2018 has been a fun and exciting year. There have been some excellent products from some great manufacturers that have come across my desk this year. Some have been good, others have been great. However some have been spectacular. This is to honor those spectacular products, the Editor's Choice Award recipients.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
2018 Annual Editor's Choice Awards
AKG N5005 Reference Class Hybrid 5-Way In-Ear Monitors
Audio-Technica AT33EV MC Phono Cartridge
Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Over The Ear Digital Headphones Review
Beyerdynamics Aventho Wireless On Ear Headphones
Ethereal and Metra Home Theater Premium Home Audio & Video Installation Products
Firman W01781 1700 Watt Invertor Generator
Go Power! 120-Watt Portable Solar Kit
Infinity Kappa Perfect 300 & 900 Car Component Speaker System
JBL Boombox Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review
JBL Extreme 2 Wireless Waterproof Speaker System
Kenwood XR eXcelon Reference DDX9905S DVD Receiver
Massive Audio Nano BLU BL1 Car Subwoofer Amp Review
Netgear Orbi WiFi System AC3000RBK50
Sennheiser HD1 Wireless Around The Ear Adaptive Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sonarworks True Fi Desktop Headphone Calibration Software
Ultimate Ears UE 11 Pro 4-Way Custom In-Ear Monitors with Dedicated Subwoofer
Westone Elite Series ES80 8-Way Custom Custom In-Ear Monitors
As you can see, there have been some excellent products reviewed this year. We hope you have enjoyed the reviews. From us here are Stereowise Plus, Happy Holidays to you and your family. And thanks for reading!
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 9:47 PM 0 comments
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Sonarworks True Fi Headphone Desktop Calibration Software Review
All speakers sound different from each other. The same is
true of headphones. This is called sound signature or voice. To have a true
reference sound, the response curve or voice would be completely flat. But this
is extremely difficult to do. Now it is possible. Enter the Sonarworks True Fi.
Features and specs:
Here's what you get with your True-Fi licence:
·
Age and Gender related hearing loss compensation
·
Access to all future updates and features
·
Up to 3 devices simultaneously
·
Mobile app for Android and iOS*
Headphones:
·
+/- 3 dB accuracy with average profiles for headphone models
LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC
Desktop App
·
All computer audio is processed, works on a system level
·
Supported sample rate on Mac currently up to 96 000 Hz;
on Windows up to capabilities of your
WASAPI device
·
Mac: macOS 10.9 or later
·
Windows: Windows 7 or later
·
Hardware: 512 Mb RAM
Mobile App
·
Local music content (Android)
·
iTunes music library - manually synced content (iOS)**
·
Spotify (Premium account required)
·
Compatible with the latest Android and iOS versions
·
Supports sample rates up to 96kHz***
·
iOS: MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC, ALAC
·
Android: MP3, WAV, OGG (Vorbis), AAC, FLAC
* Official Mobile App launch is scheduled at
the end of Q1, 2019, until then, you are welcome to be a part of Sonarworks True-Fi Mobile Early Access.
**Apple Music is unavailable due to Apple DRM limitations.
***During Early Access period flac and high sample rate file playback is not yet fully supported on all devices and is currently being improved.
**Apple Music is unavailable due to Apple DRM limitations.
***During Early Access period flac and high sample rate file playback is not yet fully supported on all devices and is currently being improved.
As this is a software program that is downloaded, there is
no materials or build quality to rate. It’s just a matter of downloading the
software onto your laptop or smartphone. So while a positive aspect is that is
just a program that you download, the same can also be looked as a potential con
as well. And while the software is
available, it is currently only available for computers. The smartphone app has not yet been officially
released, but will soon be.
To use the product, you are limited to listening to music on
your laptop or smartphone where the software is installed. One other con, is
that it is only compatible with certain headphones. While this list is a couple
hundred long and continually growing, it is still a small percentage of
headphones found among listeners. Having said that, it could be used as a time
to upgrade to better headphones, and get a pair that is compatible with the
software. There are a couple of ways
that you can use the product, depending on the quality of end result that you
are looking for. If you already have a
nice pair of headphones that are on the list of once supported, then all you
need is the software. If you don't have
a pair that is supported, then you could just buy a pair that is on the
supported list, and then buy the software. But Sonarworks also does pre-calibration. So for the most accuracy, you have a couple
options. You could either buy one of the models of headphones that Sonarworks
sells that have actually been pre-calibrated, or you could send in your
headphones to be pre-calibrated.
Using the software was very simple. It was just a matter of
downloading and installing the software.
Once it was installed, there is a 10 day trial, and a product key when
you buy the software that you would enter in.
After you open the software, you enter your profile of gender and age. We naturally lose certain aspects of our
hearing as we get older, and the program compensates for it. Next you enter in your make and model of
headphone. For me I used a Beyerdynamic
DT 1990 Pro. After this was all entered,
the software was ready to use, and was as simple as clicking the engage
button. Click on the button again and it
disengages. So it is easy to go back and
forth to see how the music sounds with it engaged vs with it disengaged. And it was also really cool to be able to see
the response curve of the headphones, as well as the new flat response curve of
the software once engaged, and the small increase in curve with the age
adjustment figured in. Now let’s see how they sound.
Being the holiday season, I turned to one of my favorite
artists, Mannheim Steamroller: Christmas Celebration. I went through the various tracks one at a
time, 1st with it engaged, and then with it disengaged. And did the same multiple times for each
track, going back and forth. And I must
say, I was very surprised with the result.
I loved the sound of the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro previously. But hearing the sound of the headphones with
the software engaged was mind blowing.
There was not a single track where I preferred the sound of the
headphones without the software. There
were a couple where the difference in sound was not much, but it was still
improved. And there were some tracks
where the sound was improved quite a bit!
I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the nice big and wide soundstage
that I have come to love from the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro did not change. As the imaging also did not change. I was equally surprised that the overall
sound without the software engaged was a bit flat and had less energy. None of the resolution, harmonics, or texture
was lost with the software engaged. Yet
I gained a more energetic and livelier sound.
For me, the Sonarworks True Fi is a must have, and I can see most
audiophiles feeling the same way. It's
truly a must hear to appreciate!
I’m glad to see the market for high quality music
increasing, such as hi-res audio, and access to more and more of these high res
downloads and streaming sites. And thanks to this software, the Sonarworks True
Fi, we have a tool to make our music sound as the producer intended. Having
listened to and used the software, it works as designed. It’s an amazing feat!
Based on it’s design, features, quality, and performance, the Sonarworks True
Fi has earned our Editor’s Choice award. If you consider yourself an
Audiophile, this is a must have software, and at an MSRP of only $79 it is
worth every penny! For more info and complete specs, check out their website at
www.sonarworks.com.
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 11:34 PM 0 comments
Labels: Accessories, Audio, Cell Phones, Computers, Gadgets, Portable Audio
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Go Power! 120-Watt Portable Solar Kit Model GP-PSK-120 Review
The Prepper community is growing. And with all of the
natural disasters recently, floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes…I can see
why. And some products will work for both Preppers and outdoor enthusiasts,
like for a travel trailer. Up for review today is a product that will work for
both. Enter the Go Power! 120-Watt Portable Solar Kit GP-PSK-120.
Features and specs:
Output Power: 120W
Rated Current: 6.7A
Rated Voltage: 18V
Dimensions of panel folded closed (inches): 32.48 x 19.88 x 2.76
Dimensions of panel open (inches): 32.48 x 39.76 x 1.38
Weight of kit: 15 kg (33 lbs)
The Go Power! GP-PSK-120 came shipped in a nice looking
color printed box with photos and specs printed on the box. Opening the box
revealed a well protected system held in a case. I pulled out the case and saw
a well made semi hard zipper case. Opening the case revealed the solar panels
were made of mostly metal with a little bit of plastic. Quality of materials
used was excellent, as was the fit and finish. It is built like a tank, and
would provide years of use. Also included were the owner’s manual and cables.
The design of the Go Power! GP-PSK-120 is solid and
extremely functional. It all fits in the semi-hard zipper case to protect it.
When you pull it out, it’s impressive. It’s an efficient design. There are two
panels that fold together. When they are folded together, the connectors and
manual store conveniently inside. There are legs that fold down flat, one under
each panel. So setting up the panels is very simple. It’s just a matter of
folding the panels flat, puling out the legs, standing the panels up, and
plugging in the correct connector for what the panels will be charging.
And they have all your charging options covered as well. If
this is for an RV that is solar charger system ready, both SAE and XLR connectors
are covered. If you are charging a regular 12 volt battery, your charging
options are also covered. There are ring connectors for batteries that accept
ring terminals. And for these batteries that do not accept ring terminals,
there are extremely high quality alligator clips. Also included is a 12 foot
extension cord so you have plenty of distance to set up your panels next to the
battery. I also loved the high quality
heavy gauge 12/2 wire that was used throughout.
All in all it’s a very simple design. There are two 60 watt
panels hinged together to fold flat when used. Underneath the panels is the 10
amp charge controller. When not used the panels fold up and hold the
connectors. The handle is even a solid heave gauge metal that is spring loaded
to close when not in use. So far, it’s all very impressive. Let’s see how it all
works.
Setting it up was as easy as unfolding it, pulling out the
legs, locking into place the extension cord, and then plugging in the cable
with the ring terminals and connecting it to my battery. The amp charge controller quickly came to
life, and I was able to go into the setting and make sure it was set for my AGM
style battery. The manual was very easy to read and follow. I could see that per the manual I should be
getting 14.4V (+ or -0.1V) from the solar panels to the battery. Looking up at the digital display on the
charge controller it was confirmed, 14.5V.
I loved that I could toggle the display to show current voltage being
received, current amps, and percentage that the battery was charged. And having a USB connection on the side of
the charge controller was also a nice bonus.
In the end, I was very impressed with the Go Power! 120-Watt
Portable Solar Kit GP-PSK-120. I can’t see how it could be built any more
solidly. You should get many years of service out of it. And the panels and
controller worked great together to provide the power I expected. While it's MSRP of $680 is not cheap, it can be found for less online. And given it's impeccable build quality and performance, feel it is worth every penny! Based on it’s
design, features, quality and performances, the Go Power! GP-PSK-120 has earned
our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their
website at www.gpelectric.com.
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 9:47 PM 0 comments
Labels: Accessories, Gadgets, Outdoor
Creative Stage Air Soundbar Review
Creative is well known for their
computer soundcards: the SoundBlaster line. But they also have more excellent
products in their soundbar line, as well as products in their speaker line.
And they are known to be great bang for the buck. This carries over to their
soundbars as well. Up for review today is their Creative Stage Air.
Features and specs:
Dimensions (H x W x
D)
70 x 410 x 78 mm, USB Cord Length:
Approximately 0.5 m, 3.5 mm Cable Cord Length: Approximately 0.5 m
Weight
910 g (2 lb), 3.5 mm Stereo Cable: 10
g, micro USB Cable: 10 g
Operating Temperature
0°C to 45°C
Power Output
2 x 5 W, Total System Peak power: 20W
Drivers
2 x Drivers
Frequency Response
80Hz ~ 20kHz
Battery Type
Built-in Li-ion, 2200 mAh
Battery Life
6 hours
System Configuration
One-piece
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
(SNR)
≥ 72 dB
Bluetooth Operating Frequency
2402 – 2480MHz
Operating Range
for Bluetooth Devices
Up to 10 meters / 33 ft, (Measured in
open space. Walls and structures may affect range of device.)
Bluetooth® Version
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth Profile
AVRCP (Bluetooth Remote
Control), A2DP (Wireless Stereo Bluetooth)
Supported Codecs
SBC
Connector Type
Bluetooth, AUX-in
The Creative Stage Air came in a
nice looking color printed box with photos and features on the box. Opening it
revealed a well protected product held in place with a custom molded foam.
Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality
of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. Also included was
the USB cable, 3.5 mm analog audio cable and owner’s manual.
I love the design of the Creative
Stage Air. It’s a small soundbar that is designed for under computer monitor
use. But it also has a built-in battery, analog 3.5 mm connection, as well as
Bluetooth connectivity. So while it works great under your computer monitor, it
also works great anywhere. Since it has a built in battery, you can use it with
your smart phone or USB flashdrive or old mp3 player with analog audio cable,
and truly listen to your music anywhere! MSRP is a really low $49, and the
functionality you get for the price is mind blowing! Now let’s see how it
sounds.
Since it is the Christmas season,
I turned to a couple of my favorite songs. Mannheim Steamroller: Carol of the Bells,
the bells were crisp and fairly clean,
with nice resolution. The drums had nice
impact and played sufficiently deep.
Brass was smooth with nice pitch definition and harmonics. Mannheim Steamroller: Pat a Pan, the flute
was nice and airy with better than expected resolution. Strings were crisp and clean. Drums and percussion were dynamic, with
decent impact and low end extension.
Sound from flat screen TV's have come a long way. But the Creative Stage Air proved to have
better resolution as well as better bass response. While they did not have a whole lot of bass,
they sounded good for it's size, and had better sound than I expected for it's
price.
The Creative Stage Air, while it
has an MSRP of $49, it can be found online for even less. To be able to get
this much usability and versatility is amazing at the price point. It’s also
well made to provide lots of use. The Bluetooth also worked well, and was very
easy to pair with my smartphone. Based on it’s design, features, quality and
performance, the Creative Stage Air has earned our Value Award. And it’s a
perfect holiday gift for a loved one. For more info and complete specs, check
out their website at www.uscreative.com.
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 9:05 PM 0 comments
Labels: Accessories, Audio, Computers, Gadgets, Home Theater
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Audio-Technica AT33EV Moving Coil Phono Cartridge Review
We all like the sound of our music. And there’s nothing like
the unique sound of a record. That is the reason why so many are so passionate
about it. If you want the best sound out of your records, you need a good
cartridge. Audio Technica has a huge line of cartridges. For those really
serious audiophiles, there is the moving coil line. Up for review today is
their Audio-Technica AT33EV Moving Coil Cartridge.
Features and specs:
Frequency Response:
|
15-50,000 Hz
|
Channel Separation:
|
30 dB (1 kHz)
|
Vertical Tracking Force:
|
1.8-2.2 grams (2.0 grams standard)
|
Recommended Load Impedance:
|
100 ohms (with head amplifier connected)
|
Output:
|
0.3 (mV at 1 kHz, 3.54 cm/sec)
|
Channel Balance:
|
0.5 dB (1 kHz)
|
Stylus Shape:
|
0.3 x 0.7 mil nude elliptical
|
Cantilever:
|
Duralumin tapered pipe
|
Mount:
|
Half-inch
|
The Audio-Technica AT33EV came in a nice color printed box
with specs printed on it. Opening the box revealed a well protected cartridge
in a clear plastic box. Also included was the owner’s manual, brush, screws,
screwdriver and wires. It included everything you need to install the cartridge
on your head. Materials used in the construction appeared to be all metal. Quality
of materials used, as well as fit and finish was excellent. It is a flagship
product, and it definitely shows.
I love the design and build quality if the Audio-Technica
AT33EV. Audio-Technica always makes high quality products for the price point.
Given its $549 MSRP, I was expecting the same. But after pulling it out and
seeing it, I was floored. It’s built like a tank for a cartridge. Just be
prepared that it does not come with a head.
Attaching it to a spare head I had with the included
hardware was simple enough. They provided all of the hardware needed; wires,
mini screwdriver, dust brush, and screws in a couple of different sizes. The
included manual walked you through the installation process. I was glad to see
that it was easy to read and follow. I would expect that those buying this
cartridge have experience installing cartridges, but if not just follow the
manual. I got it installed and connected to my phono pre-amp, and was ready to
go.
The sound provide by the Audio-Technica AT33EV was nothing short
of stellar! The level of resolution provided was amazing, and I heard details
in the music I had not noticed before. Experiencing my music again like it was
the first time was a true treasure. I moved from record to record as I fell in
love again with the collection. Prince: 1999, the vocals were so silky smooth
with excellent texture and timbre. Cymbals were so crisp and clean and the bass
was deep, full and with excellent impact and dynamics. Beethoven's 4th Symphony: Strings were extremely clean with excellent resolution of the strings and very dynamic as well. Brass was silky smooth with nice harmonics in the midbass, flute had nice air. And the tympani had excellent impact and low end extension with authority. Sound stage was not just deep and wide, it was holographic. And this was the result of everything I placed on the turntable. Crisp and clean highs with tons of resolution, mids that were silky smooth with excellent harmonics, and midbass and bass with excellent pitch definition, low end definition, dynamics, and authority. Soundstage was wide, deep, and more holographic in nature, with excellent imaging.
In the end, I was taken back by the Audio-Technica AT33EV. The
sound provided by it was astonishing. The sound quality of modern CD’s and high
resolution formats provides amazing resolution. It was so pleasing to not only
be able to hear the sound that records are known for, but thanks to the AT33EV,
I was also able to hear the resolution the songs provide. You get the best of
both worlds! And the build quality is impeccable! Based on it’s design,
features, quality and performance, the Audio-Technica AT33EV Moving Coil
Cartridge has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete
specs, check out their website at www.audio-technica.com.
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 4:30 PM 0 comments
Labels: Accessories, Audio
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Firman W01781 1700 Watt Inverter Generator Review
Most of us have gotten fond of our electronics. So having
electricity is a necessity. With all of the recent natural disasters we have
seen recently; floods, fires, hurricanes, etc. there is validity in the desire
to be prepared. Due to all of this, the special interest group known as
Preppers is growing strong. Or maybe you aren’t a Prepper, but need a way to
charge the deep cycle battery in your RV or travel trailer. Either way, the
Firman W01781 1700 Watt Inverter Generator could be perfect for you or a loved
one.
Features and specs:
·
2100 Starting Watts / 1700 Running Watts
·
Parallel Capable (parallel cables not provided)
·
.9 Gallon Tank
·
9 hour Run Time
·
Outlets – (1) 5-20R Duplex 120V – 20A, 12V (W/Battery Charging Cables),
(1) USB (5V, 2.1 amps)
·
Reliable Recoil Start
·
Fuel Efficient Economy Mode
·
Digital Automatic Voltage Regulator
·
Low THD (under 3%)
·
Power Stream Alternator
·
Max Pro Series 80cc FIRMAN Engine
·
Phoenix Fat Head Block for Enhanced Engine Efficiency
·
Legendary 3 Year Warranty Serviced from Our HQ In Phoenix Arizona, USA
·
Whisper Series Muffler
·
USDA Forest Service approved Spark Arrester
·
Accessories Include Oil, Spark Plug Wrench, Shipping Bracket Wrenches,
Funnel and Manual
·
Durable Compact design with integrated ergonomic handle
·
Weight – 51.6 Lbs
·
Carton Measurements – 21.7”x15”x18.3”
I really like the versatile design of the Firman W01781. Generators have been around for a very long time. And they have gotten smaller and smaller. Not only is the Firman W01781 in a fairly compact footprint, it is designed with our electronic devices in mind. The built-in inverter allows you to directly plug your USB charging cable directly into the generator. The low noise makes it compatible with your electronics, so you don’t hear any noise when you listen to your music while it is plugged in. The FirmanW01781 is also part of their Whisper series, so it is designed to run much quieter than a standard generator.
The Firman W01781 came shipped in a great looking color
printed box with photos and specs of the generator. Opening the box revealed a
very well protected generator, held in place by custom molded Styrofoam.
Pulling the generator out of the box, I was very impressed! Materials used in
the construction was mostly metal, with some rubber and plastic. The outer
shell was mostly plastic, but most of the internals are metal with some rubber
and plastic. The quality of the materials used was excellent, as was the fit
and finish. It looked like a premium flagship product. And I loved the
attention to detail, such as the rubber bushings between the motor and frame,
for a smooth operation. Looking inside, everything was fit and snug very well.
The Firman must have a great quality control department, as everything was very
well put together with a nice attention to detail. Also included were the
owner’s manual, quick start guide, some tools, a 12 volt adapter and oil.
I was equally impressed with the instructions. Owner’s
manuals can sometimes be hard to follow and understood, almost as if a German
is reading Japanese and has the job of translating to English. But reading the
owners manual, it was very east to follow and understand. The Quick Start Guide
was even easier to follow. And Firman made it even easier for you – just in
case you ever lose the manual or quick start guide. The steps to operate the
generator are also found on a high quality large plastic label attached to the
top of the generator. I love it! Let’s face it, for some consumers, this will
be their first generator, so it’s a very nice touch on Firman's part to make it
easy for everyone to use regardless of your experience with generators.
In no time at all, I had the oil filled, and ready to use.
As stated in the manual, it does not ship with oil pre-filled. So make sure you
fill it before 1st use. And also use at least 87 octane regular gas.
With gas in the tank and choke out, it was time to pull the cord. When it
started, but died after several seconds, I was impressed it almost started
after just one pull. The 2nd pull had it. Also remember to break it
is for a few hours for at or less than half load. I was equally impressed with
how quiet it was. Generators can be very loud, and while it wasn’t exactly
“quiet” it was much quieter than other generators I have heard. I measured it
at 90db at 1 meter and 59db at around 11 meters.
My expectations are now high on the Firman W01781, and it
continued to impress. Whether it was run at ¼ load, ½ load or full load, the
Firman W01781 ran well without any hiccups. It’s rated at 9 hours run time at
25% capacity on a full tank of gas. Based on our usage, I would say that is
fairly accurate. The more load you put on the generator, the more gas it uses.
But their rating did seem pretty close. It’s actual performance also did very
well. I ran multiple devices on it, and
it handled all requests without any issues, and ran smoothly doing it, whether
it was 1/4, 1/2, or full load. And plugging in my smartphone into the USB port
provided clean power and listening to music with my custom in-ear monitor headphones
in, I was able to confirm the clean power being provided as there was no noticeable
noise.
I was very impressed with the Firman W01781. Generators
aren’t for everyone. But for those who are in the market for a generator either
for themselves or a loved one, the Firman W01781 is a very good one! It’s
designed very well, and built very well with high quality parts to provide
years of use. And it also performed very well. Based on it’s design, features,
quality and performance, the Firman W01781 has earned our Editor’s Choice
award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.Firmanpowerequipment.com.
Read more!
Posted by Jeff Roy at 11:56 PM 0 comments
Labels: Accessories, Gadgets, Outdoor
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