13 Aug
Blog

Marvel’s Avengers Beta Review: Not Yet the Mightiest Game

Iron Man attacks in Marvel's Avengers

"Marvel's Avengers Beta has enough content to let players know if the full game is going to be for them."

  • Solid gameplay

  • Well written story

  • Hourly repeatable content

  • Improved live service aspects

  • Disappointing opening

  • Very familiar

  • Missing characters

The good news is that the Marvel & # 39; s Avengers beta has an impressive amount of content for curious gamers to delve into. The not-so-good news is that it may not be for everyone. Those who have a deep-rooted affection for these heroes and who like constantly evolving titles like Destiny 2 will be excited to be leaving the beta for the full game to be released. Players looking for a focused, linear storyline may be disappointed with the repetition of the games and the pursuit of loot.

The game is not ashamed to emulate other popular live service experiences and even improve them in some aspects. It also offers excellent gameplay among the various characters. It's a shame that Avengers trust in its multiplayer framework affects other elements of the game so much.

The story is thin, but good

The preview features part of the included story, which is pretty well written and certainly well listed. I can't say for sure whether or not the game is worth buying the game for those who are solely looking for the single player story, but it is certainly not the focus of the title and the campaign is missing because of that.

Thor fights on the Golden Gate Bridge in Marvel's AvengersPhoto courtesy Square Enix

The tutorial level, which takes place on the Golden Gate Bridge, is the least fun part of the beta and is the first thing you do in the game. While I understand the developer's desire to give a taste of each of the characters, the hot-swapping between them isn't what they were designed for, and therefore it feels incongruent to the experience later in the beta. The tutorial is interrupted by short cutscenes every few minutes, which doesn't help. Although it passes fast enough, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth at the start of the game.

The good news is that the Marvel & # 39; s Avengers beta has an impressive amount of content for curious gamers to delve into.

The beta skips a series of early levels introducing Kamala Khan, the heroine at the heart of the game, and begins after already working with Bruce Banner to put the team back together. You then play as both the Hulk and Kamala, also known as Ms. Marvel, in a linear and an open mission.

If one fits in well with the history of the game, several functions are immediately introduced to the player. It can feel overwhelming until you get into the rhythm of the game, but hopefully this won't be a problem for full release.

Hulk versus Abomination in Marvel's AvengersPhoto courtesy Square Enix

The more time I spent in the game's beta, the more fun I got. Troy Baker's Bruce and Sandra Saad's Kamala have some brilliant mentoring and menteeing moments together, including a touching but lighthearted scene at the Chimera, a dilapidated helicarrier the couple uses as their home base. Still, it's hard to imagine Mark Ruffalo delivering the lines since the Dr. Banner here is written in a similar way to its MCU counterpart.

The heroes are at the center of the fun

After you get used to the controls, both characters feel great as well as Iron Man and Black Widow, which the player unlocks with the multiplayer portion of the beta. The heroes are basically controlled in the same way, so the player can lose some muscle memory, but the execution of their attacks and their effects on enemies are different.

It's proof of the game's combat system that even Black Widow, a character with no superpowers, can still compete and have as much fun playing as the entire roster. That means players spend their time jumping between heroes, and while they might find a favorite like I did with Kamala, they don't mind if they're forced to play as one in a multiplayer match different character to play.

The Avengers fight robots in Marvel's AvengersPhoto courtesy Square Enix

The beta does not include Thor and Captain America, although they are included in the tutorial and will be added when it is fully released. The developers wouldn't speak to their expulsion if asked, but something tells me they'll need a little more time in the oven if I play them in the opening level. Hopefully when the game starts with all six heroes the roster will feel just as balanced and entertaining as it is here. It also gives me hope that the game will hit Spider-Man when it hits PlayStation in 2021.

The gameplay is further enhanced with skill trees and equipment modifiers that you can use to level up your hero. However, some of the attacks are frame-by-frame identical to those inside the MCU. There's a move Iron Man uses in the opening scene of Age of Ultron where he pulls out a couple of Hydra soldiers by flying straight at them to stop himself at the last second with his hand pushers to stop the to send bad guys racing. This exact move is available through the in-game skill tree. Not only does it feel fantastic, but it also serves as another direct link to the films.

I like the elements of the game that fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe because, like many other players, I'm a huge fan of this franchise. The problem occurs when the developer Crystal Dynamics makes an effort to determine that this game is something different from these movies. It adds confusion to an already overcrowded experience and makes me wish they either had their own vision or delved into a playable version of the films rather than this somber mishmash of the two.

Even so, Marvel's Avengers shines for itself in its multiplayer option. In one scenario, I used a land pound as the Hulk who tossed a handful of bad guys in the air. The insult of the injury was added when another player used Kamala's high-five ability, a devastating move that caused her disturbed palm to shoot out and plunge enemies into the stratosphere. Attacks also adapt to the enemy you are facing. For example, the Hulk has an ability that involves charging through a line of enemies, grabbing the last one in the chain, and slamming it to the ground. However, if the final enemy is an opponent in a giant mech suit, the Hulk will instead jump onto its frame and bash it with its fists. For a replayed game, these differentiators allow moments of uniqueness to shine through and inspire you to begin mission after mission.

Each character has two heroic abilities and one almighty ultimate move. The special thing is Tony's Hulkbuster suit, which in addition to the flight and explosive abilities of Iron Man briefly gives him the strength of the green avenger. I specifically mention this step not only because the Hulkbuster armor is one of the coolest things out there, but also because anyone in the group can use it. Imagine my surprise when I call the suit while playing as Iron Man hampered by a wave of enemies and watch my friend as the black widow jumps in the huge armor and smashes it until her heart is satisfied is.

Iron Man fights robots in Marvel's AvengersPhoto courtesy Square Enix

I've had a handful of such moments when the game's problems went away. It was one of the funniest games I'd played lately, and I could hear how cool what had just happened on the screen was.

While the gameplay is strong, it feels very similar to other Avengers experiences like the Ultimate Alliance series and Lego titles. During the missions, you will come across boxes where you can open new equipment and collectibles, as well as boxes where you can look for resources. It's all way more sophisticated and fun than previous games. Even so, it doesn't feel like it's reinventing the wheel.

Aspects of the game enhance the live service genre

Hero missions, war zones, and the faster, more focused drop zones will initially be accessible via the war table on the chimera once the single player portion of the beta has been completed. From here, the player is given a world map that they can access to different parts of the world, each containing different types of missions.

I've had a handful of moments when the game's problems went away.

An area, the tundra, which is the setting for the final single player mission in the beta, can only be revisited if a hidden secondary objective is achieved in one of the first war zones. The stumble in the beta gave a glimpse into the depth and replayability of the final game with all of its content. The most interesting setting, the East Coast city shown during the game's final showcase, was unfortunately not available during our beta but was promised for the upcoming public.

The game shines over Destiny 2 in small but powerful quality of life improvements that its fan base has been looking for. In Avengers, there is an automatic gear button for your prey at the highest level of power. You can equip equipment from your locker, choose a new mission, and access the marketplace for additional cosmetics without having to return to the chimera. It's hard to say what exclusive functionality the Helicarrier will have in the final game. Even so, in the beta, I was able to do whatever I needed while sitting on the Quinjet, which serves as the waiting screen between missions. As you spend more and more time in the game hunting for prey, this time saving is welcome.

Marvel's Avengers is a game that is okay 90% of the time, and 10% of the time, takes you into the world of these heroes like no other game. It's a relief that it never delves into really bad territory outside of the tutorial, but the game's worldliness doesn't seem appropriate for Earth's most powerful heroes, especially from a studio with such a pedigree for top titles like the Grave Raider- Reboot trilogy.

Our opinion

The Marvel & # 39; s Avengers Beta gives a glimpse into the promise of what the entire game could be, but its familiarity and focus on live service multiplayer might be an aversion to some.

Is there a better alternative?

Numerous current games such as Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 offer an Avengers experience. For those looking for a live service game, Destiny 2 is still the crème de la crème and has had several years to revise and refine its formula. However, Marvel's Avengers significantly improves on all of these titles.

How long it will take?

The content of the story in the beta is approximately an hour. The War Zones and Drop Zones range from five minutes to an hour, depending on their size and the level of exploration by the player. They can be repeated, with each hero having a level cap of 15 and a power level cap of 45. If you maximize your time in beta, over a dozen hours of content can easily be found.

Should you buy it?

As it stands, it's hard to recommend pre-ordering Marvel's Avengers for access to its beta.

The beta will be released on three different weekends. The first opened exclusively for PlayStation 4 pre-orders from August 7th to 9th. The next beta phase will be open to all PS4 users from 9 p.m. August 14-21, August 16. A full beta for PS4, Xbox and PC players will finally start at 9 p.m. August 21 to 9 p.m. August 23. All times are local to your time zone. There is no early beta option for Xbox or PC users.

There is currently no crossplay feature, but the game will be playable for generations (so that PS4 and PS5 owners can, for example, compete against each other together). According to Crystal Dynamics, there is currently no attempt to allow multiplayer across platforms, but character exclusivity will not affect its plans.

The game will officially launch on September 4th.

Editor's recommendations




13 Aug
Blog

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD Review

2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD Review: Cool Tech

"The 2020 Toyota Highlander is your average performer on a crowded stage."

  • Well integrated touch screen

  • Comfortable ride

  • Lack of interior space

  • Poor quality interior

  • Badly tuned transmission

When you have a lot of people or things to move around, a minivan is the perfect tool. Minivans are chilly, however, which is why there are vehicles like the 2020 Toyota Highlander.

With three rows of seats and a rugged SUV look, the Highlander is the perfect choice for parents who wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. That's a huge part of the buying audience. In addition to old competitors like the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer, the reworked 2020 Highlander faces newer competition in the form of the Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas and the Hyundai Palisade / Kia Telluride twins.

The 2020 Highlander was a base price of $ 35,720, but that only buys a base front-wheel drive LE model. The price goes up quickly with options. Our test car was a fully loaded Platinum model with all the bells and whistles and four-wheel drive priced at $ 50,663.

2020 Toyota Highlander Profile

Design and interior

With its sinister front end, the Highlander wants to convey truck-like toughness. Under the skin, however, it is based on the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as ordinary cars like the Camry and Corolla, as well as the smaller RAV4. This is a widely used strategy in the auto industry as most buyers want the looks and high driving position of a truck, but not the bad road manners.

In terms of design, the interior of the Highlander is pretty low-key. Apart from a floating case for the infotainment touchscreen, the design is completely unoriginal. The interior was boring to look at, but at least functional. The outside view was good, and small touches like a phone rest and well-placed USB ports made a big difference. The Highlander is equipped as standard with four USB ports and two 120-volt sockets in the first and second rows. Qi cell phone charging is available. However, you cannot get USB ports on the third line. The front seats (upholstered leather with heating and ventilation in our Platinum test car) were very comfortable even after hours of driving.

The Highlander falls short where it really matters: interior.

It was harder to excuse the quality of the interior. The thin plastic trim and rubbery dashboard trim didn't feel appropriate for a vehicle at the base price of the Highlander of $ 35,720, let alone a vehicle that cost $ 15,000 more. Most of the Highlander's competitors have the same problem (the Hyundai Palisade is a notable exception), but it seemed particularly bad in the Toyota.

The Highlander also fails where it really matters: in the interior. At 27.7 inches, third-row legroom is the worst in this segment, and the overall space is so cramped that even young children are likely to find it uncomfortable. The front row legroom and headroom are also on the back of the pack. The cargo space is a little below average and is way behind the Chevrolet Traverse and the Volkswagen Atlas. As with all vehicles of this size, you will need to fold down the third row seats to gain ample cargo space.

2020 Toyota Highlander touch screen

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The 2020 Highlander comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, Waze and an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot. Platinum models like our test car have a 12.3-inch touchscreen. A head-up display is also available.

Toyota bucked the trend by opting for a landscape rather than a portrait for the big screen. It looks better than the awkwardly integrated 10.1-inch portrait screen in the Ford Explorer without sacrificing functionality. The screen is easier to reach for both the driver and front passenger, and a three-column split setup makes logical use of the huge strip of pixels. It's a shame Toyota decided to fill that huge screen with simple, outdated graphics.

The Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane following assistant, automatic high beam and traffic sign recognition. Optional functions include blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic warning, autonomous emergency braking in the opposite direction and a 360-degree camera system.

With a three-column split setup, the large pixel strip of the screen is used logically.

The addition of standard driver aids is pretty good for a vehicle in this price range, but the performance has been below par. The adaptive cruise control left a large gap to the vehicle in front so that other vehicles could switch on suddenly. The system also responded slowly when the car in front accelerated, although this could be partly due to the poorly tuned transmission.

The lane following assistant, which uses steering inputs to keep the car centered on its lane, only worked on arrow-straight stretches of road. It couldn't follow even the smoothest of freeway curves, allowing the Highlander to drift off its lane as if driven by the inattentive human that such technology should surpass.

One thing Toyota did right was integrating the camera and system. An overhead view is automatically displayed on the infotainment screen when you shift into reverse. It can be activated at other times at the push of a button. A simple setup like this makes parking a lot easier, but not every automaker seems to have figured that out.

2020 Toyota Highlander interior

Experience at the wheel

For the 2020 model year, Toyota offers two powertrain options: gasoline or hybrid. Toyota dropped the four-cylinder base engine from the previous generation Highlander, so now a 3.5-liter V6 is chosen as standard. It puts out 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Power is just ahead of the Hyundai Palisade / Kia Telluride twins, but the Ford Explorer can produce 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft with a 2.3-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Honda Pilot and the Subaru Ascent have less power but more torque. The V6 Highlander is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is average for the segment, although the Nissan Pathfinder outperforms with a towing power of 6,000 pounds.

The hybrid option combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system for a combined output of 243 hp. As with other Toyota hybrid crossovers, all-wheel drive is achieved via a second electric motor for the rear axle with no mechanical connection to the front wheels. The Ford Explorer is the only other vehicle in this segment that offers a hybrid powertrain.

The V6 engine was disappointed with a chunky gearbox.

Our test car had the V6 engine which turned out to be very powerful for everyday driving. In fact, it sounded pretty good, even though the Toyota Avalon TRD sedan didn't have the power exhaust system. However, the engine was disappointed by a chunky gearbox. The eight-speed automatic shifted roughly and responded slowly to requests for more power, like Scotty when he reported to the Enterprise after taking a sleeping pill.

The Highlander has front-wheel drive as standard, but our test car had the optional all-wheel drive system with torque vector. Torque vectoring changes the distribution of power between the wheels on each axle to improve cornering. The system made a noticeable difference and made the Highlander much more agile than a vehicle of this size would normally.

The Highlander is not a Supra, however. Aside from the torque transmission, even the slightest hint of aggression in corners is answered with the scolding screeching of the tires. The Highlander is much happier on freeways, where it offers a comfortable ride and sweeping views of the road. This is the case with most other vehicles in this segment, although the Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot offer a bit more excitement on winding roads.

2020 Toyota Highlander rear

Fuel economy and safety

Platinum models, including our test car, are rated at 24 mpg (21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 23 mpg (20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. These numbers are slightly above average for this segment. The Highlander Hybrid achieves up to 36 MPG in combination with front-wheel drive, much better than the Ford Explorer Hybrid with a maximum of 28 MPG.

The Highlander received the "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS), with the highest rating "Top Safety Pick +" being missed due to poorly rated headlights in the lower trim levels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet rated the 2020 Highlander.

Toyota offers a 36,000 mile base three year warranty and a 60,000 mile five year powertrain warranty, plus free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles. The warranty period is average for a mainstream brand, but the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are warranted for 10 years and 100,000 miles on the powertrain.

Predicting the future reliability of a new vehicle like the 2020 Highlander is difficult, but overall Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability. Earlier generations of Highlanders have proven to be quite sturdy, which is why they are popular with taxi and Uber drivers.

How DT would configure this car

If you want the most technology in a 2020 Toyota Highlander, you have to go for the highest platinum trim level. It has the largest 12.3-inch touchscreen as well as a head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror and a 360-degree camera system as standard. It also gets niceties like a panoramic sunroof, improved leather upholstery, and 20-inch wheels.

This test drive didn't include the hybrid model, but if you're buying a Highlander it might be worth a look. The hybrid has a premium of around $ 2,000 over the V6 Highlander, but has significantly better mileage and eliminates the rough-shifting transmission used in V6 models. The hybrid option is also one of the few things that really sets the Highlander apart from the competition.

2020 Toyota Highlander third row

Our opinion

The Highlander has been the number one choice for many families since the first generation was introduced in 2001, but the fourth generation model for 2020 rests on its laurels. Buyers can still expect reliability and a minimum of practicality, but the competition offers more.

Interior space and functionality are crucial for a vehicle like this. The third row of the Highlander is too narrow for everyday use and the space in the other two rows is behind most of the pack. The interior has some nice details, like a well-integrated touchscreen, but the materials are below average. Nothing about the interior or packaging is remarkable or innovative.

It is similar with the driving experience. The Highlander is perfectly fine to drive, but it doesn't attract any attention. Buyers probably don't expect sports car performance, but at least the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent won't put the driver to sleep. The Hyundai Palisade offers greater sophistication overall, while the Ford Explorer has some off-road capabilities.

Then there is the sliding door elephant in the room. Whether or not you think the Highlander is cooler than a minivan, it's undoubtedly less practical. Toyota's own Sienna can accommodate the same number of people with a larger overall passenger and cargo volume. The sliding doors of a minivan and the lower ride height also make it easier to load and unload people and objects. The Sienna is even getting a standard 33-mpg hybrid powertrain for the 2021 model year.

Should you get one

No. The Highlander is a competent family freight forwarder, but with so many other options, why should he settle for just competent?

Editor's recommendations




12 Aug
Blog

Urbanista Athens Review: The Underdog of Sports Earbuds

Urbanista Athens earphones

"The Athen is a pair of affordable and remarkably good sports-oriented earphones."

  • Comfortable space requirement

  • Eight hours of battery life

  • IP 67 weatherproof

  • Affordable

  • Confusing controls

  • Bass bullies other frequencies

The Urbanista Athens are a humble little pair of true wireless earbuds. Between its generic appearance and its price far from the premium price, there aren't many outward-looking features that would catch the gaze of the average weekend warrior.

Since we all have to study over and over again, looks can be deceptive. Pop Urbanista's new $ 130 earbuds have arrived and they're starting to shine. Not just an accidental surprise, these buds are a tremendous force against some of the best workout-oriented true wireless earbuds out there today.

Out of the box

It's a bit of a quirk, but I always prefer the bookbinding style packaging that buds like those from Athens arrive in, as opposed to the sleeve-like design of other earphone boxes. In general, there's less to disassemble, and it's a little nicer to have all of the packaging in your hands. Urbanista even shows your message buds in a plastic case for optimized look.

Urbanista Athens earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Under the compartment that houses the buds and wireless charging case, you'll find additional earbuds and fins, as well as the quick start guide and a USB-C charging cable. It's nothing like most other true wireless earbuds you haven't seen before, and probably nothing you won't see again. Even so, I will continue to take note of this standard content as each component is an important part of the ensemble. This charging cable, ridiculously short as it is, wouldn't be laughing at if it weren't included with your purchase.

The setup process, which is similar to the Athens accessories, is exactly what you would expect from modern wireless earbuds. Pull the buds out of the case and they will go into automatic pairing mode. You can find it in your mobile device's bluetooth settings and terminate the connection. Other reviews of the Athens noted that the buds don't always automatically pair, but I haven't experienced this phenomenon in my time testing.

Bluetooth 5 tech is built into these earbuds as it should be at this point. As with most of my Bluetooth 5 experiences, the connection to Athens was solid, offering plenty of range to move around the house and get chores done while still jamming on the cover of the Vitamin String Quartet. Yes, that's absolutely a thing I do.

design

Admittedly, I am enthusiastic about the design of the Athen, thanks to its compact construction and its openly different footprint than other sports-loving Buds. Newer sports buds I've tested, including the JBL / Under Armor True Wireless Flash X and the Edifier TWS6, have significantly more pointed ear fins. Both did a good job protecting the buds but gave them a noticeably greater presence in your ear.

Urbanista Athens earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Not so with Athens, whose ear fins are delicate loops that extend from the ends of the buds. As unspoken as they are, they still have real traction in your ears and have excelled with them over several runs and brisk walks during my reporting period. I found them to be more comfortable than the larger-finned competitors, albeit not quite as comfortable as the Jabra Elite 75t or Elite Active 75t.

The wireless charging case is also pleasantly small, which to a certain extent reminds me of a slightly smaller, dark copy of the Samsung Galaxy Buds + charging case. Speaking of which, the Athens are currently only available in black. If you're looking to take creative leaps with your aesthetic, the Athens aren't the buds to catch your ears. That said, they are perfectly passable in terms of attractiveness as far as black true wireless earbuds go.

Urbanista opted for a multi-press control system with the Athens, with the logo on each side serving as the button of your choice. The manual contains all the controls very factually, including the volume control (thankful), the ability to pause and change tracks, answer and end calls, and the integration of voice assistants. If you think this is a lot for two buttons, you're right, especially since none of these controls are used on more than two presses. It's learnable, but not the easiest system considering some commands are situational. For example, double-tapping the left logo pauses and plays the tracks, but also answers and ends calls.

properties

Somewhat surprising is that the Athenians have left their price range in terms of features. They're not knockout-strong uppercuts, mind you, but they're significant kicks against competitors who cost more and offer less.

The Athens offers a battery life of eight hours and three additional charges for a total playback of 32 hours.

The Athens offers a battery life of eight hours and three additional charges for a total playback of 32 hours. You can spend more and get better juice with competitors like the Sony WF-SP800N, but you can also spend more and unfortunately get less. The Jabra Elite Active 75t offers 7.5 hours of battery life – often closer to seven in our reviewers' tests – for nearly $ 70 more than the Urbanistas. That may tell more about the cost of the otherwise excellent Elite Active 75t, but it does lead the Athens to have a slight advantage in this category.

Urbanista Athens earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Equally fascinating is the fact that the Athens has an IP67 weather resistance rating that offers complete protection against dust and contact, as well as protection against 30 minutes of water up to 1 meter in immersion. I suppose that's overkill for what most people will be using these for, but it does allow Urbanista to market these buds as swim and shower friendly. It's also a better rating than the Active 75t and JLab Epic Air Sport, which previously held the title of our best real radio buds for training. Note. Note.

The Athenians have IP67 weather resistance, which provides complete protection against dust and contact, as well as protection against 30 minutes of water up to 1 meter immersion.

To be transparent, I didn't get a chance to take these buds for a swim, but I ventured into the shower to test this waterproof rating and the Athens came out squeaky clean on the other side.

Another small feature of the Athens is stereo phone calls which seem like a bit of a perk until you've dealt with a pair of buds that only offer mono sound for calls. It might just be my personal preference, but I would much rather have that sweet stereo sound for my conversations.

Audio quality

If there has been one area where Athens hasn't delivered too much, it's audio. To be clear, I don't want to say that this is a disadvantageous aspect of these earbuds. They are $ 130 buds, and they should sound like $ 130 buds: Objectively decent, and in many cases good. I think almost everything else about the buds made me expect them to go over their price again and instead sound the way they should. In all fairness, that speaks volumes more about the Athens' other characteristics than about its sound quality.

Urbanista Athens earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Athens are clear sounding buds if they will, with tracks like Jake Shimabukuro's rendition of Hallelujah not missing a single train of the ukulele. Urbanista says it worked with audio engineer Axel Gretl on these buds, and it shows this on most pieces of music. They feel like they're trying too hard at the low end, especially on songs where those bass notes are more prominent throughout the track. Readers of my previous reviews know that Lizzo's music is a common starting point for my bass testing, and the low end in Truth Hurts seemed to take the rest of the song hostage. I love low frequencies as much as the closest listener, and I understand that powerful bass can be important to athletes on the move. But it's important to stick to that (bass) line and not detract from the rest of the track, and I thought Athens struggled with that in certain cases.

These buds don't have active noise cancellation, and at $ 130 it's not currently expected to have this functionality. With budget buds like the Edifier TWS NB breaking the mold, this is likely to change soon. But for now the Athens gets by with above-average passive noise cancellation thanks to a good fit in your ears. They also get loud, which of course helps to block out the unwanted noises around you.

Urbanista doesn't have much information available on the Athens microphones but I can vouch for them to provide quality phone calls. As I mentioned above, I enjoyed having stereo sound for calls, but perhaps more importantly, my voice could be heard clearly on the other end, even in a louder environment. My brother could barely hear the dogs wrestling in the background while we talked about our weekend plans.

Our opinion

Urbanista Athens true wireless earbuds are not only affordable, they also outperform major active earbud categories. They may not be the gold standard, but they are certainly worth their weight as notable sports-oriented wearables.

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 200 Sony WF-SP800N offers active noise cancellation, 13 hours of non-ANC playback, and great sound for an additional $ 70. The $ 120 Edifier TWS6 costs $ 10 less and offers similar battery life and possibly better sound.

How long will they last?

The Athenians have a one-year guarantee and an IP rating that protects them from almost anything that nature can throw on them. These buds will hang around.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Urbanista Athens excel in many areas that they shouldn't have, at least in terms of their affordable price. With their above-average battery life, comfortable design and weatherproof properties, the Athens are the buds for the aspiring athlete.

Editor's recommendations




12 Aug
Blog

G-Shock GWF-A1000 Frogman Review: Worth Splashing Out On

casio g shock gwf a1000 frogman review bag

"The Casio GWF-A1000 Frogman is a handy diving watch with just enough connectivity features to get through."

  • G-shock toughness

  • Sapphire crystal over the dial

  • Reliable G-Shock Connected App

  • Easy to understand diving function

  • Solar energy means no charging is required

  • No depth sensor

  • Solid on most wrists

  • No step tracker

Casio has adopted the connected technology of its traditional watches almost entirely. The G-Shock and Pro Trek watch ranges are smarter, from the WearOS-based Pro Trek WSD-F30 to the Pro Trek PRT-B50 to the newer G-Shock GBD-H1000 Move.

Now, with the GWF-A1000, Casio has brought its most basic connectivity to the dive-centric Frogman watch line. It's not what I would call a smartwatch, but it uses Bluetooth technology to make life with the watch easier, and it adds some features that are relevant to those who want to dive with it.

The new Frogman diving watch offers more than just a technical update. The previously fully digital face has been swapped for an analog face and then wrapped in the brand's iconic carbon monocoque body.

design

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the GWF-A1000 has an analog movement, it is obviously still a G-Shock Frogman in its design. Those familiar with the range will recognize the asymmetrical style of the branding and the frog logo on the case back. The asymmetrical shape prevents the case from hitting your wrist when you bend it and makes it easier to press the buttons. There are four buttons in total, only the ones on the left side of the case are immediately recognizable. The other two flank the attractively knurled and very grippy crown.

With its carbon monocoque construction, Casio was able to remove the button guards from previous Frogman watches while maintaining overall strength while making the watch much lighter. It weighs 119 grams (0.26 pounds) compared to 141 grams for the previous generation watch. That's an improvement, but you definitely know it's on your wrist. By comparison, the heaviest Apple Watch Series 5 still weighs less than 50 grams – or 0.11 pounds.

Try to deliberately damage the frogman or a G-shock and you would likely fail.

It's also very large, with a case size of 56mm and a thickness of a whopping 19mm. On the other hand, the size shouldn't come as a surprise. The Frogman has always been one of G-Shock's largest and most iconic watches, and the A1000 is no exception. The thickness alludes to the key trait of the Key G-Shock: toughness. The all-in-one case made of carbon envelops the movement and the technology inside and offers the watch the highest level of shock protection and 200-meter water resistance according to ISO.

It is resistant to magnetic fields and vibrations and the face is covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The thick fluoroelastomer strap is attached to the watch with large pins through the carbon / resin case and is even resistant to water and dirt. You could try damaging the frogman or some other G-shock on purpose, but you would likely fail. This portability, combined with the unique design and useful technology, is what makes me G-Shock watches.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The sapphire crystal has excellent clarity and a distinctive sheen, as well as a very subtle curvature that adds depth to the face and beautifully captures the light on the wrist. The buttons are big and have a positive effect. Loosening the screw-down crown takes a little force (don't forget to screw it back on, otherwise the watch will not be waterproof), but this is not a problem even if the watch is on your wrist.

How is it on the wrist? You and everyone else will know it's there. This is a statement watch and it's very eye-catching. The bracelet is not particularly pliable, but this was not a problem as the watch should be worn loosely. I never felt the watch was uncomfortable unless it was under a sleeve.

Make no mistake, it's not for thin wrists.

Because of the bulk, it's best to slide the sleeve back when wearing the Frogman. You have to make a few compromises if you want to wear the A1000 every day, but personally, I don't think it's an everyday watch at all. For me, it's a dive-oriented summer watch that is worn to be demonstrated.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Frogman's busy, asymmetrical design means it isn't for everyone. It's clearly not intended for small wrists, but Casio's move to analog puts it in line with other popular dive watches from manufacturers like Seiko, and the moderate reduction in weight and bulk means it could appeal to those less likely to actually dive with it . Make no mistake, it's not for thin wrists.

I've long been a fan of the Frogman's unusual design, and replacing the digital display with three subdials and a small date window hasn't changed its visual appeal.

G-Shock Connected App

The Frogman connects to the G-Shock Connected app on your phone via Bluetooth. It's well designed, fast, stable, and provides an easy way to change various functions of the watch and manage dive-specific functions. I like the way it remembers all other Bluetooth-equipped G-Shock watches too, so there is no need to tweak any additional settings after registering a new model, a feature I'd love to see in WearOS.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The connection is easily activated with a single push of a button on the watch. I used the GWF-A1000 connected to an iPhone 11 Pro, but there is also an app for Android. Setting the world time is a good example of how the app speeds up some processes. Tap the World Time tab, select your city, and tap Sync. The time is then sent to the Frogman's subdial and the whole process doesn't take any time. A push of a button in the app quickly swaps the world and home times, which is ideal for traveling. This simple operation is repeated when setting alarms and timers.

For divers, the app includes a dive log function and the ability to add a location to measure the tide point. It's a long press of a button to put the watch into dive mode. At this point the main hour and minute hands will move to the 12 o'clock position and the time will change to the World Time subdial. Start the dive and the second hand will start showing the total elapsed time shown by the main hands moving together for clarity. Bright light on the hands and on the bezel between positions 12 and 20 makes it easier to judge the time in the dark.

casio g shock gwf a1000 frogman review app guide "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/g-shock-frogman-app- guide -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAThe quick guide of the G-Shock Connected App to the functions of the watch Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

casio g shock gwf a1000 frogman review app alarm "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/g-shock-frogman-app- alarm -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEASet the alarm with the G-Shock Connected app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

casio g shock gwf a1000 frogman review app time "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/g-shock-frogman-app- time -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEASet the world time with the G-Shock Connected app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Stop the dive sequence and the hands will return to 12 o'clock. The second hand rotates backwards to indicate the surface interval time. The data from the watch is then stored in the app, along with location data and the ability to add photos, as well as information about conditions, depth, temperature and your equipment. Both the dive mode and the dive log are easy to use, even for someone unfamiliar with diving watches, but you will need to spend a short time learning how it all works. The good news is that the app has comprehensive instructions on how it works, and it also acts as a digital manual.

The watch does not have a vibration feature so there is no chance that notification support will ever be added. This isn't something I really want on the watch, but it's a shame Casio doesn't just add an accelerometer and step tracking to all of the connected watches. This general function would add value to the GWF-A1000.

The connection to the iPhone app is constant unless you disconnect it or close the app completely. While connected, it will activate your phone's GPS, which means it is using some battery power.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the Frogman won't send notifications, have a touchscreen, or run apps, the Bluetooth connection makes using the watch functions faster and easier, and adds some relevant features to make the watch more useful. It does this with a reliable and easy to use app. Casio shows how many other watch manufacturers who want to build a connected watch should do something.

Keys and functions

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There are four buttons and the crown on the watch. The menu button at 8 o'clock toggles between tide mode, calendar mode, stopwatch and timer. The 3 o'clock subdial shows the status of the watch and also shows the tide point if it has been set in the app. The keys are precise and feel powerful. I like the way you can push a button and move the pointers out of the way so you can easily view the two subdials too.

The time can be set through the app, which is based on your phone's time, or through the radio controlled multi-band 6 system, which wirelessly retrieves the correct time at set intervals from a number of remote stations around the world. In my experience, Multi Band 6 usually requires a little patience before it works. This depends on the location and the signal. This is the quickest way for the app to adjust the time after changing the time zones. The crown can also be used to set the time.

I enjoyed the speed at which the hands move when using special functions. They're quick so you never wait for them to get out of the way and nothing seems to take too long. We're geared for devices to be quick to respond these days, and the GWF-A1000's triple dual-core motors that control the hands can meet our needs.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It is important to note that while this is a diver's watch, it does not have a depth sensor, as is the case with the all-digital GWF-D1000 G-Shock Frogman watches. Whether or not this becomes less of a diving watch is up for debate and may depend on how serious you are about diving. However, this is arguably consistent with the design and engineering changes that are driving the GWF-A1000 towards the watch fan, which may never actually go diving at all.

Battery and charging

Just because the Frogman has a Bluetooth connection, it doesn't need to be regularly charged using a cable. The GWF-A1000 has a solar charge and does not require any additional electricity to continue working. The battery level can be checked in the app. If the battery is empty, it will take two hours of direct sunlight to work again and another 21 hours to full. Times vary depending on the light source, but the clock draws energy from everything including fluorescent lighting in the house.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If your watch is used regularly, the battery is unlikely to ever run out because it only takes eight minutes of sunlight to get enough power for a full day. So if you're out for a day, the battery is likely to stay full. With the exception of a few trips outside, I've been inside for over a week while wearing the Frogman and the battery is not full. According to Casio, a full battery will last about five months without any visible light.

Price and availability

You can now purchase the G-Shock GWF-A1000 Frogman from the G-Shock online shop and boutiques. In the US, it's yours for $ 800. In the UK it's £ 699.

Our opinion

The GWF-A1000 Frogman takes advantage of connected technology in an ever-desirable G-Shock watch. Even if you never go diving with it, you are left with an extremely robust watch that delivers the coveted diving watch look.

However, it is not a smartwatch. So don't expect it to compete with the Apple Watch or WearOS watches in terms of connectivity or functionality.

Is there a better alternative?

There are very few attached diving watches available. If your list says "Scuba Diving" and "Bluetooth Connected", your main viewing is the G-Shock GWF-A1000 Frogman. However, if you are considering a full-fledged smartwatch, you can get a more feature-rich model for less.

If you own an iPhone and want a smartwatch, consider buying the Apple Watch Series 5 for $ 400. If you have an Android phone, we recommend the $ 280 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, which has great software and a neat design. If you're a Casio fan, the $ 500 Pro Trek WSD-F30 is a rugged WearOS outdoor smartwatch, while the $ 500 Suunto 7 is a sporty high-tech WearOS watch that worth considering.

If the Frogman responds but you don't dive (not that it really matters), the G-Shock Mudmaster and G-Shock Gravitymaster have similar functions. These have different designs that can better suit your lifestyle. Finally, Fossil makes several hybrid smartwatches that add basic smartwatch functionality to a watch that looks like a regular watch.

How long it will take?

Solar charging, no software on the watch to update, no technology like a touchscreen that either goes wrong or ages the watch prematurely, and the incredible toughness of a G-shock means the GWF-A1000 will last indefinitely. The only aspect that may be nearing the end of its useful life is the app in case Casio decides to change the way it connects to their watches in the future.

Should you buy one?

Yes. Casio shows that it is possible to combine connected technology with a desirable hybrid watch and that you don't always have to turn to fashion watches to get it.

Editor's recommendations




12 Aug
Blog

Sony Xperia 1 II Review: Stands Out From the Crowd

Sony Xperia 1 II review

Sony Xperia 1 II review: stand out from the crowd

"The Xperia 1 II is different from other high-end smartphones, but its specifics are just a little too niche to have any broad appeal."

  • Nice high resolution screen

  • Compact design that is easy to hold

  • The camera takes great photos

  • Excellent audio

  • Fingerprint sensor is weak

  • No. 5G in the US

Sony is doing everything possible to make devices that do not meet the 2020 smartphone rules. The Xperia 1 II (yes, that's "one two" as in the sequel to the Xperia 1) isn't a curvy all-screen phone, it doesn't have a built-in fingerprint sensor to get the most out of it, the camera expects You already know your camera technology. It follows the herd at the price, which is a whopping $ 1,200.

It's refreshing to use a phone that isn't a clone of someone else this year, but while Sony is doing a lot right, the direction in which it is trying to make the phone stand out is a little too niche. Let's take a closer look.

design

The looks of the Xperia 1 II will split opinions, but I think it looks excellent. It uses a screen with an aspect ratio of 21: 9 which gives it an elongated, more than wide style, and square sides for a boxy, monolithic shape. The glossy black finish on my test phone is classy, ​​if a little faceless, and the build quality and construction are superb.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You would expect that, wouldn't you? Of course, but it's noticeable here. While the sides of the phone are flat, the glass on the front and back has a 2D curve on all sides and blends beautifully and seamlessly with the case. It's like the phone has been expertly carved out of a single block of black glass.

On the back is a vertical camera lens module in the left corner. It's so tightly filled with sensors that two won't fit in and get on the body itself. On the right side there is a volume rocker and a power switch, which also houses the fingerprint sensor. Underneath is a two-stage camera shutter release. More on that later.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

On the opposite side is the easy-to-open SIM card tray from Sony. No special tool is needed to extract from the body, which makes life easier for those who regularly switch SIMs or MicroSD cards on the go. It's also much more secure than the Xperia 10 Plus, which was too easy to pull out of the phone.

The Xperia 1 II is light at 181 grams and slim at 7.9 mm. It doesn't have the curves of the OnePlus 8 Pro or the sleek shape of the Huawei P40 Pro, but it offers comfort, grip, and class. The 21: 9 aspect ratio means the body isn't too wide to be held and used with one hand, the glass isn't slippery, and the design has a cool simplicity that means it'll still be good in a year looks.

screen

What an absolute beauty the Xperia 1 II's screen is – just what you'd expect from a company that makes some of the best TVs out there. (Have you seen the new A8H 4K OLED? It's superb.) The Xperia's 6.5-inch screen is an HDR-enabled OLED panel with an astonishing 3,840 × 1,644 pixel resolution. That is a pixel density of 643ppi – for comparison: Even the beautiful iPhone 11 Pro only manages 458ppi.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

To just call it sharp is an understatement. It's gorgeous in a way that a smartphone screen doesn't have to be. I've experimented with wallpapers, videos, and images online and in my own gallery and it never disappoints. From the inky blacks – set Dark Mode so that it really appreciates its depth – to its unwillingness to display even a single pixel, and anything and everyone is a joy to look at. The flat screen also pays off here, as the screen appears to be directly on the glass surface.

When looking at the settings, you can change the white balance or activate the creator mode, which optimizes the graphics via a special color gamut and 10-bit HDR. It was created with the help of Sony's CineAlta team, who usually work on video cameras that capture the latest blockbuster movies. Sony has also added a video enhancement mode and a motion blur reduction mode. Both are effective, but the look isn't for everyone. Motion blur, for example, smooths out video playback on YouTube, but at the expense of realism.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Carfection's 4K video test of the Alpine A110S on YouTube shows the strengths of the Xperia 1 II. The level of detail is fantastic, including reading the tire brand and size from a distance, and the color balance is exemplary. If I have criticism, the palette is pretty cool, so white can be pretty strong at high brightness, but enabling Creator mode can improve that.

It's colorful, vibrant, and extremely customizable. It's probably the best phone screen I've ever seen. What a shame there isn't a 90 or 120 Hz refresh rate, a feature many would consider a staple for any 2020 flagship phone.

camera

Here is an overview of the cameras in the Xperia 1 II. You get a standard 12-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel wide-angle sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS. It has a 3D time-of-flight sensor, flash, photo light and Sony's high-precision eye-tracking technology. The camera expert Zeiss supplies the lenses and there is a 3x optical zoom, HDR, 4K HDR video recording with up to 60 frames per second (fps) and a burst mode with 20 fps.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Sony has also pre-installed two custom camera apps, Cinema Pro and Photo Pro, which emulate the user interface and functionality of Alpha cameras such as the Sony A9 and Sony A7 III. Continuing to leverage the know-how from within, Sony wants its smartphone cameras to be an extension of its pro-level gear, offering a similar level of versatility in a compact, portable device. As a strategy, it makes perfect sense; In reality, it's still something regular phone buyers may never handle.

Take the Cinema Pro app. You have complete control over how you record videos on the Xperia 1 II, from focus to shutter speed, white balance, ISO and the overall look of your footage. I don't doubt the features are clear and you will get the highest quality video out of the box if you are familiar with using a pro level camera to record video. If you're like me, someone who puts the camera on auto, the learning curve is very steep and you'll be shooting a ton of junk videos before you get to anything halfway decent. The thing is, you could just take a picture with the regular camera app and cut out all of the sweat and swearing that comes from trying to change Cinema Pro's settings correctly.

Photo Pro and Cinema Pro are too complex for ordinary phone buyers, but it's great to see Sony are working to differentiate their devices from others by leveraging their massive in-house expertise and there will be a segment of buyers who will be the granular ones Controlling loves these apps. Does it affect the usability of the regular Xperia 1 II camera? Fortunately no. In most environments, you can safely use the phone's normal camera app and take great-looking, shareable photos.

The saturation isn't too clumsy, so photos appear natural but have enough pop to pass along without editing. The wide-angle and 3x optical zoom offer a lot of versatility, and the physical two-stage focus / shutter release works great. I noticed a halo in some photos in bright sunlight that isn't particularly good in low light. The selfie camera can also take blurred, lifeless photos. The camera is good for the most part, but I think you really need to understand photography and should learn to use the pro apps to get the most of it.

This is where Sony starts to lose points on the basics. The app is poorly designed to start with. For example, the button to switch to selfie camera is hidden in the menu at the top of the screen so you'll have to look for it. It's also a bit slow: there is a noticeable pause when switching between lenses and when taking a photo. This is fundamental and frustrating on a high-end phone from a seasoned manufacturer. Switching to a better camera app could help.

Performance, Connectivity and Software

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and 8 GB of RAM provide the Xperia 1 II with 256 GB of storage space and a slot for a MicroSD card or a second SIM card in this practical quick-release compartment on the side. The phone also has UFS 3.0 for fast storage access (for laypeople this means that storage performance is closer to SSDs, but has longer battery life). This is all what we'd expect from a flagship smartphone, and it was as quick and smooth as expected.

Geekbench 5: 895 single core / 3287 multi core

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 6.062 (volcano)

These scores are slightly lower than the OnePlus 8 Pro and lower in 3DMark than the Exynos-based Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, although the Xperia outperforms it in Geekbench 5. I haven't found any performance deficit. I like to play on the Xperia 1 II. I've mostly played casual games and spent way too much time with Hill Climb Racer, mostly because the phone is very comfortable to hold in landscape mode. The 21: 9 widescreen aspect ratio looks great, the screen is incredibly sharp, and I didn't really miss a higher refresh rate either. If you're playing more graphically intense games like Real Racing 3, the phone does a great job and never gets hot.

sony xperia 1 ii review photo per app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn1.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-xperia-1-ii-photo - pro-app-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAASony Photo Pro app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Sony Xperia 1 II Review Kino Pro App "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-xperia-1-ii-cinema - pro-app-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAASony Cinema Pro app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

sony xperia 1 ii review video "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-xperia-1-ii-video-640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Even though the Sony phone has a 5G capable Snapdragon 865 processor, 5G is disabled in the US. It's active in the UK version but I couldn't test the functionality because 5G isn't available in my region. If there is no 5G in a phone at that price, it affects its long-term appeal. All calls sounded fine, although reception was a bit problematic and the phone wasn't receiving a strong signal compared to others. The phone also tends to get quite hot during extended calls, but against the palm of your hand rather than your face.

My test device has Android 10 installed with the July 1st Android security patch installed. In addition, it has a Sony-owned user interface that is very similar to Google's Pixel software. Gestures work well, there's an effective dark mode, and the notification shadow and app drawer are where you'd expect them to be. I didn't have any speed issues, but was frustrated at times that apps took a while to close after swiping to quit.

There are a few too many pre-installed apps, including LinkedIn, that send prompts to use when you're using the phone. This also applies to Sony-owned apps like the News Suite app, which isn't very attractive and has too many sponsored articles to be useful. Many other manufacturers have given up this procedure or at least offer the option of being able to preinstall these apps recommended by Moneymaking during setup. It's annoying that Sony isn't doing the same thing.

Battery and sound

The 4,000 mAh battery lasts around five to five and a half hours of screen time a day. This meant that outside of very heavy usage days, it could travel a full distance from 8 a.m. to midnight before a charge was required. It's acceptable, but not great. The fingerprint sensor is the same – acceptable, but not great. It's unreliable and quite awkward to use as it's smaller than the side sensors on previous Sony phones. It doesn't like wet fingers either. All of this is made more annoying by the lack of a face unlock to resort to.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Sony has equipped the Xperia 1 II with stereo front speakers. These are excellent and offer a full, deep, and engaging sound. Audio is enhanced by a feature called Dynamic Vibration, which uses haptic motors to add vibration to the media being played on the phone. It works in many apps, including YouTube and Twitter, and is surprisingly effective. It can get a little too much with music videos where it's constantly vibrating, but it's pretty much fun with movies. Best of all, you can adjust the intensity directly via the volume or turn it off entirely if you don't like it.

The excellent audio performance combined with the stunning screen make the Xperia 1 II an excellent multimedia phone.

Price, guarantee and availability

The Xperia 1 II is priced at $ 1,199 in the US and is available now from Sony, Amazon, and other retailers. In the UK, the Xperia 1 II costs £ 1,099.

Our opinion

The Sony Xperia 1 II is something else, and that instantly makes me warm. The screen is one of the best in the business, the camera takes some great photos, and the quality of the phone itself is superb. I also appreciate Sony's attempts to make the Xperia 1 II stand out from the crowd. However, the complex pro-level camera apps are very attractive, and the decision not to include 5G in the US models is as confusing as it is unfortunate.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If you want a top-of-the-line Android phone with a good camera, we recommend either the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus or S20 Ultra, or a look at the Galaxy Note 10 Plus or the new Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, depending on your budget. The OnePlus 8 Pro is also highly recommended and is considerably cheaper. If you are in the UK or don't mind importing, the Oppo Find X2 Pro is excellent too.

Our other suggestion here is to buy an iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max. The camera is excellent and if you need professional tools. There are many apps available in the App Store that you can use to replicate Sony's Cinema and Video Pro app functionality. You will receive our recommendation for the best phone to buy as a bonus today. Note, however, that it doesn't come with 5G either. For that, you'll have to wait for the iPhone 12 to arrive this fall.

How long it will take?

The Xperia 1 II is IP68 water and dust resistant, which gives it a good chance of survival if the humidity changes, and the Gorilla Glass 6 front and rear are durable. My test model noticed a few faint scratches on the screen from spending relatively little time in pockets and pockets. A screen protector and a case would be advisable.

While the lack of 5G in the US version isn't a big deal for everyone right now, it will become an increasingly desirable feature over the next two years. This is the minimum time we would expect you to keep this phone. and not having it as an option can be a problem. We encourage you to carefully consider whether you are likely to want 5G in the near future and buy accordingly.

Sony hasn't said when Android 11 will arrive on the Xperia 1 II. During the general review of ongoing software updates, we were told: “Sony Mobile offers regular and timely security upgrades. While phones cannot be updated indefinitely, we offer industry standard security upgrades on our devices, depending on the region and network operator. "

Should you buy it?

No. Despite its strengths, you can buy a phone with similar features that has 5G on board and is ready for the future. When you spend $ 1,199 on a phone, expect it to have the latest technology to ensure it will last. In the UK, where the phone has 5G, the Xperia 1 II is a better choice.

Editor's recommendations




11 Aug
Blog

SoundPeats Truengine SE Review: $40 Incredibly Well Spent

Soundpeats Truengine Se Review presented

"You don't mind that they lack ANC when you hear their sound and see their price."

  • Very affordable

  • Very convenient

  • Very good sound quality

  • Excellent noise isolation

  • Responsive physical buttons

  • No passage of ambient noise

  • No wireless charging

  • No fast charging

True wireless earbuds really are a game changer for personal audio. The complete lack of cables, as well as a compact and (usually) pocketable size and shape make them the ideal companion for your daily commute, exercise or even a longer flight.

With prices routinely exceeding $ 100, it can be difficult to find a decent set of affordable true wireless earbuds.

So when I came across The SoundPeats Truengine SE which suggested a price of $ 50 but are only available for retail sale $ 40 on AmazonI was fascinated. Can it really be worth it to own such a cheap set of true wireless earbuds?

Time to find out …

What's in the box?

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Truengine SE, like most true wireless earbuds, comes with a charging case, a USB cable for charging, and three sizes of silicone earbuds.

The box itself is as simple as it gets: A small black cardboard container with a colored cardboard cover. That sounds like criticism, but it's not, it's praise.

Far too many headphones and earbuds are packed in huge boxes with lots of plastic inside and out to make a statement on a shelf in your local big box store.

Since SoundPeats is essentially only available online, it eliminates all of the additional material, reducing costs and significantly reducing the impact on the planet.

design

SoundPeats Truengine SESimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The same minimalist design philosophy extends from the box to the Truengine SE.

The charging case has a smooth, matte black finish with rounded corners that make it easy to hold. It's roughly average in size for the true wireless category, which means it's slightly bulkier than the wonderfully small cases that come with Apple's $ 149 AirPods or $ 180 Jabra's Elite 75t Echo buds.

The lid and hinge are nice to the touch, and the internal magnet is strong enough to prevent the lid from opening accidentally.

There are four LEDs directly under the opening groove of the cover, which indicate the remaining battery capacity and the charging status of the case.

It would be nice if it offered wireless charging and USB-C instead of micro-USB, but the Truengine SE's price point needs to be considered, and these features are hardly required.

The earphones can be easily removed from the charging sockets and clicked back into place without having to adjust the seat.

The Truengine SE are remarkably comfortable.

According to SoudPeats, the Truengine SE are IPX4 certified. I haven't tested them to see how well they handled moisture, but I assume they can handle a sweaty workout well.

Comfort, fit and control

SoundPeats Truengine SESimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Truengine SE are remarkably comfortable. They have a similar ergonomic shape to the much more expensive Jabra Elite 75t, which allows them to sit securely in your ear without creating excessive pressure points.

The shape of the earphones is clever. It is divided into two sections. The black plastic part contains the battery, electronics and the control button and is located outside the concha of your ear, while the transparent area that houses two drivers and the ear tip is smaller. I found that not only did this make the fit more comfortable and secure, it also gave me the ability to push the earbuds deeper into my ear canal when I wanted to, which I can't do with most earbud designs.

Once seated, the earbuds only move when you move them, making them ideal for training.

As usual for me, the factory installed medium tips were perfectly sized, but I can imagine most people can get a good fit with the small and large tips as well.

There are no fancy touch controls on the Truengine SE, instead (similar to the Elite 75t) physical buttons are used. Whether or not this was a cost-saving decision doesn't matter – in my opinion, well-designed physical buttons are just better than touch controls, and the Truengine SE's buttons are very good. It takes very little pressure to activate and respond with a satisfactory click – you don't have to wonder if a tap was detected. The clicking noise is a bit loud, but not annoying.

You receive all important commands with just two buttons: play / pause, answer / end call, increase / decrease volume, skip tracks forwards / backwards and access to the voice assistant.

Since there is no wear sensor, the Truengine SE cannot automatically pause the music when you pull out an earbud. However, it does offer the option of using both earbuds independently. This will prevent the volume and track skip functions from working correctly, but will not affect the important functions (play / pause and answer / end).

The only quirky aspect of the Truengine SE from a usability standpoint is its Bluetooth connection.

You may find that sometimes the Truengine SE automatically pairs with your phone and sometimes you need to select it from your list of Bluetooth devices. It's a quirk that stems from the ability to use each earbud independently. Correcting it is simple, but it requires a habit: every time you remove the same earbud from the case (e.g. right, then left), it should automatically pair. If you deviate from this pattern, you may need to create the connection manually.

Battery life

With six hours of play time between charges, the Truengine SE lasts five hours longer than the AirPods or AirPods Pro, but not as long as the Elite 75t with 7.5 hours. In other words, they are average for a decent group of buds. The charging case, on the other hand, is slightly better than average, so you can fully charge the Truengine SE a little more than three times for a total of 27 hours of wireless time.

If you were willing to use just one bud at a time, you could effectively double that time.

The Truengine SE sound ridiculously good for their price.

It takes 2.5 hours to recharge the buds from an empty state, however, and there is no quick charge feature which is my only real criticism of the Truengine SE's battery performance.

Sound quality

SoundPeats Truengine SE "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/soundpeats-truengine-se-00005-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

SoundPeats Truengine SE "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/soundpeats-truengine-se-00004-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

SoundPeats Truengine SE "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/soundpeats-truengine-se-00002-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Truengine SE sound ridiculously good for their price. There are two reasons for this: First, the design of the earbuds allows for excellent noise isolation. You've no doubt noticed that they don't and really don't have to offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

Once the earbuds were firmly in place, I found that the sound from my fan under the desk cut in half immediately.

They don't and don't have to offer active noise cancellation (ANC).

The second reason is the Truengine SE's dual dynamic drivers. They excellently separate low, medium and high frequencies and produce a very warm and rich sound that does not blow out the bass or treble. Instead, there's excellent balance in each, which means that a challenging bass track like Hans Zimmer's Time still packs all of its emotional weight (which it delivers mainly through layering sub-bass, bass, and low-midrange instruments) .

Should you expect them to sound like a $ 180 Jabra Elite 75t set? No, that would be a miracle indeed. In comparison, the Truengine SE does not offer the same precision and definition of individual elements or the same accuracy and depth of the sound stage.

But similar to how a high-bit-rate MP3 or AAC track can deliver most of what our brains expect from a song in a much smaller file, the Truengine SE also delivers most of the all-important sound quality at a much lower price.

Call quality

SoundPeats Truengine SESimon Cohen / Digital Trends

As expected, the Truengine SE's call quality is quite acceptable. My voice was easy to understand for my callers and the background noise was for the most part well managed.

It's hardly the kind of “HD voice” experience that headphones in the $ 200-400 range sometimes offer, but unless you plan on making long business calls from noisy environments, you won't be on the receiving end of a passive-aggressive text message indicating that you can find a landline.

The only real downside to entering the Truengine SE is that you won't be able to hear yourself. The earbuds do such a good job of soundproofing that they can really benefit from an ambience feature for ambient conversations in the office and a side tone feature for phone calls.

There is also something to consider when wearing situations where greater situational awareness is a good thing – like running on the city streets.

Our opinion

What can you expect from a $ 40 set of true wireless earbuds? When it comes to the SoundPeats Truengine SE, the answer is good fit, comfort, control and sound quality. We think this is more than enough to recommend them to anyone on a budget.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking to spend even less, the $ 30 JLab Go Air are a good choice, but they don't fit as well as the Truengine SE and don't sound as good. If you're looking to buy refurbished, Amazon sells a "refreshed" Truengine SE for just $ 23. A carefully used Truengine SE set is therefore the best alternative to a new set.

How long will they last?

A one-year guarantee from SoundPeats applies to Truengine SE, which can be extended to 21 months upon registration with the company. Due to my limited time with the earbuds, they seem well built and should last as long as many other similar products. The only part that may wear out prematurely is the physical buttons, although I haven't seen any negative customer reviews complaining about it.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the SoundPeats Truengine SE offer great value at a very reasonable price.

Editor's recommendations




11 Aug
Blog

Mangosteen Face & Body Skin Care Treatment

Since the advent of selfies and makeup highlighters, we've all wanted glowing complexions. So why not consider extending that glow from the neck down? With our recent addition to the Mangosteen collection to include full-body skin care, you can adjust to the radiance from head to toe – at home or in the spa.

The original Mangosteen collection (Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser, Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate and Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10%) immediately won over fans with its benefits for renewing and revitalizing the skin. Here's why:

  • The mangosteen collection is suitable for all skin types and treats a wide variety of skin conditions. It's gentle enough on sensitive skin (including exfoliating for professionals only) but strong enough to resurface and lighten the appearance of a dull, tired complexion.
  • It's easy to fall in love with mangosteen for its heavenly scent – an aroma that comes straight from paradise and takes the skin care experience to the next level.
  • Mangosteen is a superfruit that is loaded with antioxidants. It works with our proprietary lactic acid complex and red clover blossom extract to reveal glowing skin and minimized pores without redness or downtime.

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Skin Care Products for Face and Body

These two new skin care superstars use the same gentle lactic acid to reapply skin all over without peeling it off. This restores the moisture that is essential to achieve the desired shine.

With the new mangosteen gel moisturizing cream and the mangosteen revitalizing mist, the "Queen of Fruits" officially rules the face menu in the spa and many personal skin care collections. With the new additions Mangosteen Body Lotion and Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream to the collection, this super fruit is also extremely important for body care. These two new skincare superstars use the same gentle lactic acid to reapply skin all over your body without peeling it off – and actually restore the moisture essential to achieving the desired glow. While you experience instant glowing skin, the active antioxidants in mangosteen (known as xanthones) also improve and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What more could you want from face and body skin care products?

Mangosteen face and body skin care

For a natural look from head to toe, here are step-by-step face and body care products for skin care at home. If you're a spa professional, consider our extra steps to bring the full mangosteen experience to your customers.

Clean

Mix the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser with a few drops of water to create a milky foam. The lactic acid gently loosens dead skin cells and goes well with a couple of Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant shakes – optional for those who like manual polishing. Remove with a warm, damp towel.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser

Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

VIEW PRODUCT

peeling

Use your favorite Eminence Organics scrub for extra shine. We recommend choosing the right Vitaskin peeling scrub (calm skin, glowing skin, clear skin, or firm skin) that suits your skin care goals. For spa professionals, follow this step with the Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10% for next level brightness.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Calm Skin Chamomile Peeling

Calm chamomile peeling

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Bright Skin Licorice Root Peel

Light skin licorice root peeling

VIEW PRODUCT

Please also note these products: Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Scrub, Acai Peeling Peeling with firm skin

Clay & essence

Spray with the Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist for an invigorating boost or apply with cotton pads. No rinsing is required … and minimized pores are guaranteed.

If desired, follow with an essence. Dispense a few drops of the Birch Water Cleansing Essence and gently press into the skin until completely absorbed. This groundbreaking step increases hydration and provides additional replenishment.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist

Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Birch Water Purifying Essence

Birch water purifying essence

VIEW PRODUCT

Mask (optional)

To further customize your treatment, choose a mask based on your skin care goals. We love the Balancing Masque Duo for oily or combination skin types and the Bamboo Age Corrective Masque for normal to dry skin types. Leave on for 5-10 minutes with a warm, damp towel before removing.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Balancing Masque Duo

Balancing Masque Duo

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Bamboo Time Corrective Mask

Bamboo time corrective mask

VIEW PRODUCT

To treat

Apply Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate in a thin layer for a nifty treatment that works wonderfully under makeup too. Mix with our best-selling Bamboo Firming Fluid for additional benefits that improve the visible signs of aging.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate

Daily mangosteen resurfacing concentrate

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics bamboo firming liquid

Bamboo firming liquid

VIEW PRODUCT

Moisten

Warm a small amount of the mangosteen gel moisturizer between your hands and massage it onto your face, neck, and décolleté for an ultra-smooth, velvety finish. Feel free to add a few drops of Rose Hip Triple C + E Firming Oil for those in need of extra moisture – or just for that luxurious feel and scent!

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Rose Hips Triple C + E Firming Oil

Rose hip triple C + E firming oil

VIEW PRODUCT

massage

Spa professionals can use the Mangosteen Body Lotion to perform a relaxing hand and arm massage. If you follow this routine at home, you can get a willing quarantine partner to take this step. Finally, apply the mangosteen hand cream to reapply the skin and leave it feeling smooth and silky.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Body Lotion

Mangosteen body lotion

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Regenerating Hand Cream

Mangosteen refill hand cream

VIEW PRODUCT

Eye care (optional)

Carefully apply a thin layer of eye cream in soft, mixing movements. We love the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum, which is applied under the Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream for instantly glowing eyes.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum

Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum

VIEW PRODUCT

Eminence Organics Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream

Hibiscus Ultra Lift eye cream

VIEW PRODUCT

suncream

It is important to use sunscreen a week after treatment (and always)! Apply our Sun Defense Minerals and set them in with a squirt of toner or water. In the spa, this is a mandatory step after a peeling treatment as the skin is more sensitive to the sun.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Sunscreen Minerals SPF 30

Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30

VIEW PRODUCT

Whether at home or in the spa, with this treatment the skin feels resurfaced, refined and replenished. Which product from the mangosteen collection do you like best? Let us know in the comments below or tell us on social media.

11 Aug
Blog

LG Gram 14 2-in-1 (2020) Review: Not Just a Light Laptop

lg grams 14 2 in 1 2020 review 05

"The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 is an extremely light laptop, but it does more than just that."

  • Solid productivity performance

  • Extremely light

  • Generally good input options

  • Strong connectivity

  • Expensive

  • The performance has decreased slightly compared to the previous generation

As you can tell by the name, LG's Gram laptops focus on weight – especially light weight. While thin and light laptops have gotten a lot thinner and lighter, the LG Gram line has managed to keep its place with some of the lightest laptops you can buy.

LG just updated its Gram 14 2-in-1, which weighs just 2.52 pounds. It's insanely easy, despite having all of the high-end specs you'd expect in a $ 1,600 laptop. But does this laptop have more to offer than just its light weight?

design

The Gram 14 weighs 2.52 pounds, which is definitely on the lower end of the scale for 14-inch 2-in-1 laptops. Imagine a direct competitor, the Lenovo Yoga C940, which weighs 3.04 pounds – a half-pound difference that you can tell when you hold it in either hand. Even a smaller 2-in-1, the HP Specter x360 13, is heavier at 2.88 pounds. Simply put, the Gram 14 achieves its goal of being a noticeably lighter alternative.

Much of this has to do with the choice of materials, especially the magnesium alloy that makes up the laptop's case. This metal manages to keep things lightweight while still being reasonably sturdy, though I've noticed a few bends in the lid and some keyboard flexes. The Gram 14 feels like it's made of plastic. That's not a bad thing in and of itself, but it hurts when you factor in the $ 1,600 price tag.

Despite its low weight, the Gram 14 is not the thinnest notebook.

However, once you overcome this mental hurdle, you will appreciate how LG managed to make the laptop so light and solid that you don't have to worry about its ability to endure abuse.

Despite its weight, the Gram 14 is not the thinnest notebook at 0.70 inches. The Yoga C940 is thinner at 0.57 inches and the HP Specter x360 13 is 0.67 inches. And you'll be pleased with that extra thickness as, as we'll learn, it improves connectivity and battery capacity.

In terms of aesthetics, the Gram 14 can best be described as "handsome". It's an attractive dark silver color (it's also available in white) with a bold white Gram logo on the lid and keyboard font that curiously compliments the design. There's nothing here to get a lot of attention, but I like the look. I would prefer it to Lenovo's yoga aesthetic, which is as conservative as it is boring. HP's Specter line is still the most extravagant, of course, and the Gram 14 doesn't come close.

Connectivity is impressive for a laptop this thin and light. There's a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support (and an upgrade from the previous model without this useful connection), a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A 3.1 ports, and a microSD card reader. Wireless connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, which keeps the laptop up to date with the latest in wireless technology.

performance

When I reviewed the 2019 version of the Gram 14, it was a strong performance for its CPU class. This time it fell off a bit.

In the synthetic Geekbench 4, for example, the 2019 version with its eighth generation Core i7-8565U achieved 5,013 points in the single-core test and 15,496 points in the multi-core test. The new Gram 14 with its quad-core Intel Core i7-10510U scored 5,244 and 14,789 points respectively and dropped out in the multi-core test. Looking at Geekbench 5, the Gram 14 scored 1,170 and 3,480, respectively, compared to the Asus ZenBook Duo with the same CPU that manages 1,183 and 4,221. The Gram 14 simply lags behind in this test.

When switching to our real-world handbrake test, which converts a 420MB video file to H.265, the 2019 Gram 14 took about 4.1 minutes to complete the test with an older version of Handbrake, while the new Gram 14 took five Took seconds longer. We didn't test the same CPU with the latest version of Handbrake, but it took the Gram 14 five minutes to complete the test compared to the Acer Spin 3, which took a Core i5-1035G1 in just over four minutes.

None of this is a tragedy, of course. These results mean you don't want to use the Gram 14 for high-level photo and video editing tasks, but it does work for just about any productivity, web browsing, and multimedia task you might want to do. And that's exactly the focus of this laptop – providing a lightweight platform that productivity workers love to take with them. In this respect the gram 14 shines.

With Intel UHD Graphics, this is of course not a gaming laptop. If you stick to older, low-resolution, graphical-detail titles, you can play light games, but that's about all you can expect.

Battery life

Somehow, LG managed to pack 72 watt hours of battery capacity into the lightweight housing of the Gram 14. That's a lot of battery for a 14-inch laptop, and I expected some strong battery results.

What I got was strong, but not spectacular longevity. Battery life has been one of the most notable improvements in recent laptops, and the Gram 14 sits on the top shelf in this category. It's not the most durable we've tested, but it does give you a good, long day off the hook.

First, it did nearly 4.5 hours in our demanding Basemark web benchmark test. That's on the high end of the average, which is a bit strange because the Gram 14 doesn't exactly push the CPU to its limits and I was expecting more here. The Asus ZenBook Duo lasted almost five hours longer and the Dell XPS 13 with its Core i7-1065G7 almost half an hour longer. So Gram 14 did well here, but not great.

The LG Gram 14 will get you through a whole working day and much more.

The switch to the web browser test and the Gram 14 was a bit stronger. It ran for roughly 11.3 hours, which is a strong – but also not class-leading – score that indicates a long-lasting productivity laptop. The ZenBook Duo only lasted 8.5 hours, while the XPS 13 lasted 13 minutes longer. Finally, watch our video loop test looping a local Full HD The Avengers trailer until the battery runs out. Here the Gram 14 lasted 16.6 hours, beating the 11.9 hours of the ZenBook Duo and the 14.5 hours of the XPS 13. You'll find the Gram 14 an excellent laptop for getting Netflix on the road .

Ultimately, I have to rate the Gram 14 as impressive in terms of battery life, all the more so since you don't pay a premium in terms of weight for total battery capacity. The Gram 14 will take you through a full day of work and more, which is all you can ask from such a featherweight machine.

display

If you look at our display database, you can see a remarkably consistent trend. Laptops like the Apple MacBook and the Dell XPS 15 have fantastic displays with brilliant and precise colors, deep contrast and high brightness. Then there are inexpensive displays with faint colors, poor accuracy, and dull panels with less contrast. Right in the middle is the premium average, which is almost exactly where the Gram 14's display drops off.

It's comfortably bright at 320 nits, which exceeds our preference of 300 nits, while its 830: 1 contrast falls below our preferred 1,000: 1 ratio. But that's similar or better than some other laptops like the Lenovo Yoga C930 (we haven't tested the C940 yet) which came in at 294 nits and a contrast of 650: 1. The Dell XPS 13 was much brighter at 377 nits and had a contrast ratio of 1,440: 1.

The display is one of the worst color accuracies we've seen in a while.

In terms of color, the Gram 14 managed 70% AdobeRGB and 95% sRGB. Again, this is roughly average for premium laptops. although the XPS 13 outperforms it with 77% and 97% respectively. Where the Gram 14 falls, the color accuracy is 5.11 (1.0 or less is considered accurate), which means colors can be found everywhere compared to a laptop like the XPS 13, which scored 1.53 were. The Gram 14's score is one of the worst we've seen in a while, and there's no excuse for an expensive laptop like this one.

Still, I enjoyed using the display while writing the review. Black text on a white background popped up in a way that was comfortable for long-term writing, and the only time I noticed the inaccurate colors was when I compared it side by side with another laptop. If you're the creative type who demands a wide gamut and accurate colors, control should be clear. For productivity users and multimedia watchers, however, the Gram 14's laptop is more than good enough.

The sound was clear and pleasant, although the volume was absent. There was little bass, of course, but few laptops outside of Apple's latest MacBook Pros can claim a lot of low-end reactions. Highs and mids were fine, so the speakers were fine for the occasional YouTube and Netflix sessions (in a quiet room), but headphones or bluetooth speakers would still be a boon.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard on the Gram 14 appears to be the same as the previous model, which is generally a good thing. First of all, as mentioned above, it's a nice looking keyboard with a nice, clear, attractive font and effective backlighting. Second, it has a fast mechanism that is good for long writes, although it's a bit shallow for my tastes. Lots of people may agree, so I rate the keyboard very good – not quite on par with the excellent keyboard on the HP Specter x360 13, but not too far off.

The touchpad is average in size and supports Microsoft Precision drivers with solid support for Windows 10 multi-touch gestures. The display is of course touch sensitive, and the included active pen supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and works well with Microsoft inks. Overall, input is a strength.

Windows 10 Hello support without a password is provided by a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. It works well, quickly and accurately and saves me the hassle of entering a PIN or password.

Our opinion

The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 fulfills its primary goal of being a lightweight 2-in-1 productivity that is particularly easy to transport. Performance is a bit slower than the last version, but it's not unusual – it's still fast enough for the productivity users' goal. Battery life is a strong point, as are the input options.

There is stiff competition out there, however, and some of them are much cheaper than the Gram 14. However, it's tough to beat the LG Gram 14 for the ultimate in portability.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo Yoga C940 is a strong competitor to the Gram 14. It is likely faster and more solidly built, with great audio performance and a better keyboard. While the battery life isn't that long, it makes up for it with a price tag that is about $ 300 lower.

You could also cut the price significantly (around under $ 1,000) and consider the HP Envy x360. Thanks to the powerful Ryzen 4000 CPUs from AMD and an overall better build quality, you get significantly faster performance without adding too much weight. However, you are giving up on battery life.

Finally, LG sells a Gram 14 clamshell that's even lighter at 2.2 pounds and the same basic size as the 2-in-1. It's only configured with a Core i5, but if you don't need the speed or the 2-in-1 functionality, you can save 14 cash compared to the 2-in-1 price of 1,600 grams – the clamshell is out now available at $ 950 and $ 1,200 at retail.

How long it will take?

The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 is built well enough that it should last for years. And with the latest components and Thunderbolt3, it's relatively future-proof. As always, we complain about the short one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if you have a super light laptop. When performance or build quality are higher priorities, better laptops and 2-in-1 devices are available.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 First Drive: The Four-Wheeled iPhone

2020 volkswagen id3 review firstdrive gallery1

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 first drive: The iCar Apple not built

"The Volkswagen ID.3 is attractive and user-friendly and an electric vehicle that you can live with every day."

  • Smooth, linear drive train

  • Usable electric range

  • Extra spacious interior

After stopping to take a few photos, I briefly loosened the rear wheels while pulling off a dirt road, which was hardly unusual. What surprised me was that this happened behind the wheel of a Volkswagen. The company has largely stayed away from rear-wheel drive vehicles since ceasing production of the iconic rear-engined Beetle. Although the ID.3 opens the next chapter in Volkswagen history, it also picks up where its sought-after ancestor left off.

Before we dive in, let's dispel a myth: No nudging or nudging will convince Volkswagen to sell the ID.3 in the USA. It is clearly not happening. And yet it's worth a closer look, because the technology it introduces will permeate over half a dozen electric cars to come, including a Tiguan-sized crossover called ID.4, which will eventually be built in the US and which has been long awaited Modern bus preview thanks to the ID.Buzz concept.

Start over

Volkswagen developed the ID.3 on a blank board. It's not an electric version of an existing car like the E-Golf was, and it shares almost no parts with other recent additions to the company's range, like the eighth-generation Golf. It's his own thing. It is the beginning of a new adventure for Volkswagen. It is based on a specially developed architecture called MEB, which in its standard configuration has rear-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive is as simple as adding a second electric motor over the front axle. Volkswagen told me MEB was flexible enough to support anything from a city-friendly hatchback to a family-sized SUV. Limousines, wagons and vans are also planned.

Although recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, the ID.3 shares very few stylistic elements with its siblings, and its proportions are anything but anodyne. It's 100 percent electric and wasn't designed for internal combustion engines (not even a range extender), so stylists could extend the wheelbase to almost Passat-like proportions while reducing the overhangs. Its motor is compact enough to fit in a sports bag.

Stylists have put a lot of energy into reducing the visual bulk of the ID.3 with styling cues.

The ID.3 measures 167.8 inches end to end, is 71.2 inches wide, and 61.1 inches tall, meaning it's an inch shorter, about an inch narrower, and four inches taller than the latest Golf. It's a bit higher than expected because the lithium-ion battery that sets the engine in motion is stowed right under the passenger compartment. Silke Bagschik, Head of Marketing and Sales for Electric Cars at Volkswagen, explained that stylists had put a lot of energy into reducing the visual mass of the ID.3 by using stylistic elements like plastic panels on the underside of the doors and a curved panel that clipped from there the base of the windshield extends to the top of the tailgate.

Do these mind tricks work? You tell me.

The ID.3 is a little larger than the average hatchback, but also much more spacious inside. The bottom is a little higher than expected, which in turn is due to the battery underneath. However, it is completely flat and offers a surprising amount of legroom, regardless of whether you are sitting in front or in the back. It offers 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, space for four or five adults, depending on the configuration, and numerous storage spaces in the cabin. And yes, the pedals are marked with play and pause, just like the ID concept that was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and the stunning ID. Buggy concept I drove in sunny California in 2019 The production version of the retro The fabulous ID.Buzz concept, which is expected to appear in 2022, will also receive it.

Ronan Glon

Apple? Is that you?

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a car that turns everything you can eat at the technology counter and keeps a small piece of heritage for dessert. It's a fascinating paradox. Instead of looking at circular displays, the driver is faced with a 5.3-inch screen that shows everything they need to know while driving (like speed, available range, and navigation instructions) and nothing superfluous. Although the electric motor can spin up to 16,000 rpm, you won't find a tachometer in your line of sight. I like this simple approach, but it's not new. In a way, it reminds me of my 1972 Beetle, which has an equally simple instrument cluster that consists of a single track. It groups an analog speedometer, an odometer, a fuel gauge (which is broken after almost 50 years) and … that's it.

Ronan Glon

There is a 10-inch freestanding touchscreen on the dashboard. It shows off a new infotainment system that looks and feels like a tablet. It is easy to use, the graphics are sharp, it responds quickly to inputs and the menus are arranged logically. Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system. There's another touch-sensitive slider to adjust the volume of the stereo, as well as additional touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel that control the various driving aids (like adaptive cruise control). Do you notice a pattern? Almost everything in the ID.3 is touchable, with the exception of key systems such as turn signals and windshield wipers, which for security reasons should not be replaced by buttons on a screen.

Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system.

Volkswagen kept conventional power window switches, but instead of four, only two are embedded in the door panel on the driver's side. Opening or closing the rear windows from the driver's seat requires pressing a backlit button that – you guessed it – is touch sensitive to activate it and using the same two switches that control the front windows. By tapping again, the rear windows are disengaged and the front windows are supplied with power again.

Ronan Glon

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a giant iPhone before you even move. I know this is an overused cliché, but I've never seen a vehicle that embodies it so accurately. It has been a few years since we heard about Apple's auto project. The ID.3's blend of simple, clean design and user-friendly technology makes it the closest thing ever to mass production to the long-rumored iCar.

Always gentle

One of the few buttons in the cab is on the right side of the steering column. It is used to wake up the electric motor. Volkswagen told me that it didn't need to add this feature, its engineers could easily have programmed the car to wake up on its own by recognizing its key fob, but decided to add it at the last minute because it noticed some Owners Did That Switching from gasoline to electricity will appreciate a dose of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar setting. Driving down is as easy as pressing the brake pedal – I mean pressing the pause pedal – and turning a small lever next to the instrument cluster to shift into gear.

At the time of writing, buyers have three lithium-ion battery packs to choose from: 48, 62 and 82 kilowatt hours. These numbers correspond to a maximum range of 205, 260 and 340 miles. Note, however, that these numbers were obtained for the WLTP test cycle used in Europe, which for electric vehicles brazenly relies on the optimistic side of the scale. Regardless of which battery you sit on, it routes the stored power to a rear engine that has 204 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of instant torque. Electric cars are heavier than comparable gasoline-powered models, and the 3,790-pound ID.3 is no exception. The time from zero to 100 km / h is 9.2 or 7.3 seconds, depending on how it is configured. It's not fast, but it's brisk.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities. The design forces viewers to pause while eating, stare for a few seconds, and wonder if they should report a UFO sighting. The best part about driving this car in an urban center is not interrupting meals. It's the dazzlingly tight turning radius that makes maneuvering to or from a parking lot a breeze. Volkswagen said it had succeeded in teaching the ID.3 to turn on a cent because there is no engine between the front wheels. It is therefore believed that the other members of the ID family with rear-wheel drive offer motorists the ability to do a three-point turn at a time.

It is pleasant to drive on the winding back roads of Germany, where the relatively aggressive energy recovery system – when operated with the same lever that shifts the gear – allows driving with a pedal. For example, instead of braking when entering a city, you can simply take your foot off the accelerator and let the ID.3 slow down while the motor gains kinetic energy and feeds it back to the battery. Alternatively, the adaptive cruise control analyzes the navigation data and automatically slows the hatchback if it determines that the speed limit is about to change. The instrument cluster displays a message to let the driver know what's going on. When you're traveling at 100 km / h, it will flash “70 ahead” before slowing down so you won't be surprised when the car makes decisions for you.

Ronan Glon

Don't let the datasheet fool you. The ID.3 has a rear-engine and rear-wheel drive, but doesn't feel like a Porsche 911 or the current-generation Renault Twingo that is popular on this side of the pond. The heaviest part of the car is the battery, which takes up most of the space between the axles, making the ID.3 … feel preloaded from below. Its center of gravity is lower than that of a golf, so it is firmly planted on the road. If you're looking for a comprehensive performance, you'll have to wait patiently for Volkswagen to bring out a line of GTX-badged electric cars. It's too early to say if the ID.3 will be part of the range, though it does well for a sportier chassis setup.

Instead, the ID.3 is best enjoyed when driven calmly and relaxed. It provides linear acceleration, in part because the engine turns the rear wheels through a fixed-ratio gearbox that never shifts. The steering is well weighted without much feedback and the ride is pretty firm but not punishing. And the ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the warning signal for pedestrians over 19 km / h switches off. The only noise in the cabin comes from the wind and tires, but neither is excessive or annoying – and both are inevitable regardless of what drives a car.

The ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the pedestrian warning tone switches off above 19 km / h.

With my cell phone and an app called Sound Meter, I recorded around 68 decibels in the ID.3's cabin while driving at 75 miles per hour on an empty German autobahn. There were no other cars around; It was just the battery-powered Volkswagen and me. Of course the windows were closed and the stereo was turned off. Admittedly, this is hardly a scientific measurement, and I will never present myself as a car interior noisologist. So take this reading with a grain of salt. The declared app 68 decibels corresponds to a normal conversation. For context, it was found that a rating of 20 decibels is as quiet as a mosquito and 40 decibels is equivalent to the noise level in a library. And do you remember the 1972 Beetle I mentioned earlier? The air-cooled quadruple engine belts off about 82 decibels when I start it up after sitting for a few days.

The ID.3's user interface remains intuitive, although I wish Volkswagen had built in a volume control instead of a slider – I like these better when they're edible, preferably stuffed with beef and cheddar. This is not the most accurate method of turning the stereo up or down. And the two-step buttons on the multifunction steering wheel are extremely sensitive, although I imagine it's a habit to apply the right amount of pressure when you're behind the wheel for several days. Volkswagen informed me that the cool augmented reality head-up display announced in 2019 has been delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has forced it to neutralize its global operations. The function will be transferred to the ID.3 ordered with it via a wireless software update before the end of 2020.

My time behind the wheel of the ID.3 was too short to measure the range accurately. However, it is important to remember how far you can get to charge a charge last. This will depend on a variety of factors including your driving style and manner of driving, wearing and the road conditions. Volkswagen emphasized that the 77 kilowatt hour battery is compatible with the 125 kilowatt fast charging technology. The two smaller packs have an output of 100 kilowatts.

Our opinion

With the ID.3, Volkswagen is proving that it is serious about bringing electric vehicles into the mainstream. It is a car that represents a holistic, informed, and engineering-led effort to make battery-powered technology attractive, usable, and relatively affordable for as many drivers as possible. Mainstream is the key word here. Volkswagen pointed out that it is a volume-oriented manufacturer. The decision not to sell the ID.3 in the US, where hatchbacks are housed in a shrinking niche, makes perfect business and marketing sense. Simply put, nobody would buy it. That's why the standard Golf isn't returning and Honda is keeping the E off our shores.

Electrical engineering is still not cheap, even if it is a production car. Therefore, the ID.3 is considerably more expensive than a comparable petrol-powered hatchback. In Germany, its home market, it has a base price of 35,574 euros (about $ 42,000) before taking into account the various available incentives. To put this number in perspective, the Golf starts at 19,880 euros (approx. 23,500 US dollars) and an entry level The Audi A4 costs 33,240 euros. However, if you are willing to pay the price, when you have decided that an electric car will suit your lifestyle, and if you live in a market where the ID.3 will be available, this is an excellent choice that may be can be the only car in your garage.

Americans don't have to apply, even if they ask nicely, but everything I liked about the ID.3 (including the smooth drivetrain and easy-to-use technology) will arrive on our shores in a bigger, bigger package called ID.4 That is due it will be in the same emerging segment as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Nissan Ariya, and the Tesla Model Y, among others. It will be full. let the games begin.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

PuroPro Review: Save Your Hearing While Savoring The Sound

PuroPro headphones

"Crank & # 39; em to 11. With the built-in volume limiter, your ears will thank you."

  • Very convenient

  • Very good sound quality

  • Healthy volume limitation

  • Good battery life

  • Mediocre ANC

  • No multi-device pairing

  • No fast charging

What do you look for when buying new wireless headphones?

Good sound? Obviously. Long battery life? Yes, please. Active noise cancellation (ANC)? Yes of course. I mean it's 2020 isn't it? What about hearing protection?

Say what?

Exactly.

Puro Sound Labs has focused on one idea since its inception: Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) by developing headphones that automatically limit their maximum volume to safe levels.

The company rightly received props for its kid-friendly Puro headphones, but now it's targeting an entirely different market: those looking for a high-performance set of ANC wireless headphones.

Can his $ 200 PuroPro deliver all the bells and whistles we're used to while taking care of our overworked ears? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

PuroPro headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/puropro-00008-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

PuroPro headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/puropro-00010-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

PuroPro headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/puropro-00011-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

PuroPro headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/puropro-00021-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Before we discuss what is in the box, let's take a moment and appreciate the box itself. I am going to assume that it is balsa wood, that it is incredibly light, and that it easily deals with the question of what with What to do with the packaging of the headphones is: just use it as you wish.

It looks pretty good, and while it obviously doesn't require much abuse, it could be a handy place to store charging cables, pen drives, or any number of other digital accessories that have taken over our lives.

In this box you will find the PuroPro in its hard-shell carrying case as well as a micro-USB charging cable and an analogue cable for volume limitation. Apart from the cardboard sleeve with which the wooden box is wrapped, the PuroPro does not contain any materials that have to be disposed of or recycled.

design

One look at the PuroPro and you will know exactly what inspired its design. They are a real eye-catcher for the wireless headphones WH-1000XM4 from Sony. That's not a bad thing. If you want to copy someone, you can copy the best too.

The resemblance goes deeper than the looks, although they are clad in matte black plastic, they really look very similar. The sleek, pivoting ear cups are held in place with forks that blend seamlessly with the headband. These can be rotated a full 45 degrees so that the ear cups lie flat around the neck and can be folded up on the integrated hinges for easier storage.

The ear pads are very plush and super comfortable. But because they're so well padded, there's a fair bit of leeway. Move too fast and you can feel the PuroPro shifting on your head. Those with larger heads may not notice this as much, but my noggin was already on the smallest headband setting so people with smaller heads might find it problematic.

As long as you don't plan on using them for jogging, I wouldn't worry about that. I certainly wouldn't forego an ounce of their impressive comfort for more stability.

The fork vertebrae move with virtually no resistance, and while that sounds good, it reminds me of mechanisms on cheaper models – it's the only thing that detracts from an otherwise high-quality design.

Battery life

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After 32 hours of claimed battery life with the ANC turned off and 28 hours with the ANC turned on, the PuroPro are spot on with some of the best wireless ANC headphones. It's roughly the same as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or XM4 and much better than the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, which only lasted 20 hours.

There is no quick charge option that virtually all headphones have these days.

It takes a long time to fully charge, but strangely enough, there is no quick charge option that virtually all headphones have these days.

The charging process takes place via a micro USB connection. Depending on your smartphone, you may need to carry two cables with you when you travel.

Control and ease of use

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

You will not find any fancy touch controls on the PuroPro. Instead, you get a simple and easy-to-use set of physical buttons on the bottom of the right ear cup.

It's a pretty typical arrangement: a rocker button is used to change the volume and track skipping functions, while the power button acts as a multifunctional control for power, play / pause, answer / end calls, access to voice assistants and Putting on the headphones is used in the Bluetooth pairing mode.

With a third button you can switch through the three ANC modes (two ANC levels plus one off mode).

Once you remember the keystroke sequences, using the controls becomes effortless.

At just $ 200, the PuroPro can't be expected to have all of the features that more expensive headphones have, but I wish it had two: a wear sensor that some wireless headphones use to automatically pause music when you remove them from your ear and Bluetooth Multipoint, which means you can pair the headphones with two devices such as a phone and a computer at the same time.

Sound quality

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Although these are headphones that intentionally limit the volume, the PuroPro makes an admirable contribution to maintaining sound quality.

Their EQ is remarkably neutral and mostly avoids playing favorites with low, medium or high frequencies. The bass is clear but never overwhelming, and both vocals and instruments have a chance to shine.

There's both warmth and definition, and although the PuroPro doesn't place individual sounds around you with great precision, the soundstage itself is still comfortably wide.

Their EQ is remarkably neutral and mostly avoids playing favorites with low, medium or high frequencies.

In order to hear the PuroPro at its best, you must activate the ANC function at least on level 1. Without the ANC switched on, low-end sounds suddenly lose their power and the mids and highs turn up uncomfortably. This has the effect of overemphasizing the singing, most noticeable in male tenor singers. On The Doors & # 39; deeply haunted Riders On The Storm, Jim Morrison's voice is more sharp than smoky.

Fortunately, this bizarre ANC requirement doesn't affect the PuroPro's analog wired performance – you get all of the sound quality even when these are turned off.

Volume limit

Not only are the PuroPro really decent wireless headphones, but their main attraction is the volume limiter too.

If you're using the headphones wirelessly, you can choose between the default 85dB maximum volume or switch to the more liberal 95dB by pressing and holding the volume buttons for three seconds. If you use the supplied analog cable for wired listening, the volume is limited to 85 dB.

Overall, the ANC function does not do justice to the term "noise suppression" – it is more similar to noise reduction.

You can always work around these limitations by using your own headphone cable. However, I strongly recommend adhering to them. If you are used to being free to rule your volume, there is a good chance you will exceed 85 dB. I don't see myself as someone who routinely turn up the volume, but I was still surprised when I hit the 85dB max – it's quieter than I expected.

I think that's a good thing – it means the PuroPro gives me the opportunity to revert my listening habits to healthier levels. According to Puro Sound Labs, 85 dB is the maximum safe sound level recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and allows for up to 8 hours of safe hearing.

Noise cancellation

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As I said before, turning on the ANC on the PuroPro while wirelessly listening is a must if you want decent sound. Overall, however, the ANC function does not do justice to the term "noise suppression" – it is more similar to noise reduction.

According to Puro Sound Labs, level 1 of the ANC offers 32dB of deep noise reduction, while level 2 offers more general 15dB of noise reduction.

Level 1 was able to reduce the noise of a nearby bathroom fan, but not by an amount that made it fade into the background. Level 2 sounded identical to me.

And while ANC performance is mediocre, neither Level 1 nor Level 2 introduce unwanted noise – a characteristic of poorly executed ANC – so at least your music quality won't be affected, even if you can't eliminate as much external sounds as possible you would like .

In contrast to some headphones with ANC, the PuroPro does not have an ambient mode for introducing external sounds.

Call quality

Call quality on the PuroPro tended to vary widely and it was difficult to get a consistent result. Walking on a street with the occasional car passing turned out to be easy for the headphones, and my caller sometimes didn't even notice the vehicles passing by. Then, as I sat in a very quiet room in a garden, my caller noticed a decrease in call quality, with the microphones apparently picking up noises that I wasn't aware of.

I wouldn't rate this performance as abnormally poor, but like many wireless headphones, call quality isn't one of PuroPro's strong points.

Our opinion

While not spectacular for noise cancellation, the PuroPro are comfortable wireless headphones with good sound quality and a unique volume limiting feature that is designed to protect your hearing from the long-term damage that can be caused by exposure to loud music.

Is there a better alternative?

The volume limit can be found on several models of children's headphones, including those made by Puro Sound Labs. However, the PuroPro are the only model I've seen that is aimed at adults. As such, they are in a class of their own. But if this feature isn't strictly necessary, check out our list of the best wireless headphones for some great alternatives.

How long will they last?

The PuroPro comes with a one-year warranty from Puro Sound Labs. Their overall build quality is good, as are the materials. You can expect them to last as long as most products in this category if you take care of them.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if volume limiting is a must.

Editor's recommendations




«‹223224225226227›»