04 Jul
Blog

Dell XPS 17 Review: Leaving The MacBook Pro In The Dust

"The Dell XPS 17 is a remarkably small 17-inch laptop with incredible performance."

  • Almost perfect screen

  • Incredible performance

  • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports

  • Keyboard and touchpad are excellent

  • Surprisingly small

  • Disappointing battery life

  • Expensive

If you told me that you bought a 17-inch laptop in 2020, I would call you crazy. There are only a handful of 17-inch laptops, and with the good 15-inch laptops, they are hardly worth your time.

That said, unless you're talking about the new Dell XPS 17. Unlike most 17-inch models, the XPS 17 is more than just a large screen. It increases performance. Serious performance. The kind that even the XPS 15 cannot offer.

I expect a lot from a laptop that costs nearly $ 3,000, but with the Nvidia RTX 2060 under the hood and a sprawling 17-inch screen, this could be the ultimate content creation workstation.

design

17-inch laptops are massive. This is one of the reasons why they have gone out of style. However, Dell engineers and designers always strive to ensure that the laptops are as small as possible, and these principles apply here too.

The case is only slightly larger in width and depth than the 16-inch MacBook Pro. You won't notice a big difference if you push it into your backpack even though you have an inch more screen. I was surprised to see that the XPS 17 fits in the pocket of my backpack, which is only suitable for laptops up to 15 inches. This is impressive.

As always, the screen bezels on the laptop are key. With thinner edges around each side of the screen (including the lower chin), the XPS 17 can reduce its overall footprint. The display feels full. It's not as big a difference as upgrading from XPS 13 to XPS 15, but every inch counts. You will appreciate the extra screen, whether you are playing, editing videos, or just scrolling a website.

If you don't use a mouse often, you will appreciate the spacious and responsive touchpad.

Thickness is the only dimension in which the MacBook Pro 16-inch is even smaller. It measures at 0.64 inches and weighs 4.3 pounds. The XPS 17 is slightly larger at 0.77 inches and weighs 4.65 pounds. That's up to 5.53 pounds for the touchscreen option. It's not easy, although the new Razer Blade Pro 17 is still almost half a pound heavier.

However, if you've already seen the new XPS 15, nothing will surprise you. Many of the same design elements have been adopted into the larger form factor, including the keyboard, touchpad, 16:10 aspect ratio, and carbon fiber fabric in the palm rests.

The keyboard and touchpad are highlights. If you're like me and don't use a mouse often, you'll particularly appreciate the spacious and responsive touchpad. The click is quiet and the tracking is almost perfect. The loose mechanism in my test device of the XPS 15 was fixed in the XPS 17.

Ports and connectivity

Connectivity has been added to highlight the "Pro" nature of the Dell XPS 17. It has four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two on each side. That means you have access to display output, superfast transfer speeds, charging, and more.

These are two more Thunderbolt 3 ports than the Dell XPS 15 and even a 16-inch MacBook Pro with a full-size SD card slot. Photographers and videographers should be enthusiastic.

If you come from an older XPS, MacBook or even Razer Blade, older ports may be missing. If you need HDMI or USB-A connections, you have to rely on dongles or a Thunderbolt 3 hub.

The XPS 17 also features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, the latest wireless connections designed to provide strong network performance and a reliable Bluetooth connection.

performance

The Dell XPS 15 is already an extremely powerful laptop. When I heard that the XPS 17 would improve things a bit, I was curious how this could be achieved. After all, the two laptops have the same processor options. The basic model includes the Intel Core i5-10300H and extends to the Intel Core i9-10980HK with eight cores.

The Core i5 model only has four cores and integrated graphics, so you shouldn't expect anything special in terms of performance. It starts at $ 1,372, more than a base XPS 15, and you pay for the bigger screen. Laptops like the LG Gram 17 or the HP Envy 17 follow this approach – and remain relatively niche products.

The processor performance is not found in smaller laptops like the Dell XPS 15.

However, the processor used in my test device was the Intel Core i7-10875H, an 8-core piece of silicon. Together with 32 GB of RAM, the XPS 17 achieved impressive results in Geekbench 5 and Cinebench R20. It is 8% faster in the multi-core Cinebench R20 than in the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9-9980HK. Geekbench 5 single-core is also 9% ahead.

Laptops with the AMD Ryzen 7 3800H or the Intel Core i9-10980HK offer a slightly faster processor performance. However, a Core i9 variant of the Dell XPS 17 will close the gap. In the meantime, this upgraded Core i7 is very powerful, even for content creators, developers, designers, and anyone else running heavy-duty applications.

However, processor performance is not something you cannot find in the XPS 15. For me alone, this does not justify the larger space requirement and the higher price of the XPS 17. The graphics hardware is a different story.

Graphics performance

The Dell XPS 17 features a brand new heat solution that uses a combination of steam chambers and a redesigned airflow system. Better cooling enables the use of more power-hungry components like the Nvidia RTX 2060. We're not talking about a powerful graphics card for such a thin and light laptop.

The XPS 17 outperforms the Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti of the XPS 15 in 3DMark Time Spy by 35%. It's even on par with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, a gaming laptop that uses the same RTX 2060 GPU. In contrast to the XPS 15, which always had limited gaming performance, the XPS 17 is a fully-fledged gaming laptop. It plays Assassin's Creed Odyssey at 41 FPS (frames per second) at 1080p and ultra detail, and this is an extremely challenging game. That's 37% better than the XPS 15 and just a few frames behind the ROG Zephyrus G14.

Of course, performance in lighter games like Fortnite, which was playable at almost 60 FPS, even held up to 1440p with Epic graphics settings. If you want to connect an external monitor with a high refresh rate, you can even enjoy frame rates of up to 116 at a resolution of 1080p with settings for high details. Of course it's not a good experience at 4K, but that's not surprising.

The XPS 17 had similar frame rates in Battlefield V. 4K is prohibited, but the 1440p gameplay was smooth and looks crisp.

The lack of a higher refresh rate or G-Sync support is the only function missing in the gaming experience. Limiting the frame rate and enabling V-Sync is probably the best way to avoid screen tears in most games, but it's not quite the experience of a high-end gaming laptop. As much as I wish all new laptops had 120 Hz or 144 Hz screens, we are not there yet.

But here, too, the XPS 17 is not labeled as a gaming laptop, and these inflated graphics have many other uses. It is blown through 3D modeling and AutoCAD and is an extremely powerful option for video editing.

The Dell XPS 17 cannot stand the performance of the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch.

I tried some video renderings in Adobe Premiere, in which the graphics card can be fully used on some laptops. The XPS 17 was one of the fastest laptops in our test that exported a two-minute 4K video clip to ProRes 422. The task was completed in just five minutes and 47 seconds, and the XPS 15 was exceeded by three minutes. With an Intel Xeon processor, you might get more out of a chunky workstation, but the two are hardly worth comparing.

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't hold a candle for the XPS 17 despite the recent graphics card upgrade. The only device that could hardly beat in this test was the Microsoft Surface Book 3 15. In this 2-in-1 Device, the graphics card is in a separate housing. It's not a fair fight, but it shows how powerful graphics cards can be if the software is optimized for them.

The new Razer Blade Pro 17 can outperform it as a video editing option when it launches later this year. It offers the same eight-core processor in addition to the much more powerful Nvidia RTX 2080 Super Max-Q graphics card. I won't know for sure how it will work until I test it myself, but the specs look promising.

The base model of the XPS 17, of course, uses built-in Intel graphics, which means that you can't expect to be a slot machine. There's also an option for an Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti graphics card if you want a little more performance at a lower cost. The GTX 1650 Ti option can serve you well if you want to play games with medium detail settings.

Display and speakers

Like the Dell XPS 15, the XPS 17 offers two display options. One is 1,920 x 1,200, which comes in the base model. It's more pixels than a standard 1080p screen, but most people will want to choose the 3840×2400 display. It is almost perfect. It's the most color accurate screen I've ever tested, and its color gamut is up to 96% in the Adobe RGB color space. Not even the MacBook Pro 16-inch can compare it, although it is known to be a leader in picture quality.

The XPS 17's 4K display never has as high a brightness and contrast ratio as an OLED screen, but the XPS 17 isn't a problem there either. The contrast ratio is 1530: 1, which makes it a beautiful screen for games and films and produces a wide range of color depths. With a maximum of 491 nits, I never had a problem with screen glare even when working outdoors.

The speaker grille is larger, but the sound itself is not.

I had high hopes for the rest of the multimedia experience on the XPS 17. Like the XPS 15, the speakers are hidden under a series of laser-cut holes on the keyboard deck. Here the speaker grille is larger, but the sound itself is not.

The audio of the XPS 17 sounds almost identical to that of the XPS 15, which offers a little bass and a decently rounded sound profile. It's better than many laptops, even expensive options like the Razer Blade Pro 17. But do they compete with the MacBook Pro 16-inch or even the MacBook Air? Unfortunately not. The bass and the abundance of audio quality are simply not there.

Battery life

I didn't expect the Dell XPS 17 to offer good battery life. Most laptops with 4K screens don't last long on a single charge, and adding an extra 5 cm screen doesn't help. I didn't expect it to be that bad.

Despite a massive 97 watt-hour battery, the XPS 17 only lasted about four and a half hours on my normal day of use. My workflow is not overly large and mainly consists of web applications, dozens of tabs, and video or audio streaming.

If your workload is simple, endurance will improve significantly. In our video playback test, in which a local 1080p video is repeated until the battery is empty, the XPS 17 took almost seven hours. But in everyday use, the MacBook Pro 16-inch will still outlast it.

I also tested it on the Basemark 3.0 web benchmark, which simulates battery life and puts a heavy load on the CPU at the same time. The XPS 17 only lasted three hours. This is a poor score for a modern mainstream laptop and is more like dedicated gaming laptops.

Of course, if you choose a lower resolution screen, you should see at least a few hours of extra battery.

Our opinion

If the Dell XPS 17 had been nothing more than the XPS 15 with a larger screen, I would not have been impressed. However, if you're looking for absolute performance, there's a new king in town – and it's nowhere near as big as you might think.

It is not cheap and the battery life is disappointing. However, if you're looking for a sleek, professional laptop that can handle heavy workloads, the Dell XPS 17 is the all-in-one package.

Are there alternatives?

The MacBook Pro 16-inch is the main competitor of this laptop. However, it's more expensive and doesn't offer as powerful graphics performance.

The Razer Blade Pro 17 poses a major threat to the XPS 17. The updated model now offers the same eight-core Intel processor, but can be configured up to an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super Max-Q graphics card. It also has a much faster 300 Hz refresh rate screen for smoother games. The Razer Blade Pro 17 is bigger and heavier and can only be configured with a 4K screen starting at a whopping $ 3,800.

Finally, the Dell XPS 15 should be considered as an alternative. It's a little cheaper, smaller, has better battery life, and is still quite powerful.

How long it will take?

The Dell XPS 17 should last for at least five years. It is a well built and powerful laptop. However, you cannot update the memory or memory. There is also only a one-year warranty, although Dell offers an extended accidental damage service or premium hardware support up to four years.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Dell XPS 17 is an extremely powerful laptop specially designed for content creation.

Editor's recommendations




04 Jul
Blog

Sony X900H 4K HDR TV review | Stunning Value

"Image quality that far exceeds your expectations"

  • Great black levels

  • Impressive HDR highlights

  • Extremely accurate color

  • Clean picture

  • Snappy Android TV response

  • Reflective screen

  • VRR not yet available for games

How can a 65-inch TV worth $ 1,300 add value? By providing an image quality that is well above the price. This is exactly what the Sony X900H does and therefore causes a lot of excitement in TV enthusiasts.

For several years now, film fans, home theater owners and almost everyone who wants to get the best TV picture quality for their money have been looking at the models of the X900 series from Sony. Yes, in the middle price segment, but not in the middle price segment due to the consistently excellent image quality from Sony.

This year the X900H offers a bonus. The set offers (or will soon be) features that none of its other televisions will offer this year – Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), especially for gamers. If you want a Sony and the best gaming experience, especially with next generation consoles like Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X, you should buy this TV. You get the following:

Out of the box

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The X900H is by far the easiest TV I've set up this year. The TV's packaging contains the unnecessarily long Sony remote, batteries for the remote, some product literature, and two legs – or feet if you prefer.

You will find that I have said nothing about screws, and that is because you do not need them. The legs snap directly into the slots under the TV cabinet without the need for screws. I was happy with how stable the stand was, but I'm not sure how to find the look of ultra-slim blade feet, and I wasn't impressed with the cable management solution, which is basically just a clip on the back of the feet.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Also not included is a breakout cable for older component or composite video cables. I'm not sure how many more people rock a classic console or VCR that may need to use one of these connections, but I know that in this case you will need your own breakout cable to make the connection.

Properties and design

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The X900H looks slim and reserved. It has thin bezels, not a ton of trim and is more plastic than metal. The overall depth of the X900H is 2 7/8 inches. Depending on what type of wall bracket is used, the TV should look inconspicuous on a wall.

An important note on the screen of the X900H. It's pretty reflective. This is usually not a problem if you are viewing bright content, but I would not plan to see Game of Thrones or Ozark with the windows open on a bright day without seeing room reflections.

Under the hood, the X900H is equipped with the X1 4K HDR processor from Sony. It's not the Hot Rod X1 Ultimate processor found in more expensive models like the recently reviewed Sony A8H OLED, but in my experience, it still delivers the nifty, clean look that distinguishes Sony TVs from others.

The X900H gives you four HDMI 2.0 inputs, one of which supports ARC. I mentioned earlier that the X900H will support VRR for gaming, but the update that enables it has not yet been released as of the release date of this review, and Sony has no estimated schedule for this feature coming on this TV.

A quick note on the above. I asked Sony why this TV has not yet been updated to support VRR or why it is not supported immediately. Sony's response is to standards. As a partner of CTA, NAB and various other standards organizations, Sony prefers to complete all standard tests before deploying new technology such as HDMI 2.1 or any of the features it comes with. Sony mentions a consistent, stable experience as very important to its customers.

I can respect Sony's stance, but while competitors offer features that their TVs don't have, I think Sony looks like it is lagging behind at the moment. Regardless, there is no reason not to have VRR at the start of not buying this TV. The image quality is too good for the price.

picture quality

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The contrast, which is the most striking element of image quality, is based on black levels. The darker a television can get, the higher the contrast and the less brightness is required to achieve a high contrast. One of the reasons why the X900H excels is its very good black level. This is thanks to Sony's backlight system.

An LCD screen is illuminated from behind by a series of LED backlights. The backlight system must be carefully controlled so that the black level does not turn gray. This control, which includes different zones – or groups – of lights is called local dimming, and this local dimming is driven by an algorithm. I've said it before, but it needs to be repeated: Sony has the best local dimming algorithm in the industry.

With a solid black base, the X900H doesn't need to be extremely bright to look vibrant. With the Calman software from Portrait Display and a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter, I measured the peak brightness of the X900H over a longer period in a 10% window at 750 nits. With competing TVs with 1,500, 2,000, and even 3,000 nits of peak brightness (see Vizio PQX), the X900Hs seem to be a bit low, but I assure you that 750 nits will offer you a very pleasant HDR experience even when the lights are on. and especially with the lights off.

Sony has the best local dimming algorithm in the industry.

To put things in the right light, the Samsung Q90T in HDR film mode (same 10% window test) offers about 1,400 nits of peak brightness, which is almost double the X900H. However, the 65-inch Q90T also costs $ 2,500. That's $ 1,200 more than the Sony X900H we tested here. I can tell you from experience that despite other valuable features, the experience of having double brightness alone in reserve is not worth more than $ 1,000.

When I turned to color, I was impressed with the ready-to-use color accuracy of the X900H in the Cinema and Custom image presets, both in SDR and HDR modes. The television had to be adjusted very little to bring the color accuracy below the visible threshold. This means that most users never have to touch anything to get an outstanding color experience with this TV.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Aside from these core picture elements, Sony's X1 processor delivered a very clean picture even when low bit rate content was streamed from websites like Netflix and Hulu. I observed minimized contours and streaks of color when I looked at them. The performance of the upscaling and other processing elements outperformed the Hisense H8G Quantum that I am currently evaluating and in some cases was just as good and even better than the Samsung Q90T.

This was not a surprise as Sony's workmanship has always been the best in the business. Also not surprising was the cleanliness of the VA panel, which had no dirty screen effect (DSE) or stains.

All of these individual elements have been brought together to create a rich, brilliant, vivid and clean picture. On more than a few occasions, I didn't take notes and just admired the TV. It's not as stunning as Sony's A8H OLED, but it offers a similarly satisfying cinema experience at a fraction of the price, and that's the value in my book.

Our opinion

The Sony X900H offers one of the best picture quality to price ratios you'll find this year. The screen is a bit reflective, and viewing this type of LED / LCD TV off-angle is never great, but these two mistakes can be overlooked thanks to the rich, colorful, and cinematic picture quality.

Is there a better alternative?

Not yet and not in this price range, although I have some upcoming Vizio models in mind. For gamers who want instant gratification, I would recommend taking a look at the Samsung Q70T, which costs the same for a 65-inch model, supports VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and should also have convincing image quality.

How long it will take?

The television itself should last for many years, and new features to support next-generation game consoles are promised in the near future.

warranty

Sony grants a one year warranty on its X900H series TVs if you buy the TV from an authorized dealer. The guarantee relates specifically to the storage of the product packaging. So look at the fine print.

You should buy it

Yes. If you crave Sony image quality but want to minimize the dent in your wallet after purchase, the X900H is an excellent choice.

Editor's recommendations




04 Jul
Blog

Bose Soundbar 700 Review: Sleek Design Meets Top-Notch Sound

Bose Soundbar 700

"Bose gives this soundbar an excellent appearance, excellent sound and numerous functions."

  • Fascinating surround sound

  • Beautiful design

  • Choice of Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Private listening option

  • Intelligent universal remote control

  • AirPlay 2

  • Not the best value

  • Some music services are not supported

  • No Chromecast option for Android

  • No HDMI inputs

Sound bars just started. Their mission was to deliver the best possible sound through a single speaker so people could forget about wiring problems and just enjoy their TV and music. While this still applies to some soundbar models, the industry has quickly shifted back to more speakers and less simplicity.

The $ 800 Bose Soundbar 700 is in some ways a return to the original soundbar concept, but some of its sleek exterior hides some thoroughly modern features.

Is it the right audio companion for your media room? Let's try it out.

design

Bose Soundbar 700Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you need to watch a soundbar from time to time, it should be the Bose Soundbar 700.

I claim that soundbars should do their utmost to get out of sight. If you want a speaker to be the highlight of your TV room, invest in the biggest ones you can find.

But let's face it: if you don't hide a soundbar in a wall – which would affect both sound and simplicity – you'll see it. So if you need to watch a soundbar from time to time, it should be the Bose Soundbar 700.

With its sleek lines, perfectly smooth glass top, and amazingly small and flat stature, the Soundbar 700 is one of those rare technologies that can improve your decor instead of compromising it. Available in black or white, you can choose whether it fits seamlessly into the background or makes a statement. Aesthetically speaking, it's quite an orator.

With a width of 38.5 inches and a height of only 2.25 inches, it is narrow and short enough to fit between the legs of almost all televisions that are at least 50 inches tall and slide directly underneath. If you want to mount it on the wall, an optional (and remarkably affordable) bracket is available for $ 40.

You won't find a single physical button anywhere on the Soundbar 700. The glass plate has a single touch-sensitive area near the front left corner to mute the built-in microphone. However, I recommend using it sparingly – as beautiful as the glass is, it is also a fingerprint magnet. Good thing Bose contains a microfiber cleaning cloth.

The only flat note in an otherwise stunning design is the included universal remote, a bulky, rubberized stone that doesn't match the sleek, minimalist lines of the Soundbar 700. More on that later.

configuration

Bose Soundbar 700Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Although it's a soundbar, the Soundbar 700 is also a powerful wireless smart speaker. Therefore, the setup process is led by Bose's music app (free for iOS and Android). It's tempting to assume that virtually everyone has a phone or tablet that can run the music app. However, if you're one of the few who doesn't have one, or you're considering buying the Soundbar 700 for a friend or relative who doesn't have one, you might not be making the right choice.

As long as you have a compatible device, setting up the speaker is easy thanks to the intuitive Bose app, which guides you through the process with easy-to-follow steps and lots of helpful feedback.

Part of this setup is to tune the Soundbar 700 to the acoustics of your room using the included Adaptiq microphone, a wired plastic headband that you wear like headphones. All you have to do is choose your five favorite places to watch TV and the app does the rest. It's not as elegant a solution as Sonos' TruePlay system, which uses the microphone of an iOS device to get the same result achieve. However, it does have the advantage of being compatible with all smart devices.

You'll also be quickly guided through the process of adding your home theater devices to the universal remote control, and you can choose between Alexa and Google Assistant if you want to use the speaker's voice control features. I strongly recommend that you do this.

links

Bose Soundbar 700 Bose Soundbar 700

The Soundbar 700 can be connected to your TV via HDMI ARC or an optical cable. Since the speaker is limited to Dolby Digital and DTS audio signals, the choice of sound quality does not offer an advantage when choosing a speaker. However, the universal remote control is more effective when you use HDMI ARC because it can send some commands to connected devices via the CEC protocol (one way to send commands via HDMI).

As long as all your devices can be controlled via infrared (IR), I think an optical connection makes more sense. Why should you forego a valuable HDMI connection on your TV, especially since the Soundbar 700 has no HDMI inputs to compensate for this loss?

The HDMI ARC and the optical connections on the back of the bar also include Ethernet (as a more robust option for Wi-Fi) and several dedicated connections for the Adaptiq microphone, a wired bass module (subwoofer) and an optional IR repeater and one for "data" (we're still not quite sure what it does).

You can use it as a Bluetooth source for wireless headphones for private listening – it works fine.

Unfortunately, the connector for cabling a subwoofer is a proprietary Bose connector, so there is no way to use it with a subwoofer from another company. Even stranger, although it is possible to connect a wired Bose subwoofer to the Soundbar 700, both subwoofers sold by Bose (the $ 400 bass module 500 and the $ 700 bass module 700) connect wirelessly to the soundbar.

Wi-Fi is the best choice to stream music to the soundbar. However, it also supports the AirPlay 2 streaming protocol from Apple and Bluetooth. If you are an Android user, this may be your best bet. We'll discuss this a little later.

Speaking of Bluetooth: The Soundbar 700 has a nice function: You can use it with the SimpleSync technology from Bose as a Bluetooth source for wireless headphones for private listening. It works with any Bluetooth speaker, but you can better sync with the on-screen dialog if you're using one of the Bose headphones. The volume of each Bluetooth device can be controlled independently. I tried Bowers and Wilkins PX7 headphones and it worked perfectly – it even stopped my Netflix video when I pressed the play / pause button on the headphones.

Sound quality

Bose Soundbar 700Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Bose Soundbar 700 sounds great and, unlike several other soundbars we tested, handles TV soundtrack audio and music streaming equally well.

Behind the grille are a number of midrange tweeters and a tweeter, which provide most of the direct sound you hear, including a very clear dialogue. However, Bose's PhaseGuide arrays are on the sides of the bar. These cleverly shaped tunnels project sound onto the sides of the soundbar and give the impression that there are invisible speakers above your television and even a few to the side – if your viewing area has walls on both sides.

In short, it triggers the magic trick that we all consciously or subconsciously expect from a soundbar, and that means we get impressive home theater sound without all the cables and speakers.

One limitation that needs to be mentioned – especially since the Soundbar 700 is a significant investment – is Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. These object-based surround formats are the latest and greatest. When a compatible soundbar is combined with a Dolby Atmos or DTS: X soundtrack, the results can be exciting and include sounds that feel like they fully match the on-screen action. The Soundbar 700 is not one of these speakers. It's still great at what it does, but it can't make you future-proof if you think these new technologies are something you want to explore someday.

If you are not yet familiar with soundbars as a whole, I should make one thing clear: as good as the Soundbar 700 provides a feeling of depth and breadth, it alone does not create such a deep feeling of low-end bass for a complete home theater system. Because of its small proportions, there is no way.

I was ready to fall in love with his music less, but it went against my expectations.

That doesn't mean there is no bass – it actually does an admirable job – it just can't compete with systems that come with their own subwoofer.

As mentioned earlier, you can add an optional Bose bass module, but this increases the price.

It can't shake the furniture with low-end bass, but boy can this thing get loud. I would bet that the Soundbar 700 cannot fill any space in your house, even if your home is in palatial proportions.

Dialogue playback is another outstanding element of this speaker. It is clear and easy to separate from background noise – even before you use the available dialog enhancement mode. If for some reason you find it insufficient, you can only increase the volume of the center channel in the Bose Music app and make adjustments for treble, bass and synchronization / delay if necessary.

At $ 800, I had fully expected the Soundbar 700 to be a powerful TV speaker, but I was also less willing to get excited about their music. But it exceeded my expectations very much. Thoroughly modern studio mixes like Beck's Hyperspace album benefit most from the bar's ability to project sound in space, but older tracks like The Who & # 39; s classic Pinball Wizard also get new life from the depths of the Soundbar 700.

On a whim and because the Tidal app advertised it, I tried Buju Banton's The Upside Down 2020 Experience. I couldn't have chosen a better track to find out what the Soundbar 700 can do with the right material. Banton's voice comes through as if he were on stage in front of you, while his background singers, strings and occasional saxophone spread outwards and envelop you in a rich mix of tones. "It all comes from this one speaker?" my son asked. Yes yes it is.

The Soundbar 700 only stumbled once when it heard Hans Zimmer's deeply bass-laden Time from the Inception soundtrack – the cabinet vibrated very slightly.

Multiroom audio

The Bose Soundbar 700 is part of a family of wireless speakers that can be controlled using the Bose Music app. This includes products like the Bose Home Speaker 500 and the Portable Home Speaker. In Sonos' multiroom steps, you can group these speakers to play the same music or stream something different for everyone.

But when it comes to pure multiroom smarts, Bose still has some catching up to do if he wants to do something other than follow.

For example, Sonos lets you pair any matching Sonos speaker – from the Ikea Symfonisk bookshelf speakers for $ 100 to the Sonos Five for $ 499 – as a surround set for the Sonos Arc Dolby Atmos soundbar for $ 800 – Use dollars. If you want to do the same with the Soundbar 700, you'll need to buy a special set of Bose wireless surround speakers.

You also can't turn two Bose speakers into a stereo pair, although this is much less relevant when dealing with soundbars.

Music sources

While the Bose Music app is friendly and user-friendly, it does offer some features that I would like to see, such as universal search, support for other music services, and the ability to stream music from a personal library on the network.

You can choose between Spotify Premium and Free, Apple Music, TuneIn, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, Deezer and iHeartRadio within the app or use any audio app on your phone or tablet and stream directly to the Soundbar 700 2 or via AirPlay Bluetooth. The disadvantage of these options is that controls and content reside on a single device, and other people at home cannot edit or continue listening to the playlist if the person with the source device leaves the house.

You are also limited to just six favorites (which Bose calls presets). Regardless of whether it's a favorite radio station, podcast, or playlist, you need to choose wisely.

Universal remote control

Bose Soundbar 700 universal remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

It's big, bulky, and I'm not a fan of the rubberized surface that covers all the buttons, but I have to admit that the Bose Soundbar Universal Remote is well thought out as long as you only need to control a maximum of three devices (except the soundbar itself).

The idea behind the dark rubber layer is that it intentionally hides the many buttons under its surface. Once you've programmed it for your devices – which is easy and possible via the Bose Music app – only the buttons that correspond to the device you want to operate are selectively illuminated.

Pressing these illuminated buttons first sends a Bluetooth command to the Soundbar 700, which in turn forwards the command to the device in question via IR or HDMI-CEC (if you use HDMI between the Soundbar and your TV).

The main advantage of this arrangement is that the remote control and the soundbar are always perfectly synchronized. Even if you select TV mode on the universal remote and then switch the soundbar to AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth mode using the Bose Music app, the remote will automatically show this status change.

Good as it is, it's not perfect.

Three devices (two if you don't count your TV, which is pretty mandatory) may not be enough for some people.

I wish I could control how long the buttons light up. It always seemed like the lights went out as I decided what to do and I had to shake the remote again.

The soundbar, remote control, or TV screen does not show where the volume is relative to the minimum and maximum settings. If you want this level of detail, you need to consult the Bose Music app.

You can use the remote control to adjust the volume of the soundbar during an activity. However, you cannot access settings such as EQ or dialog enhancement.

For reasons known only to Bose, there are no buttons to access the six music presets that you program in the Bose Music app.

Overall, however, it worked very well except for one mistake – I couldn't get the remote to speak to my cable box. My LG TV and Apple TV 4K were no problem at all. I attributed the bug in the cable box to poor IR connectivity and didn't have enough time to try to fix it.

Voice assistants

Bose Soundbar 700Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Soundbars that are compatible with voice assistants are being used more and more, but few offer you the choice of which assistant you want to use. With the Soundbar 700, you can choose Alexa or Google Assistant and change your mind at any time (you just can't do both at the same time).

One of the best aspects of a smart speaker that really rocks is the ability to summon your favorite music by simply asking for it. But be warned: although Google Assistant and Alexa can take control of a variety of music services, you cannot use these voice assistants to control if the service you want to control is not available in the Bose Music app. Google Play Music (now mostly switched to YouTube Music), Apple Music and Tidal are examples of services that none of the Soundbar 700 wizards can control.

Bose uses a small multi-colored LED light strip on its smart speakers to give you visual feedback on what condition it is in. Two white bars indicate a pause, a single blue bar indicates Bluetooth and a small red dot means muting. However, the strip is also animated to inform you that a voice command has been heard. This is a great feature.

What I can't understand is why Bose is not using it to indicate volume – something I should consider for a future firmware update.

Voice commands were easy to hear even with some fairly loud sounds, and the response times were very good when I tested them with Google Assistant.

Our opinion

$ 800 may be a lot of money for a soundbar that isn't compatible with Dolby Atmos, but the Bose Soundbar 700 proves that the investment is a great combination of sound quality, great design, and a host of useful features, including yours, still worth choosing the language assistant.

Is there a better alternative?

The direct competitor of the Soundbar 700 is the excellent Sonos Arc for $ 800, a larger Dolby Atmos soundbar that also offers a choice of voice assistants and offers the best support for multiroom and music services in the industry. If you want to be future-proof for object-based surround sound, this is a good choice.

We believe that the Soundbar 700 treats TV and music audio better with the same accuracy (the Arc tends to prefer TV audio) and has several features that the Arc lacks, e.g. B. a universal remote control, Bluetooth and the possibility to connect a wireless headphones for private listening.

How long it will take?

The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with a one-year warranty. This is fairly standard for this type of product, but Bose has an excellent reputation for producing quality products and the Soundbar 700 should have a very long lifespan. You may want to replace it in the future, but you are unlikely to need to replace it.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Bose Soundbar 700 is a fantastic solution with a speaker for simple but exciting home theater sound. With optional subwoofer and surround speaker modules, it can grow with your needs as long as those requirements don't include Dolby Atmos.

Editor's recommendations




04 Jul
Blog

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ | Digital Trends

Rockstar Games returns to the threshold of new console versions with a huge send-off of the current generation in Grand Theft Auto V. The studio's latest open-world opus follows three colorful sociopaths through a series of raids in and around the Los Angeles-inspired city of Los Santos. GTA V is the strongest entry in the series so far and combines graphics that raise the bar with tight gameplay and a breathtakingly detailed world.

03 Jul
Blog

Which Oil Or Serum Is Right For Your Skin?

If cleaning agents, toners and moisturizers are the basis of skin care, serums, oils and concentrates are the superstars at a high level. Building on simple skin care, serums, oils and concentrates add the powerful extras your complexion needs to optimize its health. They offer strong benefits directly to the skin, correct concerns, nourish the skin and promote hydration.

With the wide range of products available, you want to find the best serum, oil, or concentrate to address your concerns. Here's a practical guide to help you choose the best ones for your unique complexion.

First things first: What is the difference between serums, oils and concentrates?

Sera

Serums are light treatments with a high concentration of active ingredients that target specific skin conditions and concerns. They absorb quickly and penetrate deeply into the skin. They provide effective skin-restoring and moisturizing ingredients. Serums have a light liquid or gel-like consistency and should be applied after cleaning and toning.

Oils

Oils are full of essential fatty acids and lipids that restore and enrich the skin's moisture barrier. They often consist of vegetable oils such as jojoba, rose hip or sea buckthorn, which are rich in antioxidants and emollient plasticizers. Face oils can be beneficial for all skin types (including greasy ones) and should be used as a last step before the moisturizer.

Concentrates

Concentrates are similar to sera in that, as you guessed, they contain a concentrated amount of active ingredients. In contrast to serums with a gel-like consistency, concentrates are light lotions with absorbent and protective properties. Because of this versatility, they can be coated with serums and moisturizers or simply used alone.

Read on for the best oil, serum, and concentrate for your specific skin type and concerns.

Your skin type depends on genetics. Your genes determine the amount of oil that is secreted by your sebaceous glands, the size of your pores, and the texture of your skin. Each of these factors contribute to the dryness – or greasiness – of your complexion and in turn determine how your skin looks, feels and behaves. Your skin type cannot be changed, but it can be treated with active ingredients that are beneficial for your complexion.

Normal skin

Normal skin can best be described as "balanced": it even has sebum production and moisture content. According to Dermascope: "Normal skin has a smooth texture and a rosy, clear surface with fine pores. There are no visible spots, greasy spots or scaly spots."

Eminence Organics Lilikoi Light Defense Facial Foundation

Every skin can benefit from powerful antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals. We recommend that Lilikoi Light Defense Face Primer SPF 23 to protect the skin from drying out and aging by environmental stressors such as pollution, blue light and UV rays.

Dry skin

Dry skin produces less sebum than normal skin. This type of skin lacks the lipids needed to store moisture (which gives the skin a soft and supple feel) and therefore appears firm, flaky and dull. People with dry skin often have almost invisible pores and show more visible signs of aging.

Eminence Organics Rose Hip Triple C + E Firming Oil

Oils are the perfect addition to a routine for dry skin. These treatments consist of essential fatty acids and other beneficial ingredients that promote the moisture and hydration of the skin. We recommend our Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil, which contains rosehip, jojoba and sea buckthorn oil to improve moisture, soothe dry skin and combat the visible signs of aging.

Oily skin

The opposite of dry skin, oily skin has overactive sebaceous glands. These produce an excess of oil, which enlarges the pores and covers the skin surface. For this reason, oily skin is often shiny and can be prone to breakouts.

Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potentes C + E Serum

For oily skin, we recommend a light option like that Potent C + E serum for citrus fruits and kale. This rapidly absorbed, advanced serum sinks immediately into the skin and provides strong antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients.

Combination skin

Combination skin is neither oily nor dry; it is both. This skin type is characterized by uneven oil production: more active oil glands in the T zone and less active oil glands elsewhere. As a result, it tends to be greasy on the forehead, jaw and nose and dryness on the cheeks, jaw and hairline.

eminence organics facial restoration oil

Believe it or not, combination skin can benefit from the addition of balancing oils like jojoba and clary sage. Try our Facial Recovery Oil, mixed with clary sage oil and ylang ylang to keep the skin even and perfectly balanced.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is caused by a genetic predisposition to skin sensitivity and skin irritation. According to Eminence Organics Product supervisor and certified beautician Josie BartonIt is typically described as "skin that can bear the regular occurrence of uncomfortable sensations such as heat, stinging, burning and tingling caused by forms of stimulation that would not normally cause this type of response in a" normal "skin type."

Eminence Organics Cornflower Recovery Serum

If your skin is sensitive, opt for a gentle treatment like ours Cornflower Recovery Serum. This serum is enriched with result-oriented Biodynamic® ingredients such as cornflower and chamomile to soothe and relieve the dryness.

In addition to your general skin type, you may have problems with a skin problem or condition. Skin conditions are influenced by various internal and external factors such as hormonal changes, lifestyle decisions and environmental stressors. Unlike skin types, they can be changed and treated, and it is not uncommon for several to be treated at the same time (e.g. breakouts and uneven skin tone).

Fine lines & folds

As we age intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen in the skin. These materials are essential for a firm and firm complexion. When they lose weight, the skin begins to sag and fine lines and wrinkles begin.

eminence organics marine flower peptide serum

You can counteract the visible signs of aging with skin care enhanced with botanical agents Peptides and natural retinol alternatives. Our Marine Flower Peptide Serum delivers concentrated plant peptides to plump skin and smooth wrinkles. The Bamboo Firming Fluid is mixed with a natural retinol alternative complex of chicory root and tare tree to improve the strength and elasticity.

Uneven skin tone

Are you struggling with dark spots? Whether through sun damage, hormonal changes or acne, hyperpigmentation can be difficult to combat. When your skin is exposed to stressors, it protects itself by going full speed and releasing melanin – a kind of pigment in the skin. The result: spots and uneven skin tone.

eminence organics light skin licorice root booster serum

Before you reach out Try a natural alternative to solve your hyper pigmentation problems. Our Bright Skin Liquorice Root Booster Serum contains bearberry and licorice root extracts, tare tree, African potatoes and Gigawhite ™ work against hyperpigmentation and erase dark spots.

Large pores

Large pores are a common skin problem. While everyone has visible pores, some naturally produce more oil, causing them to expand and expand. The pore size can also increase with age if the skin loses its elasticity and ability to "rebound".

eminence organics mangosteen daily surface concentrate

You cannot “get rid of” the pores, but you can reduce their size. Our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate contains a lactic acid (AHA), ribose and red clover flower extract to remove pore-clogging deposits and minimize pore size.

outbreaks

Up to 85% of Americans say they have had acne-related symptoms at some point in their lives. For many, there are outbreaks into adulthood and Depending on the cause, this can manifest itself as an occasional outbreak or as a more chronic, lifelong condition.

Eminence Organics clear skin booster serum

Whether you are fighting tiny whiteheads or painful cysts, acne is treatable and you can find relief. We recommend adding the Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster Serum for your skin care. This concentrated serum is infused with willow bark and tea tree oil to improve the appearance of breakouts and problem skin.

Dehydration

Dryness and dehydration are two separate skin care problems. While dryness is a dry skin type and is characterized by a lack of moisture (sebum), dehydration is a skin condition caused by insufficient moisture (water). Dehydrated skin often suffers from itching, increased sensitivity, insufficient turnover and accelerated signs of aging.

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

Hyaluronic acid is a miracle cure for dehydrated skin. Our product selection is that Strawberry-rhubarb-hyaluronic serum, which is mixed with botanical hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize the skin and replenish the appearance of moisture.

After choosing your skin care superstars, it's time to layer them properly. We recommend restricting your selection to one or two serums, oils and / or concentrates so that they can be effectively absorbed by the skin.

We recommend layering in the order of their consistency: from the lightest to the richest:

  1. serum
  2. Focus
  3. oil

Apply one to two drops or pumps on the palm of your hand and gently press the product into your complexion (don't forget your neck area!). Follow your favorite Eminence Organics Moisturizer to trap the goodness.

Are you ready to add these products to your skin care routine? Browse through our Serums, oils and concentrates at an Eminence Organics Partner Spa near you!

03 Jul
Blog

Iron Man VR Review: Bringing The Summer Blockbuster Home

Iron Man VR

Iron Man VR Review: Bring the summer blockbuster home

"Iron Man VR is an entertaining superhero adventure that doesn't quite reach the summer blockbuster heights."

  • Satisfactory flying

  • Frenetic dogfighting

  • Creative motion control

  • A robust package

  • Fussy VR

  • Generic history

  • Unpolished graphics

Any other year, Iron Man VR would have flown under the radar. Despite all of the simulated exploits and explosions, it's the kind of licensed superhero fare that feels slim next to a muscular Marvel Studios movie.

But of course 2020 is not another year. Cinema-goers won't pack theater to see the next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon. Iron Man VR could be the best thing that fans will bring to a summer blockbuster this year. It's not an ideal replacement, but the thought of traveling to a fantasy world where good always beats evil sounds more appealing when hope is so scarce.

Although Iron Man VR doesn't fully exploit its promising potential due to technical limitations and a general lack of polish, thanks to its creative control scheme, it offers enough fun and action film heroism.

Marvel flight simulator

Iron Man VR can best be described as a first person aerial combat game. Players step into the iconic red and gold armor to read an original story about a mysterious hacker who directed Tony Stark's deadly drones against him. Much of the adventure is spent flying around arena-like locations and blowing robot waves out of the air.

Both actions are carried out with different success using the PS Move controller. When flying, hold the moves straight down and press the triggers to drive forward. Turning the controller to the left or right moves the suit in this direction, while tilting it horizontally increases the height.

It's not the most seamless VR flight game, but when it all comes together, it's an undeniably cool experience.

It may seem intuitive at first, but gets more complicated when steering comes into play. Players can tilt their heads to rotate, but the most effective way to move is to press a button to rotate the camera. Flying becomes a difficult balance between controlling the character's position in the game and focusing on the PlayStation camera in physical space.

It is not the fastest learning process. In the game's early missions, I played with my arms and neck and tried to achieve a smooth flight pattern. It felt like I was playing a scene in a Spider-Man film in which a freshly bitten Peter Parker whirls around on the roofs and tries to learn the mechanics of his nets.

All this trial and error paid off when the controls finally clicked. In an outstanding mission, players fly through a rocky canyon to pursue a runaway villain. It's a standard video game chase, but it's also a sequence that rewards the player's mastery. As I raced through narrow passages and effortlessly snaked around rugged cliffs, I felt less like a youthful avenger. Instead, the PSVR headset felt like the Iron Man helmet, and the Move controllers became palm boosters. At that moment I was a superhero racing through the air with verve.

It's not the most seamless VR flight game, but when it all comes together, it's an undeniably cool experience.

Exploits

The action side of the game has its own ups and downs. During the flight, the Move controllers can be raised to shoot enemies. When you aim a straight one like a sword, players can fire blaster shots from the palm of their hand while flipping down activates an auxiliary attack like homing missiles from the suit's wrist.

If everything works as intended, all the time you spent as a child playing superheroes was worth it.

As with flying, shooting takes a bit to get the hang of it. The nuance of the wrist placement makes it difficult to constantly trigger the intended force in rapid battles. Flying and shooting at the same time is a separate fight in which the players have to juggle two separate movements. If the flight feels like it is fully focused, it will be absolutely impossible to do the tandem action.

Even with the tricky controls, firefights are often fun and hectic. The waves of jellyfish-like drones offer players a lot of moving targets where they can test their skills. It is uniquely satisfying to blow up incoming enemies with the palm of your hand on the right and aim with the other five ships and destroy them at once with a barrage of wrist missiles.

Iron Man VR

Iron Man VR adds additional gestural gameplay to enhance the feeling of heroism. If you hold down a button and swing the controller, a powerful blow is triggered, which can throw opponents back. There are also many other well-known comic book moments. The players open incredibly heavy gates and release the stuck landing gear of an airplane during the adventure. This type of tactile design feels more exciting than tapping X quickly to achieve strength in an average game.

The overall fight can sometimes feel a bit simple, especially when compared to a superhero game that is as varied and fluid as Marvel's Spider-Man, but the physicality of VR allows for additional experimentation in combat. If everything works as intended, all the time you spent as a child playing superheroes was worth it.

B-Movie

Despite a creative approach to control, Iron Man VR stumbles across its presentation. The story itself is a collection of genre clichés, from tortured heroes to predictable red pegs. The constant jokes feel like they've been pulled out of a seminar on writing a Marvel movie.

The graphics don't look much better. Many of the textures wouldn't look out of place in an average Nintendo GameCube game, and the largest set pieces tend to fall flat with lackluster effects. That wouldn't normally be a deal breaker for VR, but superhero games live and die through spectacle. Iron Man VR has a lot of potential, but can't always deliver its blockbuster moments. Explosions are more often anti-climactic than they inspire.

Iron Man VR

It's not that the game doesn't feel complete. It's a weighty package with an eight-hour history, lots of bonus missions, and a full suit customization. The problem boils down to a lack of polish that feels uncomfortable for the genre.

Love her or hate her, Marvel films have made entertainment a science. These superhero adventures have been carefully designed to provide constant fun for fans. Even when they are the weakest, it is rare for this iron formula to crack.

Iron Man VR has a lot of potential, but can't always deliver its blockbuster moments.

Iron Man VR, on the other hand, is a game in which players constantly see the seams. The technical restrictions always prevail, whether in the form of recycled locations or incredibly long loading times. These limits are particularly noticeable in the game's home base scenes, where Tony Stark's arms tend to twist and twist in a way that makes a surgeon flinch.

The frequent interruptions in flight keep Iron Man VR from reaching new superhero heights. There are lightning bolts from Avengers Action, but the experience is more similar to that of Tony Stark, who controls his Mark I armor for the first time and tries to remove the kinks.

Our opinion

Iron Man VR is an entertaining escape that finds creative ways to turn motion controls into heroic stunts, but lacks the thrill and polish needed to make it feel like a real Hollywood spectacle.

Is there a better alternative?

Marvel's Spider-Man is still the gold standard for modern superhero games, and Eagle Flight is a more elegant (but disgusting) VR flight experience.

How long it will take?

The story takes approximately eight hours and the game features races, combat attempts and free flight to add weight to the package.

Should you buy it

Yes, if you have a PSVR and a Move controller. If you don't have one, a killer app isn't enough to justify a full VR investment.

Editor's recommendations




03 Jul
Blog

A Miracle of Persistence and Courage

We never know when these miracles will happen, but we know in our hearts that they will happen. We know that the assumptions and expectations regarding the population with special needs can fuel limited aspirations and inhibit fear, which can increase the child's feeling of being different. This is partly why we exist – to show these young men, women and their families that many of the assumptions about their diagnoses are wrong. If we can prove it to them, the miracles will happen.

On June 4, 2019, we received a notification that someone was interested in our free 7-day Fitness Pass at Special Strong. Her name was Mandy and she was interested in our services for her 17 year old son Brandon.

Brandon’s development was problematic from the start. At the age of six months, he was extremely underweight and jaundiced. He was lagging behind in his development and was unable to sit up, turn around, stand or make eye contact. At the age of 5, they discovered that Brandon had strabismus, a vision disorder that required five operations to improve his eyesight. In 2010, Brandon's family discovered that he had a genetic mutation that caused all of his problems, including his abnormal gait and earlier potty training and speaking delays.

After a few years of very abnormal walking, a doctor took X-rays and found that Brandon was suffering from scoliosis and that his right hip was misplaced. It was recommended that Brandon be operated on to correct his hip, and his parents were told that he could walk normally within six months.

But after six months, Brandon still didn't go. He became very depressed and anxious. The physiotherapy he underwent made him so sick with fear that he was hospitalized many times. As a result, he remained in his wheelchair and did not allow anyone to take him out.

Eight years after his hip surgery, Brandon was still unable to walk, and his parents had reached the point where they had to buy a new wheelchair. However, when his mother turned to Brandon about the new wheelchair, he told her that he no longer wanted wheelchairs. Brandon told his mother he wanted to run, but he wanted to do it alone. The problem was that his parents didn't know how to help him until they saw a Facebook ad for a company called Special Strong.

When they heard about Special Strong and our special needs gym, they had a glimmer of hope that Brandon could run again. Hope often leads to small decisions that lead to big changes. Instead of buying a new wheelchair, they decided to invest in a personal trainer instead. Depending on where they lived, they were asked to work with me in McKinney, TX.

On July 15, 2019, we had our first training session. Brandon came in with his wheelchair and we did a thorough baseline assessment. I recognized his potential and told Brandon I knew there would be a day when he would go again. Brandon smiled at the thought. He didn't resist the idea, but he told me he was afraid of falling and getting hurt. He also entrusted me with his other struggles: how people viewed him differently and how he did not feel accepted by some of his colleagues. He also told me that he thought he didn't have a girlfriend because he couldn't walk.

Brandon seemed to believe me and trust me enough to entrust me with his main fears, and our journey began.

During our next session, we did actual training. Brandon was able to get up, get out of the wheelchair and hold on to my arm, which allowed us to do some corrective exercises and work on the muscles that were stunted because they hadn't been used for eight years. While working with him, I continued to recognize his potential and called it out as often as I could. At the same time, I also saw the fear in Brandon and how it prevented him from making progress.

Whenever I told him we were going to do a new exercise, he began to shake physically and said, "I can't do it, Daniel. I'm scared. "Even though Brandon was scared, he was always open to my coaching. He believed me. He understood his fear, but he didn't run away. This component of Brandon's progress was critical and gave me more confidence in Brandon's ultimate goals You may not look at him and think he is brave, but I can assure you that he was as brave as anyone who has ever met a wild enemy or worse, his own demons.

In the end I made the rule with him that the word "can't" is not allowed in my gym. I told him to think of the word "can't" as a dirty word that should never be spoken. It lasted a couple of sessions, but he stopped saying "can't" during our sessions.

When it was time to take him to the next phase of training, I had him switch to forearm crutches. I told my parents my goals for him while I was using the crutches and that it was time to stop taking the wheelchair to the gym. They agreed, but sometimes disbelieved. They didn't want to raise their hopes.

Brandon had never used crutches before, but he quickly learned how to use them. Outside of the gym, Brandon continued to switch between crutches, crutches, and forearms. Anyone who helps people cross their perceived limits can relate to it. When one of us does something that is uncomfortable but useful, our tendency is to find shortcuts and the path of least resistance, even if that means going back to old habits. It's a constant struggle to choose to remain uncomfortable, but we know we'll do better for it. It is the ultimate challenge.

On July 30, 2019, we had our fifth training session. During this session, I took Brandon to the group room and told him we would go without crutches. Brandon started tearing up and told me he couldn't because he was scared. I reminded him that the use of the word "not" was unacceptable during our sessions and that I would be with him all the time. After a lot of coaching and encouragement, look at what happened.

Brandon was able to overcome his greatest fear, and the ability to take steps on his own gave him an incredible level of confidence. We have further strengthened Brandon’s legs and core, especially his lower back. We tried a few more walks, but they didn't go well as fear crept back and consumed Brandon. He would have little moments of victory, followed by many moments of defeat when fear regained his mind, but he had the most important attribute: he would never give up.

“Success is not the lack of failure. it is persistence through failure. "

– Alisha Tyler

Brandon came into the session on August 21 and I had a strong impression in my heart that it was the day he would go independently. I told Brandon that today was the day and he was going. He said, "I'm ready!"

I had Brandon hold my arm when we went outside to let him run independently for the first time. I knew I had to video that moment, expecting something big to happen; another miracle. I gave Brandon an encouraging talk, encouraged him, got the video rolling, and then Brandon defeated his fears for the first time in his life.

After Brandon finished, I stopped the video to tell him how proud I was of him. He kept repeating, "Daniel, I did it! Daniel, I did it! "

After that, everything changed for Brandon and his whole family. He hadn't just learned to walk. He had overcome his fears. He had conquered the assumptions and self-limiting thoughts. He had conquered himself.

The video was seen around the world and Brandon was so encouraged by it. Brandon went to school without a wheelchair or walking aid and people came up to him at school to tell him how proud they were and that they had seen his video. For the first time in his life, Brandon felt that he had a purpose and was improving the lives of others.

Brandon continues to train with me at Special Strong twice a week. On August 26, 2019, we were able to record a video of him at a speed of 4.0 on the treadmill, which is close to light jogging.

The only thing that prevents him from running is his foot resistance, which we are currently addressing in our training sessions. I am confident that one day Brandon will run, run and even sprint!

That's how he is.

03 Jul
Blog

The JLab Epic ANC Are Stuck in Earbud Limbo

JLab Epic-ANC

"Although the Epic ANC is comfortable, durable, and cheap, it does very little to separate itself from the crowd."

  • Comfortable, safe design

  • Solid battery life

  • IP54 waterproof

  • Average sound quality

  • Inconspicuous noise cancellation

JLab Audio is well on the way to developing affordable hearing aids, most of which come with features and sound that far exceed their prices. It may have created its own problem. If your products consistently try to push their own boundaries, the lines between them can get messed up and ask you why they even exist.

With JLab's new $ 79 Epic ANC wired earphones, we had to ask ourselves: can they differ from similar siblings and challenge competitors from other brands?

Out of the box

In the meantime I have opened enough JLab packages to know what to expect. The Epic ANC earphones are waiting for you in their own plastic shell. The rest of the box's content is just below it. These accessories include three sets of earplugs, a micro USB charging cable, a travel bag (JLab calls it a bag, but it's a bag), and a quick setup guide.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

In other words, there is not much pomp to admire here. But that's not really JLab's style. The company's products have traditionally relied on losing the weight of desire to deliver good value at a bargain price. That's exactly what you see again at the Epic ANC.

The connection was easy because the buds automatically switch to Bluetooth pairing mode the first time they are turned on. That may be standard these days, but trust me: With the few products that don't have this automatic pairing mode, you miss this subtle advantage.

The Epic ANC has built-in Bluetooth 5 technology and I have no connection issues to report. The buds were able to travel freely with me through my home without getting out when my phone was in the living room. Although I haven't necessarily crossed the line, I'm confident that these buds are enough.

design

As I've said with other earphones of this style, these wired setups are not as noticeable as real wireless alternatives. There are, of course, good reasons for this: the inclusion of wires leads to the possibility that they get stuck or become damaged when you cross everyday life. In addition, real wireless earbuds generally offer a more attractive aesthetic.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Honestly, it's a shame that these styles take a back seat because, apart from the wires, there's a lot to like about the way the Epic ANC was designed. Starting with the buds themselves, the included "Cush Fins" (JLab terminology) helped to create a secure fit in my ears. After several runs with the Epic ANC, I was pleased to find that I only had to adjust them a few times. For a product that is constantly jumping around the neck during intensive activities, this is a win in my book.

I chose the smaller standard earplugs that made them comfortable to hold in my ears. JLab also offers a set of three-flange earplugs and a pair of cloud foam tips, but the standard met my requirements exactly.

JLab was oddly light in terms of specs with the Epic ANC, so I don't have an exact weight to report. But I can say that they were light enough to train with, even though their siblings, the Epic Sport2, are significantly lighter. As wired buds that are dedicated to training, their lightness is not only sensible, but is also expected.

The Epic ANC is only available in one color (black). So if you want design options, you won't find them here. The travel bag / bag is also black and feels durable, which should be useful if you keep the buds in a travel bag or backpack.

properties

The more I used the Epic ANC, the more I thought about the 1More Dual Driver ANC. They are both made in the same style, probably for the same kind of audience. At half the price, it would have made sense not to expect the Epic ANC to compete with the features of the Dual Driver ANC. However, if I have learned anything from previous JLab reviews, this brand knows how to close the gap while reducing costs.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

For example, the 1More offers a battery life of 20 hours without using active noise cancellation and 15 hours with the function activated. For JLab balloons that are not used by ANC, a playback time of 25 hours is achieved, although listening supported by ANC takes a small step back after 14 hours. However, the Epic ANC comes with an AUC cable adapter that can be connected and listened to if the battery fails.

Through my tests, I can confirm that JLab's battery requirements are correct. This type of juice should be enough to do a few days of work while using Active Noise Cancellation. If you are still working from home without having to compensate for noisy environments, you can extend the battery of the buds over several days.

The Epic ANC is weatherproof to IP54 and protects the buds from dust and water sprays from every direction. I didn't expect these to get wet in the heat of summer, but left it up to the good old Pacific Northwest to take a quick shower during a morning walk. Rest assured: The Epic ANC did it without any problems.

For comparison: the Epic Sport2 has an improved protection rating IP66, which protects against high-pressure water jets, while the 1More has an IPX5 resistance, which protects it against jet streams, although it is not protected against dust.

The Epic ANC has an inline remote control that takes over all controls of the earphones. A button on the side of the remote control changes through the ANC modes with arrows at the opposite ends of the volume of the remote control and the track switch. Pressing the lower arrow twice will even activate your preferred intelligent assistant, while the middle button will turn the device on and off and answer and end calls. When it comes to controls, most people value functionality, and the Epic ANC well meets that standard.

Audio quality

The main difference between the Epic ANC and the more expensive 1More Dual Driver is in the sound. Because while the Epic ANC offers usable sound quality, it cannot impair the audio experience of the Dual Driver ANC.

JLab Epic ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Of course, this almost had to happen, since these two products are technically between the weight classes. And to be clear, if the epic ANC were to fight someone of its size, it would do better. But when we decide whether to spend the extra money or stick to a budget option, it seems like a comparison that we have to make.

From a general perspective, the Epic ANC sounds decent and offers above-average clarity of what you'd expect from earphones under $ 100. The problems are at both ends of the frequency range, where the bass feels muffled in songs like Eminems Godzilla and tracks like Jimmie Allen's This Is Us feel a bit hard in the higher frequencies. Compared to the 1More, which expertly navigates through different genres, these topics are only accentuated.

As with the 1More, JLab recommends a burn-in phase (via its own burn-in tool app) in order to get the best sound out of these buds. It takes time that I didn't have for the purposes of this review, so I put it out with stock sound. Which, to repeat, will sound good to the majority of listeners. It just won't be anything to write home about.

Active noise cancellation

Unfortunately I have more "meh" messages for JLab fans to report here. The active noise cancellation features built into the Epic ANC adequately complement the sound quality of the buds, but do not have the effect many hope for.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Turning on ANC has muffled some outside noise in the various environments I've tried it in, but in louder situations, such as when walking down a busy street, they haven't done nearly enough to mask the excessive noise. In addition, both myself and others struggled to differentiate between the Epic ANC's two noise control modes (high and low). If you cannot distinguish between these two settings, there is a clear problem.

The 1More were much more effective when tested in similar environments. Neither set is a leader in the ANC area, but the ANC with two drivers had a lot more understanding of the technology.

I will say that the Epic ANC's third noise control mode, Be Aware Mode, did exactly what it said it did. By effectively activating this mode, outside noise is effectively fed in, making it easy to address friendly neighbors while maintaining an appropriate social distance.

Our opinion

The Epic ANC is in every way the affordable alternative to the excellent Dual Driver ANC from 1More, with the exception of the sound, which leaves something to be desired. This does not completely prevent another valuable set of earphones from JLab. But it hurts.

Are there any better alternatives?

You probably already know this answer. The $ 150 1More Dual Driver ANC is exactly what the Epic ANC hoped for, but at twice the price. If you're an athlete looking for a similar style at a cheaper price, JLab's $ 49 Epic Sport2 fits perfectly with its features and design.

How long will they last?

JLab offers a two-year warranty with the Epic ANC, and the product itself feels so durable that I no longer have to worry about exposing it to intensive training sessions. I would say these buds last long enough to get your money's worth.

Should you buy them

No. The Epic ANC has done a lot right, from the comfortable design to the effective functions. However, it hasn't done enough to distance itself from cheaper options within its own brand or to approach the quality of the more expensive Dual Driver ANC. They're good friends after all, but they're stuck in no man's land.

Editor's recommendations




03 Jul
Blog

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Review: It’s Always On

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

"If you're looking for a high-performance electric car with a six-figure price tag, this is the best option."

  • Packed with technical features

  • Immediate performance at any speed

  • More practical than you think

  • Very quiet in normal driving

  • Modest electrical range

  • Regenerative braking can be adjusted

Porsche made a name for itself by building high-performance, high-octane cars for the road and the route, not for drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Although company founder Ferdinand Porsche dealt with hybrid technology at the end of the 19th century, the automaker's reputation is intertwined with the combustion engine. It began to unravel this egg when it entered the hybrid segment in the 2000s, and it chose an additional level of separation when it launched the Taycan, its first mass-produced electric car, in 2019.

Can a Porsche be electric? Or does one fly into the teeth of logic with a battery instead of a gas tank? I traveled to Stuttgart, the home town of the German company, and borrowed a Taycan Turbo S to find out.

Design and interior

Visually, the low-powered electric sedan from Porsche hardly changed when it switched from the sensational Mission E-Concept presented at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (back when the Frankfurt trade fair was still an issue) to the Taycan presented in 2019.The company's design language is more futuristic , but still looks unmistakably like a car that has grown in the same family tree as the 911 and the Panamera.

The rear doors of the design study, which were hinged on the back, remained on the drawing board for safety and packaging reasons. They are terribly expensive and not very practical to build. Ask Lincoln if you don't believe it.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

Inside, the Taycan feels just like a Porsche. Look elsewhere if you want wide, velor-upholstered seats and a sky-high seating position. The cabin has a 2 + 2 layout with plenty of room for the front seat passenger, but headroom in the rear is somewhat narrow due to the sloping roof line.

Fit and workmanship are almost perfect throughout the cabin – anything else would be alarming considering the Turbo S is priced at $ 185,000 – and the Taycan is more practical than its sleek lines suggest. It carries back 12.9 cubic feet of your belongings and 2.8 cubes in the "frunk", which offers enough space for a few bags of groceries or a briefcase. The charging cable is usually located here.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

Fittingly, the first series-produced electric car from Porsche is the most modern model to date. It has a curved digital 16.8-inch instrument cluster with individual displays that can be configured using buttons on the steering wheel. There's a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, an 8.4-inch screen with additional features just below, and a fourth screen on the right side of the dashboard, but it can only be used when the car detects that someone is sitting in the passenger seat.

In other words, there are as many screens in the driver's line of sight as there are cylinders in the engine compartment of a Boxster. The number of functions packed in the dashboard is gigantic and it takes a while to find out which functions do what. Everything is where you expect it to be, but Porsche hasn't attached a volume control to the dashboard. While the driver has one on the steering wheel, the front passenger must use the touchscreen on the center console. This becomes an unnecessarily cumbersome task if there is something in the cup holder directly behind it.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard, but Android Auto is not available. This could change soon.

Lane Keeping Assist, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are available. These functions are driving aids – they do not make the Taycan autonomous in any way, but they are useful on long journeys and work as indicated.

InnoDrive technology, which is similar to steroid cruise control, is a $ 3,610 option that should be standard when you consider that the Turbo S has a supercar-like price tag. It is a data-driven function based, in part, on information sent by the various sensors in the vehicle to calculate the best driving strategy for a particular route. It detects when the road is wet, for example by analyzing the feedback from the stability control system. Maps are also considered to determine when there is a hill for which it needs to accelerate or a curve for which it needs to slow down to ensure that passengers do not feel like they are on a roller coaster. InnoDrive is about three kilometers ahead of the driver, Porsche told me.

Experience driving

Good enough, it doesn't cut in Stuttgart.

While there are tamer, cheaper variants of the Taycan, the Turbo S is the flagship that shows what Porsche is capable of in the area of ​​electrification. It is based on a 93.4 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery that drives two electric motors (one per axis). This configuration is hardly unusual in the world of electric cars because it offers all-wheel drive across the street. However, it is noteworthy that the rear engine shifts via a two-speed gearbox for better performance.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

The maximum output reaches a confusing 750 horsepower and a torque of 774 pound-feet. However, these numbers are only under your right foot when a temporary overload function is activated. The drive train delivers 613 horses under normal conditions, which is sufficient. It takes 2.6 seconds to reach 100 km / h from a stop. So it's good before you read this sentence.

Porsche has installed the ignition on the left side of the steering wheel for decades. It's a habit it picked up on when pilots started big races (like the Le Mans 24 Hours) by running from the pits to their car. You could turn on the engine with your left hand and shift into gear with your right hand. Although the Taycan doesn't have a key, Porsche has attached the on / off switch to the left of the instrument cluster to honor the tradition.

However, there is no need to press it. It turns on automatically when it is determined that someone has put the keychain in their pocket behind the wheel. If you move the small gear selector switch down, the Taycan switches on without the slightest clink or noise and creeps forward in complete silence. It's as quiet, quiet, and stress-free in the city as you'd expect from an electric car. The adaptive air suspension filters out the cobblestones that line the streets in small German towns, and the relatively light steering at low speeds makes maneuvering easier. There's a 360-degree camera that shows how far the corners are from things waiting to take an expensive stab, like concrete barriers.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

Quaint towns with quaint houses and bakeries selling delicious pretzels made me feel like I was driving the Taycan through a postcard, but Germany – and the car – offer more than just crawling around looking for a snack. I left Neckarsulm (where NSU once made cars and where Audi now makes cars), pointed the Taycan's low nose at Stuttgart, and waited for the sign indicating that there is no speed limit to see how it is at the other end of the driving spectrum. And to my surprise, it's smooth, quiet and stress-free again, even at 250 km / h, which is close to the top speed of 250 km / h.

There is obviously no motor, so the only noise comes from the tires and the wind, and it is possible to have a conversation without raising your voice. To remove the engine from the high-performance equation, every squeak and rattle that the exhaust normally hides had to be suppressed. I spoke to some of the engineers who worked on the project, and they all told me that calming down at 250 km / h was much easier said than done, especially because adding extra sound absorbing material weighed it down the Taycan would have increased and its range reduced.

What impressed me the most about the Turbo S is the way it accelerates from 100 to 155 mph, for example. Or if you are outside of Germany, from 50 to 80 miles per hour. It is always on, the power is always on and there is never the slightest hint of delay. It's a performance approach that would require colossal displacement to be achieved with combustion technology, and it's one of the most exciting aspects of the driving experience.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

On side streets, the Taycan feels like a Panamera in the sense that it is a large, heavy car that hides its weight well. It is equipped with all-wheel steering, so that the rear wheels turn slightly in the opposite direction to the front wheels at a speed of up to 48 km / h. You can feel the difference when driving on a street that looks like a cooked piece of spaghetti. It is nimbler than its size and weight. Above 30 miles an hour, the rear wheels turn again (very lightly; this is not a forklift) in the same direction as the front wheels to increase stability.

If I could travel back in time and participate in the development process, I would choose a more pronounced energy recovery effect (or at least add an option that allows the driver to turn it up if he wants to). With some electric cars and a handful of plug-in hybrid models, you rarely need to touch the brake pedal to slow down or gradually come to a stop. You just take your foot off the accelerator and the engines do the rest. In the Taycan, the regenerative braking system is extremely powerful (Porsche told me that it can slow the car down to 0.4 G), and the brake pedal always feels constant , but driving with a pedal is not possible. Although the brakes are bitten very hard (they have to stop a £ 5,200 rocket that travels about 160 miles an hour), I would appreciate the opportunity to pedal them on back roads.

Range and charging

Much has been said in the US about the range of the Taycan and not much of it has been positive. It received a 192 mile rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is low and does not qualify for coveted long distance status. In the European Union, where all cars go through a test cycle called WLTP, the Turbo S has received a more usable 256-mile rating. In the real world, which neither of the two test methods reflects well, the range of the Taycan depends on a variety of factors, including the outside temperature, whether you're using the air conditioner, and whether you're spending more time on the freeway or on the freeway city. Your mileage will vary.

I spent about 40% of my time on the freeway, 40% on back roads and 20% in cities, including some of Stuttgart's best traffic jams, and the Taycan consumed an average of 23.7 kilowatt hours of electricity to travel 62 miles. This number makes it more efficient than the distance estimate it has received on both sides of the pond. It was pretty warm and I had the air conditioning on throughout the trip. I could have done better and I could have done it much worse. No two drivers are identical, no two rides are exactly the same, and the bottom line is that the Taycan has a lot of range.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.Ronan Glon

Charging speed is just as important as range when driving an electric car every day. The Taycan is compatible with a quick charge of 350 kilowatts, with which the battery zaps with a range of approx. 100 km in approx. 4 minutes. Another question is whether you live near a 350-kilowatt charger. If not, the battery will be charged by a slower station.

To find out, tap the navigation menu on the touchscreen and ask it to call up a list of the charging stations in your area. It organizes the results by distance (the closest ones are listed first), specifies the number of plugs in a specific location, notes the charging speed and even shows you how many are currently occupied in the Rea-Time. This extremely useful function makes driving an electric car considerably easier.

In the U.S., the Taycan comes standard with three years of unlimited 30-minute quick charge sessions at Electrify America stations. There are over 400 chargers across America, and many more are planned.

How DT would configure this car

I would start with Dolomite Gray Metallic and keep the standard 21-inch alloy wheels for a more understated look. I would skip the screen in front of the passenger and add the InnoDrive technology above, although it's not cheap.

Our opinion

The Taycan is more than spaetzle cooked in a Tesla-flavored sauce. It looks, drives, and feels like a real Porsche, no matter how you approach it – and Holy Moly has a price like one. Don't be fooled by the unflattering range estimates that driving every day or being unable to trip on the road is impractical. In order to live with the Taycan, you have to change your habits. However, this is the case with every electric car, regardless of range, performance and price.

Porsche found out the electrification, which is a relief when you consider that the Taycan will no longer remain the only battery-powered model. There's a more spacious variant with the Cross Turismo emblem and an adventure-friendly car body around the corner, and the next-generation Macan, which is slated to launch in the early 2020s, will be completely electric. The upcoming E-Tron GT from Audi, which is slated to take cover in 2020, will be closely related to the Taycan under the skin.

Should you get one?

Yes. If you are looking for a high performance electric car with a six digit price, this is the best option.

Editor's recommendations




02 Jul
Blog

Bose Home Speaker 500 Review: Smart, Stylish, Surround Sound

Bose Home Speaker 500

"Rich, expansive sound helps this intelligent speaker deliver a virtuoso performance."

  • Expansive stereo sound

  • Slim, attractive design

  • Choice of Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Easy to use controls

  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and line-in options

  • AirPlay 2

  • Expensive

  • Some music services are not supported

  • A little cumbersome multiroom control

  • No Chromecast option for Android

In the early days of the smart speaker revolution, finding a speaker that sounded both smart and great was a challenge. Fortunately, those days are long gone. With products from Sonos, Marshall, Apple and Amazon, you can now have and eat your cake. However, before deciding on a new wireless smart speaker from one of these companies, you should consider the $ 300 Bose Home Speaker 500.

With a fascinating mix of sleek design, expansive sound and a choice of digital assistants, it could be just the smart audio device that your home was missing.

But is it right for you? Let's take a look.

design

Bose Home Speaker 500Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Bose Home Speaker 500 is available in triple black or a sophisticated two-tone silver and white tone and is deceptively large. With an elliptical shape that is much wider than it is deep, its base is small enough to easily find a seat on a countertop, bookcase, or coat. At just 4.75 pounds, it's also surprisingly light for its size.

Nothing breaks the smooth aluminum and plastic contours of the speaker – even the included AUX input is barely noticeable and is located on the back near the floor. My triple black test device looked great no matter where I placed it.

There are people who are tempted to hide their speakers (even the good looking ones) where they can be heard but not seen. However, this would be a mistake with the Home Speaker 500. Not only would this make using the thoughtful design more difficult touch controls that adorn the top, but also prevent you from seeing the front-facing color screen.

Not that you have to see or touch it (it's not a touchscreen), but it just looks so damn cool that it would be a shame not to place it where it can be appreciated.

But I can't help thinking that Bose missed an opportunity here. When you are listening to music, the 3-inch screen shows the album art for the currently playing track, along with the artist and the track name. If the speaker is inactive, you can choose a dial or nothing at all, but that's all it does. I can think of several ways to use this screen: weather forecasts, news feeds, or just a selection of softly animated screensavers.

Given that the home speaker 500 can also be used as a smart speaker, it would be super cool to see the screen as a secondary display for voice commands, e.g. If you said, "Alexa, what's the weather like?" and the screen showed you the current weather along with Alexa’s spoken response.

But I digress. Those who want to hear the same artists, playlists, or radio stations regularly will appreciate the six special preset buttons on the Home Speaker 500. You assign them in the Bose Music app and they can be assigned to almost any music source supported by the app.

configuration

Sonos has always been my benchmark for quick and easy setups, but Bose is under a second. With the Bose Music app, I configured the Home Speaker 500 for my home WiFi, connected it to my Google account for access to the Google Assistant, and streamed music in less than five minutes.

The Bose Music app is simple and mostly very intuitive to use, with great instructions and feedback at every step.

links

Bose Home Speaker 500Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Some wireless home speakers like Sonos only offer Wi-Fi, but the Bose Home Speaker 500 lets you make three connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the aforementioned line-in input. With the exception of a USB port for accessing disk-based files, you can't ask for more.

However, Bose has chosen not to include an Ethernet jack, which you may miss if your Wi-Fi network is stained in some places. Sonos contains them except for one of its speakers, but I suspect that very few of its customers use them – I certainly never needed that.

Wi-Fi with its higher bandwidth than Bluetooth should be your preferred connection method, but it gets a little difficult here.

With Wi-Fi, you can set up and control the Home Speaker 500 through the Bose Music app. This also includes streaming music from Spotify Premium and Free, Apple Music, TuneIn, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, Deezer and iHeartRadio. It's a good selection, but not nearly as extensive as Sonos'. For example, tide and YouTube music are not included. There is also no way to stream from a personal music collection on your home network.

If you're an Apple device owner, AirPlay 2 can make up for this shortcoming, so you can stream virtually any audio source from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the Home Speaker 500. If you're an Android user who lacks the music app, Bluetooth is your only replacement option.

Chromecast for audio may be a future Wi-Fi path for Android owners, but the Home Speaker 500 does not yet support it. When it appears, it appears as a subset of the Google Assistant, so for those who prefer Alexa – or no assistant at all – it still gets stuck with Bluetooth.

Sound quality

Bose Home Speaker 500Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Bose makes a pretty big claim for the Home Speaker 500: "The widest sound of all intelligent speakers." I put it side by side with the $ 200 Amazon Echo Studio, which has a very similar internal driver layout and both products are designed to deliver impressive sound. The Home Speaker 500 performed admirably and delivered a slightly wider sound stage than the Echo Studio despite the weaker bass response.

How expansive the sound becomes depends in part on the placement. In an ideal world, you would give her plenty of room to breathe, away from the walls and preferably not stowed in a bookcase.

Broadest or not, I think you'll love how this speaker sounds. Bose has positioned the internal drivers so that sound waves are distributed in a kind of crooked 360-degree field. By that I mean the best seat in the house is right in front of the speaker, but you can still enjoy about 80% of its full quality from almost anywhere else.

I learned to appreciate this effect when I reviewed Bose's excellent portable home speaker, which produces an almost perfectly circular sound field.

What is impressive is that you not only get real room-filling audio, but also a fairly decent stereo separation – not an easy task for such a small speaker.

You can set both bass and treble in the app. However, if your taste isn't really going in either direction, the factory EQ offers a nice balance between the two.

If there's a weakness, it's in the midrange definition – a challenging area for even the best little speakers. This is particularly noticeable when playing genres such as classical or jazz – instruments that live in the middle frequencies, such as cellos and some woodwinds, can be flattened somewhat. Overall, the Home Speaker 500 is a pleasure to hear, regardless of whether it provides the setting for an intimate dinner or a rough get-together.

The Home Speaker 500 also offers impressive volume levels. Max get this thing out and be ready for many knocks on the door of irritated neighbors.

Multiroom audio

Bose Home Speaker 500Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the advantages of buying a wireless speaker at home is that different music can be played in each room, or the same music (or a combination thereof) can be played in all rooms. The Home Speaker 500 can be easily grouped with other Bose home speakers such as the Home Speaker 300 or the Bose Soundbar 500 using the Bose Music app.

However, using multiroom requires a bit of planning. Since you can also create speaker groups with AirPlay 2, you need to decide whether you want to stream from a music service in the Bose Music app – in which case you would manage your speaker groups there – or from another app on your phone or tablet – in in this case you would manage the groups using the AirPlay 2 interface.

The two systems don't play well together. Groups created in the Bose Music app don't like trying to change them with AirPlay 2, or vice versa.

There's also no way to create stereo pairs with two Bose speakers. If multiroom audio is top priority, you're probably more satisfied with Sonos.

However, Bose has a trick up its sleeve that I haven't found in any wireless speaker system, including Sonos. Bose calls it Simplesync and allows you to group any Bluetooth audio device, from a portable speaker to a wireless headphone, with the Home Speaker 500. In this sense, according to Bose, this function works best with the company's own Bluetooth speakers and headphones. This audio is more precisely synchronized.

It's true. I tried Simplesync with a JBL Flip 5 speaker that I had on hand, and while setup was a breeze, there was a fraction of a second latency between the two speakers. I wouldn't rely on doing multiroom audio, but it's a pretty handy option.

Voice assistants

Bose has followed Sonos' role model in its smart speaker strategy, and that's an excellent decision. As with Sonos, with Bose you can choose between Alexa and Google Assistant for the Home Speaker 500 instead of selling two different versions of the speaker as with other home audio companies.

I chose Google Assistant for this review because I have more compatible products at home. However, setting up Home Speaker 500 with Alexa is just as easy. Bose really nailed the smart speaker experience. Voice commands are easily recognized, even in fairly noisy environments and up to 15 feet away, without you having to actually raise your voice. If privacy is an issue, a special microphone mute button guarantees an A.I.-free environment.

The response times are also very good. I have found no difference between the Home Speaker 500 and my Google Nest mini in terms of response times.

I particularly liked that the bright white LED strip over the color screen immediately gave visual feedback that my commands had been heard. Most smart speakers have a similar visual cue. However, if they are only visible from the top (e.g. Sonos smart speakers or Google's Home and Nest minis), you won't be able to see them that easily from a room.

There is one limitation when you choose the Bose Home Speaker 500 as your smart speaker, and that is compatibility with music services. Although Google Assistant and Alexa can take control of a variety of music services, you cannot use these voice assistants if the Home Speaker 500 does not support a particular service (see Connections above). Google Play Music (now mainly switched to YouTube Music), Apple Music and Tidal are examples of services that none of the Home Speaker 500 wizards can control.

Our opinion

At its new lower price of $ 300, the Bose Home Speaker 500 costs the same as the Apple HomePod and Google Home Max, two very good smart speakers. But with Bluetooth, line-in, a full color display and a choice of voice assistants, it offers more value than these two products and also sounds amazing.

Is there a better alternative?

For $ 200, the Sonos One delivers great sound and supports almost every streaming service on the planet. It doesn't have the ultra-wide stereo sound stage, Bluetooth, AUX input, or chic color screen of the Home Speaker 500, but it has the best multiroom audio system we've ever used. It's still our top rated smart speaker for a reason.

If you're on board with Bose and want to take over the smart speaker experience but prefer to pay a little less, the $ 200 Bose Home Speaker 300 loses the color screen and wide stereo sound, but retains all other functions.

How long it will take?

Bose builds great products that usually last a long time. It only applies to the Home Speaker 500 with a one-year warranty, although this is standard for similar products from other companies.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Bose Home Speaker 500 combines beautiful design with flexibility of the voice assistant and an expansive stereo sound, which is characterized by its slim body. The color screen is also a nice touch. Android users should be aware of the lack of Chromecast as a Wi-Fi streaming option, but Apple users should be more than happy with AirPlay 2 as a Bluetooth alternative.

Editor's recommendations




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