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You are here: Home / 2016 / Archives for January 2016

Archives for January 2016

The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD

01/27/2016 By Hakan Can

Mockingjay Part 2 Release Date

Mockingjay Part 2 Release Date is Set for March

Available on store shelves and online everywhere in less than 2 months time comes the 4th and final film of The Hunger Games franchise. THG: Mockingjay Part 2 release date is set for March 22, 2016, for Blu-ray™ + DVD and stand-alone DVD. Each format of the film also comes with a copy on Digital HD. Pricing has been set at $22.99 and $19.99, respectively for the Blu-ray™ (+ DVD + DHD) and stand-alone DVD (+ DHD.) You can pre-order them from Amazon.com at the links above.

If you cannot wait this long, THG: Mockingjay Part 2 release date on Digital HD is set for March 8th. Pricing is currently set at $19.99 and you can pre-order it from Amazon.com as well.

Mockingjay Part 2 Release Date

The Hunger Games 4-Film Complete Collection

For those of you who don’t happen to own any of the 3 previous films, or should you be a series collector, this item is specifically for you. Also available on store shelves and online everywhere this spring comes The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection. THG: Complete 4-Film Collection release date is set for March 22, 2016, for Blu-ray™ and DVD. Each format of this collection also comes with a copy on Digital HD. Pricing on Amazon.com is set at $49.99 and $34.99, respectively for the Blu-ray™ + DHD and DVD + DHD. This is significantly less than the suggested retail price.

The Complete 4-Film Collection is also available as a stand-alone purchase on Digital HD. Currently, it is only available on VUDU at a price of $49.99.

Read:   Banshee Season 3 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD
Included in the Mockingjay Part 2 Blu-ray™ (+DVD + Digital HD) combo are the following features:
  • Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
  • Mockingjay Part 2 Release Date“Pawns No More: Making THG: Mockingjay – Part 2” 8-Part Documentary**
  • Walking Through Fire (Concluding the Saga)
  • Real or Not Real (Visual Design)
  • High-Value Targets (The Acting Ensemble)
  • From Head to Toe (Costume, Make-up & Hair)
  • Navigating the Minefield (Production in Atlanta, Paris & Berlin)
  • Collateral Damage (Stunts, Special Effects & Weapons)
  • Tightening the Noose (The Post-Production Process
  • A Different World (Reflections)
  • The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey
  • Cinna’s Sketchbook: Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor
  • Panem on Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition
  • Jet to the Set**

*Subject to Change, **Exclusive to Blu-ray™/ Digital HD

Program Information for Mockingjay Part 2 Blu-ray™ (+DVD + Digital HD) combo are as follows:
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Closed Captioned:  NA / English
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Subtitles: English and Spanish
  • Feature Run Time: 137 minutes
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Format: 1080p HD / 480P SD 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD Compatible) (Blu-ray™ only), English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio (DVD only), English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late-Night Listening, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio
Read:   Game of Thrones Season 5 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD
Mockingjay Part 2 Release DateIncluded in the 6-Disc Complete 4-Film Collection Blu-ray™ (+DVD + Digital HD) combo are the following features:
  • Over 14 Hours of Bonus Content Including
  • 12 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games
  • 6 Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
  • 9 Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
  • 2 All-New Featurettes: “Picturing Panem” and “Capitol Cuisine”
  • 70 Additional Featurettes (Blu-ray™)
  • 69 Additional Special Featurettes (DVD)
  • Audio Commentaries, Music Videos, and More
Program Information for the Complete 4-Film Collection Blu-ray™ (+DVD + Digital HD) combo are as follows:
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Closed Captioned:  NA / English
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Subtitles: English and Spanish
  • Feature Run Time: The Hunger Games: 142 minutes. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 146 minutes. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: 123 minutes. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: 137 minutes
  • Blu-ray™ / DVD Format: 1080p HD; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 16×9 Variable (2.40:1) and (1.78:1) (IMAX® Sequences) / 480P SD 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
  • Blu-ray™ Audio: The Hunger Games & The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD Compatible); The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: DTS Headphone:XTM Audio Track; All Films: English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio (except The Hunger Games)
  • DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening (except The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio (except The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1)

The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 are currently available online and at retail outlets everywhere.

All photos and video are the courtesy and property of Lionsgate.

Read:   The Scorch Trials Blu-ray Release from FOX Home Entertainment

Filed Under: Blu-Ray Releases Tagged With: Blu-Ray, Digital HD, DVD, Mockingjay Part 2, The Hunger Games 02/08/2016

Banshee Season 3 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

01/22/2016 By Hakan Can

Banshee Season 3 Release Date

Cinemax’s Banshee Season 3 Release Date is Set for April

Available on store shelves and online everywhere this spring comes Cinemax’s Banshee Season 3. The Banshee Season 3 DVD release date is set for April 5, 2016, for Blu-ray™ (with Digital HD) and DVD boxed sets. Pricing has been set at $49.99 and $39.98, respectively for the 10-episode Blu-ray™ and DVD boxed sets. You can pre-order them on the HBO Home Entertainment website from the links above.

“Created by Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler, the Cinemax® action-drama Banshee charts the continuing twists and turns that follow Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), Banshee Season 3 Release Datean ex-convict who improbably assumes the identity of sheriff of the rural, Amish-area town of Banshee, PA, where his former lover and partner-in-crime has been living under her own alias, Carrie Hopewell (Ivana Milicevic). This action-packed series has developed a devoted fan base of “Fanshees” who are hooked on the high-octane storytelling and compelling characters. Timed to its fourth and final season this spring, Banshee: The Complete Third Season debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on April 5, 2016. The release is loaded with extensive bonus content taking “Fanshees” behind the scenes of the show.”

“Season 3 picks up a month after the Season 2 finale, when Carrie’s father, gang kingpin Rabbit (Ben Cross), finally met his demise after a climactic church shootout. Carrie, now Banshee Season 3 Release Dateexposed and estranged from her husband and kids, remains in Banshee, working as a waitress by day while moonlighting with Lucas, Sugar Bates (Frankie Faison) and Job (Hoon Lee) on a variety of local heists. As Lucas finds it harder and harder to keep his true identity from his deputies – especially Siobhan Kelly (Trieste Kelly Dunn), now his romantic interest – he and the Banshee police force become embroiled in a new conflict between Amish gangster Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) and Chayton Littlestone (Geno Segers), the vicious, vengeance-minded leader of the Redbone wing of the Kinaho tribe. And as fists and bullets fly in and around Banshee, Lucas concocts a new scheme that could net his thieves a fortune – by robbing a decommissioned Marine compound housing millions of dollars.”

Read:   Game of Thrones Season 5 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Included with the Season 3 DVD boxed set are the following features:

  • Banshee Season 3 Release DateMaking of the Episode 2 Title Sequence: View the different layers that went into the making of the second episode’s unique title sequence.
  • Banshee Origins: Find out the story before the story with eight prequel videos featuring the cast of Banshee.
  • Banshee Origins Saga: Explore the lives of Lucas, Carrie, Job and more before they made their way to Banshee in this two-part feature.
  • Burton vs Nola Camera Movement: Learn how this epic fight scene was filmed.
  • Burton vs Nola Stunts: Get a behind the scenes look at how the Banshee action comes together.
  • Genoa Rehearsal: Watch as the gang runs through this season’s final showdown.
    Zoomed In, Episodes 1-8 & 10: Go on the set with the cast to see how key, adrenaline filled scenes were created.
  • Deleted Scenes.
  • Sins Promo.
  • Banshee Season 3 Release DateEpisode Recaps.
  • Audio Commentaries with Cast & Crew.

Included with the Blu-ray™ (+ Digital HD) boxed set are all the DVD features, plus the following additional feature:

  • The Heist: Get a unique perspective on “The Heist” from Episode 7 in this multi-camera, interactive feature.

Banshee Seasons 1-3 are currently available on MAX GO. Catch up on all the insane action just in time for the Season 4 opener premiering on April 1st.

Now filmed in-and-around Pittsburgh, PA, get ready for the final epsiodes of Banshee with this Season 4 Trailer. All photos and video are the courtesy and property of HBO Home Entertainment.

Read:   The Scorch Trials Blu-ray Release from FOX Home Entertainment

Filed Under: Blu-Ray Releases Tagged With: Banshee, Blu-Ray, Cinemax, Digital HD, DVD 07/18/2016

Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

01/21/2016 By Hakan Can

Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date

HBO’s Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date is Set for April

Silicon Valley Season 2 Release DateAvailable on store shelves and online everywhere this spring comes HBO’s Silicon Valley Season 2. The Silicon Valley Season 2 release date is set for April 19, 2016, for Blu-ray™ (with Digital HD) and DVD boxed sets. Pricing has been set at $34.98 and $26.95, respectively for the 10-episode Blu-ray™ and DVD boxed sets. You can pre-order them on the HBO Home Entertainment Store from the links above.

“Silicon Valley, one of the hottest shows on television, has been hailed as ‘excellent and poignant’ (Rolling Stone) and ‘one of the smartest comedies’ (Newsday). The hilarious show takes a comic look at the modern-day epicenter of the high-tech gold rush, where the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. A collaboration between Mike Judge and Alec Berg, who each direct five episodes, the series returns to Blu-ray™ with Digital HD ($34.98) and DVD ($26.95) when Silicon Valley: The Complete Second Season debuts April 19th. All ten episodes are also available now on Digital HD.”

“After taking the tech world by storm last season at TechCrunch Disrupt, Richard and rest of the Pied Piper team – Erlich, Jared, Dinesh and Gilfoyle – look ahead to a bright and profitable future. But their success may be in jeopardy, thanks to big changes at Raviga, the company created by Peter Gregory, and Nucleus, the competing compression platform launched by Hooli CEO Gavin Belson.”

Read:   Banshee Season 3 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Now, if this isn’t good enough, we’re giving away one (1) copy of Season 2 on DVD, in partnership with HBO.

Giveaway has since expired. Congratulations to our winner.

The cast of Silicon Valley includes the following series regulars and guest stars:Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date

  • Thomas Middleditch as Richard Hendricks
  • T.J. Miller as Erlich
  • Josh Brener as Big Head
  • Martin Starr as Gilfoyle
  • Kumail Nanjiani as Dinesh
  • Zach Woods as Jared
  • Amanda Crew as Monica
  • Matt Ross as Gavin Belson
  • Suzanne Cryer as Laurie Bream
  • Jimmy O. Yang as Jian-Yang
  • Ben Feldman as Ron LaFlamme
  • Chris Diamantopoulos as Russ Hanneman
  • Alice Wetterlund as Carla Walton

Included in the Season 2 DVD and Blu-ray™ boxed sets are the following features:Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date

  • Reality Bytes: The Art & Science Behind Silicon Valley
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Six Audio Commentaries with Mike Judge, Alec Berg, T.J. Miller and many more…
  • Format: DVD / Blu-ray™ with Digital HD
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Run Time: 320 Minutes
  • Region: A
  • Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
  • Studio: HBO Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: April 19, 2016

Silicon Valley Seasons 1-2 are currently available on HBO GO and HBO NOW. Catch up on all the comedy just in time for the Season 3 premiere set for April 24th.

All photos are the courtesy and property of HBO Home Entertainment.

Read:   Game of Thrones Season 5 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Filed Under: Blu-Ray Releases Tagged With: Blu-Ray, Digital HD, DVD, HBO, Silicon Valley 09/11/2018

Game of Thrones Season 5 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

01/20/2016 By Hakan Can

Game of Thrones Season 5 release date

Available on store shelves and online everywhere March comes HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 5. The Game of Thrones Season 5 release date is set for March 15, 2016 for Blu-ray™ (with Digital HD) and DVD boxed sets. Pricing has been set at $79.99 and $59.99, respectively for the 10-episode Blu-ray and DVD boxed sets. You can pre-order them on the HBO Home Entertainment website from the link above.

HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 5 Release Date is Set for March 15, 2016

Included with the DVD boxed set are the following features:

  • Anatomy of an Episode: Mother’s Mercy – From the early stages of the writer’s room to the final visual effects, see what went into creating “Mother’s Mercy,” the Emmy-winning episode fans will be talking about for years to come.
  • Game of Thrones Season 5 release dateThe Real History Behind Game of Thrones – Watch historians, along with George R.R. Martin, explore the interweaving inspirations of the actual players in the era known as “The Wars of the Roses” and other historical events in this two-part series.
  • Audio Commentaries – Twelve audio commentaries with cast and crew including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Iain Glen, Maisie Williams, Natalie Dormer, Gwendoline Christie and more.
  • Deleted Scenes – 4 deleted scenes.
  • A Day in the Life – Three countries, hundreds of cast & crew, one epic day. Get an inside look at the production process of Season 5.
  • New Characters/New Locations – Explore the new societies, cultures and locations of Season 5.
    Season 5 begins with a power vacuum that protagonists across Westeros and Essos look to fill. At Castle Black, Jon Snow struggles to balance the demands of the Night’s Watch with those of newly-arrived Stannis Baratheon, who styles himself the rightful king of Westeros. Meanwhile, Cersei scrambles to hold on to power in King’s Landing amidst the Tyrells and the rise of a religious group led by the enigmatic High Sparrow, while Jaime embarks on a secret mission. Across the Narrow Sea, Arya seeks an old friend while a fugitive Tyrion finds a new cause. And as danger mounts in Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen finds that her tenuous hold on the city requires some hard sacrifices. This season features some of the most explosive scenes yet, as the promise that “winter is coming” becomes more ominous than ever before.

Included with the Blu-ray™ (+ Digital HD) boxed set are all the DVD features, plus the following:

  • Game of Thrones Season 5 release dateThe Dance of Dragons – Hear the story of the Greens and the Blacks, the Targaryen civil war that led to the downfall of the dragons, featuring surprise narration from notable characters from past seasons.
  • In-Episode Guide – Dig deeper into the show with this in-feature resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations, and relevant histories.
  • Histories and Lore – Learn about the mythology of Westeros and Essos as told from the varying perspectives of the characters themselves in 14 history pieces. Select Histories feature illustrations from the show’s storyboard artist, Will Simpson.
Read:   The Martian Blu-Ray Release From FOX Home Entertainment

Game of Thrones Season 5 is currently available on Digital HD. So catch up on all the action, intrigue, and family squabbling just in time for Season 6 premiere in April.

Game of Thrones Season 5 release date

All photos and video are the courtesy and property of HBO Home Entertainment.

Read:   The Scorch Trials Blu-ray Release from FOX Home Entertainment

Filed Under: Blu-Ray Releases Tagged With: Blu-Ray, Digital HD, DVD, Game of Thrones 09/15/2017

Review: Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS Headphones

01/15/2016 By Tom McLaughlin

The 4 Color Patterns of the Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS Review

Introducing The Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS In-Ear Headphones

Athletes and fit freaks should rejoice when they hear about the Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS in-ear headphones. This feature-rich model comes with IPX5 waterproof certification (more on this later), U-type cables, an in-ear/behind-the-ear lightweight design, all for a price at under $40. Sounds like a dream, right?

So I thought I would give them their own workout while at the gym doing my workout. Are they the ideal sports headphones? Here’s what I learned.

Design

I’m not usually one for wearing in-ear/behind-the-ear headphones. Suffice to say, this was a bit of an adjustment and a learning experience. Not to mention the unfamiliar design of these headphones from the wires to the pivoting hinge.

We at Beantown received a pair of the SonicSport ATH-SPORT1iS headphones in Navy-Yellow to sample. In my opinion, this particular color scheme is the least attractive. So it’s a good thing there are three more color schemes available.[envira-gallery id="3794"]

Color patterns shown above are in order from left to right. They are the following: Navy-Yellow, Pink-Gray, Red-Black, and Black.

Read:   Review: Antec's SugarCube Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker

The Earbuds

So let’s begin with the positives. These headphones are customizable for just the right fit. Now, whether that fit is comfortable or not is still, at this moment, up in the air.

The ATH-SPORTS1iS headphones ear tips come in two varieties and they are all interchangeable. The first is your typical, standard silicone ear tip which comes in 4 sizes: XS, S, M, & L. The second is of a more rigid design and it comes in 3 sizes: S, M, & L. It’s this rigidity that would lead you to wear this variety outdoors. You see, this rigidity allows for some ambient noise to make its way to your brain. So, if you want to hear that approaching car when you’re jogging alongside a road, then the rigid ear tip is the wiser choice.

When you’re in a controlled environment like the gym and don’t want to hear the surrounding noise, wear the softer design. This choice will isolate noise better allowing for you to focus on the task at hand.

The headphones plastic frames loop around your ears and secures the ear tips in place. It performs this function quite well. This frame also has a hinge that opens for better placement over your ears. Then you close it to a point that keeps the frame from maneuvering.

Simply put, the ATH-SPORT1iS covers all shapes and sizes of ears.

Read:   The Evutec S Series Wood Phone Case: A Review

The Wiring

There’s more to headphones than just the ear tips, so let’s talk wires.

I have to admit, upon first use, the wires on the ATH-SPORT1iS headphones baffled me. I removed them from the case before leaving for the gym and then, fiddled with them in the locker room. I still couldn’t figure out the cord set-up. What followed was three adjustments over the course of my workout, before I got it right, or so I thought. But even after that, I noticed how they were supposed to work and came to the realization that I had actually adjusted them incorrectly all along.

The 1.2-meter long cable for these wires is called a U-type. This means that it’s supposed to loop around your neck like a wireless headphone, except there are a lot of wires. The gold-plated 3.5mm jack plugs into your mobile device with the wire going up the right side of your head. This is where you use the supplied clip to secure the wire to your clothing, to prevent any tugging. This wire splits into two around your neck to the headphones, with one side longer than the other. They wrap behind your neck to the ears.

To put it plainly, it was confusing for this first time user. But it’s undeniable that once you figure it out, it’s quite convenient. I loved being able to pull an earbud out when taking a break and just hanging it over my neck. It’s something I don’t usually get with wired earbuds, but this fits the pattern of the ATH-SPORT1iS thus far.

Aside from this feature, the wires are thin in order to be as lightweight as possible. On the flip side, the wires can easily tangle if you don’t take care to avoid it.

Read:   Review: The House of Marley Smile Jamaica Earbuds

The Microphone

The (condenser) mic is on one side, with the universal button on the other. This button is to answer/end calls, control music, pause, skip, rewind, etc. What’s different is the slider between the two. I haven’t seen one like this since an old pair of headphones my parents purchased for me as a kid.

With it, you can adjust the sound on your smartphone (and other compatible devices) to make it as loud as possible. Then, slide the mic up or down to change the volume coming through the headphones. This change is independent of the volume on the phone for easy access to a wide range of volume.

Sound

Audio-Technica is a well-known name in the music and sound industry since 1962. From what my research tells me, the ATH-SPORT1iS headphones follow with the sound quality you would find in any other headphones produced by them. “Crisp/clear audio” is what the case says. The sound is crisp, sometimes too crisp. And a bit light when compared to Monster’s Adidas Sport Response earbuds.

The ATH-SPORT1iS in-ear headphones are equipped with 8.5 mm drivers so they can definitely push out some pretty good sound.

Functionality and Verdict

The ATH-SPORT1iS headphones are designed for athletic use, indoors and out. They’ll withstand water and sweat with their IPX5 waterproof certification. (I told you there would be more on this ingress protection later.) This means that you can wash them off after use, but don’t toss them in with the laundry. And with their lightweight and sturdy build, they won’t fall off or out of your ears.

In my opinion, this design comes with two sides. On one side, you’re getting a fantastic workout headphone. On the other, and this is just my opinion, I would feel a little embarrassed wearing these on a walk around say Boston Common or the Back Bay. It’s not designed for the street walk. In this situation, I would feel more comfortable with either the ATH-CKX5iS or ATH-CKX7iS models. These Audio-Technica SonicFuel models have a less complex wire setup but come with a $10-40 higher list price.

As stated above, a good fit can be found by anyone using these earbuds. The problem I encountered was that they weren’t ideally comfortable beyond the 30-40 minute run time. There was some minor irritation behind my ears. It wasn’t much of a surprise as my ears weren’t used to a behind-the-ear design.

If you’re planning on getting a lower-priced, good pair of wired sports headphones, these are worth looking into. The sound quality is good. It isn’t anything to go crazy over, but it isn’t weak either. The waterproof design is great, and the secure fit is one of the best I’ve found. The ATH-SPORT1iS is only $40 and for that price, you’re getting a decent product. If you’re looking for a higher level of sports headphones, Audio-Technica offers 3 more models as seen here ranging from $45-60.[Tweet “The ATH-SPORT1iS is only $40 and for that price, you’re getting a decent product.”]

Have you tried the Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS headphones? Do you agree or disagree with any part of this review? Let us know over on the Beantown Review Twitter or Facebook pages. And don’t hesitate to head over to their website. Feel free to check out their 2016 product lineup, which was introduced last week at the CES.

FTC Disclosure: Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one ATH-SPORT1iS headphones sample for review purposes. We’re not paid ambassadors. Our writers opinions are 100% their own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. and/or Beantown LLC.

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: ATH-SPORT1iS, Audio-Technica, headphones, In-Ear Headphones, SonicSport, Sport Headphones 01/15/2016

Review: The House of Marley Smile Jamaica Earbuds

01/13/2016 By Tom McLaughlin

House of Marley Smile Jamaica Earbuds

There’s Something to Smile About Here — The Marley Smile Jamaica

The House of Marley brand is one to watch these days. I recently got my hands on one of their lower priced headphones–the Marley Smile Jamaica in-ear headphones. Priced at $30 dollars, my expectations were pretty low. As it turned out, they gave me something to smile about.

House of Marley Smile Jamaica EarbudsThe Look

The way in which The House of Marley presents themselves is amazing. They have a long-term plan in place to preserve the environment, and they stick to it. They practice this plan in three ways:

  1. They use recycled materials for their packaging.
  2. They use FSC-certified wood in the backings.
  3. They use precision milled aluminum to make sure none of the materials end up in the waste system.

They make recycling cool in this way.

When I first received the Marley Smiley Jamaica earbuds, I knew I would need some convincing right off the bat. You see, I don’t usually use in-ear headphones when listening to music. There’s something about the way in-ear headphones fit where they don’t usually work well with my ears. The Smile Jamaica earbuds came with two sizes of ear tips to compensate a little bit for the wide array of ear shapes. Most earbud models come with three sets of tips. I found I didn’t have to adjust their pair at all. There were no earbuds falling out of these ears.

Then there was something about the color patterns and the FSC-certified Sapele wood backing that drew me in the rest of the way. To be perfectly honest, these are one pretty pair of headphones. They don’t ask for much attention. The way that the whole product comes together with design and feel is awesome.[Tweet “What you’re getting for $30 with these Smile Jamaica headphones is quite impressive”]

We at Beantown received a pair of the Marley Smile Jamaica in Purple to sample. Should another color pattern suit you, there are currently 9 options to choose from.

[envira-gallery id="3753"]

Color patterns shown above are in order from left to right. They are the following: Sky, Rasta Black, Purple, Mint, Fire, and Copper. Not shown are Tan, Black, and Rasta. In 2016, two new colors, Teal and Denim, are set to be introduced. Feel free to check out these color varieties they offer. You won’t be disappointed.

The outer layer of the cord is braided fabric, 52″ in length. This reduces noise interference and keeps them from getting too tangled. While using the Marley Smile Jamaica, I found the cord often gets bent and stiff. It’s the same challenge one sees with a tangled pair of headphones. They’ll need some breaking in for the better cooperation.

One observation that may present a problem is with the 35mm gold-plated 90-degree jack. Although its build quality is high, it may present a problem with bigger/thicker mobile phone cases. It plugs in flat and rests against the side of the phone, so it may not work correctly if there’s something that were to get in the way.

Wrapping up the look, the Smile Jamaica has a standard mic and universal music control button to pause, skip forward, skip back, etc. It does, however, lack volume control.

Like I said, these are one good looking pair of earbuds. Furthermore, what you’re getting for $30 is pretty amazing.

Read:   Review: Antec's SugarCube Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker

The Sound

Let me restate the following: what you’re getting for $30 with these Smile Jamaica headphones is quite impressive and that stands true for the sound.

During my tenure at Beantown, I’ve tried out many headphones. A lot of sounds blend together. The mediocre ones are immediately noticeable while the great ones stand out. So with this $30 price, I wasn’t anticipating much.

When I took off another brands earbuds, replaced them with the Marley Smile Jamaica, and pressed play on the new Night Beds album I had been listening to nonstop, my heart jumped.

The bass was rich, the highs were tangible, and even though they didn’t perfectly isolate noise, they packed a punch! I felt like I could hear all these new layers to the same songs I’ve been listening to. The higher mid-tones didn’t sound as well as I would have liked, but it was acceptable.

This led me to double check the price and desperately look into the headphone system to see how it was making such pure sound. For those who are curious, the sound is derived from a 9mm high-performance micro speaker.[envira-gallery id="3771"]

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Thoughts

From the style to the sound, these earbuds proved they’re offering the whole package. On top of that, the price makes this an almost a no-brainer buy.

With all this said, as a potential buyer of the product, you should first consider what you would be using it for. From my experience, I can see the Smile Jamaica earbuds best used on walks around the city, rides on transit, or while relaxed on a sofa or bed. They’re appropriate for nearly any situation. The braided fabric cord creates minimal noise when walking. And with all the personalization options, they could become like any other accessory to your street attire.

House of Marley Smile Jamaica EarbudsThe only thing you should be weary of is taking them to the gym or on outdoor runs. These headphones are not aimed at the sports training market. Despite the lightweight and versatile design, there’s no guarantee on how they will react to water or sweat. The risk of damaging these headphones rests in your hands, or better yet, your ears.

The price of $30 has been something I’ve focused on throughout this review, and I want to end by stating how amazing this price is. I was quite impressed with the Marley Smile Jamaica earbuds. I would also definitely suggest them to a friend looking for a quality pair of earbuds at a competitive price.

Have you tried the Marley Smile Jamaica headphones out yourself? Were you surprised by the lower-than-expected $30 price? What do you love about them? Let us know over on the Beantown Review Twitter or Facebook pages. And don’t hesitate to head over to The House of Marley website. Feel free to check out their 2016 product lineup, as well as any sales they have going on. They’re doing something great over there! One doesn’t have to look beyond the products they offer or the booth traffic during the recent Consumer Electronics Show.

Editor’s Note: My writer Tom liked these headphones so much that I won’t be receiving them back. I believe this speaks volumes.

FTC Disclosure: House of Marley LLC provided Beantown LLC with one Smile Jamaica headphone sample for review purposes. We’re not paid ambassadors. Our opinions are 100% our own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of House of Marley LLC and/or Beantown LLC.

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Earbuds, headphones, House of Marley, Smile Jamaica 01/13/2016

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