Here we go again. Of the gazillion bluetooth speakers out there, what makes one stand out over another?
Maybe it's just so classy, you can't resist it...
The Harman/Kardon range of home and portable speakers oozes elegance and sophistication, perhaps none more so than the Onyx Studio 4.
The first thing you'll notice about it is its size. The Onyx Studio 4 is not a speaker you can hide away between books or bottles on a shelf - this'll need a space of its own. At 278mm across, it's about the diameter of a large dinner plate. Although this places it firmly in the upper size scale for portable devices, it's by no means clunky or ungainly. Everything is subtly curved, the few physical control buttons there are have been tucked away just over the top edge. In fact, the up and down volume buttons are so subtle, sometimes I struggled to find them at all, especially in dim lighting. Luckily the plus and minus symbols are slightly raised so you can just go by feel.
The other feature that impressed me with its subtlety was the power and bluetooth connection sounds. I have no idea why we need these stupid noises on any speaker at all, I hate them. If your speaker hasn't turned on, you'll know because it won't work. Why do I need an annoying bleeping noise to tell me? Same goes for the bluetooth connection - if my music plays out of my phone instead of the speaker, probably hasn't connected. Unfortunately, pretty much every bluetooth device I've ever used insists on beeping at me or in extreme cases, talking to me (usually in a funny accent). What's more, these silly bleeps and beeps often blast out at maximum volume. Thankfully, while the Onyx Studio 4 still has the bleeps, they're very toned down and much less irritating than most.
Everything about the Onyx Studio 4 is understated; there are no needless flashing coloured lights, although the power button does change from white to red once the speaker needs charging. Unusually, this is done via a specific AC adapter - not with a USB connection like most other similar devices. This seems a little strange as it doesn't charge particularly quickly. The good news is, you'll get the full 8 hours of playback the Harman/Kardon website promises.
Some reviewers have criticised the Onyx Studio 4 for being a portable speaker that isn't very portable, primarily because of its size. I found this claim utterly unfounded for three reasons;
1 - it isn't particularly heavy
2 - the handle cavity on the back is perfectly positioned for balance and
3 - the three points of contact created by the two angled rear feet and the rubberised base provide a very stable setup on a variety of surfaces.
Obviously this is not a speaker you're going to clamp to a bike or take to the beach. It's simply too nice for that kind of abuse.
What the Onyx Studio 4 really excels at is sound quality. It's like pouring warm chocolate into your ears. Or wrapping your brain in soft leather. The rich, powerful but smooth bass is surely the reason the speaker is as big as it is, and it's so worth it. I don't know if a speaker can make music sound luxurious, but if it can, this one definitely does. It's not just about the bass, somehow Harman/Kardon has created a music machine that produces a mix across all frequencies that is mellow without sounding muddy. I especially enjoyed listening to jazz tracks featuring double-bass or more acoustic-based artists like Jack Johnson and George Ezra.
The dome-shaped speaker seems to do a great job of filling a room with music without having to crank up the volume past a level you can comfortably talk over. What's more, there is a Party Mode button which lets you instantly connect to other HK speakers so you can stream your playlist through the whole house if you like. (As a bonus, because they're owned by the same parent company, Party Mode works between Harman/Kardon and JBL speakers too)
There's an app (isn't there always?) called HK Connect. Other than installing any firmware updates that may become available, it's not that useful unless you decide to buy two Onyx Studio 4's - then you can use the app to set them up as left and right speakers. Remember when stereo music was a thing?
While this is not the speaker to splash around with by the pool, if your focus is genuinely great sound quality the Onyx Studio 4 is a touch of elegant design that will be sweet music to your ears. Literally. Clear a space on the mantelpiece.
Click here for more information on the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 4 bluetooth speaker
There are a lot of earbuds and headphones that claim to be "noise cancelling."
What this actually means varies widely from a snug fit, which kind of blocks out noise I suppose, to genuine noise-cancelling technology, sampling the outside world and playing you the inverse so all you hear is what you're playing.
Over the years I've learned that second kind of tech doesn't come cheap. But when it works, it really works...
The WH-1000XM2's from Sony are top-of-the-line, over-ear headphones that cram a lot more than just noise-cancellation into a pretty tidy package.
Normally I wouldn't make too much of an issue of the cost of the device I'm reviewing - not unless I felt it was either way too expensive, or surprisingly reasonably priced. In the case of the WH-1000XM2's, I felt it was important to know you're dealing with a $600 pair of cans, straight out of the blocks.
I wear headphones for hours a day, every day, but I can assure you, nobody paid that much for my ones.
So what is it that $600 buys you? And who could possibly need these things?
In short, are they worth it?
Let's start with the main selling point; noise-cancellation. The best I've never heard. No question. Pop these puppies on, power them up and you're pretty much instantly stone deaf. With no audio playing you'll detect an extremely low-level white noise which disappears completely once you play either music or spoken audio - practically nothing from outside the headphones at all. I like to listen to podcasts while I'm doing the vacuuming, partly to take my mind off the vacuuming but mostly because I hate how noisy vacuum cleaners are. When I'm using the WH-1000XM2's, I can't hear the vacuum cleaner at all. Bliss.
Obviously this is literally music to the ears of regular air-commuters. While I haven't used these headphones in the sky, based on my vacuuming experience, I can confidently predict jet engines and crying babies will be blocked out just as effectively. In fact, by holding down the mode button on the left-hand earcup, the WH-1000XM2's run a "Personalised noise cancelling optimisation," which apparently resamples your surroundings (including cabin pressure, amazingly) to ensure the best noise-blocking experience possible.
If you've ever suffered through a noisy night on a long-haul flight, that's probably $600-worth right there.
You'll easily last that flight too, as the battery-life is off the charts. Sony claims you'll get up to 30 hours of continuous listening, even with noise-cancelling on. While that seems ridiculous, I'm not sure I've been able to disprove it. I don't know if I've gone 30 hours between charges, but I've certainly used them on my radio show (before, during and after) for over a week and they keep on keeping on. Of course, the longer you run them, the longer it takes to charge them, so it's probably worth a top-up via the microUSB port when not in use.
Bluetooth pairing is made easier than ever via NFC. Simply hold your NFC-enabled device up to the left earcup and you're good to go. I found the connection very stable and sound quality pretty much indistinguishable from a hardwire connection using the supplied cable. The cable itself is worth a mention as it's a far more versatile 1.5 metres long, instead of the more common 1.2 metres found on most other earbuds and headphones. This is a godsend for me as I spend my mornings literally plugged into a large mixing desk and I usually have to use an extension lead to give me enough room to move.
While such effective noise-cancellation means I'm able to give my host the undivided attention he deserves, I share my studio with the Executive Producer of the show and sometimes we need to communicate too. The WH-1000XM2's do such a good job of blocking her out, she has to resort to waving at me to get my attention, even though she's sitting right next to me. Luckily, there are couple more functions to help with situations like these. Firstly, you can toggle from full N/C to an Ambient setting that lets through a certain amount of higher frequency sounds like voices and P.A. announcements. The WH-1000XM2's really cool trick is activated by holding your palm over the right-hand earcup. This mutes your audio and lets in outside audio so you can at least pretend you're listening to what your colleagues are saying to you.
The WH-1000XM2's respond to other touch gestures on that right earcup too; swiping up and down for volume, forward and backwards to skip tracks and a double tap will pause or play. Some other reviewers have found these controls a bit indistinct but I had no issues operating via these gestures at all. Ironically, it was the physical buttons on the left side that confused me - the power button is right next to the mode button and I often pushed the wrong one. Why one couldn't be on the front and one on the back I have no idea.
These are not the most compact headphones for travelling, but bear in mind, they are over-ear, not on-ear so they're always going to have a larger profile. In saying that, the design is generally more subtle than some kind of flashy fashion statement and they do fold down flat into their own hard carry-case. The steel headband certainly seems durable enough, as do the hinges. In fact, the whole package is a good balance of lightweight comfort versus a sturdy feel. Everything is luxuriously padded in the right places, although the snug fit means I occasionally feel my ears getting a little hot after prolonged sessions, bordering on claustrophobic. I assume it's hard to achieve good ventilation and a tight, noise-cancelling seal at the same time.
As for sound quality, there's a reason Sony sells a lot of headphones. Certainly, the emphasis seems to be on superior bass response which is all very well, but there were times listening to certain tracks when I felt like I was missing some frequencies at the top end of the scale. I'm being super picky here, but remember, this is a fairly high-priced piece of kit. Making and taking phone calls worked seamlessly though, and everybody could hear everybody else with no issues.
While the WH-1000XM2's would be the best headphones many people have ever tried, at $600, they're not for everyone. But if you're a serious traveller, or you need serious noise-cancelling, they're an obvious investment.
Click here for more information and pricing on the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones
Bluetooth speakers are just so the gadget of the day, aren't they?
Amazing how suddenly we've all agreed things like stereo sound and big bass don't really matter that much anymore. Apparently, what we really want is a speaker we can carry in our pocket so we can blast out tunes from our phone wherever we go.
Some situations require more of a boom...
The GTK-XB60 from Sony is not pretty and it certainly isn't small. In fact it looks more like some piece of industrial sound gear you'd find on tour with a band than your average bluetooth speaker.
For starters, it's about the size of a carry-on suitcase, although it's more of a wedge shape than a box. This means you can lie it on its side or stand it up tall - there are rubber feet on two different sides to cater for either choice.
There's also an unprecedented number of options when it comes connecting your music source to this speaker, not just bluetooth. The input panel includes RCA, USB and Mic inputs. There are also RCA outputs, or you can link to other Sony bluetooth devices with a press of the "Party Chain" button. As a result this device is almost more of a head unit for a P.A. system than a standalone speaker.
In fact, thanks to the RCA out, I was easily able to connect another non-bluetooth but powerful speaker to really annoy my neighbours, especially when I also plugged in a microphone so I could sing along.
The GTK-XB60 is nothing if not versatile.
Of course, another great feature is its portability. The built-in battery recharges whenever the unit is plugged in. I'd like to be able to give you a clear indication of how long a fully charged battery lasts, but there are so many variables; connected via cable or bluetooth, operating in ExtraBass or Stamina mode, using the light show or leaving it dark.
Let's just say, I've been running it off the battery for hours at a time, no worries. Curiously, there's no dust or water resistance listed for this speaker (perhaps a bit challenging for a device this large) but that would certainly have added some peace of mind if you're planning on taking it to the beach or the park. I found it easy to carry around by the way. At 8kgs it's lighter than it looks and the carry handle is comfortable enough.
And yes, you read right - there's a full light show included for your enjoyment, utilising a combination of coloured LEDs and white strobes. This isn't just a random display (although it can be). You can choose from a selection of preset patterns or create your own scheme.
This is where things get unnecessarily complicated.
Sony has designed an app for controlling audio devices like the GTK-XB60 called Music Center. Via the same bluetooth connection your device is already using to stream your playlists, Music Center is basically an all-encompassing remote control. Here you can select different sources, adjust the EQ, even turn the unit off completely.
The different lighting presets are listed here too, but for even more control, you can download another app, sort of an app within an app, called Fiestable.
This gives you fingertouch control over all lighting colours and sequences and also lets you unleash your inner D.J. with effects like flanger, wah and isolator. There are also drum, scratch, voice and crowd sound effects you can play from your phone screen. These are actually pretty fun, although you'll need to anticipate the slight bluetooth delay if you want to drum along in time with any song.
There are all kinds of motion controls that involve waving your phone around in different directions to set off a variety of sound and lighting effects, but that was too gimmicky even for me.
These are perhaps far too many options if you're simply using the GTK-XB60 for its primary objective; getting the party started. Bearing in mind you can just switch this thing on and away you go. In fact, even pairing the bluetooth has been simplified with built-in NFC - just holding your phone against the control panel is all you have to do. You can also pair up to three devices at once so you can take turns playing D.J.
There's only one thing that really bugged me about the GTK-XB60, but it's quite a big issue. I just wasn't that impressed with the sound quality. There is certainly plenty of bass to go around, thanks in part to Sony's ExtraBass technology, but mostly due to the full-sized 13cm twin woofers, something most bluetooth rigs simply aren't big enough to offer. My problem was at the other end of the scale, almost as though Sony has sacrificed higher frequencies to provide more power to the bottom. The result is a bit muddy, and although I was able to tweak this slighlty using the EQ settings on Music Center app, this is probably not the speaker I'd choose to provide a bit of sophisticated background jazz for my dinner party.
What the GTK-XB60 does do, is pump out dance beats bright and loud. Really loud.
So if you live in a remote location, or the neighbours were invited to your party anyway, wind up the volume and this could be just the sound and light machine to fill your dance floor.
Click here for more information and pricing on the Sony GTK-XB60 bluetooth speaker
Seems like everywhere I look there's a tablet for sale these days.
It's very confusing because they all mostly seem to do the same thing, so is there a reason to choose the Huawei MediaPad T3 over any other?...
As usual, with this kind of device, my first real test is can I write this review with it? This is actually slightly more complicated than it sounds. Not only does the T3's virtual keyboard have to perform, but I need to be able to browse multiple tabs, download and upload images, all the while monitoring my email and social feeds. (That last bit is a total lie obviously. I barely have a social feed)
So straight off, I can tell you the MediaPad T3 passes all those tests with flying colours... Text boxes appear in places where you can actually read what you're typing and with a simple two-finger swipe from the bottom of the display, you can split-screen apps like Chrome and Outlook.
Obviously, by pairing a physical bluetooth keyboard, functionality improves even more but I was pretty impressed by how smoothly these fundamental actions worked.
In fact, the T3 impressed me right out of the box. Its metal body is sleek and modern, the brushed finish and rounded corners make it easy to hold and the thing seems extremely light compared to other similar devices.
Anyone who has used a Huawei phone will find the user experience absolutely familiar as in many ways, the T3 really is just a giant phone with a 9.6inch display. That screen is perhaps slightly underwhelming in terms of definition and brightness. There's no light sensor so the display won't adjust automatically like the screens on most smart phones do. What's more, even when you manually ramp the brightness up to full, you'll still struggle to use it in sunny outdoor situations. Perhaps this compromised screen configuration is a battery saving measure. If so, it's effective, as all-day use is easily achieved.
Weirdly, there's no fast charging option and the T3 will take several hours to get back to 100%. I guess that'll have to be an overnight thing. Another slight oddity is the microUSB slot, instead of the reversible Type-C version the majority of new devices use.
There are a few other design flaws which are to be expected from a tablet in this price range. Camera quality is questionable, with surprisingly low resolution lenses both front and back. While I found I could still take reasonably sharp shots with both cameras, the colours weren't very vibrant and the digital zoom was terrible. Like I say, it's not unusual for tablets to sport under-performing cameras - it's just a bit strange given Huawei phones take such incredible pics.
Given the T3 is a MediaPad, I thought I'd better play some media with it. The results were great. Streaming TV is smooth and high quality. Again, lack of brightness was a daytime issue, but other than that I experienced no stuttering or crashes. Sound quality was also excellent, especially given there is only one speaker on the bottom edge of the device... No stereo or even 4-channel array as you might find on some other tablets. The single speaker is not particularly loud but things sound amazeballs through a half-decent set of headphones.
Sadly, while Huawei manufactures an LTE variant of the T3 that supports a nanoSIM for 3G/4G connectivity, that version isn't currently available in New Zealand, so we're stuck with WiFi-only for the time being.
There's still a microSD slot though, so at least you can expand the T3's somewhat stingy 16GB of built-in storage.
All in all, at $299 and $399 for the 8inch and 10inch models respectively, I feel this device is probably fairly priced. There have definitely been compromises made to keep the cost down, especially in terms of graphics and display quality, although this is ultimately balanced out by excellent battery life, good usability and plenty of processing power.
Click here for more information and pricing on the Huawei MediaPad T3
If you think all WiFi routers are pretty much the same, you need to think about how often you've been frustrated by dodgy connections, slow downloads and streaming issues.
It's possible your ISP has sent you a premium device to keep your whole household connected, but if they sent it to you for free, it's probably not that premium.
You don't actually have to spend your life rebooting your router or accidentally using up your mobile data because you've disconnected from your WiFi without realising...
The EXO AC2600 router from D-Link is one of the quickest and easiest ways you can supe up your WiFi. I'm not going to bog you down with too many techie stats and figures, but I can tell you the AC2600 is one of D-Link's range of MU-MIMO devices. Not only is that fun to say, but it's good news if you have multiple people trying to stream multiple things on multiple devices all at once. Those antennae that are so long they don't even fit in my photo, enable the AC2600 to separate out different streams for different devices, meaning everybody gets the most efficient use of the available WiFi without getting all clogged up fighting over one access point.
The sheer brute power of the AC2600 is a real boon too. Although the unit itself is very compact and easily concealed, I found the area covered to be as big, if not bigger than any other router I've tried. However, if like me, you have a house that seems to be specifically designed to defeat any attempts at comprehensive and consistent WiFi coverage, the good news is D-Link has a range of extenders that are not only easier to set up than ever, but are genuinely powerful enough to really fill up those WiFi dead spots.
One such device is the AC1200...
I'll happily endorse this as the easiest-to-set-up extender I've ever plugged in. By simply pushing the quick-connect buttons on both the AC2600 router and AC1200 extender, they pair themselves in about 60 seconds and you're good to go. The AC1200 adopts the name of your existing network, adds an "EXT" to the end of it and keeps the same password to make connecting easy.
Again there are external antennae providing excellent reception and even though it's a mere extender, you still get the choice of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to split up the traffic.
That all works brilliantly - as long as you keep it simple.
However, D-Link claims both these devices are "Whole Home WiFi Ready." This apparently is D-Link's version of MESH WiFi - the idea being you have just one network name (SSID) all over your home and your devices just grab hold of the most powerful signal.
Sounds good... trouble is, I couldn't figure out how to do it. Now, I'm used to setting up gadgets. I'm a nerd. Setting up gadgets is my jam. But this had me stumped. What's really bizarre is I can't find any instructions on how to do it anywhere. Not in the box. Not online. Not on the D-Link website. And what's really weird is, nobody else in the world seems to have tried to do it either. I keep thinking I've imagined that "Whole Home WiFi Ready" is a thing. But no, it's definitely on the website, there's a logo on the boxes so... how do you do it???
I tried simply naming the extender's network the same name as the base unit. (You can make more advanced adjustments like this using D-Link's QRS app) This looked like it was working, as only one name then appeared in the list of available networks. I was able to connect my Galaxy Note8 to this new, super network and it did indeed seem to provide me with comprehensive coverage wherever I roamed around the homestead.
Other, older phones experienced uncharacteristic dropouts though and as for my Chromecast, it got totally confused and refused to stay connected at all, no matter how many times I told it which network to join. So, either this isn't how "Whole Home WiFi Ready" networks are supposed to be set up, or older devices just aren't up to it.
So yeah... as for "Whole Home WiFi Ready" sadly I'm still none the wiser.
On the plus side, as I've already mentioned, the AC2600 is a lot more slimline, compact and subtle than some of its brightly coloured modem router cousins. This makes it a lot easier to hide away behind cabinets or on top shelves. In spite of its smaller size, you still get four LAN ports for direct connection and 2 USB ports, including a USB-3 which makes for a great media server interface.
The AC1200 extender is weirdly less easy to tuck away than some other similar devices. It actually sticks out from the wall socket quite some way and takes up more than its fair share of socket space making it impossible to plug something else in if you're using a double socket, either side-by-side or in a vertical configuration.
And yet, it definitely provides a strong, stable signal and also includes an ethernet port so in effect you can use the AC1200 as a wireless access point for devices that don't have their own WiFi capability.
In concert, the AC2600 router and AC1200 extender are certainly capable of covering every inch of most New Zealand homes, reliably and at great speeds.
If only we could get that "Whole Home WiFi" up and running, then we'd really be cooking.
Click here for more information and pricing on the D-Link EXO AC2600 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Router
Click here for more information and pricing on the D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender
I've been reviewing gadgets for a while now.
I've tried things that make my WiFi work better.
I've attached things to computers to make them run faster.
I've beefed up my security with clever cameras.
I've sampled an array of speakers, headphones and earbuds to see which sound best.
I've worn things on my wrist that are smarter than I am.
I've even used devices to help me sleep, ease my back pain and make me sit up straighter.
As for the phones... Ah, such wonderful phones.
But I've never come across anything quite as useless as this...
Just to clarify, by "useless," I mean I still literally haven't found a practical use for the Nanoleaf Aurora.
That doesn't mean I'm not a fan.
The picture above does these things no justice at all, of course. The Nanoleaf Aurora is a starter pack of 9 LED triangles that can be joined together by a collection of small connectors (supplied) in whatever configuration you desire.
Plug it all in, download the app, connect to your WiFi network and millions of colour combinations are at your disposal.
There's a selection of preset patterns, both static and constantly changing. Or, using the app, you can design your own. You can colour each section individually, or create a more general scheme over the whole display.
If it sounds fun, it is - mostly because it's so easy and it works. Even once the Nanoleaf Aurora is turned on, I've witnessed a bunch of idiot teenagers do their best to completely wreck the thing and the only result was more cool colours and shapes.
It gets better.
By adding the small Rhythm module, the Nanoleaf Aurora now reacts to sound - changing colour and pattern in time with your music, or just lighting up when you make noise.
This means you can now bring your party to life both visually and musically.
What's more, you can keep adding to your customised lighting display with more and more tiles - expansion packs come in sets of three. Go really crazy and you can run up to 30 tiles off one controller.
Of course, as I've said already, it's all completely pointless. But then, so is the Mona Lisa I suppose. Whether white triangles that light up in the colours of your choice can be considered art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. But you can certainly hang them on the wall as there are plenty of 3M Command strips included in the pack.
The power cable is conveniently thin, long and white, which means you don't have to be particularly close to a wall socket to hang your Nanoleaf creation where you want it... but where would you want it?
My feeling is this is a games room, bar area, media room sort of a vibe - anywhere you want to set the mood with coloured lights I guess. Kids bedrooms could be a definite possibility, but they won't be buying their own Nanoleaf Aurora setup on their pocket money - the 9-panel starter pack currently retails for $339 - which I think is a bit stiff for what is essentially a set of pretty lights. The Rhythm module is much better buying at just $59.
All of this is hard to imagine from my bad photos, so head to the Nanoleaf website to get a much better idea of what we're dealing with.
$400+ may seem a little steep for a bit of mindless fun, but if the Nanoleaf Aurora really is art waiting for you to create it, it works out a lot cheaper than the Mona Lisa.
Nanoleaf products are available at JB Hi-Fi and Noel Leeming.
Somewhere along the way, headphones became a fashion accessory.
Sure, sound quality has always been important but for quite some time, for quite a number of people, the look, the style, the brand has become the most crucial consideration.
Not for me.
Given it's my job to monitor a 2 and 1/2 hour radio show every day, not to mention cutting and editing audio before and after, my headphones take serious punishment.
Obviously, they need to sound great, but they need to last the distance too.
I couldn't really care what they look like - although red is always nice...
There's no avoiding it, the AKG N60NC wireless headphones are not the coolest looking set of cans you've ever seen. In fact, the word "cans" seems very apt; the first thing that struck me about the N60's was their can-like profile.
The N60's are on-ear rather than over-ear headphones, so the ear cups are relatively small in diameter, while having to accommodate premium amplification, bluetooth and noise-cancelling technology. Add to that the luxurious cushioning combination of memory foam and protein leather, and well... they stick out a bit.
They're not curved or streamlined at all really, but the N60's are about functionality, not style. Like me. So I love them.
It goes without saying AKG headphones are going to sound great. That's why they're the choice of so many recording studios and radio stations. The N60's are no exception. So let's take that as read and move onto some of the more unique features.
Hard to say which feature AKG has put more emphasis on; noise-cancelling or bluetooth connectivity. This is partly because both features are activated with the same switch on the right-hand ear cup. If you choose to plug in using the supplied 1.2m cable, the bluetooth function is disabled automatically, but you still get noise-cancellation flicking the same switch. It's really good too. The moment you slide that switch across it's a lot like going deaf.
I've tried other noise cancelling headphones and earbuds before, some work well, some not at all. Usually it's a battery operated system which is a pain when you're travelling because sooner or later you'll have to replace those batteries. The N60's are rechargeable via microUSB, and promise around 15 hours of use under both bluetooth/noise cancelling conditions. Although I haven't worn them for 15 hours straight, I've certainly used them all day without running them flat so I wouldn't be surprised if that figure is pretty accurate. I've also been impressed at how quickly they charge.
Right next to the bluetooth/NC switch is a multifunctional play/pause, next/previous track, answer call button and I do mean, right next to. This is one of the few design flaws to be found on these headphones as both switches feel almost identical and I can never remember which one is which. As a result, I've turned off the bluetooth instead of skipping tracks on a number of occasions. I don't get why they didn't put one switch on one side and one on the other. Instead, all the controls are on the right-hand ear cup including volume up and down - although thankfully these buttons are at the front, well away from the other two.
The left-hand ear cup holds the charging port and the socket for the detachable cable. AKG describes this as "a tangle-free fabric cable." It isn't. Flat ribbon-style cables are hard to tangle. Fabric cables like these might be a bit better than standard rubber ones, but not much. Maybe I'm just really good at tangling things. Unfortunately, the included USB charging cable is made of the same material. I've managed to tangle that one too.
But that's it. That's all that's wrong with the N60's and of course, depending on what device you're connecting to, you won't need the cable anyway. The bluetooth is clear, strong and reliable. Combined with the noise cancellation, I can barely hear the vacuum cleaner I'm using. This makes it much easier to pretend I'm not using it at all.
Answering calls via the N60's is kind of surreal, because while you can hear your caller perfectly, due to the efficacy of the noise cancellation you can hardly hear yourself. The people at the other end seem to have no trouble however.
I was a bit concerned when I saw each ear cup is only connected to the headband on one side. I assumed this would give an overall feeling of instability, if not resulting in actual instability. But rest assured this is definitely not the case. I've put in several weeks of constant use with these headphones and they're showing absolutely no signs of wear and tear whatsoever. This is of course what you'd expect from a high-end headset like this although I've been disappointed with the lack of durability from other brands in the past.
Not only do the N60's feel solid as, they're some of the most comfortable, well balanced headphones I've ever bunged on my bonce. Because they're on-ear rather than over-ear, I've found I don't overheat even after prolonged use and that memory foam is definitely the ticket.
These are genuine traveling companions too, folding completely flat inside the profile of the headband, taking up very little space in my laptop bag's front pocket, or the convenient carrying pouch, with compartments for cables and the included flight adapter plug.
As someone who wears headphones for a living, I've certainly tried my fair share and the AKG N60NC's are right up there, if not the best I've worn. What's more, they fold up neatly for travel. Sure they only come in black, black or black, but this ain't no beauty contest.
They cost a pretty penny, but they'll probably last years rather than months, saving you money in the long run.
Click here for more information and pricing on the AKG N60NC wireless headphones.
