We are huge earphone and headphone fans here and have countless reviews on site and these will continue to be featured on site. SoulElectronics have kindly sent us over three of their products to check out including their latest SOUL ST – XS which are pretty cool indeed. All three of the products sent are well presented, have great build quality and their package consists of all the needs required for users with extra buds,and pouches to store the equipment and they sound good to on inital testing.
Check out the unboxing below and if you have any questions during our review period feel free to ask below or on our social channels. Stay tuned for more reviews coming your way soon. TechBuzzIreland brings you more product reviews, hands on and video than any other independent tech site in Ireland.
We are no stranger to dashcams here and we have reviewed quite a few dashcams from Nextbase and to date all still work a treat and have been useful in some incidences and also for non motoring issues too you really can capture some unexpected footage by having one and I also keep saying it that every motorist should have a dashcam in their vehicle it will pay off in the end regardless..
Today we will do a quick unboxing and check out the specs and the product itself, its features so stay tuned for a full review in the coming weeks and if there is any questions you want answered in the interim feel free to ask below or on social media which is all linked on the top right on site.
Features
Twin rotating lens recording at full 1080p HD simultaneously, for front and rear protection.
Enhanced 2.7″ LCD screen and improved user interface
Click & Go GPS Magnetic Mounting system, which can be used for easy setup and installation in your vehicle
Wi-Fi to allow you to share your footage directly to your smartphone or tablet
Nextbase Replay 3 playback software which includes full video playback and editing facilities, as well as the ability to share clips via social media
GPS location and speed data to pinpoint incidents on your journey
Better late than never but our Nokia 8 has arrived this week although familiar with it by now we will just have a quick overview of the device today. The Nokia 8 has been out some time now and available on all networks bar the eir network and we also attended the Nokia 8 launch in London a few months ago which we had some time to play with it there and see all its features. The Nokia 8 is the current flagship on offer keeping in line with the device portfolio design language it looks nice is built well and its a solid performer.
Pricewise the Nokia 8 is priced well within the Irish market compared to other flagships but there is the threat with any smartphone maker from the new OEMs such as One Plus and XIAOMI just to mention two but Huawei could be considered also but they are also now going down the highly priced route like Apple and Samsung with phones touching 1000 euro or over this trend is not really an attractive price point for many,even on bill pay asking for up to €650 approx deposit on a certain plan this is just nuts.
Speaking of the OEM threat it’s also a factor to consider as they can’t be bought here and having issues with the devices is an issue itself with returning them although things have logistically got better its still an annoyance compared to a service you can get here at home with your provider or insurance company although i find the insurance companies to be a pain in the ass.
If you have any questions on the Nokia 8 in the meantime feel free to ask us on social or below in the comments section as we check out all the features and we have also just updated to the latest OREO update so check your device if you have not already, The NOKIA 8 can be bought sim free or on most of our networks bar eir.
This is our second pair of headphones in from Blue and we liked the first pair but what about these?
Blue make really nice distinct headphones and they are for the audiophile which I certainly never claim to be but having tested countless headphones to date and testing the Blue Lola high fidelity I knew I was in for a treat when the Sadie dropped in coming in twice the price as the LOLA you would of course expect something for your hard-earned cash and this is what you get.
UNBOXING AND VIDEO REVIEW – THE BLUE SADIE
The design is as before with a beautifully crafted space like looking design which is actually based off a formula one car certainly stands out from the crowd and perhaps something you would not wear in public but there is all sorts out there today and unique designs is something I prefer rather than the industrial look that’s too common.
The packaging again is something to note as its well presented and for the price this is what I would expect, Well presented and comes with the usual cables and also a drawstring travel bag which is handy if you are moving about, There is no case here and it would be right not to come with one due to their size.
The contents are as follows..
Soft case with cable storage pocket
1.2-meter audio cable with Apple iPhone/iPad controls and microphone
3 meter audio cable
1 meter USB charging cable
3.5mm to 1/4″ adaptor
Build quality here is second to none which comes with a caveat, they are heavy and bulky but for people who require quality sound its forgiven and I forgive it to because of the comfort on offer,they are well padded in the right places and with the soft leather they feel really nice even wearing for lengthy periods.
The multi-jointed headband is solid you will not beat construction like this anywhere if there something out there do show me,all joints are solid throughout and even if you dropped these a tonne of times I can’t see them breaking and they move harmoniously into place.
The main difference here with this model is the built-in amplifier which can be changed by a little notch on left cup which also houses the charging point. This delivers true sound from all genres,mids highs and lows are sound terrific and you can notice the difference they do lack real base though which is not for everyone I like my bass but they do sound great nonetheless. These will also work if the battery dies and you can notice the difference without the amp in play but even at that they sound good but it defeats the purpose with no amp.
Features
Built-in audiophile amplifier for true high-fidelity sound on any device
50mm drivers custom-tuned for a superior soundstage
Refined personalized fit for superior comfort
Sealed over-ear design for immersive isolation
Racecar-inspired multi-jointed headband design keeps earcups parallel at all times for superior comfort and sound
Powers on and off automatically when headphones are opened and closed
Rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime; Sadie continues to play music even when battery has no charge.
The will automatically switch off when not in use when you remove them which is clever and they do last up to the time listed by Blue which is 12 hrs on a single charge, The other quality here is immersive sound as the cups cover your ears but they do not have ANC which would have been nice as ANC is now a sought feature today but this depends on who is using them and what they are using them for, For me its personal music on my phone or tablet,gaming or connected to my TV, I am not a studio professional mixing music or the likes but when you are one that listens to music at home or on the go or general household use these top the charts even though they are outside the standard industry design.
After using both the LOL and Sadie, Blue which is the mid tier offering which might seem too pricey for them but these are not just headphones for the average joe but for a new current age of music fans who want high fidelity,these deliver across the board and if you have the cash to splash out go for it and if they are too expensive even try the LOLA you cant go wrong.
A refreshed version of old being the BNX-60 These offer much the same but wired and also quality
Last December we reviewed the BNX-60 headphones from Lindy and today they are still going strong and this refreshed model I expect to follow suit with the only difference being a wired connection rather than Bluetooth, Some folk prefer the Wired and some like wireless I am kind stuck between both and the argument that will crop up is sound quality which is debatable..
To be blunt nothing much has changed here apart from the wired offering and after wearing these for a few days the same quality and comfort is back and a well built headphone with a nice touchy feel to them that come packed once again in a hardcase and some extras to keep everyone happy.. Check out the video review below and image gallery and if you have any questions fire away.
UNBOXING AND REVIEW
Build quality once again is identical to the older version with a nice soft touch finish and priced at an affordable rate which puts a good set of cans on your ears with ANC to boot,The ANC is powered by two AA batteries hidden under the left cup which you will see how to access in the video above. If you are wondering the old version is costing £89 whislt this version cost just £59 and trading off for a wired headset is certainly worth it in this case as the package is almost identical thoughout with the extras inside and with the hardcase to portect them when travelling or if not in use its a nice touch..
Comfort is once again as before which is important for folk that like to listen to music on their commute or whatever the case maybe, With the soft leather padding on both cups and the headband they really offer a soft touch and dont clamp onto your head and also they are light so you will almost forget they are not there over a period of use.
Controls are as before with an ANC button which is powered by two AA batteries on the left also on this side is the 3.5mm audio socket. On the right is the volume control,LED status light and ANC switch.Powered by two 40mm drivers the sound is spot on in all circumstances and for the average user they will be pleased not only with the sound but with the quality and and comfort and they outdo some headphones coming in at a higher pricepoint..
Features
Active Noise Cancellation technology delivers up to 85% reduction of ambient noise
40mm high output drivers with neodymium magnets for smooth, solid bass and clear, sparkling treble
Features a fully adjustable headband and soft cushioned earpads for your comfort
I am a big fan of Jabra products and each time something new arrives they impress and this time around we have the all new Jabra Elite 25e which comes with many features.. I have not been the biggest fan of earbud type headphones but over the years they have improved and now they are something I use when training or just chilling at home..
The design here is a familiar one which is a wraparound band which is quite solid and robust and these are also IP54 rated which is welcome for those who would intend on using outdoors..
The controls present are also similar of old yet a bit stiffer to press but this is not all that bad and prevents accidental hits. The buttons are raised to make it easier to navigate blindly and features the usual options being power on/off which is the centre button and this also doubles as a play/pause button. Volume up and down are individual buttons which also act as forward and reverse tracks we are like I said before familiar with this and any Jabra fan coming from an older pair will easily settle in quick here.
Build quality is great, these will last and take a few dives and the charging port is underneath the neckband for additional protection from the elements even though its got a cover on it. The band is flexible enough to maneuver around your neck but I would be carefull not to overdo it just in case. There is a one touch digital assistant key which is there for Siri or Google Now for those who like to use these virtual assistants,something I don’t use that much in fairness but it worked well anytime I tried it out on my Android device..
The ear buds this time round are different from previous versions with a vertical pointed bud rather than horizontal which you will see clearly illustrated on the box when you remove the contents they do somehow fit well although it took me a minute to adjust and after that the sound is well sealed they fit snug and call and music quality is great and when listening to music they played all highs,lows and mids pretty crisp and clear and I had no distortion even at max given they are not as loud as some others out there they did a great job.
I like the new design and the colour in particular it all complements each other well and one thing here again present with Jabra is the voice commands which has also improved from the robotic type madam,this time around she sounds more human and on set-up she says “go ahead and connect me”.. Setting up was easy as always is with Jabra and there is nice start-up and close down sounds here which are futuristic sounding..
Overall I was happy with them and the only complaint was the can hop up and down on your neck when doing excessive exercise but if you have a jacket or heavy top on you can’t feel it,these also come with magnetic buds which stick together when not in use which is cool and can be left on rather than taking them off which is what I prefer as there is no protective case to put them in they sit comfortably around the neck whilst sitting down at home or in the office.. Battery life here is also as good as quoted by Jabra which is around 18 hours I have only charged fully once and still have power on tap a few days later.
This is something for the active person who wants data and also works with the Wellness app which is also used with Webcoach and the Body compostion scales. All these products work well together and work under one app which is uselful rather than multiple apps. Check out the unboxing and stay tuned for a review in the coming weeks and if you have any quesitons fire away.
Features
DISCOVER ACTIVI-T BAND, YOUR NEW DAILY COACH – During the day it records all your activities and helps you to keep on doing better. At night, it monitors your sleep cycles and wakes you gently by vibration. View the results of your hard work instantly on the OLED screen, synchronise your data on the Wellness Coach app and share your performance wherever you are.
YOUR DAILY PARTNER – The Activi-T Band is with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wear it on your wrist, find out your level of activity and set new goals to be achieved.
Its 3D sensor monitors your physical activity: number of steps, distance and number of calories burned. While you’re asleep, it analyses the different phases (deep and light sleep) and how long they last, and wakes you up gently by vibration.
COMPLETELY EASY TO USE – The Activi-T Band is equipped with a large white OLED screen that allows you to monitor your activity (steps, distance, calories) directly. For extra practicality, it also tells the time. Two sizes are supplied, Activi-T Band adapts to all wrist sizes. The battery has a life of 7 days and you can recharge it in 90 minutes via the integrated USB port without needing an additional accessory. Ideal when you’re on the move or travelling, a simple USB port is all you need.
WELLNESS COACH APP – Activi-T Band connects to the Terraillon Wellness Coach app. Set your goals and get free advice scientifically validated to reach them.
We have a few products in for testing from our friends at Terraillon, First up the Webcoach Wireless body compostion scales, Today we will do a quick unboxing and review it in the coming weeks and if you have any questions in the interim feel free to ask..
Features on board..
ANALYSIS OF BODY COMPOSITION
Web Coach Easy View is a true body composition analyser. It calculates your weight, your body mass index (BMI) and your body fat, muscle mass, body water and bone mass. Especially useful when you follow your weight in order to lose the bad kilos (fat) while maintaining muscle mass.
MULTI-FUNCTIONS SCREEN SATELLITE
Position your Easy View screen where you like for easy reading. With its magnetic metal support, you can place the screen on the shelf of your bathroom, on the wall or leave it on the scale. You will easily reach its many features: display of time, room temperature and the timer function (teeth brush, shower or free).
WELLNESS COACH APP
Web Coach Easy View connects to the Terraillon Wellness Coach app. Set your goals and get free advice scientifically validated to reach them.
ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY
Web Coach Easy View uses the new Bluetooth technology developed by Terraillon and allows it to connect with 8 smartphones and / or tablets simultaneously. Handy if each member of the family has his own smartphone.
First up this week is a first look at the Xtorm Fast charging FREEDOM wireless Qi charging pad the XW202. This is comaptible with the latest iPhone X and 8 and many of the later high end Samsung devices. Wireless charging has been slow to take off here and maybe now with Apple joining in things might change where it will not cost you an arm and a leg for such accessories like what Apple charge its customers. This is a simple to use product and no technical skills are required especially if you are new to the idea and how it works,its simply just drop your compatible phone on the pad and thats it.
The Fast Charging pad is the perfect solution for safely charging smartphones that support Qi technology, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S models, without using a cable. The Charging Pad Freedom’s high 10W output is unique and is combined with the stylish design.
Stylish and compact Interesting leather details and a compact design give the Charging Pad a stylish look. This means that the Charging Pad Freedom doesn’t take up much space on a desk or table and is ideal for daily use at home or in the office.
This is a wireless charger after all and all you need is a compatible phone to throw on top this though it looks well and is robust with leather to boot on top,the underside is grippy and very solid so it wont slip in a hurry as seen in video and the ring on top again is rubberised material to stop the device from moving or slipping off if for example you have your device on vibrate,Its a clean yet effective execution of a wireless charger that looks well and has the higher output of 10W which would be a quicker way to charge over the standard lower output models we tend to see on the market.
The Xtorm XW202 Wireless Fast Charging Pad (Qi) Freedom is €39,- incl. VAT. The Power Bank is available from various (online) stores and Xtorm.eu. Xtorm offers two years guarantee and unlimited helpdesk support on all its products.
