A good gamer understands the necessity of having good headphones. Be it trash-talking, giving commands to your teammates or hearing the footsteps of enemies, gamers need competent and comfortable headphones for their extended gaming sessions. Now, keeping the gaming-centric consumer market, JBL has launched the new JBL Quantum 350 wireless headphones in India.
JBL Quantum 350 wireless launched
Designed for gamers, the JBL Quantum 350 wireless is powered by 40 mm drivers. The company claims it has a battery life of up to 22 hours. A detachable boom microphone is also present here. The 40mm driver can provide a dynamic listening experience which can be tweaked via JBL QuantumENGINE PC software. The software allows users to tune the device to hear specific frequencies better during gaming sessions or have a dynamic experience while listening to music.
The JBL Quantum 350 comes with 2.4G grade lossless wireless, which means gamers can play games with minimal sound lag even from a distance. It also enables easy movement in the gameplay without any audio drop. The company claims that the fast charging capability of the headset can provide one hour of playback time on a 5-minute charge. On top of all the features, it is also Discord-certified and is compatible with TeamSpeak and Skype.
Features
Gaming-grade lossless 2.4G wireless via USB wireless dongle
Detachable boom microphone with voice focus
40mm drivers with immersive JBL QuantumSURROND
Memory foam ear cushions
Discord-certified
JBL QuantumENGINE software for full customization
Price and availability
JBL Quantum 350 Wireless headphones are available via JBL.com, all mainstream online and offline platforms along with HARMAN brand stores. The wireless headphones are currently priced at Rs 8,499. Click HERE to buy from JBL’s official online store.
Samsung launches 5 new products – Fold 4, Flip 4, Watch 5, Watch 5 Pro and Buds Pro 2
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event witnessed the launch of 5 new products from the house of Samsung. An iterative update to the existing line-up of foldable devices, the new Galaxy Fold 4 and Galaxy Flip 4 have improved to match performance and style as per consumer demand. Samsung also announced the updated Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and an exciting take on rugged watches for outdoor use, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Alongside these launches was an improved and innovative Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2. Let’s take a quick look at what has improved compared to their predecessors.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 4
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 was well received after their Note series feature, the S-Pen, was introduced as a part of the package. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 improves over the Fold 3 in many more minor iterative changes. The most significant change is the reduction in the overall weight of Fold 4, weighing 263 gms compared to 271 gms of Fold 3.
This is Samsung’s lightest Fold series phone since its inception in 2019. The outer construction is aircraft-grade aluminum, while the glass sandwich now consists of Gorilla glass Victus and 18% stronger ultra-thin glass. The dimensions and form factor largely remain identical to the Fold 3, while the hardware leaps in terms of processor, display, camera and software. Running on Android 12 over an improved Samsung One UI, the Fold gets an interesting taskbar with multi-window support and flex mode.
Starting with the processor, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 gets the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor improving the NPU required to post-process images and videos to a new level. The camera setup is now identical to the Samsung S22 series, and a new 50MP camera with 2.0-micron pixels improves over the Fold 3’s 1.8-micron pixel allowing more light capture. The optical zoom has been enhanced from 2x to 3x, while a digital zoom of 30x improves the Fold 4’s zoom capabilities from 10x on the Fold 3. This also enables Galaxy S22 series Nightography to capture 23% brighter images in low light conditions. The triple-camera setup is further aided by improved NPU enabling AI ISP, OIS and VDIS. With a Veritas certificate of 200K folds, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 improves on the durability of its hinge. An adaptive S-AMOLED display now features a 1-120Hz refresh rate with a maximum brightness of 1300 nits. The Fold 4 continues with a hidden in-display front camera, and wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Galaxy Z Fold4
Display
Main Screen
7.6-inch QXGA+*
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Infinity Flex Display (2176 x 1812, 21.6:18)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold4’s Main Screen size is 7.6-inch in the full rectangle and 7.4-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
Cover Screen
6.2-inch HD+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display(2316 x 904, 23.1:9)120Hz adaptive refresh rate (48~120Hz)*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold4’s Cover Screen size is 6.2-inch in a full rectangle and 6.1-inch accounting for the rounded corners. The actual viewable area is smaller due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Dimension & Weight
Folded
67.1 x 155.1 x 15.8mm(Hinge) ~ 14.2mm(Sagging)
Unfolded
130.1 x 155.1 x 6.3mm
Weight
263g
Camera
Cover Camera
10MP Selfie Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Under display camera
4MP Under Display Camera
F1.8, Pixel size: 2.0μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Triple Camera
12MP Ultra Wide Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚50MP Wide-angle Camera
Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 85˚10MP Telephoto Camera
PDAF, F2.4, OIS, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 36˚*30X Space Zoom includes 3x Optical Zoom and 30x digital zoom with AI Super Resolution technology. Zooming in past 3x may cause some image deterioration
AP
4㎚ Octa-Core Processor
Memory
12GB RAM with 1TB internal storage
12GB RAM with 512GB internal storage
12GB RAM with 256GB internal storage
*Availability may vary by market or channel. Actual storage space may vary by market, model, file size and format.
Battery
4,400mAh (typical) dual battery*
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4275mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Super Fast Charging* : Up to 50% charge in around 30mins with 25W adapter** or higher
Fast wireless charging 2.0***
Wireless PowerShare*****Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter while it has 0% of power remaining, with all the services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors. **25W Power Adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.
***Wireless charging compatible with WPC
****Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with WPC Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10 series, S10 series, S9 series, S8 series, S7 series, S6 series, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
Water Resistance
IPX8
*IPX8 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Not dust-resistant.
*5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.
**Availability of LTE model varies by country and carrier. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.
***Wi-Fi 6E network availability may vary by market, network provider and user environment. Requires optimal connection. Will require a Wi-Fi 6E router.
*SIM card sold separately. Availability may vary depending on market and carrier.
**eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, region and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.
Colors
Graygreen, Phantom Black, Beige
[Samsung.com Exclusive] Burgundy* Availability may vary by market.
Samsung Galaxy Flip 4
The teaser site images created an illusion of flat sides on the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4. In-person, the sides are curved and feel more ergonomic to hold. Like the Fold 4, the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 gets the newer improved Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and an enhanced Samsung One UI running over Android 12. The Flip 4 also gets an improved display with 18% strengthened ultra-thin glass featuring a brighter 900 nits display with dynamic S-AMOLED switching between 1-120Hz refresh rate. The glass sandwich now features a Haze glass finish for improved ergonomics. A robust set of Samsung Galaxy S21 FE cameras are implemented on the Galaxy Flip 4, significantly improving overall camera performance with 65% brightness in images and videos. Night-photography also comes included on the bold new camera deco. It also gets improved AI ISP, OIS and VDIS.
The hinges have been reduced by 1.2mm, an engineering marvel from Samsung engineers. The battery capacity has improved to 3700 mAh, a 10% improvement from its predecessor Flip 3. The ultra-thin glass too has improved in strength by 18%. The new Galaxy Flip 4 also gets intuitive multi-angle capture, seamless vlogging mode and a hands-free camera experience. The cover screen gets unique customisations with improved One UI and AI responses.
Galaxy Z Flip4
Display
Main Screen
6.7-inch FHD+*
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Infinity Flex Display (2640 x 1080, 22:9)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip4’s Main Screen size is 6.7-inch in the full rectangle and 6.6-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Cover Screen
1.9-inch Super AMOLED Display*
260 x 512*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip4’s Cover Screen size is 1.9-inch in the full rectangle and 1.8″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
Dimension & Weight
Folded
71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1mm (Hinge) – 15.9mm (Sagging)
Unfolded
71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm
*The thickness of Galaxy Z Flip4 when unfolded does not include the frame of the Main Screen.
Weight
187g
Camera
Front Camera
10MP Selfie Camera
F2.4, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Dual Camera
12MP Ultra Wide Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
12MP Wide-angle Camera
Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83˚
AP
4㎚ Octa-Core Processor
Memory
8GB RAM with 512GB internal storage
8GB RAM with 256GB internal storage
8GB RAM with 128GB internal storage
*Availability may vary by market or channel. Actual storage space may vary by market, model, file size and format.
Battery
3,700 mAh (typical) dual battery
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3595mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Super Fast Charging*: Up to 50% charge in around 30mins with 25W adapter** or higher
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0***
Wireless PowerShare*****Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter while it has 0% of power remaining, with all the services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors. **25W Power Adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.
***Wireless charging compatible with WPC
****Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with WPC Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10 series, S10 series, S9 series, S8 series, S7 series, S6 series, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
Water Resistance
IPX8
*IPX8 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Not dust-resistant.
*5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.
**Availability of LTE model varies by country and carrier. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.
*SIM card sold separately. Availability may vary depending on market and carrier.
**eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, region and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.
Colors
Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue
[Bespoke Edition] Front/Back(Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, Red), Frame(Silver/Black/Gold)* Availability may vary by market.
Samsung Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro
Samsung Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro get a new sensor design, and Samsung promises increased durability. Software enhancements include a digital wheel that acts like a physical wheel and responds to touch on the outer circular bezels. Watch 5 is tuned for all, while the Watch 5 Pro aims to target rough usage outdoors.
A new design also brings curvature and precise body composition tracking. There’s advanced sleep coaching, multi-device experience with other Samsung devices, holistic sleep analysis, advanced sleep coaching and personalised programs on the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro. Samsung has improved the battery life on the Watch 5 by adding a 13% bigger battery with fast-charge capabilities charging the Watch 5 30% faster than the Watch 4. Both these watches are now protected with Sapphire crystal, the second hardest transparent material after diamonds.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro features additional functionality with outdoor data tracking. It also gets an innovative D-buckle strap and a titanium body. Users can share route details, import route files, and enjoy turn-by-turn navigation and trackback functions on the Watch 5 Pro. With 590 mAh, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro battery life claims to last 3 days on normal use and 20 hours with GPS functionality turned on.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2
Samsung makes impressive audio solutions with their TWS. Improving their line-up, they introduced the Galaxy Buds Pro 2, a 15% smaller size compared to the Buds Pro. The ANC levels have improved by 1.4 times on the new pair. Multi-device connectivity enables auto-switch functionality. The added 360-degree sound enabled by Dolby Atmos and tuned by AKG makes this an apt solution for Dolby Atmos-enabled content. The most considerable improvement has come in the form of 24-bit audio inputs transmitted as 24-bit audio outputs. This brings a massive leap in wireless connectivity for music lovers and improves the overall listening experience by a huge margin. The overall battery sits at 515 mAh with the case, while the earbuds get 61 mAh for operations. They can be powered by a USB Type-C port and also support wireless charging.
Galaxy Buds2 Pro Product Specifications
Color
Graphite, White, Bora Purple
*Available colors may vary by market, carrier or retailer.
Dimensions & Weight
Earbud: 19.9 x 21.6 x 18.7 mm, 5.5g
Charging Case: 50.1 x 50.2 x 27.7 mm, 43.4g
Speaker
Custom Coaxial 2-way (Tweeter + Woofer) peaker
Sound Quality
24bit Hi-Fi*
360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel**
*24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running OneUI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds2 Pro. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application.
**Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later.
ANC & Ambient Sound
ANC*+High SNR Microphone (2 outer + 1 inner)**
Ambient Sound
Voice Detect*****With 3 high SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) microphones, Galaxy Buds2 Pro can eliminate small noises by capturing lower level sounds.***Galaxy Buds2 Pro can distinguish between noise and human voices. When you speak, it switches temporarily to Ambient mode and reduces media volume so that you can hear conversations without taking out your earbuds.
Battery Capacity
Earbuds: 61mAh (typical)
Charging Case: 515mAh (typical)
** The typical capacity has been tested under third party laboratory conditions. The typical capacity is the estimated average capacity considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under the IEC 61960-3 standard. The rated capacity is 58mAh (earbuds), 500mAh (charging case). Actual battery life may vary depending on the network environment, usage patterns, and other factors.
Play Time
Up to 5 hours / Total up to 18 hours (ANC on)
Up to 8 hours / Total up to 29 hours (ANC off)
*Earbuds provide up to 5hrs play time with ANC on (up to 8 hrs with ANC off), while the case provides up to 18 hours of battery life (up to 29 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Audio playback time tested by pairing a pre-production Galaxy Buds2 Pro to a recently released Galaxy smartphone with default settings** including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors
** Default setting refers to the original setting for the Galaxy Buds2 Pro when it was first released, simply with the power turned on.
Talk Time
Up to 3.5 hours / Total up to 14h (ANC on)
Up to 4.0 hours / Total up to 15h (ANC off)
*Earbuds provide up to 3.5hrs voice call time with ANC on (up to 4 hrs with ANC off), while the case provides up to 14 hours of battery life (up to 15 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Voice call time tested by pairing pre-production Galaxy Buds2 Pro to a recently released Galaxy smartphone with default settings including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors.
Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Hall, Touch, Voice Pickup Unit (VPU)
Compatibility
Android 8.0 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM
*Some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices. Availability may vary by market, operator or connected device.
Water Resistance
IPX7
*IPX7 is based on laboratory test conditions for submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Charging case is not water resistant. If the earbuds are damaged, they are not guaranteed to be water resistant. If the earbuds or your hands are wet, they must be dried thoroughly prior to handling or placing into the charging case.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked brings improvements to the entire line-up of current generation Fold 4 and Flip 4. The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro with Sapphire Crystal are almost 90% stronger and more durable than their predecessor. Software enhancements charm these devices, making them a perfect blend of suitable hardware and better software. With a smaller size, better audio latency and bit rate, the Galaxy Buds Pro 2 promises a significant leap in audio nirvana. What are your thoughts on these launches? Let us know in the comments below.
It is said that money can’t buy you happiness, but we’re sure that if anyone had all the money in the world to spend upon high end sound setup, you probably would. Most of us rely on the poor sound quality of their flat-screen television, or, if they’re feeling extravagant, they may spend few grands on upgrading.
However, there are people out there mostly, musicians, sound engineers, and possibly billionaires with money to blow extravagantly – that are willing to spend a large sum of money on the most high-end or most expensive audio systems. But believe it or not there are numerous systems on the market that are priced well over an exorbitant amount of money. Though, if you’re an audiophile, you know that you cannot put a price tag on good sound.
So, which are the most expensive stereo systems and just how expensive can they get?
Home theatre
Building up the perfect sound system can be an expensive endeavour out of which speakers are one of the most important components an audiophile needs to work upon to achieve the ultimate sound. If money is no object, the the possibilities are endless.
Priced at $5 million, the Hart Audio D&W Aural Pleasure speakers are the true definition of luxury. The 76 cm cabinet of this speaker has been crafted from solid 24-carat gold.
This incredible earbud like design was created by Hart’s Audio, a loudspeaker brand which has been in the business since 2003.
Believe it or not but Hart’s Audio only made a single set of these luxury speakers and hence it is viable to say even the richest audiophiles won’t be getting their hands on these ultra-expensive sound machines.
Beyond their extravagantly expensive materials, these speakers offer a well-balanced & clean and clear audio.” The system runs on three speaker drive units packaged inside a 110-pound body which gives the design the needed sound production for all audio levels.
Costing near about at $1 million, the Ceasaro Horn Acoustics Omega 1 Bass Horns are exquisite, ultra-luxurious speakers which look like a fine sculpture.The astonishing transducers promote sound that can fill absolutely any space. Perfect for large spaces , one can be sure that the music is crystal clear with the Ceasaro Horn Acoustics Omega 1 Bass Horns.
Kharma Grand Enigma – Rs.8 Crore approx
Made by a high-end Dutch manufacturer, the Kharma Grand is an exquisite sound system which has been designed in a massive cellar to ensure that total concentration is maintained while perfecting its performance and its body. Costing around $1 million, only 25 pairs of these wonderfully robust speakers were ever made.
It all starts with the imposing setup which features a wall of audio equipment where in each channel really looks more like huge tower than a speaker system! Next up is an array of impressive tech that makes listening to music sound like a live concert.
Headphones
Whether listening to your favourite podcasts while travelling or working out while listening to some head-banger music, a good set of headphones has become a must-have accessory:
With a range of headphones out there, we jot down the most expensive ones you can get your hands on. And while some headphones are made for comfort, others offer superior performance and wearability, these are insanely exquisite.
Focal Utopia by Tournaire – Rs. 95 lakhs approx
Designed and manufactured in France, and featuring exclusive Focal technologies, a sleek design and high-end materials, these exceptional headphones soon made them a reference of luxury in the global audiophile headphones market.
The design of these exceptionally classy looking headphones was customised by a jeweller. The result is that of a unique product with new aesthetics designed and crafted by jeweller father and son, Philippe and Mathieu Tournaire. It bears the mark of the Trilogy, the symbol of Tournaire jewellers which represents the evolution of life.
Onkyo H900M with 20-carat diamonds – Rs.79 lakhs approx
The Onkyo Diamond Headphones are pair of headphones that are meant to be worn by the truly elite. Unveiled at CES 2017, it was apparent from the fact that they are made out of diamonds. Noticeably, the driving design philosophy here is of “making a statement.” Specifically, a statement about the fact that you can afford a truly spectacular pair of $100,000 diamond studded headphone jewellery.
To make it clear, those are real diamonds, not Swarovski crystal or glass. Each pair contains 20 carats of diamonds, which are rated between G-H on GIA’s colour scale (nearly colourless) and between VVS-VS for clarity.
Sennheiser Orpheus/HE 1 – Rs.48 lakhs approx
Sennheiser is known for making top-quality headphones. But these take it to a different level.
Equipped with unique features and state-of-the-art technology, these headphones transform music from something you listen to, into something you live in. The HE 1 supports the audio transfer protocol ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) for native playback of high-resolution audio files.
They come with their own valve amplification. The chassis is made from Carrara marble, the same type Michaelangelo used for his sculptures. The build quality alone would have been worth it, but the headphones are also some of the best available right now. But be ready to pay $68,000 for these.
Portable speaker
Devialet Gold Phantom Opera de Paris – Rs.5 lakhs approx
Implosive, you don’t get that much of an adjective in wireless speakers. The Devialet Phantom Gold wireless speaker has a 22-carat Rose Gold finish. It looks exclusive and is just worth its price. This intelligently-made speaker is made in France. It produces a sound quality that’s optimised in a revolutionary process by Devialet’s brilliant engineers. Imagine a 4500-watt of power and a 108 dB physical compact with zero distortion. You’ll feel you’re inside a concert venue when playing music from this speaker.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 4th Gen Wireless Multiroom Speaker – Rs.3 lakhs approx
Another expensive wireless speaker from Bang & Olufsen is the Beoplay A9 wireless home speaker. It’s delicately crafted like a piece of furniture in your home to add to its interior design. Let it stand in one corner or mount it on a wall. The premium fabric delivers acoustic transparency and superior aesthetics.
The Beoplay A9 has everything in it. Beautiful design, excellent craftsmanship, and incredible audio performance in one package. It features a 480-watt amplifier system. It has separate amps for every five built-in speaker units. You can hear every audio detail the way your favourite artists want you to listen to it. The sound production automatically changes according to its position in your room.
The Gotham v2 is the epitome, unfettered expression of JL Audio’s deep commitments to beautiful design, exceptional build quality and truly great audio.
The Gotham® v2’s massive fibreglass-composite enclosure is hand-finished in luxurious gloss black and complemented by machined aluminium and stainless steel accents. It amplifies a mind-numbing 4,500 watts of crystal clear, controlled power, while a completely new signal processing system employs DSP for all functions. This particular system includes a more powerful, digital version of our automatic room optimization technology, with 18 bands of response correction to flawlessly integrate the Gotham® v2 into your room’s acoustics.
Since the last couple of years, we have witnessed many top-notch companies launching their audio sunglasses, which ultimately helped the audio sunglasses section to grow and have a category of their own. The original Bose Frames delivered surprisingly pure sound, and with the arrival of three new models, Tempo, Tenor, and Soprano, Bose stands tall in the audio sunglasses market. Bose Tempo is a sporty looking gadget, while the other two, Rectangular shaped Tenor and Cat Eye shaped Soprano, are best for everyday use. The company has done a lot to improve the sound quality, which helps the sunglasses to deliver crisp and clear sound. The audio sunglasses are the best gift option for the person who likes listening to music while riding a bike, resting by the pool/beach, walking, running, or hiking.
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack – Price: ₹10,900
Apple is one of the top-ranked smartphone manufacturing companies in the world, but at the same time, it is infamous for its battery backup. However, the company has understood the issue and has come up with a solution in the form of an Apple MagSafe battery pack. The rectangle-shaped and white coloured MagSafe battery pack fits perfectly on the back and is compatible with iPhone 12 series and iPhone 13 series. The slim and sturdy battery pack is small enough to slide into a pocket or bag. The MagSafe Battery Pack offers a 1,460mAh capacity which sounds low, but the numbers are deceiving as the battery pack easily adds a few hours of use to your iPhone. If you have experienced frequent cries related to battery backup from your loved one who uses an iPhone, then the MagSafe battery pack is a must-buy gift option.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) – Price: ₹13,999
Amazon has been a leading company in manufacturing smart speaker displays over the years, and its recent launch, the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), is the best smart display in the lineup. The 2nd gen Echo Show 8 offers a superior 13-megapixel wide-angle camera for enhanced video calls along with a faster processor and an auto-framing feature, which lets the device pan and zoom automatically to adjust the frame while making video calls. The Echo Show 8’s sound output is way better than the top trim Echo Show 10, but the flagship smart home device Echo Show 10 steals the show when it comes to other features. If the person you’re planning to gift this Christmas is a newcomer to the smart home space, then Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) would be a great gift choice.
Ember Mug² –
Price: Various options available from ₹16,000* on amazon.in or get it from ember.com for $129.95 USD
The winter is coming, and all we need to survive the chilliness is a cup of hot tea or coffee by the table, but every time we plan to enjoy the hot drink, it turns cold before we finish it and ruins our mood. Well, if you know someone who is a big-time hot tea or coffee lover, then gift them the Ember Mug² temperature control smart mug, and it will never let their tea or coffee go cold again, at least for up to 1.5 hours with Ember Mug² 10 oz and up to 80 minutes with the Ember Mug² 14 oz. The smart mug is designed for home or office use, and it allows you to set an exact drinking temperature so your coffee is never too hot or cold. The washable smart mug allows you to set and control your prefered temperature with your smartphone via the dedicated Ember app.
Beats Studio Buds Wireless Earbuds – Price: ₹14,499
Apple purchased Beats in 2014, and since then, every product Beats launched was somehow tied up with the Apple ecosystem. Then Beats decided to ditch the traditional Apple H1 and W1 chips and launched Studio Buds Wireless Earbuds with MediaTek chipset. The change in the chip helped Beats to go beyond its competitors and suit Android phones along with Apple devices. The Beats Studio Buds are Beats’ smallest earbuds to date and the best-sounding earbuds Beats has ever manufactured. The wireless noise-cancelling earbuds fit perfectly in the ear, and the solid grip makes sure they’ll not fall out even during intense workouts. So, if you’re looking for a gadget to gift your gym-addict friend, then these stand-out earbuds are the perfect little thing.
GoPro Hero10 Black Action Camera – Price: ₹54,500
GoPro recently launched the new Hero10 Black, with a new faster custom processor. The Hero10 Black sports a 2.27-inch touch screen main display on the back and a 1.4-inch display on the front. It arrives with Incredible video stabilization and a new GP2 chipset, enabling new slow-motion frame rates, faster transfer speeds, and improved image quality. The camera can record smoother videos up to 5.3K @ 60fps, and for slow-mo videos, it can go up to 4K @ 120fps and 2.7K @ 240fps. The waterproof Hero 10 Black is powered by a GP2 sensor and packs a 1,720mAh battery. The GoPro Hero10 Black could be the best gift option if your loved ones are travel enthusiasts, vloggers or into adventure sports.
WD My Passport Go Portable SSD – Price: ₹11,469* (for 1TB on flipkart.com)
SSDs (Solid State Drives) are faster and more power-efficient than HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), and that’s the reason they’re always in demand. WD is one of the most popular SSD and HDD-making companies globally, and their recent addition, WD My Passport Go portable SSD, is one in a million kinds of devices. The My Passport Go portable drive has a shock-absorbing rubber bumper and no moving parts, making it drop-resistant up to 2 meters. The square-shaped, rugged SSD is 2 times faster than typical portable hard disk drives and compatible with both Windows PC and Mac computers. The Pocket-sized drive has a built-in cable for convenient portability and is available in three variants, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. You can gift the SSD to the person who never feels satisfied with the in-built storage of their respective devices.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro – Price: ₹10,990*
Samsung has tasted success with the launch of exceptionally built Galaxy Buds Plus and failure with the launch of not so excellent Galaxy Buds Live, which helped the South Korean tech giant analyse the segment well and come back hard with the Galaxy Buds Pro, the best true wireless earbuds that the company has ever made. The Buds Pro includes active noise cancellation, wireless charging, speech detection mode, and support for the Scalable advanced Bluetooth codec. When paired with a Samsung smartphone or tablet, the earbuds offer the best sound quality and go beyond these key features. The Buds Pro also offers IPX7 water and sweat resistance features along with improved mic performance. So, if you’ve someone who owns a Samsung smartphone or tablet and likes to play along with music and calls, then go for these earbuds and make your loved ones happy.
E-book readers are reliable and handy instead of the traditional paper-based books because e-book readers offer thousands of books in one gadget, and when it comes to choosing the best e-book reader in the market, you’ll never find anything better than Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (10th Gen). The waterproof e-reader has a 6-inch e-ink display, and it is available in different variants that range from 8GB to 32GB of storage. The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the most popular e-readers on the market with good battery life, and if you have someone in your friend circle who’s an avid book reader, then this 10th Gen Kindle Paperwhite could easily replace your place in your friend’s life.
Budget Gifts (Below ₹10,000)
LG XBOOM Go PL2 Water Resistant Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – Price: ₹7,990
The LG XBOOM Go PL2 is the smallest and least expensive portable Bluetooth speaker from the PL range of speakers. The IPX5 water-resistant portable speaker offers a Sound Boost mode, USB-C charging, stereo pairing, and up to 10 hours of battery life. The PL2 speaker can be controlled with your smartphone’s voice assistant and can make any party fun in no time. The rounded design, compact and lightweight speaker has a good build quality and is best suited for travel enthusiasts. If you know someone who is a travel addict and likes to do weekend campaigning by the lake or hill, then LG XBOOM Go PL2 portable speakers can be a good companion for such personalities.
Oral-B Pro 2 2000N Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush – Price: ₹4,199
Technology has evolved our daily needs from smart home devices to electric toothbrushes. A decade ago, Oral-B was making regular manual toothbrushes, but then the company decided to take a look at the big picture and started manufacturing electric toothbrushes to cope up with the new age of connected tech. The Oral-B Pro 2 2000 electric rechargeable toothbrush offers only the necessary features for your dental health and works without any app support. The electric toothbrush helps you to remove more plaque and leave gums healthier than a manual toothbrush. The Oral-B Pro 2 200 electric toothbrush features two brushing modes and a pressure sensor, making it the simplest yet elegant electric toothbrush. It can be an excellent gift for people with sensitive teeth who have never experimented with an electric toothbrush.
Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller – Price: ₹9,321* on amazon.in
Everyone has their own choice, and not all people want a regular PlayStation or Xbox controller. Some people go beyond the ordinary world and prefer exciting gadgets such as Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller, which offers a seemingly lag-free gaming experience on the phone. The go-to mobile gaming controller has a split apart design, and it can connect directly through the USB-C charging port. The Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller fits most smartphone devices and offers a solid grip that lets the gamer have great control over a device. If you’re friends with someone who follows mobile gaming like a devotion, in that case, you should consider gifting Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller to them this Christmas as this killer gadget will not only please them mentally but will permanently change their mobile gaming experience.
Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device with Alexa Voice Remote – Price: ₹5,999
Amazon has acquired almost all crucial markets, from online shopping to smart house gadgets to streaming services and even streaming devices. The business strategies and tough competition in the market have made consumers’ lives easy as many widgets are available at affordable prices, and the list includes 4K streaming devices. Since the Fire TV Stick 4K launch, Amazon has emerged in this market, and the latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K includes the Alexa voice remote in the box. The latest 4K stick offers improved performance and is slightly larger than the standard Fire TV Stick but has the same colour and texture. The latest 4K stick features a guide button that can quickly take you to live TV and offer Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG like the standard stick. If you’re looking for a budget gift this Christmas, then the Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa Voice Remote could be a perfect one.
Bellroy 3 Card iPhone Wallet Case – Price: from $68 to $88 (including $9 express shipping charges)
We often see people, mainly Indians having a 50 or 100 rupees/dollars note on the back of their smartphone cover. Some even put their credit or debit cards on the back of their smartphone cover, and when asked, they defend themselves in the name of emergency needs. Well, Australian accessories making brand Bellroy decided to provide a stylish look to the regular habit and created a multi-functional smartphone wallet case that holds up to 3 cards, slots devoted to a SIM tool and SIM card. The professional-looking case has a smooth, barely textured premium leather sheath covering the back panel, and you can even use the card compartment door as a kickstand to watch videos. So, if you know someone who prefers a luxury lifestyle and owns an iPhone from 12-series or 13-series, then Bellroy 3 Card iPhone Wallet Case will be a great gift and add a style statement to their life. Though the case is only available on the official website of Bellroy, if you want to purchase one, hurry up because it will take a few days or even a week to ship in India.
Noise ColorFit Pro 3 – Price: ₹3,999
Noise, India’s homegrown brand, has already acquired the top position in India’s wearables market. The budget smartwatch, Noise Colorfit 3 Pro, comes with many features and specifications, such as a SpO2 monitor for blood oxygen monitoring, a stress level monitor, and a bigger-better display. The lightweight smartwatch sports a 1.5-inch HD touchscreen colour display and follows the subtle design language like an Apple watch. The water-resistant smartwatch features about 14 workout modes, including Outdoor Walking, Outdoor Running, Outdoor Cycling, Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Cricket, Hiking, Yoga and Workout. The Noise Colorfit Pro 3 comes in 6 colours and offers several high-end features, which we usually find on Apple & Samsung smartwatches. So, if you’re looking for a budget Christmas or new year gift, then Noise Colorfit 3 Pro could do the math.
Wagr’s GPS & Fitness Tracker for Dogs – Price: ₹3,499
The world is getting smarter with smart wearables, and along with us, our very canine best friend also needs smart wearables because about 6 lacs dogs get lost every year in India. The pain of losing our pooch friend can cause severe sickness to dog parents, and this thought made IIT alumnus Advaith Mohan and two of his friends, Siddharth Darbha and Ajith Kochery, come up with a solution. The trio created a dog wearable Wagr, India’s first GPS tracker for dogs which tracks the dog using high-precision GPS and even allows you to create safe zones. Once you attach the Wagr tracker to your pup’s collar, it will help you track your dog’s activity, walks, safe zones, and it will also alert you when they leave the safe zone you’ve created. If you have a dog of your own or someone from your friend’s circle who owns a dog, then Wagr’s location & fitness tracker is a must-have gadget.
Truly wireless earbuds and neckbands have taken over the decade-old style of wired earphones and headphones, which are way cheaper than these newbies, but the newbies are making headlines in the rising world of the audio industry because of one freshly risen feature, ANC or Active Noise Cancellation. The hyped feature was once limited to high-end audio products but is now making its way to the budget section.
You may have heard some of your friends or colleagues discussing the benefits and advantages of active noise-cancelling headphones, and due to fear of moving out, you might have added a pair of active noise-cancelling headphones to your wish list, but have you ever considered spending a few minutes to check what are they actually? Are they worth a shot? And whether you genuinely need them or not?
What is Active Noise Cancellation & How it Works?
The ANC or Active Noise Cancellation concept was first developed in late 1930s, and after a couple of decades, it eventually landed in commercial airline headsets. Active Noise Cancellation is a technology that combines hardware and firmware to reduce unwanted ambient sounds by using active noise control as part of the listening experience.
In short, it keeps ambient noise away by adding a second sound specifically designed to cancel the first. The term Noise Cancellation does not commit to removing the sound altogether, it only diminishes the surrounding noise significantly, giving the illusion that the noise is cancelled, but when you add Active before the Noise cancellation, it works differently and actively looks for the noise to counterpoise it.
A number of earbuds or headphones features an inbuilt noise cancelling technique that works through ear tips or ear cuffs and reduce the outside noise by some amount, but ANC loaded devices have specific earbuds that help them make a significant difference in your listening experience and the technology used to create them is far more complex than the usual passive noise cancellation.
ANC uses electronics to prevent undesirable or excessive volume, such as the hum of jet engines on aeroplanes and traffic, from reaching someone’s eardrums. Sound travels in waves through the air, and when two identical waves with the same frequency but the opposite amplitude meet each other, they are called out of phase as they cancel each other out, and this method helps you hear absolute pure music, which comes from your headphones.
The ANC technology works best when you’re around a massive noise source, such as the hums of aeroplanes, which is easier to recognize than people talking or regular day-to-day noises. In some cases, listeners have reported dizziness and headaches while using noise-cancelling headphones, which may be prompted due to extremely low-frequency vibrations towards our hearing hair cells, but this can be solved by decreasing the ANC intensity. The solution is right there, but are they worth taking a risk?
Do You Really Need ANC Support on Your Earbuds?
Clarifying certain things always benefits us in the long run, and when it comes to active noise cancellation, it does provide quality music and podcasts by removing distractions, but it doesn’t improve the sound quality of your headphones. The ANC technology blocks or filters high-frequency sound waves using passive or active responses, respectively, and now it’s time to know about the benefits of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
It helps you to block annoying noises
Active Noise Cancellation earbuds or headphones are handy for commuters who travel long-distance, mainly via planes or trains or even buses, as it aids you to get some quality sleep, even when you’re not listening to the music. The ANC technology reduces the impact of annoying loud sounds such as constant honking, people chattering, disturbing construction noises and audio distractions to help you stay focused.
It allows you to have better conversations
Apart from listening to music in a chaotic environment, the ANC technology helps you avoid “excuse me” or “I’m sorry, could you please repeat that?” during the calls. The noise-cancellation system blocks virtually all of the background noise you hear around you and allows you to have the smoothest conversations of your life.
It cares for you and protects your ears
Anything above 75 decibels is counted as unsafe noise, and when you continuously deal with the audio above 80-85 decibels, you risk losing your hearing ability. You can avoid such risks by wearing proper fit, active noise cancellation headphones as these devices can reduce sound levels by up to 80 dB, almost defeating the massive sound of aeroplane engines which hits 130 decibels regularly.
It helps you reduce stress
When you’re constantly exposed to noise above 80-85 decibels, it automatically creates concerns. After a while, repeated exposures can create annoyance in your brain and lead you to a stressful and hectic life, but if you’re having a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, you can have peace of mind, which leads to a healthier life.
It helps you in increasing concentration
How does someone lose concentration? Of course, due to surrounding noise inputs, which leads to less productivity and dissatisfaction. The pandemic days makes us realise how a little bit of annoying noise can distract us from our work or study. So, it’s better to have some device that will kill all the distractive sound and help you concentrate fully, and what’s better than ANC backed headphones? The ANC technology not only allows you to block the outside noise but also sends a text to your colleagues that you’re trying to concentrate.
When it comes to the disadvantages of ANC-backed headphones, we would like to highlight a few things. First of all, they are expensive, they make you unaware of your surroundings, they can be a medium of ear infections and last but not least, they have short battery life. So, the answer to the question “do you really need ANC backed headphones or not?” lies within your lifestyle.
The market of wired headphones is tangled in its cords as people are falling for wireless headphones, the last couple of years marks the debut of some of the best wireless headphones. With every other launch, the market for wireless headphones is getting crowded, which leads audiophiles towards the confusion of choosing the best one, so here we are to help you combat the mess with our list of top 5 wireless headphones in 2021.
Sony WH-1000XM4:
Sony launched the WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones after two years of releasing its first set of true wireless earbuds. The earlier model, WH-1000XM3, has gained massive popularity in the market. The newly released WH-1000XM4 headphones have an ergonomic design that looks more like the previous model, but they perform better in noisy environments.
Sony WH-1000XM4 have the most impressive noise cancellation among all competitors and offer multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect to two devices at the same time. The headphones are priced at ₹ 29,990 and are available in black or off-white colour options.
Jabra Elite 45h:
Jabra Elite 45h is the best value for money headphone, which arrives with zero fancy features like noise cancellation, ambient listening mode, or fitness features but offers excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. Elite 45h headphones have a sturdy but stylish design and are available in black, navy blue, beige with gold details, black with grey details, or black with copper details.
The headphones have luxurious memory foam earpads lined with a leatherette covering and include a sidetone feature that allows you to hear your voice in the headphones so you don’t talk too loudly. Elite 45h headphones are priced initially at 9,999 but now available to buy at discounts through various e-commerce sites. Elite 45h headphones offer the longest battery life in this price range, up to 50 hours from a single charge.
Apple AirPods Max:
The Apple AirPods Max is priced at a whopping Rs. 59,900 in India. The price sounds expensive, but with a rich price, it also brings rich features like more detailed sound than its lower-priced competitors and the H1 chip, allowing seamless pairing of the headphones with the iPhones. Apple has included 40mm drivers on the AirPods Max to deliver great bass, crisp highs and rich mids to balance out every type of motion occurring on the outside. The premium build quality headphones also feature Apple’s virtual surround spatial audio feature for video watching. Apple AirPods Max comes with 20 hours of battery life and offers the best-in-class audio experience.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700:
Bose is one of the topmost headphone manufacturers globally who has ruled the active noise cancellation (ANC) market with its QuietComfort series of headphones. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 were launched in India in late 2019, but they still compete well with the recently launched Sony WH-1000XM4.
The Bose 700 headphones are a delight to use, and they are the first model from the company to exist outside of the QuietComfort/QuietControl lineup. The headphones are available in black or silver colour options and feature special digital signal processing (DSP) and an advanced microphone array. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are priced at 34,500 and live up to the expectations set by the QuietComfort series.
Anker Life Q30:
Everybody cannot afford the heavily priced luxurious headphones, making us put Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones on our list. Anker’s SoundCore Life Q30 headphones are more than appealing and affordable headphones that offer fantastic noise-cancelling performance. The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are great companions if you travel often. They have a continuous playback time of over 44 hours, which should easily last for a couple of days. The Anker Life Q30 headphones are comfortable, well-built, and available in black, blue or pink colour options.
Summer has arrived and we’re already struggling with it; due to global warming and extreme heatwaves, many parts of the world are supposed to undergo one of the hottest summers in recent years. Along with scorching summer, humans are also worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and its newly developed mutants.
While several vaccine facilities are available now to beat the pandemic, and there are plenty of traditional ways to beat the heat, for instance, diving into the ocean or a pool, travelling to the nearest hill stations. However, in these harsh times, we can’t do much as staying home is the best alternative we have, and in order to save ourselves from the wrath of the pandemic, we must have to follow the rules.
Nevertheless, it turns out there are a lot of innovative gadgets available online to keep you cool and occupied at home during these untimely days, plus there’s nothing quite like the excitement of buying a brand new gadget. With that in mind, here’s a compiled list of gadgets that could be beneficial for you.
DJI FPV drone:
When all of us were trying to cope with the new normal, the DJI team was working on the gadget, which will help us see the world through its eyes. DJI launched a new FPV drone a few months ago that records up to 4K videos at 60fps. The FPV system was initially designed for the drone racing industry, and it consists of the DJI FPV Air Unit Module, DJI FPV Camera, DJI FPV Goggles, and DJI FPV Remote Controller.
The intriguing new breed of drone radiates the view from its camera to a headset back on terra firma that means its first-person view allows you to see what the drone sees, which means you can roam around and enjoy the outer world without even walking out of the house. The drone also provides an incredibly immersive flying experience; thanks to the fantastic DJI FPV Goggles, it also features equally compelling video footage from the forward-facing camera.
The DJI FPV is mainly aimed at shooting mesmerised FPV 4K video, and it has the ability to shoot still images at a primary level; the drone is easy to fly in Normal mode and suitable for beginners who’re trying their luck at flying for the first time.
The DJI FPV can shoot 4K video up to 60fps and shoot 1080p at 120fps. The drone has a maximum flying range of 10 KM, and it can move at a top speed of 140kmph and reach 0-90 kmph in just two seconds. The biggest advantage of buying an FPV drone is that it makes you feel like you’re flying along with the drone, making it the coolest gadget to have these days.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset:
HyperX is one of the big names in the gaming world, and its newly launched HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset offers an excellent, straightforward gaming experience. Every hardcore gamer wants the right gear to make a difference in the world and stay at the top of the game. Amongst all the gaming abettors, the one that matters most to the gamer is a good headset.
The current situation in the world has given us a chance to do something that we always dreamed of, and being a gamer, if you’re looking for a gaming headset that sounds good, works efficiently on multiple platforms, and offers enough comfort throughout the day, then the HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset is the best bid you got. The Cloud II Wireless looks and feels almost identical to the wired Cloud II, with its aluminium body, a flexible headband and oval-shaped black plastic earcups that feature solid memory foam cushions covered in soft leatherette.
On PC, the Cloud II Wireless provides optional 7.1-channel simulated surround sound into HyperX’s Ngenuity software, which also manages other HyperX peripherals like the QuadCast S microphone. One can hear all the major and minor sounds while playing the game, like sounds of footsteps, rustling grass and much more. The HyperX Cloud II priced at ₹12,990.00, is one of the market’s finest headsets.
Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope:
If you’re not a big fan of binging a series or don’t like to spend your time late-night chatting, then here’s something that might grab your attention during the night. Since childhood, we all wondered about stars and always wanted to see them a little closer, some of us went far away and discovered them, but most of us are still wondering about them. But with the launch of the Vaonis Vespera, now we can reach out to space right from our very balconies.
Vaonis, a French startup that raised eyebrows in 2018 when it debuted the pricey, sci-fi robot-looking Stellina smart telescope, revealed an affordable telescope Vespera, in CES 2021. Innovative and fully automated Vespera can be your new observation station; it’s a perfect combination of telescope and camera. Vespera has the same sleek, futuristic design as its larger counterpart Stellina but it is more affordable than its predecessor, also looks more compact in size and weighs only 5 kgs, making astronomy even more accessible to aspiring enthusiasts.
Vespera displays images on a smartphone, and the telescope is controlled via a mobile app. Vespera offers pretty nice views of the night sky but compromises some of its abilities. However, it successfully maintains the image quality compared to Stellina’s images. These telescopes are easy to use and operate; they needn’t require any virtual setup at all. It stands 15 inches tall, making it easy to carry around during camping trips. Get a Vespera to cherish your stargazing wish and stay cool and occupied at home.
Logitech StreamCam:
If somehow you’ve managed to turn your lockdown pastime into a fruitful side hustle by streaming it over the internet, and now you’re looking for an upgrade to take your content to the next level, then here’s a gadget that will take care of your further streaming. The Logitech StreamCam is created with aiming at streamers and content creators. It’s an ideal starting package for live streamers, with a versatile 1080p60 webcam, screen and table stands, and flexible video processing software.
The StreamCam offers smart autofocus to stop losing focus in the middle of streams and videos. The auto-exposure of Logitech StreamCam is finely tuned, so you look your best in all types of lighting conditions. The StreamCam is a smartly designed boxy camera in a graphite or white colour that measures about 2.3 inches in height, 1.9 inches wide, and 2.4 inches deep, with a five-foot cable ending in a USB-C plug.
The front of the camera highlights the Logitech logo on the bottom and an indicator LED in the upper right corner. The camera has two flexible mounting options, one for monitors and laptop screens that features the ability to tilt and pan, and another is a small tabletop tripod that allows you to set up the StreamCam on any flat surface. The innovative auto-framing features keep you always in the middle in all your streams and videos; it also offers premium and vibrant audio performance, which helps your audience receive authentic sound.
WAKEcup Self Cleaning Water Bottle:
Nowadays, hygiene is the key to staying safe and healthy, but maintaining hygiene is always tricky as it takes much time and energy. However, in a world of modern technology, some options will take care of your hygiene at a remarkable level, and WAKEcup’s new Self Cleaning UV Water Bottle is one of them. The WAKEcup Ultraviolet Light Water bottle gives you pure drinking and hence peace of mind with its Innovative UV-C technology.
The WAKEcup 550ml water bottle has an ultraviolet light in the lid that promises to clear 99.99 per cent of the bacteria, viruses, and mould that you might have missed while scrubbing. Click on the UV activation button, and after 3 minutes, your water will be pure and clean, leaving no germs, odour or taste. The self-cleaning water bottle is beneficial for everyday use and weekend campings where you’re not sure about water quality. The double-walled UV bottle can contain 550ml of hot or cold liquid, keeping water cold for 12 hours and hot for 4.
The UV bottle comes in rich matte black stainless steel, with an UltraViolet WAKEcup logo. It works on a USB rechargeable Lithium battery and stays up to a month on a full charge. Also, if all of these benefits didn’t excite you to buy one of them, you should know that for every product sold, 10% of the profits are donated to the Marine Conservation Society to support their vital work protecting marine habitats and campaigning and against plastic pollution.
We can’t help you with the answer of who came first, an egg or a chicken? But we can certainly help you with the solution of what to prefer between a wired headphone and a wireless one? Choosing a headphone is always challenging for everyone as there are many different options available in the market, from the cheapest possible to the costliest one.
A headphone is a fundamental gadget that we all need. Most people favour listening to music to zone out themselves in a world full of chaos and babble, and to do that, we all need a sustainable device. There are many platforms for listening to music, be it Spotify, Apple Music, Gaana, Hungama, JioSaavn, Wynk or the latest YouTube Music, and to enjoy every single beat of the music, we all need a perfect headphone which should also suit your lifestyle and music taste.
A few years ago, wireless earphones were not as popular, but ever since Apple discontinued the 3.5 mm jack from its devices, everything transformed. As most of the smartphone companies started following in the footsteps of Apple. However, there are still many smartphone companies offering a 3.5 mm jack in their latest devices, and this is how one of the biggest questions came to be, what to prefer between a wired and a wireless headphone?
Looking from a neutral point of view, wired or wireless both have their cons and pros, but in the end, it all depends on the individual’s choice. To know them better, let’s have a look at them individually. Owning the latest wireless headphone will help you stay on top of the newest technologies, while possessing a wired headphone will keep you a little away from excess radiation.
Wired Headphones:
Wired headphones work in the same way as other wired devices work; plug them in the headphone jack, and they’ll dispatch sound from it. Despite being an old school gadget, they are still a dependable choice for a vast number of people. Also, nothing can beat the audio quality of wired headphones, thanks to the technology that made vital improvements in them over the years.
Advantages:
Wired headphones receive an analogue signal, which can manage more data than Bluetooth; this is how they offer the best sound quality. Wired headphones don’t need charging or batteries, so there’s no requirement to recheck them before going out on a trail or work, but if you’re looking for wired active noise-cancelling headphones, then you must know, they need batteries.
Wireless technology is more expensive than wired ones; that’s why wired headphones always cost less than their wireless counterparts. Also, wired headphones are easier to repair. They are more user friendly as there’s no requirement of pairing devices before use, plug them into the device, and you’re ready to enjoy your favourite music.
Disadvantages:
Everything in this world comes with some level of disadvantages; nothing’s perfect. With all the benefits, wired headphones have a few downwards factors, like you can’t move beyond the length of headphones wire; if you want to listen to the music, you must have to stick to the limits.
One of the most significant issues people face with wired headphones is that if the wires get damaged, it could result in music playing on only one ear. Also, the cord can get in the way or get caught in something when you’re exercising, walking in public places, making your task difficult.
Wireless Headphones:
One of the great conveniences of human life is having a pair of completely wire-free headphones as they keep you away from the worry of tangling your wires all the time with their wireless structure. Wireless headphones use radio transmission technology to carry audio data from the device to your ears, and it works mainly with the help of BlueTooth or Radio Frequency or Infrared frequency. Radio Frequency is more commonly used for wireless headphones explicitly made for TV.
Apple introduced AirPods and gave birth to a new product category called true wireless earbuds, which completely changed the wire-free experience. In a short span, they became the go-to listening device among consumers. To advertise wireless headphones better, most manufacturers started using the word freedom on their products and campaigns because these headphones give you an option to roam around without wires, keep you motivated and focused during a workout session, board in a public train without wires getting in your way.
Advantages:
The wireless headphones make the process of listening to music more comfortable for joggers who prefer to run, commuters who get to work in crowded transportation, and gamers who play video games by sitting far away from the TV as they provide. Some wireless headphones even offer up to a 100ft range from your audio source.
With the evolution of technology, a number of smartphone manufacturing companies are ditching the old-styled 3.5 mm jack from their newly launched devices, which makes Bluetooth a new standard in audio transmission. Fewer components and no wires help wireless headphones to lose some extra weight and become more portable and lighter. The fewer weight also adds comfort as lighter headphones typically give less stress to the users’ heads.
If you spend a little more, then wireless headphones can even deliver some sweat/water resistance. As mentioned earlier, wired headphones usually sound better than wireless headphones, but most average listeners can’t distinguish between them, except musicians and DJs.
Disadvantages:
Wireless headphones provide plenty of cool features, but they also have a heavy price tag. Along with high prices, another major disadvantage of wireless headphones is their batteries. However, the battery life of wireless headphones has dramatically improved over the years, but you still need a power source for wireless headphones every now and then. Bluetooth wireless battery offers 8 to 12 hours of usage, while high-end wireless headphones offer up to 30 to 40 hours of battery life without a recharge.
Conclusion:
A wireless headphone is ideal for athletes, fitness enthusiasts or people who are into jogging, while a wired headphone is great for DJs, RJs, music mixing artists, or desktop users. In short, if you need headphones for a short period and outdoor comfort, then go for wireless headphones, and if you work for a longer duration, then a wired headphone is the right choice, in the end, it’s all up to one’s personal preferences and lifestyle.
Today we will unbox the Oppo Enco X, the upcoming True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earbuds. We will also compare them to the top-spec Apple Airpods Pro and the Realme Buds to see which one comes out on top in our first impression.
If you are confused about the reason behind this headline, I was in the same place a while ago. Taiwanese technology giant ASUS’s gaming division, Republic of Gamers (ROG) used this term to describe the quality of its latest gaming headset, the Delta S. It is supposed to be a considerable upgrade over its predecessor, the already excellent ROG Delta. But is it a significant upgrade or just an aesthetic makeover? I got a chance to confirm that.
Same same, yet different:
If you were to glance across the room at a person wearing the Delta S, you’d be forgiven if you thought it was its predecessor, the Delta. Aesthetically, apart from a few subtle updates to differentiate the newer model, the Delta and the Delta S are practically identical. However, there has been a considerable weight loss during the upgrade, with the Delta S now weighing just 300 grams. The headband has also been slimmed down but has apparently been made more durable.
While the Delta S is an update over the Delta, there are a few shortcomings. The default PU earcups have been updated with a cross-hatched texture, but the clamping force has somewhat lessened. This not only causes the bass to leak considerably but also has reduced the passive sound isolation.
Along with that, the RGB lighting has also gotten a modern touch. It is still as bright and seamless as the previous generation, but now gets an added “Soundwave” mode, which can be accessed via the lighting toggle switch on the left earcup. This Soundwave mode allows the RBG lighting to sync with your voice (if the mic is plugged in) or with the on-going soundtrack and flash according to the volume.
Operating the headphones:
The highlight of the headphones (and the possible reason for their name) is the triangular ear cups (Triangle is called Delta in Greek), which offer a snugger and more comfortable fit as compared to conventional round ones. The headphones are quite light and easy to wear and even extensive usage won’t cause too much discomfort. However, what is uncomfortable are the body-mounted volume controls. It is a rocker that doubles as a mute button, which can get quite irritating sometimes if you wish to adjust the volume in the middle of intense gameplay. It is not intuitive to handle and it took me some time to get used to, during which I was mostly unhappy with the volume control.
Above the volume control rocker is the lighting toggle switch. As mentioned above, it gets a new notch for the Soundwave mode that allows you to change the RGB lighting pattern on the go. The mic is the same AI noise-cancelling detachable unit as before and can be attached to the headphones via a 3.5mm audio jack. It does a splendid job of keeping the unwanted noise out and even has an LED indicator to tell you if you are muted. Funnily enough, I attached the mic to the 3.5mm jack on my phone and my phone detected its input! A rather fancy way of connecting an external microphone to your smartphone, don’t you think?
Case in Point: MQA!
ROG has emphasized significantly on the Delta S being the bearer of an award-winning audio technology called “Master Quality Authenticated” or MQA. It can connect to an MQA core signal on global streaming services and unfold a whole new level of audio quality. Long story short and to keep it simple, MP3 files are usually compressed to reduce their file size, which makes the song lose most of its finer elements. With MQA, the user is able to access the original file quality of the song or soundtrack and enjoy all its elements to the fullest.
However, the file size remains compact, meaning you won’t have to worry about filling up your storage after a few songs.
Confusing, right? Well, the important part is that MQA is supposed to let you enjoy “higher than CD-quality” audio on any device. When paired with an MQA decoder like the one in the ROG Delta S, the original master recording is revealed.
Honestly, there is hardly anybody who would feel a noticeable difference by the presence of MQA. For most, an immersive aural experience is satisfactory enough, regardless of the technical intricacies. Stress your ears long enough and you might begin to notice some difference (Like I did), but at that point, you’d begin to wonder if you really feel it or it is purely psychological (Like I did!). It might be a revolutionary update for ardent audio enthusiasts, but for the average gamer like me, it is just a reason to increase the price point.
Should you buy it?
There is no denying that the ROG Delta S is a masterpiece when it comes to gaming audio. However, the primary point of the Delta S being costlier than the Delta is the addition of the MQA. Now, the Delta is priced well above Rs 15,000 which implies that the Delta S will be priced even higher. Apart from that, there is no significant reason to choose the Delta S over the standard Delta. Regardless of the choice, going for a ROG Delta headset ensures that you are treated to some of the best gaming gear available in the market!
