Latest news with #Harman
Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Stuff.tv
I wish all headphones had the AKG N9 Hybrid's clever connectivity – here's why it's a great travel companion
Stuff Verdict Great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. The AKG N9 Hybrid won't be your first choice if you largely listen through a single device, though. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features Introduction Aside from a few pro-grade microphones and wired headsets, AKG has been largely in cryosleep since Harman and Samsung hoovered up the storied sound brand back in 2017. Well, that long slumber seems to finally be over: the N9 Hybrid is the firm's first pair of noise cancelling headphones under the new ownership, and it's got a connectivity party trick you won't find anywhere else. The ANC over-ears also promise epic battery life and cancellation tech to rival the class best. They'll need it, as at $399/£299 they are being lined up directly against heavy hitters like the Sony WH1000-XM6. There's been a lot of behind-the-scenes changes under the new regime, too, with some former staffers having launched their own brand – Austrian Audio. Has enough of the firm's magic been retained now it's under Harman ownership? How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: comeback kid The N9 Hybrid isn't the flashiest pair of over-ear headphones – but that's very much in keeping with AKG's established style. The matte black metal ear cups and silver bevelled edges remind me of the Y500 on-ears, as does the simple yet prominent AKG branding. The aluminium part of the headband adds some contrast. There's also a white version, if you like your tech to also be a style statement. The ear cushions and headband aren't the plushest I've worn, but the memory foam material inside means they're very comfortable to wear. Clamping force is well-judged and the ear cups are large enough to fully envelop your lugs, without having a massive footprint. The leatherette coverings warmed my ears up a bit with prolonged wear, but unbearably so. They do a decent job at passive sound isolation, too. While they don't fold for travel, the AKG N9 has enough tilt and swivel that the ear cups can sit flush to your shoulders when worn around the neck. There's also ample adjustment in the headband, so all head shapes and sizes should be able to find a comfortable fit. I like how light they are as well; at 281g they tip the scales a little more than Sony's XM6, but less than Sennheiser's Momentum 4. Neither of those rivals have a hidden compartment in the ear cup, which slides satisfyingly out to reveal a stashed USB dongle; with it, the N9 Hybrid is able to wirelessly connect to pretty much any modern bit of tech, regardless of whether it has Bluetooth on board or not. It's so simple yet brilliant, as you never have to remember to pack it – the dongle is always there when you need it. Features & battery: get connected The wireless dongle has a USB-C connection, which will cover most bases, but AKG does include a Type-C to Type-A adapter for older kit. This stows neatly in the hard-shell fabric carry case, which also holds a Type-A to Type-C charging cable and 3.5mm cable for wired listening, as well as the headphones themselves. An old fashioned double jack connector for in-flight entertainment systems completes the set. I loved being able to plug the dongle into my laptop, Steam Deck or tablet, saving the need to re-pair over Bluetooth. It's just plug-and-play, with the 2.4Ghz connection delivering practically zero latency – perfect for gaming and watching videos. The headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 on board, with the LDAC codec for better streaming quality. It's a shame new owners Harman haven't encouraged AKG to embrace newer codecs and connections like its other brands, though. The JBL Tour One M3 has LC3 and Auracast, making them that bit more future-proof than the N9. AKG needs to address how it handles wear detection, too. The N9 seemingly reconnects the Bluetooth signal every time you remove and put the headphones back on, meaning a few seconds of silence before your audio kicks in – but the content has already started playing. I found it particularly frustrating for podcasts and videos, and even readjusting the ear cups could trigger it. The on-ear controls are well thought out, with the various buttons and ports placed around the outside of each ear cup. There's an ANC toggle and 3.5mm port on the left ear, while the right has a play/pause button, power/Bluetooth pairing slider, and a USB-C charging port. The right ear cup itself then swivels up and down to control volume, so I rarely had to reach for my phone to control playback – and didn't have to worry about accidental swipes triggering overly sensitive touch controls, as is the case with far too many rival headphones. Throughout my testing, I've only needed to charge the AKG N9 Hybrid a handful of times. Battery life is outstanding, managing upwards of 100 hours over Bluetooth if you disable noise cancelling. I almost exclusively listened with it switched on, as I found bass response to be more balanced, and routinely lasted over the firm's 55 hour claim. A week of listening throughout work hours and only needing to plug in once is a fantastic showing. A mere ten minutes of charging is good enough for another five or so hours of music, too. Interface: feels familiar New parent company Harman has clearly had a hand in AKG's new smartphone companion app; it looks like a reskin of JBL's, with a near-identical feature set. That means there are plenty of settings to tweak, but also that you're locked out of a lot of them if you enable the LDAC codec. That's a shame, as the Personi-fi personalised listening test is a useful way to adapt the audio based on your hearing ability. The six generic equaliser presets and 10-band custom EQ are always available, but need a bit more understanding of audio frequencies to get the best results. Spatial audio upmixing (without head tracking) is also off limits when using the higher quality connection, but personally that's nothing to lose sleep over. I'm not a fan of the exaggerated surround effects it creates for tunes mastered in stereo. There are a bunch of noise cancelling settings if you'd prefer not to leave the headphones in their adaptive mode, but it works so well to changing background sound levels I never felt the need. Being able to adjust the left/right sound balance, and how much sidetone lets your own voice through while making voice calls, are nice inclusions. Sound quality and noise cancelling: finds the fun factor We're at the point now where most premium ANC headphones do a decent job at silencing the outside world, but there's still a gap between them and the very best of the breed. The AKG N9 Hybrid falls into the former camp, managing to mute the low-frequency rumble of a train carriage well enough and largely cutting out chatter from fellow passengers, even with music volume at a fairly low level. Distractions still slip through that Sony and Bose manage to prevent, though, and white noise is that bit easier to detect here. There's a real lack of bass when you switch ANC off, too – you're better off leaving it on, even in quieter areas, for a more balanced sound. The AKG N9 Hybrid's 40mm dynamic drivers, which use diaphragms made from liquid crystal polymer, have been calibrated very closely to the 'Harman curve'. That slightly v-shaped tune accentuates bass and treble in a way that's pleasing to the ears, but not necessarily accurate to how your music was mixed. As long as you aren't expecting a purely analytical performance, the N9 makes for a very enjoyable listen. Pendulum's Driver was suitably squelchy, with thumping bass hits at one end and clear, biting percussion at the other. The vocals on Nova Twins' Antagonist weren't drowned out by the distorted guitars, commanding real presence in the mix. HEALTH's Tears can often trip up bass-heavy headphones, but here the droning beat avoided sounding too boomy. More delicate tracks show these headphones can do subtle as well as bombastic, with the strings and piano on Thomas Newman's Any Other Name given plenty of room to breathe. The soundstage is fairly wide for a set of closed-back cans, too. the N9 lacks just a little of the nuance found in the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and no amount of experimenting with the EQ sliders could close the gap, but it's not a big one. AKG N9 Hybrid verdict They're comfortable, last an incredibly long time per charge, and are about as convenient as it gets for listening across multiple devices – whether they've got Bluetooth or not. The AKG N9 Hybrid is a capable all-rounder that really comes into its own if you travel often; few rivals let you leave the carry case and accessory kit at home yet still play nicely with (most) in-flight entertainment systems. The few software shortcomings I experienced were frustrating, and it would be nice to have more control over the advanced sound customisation when using the best quality Bluetooth codec. Sony and Bose also remain the best picks for noise cancellation; while both come at a price premium, the gap is narrow enough that in some territories I'd think very hard before breaking out the credit card. Everywhere else, though, these are still very much in the conversation – and even more so if you regularly hop between devices. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 An impressive return to form for AKG; the N9 Hybrid are great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. If you largely listen through a single device, though, there's no shortage of fantastic rivals. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features AKG N9 Hybrid technical specifications Drivers 40mm dynamic ANC Yes Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.3 Codecs supported SBC, LDAC Durability N/A Battery life 55 hours (ANC on) 100 hours (ANC off) Weight 281g / 0.62lbs
India Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
2025 Tata Altroz vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Hyundai i20: Interior, engine and price compared
Tata has updated the Altroz to introduce the 2025 iteration of the premium hatchback. This model joins the closely contested category dominated by the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, with the Hyundai i20 closely following suit. While not as popular as its glory days, this segment still demands that the models offer the latest tech, good driving dynamics, safety and comfort. Read ahead to see how the three hatches compare with respect to the design, interior, features, powertrain and and features Tata AltrozThe Altroz has a long list of updates in the cabin, including a new steering, new 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that supports navigation and blind spot monitoring, a new climate control panel and a 360-degree camera that we have seen in other Tata models over the years. It now also has a 65-watt Type-C charger on the front and back. Other than that, it continues on features like the 8-speaker Harman audio system, automatic headlamps and wipers, height-adjustable seat belt, automatic climate control and a sunroof. Maruti Suzuki BalenoThe Baleno follows a three-layered design for the dashboard, which features a 9-inch Smartplay Pro+ infotainment panel with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa support, voice command support and 'Suzuki Connect' connected car tech. The Japanese hatchback offers a semi-digital instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT for all the information. The feature that sets the Baleno apart is the heads-up display, which is a segment first. Other features of the hatchback include 360-degree cameras, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, auto-dimming IRVM, automatic climate control, keyless entry and go and an Arkamys surround sound system. advertisement Hyundai i20The i20 does not lag behind much when it comes to the interior, with a 10.25-inch infotainment panel that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Along with this, there is a 10.25-inch instrument cluster for all the information. Other features of the hatchback include a wireless phone charger, a single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, Type-C charging ports and 60+ connected and Performance Tata AltrozThe Altroz is offered in three powertrain options: a 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.2-litre CNG, making it the only model in the segment to offer a diesel unit. The petrol mill churns out 88bhp and 115Nm, and can be paired with three transmission options: a 5-speed MT, 6-speed DCA and the newly added 5-speed AMT. The diesel puts out 90bhp and 200Nm, while the CNG makes 73.5bhp and 103Nm of torque. Both of these powertrains are available only with the 5-speed manual gearbox. Maruti Suzuki BalenoThe Maruti Suzuki gets a single 1.2-litre engine that can run on either petrol or CNG. On petrol, the powerhouse is capable of producing 89.7bhp and 113Nm while these numbers reduce to 77.5bhp and 98.5Nm when running on CNG. The petrol version can be paired to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT while the CNG only is offered with the 5-speed manual. Hyundai i20 The Hyundai i20 offers a single 1.2-litre petrol engine, that can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or iVT gearbox. While the torque figure for both is the same at 114.7Nm, the manual variant offers 83bhp of power while the iVT puts out Tata AltrozTata's premium hatchback ranges from Rs 6.89 lakh to 11.49 lakh (both ex-showroom) for the petrol variants. The diesel versions start at Rs 8.99 lakh and go all the way to 11.29 lakh (both ex-showroom). If you opt for CNG, the Altroz has a price range from 7.89 lakh to 11.09 lakh (both ex-showroom). advertisementMaruti Suzuki Baleno The Maruti Suzuki Baleno starts at Rs 6.70 lakh for the base petrol trim and goes all the way to Rs 9.42 lakh (both ex-showroom). On the other hand, the CNG is available in two variants that cost Rs 8.44 lakh and Rs 9.37 lakh (both ex-showroom). Hyundai i20 The South Korean hatchback starts at Rs 7.51 lakh and tops out at Rs 10.18 lakh for the manual variants, while the iVT variants start at Rs 8.89 lakh and go all the way to Rs 11.25 lakh (all ex-showroom).Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine advertisement
India Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
2025 Tata Altroz review: ready to take on the Baleno?
Tata Motors has been a dominant force in the market for the past few years, but the homegrown automakers' lead has been limited to compact and subcompact SUVs, where it enjoys an indomitable rule. Tata's smaller cars though, including the Tiago, Tigor and the Altroz haven't replicated the success like their stablemates, and the latter has been given an upgrade for the 2025 model year, with an overhaul of the exterior and the interior, to make it a more attractive package. The 2025 Altroz gets changes on the exterior and interior to make it a more attractive package. advertisementStarting with the front, the Altroz which for me has been the looker in the premium hatch segment now gets a new LED DRL, below which sit new twin-pod LED headlamps. The black panel connecting the headlamps has a new design, while the entirety of the front bumper is new, it houses new Nexon-esque LED fog lamps (that also serve as cornering lamps), a central air intake, and a grille below. The 2025 Altroz's front has a new LED DRL, twin-pod LED headlamps, a new bumper and LED fog lamps. On the sides, the profile hasn't changed, but unlike what we see with most facelifts, the new Altroz gets a new fender, and doors that have sort of let go of that strong shoulder line and adopts a smoother flow. It also gets car designers' latest fad - flush door handles for the front doors, which aren't motorised, so I am not a fan of them, but they do get an illuminated marker making them easy to find in the dark. It also sports new 16-inch alloys, that have a blacked out look, and look much better when the car is on the move. And the last change for the exterior that Tata has introduced are the new colour options - Pure Grey, Dune Glow and Ember Glow, with the Ember being the hot orange that you see here, and having seen each of these in person, I am really impressed by the way each of these provide a unique persona to the car. On the rear, the 2025 Altroz has new LED taillamps, a full width LED strip, along with a new roof spoiler and a new lower bumper. advertisement From the rear, the Altroz carries its wedge shaped aesthetic forward, supplemented by new LED taillamps, and a full width LED strip, along with a new roof spoiler and a new lower bumper, that cohesively binds the entirety of the design together. If this was a design competition, the new Altroz would be winning it quite easily. The most notable changes inside the 2025 Altroz include the new 10.25-inch infotainment panel, new steering wheel, new climate control and a new 360-degree camera. Inside, the changes are a bit more major. The dashboard now gets a three-layer design, with three colours and textures, and each of these feel really upmarket. Taking centre stage is the Harman 10.25-inch infotainment, that is FHD, and allows the 360-degree camera feed to be HD as well, quite a plus. Below this, the climate control panel has been lifted off of other Tata models, with its black touch based operation. I am not a fan of this setup though, as operating this panel while on the go is a bit of a task. The Altroz now has a new steering that it shares with other Tata models. The other big upgrade is the new steering that we have seen in other Tata models, and this again adds that upmarket vibe to the car. Interestingly, the Altroz now also boasts a 10.25-inch infotainment like its elder siblings, but this is only available in the Accomplished + S trim, that can only be had with the petrol DCA configuration, and Tata only let us drive the diesel manual and the CNG, both of which are available up till Accomplished S, that does not get the aforementioned display, instead it gets a 7-inch display flanked by digital gauges, and these don't look as nice as the rest of the cabin. The 2025 Altroz has fabric seats with better thigh support and improved bolsters. advertisementThe older Altroz wasn't the most comfortable car when it came to the seat ergonomics, but this new one has upped its game, and by a fair margin. Now you get fabric seats that have been redesigned, it gets added thigh support and improved bolsters, and the overall level of cushioning and support is actually commendable. Now the space in the front and the rear hasn't changed compared to before, and while the driver and front passenger have access to enough shoulder and headroom, the rear feels a little bit cramped given the sloping roofline that cramps up the headroom. But the seats in the rear have also been upgraded, and feel pretty comfortable and should result in less fatigue over long distances. The 1.5-litre diesel mill of the 2025 Altroz puts out 90bhp and 200Nm of torque. Now the Altroz is the only car in its segment to offer three powertrains – diesel, petrol and CNG – and well I was pretty happy to spend the entire day with the diesel, and skip the CNG altogether. Interestingly, the petrol can now be had with two automatic options, as a new AMT joins the older DCA transmission, but we didn't get to test that. The 1.5-litre diesel motor makes 90bhp and 200Nm of torque, which for a car of this size, is a bit overpowered I would say. The low end torque makes for easy off the line acceleration, and reaching triple digit speeds doesn't stress the motor at all. This torque also means that in traffic, with the light clutch feel, it is not as painful to operate. Although the 5-speed stick shifter isn't the best unit, and feels a bit sticky to operate. Tata has worked on the NVH levels, and the diesel guzzler isn't very refined, you can definitely hear it if your windows are down, but close them, and the cabin stays noise free. The 2025 Altroz's 5-speed stick shifter isn't the best unit, and feels a bit sticky to operate. advertisementRide quality is excellent at most speeds, the Altroz rides with poise, and bad roads are something that don't bother the hatch much. This is further accentuated by the new seats that offer an added layer of softness. Dynamically, the Altroz feels sorted, it has good balance round corners, but here the steering owing to its inaccurate nature isn't very confidence inspiring. The steering also feels lackluster a higher speeds, with a fair bit of play involved. But as a whole, the Altroz is good to drive, especially in its diesel avatar. While I did spend some time with the CNG, and appreciated the difference in smoothness compared to the diesel, the power difference and overall lack of punch whether in petrol or CNG mode does make it a more sedate option, and not my preferred choice. For an update, the 2025 Tata Altroz is a major overhaul as it carries forwards the older aesthetic while also adding new bits thatmake it the best looker in the segment. advertisementFor an update, the 2025 Tata Altroz is a major overhaul, not only does it carry forward the older aesthetic, but the new bits, along with the changes to the panels and the lighting signatures make it the best looker in the segment. The cabin is now properly premium, and while I did feel some plastic bits to be of lower quality levels, Tata has definitely worked on overall QC, and it shows. Feature packed and stylish, the cabin along with its features make up for a really comfortable experience. Where the Altroz has an edge I feel is the multiple powertrain options – diesel-manual, petrol-AMG, petrol-DCA, and the CNG, that give customers the versatility to to Auto Today Magazine
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Xeric plants could help Hawaii wildfire season
HONOLULU (KHON2) — It's Wildfire Community Preparedness Month, and folks can do a lot to protect their community and land. University of Hawaiʻi develops new map to detect wildfire risk The Honolulu Board of Water Supply encourages Oʻahu residents to grow the xeric plants that are used in Leeward vegetative firebreaks. 'One important tip is to make sure that there are no low-hanging branches, or dry or dead plant material around the home. To start, it's easiest to remove dry and dead material out to 5 feet from the home. Once that's done, though, continue to move outward – to even the scale of the neighborhood to really minimize the chance of fire spreading,' Board of Water Supply Community Relations Specialist Michele Harman said. May is also Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month. They go hand-in-hand since invasive species, especially grasses, are responsible for increasing fire cycles in Hawaiʻi.'Many invasive grasses like fountain grass and guinea grass increase fire risk,' said Harman. 'BWS partners with organizations to help install green firebreaks – or kipuka, or islands of green plants that break up areas of fire-prone invasive grasses to decrease the intensity and spread of wildfire. These green firebreaks include culturally important plants that provide food, medicine, lei material, and native species habitat. Our partners, such as the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae Mountains Watershed Partnerships and Mohala i ka Wai have had great success growing xeric plants that hold space and stay green in invaded fire-prone ecosystems. A WMWP roadside firebreak helped stop a Waiʻanae fire from spreading in 2018. Since 2018, WMWP with their community volunteers have expanded their firebreaks, and the firebreaks are doing really well, despite overall low rainfall.' Harman added that the plants used in green firebreaks would make great choices for people to grow around their homes. 'There are a lot of great options. Trees include wiliwili, hala, kou, ulu, bele, edible hibiscus or spinach, soursop, and citrus. Some of the trees can get quite big, so homeowners need to make sure they have the space for the trees above and below ground. Smaller plants include aweoweo, aalii, naupaka kahakai, ulei, and iliee. We don't have flammability numbers for most plants, but these firebreak plants tend to stay green with little care. Research has shown that the native shrub, aweoweo, has high water content, low flammability, and is resistant to fountain grass invasion. In Hawaiian thinking, the plant is pili with, or connected to, the aweoweo fish because it can have red on the stem and a fishy smell. Ladybugs seem to love the aweoweo that we've had at the xeriscape garden. All of these tough plants won't need much water once established, but they generally do need well-draining soil and a lot of sun.' There are plenty of opportunities to learn more. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'I always recommend participating in volunteer days with mālama aina organizations – organizations that are growing plants in habitats similar to where people want to plant. There are a lot of great websites, too. Plant Pono, the Pacific Fire Exchange, and the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization are a few helpful sources. BWS has a beginner native plant guide as well.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
India.com
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
Tata Motors Launches All-New Altroz Starting at ₹6.89 Lakh
Tata Motors Launches All-New Altroz Starting at ₹6.89 Lakh Tata Motors has introduced the All-New Altroz, starting at ₹6.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). By samriddhi Kaushik Edited by samriddhi Kaushik Advertisement New Delhi: Tata Motors has introduced the All-New Altroz, starting at ₹6.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Positioned in the premium hatchback segment, the 2025 Altroz comes with updated styling, revised interiors, and an expanded powertrain lineup, including an AMT option for the first time. Key exterior updates include flush door handles, a 3D front grille, Infinity connected LED tail lamps, and Luminate LED headlamps with DRLs. The vehicle is available in five colour options and various personas — Smart, Pure, Creative, Accomplished S, and Accomplished+ S. Advertisement === Inside, the cabin now features a Grand Prestigia dashboard with soft-touch materials, dual-tone interiors, ambient lighting, and lounge-style rear seats with extended thigh support. A 10.25-inch Harman infotainment system and a matching digital instrument cluster offer navigation and connectivity, along with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, 360° camera, air purifier, and iRA connected tech with over 50 features. The Altroz continues to be built on Tata's ALFA architecture and offers multiple powertrain choices: Advertisement === 1.2L Revotron Petrol (Manual, DCA, AMT) 1.2L iCNG with twin-cylinder layout 1.5L Revotorq Diesel, the only diesel engine in its segment Safety features include six airbags, ESP, hill hold assist, ISOFIX, cornering fog lamps, and SOS calling. Transmission options vary by variant and fuel type, with prices ranging up to ₹11.29 lakh. A sunroof is available on select variants. Tata Motors aims to strengthen its position in the hatchback market with this updated model, offering a broad set of features, powertrains, and safety enhancements aimed at urban and intercity driving needs.
