The Skullcandy KILO Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of their latest additions to their portfolio of tech which comes in several flavours being Black, Astro Dust Blue blaze and Light Grey and we have been testing the Black version which by all means is easy to maintain coming with an IPX7 rating which means it can be brought anywhere.
The presentation is as normal from Skullcandy coming in their standout packaging and giving details on the box before you delve in which you can see below in the unboxing and video review.
This speaker is durable and rugged and as mentioned can be used anywhere so it can be taken to the beach picnic and even for a shower if you fancy doing so and it comes with a carabiner clip to make it even easier to hang somewhere.
You can connect two of these guys together if you want to make a statement but we have just the one but on its own it still makes a statement and plenty loud, there is no app to go along with it but this is common with speakers and I think users will be please for their money here considering the other benefits you get with it.
This is a decent sized speaker and not too big meaning it is portable and manageable too so can be placed in your travel bag or tech bag if like me to bring along and blast out the sounds. The controls are simple to use and tactile too and easy to get the commands right first go and we go through all this in the full video review below.
Overall this speaker packs a punch with some nice bass thrown in and loud enough to fill a decent sized room in any house or even your back garden.
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.
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 are the next step up from the Creative Aurvana Ace which we recently reviewed here on techbuzz and given the shape and size of the case are the same the looks are not giving us a peep inside of the technology, transparent tech is now a thing and we have check quite a few bits of tech showing their inner glory. Though this one has a slightly smoked tint to it which still looks great.
The inside of the case is also surrounded in a copper colour which looks really neat and matches the earbuds looks and gives them a premium look there is a USB-C port on the bottom and indicator light and a button for pairing/resetting.
The fit is the same as before so no difference there at all and give a good seal with the right earbuds again I always say this with any earbuds and the better the seal the better the fit and the better the sound. These are again IPX5 rated so for outdoor use is no issue here at all where half of my testing was done anyway.
The tech inside this time around gives you more although they still use 10mm drivers but have the all new xMEM technology inside which really gives your earbuds a boost which they did with the Aurvana Ace. There is 6 mics this time over the Aurvana Aces 3 mics giving you crystal clear calls and from my testing both ends seemed top notch here and powered by Qualcomm cVc (Clear Voice capture) noise cancellation technology.
Aurvana Ace 2 and case
Aurvana Ace 2 eabuds
In case you are wondering both models support a variety of audio codecs, including LE Audio featuring the LC3 Codec for superior wireless audio quality, SBC, AAC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive, ensuring compatibility with various devices and offering high-quality audio streaming.
Coupled with Qualcomm for the integration of Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless technology, the audio codec delivers hi-fidelity audio at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz, providing a CD-level experience that faithfully recreates the original recording right in your ears.
Overall there is not much difference between the Ace and Ace 2, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 supports AptX Lossless audio codec and has Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation and you can tell the difference if you are a regular user of earbuds and can hear the distinct intricacies with the sound and you will not be disappointed by any means here at all and the same goes for the Ace too, you can’t go wrong for the money here with what you pay for either.
Check the video review below for more.
The Creative App
Creative Aurvana controls – techbuzzireland
Features and specs
Driver Frequency Response: 5–40,000 Hz / Type: xMEMS Solid-state x 2 Type: Dynamic x 2
Profiles / (HFP) Hands-free Profile, (A2DP) Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, (AVRCP) Audio / Video Remote Control Profile, TMAP, HSP
Operating Frequency/ 2402–2480 MHz
Operating Range/ Up to 10m / 33 ft*, *Measured in open space. Walls and structures may affect range of device.
Battery Life / Up to 24 hours total (ANC / Ambient Mode off), Up to 16 hours total (ANC / Ambient Mode on), Up to 6 hours per charge (ANC / Ambient Mode off), Up to 4 hours per charge (ANC / Ambient Mode on)
Based on moderate volume level. Actual battery life will vary with usage settings and environmental conditions.
The Creative Pebble X and Pebble X Plus are here for review and over the last while we have put both to the test but today we are looking at the Pebble X which are the cheaper of the two, recently we checked out the Pebble V3 Artisan Edition here and these are quite a bump up from them when it comes to sound and slightly larger packing a serious punch.
These have enhanced custom-tuned 2.75″ full-range drivers for a truly immersive listening experience. The two models boast the iconic 45° elevated design, meticulously angled for an optimized listening experience and are slightly larger giving more space to thump out the tunes and if you like bass you are in for a treat.
There is rubber ring underneath and an option to mount them if required the build quality is excellent and there is simple controls up front as before being an RGB control and a switch mode between bluetooth and PC connections also the volume dial acts as a voice control to turn it on or off. On the rear is the two USB-C ports one being PD which we had no charger to test, I do have one somewhere in the house but it has gone for a walk and there is also an aux port.
Once set up on your PC this is where the games changes, there is options on the mobile app but too however the PC app is where it shines most you will most likely get an update when connected, be sure to install the app first then the connect your speakers via cables provided.
In the app you will see below all the features at hand to custom tune the looks and sound and the sound is what people want to know about here.
They pack a serious loud punch highs lows and mids are great and for the concerning person who likes to customize things the app allows you to do so.
In short these are an excellent pair of speakers and well worth the money here and better than previous models and takes things to a new level you will not be disappointed with the sound and the features even for the most concerning audio folk.
Creative App offers the following features for the Creative Pebble X series.
Ability to apply different Sound Modes, Equalizer and Acoustic Engine settings.
Configure the lighting effects on the speaker.
Configure the Microphone Equalizer.
Perform firmware or software upgrades.
Creative Pebble X software – techbuzzireland
There are 6 modules in Device:
Sound Mode
Acoustic Engine
Equalizer
Mixer
CrystalVoice
Lighting
See the full list of features here there is that many to feature however we go through them in the video review below.
To unlock the full potential of the speakers, users can easily download the Creative app on Windows. This app grants users’ access to the Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine audio technologies, such as Surround, Smart Volume, Bass, Crystallizer and EQ. Users can also personalize the RGB lighting and other features using the Creative app’s modules, which are available on Windows, the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store.
Pricing and Availability
Creative Pebble X is priced at US$89.99, UK£84.99, EU€99.99 and is available at Creative.com
Just picked up your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? Check out the QDOS S24 Ultra Hybrid clear case now on offer from the company which will save you from an expensive drop which is something you do not want, the S24 Ultra is an expensive piece of kit and requires a case in my book no matter if you prefer to go naked as they say.
With this case you are kind of naked being a clear case which many will like, it has anti yellowing treatment and made with a flexible TPU frame with air cushioning which feels nice to hold in the hand and giving you additional grip and giving you peace of mind should you drop the phone you are in good hands.
All the keys work well with nice travel and no interruption in the ports either and allowing you to access the SPen when you need it.
You can still wirelessly charge your phone with this case too and we have tested on several chargers in the house and all work with no issues with any which is great.
There is a raised lip top and bottom and slightly lower on the sides meaning it can be placed face or back down as the camera array is also protected with a raised edge and again giving you some peace of mind.
Overall for the price the case is a worthy investment and best practice to save you from an expensive repair bill.
Ultra-transparent protective case designed with a combination of 2 recycled materials:
• Rigid polycarbonate back with scratch-resistant coating
• Flexible TPU frame with air cushions to absorb falls of up to 2m
Unrivalled clarity, perfectly showcasing the design of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G:
• Microdot technology, preventing light interference (Newton ring effect)
• Treated with an anti-yellowing agent for long-lasting transparency
Case optimally adapted to the shape of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G:
• Flexible edges for easy installation and a perfect fit
• Easy to press button cover, responsive touch
• Raised edges protect the screen and lens when placed face down
Environmentally friendly:
• Made from premium recycled materials
• Eco-responsible packaging, FSC cardboard
Gaming phones are rising in popularity but remains a niche market for many even though they are powerful phones they often come with caveats being targeted at gamers and generally expensive and you will not see many in retail here in Ireland anyway as in your typical mobile shop but you can find some sim free in other retail outlets, The BACKBONE Gen 2 mobile gaming controller brings gaming to mobile phones and makes it a better experience and costs much less than buying gaming phones and this is their latest on offer and there is some key differences between this and their last model.
The BACKBONE Gen 2 offers more new features and are as follows.
Both USB-C generations support iPhone 15 and USB-C (OTG) Android phones, enabling immersive game experiences.
There are a few key differences:
The 2nd generation controller supports a wider range of phones and compatible phone cases via swappable magnetic adapters and increased bridge extension
The 2nd generation controller D-pad and face buttons have been updated to ensure even more precise and responsive input
The product is well presented as seen below in the unboxing video and in partnership with Red Bull and the product itself is solid with nice tactile buttons and controls across the front of it with two buttons on each side up top namely called shoulder buttons.
They key difference here now you can use your iPhone with the Gen 2 model so for iPhone users it is most welcome as I use both Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 pro means it is a hand gaming accessory for me to use. Also tested on my Pixel 8 pro this is a great accessory to use given I have not much time for gaming in the first place but plan to change this it is a simple to set up device and you are good to go in a few minutes and you also need to download the app to get full use of the product.
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Now we can play games on our phones without the likes of this but I have never been a fan of on screen controls and this changes the game here if you have never used such a product as it gives you the full hand controller experince you would find on your Xbox or PS5 for example and you can play the console and PC games you have with Backbone’s support for PS Remote Play, Xbox Remote Play, and Steam Link mobile apps.
BACKBONE One mobile gaming controller rear view Gen 2 – techbuzzireland
Overall if you are into mobile gaming and cant afford to splash out on a gaming phone that can be expensive this is an ideal bit of kit to have that works with many devices and now iPhones which are powerful phones and can handle games better than before.
Features
PLAY ANY CONTROLLER-SUPPORTED GAMES: Responsive analog triggers, tactile buttons, and clickable thumbsticks for the ultimate mobile gaming experience.
LOWEST LATENCY, PASS-THROUGH CHARGING & 3.5MM HEADSET JACK: Connects to your phone’s USB-C port for ultra-responsive gameplay. Charge and use your favorite headset while you play.
WORKS WITH MOST ANDROID PHONES AND IPHONE 15 SERIES: Compatible with most Android devices 10.0 and up as well as the new iPhone 15 series. For iPhone 14 Series and older, please see our Lightning version.
EARLY ACCESS TO THE BACKBONE APP – The Backbone app is your gaming destination–the feature-rich home for gaming on mobile devices complete with 20+ unique features. Record and share gameplay, party up with friends, and launch your favorite games all from one place
PLAY YOUR XBOX, PLAYSTATION OR PC FROM ANYWHERE: Play the console and PC games you have with Backbone’s support for PS Remote Play, Xbox Remote Play, and Steam Link mobile apps
The New Bee M51 Wireless Bluetooth Headset is a handy headset for call and music and ideal for those on the go or those who work in an office environment with decent battery life and comes in a handy carry case which is on the larger size compared to earbuds.
Offering all functions you would find on earbuds this headset has access to your voice assistant you can control your calls and you can manage your music being able to skip and reverse tracks play and pause and higher and lower the volume.
The mic also has a silent button which also acts as your voice assistant button and all the controls are tactile and work well and well placed on the device.
The fit is secure and will not fall off your ear with good noise isolation due to the large tip on the but still comfortable and still fits well in the ear and comfortable to wear.
The main part of the headset is quite malleable and can be moved into any position for all ears as they all differ in size and shape so this will work on anyones ears.
Call quality is also decent and the music is too considering it is not intended for music so to speak but the sound is decent and well balanced although there is no app for me it does a decent job and serves not just as a tool to manage calls on the go but a well rounded audio device in general.
Check the video review below for a detailed look and how it works.
New Bee M51 in case with digital display – techbuzzireland
Specifications
Model:NB-M51
Bluetooth Version: 5.2 / Battery: 115mAh
Charging Box:500mAh (Charging 3 times) Talk Time: About 12 hours
Music Time: About 15 hours / Standby Time: About 1440 hours
The New Bee Z12 RGB Headphones Stand Holder with Wireless Charging is a multifunction stand that can charge several devices at once and looks cool on any desk you can also data transfer if you wish but I can see this being used as mainly a charging device and also decorative for a setup you might have or just starting out with one.
It takes about two minutes to set up and you are good to go and comes with a USB charging cable so you just need to find a plug or spare socket on an existing device or even your own laptop or PC.
Once set up you have all your ports on the back and a power switch that doubles as the RGB light control which you can see how all of this works in the video review below, it gives a nice glow to your workspace or bedside locker for example with all the colours available and breathing light for nice effects.
The headphones stand itself is not wireless charging but you can simply connect a cable to the main unit and charge there, then you have wireless charging which can charge your earbuds and even mobile phones which for me is quite handy at my desk and now shall remain part of my set up to store headphones in review and earbuds as we check out many of them and of course phone cases for existing phones we use.
Overall this is an affordable product with many functions and can keep your desk tidy too and looks well with the RGB lights on, see more in the video below.
Suits most headphones
Dimensions
All the ports
Features:
1、【RGB Lighting】New bee RGB headphone features 7 colors of lighting modes, the cool visual effect can create any atmosphere. Press and hold for 3 seconds to turn off/on the lights.
2、【Wireless Charging and 3 Charging Ports】Just place your devices on the charger station and enjoy wireless charging. 2 USB-C port and USB port can be used to transfer files or charge your phone, iPad or other smart devices. Supports Windows, Linux, and Mac systems with plug&play function. No extra drivers are required.
3、【Sturdy and Safe】The Made of aluminum headset stand provides good stability, and the silicone non-slip pad at the bottom prevents the bracket from falling off even on a smooth surface. The part of the stand where the headphones are placed is made of soft rubber. The head beam of the headset can be protected from being scratched even after a long time of hanging.
4、【Universal Compatibility】RGB headphone stand fits all sizes of headsets, the wide base and wide curved stand can better protect your headset. Height – 10.4 in, Width – 5.98 in.
5、【What you get】Create a fantastic gaming atmosphere at your preference .Perfect PC gamer setup accessories, gifts for gamer, grandson, son, boy, man, husband and boyfriend or girlfriend. If you encounter problems during use gaming headphone stand, we are pleased to provide you with technical support
I am a huge headphone fan as my readers know and the same for earbuds applies to but just how huge can headphones get? The Dyson Zone would easily be the biggest pair of cans to test to date with with a premium build quality to boot so I did not really mind testing these out in the wild looking like something from a Marvel series and of course had people talking, even at home when first showing family and friends they were all like WTF are they and rightly so as they are not the usual type of headphones people see me with nor are they a common site on the streets today.
We wont go along with the “our testers” approach on this review and show you exactly how they work and what they look like for context like all our reviews and in the video review we go into that even more of this and an in depth look at the app that comes with them which gives you stats galore and most importantly what the air you breathe is like which for some today is a vital part of their daily life.
In the unboxing you will get a first glance at what is involved here and setting up after that is not a huge deal either apart from the ten minute software update I had to endure before getting them into action, you will be asked to insert the filters and mask first though then sit back and wait before you can get going, you will be asked for location however you can set it to a desired location but this will be inaccurate if you are travelling around and what the air condition is like. I suffer sometimes with asthma so for me it is an ideal product to have at my disposal.
Out of the box they are a tad heavy and cumbersome which I do not mind but once on the head they give great passive noise isolation and are comfortable, even the mask up front did not get in the way but it is not something I would sport all day long being honest but respect the purpose of it and why it is there and that works by the way with the fans keeping you cool which has different speed levels too.
OK so the purpose of these is not just for music it is to keep you filtered away from pollution and this works really well I felt better just using them and tested these in several locations around Ireland as I was travelling and you can really feel how clean the air is you breathe so to speak and it is something you need to experince for yourself to get what I mean and you can be confident about cleaner air.
There is a notification setting on the app should your filters need to be replaced too which is hand and these are simple to replace by simply twisting off the headphone cap and swapping them out and can be bought within the app itself these should last some time by the way unless you are one to be out daily using them.
The Dyson Zone solution
The Dyson Zone headphones are engineered to tackle the dual challenges of city noise and air pollution. Powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries and USB-C charging, the headphones offer 50 hours of audio-only run-time, or 4 hours of combined purification and audio run-time, charging to 100% in 3 hours.
Filters
Fan
The Dyson Zone headphones are born of Dyson’s 30 years of expertise in airflow, filtration and motors technologies and deep understanding of indoor and outdoor air quality. The compressors in each ear cup draw air through the dual-layer filters and project two streams of purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth, channeled through the non-contact detachable visor. Electrostatic filters capture 99% of particle pollution as small as 0.1 microns², whilst K-Carbon, potassium-enriched carbon filters target prevalent acidic gases most associated with city pollution, including NO₂ and SO₂.
The App
Next up is the sound department which I am happy to report is superb as you can see above there is an app with EQ settings and this allows you customise them to and extent I would have like to see more in here however anyone that I let try them out in the family and friends circle where as impressed as I was here with how these sounded and from a person that does the most headphone and earphone reviews in Ireland these stood out with the clarity of the audio given here which is great considering the price on them, they are up there with the best in the game when it comes to the audio and hopefully their app gets better over time with new features.
Highs lows and mids all great nice bass and decently loud volume which is how I like it, no lag latency no distortion when maxed out on volume either and simply just great not missing a beat nor instrumentals and background noise in films and so on you will be happy with the audio experience trust me.
Dyson Zone headphone controls – techbuzzireland
The controls are also great with a navi pad type option here which allows to to manage just about everything on them like skip and reverse tracks play and pause higher and lower the volume and access your voice assistant, you can also double tap the cup to change the noise cancelling effects and so on and this also worked well aside all the tech that is on the cup itself.
Overall then my conclusion is these will not be for everyone but this also should be kept in mind as the saying goes “do not knock it until you try it” as for the face visor it might put people off but it can be removed which then takes away the purpose of buying them as a whole they sound is fantastic and that is important as well as breathing in clean air on the go, they are a tad cumbersome but you can forgive it when you look a the package as a whole.
Features on sound·
Fly the world twice: The Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones provides users up to 50 hours¹ of ultra-low distortion audio, advanced noise cancellation and faithful, full-spectrum audio reproduction.
· Advanced noise cancelling: 11 microphones feature within the product. The ANC system uses eight to reduce the sound of the city up to 38 dB these microphones monitor surrounding sounds 384,000 times a second.
· Faithful, full-spectrum audio: The Dyson Zone™ goes beyond the audible to reproduce frequencies from 6Hz-21kHz, ensuring every note or word is heard.
· Ultra-low distortion: The speaker driver and electronics, mechanical system, materials, and acoustics have been carefully designed to minimise distortion. The driver output is further equalised by intelligent signal processing 48,000 times a second which combines with the noise cancellation to neutralise harmonic distortion to inaudible levels across the full frequency range (0.08% @ 94dB @1kHz).
· Scientifically tuned to hear more detail: A unique EQ setting optimises the frequency curve for clear, pure audio across the full audible frequency range.
· High-efficiency filtration to tackle pollution on-the-go: A detachable visor projects purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth. Electrostatic filters capture 99% of particle pollution as small as 0.1 microns², whilst K-Carbon, potassium-enriched carbon filters target prevalent acidic gases most associated with city pollution.
· Immersive listening, engineered for comfort: Through testing on diverse head sizes and geometries the headphones achieve the same immersive, audio for all.
· Telephony: Dual microphone beamforming and noise suppression technology enable clear voice calls, voice recording and voice control.
The TOZO T12 -Wireless Earbuds/ Tonal Dots are the latest on offer from the brand with whom we have been impressed with since testing their products and their latest addition to their portfolio is a rounded shaped pair or earbuds which will certainly have fans interested in them, not my preferred shape of earbud which I do not mind as I like to have something different they will have people asking about them.
They come in a cool case with an LED battery display on board to let you know what juice is left in the tank so to speak and is hand and I have said it before all earbud cases should have this feature present.
TOZO T12 Tonal Dots – techbuzzireland
The case itself is small and will fit in any pocket and comes with wireless charging which is a win for the wireless charging fans out there. The battery life is also decent and we have quick charge on board too which is another bonus and not only that these come with an IPX8 rating so can be brought anywhere and used anywhere more or less which is not something you see to often given they are waterproof for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 m thanks to a nano-coating inside.
The controls are simple to use and not only that the accompanying app allows you to manage the controls to set them up to your own taste which is excellent. All the features there such as call control in which calls sounded fine in my testing and you have skip and reverse tracks play and pause and of course your voice assistant access. These can be also used individually too which is another nice bonus.
How they sound is what we all want to hear as they say and they sound great and having the access to their app is excellent giving you multiple EQ settings plus adding your own, highs lows and mids are fine with decent volume nice base and in my usual test tracks performed well with no issues to report, no lag latency no tinny sound when maxed out and overall punchy crisp and clear and calls can be included there, the app makes a huge difference and there is a notable difference between preset EQs unlike some other earbuds that have access to such an app.
The App
The TOZO App – techbuzzireland
Features
Bluetooth 5.3 Technology & Easy Pairing. Featuring the most advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology. TOZO T12 supports HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP. Pick up the two headsets from the charging case and they will pair automatically, then in one easy step you can access your phone’s Bluetooth settings to pair the earbuds, thus providing stereo sound during calls. Also boasts fast and stable transmission without tangling.
Touch control and smart LED digital display TOZO T12 headphones feature touch control sensors that reduce the pressure on your ears to a great extent when you touch the buttons for various functions. With wireless charging, the smart LED digital screen allows you to check the battery consumption display at any time.
Comfortable to wear, fidelity stereo sound quality TOZO T12 wireless earbuds feature a curved in-ear design with silicone ear hooks to hold wireless Bluetooth headphones in place even during activity..
IPX8 Waterproof The charging case and earbuds are waterproof for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 m thanks to a nano-coating inside.
Charging on the go These earbuds have a battery life of more than 11 hours per charge and up to 48 hours when using the charging case. Enjoy quick charging; the rechargeable case may be fully charged in under two hours using a wireless charger or in just 1.5 hours with a fast USB-C connection. provides easy charging without restrictions.
