had one issue when setting up and it was just locating the devices individually it took some time but eventually found the Bell and Chime after a few minutes but the Camera was almost instant.

The great thing with this camera too is the ability to have it inside or out and place it basically everywhere I have some examples of shots below,inside under low light and normal daytime light and of course outside and the clarity is excellent after all its 1080p. One thing though I would suggest if installing outside is put it out of reach of the scrotes that do be out there as they would just take it off the wall and also ensure your Doorbell is fixed well too as some would have great enjoyment of ripping it off the wall if not secured enough. Overall the whole package on show here synced up well and I have had no issues as yet and the delay time is minimal though your WiFi connection could play a part if there is some delay as in Ireland WiFi is patchy and some areas.

There is one thing I would only suggest looking at is the option to turn the notifications off within the app on the start page as when you are home depending what way you have set it up you will get continuous notifications which get annoying. If I had the 2/3 camera set up you might notice the same but you can disarm the system inside the app they should bring it to the home screen after login just like the Alarm signal is for example, this again would depend on your security preferences but since I have one camera I can move it at my leisure which is not too bad as I have placed a fixed screw for where I would use it but overall if you have the 2 camera set up or more you are guaranteed to be protected with high class security and most importantly footage or any criminals who enter your premises or home. The Arlo Pro2 is a higher priced model than some out there and others we have tried but its worth it.

APP SCREENSHOTS

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Features

1080p HDWatch and record crisp HD video in more detail than ever before.

Motion and Sound DetectionGet instant notifications sent to your smartphone or email.

2-Way AudioListen in and talk through the camera from your smartphone.

Night VisionTurns on automatically in low light so you can see clearly, even in the dark.

Free Cloud StorageKeep a rolling 7 days of motion and sound-triggered recordings for free.

Local Backup StorageConnect a USB drive to the base station to store captured footage.

Smart Security SirenEmbedded in the base station, the 100+ decibel smart security siren can be controlled from anywhere.

Plays Well With OthersWorks with Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, SmartThings & Stringify.

130° Viewing AngleWide-angle PIR motion sensor makes sure no movement slips through without notice.

 

 

In the video I go through the app in detail and show how this camera works with the app in several setups, Any questions feel free to ask or if you need any help if you purchase or already have one.

BUY HERE

Unboxing and Review – The Edifier BH-880 High fidelity stereo headphones. #Audio #Edifier #Headphones #Tech

The Edifier BH-880 are a wired headset that offers style comfort and quality sound and come in at around €160 which for what you get is not bad at all. Edifier has yet to let me down with the audio experience from what I have tested so far and we have more to come from Edifier this month too and I look forward to it as always.

The headphones are really comfortable to wear but this is a wired experience which for me is not really an issue as I have countless pairs of such and wireless and there remains an argument to which is better. What you get here is a really nice clean design with alloy hinges and really nice fitting closed back cans which isolate much of the outside noise,they do not have ANC but do a great job and are ideal for the home but you could wear outdoors.

I tend to wear mine indoors and leave the earbuds for outdoors and you can plug these into an existing system via the adaptor provider which is where you will get great benefit watching movies or streaming. The sound from these is best described as balanced well all round however not as loud as I would like but thats my personal taste. You wont be disappointed with how they sound regardless

From using these on my home system and via music on my phone,Spotify and You Tube which is what I do on a daily basis the sound was crisp and clear across all sound stages and genres though bass lacked to my liking but you can fix that with an EQ on your phone to get a better result. The comfort level is brilliant and these do not clamp on your head yet just sit nicely and therefore no sweating with the leather padding that’s around the cups and headband which for long periods of use is ideal.

For the package you get you can’t go wrong if its comfort and a great build you are after  here with the alloy joints which will last longer than your typically plastic affair, In the box you get the required cables and fittings alongside a velvet carry case which is a nice touch. The only thing to watch for here is if you have fitted cases is the headphone jack might not reach all the way in with the design of the jack but having said that these are top notch but its something to keep in mind you can see in the image gallery. Watch the video for more..

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Unboxing and Review – The Taotronics TT-BH047 ANC headphones. #Headphones #tech #taotronics

The Taotronics BH-47 are an affordable pair of headphones that come in at around 50 euro with all the mods and cons you would expect to find. They come in a cheap box and packaging but most people discard of this anyway once opened depending on the quality though that might differ I tend to keep all mine but that is just me.

These are foldable which is great for transportation but do not come with a carry case which is a small gripe considering most do come with a bag of some description but you can use one if you have an old set of cans lying around. When it comes to comfort these are light with decent padded cups and headband and they do isolate much of the outside noise but with the ANC on board this fixes that.

Sound values are well balanced on these but not loud,loud as in how I like my music but for the average user these will be fine and you will be happy with the sound experience given there is no app to facilitate an equalizer but you can download a third party app if you wish or use one on your device if there is one present.

My usual test run on these with Spotify, You tube and stored music was a crisp and clear experience and the ANC makes it all the better, The buttons are placed on one side which is also how I like it and not separated between the two cups and the buttons are tactile and raised high enough for an easy to navigate experience without the need to remove them to know where you’re at.

Volume was the only caveat I had with these really but as mentioned it is my choice of how I listen to music I also would like to see these in more colours but for the price you pay here to get ANC and a great sound experience overall you cant really complain with the cost.

BUY HERE  DISCOUNT CODE –  DJBIHAQQ

Review – HyperX Cloud Stinger Wireless Gaming Headphones. #Gaming #HyperX

Wireless is the way to go when gaming end of story and this goes for control pads and so on but even more so these days Headphones. I do a bit of gaming but nothing heavy like true gamers but when I do I like to have the right equipment at hand and these headphones deliver here on all aspects.

Comfort is a priority as well as sound and with these headphones they pass the test easily making them great for long term usage as many gamers do. An hour or two is enough for me and during my testing period these deliver on comfort,quality and sound and the sound is excellent all round giving you an immersive experience throughout and easy to use controls..

 

The headphones have a matte finish yet robust all round and no creaking and the comfort is simply great and cover the ears which is how I like it personally. Using the mic is also great and the noise cancelling is excellent when in use and its all done by a simple swivel operation which keeps it out of your way when not in use. The music repro is good and plenty aloud but I have heard  louder but thats my personal taste and the same applies to my headphones or earbuds I use and I just like loud.

Connection is simple with a small dongle which you can plug into your PS4 or Laptop and the same applies to audio should you be using your laptop for gaming or even You Tube the sound is good,crisp and clear and overall all sound reproduced quite well. When connected to PC for example you will get an indicator on screen to state the volume level which is adjusted by the wheel on the right which goes from 0-100, The control is solid and not loose moving but firm giving you precise control.

Battery life is on par with the manufacturers claims of around 17 hours which is quite good considering other offerings out there even by normal music aimed headsets and earbuds so you will have plenty of time without the need to be worrying about recharging. When it comes to range you will be fine in your house at it allows a range of around 12 metres which is at the lower end of distance by today’s standards but this is more than adequate for most households and again how one is set up.

Overall for the price you pay here you cant really complain in short and you get a robust comfortable great sounding headset simple to set up which also simply rests around your neck when not in use and there is no need to remove them for a break either.

Features

  • Gaming-grade wireless ideal for PS4™ systems

  • Signature HyperX comfort

  • Immersive in-game audio

  • Durable, adjustable steel sliders

  • Long-lasting battery life

  • Swivel-to-mute noise-cancellation microphone

  • Two Year warranty

 

BUY HERE

 

Review – The Blue Yeti Nano. #Blue #YetiNano #Audio

I am kinda new to tech like this but I will keep it easy and it is a must have kit to have if you are not using such. For me I use mobile phones to do all my You Tube videos and not one to sport a huge set up so I used it from my Mobile phone with the only caveat being it must support USB OTG.

If you are new to You Tube, streaming videos  or podcasts, this is all you will need I have plans to do podcasts and streaming later this year but my review now is based on mobile usage as I have phones with the requirements to work This will work on both Android and IOS platforms so you are good to go with a simple set up that wont be difficult to use.

First off it is simple to set up you will need you USB OTG adapter to connect to your phone and I used an Android device so there is not much too it. You then will need some headphones,the better the quality the better especially for your benefit as the sound is just remarkable as if you where sitting in a live radio studio doing a talk show. Once these are all connected you are good to go and start streaming or recording whichever the case maybe.

There is software you can use on your PC too and you can use with popular formats such as Audacity and Garageband. Like I say this is not my scene just yet but I will be now going this direction and will have more to say when I start testing it out on such platforms. You can see more then with the Sherpa software and become custom on its workings.

Basically it is a plug and play set-up depending on how good you want recordings to be as you can edit afterwards if you like via the likes of Audacity which is said to be one of the best and easiest to use and of course free…If like me you use your smartphone you can hear the difference just as well but probably more beneficial to the user rather than the Audience and the sound is really good.

With two settings on the back you have choice of where to pick up your sound from be it cardiod or omnidirectional. Cardiod is the best option for quality sound directly speaking into as this picks up everything  as using the omnidirecitonal setting would give you more than you bargained for.. On the front we have a simple button to turn the volume up or down and on the rear as mentioned above the sound direction and underneath is where you insert your headphones and power cable and there is a thread mount if you have an existing set up or want to make one it is all very simple..

Asides the ease of use it also looks well and is compact compared to the previous model which most of that hang around You Tube for example would see, It is the go to mic for most people and many tech bloggers I know.. There is a little weight to it but thats not a bad thing and its supported with rubber footing so it will stay put on a flat surface but as mentioned you can remove the casing and use a mount if you want to go that direction.

I can only recommend the Yeti Nano if you have not got one of the older models however there is some shortcomings by looking at the two but this is not really an issue and most from what I see like this too due to its size and its also portable to carry with you on tech expos and the likes.

AUDACITY TEST SAMPLE

https://techbuzzireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/yeti-nano-sound-test-techbuzz.mp3?_=1

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Unboxing and Review – The Brainwavz Delta all metal earphones. #earphones #Brainwavz

If you are on a budget and want some crisp sounding earphones these are one to try.. Given they are wired and you have limited controls they come in a stylish carry case,come with extra buds and some Complyfoam tips. Complyfoam tips are a great extra in the package and do a better job of earbuds staying put and noise isolation.

Most will want to know how these boys sound.. Overall they pass the test with crisp clear soundstage across all genres of music. On some occasions the bass was not great and when it comes to volume they are not the loudest but as those who know me I just like my music really loud but for a great overall balance these will be ideal for a commute or a spare set for travelling about. They would also make a great gift to someone too coming in at around €25 and the fact they come with a carry case is also a nice extra as this is something you dont see to often with wired headphones at this pricepoint. Calls too are crisp and clear.

The build quality here is also great considering most earbuds at this pricepoint are made with plastic so aluminium housed buds are bound to give better sound which they do.  See the video for more and any questions hit me up in the usual spots.

Features..

  • Instruments and vocals reproduced with clarity. Astounding value for money sound performance. You won’t find earphones with this high quality build, premium accessories and wonderful sound quality at this low price! Makes for a perfect gift.
  • Balanced sound with a balanced bass response. The sound signature is commonly only found on higher end audiophile earphones.
  • All metal housing. Manufactured from high grade aluminium making the housing rugged and durable, perfect for on the go earphones.
  • Comply Foam Ear Tips Included. Simply the best premium foam tips available on the market, not normally found on budget earphones.
  • In Line remote with built in microphone

 

BUY HERE

Review – Alphawise true wireless earbuds from @TheGearbest #earbuds #tech #earphones

We have teamed up with Gearbest this time round and have more tech reviews coming soon from Gearbest so stay tuned for more soon on tech that’s made affordable. I have covered many earbuds of late including wireless ones and one thing that is getting better each time is the cost to performance ratio and it means good tech at good prices for the consumer.

These come in a nice presentation and sport not only a charge box that offers hours of use but they come with a USB key type fob to charge your earbuds individually too which is something I have not seen before considering the amount of earbuds I have in my collection or tested.

These Alphawise earbuds also look good and are really comfortable which is important for users and will not fall out either if jogging or going to the gym for example.They come in either Black or White but perhaps more colours might come along in time which would be a nice idea rather than the traditionals we see. Asides that how they sound at the price they come in at is quite good and not expected even from me..

The pairing process is simple , Once turned on find the buds on your phone, see video below and pair up.. You can use one bud as a mains or use one at a time depending on your needs, They have a simple one,two-three tap function like most do but have no companion app which is my only real gripe with them.

You can also use your digital assistant with these too which is handy for those who use them and also an handy feature is call your last number you dialled or received from your phone so this is a handy speed dial option for that important contact in your phone book or should you wish to communicate with..

The sound experience is quite good at this pricepoint it has to be said and I was certainly impressed at all genres and sound stages here with highs,lows,mids and even some nice bass,they are well balanced but if they had a companion app they could be even better.

One other niggle aside the app I would say is that calls only come in one the one ear, you can pick between left or right to choose the main earbud,Again this is a small nit picking but for some they prefer both sides to be operational here but it is no issue for me as clarity is good and calls are crisp and clear.

Really for the money you are getting a good product here which is on par with much more expensive true wireless earbuds which for the consumer is great and if you have around €30 to buy a new pair or even a spare set these are one to consider.

Main Features:
● Mono mode and stereo mode, auto shutdown and charging
● Dynamic driver with the moving coil for crystal-clear and more powerful sound
● Bluetooth 4.2 / 5.0, stereo sound, auto pairing after power up. Faster, more stable, and power-saving
● Innovative touch control for playing songs, handling calls, adjusting the volume
● 500mAh charging box / storage case for easy carrying and 4 charging times wherever you are
● IPX5 waterproof, ergonomic, lightweight, comfortable for the ears

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