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Review of the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker

Paul Mah — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:53:41 +0000

Local Bose distributor ATLAS Singapore has kindly sent over a unit of the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker. If you recall, the SoundLink Wireless Mobile is a portable speaker that weights 1.29kg with a depth of just 4.8cm with its fold-out stand closed.

The unit I reviewed is the standard version of the SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker (with nylon cover) which retails for S$549. A premium model with dark brown leather cover is also available at S$639. Accessory covers in various color are available separately for S$59 (nylon) and S$99 (leather).

Music performance

Streaming music to the SoundLink from my iPhone

I tested the the SoundLink in the one week that I had it at home, and also brought it on a short trip to Malaysia. As someone who loathes coming back to a silent hotel room in the evenings, I am happy to say that the SoundLink performed superbly.

The speakers delivered credible performance even at high volumes and does not sound muddied like so many portable speakers that I’ve tested. The sound stage, mid-range and bass totally belies its diminutive size. I also did not notice any discernible reduction in the qualify of music playback due to the use of Bluetooth.

Having said that, I felt that its treble could have been better. And its mid-range, while adequate, isn’t exactly impressive. Then again, I’m probably making an unfair comparison against my Yamaha reference speakers which I listen to regularly.

Other observations

Below are some of my other observations of the SoundLink:

Bass: Powerful and deep base. Place it close to a concrete wall for maximum effect – its practically akin to having a separate sub-woofer.
Battery life: At a low volume, I ran the speakers for six hours with no signs of it running out of juice
Portability: The SoundLink is perfect for travelling and will fit comfortably into your luggage
Volume: This is hard to quantify but the SoundLink is probably as loud as your typical TV at maximum volume (But with much better bass)
Range: Works as advertised (10 meters). Music playback cracks up at extreme range, or if there are too many obstacles in between.

One shortcoming of the SoundLink is the absence of Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) support. This results in two sets of volume control: The volume buttons on the SoundLink itself, and on your source device such as iPhone or iPod. Not a deal breaker, but it would have been a great feature. Hopefully, this capability will materialize in a future firmware upgrade via its “Service” port.

In closing

At SG$548 for the standard version, the SoundLink is among the most expensive in portable wireless speakers today. But if you travel for work often and simply must have the best sound in a portable package, then the SoundLink is heartily recommended.

Front view of the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker. Note the illuminated buttons along the top

The SoundLink is slim enough to fit into your luggage when travelling, while its beveled Chrome edges are designed for longevity

The Micro USB ("Service") port is used for upgrading the firmware for the Bose SoundLink

The accessory cover is securely fastened on with a bolt that requires an allen key to release/change

From left to right Altec Lansing inMotion Compact, Bose SoundLink, Altec Lansing inMotion Air

The ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD

Paul Mah — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:05:27 +0000

ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD

The ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD arrived via UPS yesterday. In case you haven’t heard by now, ioSafe is the technology leader in disaster proof storage hardware. They sell a range of fireproof and waterproof storage devices that uses forced air cooling and other proprietary technologies to achieve a level of ruggedness and protection few would expect from their storage hardware.

The company says its products can survive (Exact specifications vary by product) up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit (Approx 840 degrees Celsius) of heat or immersion in 10ft (Approx 3 meters) of water for 72 hours.

The Rugged Portable line comes in two distinct flavors: a vanilla model sporting a 2.5-inch 5,400rpm hard disk drive, and a high-end one powered by an SSD (solid-state drive). According to its the ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD product page, the SSD version uses a blistering fast Intel320 Series SSD.

Interestingly, the Rugged Portable family does not appear to be fireproof – I’ll have check with the ioSafe team on that. The tough aluminium exterior however, does offer a layer of protection from chemicals and can survive immersion in nasty liquids such as diesel fuel, oils, hydraulic fluids, aircraft fuels at a depth of 12 ft for 1 hour. And yes, it can survive drops of up to 20 ft (6 meters) too.

As expected, initial tests using a USB 2.0 port shows the Rugged Portable SSD achieving transfer speeds of just over 30MB/s. More than anything, this highlights how the aging USB 2.0 standard is unable to cope with the new generation of SSD-based portable storage.

I will be testing it with a USB 3.0 machine soon, and will post the results here. Stay tuned.

Front view of the Rugged Portable SSD

Back view of the Rugged Portable SSD

I admit to expecting a somewhat nicer packaging for $499; not that this was in any way bad

Back view of the packaging

ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD beside my Apple Wireless Keyboard. The anodized aluminium of the ioSafe looks really good

Seagate unveils the GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage

Evaluating the Sanyo eneloop rechargeable batteries

Paul Mah — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:32:12 +0000

Sanyo was kind enough to send me some of its eneloop NiMH Rechargeable Batteries to review. Those new to the eneloop may be puzzled about the fuss over what appears to be “old tech” NiHM (Nickel–metal hydride) batteries.

To quickly explain: the key difference has to do with how the eneloop is engineered with a very low self-discharge rate compared with standard NiMH batteries. Indeed, Sanyo claims that its new “eneloop glitter” batteries retains 75% of its energy even after three years of storage. Such a lengthy shelf live means that power is available when you need it, making it a perfect green replacement for Alkaline batteries.

In keeping with the expected longevity of your eneloop purchase, Sanyo has given the eneloop glitter a new design that is just gorgeous. (You can see photos of them below)

In the meantime, some key features of the new “eneloop glitter” batteries:

High recharging capability of approximately 1,500 times (50% more than the old eneloops)
A digital camera powered using eneloop batteries can take approximately 4.4 times more shots than conventional dry-cell batteries
Lower self-discharge rate (ready for use with 75% of its energy remaining even after three years of storage!)
eneloop batteries are pre-charged at the factory where they are manufactured in Japan by green power from photovoltaic generation
Comes in a variety of glittery colours

I plan to test out the eneloops by substituting them in some of my battery-powered gadgets that I use on a daily basis. In no particular order: Logitech Anywhere MX (2x AA), Apple Wireless Keyboard (3x AA) and Kensington Presenter Pro Remote with Green Laser and Memory (2x AAA).

Will update in a couple of months on how they fare.

Sanyo sent me 8pcs of the AA andn 4pcs of the AAA "eneloop glitter" batteries

In keeping with their longevity, the eneloop glitter series looks really good!

Obligatory shot of the battery pack (back)

No related posts.

ATLAS unveils Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker

Paul Mah — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:09:24 +0000

The SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker produced huge sound from a diminutive form factor

Was invited down for a first hand preview of the new Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker at the ATLAS TripleOne Audiovisual Boutique showroom @ Somerset Road last week. ATLAS Singapore is of course the local distributor of all Bose products in the country.

Well, CEO Michael Tien Wai Keong hosted myself and a trio of local bloggers to a demonstration of the first ever Bluetooth speakers from Bose inside the posh showroom. I must confess that we were bribed with some finger food that was unfortunately left to go cold as we were too busy pawing at the speaker.

Weighing 1.29kg, the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker has a depth of just 4.8cm with its fold-out stand closed. While I don’t consider myself an audiophile in any sense of the word, I am nevertheless rather particular about my music. In the short span of time we spent with it, I must say that the Bose SoundLink produced giant-sized sound that truly belies its diminutive dimensions.

According to Michael, some of the unique characteristics of the SoundLink Wireless is as follows:

Dual-opposing passive radiators: These move in conjunction with the transducers to improve audio performance
Chrome-plated end caps: Protects against bumps and drops
Bluetooth pairing list: History of six recently paired devices are remembered and automatically searched for
USB mini port: For software update (I’ve never seen this in other portable speakers)
Optional 12V car charger: Again, something new here.

Oh yes, the standard version of the SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker with nylon cover retails at S$549, while a premium model with dark brown leather cover will be offered for S$639. Accessory covers in various color are available separately for S$59 and S$99.

I’ll have the chance to review it shortly, so stay tuned.

The SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker as seen from the back

Promotional prices for Bose @ SITEX 2011

Paul Mah — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:23:41 +0000

Have got hold of the official promotional prices for Bose @ SITEX 2011 that ends this Sunday.

I’ve posted Bose Promotion at EpicCentre @ COMEX 2011 in September this year. You may do a product-by-product comparison if you’re so inclined. The short answer is that the discounted prices are more or less similar to that of the SITEX promotional prices (+/- of $10 on average). However, the products offering varies slightly; for current SITEX features additional products like the high-end QuietComfort 3 and QuietComfort 15i noise cancellation headphones.

All prices below are in Singapore dollars.

Sound Docks

Bose SoundDock Portable: $579 (Usual: $749)
Bose SoundDock 10: $999 (Usual: $1,249)
Bose SoundDock II: $499 (Usual: $579)

Headphones/Earphones

Bose Around Ear 2 headphones: $189 (Usual: $219)
Bose Around Ear 2i headphones: $229 (Usual: 269)
Bose On Ear headphones: $189 (Usual: $225)
Bose QuietComfort 3: $629 (Usual: $699)
Bose QuietComfort 15i: $539 (Usual: $599)
Bose In Ear 2 earphones: $135 (Usual: $149)
Bose MIE2 mobile headset: $169 (Usual: $199)

PC Speakers

Bose Companion 5: $639 (Usual: $749)
Bose Companion 20: No discount at $539 (Purchase Bose AE/AE2i headphones at 20% off)
Bose Companion 2: $159 (Usual: $199)

And yes, I’m currently reviewing the Bose Around Ear (AE) 2i headphone. Will be posting my impressions on it soon.

Review of the Sony XBA-3 Balanced Armature Headphone

Paul Mah — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 09:53:38 +0000

Sony Singapore was kind to send me a review unit of its XBA-3 Balanced Armature Headphones, which was first unveiled by the company in September. As I noted in an article posted on VR-Zone at that time, Sony says its Balanced Armature (BA) drivers were optimized for music enjoyment, and located in a sealed housing to reduce ambient noise and sound leakage. The result is a deeper and richer sound, says the company.

Earphones with a difference

One clarification that I must make is how the XBA-3 “headphones” is really an in-ear “earphone.” Blame it on the marketing department, but I think Sony’s intention was to convey how its Balanced Armature series is capable of conveying the full dynamics of a headphone. What is particularly interesting though, is how some members of the XBA family comes with multiple drivers. The XBA-3 for example, comes with 3 of them: full range + woofer + tweeter.

So does the XBA-3 stand up to its claims? I tested the Sony XBA-3 over the span of a few days. Though this review isn’t a an outright comparison of its performance against other headphones or earphones, my remarks and opinions are influenced by what I typically listen to.

So in approximate order of use, they are:

Bose On-ear Headphones [On-ear headphones]
Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones [Standard earphones design]
Able Planet Sound Clarity NC510B Headphone (My review here) [Over-ear headphones]

My opinion

The XBA-3 delivered very credible sound for an in-ear earphone. Sound stage was satisfactory, and its discrete treble drivers really made a difference in accentuating instruments and nuances that have sounded muddled in far too many low to mid-end earphones that I’ve tried. The woofer driver delivered a satisfying punch without drowning out the details, or being overpowering; this is very much welcome and a clear sign of a desire to achieve fidelity as opposed delivering the loudest bass.

On the down side, the mid-range wasn’t as strong or powerful as I would have liked. Vocals sound all right, though nowhere as clear as my Bang & Olufsen. In addition, folks who enjoy their music loud and punch may find the bass slightly lacking. Of course, such users yet may find the XBA-4, which comes with a super woofer, as perfect for their needs.

I felt that the greatest weakness of the XBA-3 is that the highs and lows sound just a little too discrete for my tastes. The result is that the music sounds (very slightly) on the mechanical side and not as “cohesive” as I would have liked.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I do think Sony has delivered a very credible earphones in the XBA-3, which delivers performance almost comparable to far bulkier headphones. My initial thought was that a price of between S$150 and S$200 would be a compelling price for an earphone of the XBA-3′s quality.

Well, Sony has since updated the price of the XBA-3 as $379.00 on the official website (inclusive of GST). $379 does seem a tad on the higher side to spend on the earphone, though the fine print does state that prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Finally, though the default package includes 4 different sizes of hybrid silicone rubber earbuds (SSx2, Sx2, Mx2, Lx2) and 3 different sizes of noise isolation earbuds, the latter earbuds weren’t included in my review kit. As such, I have no way to verify the XBA-3 overall noise isolation properties.

The Sony XBA-3 in its carrying case

Review of the Able Planet Sound Clarity NC510B Headphone

Paul Mah — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:26:31 +0000

The Able Planet Sound Clarity NC510B Headphone is an Active Noise Canceling Headphones armed with proprietary LINX AUDIO technology. This is no ordinary pair of headphones however; the latter’s claim to fame has to do with how the patent-pending technology helps to improve sound quality without having to tune up the volume.

LINX AUDIO

According to Able Planet, LINX AUDIO adds high frequency harmonics that enhance sound quality and speech clarity of difficult to hear words or notes, thus increasing the perception of loudness. In addition, the technology also removes undesirable sounds and noise making it easier to hear high frequency words or notes where clarity is typically lost.

In practice, I did notice that I’m generally contented with a lower setting on the volume slider of my iPhone when comparing the NC510B with other headphones and earphones at my disposal. Moreover, I believe LINX AUDIO also plays a part in the final sound quality of the headphones (see below).

Noise cancellation

The NC510B incorporates active noise cancellation (ANC) also helps to reduce undesirable sounds and background noise. The ANC function of the NC510B is powered by two AAA batteries housed within the left ear-cup. Like other noise-cancelling headphones, sharp sounds or loud noises can still be heard, though the noise cancellation appear to work as advertised to reduce external sounds.

The NC510B operates as a normal pair of headphones when the ANC function is turned off, or if batteries run out.

Sound quality

Sound-wise, the NC510B reproduces low-end notes well without being overpowering or ‘muddying’ up the rest of the music. Soundstage and treble is adequate, though what I really liked is the clear vocals and mid-range. This culminates in music playback that is pleasant to listen to.

Unlike some headphones where music playback gets grating on the nerves after a while, there were more than one occasion where I stayed on the NC510B for a little longer than I intended… just to finish another song.

Conclusion

The headphone is lightweight, and despite the two AAA batteries in the left ear-cup, feels balanced in its heft. What I find surprising though, is the relatively low profile of the Able Planet Sound Clarity NC510B headphone. While not cheap at $199.99, the sound reproduction is on par, if not slightly better than other such headphones in its class. Factor in its active noise cancellation capabilities and LINX AUDIO – and the NC510B is a great buy.

Able Planet NC510B Noise Cancelling Headphones with Linx Audio

The NC510B comes with its own high-quality (and robust!) carrying case

Inside the custom-made case, the headphone fits snugly in place flat down

Full size ear cups with soft cushions for maximum comfort. While not the most comfortable fit I've tried, they are certainly not far from the mark either

Note the 3.5mm jack and power switch on the left headphone

You can see the two AAA batteries once the cover of the battery compartment is removed

Headphones swivels around so it can be stored flat

My first look at the Drobo B800i SAN

Paul Mah — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:51:43 +0000

The review unit of the Drobo B800i arrived on Friday, and I spent a couple of hours setting it up and taking it through its paces yesterday. The B800i is a 8-bay storage device positioned as a SAN for businesses, and is certified for VMware vSphere as well as Citrix Xen Server environments.

I was pleasantly surprised by the level of attention that the team paid to the installation experience, which is hardly something vendors typically pay attention to. Indeed, the entire process of setting it up for the first time conveyed a strong sense of the pride and excellence invested by Drobo product development team into its product. You can see photos of the unboxing below.

The flexibility and simplicity of Drobo’s BeyondRAID technology versus traditional RAID is well-known. It was hence impressive that this extents into the 10-minute setup: Connect your PC to the Drobo via USB cable and install the Drobo Dashboard software, slot in at least two hard disk drives (HDD) and toggle the power switch. Drobo gets detected, and follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

For now, I’ve done some file transfers to and from the B800i over the network, as well as explored the Drobo Dashboard. Will be doing up a write-up SMB Tech soon, so stay tuned.

The Drobo B800i SAN loaded up with six 500GB, 7200rpm HDD

The Drobo B800i SAN with the front cover removed. Not having used a Drobo before, it was a pleasant experience to realize it's actually fastened via magnetic clasps. Compared to the use of hinges, definitely a very clever and neat idea that's geared towards longevity.

Photos of the unboxing can be found after the fold.

Very cool and well designed installation experience reminiscent to the recent Meraki wireless access point that I tested recently. Various power and Ethernet cables, as well as installation CD and manual are found inside this box.

The Drobo B800i is all wrapped up inside a cloth

Back of the Drobo B800i. Note the power button on the right and Kensington lock (extreme right)

This greets you when opening the smaller box

Various cables, installation CD, manual tucked away inside the box

Click on image to follow the three-step installation instructions

No related posts.

Sony Tablet S launched in Singapore

Paul Mah — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:41:51 +0000

Sony launched the “Sony Tablet” S at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on Thursday this week. In case you’re not already aware, the Sony Tablet S comes equipped with Android 3.2 and is powered by the Nvidia Tegra2 processor.

Notable specifications include a 9.4-inch LED-backlit IPS screen at 1280×800, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth, a weight of 598grams, and a battery life of approximately 8 hours. There will be two models, the 16GB SGPT111JP/S and the 32GB SGPT112JP/S.

In addition, both models of the Sony Tablet S family incorporates built-in infrared remote control functionality, SD memory slot and a range of sensors such as 3 axis accelerometer, gyrosensor, digital compass, ambient light sensor.

Demonstrating the DLNA video capabilities of the Sony Tablet S

There is also two built-in camera, with the front one pegged as 0.3 megapixel and the rear one of 5.11 megapixel. Additional information supplied by Sony on its press release noted the its tablet is good for 31 hours of music, 6 hours of video, or 6.2 hours of web browsingn via Wi-Fi.

What struck me were the efforts made by Sony to differentiate its offering from other Android tablets out there. For example, the Sony Tablet S will be the first series of PlayStation certified tablets on which the original PlayStation games can be played. Moreover, much effort has been put in to ensure that it works with DLNA compatible devices for wireless video and audio streaming.

DLNA streaming via Wi-Fi

For example, to get video or music files to play on a pre-registered DLNA device, simply drag them to the appropriate device on the screen. A brief pause later, the video or music starts playing on the large-screen LCD TV or the wireless speaker. Indeed, there were a couple of yet-to-be-released Sony-branded speakers at the event to demonstrate the capabilities of the Sony Tablet S.

Available for pre-order

The 16GB and 32GB version of the Sony S Tablet will be priced at SG$668 and SG$798 respectively. They will be available in Singapore from end-October 2011, though you can pre-order them from here for a free gift (custom fit case) and a special offer for accessories.

More pictures of the event and tablet below.

The key design principals behind the Sony Tablet S

Sony Tablet S shown with (optional) docking station and keyboard

Media Player on the Sony Tablet S. You can "throw" videos and music playback to DLNA-compatible devices by simply dragging them there

A yet-to-be-released Sony-branded DLNA speaker in the background; it supports Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet

The hidden micro-USB port

The chassis of the Sony Tablet S is relatively uncluttered as you can see. At the bottom is the proprietary connector for optional the dock

Magma unveils three-slot Thunderbolt expansion chassis

Paul Mah — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:55:50 +0000

Magma specializes in PCI & PCI Express Expansion Systems

Magma, the developer of various innovative PCI Express connectivity products have announced the ExpressBox 3T, an expansion chassis with three PCIe slots connected via the lighting fast Thunderbolt interface.

The business proposition behind the company’s range of expansion products is simple: to enable a migration path for existing investments in terms of specialized (and expensive) PCI Express peripheral cards such as those used for video capture and editing, broadcast video, pro audio, scientific data acquisition devices etc.

Specifically, Magma’s products can also be used to dramatically increase the expansion option for laptop devices. For example, the company’s ExpressBox1 chassis makes it possible for me to use my old 11-inch Sony TZ laptop and a Matrox M9140 quad-output display (1920×1200 each) to drive an additional four LCD monitors. (See Mission Control refresh 2011 Edition)

The ExpressBox 3T will essentially be the beefed-up, Thunderbolt version of its ExpressBox range of expansion chassis.

According to Magma, the ExpressBox 3T will support:

Three PCIe 2.0 expansion slots
Up to 10Gbps Thunderbolt connection
Works with Thunderbolt equipped computers
Supports daisy chain of up to 6 Thunderbolt devices

Though there are no Thunderbolt devices announced for PCs at the moment (Only for new Macs at the moment), its incredibly fast 10 Gbps throughput promises to open the door in terms of expansion capabilities for laptops.

Already, Sony has created a docking station utilizing the technology, albeit with a proprietary connector for its latest Sony VAIO Z laptop. As an actual implementation of its potential, the Sony docking station comes crammed with peripheral interconnect options such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Gigabit LAN, HDMI and VGA output, and sports a built-in AMD graphics card as well as an optical drive.

I’m personally looking forward to the availability of Thunderbolt on PC devices, and the ExpressBox 3T looks like it will be a “must-have” device for power users when that happens. No pricing or availability date have been announced for the Magma ExpressBox 3T.

The Magma ExpressBox 3T