JBL PartyBox Stage 320 - Big Bass Boom

In an incredibly crowded bluetooth speaker market, somehow JBL has managed to carve out quite a niche for itself when it comes to oversized party speakers with flashing lights and amazing bass performance.

The idea seems to be, whether you're dancing, singing or just need a few coloured lights and a room-filling sound, JBL has a single box that will do the job.

In fact, in recent years, JBL has come up with several options that'll do the job, each iteration getting brighter, bigger and louder.

The PartyBox Stage 320 isn't even the biggest party speaker in the JBL line-up; that honour goes to the PartyBox Ultimate - a truly huge monolith that is somewhat held back by the fact it runs on mains-power only. That's the first thing Stage 320 has going for it; genuine portability.

JBL promises up to 18 hours of non-stop partying on a full charge and it even sells additional batteries so if 18 hours isn't quite enough, you can just swap out power cells and keep dancing. That sounds like a total nightmare to me but I guess there must be some scenarios that require more than 18 hours of continuous beats and JBL is only too happy to oblige.

Although weighing in at a hefty 16.5kgs, there's a combination of sturdy, wide wheels at the rear of the base and a robust, telescopic handle to make it relatively easy to move around... kind of like a suitcase - if the suitcase was capable of rattling the windows while playing your favourite playlist. 

Like all JBL PartyBoxes, the Stage 320 is built with durability in mind. Nothing is more hazardous to finely-tuned AV tech than a bunch of people eating, drinking, singing, dancing and having fun. So not only is the Stage 320 ruggedly constructed, with plenty of party-friendly rounded corners, it also carries an IPX4 splash-resistance rating. Whether you're pool-side, beach-side or bar-side, this speaker is going to take a reasonable amount of punishment and still keep blasting.

Supposedly, the Stage 320's 6.5-inch woofers will deliver "clean, precise, deep bass" while the duo of 25mm dome tweeters take care of the highs. I've been testing it all out quite a bit in recent days and that's true - as long as you're prepared to tweak things a bit.

"It Gets Better" by Rex Orange County is a quirky, bouncy track that jumps around dynamically between keyboard/vocals only, then cuts in and out of more dancey drum and bass sections. At first it all sounded slightly muddy - admittedly I had the Bassboost on (using the JBL PartyBox app, Bassboost can be set to "Deep" or "Punchy") but isn't that the point of a big JBL like this? To blast out the bass? As it turns out, it depends what you're listening to. There are a few preset EQs in the app but it wasn't until I created my own custom one, pushing up the mids, that the full soundscape of "It Gets Better" really came to life.

Then I gave in and just turned off Bassboost altogether, went back to the JBL Signature EQ and things transformed dramatically.

On an even softer, more acoustic track like Ray LaMontange's "Roses and Cigarettes," suddenly every instrument had plenty of space to breathe and everything played warmly, yet clearly.

Don't get me wrong, this speaker sounds great - with the right settings applied to the right genre and boy, does it get loud.

So when should I crank that Bassboost button?

How about on Madonna's "Die Another Day?" Yup. This is a sparse yet highly produced dance track with heavily effected vocals and a super-punchy bass drop. It actually gave me goosebumps - although that could just be the bass rumble vibrating up through my chair. And that's at about 50% volume.

I'm pretty sure 100% would result in some noise complaints from my neighbours fairly quickly. Possibly from people who live in the next block.

For a really serious bit of bass, it's hard to go past "RATATA" by Skrillex, Missy Elliot and Mr. Oizo and indeed, this is exactly the kind of raise your hands in the air like you just don't care kind of track the Stage 320 was designed for; pumping, thumping bass that can be felt through the floor and walls all through the house.

But there's more than one kind of party. Personally, I'm more of a sing-a-long kind of guy than a dance all night from dusk-till-dawn kind of guy. The Stage 320 has that covered too.

Open the weather-proof back panel and you'll find quite a selection of ports; a mic socket, a mic/guitar input, an AUX line-in and a USB-A charging slot. This means the Stage 320 can work just like a guitar amp, with separate mic controls to adjust volume, treble, bass and echo. You can use it as a standalone speaker or play and sing along with whatever music you're playing (including karaoke tracks, obviously).

You can daisy-chain the Stage 320 with other speakers using the In and Out sockets too.

Unfortunately, you can't pair the wireless mics that JBL sold with earlier model PartyBoxes but they now offer separate mics that pair with their own wireless dongle.

What's really frustrating though, and this is not the first time JBL has been guilty of this, is this speaker is probably not able to be paired with other, earlier speakers to create a stereo pair, although you can obviously pair two identical Stage 320's which would make for a very loud stereo indeed.

However, excitingly, there is an Auracast button in between the bluetooth and Bassboost controls. The reason Auracast is so promising is although not backwards-compatible with other Harman/Kardon and JBL devices, there are many new speakers in the pipeline that will also have Auracast connectivity built in. I've been told this new Bluetooth standard will allow any number of speakers to be linked, regardless of model or size. Apparently, JBL will be soon be releasing software to allow you to create an Auracast surround system. For example, imagine using the Stage 320 for its impressive bass-boosting abilities as a subwoofer, while pairing a couple of smaller JBLs to use as rear surround units. Watch this space.

I haven't mentioned the lighting or sound effects that also help add a bit of fun to your Stage 320 party. The lights are more customisable than ever, via the PartyBox app. You can choose one of the many preset patterns, create your own or simply cycle through them all.

I'm less enamoured with the sound effects which can be assigned to the three buttons in the middle of the top console. I can't quite imagine having the urge to play random record scratches or weird female vocal samples in the middle of my party but they're there if you want them.

At the end of the day, the PartyBox Stage 320 is a genuine powerhouse. It's ultra-loud, provides too much bass right when you want it and the long battery life, wheels and telescopic handle make it much more portable than many other party speakers of this size. It's not a half-bad guitar and mic amp either, making it a great-value, if not essential centrepiece of your next party.

    

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL PartyBox Stage 320.

Swann MaxRanger4K Solar - This Security System Will Go Far

One thing I've learned about tech over the years is as good as any device may be, there's always room for improvement.

I've found this has been especially true for home security cameras.

As CCTV technology has evolved and become more accessible, features like picture quality, two-way communication and smart motion detection have all improved as well.

And yet...

There are still two things I'd like my cameras to do;

I'd like to be able to mount them anywhere - unrestricted by how far the Wi-Fi or power supply reaches.

And I'd like access to basic features like video storage without having to pay an ongoing subscription.

Is it possible Swann has solved my two major pain points?

The MaxRanger4K solar security system makes some pretty bold claims, the biggest of which are a range of up to 600 metres and something Swann calls "forever charging."

We'll get into all that shortly but first, let's take a few minutes to unpack the MaxRanger4K solar system - and you will definitely need a few minutes, there's plenty to unpack.

The MaxRanger4K system comes in a pack of four, three or two cameras, with the option of a single add-on camera if you decide you need to expand your system down the track. I was sent the two-pack to review but there's a lot more in the box than just a couple of cameras. You'll also find the Power Hub, which is the key to the MaxRanger4K's unprecedented range, a couple of outdoor mounting stands and the associated hardware, plenty of theft deterrent stickers so the baddies know they're being watched, an ethernet cable, a 64GB microSD card, two USB charging cables, an HDMI cable and even a mouse.

Not a bad stash for NZ$1049.95.

But wait... did you say an HDMI cable and a mouse? Like a computer mouse? Yup. That's because instead of accessing the camera feeds and recordings via your phone or tablet - which you can obviously do via the Swann Security app - you can also plug the Power Hub into any display with an HDMI input to create your own on-screen feed.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First we have to set these cameras up and that's a bit boring I'm afraid, because it involves charging everything first, which takes several hours. Each camera has a weather-proof rubber bung at the back concealing a USB port, an on/off switch and a pairing button. In most cases, you'll only need to access these once, as the cameras are pre-paired to the Power Hub and because they're solar powered, they only need an initial charge to get them going.

Which brings us to that "forever charge" claim. It's been my experience with most solar-powered devices they work well at first but once the weather has its way with the solar panels they tend to get gunged up, dirty and generally stop doing what they're supposed to. However, the solar panels on top of each of the MaxRanger4K cameras are not like any other I've encountered before. They're not smooth and glassy but are knobbly and rubbery instead. Who knows if this will work out better (it's only been a week or so at this stage) but so far, each camera is doing a great job of charging itself up every day.

The Power Hub even contains a removable rechargeable cell which will provide several hours backup power in the event of an outage. And of course, it's the Power Hub that's the real key to this system's impressive range.

Unlike some cameras, the Swann MaxRanger4K units don't connect directly to your home Wi-Fi. Instead, they link via their own network to the Power Hub which is hardlined to your router via ethernet cable. The only downside to a system like this is you may be somewhat restricted as to where you can install the Power Hub as it'll need to be within an ethernet cable's reach of your router or access point. However, this becomes a bit of a non-issue thanks to the genuinely insane range of this thing.

Remember, Swann promises up to 600 metres(open air) and 200 metres (typical use) - but even at 200 metres that's so much further than most people's Wi-Fi will reach - especially from inside though external walls, doors and windows etc.

The combination of totally wireless, solar-powered cameras and this unheard-of range means you can put the cameras anywhere... in trees, at the end of fence lines, down long driveways... there's essentially no limitation making this the ideal home security solution for people living in rural settings or on larger lifestyle blocks.

By modern suburban standards, my home is built on a pretty large section 700m2+ so I decided to mount my two MaxRanger4K cameras at opposite corners - one up a palm tree at the very front of my property and one on the fence at the very back. The signal from both Sony STARVIS 4K sensors comes in loud and clear, no trouble at all. And thanks to the powerful, built-in spotlights, that means high definition footage, day or night.

When you think about it, positioning cameras like this, pointing back at your property, makes a lot more sense than attaching them to the house looking out; this way you can monitor several doors, gates and windows at once.

You can then have alerts sent to your phone, tablet or smartwatch, much like most other cameras. These alerts come through in quick time and here's the other big bonus of this system, you don't have to pay extra to store your automated video recordings. These can be saved to the included microSD card, an external storage drive attached to the Power Hub via USB, or in the cloud on your linked Dropbox account.

In my view, this is the very least a camera system you've already spent hundreds on should do - and yet so many of Swann's competitors insist you pay a subscription for the privilege of storing your own recordings. It drives me nuts.

That's not to say Swann doesn't offer its own subscription-based optional extras. These include longer periods of cloud storage, a greater range of specific notifications and extended support, warranty and insurance options. I consider all these to be nice-to-haves rather than have-to-haves - although I do prefer to have lockscreen previews of saved clips as these are usually visible on my smartwatch too.

The point is, I've used cameras that will only offer basic notifications and live-stream without a paid subscription - no recordings available at all. I credit Swann for not holding its customers to ransom that way.

There's a trial period for the Swann Secure+ plans and no, it's not just a month. You can try the extra features like package, vehicle and pet detection for a generous 90 days before you have to decide if they're worth paying for.

As I've already outlined, you can also plug the Power Hub into a monitor or TV for a bigger display of up to eight cameras. Using the included mouse you can easily access your recordings or make changes to your setup instead of using the app.

The only place the MaxRanger4K system doesn't quite deliver for me is there's no way to customise the zones each camera monitors; you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion detection but you can't block out specific areas like busy roads or public footpaths.  Perhaps this is something that could be added in a future firmware upgrade or if not, in the next generation of cameras.

For now though, the MaxRanger4K system absolutely delivers when it comes to a totally wireless security camera. I just checked the app and both cameras are fully charged (as always) and I've certainly never experienced range like this before.

    

Click here for more information on the Swann MaxRanger4K solar 2 camera security system.

Lotus Wheel - How's Your Back?

Every now and then I like to try a gadget that isn't strictly a "tech" device but is still tech-adjacent.

I've had a bad back as long as I can remember. So I guess that qualifies as chronic pain. Once it got so bad I spent a lot of money on a specialist who told me it was probably all due to a childhood injury I sustained when a fell off a piece of playground equipment.

Whatever the original cause, a lot of other stuff has happened to me over the years that certainly hasn't helped. Decades of terrible posture for a start. Dislocating one shoulder, then breaking the other ten years later wasn't fun either.

Then, on top of it all, I sit around hunched over keyboards and sound desks all day.

That last bit probably sounds familiar to most people. Even just standing or sitting, scrolling on your phone tends to make you curl over like a brittle, dried-up leaf.

Then, no matter how much you stretch and exercise, that tension just seems to get worse - almost as if it's compounding every day.

Because of my banged-up shoulders, I've now been diagnosed with a nerve condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) which means I have to take nightly medication just so I can sleep.

Bummer. What to do?

The Lotus Wheel isn't a magic back pain bullet but I do believe it's definitely helping.

To say there's no tech involved in the design of the Lotus Wheel isn't true, of course. Although the wheel itself doesn't have any moving parts, it's not just a random assemblage of plastic and rubber either. I'd like to tell you exactly what it's made of but to be honest, even though the Lotus Wheel 3-Pack arrives in a nice box, there's no packaging (good) and very little information.

There is a little eleven-page leaflet that tells you "All You Need To Know." That includes how to use the three wheels to help relieve back pain and tension and suggests other uses like correcting posture, deep stretching and rolling for muscle recovery.

While that may be all I "need" to know, it's not all I "want" to know. For example; how long should I use the Lotus Wheel for? How many times should I roll up and down on it and should I use it more than once a day? Seriously, what are the rules here?

So I visited the Lotus Wheel website and while it's a very uncluttered site that expands slightly on what was in the leaflet, despite a few user reviews there's not much more to be found - however, after a bit more clicking I did discover the "supreme comfort foam padding" is 10mm thick and the ABS plastic core can hold up to 200kgs (phew).

I was expecting a few instructional demo videos but no, just the three Lotus Wheels; a 33cm Gentle option, a 27cm Firm one and a 17cm model for Deep Tissue. You can choose between black or green inners and the 3-pack with one of each size is only NZ$149.00 - which I think is a steal for any kind of gym equipment - especially something that seems to be as well-manufactured as these are.

So... 

I figured the only thing left to do was to give them a go, starting with the largest wheel to minimise the pressure over a bigger surface area. 

As far as basic operation goes, it really is just that; basic. You sit on the floor with the wheel behind you, then lie back onto it, rolling it up and down your spine - except... that's not strictly accurate because each wheel has a "Spinal Groove" to minimise pressure on your backbone itself. Instead, it's the muscles either side that get the real workout, although there's no doubt your spine opens up right away - even on the very first roll.

Everyone in my household has immediately achieved a few satisfying clickety-clacks with very little effort and I'm amazed how I seem to be able to get that kind of relief every time I use it. I also quickly identified exactly which part of my back harbours the most tension and it's that bit I focus on the most.

Although the "All You Need To Know" leaflet recommends starting with the large Lotus Wheel and eventually working your way down, I'm not a particularly patient patient, so I cracked straight on (pun intended).

There's no doubt the smaller you go, the more intense the pressure - that's just basic physics - but the great thing about the smallest, 17cm wheel is you can give your neck a good roll with it, even if it's just against the wall.

As I type this, I'm also using it behind my back against my office chair to assist with my usually-terrible posture.

The Lotus Wheels can also be used for other stretches like traditional foam rollers and like those rollers, you can target sore and fatigued muscles in other parts of your body as well.

But if you have a back you like to crack, this is the targeted device especially for you. It turns out, that leaflet really was all I needed to know - how many times and how often I use it is up to me. There's a nagging voice in the back of my head that says maybe I should have consulted my healthcare professional before using something like this and indeed, those very words are printed on the Lotus Wheel leaflet but... whatevs.

And it turns out I was just being a crusty old boomer looking for vids on the website. Why would they be there when they can be posted on the @thelotuswheel Insta page?

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Lotus Wheel.