Cooler Master MM731 Gaming Mouse Review

05/20/2022 By Hakan Can

Late last year, Cooler Master introduced their MM730 and MM731 gaming mice. Available in two color patterns (Black and White/Gray), these mice boast premium features such as the 19,000 DPI PixArt PAW 3370 optical sensor and left/right OMRON switches with 70M+ keypress lifespans. It also arrives with a lightweight design with a RGB illuminated logo and compatibility with MasterPlus+ customization software. With these premium features comes a premium price point: the MM731 has an MSRP of $69.99. How does the MM731 mouse compare to other premium offerings such as the Glorious Model O, the upcoming Model O Pro, and the Razer Viper Ultimate and Viper V2 Pro? Is the MM731 worth purchasing over the competition? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Cooler Master MM731 Gaming Mouse review.

Read: Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review

Cooler Master MM731 Gaming Mouse Review

Key Features

Hybrid wireless technology: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, or a wired connection
Ergonomic, lightweight right-hand hourglass design
“Pro-grade” PixArt PAW 3370 sensor
LK 2.0 optical micro switch (70M)
RGB illumination on CM halo, 16.7M colors
Smooth and large PTFE mouse feet
Mouse grip tape included
Fully customizable using MasterPlus+ software

Specifications

Product Name	MM731 Mouse
Product Numbers	MM-731-KKOH1 MM-731-WWOH1
Grip Type	Claw, Palm
Material	ABS Plastic, Rubber, PTFE
Mouse Feet	PTFE
Color	Black, White
LED	RGB on logo
CPI/DPI	7 Levels: 100 to 38K with MasterPlus+
Tracking Speed	400 ips
Lift Off Distance	< ~2 mm, Adjustable
Polling Rate	4 Options: 125, 250, 500, and 1000 Hz
Angle Snapping	Yes
Mouse Acceleration	50 g
L/R Micro Switch	LK 2.0 Optical
Lifespan of L/R Switches	70M+
Buttons	6
Connectivity	Wired, 2.4GHz, BT 5.1
Battery Capacity	500 mAh
Battery Life	72 Hours in 2.4 GHz mode, 190 Hours in BT mode
Software	MasterPlus+
Charging	Wired
Cable Length	1.8 Meter, Detachable
Weight	< 60 grams
Dimensions (LxWxH)	4.81" x 2.72" x 1.54"
Warranty	2 years

Read: Cooler Master MM831 Gaming Mouse Review

Construction and Design

Have you gamers noticed that all the top gaming hardware brands have either built or are developing a sub 60 gram mouse in 2022?

Per Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager, “The MM730 and MM731 are our first super lightweight gaming mice that retain the classic holeless mouse aesthetic of traditional gaming mice. Our engineers have truly found an ingenious way to keep the weight low while still keeping an ergonomic shape that can appeal to both creative professionals and gamers.”

As you can see from the photos, the MM731 is a smooth, lightweight, right-handed mouse in the classic hourglass shape. Unlike the MM710 and MM711, this mouse is devoid of any holes. Let’s break it down.

The MM731 gaming mouse uses a right-handed ergonomic design that works well for claw and palm grippers. The shape and feel of the mouse are extremely comfortable but weren’t always so when I switched from using the MM711. It took a number of sessions on the desktop computer to get reacclimated to the new mouse. Once I did, I realized that my ring finger rests better on the MM731 than it currently does on the MM711. For reference, my hand is about 4 inches wide with the thumb included and nearly 7.5″ in length from the base of the wrist.

The weight of the mouse (minus the dongle and ultraweave cable) comes in at 59 grams, which is on the light end for a mouse in 2021 or 2022. For comparison’s sake, it’s identical to the Razer Viper V2 Pro mouse which also weighs in at 59 grams. Looking at some other competitors, the wireless Glorious O and O- weigh in at 69 and 65 grams, respectively. And the forthcoming Glorious O Pro comes in at the winning weight of 55 grams. Will anyone notice the 4-gram difference when doing a side-by-side comparison? I wonder.

As I stated in the MM711 review, when you factor in the shape and lightweight of the MM731 mouse, you get a mouse that can let your dominant hand go all day. I’ve been using this mouse for a month and have not encountered any fatigue or wrist pain. And I’m on this mouse for up to 12 hours per day surfing the web, editing photos and videos.

This mouse has the standard forward and backward buttons on its left side, left and right clickers, and a scroll mouse with wheel click, but no DPI cycle switch on the body. The DPI cycle switch is programmable via the MasterPlus+ software as are all the aforementioned buttons and clickers. There’s also an illuminated logo on the body. The LED modes, brightness, and speeds are adjustable and customizable via the MasterPlus+ software. Sadly and unlike the MM711 and Glorious Model O and O- mice, the scroll wheel does not illuminate. Oh, how I wish it did.

And let’s not forget the PixArt PAW 3370 sensor with its 19K resolution, which can get up to 32K with the use of wait, wait for it…the MasterPlus+ software. One final bit of information, the underbody also has a removable cover that stores the 2.4 GHz/Bluetooth wireless dongle.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Did I mention that there’s grip tape and an extension adapter included?

Performance

One of the upfront questions I always ask when doing these hardware reviews is “Who is this product targeted to?”

According to the folks at Cooler Master, the target audience here is two-fold. First and foremost you’ve got the FPS/MOBA gamers. Without these folks, we might not have brands like Cooler Master and the innovative products that come from them. Secondly, and this is the category I fall under, there are the content creators and office folks. Now, I’m not certain which category of users is greater in number but both are well into the millions, and that’s just in North America alone. When in front of my desktop computer, I’m primarily a writer and photo/video editor. In fact, I’m using the Cooler Master SK653 and MM731 to craft this review. As I’ve stated before, we writers and editors need a mouse that doesn’t yield hand or wrist pain. No one wants a repetitive stress injury regardless of their profession.

The MM731 uses a very reliable and high-end PixArt PAW 3370 optical sensor which goes up to 32,000 DPI when adjusted with the MasterPlus+ software. Also in the software, one can add and tune the mouse to a new surface. This is a terrific feature to have.

Read: Cooler Master SK653 Keyboard Review

The side mouse buttons are conveniently placed, but in a higher position than I’ve become accustomed to. On the MM711, my right thumb rests in part on the two side buttons. With the MM731, I have to move my thumb up a quarter-inch to click the closer of the two buttons and up and forward a half-inch to click the farther of the two. I had no problem whatsoever going back and forth between web pages. All the buttons were clicky and provided a good tactile response. The attached 1.8-meter cord never caught on my standing desk, the nearby speakers, or anything else for that matter. As stated before in an earlier mouse review, it felt like there was no cord present.

The scroll wheel with its linear tread design moved nicely, and the three PTFE feet allowed the mouse to glide very well. Visually speaking, I think the treads on the wheel are too narrow and a bit much in quantity. I would prefer the treads to be more pronounced with wider spacing. Yet with that said, my index finger grabbed the mouse wheel very well. In fact, my index finger held this wheel better than that of the MMM711.

Another feature of the MM731 mouse is something called Hybrid Wireless Technology. On the underside of the mouse, there’s a storage locker that holds the included wireless dongle. Once the dongle is plugged into one of your computer’s USB ports, you’ve got 2.4 GHz action. I’ve used the 2.4 GHz and wired connections and I can report that both work flawlessly. I was unable to use the Bluetooth 5.1 mode as my motherboard lacks that wireless capability.

Finally, when the MM731 is in need of a firmware upgrade, refer to the quick start guide for further information, or better yet watch the video below. I could explain the process but that would be boring and a waste of your time. The video from Cooler Master explains the process very well. It’s what I used.

MasterPlus+ Software

Cooler Master uses their MasterPlus+ software to control the MM731’s DPI button, lighting, performance, macros, and profiles as seen in some of the screenshots below. There’s so much that one can do with this software.

In wireless mode, polling rates of 125, 250, 500, & 1000 Hz are available with the software.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Ergonomic, classic design for right-handed users
• No fatigue or wrist pain after many hours of use
• Three connectivity modes
• Lightweight at 59 grams
• Price of $70

Cons:

• No illuminated wheel
• No DPI switch on the body
• No holes

I’m going to get right to the point. The Cooler Master MM731 mouse is one high-quality mouse, and it’s been a joy to use. For my needs, the MM731 is pretty darn good and I highly recommend it.

Cooler Master’s MM731 is available for purchase on Amazon for around $70, see the Affiliate links here. When it comes to price, the MM731 is slightly less expensive than the Glorious Model O and O- mice, $30 less than the forthcoming Glorious Model O Pro, and quite a bit less expensive than the two Razer Viper mice discussed above.

This well-designed wired/wireless combination mouse has earned a 4.25 out of 5-star rating. As a right-handed user, its feature set is rivaled only by a few more expensive mice and only loses fractional points for its lack of an illuminated wheel and lack of holes. I’ve become fond of holes in a mouse.

What do you think of this Cooler Master MM731 gaming mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Cooler Master website to see their latest peripherals like the MM730 and MM731 gaming mice. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support section at the bottom of their website. The Cooler Master MM731 mouse comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Cooler Master MM731 gaming mouse sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Cooler Master MasterBox TD300 Mesh Case Review

03/09/2022 By Hakan Can

Back in late January of this year, Cooler Master introduced three new cases. Normally, we would see such products introduced at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. But like last year, many brands pulled out for valid reasons. Of the three cases, the one we’re reviewing is the MasterBox TD300 Mesh case. This 2022 mini-tower case is the smaller sibling of the mid-tower MasterBox TD500 Mesh case introduced the previous year. Available in two colors (Black and White), the TD300 Mesh case boasts premium features such as a polygonal mesh front (hence the name), dual Sickleflow fans, and an ARGB/PWM hub. The case is also compatible with MasterPlus+ customization software. With these premium features comes a premium price point: the TD300 Mesh has an MSRP of $109.99. Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Cooler Master TD300 Mesh case review.

Read: Cooler Master SK653 Keyboard Review

Cooler Master TD300 Mesh Case Review

Key Features

Polygonal shaped mesh front cover
ARGB/PWM control hub
Two Sickleflow 120mm PWM ARGB fans
Tempered glass side panel
Removable top and side panels
Adjustable drive cage
Lighting is customizable using MasterPlus+ software

Specifications

Product Name	MasterBox TD300 Mesh
Product Numbers	TD300-KGNN-500 TD300-WGNN-500
Colors	Black, White
Materials	Body: Steel, Mesh, Plastic Left Side: Tempered Glass
Overall Dimensions L x W x H	433 x 210 x 421 mm
Motherboard Support	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX
Expansion Slots	4
Drive Bays	Two 2.5" SSD Two 2.5"/3.5" Combo
Input/Output Panel	Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) 3.5mm Audio Jack 3.5mm Mic Jack ARGB/PWM Hub
Fans (Pre-installed)	Two Sickleflow 120 ARGB (White or Black)
Fan Support	Top: Two 120mm or 140mm Front: Three 120mm or Two 140mm Rear: One 120mm
Radiator Support	Top: 120/140/240/280mm Front: 120/140/240/280mm Rear: 120mm
CPU Cooler Clearance	166mm
Power Supply Clearance	325mm (w/0 front radiator and drive cage) 140mm (drive cage in backmost position)
Graphics Card Clearance	344mm
Cable Routing	18-22mm behind motherboard tray
Dust Filters	Front, Top, Bottom
Power Supply Support	Bottom Mount, ATX

Read: Cooler Master MM831 Gaming Mouse Review

Construction and Design

As you can see from the photos and specs above, the Cooler Master TD300 Mesh case is one handsome, versatile case. The folks at Cooler Master describe its appearance as “postmodern elegance.” It’s hard to disagree with that description.

When I first saw images of the mesh front, I wasn’t that impressed. For years I’ve seen mesh offerings that I’ve considered low-quality. With respect to the TD300 Mesh, I can no longer say so. This mesh front cover is attractive, sturdy, and well assembled. Remove the front cover (bottom first) and you’ll see how well it’s fastened. I’d love to see a video on how it was manufactured.

Directly behind the cover comes two Sickleflow 120mm PWM ARGB fans. While this Sickleflow is a decent fan, I would have preferred to see the MasterFan MF120 Prismatic fan as part of this case. I think the lighting effect from the crystalline outer loops would have further enhanced the 3D effect of the polygonal diamond-cut mesh. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make this change as the MasterFan MF120 Prismatic fan only comes in black. If I had the black TD300 Mesh case, you’d see photos of that build. I hope the folks at Cooler Master consider making the prismatic fans in white.

On the front frame, you’ll notice six sets of slots, three on each side, plus an extra set at the very top. Here you’re able to adjustably mount 120mm or 140mm fans to either side of the frame. You can also mount a radiator as large as 280mm to the backside. There’s one caveat here, if you want to use three 120mm fans, you’ll have to mount them on the backside of the frame, then forgo the radiator. Decisions, decisions. This is the very reason why I wish the case was an inch taller.

Making our way over to the top, we have the standard strip of inputs and outputs, see the Specifications above. This is followed by the removable top which is absent in the two photos below. Being able to remove this top makes a world of difference when assembling a build. The removable top comes with a large magnetic mesh dust cover that’s nearly the length of the case. It also accommodates two 120mm/140mm fans and a radiator up to 280mm.

Read: Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review

Over on the backside, there are plenty of holes for ventilation and the placement of a single 120mm fan and radiator. My case has adequate cooling so I’ve gone without the use of a 120mm fan.

The left and right sides are what you typically see with cases today, see the three images below. Looking from the front, the left side incorporates one piece of smooth tempered glass covering approximately 75% of the height of the case. Now, this is a deviation from the MasterBox TD500 Mesh case. That case has tempered glass from top to bottom with a handful of etchings that didn’t quite work for me. There the designer must have gone a bit too artistic. I’m glad the etchings didn’t make it to the TD300 Mesh. Furthermore, I’d love to see an updated TD500 Mesh mid-tower case without the etchings for 2022.

Upon removing the back panel, you notice the 5-port ARGB/4-port PWM hub as well as plenty of cutouts and the adjustable drive tray. I no longer use internal 5.25″ drives so I removed the drive tray in its entirety. Cutouts and mounting holes are well protected with rubber grommets. This is where I mounted my solid-state drive. I could have also mounted an SSD or two onto the power supply cage just below the motherboard. But this configuration is a little tricky due to the lack of space.

The left and right panels are easy to remove and put back on. Wiring and cabling were also easy to work with and maneuver.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

MasterPlus+ Software

Should you have a motherboard introduced in the past four years, then you should all but certainly be able to utilize Cooler Master’s MasterPlus+ software to control a variety of lighting options within the TD300 Mesh. Unfortunately, my five-year old system utilizes an Intel X99 motherboard design. It is not capable of fully interfacing with the ARGB/PWM hub. So no matter how many Cooler Master MasterFan or Sickleflow fans I incorporate into my build, I won’t be able to control the lighting with the MasterPlus+ software. It sucks but I was able to adjust the fans manually with the use of the front panel reset button. I noticed 14 unique lighting patterns you can adjust by using the reset button.

I won’t have to wait long as my next build is in the works for late summer/early autumn. I’m looking forward to building an AMD AM5 system. Then I can incorporate a Cooler Master AIO CPU Cooler such as the MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion.

Conclusion

Pros:

• A handsome, “postmodern elegant” design
• The multi-port ARGB/PWM hub
• Ease of installation
• Cooling options

Cons:

• Price of $109.99 may be too high for some
• Product availability–currently it’s hard to find one
• Product height: it could have been slighter taller

Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure to review many of the latest offerings from Cooler Master. To be completely frank, I continue to use the MM711 mouse and SK653 keyboard since the time of their reviews. I’m not necessarily trying to keep my hardware within the Cooler Master ecosystem, which by the way has its advantages. I just happen to enjoy using their latest offerings that much.

There’s a downside to reviewing cases. When you come across one that perfectly or near-perfectly meets your needs, such as this TD300 Mesh, you can’t use it for very long. There’s always another case review around the corner. In my case, no pun intended, I’ve got three more to review with one of those being from Cooler Master.

If a mini-tower is what you’re looking for in 2022, please take a long look at the Cooler Master TD300 Mesh. I believe you’ll be very happy with it

The Cooler Master TD300 Mesh case is available for purchase at the Cooler Master Store website for $109.99. At the time of this writing, it was not available at Amazon or Microcenter. I attribute this lack of availability to the supply chain problems that we all hear or read about daily.

This well-designed mini-tower case has earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Cooler Master TD300 Mesh case review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Read: Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Cooler Master website or their Discord page to see their latest products and peripherals like their CPU coolers, fans, keyboards, and mice. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support section at the bottom of their website. The Cooler Master TD300 Mesh case comes with a 2-year limited hardware warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Cooler Master TD300 Mesh mini-tower case sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Cooler Master SK653 Keyboard Review

11/22/2021 By Hakan Can

Earlier this year, Cooler Master introduced their SK652 and SK653 flagship mechanical keyboards. Available in two patterns (Gunmetal Gray and Silver White), the SK653 boasts premium features such as TTC low-profile switches and hybrid wired/wireless via Bluetooth capabilities. The keyboard also arrives in a very appealing brushed metal finish with RGB back illumination and compatibility with MasterPlus+ customization software. With these premium features comes a premium price point: the SK653 has an MSRP of $129.99, but currently we do not see it less than $149.99. How does the SK653 keyboard compare to other low-profile mechanical switch offerings such as the Logitech G915 and the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2? Is the SK653 worth purchasing over these two similar options? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Cooler Master SK653 keyboard review.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Cooler Master SK653 Keyboard Review

Key Features

Slim design, brushed aluminum plate
Ergonomic, floating keycaps
TTC low profile brown/blue/red switches
Wired/wireless-capable via Bluetooth 4
MS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android support
RGB illumination, 16.7M colors
Fully customizable using MasterPlus+ software

Specifications

Switch Type	TTC Low Profile Mechanical (Red/Blue/Brown)
Materials	Aluminum & Plastic
Keycap	Ergonomic Low Profile
Colors	Gunmetal Gray Silver White
LED Colors	RGB 16.7M
Polling Rates	Wired Mode: 1000 Hz Wireless Bluetooth Mode: 125 Hz
Response Time	1 ms
MCU	32bit ARM Cortez M0 64 Pin
Onboard Memory	512 KB
On-The-Fly System	Yes
Multimedia Keys	via Function (FN) Keys
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.0
Battery	4000 mAh (2000 mAh x 2)
OS Compatibility	MS Windows 8-11 mac OS X 10.10+ Android & iOS
Software	MasterPlus+
Cable Length & Type	1.8 Meter USB Type-C Detachable & Braided
Dimensions	430 x 125 x 25mm 16.93 x 4.92 x 0.98 Inch
Weight (w/o cable)	737 grams 1.62 lbs
Warranty	2 Years

Read: Cooler Master MM831 Gaming Mouse Review

Construction and Design

As you can see from the photos above and below, the Cooler Master SK653 keyboard is one attractive, modern-looking piece of hardware. It is lighter and smaller in footprint (16.93″ x 4.92″ x 0.98″) than every keyboard I’ve owned or reviewed before it. And unlike all but one of those previous keyboards, it’s portable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a protective carrying case. You’ll have to purchase one of those.

Whether your illuminated keycaps are white or black, the top surface comes with a brushed aluminum finish in either Silver White or Gunmetal Gray. Both versions look fantastic and should complement your desktop arrangement well. The underbelly comes in black regardless of version.

The cable connecting the keyboard to your desktop is 1.8 meters in length and is beautifully braided with a shiny finish. The keyboard end has a USB Type-C detachable connection and the desktop end, a USB 2.0 Type-A connector.

The SK653 comes with three different TTC low-profile mechanical switches to choose from: red, blue, and brown. For the purposes of this review, we received the brown and are most pleased with this choice. By using low-profile mechanical switches, the actuation is reduced by 20% from 4mm to 3.2mm. The sound the keystrokes make with the brown switches is neither loud nor soft. Yet, the feel of the keystroke is on the softer side. If you’re in an office environment and are concerned that your colleagues around you will be bothered by the sounds, you need not be.

The weight of the SK653 (minus the cable) is 1.62 lbs., and is barely noticeable.

For comparison’s sake, the Logitech G915 and the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 weigh in at 2.26 and 2.38 lbs., respectively. Each of the three keyboards uses a mechanical switch from a different manufacturer. Logitech uses Kailh GL low-profile switches in red, blue, and brown, meanwhile, the Corsair uses Cherry MX low-profile switches in red and silver only. Both competitor’s keyboards are larger by length and width than the SK653, while the G915 is 1/10″ lower in height. Furthermore, both competitor’s keyboards are more expensive than the SK653, and the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity.

The Cooler Master SK653 utilizes the 32bit ARM Cortex M0 64Pin MCU along with two 2000 mAh batteries.

Read: Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review

Capabilities and Performance

According to the folks at Cooler Master, their target audience for the SK653 is creative professionals like myself, yet there’s plenty of reasons why it should also be aimed at and adopted by gamers.

There are three big features of the Cooler Master SK653 keyboard that you ought to know:

Multi operating system (OS) capability.
Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and
On-the-fly controls and hybrid key rollover.

The SK653 is capable of working with devices utilizing the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows (8 and above), Mac OS X, iOS, and Android. This is a huge selling feature. Switching between a PC and Mac couldn’t be simpler. Holding the Cooler Master FN button tells you what OS the keyboard is working with, and combining this with the right shift key switches the OS back and forth.

Let’s say you have both a PC and a Mac at home or the office. In theory, you would only need one keyboard between the two systems. Sadly, I cannot test this theory as I do not own an Apple computer so I’ll take Cooler Master at their word here.

Because of the hybrid design, you can operate the SK653 in one of two ways: wired or wireless, utilizing the latter with Bluetooth 4.0. According to the folks at Cooler Master, while in Bluetooth mode, “the SK653 allows users to save 3 settings with 3 individual devices and can easily switch between them.” Another great feature of this keyboard.

Finally, the SK653 has a plethora of on-the-fly controls and software: You can customize macros, profiles, and lighting schemes easily. In order to save time from discussing or listing these controls, I’ve included two diagrams that cover the on-the-fly shortcuts in detail. Visual is the better approach here.

Putting aside the SK653’s internal features and capabilities for a moment, what Apple or PC user wouldn’t want this keyboard alongside their desktop?

For additional information, please refer to the quick start or Bluetooth setup guides.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

MasterPlus+ Software

Cooler Master uses their MasterPlus+ software to control the SK653’s wireless, lighting, keymapping, macros, and profiles as seen in the five screenshots below. For instance, LED modes and speeds are adjustable and customizable via the MasterPlus+ software. A lot of high-quality colors radiate from this keyboard.

There is one thing I don’t like about the software and that’s when there’s an update available. It appears you are unable to use the software unless you click to update.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Beautiful, minimalistic design
• Low-profile switches yield no fatigue or finger pain after many hours of daily use
• Portability and Multi-OS support
• Terrific RGB back illumination

Cons:

• Difficulty connecting to Samsung Galaxy S Android mobile device via Bluetooth

Not long ago, I wrote a review on the Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse saying that it was “quite possibly the best mouse I’ve ever used.” Well, I’m about to top that endorsement. Whether it be a keyboard, a mouse, or some other desktop peripheral, this SK653 keyboard is my favorite desktop product of 2021. Even though I’ve got more expensive keyboards from other brands behind me to my left, I’ll be using this keyboard for years to come. I love it that much. My younger nephew, who couldn’t take his eyes off of it, will have to wait for the hand-me-down.

And I have no doubt that I’ll sort out the Bluetooth to Android connection issue shortly after this posts.

Cooler Master’s SK653 is available for purchase on Amazon for around $150, see the Affiliate link at the bottom. This well-engineered keyboard has earned a 4.75 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Cooler Master SK653 keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Read: Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

• Follow Cooler Master on Twitter
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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Cooler Master website to see their latest products and peripherals like their cases, keyboards, and mice. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support section at the bottom of their website. The Cooler Master SK653 keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Cooler Master SK653 mechanical keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review

11/09/2021 By Hakan Can

One year ago this month, Cooler Master introduced the MM711 mouse. Available in numerous colors, it boasts premium features such as the 16,000 DPI PixArt PAW 3389 optical sensor and left/right OMRON switches with a 20M keypress lifespan. It also arrives in a very handsome honeycomb design with RGB illumination and compatibility with MasterPlus+ customization software. With these premium features comes a premium price point: the MM711 has an MSRP of $59.99. How does the MM711 mouse compare to other premium offerings such as the Glorious Model O and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste? Is the MM711 worth purchasing over these two similarly options? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse review.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review

Key Features

Ergonomic, ambidextrous shape palm, claw, and fingertip grip
Honeycomb shell design
“Pro-grade” PixArt PAW 3389 sensor
RGB illumination, 16.7M colors
Smooth and large PTFE mouse feet
Fully customizable using MasterPlus+ software

Specifications

Grip Type	Claw, Palm, Fingertip
Material	ABS Plastic
Mouse Feet	PTFE
Color	Black, White, Golden Red, Blue Steel
Surface Treatment	Matte & Glossy for Black, White, and Golden Red. Metallic for Blue Steel
LED	RGB on wheel and logo
CPI/DPI	7 Levels: 200 to 32K with MasterPlus+
Tracking Speed	400 ips
Lift Off Distance	< ~2 mm
Polling Rate	4 Options: 125, 250, 500, and 1000 Hz
Angle Snapping	N/A
Mouse Acceleration	50 g
Processor	32 bit ARM Cortex M0+
On-board Memory	512 KB
Lifespan or L/R Switches	OMRON 20M
Buttons	6
Software	MasterPlus+
Cable Length	1.8 Meter
Weight	< 60 grams
Dimensions (LxWxH)	4.587" x 2.457" x 1.508"
Warranty	2 years

Read: Cooler Master MM831 Gaming Mouse Review

Construction and Design

What happens when you combine a beehive with a pasta colander with a cheese/vegetable grater?

You get the Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse.

As you can see from the photos, the MM711 is lightweight, right-handed, ambidextrous mouse chock-full of holes so you can see that well-lit RGB illumination. That’s it in a nutshell. Now let’s break it down.

The MM711 gaming mouse uses a right-handed ergonomic design that works for claw, palm, and fingertip grippers. The shape and feel of the mouse are extremely comfortable, in fact remarkably so, thus being one of its strongest selling points. I found it to be an excellent fit for my hands. Only my ring finger rests across the right edge, yet it causes no pain. For reference, my hand is about 4 inches wide with the thumb included and nearly 7.5″ in length from the base of the wrist.

The weight of the mouse (minus the ultraweave cable) comes in at just under 60 grams, which is very light for a mouse in 2021 and 2022. For comparison’s sake, the Glorious O and O- weigh in at 67 and 58 grams, respectively. And the HyperX Pulsefire Haste also weighs in at 59 grams. So we’re talking apples to apples.

When you factor in the shape and light weight of the MM711 mouse, you get a mouse that can let your dominant hand go all day. I’ve been using this mouse for 6 weeks straight and have not encountered any fatigue or wrist pain. And I’m on this mouse for up to 12 hours per day editing photos and videos across two stints. After all, Cooler Master’s value proposition is “quicker movements, longer gaming sessions, minimal fatigue, and less wrist pain” thus working to prevent a repetitive stress injury.

This mouse has the standard forward and backward buttons on its left side, left and right clickers, and DPI cycle switch on top, and a scroll mouse with wheel click. All except for the DPI cycle switch are programmable via the MasterPlus+ software. There are also three mouse button combinations to be aware of. Please refer to the quick start guide for further information.

No less than half of the sides and two-thirds of the top and bottom incorporate the honeycomb design. This design, along with the scroll wheel illuminates. Just like the buttons, the LED modes and speeds are adjustable and customizable via the MasterPlus+ software. A lot of high-quality colors radiate from this mouse.

And let’s not forget the PixArt PAW 3389 sensor with its 16K resolution, which doubles to 32K with the use of wait, wait for it…the MasterPlus+ software. You had to know I’d go there.

Since the introduction of the MM711, Cooler Master has brought forth other versions such as the MM711 Retro and MM711 Lite.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Performance

According to the folks at Cooler Master, their target audience for the MM711 is FPS/MOBA gamers. While they’re correct to target such an audience, I come at this from another perspective. You see, I’m not a serious gamer. In addition to writing, which I’m doing now, I’m primarily a photo and video editor. And as I’m sure you know, we editors spend hours per day, day after day, with a computer beside us and a monitor or two in front. So we editors need a mouse that doesn’t yield hand or wrist pain too. No one wants a repetitive stress injury regardless of their profession.

The MM711 uses a very reliable and high-end PixArt PAW 3389 sensor which goes up to 32,000 DPI when adjusted with the MasterPlus+ software.

The side mouse buttons are very convenient to use, placed just above where my thumb rests. I had no problem whatsoever going back and forth between web pages. All six buttons were clicky and provided good tactile response. The attached 1.8-meter cord never did catch on my standing desk or the nearby speakers. To be blunt, it felt like there was no cord present.

The scroll wheel with its angled tread design moved nicely, and the three PTFE feet glide very well. It’s good to see a MasterPlus+ feature where one can add and tune the mouse to a new surface.

MasterPlus+ Software

Cooler Master uses their MasterPlus+ software to control the MM711’s DPI button, lighting, performance, macros, and profiles as seen in the screenshots below. There’s plenty one can do with this software.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Ergonomic, ambidextrous design for right-handed users
• No fatigue or wrist pain after many hours of use
• Lightweight at 60 grams
• Terrific RGB illumination

Cons:

• No grip tape

I’m going to get right to the point. The Cooler Master MM711 mouse is quite possibly the best mouse I’ve ever used, no joke. I’ve used gaming and non-gaming mice from all the big players in the computer hardware and peripheral industry for decades. For my needs, the MM711 is as good as it gets and I highly recommend it.

Cooler Master’s MM711 is available for purchase on Amazon for around $60, see the Affiliate link at the bottom. This well-engineered mouse has earned a 4.75 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Read: Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

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FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Thermaltake Introduces the TOUGHAIR 310 and TOUGHAIR 510 CPU Air Coolers

04/26/2021 By Hakan Can

Four months ago at the virtual CES 2021, the folks at Thermaltake announced a slew of forthcoming gaming hardware products due for release in the first half of 2021. Fast forward to today and we see the release of two new CPU air coolers, the single-fan TOUGHAIR 310 and the dual-fan TOUGHAIR 510. Priced at $39.99 and $59.99 respectively, these two CPU coolers fit well within the range of budget-conscious computer builders who are looking for excellent air-cooling performance.

Thermaltake Debuts the TOUGHAIR 310 and TOUGHAIR 510 CPU Air Coolers

Per the press release, “TOUGHAIR CPU Air Coolers utilize next-gen high static pressure fans leveraging the advanced design concept from TOUGHFAN 12 as well as providing a new level of thermal performance and reliability to the vertical heatsink tower.”

The TOUGHAIR 310 and 510 incorporate high static pressure fans that provide ~ 58 CFM at 2,000 RPM. Fan speeds are also controllable from 500 RPM up to 2,000 RPM. In order to keep the air cooler as quiet as possible, each 120 mm fan is fitted with a second generation hydraulic bearing, LCP-made fan blades, and an anti-vibration mounting system.

CPU compatibility covers a wide range of AMD and Intel sockets.

AMD: AM4/FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2 «» Intel: LGA 1200/1156/1155/1151/1150

TOUGHAIR CPU Air Cooler Specifications

Model	TOUGHAIR 310	TOUGHAIR 510
P/N	CL-P074-AL12BL-A	CL-P075-AL12BL-A
Compatibility (CPU Socket)	Intel LGA 1200/1156/1155/1151/1150 AMD AM4/FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2	Intel LGA 1200/1156/1155/1151/1150 AMD AM4/FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
Dimension	123.6 x 71.7 x 159.5 mm	23.6 x 98.8 x 159.5 mm
Heatsink Material	Aluminum Fins	Aluminum Fins
Heatpipe	Copper Heatpipes Φ6mm x 4 pcs	Copper Heatpipes Φ6mm x 4 pcs
Fan Dimension (L x W x H)	120 x 120 x 25 mm	120 x 120 x 25 mm
Fan Quantity	1 pc	2 pc
Fan Speed	PWM 500 ~ 2000 RPM	PWM 500 ~ 2000 RPM
Rated Voltage	12 V	12 V
Start Voltage	6 V	6 V
Rated Current	0.48 A	0.48 A
Power Input	5.76 W (one fan)	5.76 W (one fan)
Air Flow	58.35 CFM (one fan)	58.35 CFM (one fan)
Air Pressure	2.41 mm-H2O (one fan)	2.41 mm-H2O (one fan)
Acoustical Noise	23.6 dBA	23.6 dBA
Lifetime	40K Hours	40K Hours
Pin Connect	2510 - 4 Pin	2510 - 4 Pin
Cooling Power	170 W	180 W

Read: Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 310 and 510 CPU Air Coolers are available for purchase on Amazon for $39.99 and $59.99, respectively. (See Amazon Affiliate links below.)

What do you think of the new Thermaltake TOUGHAIR CPU Air Coolers? Do you plan on purchasing one? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Thermaltake USA website to see their current line-up of products. To learn more about service, support, and warranties, click on their Support tab. These TOUGHAIR CPU Air Coolers come with a 2-year warranty.

Read: Thermaltake Level 20 RGB Titanium Gaming Keyboard Review

Urbanista London True Wireless Review

08/05/2020 By Hakan Can

Best Alternative to Apple AirPods?

London is one of those places in the world which has something for everyone. I’m hoping this analogy translates to audio products from Swedish lifestyle brand Urbanista. Recently, we got our hands on the London, its latest true wireless, active noise cancelling earbuds, and put it through its paces. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Urbanista London True Wireless Review.

Pros:
• 5 Hrs Playtime
• 25 Hrs Battery Life
• Active Noise Cancelling
• Ambient Voice Mode
• Ear Detection
• Portable Charging Case

Cons:
• Low Volume Level
• Weak Audio Quality
• Price Tag of $149

Read: Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

Urbanista London True Wireless Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

Upon opening the packaging, fully charge the Urbanista London true wireless earbuds within the supplied charging case. You can use a Q-certified charging pad as well.
Pairing these earbuds couldn’t be easier. All one has to do is lift the lid to the charging case with the earbuds in place, and that’s it. There are no buttons that require pressing.
After pairing the earbuds to your Bluetooth device, place the earbuds in your ears.
To play or pause the audio, simply tap the logo at the top of the left earbud twice.
To increase the volume, tap the logo at the top of the right earbud. To decrease the volume, tap the logo at the top of the left earbud. Brushing your finger along the earbud worked well for me.
To answer or end a phone call, touch the logo twice on either earbud. To reject a call, touch and hold the logo on either earbud.
To activate Siri or Bixby (I used this one) touch the logo on the right earbud twice.
To turn Active Noise Cancelling on or off, touch and hold the logo on the right earbud for at least two seconds.
To turn Ambient Voice Mode on or off, touch and hold the logo on the left earbud for at least two seconds.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Urbanista press release, “Urbanista London is designed to provide the perfect fit and is comfortable for long periods of wear.” I agree wholeheartedly with this statement.

Urbanista London comes in four colors: Midnight Black, White Pearl, Rose Gold, and Dark Sapphire. And they arrive within a hard plastic, matte-finished charging case of the same color. A four-light charging indicator is located on the front of the case.

Controls are accessed by nothing more than a touch to the logo of either earbud. Operations are listed in the proceeding section. Although there’s no right or left designation on the earbuds, it’s near impossible to place the wrong one into the correct ear.

These earbuds have in-ear detection, ambient voice mode, and active noise cancelling. The latter utilizes a BES chipset, which I’m told is quite advanced with ANC. While I never got around to utilizing the ambient voice mode, as a situation never presented itself, I can attest that the ANC worked quite well, especially so while mowing the lawn.

In other tests, the earbuds worked as they’re supposed to for playing/pausing music, accessing phone calls, and with the Bixby voice assistant.

Charging of the earbuds is handled via the supplied case and USB-C cable. To achieve play lengths of ½ hour, 1 hour, and 3 hours, charge the earbuds for 5, 10, or 30 minutes, respectively. To completely charge the case takes just over 1.5 hours.

Ear tips come in three sizes: S, M & L.

From a design and feature perspective, London from Urbanista is a solid product.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $149.99
• Driver Type: 10 mm
• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Supported Codes: AAC, SBC
• Siri/Google Assistant/Bixby
• IPX4 Protection

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 5 Hours
• Battery Type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
• Range: 10 Meters
• Charging Time: 1.52 Hours
• Available in Midnight Black, White Pearl, Rose Gold, Dark Sapphire

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Earbuds
• Charging Case
• Manual

• USB-C Charging Cable
• 3 Additional Pairs of Silicone Ear Tips

Read: Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding earbuds and headphones is sound quality, followed by fit and feel. The Urbanista London earbuds were tested across a variety of artists using my Amazon Music account.

Audio performance is where the London earbuds lose their luster. Rather than excelling in audio quality, the earbuds faltered. Regardless of the type or genre of music, and I listened to plenty, what I heard felt like layers of cloth or a muffler between my ears and the artist. When testing a $150 product, I better be impressed, sadly I was disappointed.

Within the song Alone by Halsey, the finger snapping (among other things) didn’t sound right.

On the song Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey, the audio quality sounds like a blurry mess when the instruments join her vocals.

On the song Bad as the Boys by Tove Lo, the percussion doesn’t sound right. It’s too loud and unpleasant on the ears.

I could continue with less-than-stellar examples from the bands 30 Seconds To Mars, Rush, and The Black Keys, but I won’t.

The only positives I can note are from Jazz legend John Coltrane and the EDM artist Zedd. The audio quality of their albums The Ultimate Blue Train and Clarity were better on the ears, but I’ve heard more satisfying from similarly priced earbuds.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be comfortable in my ears and very portable within its travel case.

Audio life of five hours is enough to cover two day’s worth of bus or subway commutes plus lunch breaks. Sadly, the audio quality disappoints.

• Design – 4.5
• Features – 4.5

• Sound – 2.0
• Value – 3.0

What do you think of this Urbanista London True Wireless review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Urbanista’s social media pages to see their latest announcements. The London True Wireless ANC earbuds come with a one-year limited warranty, click this Warranty Terms link for more information. To learn about returns, repairs, and technical support, click this Help Center link for more details.

FTC Disclosure: Urbanista provided Beantown with one (1) London True Wireless Earbuds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

03/30/2020 By Hakan Can

With CES2020 in the rearview window, headphones that we saw, heard, or read about are now becoming available. One of these models is the Philips TAPH802 Hi-Res Audio wireless over-ear headphones. Priced under $150, the Philips PH802 headphones boast passive noise isolation, Bluetooth 4.2, Hi-Res Audio when wired, and closed-back 40 mm diameter speakers. These over-ear headphones are designed to deliver detailed audio reproduction. Want to know if they hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Philips PH802 headphones review.

Pros:
• Superb sound
• Very comfortable fit
• Rapid/Quick charge capable
• Battery life of up to 30 hours

Cons:
• No storage bag included
• No USB-C charging port
• Lacks wear detection
• Only one color available

Read: Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Philips PH802 Headphones Review

What You Need To Know for Operation of the PH802

To power on or off in wireless mode, press and hold the power button for three seconds. You’ll hear “Power On” or “Power Off” depending on the operation.
To pair the headset to your mobile device, press and hold the power switch fully until you hear “Connected.” Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair the headphones.
To play and pause audio, press the button once for either action. Taking or ending a phone call is handled in the same manner.
To forward or reverse a music track, press down or up, respectively, while holding for one second to complete the action.
To increase or decrease the volume, push up or down the slider button, respectively.
Playtime lasts for a whopping 30 hours. Charging the headphones takes approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll notice a red blinking light while charging.
Note: these functions only work in wireless mode.

You’ve got to appreciate a pair of headphones where one switch controls every function. It couldn’t be any simpler.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

PH802 Design and Features

Although the Philips PH802 headphones come in an all-plastic, black color scheme, the design of the headset is a fascinating one with its use of curvature and non-uniform padding.

If you haven’t already noticed, the padding on the headband and ear cuffs is not the same thickness throughout; in other words, it’s uneven, and this is a good thing. If you examine it closely, you’ll notice the headband is thickest up top, and the ear cuffs have a bit of an s-curve shape with more padding in the lower half. This allows for a softer fit up top and better-enclosed fit on the sides.

In fact, the PH802 may be the only headphones in my arsenal where the ear cuffs fully encompass my ears. I went back and looked through my collection of on-ear and over-ear headphones only to realize that all but one model had uniformity in the shape of their headbands and ear cuffs. So, I’m not surprised by its excellent fit.

The headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from polyvinyl or leather, I can’t tell which. Regardless, they’re very soft and amazingly comfortable. Both the headband and ear pads contain memory foam, so every time you remove the headset, they’ll return to their designed state rather quickly. As someone who wears glasses, you shouldn’t worry about discomfort. The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its twelve adjustable positions.

Determining which side is left or right is a bit confusing. Sadly, the “L” & “R” designations aren’t large enough to read.

The ear cups of the PH802 rotate 90° degrees in; thus, they lay flat when placed on a surface and approximately 10° out. Additionally, they bend inwards for better storage.

With only one button/slider and two inputs on the headset, the PH802 couldn’t be easier to operate. Placement is handled very well; never did I forget the location of anything. See the previous section for operation.

The headphones include a port for wired audio and another for charging.

Throughout hours of use, the button/slider work as advertised. One thing to remember, the button/slider doesn’t function when the headphones are wired to a mobile device.

Overall, the construction is well done and assures high quality.

As of today, the PH802 is available in one color–black. Should additional colors be introduced, this post will be updated.

Read: Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 90 db
• Headphone Frequency Response: 7 Hz – 40 kHz
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm
• Range: 10 meters
• Impedance: 16 Ω
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2

• Battery Type: Lithium-Polymer
• Max Power Input: 30 mW
• Music Play Time: 30 Hours w/o ANC
• Standby Time: 200 Hours
• Charging Time: 1.5 Hours
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

What’s In The Box?

• PH802 Over-Ear Headphones
• Safety Sheet
• Quick Start Guide

• 48″ 2.5 mm Audio Cable
• 9″ μ-USB Charging Cable

Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Tove Lo – Sunshine Kitty
• Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence, Born To Die

• Halsey – Hopeless Fountain
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

Audio Performance

I repeat this all the time when reviewing headphones; the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. The Philips PH802 over-ear headphones were tested using the playlist listed above. Each album was sampled against a comparable well-rated $200 headset selected from my collection. When you’re testing headphones with 40 mm drivers and a frequency response of 7 Hz – 40 kHz, you expect very high-quality sound.

I didn’t need to listen to anything beyond the first album, Sunshine Kitty from Tove Lo, to know that I loved these headphones. Nonetheless, in order to provide a thorough review, I listened to all five albums.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar across all the albums were very much to my liking. Be careful not to go beyond the 85-90% volume setting. The high volume could negatively impact your hearing ability.

Whether you’re listening to Geddy Lee or any of the three female singers, vocals were exceedingly clear and vivid. And it wasn’t just vocals that shined. Keyboards, drums, and guitars all sounded the way I hoped it would before hitting the play button. The beauty of sampling Sunshine Kitty first is that you get plenty of bass, keyboard, and drums in droves. Take a listen to Sweettalk my Heart or Mateo. Bass and percussion sounds were deep, rich, and layered throughout the album. None of the $200 (or less) on-ear or over-headphones in my collection produced this high-quality level of audio. Normally, I’d have to jump up to a $250 (or higher) pair of headphones to hear bass like this. With the Philips PH802, less is more.

With the ambient noise of the city being a lot lower than normal thanks to COVID19, I wasn’t able to give the passive noise isolation a thorough workout. With that said, I had no issues with it in my home. I couldn’t hear my cat’s meows while she was beside me or the audio from the television in the adjoining room.

Read: Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

Conclusion

In my testing, whether it be via wireless or wired connectivity, the Philips PH802 headphones performed without a hitch, in other words, phenomenally.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar production was very much to my liking.

While these aren’t categorized as sports headphones, I have no issue with the PH802 being worn on the gym floor or treadmill, provided your gym is open for business. Sure, you’ll sweat, but they’ll hug your head in the process.

After using these headphones extensively in my home, I can confidently say that they’re among the best sub-$150 headphones I’ve listened to in quite some time.

The headphones are quite comfortable after many hours of continuous listening, barely leaving a mark once you remove them. At a list price of $109.99, the Philips PH802 are the best over-ear wireless headphones I’ve tried this year. I’ll be listening to my Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 a lot less going forward, maybe even retiring them. And you’re worried about the price, head over to Amazon where you’ll see them for $89.99. See the link below.

I’ll be keeping this headset and adding to my reference list when comparing to future similarly-priced pairs of headphones.

What do you think of this Philips PH802 review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Philips Support Page to see their latest on software and driver updates, registration, and warranties.

FTC Disclosure: Philips provided Beantown LLC with one (1) PH802 Hi-Res Audio headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Moshi Venturo Sling Backpack Review

Netflix 6 Underground Review

12/19/2019 By Hakan Can

The Netflix Film 6 Underground has just been released on the streaming service, and it’s a doozy. And I’m not using that word in a positive sense. If you’re into mind-blowing action, then you should know it’s packed full of it. But sadly, the film falls short in pretty much every other metric. So without further ado, let’s dive right into the Netflix 6 Underground Film Review.

Netflix 6 Underground Review

Read: Netflix Levius Season 1 Review

The Backstory

The writers of this film (Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese) have done us a disservice. Outside of a few time-shifting backstories, we learn next to nothing regarding the main cast of characters. To be blunt, I’ve heard better stories in the men’s rooms of most nightclubs, and those storytellers weren’t Hollywood writers or producers. The film’s dialogue is weak, to phrase it mildly.

Ryan Reynolds is an inventor billionaire who fakes his death and, with no experience in the assassination game, starts a for-hire hitman squad. Just like in Green Lantern, Ryan’s character stalls out an airplane and crashes it.

Ryan Reynolds crew of bad guy removers are numbered 1 through 7, with of course he being number 1. Now, no one calls it a ‘suicide squad’ as those two words have already been used up by DC Comics/Warner Brothers, but that’s what they are. Heck, I’m not even sure how they’re being compensated for their dictator removal services.

So the team is made up of six individuals, one of which gets killed in the 17-minute car chase opening scene. Like most Michael Bay action films, this one involves plenty of gunfire, explosions, chases, and aerial views. It wouldn’t be a Michael Bay film if there weren’t plenty of aerial drone shots and helicopter scenes kicking up sand. I can think of at least six off the top of my head spanning the last dozen or so years, most with the word Transformers in the title. In other words, we’ve all seen this movie before.

It also wouldn’t be a Michael Bay film (or a Ryan Reynolds liquor ad) if there were some blatant product advertisements. Aviation Gin, Chopard Watches, and Hotels & Resorts are prominently featured in 6 Underground.

The Story

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, the film starts with an over-the-top 17-minute car chase through the City of Florence, Italy. Believe it or not, this is the team’s first mission, and as one would expect, it goes south quickly. There are some horrific crashes, a few of which, including the first one, don’t even make sense from a physics point of view. But who cares, it’s a Michael Bay film. Just sit back and enjoy, right?

After watching this scene, I immediately felt terrible for the stuntmen and women in this film. If crash test dummies or CGI weren’t used during this car chase, then there’s got to be some injured folks on the set. As someone who edits video as part of his living, I can say that there are a ton of special effects used here. Glitches and light leaks are easy to notice, but there are so many more that watching a behind-the-scenes feature, should one exist, would be worthwhile.

So the cast of characters goes like this: we got ourselves a billionaire, a doctor, a driver, a hitman, a skywalker, and a former CIA agent. Everyone here is a ghost after having their deaths faked. One of them dies for real, I won’t say who, and is replaced by an army sniper. My favorite of all these characters, and you may not agree, is the skywalker.

You know this is a bad film when 24 minutes in the main character says to the sniper, “God, it’s hard to watch.” As soon as I heard that line, I said “yup”.

The plot of this story is to topple the dictator of a fictitious country in the Middle East, then replace him with his democracy-loving brother. In other words, we’re back to nation-building, which doesn’t work so well in practice nowadays. The dictator is a real piece of shit who puts no value on human life. The brother, on the other hand, is a decent guy, but he’s locked up in the penthouse suite of a Hong Kong tower. And of course, you probably guessed it; the six ghosts have to break him out. While over-the-top, this is a pretty good action sequence.

Once the tyrant’s brother is rescued, we’re taken to the fictitious Middle Eastern country for a violent overthrow of the government.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t find 6 Underground exciting or even enough to keep me awake after the first-hour mark. Fortunately, the second half was better and more entertaining. It was so bad that it took me two nights to complete this film.

There is one scene I need to draw attention to because the filmmakers truly screwed up. At one point in the film, the team is heading to Las Vegas. Now, this is all fine and dandy, until you notice that Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit are shown, but they aren’t in Las Vegas. As a Formula One fan, I’m confident in saying they’re in Abu Dhabi. Go figure.

Overall, the film was a disappointment for so many reasons. If you’re going to watch this turd, put aside two hours where you’re not worried if you ever get them back.

I certainly hope this is the end of the story for these six ghosts, as I don’t want to see a sequel. Watching one 6 Underground film was bad enough, we definitely don’t need a sequel.

If you’re wondering what’s worth watching on Netflix, try Love, Death & Robots, or the upcoming series The Witcher.

What did you think of the Netflix Film 6 Underground? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Netflix homepage to see their latest announcements.

FTC Disclosure: Netflix did not compensate us at Beantown for this review. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid ambassador.

Read: Telic Energy Flip Flop Sandals Review

Netflix Levius Season 1 Review

12/12/2019 By Hakan Can

The Netflix Original Anime Levius begins its 12-episode first season with a fight in the boxing ring. Levius is named after its main character, the 17-year old boxing phenom, and is based on the 7-volume Haruhisa Nakata manga series, also of the same name. We’re introduced to what’s known as metal boxing and is it ever fun to watch. So without further ado, let’s dive right into this Netflix Levius Season 1 Review.

Netflix Levius Season 1 Review

The Backstory

As we learn in Episodes 1-3, Levius Cromwell has essentially been orphaned. He’s the byproduct of the 7-year Fosanian conflict between the nations are Whitel, which Levius and his family are citizens of, and the Republic of Rosvia. And this conflict is over something called Agartha mineral water rights. It’s this water when mixed with steam and a fighter’s blood, that powers the mechanized limbs of the metal boxers.

Although his mother survives the Fosanian conflict, she’s incapacitated and severely injured, thus requiring 24-hour hospitalized care. As his city pf Greenbridge burns, Levius loses his right arm while trying to save his mother. And we learn his father, a military man, dies in the war. Levius is taken in by his Uncle Zack Cromwell and Grandmother. Soon after, a 10-or 12-year old Levius, I couldn’t get this straight, is introduced to metal boxing.

The Look and Feel of Levius

The animation of Levius is faithful to the Haruhisa Nakata’s manga. If you like what you saw in the voluminous pages of the manga, then you’ll love what you see in this anime. The animation of Levius is reminiscent of other anime series’ where there’s a wide latitude given to the use of highlights and shadows. Using photography terms, each character’s facial features are washed out with blown-out highlights and accentuated with hard shadows. You’ll notice this mostly scenes that take place at Zack’s gym.

Because this is an anime involving boxing, the movement of the fighters is quick and detailed. It’s fantastic to watch.

The voice-over, like the background music, is spot on. Dialogue is at a distinguishable volume and is never overpowered by the background audio tracks. I give a lot of credit to those who were selected to be the English voice-over talent and to those editing the finished product

The plot moves at a decent pace with some time-shifting to fill in the back stories. Overall, the storyline is excellent, and in most cases, there’s proper character development.

The Storyline

Episode 2 opens with a flashback to 7 years earlier when Levius’s home was under attack in the war. He witnesses children being carried off by mechanized infantry, thus keeps quiet as to not be carried off himself. Once he’s adopted by his longshoreman (and former boxer) Uncle Zack, he visits his mother in the hospital. As he’s leaving, he notices a young girl from Greenbridge, one that was crying while carried off by a mechanized soldier, as she and another are en route to the coliseum. This is Levius’s introduction to the violent and often deadly sport of metal boxing. This episode also introduces us to Natalia Garnet, a cocky 17-year old boxer you loses her G5 bout to Levius by TKO in 27 seconds. She provides the comic relief of the series

Episode 3 is a must-watch and provides us with a history lesson on the conflict that brought Levius Cromwell to his Uncle Zack. When Levius was young. there was a war ravaging his sea-side city of Greenbridge. A combined twenty thousand soldiers and citizens were killed during this 7-year war (known as the Fosanian Conflict) when the country across the sea wanted access to the Agartha water springs. Greenbridge is well-known for this type of water. While trying to save his mother, Levius loses his right arm in the battle to retake Greenbridge. This retaking involved the use of mechanized soldiers from Amethyst Steam Technology Enterprises. We learn a lot more about this corporation throughout the series, not all of it with well-intentions.

With Levius’s promotion from Grade 5 to Grade 3 of the Metal Boxing Association (MTA), we’re introduced to Malcolm Eden. He’s a talented 40-year old fighter who was demoted from G2 to G3, and he’s not ready to hang up his gloves just yet. In Malcolm’s last five fights, all of his opponents have died from injuries sustained by his hands. The match is amazing!

Once Malcolm is defeated, he retires and works to make up for his sins by helping the families of those he hurt. Levius is now ranked 7th in G3 and is offered a promotion match to G2, but he has to fight the number one contender, the large-and-in-charge Hugo Stratus. Levius barely comes up to Hugo’s chin. Something appears to be afoul as a boxer with Levius’s lower-ranking wouldn’t get him this promotion match. But first, Hugo needs a tune-up match and this comes with the mysterious AJ Langdon. We also meet Hugo’s father, Chairman Stratus of the MTA. He’s the spitting image of Johnny Depp’s character Edward Ratchett in the film Murder on the Orient Express.

The match between Hugo and AJ spans from Episode 5 to 6, and once again is fantastic! I would argue that this is the best boxing match of the series.

Hugo’s top ranking is earned, and technically, he’s the superior boxer. Nonetheless, AJ is not your typical metal boxer and she does not go down easily. In fact, she defeats Hugo Stratus, nearly killing him in the process. It wasn’t a fair fight.

At the halfway in the series, Zack, Levius, Bill, and Chairman Stratus visit the mysterious Chairman of the Board of Amethyst, Dr. Clown. (I’m not making it up, that’s the character’s name.) Dr. Clown is somewhat of a long-winded poet who loves to hear the sound of his own voice. He’s been up to something sinister all along.

As it turns out, AJ is Dr. Clown’s adopted daughter from the Fosanian Conflict. We learn that Amethyst’s mechanized soldiers actually kidnapped many of the orphaned children of Greenbridge during the fog of war. Two of these children are AJ and her younger brother, who we do not meet in Season 1. These children were subjected to medical experiments that are clearly noticeable in AJ. It becomes clear to all in attendance that Dr. Clown has used a combination of mind control and drugs on AJ. While she believes Amethyst saved her, in reality, she was kidnapped and experimented upon. Her words say one thing, but the tears down her cheeks reveal the truth.

Levius tries to take AJ away from Dr. Clown, which oddly enough would also be kidnapping. This is where Dr. Clown makes a grand bargain. He tells Levius that AJ can go with Levius provided he defeats her in the ring during the promotion match. If Levius loses, he becomes the ward (essentially property) of Dr. Clown. Levius agrees to the offer and signs a contract to finalize the arrangement.

Soon after, Malcolm Eden shows up at Zack’s Gym and offers be Levius’s sparring partner. As a long-time boxer, he has unique insight on how to defeat AJ. His preparation of Levius is most helpful.

This brings us to the final 3-4 episodes of the series where the “fight of the century” between Levius and AJ takes place. You’ll have to see what takes place for yourselves. It would irresponsible of this reviewer to share any more. All I will say is that there are some surprises.

Final Thoughts

The final episode ends on the same note as the 12-episode first season began, with a fight in the metal boxing ring. All-in-all, Levius Season 1 brings us a terrific story with intense action and interesting characters. I haven’t liked an anime this much since the introduction of Love, Death & Robots, also on Netflix. We hope this first season of Levius is viewed by more than those who love anime or boxing. There’s a great story at play here.

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We’re looking forward to a second season of Levius. Should there be one, we’ll see some terrific G2 boxing matches, and maybe we’ll learn what happened to the other Greenbridge orphans which Amethyst so-called “saved.” This post will be updated when we learn more.

What did you think of the Netflix Anime Series Levius Season 1? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Netflix homepage or Haruhisa Nakata’s website to see their latest announcements.

FTC Disclosure: Netflix did not compensate us at Beantown for this review. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid ambassador.

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Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

12/01/2019 By Hakan Can

It’s safe to say that anyone who owns a home or rents an apartment needs a flashlight. Actually, these people probably need two or three just to cover all events and emergencies. Two months ago we reviewed the Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight and got a taste for what a truly great flashlight can be. Because we received such positive feedback, we were presented with the opportunity to review another, the Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight. Now, this second light is different from the first, for reasons we’ll get into momentarily. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look in this Fenix TK22 V2 TAC flashlight review.

Pros:
• Multi-purpose flashlight
• Up to 1600 lumens
• Aluminum body
• Intelligent memory
• Low voltage indicator
• Overheat protection
• IP-68 waterproof
• Medium size, lightweight

Cons:
• Warm to touch at the highest setting
• Does not include battery or charger
• Price of $85 may be too high for some

Read: Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

Once you’ve used a high-quality flashlight, you won’t want to go back to the low-quality $20 variety you see in the aisles of your nearest hardware store.

Unfortunately, you won’t find Fenix flashlights in either Home Depot or Lowe’s. I’m not sure why this is the case, but for the brand’s sake, I hope it’s rectified quickly. You can find their products on their website www.fenix-store.com.

For the sake of comparison, we measured the Fenix TK22 V2.0 against similar models at Home Depot. From the 389 flashlight models available at HD, the field was narrowed down to just under 10 when we based our selection on those with aluminum casings, rechargeable, 5-year minimum warranty, and lumens above 1000. In fact, only one brand met the criteria, a brand that I’ve never heard of before today. Oddly enough, their flashlights looked remarkably similar to those from Fenix.

So if you’re looking for a great flashlight, the field is quite thin, and you’ll have to look at Fenix.

As you can see from our Pros vs. Cons list, the former greatly outweighs the latter. The $85 price tag isn’t an issue as you’re getting a high-quality product with a great warranty.

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Design and Features

There are only a handful things you need to know about operating the Fenix TK22 TAC V2. With a slight press of the tail switch, you’ll see the light beam that was last used. So if you shut off the light at ‘High-Mode,’ then it restarts at ‘High-Mode. A full press the tail switch activates the flashlight.

Pressing the stainless steel side switch once (and then again) changes the mode, of which there are four listed below. Holding the side switch down for three seconds takes the light into tactical modem, aka the strobe. It’s this setting you would use on someone to temporarily disorient them. There is plenty of police or military uses for this light.

The flashlight is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with notch and groove patterns throughout. In other words, this light should’t slip out of either hand.

The LED is the Luminus SST40, made from an ultra-clear glass with an anti-reflective coating.

If you’re worried about using the flashlight in the rain or dropping it in shallow water, don’t be. The light has an IP-68 waterproof rating allowing it to be underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of two meters. It’s also impact resistant to one meter.

Additionally, it’s mind-blowing how good a product this is with its intelligent memory circuit and reverse polarity protection.

The TK22 TAC measures at 5.91″ long, 1.57″ head width, 1″ body width, and weighs 5.29 ounces without the battery. Speaking of batteries, you’ve got a few options to choose from, as this model does not come with a battery.

The ARB-L21-5000 – 21700 battery w/o USB port for charging, currently $24.45
The ARB-L21-5000U – 21700 battery with USB Type C port for charging, currently $24.95
The ARB-L18-3500 – 18650 battery w/o USB port for charging, currently $24.45
The ARB-L21-3500U – 18650 battery with μUSB port for charging, currently $23.45

If you purchased a battery without a USB port, then it’s recommended you purchase the Fenix ARE-D1 ($14.95) smart battery charger. In full disclosure, we need to purchase one ourselves.

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Specifications

This “professional performance” flashlight puts out some amazing specs.

Outdoor Mode
• Turbo: 1600 Lumens, 405 Meter Distance, 2 Hr 10 Min Runtime
• High: 500 Lumens, 231 Meter Distance, 4 Hr 40 Min Runtime
• Mid: 150 Lumens, 112 Meter Distance, 17 Hr Runtime
• Low: 20 Lumens, 51 Meter Distance, 80 Hr Runtime
• Strobe: 1600 Lumens, switching between 6 and 15 Hz every 2 seconds

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What’s In The Box?

• TK22 TAC V2.0 Flashlight
• ALF-18 Battery Holder
• Holster
• Lanyard

• Two spare o-rings
• Spare rubber boot
• Warranty card
• User manual

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Performance

During an evening one week ago, we tested the TK22 V2.0 outdoors, and we were blown away with what we saw. With 600 more lumens than the PD35 TAC, we had a feeling we would be.

Under the three higher settings, the beam throw goes from the long end of my yard to the other and beyond. There are woods on two sides of my home, and they were lit up like fireworks. Suffice to say; if you’re searching for someone or something outdoors during the evening, you’ll have no trouble seeing where you’re walking and for hundreds of meters ahead of you.

Based on its smaller size, I recommend having the PC35 TAC over the TK22 V2.0 when it comes to what to keep in one’s automobile glove box.

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Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found the TK22 TAC V2.0 to be very comfortable and portable, true to its mission, and best used outdoors. The quality of light and its throw is most impressive.

So you don’t waste your time, we’ve done plenty of comparison research here, but as always, feel free to do your own.

At $85, and without the battery, the cost of the Fenix TK22 V2.0 is an expense that will cause some to balk. Despite this fact, this product is worth taking a long look at. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

If you’re shopping around a major holiday, there may be special pricing on this model or another, so please check. Recently we’ve seen a 60% discount on the battery.

What do you think of this Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts. Should you wish to purchase this flashlight, click this PD35 TAC store link. We don’t earn a commission or anything.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Fenix Blog page to see the latest announcements and reviews. The Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight comes with no less than a 5-year warranty on the light. If you have a rechargeable battery, there’s a 1-year free repair warranty. See the Fenix Warranty page for more information.

FTC Disclosure: Beantown was provided with one (1) Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

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