Tag: Headphones

Ultimate Sony Gift Guide this Christmas

With December just around the corner, Sony shares their top Christmas product picks for every family member, including the new range of Xperia smartphones and noise cancelling headphones. You’re sure to soak up all the Christmas magic with these outstanding devices, which make for an extra special festive season.

Whether you’re enjoying a cosy night in watching Christmas films, hosting an office party, or stuck on what to get your relatives, Sony’s range of new and exciting products promise the perfect solution to all your festive traditions.

The new Sony H5 wireless gaming headset keeps you in the zone 

[£129.99, 
€140]

Key features:

  • 360 Spatial Sound for gaming: The capacity to hone-in on your opponent’s footsteps gives you unparalleled situational awareness.
  • Clear communication powered by AI: Sony’s noise-reduction algorithm was developed with AI machine learning which uses more than 500 million voice samples.
  • Comfortable and just 260g: By balancing comfort and stability the headphones get you through any gaming session.

Gift the new truly wireless noise cancelling INZONE Buds to gaming fanatics 

[£179.99, €199]

 

   Key features:

  • 360 Spatial Sound for gaming: Hone-in on your opponent’s footsteps and unparalleled situational awareness
  • Dynamic driver: This is designed for wide frequency reproduction, and which is also used with the Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones. Through a specially engineered unit, the earbuds reproduce every sound from the game. From powerful explosions to subtle footsteps, you’ll feel transported into a whole new world.
  • Noise cancelling: Sony’s active noise cancellation capabilities mean INZONE Buds block out background noise, so you can focus on the game.

Listen to all the favourite festive classics with the WH-1000XM5 headphones available in Black, Midnight Blue and Platinum Silver [£279, €329]

  Key features:          

  • Noise cancelling just got better: Created with Sony’s remarkable noise cancelling technology, the WH-1000XM5 reduces noise especially in the mid-high frequency range. Whether you’re trying to zone into your work in a busy cafe or aiming to relax during a hectic morning commute, the WH-1000XM5 creates the ideal listening environment.
  • New design with improved wearing comfort: The newly developed and brand new soft –fit leather material fits snugly around the head, taking the pressure off your ears and blocking out external noise, so you can keep listening all day, free of discomfort.
  • All day power and portability: With an impressive 30 hours of battery life, these earphones will allow you to enjoy superlative sound even on long travels, and if you’re in a rush you can now get a remarkable 3 hours’ worth of charge in just 3 minutes using USB Power Delivery.
  • Multipoint connection: Equipped with four beaming microphones, these headphones are calibrated to only pick up your voice. An improved signal to noise ratio enables them to catch every word, even with the hustle and bustle of Christmas around.

Listen to Christmas hits, new and old, with the What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year, WF-C700N earbuds [£79, €130]

Key features:

  • More music, less background noise: Turn off your surroundings with Noise Sensor Technology and enjoy the immersive music experience.
  • Comfortable design: The WF-C700N headphones combine a shape that perfectly matches the human ear with an ergonomic surface design for a more stable fit.
  • Clear calls: Conversation flows freely with easy hands-free calling, now clearer than ever with a high-quality built-in microphone.

 Create that Christmas peace with the WF-1000XM5 earbuds featuring Sony’s Best Noise Cancellation [£219, €259]

Key features:

  • Astonishing sound quality: The specially designed Dynamic Driver X provides wide frequency reproduction, enabling deeper bass, subtle vocals and enhanced fine detail, especially on high-pitched instruments.
  • Small and beautifully designed: With an improved glossy texture and more luxurious feel, these earbuds fit comfortably in your ears while keeping out of external sounds. The earbuds are also now approximately 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the WF-1000XM4 predecessor.
  • Sony’s best call quality: Thanks to the AI-based noise reduction algorithm based on Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing, and bone conduction sensors, your voice will come through clearly and more naturally even in a noise environment.

The SRS-XG300 is the best party speaker for your office Christmas ‘do 

[£159, €179]

 

Key features:

    • Give the bass a boost: Allowing you to really dial up the bass. If you’re listening to something with a beat, you’ll get a deep and punchy bass sound.
    • Party till daylight: With 25 hours’ worth of battery when fully charged, the SRS-XG300 speaker will keep playingwithout you having to worry about the tunes suddenly stopping.
    • Hear it like it’s live: There’s something special about the sound of live music. With LIVE SOUND you can recreate that unique atmosphere and re-live your favourite live music experiences over, and over again.
    • Built to last: The XG300 is built to go wherever you go, and to be as durable as you. It’s dustproof and waterproof so if you have any festive mishaps at the office Christmas party, fear not!

Take the party around the house with the new HT-AX7 Portable Theatre System 

[£499, €549]

Key features:

  • Fill any room with rich sound: 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology draws you into your entertainment like never before, by creating multiple phantom speakers at the front, rear and overhead, enveloping you in movie theatre-like spatial sound, creating the perfect atmosphere with a high-quality room filled sound.
  • Design and audio in harmony: With no wires to disrupt your room’s layout, this speaker is the perfect addition to any home. Its sleek and versatile design seamlessly blends with any interior décor for a stylish and cohesive look.
  • Small-in-size, big in performance: The HT-AX7 has two front speakers and two passive radiators on the side, creating a powerful and clear sound. Whether it be cosying down to Christmas films or looking forward to enjoying summer BBQs with the football on in the background, the AX7 is perfect for entertaining and hosting.

Get cosy and watch all the Christmas films on the Sony A95L BRAVIA TV

[Starting from £2,999, €3,549]

Key features:

  • World-wide Colours: Sony’s brightest and widest shades and hues, all beautifully displayed on a QD-OLED screen powered by Cognitive Processor XR™. Sony’s processor features on the BRAVIA XR range and produces content the way that humans see and hear to generate lifelike experiences. Images are cross-analysed and cleaned around the focal point to deliver beautifully vivid colours.
  • Contrast Unsurpassed: Pure blacks bring out extraordinary detail and depth, perfect for movie nights
  • Screen Speaker which sounds Cinematic: As the story unfolds before your eyes, you’ll hear a soundtrack that precisely matches the action. Exactly like in the cinema. Pair with a compatible Sony Soundbar with Acoustic Centre Sync to hear the sound directly from the screen combined with a full surround sound experience and power from the soundbar.
  • BRAVIA Core: This app is a pre-loaded movie service available on Sony BRAVIA models, enjoy watching a wide selection of the latest releases and popular classics.. The A95L comes with 10 credits and 24 months of streaming

Use the localised dimming feature on the X75WL BRAVIA TV to create the ultimate cinematic experience [Starting from £499, 65” from €1,449]

Key features:

  • Full Array LED panel: The XR Triluminos Pro and XR Contrast Booster delivers supreme realism with deep blacks and intense brightness with wider colour gamut.
  • Amazing brightness with piercing contrast: The TV offers breathtakingly beautiful pictures full of realistic depth.
  • Intense contrast, feel the depth: The Cognitive XR™ processor produces ultra-realistic contrast in bright and dark areas simultaneously.
  • Sound harmonised and pictures synchronised: The Cognitive Processor XR™ also reproduces sound that perfectly matches the action.

Capture memories with loved ones all festive season on the Xperia 1 V 

[£1,299, €1,399]

Key features:

  • Unprecedented image quality: The Xperia 1 V’s revolutionary Exmor T image sensor has an innovative 2-Layer Transistor Pixel meaning people, animals, cityscapes, landscapes are beautifully captured.
  • Video with cinematic colour and tone: Based on technology from Sony’s Cinema Line cameras, S-Cinetone for mobile enables you to shoot video with beautiful skin tones and a more cinematic look, without complex post-production colour grading*
  • Immersive entertainment: With its wide 4K HDR OLED 120Hz Refresh rate** display and premium audio technologies, the Xperia 1 V lets you lose yourself in movies, TV, music, and games

*Video recording restrictions may apply

**Display refresh rate may vary according to settings, contents and applications used.” – Press Centre 

Make those all-important Christmas Day phone calls to relatives with 

the Xperia 10 V [£349, €449]

Key features:

  • Perfect for entertainment on the go: Whether you’re watching a movie or listening to music, stereo speakers at the front of the phone deliver powerful, balanced stereo sound.
  • Beautiful shots, made easy: The camera uses scene and subject detection technology to automatically select the ideal settings for the best shot, so you don’t need to waste time choosing additional settings.
  • Light, touch and beautiful: Officially the world’s lightest 5G smartphone* with 5,000mAh battery at 159g, it can offer a huge 34 hours (approx.) of video playback** The Xperia 10 V is durable thanks to Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, and comes in Lavender, Sage Green, White and Black.

*Xperia 10 V at 159g is the world’s lightest 5G smartphone with a battery of 5,000mAh or higher capacity. Verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service. Correct as of the 11th May 2023 –Sony Press Centre here

**Measured in the following condition 720p 24fps movie file stored in Internal memory. Played on Google Photos app. Wi-Fi and LTE (Callbox) connected. Bluetooth audio output. Display brightness 20nit, Adaptive brightness OFF – Sony Press Centre here

Capture special Christmas moments with the A6700 mirrorless camera 

[£1,449, €1,700]

Key features:

  • New AI processing unit: able to recognise a whole variety of different subjects, including human eyes, body poses, animals, insects, trains, cars and planes.
  • Video centric features: such as; 4K 120P, self-facing screen and in-body stabilisation for smooth video creation.
  • Choose your Creative Look: Easily achieve cinematic looking video with a variety of presets that can be customised to suit the subject or scene.

Step up their photography gear with an unmissable deal on the ground-breaking A7 IV camera and interchangeable FE 28-70mm lens kit – £300 cash back upon purchase 

[£2,499, €3,000]

Key camera features:

  • Beautiful image rendering with low noise: Visible benefits of the powerful new 33.0MP sensor including soft, natural-looking human skin textures, a stunning level of detail in landscapes and scenery.
  • Set the mood, in-camera, with Creative Look: Easily impart a particular mood in your still images, movies and live streaming.

Key lens features:

  • 35mm Full Frame imaging: outstanding contrast and resolution right out to the edges of the image.
  • Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation ensures brilliant photographic results – even at high zooms.

*Promotional period – 17th November – 31st December, for more details visit: https://www.sony.co.uk/cashback/winter?

Vlog the perfect Christmas day with the Sony ZV-1 II [£870, €1,000]

 

Key features:

    • Impressive image quality: The ZV-1 II’s compact body is equipped with a large 1.0-type Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor developed by Sony.
    • Versatile framing: From selfies and portraits to landscapes and snapshots, the ZV-1 II vlog camera lets you frame your shots exactly how you want.
    • Windbreak included: to protect the 3-capsule microphone for improved vlogging.

Dyson launch search for creators to produce content and test out their Zone headphones with rewards given

Having disrupted the audio category with the launch of the Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones in the UK and Ireland in May 2023, Dyson has announced a casting call for aspiring content creators across the UK and Ireland to join its first ever Dyson Field Testers program – a collaborative global community for music and technology fans.

With applications open between 30 November – 31 December 2023, people across Ireland can  Apply to become a Dyson Field Tester today to get hands on the high-fidelity headphones and create social content bringing to life their experience.

Successful applicants will form part of an exclusive network of creators across Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, that forms part of Dyson’s new global Instagram channel @dysonwear launching on 30 November 2023. After receiving a pair of Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones to road test the technology, Dyson Field Testers will curate social content based on a series of themed challenges. The most unique and inspiring social posts will be rewarded with music experiences, subscriptions, sporting tickets,  Dyson technologies and more.

Applicants who are selected to become a Dyson Field Tester will form part of an exclusive community and receive:

  • Seeding pack including Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones
  • Fortnightly themed challenges
  • Rewards for curating unique content.
  • Updates on upcoming Dyson audio technologies and experiences
  • The opportunity to be featured on Dyson’s global social media channels.

 Apply here  before 31 December 2023 to become a Dyson Field Tester .

Tech Review – Creative Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI Headphones

Gaming headphones are a big deal these days and there is plenty on the market to pick from and come in all price brackets so there is something for everyone here, As a user of Creatives products some years it is a brand I know I can trust with their audio products and even not being the huge gamer I once was and now a casual user  with all the consoles, Creative is a brand you will most likely see on my big head be it headphones or earbuds for gaming and not only gaming but audio in general as they are well build solid products offering you great value for money and more via their apps which enhances any experience.

The Creative Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI boasts an array of core features, including Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode, giving users the flexibility to fully immerse themselves in their audio or stay attuned to their surroundings with modes that seamlessly adapt to any environment. It also comes equipped with custom-tuned 40 mm, powerful yet light Neodymium drivers, which ensure every note is reproduced with power and precision, delivering a rich and captivating sound experience. We take a look at all this in the video review below and also the apps which gives you enhancements like no other and I tested these on my machines here at home to see what is on offer this time around.

The build quality again is robust and solid yet lightweight which for the more avid gamer is critical, the soft cups rest nicely on the ears and the headband is comfortable as well you also get a removable mic which for me is the best option to go over the fixed ones we see as it is something I personally would not use much as I game on my own rather than go into multiplayer online rooms etc.

You get the RGB effects thrown into the  mix too which gives a little flair to what otherwise looks like a regular set of gaming headphones and makes these stand out and the look sleek and clean, you also have other controls on them too such as the power on/off which doubles as a broadcast search and pairing mode, mic mute control, volume wheel and ANC/Ambient control button and trust me the ANC on with the volume maxed out you will hear nothing outside, I mean nothing. Within the SXFI app you have EQ settings and the magic SXFI can be turned on and off. You also get music controls such as play and pause skip and reverse tracks so you can use these not only for gaming but your music and it all plays out well.

RGB Lights on the headphones

The sound is what people are after lets get to it, You need to do the head mapping it only takes a few minutes and you will need someone to help you, you have an EQ to suit your needs and two apps to use what more do you want here, the ANC is great the volume is LOUD and when gaming you wont miss a beat or a footstep and if you do use the mic it works well I done a quick test for audio and it was well received after calling up a buddy or two to waste their time for a few mins to test the headphones, they dont mind and know what I am like but sorry lads no time for gaming right now. BUT that is going to change going forward.

For the money you will fork out here you are onto a winner in short with plenty of features and great audio no matter what they might be plugged into.

The Apps 

For the money you will fork out here you are onto a winner in short with plenty of features and great audio no matter what they might be plugged into.

BUY

Video Review 

Audioscenic announces headphone audio support for the Amphi Suite

Audioscenic, the UK based spatial computing audio market leader, are proud to announce that Amphi – their best-in-class software package that integrates 3D audio beamforming technology with a wide range of consumer computing devices – now supports headphone processing. The update adds HRTF virtualisation for multichannel surround content giving users the ability to consume spatial audio through headphones and making the Audioscenic Amphi suite an even more versatile solution for spatial audio experiences.

“This software update is a much-needed addition to our suite, as PC ecosystem partners were requesting the ability to provide spatial audio reproduction through headphones and also to add customisation for their customers,” said Audioscenic CTO Marcos Simón. “Now, Audioscenic can offer a complete audio solution for all their customers including both speaker and headphone audio processing. Now, when consumers switch to headphones instead of speaker audio, they will still be able to consume spatial sound.”

Support for the Amphi Suite in Windows was announced early in June 2023 at the Computex trade show. At that time, Audioscenic announced the first implementation of their technology as a Windows APO that contained the Audioscenic 3D audio beamforming technology for spatial audio reproduction through speakers. With the newly added headphone components, users can enjoy spatial audio reproduction over headphones of multichannel surround audio and also personalise headphone EQ to a given headphone model. 

With the new added headphone components, users can enjoy spatial audio reproduction over headphones of multichannel surround audio and also personalise headphone EQ to a given headphone model. 

The Audioscenic team is also working on future releases of the Amphi headphone technology, including the ability to perform dynamic head-tracking to provide an even more enhanced sound immersion. “With or without headphones, we’re creating a completely customizable spatial audio experience that is accessible to anyone without needing to heavily invest in audio hardware.” said David Monteith, Audioscenic CEO. “Audioscenic’s mission as a company is to make the everyday spatial audio experience a fact of life — integrating into anywhere in the house where you might hear audio and benefit from that immersion, be it with gaming, movies, or music listening.”


Audioscenic Amphi GUI for Windows (Speaker mode, left; and Headphone mode, right.)

 

The Audioscenic team will be attending CES 2024, Las Vegas, where they will have a number of demo systems featuring the new Amphi Suite (laptops, monitors, desktop soundbars) and showcase new products based on the technology.

Edifier 30% off Black Friday deals not to be missed

Edifier will be running a 30% discount off some of their most popular models – the S3 included. The STAX S3 offer will be a reduction £379 to £265.30. https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0B4JWZYSS

This offer will run from November 17th until Monday 27th November. If you need to get a closer look check our reviews on site for all the reviews which we went hands on with from the brand that gives you great audio at even better prices now.

Other deals include 27% off the recently launched NeoBuds Pro 2 – https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0CFY1978H from £149.99 to 109.99

WH950NB from £179.99 to £149.99 a discount of 30% – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BM92D2D1/

WH500 from £39..99 to £23.99 – 40 % off –  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BM92D2D1/

W320TN 30% off from £99.99 to £69.99 – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7Q43WRR

W240TN 35% off £69.99 to £45.95- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2PGF9VD/?th=1

Skullcandy Unveils Limited-Edition Acid Snow Camo Collection to Mark 20th Anniversary

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Skullcandy announced today the limited-edition Acid Snow Camo collection. Designed exclusively for boardsport retailers and Skullcandy.com, the collection is a key part of Skullcandy’s strategy to return to the brand’s roots. Acid Snow Camo features the bright color and uncontrolled chaos of retro Skullcandy with a ‘90s skate spin and includes Crusher ANC 2 Sensory Bass Headphones, Dime 3 True Wireless Earbuds and Kilo Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, available now on Skullcandy.com and at select boardsport retailers. 

“Twenty years ago, Skullcandy arrived on the scene as the original lifestyle audio brand and we’ve been serving the action sports community ever since,” said Justin Regan, VP of Marketing at Skullcandy. “We’re celebrating this milestone with the launch of our new Acid Snow Camo collection, dialing up the creativity and delivering an extra dimension of fun to the lifestyle.” 

With this launch, Skullcandy is also announcing a new athlete roster across skate, snow, and surf, including globally-recognized athletes Nora Vasconcellos, Louie Lopez, Anna Gasser, and Red Gerard.

Tech specs tied to each Acid Snow Camo product include: 

Acid Snow Camo Crusher ANC 2 Headphones –  £219.99 MSRP

  • Up to 60 Hours of Battery Life (ANC off) – And up to 50 hours of battery life with ANC turned on
  • Rapid Charge – 10 minutes of charging gives you up to 4 hours of playtime
  • Adjustable Sensory Bass – Skullcandy’s patented bass technology is responsible for the experiential bass for ‘Music You Can Feel’
  • Adjustable 4-Mic Active Noise Canceling – ​​Actively monitors the surrounding environment to filter out external noise, maintaining crisp audio quality
  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology® – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on and adjust Stay-Aware Mode, activate your device’s assistant, launch Spotify Tap, Take Photo and more
    • Multi-Assistants Feature – Enable additional hands-free voice services, including “Alexa” and “Hey iHeart”, to connect directly to your favorite brands
    • Over-the-Air Updates – Update headphones via the Skull-iQ App to add new features for enhanced functionality and to extend the life of the headphones
  • Personal Sound – Tune your audio experience to your unique hearing ability by taking a real-time audio test to create a Personal Sound Profile for optimized audio levels
  • Multipoint Pairing – Seamlessly pair to multiple devices at once, regardless of platform or manufacturer
  • Clear Voice Smart Mic – Experience a reduction in background noise to ensure calls are crystal clear
  • Preset & Custom EQ Modes – Choose one of the preset EQ modes or create your own custom EQ
  • Customizable Button Functions – Personalize your headphones by customizing your on-board button controls
  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic connection and pairing with the last device used
  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology – If headphone is misplaced, simply “ring” it from the Tile app
  • Durable, Lightweight Design – All-day comfort with asymmetrical, ergonomic earcups

 

Acid Snow Camo Dime 3 True Wireless Earbuds –  £44.99 MSRP

  • 20 Hours of Battery Life + Rapid Charge – Listen longer with 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 12 hours in the charging case
  • IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure fearlessly without missing a beat
  • Multipoint Pairing – Seamlessly pair to multiple devices at once, regardless of platform or manufacturer
  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximize the depth and detail of each sound
  • Stay-Aware Mode – Hear what’s going on around you without having to remove an earbud
  • Built-In Tile™ Finding Technology – If earbuds is misplaced, simply “ring” it from the Tile app
  • Clear Voice Smart Mic – Experience a reduction in background noise to ensure calls are crystal
  • clear
  • Preset EQ Modes – Select between your preferred EQ mode: Music, Bass Boost or Podcast
  • Call, Volume and Media Controls – Take calls, adjust volume controls and activate native device assistants (Google, Siri, etc.) without ever touching a phone
  • Integrated Lanyard Loop – Rely on secure portability that protects the charge case and buds from drops
  • Noise-Isolating Fit – Ergonomically redesigned ear gels for all day comfort
  • Microphones in Each Bud – Use either bud solo without losing the ability to take calls

Acid Snow Camo Kilo™ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – £44.99 MSRP

  • Up to 24 Hours Battery Life
  • IPX7 Waterproof – Fully waterproof design means this Bluetooth speaker is able to withstand full immersion down to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Acoustically transparent waterproof fabric mesh is engineered to maximize the passthrough of high frequency audio waves, keeping the speaker’s sound bright and crystal clear. 
  • Rugged & Durable – Seamless mesh fabric material and rugged housing ensures speaker’s durability for fearless entertainment.
  • Clip it Anywhere – Included aluminum anodized carabiner along with allows you to attach the speaker’s built-in nylon strap easily to your bag or bike.
  • Wireless Bluetooth® 5.3 Streaming – Advanced Bluetooth® 5.3 chip, ensures stable transmission up to 33 ft (10m) long range.
  • True Wireless Stereo – Create an immersive stereo sound experience by connecting two Kilo™ speakers to each other wirelessly.
  • Downward Firing Passive Radiator – Surface resonating passive radiator with contoured foot for maximum bass.
  • USB-CTM Input Charging – USB-CTM charging provides a reliable, fast charge to your speaker.


For more information visit skullcandy.co.uk 

Creative’s Christmas Gift Guide for the tech geek in your life

Over the years we have been using pretty much all of what Creative have to offer when it comes to tech and this Christmas perhaps you should check out the latest on offer from the company which we can certainly stand by and recommend this year for a gift for yourself or a loved one in the family. Gamers should take note of what the company has to offer too and there is a wide range of affordable products on offer this year and below is some of the deals they have to offer.

For the gamers

Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI (£134.99) Review soon

The launch of Creative Zen Hybrid Pro headphones marks the start of a new era in wireless audio, utilising LE Audio to deliver pristine audio quality, ultra-low latency streaming, and the versatility of multi-streaming for a truly elevated audio experience.

 

Extra features of the Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI include:

  • Bluetooth LE Audio

  • BT-L4 Bluetooth LE Audio SXFI Transmitter

  • Boom Mic

For the chilly, scenic walks

Outlier Free Pro+ (£119.99) – See our review

The Creative Outlier Free Pro+ features an IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing it to withstand all kinds of activities and weather, including swimming and rain. With a built-in 8GB MP3 player, enjoy your music without needing your phone or the internet.

 

The Outlier Free Pro+ also features:

  • Lightweight silicone

  • Titanium memory alloy

  • Adjustable transducers

Share the joy of Christmas music

Pebble V3 Artisan Edition (£54.99) See our Pebble V3 review

The Creative Pebble V3 Artisan Edition offers a fresh and inspiring initiative aimed at empowering the creative community through collaborations with talented local artists from around the world. With two designs from Lester Lim, a Singapore-based artist, the speakers talk volumes about his talent and dedication.

The Creative Artisan Edition is a unique commitment to empowering the creative community. By continuing to develop artist partnerships, Creative aims to transform everyday technology into limited-edition art pieces that will remain exclusive and not be restocked once sold out. We will have our review of these soon too.  Stay tuned.

 

Other features include:

  • 1.2m USB Type-C cable with a USB-A converter

  • 1.35mm molded cable connecting left and right speakers

  • Compatibility with both Windows and iOS

Tech Review – SOUNDPEATS RunFree Open-ear Sport Headphones

The SOUNDPEATS RunFree Open-ear sport headphones are the next installment after the RunFree Lite we recently reviewed here and they are have improved greatly it has to be said, these type of headphones are now a trend and you may notice more people wearing them when out jogging or in the gym.

One thing with these is they are very light and very comfortable to wear and robust, you can connect to two devices at once which for me is important and I am sure many others out there and there is of course a good connection with Bluetooth 5.3 on board.

Sound is what people want to know more about with the likes of these headphones and I am happy to report it is good,loud and clear and so are calls. You have 16.2mm drivers on board which packs a punch and for me a decent audio experience only to be boosted by the SOUNDPEATS app which I think is pretty decent. See photo below for features in the app..

On the Audio experience they pack a punch it has to be said and with and for me are loud with nice bass and more. Within the app you have control of what you want out of the headphones and there is plenty of presets to mess around with, ensure you do the hearing test for the best results.

The controls are simple to use and all you require is there you can skip and reverse tracks higher and lower the volume, access your voice assistant and play and pause tracks, game mode and call management is also present on the slightly raised keys on the right side of the headphones.

Overall these are ideal for those into sports and want to hear their surroundings and getting great audio and having a good app to back them up with no compromise all round with a robust build.

The App

 

Features

    • Open-ear Design & Air Conduction Tech
    • Patented λ Enhanced Bass Algorithm & 16.2mm Dynamic Driver
    • Liquid Silicone Comfort & 1.09oz Lightweight
    • 14 Hrs Playtime & Type-C Charging
    • BT 5.3 Stable Multiple Connection
    • App Control & Standardized Touch Control

 

BUY 

Video Review

Tech Review – StoryPhones & StoryShield – Headphones for Kids – Disney Edition

The StoryPhones & StoryShield Storytelling Headphones for Kids is a great idea and simple product for you child to listen to audio without a phone or tablet in their hand keeping them free from harms way which these days has become an issue and this will be a great idea for Christmas or a gift.

The presentation is also excellent giving you plenty of details on the box itself and there is an app to go with it which we delve into in the video review below, it is simple to get going you can connect via cable or bluetooth and you can sign into your Wi-Fi and a one time process, the store has lots of other offers there to so check it out.

The controls are simple to use for any child with volume controls on the app to pick from, there is no real control on the app as to what you can do but these are on the headphones and simple to use, the disc that sits on one of the cups also acts as a control to skip and reverse and taking it off pauses which is neat, these can also be customised and you can upload your own audio which is really neat. I did find the magnet a little week but when your child is sitting down they should be fine.

These are comfortable to wear too and light and seem robust enough for kids and should last though the maintaining them might be an issue as time goes on keeping them clean with the Blue and Pink colours available but hey kids will be kids.

Overall these are a great product with crisp clean audio for any child to listen too and better again it keeps them off mobile devices which is not good for their health.

The APP

 

 

StoryPhones & StoryShield

StoryPhones are the first smart, portable wireless audio entertainment device for children combining high-performance headphones with an internet-connected content player. Access stories by simply popping a StoryShield disc into the StoryPhones. It will then automatically download the story into the headphone’s memory and start playing. After the initial download, it will play the content independent of any network or other device.

Curated Content

Discover the StoryPhones library full of carefully curated content, suitable for children aged 3 and up, that entertains and educates with audio stories, music and more. This careful selection allows parents to relax, knowing it’s not necessary to monitor what children are listening to. Over the coming years, ONANOFF will continue this ongoing collaboration with Disney to build an enchanting collection of magical stories for kids to enjoy. In addition to Disney, other exciting licensing collaborations will be added to bring even more characters to the range of StoryShields.

Record a Personalized Story with PlayShield

StoryPhones also offer the option of recording personalized stories, in a loved one’s voice, through the mobile app, creating a customized StoryShield called PlayShield. This way, users can record family stories and share the ones that shaped an individual’s life with generations to come. It’s also a brilliant way to stay connected with loved ones far away. Even though grandparents live in another country, a child can hear a bedtime story read by grandma and when away, or at work, parents can soothe children with a pre-recorded lullaby.

Relax with ZenShield

A StoryShield, aptly named ZenShield, contains relaxing audio profiles to help overstimulated kids calm down, relax and even sleep. The shield includes a collection of pink noises, from piano to ocean waves, from rain drops to the original and exclusive RoRo Sound.

Audio Promotes Literacy and Improves Comprehension

By listening to stories, children are encouraged to increase learning capabilities. 85% of what is learnt, is learnt by listening and listening to audio increases reading accuracy by 52%. It also improves comprehension by 76%, providing context and helping children decode words and understand the text better. Listening to audio also increases motivation by 67%. Taking children away from the screens of smart devices can help children sleep better and focus better at school.

Buy below

IRE –  https://www.harveynorman.ie/

UK – https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/storyphones/

 

Features

  • Built-in Internal Memory
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 Class 2 & BLE
  • Internal microphone
  • Volume limit settings 75/85/94dB
  • 600mAH Lithium battery
  • Multi-Axis MEMS Accelerometer
  • USB-C charging
  • 40mm diameter size driver
  • Audio sharing
  • 3.5mm jack audio in/out

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