If you’ve been an AirPods user for some time now, then you most likely already know that it doesn’t have the most secure fit around the ears. It can be quite tricky when using them in the gym for some workout sessions. Thankfully for you, the Beats Powerbeats Pro is here. It costs a lot more than your standard AirPods but provides a longer battery life and better noise isolation. If you’re looking to retire from your old pair of headphones, this might be perfect for you. But is it worth the splurge? Let’s find out in our review below.
In recent months, there has been a slew of new competitors in the true wireless earbuds market, but only a few have actually addressed some of the more serious issues that come with the disconnected earbud design. How do you keep the earphones in your ear if the fit isn’t great, for example? If you have ill-fitting earphones, you’ll notice that they fall out frequently, which can be pretty annoying.
However, the Powerbeats Pro’s ear hooks accomplish exactly what other manufacturers failed to oversee. These ear hooks ease pressure on your ear canal while also keeping your headphones in place in case the seal breaks. As a result, not only do these earphones provide security but they also provide better comfort compared to other kinds of earphones in the market.
With that being said, how well the Powerbeats Pro settles on your ears will significantly affect how much you’ll like and enjoy using these earbuds. If one of the four included silicon tips fit your ears comfortably, without a doubt, you’ll love using these. Not to mention, you might just feel justified in dropping a few hundred dollars on them.
Furthermore, Beats claims to be using new upgraded piston drivers that are supposedly for eliminating distortion. In turn, this will allow your Powerbeats Pro to have a richer and much more cleaner sound with significantly tighter bass. Though keep in mind that with this sort of noise-isolating headphones, a good seal is required to maximize sound quality.
So if the tips aren’t firmly or properly lodged in your ear canals, expect to lose some bass as well as a noticeable decline in overall sound quality. This is something important to consider if you’re someone who likes to use your earphones while you’re commuting, moving around a lot, or doing fitness activities.
The Powerbeats Pro also has a feature in common with the Apple AirPods: the H1 chip. Meaning, Apple users will also enjoy the benefit of seamless connectivity and quick-pairing features the same as Android users.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 10 x 7.87 x 11.02 inches
Item Weight: 0.64 ounces
Brand: Beats
Form Factor: In Ear
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours of listening time, 24 hours if combined with pocket-sized charging case.
Bluetooth Range: 30 meters.
Water Resistant: Yes.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
Wireless: True Wireless.
Colors: Black, Ivory, Cloud Pink, Glacier Blue, Navy, Lava Red, and Spring Yellow.
Warranty: Up to one year from date of purchase.
What’s in the box?
Power Beats Pro totally wireless earphones
Charging case
Ear tips with four size options
Lightning to USB-A charging cable
Quick start guide
Warranty card
Check Out The Preview For The Powerbeats Pro Below.
There’s a lot to appreciate about the new Powerbeats Pro in terms of appearance. It features a sporty vibe while yet being functional enough to use outside of the gym. Not to mention, they’re now also completely wireless and you get a lot of color options to choose from. So whether you’re using these for professional purposes or want fun and bold colors to accentuate your look, Beats has you covered.
As I have also mentioned recently, the Powerbeats Pro, like the second-generation AirPods, employs Apple’s new H1 chip. This allows both earphones to connect to your phone individually.
On top of that, because neither earbud takes precedence over the other, they are always paired while also letting you use one earphone while the other charges. Because of the H1 chip, the Powerbeats Pro also connects to your iPhone or Apple device pretty quickly.
The Powerbeats Pro has a center playback control button, as well as volume controls, located on each of the two earbuds. As a result, you can easily manage your music playlist with whichever hand is free, which is a pretty convenient function in my opinion. But for iOS users, voice command for Siri is also available. You can just utter the wake words and the command and Siri will do the work for you.
Once the earbuds are placed on your ears, you’ll also notice that even if you can’t see the controls, they’re not difficult to locate. This might be a nifty feature for you if you’re going to be using these when exercising or when you’re running errands.
Feel for the B logo by running your fingertips over the earpiece, long-press if you want to engage Siri, and press once to pause or resume playback, click twice to skip a track, then three times to go back to the previous track.
Comfortability & Fit
When it comes to comfortability and fit, it helps a lot that the Powerbeats Pro is quite comfortable. Both in terms of how it fits in and around the ear as well as how it feels while listening to music.
If you’ve been using true wireless earphones for quite some time now, I’m sure you have experienced at some point some in-ear pressure whenever you’re using them. I call this ear fatigue. They’re really uncomfortable and it’s a sure way to disrupt your music-listening sessions.
However, because of the Powerbeats Pro ergonomic design, that uncomfortable pressure simply doesn’t exist. This is due to a front chamber micro-laser barometer venting hole, which decreases ear pressure and improves bass response. Though honestly, I don’t think these headphones need any more help in the bass department.
Another element contributing to the outstanding fit is the earbuds’ narrow nozzle, which is smaller than many other true wireless earbuds you’ll find on the market. And with four different sizes of ear tips included in the box, you’re sure to find one that fits your ears perfectly.
Though I did notice one small flaw from the Powerbeats Pro. They’re not the most “minimalistic” style of headphones and will surely capture some attention to your ears. But at the end of the day, this comes down to your personal preference. Some of you might like this design, some might not.
Audio Quality
A huge complaint throughout the years with Beats headphones is that the audio quality is excessively bass-heavy. Some of you might like this particular attribute but it can be quite too much for the majority. However, Beats made sure that this will no longer be an issue with the Powerbeats Pro.
Other wireless Bluetooth earbuds in the market allow you to customize and tailor the sound quality to your preference through the use of their dedicated apps. This kind of feature is actually quite handy but Powerbeats Pro, on the other hand, makes every song sound precisely tuned without the need for manual software settings.
Full noise cancellation isn’t available with the Powerbeats, but you wouldn’t expect that from a pair of sport earbuds. Although you may be able to hear traffic and passing vehicles, this model provides excellent noise isolation, which can be quite beneficial in some situations.
Our Least Favorite Things
Bulky Charging Case
There’s not a lot of bag things to say about the Powerbeats Pro, but a constant flaw that is always brought up with these headphones is the fact that the charging case is so bulky. They’re not the most portable. Meaning, they’re not very pocket-friendly. So if you’re going to bring these outdoors, the charging case will most likely end up in your bag.
So if you’re going to be working out in a gym, you’ll have to stash the charging case in your locker. This can be a little inconvenient if you need a quick charge for some extra battery life.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have finished discussing the things we liked and disliked about the Beats Powerbeats Pro, here is a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this pair of true wireless earphones.
Pros
Excellent pair of headphones for Apple/iOS users.
Great sound quality with rich bass levels.
Terrific noise-isolating capabilities.
Easy set-up and connectivity.
Impressive battery life.
Comfortable to wear and has a secure fit.
Cons
Charging case is not the lightest to carry around.
Doesn’t use a USB-C cable for charging.
Expensive.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is an impressive pair of headphones, they aren’t the best wireless headphones available. I wouldn’t say that these are worth burning a hole in your wallet for but if you have the budget, then by all means. But in any case, there are more affordable options in the market that performs just as well.
However, if you’re an Apple fan looking for a pair of sporty headphones to wear during your workouts, these are the ideal option thanks to the little details like the ear hooks, pressure-reducing micro-laser barometer venting hole, longer battery life, and higher sound quality.
Do you already own the Beats Powerbeats Pro? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, questions, or insights to share. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
The Apple AirPods Pro was originally released way back in late 2019. But up to this day, these pair of earbuds still remain to be the best earphones Apple has to offer. When compared to its predecessor, the OG AirPods, the Pro now offers active noise cancellation as well as an overall improvement in its design. In addition to that, the AirPods Pro has also met other upgrades this year that just make the experience a lot better. So without further ado, let’s dive into our review of the AirPods Pro.
Not many people were surprised to learn that the AirPods Pro is one of the best earbuds for iPhone users, as well as one of the finest-sounding headphones available in the market in general. The AirPods Pro, of course, are the best headphones to use with your iPhone thanks to its H1 chip that enables you to easily pair the earphones with other Apple devices seamlessly.
They also come with an iOS-only settings UI that supports ANC navigation and button mapping. Apart from that, despite the AirPods Pro being released a few years ago, this device still gets plenty of upgrades from Apple. This means your user experience is only getting better and better. Since the iOS 15 update last September, the earphones have received a flood of additional features.
Such features include Conversation Boost, which helps you hear face-to-face conversations a lot more clearly, the option to announce notifications with Siri, integration with Apple’s Find My App, and a whole lot more.
Apple also updated the software on the AirPods Pro. They now feature Spatial Audio, which is Apple’s own version of Dolby’s Atmos technology. However, unlike traditional surround which requires multiple speakers, Atmos places sound in 3D. In turn, this allows you to get the same sound quality with just a pair of headphones.
When it comes to fit and comfortability, these premium earbuds’ comfortable and lightweight design is also stable enough for mild to moderate physical activities.
As for sound quality, the lack of bass in the AirPods Pro doesn’t make this any less great. It might not be enough for hardcore bass enthusiasts, but the overall audio quality is still top-notch and is well-suited for a variety of audio content. It will definitely satisfy the majority of its users.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 0.94 x 0.86 x 1.22 inches
Item Weight: 0.18 Ounces
Brand: Apple
Battery Life: Over 5 hours with ANC and up to 24 hours with the charging case.
When the first iteration of the AirPods was released years ago, many users complained about the uncomfortable fit and the overall design. Thankfully, you no longer have to worry about that with the AirPods Pro. The new design of the Pro variant makes them significantly less likely to fall out from your ears than their predecessors.
Not to mention, the Pro version’s additional microphones now provide effective noise cancellation which you’ll notice a lot more when you’re commuting or in busier and noisier environments. But if you still prefer to be aware of your surroundings, the handy Transparency mode lets you hear external sounds to an ideal degree.
Aside from the redesign, the AirPods Pro is incredibly light. They’re so lightweight that it’s difficult to know they’re there once they’ve been inserted into the ears. Personally, this is a huge plus in terms of comfort. If you often experience fatigue around your ears from wearing earbuds for too long, you are less likely to encounter that with wearing the AirPods Pro.
Furthermore, the stems of the Pro variant are substantially much shorter than the ones on the original AirPods. While you were able to tap the body of the regular AirPods to skip music or activate Siri, the Pro’s new fit makes this a less comfortable experience for you.
Each AirPods Pro also has a ‘capacitive force sensor’ in the stem, where tapping this area activates noise-canceling and Transparency mode, as well as navigating your music playlist. If you have been previously using the regular AirPods, you might take a bit of time getting used to this new function, so keep that in mind.
IPX4 Rating
One of the best things about the AirPods Pro is its IPX4 rating. This means that if you ever get caught in the rain while you’re outdoors, you won’t have to worry about these earbuds getting ruined. Of course, you can’t fully drench these earphones in water or go swimming with them, but they can certainly survive a good amount of sweat whenever you’re working out or the occasional accidental splashes of water.
Sound Quality & ANC
Aside from the improvements in design, the first thing you’ll notice about the AirPods Pro once you put them on is that they have greater bass than the original AirPods. Their new noise-isolating design and new drivers are largely responsible for their increased bass.
When the first AirPods came out, they sounded well in quiet environments, but they struggled a lot when exposed to noisier environments due to their open design. Because of this, the bass frequencies get drowned out among the external noise.
Fortunately for you, the AirPods Pro has addressed this problem and has now a more efficient noise cancellation thanks to its secure ear tips. As a result, the combination of the tips’ seal and active noise cancellation features make the overall sound quality considerably better when you’re in busier areas like the city streets.
The AirPods Pro also has two microphones, enabling for both internal and external sound analysis. One uses an algorithm to evaluate the audio quality in your ear to see if the music you’re listening to is sounding as it should. While the other eliminates background noise. This results in a significantly better listening experience.
Also, the active noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro is also quite noticeable once you turn them on. But keep in mind that it won’t completely block out all other sounds around you. For example, if you’re in an area with music playing in the background, a small amount may still get through you might still hear the external music. However, when strolling down the street, the AirPods Pro was pretty effective in blocking out any noises from vehicles rushing by.
Spatial Audio
One of my favorite things about the AirPods Pro is that it now comes with Spatial Audio. This particular firmware update now allows Dolby Atmos’ immersive audio to these premium pair of earbuds. The Spatial Audio feature works in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos, which places sound all around you within a virtual sphere.
To put it simply, this means that if you’re watching a Dolby Atmos film that shows a plane flying overhead, it will sound as if the plane is actually passing above you. Not to mention, the built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes inside Apple’s earbuds and headphones are used by Spatial Audio to track the position of your head as well as the position of your Apple device.
A streaming provider that supports 5.1, 7.1, or Atmos, as well as an Apple device running iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, is required. Stereo content can also be converted to Spatial Audio if the streaming service has a stereo spatialization plugin installed.
Our Least Favorite Things
No Sound Customization Capabilities
Aside from the obvious high-end price the AirPods Pro is asking for, one of the biggest drawbacks I found with these earbuds is that there are no sound modification capabilities, such as an EQ or presets of any kind. This kind of feature would have allowed you to tailor the sound of the headphones to your preferences.
It may not be a huge deal-breaker for some of you, but I just personally find it pretty disappointing especially when you’re paying this kind of premium price for a pair of headphones.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the AirPods Pro, here is the narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with these earbuds.
Pros
Excellent ANC features.
Comfortable fit.
Works well with Apple devices.
Nice, clean design.
Well-built.
Cons
Expensive
No sound customization features.
Battery life could be better.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Apple AirPods Pro is a pretty expensive pair of earbuds. However, they’re amazingly well-built with excellent ANC capabilities as well as better-than-average sound quality. They also have little yet significant design modifications that really upgrade your user experiences when compared to the regular AirPods and other true wireless headphones out there.
Fans of Apple products will surely be satisfied with the quality and the seamless compatibility with other Apple devices. But whether they’re worth the splurge is completely up to you.
Do you already own the Apple AirPods Pro? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions, suggestions, or insights to share. I would love to hear all your thoughts.
Our review of the Sony Bravia A9S shows that it is a great TV that delivers stunning picture quality in almost any form of material. It can generate inky blacks, just like all OLEDs, providing you with a wonderful darkroom viewing experience. It boasts an ultra-fast response time and an optional Black Frame Insertion feature, which delivers smooth motion in fast-moving scenarios.
Although input lag is greatly reduced compared to its predecessors, it still lacks support for changing refresh rates. It also lacks HDMI 2.1 connectors and is unable to display a 4k at 120Hz. This may disappoint some of you who are searching for a TV to complement their next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
With that being said, if you’d like to find out more, just keep scrolling to read our in-depth review of the Sony Bravia A9s.
Because of its amazing picture quality, class-leading Acoustic Surface Audio system, and beautifully slim bezel design, the Sony Bravia A9s OLED TV is the only 48-inch model that can genuinely compete with LG’s smallest CX TV. However, if you’re interested in bigger screens, this particular OLED TV is also available in bigger size variants of up to 77 inches.
Image clarity is excellent because of the brand’s acclaimed X1 Ultimate picture processor, which is known for its realistic HDR images. In addition, a Pixel Contrast Booster is employed to boost color and contrast in bright areas. Sony’s excellent X-Motion Clarity picture interpolation technique handles motion, which we believe makes the screen a good pick for sports fans as well.
All of the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats are supported. While there’s no Dolby Vision IQ or Filmmaker mode aboard, Sony’s Ambient Optimization technology comes close in terms of performance.
A built-in sensor additionally improves picture and sound quality by automatically altering picture brightness in reaction to the room’s ambient light levels. It can also detect sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting objects in your room.
Speaking of the A9S’ sound quality, the Acoustic Surface Audio feature turns the screen into a speaker by vibrating it softly with stereo actuators. Plus, a subwoofer built into the back of the television provides you with deep bass. Overall, the sound system is excellent, offering crisp, clear, and powerful audio. If you pick this one up, you won’t need to purchase a separate soundbar to amplify the sounds.
Just like any premium OLED TV, the Sony Bravia A9s is stunning when viewed from the front. It looks sleek, minimalistic, and would certainly look gorgeous in any part of your house. The screen’s frame is extraordinarily thin and rests in the same plane as the picture, giving the impression of an almost bezel-less panel.
Apart from that, the screen lies so low on its heavy-duty, centrally mounted stand that it looks to keep itself upright without the assistance of a stand from any normal viewing distance. The screen’s outer edges are also only a millimeter deep and this exterior trim contrasts sharply. However, the centerpiece of the back seems to protrude more than the backsides of most recently released televisions.
The hefty pieces of the A9 don’t detract much from the overall incredibly exquisite aesthetic unless the set is going to be displayed on a wall.
At first glance, you might think that there aren’t any forward-facing speakers on the A9S. Except for the fact that it actually does. Despite the 48-inch variant being Sony’s smallest OLED TV to date, the A9S nevertheless employs the company’s patented Acoustic Screen technology, which uses perfectly placed actuators to transform the screen into a speaker.
On top of that, the 48-inch A9 has plenty of ports as well. There are four HDMI ports, three USB ports, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless communication compatibility.
Picture Quality
When it comes to picture quality, Sony certainly doesn’t disappoint. Even if you’re planning to get the smallest 48-inch variant, you’ll still get the same high-end X1 Ultimate processor you’ll find in its larger OLED siblings, along with all of its well-known advantages.
Sony’s Pixel Booster technology is included in the system, which improves contrast by better sharing power between individual pixels in the A9S’ OLED panel, while Sony’s famed MotionFlow processor helps smoothen movements in certain scenarios. If that’s not enough, there’s also a new option that inserts partial black frames into the image to give a more authentic-looking 24 frames per second movie experience without the brightness loss that black frame insertion generally causes in other TV models.
Furthermore, it can convert sub-4K inputs to 4K using a massive dual database of image analysis to provide you with pleasing results in real-time. A Super Bitmap method for smoothing striping out of HDR color blends is also an available feature, as is a Triluminos color system that uses precise color mapping to deliver a wider spectrum of color tones more accurately.
Lastly, the A9S supports three HDR formats: the regular HDR10 system, the HLG format, and the premium Dolby Vision format, which adds more scene-by-scene picture information to compatible TVs so that they can offer more realistic images. Unfortunately, there is no support for HDR10+ technology, but I don’t really see this as a necessity if you already have Dolby Vision.
Smart Features
Unlike its predecessors, the Android TV interface on the A9S is now developing to the point where you can appreciate the amount of content available on this particular TV.
Sony’s implementation includes Apple TV in addition to the usual streaming services and apps like Netflix, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Rakuten, and others. If you’re in the UK, you’re in luck as major UK broadcasters are covered by the excellent YouView app, which is included on the A9. This software combines all of the UK streaming providers into a single, well-designed, easy-to-navigate umbrella app.
Although there is still some fine-tuning to be done with the A9S interface, it is now something that isn’t actually a chore to use, which is a big step forward! It’s also worth noting that Android TV comes pre-loaded with Chromecast functionality, as well as Google Assistant speech recognition and voice control.
Our Least Favorite Things
Gaming Features Could Be Better
Despite the Sony Bravia A9S’ wonderful qualities, it has its shortcomings too. The casual consumer might not see this as a problem. But if you’re a gamer who is planning to get your hands on the next-gen consoles or already have them sitting in your living room, you might be disappointed with the fact that none of the HDMIs can handle enough data to support 4K streaming at 120Hz or variable frame rates (VRR).
It’s totally disappointing, to say the least. To put it in simpler terms the A9S is unable to handle the two most essential new features of the latest gaming consoles like the PS5 and the Xbox Series X as well as PC graphics cards.
Which I find a little funny, given that Sony produces one of those game consoles. You’d think that they would make sure that their latest OLED TVs will be pretty compatible running their other products without a fuss.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the Sony Bravia A9S, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular OLED TV.
Pros
Picture quality is pretty great.
Sound performance is amazing.
Stunning design.
Cons
Input lag might be a little high for more hardcore gamers.
60Hz refresh rate only.
No VRR.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Sony Bravia A9S is a fantastic OLED TV. Its OLED display has a near-infinite contrast ratio along with great black uniformity, making it an excellent choice for movie watching especially in a dark room setting. It’s also ideal for watching TV shows or any fast-paced content because it can upscale lower-resolutions and provides wide viewing angles as well.
However, if you’re a gaming enthusiast, keep in mind that this TV lacks VRR support and the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz at 4k. If you’re aiming for something higher than that, you might want to look for other OLED TV options.
Have you already bought the Sony Bravia A9S? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Amazing black levels. Overall picture quality is fantastic. For gaming, it supports Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. There are numerous well-calibrated picture modes and you have different size variants to choose from. These are just a few features you’ll get from the LG CX OLED TV. However, the high-end price might stifle a few of you from shelling out that much money for an OLED TV when you can get other well-performing models for much less. So how good exactly is this television? Is it worth every penny? Find out in our review below.
Thanks to a stunning 4K display that operates at a speedy 120Hz, the LG CX OLED TV is the best next-gen alternative if you’re planning on buying a PS5 or Xbox Series X soon or currently have one sitting in your living room. Thanks to Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support, it’s also ideal and fantastic for PC gaming. An Ultra HD screen like this will surely take your gaming sessions to the next level.
However, keep in mind that you’ll need a more solid gaming workstation if you’re considering the 65-inch model.
Furthermore, LG’s class-leading CX OLED TV, with a 120Hz refresh rate, is ideal for fast-paced 4K gaming, such as first-person shooters and racing games, where screen tearing is a thing of the past. As you’d expect from OLED technology, the black levels are outstanding, and LG has nailed it with a design that makes sure the CX line totally turns off individual pixels when used in the lowest settings.
Most OLED TVs are out of reach and unreasonably expensive for the typical customer, and the CX is no different. Despite its amazing features, its high-end price might just be the deal-breaker for some. However, if you can afford it, I highly recommend giving this OLED TV a solid consideration.
Apart from that, LG has also done an excellent job of focusing on the shortcomings in earlier models. The Alpha a9 Gen 3 Processor has undergone significant improvements that have resolved any faults from its predecessors while also improving the way faces are portrayed by the chip’s processing. The end result? An engrossing cinematic performance that treats movies and TV series with the respect they deserve.
Features & Specifications
Brand: LG
Sizes Available: 77″, 65″, 55″, and 48″
Resolution: 4K
Display Type: OLED
Input Lag: 13ms
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDR Compatibility: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Supported Internet Services: Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Vudu, Google TV
Gaming Features: G-SYNC, FreeSync, VRR, HGiG
Inputs: HDMI 2.1
Check Out LG’s Product Preview Of The LG CX OLED Below.
Honestly, LG doesn’t put in a lot of effort changing up their TVs’ designs. However, I do believe in the saying don’t fix what isn’t broken. With that being said, the LG CX OLED TV, just like its predecessors, still retains the same minimalistic and premium aesthetic it has over the years with little to no alterations at all.
When viewed from the side, the panel on the CX is still quite thin, approximately a quarter-inch deep, with the thicker part at the bottom jutting out another 1.75 inches. But facing it from the front, you won’t really notice it that much. The inputs, power supply, speakers, and other depth-eating TV components are all housed in this part.
The painting itself has a black frame around the top and sides that is less than a half-inch thick. Then there’s a little more below that, but nothing else apart from that. No logo or anything at all.
The screen is affixed to one of the centrally positioned metallic sheet stands that have been seen on previous C-series versions. This is wonderfully made and constructed, although it appears a little hefty in comparison to the remarkable slimness found elsewhere.
The CX has a lot of connections, and they’re all well-defined, especially when it comes to HDMIs. There are four, each capable of 4K up to 120Hz in 10-bit HDR with 4:4:4 chroma sampling. Something to keep in mind if you’re planning to play with the next generation of video game consoles. Overall, the LG CX is pure TV minimalism and is a nice addition to any home.
Picture Quality
When it comes to LG’s OLED TVs, there’s no doubt that they’re truly one of the best out there. When you watch something in 4K with High Dynamic Range for the first time, you’ll truly understand the power of LG’s incredible screen technology.
Because the CX supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR, you’ll get the most out of every homemade show on Netflix, Amazon, and elsewhere, as well as the most recently released movies.
However, regardless of whether format you view, the CX’s contrast and colors are always astounding. Super vivid reds, greens, and blues contrast with incredibly realistic shadows to provide some of the most stunning images you’ll ever see at home.
On top of that, there are plenty of additional picture modes to choose from and try, but if you’re more interested in viewing TV shows and movies than gaming, I’d recommend trying Cinema mode or Filmmaker mode.
Smart Features
The LG CX uses LG’s WebOS interface for its smart features, just like the rest of LG’s OLED TV portfolio. And this is a relatively good thing. With its rows of icons directing to numerous entertainment sources, the simple, no-frills home screen is instantly available, easy to use, and modify to your preference.
When you select one of the primary content apps, the second tier of icons appears, with immediate access to the highlighted app’s shows or films. This feature, however, is only available in apps that have worked with LG to allow it.
It’s also worth noting that LG is a leader in speech recognition, with the CX supporting LG’s ThinQ AI platform, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. All of them are also supported, eliminating the requirement for an external listening device.
In terms of supported apps, you’ll discover Disney+ and Apple TV+, two relatively recent entries to the streaming world, other streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are also readily available.
Gaming Features
Another feature I love with the CX is that it’s gamer-friendly. This OLED TV supports Nvidia G-sync, which ensures that games run smoothly on PCs with Nvidia graphics cards. For users with AMD graphics cards, the CX now supports AMD FreeSync. Honestly, it’s just great to see both major standards represented.
In addition to that, it has only 13 milliseconds of input lag in Game Mode. And, unlike some LCD TVs, activating the game settings has no discernible impact on color and contrast performance. Automatic low latency mode switching and varied refresh rates are also supported. Hopefully, the PS5, Xbox Series X, and next-generation PCs will be able to take advantage of the CX’s 4K/120Hz/4:4:4/HDR capabilities.
Our Least Favorite Thing
Risk Of Burn In
Apart from its ridiculously high price tag, the CX doesn’t come in with a lot of flaws. Which is something to be expected when you’re paying a lot of money for a TV. Of course, like with any OLED TV, you should be cautious about what you watch on it in order to avoid permanent image retention or also known as burn-in.
That said, try to avoid watching content with bright logos or static bright picture elements for long periods of time at a time. Most recently released OLED TVs nowadays have put in the necessary measures to avoid such damages, and that includes LG’s OLED TVs. However, it’s best not to risk it.
In A Nutshell
Now that we’ve finished discussing the things we liked and disliked about the LG CX, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular OLED TV.
Pros
Incredible visual and image quality.
Speedy response times.
Beautiful design.
Cons
Risk of permanent burn in if you’re viewing the same content over and over.
Expensive.
Our Final Verdict
All in all, the LG CX OLED TV is truly a fantastic high-end television. It gives the same excellent picture quality as the other TV models from the same lineup. Individual pixels can be turned off, resulting in a near-infinite contrast ratio with perfect deep blacks and no blooming around bright objects, making this TV perfect for dark room viewing.
However, the LG CX OLED also does well in bright surroundings thanks to its excellent reflection control as well as streaming HDR content due to its wide color gamut. Not to mention, variable refresh rate (VRR) compatibility, a 120Hz panel, fast response time, and HDMI 2.1 ports are just a few of its amazing gaming-friendly features.
So this begs the question, is this TV worth its price? Definitely. But is it worth burning a hole in your wallet for? I’d have to say no. There are definitely other OLED TV models in the market that performs just the same (or almost the same) without the hefty price tag.
If you’re on a budget, you’re better off looking for something within your price range. But if money is not an issue, then this is definitely a TV worth considering.
Have you already bought the LG CX OLED TV? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Over the years, the vast majority of Bose‘s noise-canceling headphones have been on- and over-ear designs, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds take this excellent line into the relatively new world of True Wireless Earbuds. They go head-to-head with several well-known competitors, such as the Apple AirPods Pros. We have high expectations for these wireless earphones, but will Bose deliver and live up to its hype? Find out in our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review below.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are without a doubt among the best true wireless types available in the market. This is all thanks to its excellent noise-canceling features. The majority of Bose’s noise-canceling headphones have been on- and over-ear models, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, while being true wireless earphones, didn’t disappoint our high expectations.
They’re small and light, and you’ll be able to listen for several hours at a time with them. The QuietComfort earbuds from Bose are really pleasant to use for an average workout session and have a really high-quality feel to them. On a single charge, the battery lasts six hours, and the charging case adds two extra charges for a total of 18 hours. I think the battery life is pretty alright, but it definitely could be better.
Furthermore, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are sweat and weather-resistant, making them great for both indoor and outdoor activities. The flexibility of the dedicated app to personalize some features and controls, as well as change the excellent noise-cancellation, adds to the ease of use. Not to mention, the touch screen volume controls are just the icing on the cake.
In addition, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds give a fantastic sense of dynamism, strength, and composure. When playing bass notes, the QuietComfort seems full, with a full-bodied sound that can go incredibly deep.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 1.99 x 3.43 x 1.34 inches
Item Weight: 0.006 ounces
Brand: Bose
Form Factor: In Ear
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours.
Bluetooth Range: 10 meters.
Water Resistant: Yes.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
Wireless: True Wireless
Colors: Sandstone, Soapstone, Stone Blue, and Triple Black.
At this point, it’s safe to say that Bose is the gold standard for active noise-canceling as of writing Even though other manufacturers and brands have improved their noise-canceling capabilities in recent years, Bose’s noise cancellation features have remained unrivaled.
And, as expected, the QuietComfort Earbuds deliver on that front as well. As I previously stated, they are undoubtedly the greatest true wireless earbuds for muffling ambient noise.
By touching the left earbud using the touch controls, you can cycle through three configurable noise-canceling settings, including a transparency mode that lets sound in (number “0” on the settings). These earbuds did a better job at muffling sounds than rival headphones like the Apple Airpods Pro at their maximum setting, making the QuietComfort Earbuds the category’s noise-canceling leader in this category.
Audio Performance
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds do not disappoint at all when it comes to sound quality. This is exactly where you’ll see why the QuietComfort Earbuds are so highly hyped about. Furthermore, the superior noise-canceling lets the Bose’s great music quality shine through to its maximum potential.
The joy and energy that the Bose buds exude are incredibly contagious. There’s a terrific sense of dynamism, as well as strength and composure. The QuietComfort Earbuds extract a lot of detail from bass notes that sound full-bodied and go deep. As a result, the deep, pounding bassline has a lot of texture to it.
Even with the noise-canceling on its maximum level, the Bose sound is full of genuine warmth and richness, but the music never seems buried or sound distorted. Not only that, but the QuietComfort Earbuds also offers so much more. Yes, they can be the life of the party when the track demands it, but they’re also adaptable enough to let a track’s mood and subtle components shine through.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds provide a richer sound, with greater richness and a more robust, well-defined bass. These headphones are definitely up there with the best-sounding true wireless earbuds on the market, and they can compete with a lot of higher-end models from other brands.
Build Quality & Comfortability
While the overall design of Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds isn’t its best selling point, its comfortability in your ears makes up for it.
Upon touch, even the most pricey wireless earbuds might feel a little cheap against your palms, but not these earbuds. The earpieces’ smooth exterior surfaces are haptic, and the glossy plastic used for the driver enclosure is durable. The winged ear tips have a smooth, matte texture, which adds to the overall high-quality build.
There are three sizes of tips: small, medium, and large. This may sound sparse, but the tips’ edges are so large that it’s easy to achieve a good seal. To feel isolated, you don’t have to push them in like tent pegs, which is ideal for comfort. We also like how simple it is to switch out the tips. You may have a new pair of earbuds in seconds by just sliding them on and off the earbuds.
All in all, the QuietComfort Earbuds from Bose are light enough that we don’t mind listening for several hours at a time and don’t feel uncomfortable even after hours of use. They’re great to live with for your standard commute or workout sessions.
Our Least Favorite Things
Design
Bose has previously released noise-canceling in-ear headphones and truly wireless headphones before, but this is the first time the two technologies have been combined. This means that the QuietComfort Earbuds have a lot of technology packed into them, resulting in a pair of earbuds that are somewhat bulky in appearance. Personally, I think the design could be improved to make it more discreet and sleek.
Although the earpieces do not protrude much from your ears, the overall appearance is larger than that of other basic headphones on the market. Because the headphone’s primary body is at least curved, it blends in better to the side of your head.
In addition to the less than appealing design, the QuietComfort’s charging case isn’t also the most portable to carry around compared to other charging cases you might see in the market. To be more specific, the charging case for the QuietComfort Earbuds is large and heavy, measuring 3.5 x 2 x 1.3 inches and weighing 2.7 ounces. To put it simply, it’s definitely not the most travel-friendly charging case.
Battery Life
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds’ battery life is by no means terrible but for a pair of headphones at this price point, I expected better. The battery life is said to be six hours on a single charge. But with the charging case, the QuietComfort earbuds get an additional two charges for a total of 18 hours. That’s pretty decent for average use, but far from anything exceptional.
On the upside, if you’re short on time, a 15-minute quick charge should last you a couple of hours, and you can charge it using the included USB-C cable or any Qi-certified wireless charging mat.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, here is a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with these headphones.
Pros
Great overall sound quality and performance.
Excellent noise-cancelling features.
Ideal for outdoor use.
Terrific ANC features.
Impressive mic quality.
Quick connectivity.
Cons
Expensive.
Design isn’t discreet.
Battery life could be improved.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are excellent all-around and have set the standard for active noise-canceling. These particular pair of earbuds have excellent musicality and excellent noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds. They’re up to the task against any opponent at this level, with a few major negatives being the high cost and its sub-par battery life.
Do you already own the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds? How was the experience for you? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any insights, suggestions, or questions to ask about these earbuds. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
The XPS series from Dell has always been a personal favorite of mine. In fact, the laptop I use for my day-to-day activities and tasks is the old Dell XPS 13 from 2019. And up until now, it’s still working really smoothly and does the job for me without a fuss. But for today, let’s take an in-depth look at our full Dell XPS 15 (2020) review and see if this laptop is as amazing as its predecessors.
One of the latest generations from Dell’s XPS line, the XPS 15, features a much slimmer frame and a little more screen-pixel real estate thanks to the even thinner bezels, which I find crazy because the bezels from their older models were almost non-existent. Apart from that, the new XPS 15 also boasts having the newest Intel and Nvidia components as well as a touchscreen 4k display.
To find out more, just keep scrolling to read our review below!
The Dell XPS 15 packs a lot of tremendous power and punch for a laptop that’s built in a chassis this thin and lightweight. At the same time, this brand new design didn’t let Dell sacrifice or compromise its internal components or features that are sure to enhance your overall experience with this particular device.
The 10th Gen Intel Core processors integrated into the XPS 15’s system deliver desktop-caliber creativity to your laptop, which is typically only available or seen on your standard desktop computers. Just from this specific feature alone, this puts the Dell XPS 15 right in front of the competition.
When you take a closer look, you’ll notice a gorgeous brilliant display with 500 nits of brightness and a spectacular 4k resolution with touchscreen capabilities, a really comfortable keyboard, outstanding speakers for your music listening pleasure, as well as a fantastic and satisfying touchpad. These are only a few of its many impressive features and there’s more to this laptop than meets the eye.
That being said, you can also choose between a few XPS 15 variants. Whether you want the Intel Core i5 10th Gen or the Intel Core i7 10th Gen, 16 GB of RAM, 32 GB of RAM, and up to 64 GB of RAM, and if you want the graphics card with NVIDIA GTX 1650Ti or the regular Intel UHD Graphics. It is up to you to decide based on your preferences and requirements for a laptop.
This laptop isn’t perfect, but it’s the one that comes closest to being so. So, if you have a few thousand dollars to spend on a laptop, regardless if it’s for personal use, work, or school, you really can’t go wrong with choosing the Dell XPS 15 (2020).
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 13.57 x 9.06 x 0.71 inches
Item Weight: 6.00 lbs
Brand: Dell
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
Operating System: Windows 10
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit or 15.6″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display.
Resolution: 3840×2400 pixels
RAM: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB of RAM
Storage: 256GB – 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe
Battery Life: 8 hours depending on usage.
Ports: 2x USB-C 3.1 with Thunderbolt 3, 1 x USB-C 3.1, 1 x SD card reader, combi audio jack
Extra Special Features: Corning Gorilla Glass 6, 3D surround sound experience, 62% larger touchpad, 5% larger screen, and 5.6% smaller footprint, Integrated Eyesafe display technology, and equipped with 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA certified DisplayHDR 400, and Dolby Vision, this display delivers more than 16 million ultra-vivid colors that are 40 times brighter than ever before.
Check Out Dell’s Preview Of Their Latest XPS 15 Laptop Below.
The new design the XPS 15 is now sporting is one of the things that make me excited over it, especially after several years of seeing the same boring, bulky chassis it used to have. Upon closer look, the changes are somewhat similar to those Dell made to their XPS 13 earlier this year too.
For some, these changes made to its overall appearance may seem insignificant or small but they truly add up a lot of improvement and enough upgrades that make this device look really sleek and even stylish.
The most noticeable change is its more slimmed-down bezels as the latest XPS 15 now has the new four-sided Infinity Edge display from Dell, giving you a larger display and more screen real estate as it foregoes the chunky bezel at the bottom of the screen found in previous models.
The 2020 XPS 15 is also housed in a more compact frame than previous models, especially in terms of width. This new model is smaller than the previous XPS 15 too, measuring only 0.71 x 13.6 x 9.1 inches (height, width, length) compared to the latter that was 0.66 x 14.1 x 9.3 inches.
As for its weight, the XPS 15 weighs about 4.5 lbs. It’s not the most lightweight laptop out there but with how powerful the hardware this laptop has in its system, we’re not really complaining about the few extra pounds it has.
When it comes to the latest XPS 15’s build quality, the materials used to make the laptop are the same as before. The lid and chassis are still composed of aluminum, with a soft-touch carbon fiber keyboard deck that feels comfortable to rest your wrists on compared to a cold metal surface most laptops have.
All in all, the XPS 15 has a really classy and premium feel to it that will really appeal to a wide range of people.
Performance
With an Intel Core i7-10875H processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, the Dell XPS 15 is clearly aimed at the “professional” market, though I can imagine students will also appreciate this type of hardware.
However, the XPS 15 is not strong enough for the tasks professional video editors or 3D artists do, but it’s certainly powerful enough for someone who does that stuff as a hobby or simply wants an all-around laptop without facing any kind of issues with every computer activity they do.
To sum it up, the Dell XPS 15 delivers professional-level performance in a compact and light chassis that won’t slow you down as you work through your daily tasks. Sure, the GPU choice could have been more powerful, but that would certainly require Dell to build a more robust (and heavy) cooling system which will add up to the unit’s overall weight.
Display
The incredibly thin bezels the XPS 15 has is one of the main reasons this is such a popular product for a wide range of consumers. Whether you’re a creative professional who needs a bright, color-accurate display for work or simply enjoy watching high-definition shows and movies in your spare time, you will surely appreciate the superb screen the XPS 15 has.
Not to mention, you have a few options on which display quality you want to get from the XPS 15. You can either get the optional 4K-resolution (3,840 by 2,400-pixel) touch panel, which is wonderfully sharp and colorful. The screen is HDR 400 certified, has a maximum brightness of 500 nits, and covers 100% of the Adobe RGB spectrum and 94% of DCI-P3.
On the other hand, there is also a full HD (1,920 by 1,200 pixel) non-touchscreen display as an alternative to those who aren’t really aiming for 4K screens and want to cut down on costs.
Our Least Favorite Thing
Battery Life
Don’t get me wrong, the XPS 15’s battery life isn’t bad at all. It’s actually pretty decent but it could definitely be improved as I have seen other laptops perform longer than this one. For casual tasks like routine email checking and browsing, you can easily get up to 10 hours on this unit. However, with streaming high-resolution content, the battery drains a lot faster, giving you around 6 hours of usage at most.
Not Suitable For Hardcore Gaming
Personally, this isn’t a huge con as I don’t really like to rely on laptops when gaming but I figured this is something to keep in mind in case some of you are gamers and are eyeing this laptop for your gaming needs. While the Dell XPS 15 (2020) can perform smoothly in almost every task you throw at it, its gaming capabilities are severely lacking especially if you’re planning to play demanding AAA titles.
While the GTX 1650 Ti is technically a gaming GPU, the Dell XPS 15 is nowhere near a gaming laptop. The thin and light chassis design isn’t really compatible and doesn’t lend itself to long gaming sessions where heat could create performance issues or concerns. At most, this laptop’s gaming capabilities will be limited to you playing games at 1080p on medium settings.
Though I reckon games that don’t rely too much on heavy graphics might work for you. But if you’re looking for a laptop for hardcore gaming, it’s best to look for another model or perhaps think about building your own PC.
In A Nutshell
After giving you a breakdown of what we liked and disliked about the Dell XPS 15, here is a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this near-perfect laptop.
Pros
Stunning, bright display.
Excellent speakers.
Keyboard is comfortable to use.
Sleek and stylish design with impressive build quality.
Overall powerful performance.
Cons
Battery life could be better.
Not the best option for gaming.
Our Final Verdict
Now that we have reached the conclusion of our Dell XPS 15 (2020) review, I must say that this is certainly the closest any manufacturer in the market can get to a perfect laptop as of writing. It’s definitely one of the best laptops you can get your hands on right now and you’ll be hardpressed to find real faults on this model.
Do you already own the Dell XPS 15 (2020)? Or are you still on the fence about purchasing it? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any insights or questions to share with us. We’d love to hear all your thoughts about this product!
