04 Feb
Blog

JBL Reflect Mini NC Review: Workout Earbuds With Big Bass

JBL Reflect Mini NC

"With a throbbing bass and a huge list of functions, the JBL Reflect Mini NC chooses every workout."

  • Big, powerful bass

  • Excellent call quality

  • Either Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Good noise cancellation

  • Cumbersome adjustment of the controls

  • No wireless charging

JBL sells a wide variety of true wireless earbuds aimed at fitness enthusiasts. Between the company's own JBL branded products and its partnerships with Under Armor and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, you can choose from eight different models, priced between $ 100 and $ 200. Announced at CES 2021, the latest in the range are the $ 150 Reflect Mini NC, JBL's first Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) training buds.

With an impressive list of features, excellent water resistance, and a surprisingly affordable price point, one wonders: what's the catch? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Reflect Mini NC, like most JBL headphones, comes in a box that is beautifully designed but a nightmare to recycle, with lots of plastic, foam, and magnets embedded. Inside you will find the earphones, their charging case, a USB-C charging cable, a total of three sizes of silicone earplugs and wing tips, as well as paper documentation with a quick guide.

design

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Most of the other loading cases feel weak in comparison.

The Reflect Mini NC and its compact charging case are available in black, white, green or blue and radiate robustness. Despite its low weight, the charging case is very solid thanks to a robust plastic shell and an impressively robust hinge. The lid is easy to open and stays in the open position until you close it, which comes with a very satisfactory magnetic clasp. Most of the other loading cases, even JBL's own Reflect Flow, feel weak in comparison. A built-in lanyard loop is handy for taking the headphones with you when you don't have a pocket, or attaching them to a gym bag or backpack.

I'm also a bit obsessed with the charge indicator on the front of the case. In most cases there will be a small LED dot or a series of dots if you're lucky. With the Reflect Mini NC, however, you get a large, fat LED bar that shows the charging status of each earbud and the case itself. The only thing missing here is wireless charging.

The earphones are also solidly built and, as the name suggests, slightly smaller than the Reflect Flows – albeit not by much. As an advantage for night runners and hikers, reflective paint was applied to the JBL logos on the contact surfaces.

No workout buds would be complete without some sort of water resistance, and the Reflect Mini NC doesn't disappoint with an IPX7 rating, which means they're effectively waterproof. They won't work if you go swimming with them, but they won't be damaged either.

Convenience, control and connections

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

True workout wireless earbuds often use an ear hook design to ensure a secure fit. The Powerbeats Pro are the flagship for this function. But if you can achieve the same level of security without the earhook, that's a plus in my opinion, and the Reflect Mini NC definitely delivers. The tradeoff – if you consider it a compromise – is that these earbuds really make your ears feel full.

You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud.

The silicone earbuds and wing tips are denser than the ones JBL uses for the Reflect Flow, presumably to improve stability, but that means they're not quite as comfortable. You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud, but you'll never forget you're wearing it either. As a result, they are likely not the best choice for long periods of wear in an office or on an airplane.

The touch controls respond quickly as long as you touch the surface of the logo and not just the edges. Each earbud is factory-equipped with preset functions. With the left bud you can switch between the ANC modes or activate the talk-thru mode (more on this later). The right earbud controls play / pause and skip forward / backward. Both earbuds can access your phone's built-in assistant and both can be used to answer / end calls and mute / unmute the microphones. So far, so good. There is no volume control by default, but that's not uncommon – many true wireless earbuds lack this feature.

The problem occurs when you use the free JBL headphones app to customize the controls. Instead of letting you choose which features go with which gestures, you have to choose from the presets. For example, the left earbud can control noise cancellation or playback functions, but not a mix of these functions. If volume control is important to you, you can set either earbud to control it. But then you just have to choose another function to control with the other earbud. What will it be? And if you don't like the gesture assigned to a particular function (e.g. a single tap to toggle ANC mode), you can't change it.

You can configure the Reflect Mini NC to access the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa instead of your phone's built-in assistant. However, if you use this very cool feature it will take a whole earbud. This leaves you with Alexa and volume (for example). Or Alexa and ANC. You get the picture. I asked JBL why the controls seem to be set up like a bunch of channels on cable TV, but I have never received a satisfactory answer.

Like more and more earbuds these days, the Reflect Mini NC has an auto play / pause function that pauses your music when you remove an earbud. It reacts very quickly and can be deactivated in the app if desired.

You can use the earbuds individually (both can answer / end calls) and their wireless range is excellent. Pairing is very quick and easy for both iPhone and Android phones.

There's a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel all over your body.

In the JBL app, you can choose from three different Smart Audio modes that supposedly change the parameters of the wireless connection: Normal for the most stable connection, audio for the best sound quality, and video for the lowest latency (also great for gaming). I didn't notice much of a difference between these modes, but I love that they are included if you need them.

JBL also includes a Find My Earbuds feature that makes each earbud emit a high-pitched beep. It's loud enough that you will hear it even if a bud gets wedged between sofa cushions.

Sound quality

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When it comes to a set of workout earphones, the big, powerful bass is arguably one of the most important elements. After all, it's the beat that keeps most of us going, whether we're serious about taking a walk or trying to hit a new personal best at the gym. Thanks in part to its super-tight seal, the Reflect Mini NC fulfills this requirement with a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel through your whole body.

Turn up Post Malone's wow. or Ariana Grande's 7 rings and wait for those extremely deep basses to hit – it's powerful stuff. That same low-end rumble is perfect for action films too.

You can customize the EQ to your heart's content in the JBL app, with a few presets, but also your own collection of custom settings. These are well worth exploring – you can drastically change the signature of the Reflect Mini NC.

They aren't the most nuanced earbuds I've ever heard. The mids can be a bit overwhelmed by the heavy lows and highs, and their soundstage isn't as wide or open as on models like this Jabra Elite Active 75t. As a training companion, however, they couldn't be more precise in terms of sound.

Noise cancellation and transparency

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After a lukewarm experience with JBL's ANC technology on the Club One wireless headphones, I was also prepared for an overwhelming performance from the Reflect Mini NC. Surprisingly, the opposite was true. Once again, their tight ear canal seal is key: these earbuds do such a good job of passive noise isolation that the ANC circuit doesn't have much to put out, and they do a very effective job.

It's so good, in fact, that even without music, family members could sneak up on me completely undetected while I had the earphones with me.

You can select the specific frequencies you want to cancel using a slider in the JBL app. It's not quite as convenient as the Sony, Jabra, or Soundcore presets, but it's very handy nonetheless. Customize ANC performance for your specific environment.

The Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality.

Transparency mode is good too, but it has two minor drawbacks: unlike ANC, you can't adjust how much sound transparency mode is allowed, and there's no way to toggle between ANC and transparency mode without an ANC off Mode to cycle through. Two more adjustments that JBL should add.

Talk-thru mode, a handy way to temporarily turn on transparency while lowering the volume of your music, works very well too.

Battery life

JBL claims six hours of use between charges for the Reflect Mini NC when the ANC is on and seven hours when it is off. It's similar to the Jabra Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t, but not quite as impressive as the Powerbeats Pro's nine hours. The charging case contains two full charges that take an additional 12 or 14 hours. As far as I can tell, these numbers are pretty accurate.

A 10-minute quick charge gives you an extra hour of playback time, although that's on the low end for true wireless earbuds.

Call quality

JBL managed to surprise me once again – the Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality. To put it in perspective, if you are using them outside or around traffic, you just can't tell I wasn't inside. There was an occasional jiggle when noise cancellation tackled car and wind noise, but overall these earbuds are impressively clear.

During a call you can still switch the ANC to ambient mode, which is perfect for hearing your own voice without the attenuation effects of the earbuds.

Our opinion

The JBL Reflect Mini NC with massive basses are also inexpensive and feature-rich, which makes them an ideal set of training companions. If JBL could fix the cumbersome and restrictive control schemes, they would be nearly perfect.

Is there a better alternative?

I think JBL found the sweet spot for workout earbuds with the price, sound, and features of the Reflect Mini NC, but here are three alternatives worth considering:

Sony's $ 200 WF-SP800N is one of our most popular workout earbuds. It offers better sound quality and a better ANC, as well as an enormous battery life of nine hours.

The $ 200 Jabra Elite Active 75t offers better sound quality (though not as much bass) and controls, plus longer battery life, while providing great water and dust resistance. I think they're more comfortable too, but without ear hooks or wing tips, they're not as safe.

The $ 150 JLab Epic Air Sport is one of our favorite Powerbeats Pro competitors. They don't have an ANC and their ear hook design makes them less versatile, but they have great sound and tremendous battery life.

How long will they last?

With a one-year guarantee from JBL, the Reflect Mini NC are very robustly built and I expect a long service life. The silicone earbuds and wing tips will likely need to be replaced after a year of continuous use, but this is normal for these parts.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. As long as you're okay with a very custom-fit in-ear design and you don't mind spending some time figuring out which controls to use, this is it JBL Reflect Mini NC are great workout earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




03 Feb
Blog

Vizio P Series Quantum X (P85QX-H1) Review: Bright Idea

vizio p series quantum x p85qx h1 review quantumx 2

Vizio 65-inch Quantum X 4K P-Series HDR Smart TV

"But with great strength comes great responsibility."

  • Incredibly bright TV

  • Fixed black levels

  • Incredible price-performance ratio

  • Good for playing

  • Red tone with ready-to-use image settings

  • The calibrated dark mode hides the shadow details

When it comes to televisions, bigger is often better. But how about brightness? We dive into the Quantum X 85-inch Vizio P-Series TV (P85QX-H1) to find out.

Out of the box

For this review, we tested the 85-inch model because … why not? Vizio was kind enough to send the huge $ 2,500 TV with it, and we thought it would be a good time to see what Vizio's best look at its largest size looked like.

The large size of the TV made it a little more difficult to set up than usual as Vizio suggests placing the TV on a large surface when installing the TV feet. Fortunately, we had a table just big enough and the TV comes with a large piece of protective cardboard that can be used to isolate the TV screen from the surface in use.

The feet themselves are made of matte black metal and are relatively easy to install. We recommend inserting both screws into the appropriate holes for each foot before tightening. This will avoid potential problems with correctly aligning the holes.

In the box with the television, the feet and the screws, there is also a power cord, batteries and the remote control from Vizio, which, by the way, is not a voice remote control. Google is required to use a smart assistant with the TV. Amazon Alexa or Apple device or speakers.

The aesthetic design of the TV is quite elegant, with very thin bezels and pleasantly textured edges. The back of the TV is made of plastic, which isn't what you'd expect from a flagship TV, but Vizio doesn't charge the same amount of money as its competitors.

Our only real design problem is a lack of cable management.

Entrances

Vizio includes full specification HDMI 2.1 inputs in the P-Series Quantum X with a bandwidth of 48Gbps – at least that's true now that Vizio has released an update for the TV series. At the time of evaluation, we were struggling to get all HDMI 2.1 features to work when testing with a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Please see below for more information on the TV's gaming capabilities.

First picture adjustments

The P85QX-H1 is absolutely huge at 85 inches. But what is the picture like, apart from the impressive size? The P85QX-H1 is definitely bright – up to 3000 nits. The lighter the whites got, the more a red hue crept in. While the problem can be fixed in the white balance settings, the correction took much longer than expected. Once this was corrected, the color coverage and accuracy were measured very well. We are only concerned that some of the value will go out the window when a professional calibrator has to be called in to bring the image closer to accuracy.

Calibrated dark mode vs. calibrated mode

vizio p series quantum x p85qx h1 review quantumx 10 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/vizio-p-series-quantumx - 10-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEA

vizio p series quantum x p85qx h1 review quantumx 11 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/vizio-p-series-quantumx - 11-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEA

When it came to calibrated HDR content in calibrated dark mode, a lot of the dark scenes we saw were just black. Turning the local dimming setting to medium didn't help much either – it just wasn't good for dark scenes. According to Vizio, this is not normal, but we did not see any fixes to the settings during our test period.

However, when entering Calibrated (instead of Calibrated Dark Mode) the details were enlarged significantly and showed all the nuances we should see rather than just the black stripe of nothing we saw in Calibrated Dark Mode. Although the details were now visible, the color still had to be corrected and calibrated.

Black levels and brightness

The black levels of the PQX are very good with the right settings. You get a good amount of shadow detail and blooming is kept to a minimum for most of the time. The brightness is very intense. The P85QX-H1 is pretty good at doing HDR effects, and it's pretty dazzling, even though some of the white clouds we previewed were tinted pink with no color correction. However, the computing power of the P85QX-H1 is spot on.

The black levels of the PQX are very good with the right settings.

Backlight

Backlighting became an occasional problem. We found that the backlighting algorithm / TV execution was a bit slow to meet the requirements of the content and as a result we noticed slight brightness shifts on the screen that shouldn't be there. Granted, it's more obvious because the P85QX-H1 is just so big, but it's a visible problem that we couldn't ignore.

Uniformity, movement and processing of the screen

The screen evenness of the obtained P85QX-H1 was solid. As for movement, we saw stuttering on challenging scenes like an evening flight through New York City – the buildings stutter as they move from top to bottom. The good news is that we didn't see any moiré, which is a common occurrence when viewing this test clip – another sign of excellent workmanship.

This processing can also be identified by the lack of color stripes, even at lower resolution and low bit depth content. During some pans, however, while the movement was smooth, there were light flashes in bright areas that we occasionally found annoying.

Audio

The audio quality of the P85QX-H1 isn't bad – but it's not great either. It has a decent low end, which avoids the thin sound of many TVs. And while the speakers are near the bottom and the back, the presence of the sound is such that it doesn't sound like the sound is coming from behind the TV or from below. Adding one of Vizio's sound bars would be a great addition and would equate the sound with the grandeur of the TV.

Play

The input delay of the P85QX-H1 is good at around 13.5 to 14 milliseconds at 4K 60 frames per second with HDR switched on. Unfortunately, like so many other TVs this year, the P85QX-H1 did not achieve 4K 120Hz with 4: 4: 4 chroma at the time of testing. Fortunately, Vizio has since fixed this problem with a firmware update so that owners of Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X can now take full advantage of their video settings. The Vizio gaming engine can now communicate very well with these consoles and these settings are automatically set correctly for you.

The P85QX-H1 is great but needs a bit of help to get there

Our opinion

We have mixed feelings about the P-Series Quantum X. In a minute it'll kick the ass and look absolutely gorgeous, but in the next minute it's going to do something that scares us off in a way that's hard to articulate. A TV of this caliber shouldn't need as many color corrections right away. Once corrected, it does some amazing things – the brightness reveals colors that we've never seen before.

The most important thing about this is that the P85QX-H1 is great but needs a bit of help to get there. It does take some tweaking (and possibly some cable management options), but once those are fixed it can take you into brilliant new visual territory.

Is there a better alternative?

Comparing the Vizio P-Series Quantum X to other televisions is made difficult by the fact that, although Vizio launched its new line of TVs in late 2020, the company refers to it as the 2021 TV line for all of 2021. In In this case, we will update this section as soon as competing 2021 models are released.

Compared to 2020 TVs currently available, the Vizio is extremely competitive in the price-performance category. This is one of the boldest, brightest TVs you can buy anywhere compared to the Samsung Q90T, and it costs $ 800 less than the Samsung at the 65-inch size. At 85 inches, the PQX costs around $ 1,000 less than a Samsung Q90T of comparable size.

How long it will take?

Since the Quantum X of the P-series is equipped with HDMI 2.1 connections and appears to be well built, the television should last several years despite quality control.

warranty

Vizio grants a one-year guarantee on its TV products. Please refer to the Vizio warranty page for more information.

Should you buy it?

We will say yes with the caveat that we strongly recommend that the TV be professionally calibrated. Without calibration, the TV appears to display an obvious shade of red that cannot be removed using the basic settings or guesswork in the two-point white balance setting section. Unfortunately, the cost of a professional calibration takes away some of the PQX's value, but it remains a lower cost, high-performance TV option compared to Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs.

Editor's recommendations




31 Jan
Blog

Ergatta Review: Machine Makes a Game Out of Rowing

Ergatta rowing machine rating rowing machine 2

Ergatta Review: Rowing machine makes movement a game

"Play your way to fitness with Ergatta's water-based rowing machine."

  • Compact size with vertical storage

  • Beautiful wooden frame

  • Calibrates to your fitness level

  • Playing is motivating

  • Water mimics rowing

  • No video training

  • Demanding for beginners

  • Open row is monotonous

Not everyone wants to endure the monotony of running on a treadmill or stepping on a bike. As a result, more and more people are turning to rowing for cardiovascular and core strengthening workouts. Most rowing machines stick to the basics, but the Ergatta water rower defies convention with its beautiful wooden frame and playful training experience. Does the Ergatta deliver more than just good looks and good games? We put the rower to the test to find out.

Installation and setup

Installation and setup of the rowing machine took less than 30 minutes. The unit arrived almost fully assembled, with wheels that made it easy to roll it exactly where I wanted it to be. The technician filled the rower with water and he was ready to go. Before I left, the technician gave me a quick tour of the basics of folding and turning on the Ergatta.

It was my responsibility to connect the rowing machine to my Wi-Fi network and set up my Ergatta account. It's also worth noting that Ergatta charges $ 199 to ship and install the rowing machine, in addition to the $ 2,199 for the machine.

Looks like luxury furniture

In contrast to the industrial look of most rowing machines in the gym, the Ergatta is characterized by the fact that it looks more like a piece of furniture. The cherry wood frame and the transparent water tank go perfectly with any decor. It definitely looks funky, but it is easily the best looking rowing machine available right now.

The Ergatta is made by WaterRower, a well-known brand in the rowing world, and it shows. Everything about the rowing machine is of high quality. The seat rolls smoothly, the pull on the oar handle is even and the display is easy to read. Exercise equipment shouldn't be intimidating. With the Ergatta you get a feel for nature because you have the feeling of rowing a boat over water.

Compact size for storage

I have a small exercise room and I was afraid the rowing machine wouldn't fit. When it arrived I was shocked at how little space the Ergatta takes up. The rower is narrow and not too long, so it doesn't take up much space when using it. I was able to slide it between the wall and my treadmill. The Ergatta is also amazingly light and compact. You don't have to be a bodybuilder to move it – anyone can lift it to store it or roll it to a new location.

When you have finished your exercise, you can reclaim your living space by keeping the Ergatta upright. The engineers behind Ergatta thought about it a lot and made it incredibly easy. It takes three simple steps: flip the monitor flat, lower the monitor arm, and lift the end until the Ergatta is upright. When it's upright, it takes up about the same space as a dining room chair. This is important because most other cardio-based machines tend to take up more space. The Ergatta is perfect for apartment residents.

Smart rowing

To start with, Ergatta introduces you to rowing with some tutorial videos and a 2,000 meter series to calibrate the machine to your fitness level. Once your basic fitness is established, the software can choose workouts that are neither too easy nor too difficult. After 10 activities you will be asked to calibrate again. If you think these workouts are too difficult or too easy, you can always recalibrate them.

The ergatta uses water as resistance to mimic both the feel and the sound of rowing outdoors. The rower increases or decreases the resistance depending on how fast or hard you are rowing. There are no magnets or resistance bands involved. The faster or more forcefully you row, the harder it gets.

Addicted to rowing

Ergatta does not offer live or video training that is taking the world of the home gym by storm. The rower instead plays the workout experience and sets it apart from all other home fitness equipment I've used.

With the Ergatta you can choose between training and competition. During the exercise, you will be asked to row at a certain speed or with the right force. Instead of having a trainer yell at you to "row harder" or "keep going", the Ergatta uses a virtual ball to show how hard or fast you are rowing. In a game you have to hold the ball in a pre-defined zone for a certain amount of time. If you row too slowly or too fast, you will leave the target area and will not be able to complete this level.

This gamification was extremely committed. Time flew by as I concentrated on keeping my virtual ball in the target zone. I didn't count the minutes or the number of strokes – I was completely involved in the game. Sport should never feel like work or work – it should be fun and rewarding, which is exactly what you will find at Ergatta.

Race for the prize

When you are done training, you can join a race with eight other rowers of the same skill level. Some races ask you to row long distances while others use sprint intervals. Your times will be recorded and you will be listed among other racers as well as on a global leaderboard. I spent most of my time on the Ergatta taking part in the various races. I usually start with a quick warm up and then jump straight into the races. After three or four races, I was sweaty and tired.

I pushed myself to the limit during the race and enjoyed every minute.

Open rowing was disappointing

Ergatta also has an open row option that allows you to row at your own pace without thinking about racing or training goals. I eagerly opened this section to see how Ergatta applies its approach to the game to free line training. I was disappointed when I discovered there weren't any. There was no game to challenge me, no competitors to push me. It was just me and my stats.

After using Hydrow and iFit, I longed for a video scene, video trainer sharing stories, or some other visual stimulus. Unfortunately Ergatta does not support video training. If the company ever did, the open range would be an ideal area to implement it.

Demanding for beginners

As a beginner, I found it difficult to get into a groove. The tutorials were helpful, but I missed the video instructors. With Hydrow, I was able to mimic the coach's strokes and shape while rowing. I didn't have this feedback on Ergatta and got sloppy, especially when I was tired.

I also found that some of the workouts were too long for a beginner. I started the simplest 30-day training series and was encouraged after the first workout. It was short but challenging. The activity on day two was twice as long and I couldn't complete it. I was discouraged by my performance and the endurance that Ergatta expected on my second day.

I felt similarly challenged by the races and training sessions. Most of them were longer than I could handle. I found some short races and training sessions, but most of the training sessions lasted 20 minutes or more. Ergatta is always adding new content so I hope more sessions in the 5 to 10 minute range are added.

Pricing

The Ergatta is priced at $ 2,199, plus an additional $ 200 for shipping and installation. You can buy it in a lump sum or finance it over 24 months. Like most smart home fitness equipment, the Ergatta rower requires a monthly subscription. You can pay $ 29 monthly ($ 290 annually) to access the full library of workouts and races. You can also add an unlimited number of accounts for your partner, roommate or children to join.

You can use the Ergatta without a subscription, but you lose access to the races and training games that make the rower well worth the price.

Our opinion

It may look like it belongs in a showroom, but don't let the Ergatta's stunning looks fool you. It's a powerful rowing machine with a game-based interface that motivates you to exercise.

How long it will take?

The Ergatta is a tank with a solid wood frame that can hold up to 500 pounds. Treat it well and it will last a long time. The frame comes with a five-year warranty with a three-year parts warranty and a one-year tablet warranty.

Is there a better alternative?

Thanks to its game-based training and cherry wood frame, the Ergatta is in a class of its own. If you want a more traditional rower with video training, consider either the Hydrow or NordicTrack RW900 rowing machine. Both rowers offer instructor-led exercises and strength training outside the rowers for a full-body workout.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you enjoy rowing and are short on space, the Ergatta is worth every penny.

Editor's recommendations




30 Jan
Blog

Earin A-3 Review: Good Things Come In Small Packages

Earin A-3 true wireless earbuds

"A chic design and a tiny size make the Earin A-3 in a class of its own."

  • Tiny size

  • Elegant design

  • Good call quality

  • Good battery life

  • Wireless charging

  • Auto play / pause

  • Expensive

  • Limited control adjustment

  • No noise cancellation

  • No quick charge option

You may not have heard of Earin before, but if you've ever seen someone with a set of true wireless earbuds, you've seen the impact the company has had on personal audio. The Swedish company single-handedly introduced the true wireless category when it launched its M-1 earbuds in 2015. The rest is history. And while it's been pretty quiet for Earin in recent years, it hasn't rested on its laurels.

At CES 2021, the company unveiled the $ 199 A-3, its true third-generation wireless product, and its first earbuds to use a semi-open design. Much like the M-1, the A-3 broke barriers as the smallest and lightest earbuds on the market, as well as the first true wireless earbuds that automatically detect which ear they're in.

All of this is very impressive, but it won't mean much if the A-3 doesn't perform in all of the major areas like sound quality and battery life. Let's find out if they're worth your consideration.

What's in the box?

Earin A-3 true wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Earin A-3 are delivered in a matt printed box. With the exception of a few small plastic stickers that protect the earbuds' contact surfaces, everything is easily recyclable. Inside you will find the A-3 earphones – already in the charging case -, a braided USB-C charging cable and a user brochure.

design

Earin A-3 true wireless earbudsFrom left: Jabra Elite 75t, Apple AirPods Pro, Earin A-3 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Let's start with the loading case. The U-shaped bottom and the hinged lid are available in silver or black and most closely resemble the case of the second-generation Google Pixel Buds. However, the A-3's satined aluminum shell gives it a high quality, sophisticated feel that Pixel Buds owners can only dream of. It is perhaps the nicest charging case I've ever seen, as is the Klipsch T5's fantastic Zippo case.

Earin tells me that both the case bodies and lids are hand polished and then clear anodized so there may be small differences in the finish that you see on these parts. That certainly was true for me – Earin sent in two samples of the A-3 and each case and lid differed slightly in terms of smoothness.

The charging case is also very small – only slightly larger than the one that houses the AirPods Pro, which is still one of the smallest cases on the market.

They look like someone painted a set of AirPods black, tore off the stems, and then gave them a mohawk.

On the back of the case is a black plastic plate that not only enables wireless charging, but also masks the A-3's invisible pairing and reset button.

The only thing I can't figure out is why the case isn't even smaller than it is. You'll also wonder why when you flip open the lid to reveal the A-3 earbuds inside. They are incredibly small. So small, in fact, that once you've removed the bottom two-thirds of the charging box, you might not have room for the battery and wireless charging coil, but still plenty of room for the buds.

The earbuds themselves look like someone painted a set of AirPods black, tore off the stems, and then gave them a mohawk.

They're likely to be easy to drop if you're not careful. To my great surprise, they slide in and out of their charging sockets with ease. Your magnets are aligned so well that all you have to do is drop them into the top of the case. They take care of the rest and click into place as if they had been waiting for the opportunity.

According to Earin, the A-3 are rated IP52 for water and dust protection. This is the bare minimum to claim water resistance. However, if you don't forget these while in the shower (quite possible), this should be fine for most workouts.

Convenience, control and connections

Earin A-3 true wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Do earbuds with silicone earbuds feel like a little rubber animal is trying to get into your brain? Do you like the way Apple's AirPods or their wired equivalent, the EarPods, feel? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, the A-3 is very comfortable. As I've also found, they may feel a lot more secure than Apple's earbuds.

There really aren't any perfectly comfy earbuds, but the A-3 comes as close as I've ever felt.

Their shape is part of the reason. The main body is a tiny bit larger than the corresponding part of the AirPods, which allows them to make contact with the skin of your concha (the outer ear). But the other part is their tiny mass. Shake your head as hard as you dare or pound the sidewalk for hours – those things are going nowhere.

There really aren't any perfectly comfy earbuds, but the A-3 comes as close as I've ever felt.

The A-3 are equipped with both touch-sensitive control panels (the small protruding slats with the Earin logo) and accelerometers. Skin contact with the panels is considered "touch" while "knocking" is any type of bump and can be done through clothing such as gloves and hats.

What's a little strange is that despite these two types of control methods, Earin lets you choose which one to use and then turn the other off. Oddly enough, these modes are not equivalent. In “classic” mode, which uses touches, you can use single, double and triple touches to control play / pause, skip the track forwards / backwards and access the voice assistant. It is possible that Earin intended to let you adjust the controls of these touches, but for now they are locked out.

In "Hybrid" mode you can tap twice, but this only controls play / pause and cannot be used for any other function.

That's the bad news. The good news is that the earbuds will detect both tapping and touching accurately – just don't confuse them. Trying to use Taps in Classic Mode will get you frustrated pretty quickly.

The auto ear detection works very well and will quickly pause and resume your music whenever you remove or reinsert an earbud. It can be deactivated in the app if you wish.

Bluetooth pairing is quick and easy, and the earbuds remember previously paired devices so you don't have to use the pairing button when switching back and forth between them.

Wondering if the A-3 automatically knows which ear it is in? It works as stated, using the accelerometer to detect the earbud's orientation. If the "E" in the Earin logo is facing up, it's the right earbud. If the "N" is on top, that is the left bud. If one of the buds is pointing in the same direction as your partner, the system will assume you are sharing one of your buds with a friend and will put both earbuds in mono mode so neither of you will overlook details from the audio track. Smart!

Bluetooth range is decent. Indoors, I was able to walk around two floors from my phone before it was disconnected.

Sound quality

Earin A-3 true wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

With its semi-open design, it would be unrealistic to expect the A-3 to deliver the same sound quality as a set of inexpensive in-ear canal earphones. Instead, you get sound quality that can rival Apple's AirPods – and maybe even a little better than them.

The sound is not without compromise.

The A-3 are particularly good at reproducing higher frequencies with a clear and accurate sound. Vocals – especially those that reach the highest register, like Whitney Houston's – are brilliant and sharp.

The bass, which is usually the Achilles heel of half-open earbuds, shows up with enough presence that you don't get the nagging feeling that something is missing. Even the midrange drivers get their money's worth, which adds up to a satisfying listening experience.

But the sound is not without compromise.

First, your listening environment plays a bigger role than with closed earbuds. Traffic, loud chatter, or even the sound of a TV in an adjacent room will get to your ears where they will compete with your music.

Second, as powerful as the A-3s are for a semi-open design, I had to run them at 80% volume to feel like I was getting enough volume. This will not only hit the batteries harder, it will also push the drivers of the A-3 to their limits. On a few occasions I heard the beginning of the distortion.

Third, nuances in the midrange and across the soundstage tend to be smeared a bit. Our brains are amazingly good at adjusting to this, and you may not be bothered at all, but throw in a set of Jabra Elite 75t or AirPods Pro and you can definitely hear the difference.

I don't know how much tweaking the EQ would help with this – I suspect it probably wouldn't help much – but the point is controversial: there are currently no EQ adjustments in the Earin app.

The advantage of a semi-open design is that you can perceive your surroundings much better. This should be taken into account when running near traffic or other hazards while exercising.

Battery life

Earin keeps the A-3's battery life at five hours per charge, with a total of 30 hours of playtime when you include the charging case. That surpasses both the AirPods and AirPods Pro, which both reach a maximum of five hours and 24 hours. Also, I think Earin was conservative in finding out his numbers. After running the A-3 at 85% volume for five consecutive hours, the Earin app still reported 30% battery remaining.

Unlike Apple's earbuds, the A-3 does not have a quick charge mode. If it dies, you'll have to wait about 90 minutes before it can be used for another five hours. In comparison, the AirPods can last three hours of play with a 15-minute snooze in their case.

Call quality

Given that the A-3 barely sticks out of your ears, meaning its mics are farther from your mouth than stem-based designs, I was prepared for some pretty terrible call quality. But Earin managed to pack four microphones into those tiny buds, including two dedicated voice pickup units, and the result is surprisingly good.

Most background noises, such as B. passing traffic are well suppressed and my voice was mostly clear to callers. As you'd expect, wearing a hat over my ears degrades call quality, but even then I could make myself understood.

Our opinion

The only major contribution the Earin A-3 makes to the real world of wireless earbuds is its incredibly small size. I'm not sure if this is worth the $ 199 price tag for most people. However, if you're struggling to find earbuds to live with, the A-3 may be the answer you've been looking for.

Is there a better alternative?

If a semi-open design is appealing for the sake of fit, iPhone users should probably stick with Apple's AirPods. For the same price as the A-3, you get almost identical functions, almost as good sound quality and thanks to Apple's H1 radio chips, hands-free access to Siri.

For everyone else, the A-3 has few direct competitors. There are 1Mores $ 60 comfobuds that are semi-open and very comfortable, but don't sound that great, don't have wireless charging, and have shorter battery life. A better compromise could be the $ 150 Strange branches. They're just as comfortable as the A-3, charge wirelessly, and have better bass response, but their three-hour battery life isn't that good.

How long will they last?

Backed by a one-year warranty from Earin, the A-3 and its charging case appear to be very well built with high quality materials. Without worn-out silicone ear tips, they are likely to last longer than some in-ear canal models.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if you really appreciate what the A-3 has to offer: A tiny and comfortable semi-open design. If this isn't high on your list, other models can help you get better sound quality for less money.

Editor's recommendations




28 Jan
Blog

Tempo Studio Review: Smart Fitness Display Features Weights

Tempo Studio Rating 3 out of 5

"The Tempo Studio Fitness Display is the smarter, more sophisticated connected home gym."

  • Comes with all the accessories you will need

  • 3D motion tracking for the correct shape

  • Sharp looking touchscreen display

  • Weights are hidden in the device

  • Less live lessons

  • Do not follow all exercises

Getting in shape is different for everyone. Some people may just want the number on the scale to go down while others choose to improve their stamina or stamina. However, whatever the goal, there is no doubt that smart fitness displays are changing the way we exercise at home.

While most of them focus solely on high-intensity cardio training, the Tempo Studio emphasizes strength and muscle building by using 3D sensors to monitor proper form. It also features free weights and a barbell for workouts, live classes to measure yourself against, and more. On the surface, it offers everything you need as a worthy alternative to the actual gym. But how much better is it than competing displays?

A home gym with weights

Without question, the Tempo Studio's biggest differentiator is how it packs all of the weights necessary for training. With other intelligent fitness displays like Mirror or Echelon Reflect, users have to enter their own weights. Tempo Studio comes with a variety of weight plates, two dumbbells, a barbell, a heart rate monitor, an exercise mat, and a recovery roller – all included in the sticker price of $ 1,995. You could easily spend a considerable sum on purchasing a set of weights. So, when you know all of this is already included, the Tempo Studio is ahead of the pack.

Even better is the fact that it includes all the weights and dumbbells. Because of this design choice, Tempo Studio is more of a freestanding smart fitness display than a wall mount. The end result is a sizable exercise machine that is 6 feet by 2 feet, 2 inches by 1 foot, 4 inches. In my tiny apartment, it takes up quite a bit of space, but I still appreciate that it keeps the weights in a compartment under the display while the barbell and dumbbells are attached to the back. Managing fitness equipment has never been easier.

The largest touchscreen in your home

The imposing stature of the Tempo Studio is mainly due to its gigantic 42-inch display. What was more surprising was the realization that it was actually a touchscreen, which I honestly did not expect. Not only is it detailed and bright, it also doesn't suffer from some of the visibility issues caused by glare on some other mirror-based smart displays. Everything is perfectly visible even at larger angles, so that the instructions of the trainers on the screen can be easily followed.

Speaking of touch, the interaction with the display is strange at first, but pretty straightforward and responsive. It's just a couple of inconveniences while you're exercising. For one thing, I wish there were special volume controls that could be accessed immediately.

Managing fitness equipment has never been easier.

Instead, the volume can only be adjusted when you start a workout and press the appropriate icon in the lower right corner of the user interface. There is also no smartphone integration. Basic functions such as pause / playback therefore always require a physical touch on the display.

Correct shape through 3D motion tracking

What sets Tempo Studio apart from the competition is its ability to track correct form for various exercises using a 3D flight motion sensor located under the display. It looks like a camera, but it's really only there to model your shape. If there's one thing I've learned about exercising from every personal trainer I know, it's that getting in shape goes a long way. And that's exactly what Tempo Studio does by constantly telling me to keep my knees over my toes when I'm not in the ideal squat shape.

The Tempo Studio also shows my heart rate and other statistics about my current training – e.g. B. How many repetitions I did, my pace and my freedom of movement. The level of detail achieved through the use of the 3D motion sensor provides valuable data that fitness junkies will appreciate. However, not all exercises are tracked with the 3D motion sensor. In fact, motion tracking seems to be limited to exercises that are mostly about weights. Most of the other workouts, like some of the boxing and cardio workouts, don't get motion tracking treatment.

Despite this shortcoming, the Tempo Studio seems to be constantly learning – maybe at some point it can pursue a wider range of workouts. Some things are better than nothing.

Bringing sweat to a sweat needs more variety

If you've ever taken any of the group classes at traditional gyms, you'll know what to expect with Tempo Studio classes. As mentioned earlier, the focus here is on strength training. So expect some serious lifting. By combining some cardio exercises with core strength training, I was able to work up a sweat and get a decent heart rate. I'm used to lifting heavy weights, but not at the speed or intensity I'm going through here. It's a challenge for sure, so you may want to drop the weights on the first start to acclimate and find the right pace.

Workouts are harder than just relying on gravity or body weight, which definitely helps build muscle. However, the studio doesn't have nearly the same different classes as Mirror. Likewise, there are fewer live courses to sign up for and try out. Even so, the on-demand courses provide what you expect – great motivation and guidance from Tempo Studio teachers. At the end of each class, the exercise is broken down into a chart to help track my progress over time.

I would love to see more different workouts to choose from, but I love that they include weights in their workouts. If you are on your priority list and want to build muscle, Tempo Studio will help you along the way. All you need to know is that it requires a subscription of $ 39 per month.

Our opinion

Even if it's not perfect, Tempo Studio has appeal. It's neither crazy expensive nor cheap. At $ 1,995, it's more than the attractive Lululemon Mirror ($ 1,495) but less than the Tonal ($ 2,995). The latter also focuses on strength training, but achieves it through a patented digital weight system based on resistance.

When you have all the weights and equipment ready to go, combined with real-time coaching from 3D motion sensors, it is enough to recommend the Tempo Studio as a fully connected home gym that you should consider.

How long it will take?

You can treat the Tempo Studio like a device to use at home as it stays stationary in one place. It's nice to know that Tempo Studio comes with a limited warranty that covers the case and weights for three years. The display and heart rate monitor are covered for one year.

Is there a better alternative?

Not everyone focuses on weight training. So, if you are looking for something with a wider range of classes, you should check out Mirror by Lululemon. It includes exercise classes you won't find with Tempo Studio, such as Pilates, ballet, tai chi, and more. Mirror also offers one-to-one classes where only you and the trainer are present.

Should you buy it?

You bet. The one-time costs (without subscription) include everything you need for a challenging training session.

Editor's recommendations




28 Jan
Blog

1More ComfoBuds Review: Small And Comfy AirPods Alternatives

1More comfobuds

"You won't be amazed by the sound quality, but they are tiny, comfortable and affordable."

  • Very convenient

  • Tiny charging case

  • Good call quality

  • Fast and reliable coupling

  • Customizable controls

  • Auto play / pause

  • Some functions still require phone access

  • Mediocre sound quality

  • Bad battery life

  • No wireless charging

Most of the true wireless earbuds you can find there share a common design: they seal your ear canal with silicone or rubber earbuds. This is a good approach to sound quality. The more you can prevent external noise from entering the ear, the better the audio from the earbuds will sound. But it can also cause fit issues – especially if the company doesn't have a good selection of earplugs. Then there are the people who can't stand the feeling of having something in their ears.

This is one of the main reasons Apple's original AirPods continue to sell so well. They just sit in your outer ear and there is no twisting or fiddling with the earplugs required. At $ 149 (excluding wireless charging), AirPods aren't exactly cheap, which has paved the way for lower-cost earbuds that offer the same functionality as the AirPods. The latest company to try this is 1More with $ 60 ComfoBuds. The name says it all: These affordable earbuds value comfort. But has 1More made a real AirPods alternative or just another discount? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

In the simple white cardboard box you will find the ComfoBuds in their charging case, a USB-C charging cable and operating instructions. It's mostly recyclable, with the exception of a layer of black foam on the lid of the top box. Before using the ComfoBuds, you must pull them out of the charging case so that you can remove some protective plastic strips from the charging contacts.

design

1More comfobudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The ComfoBuds and their cover are available in black or white and are made of high-gloss plastic. Digital Trends received a black test device. If you look closely at the case, you'll see tiny, subtle blue enamel flecks beneath the surface. It's pretty noticeable, at least for the first few seconds after opening the box. After that, the glossy surface quickly turns into a fingerprint pizza, and you wonder why 1More didn't include a microfiber cleaning cloth in the package.

Aside from stains, the ComfoBuds are incredibly compact. Instead of using Apple's cigarette-box approach to vertically charging the AirPods in their case, 1More puts the ComfoBuds on their sides. This gives the case an elongated diamond shape, which is reinforced by gently rounded corners and edges.

All of that slippery, shiny plastic can make it difficult to free the buds from the case, but 1More suggests rolling the ComfoBuds towards you with your finger and that seems to work.

The buds happily snap back into their loading crevices with no effort and stay there until you need them.

True to its name, I found the ComfoBuds very convenient. Even after a few hours, I hardly noticed her.

The charging case lid is the only weak point. It feels thin and cheap, and doesn't open very wide. Once opened, there is no notch in the hinge to hold it in place so it flutters around a bit. You can't open it all the way while charging – something you have to do with the included cable as there is no wireless charging option.

Finally, 1More claims an IPX5 rating for the ComfoBuds, which is decent. That's more than enough water repellent for sweaty workouts – just don't immerse them in water.

Convenience, control and connections

1More comfobudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

True to its name, I found the ComfoBuds very convenient. Even after a few hours, I hardly noticed her. The part that sits in your ear is very similar to the Apple AirPods, which in turn are similar to the company's EarPods. If you've ever tried one of these other earbuds and found them comfortable, the ComfoBuds should feel great.

Tiny rubber seals are attached around the speaker openings, which are supposed to make the fit a little more secure, but didn't make a big difference to me. That's probably a good thing: if at some point they wear out and fall off, you won't miss them.

The ComfoBuds have almost no mass, which means that they stay in position even during training – as long as your training is not too intense.

Like the vast majority of earbuds, the ComfoBuds currently use tap control. These can be fully customized in the 1More app with triggers for playback, call, volume, title and voice assistant. However, you only get two gestures per earbud: a double tap and a triple tap, which limits the possibilities of something on the earbuds themselves.

Taps are usually well known, but I found the response times to be a little slow. The gap between double tapping to play / pause and actually playing or pausing my iPhone was up to 2 seconds.

On the other hand, the automatic pause / play function (also configurable in the app) works like a charm and reacts immediately when you remove or reinsert an earbud.

Although the ComfoBuds can deliver a clear and precise sound, they suffer from a lack of deep bass.

The device coupling is another bright spot: Open the lid and the ComfoBuds are connected immediately. Bluetooth Multipoint would have been nice (to pair two devices at the same time), but as long as you originally paired the ComfoBuds with a second device – and they are not yet connected to the first device – they can switch back and forth as quickly as you can yours Toggle Bluetooth settings.

The Bluetooth range is a little less impressive. Indoors, I couldn't get lost more than 20 feet before losing contact.

Sound quality

1More comfobudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I mentioned earlier that the more you can prevent external noise from entering the ear, the better the audio from the earbuds will sound. Unfortunately, the opposite is also the case.

Although the ComfoBuds can deliver a clear and precise sound, they suffer from a lack of deep bass. When you are in a busy environment, some types of audio are difficult to hear.

My usual torture test for this is listening to my favorite podcasts while walking through busy streets. The ComfoBuds do an excellent job with spoken words, but these words are drowned out by outside noise.

Turning up the volume is usually the answer. However, if you are not careful, it can damage your hearing. On the other hand, the earphones don't get that loud. At 80% volume on my iPhone 11, I wish there was more electricity on tap.

But let's put this into perspective. The AirPods aren't particularly noteworthy for their sound quality either, but they offer slightly better overall performance when compared to the ComfoBuds. This is particularly noticeable at the lowest frequencies. If you're not a huge bass fanatic, this could be a perk for the ComfoBuds. At least because of its semi-open design, you can have a conversation without removing an earbud.

It is possible that the ComfoBuds would sound better if you could tweak their EQ, but the 1More app doesn't currently offer that option.

Conclusion: The ComfoBuds are well suited for casual listening. However, if sound quality is paramount, then you should definitely check out the many excellent earbuds at this price point that feature an in-ear canal design.

Battery life

It's a bit strange that a line of earbuds like the ComfoBuds that have an emphasis on long-term comfort have been given batteries that only last four hours on a charge. That puts them at the bottom of the true wireless earbuds category, and their charging case doesn't help much – it only extends that playtime to 18 hours.

The call quality on the ComfoBuds is good. You will have no problem being understood.

This would have been easier to swallow if the ComfoBuds had a fast charging system like the AirPods, but not that lucky. Charging the buds takes about 85 minutes once they are dead.

Call quality

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The call quality on the ComfoBuds is good. Most competing sounds are suppressed very effectively, wind noise doesn't seem to be picked up much, and your voice, while not crystal clear, is certainly clear enough that you will have no problem being heard.

Our opinion

The highly deployable 1More ComfoBuds are a very affordable AirPods alternative with great convenience for those who hate the feel of silicone earbuds. They won't please audiophiles, and their batteries will barely get you through a day, but as long as those drawbacks don't crush you, the ComfoBuds are definitely worth considering.

Is there a better alternative?

Since the ComfoBuds are semi-open wireless earbuds, it is not appropriate to compare them to earbuds that use a closed design. And while it's certainly possible to buy half-open earbuds with better sound quality, battery life, and features like wireless charging, you'll have to pay well over $ 60.

If you're okay with that, I recommend checking out the $ 149 Strange branches. They are just as comfortable as the ComfoBuds, but they sound a lot better and have quick charging and a wireless charging case. I think their aluminum-clad stems look really good too.

How long will they last?

With a 1More one-year warranty, the ComfoBuds will likely last as long as any other true wireless earbud at this price point. However, be aware of the following: as battery capacity decreases over time, you will have less stamina than models that begin their life after six hours or more.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If they were more expensive I would hesitate, but for their price, I think they deliver the kind of affordable AirPods alternative that most people are looking for.

Editor's recommendations




27 Jan
Blog

The Medium Review: A Horror Game Stuck Between Worlds

The medium

"The Medium is a terrifying piece of music bogged down by retro influence and a protagonist who can't stop sharing too much."

  • Reticent horror

  • Uncomfortable atmosphere

  • Detailed pictures

  • Hammy dialogue

  • Half-baked exploration

  • Gimmicky double perspective

The medium is between two worlds. Just as its protagonist Marianne simultaneously navigates through the worlds of the living and dead, the game itself exists both as a modern psychological thriller and as a horror relapse from the PlayStation era.

The Medium was developed by the Bloober team and carries its influences on its tattered sleeves. The slow horror game will look instantly familiar to Resident Evil Diehards thanks to its fixed camera angles, research-intensive gameplay, and sometimes silly dialogue. At the same time, it delivers a dark and serious story that is more in line with current games like Hellblade: Senua & # 39; s Sacrifice.

While The Medium delivers with stunning graphics and a truly troubling universe, it's held back by the old school horror hallmarks that only detract from an otherwise effective sound piece.

Talk less, shock more

The medium follows Marianne, a medium that can not only communicate with the dead, but also enter their world. After losing her adoptive father, she follows a mysterious phone call to a shabby hotel in hopes of finding answers about her past. The game begins with an extra powerful intro that sets the stage for a calm, atmospheric story that blends in with spooky visual storytelling.

It won't take long. The game relies heavily on voice over for Marianne to show the player an exposure. Every time she picks up an item, it will think about its purpose and not leave any confusion about what players should do with it. If she doesn't, we hear her constant internal monologue explaining exactly what is happening on the screen. In a puzzle, she realizes that a statue looks "lonely" and quickly realizes that it is as if "a piece is missing".

What's worse is that she often quips like a Marvel superhero at the most inopportune moments. The medium tells a deeply raw story of repressed childhood trauma that contains difficult depictions of abuse. These moments are visceral and haunting, but they lose their power when interspersed with Hammy one-liners.

While it looks like the game is trying to alleviate the desolation, sometimes it feels like it isn't taking itself seriously enough.

In one bizarre scene, Marianne runs through an area full of ghosts of murdered children and jokes happily about how the phrase “bolt cutter” sounds like a spy or a porn star.

Video games are no stranger to when it comes to sharing with gamers or making flat jokes. The original Resident Evil games practically built their name on poor dialogue. The difference is that these games are digital B-movies that are rooted in pulp horror. The medium, on the other hand, tackles several sensitive issues directly, which will be difficult for some players. While it looks like the game is trying to alleviate the desolation, sometimes it feels like it isn't taking itself seriously enough.

Half and half

When it comes to gameplay, The Medium is wrong on the minimalism side. There are no weapons, no combat and only one real “monster” in the entire game. Instead, it is based entirely on exploration. Most of the game is spent interacting with objects and solving easy puzzles. Some of the game's best moments come from Marianne learning about the dead through items she left behind.

This gameplay feels straight out of the old school Resident Evil manual, though it overlooks a few pages. Despite exploring a sprawling hotel, the game is extremely linear. Every time Marianne picks up an object, it is used within a few minutes. Instead of building on Resident Evil's curvy puzzle box mansion, it references the game mechanics with no context. That dilutes the sense of exploration and makes everything seem a little on the rails.

The medium

The game's main catch is the dual reality gameplay, which is half-hearted as well. At certain points the game breaks into a split screen in which the players control Marianne in the living and dead world at the same time. It is a dazzling spectacle, but it never reaches its full potential. The gameplay consists of simple puzzle solutions that usually amount to "electrifying a fleshy panel or cutting through a wall of skin in one world to open a path in the other".

Most of the time, it felt like a one-trick gimmick. I rarely had the feeling of seeing two pictures at the same time. My eyes generally stayed fixed on one side of the screen, and there were seldom consequences for ignoring the other. The best use of the effect is only made in the last cutscene of the game, which particularly underlines how little the idea is used.

It is a dazzling spectacle, but it never reaches its full potential.

The Bloober team is certainly up to something here and it seems like the studio could develop the idea further in a sequel. Despite this potential, I ended up being much more intrigued by the game's more lonely sequences. Even with some tense sneaking scenes and some mild supernatural skills, the moments when Marianne simply immersed herself in the tragedy around her felt more haunting than any creepy monster.

Atmospheric horror

If it looks like I haven't touched on the real horror aspect of the game, that's because The Medium approaches fear more cerebrally. Instead of relying on cheap fear of jumping, the game relies on effective psychological terror. It's a grumpy piece that is often troubling just because of its decaying surroundings, from shabby hotel rooms to charred houses soaked in ash. This is a refreshing change from the kind of fear bait that streamers can use to get millions of views.

The Medium is the first game to really showcase the Xbox Series X's performance.

Part of that success comes from Team Bloober's willingness to push the boundaries of new game technologies. The lighting sets the mood thanks to ray tracing, with sharp highlights cutting through strong shadows. The alternative world of the game brings the art of the Polish surrealist Zdzisław Beksiński to life with grotesque details.

Then there's the dual reality centerpiece, a kind of magic trick that's usually reserved for tech demos. Even if the gameplay aspect is under-challenged, it is still a powerful spectacle that is only possible on new hardware. Considering that Xbox Series X didn't launch with any real exclusives, The Medium is the first game that really proves the console's performance.

The medium

Add on an excellent, annoying score and The Medium has all the aesthetic traits of a slow-burn horror hit. This is why its shortcomings are particularly frustrating. It feels like the game never has enough confidence in itself to get along with the set dressing on its own. There's always a voice-over to vocalize what the players are seeing and even explain what emotions the settings are trying to evoke. All of the visual information speaks louder than Marianne's voice and it's a shame the game is so reluctant to trust its own instincts.

Our opinion

Beneath the layers of hammy dialogue, uncooked retro influence, and tricky design, The Medium is an emotionally challenging horror game that trades genre clichés for real psychological stress. The terrifying aesthetic could lead to a harrowing new franchise, but each sequel should spend less time being the next Silent Hill and more time being the medium.

Is there a better alternative out there?

Resident Evil 2 surpasses its retro vibe and Hellblade: Senua & # 39; s Sacrifice is more sure to pursue pure psychological horror.

How long it will take?

The story will be over in 8 to 10 hours and there is virtually nothing to come back to when the credits roll in.

Should you buy it?

No, at least not at full price. That said, it'll be available on Xbox Game Pass when it launches, so it's worth an odd look at least for horror fanatics and Series X owners looking to boost the console's performance.

Editor's recommendations




27 Jan
Blog

Moto G Play (2021) Review: Battery Life, Performance, Camera

motorola moto g play 2021 rating 4

"Motorola makes the best phone under $ 200 – just set your expectations before you buy."

  • Modern design

  • Great battery life

  • Good advertisement

  • Attractively priced

  • Below average camera

  • Limited software support

  • Mediocre performance

The Moto G series is back for 2021 and consists of the Moto G Power, Moto G Stylus and Moto G Play. While most might want to buy the Moto G Power or save up on the Google Pixel 4a for their competitor, the Moto G Play is great value for money and therefore only costs $ 170.

The phone looks great on paper. With a huge 5,000 mAh battery, a relatively modern design, and a lot more, it could be the ideal device for those looking for a decent phone under $ 200. Is it anyway? I've been testing the 2021 Moto G Play for a while to find out.

Design and display

The Moto G Play is an affordable phone. Hence, you shouldn't expect the design to look too expensive. That said, Motorola does a good job of making sure the phone looks modern enough in the age of edge-to-edge displays.

Gone are the holes in the more expensive Moto G models in favor of a small teardrop notch at the top. Honestly, the notch is as intrusive as the hole punch cutout anyway, and you'll soon forget about it after you've used the phone. The device also has a bigger chin than the other Moto G devices, and that might be more noticeable. Neither of these issues are real, but they do contribute to the fact that the device is a little less premium – which it is.

On the back of the device is the camera with two sensors and a back-mounted fingerprint sensor that appeared to be fast and accurate in our tests. In 2021, on phones like the Galaxy S21, the camera shock on this device is quite small and almost flush with the back of the phone, which is a nice touch. It's also centered so it doesn't wobble a lot on a desk.

On the edges of the phone are the standard volume rocker, power button, and USB-C port. You also get a headphone jack, which is especially good to see on phones in this price range.

The Moto G Play's display is a 6.5-inch 720p LCD display and does the job, but that's about it. Colors aren't particularly vivid and obviously don't have a high refresh rate here, but for things like scrolling Twitter and reading email, this is perfectly fine. It also gets quite bright, which is helpful in direct sunlight or brighter environments.

Power and battery

The Moto G Play is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor as well as 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. This is a notable step up from the other Moto G-series devices, which come with 6-series chips and offer at least twice as much storage space. 32GB of storage is a bit weak in 2021, but something is expected from such a cheap phone. Fortunately, there is a microSD card slot so you can expand the storage if you want.

Despite the slightly underloaded processor, the phone works perfectly in daily use. There was little to complain about with basic tasks like emailing, browsing social media, and even multitasking. If you're doing more intense tasks like mobile gaming while playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile, you should expect some serious slowdowns, but despite the slower loading times and jittery menus, the in-game phone has mostly done itself with the occasional skip.

All of the Moto G-Series 2021 devices have good battery life, and the Moto G Play is no exception. The device comes with a powerful 5,000 mAh battery. Thanks to the lower resolution display, it can last two days even with heavy use. If you have a good charging capacity for your device, you won't have to worry about battery life with this phone – and if not, you will have plenty of time to plug it in. You'll have to plug it in but there isn't any wireless charging, though that's no surprise.

Cameras

On the back of the Moto G Play there is a dual camera system with a 13-megapixel main camera with an aperture of 1: 2.0 and a 2MP depth sensor. Despite the fact that great cameras are getting cheaper on smartphones, the Moto G Play doesn't give you the versatility of an ultra-wide or telephoto camera.

Unfortunately, the Moto G Play's camera is mediocre at best. With good lighting, you can take pictures that are … okay. They're not particularly vivid or detailed, but they will get it. However, if you add a bit of complexity to the shot, you don't get much. Low-light photos are either blown, very blurry, or both, and backlit scenes have little to no dynamic range.

If you didn't know you used a $ 170 phone, the Moto G Play's camera will remind you of it – every time.

Software and functions

The 2021 Moto G Play comes with Motorola My UX, which is based on Android 10, and it's a pretty good experience. Motorola is pretty good at providing scaled down software, and you get it on this device. Everything is pretty much where you'd expect it to be, and the user interface is generally easy to navigate.

Motorola has also been pretty good at delivering additional functionality in its software. The phone is equipped with the Moto app, which enables some handy gesture controls – for example, the ability to take a screenshot by touching the screen with three fingers, or turn the phone upside down to “do not disturb”. Other features like Gametime, for example, tweak notification settings while you play. The great thing about these features is that you can enable or disable them depending on which features you actually like. They're all included in the Moto app – instead of being spread across the My UX interface.

Now for the disadvantages (beyond the camera). The phone comes with the dated Android 10. Motorola has stated that it will receive Android 11, but has not yet stated when. Given that Motorola marketing says it will get "at least one software update", Android 11 is likely the end of the line for the 2021 Moto G Play. Fortunately, the device will receive software updates for two years, but it's still very disappointing to see such a lack of software support – which spans all Moto G devices.

Price and availability

Perhaps the best thing about the 2021 Moto G Play is how cheap it is. You can get a whole lot of phone for just $ 170. You can overlook many shortcomings at this price point if you probably won't be holding the phone that long in the first place.

The Moto G Play is available directly from the Motorola website as well as from a few select retailers such as Best Buy. Indeed the device was at the time of this writing Available at Best Buy for just $ 120 When you activate with a carrier, that's an incredible deal.

Our opinion

The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) isn't perfect, and you wouldn't expect it for the price either. The camera is really pretty bad, and while the device's performance is okay for everyday use, it does get slower with heavier multitasking and intense gaming. If you can afford to spend more, this is why you should. You can get it parent Moto G Power for $ 250. And the $ 350 Pixel 4a is more than twice as expensive, but it's also more than twice as good as a phone.

That said, if your budget is no more than $ 200, the 2021 Moto G Play is the way to go. Motorola continues to prove that you can get a solid phone at a super affordable price. As long as your expectations are set correctly.

Is there a better alternative?

No. In this price range, the Moto G Play is the best cell phone under $ 200. However, if you can afford to spend more, you can get the exact same recipe, only better, with this new Moto G Power for $ 250. For a phone that will last longer, perform better, and take better photos along the way, you can access the phone Google Pixel 4a.

How long it will take?

The Moto G Play should be in use for two years given its plastic construction. It's not water-resistant, so you'll need to keep it dry, and you should expect it to get seriously sluggish by the end of those two years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if your budget is no more than $ 200. For $ 250, you get a Moto G Power that performs better in every way.

Editor's recommendations




26 Jan
Blog

TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV Review | The Price is Right

TCL 65 "5 series 4K UHD television

"The TCL 5 Series is well above its price"

  • Local dimming backlight with full array

  • Fixed black levels

  • Excellent backlight control

  • Extended color gamut

  • Low entry delay

  • Doesn't get particularly bright

  • HDR isn't impressive

  • Setup process involved

The TCL 6 series TVs get a lot of press, but what about the 5 series? Perhaps the reason it didn't get that much attention is because it was never really a remarkable television. Until now.

With the 5-series 4K HDR TV (S535) now packed with many of the 2019 6-series features, TCL offers similar performance to its 6-series predecessor at a much cheaper price. Let's see if it works.

TCL 5 Series 4K HDR TV Details (S535)

While we tested the 65-inch model S535, our test also applies to the 50-inch, 55-inch, and 75-inch models.

Screen size Model no RRP
50 inches 50S535 400 dollars
55 inches 55S535 $ 450
65 inches 65S535 $ 630
75 in 75S535 $ 1200

First impressions

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

This TV was much thinner than expected – especially for a TV with a local full array dimming backlight system. There are practically no bezels on the edge, just a thin aluminum strip on the bottom. While the TV's plastic feet feel a little light and cheap after unpacking, their slim appearance is quite nice, and the feet can be placed in two different positions: wider towards the edges of the TV or closer to the center for a smaller footprint. Additionally, the feet offer some cable management, although we found it difficult to get more than a few HDMI cables into each cable.

Entrances

TCM 5 Series HDMI Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The 5 series has four HDMI 2.0b inputs, ARC on the fourth input. The ports aren't HDMI 2.1 capable, so you won't get any next generation gaming features like variable refresh rate or 4K at 120Hz. But it can handle 4K up to 60Hz, which should be fine for most people. While this TV isn't a powerhouse for next-generation gaming, it is still a good TV for casual gaming, especially due to its low input delay of around 11 ms in game mode.

The remote control and the operating system

TCL 5 Series Roku remote controlDan Baker / Digital Trends

The biggest difference in remote control between the 6 and 5 series is that you lose voice control. In terms of user experience, the Roku operating system has a "slightly updated" feel and the system now includes AirPlay and HomeKit as well. Adjustments to the picture settings, sound and other settings must be selected and adjusted separately for each input. Hence, between these settings and other mandatory software and app updates, you'll need to be patient to get this Roku TV working.

picture quality

Let's get to the picture, which has some admirable properties. The 5 series has very good black levels for its price, partly because of its VA panel (which unfortunately means that viewing outside of the angle is not great), but also because of its local dimming backlighting system – you can't destroy the blacks, but still provide deep blacks and minimize all kinds of halo effects around light objects on a dark background that you may get from systems with lower backlighting.

TCL 5 seriesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, the backlight system of the 5 series does not offer a very high peak brightness. We hardly noticed any difference between SDR brightness and HDR peak brightness, regardless of whether we saw HDR 10 or Dolby Vision. In fact, it could be questioned whether this should actually be called an HDR TV, given that the brightness isn't enough to really give you the sparkling highlights of high-performance HDR. The contrast is there, but the peak brightness is not, so the HDR images don't pop as much as with other HDR TVs.

"It's an absolutely respectable television."

The color benefits from using quantum dots, so you get a wider gamut. However, due to the lower brightness potential, you will not get a significantly increased color volume.

Overall, I think the picture quality will be an improvement over what someone could get from a midsize TV about four years ago. It's a completely legitimate TV, and we'd even say it beats its price.

Move

The 5 Series is also good with movement. There's still a tiny bit of motion blur on fast-moving objects, but it's not very easy to spot, so it works well enough for sports content. The 5 series has a native 60 Hz panel, so that a more even movement can be achieved without avoiding the so-called “soap opera effect”.

For movie content, 24 fps content looks very smooth and there is no stuttering, which is fantastic for a TV at this price point.

Sound quality

As for sound quality, let's put it this way: get a soundbar. It lacks depth and not a lot of bass, resulting in thin sound quality. Dialogue clarity also suffers, so a soundbar would be a good idea for most people.

Play

TCL 5 Series GamingDan Baker / Digital Trends

As mentioned earlier, this TV does not have HDMI 2.1 ports and therefore does not support variable refresh rate or other high-end features such as automatic low latency mode. At 4K 60 Hz with a small input delay of 11 ms in game mode, however, casual gaming works great. The only problem – back to what we said about image quality – is that if you want to get something out of the HDR gaming experience, you'll need a slightly brighter TV.

Our opinion

TCL 5 Series Roku TvDan Baker / Digital Trends

The TCL 5-Series is a great all-purpose TV that caters to those who aren't very picky about HDR performance. The TV's use of quantum dots expands the gamut of color for a rich picture, while the solid full array backlight controls provide better black levels and better reduced halo effects than almost any other TV in its price range. While it won't get bright enough to do HDR impressively, most people who just want a solid TV at a reasonable price probably won't find this deal-breaker.

Is there a better alternative?

There is only one TV that competes with the TCL 5 series in its price range and that is the Hisense H8G Quantum, which sells for roughly the same price, runs Android TV instead of Roku TV, and can get significantly brighter. The TCL, while not as bright, has better color accuracy. Otherwise, competing LG and Samsung televisions will not offer quantum dots or full array backlights and will not be able to compete in terms of black levels and backlight control.

How long it will take?

So far, TCL's track record in terms of build quality looks pretty good. We expect the 5 Series to serve owners for many years to come.

guarantee

TCL offers a one year limited warranty. You can find more information about TCL's TV warranty here.

Should you buy it?

Yes. For those looking for a quality TV that performs better than what is usually expected for the price, the TCL 5 series is one of the best budget-friendly options out there.

If you want cheaper TV options, you can also consider the best 4K TV deals currently available.

Editor's recommendations




24 Jan
Blog

Motorola One 5G Ace Review: Battery Life, Specs, Cameras

motorola one 5g ace review 1

“You get good performance, great battery life, and a nice big display. But below-average cameras and a short software life have harmed the One 5G Ace. "

  • Modern design

  • Excellent battery life

  • Solid display

  • Good performance

  • Below average camera for the money

  • Only one software update guaranteed

Motorola recently unveiled the Moto G-Series 2021, which is solid value for money for those looking to spend no more than $ 250. In addition to the Moto G, the company has also launched a new model in its high-end One line: the Motorola One 5G Ace.

At first glance, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a bit confusing (and an awkward name), but it's important not to think of it as a replacement for last year's Motorola One 5G. This device has a lower-priced processor, a poorer display, and other cutbacks – but it costs $ 400 or $ 150 less than the standard Motorola One 5G.

However, there is no lack of competition in this price range. Does the Motorola One 5G Ace compete with the Pixel 4a and iPhone SE among its competitors? We put it to the test to find out.

Design and display

Motorola has done well at offering relatively modern looking phones for the price, and the One 5G Ace is no exception to that rule. It's a large phone with a large 6.7-inch display with an aspect ratio of 20: 9 that is great for scrolling through Twitter, seeing all of your email at a glance, and seeing more anytime. Of course, there's a tradeoff: don't expect to be able to reach the top of the display without the help of a second hand.

While the original One 5G had a double front camera, the Ace has a single centered cutout for the selfie camera. And there's a tiny chin at the bottom of the display, although it's not too intrusive and you probably won't notice it at all in everyday use.

At first glance, the back of the phone looks metallic, but you won't be fooled for long. It feels like plastic. Well, that's not a big deal for the price – it doesn't feel as high-end as a glass or metal device, and its weight helps make it feel solid. Plastic makes the phone more durable against typical bumps and scratches, which is usually a solid selling point for those buying a device on a budget. On the back there is also a fingerprint sensor, which works relatively quickly and accurately, and a camera module with three sensors.

In addition to the standard power switch, volume rocker, and USB-C port on the edges, you also get a headphone jack. It's nice that Motorola has stuck to the headphone jack on its budget phones for so long.

Thanks to its higher resolution of 1080p, the display is a clear step forward over the Moto G series. Unfortunately, you don't get the 90Hz refresh rate that you get with the standard Motorola One 5G, but it still has decently vivid colors and gets relatively bright. It's a good looking display for a phone in this price range.

Power and battery

Under the hood, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a clear step up from any Moto G device thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. It's a solid setup, and the Qualcomm 7 series has proven to be a great way to get good performance over the past year without buying a flagship phone.

The phone is more than capable in everyday use. There were seldom problems even when used for heavy-duty multitasking, mobile gaming, and more. I have the 6GB RAM model and have never had issues with apps closing in the background before I was done with them. It even handled some Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends with ease. Sure, load times can be a little longer than the Snapdragon 765G-equipped Motorola One 5G, and it may slow down sooner, but in normal use they feel almost identical at this point.

The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery (yes, just like a Galaxy S21 Ultra) which is more than enough for a full day of heavy use. Although it doesn't last quite as long as the Moto G Power, most people can still work with it for two days due to the higher resolution display, as Motorola announced. If you can charge your phone well every day, no need to worry here. Unfortunately there is no wireless charging, which is a bit disappointing. It's still tolerable that a $ 400 phone doesn't offer it, but it won't be long – and it would have been nice if the One 5G Ace had been ahead of the curve.

Cameras

As mentioned earlier, the Motorola One 5G Ace has a triple camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor with a f / 1.7 aperture lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera with a f / 2.2 aperture and a 2 megapixel macro camera. I still don't think people really use macro lenses (more than just to check them out), but Motorola disagrees, arguing that in the era of COVID-19, more people than ever are taking photos of things up close At home. I would have preferred a telephoto to a macro.

The One 5G Ace's camera is fine, but not much better than fine. In good lighting conditions, a solid shot can be obtained even though the colors are not very vivid and the details are not as sharp as they could be.

The pictures are far worse in poor lighting conditions. There's little detail and a lot of noise – when you can actually lock the focus and even get a blurry picture. Highlights are often overblown, which is often the case with low-end phones in poor lighting conditions. So while you can tell what you photograph most of the time, don't expect much more.

The same is more or less true of the front of the phone. The 16-megapixel front camera can take fine selfies, but nothing will fake someone like you have a high-end phone.

The Motorola One 5G Ace's main problem in the camera department has more to do with competition than anything else. The fact is that great phone cameras are getting cheaper and cheaper and this fee is charged by Google. The Pixel 4a costs $ 50 less, but it offers a camera that is an order of magnitude better than that of the One 5G Ace. When you're ready to make the move to iOS, the iPhone SE has a better camera too – although it's not as good as the Pixel 4a. After all, the OnePlus Nord may not have the best camera, but it's still better than the One 5G Ace's.

Software and functions

Motorola has been offering near-production software for its phones for years, and the Motorola One 5G Ace is no exception to that rule. The software is pared down, easy to navigate, and well designed.

Motorola's My UX also offers a number of additional features and gestures that can be turned on or off at will that can help make using the device more natural. Things like pressing three fingers down to take a screenshot, rotating your wrist to jump to the camera, and a lot more are useful.

There are also mobile game settings that can be customized. My favorite thing with all of these features is that they are all included in the Moto app and not distributed via Android like other manufacturers do. That said, if you don't want to use or see it, you can hide the Moto app and essentially use the phone as your standard Android device.

Motorola's commitment to software updates is incredibly weak.

Well, almost a standard Android device. While other standard Android phones like the Pixel series update quickly for at least a few years, the Motorola One 5G Ace does not. It ships with the already dated Android 10 (Android 11 has been out of stock for months), and although Motorola has announced it will bring Android 11 to the Ace, it hasn't specified exactly when. And that will likely be it for the phone. Motorola has promised "at least one" OS update, but I wouldn't expect more than one – the track record in this department is poor. Fortunately, you will receive security updates for two years.

It's really disappointing to see old software paired with missing updates. With a $ 150 Moto G game this is more acceptable, but at $ 400 it's hard to deal with and we really hope that Motorola will improve their game in the near future.

Price and availability

As mentioned earlier, the Motorola One 5G Ace is priced at $ 400 available now from Amazon. In the US, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage are provided.

Our opinion

The Motorola One 5G Ace is a solid phone. It works well, has a nice display, and great battery life. But in 2021, phones under $ 500 have to go a step further – and it just doesn't. The advantages of the Pixel 4a are years of software updates and a camera in flagship quality. The iPhone SE offers flagship performance and even longer updates. The Motorola One 5G Ace, on the other hand, is “good” in just about everything, but “great” in almost nothing – expect a battery.

Of course, we didn't really mention the "5G" aspect of this phone, but there's not much to talk about there. I would warn against buying this phone because of its 5G support. Get the Pixel 4a instead, fix the lack of 5G, and when you're ready for your next phone, getting something that is 5G capable is more important. Alternatively, you can get the Pixel 4a 5G, which has an even better camera and improved performance for $ 60 more.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If $ 400 is a hard limit on your budget, then you can save $ 50 and get the best Google Pixel 4a. If you can just stretch a little and are interested in 5G and prefer a large display, then go for this Google Pixel 4a 5G instead.

How long it will take?

The Motorola One 5G Ace has a plastic back, so it should withstand most drops. However, it's not waterproof, so you'll want to stay away from the wet. Given the lack of software updates after Android 11, the features may be out of date within a few years – but this hardly prevents them from actually working.

Should you buy it?

No, go for that either Google Pixel 4a or the Pixel 4a 5G instead.

Editor's recommendations




«‹3940414243›»