Latest news with #Stuff
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Police out in force in Levin, one year on from boy racer conflict
Events a year ago this weekend turned violent, with confrontations between a large crowd and police in Levin. Photo: NZ Police / Supplied Levin residents say police and hoons are already out in force on the anniversary of earlier conflict. Last year, a gathering of more than 200 people and cars in Levin turned violent on Saturday 1 June, with a crowd blocking the town's main street, and officers reporting projectiles thrown at them. On Friday night, posts on Levin social media groups said at least one police helicopter was circling the town, with commenters reporting the helicopters were tracking boy racers. "Sounds are going hard now, from police sirens to choppers, to burn outs, to police chases ... quite uneasy for Levin locals," one person said on a local forum, shortly before 11pm, Friday. "[We] will see if this current government puts its 2025 boy racer legislation where it's mouth is," another commenter said. Stuff reported a large gathering of boy racers were expected in the town for King's Birthday Weekend, but were not wanted. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden told Stuff the town has "had a gutsful", and did not want hoons coming back and causing "mayhem". Police were aware of the event and had plans and resources to respond, he said. Police did not immediately respond to RNZ's requests for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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
Stuff.tv
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Get exclusive savings when you visit Acer at the Festival of Outdoor Photography this weekend!
Our friends at Amateur Photographer are hosting a Festival of Outdoor Photography at the Royal Geographical Society in South Kensington, London, UK from May 30 to 1 June 2025. As a special promotion we have a STUFF40 code that gives you access to 40% off the full price of all tickets. And if you visit the festival, you'll also get the chance to visit the Stuff space at the event, presented in association with Acer. It's all about portable power, smart connectivity, and making sure your gear doesn't give up before golden hour. Better yet, you'll get access to some exclusive savings. Acer's range of Portable Power Stations are perfect for photographers who think lugging a backup generator into the wilds is a bit much. And when you pick up either the 600W or 1800W model, and Acer will chuck in a free solar panel worth up to £399. The offer's valid through 30 June and available via Amazon and Currys. However, if you're going to the Festival you can get aan exclusive 10% discount on any Acer Power Station purchase made during the event – you just have to swing by the Stuff space at the event, presented in association with Acer. With long-lasting batteries that can be recharged 3000 times, each Acer Power Station means you can have reliable power wherever you go and keep your kit juiced. They also boast Rapid recharge too so there's not much waiting around. You can charge even the 1800W model in under 2 hours! But it's not just about keeping things juiced. Acer's also showing off its latest connectivity devices – perfect companions to its freshly announced AI-powered laptops. Whether you're backing up field shots, editing RAWs on the fly, or livestreaming your hike, this is the tech to make your mobile set-up sing. Join us at the Amateur Photographer Festival of Outdoor Photography So what can you expect from the festival? It will bring together an incredible selection of world-class experts who will share their knowledge and passion. There will be inspiring talks, photo walks, hands-on workshops and other interactive activities covering everything to do with outdoor photography. Speakers include wildlife and bird photography experts Tesni Ward, Rachel Bigsby and Tim Flach, renowned landscape photographers Liam Man and Quintin Lake, street specialists Nick Turpin and Damien Demolder. Plus, Chris Coe and Bella Falk on travel plus Peter Dench talking about documentary photography. And a reminder that as a special promotion we have a STUFF40 code that gives you access to 40% off the full price of all tickets. The event takes place at the Royal Geographical Society in London's historic South Kensington museum district. The Amateur Photographer Festival of Outdoor Photography at a glance Dates: Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June 2025 Location: The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, England – SW7 2AR Ticket prices before the discount: 1 day £50, 2 days £80, 3 days £100 Get your tickets now: and remember to use the code STUFF40 to get the discount.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Celebrity tattoo artist Certified Letter Boy partners with Dave's Hot Chicken for opening of new Soho studio
David Beckham's tattoo artist Certified Letter Boy is opening his new studio in Soho with free tattoos and a year's worth of Dave's Hot Chicken. The tattoo artist, who has also inked David's son Romeo Beckham and rapper Central Cee, is opening his Fine Line Hearts Club studio on Saturday (31.05.25) and is joining forces with the famous US chicken brand Dave's Hot Chicken to mark the occasion. The one-off event will feature free tattoos, exclusive flashes and serious spice as Fine Line Hearts Club transforms into a tattoo-meets-chicken hotspot. Fans will be able to walk in from 11am, flash the Dave's app and choose from a range of custom flashes created exclusively for the collaboration. Booking is not required and those who arrive first will be inked first. Fans of both Certified Letter Boy's iconic ink and Dave's Nashville-style heat will be treated to a menu of spice-inspired flash tattoos – ranging from 'Reaper' flames' to 'Hot Stuff' lettering – all designed by the tattoo artist himself. This is a rare opportunity to get a free inking from Certified Letter Boy, who has a waiting list of a year and usually charges a minimum of £1,000 for his services. Once inside, guests can choose a pre-designed flash or work together with Certified Letter Boy on something more personal. Either way, the ink is free. Meanwhile, the first 10 people to get 'I Heart D.H.C' tattooed will win a year of free Dave's Hot Chicken. Dave's will also be serving up hot chicken to everyone in line, turning Berwick Street into a full-blown flavour street party. There will also be a limited edition merchandise drop available on the day.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
New Zealand's rainbow capital sees rise in anti-LGBTQ hate
Wellington, long celebrated as New Zealand 's most inclusive city, is witnessing a rise in anti-LGBTQ attacks, leaving many residents feeling unsafe – and some contemplating leaving altogether. The mother of a 19-year-old gay student, who moved to the country's capital for university, told the Stuff news website that her son faced constant intimidation and was regularly subjected to homophobic slurs on the streets of Wellington. Paradoxically, Wellington was chosen for the son's studies because of the homophobia he had faced in the small town he previously lived in. An aerial view of Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: AP 'We thought it was the safest, most alternative and accepting city, but it's not,' said the mum, as quoted by Stuff on Monday. 'He's scared walking out in public by himself in Wellington.' According to 2023 census data cited by Radio New Zealand, 11.3 per cent of Wellington's residents identify as LGBTQ or part of the rainbow community – the highest proportion in the country. Dunedin follows at 7.3 per cent, Christchurch at 6 per cent, and Palmerston North at 5.8 per cent. Wellington's reputation for being queer-friendly has been widely publicised. Last year, an LGBTQ travel magazine named it one of the world's best destinations for rainbow tourists, while Lonely Planet ranked it among the top places for LGBTQ families to visit earlier this year. But many LGBTQ residents say Wellington's atmosphere of acceptance has shifted in recent months.
