11 Sep
Blog

Sennheiser CX 400BT review: Great Sound, But Not Much Else

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

"The sound is incredible, but the cost for a lower price is a number of missing features."

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Responsive and customizable controls

  • Highly adjustable onboard EQ

  • It lacks features for the money

  • Possible problems with fit and comfort

Sennheiser is known for top-notch sound, and both the Momentum True Wireless and its sequel, the Momentum 2 True Wireless, scored very good results on sound quality when reviewed.

But when you add that excellent sound, it comes at a pretty steep price – you'll pay $ 300 for these earbuds. This of course eliminates a lot of potential buyers.

So the challenge for Sennheiser was to create a range of true wireless earbuds that cost less without sacrificing the main reason they bought them: high quality sound.

The answer to this challenge is the $ 200 True Wireless CX 400BT.

Their price point is definitely more palatable, but do their overall features and performance make them a worthwhile investment considering how many other excellent earbuds are available for the same or similar buck?

Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The CX 400BT's relatively simple cardboard box contains the earbuds, their charging case, a set of four sizes of silicone earbuds (large, medium, small, and extra small), a short USB-C charging cable, and some printed paper documentation.

All of the packaging is highly recyclable except for the black foam inner padding that is glued to the inside of the box.

design

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Big and box-shaped are the words that best describe both the CX 400BT and its charging case.

While Sennheiser has tried to downsize these earbuds by giving them a rounded rectangle shape (the word "squircle" comes to mind), the fact that they are large cannot be hidden.

To be fair, while they stand out more than Apple's AirPods or AirPods Pro, they're not as gigantic as Soundcore's Liberty 2 Pro or Sony's WF-1000XM3 or the WF-SP800N.

The size of the CX 400BT has one advantage: the earphones can be pulled out of the charging sockets relatively easily, despite the strong magnets that prevent them from falling out. They're also a little easier to put in your ears.

The shiny outer surface of the earphones with the stylized Senn logo from Sennheiser serves as a touch control.

There are tiny LED indicator lights on the inside of the earbuds. They will show you the performance and / or pairing status of the earbuds. Solid red means power on, blinking blue / red means pairing mode, and blinking green / red means the earbuds are paired.

The small LED on the charging case near the hinge shows the battery status of both the case and the earphones in different colors (depending on whether the earphones are docked or not). This can be a little confusing.

The lid of the charging case is well built and has a wide hinge that can snap into place between the open and closed positions. A strong magnet keeps the lid firmly closed, but is easy to open.

Unfortunately there is no wireless charging option, just USB-C.

Comfort, fit and control

The CX 400BT are comfortable to wear, but have one caveat: To get the best sound quality from true wireless in-ear earbuds (used with silicone earbuds), you need to bring the tips deep enough into your ear canals to to create a really good seal.

This equation has two parts: you need to find the right size of the ear tip and be able to physically get that silicone tip all the way into your canal.

I found that the sheer size of the CX 400BT prevented me from achieving this comfortably. It was doable, but I had to apply quite a bit of pressure while twisting the earbuds into position.

This had a real impact on my ability to wear them for more than an hour before I felt tired.

This problem is exacerbated by the very defined groove that runs around the body of the earbuds. It has surprisingly sharp edges that I became aware of when moving and pushing the buds around to get a good seal.

The controls on the CX 400BT are possibly the best touch controls I've ever used.

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless AppSennheiser Smart Control App Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Given that Digital Trends rep Nick Woodard didn't have this problem with the Sennheiser Momentum 2 True Wireless (with a nearly identical ear profile), I can only assume that this isn't a problem for everyone, but it does worth thinking about whether you have small ears or have experienced this problem with other models.

Out of curiosity, I tried the earbuds with a set of Comply Foam tips that came with a different set of buds and they helped tremendously. So there are options if you're willing to go the extra mile and buy third-party earplugs.

The controls on the CX 400BT are possibly the best touch controls I've ever used. I'm not a fan of touch controls because they are so difficult to achieve with a consistent response. Sometimes the taps register, sometimes not. Physical buttons are far more predictable.

However, the touch controls of the CX are exceptional and keep responding. I particularly liked the fact that a subtle confirmation tone is generated when registering a faucet. This is a great way to tell if the faucet worked or not.

The existing typing scheme is easy to remember and gives you control over volume, answering / ending / dropping calls, skipping forward / backward and access to voice assistants (Siri / Google Assistant). If you don't like how it works, you can use the Sennheiser Smart Control app to assign any function to any tapping sequence on one of the earphones – something that all real wireless earphones should offer.

Speaking of the Smart Control app: The CX 400BT does not have to be used (without it, it is paired with your device). However, I strongly recommend using it anyway. Not only can you use it to configure the controls, but you can also access the earphones' built-in equalizer and quickly switch between previously paired devices.

This is not the same as Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows two devices to be paired at the same time, but it is the next best thing.

Battery life

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sennheiser-cx-400bt-true-wireless-00005- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sennheiser-cx-400bt-true-wireless-00006- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless (above) and Jabra Elite 75t Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

There seems to be a question about whether the CX 400BT should get 6.5 or 7 hours of battery life when fully charged. The box says 6.5, but the Sennheiser website says 7.

I set it to 75% and ran it on a radio stream. Seven hours later they were still on the road, so I'm confident the seven-hour claim is realistic.

In both cases, however, the average for true wireless earbuds is currently in the lower range. The $ 150 AirPods and $ 230 AirPods Pro get you just a little over five hours. Jabra's $ 200 Elite Active 75t gets 7.5 hours. The $ 200 Sony WF-SP800N can deliver up to 13 hours with active noise cancellation turned off, and the RHA TrueConnect 2 can last 9.5 hours. Samsung's Galaxy Buds + are only $ 150 but can run for 11 hours.

The loading case is of greater importance. It can only add your playtime to a total of 20 hours, making the CX one of the shortest earbuds with total duration at any cost. Since the charging case isn't exactly small, I'm not sure why Sennheiser wasn't able to provide a little more portable power.

The quick charge option is a bit better than the competition: with 15 minutes you get an hour. This corresponds to that of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but is not as fast as the AirPods and AirPods Pro, which can also do this for only five minutes. Meanwhile, the Sonys will get you almost 90 minutes on a 10 minute charge.

Sound quality

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Do you remember how focused I was on getting a good fit? It's not just about comfort.

It's good that I tried these comply foam tips. From the moment I used it, I was in a sonic ecstasy.

With the factory-shipped earbuds, I began to doubt Sennheiser's claim that the CX 400BT uses the exact same drivers and equalizer technologies as the top-rated Momentum 2. What I heard was not close to the praises of Digital Trends writer Nick Woodard: “I heard some pretty powerful earbuds, but that's just a completely different experience. The sound pulls you into the music and devours you as you record notes and instruments that competitors simply don't have. "

It's good that I tried these comply foam tips. From the moment I used it, I was in a sonic ecstasy.

Sure enough, the CX 400BT can rival the best of true wireless earbuds from head to toe, and when paired with an aptX-enabled sound source, they're very hard to beat.

Stereo imaging, precision, depth and breadth of the soundstage – all are superb. Bass, midrange and treble are treated first-class, with everyone being allowed to shine without stepping on the other's feet.

This type of sound quality arguably helps all genres to perform at their best, but you'll really appreciate it when tracks require fidelity across a range of frequencies. Little Something, a duet by Sting and Melody Gardot – a song I just discovered about Tidal – is a perfect example. It features two singers who are supported by a rich mix of acoustic guitar, bass, drums and synth. But the musicians all apply a subtlety to their playing that a lesser set of earphones would attenuate or mask. With the CX, you can appreciate every detail.

If you're not crazy about the factory EQ, the Smart Control app lets you tweak it using one of two equalizer formats. Regardless of your choice, the changes you make will be saved onboard the earbuds, so you can enjoy the results regardless of the music source or the device you are using for playback.

Call quality

The CX 400BT are supposedly optimized for voice calls, but I've found that they generally do no better than many of the less expensive models I've tested.

The lack of a listening mode proved frustrating.

Voice quality was good when conditions were calm, but as is the case with so many true wireless earbuds, they struggled when other sounds vied for attention.

Cars going by, building noises in the distance, helicopters – each of these noises had a tendency to push the speaker's voice around. At no point did this prevent the speaker from being understood, but it was quite distracting at times.

These Comply Foam earbuds, which created such a wonderful seal on sound quality, also blocked a good chunk of my own voice on calls. The lack of a listening mode proved frustrating.

I would say the CX 400BT is perfectly adequate for the occasional call, but quieter locations should be preferred for something longer than a brief "I'm late for our meeting" message.

What is missing?

Given that Sennheiser managed to give the CX 400BT True Wireless the same sound quality as earphones, which cost $ 100 more, corners had to be cut elsewhere.

There's no wear sensor that can automatically pause music when you remove an earbud. There is no active noise cancellation (ANC). There's no sneak-in mode for introducing outside noise when you need to have a conversation, and there's no IPX rating for water or dust resistance.

And we've already talked about the CX's overwhelming overall battery life.

Our opinion

The Sennheiser CX 400BT offers great sound for its price of $ 200. If they had just a few more bells and whistles, we'd be in wireless earbud heaven.

Is there a better alternative?

I don't think another set of real wireless earbuds for $ 200 will get you better sound quality, but you can get close to that. The Jabra Elite Active 75t and Sony WF-SP800N both cost $ 200. While they may not quite match the CX 400BT's sonic purity, they outperform all other features like comfort and fit, audibility, battery life and ANC (in the case of the Sonys) and water resistance.

How long will they last?

With no official protection from water, you may need to be extra careful with the CX 400BT, but it (and its charging case) are very well built and should last for many years. Sennheiser grants a two-year guarantee on them, which is twice as long as with some other brands.

Should you buy it?

It's a tough call. If getting the absolute best sound quality for your money is your number one priority, and you can make peace with the CX 400BT's extensive list of missing features and potential customization issues, then I recommend it. But I would take a close look at the many strong competitors at this price point before buying them.

Editor's recommendations




11 Sep
Blog

The Myth of Good Posture

Not many words make people switch their seats like the word posture does. You probably straightened up while reading. What have you done? How are you sitting now

When most people think of good posture, they think of sitting straight and standing up with shoulders pulled back. Trying to hold this position can be exhausting. Many people give up and fall into the bent position encouraged by gravity and our screens. Even those who manage to maintain good posture can experience tension and discomfort. So what's the point?

The downside of the urge to crouch or slouch

While trying to maintain good posture can cause discomfort, it is better than the alternative. Sitting or standing for long periods without actively activating our muscles for support puts additional strain on the joints and ligaments of the spine. These structures are not designed to be loaded for extended periods of time in a flexed position, and the extra load can cause stiffness and pain.

Our spine isn't the only thing that suffers when we contract. When the upper back stiffens, our rib cage and lung expansion are restricted. This restriction limits the supply of oxygen and increases the work of breathing, which can trigger our stress response and impair cognition.

When your upper back curves and your head protrudes forward above your body, tension can develop in the muscles clinging to your jaw and face. This tension can make the movement of your jaw painful or restricted, leading to a headache.

Many other hormonal and behavioral effects are associated with poor posture, some of which will be discussed in this popular TED talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy. But maintaining good posture is easier said than done.

Avoid the pitfalls of maintaining good posture

Many people develop imbalances when trying to achieve and maintain good posture. Imbalances occur when parts of your body that generally work together become unable to work together due to a mismatch in strength or mobility.

Imbalances can lead to tension and discomfort and cause dysfunction in other parts of the body.

This danger stems from how most people think about good posture. A common misconception is having good posture; You need to get into a straight position and hold it there while sitting or standing.

When you ask your body to do a task like standing up or pulling your shoulders back without telling it how to do it, the body is using the muscles that you use the most.

This reliance on strong muscles leads to prolonged use of muscles that are already strong, while weaker groups are neglected. Over time, stronger muscles get stronger and tighter, while weaker muscles atrophy.

For exampleIf you have back pain while sitting upright, it may be because your stronger lower back muscles are working too hard trying to balance out your weaker lower abs and pelvic muscles.

The most common imbalance

Your lower back and pelvic muscles are the most common spots for imbalance. The muscles that arch your lower back are often overused in many activities, including prolonged sitting and standing, exercising, and carrying.

Conversely, the muscles in your lower abdomen and pelvis are usually not used enough. This neglect is due in part to the fact that many of us experience stiffness and curvature in the upper back, and our bodies make up for this by towering over the lower back when we ask it to sit or stand up straight. The result is an exaggeration of our natural spine curves.

When the lower back is arched over, the pelvis tilts forward, reducing activation of the lower abdominal and gluteus muscles. If this box is not checked, it can cause dysfunction throughout the body.

Rethink good posture

Instead of thinking of posture as a position, think of it as the balance of strength and flexibility across your body's muscles and joints. Use your body in a way that promotes musculoskeletal balance rather than trying to achieve good posture by sitting or standing upright.

A great way to improve posture is to get more exercise. Set reminders to move regularly by incorporating methods to incorporate more into your day, such as:

  • Vary your working position with an adjustable desk.
  • Use the toilet on another floor so you can go up the stairs.
  • Vary the type of manual work you do.

A variety of movements mixes up your body's stress pattern and reduces imbalances.

However, exercise without conscious effort is usually not enough to correct significant imbalances.

Unless we do a new type of movement or consciously activate weak muscles and relax strong onesThe body will still use the muscles it is most familiar with. There may still be discomfort or tension, even after taking a break to move.

Actively improve posture

Consciously challenging your weaker muscles and relaxing your overactive muscles is the best way to restore balance. However, this is easier said than done.

Overactive muscles are difficult to relax and underactive muscles are difficult to feel and use.

The rest of this post discusses techniques you can use to restore balance while:

  • meeting
  • Stand
  • Performing functional tasks such as manual labor and practice

Improve lower back posture

The first step in achieving balance between the muscles of your lower spine and abdomen is to move the area over its entire range of motion, rather than constraining it to an arched or hanging position. You can do this with an exercise called a pelvic tilt.

If you have limited control over your lumbar spine and pelvis, tilting your pelvis may be difficult at first.

If so, download the free Phyx app to access the introductory exercises that will prepare you for tilting the pool. These exercises are fundamental and we recommend them for people of all skill levels.

To do the pelvic tilt:

  • Sit in a comfortable position with your feet on the ground. Place your hands around your hips so you can use your index finger to feel the bony teeth on the front of your hips. Wrap your thumb around and feel the bone on the back of the pelvis. Imagine you have a large bowl of water in your hands.
  • Tilt the pelvis forward as far as you can, as if pouring water from the front of the bowl. Your lower back will arch and you will roll forward onto your crotch. Tilting forward activates the muscles of the lower back while reducing stress on the joints and ligaments. If held for a long time, the tilted forward position leads to overactivity of the muscles of the lower back and front of the hips. The muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvis are mechanically disadvantaged, which leads to an imbalance.
  • After pushing the bowl forward Roll back as far as you can (pour water from the back of the bowl) while preventing your chest and upper back from snagging. When your pelvis tilts back, you activate the lower abdominal muscles.
  • A useful tip Imagine using the area under your belly button to close your pants. When you tilt back and pull up, the lower back is stretched and the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvic floor are activated.
  • Sit in this tilted back position relieves the muscles of the lower back, but can strain the joints of the spine if held for a long period of time.
  • Instead of arching or slouchingTry to keep your back and pelvis in the middle of the two positions. With a neutral pelvis, the load is distributed across the front and back of the torso. The spine, abdominal and back muscles all take some of the load.

Repeat the pelvic incline five times to activate and stretch both sides of the trunk and then finish in a neutral position. You can find the neutral conductor by placing your water bowl in a level position so that the pieces of bone on the front and back of the pelvis are evenly high.

Another way to tell is by looking at the waistband of your clothes. In a neutral position, the waistband is usually parallel to the floor rather than at an angle.

You can do the pelvic tilt while sitting, standing or exercising. It can serve as a preventative measure or as a technique to relieve back or hip pain. This is one of the best ways to assess and improve the most common area of ​​posture imbalance.

If you have an existing back injury, you may experience pain when tilting your pelvis. This pain is normal. Reduce the range of motion until the motion is no longer painful, then gradually build it up again.

Or imagine a string pulling the top of your head towards the ceiling and making you as tall as possible as you do the tilt. This lifting helps relieve pressure on the spine and relieve pain.

Another effect you may experience is the feeling of hunched over when you tilt your pelvis backwards. This feeling is also known and likely means that your upper back has stiffened into a rounded position. This stiffness may be the reason your lower back arched excessively in the first place: to keep your upper back upright.

Improve upper back posture

After you begin to improve your control over the Lumbopelvic region, You can move on to the second most common area of ​​imbalance: the upper back and neck.

These areas can now feel rounded because the lumbopelvic region is in a neutral position. They need to improve their ability to arch if we are to promote musculoskeletal balance.

You can stretch your upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, over the back of a low-back chair.

  • Pinch your fingers behind your head, squeeze your shoulder blades, and lean back so that the top of the backrest is pressing into your back.
  • To emphasize the extension of your upper back, limit the arching of your lower back by keeping your lower abs in motion.
  • Hold this extended position for about fifteen seconds and feel a stretch in your chest and upper back.

Stretching the muscles and joints of the upper trunk with the chest extension is an excellent way to reduce overactivity. But we still need to strengthen our underactive muscles.

The muscles between and below the shoulder blades are often underused, and activating them can help relieve pain in the upper back, neck, and shoulders.

  • With your pelvis in a neutral position, pull your chin back as if trying to get as big as possible.
  • Then squeeze your shoulder blades down and back together.
  • The body often compensates for the restricted movement of the shoulder blades by arching the lower back. So make sure to keep the pelvis neutral.
  • The upper shoulders also try to compensate for this during this movement. So remember to push your shoulders down and back, not up and back. Do the pressure ten times to activate the muscles of the upper back.

There may not be much movement in the beginning and it may be difficult to feel the muscles working. Alternatives to this exercise are available in the free Phyx app.

It's all about balance

Good posture is traditionally seen as standing upright and sitting with hunched shoulders. This is difficult to maintain for many people, and those who maintain it do it by overusing their strong muscles frequently.

To improve your strength, flexibility, and risk of injury, think of posture as a balance between different muscles and joints in the body.

Improve your posture by bringing more exercise into your everyday life and consciously developing a balance between overused and underused muscles.

When done regularly and deliberately, the pelvic tilt, chest lengthening, and shoulder retracting exercises will help you achieve and maintain balance without strain and discomfort, making good posture second nature.

Initially, these movements can be made difficult by stiffness in adjacent body parts. Exercises to fix this problem can be found in the free Phyx app.

11 Sep
Blog

Montblanc MB01 Headphones Review: Luxurious Sound and Style

montblanc mb01 headphones review 11

Montblanc MB01 headphones

"Great sound with the luxurious headphone experience you didn't know you wanted."

  • Beautiful design

  • Very convenient

  • Warm, accessible sound

  • Capable of powerful bass

  • Excellent call quality

  • Small, fiddly buttons

  • Below average battery life

  • Mediocre functional performance

  • Expensive

Montblanc isn't a brand I associate with audio equipment – it's best known for fountain pens and high-end watches. It wasn't until I looked at the product range that I realized that the company was expanding beyond these two main pillars. Hence, the set of luxury headphones is not as far off the base as I thought.

Montblanc didn't just hit her name on a pair of over-ears. You developed it with Audezes founder Alex Rosson. For those in the audio industry, this is a strong name that comes with some serious expectations. With him at the forefront of design and the staggering $ 595 price tag, I had extremely high expectations for the Montblanc MB01 Active Noise Canceling Headphones.

Let's see if they got hit.

Out of the box

Montblanc is a luxury lifestyle brand. A significant part of the appeal of its products will come from this experience, and that will be an undertone for much of this review.

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Similar to opening a new Apple product, removing the MB01s is a pleasant affair at first. The box is made of heavy, sturdy cardboard. The headphones are located in an extruded plastic tub lined with a soft fabric and covered with foam under a cardboard insert. It's full of pomp and circumstance.

As beautiful as the packaging is, it is not sustainable. Much of the packaging is not universally recyclable or compostable, which we disapprove of.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The MB01s come with an elegant soft case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 3.5 mm socket to USB-C for listening to music and an airplane audio adapter. Although the travel case is good for a soft suitcase, I wish Montblanc had brought a hard suitcase instead. For such expensive headphones, I would have liked a bag in which I felt better protected.

I also love that the airplane connector adapter is included, but I would have preferred a 3.5mm bluetooth adapter instead, considering that airplanes these days often use a new entertainment console that doesn't require this two-pin adapter is. And keeping these headphones wireless as often as possible seems like a better choice overall – especially given their price point.

Radiate luxury

It is clear that Montblanc has spared no expense in terms of construction and materials. The headbands and ear cups are made from the softest, supple leather I've ever touched, and almost every other visible part is made from metal. Despite all the metal and leather, the headphones are surprisingly light both in the hand and when carried.

These headphones are eye-catching in the simple, elegant style of a classic car or a properly fitting suit. They ask for attention with their gently flowing lines and bright chrome surfaces. I even like how the cups attach to the headband via a single contoured metal bracket that breaks the traditional half-circle bracket found on pretty much every other headset. The design matches the price.

The outside of the cups is a kind of rubber that is easy to hold in your hand. While it's not a material I usually associate with high quality, I have to admit that it looks and feels great. The pause / play / skip / skip back button, which Montblanc calls the multifunction button, is located on the right ear cup and pressing this button is extremely satisfying. It's just the right size, with just the right tactile feedback that makes it easy to use quickly but difficult to hit by mistake. The response time is also immediate.

It is clear that someone who wanted these headphones to work fantastic is responsible for the design.

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You didn't get everything right, however. While the left auricle has no buttons, the right cup houses them all and it gets a bit crowded. The top button brings up the Google Assistant (and Google Assistant only), which goes through the three active noise-canceling options below that, including the volume control, and finally the power button is located below, above the charging indicators and the USB. C port.

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The volume buttons are too small for me to use effectively. I reach behind the pinna to use it and run my finger over all the buttons to make sure I'm touching the right one. The power switch, which also functions as a Bluetooth pair button, is also strangely small and made of plastic – in contrast to the others, which have a metal cap. This tiny button can be hard to hold if you're not looking at it, and I have small hands.

Overall, these buttons feel a bit of an afterthought compared to the multifunction button, but that's probably because the latter's implementation is so perfect that it can be difficult for anything else to measure up.

These are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn.

The metal-chrome finish I mentioned earlier can be easily stained by fingerprints. So you should have a microfiber cloth on hand (Montblanc, oddly enough, didn't include one) to shine it regularly.

When I go back to that soft leather and wear these headphones, my high expectations are met: they feel fabulous. While I wouldn't recommend exercising in these as I don't want to risk damaging the leather or surfaces, I'm sure you could if you were so inclined. These will not fall off easily.

These are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I have often forgotten I was wearing them so I could just enjoy my music and focus on my work. Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4, the MB01 generates significantly less wear and tear.

The ear cups of the Montblanc MB01 are noticeably softer than those of the WH-1000XM4, which are by no means uncomfortable headphones. When I have the perfect fit for the XM4, it will have a looser headband. Over time, these slide off a bit and press the headband onto my crown, which I notice and find uncomfortable – most of the weight of the XM4 is held in one place on top of my head.

In contrast, the MB01s have a tighter grip on the sides of my head. I know the headband is there, but I don't feel it. I think this can be attributed to the fact that the pressure on the MB01s is well balanced and they stay attached to the sides of my head without putting too much pressure on my crown. The headband is also well padded and cushions my head very well.

Functions in the middle of the road

The Montblanc MB01s offer three main functions outside of audio playback: Active Noise Cancellation, Smart Play / Pause and Google Assistant support. The MB01s only support Google Assistant. So, if you're a fan of Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa, you're out of luck. For me it is a waste to assign a whole button to a smart assistant like Montblanc did here since I don't use one. However, if you are particularly attached to yours and it is not Google, this can be a huge disappointment.

Active noise cancellation is supported by the solid passive noise isolation of the MB01. However, the active noise cancellation feature is just fine.

Many high-end headphones can detect when you take them off and automatically pause them (or automatically play music when you put them on). This is a feature I'm used to in earphones and that was recently added to the Sony WH-1000XM4. Unfortunately, the MB01 version of this feature is disappointingly inconsistent and frustratingly unintelligent. Montblanc ships the MB01s with this feature as standard, and that was probably a smart idea. Often the music was not interrupted when I took off the headphones, but when I put them back on. It got so frustrating that I turned it off again.

Active noise cancellation is supported by the solid passive noise isolation of the MB01. However, the active noise cancellation feature is just fine. When playing music, you definitely won't notice any interloping noises as the interior volume and noise cancellation work well together. But alone I could still clearly hear my air conditioning next to me or the dump truck pulling over on the next street. It's good enough for most, but doesn't match the industry-leading performance of the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700.

Ambient sound mode is a decent experience, although the isolation the cups provide will make your voice sound a bit muffled when you are on the phone. However, you can hear everything around you clearly without it sounding artificially amplified.

The battery life is 20 hours with the ANC switched on. The MB01s have a fast charge which gives you 3 hours of listening time after 10 minutes of charging. As for the quick charge features, this is again mediocre – but it's better than nothing.

At the start, the Montblanc MB01 had no app support, but from the beginning of September 2020 they received it together with a firmware update. I was really excited about the app that allows you to set a custom EQ. It's not a perfect app and it's still a bit buggy, but I'm glad it's available. You can't adjust the amount of noise cancellation, but you can't set the EQ to the default setting I recommend.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Sound quality

Out of the box, I found that these headphones can sound amazing. The sound profile of the MB01s is warm, accessible and pleasant, but a bit weak in the lows. It got better with app support: increasing those lows had an immediate impact on how good the MB01s sound.

The standard audio profile is very mediocre. This narrow audio profile gives music a pleasant, warm sound that is easy to hear. The bass won't overwhelm your senses with too much boom, and those higher frequencies will never pull your heart at a painfully high pitch. It's comfortable enough, but not emotionally stimulating.

The MB01s ensure a fantastic listening experience.

When you hit the bass they sound a lot richer, but the highs get out of control when you change the equalizer. If you barely move the EQ up, the sound will be too sharp. In the end, I just adjusted the lows and left the highs at near default values. This mix was my favorite.

Taylor Swift's entire folklore album sounds very good through the MB01s, albeit a little narrower than other sources I've heard. Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution comes through powerful and booming with the bass turned up and reflects the first time I heard it in the theater. With the bass raised, I can feel the headphones rumble on the side of my head as the air moves. As a bass player, I loved that.

The soundstage is a bit small and they are not very detailed, but the MB01s make for a fantastic listening experience.

Our opinion

If I had the MB01s, Sony WH-1000XM4s, and Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 on the table and told I could only get one, I have to admit that I would probably grab the Montblanc MB01s. For me, I can see myself traveling with these headphones on and never taking them off for a full 15 hour day. They don't sound quite as good as the XM4s (but are close), and they don't suppress noise nearly as well as the Bose, but they are so darn pleasant to use that I get interested in them day in and day out and day trip.

Is there a better alternative?

If your budget for over-ear headphones is $ 600, the world is your oyster. The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the industry standard for sound quality, while the Bose Heaphones 700 are the best for noise cancellation. Both are available much cheaper. However, if you are particularly impressed with the design and comfort of the Montblanc MB01, you may have a harder time finding something that suits your needs.

How long will they last?

As I have hopefully made clear, these are very well built. Not only are they sturdy, they are also made of excellent materials. The ear cups are also interchangeable, which extends their lifespan. You should easily expect several years of use.

Should you buy it?

If you have the coin, yes. They sound pleasant and offer a level of comfort that I have never found in any other headphones. Other headphones offer better functionality and value, but the Montblanc MB01 is a wonderful luxury alternative.

Editor's recommendations




11 Sep
Blog

Marshall Emberton Review: Tiny, Stylish Stereo Powerhouse

Marshall Emberton

"Iconic design meets superior sound in a highly portable Bluetooth speaker."

  • 20 hour battery

  • Warm and rich stereo sound

  • Iconic design

  • 360 degree sound pattern

  • IPX7 waterproof

  • Expensive

  • No aux line-in

  • No speakerphone

  • Stereo or multi-speaker pair not possible

There are so many Bluetooth speakers out there now that one speaker can hardly be distinguished from another. Digital Trends had to take a step back to review each new model. There is simply not enough time to complete this gigantic task.

However, we always keep our eyes peeled for Bluetooth speakers that manage to stand out from the crowd.

Marshall's new $ 150 Emberton is certainly apt, if perhaps not a good one: It's much more expensive than similarly featured portable speakers.

Can Marshall Justify the Price of the Emberton? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Marshall EmbertonSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Marshall Emberton comes in a simple cardboard box. With the exception of a tiny piece of polyethylene film to protect the speaker, the packaging (and the paper documentation included) can be easily recycled.

Inside is the speaker and a four-foot USB-C charging cable – which is longer than most.

design

Marshall Emberton "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-emberton-00003-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Emberton "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-emberton-00004-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Emberton "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-emberton-00007-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall designs all Bluetooth speakers to look like miniature versions of the famous British guitar amplifiers that bear the distinctive Marshall logo, and the Emberton is no exception.

Despite the fact that the Emberton Marshalls is the smallest speaker to date, the company managed his proportions perfectly.

Whether on a dormitory bookshelf, a kitchen counter, or a patio table, this speaker offers miles of authentic rock & # 39; n & # 39; roll style.

With its silver diamond grille speaker grille and heavy, black rubberized housing, the Emberton looks like it has a guitar input jack somewhere (unfortunately not).

What it has is a single gold colored control panel, an LED power meter, and a bluetooth pairing button. A USB-C charging port on the right is the only input. It is used exclusively for power supply and not for playback.

The back isn't a cladding at all – it's another speaker grille. This is your first clue that the Emberton doesn't quite match most of the other bluetooth speakers you can find on Amazon.

At 24.6 ounces, it has quite a bit of weight despite its small size. That's probably a result of the battery Marshall used, but it also gives the Emberton a feel of real substance.

I like this, although you can comfortably carry it in one hand, it doesn't look or feel like a toy either.

The Emberton focuses effortlessly on its mission and is effortless to set up and use.

One small criticism: like many other ultraportable speakers, the Emberton could have benefited from a carry handle or strap. I realize this would have taken some of the amp-inspired look away from it, but sometimes function has to take shape.

Controls, connections and ease of use

Marshall Emberton "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-emberton-00009-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Emberton "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-emberton-00011-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Emberton, much like its massive big brother, the Tufton, does one thing and only one thing: you can connect a single Bluetooth source like a phone or tablet and play your favorite music.

Your other devices won't charge, it won't work as a speakerphone, you can't talk to Siri or Google Assistant, and you can't connect a non-Bluetooth device like an older iPod through an AUX input.

Yes, these would all be useful things, but once you focus on your mission, the Emberton is effortless to set up and use.

A long press on the large control panel turns on the speaker. If the bluetooth pairing mode doesn't go into immediately (which you can tell by the flashing red light above the bluetooth button), a long press on the bluetooth button will get you there.

Simply select the Emberton from the available Bluetooth devices on the control panel of your phone and off you go.

From there, open the music app of your choice (or a video app) and start playing.

The Emberton control panel takes on all important functions: play / pause, skip tracks forwards / backwards and increase / decrease volume. Like a well-designed game controller, the pad's action is smooth, effortless, and tactile, with a quiet but noticeable click for each command.

I wish it had two functions: multi-speaker pairing for stereo through two speakers … and bluetooth multipoint.

The 10-segment LED power meter gives a quick and yet very precise overview of how much juice is left. This is very important to me over other systems that use voice feedback or force you to consult your phone.

As much as I don't mind that Emberton focuses on just being a great bluetooth speaker, I wish it had two functions: multi-speaker pairing for stereo through two speakers (or just multiple speakers) and bluetooth Multipoint You can pair two Bluetooth sources at the same time.

JBL has been offering its products with multiple speakers for some time. This is a great way to upgrade the capabilities of such a portable speaker at low cost.

robustness

The Marshall Emberton is IPX7 rated, which means you can do pretty much anything you want to do with water exposure, including full immersion, as long as you don't push it too deep below the surface.

But the X in IPX7 means it's not designed for dust and dirt. As much as the Emberton may be an ideal poolside buddy, I don't recommend it for the beach or anywhere else where it could be exposed to a lot of small particles.

Marshall doesn't claim the Emberton's ability to survive a drop, but judging by its thick rubber skin and protected corners, I appreciate that it can handle minor mishaps with ease – and maybe even some major ones.

Battery life

Marshall EmbertonJBL Flip 5 (above) and Marshall Emberton Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Most portable Bluetooth speakers have a battery life of between 10 and 12 hours. To achieve significantly more, you'll need to spend at least $ 150 – which is no coincidence that the Emberton is paid for.

How can I suggest that the tiny, battery-powered Marshall Emberton deliver room-filling sound? Because it is so.

It can run for 20 hours on a full charge, and get another five hours on a 20 minute quick charge.

To put that in perspective, the popular $ 120 JBL Flip 5, which is similar in size, shape and features to the Emberton, can only last 12 hours – also with The $ 100 SRS-XB23 from Sony and the $ 150 Ultimate Ears Boom 3.

Sound quality

Marshall EmbertonSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

We use the term “room-filling sound” fairly liberally when we talk about speakers. When it comes to a product like the Sonos One, the Bose Smart Speaker 500 or the Pantheone I, this term applies in spades. So how can I suggest that the relatively small, battery-operated Marshall Emberton should provide room-filling sound?

Because it is so.

Thanks to its stereo drivers, each driven by a special 10 watt amplifier for a total of 20 watts of power, the Emberton can produce a really surprising amount of sound.

But it's not just loud – it's big. Place the Emberton in the front of your listening room and it creates an admirable balance between lows, mids and highs. This is something that other portable bluetooth speakers struggle with, especially at higher volume levels.

The JBL Flip 5 can get louder than the Emberton, but when it approaches its maximum setting, bass and treble march away from each other, leaving the midrange in a barren desert.

In contrast, the Emberton can maintain sound quality much better without distorting or becoming painfully sharp. At the same time, this little black box gets a real feeling of warmth – another area where portable speakers usually fall short.

The stereo separation isn't perfect – there's about four inches or less between the drivers, after all – but it's pretty decent. Much more notable is the ability to distribute sound evenly in a room.

The best way to appreciate this is to sit the Emberton in the middle of a room, or better yet, in the middle of a patio. With its double grille openings, it delivers almost a 360-degree sound field and practically guarantees that there isn't a bad seat in the room (or in the backyard).

Our opinion

While $ 150 is the most expensive for a highly compact Bluetooth speaker like the Emberton, it delivers the goods when it comes to sound quality and battery life, and it's difficult to evaluate Marshall's iconic guitar amp style.

Is there a better alternative?

I haven't found a $ 150 portable speaker that matches the Emberton's unique combination of style and sound, but for the same price Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is definitely worth a look. It doesn't work in stereo and its battery only lasts 15 hours, but its 360 speaker design sounds great, it's beach-grade with dust resistance, and it can be put into party mode to play with the other Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers synchronize.

How long it will take?

Zounds Industries – the company that licenses the Marshall name for consumer audio products – gives the Emberton a one-year warranty, which is standard on this type of device. Given the good construction of the Emberton, you will likely benefit from it for many years, even if the built-in battery gradually loses its full 20 hour life.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Despite some limitations, the Marshall Emberton is a great sounding and good looking portable bluetooth speaker with exceptional battery life.

Editor's recommendations




10 Sep
Blog

Microsoft Surface Duo review: Features, Software and More

"The Surface Duo is wonderfully thin and wonderfully intelligent and redesigns the smartphone."

  • Impossible, wonderfully thin

  • The hinge is perfectly constructed

  • Luxurious build quality

  • Smart app management software

  • Buggy software (still)

  • Design compromises

  • Steep learning curve

Technocrats flat-out rejecting a certain amount of Microsoft hardware, hiding the fairly successful Surface product line, ignoring the Xbox platform, and skipping decades of innovation in keyboards and mice. With a knowing twinkle in their eye, these people will point out the failure of Windows Phone, then lean over and say smugly, "Do you remember the Zune?"

Yes, we all remember the Zune. And Clippy. Sigh.

That same crowd put the Surface Duo on the list of flops and found that their hardware just wasn't competing. However, this new device offers a lot more than megahertz and microchips. With the duo, Microsoft wants to rethink what to do with those 7 or 8 ounces of metal and glass that you take with you everywhere like a Bible, just like how the first iPhone turned portable phones into smartphones we can't stop using. But does it succeed?

design

Let's get this out of the way. It's easy to look at a data sheet for the Surface Duo and see a number of tradeoffs. Sure, it's thin, but where's the wireless charging or 5G? Sure, it's way cheaper than other foldable devices, but you are losing the fastest chipset on the market.

Instead, think about design decisions. Smartphone manufacturers have been battling physics and Moore's Law for years to save a tenth of a millimeter from their phones while adding a few minutes more talk time. These decisions are designed to squeeze as much engineering goodness as possible into a device about 7mm thick and about 6 inches long.

The latest example of this is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, a beautiful piece of glass 6.5 inches long and 8.8 mm thick. Compare it to the Samsung phone launched in 2019, the Galaxy S10 Plus – a beautiful piece of glass 6.4 inches long and 7.8 mm thick.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

Microsoft Duo is different. Each screen is 4.8mm thin, a little over half the size of this new Galaxy. Half the size! When folded, it is 9.9 mm, a little more than a millimeter thick. It's all about the thickness of a magazine, which is just remarkable.

If your average smartphone is roughly the thickness of a PB&J, putting two of them together – like other foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 or the LG V60 ThinQ – is like building a hoagie. And I'm not in the habit of putting submarine sandwiches in my pockets.

This is where the "design decisions" come into play. Microsoft engineers wanted a device that was thin enough to make you gasp. That decision powered the hardware and shaped the device. This means that wireless charging was not possible. And 5G chipsets and the multitude of antennas running through the innards of most phones like your circulatory system just don't work. Because of this, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 865 chip is missing. NFC still requires an additional antenna, which is why it was omitted and with it the possibility of paying in a grocery store or a subway turnstile. And an ordinary battery is too thick to fit in this device. More on that in a second.

Yes, there's a reason the Duo lacks a number of features that are common to other phones. However, it's still some kind of compromise even if you know why they were left out.

Display quality and hinge durability

The Surface Duo consists of two 5.6-inch AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1800 × 1350 at 401 pixels per inch. Microsoft's marketing team calls them "PixelSense Fusion" displays for some reason. Together they make up an 8.1-inch tablet with a resolution of 2700 × 1800. The duo pushes roughly 5 million pixels, in other words what seems like a lot for a device with a small battery. The battery life is still decent, which speaks for countless hours of technical work.

The screens are covered in Corning & # 39; s Gorilla Glass and are deep and dark with clear contrast. When looking at Carfection's 2020 Mini JCW GP review, colors popped off the screen – a little warmer than natural, but very pleasing to my eyes. Thanks to all of those pixels, it's sharp like a turn.

A continuous torque system allows you to fold the device 360 ​​degrees to any position, but there are really four to lean into: flat like a tablet, folded like a book, fully open or closed, and propped up like a tent. This is the last one useful when watching videos. I put the duo next to my laptop and watch music videos or John Oliver. It's liberating.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

There is also a special mode. Just open it a crack and you will see it tell you the time and date. That seems a little silly. When you raise your arm, can't you just look at your watch? Oh, that's right – we ditched watches in favor of the more convenient smartphones and then took away some of that convenience. Hmm

In any case, you can stop the device at any point in those 360 ​​degrees, which means you can shorten the tent and crouch if you are a taller person, or more acute if your tabletop is at eye level. Regardless of its position, the hinge is responsive, pliable, and frankly fun. It also holds any position tenaciously; This tablet won't cut you in half. Permanent? You bet.

I most often use the duo with both hands like a book. Opened in my right hand, I open apps and check email with my left hand. However, if there's something to delve into, I fold the device back on itself and do it on a single screen. Note that this still requires two hands. This is a big change from almost every other phone you've used.

With regular phones, you can hold a subway belt on the left and read a Kindle book on the right. The duo is so wide that I can't reach my thumb over it and can barely hit most of the icons at the bottom of the screen. Held in one hand, my thumb hits the center of the screen. Forget about reaching for a menu.

Use the Surface Duo

Nothing escapes the fact that the duo are tough. When I first flushed, I called it light. I was surprised that two screens would no longer weigh. But if I'm being honest with myself, every phone I've worn for the past three years has gotten progressively heavier. We all just ignored it and we're caught up in the race for faster and newer. So I'll say it here. At 250 grams, the duo is heavy. Android Authority called the 220-gram Galaxy S20 Ultra "too damn heavy". If it's more than half a pound, that's worse. I wonder what they are going to say about the Galaxy Z Fold 2 that weighs you down like a brick with about 280 grams.

Even so, I am ready to look beyond weight if you can do more with it. And you can! It just takes some work.

Here's the thing: this device is incredibly familiar, but it doesn't work quite like other smartphones. Keep in mind that the Duo is the first device I've ever seen and it knows how to hold it thanks to a series of sensors that line the edges of each screen.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

Thanks to these accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers, it knows when you are holding it like a book and reacts appropriately when you camp it next to your plate. (Caution: The speakers are on one side of the display, so camp them right or pump soundtrack on your roommate. You won't be happy.)

Common gestures are more or less the same, except that you have to learn some new ones. Swiping up and left or right is different here. Some phones come with a menu with the latest apps. Here's where you can use this action to close an app and forget about it off-screen.

Likewise, you can move a window from one screen to the other by dragging it from the bottom to the top and hurling it over the partition. This action is absolutely fascinating. I could do it all day. Drag the default settings menu down at the top of the screen. Do it from ¾ the way down for a search bar.

Details like this litter the user interface and show the attention to detail Microsoft has wasted on this device. Look at the row of quick start icons that stretch across the bottom of both screens. Open an app on one screen and the six icons will flit and dance to the other side, where they'll nestle together to adjust. It's charming.

When it comes to buttons, the duo has little to offer: the right screen has a volume rocker, an on / off switch, and a biometric reader in a dent that sits right under your thumb. I worried unnecessarily about that. It works well. It also gives the entire duo a little vibration when you record it as the device notices you and suggests that it rarely goes. I like that. It's like the rumble of an engine on the gas.

software

The Duo runs Android 10 with a little Microsoft. To take advantage of the real estate, Microsoft worked closely with the team of software engineers at Google to create special functions just for a device like this one with two screens: a new type of icon groups a pair of apps and launches them side by side, one per Screen. This seems immensely powerful.

Likewise, Microsoft has integrated drag-and-drop functions into some of its apps, with which you can, for example, highlight a few sentences from an email in Outlook and drag them into tasks where they become the agenda.

The big feature is dual screen support: expand an app to fill both screens by dragging it from the bottom to the hinge. Outlook has been redesigned to show a list of emails on the left and a reading pane on the right. It's kind of a game changer. Think for a second how many times you hit the back button on your phone to go back to what you did.

Microsoft has integrated a smart keyboard for this device into SwiftKey, which can be used to switch between single, double and full screen mode. Thanks to all of these sensors, it knows if the left or right screen is active and moves to pick up just that thumb. Getting to the center of the keyboard can be difficult in full screen mode, but it's still neat to hold the duo like a small laptop. I wipe more often than usual.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

Finally, the company built a key instruction into the duo: use the screens wisely. Apps that others launch do so intelligently on the second screen, so you can keep doing what you did. The All Trails app starts Google Maps on the second screen. News apps can access individual site apps from the screen.

I'm just glossing over these tech efforts because there are few: Microsoft built drag and drop support into an app or two, including OneNote, which I've never really found convincing use for. And almost no apps are designed to make smart use of both screens, despite Microsoft talking about this device a year ago. Sure, they can invent this new user interface, but it's up to others to make hay with it. Google has had endless problems getting developers to create apps for big screens, as has Samsung. Microsoft has struggled in the past to get developers to support its latest initiatives. There is a risk that Instagram, Tik Tok, Adobe, and everyone else will simply refuse to do the job, which dramatically hinders the duo.

Speaking of work, this is clearly work in progress. After I and a number of other journalists complained about annoying malfunctions in the software, Microsoft released a weekend update that improved the camera, reduced the jerky scrolling, corrected strange behavior and much more.

But it's still not quite there, which is frustrating. Every now and then I open the duo and no screens appear, but both. Or I expect an app on the left and right. Or I turn the device and the app stubbornly refuses to leave portrait mode. These mishaps are hard to forgive. Those basics have to work every time … or Microsoft sees a higher response rate than the national debt.

camera

Outside of smartphone reviewers, few people take advantage of the ridiculously advanced features built into today's smartphone, like unexpected extras in a cookie. Spinach and chocolate chips? No thanks. Butterscotch and Baked Beans? Why would you even offer this? By skipping these unwanted features, Microsoft saved money and avoided the raised bezel that scars the back of most flagship phones.

It must be said that the company has also made compromises.

The duo contains a single camera: an 11-megapixel sensor with a basic aperture of 1: 2.0, very small pixels and without OIS (optical image stabilization). It's on the right side and ready for a selfie if you want. There is 4K 60 fps video, slow motion video support, panorama and portrait mode as well as digital zoom up to 7x. But they are basic things, and not everything works well.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

The autofocus on this camera is … not good, let's just come out and say it. I saw some bees buzzing around my Rose of Jericho bushes, and after saying a silent prayer for them (after all, someone has to do it) I leaned over for a moment, pressed the button, and watched the bees whiz before the camera picked up a shot. It took a few tries before I learned to properly measure my recordings.

And while the colors are decent, your photos will never match the great shots from the best camera phones like the Huawei P40 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro. That said, it does some nice tricks: start the camera, flip the right control panel (the one with the lens) back, and the camera app will automatically switch to the correct control panel so you can snap a picture of what you are look at. Flip it back and you're ready for selfies. Expand the app to fill both areas and you'll be able to see your photo library on one side and the live image on the other, making it easy for you to review all of those self-portraits.

95% of people find the camera perfect for 95% of the photos they want to take. Most of them would be happier with a camera as powerful as the Google Pixel 4a, which is literally $ 1,000 less than the fancy phones I mentioned earlier. No one looking at your photos will ever know that your pictures could have been a little better. More importantly, nobody will care.

performance

As you've probably heard, the Surface Duo runs last year's Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 platform, the same chip used in the 2019 Galaxy S10 phones rather than the 2020 Galaxy S20. The same processor as in the 2019 OnePlus 7 Pro instead of the 2020 OnePlus 8. The same … well, you get the picture. It also has 6GB of DRAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage depending on how much money you want to lose.

But is any of that really important? The benchmarks certainly tell a story: we ran the popular 3DMark suite of benchmarks and got results in line with last year's chips:

3D Mark Sling Shot Extreme: 5,745 (OpenGL)

3D Mark Sling Shot Extreme: 5,055 (volcano)

Geekbench 5 CPU: 735 single core, 2,768 multi core

But numbers are numbers; real performance is something else. Over the course of several days and a series of apps, I never had the feeling that the performance was below average anyway. If you've bought a laptop in the past few years, you know what I mean: it is probably good enough for most of your work, isn't it? Sure, a new one is faster, but it's just good enough for surfing the web and checking your email.

Battery life

The duo are a marvel of engineering for a variety of reasons. One of them is the 3,577 mAh battery, which is spread over two different sides of the device. According to Microsoft, special controllers ensure that both sides run evenly and wear out. Amazing! You will never notice, but I find such little facts fascinating.

Jeremy Kaplan / Digital Trends

The company claims you have up to 27 hours of talk time, but let's face it: who wants to spend that much time chatting? In my tests, I was able to easily stretch the battery throughout the day with a lot of Internet surfing, email use, and video-based use. The box contains an 18 watt fast charger that seemed to do the trick.

Our opinion

The Surface Duo is eye-catching, functionally distinctive and expensive. Having two screens seems like a novelty, but I've been better able to work with two screens working more or less together. With my calendar on one side and my email on the other, I can see my day at a glance. With my inbox on the left and a reply message on the right, my phone is suddenly much better at email. And propping it up to watch a video is just incredibly satisfying.

However, the fact that the software still needs work is worrying. How long does the polishing take? And will developers adopt this strange new device? We still have questions.

Is there a better alternative?

The obvious alternatives are foldable screen devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the LG V60 ThinQ. The duo makes them seem silly. These things are just huge, and in the case of the Galaxy Z Fold 2, hundreds of dollars more. And anything with 5G could be a smarter buy given the huge global pressure to develop the new networking technology. Microsoft can't just "add" it. It's either there or not, and in two years' time the lack of 5G will become more prominent, just as poison ivy will develop days after you touch this pretty plant.

How long it will take?

The physical shortcoming of such a device should be the hinge, but this one feels designed for nuclear warfare. The software could be the Achilles' heel, however: developers should start supporting the features Microsoft developed as it will be widely supported in future Android builds. But will they?

Should you buy it?

Are you the kind of person who buys version one of anything? Who likes to dazzle friends with the latest sharpness? Then grab the duo and impress the world. Everyone else should wait a couple of weeks to make sure Microsoft can resolve the software issues and encourage Twitter, Facebook, Zoom, and the world's game makers to endorse this platform. And they will … probably.

Editor's recommendations




10 Sep
Blog

The Myth of Good Posture

Not many words make people switch their seats like the word posture does. You probably straightened up while reading. What have you done? How are you sitting now

When most people think of good posture, they think of sitting straight and standing up with shoulders pulled back. Trying to hold this position can be exhausting. Many people give up and fall into the bent position encouraged by gravity and our screens. Even those who manage to maintain good posture can experience tension and discomfort. So what's the point?

The downside of the urge to crouch or slouch

While trying to maintain good posture can cause discomfort, it is better than the alternative. Sitting or standing for long periods without actively activating our muscles for support puts additional strain on the joints and ligaments of the spine. These structures are not designed to be loaded for extended periods of time in a flexed position, and the extra load can cause stiffness and pain.

Our spine isn't the only thing that suffers when we contract. When the upper back stiffens, our rib cage and lung expansion are restricted. This restriction limits the supply of oxygen and increases the work of breathing, which can trigger our stress response and impair cognition.

When your upper back curves and your head protrudes forward above your body, tension can develop in the muscles clinging to your jaw and face. This tension can make the movement of your jaw painful or restricted, leading to a headache.

Many other hormonal and behavioral effects are associated with poor posture, some of which will be discussed in this popular TED talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy. But maintaining good posture is easier said than done.

Avoid the pitfalls of maintaining good posture

Many people develop imbalances when trying to achieve and maintain good posture. Imbalances occur when parts of your body that generally work together become unable to work together due to a mismatch in strength or mobility.

Imbalances can lead to tension and discomfort and cause dysfunction in other parts of the body.

This danger comes from how most people think about good posture. A common misconception is having good posture; You need to get into a straight position and hold it there while sitting or standing. When you ask your body to do a task like standing up or pulling your shoulders back without telling it how to do it, the body is using the muscles that you use the most.

This reliance on strong muscles leads to prolonged use of muscles that are already strong, while weaker groups are neglected. Over time, stronger muscles get stronger and tighter, while weaker muscles atrophy.

For exampleIf you have back pain while sitting upright, it may be because your stronger lower back muscles are working too hard trying to balance out your weaker lower abs and pelvic muscles.

The most common imbalance

Your lower back and pelvic muscles are the most common spots for imbalance. The muscles that arch your lower back are often overused in many activities, including prolonged sitting and standing, exercising, and carrying.

Conversely, the muscles in your lower abdomen and pelvis are usually not used enough. This neglect is due in part to the fact that many of us experience stiffness and curvature in the upper back, and our bodies make up for this by towering over the lower back when we ask it to sit or stand up straight. The result is an exaggeration of our natural spine curves.

When the lower back is arched over, the pelvis tilts forward, reducing activation of the lower abdominal and gluteus muscles. If this box is not checked, it can cause dysfunction throughout the body.

Rethink good posture

Instead of thinking of posture as a position, think of it as the balance of strength and flexibility across your body's muscles and joints. Use your body in a way that promotes musculoskeletal balance rather than trying to achieve good posture by sitting or standing upright.

A great way to improve posture is to get more exercise. Set reminders to move regularly by incorporating methods to incorporate more into your day, such as:

  • Vary your working position with an adjustable desk.
  • Use the toilet on another floor so you can go up the stairs.
  • Vary the type of manual work you do.

A variety of movements mixes up your body's stress pattern and reduces imbalances.

However, exercise without conscious effort is usually not enough to correct significant imbalances. Unless we do a new type of movement or consciously activate weak muscles and relax strong onesThe body will still use the muscles it is most familiar with. There may still be discomfort or tension, even after taking a break to move.

Actively improve posture

Consciously challenging your weaker muscles and relaxing your overactive muscles is the best way to restore balance. However, this is easier said than done.

Overactive muscles are difficult to relax and underactive muscles are difficult to feel and use.

The rest of this post discusses techniques you can use to restore balance while:

  • meeting
  • Stand
  • Performing functional tasks such as manual labor and practice

Improve lower back posture

The first step in achieving balance between the muscles of your lower spine and abdomen is to move the area over its entire range of motion, rather than constraining it to an arched or hanging position. You can do this with an exercise called a pelvic tilt.

If you have limited control over your lumbar spine and pelvis, tilting your pelvis may be difficult at first. If so, download the free Phyx app to access the introductory exercises that will prepare you for tilting the pool. These exercises are fundamental and we recommend them for people of all skill levels.

Implementation of the pelvic slope::

  • Sit in a comfortable position with your feet on the ground. Place your hands around your hips so you can use your index finger to feel the bony teeth on the front of your hips. Wrap your thumb around and feel the bone on the back of the pelvis. Imagine you have a large bowl of water in your hands.
  • Tilt the pelvis forward as far as you can, as if pouring water from the front of the bowl. Your lower back will arch and you will roll forward onto your crotch. Tilting forward activates the muscles of the lower back while reducing stress on the joints and ligaments. If held for a long time, the tilted forward position leads to overactivity of the muscles of the lower back and front of the hips. The muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvis are mechanically disadvantaged, which leads to an imbalance.
  • After pushing the bowl forward Roll back as far as you can (pour water from the back of the bowl) while preventing your chest and upper back from snagging. When your pelvis tilts back, you activate the lower abdominal muscles.
  • A useful tip Imagine using the area under your belly button to close your pants. When you tilt back and pull up, the lower back is stretched and the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvic floor are activated.
  • Sit in this tilted back position relieves the muscles of the lower back, but can strain the joints of the spine if held for a long period of time.
  • Instead of arching or slouchingTry to keep your back and pelvis in the middle of the two positions. With a neutral pelvis, the load is distributed across the front and back of the torso. The spine, abdominal and back muscles all take some of the load.

Repeat the pelvic incline five times to activate and stretch both sides of the trunk and then finish in a neutral position. You can find the neutral conductor by placing your water bowl in a level position so that the pieces of bone on the front and back of the pelvis are evenly high.

Another way to tell is by looking at the waistband of your clothes. In a neutral position, the waistband is usually parallel to the floor rather than at an angle.

You can do the pelvic tilt while sitting, standing or exercising. It can serve as a preventative measure or as a technique to relieve back or hip pain. This is one of the best ways to assess and improve the most common area of ​​posture imbalance.

If you have an existing back injury, you may experience pain when tilting your pelvis. This pain is normal. Reduce the range of motion until the motion is no longer painful, then gradually build it up again. Or imagine a string pulling the top of your head towards the ceiling and making you as tall as possible as you do the tilt. This lifting helps relieve pressure on the spine and relieve pain.

Another effect you may experience is the feeling of hunched over when you tilt your pelvis backwards. This feeling is also known and likely means that your upper back has stiffened into a rounded position. This stiffness may be the reason your lower back arched excessively in the first place: to keep your upper back upright.

Improve upper back posture

After you begin to improve your control over the Lumbopelvic region, You can move on to the second most common area of ​​imbalance: the upper back and neck. These areas can now feel rounded because the lumbopelvic region is in a neutral position. They need to improve their ability to arch if we are to promote musculoskeletal balance.

You can stretch your upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, over the back of a low-back chair.

  • Pinch your fingers behind your head, squeeze your shoulder blades, and lean back so that the top of the backrest is pressing into your back.
  • To emphasize the extension of your upper back, limit the arching of your lower back by keeping your lower abs in motion.
  • Hold this extended position for about fifteen seconds and feel a stretch in your chest and upper back.

Stretching the muscles and joints of the upper trunk with the chest extension is an excellent way to reduce overactivity. But we still need to strengthen our underactive muscles. The muscles between and below the shoulder blades are often underused, and activating them can help relieve pain in the upper back, neck, and shoulders.

  • With your pelvis in a neutral position, pull your chin back as if trying to get as big as possible.
  • Then squeeze your shoulder blades down and back together.
  • The body often compensates for the restricted movement of the shoulder blades by arching the lower back. So make sure to keep the pelvis neutral.
  • The upper shoulders also try to compensate for this during this movement. So remember to push your shoulders down and back, not up and back. Do the pressure ten times to activate the muscles of the upper back.

There may not be much movement in the beginning and it may be difficult to feel the muscles working. Alternatives to this exercise are available in the free Phyx app.

It's all about balance

Good posture is traditionally seen as standing upright and sitting with hunched shoulders. This is difficult to maintain for many people, and those who maintain it do it by overusing their strong muscles frequently.

To improve your strength, flexibility, and risk of injury, think of posture as a balance between different muscles and joints in the body.

Improve your posture by bringing more exercise into your everyday life and consciously developing a balance between overused and underused muscles.

When done regularly and deliberately, the pelvic tilt, chest lengthening, and shoulder retracting exercises will help you achieve and maintain balance without strain and discomfort, making good posture second nature.

Initially, these movements can be made difficult by stiffness in adjacent body parts. Exercises to fix this problem can be found in the free Phyx app.

10 Sep
Blog

Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 Review: Good, But Puzzling

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbuds

Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2

"The Spirit Dot 2 offers the winning combination of good sound and affordability."

  • Secure fit

  • Excellent passive noise reduction

  • Solid bottom end

  • Average characteristics overall

  • Limited touch controls

One of my biggest and perhaps only complaints about the Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 was the design of the ear hook. It's not that putting these hooks over your ears is uncomfortable as they fit nicely. When compared to traditional true wireless earbuds, the ear hook style is a far less appealing option.

The $ 80 Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 is the company's answer to people wanting the value of the Spirit X2 in a more compact package. Features may not be quite the same, but the Dot 2 has the preferred earbud design at the same price as the Spirit X2.

Is that enough? Time to find out.

Out of the box

There is nothing special about the packaging of the Spirit Dot 2 or any of the accessories inside other than the fact that the packaging they come in is very similar to the Spirit X2 so I had to double check and make sure I did grabbed the right buds. This should of course be coordinated with Anker's uniform color scheme.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Aside from the buds and their charging case, the Spirit Dot 2's package includes four additional pairs of earplugs, two pairs of “Airwings” (or ear fins), a USB-C cable, and the standard documentation. For what it's worth, I stuck to the earplugs and ear fins that the Spirit Dot 2 came with. However, your mileage and ears may vary. So it's nice of Anker to offer different options at this price.

The Spirit Dot 2 connects to your mobile device like you are used to from most real wireless earbuds. When you pull them out of the charging case, the automatic pairing function is activated. All you have to do is find them in your phone settings and connect. In addition to the Bluetooth 5 technology supported by these buds, the Spirit Dot 2 has two transmitters that allow each earbud to be individually connected to your phone, according to Anker. The company says this can result in up to 30 percent lower latency. While I can't specifically prove this statistic, I can say that I didn't experience any significant latency issues when watching YouTube or TikTok clips on my phone.

design

I wouldn't call the Spirit Dot 2 the smallest buds I've ever put in my ears – at first glance, that honor might go to the 1More Colorbuds – but they're certainly small and significantly less vigorous than a pair like that Edifier TWS NB. It is a vague way of assessing the size of these buds, but without access to weight specifications, it is the best I can offer.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Probably the most comparable buds to the Spirit Dot 2 are the Google Pixel Buds 2. Both use similar ergonomic shapes with ear fins to position them securely in your ear. The Spirit Dot 2 are a bit more voluminous and therefore put more pressure on my ears. However, the secure and comfortable seal of the Spirit Dot 2 exactly reflects my experience with Google Pixel Buds 2. The more expensive Google product offers more comfort when listening over a longer period of time.

Although Anker recommends these buds for various purposes such as training, sports, or travel, at the time of this review I was unable to test the Spirit Dot 2 due to the poor air quality in my area. I did take them for a few walks and a handful of home workouts, however, and they held up well during these activities.

The Spirit Dot 2 have no buttons, but opt ​​for touch controls only. This works, but in limited capacity. You can play, pause and skip tracks, answer and end calls, and activate your voice assistant with a series of taps and presses – and all of these controls work as advertised. However, the Spirit Dot 2 does not contain a volume control. Anker redirects you to the "connected device" to adjust the volume in the buds manual. That may be fine if I'm taking the train during a commute (before 2020, of course), but the last thing I want to do when I'm jogging is unzipping my belt pouch, pulling out my phone, and turning up the volume. For my taste, the controls on the Spirit Dot 2 are a command that isn't fully functional, and that's an issue at this price point too.

The charging case, by the way, is a medium-sized jar with Anker's logo embedded over a lid that slides out to reveal the buds. I didn't originally plan to mention it as it seemed mostly unspectacular. But after getting through a round of chewing from a curious pup, I felt compelled to vouch for the sheer robustness of the case.

properties

I've pointed out the discrepancy between the Spirit X2 and the Spirit Dot 2 before, and I'm here to tell you that those differences are actually very real. Again, the Spirit Dot 2 offers the preferred design, but they find it difficult to compete with their counterparts with earhooks overall.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Spirit X2 has a battery life of nine hours per charge and a total playback time of 36 hours if the charging case is taken into account. In comparison, the Spirit Dot 2 offers only 5.5 hours of play time per charge and a total of 16 hours. That's better than the Google Pixel Buds 2, and since I've given the similarly priced 1More Colorbuds and their six-hour battery a pass, I'm reluctant to do the same with the Spirit Dot 2. But with buds like the $ 40 SoundPeats Truengine SE, or with the $ 30 JLab Go Air offering six or five hours of playtime, the bar will soon change for that price.

The IP68 weather resistance of the Spirit X2 protects the ear hook buds from being completely submerged in up to 2 meters of water for no more than 30 minutes. With the Spirit Dot 2, they can be immersed up to a meter deep with an IPX7 rating. This is better than most of the other budget buds we checked out at Digital Trends. This means that the Spirit X2 have full dust protection, which the Spirit Dot 2 lacks.

Both the Spirit X2 and the Spirit Dot 2 have Anker's "SweatGuard technology", which is essentially a coating of the buds that is supposed to offer more protection against sweat. Again, I don't think I've tested these buds long enough to tell how well this feature works, but I think it's important to mention as it's clear that Anker is at least making the extra effort to make his Make products work up a sweat. friendly.

Audio quality

In terms of the sound quality of the Spirit Dot 2, I thought there was a lot to like here, but also plenty of room for improvement.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Spirit Dot 2 has smaller drivers than the Spirit X2, 8 mm versus 12 mm. However, both pairs feature Anker's BassUp technology which, according to Anker, uses an algorithm to analyze and amplify the bass. While they didn't quite produce the "wow" factor that I experienced with the Spirit X2, the Spirit Dot 2 are certainly powerful earbuds when it comes to the low end. My personal workout playlist contains everything from Big Sean and Eminem's No Favors to Granger Smith's Backroad Song. While I thought the Spirit Dot 2 was crowding the lower end of the latter, these buds generally have solid bass that will please most bass-loving fitness junkies.

With a solid bass foundation, the Spirit Dot 2 have decent clarity for their cost, even if the rest of a track is sometimes overshadowed by low notes. I think I prefer the sound signature of the 1More Colorbuds – which rely far less on the lower end for a more balanced, pleasant sound – but I don't think most folks with the Spirit will have much to complain about the audio quality of Dot 2 However, the Spirit X2 has aptX support, while the Dot 2 of the same price has no support. They support AAC and SBC codecs, but skipping aptX leaves a puzzling void on the Dot 2.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the Spirit Dot 2's sound is the passive noise reduction that the seal provides in your ear. It does a remarkable job of blocking your surroundings – my air purifier, blasting on a "turbo" about two meters away, went essentially inaudible – and serves as the basis for clear calls with the earbuds' built-in microphones. Anker seems to have the large insulation firmly under control, as the Liberty 2 Pro also has a very good seal. Sure, active noise cancellation is great when done well. However, for $ 80, it's hard to complain about how much sound these buds passively keep away from your ears.

Our opinion

These should have cost $ 60, or at least less than $ 80. Anker's pricing for these buds is puzzling as they lag significantly behind when compared to the Spirit X2 at the same price. While they sound great and come at an affordable price, which can prove to be a winning combination for many, it can be difficult to fully recommend them against the competition (including Anker's own line).

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 100 1More Colorbuds sound better but aren't that well equipped for training. The Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 for $ 80 at the same price offers better features overall and comparable sound quality. but their ear hook design may be less desirable to some people. For half the price, the $ 40 SoundPeats Truengine SE offers a fascinating mix of convenience and sound quality, but it lacks bonus features like wireless (or fast) charging.

How long will they last?

The Spirit Dot 2 comes with an 18 month limited warranty, feels durable, and is solidly water resistant. In other words, they are well suited to persist for the foreseeable future.

Should you buy it?

If features you can forego to take advantage of the in-ear style of the Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2, they're a great option. But if ear hooks aren't a deal breaker, the Spirit X2 are better across the board.

Editor's recommendations




09 Sep
Blog

Nikon Z 5 Review: Full-Frame but Too Slow

nikon z 5 review 7529

"The Nikon Z 5 would be a great entry-level full frame camera if it weren't for the unreliable auto focus in low light and slow burst speed."

  • Good picture quality

  • Compact

  • Affordable

  • Dual SD slots

  • Slow autofocus in low light

  • Inconsistent autofocus in mixed / low light

  • Slow burst mode at 4.5 fps

While the race for mirrorless full images develops from sprinting speed to marathon, camera setups are becoming more and more diverse – and cheaper. The Nikon Z 5 is currently the company's cheapest full-frame camera on the market and less expensive than the aging DSLR D610. The Nikon Z 5 with a kit lens costs $ 1,400 or $ 1,700 and combines size, ergonomics, stabilization, and even most of the image quality of the company's more expensive Z 6. In fact, the Z 5 even offers an upgrade that the Z 6 and Z 7 don't offer – two SD card slots.

However, the entry-level designation introduces some important cutting features of the more expensive models. The speed is reduced significantly, 4K videos can only be recorded with one trim and the design is not quite as robust. The question is, does the Nikon Z 5 offer enough to save $ 1,400? Called a camera for “more than just photographers”, who is the Z 5 best suited for?

I spent almost two weeks trying the Z 5 to see where the entry-level full screen mode stands. During this time, the Nikon Z 5 has proven to be a good full-frame camera for beginners in my opinion, which is unfortunately held back by below-average autofocus in poor lighting conditions and slow burst speeds.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Simple design

While the design of the Z 6 is almost the same as the Z 7, the Z 5 deviates a little more from this family line in good and bad ways. On the positive side, the Z 5 offers two UHS-II SD card slots. This is ideal either to create backups in the camera so that a card failure doesn't mean a catastrophe, or to create an overflow for fewer card swaps. The Z 5 also doesn't use XQD cards, a good move for an entry-level camera considering the card type is available in three digits at retail outlets, much compared to the Affordability SD which was a lot of high capacity cards for only $ 20.

Despite the addition of an additional card slot, the Z5 is only an inch wider than the Z 6 and Z 7 and doesn't add any weight. At less than a pound and a half, the camera is light enough for all-day shooting. (I can't say that for the rough texture of the included neck strap, though.) Combined with the kit lens, the Z 5 didn't cause any major pain during a two mile hike.

The Z 5 uses a magnesium alloy frame, but combines it with a plastic housing that feels like an entry-level Nikon DSLR. The body is weatherproof, but not as sturdy as the Z 6 and Z 7. So I would still have an inexpensive rain poncho in my pocket for more than a drizzle.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

The camera's control scheme is a nice mix of access to controls and not overwhelming novice users. There is no additional LCD screen on top of the camera. I contend that an upward-facing LCD isn't particularly uncommon for mirrorless screens, but its absence here departs from Nikon's design choices in its entry-level full-screen DSLR, the D610, which kept the screen intact.

The camera's control scheme is a nice mix of access to controls and not overwhelming novice users.

Instead, the mode dial at the top is within easy reach of the shutter button, dual control dials, and keyboard shortcuts for recording videos, adjusting ISO, and tweaking exposure compensation. With practice, all of these controls can be accessed without pulling the camera away from your face, although it's difficult to blindly distinguish between the ISO and Exposure Compensation buttons, as opposed to the easily recognizable raised record button.

Although the Z 5 is an entry point into the full-screen category, it retains my favorite camera control: the joystick. This is a quick and ergonomic way to adjust the autofocus point. However, toggling between autofocus modes, as well as a number of other controls that Nikon's DSLRs leave plenty of room for, requires switching to the quick menu or assigning them to the two custom buttons on the front. Most beginners don't mind, however, as controlling the camera is less daunting. Shortcuts to customize burst mode and a focus option for the back button, as well as playback, menu, and display options take up a remainder of the camera's rear controls.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Even for the low price, the connections were not removed – in contrast to the two SD card slots, the Z 5 still has connections for microphone, headphones, HDMI, USB and a cable release. As with many full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z 5 lacks a pop-up flash.

The lower price tag doesn't fare terribly on the Z 5's viewfinder either. The electronic viewfinder shows enough details with 3.69 million points and is denser than the new Panasonic Lumix S5. The important thing is that the Z 5 shows a fairly accurate representation of your shot, unlike some budget cameras I've tried that don't give an accurate preview of the exposure or color balance. The 3.2-inch touchscreen is tilted for wide-angle shots, but doesn't fold forward for vlogging or selfies.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Stuttering performance

Budget cameras are known to be slow, and the Z 5 is no exception. Despite the same processor as the 12 fps Z 6, the Z 5 offers less than half this speed. Some might argue that the Z 5 uses SD cards instead of the faster but more expensive XQD cards, but the transfer rates we're looking at here are well below the SD speed threshold. Curious.

With a maximum burst speed of 4.5 frames per second, I'm not even sure why there is both a low and high speed option as even high speed is pretty slow. Thankfully, the shutter speed is still a maximum of 1 / 8,000 (entry-level cameras used to be regularly limited to 1/4000), which is useful for bright situations.

The top speed of the Z 5 of 4.5 fps is switched off for about 21 pictures with RAW + JPEG. The official number of buffers on the back of the camera is 16, but the pace is slow enough for the camera to write some of these shots while it takes the rest. In JPEG mode, it will take a few more shots with the camera recording for more than 20 seconds before stopping.

However, what is a little more difficult to determine from a quick look at the camera's specifications is the auto focus. With a 273 point hybrid system, the Z 5's system looks almost identical to the Z 6's until you dig a little deeper into the details. And if you dig far enough, you'll find the camera's biggest flaw: an autofocus detection range of only -2 EV, or -3 when using autofocus in low-light camera's conditions. However, Nikon rated AF with a f / 2 lens in low light, so the kit lens and many other lenses available for the system don't work as well as what Nikon claims, a claim that is already not great. It's not outright lying, but it's misleading.

The autofocus of the Z 5 in limited light is consistently poor.

This is why the Z 5's autofocus struggled indoors. Even in a room with windows on three walls, the Z 5 was slow to focus. In low light, the camera often took two to five seconds to get involved in the subject and occasionally did not find the subject at all. While this is not a problem for still images, capturing motion in limited light with such a delay becomes problematic. However, the camera automatically activates the autofocus mode in poor lighting conditions – a plus when you consider that the mode must be activated in the menu for the original Z 6 and Z 7. Low-light autofocus is more accurate and allows you to focus in difficult scenarios, but it is slow.

Because of the way the autofocus system works, the camera can also find it difficult to focus on dark objects. As with any contrast detection system, however, this should be mitigated by the phase detection points of a hybrid system. The Z 5 made it much easier to focus on subjects with a lot of contrast, such as B. Lights or a bright object on a dark background, but it shouldn't be as hard as it is on dark objects. It's a hybrid autofocus system that only acts as a contrast agent in some cases, and that's disappointing.

Low-light autofocus was a complaint on the Z 6 and even the Z 7 with a tendency to get hit or miss, but the Z 5's autofocus in limited light is consistently poor. In comparison, the Z 6 is rated in such a way that it reaches -6 EV in poor lighting conditions, whereas the Z 5 is only -3.5.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

What makes autofocus really disappointing in low light is that the Z 5 would otherwise be an excellent camera in the dark. The five-axis stabilization in the body is solid. If I did everything in my power to help the camera stay close to a tripod – holding my breath and supporting the camera with my elbows – I could get close to one with the kit lens at 24mm Shoot down for half a second. This is an excellent system for the price of the camera, but the slow autofocus in low light makes it difficult to take pictures before the camera even has to go that low. Of course, stabilization isn't just for low light – stabilization comes in handy when you're working with telephoto lenses.

Continuous autofocus provides clear, slow-action photos most of the time, although roughly half of the shots where the subject came directly on the camera were soft. It is not intended for action, but in general use it will take some sharp shots, such as taking pictures of children or people moving at walking pace.

The focus system recognizes eyes pretty easily and quickly.

The Z 5's autofocus isn't bad, however. Eye AF worked well and even outperforms the more expensive Canon EOS R6 when it comes to focusing on the lashes when shooting from a high angle. The focus system recognizes eyes pretty easily and quickly. The system is not fast enough when doing sports, for example, but as already mentioned, the Z 5 is not an action camera. Pet Eye AF is included but I couldn't get it to work on my cat. (To be fair, I couldn't use the Canon version on my cat either.)

The Z 5 adds a new option for autofocus bracketing that automatically adjusts the focal length between shots in a series in order to later create a focus stack on a computer. The new function is easy to use for anyone who has previously worked with Nikon bracketing or time lapse. However, the recordings are activated by pressing Start in the menu. This means that you will see the menu in the viewfinder and not be able to perfect the composition before you hit start. It's a usability bug that we hope will be improved in later firmware updates.

Excellent pictures and videos

The Z 5 makes fewer sacrifices when it comes to image quality. With a 24.3 megapixel full-frame sensor, the Z 5 only has a slightly lower resolution than the more expensive Z 6. The larger sensor size makes it easier to create bokehs with the kit as well and offers a lot of flexibility in the post. The detail is good, and when it's perfectly focused, even the kit lens is pretty sharp.

ISO 12800 with noise reduction and harvest Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

A lower resolution is a good sign of ISO, and under perfect conditions I was able to bring out the noise of an ISO 12800 shot with little loss of detail. Photos are best kept under ISO 6400, which has noticeable color noise but can be easily corrected with software.

The color was what I would expect from a Nikon DSLR – broadly accurate, with the occasional tendency to skew the white balance a bit green for my tastes. Skin tones are rendered pretty well.

RAW files are also what I would expect from an entry-level full-screen Nikon DSLR. I was able to restore a good amount of detail and even texture from the shadows until I almost inverted a silhouette. As with almost any camera, it is harder to recreate blown highlights, and photographers should be best wrong on the too dark, not too bright side.

The Nikon Z 5 offers 4K video, but with a 1.7x crop and without all the frills of the Z 6 and Z 7, such as. B. N-Log. The 1.7x crop means both light loss and lenses aren't that great, but this isn't uncommon for an entry-level option. As with the pictures, colors and sharpness are consistently good, and the Z 5 searches less sharply than a Nikon DSLR while taking the picture.

Our opinion

The Nikon Z 5 is a good full-frame camera for entry-level users – but slow autofocus in low light, inconsistent accuracy in mixed lighting, and a sluggish burst mode prevent the camera from being a great full-screen option for entry-level users. The Nikon Z 5 is a great option for avid photographers, influencers, and other creative types who regularly take photos in good light.

Image quality and design are both superb, while slower performance is Nikon's clear differentiator when it comes to the extra $ 400 for the Z 6. If the Z 5 were $ 1,000 or even $ 1,200, this would be an easy recommendation. But at just $ 400 less than a significantly more powerful camera, it's a tough sell.

How long it will take?

Camera bodies typically last a few years, and the Z 5 is likely no exception. The weather seal and materials are not as high quality as the Z 6 and Z 7, but with the right care the camera housing should continue to serve you well in the future.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want a full-screen Nikon and you can't spend more than $ 1,400, no. Even the aging Nikon D610 only focuses on -1 EV and costs $ 200 more at list price. Waiting for an additional $ 400 for the Z 6, however, is a good idea for any photographer who regularly takes photos indoors or of moving subjects.

However, the full frame mirrorless market is crowded for photographers who have not yet invested in a lens system or are ready to make a switch. The Canon EOS RP has a better autofocus system thanks to the dual pixel technology and is designed for a focus of only -5 EV, but it lacks the stabilization in the body. Outside of these two models and older generations, it's hard to find another camera for $ 1,400. The Sony A7 III is a faster camera but costs $ 600 more. The very new Panasonic Lumix S5 offers better autofocus, advanced video modes, and faster bursts, but again is in the $ 2,000 range, not less than $ 1,500.

Moving to the Crop Sensor category fixes these performance issues, but it sacrifices the larger sensor. Nikon's own Z 50 is much faster with similar ergonomics and lens compatibility, but autofocus in low light is still not ideal. The Fujifilm X-T30 has a faster burst, more video capabilities and great autofocus, but it is not stabilized. The Sony a6600 offers fast burst and autofocus while maintaining stabilization, but it also has this smaller sensor.

Should you buy it?

Buy the Nikon Z 5 if you want a full-screen Nikon, take pictures outdoors in good light, and can't spend more than $ 1,400. However, if you're planning on taking a lot of shots in sub-ideal conditions, including low-light or fast-moving subjects, avoid the Z 5. Wait until you can save another $ 400 on the Z 6, or pull a crop sensor or the unstabilized EOS RP.

Editor's recommendations




08 Sep
Blog

Clients Ask: Can Face Masks Cause Acne?

Masks: We love the protection they offer, but we don't love what they do to our skin. When your spa clients ask, "Can face masks cause acne?" The unfortunate answer is, "Yes." Face masks have become a normal part of everyday life. As spa professionals, we know your clients are now coming to you and your spa for solutions (and relief!) From mask-related acne and irritation. To help out, we have some of our favorite skin care experts (our Eminence Organics International Trainers) to give their best advice on how to coach your clients to cleanse the skin – even under a mask.

Reusable face masks hang on the clothesline

Masking: the environment and your skin

First, you want to talk to your customers about their masking and mask care habits. While this is a new area of ​​self-care for all of us, it's important to get it right in order to curb the development of acne and breakouts through face masks.

As a Certified B CorporationOur company prides itself on our commitment to the environment. For this reason, we always recommend reusable face masks. (You may have already noticed that your local Eminence Organics representatives and estheticians are wearing their Eminence Organics reusable masks!) However, reusable masks require extra care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promote the "regular" washing of reusable masks, and infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh A. Adalja explains, “It is best to wash it after each use as the mask itself can become contaminated. ”

"Why do face masks make me break out?"

While wearing face masks is a habit essential to our safety, Eminence Organics is an international trainer Jude Herrera reminds us that keeping our skin clean is important and helps prevent breakouts: “Reused masks can contain oils and bacteria. They also trap heat and moisture on the skin and allow bacteria to thrive, which can lead to acne and irritation. " He recommends the use of colorless and fragrance-free cleaning agents to reduce the risk of irritation. Pro tip: Don't you want to do your laundry every day? We don't either! We recommend stocking up on a couple of different masks and throwing them all with your weekly load.

If you need to use disposable masks, contact International Trainer Katie Rattray says certain materials should be avoided because they can cause problematic skin. In particular, she warns us to “watch out for latex, which can increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis”. Similarly, our makeup can also cause irritation and acne under our face masks. International trainer Hector Rafael says to avoid using poor quality cosmetics, which are often comedogenic (in other words, pore clogging).

And finally, take a mask break if you can! “Breaks enable a clean flow of oxygen,” says Hector. These breaks give any bacteria-friendly moisture the opportunity to dry out.

Prevent wearing masks from breakouts

Once your customers are no longer familiar with their mask care habits, it is time to adjust their skin care routine. After all, it's always better to prevent outbreaks than to wait for them to be treated.

Katie says the two most effective ways to keep mask-related breakouts at bay are to 1) create a barrier between the skin and the mask, and 2) stay hydrated. "Masks seem to suck in and draw moisture out of the skin," says Katie. She recommends improving your client's skin game with facial oils during the day: "This not only seals in moisture, but also forms a physical barrier against the mask." The Facial Recovery Oil is the perfect option for clients who are already prone to breakouts, while dry skin types will love the Rose Hip and Lemongrass Repair Balm. She also recommends that you continue hydration at night with richer creams overnight.

For international trainers Brian GoodwinPrevention begins with the first step in any skin care routine. Brian says: "If a customer uses a detergent with peeling pearls or harsh foaming agents, switch to a gentler detergent that does not harm the skin and increase the risk of irritation." Try the Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser for sensitive skin and to keep the skin's protective moisture barrier intact. For problematic skin, the Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser cleanses and reduces the oil with salicylic acid, while yogurt moisturizes and cools.

Still, many of your clients return to work and school, which can mean more than 8 hours of mask wear. This is plenty of time to trap oil, heat, and potential bacteria on the skin. For customers who need more than the typical morning and evening cleaning, try Brian's solution – DIY cleaning pads for on the go!

Here's how it works: Apply the Rice Milk 3-in-1 Cleansing Water or Exfoliating Scrub for Clear-Skin Willow Bark to a clean cotton ball. Seal it in a small bag or airtight container and take it with you. "Use it in the middle of the day to remove debris and clean up where the mask came in contact," he instructs. "Instead of scrubbing your clients, train them to glide smoothly over their skin with minimal pressure."

Product selection

Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil

Facial Recovery Oil

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Eminence Organics Rose Hip and Lemongrass Repair Balm

Rose Hip & Lemongrass Repair Balm

VIEW PRODUCT

Please also note these products: Calm chamomile cleanser, Probiotic cleanser for clear skin, Rice milk 3-in-1 cleaning water, Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Scrub

Treat mask-induced breakouts

Of course, no matter how well we coach our clients, stubborn skin conditions can still occur. Fortunately, there are many ways that face masks can treat breakouts and irritation.

To focus on problem areas, Brian recommends using the Clear Skin Targeted Treatment as a spot treatment. The concentrated formula flushes out pores and improves the appearance of skin that looks irritated from wearing masks. The probiotic moisturizer with clear skin also works quickly on problem skin – and the cucumber it contains leaves a cooling feeling that is particularly welcome after a long day with masks.

And while it doesn't seem intuitive, a little extra warmth can help too. A spicy mask like the Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot creates a warming feeling on the skin and helps improve the appearance of breakouts. You can also encourage your clients to book a range of flavorful treatments – like our Blueberry Detox Firming Peel – for a regular dose of warmth and a professional exfoliator. Remember, customers with sensitive skin will start with a test patch to see how they react to the sensation.

Finally, you want to offer your customers a nutritious night treatment. As transepidermal water loss peaks during sleep, hydration is more important than ever. Our top picks? "The Facial Recovery Oil is a great night treatment for balancing sensitive or problematic skin," says Jude. For dry skin, Katie recommends the ultra-rich Rose Hip and Lemongrass Repair Balm for its protective natural repair complex. Finally, the Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator is a powerhouse for treating acne without drying out the skin. Jude recommends mixing this award winner with your nightly serums.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Clear Skin Targeted Treatment

Clear skin-related treatment

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Probiotic Moisturizer For Clear Skin

Probiotic moisturizer for clear skin

VIEW PRODUCT

Please also note these products: Eight green phyto-mask – hot, Blueberry Detox Firming Peel, Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator

While the cause of mask-induced acne and irritation may be new, the skin conditions are not. We have the full range of products to help you and your customers avoid the unfortunate effects of masks on the skin.

Learn How to Become an Eminence Organics Spa Affiliate for Award-Winning Education. Or check our blog for regular spa professional content.

07 Sep
Blog

Unagi Model One E500 E-Scooter Review: Classy Commuter

Unagi Model One E500

"The Unagi has been carefully designed and is a scooter that makes a statement."

  • Stylish, noble looks

  • Loaded with well thought-out functions

  • Robust construction

  • Customizable performance for different levels of difficulty

  • Expensive for its top speed and range

There are plenty of capable e-scooters from companies like Bird, Xiaomi, and Razor for half the price or less Unagis Model One E500. However, no other model combines the refined design, build quality and driving characteristics of the Unagi. When you're selling a personal transportation device for just under $ 1,000 against a strong bunch of competitors that go out the door for $ 350- $ 500, you should be better delivering in every way and over-delivering where it matters . And that's exactly what Unagi does with Model One.

Unagi Model One E500 front left

Unagi sells the One E500 model with two 250-watt, 16-newton-meter electric motors, one on each wheel, for $ 990. The One E250 model has a single motor on the front wheel and is priced at $ 840. If, in my opinion, you're already paying a premium price for the Model One's design and build quality, the extra $ 150 is well worth the price for the extra torque. Unagi rates the E250 for 6-degree inclines, but the E500 for 15-degree hills.

I tested a gray Unagi Model One E500. The E250 and E500 are also available in matte black, scarlet red, cosmic blue or sea salt, a very light gray. If you still want more customization, Unagi sells the twin-engine One500 of the Model One for $ 1,290 with many premium options for customization. The company will also work with you if you want to use your own design for your roller finish.

The Model One's handle folds up with a clever one-finger trigger and clicks into place for easy carrying. The E500 weighs just 26.5 pounds, which adds to its appeal for urban commutes, especially when dealing with stairs.

Build and build

The technical data sheets for many e-scooters read almost the same, but the Model One stands out. Carefully selected component materials, intuitive controls and cleverly designed, unique functions make the Unagi something special. From magnesium alloy handlebars to tailor-made solid rubber tires with integrated air suspension, every part of the One model is a boaster. Even the one-of-a-kind peek-a-boo stand, usually a cumbersome addition if any, is a clever functional detail. The Unagi Model One is a perfectly functioning mid-range electric scooter and an art of micro-mobility.

However, Model One does not emphasize form over function. Every design and component decision improves the strength of this e-scooter, increases its performance, or improves the user experience.

Unagi Model One componentsThe Unagi Model One E500 comes fully assembled, but those are the parts.

Let's start at the bottom. The Model One's deck is made from a single piece of machined aluminum for light weight without compromising stiffness, and is covered with embedded silicon for traction.

The Unagi's custom-made 7.5 inch solid rubber wheels cannot go flat because you do not inflate these tires. Instead, thin cutouts in the wheel deform when you roll over obstacles and smooth the ride like a conventional tire.

Bows to both technology and tradition, the One model has two braking systems. Both bikes have electronic anti-lock braking systems with variable force control. Traditionalists can activate a friction brake on the rear wheel by stepping a heel on the rear fender.

Every part of the Model One is a braggart.

The 250 watt front and rear wheel motors of the E500 combine 500 watts with a peak output of 1,000 watts. They also deliver plenty of torque for typical flat urban roads. The neodymium magnets of the motors are protected from overheating by a continuous monitoring system. There are three modes of operation: Eco, recommended for beginners, limits the top speed to 9 to 11 miles per hour; Standard increases the maximum to 11 to 13 mph; Pro allows you to get the Model One up to a maximum of 15 to 17 mph. Single and twin engine versions of the Model 1 have the same top speed, but the E500's double the torque gets you there faster and handles inclines better. These speeds work well for urban commutes, although you may want a faster top end if you're driving in suburbs or rural areas. You may notice the top speed of 20 mph on the Unagi website – there is a rumored handlebar button code that removes the cruise control. I left it in stock and hit a maximum of 16 mph during my test drives.

As with all e-scooters and e-bikes, the Unagi's top speed will vary based on many factors, including gradient, temperature, and rider weight. While typical e-scooters have weight restrictions of 225 pounds for driver and cargo, the Model One can carry up to 275 pounds, a tribute to the e-scooter's deck strength and engine torque.

A 9,000 mAh lithium-ion battery delivers the stated range of 15.5 miles per charge, which varies primarily based on speed, incline and rider weight. Here, too, it is sufficient for typical urban use. At 26.5 pounds, the Unagi is light enough to drag yourself into a building and recharge during the work day – it only takes four to five hours.

With the folded tube on the Unagi Model One, it's easy to carry the 26.5 pound e-scooter.

Exotic materials help keep this weight down; Unagi claims that the TORAY carbon fiber used in the Unagi's lightweight tube is the same used to build Elon Musk's Space-X rockets and that the handlebar is made from a magnesium alloy. When it is time to fold, the patented one-button folding mechanism works smoothly and holds securely.

Unagi Model One E500 dashboard

The handlebars hold the throttle and brakes of the scooter, the horn, the light control and the drive and mode control buttons.

Unagi Model One (center) rear lightFrom left to right: Juiced Bikes Scorpion E-Bike, Unagi Model One E500 E-Scooter and Super 73 S1 E-Bike.

In addition to the side reflectors on both wheels, the One model has a 47 lumen LED front light and a red LED at the rear. In the photos above you can see the front and rear LEDs on the Unagi Model One E500 very early one morning on my street, for comparison between a Juiced Bikes Scorpion and a Super 73 S1.

horse riding

Unlike some of the fat-tire e-bikes I tested, I wasn't interested in riding the Unagi off-road or on the beaches we live on in North Carolina. Instead, I looked for experience in the city and our neighborhood to see how the E500 behaves as convenient city traffic.

You can choose to run the E500 with just one engine or both engines, which provides an extra dose of torque. This winding power will get you up to speed and uphill. Battery range and top speed are the same regardless of the drive configuration selected. Therefore, there is no great incentive to drive at half power.

Eco mode is a great option for beginners to stay below 18 km / h, but I quickly got addicted to Pro mode's pull mode. With both engines in play, you need to be ready for this machine to take off. It's also a mini wake-up call for the first time.

The Unagi Model One is a classic ride with sleek looks and design features.

The E500 accelerates quickly up to 13-14 mph and then at a leisurely pace it reaches its top speed of 17 mph. Fifteen miles an hour feels faster on a scooter than an e-bike, but it's not that fast, and I found it easy to maintain, comfortable. The super smooth gas and the brake create trust and distinguish the Unagi. Many e-bikes have choppy throttles and brakes that seem to toggle between on and off, which can lead to unexpectedly abrupt changes in speed. I was also pleased to find that the solid rubber, vented tires actually smoothed the ride.

As with all light two-wheelers, changing direction is easy – sometimes too easy. When I was driving in our neighborhood at the beginning of my tests, I saw our postman pull up in their vehicle across the street. I smiled and waved, and when I did, I was quickly grateful for the Unagi's electronic anti-lock brakes because I almost ran into their door. The One model is perfect as a steering vehicle, but you have to be willing to change direction even with small body weight shifts. Once I got used to the responsiveness of the e-scooter, the Unagi's solid component structure helped with cornering and with precisely maintaining the desired driving line.

Our opinion

Unagi Model One E500 at the marina

The Unagi Model One E500 is an attractive, stylish e-scooter with a restrained appearance – at least with a medium gray finish. Transporting the E500 is a breeze, and the granular controls and solid, responsive driving behavior quickly instill confidence. This ride fulfills its design function perfectly. It's not a high-performance scooter and would soon be out of its element in almost any off-road situation. But it's not built to race or drive in the rough. The Unagi Model One is a classic, nifty urban commuter. The Model One costs more than you'd have to spend on an e-scooter with similar speed and range specifications, but it's definitely worth the extra cost. While I had the Unagi, I was seriously thinking about showing it as art in our home.

Is there a better alternative?

There are many good e-scooters that can reach 27 km / h and travel 15 km. The Razor EX-R electric scooter is priced at $ 600 and is often sold for $ 500 or a little less. The Segway Ninebot ES2 Electric Kick Scooter is also around $ 600 with frequent discounts. The Razor and Segway are good city commuter bikes with similar range and top speed to the Unagi Model One, although they lack torque and have a reduced load capacity of 220 pounds versus the Unagi's 275. Consider them acceptable alternatives if you are on a tight budget, but the Unagi is better overall and well worth the extra few hundred dollars.

How long it will take?

Unagi sells the Model 1 with a one year warranty. For the first three months of ownership, Unagi will replace the scooter with a brand new scooter. For the remaining nine months of the warranty period, Unagi will replace or repair at its option. Unagi's 30-day trial means you can return the scooter, undamaged or faulty, in its original packaging for a full refund. However, you pay for shipping. We assume that with the carefully curated components of the Model One, you should enjoy the ride for years to come.

Unagi Model One E500 from the Cotton ExchangeThe Unagi Model One is at home and convenient to transport in urban environments.

Should you buy one?

Yes. If you're looking for a high quality e-scooter that is easy to transport and exudes build quality and design elegance (even if you're the only one noticing), the Unagi Model One E500 is an excellent investment to take you around the city and in City perform Look good when you do.

Editor's recommendations




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