Category Archives: Sound System

Amazon Tap Review

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Set to be released by Amazon on March 31, the Amazon Tap seemed to be making a huge buzz in the Tech Industry already. This device is definitely a great addition to the Alexa Family. For those those who have not heard about Alexa – it’s the name of the voice-controlled assistant in these Amazon devices. It basically works like Siri only more. It just simply does more than just answering questions and finding local businesses around the area. It can play your favorite music, order pizza, voice control your home and even requests rides from Uber. And who knows what more – company is further extending their tie ups with other companies. I must say it got me enthusiastic knowing it can do all these. Let’s know more about this device from this Amazon Tap Review, shall we?

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This device makes sense perfect sense why Amazon Tap is already making a scene. It used to be already a wonder being able to turn the lights on and off by clapping. And now these amazing technologies are able to make things done by voice commands – not even lifting the phone to order pizza. Life is easy.

What are the impressive features of Amazon Tap?

If you are going to remove the built-in, voice-command Alexa features, what you get left with the Amazon tap is the basic Wi-Fi enabled portable Bluetooth speaker. Even so, it makes a pretty good job at it. It gives a clear, rich, full-range 360 degrees omni-directional audio. It is equipped with Dolby Processing dual stereo speakers which makes it able to have crisp vocal output as well as extended bass resonance.

Adding the voice command Alexa features on this device just makes it an ultimate must have for gadget geeks and techno crazies as it extends what it can do to a whole new dimension and a lot more possibilities. With a single tap at the microphone button, the Tap plays your favorite song by asking for the artist, or the genre. It streams music directly from Spotify, Prime Music, Pandora TuneIn and more. You can also ask to read the news (or have her read something from online), get the weather, change room temperature, report humidity levels, control home (SMART compatible) appliances or set the timer for alarm, set, order pizza, get you an Uber ride and even open your garage (with Garageio).

The Amazon Tap is a compact device and can be easily brought along, weather you are heading to go biking on the mountains or going to a beach party. A full battery charge can last up to 9 hours, which of course depends on the level of use as well as device settings, and environmental factors.

PROS

  • Small and portable (6.2″ x 2.6″ x 2.6″ or 159 mm x 66 mm x 66 mm; Weighs 470 grams)
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity  (can be tethered to you smartphone)
  • Alexa App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices (can even be accessed on your computer browser)
  • Great audio output – has dual 1.5-inch drivers and dual passive radiators for awesome bass extension (Dolby and Stereo Sound)
  • Alexa voice service – voice control creates a whole lot of possibilities for this device
  • This device works with mobile Hotspots
  • Charging cradle included with purchase
  • Battery powered (can last up to 9 hours)
  • Optional super chic Tap Sling case makes it really easy to bring around but costs extra

CONS

  • Just like the trouble people may have with Siri, sometimes Alexa does not understand what you are asking. You’d have to repeat until Alexa gets it
  • Must have smooth internet connection, otherwise voice commands will not get through
  • Not many home appliances are compatible to follow commands – for example SMART appliances are more likely more inclined to be able to get commands from Alexa.

As of the writing of this Article, Amazon  keeps on working to integrate the device with other companies such as Nest and many others. That only means that there are a lot more possibilities that the Alexa Voice Command System can do in the future.

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Amazon Tap Review  Amazon Tap Review Amazon Tap Review

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Amazon Tap

 

Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker Review

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A device that lets you make conference calls wherever with the best-in-class performance is the Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker. This conference speaker features four omni-directional microphones that impressively picks up voices in all 360 degrees. These four microphones can pick up your voice to a maximum of 16 feet away with an impressive  echo-cancellation technology that makes sure a clear sound is being delivered. Read more about this device through this Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker Review.

Click here to check product pricing and to read more user reviews.

The Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker easily connects with your iPhone, iPad or Mac via Bluetooth or any other compatible mobile devices and allows you to have conference calls with clear and smooth conversations done with ease.

What are the best features of this conference speaker?

With a small, slim design and dimensions of approximately 4.3 x 4.3 x 1.1 in inches, the Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker is lightweight (around 6.4 ounces) and is ultra-portable.  The device’s vaulted metal grill accentuates in giving an output from every direction. Its design is even more amplified by the placement of a unique button that is located in two of the four corners to maintain the call that controls the on/off,  as well as the volume and mute control. Durable materials such as metal for the grill and appealing features such as a behind tinted plastic disappearing charging LED articulates the overall balance between the ambiance of a home and modern office environment without dismissing the focus on a professional character in function, features and portability.

The Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker is engineered with a powerful built-in speaker that has a 2-inch high-sensitivity, low-distortion neodymium magnet speaker. This has a specially designed low-profile cone that consequently result in a wide-range response and wide audio dispersion. Hence, the user can talk while walking around the room and from anywhere in the room without a drop in quality. It makes the device also great for music playback.

PROS

  • Slim and compact design for high portability anywhere you go
  • Advanced noise cancellation creates clear sound
  • Advanced echo suppression delivers smooth conversations
  • Four microphones for perfect voice pick up in 360 degree
  • Advanced HD audio technology for natural voice
  • Easily connects to Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices
  • WeCall app for quick and intuitive conference calls
  • Talk time lasts to up to 8 hours
  • Impressive powerful speaker can easily hear voices and play music
  • Has LED status indicators for call, charging, and mute functions
  • USB connectivity allows you to makes calls through your laptop
  • 2014 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award

CONS

  • Output from the other end of the line can sometimes be inaudible but varies from one device to another as well as the background noise.
  • In comparison, the Logitech P710e is a bit louder and richer in audio output while the Philips is extremely accurate on the high pitches and perhaps a little more muffled on the lower end

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Philips WeCall Bluetooth Conference Speaker AECS7000/37

Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Speaker Review

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Brookstone has recently added another member to their impressive line of wireless speakers. Introducing, the addition of its Big Blue Party, a six-driver, completely wireless, Bluetooth indoor-outdoor speaker tower. This monstrous device looks like an on-the-go version of the Big Blue Media Tower, which was a similarly vertical speaker that’s well engineered to boost your home audio and video entertainment. Read more about this device through this Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Speaker Review.

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Even with its small and portable size, the Big Blue Party is able to deliver all the bump on its own and can bring your party from indoors to outdoors.

What are the best features of this Indoor-Outdoor Speaker?

The Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Speaker has four specially angled speaker drivers that delivers a compelling 360° sound which is really great for parties. Its power runs with 72 watts, 18 watts per channel. Having said so, this speaker will surround your party in omni-directional, full-range stereo–complete and thundering bass through its 2.5-inch drivers, a 36-watt/5.5-inch circular subwoofer, and a 5 x 7-inch passive box radiator. And if ever you run out of power from the batteries, the included AC adapter works with any standard outlet.

This speaker is 6.3″ (W) x 6.3″ (L) x 15.8″ (H) in size and looks pretty trendy and groovy. If you like James Bond movies, you would compare the looks of this speaker with that some kind of bomb that James Bond has to carefully remove from the heart of a missile silo. It has a water-resistant exterior and an impressive easy-grip carry chrome and sparkling metal top handle.

PROS

  • Delivers powerful 360° audio output
  • Elegant yet robust design and has sturdy materials
  • Water resistant
  • Easily connects wirelessly to your Bluetooth devices up to 33′ away
  • Runs with a rechargeable battery
  • Portable: you can take it with you anywhere -poolside, decks or the beach
  • Has an easy-grip carry handle
  • No wires and no cords needed
  • Easy to use and operate
  • Can be controlled from your mobile device or from the top-mounted bass/treble and volume controls

CONS

  • Battery lasts only for approximately 4.5 hours per charge
  • This speaker is quite heavy (approximately 14.8 lbs)

Big Blue Party is indeed a great speaker that does what it says it does. The design is attractive and it is easy to use and more importantly it plays your music under any conditions. The price of this device is just right for its performance and quality thus it merits a favorite from a lot of music lovers.

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Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Speaker Review

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Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Speaker

Bose SoundDock 10 Bluetooth Digital Music System Review

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Music enthusiasts, prepare yourself for one of the best performing sound system for your digital music. The SoundDock 10 Bluetooth digital music system is a great choice to use on parties, small or medium-sized gatherings and most notably for your own personal listening. The versatility and audio performance of this device will make you decide to have it as the primary system for all your music at your home. Check out more information on this device through this Bose SoundDock 10 Bluetooth Digital Music System Review.

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This sound dock system is well engineered by Bose with an aim to be your home’s main music system. Its powerful and life-like, full-range sound can fill even the largest room in your home. With this device, you can dock your iPod or iPhone, or or stream your favorite music from any Bluetooth device.

What are the best features of this Digital Music System?

The Bose SoundDock 10 Bluetooth Digital Music System has dimensions 8.7 (H) x 17 (W) x 9.6 (H) and weighs around 18.5 lbs. This compact speaker system has a Bluetooth dock for convenient wireless streaming of your music as well as a dock for your iPod/iPhone. Bose’s proprietary Waveguide audio technology is the one responsible for its impressively crisp sound, making your music come to life. This device may also get connected to your other audio devices via its auxiliary input which allows you to listen to your iPod shuffle, older iPod models, portable CD player, laptop, MP3 player and other portable audio devices.

This devices’s advanced Waveguide speaker technology delivers the full-bodied sound, specifically when it comes to the lower registers. This results to a more natural bass and crystal clear highs on your music. In addition to that, the woofer in the SoundDock 10 has a bigger magnet than regular woofers for bass that you can really feel. Thanks to the signature Bose digital signal processing circuitry this devices gives out a finer control over the sound of your music, for more balanced, consistent and natural reproduction.

PROS

  • Stylish and elegant compact design, perfect for homes with modern design
  • Extremely powerful for a such a small digital music system
  • Impressive deep bass delivery with essentially no distortion
  • Video output port is available
  •  Produces crisp musical audio output
  • Bose waveguide speaker technology gives powerful, lifelike sound and generous tonal range
  • Well engineered and best recommended for home’s main music system
  • Streams music-from apps or sites like Pandora or Spotify or your own stored tunes-with the included Bluetooth dock
  • Auxiliary input available for connecting to other audio devices
  • Plays and charges your docked iPhone or iPod

CONS

  • Requires an Apple Lightning to 30-pin adapter in order to dock iPhone 5 or other iPod and iPhone models with an Apple Lightning connector
  • There are no buttons on dock itself—all controls are on the remote
  • Device is quite heavy

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Bose SoundDock 10 Bluetooth Digital Music System

AudioQuest – Dragonfly V1.2 USB DAC Review

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AudioQuest has recently released its latest version of Dragonfly Version 1.0. With this new version AudioQuest is proud to have announced that this new version has a refined the circuitry between the DAC chip and the analogue output stage so as to create a more direct signal path and lead to an even greater transparency. Likewise, this device also has a well improved power supply. Know more about this audio device through this AudioQuest – Dragonfly V1.2 USB DAC Review.

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To those that are  not familiar of this device, DragonFly is an easy-to-use device that can bring far greater quality of audio output by bypassing the poor quality sound card built in your computer. It is a sleek, flash drive sized Digital-Audio Converter (DAC) that connects to a USB jack on a Windows PC or Mac, which then turns your computer into an excellent source of music.

What are the best features of this Digital Audio Converter?

DragonFly was originally created so that everyone can easily delight on the best sound possible from their computer audio files. It’s incredibly easy to use and with such a small price to pay, you get a great-sounding digital audio converter that will easily drive any pair of headphones at home or even your speakers at the office. You can even take the same outstanding quality audio out on the road with you! Without a doubt, this device makes incredible sound when you connect it to a pair of powered speakers.

As mentioned earlier, this new version has a more direct signal path that yields a big difference in transparency and immediacy. The power supply has also been worked out and now made even more efficient and powerful, getting a has superior “grip” and even greater quality dynamic contrast. It is small and incredibly portable, easily installed and pain-free. Listening to better audio is never been this much easy and affordable. DragonFly v1.2 is your easy solution to put in your system and upgrading your sound system is an experience  that will never disappoint you.

PROS

  • Produces smoother, more relaxed, and more full bodied sound
  • Small and portable
  • 64-position analog volume control
  • Asynchronous Class 1 USB data transfer using the Streamlength protocol
  • Plays all music files up to 24-bit/96kHz maximum resolution
  • Mixed Frequency Master Clocks prevent jitter from entering the DAC circuitry
  • Direct-coupled circuitry from the ESS Sabre DAC chip through the analog volume control and output analog driver section
  • Transforms your computer into a highly musical digital source
  • Great sound quality
  • Easy to install and use

CONS

  • Since this device works with USB connection, attaching a headphone wire might be a little delicate as constant movement may cause the USB plug to get sloppier (getting a USB extension cord can solve this little problem)

With the improvements noted on this new version, DragonFly v1.2 to creates music with a natural solidity and clarity that is vividly exceptional to the sound you would hear from your computer on its own.

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AUDIOQUEST – DRAGONFLY V1.2 USB DAC