28 Aug
Blog

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Review: Giant Soundstage

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Earbuds Review Earbuds 1

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro

"As with a personal concert, the Liberty 2 Pro can beat the best – and win."

  • Incredible audio quality

  • Solid call quality

  • Good battery life

  • Wireless charging

  • Excellent noise isolation

  • Special value

  • Bulky design

  • Fiddly buttons with no functions

I'm going to break our valuation tradition here and just come out and say it: The Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are truly exceptional. If you've already considered these, then don't need to read any further: buy them.

But if you're wondering why I'm so in love with these particular buds, I have a lot to say. They're not perfect in all aspects, but if sound quality is paramount to you and you crave detail, balance, and a tremendous soundstage, you can't get better than the Liberty 2 Pro right now – especially not in its $ 150 price range .

No, that's not an exaggeration.

A luxurious box

The first time I pulled the Liberty 2 out of the shipping box, I let out an audible "wow". The product box is the prettiest I've ever seen of an audio product on my huge pile. Its triple style is covered in some sort of texture that feels like a high quality matte paper magazine. On the inside of the folding cover are stunning graphics of the company's audio hardware design. The two buds and the charging case are displayed behind a transparent plastic cover.

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Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earphones rating earphones 14 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-14-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAAAAEAAThe box has a very satisfactory texture which hopefully can be seen here. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Under this paper and plastic tub you will find a very large pile of paper documents (based on the excess paper that is also contained in the Spirit X2, this could just be a Soundcore thing), a charging cable and six (!) Additional silicone earbuds and two extra wings that help keep the buds in place when carried. The seven earplug sizes offered here are well above the industry average and certainly contribute to comfort (more on that later).

Given the sturdiness of the box and the plastic tubs it contains, I can't agree with Anker when it comes to sustainability, but at least they seem to have given their all on the first impression. I've seen worse eco-friendly cardboard boxes that had a lot less impact. This box is so beautiful that I would like to keep it as long as I have the buds.

Chunky, bulky design

The Liberty 2 Pro has almost everything right outside of the design. Here, however, they stumble.

Let's start with the case: it feels a lot bigger than it needs to be, and the buds aren't sitting in it intuitively.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

That doesn't mean I think the case is big, but it is certainly one of the bigger ones I have on hand. It's bigger than the Master and Dynamic MW07 just because the sides are so dramatically rounded, but it's thankfully smaller than the Sony WF-SP800N and WF-1000XM3, both of which are almost obtrusively large. It's almost twice the size of the Jabra Elite 75t. I don't think I'd have such a big problem with the case if I didn't think it was made bigger for the design, not because it had to be. It seems to waste a lot of space, and the bottom of the case (where the battery appears to be) is so thin and relatively light that I just have to think that there is a better way to design it.

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Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Earphones Rating Earphones 10 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-10-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAEAEAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Although the lid slides backwards satisfactorily, the buds are set particularly deep into the case and, oddly enough, sit in the holder. Most of the buds on the market snap down with either the earbuds (like the WF-1000XM3) or the antennas (like the Airpods). The Liberty 2 Pro are designed to sit on their side in their case, which makes taking them in and out a process that I need to actively think about to make sure I'm doing everything right. I've been using these for a few weeks now and every time I still have to play around with them.

Next, let's talk about the buds themselves: they're bulky.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

You won't notice their girth when you wear them, but they protrude significantly from your head and everyone around you will be very aware of the buds. They are impossible to ignore.

One final note: although the Liberty 2 Pro lets you pause / play / skip, turn it on and off, and answer / hang up calls, the button to do it is extremely small and poorly positioned. It's a tiny button on the top of the right earbud and reset. You certainly won't accidentally press this button, which is probably a nice perk, but it's a lot easier to control your phone or smartwatch.

This tiny button is no fun. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

There's also no way to control the volume on the buds yourself, which is another nuisance. But since, due to the fiddly buttons mentioned above, I'll likely be using my phone to manage which song I'm listening to right now, that's probably not that big a deal.

Features and comfort

When the design doesn't get in the way, we can talk about the good things – and there are a lot of good things.

While they don't have as long battery life as their sport-loving brother, the Spirit X2, the Liberty 2 Pros have an excellent 8 hour battery life when you look at comparable performance-focused earbuds. Another three fees in this case increase the total listening time to 32 hours. They last at least as long as the Sony WH-1000XM3s, are better than the 19.5 hours you get from the Panasonic Technics TWS AZ70s, and far superior to the sad 14 hours of the Master and Dynamic MW07s. They don't match the 13 hours of the Sony WF-SP800N or the 9.5 hours of the RHA TrueConnect 2, but they beat the Jabra Elite 75T, which only took about 7 hours in our tests.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

After a charging time of just under 10 minutes, you also get 2 hours of listening time. The charging case is also compatible with USB-C and wireless Qi charging, which is impressive.

Soundcore has an excellent app that is compatible with the Liberty 2 Pros that allows you to convert the EQ from the standard sound profile (which is honestly pretty good) to one of 10 suggested calibrations by professional music producers, your own EQ, or a personalized one change a sound profile that is compiled based on a hearing test that you can perform through the app.

Personally, I enjoy making a custom EQ based on my own preferences, but it was interesting and even fun to try out my favorite songs with different calibrations from the industry pros. The personalized profile through the app felt kind of great, and the profile it created for me wasn't my favorite. I applaud the effort, but stick with the custom EQ.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, the Liberty 2 Pro doesn't have a sensor that detects when a bud is removed from your ears. Hence, you have to stop the music manually.

The Buds support a wide variety of codecs including aptX which is good to see.

Soundcore makes a solid argument that earbuds don't need active noise-canceling technology based on how good they are at noise isolation. When they are worn and playing music even at low volume, the sound is so well isolated that I could swear they had noise canceling. While they're not the best to wear on a plane with no music, they do a great job without the ANC.

This noise isolation means the buds will be quite snug against your ear. If you are particularly sensitive to pressure in your ear canal, it can make you feel tired. Personally, I like the fit. I use the smallest ear plugs and fins and they stay in my ears very well. I could wear them for hours without any problems.

Soundcore makes a solid argument that there is no need for active noise cancellation technology in earphones.

They aren't the most comfortable earbuds I've tested, but they strike a very good balance between comfortable and safe. I have a hell of a lot of time holding the Sony WF-1000XM3 in my ears and the very comfortable Master and Dynamic MW07s do a very poor job of isolating. For me, the Liberty 2 Pro are the goldilocks of this situation: They are exactly right.

Incredible soundstage

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro has a wider, richer soundstage than any other earbud I've tested in 2020. You can keep up with the raw bass performance of the Jabra Elite 75T and have a deeper and more robust projection of that bass. Compared to our usual standard, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Liberty 2 Pro offers a bigger sound and a stronger bass without losing details. The XM3s sound great, but they lack detail. The Liberty 2 Pro is both sturdy and detailed, which is surprising and impressive.

That's right, I think they sound better than an earbud that costs almost twice as much.

The Liberty 2 Pro are the closest thing to the professional over-ear studio monitors I've seen in an earbud.

While I really have to pause and listen carefully to find out the background details of Katy Perry's Daisies on both the Sony and Jabra, this is clear and obvious on the Liberty 2 Pro. In Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution, I have the feeling of sitting in the Imax Theater and seeing Interstellar again for the first time.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

When I listen to music through Liberty 2 Pro, I feel like I'm in the middle of my personal theater with my favorite band playing just for me. Somehow, Anker Soundcore managed to give me all the details about lows, mids and highs that I crave while keeping my balance flawless. Even if I change the EQ so that the bass is as high as possible, it never overpowers any of the other levels. The detail is still there.

The Liberty 2 Pro are the closest thing to the professional over-ear studio monitors I've seen in an earbud. While studio monitors tend to be more neutral in their projection to maintain balance and bring out details, the Liberty 2 Pro somehow manages to give me the nice depth and warmth that is great for easy listening without sacrificing that balance and criticism to need detail. I can't get enough of the music these buds offer, the sound is so extraordinary.

If sound quality is most important to you, the Liberty 2 Pro are hard to beat.

For me, the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are the new standard.

Call quality

I am pleased to announce that the call quality with the Liberty 2 Pro is very good for both parties. Not only can I hear the other side of the conversation very clearly, but they can also hear me clearly. They're not the best for calling out of all of the earbuds we tested – the Apple AirPods Pro are better – but they do a great job.

Anker Soundcore says they achieve the solid call quality through four microphones and uplink noise cancellation and voice isolation. I'm not familiar with their jargon or their technology, but I can say it works very well which makes these buds great not only for music but also for work.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earbuds may not be the prettiest buds out there, and their charging case is a bit cumbersome, but they make up for all of this with the best audio quality you can expect from true wireless earbuds. At $ 150, they not only dominate their price segment and beat the excellent Jabra Elite 75t and RHA TrueConnect 2, but they go even further and beat well beyond their weight class against buds that can cost twice as much. If sound quality is most important to you, the Liberty 2 Pro are hard to beat.

Is there a better alternative?

In all honesty, if audio quality is most important to you, no. We haven't found a better-sounding pair of buds for $ 150. Sound isn't everything, however. If you want to get closer but want to get smaller and more comfortable buds with a tiny charging case, the Jabra Elite 75t are great. The RHA TrueConnect 2, Happy Plugs Air 1 ANC, and Samsung Galaxy Buds + are also in the $ 150 range and are worth considering.

How long will they last?

Anker Soundcore offers an incredible 18 month guarantee on its products that is way above the norm. The build is solid too. I expect these will easily take several years.

Should you buy it?

Definitely yes. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are standout headphones with the best high quality, detailed soundstage we've seen in real radio buds. You want her.

Editor's recommendations




28 Aug
Blog

The Two Ways to Fix Your Mobility

I get it. It hurts when you move so try to limit the amount you move so you don't suffer as much. It's a natural response. And your brain counts on it. Let's talk about why your mind is betting on you to do this, and what the sneaky bastard is doing.

The first thing you can do to improve your mobility is to use pain as a warning.

1. Increase your freedom of movement

I will start with that. Your brain loves you We really love you and don't want you to get hurt. But much like a toddler and a puddle of mud, they cannot trust you to make the right decisions.

To keep you safe and alive, the main role of the brain is protection and survival. To do that it has to be a little annoying at times and make some tough decisions. You might want to run, lift, swim, or whatever you want to do, but the brain needs to step in, be a mama-bear and stop you.

Remember, your brain's priorities do not match your priorities. With that in mind, let's talk about mobility. Subject to mechanical restrictions, It is your brain that stops your mobility gains. It's true.

Let me tell you why There are generally two reasons why your brain restricts your mobility:

  1. Strength in a position or reach
  2. Lack of use

Think about it. If you're weak in one range or position, why the hell would your brain let you go there if you can't get yourself back? If your mind thinks for even a second that you are unsafe at a certain distance or position and there is a risk of getting hurt, it will stop you. Guess how it's going to stop you? That's right by hurting yourself.

Pain is a warning. Pain is the best tool your body can use to pay attention to what your brain is telling you. and it uses it to draw attention to boo-boos and keep you from doing something that is going to hurt you.

How do we get healthy in our range of motion so that the brain lets us go there? Well the answer is bit by bit. You have to earn your mind's trust and that will happen as you build strength. Remove this exercise from the mobility reset program.

The L-Sit to Tabletop is the perfect confidence-building exercise between you and the big, squishy thing above.

Not only does the movement help you build range by asking the brain to do the job of achieving a great position on the flat end, it also gives you the power to:

And coordination creates comfort that creates trust. Do you understand what I mean?

Try it here:

2. Strength and stability are critical to mobility

That brings me to the second thing. Use the areas you currently have.

One of the truest things I've ever learned about the brain-body connection is if you don't use it, you lose it. Your brain doesn't want to devote time or space, and that means neurons doing crap that it doesn't use.

It doesn't matter if you were an Olympic gymnast. If you don't switch to the areas you have often, you will lose them. To make this more understandable:

  • If you sit at a desk all day, lie down and never move your spine in any other direction, what do you think will happen? You will end up in a hunched posture, an inability to straighten or rotate your back, and pain.
  • This is how the brain sees it. We haven't arched or twisted our spine in weeks. So do I still have to dedicate space on the brain map to this ability? Damn no, not me. I'm going to use these neurons for something else.

If this sounds like you, try this spine wave exercise from the Mobility Reset program. See if you can move your spine the way you should be.

So what I'm saying is this. To be mobile, or to build mobility, you need to develop the strength and stability in the areas that the brain needs to get there.

And you have to couple that with the frequent use of these areas, otherwise your brain will rob you of the ability to use them. It comes down to using a joint like a joint and using it often.

Both exercises are from our mobility reset program.

28 Aug
Blog

Harman/Kardon Soundsticks 4 Review: What’s Old is New Again

harman kardon soundsticks 4 anniversary edition Bluetooth rating 20. 1

Harman / Kardon Soundsticks 4 Rating: What is old is new again

"The Soundsticks 4 are a classic design that has been updated for modern times. They sound great."

  • Classic yet updated styling

  • Warm, accessible sound

  • LED in the subwoofer is a nice touch

  • Supports bluetooth and 3.5mm jack

  • Great value for money

  • The subwoofer must sit on your desk

  • No EQ customization options

  • Does not come with an aux cable

The Harman / Kardon sound sticks are classic. I can't say that I personally owned any of the earlier iterations released since 2000, but I can say I knew someone who did. In college, these were the computer speakers you had to own.

But how is the new $ 300 Anniversary Edition Harman / Kardon Soundsticks 4 holding up 20 years after it was launched and some updates to keep it up to date? The design is unique and largely unchanged from the original, but how well do they work and, more importantly, how do they sound? Let's get into that.

Out of the box

The Soundsticks 4 are packaged very simply, and I'd say that's a good thing. Although originally launched along with the iMac in 2000, Harman / Kardon doesn't seem to be continuing the packaging trend that Apple is following with hard cardboard and a ton of plastic. While there are a few here, the main and inner packaging is made from standard cardboard and foam, which has made the soundsticks safe on their travels to me. It's not particularly sustainable packaging, but neither is it the worst we've come across.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Soundsticks 4 are delivered with a left and right speaker unit with four drivers, the subwoofer, a power cord and ready to use. Given that these are primarily computer speakers, I found it strange that Harman / Kardon didn't come with a 3.5mm audio aux cable, especially since the Soundsticks 4 support the hard-line In accept. The only instant connection option you have is Bluetooth. This works, but is not ideal for me. Sure, I like bluetooth, but as a past life video editor, I have a hard time trusting wireless connections when listening critically. Television companies have set themselves up to be known that they typically don't have an HDMI cable in the box, but computer speakers don't have such expectations. If you want to provide the input, specify the cable.

Clear mood

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

If you weren't familiar with the soundsticks prior to this version, they always had this transparent build that originally looked great for the time, especially with the iMac they were designed for. But 20 years later, the emphasis on using clear plastic with electronics has decreased significantly. It doesn't look bad by any means, but in 2020 the design aesthetic is extremely unusual and likely polarizing.

On a video call with the soundsticks in the background, someone rightly asked me if it was a humidifier.

Thanks to the white and gray used throughout, the design has aged pretty well in my opinion.

But I kind of like her. Personally, I think they don't look bad at all next to a 27-inch iMac. Compared to the original, the Soundsticks 4 use significantly more opaque parts that perfectly frame the clear parts. I think if this entire system were as see-through as the original in 2000 it would be pretty garish, but thanks to the white and gray used throughout, I think the design has aged pretty well.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Table top in mind

Harman / Kardon are continuing a strange design decision: All three parts should sit clearly on your desk. The left and right speaker units have no controls to speak of. Instead, these are located on the front and back of the subwoofer. The volume, which you can probably only control from your computer, is toggled by two raised white buttons on the front of the subwoofer, while the buttons for power and Bluetooth connectivity are on the back. When you change the volume, turn on the device, or connect to a Bluetooth device, the LEDs in the subwoofer light up differently. This means that you should be able to see very clearly that it lights up, which you probably wouldn't notice if it were on. The typical subwoofer location on the floor under the desk.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I suppose the idea is that you don't want to "hide" the subwoofer under the table because of the design, but it's not particularly convenient. The submarine is quite large, which means that it takes up a large part of your workspace. I don't know all about you out there, but my desk isn't that big. It's big, but putting up my laptop stand, monitor, and podcasting microphone doesn't leave much room for other items. The left and right speaker arrays are thankfully pretty thin and easy to hide, but the subwoofer will take up a lot of space. The sub is powerful too, which means you can definitely feel it shake the table when it plays music. I'm not a huge fan of this when I'm trying to work.

If you are thinking of just laying it on the floor, you might just know that the sound quality is going to deteriorate. I'll go into the sound quality breakdown in the next section, but know that I tested the sound with the sub both on the table and below and the audio quality was noticeably worse with the sub on the floor.

Sound sticks sound good

I can point out the lack of an aux cable and the need to have all three parts on one table, but all that's worth it for audio quality: the Soundsticks 4 sound fabulous.

The soundsticks 4 sound fabulous.

I was honestly surprised at how good the sound quality was from what were, for me, the thin, small arrays. Sure, they had four drivers apiece, but since they were so small, could they really do that much? Well, not only do they make a lot, they're rich and sound full in a way that seems to defy their sleek design.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Sagres from The Last Man on Earth comes through completely and in detail, with the nuanced lyrics blending wonderfully into the bass. The Decemberists “Once in My Life” is my go-to for selection of detailed vocal audio. While not perfect, the Soundsticks 4 do a very respectable job of recreating the lead vocalist's high-pitched timbre-focused voice. These speakers definitely put more emphasis on the lows and mids than the highs, but the result is a very warm and rich sound, albeit a little less detailed than other speakers and audio equipment. In their price range and especially for computer speakers, I really like what I hear from them.

As mentioned earlier, the bass seems to work a lot better in filling audio when it's at the same level as the left and right speakers. If you place the subwoofer on the floor, the music will sound noticeably less saturated.

If you limit the sound sticks to a lower volume, they cannot provide a particularly balanced EQ.

I also noticed that the sound quality deteriorates when the Soundsticks 4 are played at less than half their maximum volume. If you limit the sound sticks to a lower volume, they cannot provide a particularly balanced EQ.

Speaking of EQ: The SoundSticks offer no way to manage this at all. This is generally fine as the soundsticks sound pretty good right away, but I miss being able to tune them to my preferences. You can feel the bass, but it won't knock you off your seat. If you want the incredible, chattering bass from our computer speakers, you should probably look elsewhere.

Since it's a bluetooth speaker when using Spotify on mobile you can change the EQ in the settings there, but I found that increasing the settings there actually pushed the soundsticks 4 too hard and there was a lot of bad audio -Cracking occurs. What I heard was like the peak of audio signals and it was like they couldn't compensate for the digital signal pushing them too far. I blame Spotify more than the soundsticks, but with no option to customize the sound in any other way, the experience was disappointing.

Our opinion

The Harman / Kardon Soundsticks 4 are a fantastic take on a classic design, with just enough updates to get them fit in 2020 without deviating too far from the classic look. Aside from a few minor flaws, they sound fantastic and are good value for money.

Are there any other options?

If you're really craving the classic look that the Soundsticks 4 bring to the table, it will be difficult to find anything like it. If you don't mind being a little more understated, I really like mine Edifier R1700BT Speaker. However, they are not compatible with a dedicated subwoofer. Similarly, in our roundup, we recommend the best computer speakers too Aperion Allaire or the Audioengine A2 +. You will find that these are all a bit cheaper than the soundsticks, but none of them come with a subwoofer.

How long will they last?

Although they are made almost entirely of plastic (at least on the outside), they feel sturdy. Since they shouldn't move much I would expect these to last for years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if this style is your thing. They sound great and while you will need to create a lot of desk space to support them, they are well worth it for the sound and aesthetics.

Editor's recommendations




28 Aug
Blog

Best Eminence Organics Face Masks That Celebrities Use

As COVID-19 continues to derail our lives, skin care enthusiasts – and some of your favorite stars – are countering worries and fears with regular doses of self-care. Some like to calm the soul Meditation or a hard workout. But the ultimate solution to suppress your nerves? Incorporate a soothing masking step into your skin care routine. The phenomenon of the trend mask is the perfect remedy for our turbulent times.

When it comes to masks, celebrity fans of Eminence Organics have their own personal tips. From the refill Strawberry and rhubarb mask for our aromatic Hungarian herbal mud treatment. These masks can work a stress-free miracle on your skin. Here is a list of our favorite stars and which masks they love – all perfect options for a quarantine skin care regimen that allows you to take care of your body, mind and spirit.

Laura Dern with Eminence Organics Probiotic Mask for Clear Skin

Laura Dern

Laura Dern hugs Quarantined life with a calming environment for her children as well as for her mother (and her Eminence Organics fan), actress Diane Ladd. The daily schedule includes family meditation and mother-daughter beauty projects. We envision her peaceful days of self-care ending with the same skin care routine that she shares with Vogue magazine. In her Beauty Secrets video, she explains that she is “learning to figure out how to take care of myself. Mainly by learning and choosing brands that care about our health and wellbeing. “She starts her self-care with our Probiotic Mask for Clear Skin, which she describes as a face mask that“ makes the skin feel so good ”.

Kate Upton on Instagram

Kate Upton

The Sports Illustrated's swimsuit model got the lockdown situation under control and improved their fitness game. Kate Upton takes her wellbeing seriously and has quarantined almost every day, according to her trainer. If her self-care includes skin care, she's likely using a variety of Eminence Organics masks. When asked on Instagram for good recommendations for face masks, she replied, "Anything by Eminence Organic Skin Care"!

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl is such a huge fan of Eminence Organics that she posted an entire post on her blog These heavenly days for your skin care with products from the Firm Skin Acai Cleanser to our Bamboo Firming Fluid. We saw her masking on Instagram last year and said that she takes a moment to pamper (her) skin. Your mask of choice? Our Hungarian herbal mud treatment – an effective mask that opens pores and refreshes the skin so that it looks healthier and smoother.

Product selection

Hungarian herbal mud treatment

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Morena Baccarin

Deadpool Star Morena Baccarin is another actress with the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque in her bathroom cabinet. We saw Morena on Instagram showing off her skin care routine including this powerful one probiotic face mask. This mask works on problematic skin and makes the skin softer, smoother and even minimizes the pores.

Tamron Hall

TV host Tamron Hall takes skin care masking to a new level. Another fan of our Clear Skin Probiotic Masque, she claims that she has "been masked every day since I was 27". She is not only "in love with the probiotic mask from Eminence (Clear Skin)", but sometimes also walks the dog with a mask and sunglasses and scares the neighbors "!

Product selection

Probiotic mask with clear skin

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Philipps busy

Actress and social media star Philipps busy holds a drawer full of masks in her bathroom. One of their favorites is our strawberry and rhubarb mask that rejuvenates the skin. The strawberry ingredient Exfoliate the skin while hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the complexion's appearance.

Product selection

Strawberry rhubarb mask

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When it comes to anti-stress skin care, there are few solutions better than a recovery session with a relaxing mask. Contact your preferred Eminence Organics spa partner for a virtual or face-to-face consultation and find out which mask is best for your skin type and concerns. Do you already have a favorite face mask? Let us know what it is in the comments below or on social media.

28 Aug
Blog

The Two Ways to Fix Your Mobility

I get it. It hurts when you move so try to limit the amount you move so you don't suffer as much. It's a natural response. And your brain counts on it. Let's talk about why your mind is betting on you to do this, and what the sneaky bastard is doing.

The first thing you can do to improve your mobility is to use pain as a warning.

1. Increase your freedom of movement

I will start with that. Your brain loves you We really love you and don't want you to get hurt. But much like a toddler and a puddle of mud, they cannot trust you to make the right decisions.

To keep you safe and alive, the main role of the brain is protection and survival. To do that it has to be a little annoying at times and make some tough decisions. You might want to run, lift, swim, or whatever you want to do, but the brain needs to step in, be a mama-bear and stop you.

Remember, your brain's priorities do not match your priorities. With that in mind, let's talk about mobility. Subject to mechanical restrictions, It is your brain that stops your mobility gains. It's true.

Let me tell you why There are generally two reasons why your brain restricts your mobility:

  1. Strength in a position or reach
  2. Lack of use

Think about it. If you're weak in one range or position, why the hell would your brain let you go there if you can't get yourself back? If your mind thinks for even a second that you are unsafe at a certain distance or position and there is a risk of getting hurt, it will stop you. Guess how it's going to stop you? That's right by hurting yourself.

Pain is a warning. Pain is the best tool your body can use to pay attention to what your brain is telling you. and it uses it to draw attention to boo-boos and keep you from doing something that is going to hurt you.

How do we get healthy in our range of motion so that the brain lets us go there? Well the answer is bit by bit. You have to earn your mind's trust and that will happen as you build strength. Remove this exercise from the mobility reset program.

The L-Sit to Tabletop is the perfect confidence-building exercise between you and the big, squishy thing above.

Not only does the movement help you build range by asking the brain to do the job of achieving a great position on the flat end, it also gives you the power to:

And coordination creates comfort that creates trust. Do you understand what I mean?

Try it here:

2. Strength and stability are critical to mobility

That brings me to the second thing. Use the areas you currently have.

One of the truest things I've ever learned about the brain-body connection is if you don't use it, you lose it. Your brain doesn't want to devote time or space, and that means neurons doing crap that it doesn't use.

It doesn't matter if you were an Olympic gymnast. If you don't switch to the areas you have often, you will lose them. To make this more understandable:

  • If you sit at a desk all day, lie down and never move your spine in any other direction, what do you think will happen? You will end up in a hunched posture, an inability to straighten or rotate your back, and pain.
  • This is how the brain sees it. We haven't arched or twisted our spine in weeks. So do I still have to dedicate space on the brain map to this ability? Damn no, not me. I'm going to use these neurons for something else.

If this sounds like you, try this spine wave exercise from the Mobility Reset program. See if you can move your spine the way you should be.

So what I'm saying is this. To be mobile, or to build mobility, you need to develop the strength and stability in the areas that the brain needs to get there.

And you have to couple that with the frequent use of these areas, otherwise your brain will rob you of the ability to use them. It comes down to using a joint like a joint and using it often.

Both exercises are from our mobility reset program.

27 Aug
Blog

Beats Solo3 Headphones Review: Style Leads The Way

Beats Solo3 rating headphones Solo 3 8

"The price for the Beats Solo3 is geared towards style and compatibility and a bit high for just average sound."

  • Multiple color options

  • Great battery life

  • Strong compatibility with Apple products

  • Bad bass

  • Tight fit leads to hearing fatigue

Beats was about brand and style, as well as sound quality and features. So it's not surprising that all of the on-ear / over-ear options have more color choices than the pre-audio specs.

The Beats Solo3 are the company's most accessible headphones in terms of price, but that doesn't make them cheap. At $ 200, they still hit the high-end personal audio market despite their lower status among the Beats options. Where does the Solo3 end up in a headphone market that has become very competitive in recent years? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

The Beats Solo3 are simply delivered. In a few layers of cardboard packaging you will find the headphones, a soft carrying case, a USB-A-to-USB-Micro-B charging cable and a small carabiner (for grinding onto the soft case and for attaching to things, I. guess). Beats also comes with a number of booklets that clearly explain setup and use, and a sticker in case this is your jam. Although the headphones accept a 3.5mm jack connector that bypasses the power requirement, the Solo3 headphones don't come with one. For the price, I'd think including such a simple cable would be a breeze, but Apple is for you.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'll say the packaging was free of excess plastic which means you can probably easily recycle most of it anywhere, which is lovely. Here we award points for sustainability.

Build and design

The color of the Beats set that was sent to me for review is Satin Silver which is basically white. They're straightforward and clean looking, but in my opinion they're the least interesting options besides maybe the matte black. As for style, Beats nailed it down the line with its headphones as some of the other options look amazing.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The build quality is also solid. The hinges are made of polished chrome, the ear cups are well padded, and while the outside of the cans is plastic, the headphones don't feel cheap. The headband isn't particularly sturdy, but the ease of the Solo3s mixed with the strength of the clamping pressure on the ears makes me try that.

Speaking of clamping pressure, it's significant. The Solo3 headphones are on-ear headphones, not over-ear headphones. Hence, the cups rest right on your ears and press into the sides of your head when you wear them. I don't have a particularly large head and it's narrower than round. Nevertheless, the auricles press pretty hard against my ears until wearing the Solo3s becomes uncomfortable even after a short time. I could only wear them for an hour at most before I became significantly tired. In short, these headphones are very small. So if you have a bigger head, chances are that these are even more uncomfortable for you than you are on mine.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Solo3 weighs only 215 grams, is well distributed and makes it easy to carry or carry. I mentioned that the headband didn't feel as sturdy, and that's because the padding over the band that's on top of my head isn't very soft. It didn't bother me too much, but the Beats Solo Pros and Studios have a much more padded headband so it was disappointing to see fewer pillows here.

The soft case that came with the Solo3 is nothing special. You can use the included carabiner to attach it to the inside or outside of a bag if you wish. The case is quite compact, which is a plus, but it just won't win design awards for its looks.

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suggests solo3 review headphones solo 3 4 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-solo3-headphones-review-solo- 3 -4-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

In the right auricle there is a micro-USB charging port and the power switch. The left auricle has a 3.5mm jack input on the bottom and on the side of the mug with a button to pause, play and skip tracks and two buttons for volume control. I like the physical buttons on the Solo3s as opposed to a touchpad on other headphones, as the tactile feedback lets me know I'm using the controls correctly while wearing the headphones (since I can't see what I'm pressing).

Compatibility and battery

As an Apple brand, the Beats headphones provide the best user experience with an iPhone, but are also fully compatible with Android devices. The Solo3s feature Apple's W1 chip, which provides additional functionality when used with Apple products, including support for “Hey Siri” and multiple headset listening (when using other Beats or Apple products). The headphones and their remaining battery life are also displayed when they are held near the iPhone.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones slipped straight into my portable library.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones have slipped into my portable library with ease, just like when I added the AirPods Pros and my Apple Watch. Pairing was quick and easy, and jumping to additional sources was quick, even though they don't support Bluetooth multipoint. I hope that using the Solo3s across multiple Apple products will be even easier when Apple releases auto headphone handover with the next operating system.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good: 40 hours between charges. They even offer a quick 10 minute charge for 3 hours of listening. This is some of the best battery performance you can ask for a headphone on the market right now. It would be the best if it weren't for the recently released Jabra Elite 45H with a 50 hour battery life.

Audio quality

Beats did an excellent job of making the audio from these headphones as appealing as possible. For an audiophile, these are as close as I can imagine. However, they are harmless to the average listener.

It's a perfect line for a brand like Beats.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The sound from the Solo3 headphones is center-controlled, with the higher registers as well as the lows and bass playing a lesser role. That doesn't mean the bass isn't there – it is. The Solo3 headphones just don't pump bass the way I like it sometimes, or seem to have the ability to present it at any depth.

The sound stage is particularly narrow because the areas are compressed into a small space. On Sias Chandelier, the bass sounds overworked and mushy, but her vocals come through well enough. Similarly, Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution doesn't have the "oomph" it should and can't boost the drama high enough for my taste due to a weak bass signal. As crescendos, the bass gets a bit choppy and unrefined, which again leads me to believe that these headphones cannot output clear bass when a song demands it.

These headphones cannot output clear bass when a song requires it.

The fact that the bass isn't strong on the Solo3 is confusing as a punchy bass is pretty much a big part of the typical beats sound. Perhaps it is good that these offer a break from what is usually stronger in the lows, or it would be disappointing if you bought these and expected the same beats sound.

Beats also doesn't offer a way to optimize the EQ. So you hear what you get out of the Solo3 headphones.

Unless you're really looking for a powerful bass that will rock your jaw, the tone is easy to hear and generally pleasant. It's that center-headed audio that's damn easy to hear. Warm and approachable, most people will like it well.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Beats Solo3 headphones rely heavily on their style and Apple connectivity for audio quality to make their $ 200 high price tag. For many it will be worth it. But it's a very competitive market, and Beats might have a hard time convincing the well-informed that these doses are the ones to get.

Are there any better alternatives?

At $ 200, both the Know Calm and Razer Opus are solid options. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are also in this price range and are worth considering. If you're looking to spend less, the Jabra Elite 45H are half the price, but sound much better, despite lacking the firm grip of the Solo3. In all four cases, you may have to sacrifice style and compatibility, but you will get better sound. It depends on your preference.

How long will they last?

When micro-USB is on the way out, it can be annoying to have that extra cable with you when the rest of your technology is set to USB-C, especially if you're using Apple products and are already using a lighting cable. Apple's 1-year limited warranty applies to Beats products. The build quality is solid.

Should you buy it?

Maybe. The thing is, they are expensive for average audio performance but they look great and compatibility with Apple products is nice and hard to miss. You need to balance what's important to you and determine if the Beats Solo3 headphones meet these requirements.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

Adapt Workout Goals to Chronic Pain and Injury

There is no getting around it: Chronic pain, be it due to an illness, a persistent injury or an acute incident, sucks.

If you are an active or competitive person and have ever been seriously injured or struggled with significant pain, you know that it can be devastating. If you are a coach or trainer you know that keeping a client motivated and even compliant in this scenario is incredibly difficult, to say the least.

Why can a seemingly superficial problem like an injury trigger such a strong grief response?

People, especially those attracted to competitive or challenging physical activity, generally have a why, what is our ultimate ultimate goal, and the how, how we want to achieve it that motivates us in our training.

When we figure out how this aligns with our goals and makes us feel productive, We often begin to identify with how it relates the ultimate end goal to our ways of achieving it.

If someone's goal is to get stronger and their way to achieve that goal is to stick to a powerlifting program, it is not uncommon for that person to identify as someone who does deadlifts, benches, and squats instead of identifying as a person who generally wants to be stronger.

Pain and injury are uniquely powerful in their ability to keep us away from the things that are fundamental parts of our identity.

When I identify as a powerlifter and suffer a back injury that keeps me deadlifting and squatting for an extended period of time, it feels like a large part of me is gone. That feeling sucks.

When or when the problem becomes chronic, a different set of challenges arise. Often times, we can save our motivation by relying on the idea that our pain or injury is temporary.

When this is no longer the case, we lose hope and can act in harmful ways, e.g. B. by stopping physical activity altogether.

There is a typical process of grieving for injuries that I consider normal and sometimes inevitable. Still, there are specific steps we as athletes and coaches can take to circumvent some of the deleterious effects of this process.

1. Develop a symbiotic, proactive relationship with pain

Develop a symbiotic yet proactive relationship with your pain or injury. Irrational behavior about the harm and pain often stems from an attitude that the pain is or is not an adversary.

When we are seriously injured or in chronic pain, our perception of that pain needs to change so that we can maintain our spiritual well-being and act in a way that supports our ultimate goals.

The first step is to consider the possibility of this restriction not being lifted for a while. Some may call this idea radical acceptance; no matter where you have been or where you want to be, Accept where your body is now.

At the same time, take daily actions to make sure you are doing something to relieve the pain. Work with a qualified practitioner on the proactive piece.

Bottom line: accept your current circumstances, but take steps daily to change them.

2. Think objectively about why and how

Think more objectively about your why, and then find other options. One of the exercises I do with my clients is to explore the roots of their primary goals (AKA, their why).

If we lose our preferred method, we have to find different ways to get to the why. Sometimes the why is not as clear as it seems.

For example, if someone says their end goal is a pullup, their real goal might be:

  • Develop more upper body strength
  • Become more effective on a particular activity
  • To achieve something physically new

Conclusion: get to the bottom of your why. Then start thinking about alternative options.

3. Develop and improve your movement toolbox

Develop and improve your movement toolbox. One of the most powerful insights I see from customers is this When it comes to exercise, there are always other options.

These options are dynamic and can change from day to day. They almost always change as our body adapts to new circumstances and balances them out.

Over time, however, we find that a certain tool (AKA a certain how) is not available to usThere is always another tool that we can use.

In extreme circumstances such as a systemic flare-up or the like, the tool may not be physical, but it still helps us get closer to one of our real end goals. This principle enables us to remain productive and to move despite our acute or chronic limitations.

Bottom line: always have a plan B (and C) ready.

The bottom line of the bottom line

While injury and pain can steal the limelight and seemingly take us away from our goals, we can still make progress by changing our perceptions, realizing what we need, and getting a little creative with our solutions.

Identify, adapt and move.

27 Aug
Blog

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 Review: The Legacy Continues

Lenovo Ideapad Slim 7 review Thinkpad X1 Yoga Gen5 01

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5

"The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 continues the old ThinkPad legacy without missing out on modern features."

  • Excellent workmanship

  • Tactile keyboard

  • Additional security functions

  • The pen is included

  • Convenient port selection

  • Thick bezels and outdated design

  • Too expensive

  • Uses Comet Lake processors

ThinkPads don't change. The decades-old design is part of its enduring legacy, and its looks have become iconic over the years.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga, however, has always been a deviation from the norm. With an aluminum case, touchscreen, and included stylus, it's not your father's ThinkPad – that's the saying.

Now in its fifth generation, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga has been updated with the latest internals, and sky-high prices remain. My test unit was $ 2,303, and even the base model is a whopping $ 1,439. Does the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 live up to the venerable ThinkPad legacy? Let's find out.

design

The aluminum case is the standout feature of this laptop, which is strange to say. Since the days of the early MacBook Air, the silver color scheme has been brought to death. Of course, not every silver laptop is created equal, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 gets it right. It's a discreet dark gray – dare I say "Space Gray" in tone.

The aluminum material makes it even more robust than your average ThinkPad. This builds on the brand's pedigree for great build quality, and it's even more important for a convertible laptop with a 360-degree hinge. The X1 Yoga should be used as a laptop, but it should also be rotated in "media" mode or even turned upside down in "tent" mode. It's a device that you should touch, and that's what durability is important for. The aluminum also helps in reducing fingerprints for which the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is known.

Whether it's the distinctive keyboard or the TrackPoint node, you won't confuse this with a MacBook.

The hinge is constructed tightly – maybe even a little too tight. Like most laptops, it cannot be opened with one finger and requires a two-handed grip to pull it apart. However, the aluminum adds to the weight of the device. It comes in at just under three pounds, which is over half a pound heavier than the X1 Carbon.

Outside of the aluminum, the X1 Yoga is a ThinkPad through and through. Whether it's the distinctive keyboard or the TrackPoint node, you won't confuse this with a MacBook or anything else.

Thick bezels are also part of this specialty. On all sides, they're not as slim as I would expect from a laptop released in 2020, even when compared to some other 14-inch laptops from Lenovo. The lower chin is a particularly notable culprit. Other 2-in-1 laptops like the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 or the HP Specter x360 can maximize screen space better.

Ports

ThinkPads have always offered a wide variety of ports, and the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no exception. On the left side there are two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB-A port, HDMI and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Lenovo's proprietary mechanical docking connection is connected to one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports and can be helpful when setting up a new home office. However, the dock itself is sold separately.

On the right side you will find another USB-A port, the power switch, a Kensington lock and the pen slot. The included pen, the ThinkPad Pen Pro, is a great addition. Many manufacturers such as HP and Dell charge a surcharge for a pen and do not offer a housing for the device. Unfortunately, the ThinkPad Pen Pro cannot be pulled out when the laptop is flat on the table. Other pen slots, such as those used by Samsung, have a spring mechanism that allows them to pop out.

The pen itself is light and simple, precise enough to take notes and scroll through web pages. For a pen that's better for illustrating, consider using either an Apple Pencil or a Surface Pen.

The ports on the right have been moved towards you to make room for a sizeable exhaust vent. The location of the vent also means that if you're right-handed and want to use an external mouse, a wave of hot air will be pushed towards you. Plus, the single USB-A port is in an awkward spot where cables can dangle.

Although the device has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both of which can be charged, I would have preferred if Lenovo split them up. Charging from both sides of the laptop can definitely come in handy.

Keyboard and touchpad

ThinkPads are known for their keyboards. I understand why – that extra travel in the keys is a rare feature these days. After a few days of typing, I began to appreciate the luxury of this long trip. The slight concavity of the keys is comfortable, and the additional force exerted on the key presses ensures tactile precision.

But I have to admit, I have problems with the layout of this keyboard. In line with ThinkPad tradition, the X1 Yoga still swaps the fn and ctrl keys on the left. The different layout bothers me every time I type on a ThinkPad computer and it never stops being frustrating. It took me several days to type Ctrl + T and Ctrl + Z incorrectly to unlearn the layout.

But there is more. ThinkPads use the standard half-size arrow keys that are just below the rest of the keys. That alone can cause me to trip a bit, but placing PgUp and PgDn keys right next to them is additionally problematic. As a touch typist, I can't tell you the number of times I accidentally jumped to the page because of small errors.

Touch typists have to unlearn some keyboard commands.

My final layout complaint is about the keyboard backlight. While the ThinkPad X1 Yoga has a backlight, you will have to rely on the Fn + Space keyboard command to turn it on. Neither of these layout problems is new to ThinkPad users, but they are an issue for those who came from other laptops or keyboards.

As always, the touchpad hardware buttons are located above the touchpad for easy access while using the TrackPoint. The red nub in the middle of the keyboard is an icon and a unique feature. However, if you want to rely mainly on the touchpad, the buttons take up valuable space where a larger touchpad surface could have been. My fingers often ran against it while wiping with two fingers or gesturing with three fingers. The glass touchpad itself feels precise and smooth, and the click is quieter than other laptops.

The fingerprint scanner is unfortunately to the right of the touchpad. I would prefer something built into the keyboard itself, but the reader that comes with it is good. Above the screen, you also get an IR camera for Windows Hello face recognition and a 720p webcam.

Display and speaker

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 has a 14-inch 4K display. However, you can also go for a 1080p model that will save you a few hundred dollars. However, the 4K display is brighter, sharper and more colorful. The maximum is just under 500 nits, which is bright enough to overcome glare even in brightly lit rooms. Although the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is not like the ThinkPad X1 Extreme OLED, in contrast it does well at 1,020: 1.

The colors are a bit mixed up though. For a 4K display, I expect the broadest possible color range and precise color accuracy. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is a bit behind some of the leading companies in this area, such as the Dell XPS 13 or the HP Specter x360. While 86% of Adobe RGB is better than the average laptop, the color accuracy isn't quite up to par. Professional photo editing or graphic design are not the type of work the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is good for.

The 1080p screen is a better choice for most potential buyers as it translates into longer battery life.

The speakers face down and are located under the edges of the case. Unsurprisingly, the audio quality is a bit squishy. The speakers don't have the quiet highs of many laptops, but they won't impress you either.

performance

Despite the desire of the X1 Yoga to be more attractive, all ThinkPads are business computers at heart. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 pays tribute to that legacy with the latest 10th generation vPro Core i7 processors. These are business-specific chips from Intel that provide additional security and manageability features that your IT department will appreciate.

The decision for vPro over a normal processor of the 10th generation has one disadvantage: pure speed and graphics performance. The Intel Core i7-10610U vPro is a quad-core processor, but it belongs to the older 14nm Comet Lake variant. The newer Ice Lake processors, like those of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 or the HP Specter x360, are said to be faster. This was true for Cinebench R20, where the XPS 13 was 10% faster than the X1 Yoga Gen 5 in both single-core and multi-core tests.

The business class processor results in a slight performance penalty.

The X1 Yoga Gen 5 wasn't the fastest in real world performance either, such as when it came to video encoding in Handbrake. Laptops like the XPS 13 and the 13-inch MacBook Pro blow it out of the water thanks to their improved multi-core performance. The new generation of AMD laptops extends this lead even further. Unfortunately, choosing a business processor with additional security features still results in a slight performance penalty.

I'm not saying the X1 Yoga is a slow computer for everyday tasks. Creating multiple 4K monitors, extensive multitasking, and even light content is no problem.

Graphics are the only performance area where the difference is most evident. Comet Lake processors use Intel's terrible built-in UHD graphics, while laptops like the XPS 13 2-in-1 or the Specter x360 have the option for Intel's improved Iris Plus graphics. Neither of these will turn your laptop into a hardcore slot machine, but Iris Plus is at least enough to get past lighter games on low settings.

Battery life

All 4K laptops have battery life issues. More pixels mean more power to power them, and the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no different. It took me about five hours in my daily use which consists of lots of multitasking and browsing tabs but not lots of heavy applications. That's not bad, but you can't safely stay away from an electrical outlet for an entire day at work.

In our lightest test, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga lasted 7 hours and 49 minutes while looping a local 1080p video file. The HP Specter x360 lasted almost two hours longer in the same test, despite a 4K OLED panel. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga matched the battery performance of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

Our heaviest test is the Basemark web benchmark, which simulates the battery life in a heavy application. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga ran out of juice after just two hours, which is not uncommon for a 4K laptop.

Our opinion

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is a modern business laptop, but it still has a commercial heart. This is no excuse for some of his cumbersome design choices, especially the beefy bezels. The ThinkPad X1 brand still has its advantages, especially when it comes to the keyboard, TrackPoint, and world-famous build quality. The included pen is also a unique feature that is unique to the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex.

Is there a better alternative?

There are two ThinkPad X1 alternatives to Yoga: the X1 Carbon and the X1 Extreme. The X1 Carbon is lighter and the X1 Extreme is bigger and far more powerful. Neither the aluminum housing nor the 2-in-1 functions.

Both the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 and the HP Specter x360 13 are better 2-in-1 laptops for the average person, with better performance and a more modern design. Both are cheaper than the X1 Yoga, but neither are business-class laptops.

If the business pedigree is a must, both the HP Elite Dragonfly and Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 are worthy rivals of the X1 Yoga.

How long it will take?

The ThinkPad brand is known for durability and the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no different. It should take up to five years, although the standard warranty is only one year.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The X1 Yoga won't win conversions in its fifth generation, but it's a good choice if you're upgrading from an older ThinkPad.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

BeatsX Review: Expensive, But Maybe Still Worth It

Beats BeatsX wireless earbuds

Beatsx wireless headphones

"Though expensive for what you get, they're stylish, comfortable, and a joy to use."

  • Very convenient

  • Decent sound quality

  • Excellent call quality

  • Easy pairing with Apple products

  • A bit expensive for what you get

  • The battery life is no longer competitive

  • Not good for Android users

Apple's own Beats range of wireless headphones are perhaps best known for their large and bold studio over-ear model and its smaller sibling, the Solo Pro, but Beats offers more than big doses.

Take the $ 100 BeatsX, for example. Since their introduction in 2017, they have been the cheapest, arguably the most wearable beats you can buy.

But can the small and simple BeatsX hold its own in a world now dominated by true wireless earbuds (including Beats' own Powerbeats Pro)?

Time to find out.

What's in the box?

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BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00007-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00009-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The BeatsX comes in a simple box and sleeve. The only reference to plastic is the small black retail hanger loop and packaging that contains the optional three sizes of silicone earbuds. The rest is easily recyclable.

You will receive paper documentation such as the quick setup guide and a Beats sticker. A short USB to lightning charging cable is the only other accessory.

Apple does not include a travel bag or bag for the BeatsX. You must therefore find a safe way to store them when not in use.

design

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BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00005-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats products are usually flashy things with bold colors, shiny plastics, and wide headbands that are instantly recognizable from a distance.

But unless you go for the bright red and black color scheme, the BeatsX are subtle compared to their cousins. In the other two colors – silver and black – the only shiny surfaces are on the earbuds themselves, which are essentially hidden when worn.

The BeatsX use a hybrid cable design that combines a flat, tangle-free wire and a thicker, rubberized section around the neck that springs back into its U-shape no matter how hard you twist and turn it.

At both ends of the U there are elongated plastic housings that house the battery, electronics (including the W1 Bluetooth chip developed by Apple), as well as the charging port and power / pairing button.

Thanks to the combination of the rubberized coating and the dimensionally stable properties of the U-profile, the BeatsX stays in position – especially when it comes into contact with bare skin.

With just eight hours of battery life, the BeatsX are slowly showing their age.

The earbuds are closed together with magnets, which makes storage a little easier. However, I found it more useful when I took out the earbuds and used the magnets to prevent the buds from jumping around independently.

Despite the huge popularity of true wireless earbuds (not least thanks to Apple's other line of personal audio products, AirPods), the BeatsX are a reminder that there is still a reason to buy wired wireless earbuds.

There's no need to lug around a charging case, worry about where to put the earbuds when they're not in your ears, and the built-in control buttons on the right cord are easier to use than even the best touch controls.

Battery life

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Another benefit of the BeatsX design should be battery life. With a lot more room in these plastic cases for a large battery than real wireless earbuds, the standard for this type of design is now anywhere from 15 hours (Beats Powerbeats 4) to 20 hours (1More Dual Driver ANC Pro). But after just eight hours, the BeatsX show their age.

But it's also the case that Apple's true wireless earbuds, the AirPods and AirPods Pro, only need about five hours before they need more juice. So when it comes to the length of a single session, the BeatsX are still an improvement.

With the BeatsX, you don't get a charging case to extend the battery life, but it only takes five minutes to charge to use another two hours.

I would like the BeatsX to give audible feedback about the battery status when it is switched on. Instead, you get two types of visual ads. The on / off switch on the neckband glows white if you have up to eight hours left (but this can mean anywhere from 1.5 to a full eight hours) and red if you have an hour or less left.

The more informative display is on an iOS device, where you can view the remaining power as a percentage right in the control center. The same information is available to Android users, but only when you open the free Beats app for Android.

Convenience, control and connections

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Wired bluetooth earbuds are often more comfortable than their true wireless counterparts because the earbuds are basically just the drivers that produce the sound. So they are much smaller and lighter. For me, this was certainly the case for the BeatsX, which did an admirable job of sitting comfortably and securely in my ears.

The neck portion of the BeatsX is so light it's easy to forget you're wearing a wired set of buds in the first place. Except for the actual wires, of course.

These tangle-free flat wires are a treat, but you need to be careful not to twist them. By default, they stay away from your face, but if you grab an earbud that happened to be twisted the wrong way, the opposite happens and the wires are suddenly very shabby with your cheeks.

The inline controls are instantly familiar to you if you've ever used Apple's wired EarPods. The three-button module (which also contains the microphone) gives you access to all the most frequently used functions: play / pause, volume up / down, answer / end call, skip track forwards / backwards and voice assistant.

It's a really clever design too, as any button can be pressed with a press of your thumb and forefinger, regardless of which direction the buttons are facing.

Apple fans will love how Bluetooth works on the BeatsX. To pair them, simply turn them on a few inches from an unlocked iOS device with iOS 10 or later and you'll be instantly notified that your BeatsX are just a tap away from setup.

And while they don't have a true Bluetooth multipoint (which allows you to connect them to two devices at the same time), Apple's multipoint version is almost as good, so you can switch between Macs, iPhones, and iPads with just one click.

They deliver a lot of punch through the low and high frequencies, the kind of EQ that compliments rap and hip hop.

Finally, the BeatsX are also compatible with Apple's audio sharing feature, which allows two headphones or earphones equipped with W1 or H1 to listen to content from an iOS device at the same time.

Unfortunately, these three Bluetooth functions are not available for Android. Class 1 Bluetooth performance is available to all BeatsX buyers, giving them tremendous range compared to most non-Apple wireless headphones. Class 1 devices can operate up to 328 feet under perfect conditions – almost ten times further than class 2 devices.

The only thing really missing is a wear sensor so your music can automatically pause when you pull out an earbud. However, this is a rarity outside of the real world of wireless earbuds.

Sound quality

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The BeatsX may not look like other Beats products, but you can be rest assured that you're still getting the full bass-forward sound signature that has become the brand's sound card.

They deliver plenty of punch through the low and high frequencies, just the kind of EQ that compliments rap, hip hop, and a variety of club and EDM subgenres.

They also get impressively loud when this is your cup of tea (try not to overeat, your ears will thank you later).

But the BeatsX, as the price suggests, won't be everything for everyone, at least from a sound quality standpoint. Your midrange range suffers from a lack of separation and definition, one of the clearest signs that these are not high-end earphones. There is also a flatness and narrowness in the soundstage – a sense that all of the individual elements are huddled together instead of taking up a larger virtual "space" in your head.

For $ 100, this isn't a deal breaker, and I don't think most BeatsX buyers will be put off by it. Still, these are not the wireless earbuds for you, if you want to sit back and relax in your own place and immerse yourself in all the details of your favorite songs.

These are great wireless earbuds that you can use to answer calls in all kinds of environments.

For that pursuit, you need to look up the food chain in the $ 150-250 range.

Call quality

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you are unsure whether or not the BeatsX is for you, this may help: The BeatsX offer great call quality. Maybe I've just gotten used to the somewhat overwhelming call performance of most true wireless earbuds, but I can't get over how good these earbuds sound.

I suspect it has everything to do with the microphone placement. The BeatsX position their microphone much closer to the source of your voice (i.e. your mouth) than real radio buds can hope for, and this pays off in two ways.

First, your voice is just clearer. There is no distortion, no wobbly effects that I associate with these devices. Second, because your voice is closer, the headphones' background noise suppression circuitry doesn't have to work as hard to amplify it while everything else is reduced.

These are great wireless earbuds that you can use to answer calls in all kinds of environments.

Our opinion

For $ 100, you can get a pretty decent set of real wireless earbuds these days. Still, because of their convenience, good battery life, and great Bluetooth connectivity and call quality, the BeatsX are worth considering, especially if you've already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Is there a better alternative?

If you like the BeatsX design around your neck, there are two great alternatives. The cheaper JLab Epic ANC for $ 79 are comfortable and have incredible battery life, but they won't impress you with their noise cancellation or sound quality, while the more expensive 1More Dual Driver ANC Pro for $ 150 are a big step up, though You want a significant improvement in sound quality and ANC.

How long will they last?

The BeastX are very well built, with durable materials and connections. They come with an Apple one-year warranty that can be extended with an optional AppleCare purchase. I think they will last for many years with normal use, although you can expect the battery capacity to decrease over time.

Should you buy it?

If you're an Apple customer, yes. While the BeatsX is a little expensive for what you get, it still offers a number of good features and sound quality. Android users should probably look for alternatives.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

Wasteland 3 Review: A strong entry in the storied franchise

Wasteland 3 Key Art Scorpitron

"Wasteland 3 is a rewarding game with unprecedented variety and a great jump in points for new players."

  • Deep gameplay systems

  • Nice graphics

  • A robust open world

  • Sometimes youthful writing

Wasteland, the franchise that helped shape the role-playing game genre, proves once again why it's still one of the reigning champions of tactical video games. With a robust history, deeply explorable world, and unprecedented choice, Wasteland 3 offers a great introduction to new players, both to Wasteland and tactical role-playing games in general, as well as a rewarding experience for long-time fans.

Explore the wasteland

Wasteland 3 continues the story of the Desert Rangers, who traveled from the arid landscapes of Arizona to the bitter cold of Colorado. They seek the help of the patriarch, the ruler of the former state. He asked the Rangers to fight his rebellious children. In return, he will provide them with weapons, vehicles, personnel and operational bases.

The Patriarch in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

The story starts out simple enough, but quickly rotates in a thousand different directions, offering the player numerous avenues to either help or possibly betray the patriarch. Every place you visit is filled with unique characters whose stories make up the narrative tapestry of the game version of Colorado. The quests they offer can range from single tasks to multi-level experiences that either minimally or heavily affect the end goal of assisting the Patriarch. They help create a natural feel narrative that doesn't telegraph where its turns will take you.

The game provides a great starting point for new players, but also a rewarding experience for long-time fans.

The nice thing about Wasteland 3 is how it hides its mechanics. While playing, it is not obvious whether or not the decision you are about to make will have a massive impact on future endeavors. Unlike some games, which have significant narrative variations, the structure of Wasteland 3 is incredibly subtle. It forces the player to make decisions based on their moral compass rather than predicting how something will affect the game. There were a few times during my playthrough where I tried to manipulate the situation into a more favorable outcome. Often times, due to the consequences of previous decisions I had made, the results were something I could never have predicted.

Unfortunately, the complicated narrative contains less than outstanding writing. While Wasteland 3 is set in a somber, post-apocalyptic world, it has a rather light and humorous tone, similar to the Fallout franchise, which was heavily influenced by the first Wasteland game. Wasteland 3 triggers as many giggles as moans. For example, if you visit a brothel in search of a traitorous character, the option to pay for sex is by saying to the owner, "Let's talk about a sexy time," which is perhaps the least sexy thing anyone can do can say.

I often wish the dialogue was a little more refined and not read as youthfully, with characters written more appropriately for 2020. With developers more committed than ever to the way they construct their characters and stories, there are moments in Wasteland 3 that read as if they were written in 1988 when the first Wasteland episode was released. I just wish the game had applied the nuance it uses with its structure to writing more consistently.

Build your crew

Adaptation in the wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

Participation in the story is not a single protagonist, but a crew of them. From the jump, the player has the option of choosing from several pairs of characters or creating their own pair. Every character has skills, perks, and attributes that determine who they are. Maybe they are great for a sniper rifle, or better for weapons that are up close. The level of customization is incredibly deep and means that the player is constantly being asked to adapt their characters to the situation or think outside the box when they may not have the right employee for the job.

Unlike some games, which have significant narrative variations, the structure of Wasteland 3 is incredibly subtle.

At the start of the game, players will then choose two more rangers from a given list as well as additional characters they find on their travels and maybe even an animal companion. The number of people you can have in your party at the same time is six, and you can change your crew at any time. The additional characters on your team depend on the types of side missions available to you while playing. Choose wisely as some characters have much better story missions than others. I felt attached to certain companions and had to weigh my affection for them against the potential for new narrative paths and rewards that I might lose.

To go to war

Your crew will tour the wasteland doing tasks for people to improve the rangers' situation. Many quests result in fights, and for the first time in the series, your team and the opposing team take turns together, rather than each character having their own initiative. It's by far the fastest game in the series and a welcome addition as it's also the largest and longest entry in the franchise.

Battle in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

As you get close to enemies, you will see areas of vision around them. So if you fall on them, your battle advantage increases significantly. There was one particular mission where I got off the wrong foot and was very quickly decimated by the enemy. On my next try, I put my characters in better positions, and it was my enemies who went into rapid decline.

With many encounters, keep your fingers crossed that your latest tactical decision will bring you a well-deserved victory. The conclusion of a successful confrontation often brought with it a deep and satisfying sigh of relief.

If your Rangers or Companions are killed in combat, they are not permanently dead. Once the combat encounter is over, you can use certain items to bring them back or speak to the doctor at headquarters. This is great for newer players, although it's a shame that there isn't a permadeath option for those who wish.

In between quests, you can bring your crew back to the aforementioned headquarters, a gift from the Patriarch to aid you in your endeavors. Your base can be upgraded over time with improved facilities and new staff. It's a place where you can regroup and equip your gear before venturing into the frozen abyss. It serves as an evolving physical representation of your choices as you travel. This will help you better understand the consequences of your actions in the wasteland and visualize the sense of progress that can be lost simply moving from settlement to settlement.

The reworked fight is by far the fastest game in the series.

Travel between locations in the wasteland is done via a large tank called Kodiak, which is just as customizable as the members of your group. The overworld map is littered with hidden locations and sometimes you run into multiple timed events and have to choose between quests knowing that you are losing other activities. I often get lost in the wilderness, exploring every corner of the map I could before heading to my originally planned destination.

The game offers a tremendous amount of sights and activities. Since certain areas and stories are blocked depending on the selection, a repetition is almost guaranteed to be very different. While this value is great, I imagine only a few are actually interested in starting another experience that will last several tens of hours because the core progression system remains largely the same.

Travel in the wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

An audiovisual leap

The original Wasteland was released in 1988 and its sequel was released with the help of Kickstarter in 2014. Wasteland 3 is just as big an advance in presentation as Wasteland 2 is for Wasteland. The graphical fidelity is amazing, with crisp textures and beautiful lighting. On several occasions, my actions during combat were driven almost entirely by my curiosity about what would visually happen, like using a Molotov grenade to detonate a nitrogen tank.

The music combines the visual quality with an incredible soundtrack. The score combines a number of different genres into a unique sound compared to audio queues typical of post-apocalyptic dishes in games and movies. There were moments when I would step away from the keyboard and mouse just to listen for fear that a conversation with an NPC or a quest would swap the current title I was hearing.

Battle in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

Our opinion

Despite my concerns about some of the game's articles, there's no denying that the creators of the tactical RPG genre are still some of the best in the business. A near-unprecedented level of storytelling and choice, combined with a revamped combat system and a massive audiovisual upgrade, makes Wasteland 3 one of the best tactical games ever made.

Is there a better alternative?

Gears Tactics is another excellent tactical RPG that was also released on PC in 2020, although it offers a lot fewer choices and has a more linear story.

How long it will take?

A single playthrough can take up to 80 to 100 hours if the player explores it to the full. However, if some narrative choices preclude others, a second and third playthrough of the game can add up to another very different 80-100 hours if the player so chooses.

Should you buy it?

For those looking for their next RPG or tactical fix, as well as for gamers who want to dip their toes into these genres, Wasteland 3 is absolutely worth buying. Those looking for a quick experience, especially during a holiday season full of games, may want to wait until there are fewer new titles to play.

Editor's recommendations




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