Technology Writer

Review: Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS Headphones

01/15/2016 By Tom McLaughlin

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.

Review: The House of Marley Smile Jamaica Earbuds

01/13/2016 By Tom McLaughlin

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.

The 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:

They use recycled materials for their packaging.
They use FSC-certified wood in the backings.
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"]

Read: Review: The OmniMount WorkSpace Wall Organizer

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.

The 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.

Review: Antec’s SugarCube Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker

12/31/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

Introducing The SugarCube From Antec Mobile Products

[envira-gallery id="3710"]

A First Glance At The Powerful Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Antec is a big player in the PC Hardware space. Their mobile products branch, A.M.P., has made a name for itself throughout 2015 by introducing quality accessories for your mobile devices. One of this year’s additions to their catalog is the SugarCube, a portable Bluetooth mini speaker that can be taken with you anywhere. In addition to being powered with a 40mm driver, the SugarCube happens to look great with its compact design. But, does it deserve all the attention?

A Closer Look At The SugarCube

For the last week, I carried the mini speaker everywhere around Boston. I slipped it into my jacket and backpack and kept it nearby for any occasion. The portability of the SugarCube is definitely one of it’s best features. At 3.2 ounces, the added weight isn’t noticeable. And with a dimensional volume of 2 x 2 x 2-Inches, it can fit nearly anywhere. With that said, it does need a break to recharge after 6-8 hours of use, with a charging time of between 3-4 hours.

Upon unboxing, the SugarCube is immediately ready for use. All you have to do is 1) flip on the power switch located at the bottom of the mini speaker, and 2) connect your device to the mini speaker via Bluetooth sync or by using the included 3.5mm auxiliary cable. The case also comes with a micro USB cord for recharging the mini speaker when the juice runs out.

The SugarCube is compatible with all major operating systems: Windows 10, Apple iOS, and Android, as well as any laptop, tablet, phone, and mp3 player with Bluetooth capability. And if the music gets interrupted by a call, the mini speaker comes with a built-in microphone so that you don’t have to switch over to your phone to talk.

The smooth compact design is complemented by its rubberized outer layer and rounded edges. The mini speaker is small enough to fit on any desk or shelf. It comes in a variety of colors to fit gracefully into any environment.

[envira-gallery id="3707"]

Image Credit: Antec Mobile Products

If you do put the SugarCube down for a bit, the Bluetooth has a range of 10 meters (about 30 feet). In my little apartment, this was perfect. I could leave it in one room, take my iPhone 5s with me to another, and never hear any bumps in the sound, even from across the apartment.

That brings me to the real issue.

Read: How The FixMeStick Cleaned My Desktop Computer, A Review

The Sound Quality

To test out the sound quality of the SugarCube, I used a playlist put together by Jam Audio. If you want to see the songs I used, check them out here.

The first thing I noticed with the SugarCube was how loud it could get. The output power is just 3 Watts. Unfortunately, the second thing I noticed was the distortion at high volumes. When it comes to bass, the speaker is great in regards to its size, but it’s important to remember that this is a small device, so it won’t be able to produce the kind of bass that will envelop you. After having turned the volume up, the mini speaker struggled with its range although sound had filled the room. With one of the songs on the playlist, Brass Monkey by the Beasty Boys, the SugarCube had difficulty with some of the deeper bass sounds. I noticed this with other songs that were punctuated with low-frequency bass as well. Even when I turned the volume down, it didn’t make a huge difference–the distortion still lingered.

In most situations, keeping the SugarCube just below the maximum volume solves the problem. It is a little disappointing that the mini speaker can’t fully perform at the highest volume.

In my review, the SugarCube was best used in an environment where you want music to be playing, but not having to fill the whole room. Studying, reading, cooking, relaxing, hanging out with friends any calm activities that beg for ambiance, but not filled with noise are ideal uses for this product. It’s better than built-in speakers in terms of sound quality, but it won’t surpass them in volume.

[envira-gallery id="3713"]

[Tweet “Antec is offering 30% off on all their products until January 10th. Just use the Code: NEWYEAR30”]

The Verdict

Overall, I’m pleased with the SugarCube. The physical design looks great, the portability is fabulous, and the sound isn’t too bad. But, if you’re looking for something with a rich, powerful sound, this mini Bluetooth speaker may not be for you.

At a retail price of $45, it’s a good buy! And at that price, it’s on par with other quality portable Bluetooth mini speakers. With an Amazon.com price of around $25, it’s an even better buy.

If you act now, Antec is offering 30% off on all their products until January 10th. Just use the Code: NEWYEAR30. That’s a pretty sweet deal! You don’t have to follow them on social media to get that discount. If you want to keep up with the latest from Antec or AMP, feel free to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Do you think the portability of the AMP SugarCube mini speaker makes it a worthwhile buy? Do you already own one and if so, what do you think of it? Did I get it this mini Bluetooth speaker review right? Feel free to tell me what you think in the comments section. Or better yet, reach out on social media.

FTC Disclosure: Antec Inc. provided Beantown with one SugarCube mini speaker sample for review purposes. We’re not paid ambassadors. Our opinions are purely our own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Antec Inc. and/or Beantown LLC.

Read: The Aeolus Laptop Cooling Pad from Enermax: A Review

SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds Review

12/24/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

What More Could You Ask For In A Sports Headphone?

Updated post. With all the new wearable technology being released, the list for which ones to pay attention to is getting longer and longer. Well, you best make room on that list for the Biosport, the new biometric earbud with heart rate monitor from SMS Audio. The product, a collaboration between Intel and SMS Audio, is on the cusp of innovation and cutting edge technology. With these two brands coming together to change the way that you work out and exercise, something good is bound to happen. Welcome to the SMS Audio BioSport earbuds review (updated.)

Are These BioSport Earbuds The Total Package?

At a price of $150, I had some pretty high expectations for the BioSport. With features like these, can the SMS Audio BioSport earbuds meer them?

IPX4 rated durability against water or sweat
A powerful heartbeat monitor that doesn’t require batteries
Works in tandem with popular fitness apps like Run
Fantastic SMS Audio sound via 12.4mm driver
Comfortable, new design and look

The packaging and branding are sleek. It perpetuates that fancy and put-together look of the whole product. In addition to the earbuds, you’ll receive a 30-day trial membership for the runkeeper elite app. You can find the runkeeper app for Apple and Android here.

So I took them out, put them to action, and saw just how well they lived up to my expectations.

Design Review of the SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds

The first notable aspect of these earbuds is the ergonomic design. With all the new earbuds that are supposed to “fit perfectly” in your ears and “never fall out,” I was a little apprehensive when I saw this take on a comfortable fit. The design looks modern and innovative, definitely something that no one else is doing. If you’ve found that other styles don’t fit your ears, these BioSport earbuds might be worth a try.

The BioSport earbuds come in 3 different sizes that slip on and off with little difficulty. Looking at the 3 sizes, the differences themselves aren’t too obvious, and they’re easy to mix up. On the inside, the sizes and designated sides are etched lightly to show the discrepancies.

The wire is flat to prevent tangling. There was one day while I was testing these out when I forgot them back home on a trip to the gym. I pulled out my tangled ball of Apple headphones and had to spend a minute or two figuring out the knot. The worst I got with these was some twisting up from turning my phone over too many times as I worked out.

Along the wire is a hub of the heart rate monitor. It’s much like any other mic segment you’d find on another earbud–a button to pause, skip, and skip backward. What’s notable about this is how large it is. I’m sure as the technology improves, there will be a decrease in size. But in this model, it’s relatively bulky.

Overall, the design is attractive. I love the in-ear section––it’s comfortable and value its originality. On the outside of the ear is a pod where the wires are attached. I’m pretty averse to the flashy, ostentatious look at the gym, so I try to avoid earbuds that attract a lot of visual noise. Although the amount is minimal, it’s still there, and it should be stated that it’s there. The best way to avoid the flashiness of the Biosport would be to buy them in some other color like grey. Other than grey, they come in blue and yellow (the latter being more like a lime-green if you ask me.)

For the design, I give the SMS Audio Biosport earbud the grade of an A-.

Read: Review: Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT1iS Headphones

Introducing The Heartbeat Monitor

Intel is known for being on the forefront of new technologies and their contribution to the Biosport earbud may make or break this purchase for many people.

The best way for me to express the idea is to reminisce about high school sports. I’m sure if you’re considering buying these headphones, you’ve had a coach at some point and know the feeling of someone always yelling for you to run harder, lift harder, or push harder.

But now you’re grown up, and the gym is quite different than the practice field. There are no other players to compare to other than yourself. You decide how hard you push, checking it against how hard you feel you’re pushing.

The heartbeat monitor gives you a measure for your challenges.

Here’s how it works. The monitor is controlled by a little switch on the mic and it will start tracking your heartbeat through a sensor in the right headphone. When it’s functioning, you can’t use the mic to make phone calls. The mic becomes exclusively for the pause-skip-rewind button.

That seems simple enough. Unfortunately, that’s not all. The monitor must be connected to an app through your phone. SMS Audio and Intel suggest Runkeeper, and I would too despite the complications I faced. The headphones have to be connected through the settings of the app. After that’s finished there’s a little heart that shows up on the screen, whether or not the heartbeat monitor is actually switched on.

If everything is correct, just choose which activity you want to do, how you want it tracked through the app (GPS or Stopwatch), and then get to work.

[envira-gallery id=”4411″]At it’s best, the heartbeat monitor is a fantastic addition to a routine. Every 5 minutes or so, a voice through the app speaks to let you know how long you’ve been going and update you on your average heartbeat, your current heartbeat, and where that sits on the scale of how hard you can go (50%-60%, 70%-80%, etc.) It’s especially satisfying when the voice activates and shouts excitedly that you’re working at 90-100%.

However, at it’s worst, it can be pretty aggravating. It takes some time to activate. If you don’t have the monitor turned on, it can throw off your stats. Once such case is if you’re running and waiting for the heartbeat monitor to kick in, and then nothing happens.

Compared to the struggles that accompany a separate heart monitor – wires, straps, batteries. These headphones make things pretty convenient. They don’t need batteries, and they plug right into your phone. The technology for receiving the information just isn’t quite there yet as it occasionally stumbles.For the design, I give the SMS Audio Biosport earbud the grade of an A-.For that, I give this feature a B+.

For the heart monitor, I give the feature the grade of a B+.

Read: The SuperSlim Monster iSport Wireless Headphones Review

The Superb Sound

Now we come to the SMS Audio side of the earbuds.

These headphones aren’t noise cancelling. It doesn’t matter though as the sound is so powerful. Even at a low setting, these feel loud. Turn it up and the sound gets richer, more surrounding, thicker, and deeper. It’s very nice.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing along to your music, or jogging right along to the beat, submerged in the rhythm and sounds.

For their sound, I give the feature the grade of an A.

Read: Review: Adidas Sport Supernova In-Ear Headphones by Monster

Final Thoughts

Although a smaller brand in the headphone arena, SMS Audio is known for their innovation and the BioSport earbuds do not fall short of that promise. From the I’ve never seen before design, to the integration of an @Intel biometric heart monitor, the @SMSAudio BioSports are a great pair of earbuds!

All together I give it an A-.

They’re durable, enjoyable, comfortable, and for the most part, they’re functional. If it weren’t for minor inconveniences and stumbles with the heart monitor, I would have given them an even higher rating.

There is a wide variety of wearable tech available right now. At a list price of $150, this model may not be your first choice. I suggest you check around a little more before making your final decision. In my opinion, the BioSport should be placed pretty high up on your list.

So what’s your opinion? Do you agree or disagree with anything in this review? Have you tried the SMS Audio BioSport earbuds? What did you like and/or dislike about them? Let us know in the comments below or over on the Beantown Review Twitter or Facebook pages.

And don’t hesitate to head over to the SMS Audio website. Feel free to check out their latest products as well as their press releases.

[Tweet “to the integration of an @Intel biometric heart monitor, the @SMSAudio BioSports are a great pair of earbuds!”]

Updated April 2016: One great thing has happened since this review was posted last year and this is a drop in price. So, if you held back purchasing the BioSport due to it’s $150 price tag, you need not worry any longer. One check on Amazon and you’ll see all three colors of these earbuds selling for $39.99. You heard correct, a penny below $40.

FTC Disclosure: SMS Audio, LLC provided Beantown LLC with one (1) sample pair of BioSport earbuds for review purposes. This writer’s opinions are 100% his own.

Editor’s Note: Of all the brands and models of headphones Tom has reviewed, it was the SMS Audio BioSport earbuds he asked to keep. I believe this says something quite favorable about this reviewed product.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of SMS Audio, LLC and/or Beantown LLC.

Read: Trident Introduces New Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases

Review: Adidas Sport Supernova In-Ear Headphones by Monster

12/20/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

Pure Monster Sound® and Adidas® Sport Come Together

Monster is known for its high-performance audio cables and it’s Pure Monster Sound®. It is this very sound that is integrated into their headphones and speakers. Adidas® is a world-renown brand for all things sports. This past year, these two major brands teamed up to create sports headphones equipped with Pure Monster Sound. What they created was the Adidas Sport Supernova™ in-ear headphones by Monster.

Initial Thoughts – Adidas Monster Headphones Review

The Adidas Sport Supernova comes to us with plenty of promises: superb sound quality, tight grip in the ear, waterproof design, perfect for extended workouts, total noise isolation, lightweight, and durability. All these promises come at a price of under $100. Based on the things I’ve heard, I was excited to get the chance to try them out for myself.

The packaging is sleek, yet simple. What you don’t use and/or wear (i.e. cardboard, plastic) can make its way straight to the recycle bin. Not counting the black-and-white patterned headphones, the packaging consists of the following:

A rugged and breathable mesh carry pouch
3 sets of ear tips
3 different sets of the SportsClip™
A multi-language user manual

The first time using the Adidas Sport Supernova was while walking along the busy, noisy streets of Downtown Boston during the afternoon rush. Upon placing the headphones into my ears, and turning the music on, the surrounding noise immediately disappeared. Everything around me went silent. The music I was listening to sounded fresh and clean. These in-ear headphones were truly noise isolating. The Pure Monster Sound definitely fulfilled my expectations.

The sweat-proof, water-resistant design held true to Monster’s promise. This means that you can wash them off after each use, but don’t toss them in with the laundry.

While the grip wasn’t as comfortable as I had initially expected, with some adjustment, it became much more so. You can thank the nine different customizable fits of the SportClip for this.

Another feature of the Adidas Sport Supernova is ControlTalk™. On the headphone wire, there’s a controller with three buttons and a microphone. These buttons are to answer and end calls, turn the volume up or down, pause music and video, skip, and rewind. It’s easy to access if you’re on a run and can’t pull out your phone to pick up a call. It’s useful in everyday settings like walking or just sitting as well. Note: the functions of the buttons vary on the manufacturer of the mobile device. Below is a table that covers eight manufacturers of mobile phones.

Graphics Credit: Monster Inc.

Read: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Review - SonicPro Headphones

One Week Later

When I started using the Adidas Sport Supernova, I was enamored with them. I couldn’t go without having them in my ears. The sound was so good. But, it didn’t take long for any negatives in its design to manifest.

Photo Credit: Monster

Due to its noise-isolating design, the Sport Supernova in-ear headphones are for indoor use, primarily with cardio equipment. They are not intended for anything longer than 1-2 hours of use. Even with their ergonomic design, I found it difficult to use them beyond this 2-hour time period. As they are designed to isolate noise, they did need to be removed from my ears for a while to let them rest from the pressure. This was a bit disappointing as I would have liked to use them longer.

(If you’re looking for a comparable pair of headphones designed for outdoor use, then check out the Adidas Sport Response™.)

The headphone’s audio is impressive! There’s no doubt about this. Yet, it is stifled by one complication, its cord. I noticed that problems arose from it while exercising.

The 4′ long black-and-white cord is wide and flat to make it tangle-resistant. Unfortunately, this made it encumbering when it needed to be fluid. Many times during my workouts, the wire would tug on anything it touched and managed to pull out the headphones, despite the grips. This flat design is not ideal for running. If there’s ever a Sport Supernova 2, I hope Adidas and Monster choose a round cable design.

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The Sound

I was impressed by the Pure Monster Sound when I first popped the Sport Supernova into my ears. The bass sounds were deep and strong. Everything sounded nice. Smooth, quiet melodies flow in the isolated noise and the high notes felt just right.

However as I listened more, I began to notice a little distortion. The sound began to crack slightly on the high notes. From then on, these high notes felt a little thin, but the overall sound was still solid.

The playlist that I used to test these in-ear headphones was originally put together by JamAudio. You can see all the songs listed here.

One of my playlist favorites for testing speakers and headphones is Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys. One play of this song’s intro reminds me why these headphones sound is so impressive. Even after the recommended break-in period of 20 hours, and despite the light distortion on some highs, the sound produced by the Adidas Sport Supernova in-ear headphones is undeniably amazing!

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The Verdict and Final Thoughts

The Adidas Sport Supernova is fantastic in terms of sound quality. It isolates noise well, it has a suitable fit, it is sweat resistant, tangle resistant, and has ControlTalk.

Yet on some of its promises, it falls a little short. It fell out of my ears while working out, even with the correct SportClip. And it wasn’t as long-term comfortable as I would have liked. Because of this, the functionality doesn’t come together as well as I had hoped.[Tweet “the sound produced by the Adidas Sport Supernova in-ear headphones is undeniably amazing!”]

As a practical audio accessory, it is very good quality for $79.99. If you can look past the issues with the flat cord and a little distortion in the highs, you will have truly found a great pair of headphones.

Have you tried the Adidas Sport Supernova in-ear headphones by Monster? Were you surprised by the quality of the product? What do you love about them? And what do you think of the SportsClip? Let us know over on the Beantown Review Twitter or Facebook pages. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Monster Products website. Feel free to check out their 2016 product lineup as seen at the recent CES. They’re doing some great over there!

FTC Disclosure: Monster Inc. provided Beantown LLC with an Adidas Sport Supernova in-ear headphones sample for review purposes. We’re not paid ambassadors. Our opinions are 100% our own.

All photographs and graphics are the copyrighted property of Monster Inc. and/or Beantown LLC.

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The SuperSlim Monster iSport Wireless Headphones Review

12/16/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

What more could you ask for in a sports headphone?

I’ve had a couple pairs of Monster® headphones before. When I saw their current line of Bluetooth headphones, I looked forward to getting my hands on a pair of iSport SuperSlim headphones to review. At a list price of$150, these new Monster iSport wireless headphones have a lot to live up to.

With the market booming with this new kind of wearable, you want to make an educated decision about which pair is the best one for you. So I tried a pair and here’s what I thought.

Read: Review: Adidas Sport Supernova In-Ear Headphones by Monster

Monster iSport Wireless Headphones

The Monster SuperSlim Design

Often times the biggest problem that I have with headphones derive from the design. And it’s for this reason that when I got my hands on the Monster iSport wireless headphones, I was super excited. I’m a big fan of the Monster sound and had thought the Sports Clip design had been comfortable when I used them before.

The packaging for this product is impressive. It opens out nicely to show off a fit guide and the headphones. I eagerly pulled them out and got to playing around. The pair I sampled came in lime green. If you prefer something more subtle, they have black as an option. As a personal preference, I suggest the headphones in black. When it comes to these headphones, the more subtle you can get, the better.

The first time I took these out and wore them was one street down from my apartment to meet some friends. I wore them with pride. Then my friends spotted them. I hadn’t paid much attention to the size of the headphones themselves until that moment. From this second perspective, I noticed that they’re quite big.

Graphics Credit: Monster Inc.

Additionally, the Sports Clips themselves can be bulky. This adds to the effect since there’s nothing wrapping around your ears to hold them in place. So you pop them in and they just sort of dangle out of your ear, blinking.

Yes, blinking.

When powered on, they flash blue on a circle on the outside of the headphones. This was another comment I heard people make about them while I wore them. “They’re just so big, and they’re blinking.”

I felt a little puffed up as I walked around the gym wearing huge sports headphones that flashed as if needing to be noticed.

Graphics Credit: Monster Inc.

This doesn’t even cover the not-so-slim rubber wire that connects the two headphones. With most wireless headphones, I could wrap them comfortably around my neck, but that didn’t work with this pair. The rubber tugs and catches on skin and clothing. The Sports Clips weren’t strong enough to hold them in place. I constantly found myself adjusting and fixing them.

Even without the constant tugging, I had some trouble getting the right fit on these iSport SuperSlim headphones. They come loaded with 3 different ear bud sizes as well as 3 different sweat-resistant, washable Sports Clip sizes. Yet, I still couldn’t get just the right snug fit in my ears.

From a design perspective, I would say these Monster iSport wireless headphones might not be worth the financial investment. That is unless you get the opportunity to try them on and see how they fit in your ears.

Read: Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

The Monster Sound

The Pure Monster Sound® will always hold a soft spot for me. No matter how comfortable the fit, the first time I use any of their products, I just sigh with relief when the music starts playing.

There’s nothing like walking down a busy street and just listening. The sound is smooth, soft, and powerful.

The bass play through the headphones is rich. Feeling surrounded by the noise isolation is easy when the sound is this good. The details in the music are really brought out by the Pure Monster Sound®. Songs have a new angle, new edges.

Coupled with the right playlist, these headphones can get you pumped up for anything.

It’s definitely something you need to experience.

[Tweet “The details in the music are really brought out by the Pure Monster Sound®.”]

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Functionality and Final Thoughts

The sound is incredible, but this feels somewhat disappointing as these Monster iSport wireless headphones don’t come together as a whole.

The Bluetooth itself is great. Five hours of playback is great. Not having to keep your phone plugged in the whole time when you’re at the gym is freeing, and yes, great. I expected some system that felt more effortless than some of the less expensive Bluetooth headphones on the market.

The monotone voice: “power on” can be found in any system, and is not that impressive. The pairing is simple enough if you keep your eye on the manual. Overall, for the price you’re paying, the product could be better.

I constantly felt like the headphones were in contradiction. Pure sound, but lackluster in most everything else. I struggled to feel good about using them in public while at the same time wishing for the Pure Monster Sound®.

I’m a huge fan of Monster®, but these were a bit of a disappointment. When it comes to Bluetooth headphones, I’ve seen other brands do better with design and functionality. While the Bluetooth itself is a great experience, I wouldn’t recommend spending your $150 for these Monster iSport wireless headphones. The list price is a little steep for the product. Fortunately, there’s Amazon.com, where this product goes for less than $90. Now that’s more to my (and probably your) liking.

I rate these headphones 3 out of 5 stars.

So what’s your opinion? Do you agree or disagree with anything in this review? Have you tried the Monster iSport SuperSlim wireless headphones? What did you like and/or dislike about them? Let us know in the comments below or over on the Beantown Review Twitter or Facebook pages.

And don’t hesitate to head over to the Monster Products website. Feel free to check out their 2016 product lineup as seen at the recent CES. They’ve introduced some great products in 2016.

FTC Disclosure: Monster Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one (1) sample pair of SuperSlim Monster iSport wireless headphones for review purposes. This writer’s opinions are 100% his own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Monster Inc. and/or Beantown LLC.

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The Evutec S Series Wood Phone Case: A Review

11/02/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

Introducing the Evutec S Series Wood Phone Case

Recently, phone cases have become akin to articles of clothing. From time to time, you snap one on like a fashionable accessory. The designers tell you it looks smart. Meanwhile, it provides a good, but not great, job at protecting your phone. Other cases may protect your phone well, but more or less resemble a block. You swap between different phone cases from day to day or week to week until, of course, one breaks. What you end up with–less money in your wallet after you’ve spent it on a sub par case. There is a third choice. Along comes a different case, one that brings style and strength to the forefront, introducing the S Series wood phone case from Evutec.

The people at Evutec noticed this problem and dedicated themselves to solving it. “Stylish” and “superior protective solutions” are what they do best. When it comes to their S and SI Series wood phone case, this is no different.

Last week I entrusted my Apple iPhone 5s to Evutec’s S Series ebony wood phone case, to see if it held up to their claims.

Here’s what I discovered, and here are a few reasons why you should look at the S Series wood phone case this fall.

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A Beautiful and Sustainable Look

The seasons change quickly and with each one comes new looks and styles. Now, at the beginning of fall, people have put aside their past seasonal attire and replaced them with more appropriate traditional colors. Evutec’s S Series wood phone cases do well to compliment this changeover to fall. The Wood S Series comes in 5 choices–pretty much anything to fit the shifting landscape as well as your style:

Bamboo
Black Apricot
Black Pearl
Ebony
White Ash

The natural look of these cases effortlessly goes with any kind of style. And they won’t expire when the season changes again.

[envira-gallery id=”3499″]

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DuPont™ Kevlar®

Yes, Kevlar®, as in the fibrous substance that is used to make anything from bulletproof vests to racing car shells. While I wouldn’t suggest testing out the Kevlar® by shooting a gun at your phone, I can say that the wood phone case will keep your phone protected in a some situations.

In case you’re worried about the claim that this is actually wood, don’t be. Evutec uses only 100% FSC certified sustainable wood veneers and layers them between woven DuPont™ Kevlar® fibers to give each Wood Series case its extra sturdiness. When finished, the product in your hand has the look and feel of wood as well as the strength of Kevlar® to keep it from falling apart anytime soon.

Evutec also went the next step and polished their cases with a 5-layer Evutouch® coating that shields it from scratches or marks around the body from wear and tear.

It’s important to make clear that even with Kevlar® being “5 times tougher than steel,” your phone is not. Your entire screen is left open. If you know you’re a clumsy person, this may not be the right case for you.

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The Slim, Comfortable Fit

With the sturdy complexity of the build, it’s surprising that the case still comes in at only .9 mm. The click into the case will hold it close and tight, while still easy to remove if you find a need to. It’s clear that one of the main focuses of the case was the slim look, which it fulfills remarkably.

With wooden phone cases, it’s hard to find that smooth, comfortable feeling without the delicate, rough texture that comes with them. Other manufacturers’ cases often are made of cheap products or pieced together with artificial look-a-likes. Evutec’s cases are an ideal blend of high-quality wood and Kevlar® material. The result is a polished, sleek feel that sits comfortably in your hand. [Tweet “Evutec’s cases are an ideal blend of high-quality wood and Kevlar® material. The result is a polished, sleek feel that sits comfortably in your hand.”]

Against my hands, the wood is more welcoming than those metal cases that I’ve owned. And since it isn’t made with any metal products, you won’t encounter any of the signal blocking that you often notice with a metal case.

[envira-gallery id=”3501″]

The Verdict

In the end, the look, feel, and durability of the Wood S Series is what sets it apart. It’s the type of case that looks great on your phone and gives you confidence that it will hold together.

What you won’t find from the Wood S Series is a case that protects your phone from much other than scratches and minor drops. It doesn’t offer any sort of screen protection aside from a bevel around the corners, so drops from heights over four feet may do your phone in.

The price is surprisingly good based on the reliability of the product. The Wood S Series pricing begins at $29.95 for smaller cases like the Apple iPhone 5/5s and runs up to $49.95 for the larger iPhone 6+/6s+ and the Samsung Galaxy S6.

The Evutec Wood S Series can be found in a variety of stores like BestBuy, Brookstone, Target and T-Mobile and online on Apple, Amazon, BestBuy, and Target.com. [Tweet “The look, feel, and durability of the @Evutec Wood S Series is what sets it apart.”]

If you are looking for that extra level of protection, then look no further than the Evutec all Kevlar-body Karbon Series. This case series has military-grade protection and drop-test approved (MIL-STG-810G Certified.) Not only does the Karbon Series cover the same models of phones that the Wood Series does, it covers additional models as well as Apple iPad tablets.

Overall, I believe this wood phone case is a worthwhile purchase provided you know what you’re looking for. You’ll not only see some protection, as evidenced, in this Evutec YouTube video, but you’ll also see a chic style that won’t be giving up on you anytime soon.

What do you think about the lack of screen protection? Do you think it’s something to worry about? If you have an Evutec case, have you noticed any problems with this? Let me know what you think in the comments!

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FTC Disclosure: Evutec provided Beantown with Two (2) S Series wood phone case samples for review purposes. Our opinions are purely our own.

Awards: Evutec won Best of Show at CTIA 2014: Best Product Design and Best Minimalist Case.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC.