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Irish Examiner
31-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Bose SoundLink Plus review: A waterproof, high-fidelity speaker for indoors and out
The Bose SoundLink Plus boasts a rugged design and sound quality that belies its size, delivering a compelling combination of performance, durability, and everyday usability. Whether you're poolside, camping, or just looking for better audio at home, it's a speaker that adapts to your lifestyle. Design and build quality While the SoundLink Plus has a lot of rugged charm, its design is far from sleek, but it looks and feels solid and is built to last. The steel grille has a cool industrial vibe, complemented by soft-touch silicone that makes it easy to grip and carry. The black colourway I tested may seem a bit plain, but I love its clean, minimalist aesthetic. The speaker weighs 1.5 kg and measures about 23 cm across, which puts it firmly in the portable category without sacrificing presence. It feels premium in the hand, with rounded edges and clean lines that speak to Bose's refined approach. thick, rugged nylon rope loop hangs off the end of the speaker and is actually useful. You could use it to hang the speaker from a tree branch or to clip it onto a backpack, but I found it great for carrying the speaker. Portability and durability Built for the outdoors, the SoundLink Plus features an IP67 rating, meaning it's fully dust-tight and waterproof. You can use it at the beach, by the pool, or in light rain without stress. Although not featherlight, it's compact enough to throw in a rucksack, and it feels tough enough to handle drops and scrapes. Features and connectivity The SoundLink Plus supports aptX Adaptive for high-resolution audio (if you have a compatible device), Bluetooth 5.4 for stable connections, and multi-point pairing, allowing you to stay connected to two devices simultaneously. There's also Google Fast Pair for Android users, and Bose's own SimpleSync tech lets you pair with other Bose speakers or soundbars for stereo or party mode. The speaker also features a 15W USB-C charging port, which can quickly charge your phone in a pinch. Control-wise, the Bose Music app allows you to fine-tune audio with a 3-band EQ (more bands would have been nice), assign the shortcut button functions (such as Spotify), and manage speaker firmware updates. You also get physical buttons on the top of the speaker for volume, pause/play, Bluetooth mode, a shortcut button that you can assign in the app, and a power button. Battery life Battery life is decent for a speaker this size, but not class-leading. You can expect up to 20 hours of playback on a single charge, depending on the volume and EQ settings. A five-minute quick charge gives you around 2.5 hours of playback. That kind of rapid recharge is a lifesaver when you're rushing out the door. Sound quality Bose has packed in a tweeter, a subwoofer and four passive radiators, and the result is remarkable sound for the size. The bass is deep and responsive, but not overwhelming, while mids and highs are clean and defined. Whether you're playing laid-back acoustic playlists or bass-heavy EDM tracks, the sound remains balanced and powerful. Bass heads will love this compact speaker, but others may feel the need to turn the bass down a tad. Thanks to Bose's Active EQ, the speaker automatically adjusts its sound curve based on volume, maintaining clarity whether you're keeping it low at a dinner gathering or blasting it during a barbecue. Compared to other speakers in its size class, and even a few that are bigger, it holds its own and often outperforms, particularly in how well it maintains clarity at higher volumes. Verdict The Bose SoundLink Plus is a good-sounding speaker. It's durable, sounds great and is a versatile piece of kit that excels indoors and out. With thoughtful features like device charging, stereo pairing, app customisation, and IP67 waterproofing, it's the ideal Bluetooth speaker for music lovers who live life on the go. €280
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
EarFun Free Pro 3 earbuds have never been cheaper — get them for under $50 at Amazon
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. SAVE $30: As of June 2, the EarFun Free Pro 3 earbuds are on sale for $49.98 at Amazon. That's a 38% saving on the list price. Opens in a new window Credit: EarFun EarFun Free Pro 3 $49.98 at Amazon $79.99 Save $30.01 Get Deal Great quality earbuds don't need to break the bank, trust us. You don't need to be dropping hundreds of dollars for great sound, not when deals like the latest EarFun Free Pro 3 discount exist. You can treat yourself to great quality for less than $50. As of June 2, you can purchase these earbuds for just $49.98. They've never been priced lower than this according to camelcamelcamel. SEE ALSO: Act fast to get the Sony WF-C700N earbuds at their lowest price at Amazon So, why these earbuds? Well, these earbuds boast Qualcomm's QCC3072 chip and support Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive, meaning they are capable of hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz (iOS is not compatible with aptX). Noise cancellation is seriously impressive, too. These earbuds benefit from EarFun's QuietSmart 2.0 tech, which promises to reduce sound by up to 43 dB. Depending on your surroundings, you can choose between different modes: ANC, ambient, and normal modes. For phone calls and voicenotes, both earbuds have three built-in mics and use Qualcomm's cVc 8.0 to make your voice come through crystal clear. They also come with five sizes of silicone tips and three types of ear hooks, so chances are you'll get an excellent fit. For battery life, you'll get about 7.5 hours of listening time per charge (with ANC off), and the USB-C case increases that up to 33 hours. Plenty to get you through long days and even longer playlists. Grab this bargain from Amazon before it runs out.
Tom's Guide
11-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
5 signs you need to upgrade your wireless headphones
Portable audio products lose their luster over time. Need a reminder? Look at your damaged and outdated wireless headphones. It's not just about the daily wear and tear you're putting these cans through that cause long-term impact to overall performance. The lack of modern specs also affects usability. All of this is common among consumers who have owned headphones for several years or purchased an inexpensive pair built from cheap parts. They'll start to experience connectivity cutting in and out more often because their headphones aren't running the latest recommended Bluetooth version (Bluetooth 5.3 or higher). Excessive wear begins to deteriorate materials such as the faux leather on the ear pads and headband, causing discomfort and slippage. Most importantly, sound becomes heavily distorted due to overdriving. That's just an audiophile term for saying your drivers have been put through the wringer by listening to music at very loud volumes. Those aren't the only general indicators to ditch your old wireless headphones for a new pair of the best wireless headphones. With the category evolving so quickly, your next headphone purchase should be up to date with the latest components, special features, and wireless technologies. This will ensure optimal performance for years to come. Here are 5 warning signs you need to upgrade your wireless headphones, ASAP. Hi-res audio is immensely popular in the music streaming world, with services like Tidal and Qobuz leading the way, while Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music progressively expand their initiatives. In order to hear more detail and nuance at higher bitrates, you'll need headphones that either come with Hi-Res Audio certification or upscaled audio codecs like aptX Adaptive/Lossless and LDAC. Both codecs support 24-bit audio for richer sound reproduction and wider dynamic range. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. There is a workaround if you have wireless headphones that don't come with these sound-enhancing technologies. It requires headphones with a 3.5mm AUX or USB-C audio jack and buying a portable DAC that is tethered to your headphones and media device. The smarter and more practical investment would be new wireless headphones. Your headphones aren't holding a charge the way they used to, and that's not by accident. This is known as battery degradation. It means the internal battery is draining faster due to repeated charging and discharging cycles. Other factors can affect battery life, including active noise cancellation, high volume, hot temperatures, and continuous listening over long stretches. So, if you're an AirPods Max user who has witnessed their below-standard battery life (20 hours) drop even lower over the course of two years, check your AppleCare+ status to see if the headphones are covered, because if so, you're entitled to a battery replacement. Everyone else without an AppleCare+ warranty will have to splurge on a new pair. Coverage plans and warranties are different among all audio brands. Ever heard of multipoint technology? You should have it by now. This feature has been around for several years and allows users to pair their headphones to two devices simultaneously. Certain models like the AirPods Max don't offer this. Does that make them obsolete? Absolutely not. All AirPods models come with auto-switching, which automatically pairs your headphones or buds to your most recently used Apple device. However, if you're someone who juggles multiple devices throughout the day and hates having to unpair from one to pair to the other, then multipoint technology can relieve you of this frustration. Category leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5 make transitioning between your laptop and smartphone, and vice versa, a seamless task. Spatial audio is now a norm in the wireless audio space. Almost every major headphone maker has developed its own 3D sound format, and if it hasn't, it's licensing the technology from other companies. You want the engaging and immersive sound that spatial audio provides for concerts, music, movies, sports events, and all other content. Headtracking also adds a level of realism by positioning sound accurately to your head movements. It's the most intimate way to enjoy audio. Most current wireless headphones have a companion app to personalize performance across multiple verticals (e.g., connectivity, controls, sound). If yours don't, well, that's a heavy indication to swap them out for something more modern. You don't want to miss out on functional perks that keep your cans future-proof. Those who already own headphones with app support must monitor their firmware updates. This is important because when you stop receiving them, it's likely the manufacturer of your headphones has completely abandoned the software. That means no additional features through OTA (over the air) updates. Any bugs or issues you encounter in the app won't be fixed either, which may restrict access to popular features that can't be enabled directly on the headphones.
Rakyat Post
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Rakyat Post
Bowers & Wilkins Elevates Malaysian Audio Scene With Dual Premium Launches
Subscribe to our FREE Luxury audio brand Bowers & Wilkins is set to transform Malaysia's high-end audio landscape with two significant releases: the highly anticipated Px7 S3 wireless headphones and the striking Pi8 McLaren Edition earbuds. The Px7 S3, priced at RM2,399, represents the pinnacle of the company's wireless headphone technology. At its heart lies newly developed 40mm biocellulose drive units, delivering what the brand promises to be an unrivalled listening experience. For the tech-savvy audience, the inclusion of aptX Adaptive 24/96 and aptX Lossless wireless technology ensures studio-quality sound reproduction. Engineering Excellence Meets Premium Design What sets these headphones apart is their sophisticated noise-cancelling system, employing eight precision microphones to create an immersive listening bubble. The redesigned form factor, featuring memory foam ear cushions and a slimmer profile, addresses the crucial comfort factor for extended listening sessions. Battery life impresses at 30 hours with noise cancellation active, while a quick 15-minute charge provides an additional seven hours of playback. But perhaps the most intriguing release is the Pi8 McLaren Edition, priced at RM2,999. This collaboration with the Formula 1 powerhouse McLaren brings their iconic Papaya Orange colourway to premium audio. It's more than just aesthetic appeal – the earbuds feature Carbon Cone Technology and support both 'This launch represents our commitment to both sonic excellence and design innovation,' says Bowers & Wilkins' spokesperson. Availability and Retail Presence Both products will be available for preorder starting 15 May, through various channels including The Px7 S3 will hit stores by mid-June, while the Pi8 McLaren Edition will be available by end-May. For those interested in experiencing these audio innovations firsthand, they will be showcased at authorised dealers including Flash Gadget, PC Image, and Thunder Match. The launch marks another milestone in Malaysia's growing premium audio market, where sophisticated listeners increasingly demand both technical excellence and aesthetic refinement in their audio gear. With these launches, Bowers & Wilkins not only reinforces its position in the premium audio segment but also demonstrates how high-end audio continues to evolve, combining traditional acoustic engineering with modern wireless technology and striking design elements. READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Nylon
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Nylon
Bowers & Wilkins unveils all-new Px7 S3 headphones and Pi8 McLaren Edition wireless earbuds
Renowned British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins has launched two new audio products featuring the new Px7 S3, dubbed the most advanced and capable wireless headphones the brand has made, and the exclusive McLaren Edition of the Pi8 wireless earbuds. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. Carefully engineered for comfortable, extended listening, the all-new design of the Px7 S3 ($699) features a new headband and a redesigned arm mechanism to ensure the headphones fit even closer to your head, giving your ears the ultimate comfort with luxurious ear pads made using improved memory foam. Promising better advances in acoustic performance, it is built with redesigned drive units to deliver lower coloration and distortion, improved resolution and superior dynamics; at a carefully angled distance to enable better imaging and stereo spaciousness from every point of the driver. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. This headphones marks the first time a Bowers & Wilkins over-ear offer high-resolution drive units powered by a dedicated, discrete headphone amplifier, which provides notably more scale and energy to the sound produced. Building on this, the Px7 S3 also includes both aptX Adaptive wireless technology and aptX Lossless to automatically optimise wireless music transmission from compatible phones, tablets and computers for best possible sound quality. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. This is in addition to its active noise cancelling technology which features eight high-performance microphones to help enhance sound even in the noisiest environments. When you're making calls, unwanted noise around you can be effectively suppressed by the latest generation of voice processing technology — the ADI Pure Voice — to ensure you have outstanding call clarity wherever you are. Offering 30 hours of battery life with full noise cancellation on, the Px7 S3 allows for you to enjoy your music all day long, and if you need a 15-minute quick recharge, you'll still be able to get up to seven hours of additional listening time. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. Since extending its relationship with McLaren Automotive to becoming the Official Audio Partner of McLaren, Bowers & Wilkins are now pushing the partnership further with the Pi8 McLaren Edition wireless earbuds ($849). Developed in collaboration with McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 Team, this new earbuds build on the success of the award-winning Pi8, and integrates the famous McLaren Papaya orange together with Galvanic Grey for its design. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. Image courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. It also offers the high-performance sound quality that is synonymous with Bowers & Wilkins, combining reference-standard hi-res audio performance, premium materials, exceptional comfort and fit, as well as enhanced connectivity and features that include Wireless Audio Retransmission, with a design that connects McLaren fans to the visual identity of the automotive brand.
