Stereophile
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<p><img class="story_image" src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/062413.pepcompromo_0.jpg" /></p> Pepcom is an event organizer that brings together a smattering of technology companies, members of the press, and various forms of the grilled chicken sandwich. Here are the products from the world of audio and its extended fingers that both intrigued and appalled.
<p>
<b>RadioShack</b>
</p><p>
This 25-watt RadioShack Cordless Soldering Iron ($19.99) runs on four double-A batteries, includes a built-in LED to shine a light on your handiwork, and heats up to 900-degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a proprietary ceramic Split-Tip, is RoHS compliant, and utilizes an automatic shut-off feature in case the device overheats.
</p><p>
Products from the RadioShack exclusive Auvio line included the 60 Watt HBT6000 Bluetooth Boombox ($199), the 30 Watt PBT1000 Bluetooth Boombox ($129), the cute 10 Watt Bluetooth Cube Speakers ($39.99), the Auvio Music Receiver ($39.99), and the entry-level Auvio headphones ($29.99). The Auvio headphones had boatloads of wooly bass and colorations all over the place. The Auvio Music Receiver is a Bluetooth receiver that connects to your system via RCA or minijack connection. The Auvio Cube and PBT1000 functions as a Bluetooth speaker as well as a microphone for your mobile communication device. The HBT6000 is a more powerful Bluetooth speaker but does not include the microphone capabilities. We were unable to connect my phone to both the HBT6000 and PBT1000 so I didn’t get a chance to hear them with familiar material.
</p><p>
<b>Creative</b>:
</p><p>
In their brand new line of EVO headphones Creative has actually done something, well, creative.
</p><p>
The EVO headphones host a built-in DAC based on their Creative Z-Series soundcard. The $229 ZX has 40mm drivers. The $299 ZXR has 50mm drivers and adds active noise cancelling. Both devices can connect to the source via USB, Bluetooth, and minijack. One can even use the EVO as a standalone DAC by routing the audio signal into the headphone’s USB input and output via the four-pole minijack to a set of powered speakers.
</p><p>
Also, they look outrageous. Their see-through panels and multiple layers of red angular casework reminded me of Sektor from Mortal Kombat III.
</p><p>
<img src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/062113sektor.1.jpg" width="600" height="450" border="0" /><br /></p><p>Sektor is on the right</p>
<p>
Listening to the EVO ZXR prototype was a mixed experience. There was deep extended bass and surprising clarity in the mid treble but a serious suck-out in the midrange that made Javelin’s “<a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/javelin-live-brooklyn-bowl">L’Ocean</a>” sound hollow and vocal-less. In addition, there were random spikes in volume causing distortion while listening. I spoke with the Creative rep and discovered the sound was being manipulated by the Crystallizer function in a partnering app, which boosted the lows and highs “to compensate for their absence in over-compressed music.” We turned off the Crystallizer but before I started listening to music, the headphone emitted intermittent distorted <i>bleepity-bloops</i>. Hopefully, the kinks are sorted by the EVO ZXR’s release next month. The EVO ZX is available now.
</p><p>
<b>Ultimate Ears</b>:
</p><p>
When Logitech acquired Jerry Harvey’s Ultimate Ears headphone brand, the brand names sandwiched around a vertical line creating the multi-syllabic “Logitech|UE”. Per PR representative Andrea McDonald, Logitech is repositioning the brand with “a deeper dive into the music”. They have reverted back to the name Ultimate Ears.
</p><p>
The $199.99 UE Boom, a cylindrical water-resistant Bluetooth speaker perfect for portable listening, was on display. The Boom provides 360-degree sound via two 1.5" full range drivers and two 2" passive radiators. It is wrapped in a stain-proof acoustic skin and can be dropped in the pool (for just a second). A more recommended near-water use for the Boom is bringing it into the shower. The device can be charged for up to 15 hours worth of battery life. Two UE Booms can be “<a href=" http://images.crystalscomments.com/6/9095.jpg ">Doubled Up</a>” using the accompanying mobile app to convert the speakers into a two-channel system.
</p><p>
I reviewed a Logitech Boombox <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/passion-hi-fi-part-iv-why-boombox">earlier this year</a> and was disappointed by its propensity to distort at moderately high volumes. Boomboxes are made for social situations and should thus go loud
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/reporting-pepcom-weird-headphones-too-much-bluetooth-and-something-completely-different-base]
<p>
<b>RadioShack</b>
</p><p>
This 25-watt RadioShack Cordless Soldering Iron ($19.99) runs on four double-A batteries, includes a built-in LED to shine a light on your handiwork, and heats up to 900-degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a proprietary ceramic Split-Tip, is RoHS compliant, and utilizes an automatic shut-off feature in case the device overheats.
</p><p>
Products from the RadioShack exclusive Auvio line included the 60 Watt HBT6000 Bluetooth Boombox ($199), the 30 Watt PBT1000 Bluetooth Boombox ($129), the cute 10 Watt Bluetooth Cube Speakers ($39.99), the Auvio Music Receiver ($39.99), and the entry-level Auvio headphones ($29.99). The Auvio headphones had boatloads of wooly bass and colorations all over the place. The Auvio Music Receiver is a Bluetooth receiver that connects to your system via RCA or minijack connection. The Auvio Cube and PBT1000 functions as a Bluetooth speaker as well as a microphone for your mobile communication device. The HBT6000 is a more powerful Bluetooth speaker but does not include the microphone capabilities. We were unable to connect my phone to both the HBT6000 and PBT1000 so I didn’t get a chance to hear them with familiar material.
</p><p>
<b>Creative</b>:
</p><p>
In their brand new line of EVO headphones Creative has actually done something, well, creative.
</p><p>
The EVO headphones host a built-in DAC based on their Creative Z-Series soundcard. The $229 ZX has 40mm drivers. The $299 ZXR has 50mm drivers and adds active noise cancelling. Both devices can connect to the source via USB, Bluetooth, and minijack. One can even use the EVO as a standalone DAC by routing the audio signal into the headphone’s USB input and output via the four-pole minijack to a set of powered speakers.
</p><p>
Also, they look outrageous. Their see-through panels and multiple layers of red angular casework reminded me of Sektor from Mortal Kombat III.
</p><p>
<img src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/062113sektor.1.jpg" width="600" height="450" border="0" /><br /></p><p>Sektor is on the right</p>
<p>
Listening to the EVO ZXR prototype was a mixed experience. There was deep extended bass and surprising clarity in the mid treble but a serious suck-out in the midrange that made Javelin’s “<a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/javelin-live-brooklyn-bowl">L’Ocean</a>” sound hollow and vocal-less. In addition, there were random spikes in volume causing distortion while listening. I spoke with the Creative rep and discovered the sound was being manipulated by the Crystallizer function in a partnering app, which boosted the lows and highs “to compensate for their absence in over-compressed music.” We turned off the Crystallizer but before I started listening to music, the headphone emitted intermittent distorted <i>bleepity-bloops</i>. Hopefully, the kinks are sorted by the EVO ZXR’s release next month. The EVO ZX is available now.
</p><p>
<b>Ultimate Ears</b>:
</p><p>
When Logitech acquired Jerry Harvey’s Ultimate Ears headphone brand, the brand names sandwiched around a vertical line creating the multi-syllabic “Logitech|UE”. Per PR representative Andrea McDonald, Logitech is repositioning the brand with “a deeper dive into the music”. They have reverted back to the name Ultimate Ears.
</p><p>
The $199.99 UE Boom, a cylindrical water-resistant Bluetooth speaker perfect for portable listening, was on display. The Boom provides 360-degree sound via two 1.5" full range drivers and two 2" passive radiators. It is wrapped in a stain-proof acoustic skin and can be dropped in the pool (for just a second). A more recommended near-water use for the Boom is bringing it into the shower. The device can be charged for up to 15 hours worth of battery life. Two UE Booms can be “<a href=" http://images.crystalscomments.com/6/9095.jpg ">Doubled Up</a>” using the accompanying mobile app to convert the speakers into a two-channel system.
</p><p>
I reviewed a Logitech Boombox <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/passion-hi-fi-part-iv-why-boombox">earlier this year</a> and was disappointed by its propensity to distort at moderately high volumes. Boomboxes are made for social situations and should thus go loud
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/reporting-pepcom-weird-headphones-too-much-bluetooth-and-something-completely-different-base]