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Bose SoundTrue Ultra Quick Review

January 30, 2016January 30, 2016 Kevin Bruce Francisco

Bose released a new addition of in-ear headphones and named it SoundTrue Ultra. This made us question if they indeed produce true sound. Read our quick review and find out.

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The SoundTrue Ultra’s form factor is hugely reminiscent of their sports lineup due to the use of their StayHear Ultra tips. These extended flexible wings have been patterned to the contours of the human ear, so they stay firm and secured even when you move around. The in-ears come in two color variants — Charcoal and Frost.

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Running along the cable, there’s an in-line microphone on one side and three physical buttons on the other, namely: volume up, volume down, and answer. They also double for music functionality with compatible devices, but we’ll get to those features in just a bit.

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There’s a clip that attaches to your clothes to for easy cable management.

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The package includes a soft travel pouch and inside it are replacement buds in different sizes. We like the addition of the pouch since not only does it make bringing the SoundTrue Ultra around easy, but it also protects them from external damages.

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This specific model is made compatible with Apple devices such as select iPods, iPhones, and iPads. Using the SoundTrue Ultra, users can enjoy music functionality and control their tunes (skip, previous track, etc.) with the help of the physical buttons — all in addition to answering calls and controlling volume.

If you’re not using an iPhone or any of the devices mentioned previously, these specific in-ears will only serve as normal headphones and will still be compatible with any music device that supports the standard 3.5mm plug on the headphone capable. Although, do take note that there is a different variant catered to Android devices that will let you have those additional functions.

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After letting its drivers breathe and settle by playing music for hours, we were ready to listen to how it reproduces music. We played a mixture of electronic/rock songs, and we could tell that the mids dominate the battlefield, but in a good way. This resulted to effectively hearing the important elements of a track like vocals and the main rhythm.

Bass kicks are solid and powerful, but not too much as to go overboard. The lows just give authoritative background kicks to support the ensemble. What we find lacking are the highs. We feel like tiny details such as strokes on the hi-hats isn’t quite there and the overall music reproduction would sound better if there’s more brightness to it.

Additionally, the SoundTrue Ultra could produce good volume and pretty powerful sound.

Thanks to its StayHear tips, the buds indeed don’t easily come off even when accidentally tugged. Listening to music for an extended period of time doesn’t put any strain in our ears and is pretty comfortable to use even when moving around every once in a while.

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The Bose SoundTrue Ultra has an appealing design and its form factor ensures a secure fit. Sound reproduction is generally impressive and could go pretty loud, too. We could say that it almost has the right to claim to have a true sound if not for the underwhelming highs.

Wearing it for long periods of time is comfortable and results in a satisfying music-listening experience.

One problem that could concern some users is that the light-colored variant that we reviewed easily catches dirt so those that want their in-ears to remain clean and presentable should always bring the travel pouch included in the package.

At Php7,500, the SoundTrue is pretty steep for a pair of earbuds. Although if you’re looking for a reliable device from a known brand, you should put this on your list.

Bose SoundTrue Ultra dimensions and weight:
SoundTrue Ultra headphones (including cable and StayHear tips):48-inch L (0.63 oz)
StayHear Ultra tips: 1.25 x 1 x 0.5 inches
Clothing clip: 1 x 0.25 x 0.5 inches
Case: 3.55 x 2.7 x 0.9 inches

What we liked about it:

Secure fit
Comfortable to wear
Powerful bass
Solid mids
Travel pouch

What we didn’t like:

Highs are lacking
Frost variant easily catches dirt
Steep pricing

The post Bose SoundTrue Ultra Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Bose SoundTouch 30 Quick Review

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

We’ve already given you our thoughts regarding the company’s SoundTouch 20, and now we have in our hands its bigger sibling — the Bose SoundTouch 30. It basically has the same functionalities and features as the smaller model but what would make you want to buy it? Read on this quick review and find out.

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The SoundTouch 30 is basically a bigger ST20 in terms of looks. Its got the same minimalistic approach all around with an outward-curving body, flat surface, and an OLED panel up front which displays song titles, artists, and serves as a connectivity indicator.

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Just like its smaller version, the ST30’s flat surface is where the only buttons are found: Power, AUX, Volume up and down, and a 6-button preset where you can assign radio stations and specific playlists for faster navigation.

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There’s also an included remote but using your smartphone, tablet, or PC with the SoundTouch app already grants you access to tasks you need to perform like change sources, adjust volume, and select playlists.

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It has a built-in diaphragm at its back that promises to provide lows that are not only powerful, but also solid. We’ll get to sound quality in just a bit.

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Connectivity-wise, it’s been established before that the SoundTouch series doesn’t rely heavily on wired connections since they’re all about Wi-Fi connection here. With that in mind, it’s still thoughtful for Bose to include a 3.5mm audio jack for times that Internet is unavailable.

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After the easy setup that requires you to connect the speaker to a Wi-Fi, the SoundTouch 30 is ready to go. We had it playing continuously just to stretch its drivers and we were ready to test its sound performance.

So far it’s all been very familiar when it comes to the physique of the SoundTouch 20 and 30. Although as for the sound quality, the two has a distinct difference between each other that should factor in altogether. During our time with the SoundTouch 20 we noticed that the highs were a bit overdone which proved to be too bright for us, but as for this bigger model everything was balanced.

SoundTouch 20 – literally just a smaller version of the SoudTouch 30

Treble was crisp without going overboard. That, plus its bass levels that could go deep without getting muddy, was a really enjoyable combination. To top it off, mids or vocals was authoritative but not overpowering. Distortion even at maximum volume was not an issue at all and since we’re on topic, volume level was impressive — it could go all the way up, filling a large room without breaking a sweat.

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Just like before, this speaker is compatible with Bose’s SoundTouch app that’s free to download for both Android and iOS users. Apart from selecting songs and adjusting volume you can also use it to play songs from your PC’s music library. The SoundTouch 30 also comes with a free 15-day trial of Deezer Premium+ as part of their partnership — it gives users unlimited access to their music library with no ads and also throws in a special offer for a full-year subscription with half the price after the trial ends.

Regardless of what music-streaming app you prefer, you will always have the capability to output all your songs to the SoundTouch 30.

The Bose SoundTouch 30, although the top of the line model in the series, has a lot of similarity with the SoundTouch 20 in terms of functionality. If you have both set up in your house you can set them to play the same music in each room or you can opt to play different songs for each speaker.

It still heavily relies on how fast your Internet is, so performance and connectivity might be affected if you placed the speaker in a spot where Wi-Fi signal is weak (or if your Internet connection is generally crappy). As for sound performance, we’re glad to report that the downside we previously saw is no longer present in this bigger SoundTouch — what you get is a powerful and life-like sound that the company is known for.

Bose SoundTouch 30 specs and features:
Aux input
Ethernet port
USB ports
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
OLED display
9.7 x 17.1 x 7.1 inches (dimensions)
8.39 kg (weight)
Price: Php49,500

The Bose SoundTouch 30 as well as the SoundTouch 20 are both available for purchase at Bose stores.

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Bose SoundTouch 30 Quick Review

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

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It has a built-in diaphragm at its back that promises to provide lows that are not only powerful, but also solid. We’ll get to sound quality in just a bit.

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SoundTouch 20 – literally just a smaller version of the SoudTouch 30

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Regardless of what music-streaming app you prefer, you will always have the capability to output all your songs to the SoundTouch 30.

Bose SoundTouch 30 specs and features:
Aux input
Ethernet port
USB ports
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
OLED display
9.7 x 17.1 x 7.1 inches (dimensions)
8.39 kg (weight)
Price: Php49,500

The Bose SoundTouch 30 as well as the SoundTouch 20 are both available for purchase at Bose stores.

The post Bose SoundTouch 30 Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Bose QC25 Noise-cancelling Headphones Review

December 11, 2014December 11, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

Another Bose product is up for us to test out and this time it’s the QuietComfort 25 or simply the QC25. It is the successor to the well-received QC15 back in 2009. With it comes a more improved active noise cancellation (ANC) and is made of better function-targeted materials.

Physique

The Bose QC25 is made entirely of plastic that makes it totally lightweight. Although you won’t see any metal arm of any kind as its support, it feels firm; and could withstand bends and a few stress on its headband.

The headband is cushioned with foam and wrapped in cloth which gives ample support for the head once you pop it on. It also extends on both sides giving its users freedom to adjust the length of the arms depending on their needs for a secure fit.

The company promises a comfortable listening experience on the QC25. Their earcups are outlined with soft padding made of protein leather that gently surrounds the ears. We had an amazing time wearing it but we’ll tell you more about it in a little while.

In addition, both earcups twist so they’re face-down flat on a table while the stem folds to make it more compact for portability. It’s got an included hard case for travelling that you can easily pack inside your bag.

It requires a single AAA battery for its ANC to work, and the company claims could last for 35 hours before you need to replace it. We’ve used the QC25 for a week now and we’re still running on the stock battery that came with the package. When the battery runs out noise cancellation will no longer work, but you can still use it as is. The previous model QC15 didn’t work this way — once the battery’s dead, the entire headphone’s dead.

This is one update, although not new in the headphones scene, is good news for those who couldn’t be separated from their tunes.

The cable is now easier to replace compared to the previous one which is proprietary. If, by any chance, a need for a new cable arises, you can simply look for a standard 3.5 – 2.5mm audio jack. The bundled cable has the same color scheme as the headphones and comes with an in-line microphone and volume control for both music and call functions.

Comfort Factor

As mentioned earlier, we had an enjoyable time wearing the QuietComfort 25. The combination of its cushioned headband and plush pads feel comfortable and light that you wouldn’t notice wearing it after some time. We’ve had it on for at least 4 hours straight and we could say it’s one of the most comfortable over-the-ears we’ve tried. There was, however, one thing that made us remove these ‘phones, and the reason is not in this aspect. Read on.

Active Noise Cancellation

As a pair of headphones that belong to the QuietComfort series, one would pretty much expect that it should specialize in both Quiet and Comfort – and we’re already done with the latter.

True enough, this new model boasts a more improved way to neutralize external noise and leave you alone with your music. We’re already past recognizing its new ability to still play music even when ANC is off so let’s talk more about when it’s on. To do so, the switch is located on the right cup — you won’t miss it. Just flick it right and you’re good to go.

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Today’s active noise cancellation works in a way that sound from outside is picked up and used to cancel out the noise inside the ear cups — making you enjoy your music more. As you can see on the photo above, the shell has tiny holes where exterior sound enters. Using the QC25 and switching the ANC on and off, one can totally notice the difference between the two modes.

Partner this with music playing and what you have is an intimate time with your jam and nothing else. Plus, the soft earpads not only cushions but also seals the sound inside as to avoid sound leaks.

QC25’s ANC is effective. Hands down. It’s just that it could be too effective in a way that the absence of sound the ANC makes (during the silence in-between songs) sometimes gets tiring to the ears. It basically prompted us to either turn it off or just remove the headphones completely and give it a rest once in a while. This could just be a personal thing and not really a problem for all. It’s just an observation that we’d like to share.

Sound Quality

As excited as we were to judge its sound quality, we first let its drivers breathe out of the box by using it to play continuous music for hours. After which, we queued up our usual track list for testing and hit the play button.

After nitpicking its noise cancellation we’d like to give credit where credit is due. Sound quality for the QC25 is just how we liked it — balanced all-around. No matter what genre of music we played, the lows, mids, and highs all worked and blended together into one sound and we found ourselves enjoying as we were placed in the middle of it all. Details are also clear and distortion at even high volume is very little to none.

From jazz to hip-hop to trance and acoustic, we found ourselves grooving to every thump of bass, soothing vocals, and clash of hi-hats that these pair of cans reproduced. In my personal list, it’s definitely on the top 5 best-sounding closed-backs next to the Audio-Technica ATH-ES10 and the affordable Blaupunkt Comfort 112.

Conclusion

The Bose QuietComfort 25, assuming you’re into constantly listening to music, is one of those headphones that would be on your Christmas list for two reasons: One is because of all the niceties you’ll get when you buy it, and the other one is because it’s steeply-priced at Php20,000. For an average person, it’s not something you’d see and decide to buy instantly.

We basically enjoyed everything about it except for one tiny aspect that may or may not affect other users. It’s got a nice look, comfortable wear, and amazing sound reproduction.

Bose QC (QuietComfort) 25 specs:
Type: Closed-back, circumaural (over-ears)
Design: Headband
Speakers: 40mm full-range drivers
3,5-2,5mm detachable cable with inline-mic
Protein leather ear pads
Active Noise Cancellation
191 x 152 x 23mm (dimensions)
195 grams (weight)
Price: Php20,000

What we liked about it:

Sturdy plastic build makes it lightweight
Use of standard removable cable
Impressively comfortable to wear
Balanced/clear sound (lows, mids, highs)
ANC is effective in canceling out sound

What we didn’t like:

ANC is too effective in canceling out sound

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Bose SoundDock XT Quick Review

December 10, 2014December 10, 2014 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

Bose has a slew of new audio peripherals that landed first on our hands. One of these is the Bose SoundDock XT that was just announced a couple of months back and looks promising even on first glance. Is it a speaker that would capture the hearts (and ears) of many? We find out.

Bose is known for having a simple yet sophisticated design on their speakers with nothing too hip or flashy. It usually takes time for one to appreciate the physique of a Bose speaker — usually after close inspection. This may be the case, but their SoundDock XT seems to be going a bit further than the rest with its unconventional look that instantly catches your attention somehow.

The case is made of 100% plastic (again, not very Bose-like) sporting an overall two-tone color. The front has been sprinkled with holes that not only serve as opening for the drivers, but also evokes the look of a static visualizer. When a device is docked, it looks like sound waves are somehow coming out of it. We love this fresh new design that Bose incorporated on this speaker. It still remained simple-looking, but added a hint of funk for its users to enjoy.

The functionality of the SoundDock XT is very basic. It’s got a touch-sensitive volume control beside the docking area which is easily accessible and works just fine. That’s pretty much it! It’s so straightforward that all you have to do is place your Apple device on to the 8-pin Lightning connector and play your music. The use of a Lightning connector obviously makes the speaker Apple-focused, but if you’re using a non-Apple device don’t stop reading and close this window just yet.

Turning it around we see two lonely ports that already dictates one thing — limitation on connectivity. Users will only be enjoying an additional feature of auxiliary function through its 3.5mm audio jack. This way, you can connect not just your iPhone but even other music players through an audio cable (not included in the package). Beside it is where you plug the power cable. The SoundDock XT doesn’t have battery support so you always need to place it near a wall socket as this is how the speaker also charges the docked device.

So we used it for more than a week and played music on it everyday. It easily filled a medium-sized room without breaking a sweat. Distortion was impressively kept at a minimum even at loud volume so that’s good. At the back there’s a diaphragm so it could produce bass thumps with gusto. It’s also got assertive mids that brings life to music especially rock and acoustic tracks.

These two were well-reproduced by the SoundDock XT, but we were left wanting more when it came to the highs. We felt like treble was overpowered and drowned by the other elements. It’s not a deal-breaker but compared to the mids and lows, the highs were a bit left out.

The Bose SoundDock XT is definitely aimed mainly at Apple users, with its capability of playing music from other devices only coming as secondary. It’s got limited connectivity, lacking AirPlay or even just Bluetooth; but will try to win you over with its attractive design. Portability is also out of the question since it relies solely on cabled power. Sound quality is overall impressive, considering the speaker is not that big.

Is it a speaker that sounds good and looks great? Yes. But will it win the hearts of users without an iPhone? Maybe not.

Bose SoundDock XT specs:
Type: Speaker dock
Docking type: Apple Lightning connector
2x full-range sound drivers with bassport
Touch-sensitive volume control
3.5mm audio jack for AUX
101 x 302 x 134mm (dimensions)
1,200 grams (weight)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Price: Php9,900

What we liked about it:

Attractive and funky design
Impressive lows and mids
Can go loud without breaking into distortion
Easily blends with other appliances in the living room

What we didn’t like:

Limited connectivity
Highs are a bit overpowered

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