elegantclodsportsdream

[raitrolling]

Aren't I hurting anyone? Perhaps it's time for me to tear apart For what it is I've been Denote my place within humanity Projecting by my will I've been amassing solid iron claws Ignore the rottenness My recitals will decay in a flash

Happy birthday @cloudbattrolls! my buddy, my pal, my partner in writing hilarious and occasionally deeply cursed crimes

here's your blender gremlin :]

(full view)

[optimusphillip]

OptimusPhillip Reviews 13: Transformers: Generations Shockwave (War for Cybertron: Siege)

Now, I know it’s been a while since my last post, but I had a hectic couple weeks, and I’m only just now getting back into the swing of things. But, I did say that I would review the rest of my Siege collection, and next in line is the biggest one I’ve obtained so far... kind of. It’s Leader Class Shockwave, one of the more contentious figures in the Siege line so far. Let’s take a look at the figure.

“Spaceship” Mode

Shockwave’s alternate mode is a Cybertronian spaceship, and totally is not an upside-down space gun. Detail-wise, he is covered in sculpting, way more than any of the other toys I’ve covered. Panel lines, screws, vents, exposed wiring, anything they could think of to fill out space, they did. There is not one flat surface on this mode. Two standout details for me are the missile racks on the rear section, and the light-piped yellow eye on the bridge, just like the robot head. Also on the bridge are some flip-out tail fins. Officially, you’re supposed to have them out in this form, but I like to leave them flipped down, for reasons I’ll explain later. In terms of landing gear, he has a flip out skid on the front, and two thin nubs towards the back, so don’t worry about scuffing up the bottom of your spaceship. Though I will say, the nose doesn’t seem to want to stay straight on my figure. Maybe it’s a mileage may very issue, but it does kind of bug me.

But of course, there’s a dirty little secret to this “spaceship” mode, and to figure it out, all you need to do is flip down the tail fins (if you haven’t already), fold up the landing skid, plug the hose onto the port at the bottom of the nose, and flip the toy upside down. Now he is unmistakably the G1 Shockwave alternate mode. Most of the detail is carried over from the spaceship, though the rear landing gear forms a targeting sight, in a clever bit of dual usage. My only real issue with this mode is that the bridge is too small to hold comfortably as a gun handle. It doesn’t bother me too much, though, it still works aesthetically.

Gunship Mode

Part of being a Leader in Siege is that you don’t just get a single figure. You also get a bunch of add-on pieces to create upgraded modes. There really isn’t much of a conversion, it’s just pegging on a bunch of parts, but it’s technically a new mode, so I’m giving it its own section.

Anyway, this mode offers a major visual change. Two new booster rockets, a lot of new weapons, a brand new front end piece, and a bunch of extra fins (including X-wings) all make him look way more like a Decepticon warship. If it didn’t still have so much Shockwave to it, I’d honestly believe this was a new design for the Nemesis. By the way, this mode is the reason I leave the tail fins folded down in spaceship mode. They just feel better suited to this mode. In total, this mode adds ten new cannons, six of which are compatible with the blast effect parts from the Battle Masters. I like how the two main cannons are designed after Shockwave’s arm gun, it’s a nice way of tying things together. That said, there’s not a lot of new functionality here, so let’s get into robot mode.

Conversion

Shockwave’s transformation harkens back to his G1 toy, but more streamlined with modern engineering, in particular the barrel and legs. The G1 toy used the legs to form the gun handle, and the barrel was just a detachable part. Here, however, only the side panels of the legs form the handle, with the bulk forming the back end of the gun, and the barrel stays attached and forms his backpack in lieu of the G1 toy’s battery pack, though this does mean that it’s purple instead of the G1 gun mode accurate silver. And for those concerned about the add-on parts, they all fit together into a singular unit, which can be used as a battle platform.

Robot Mode

Shockwave’s robot mode is the spitting image of his G1 show model, only with a lot more sculpted detail. I like the face sculpt, where you can see a lot of mechanical details surrounding his mono-eye, almost like extraocular servos or something. While we’re looking at the head, let’s talk about the eye. It’s light-piped yellow, and it’s really, really good light-piping. As long as there’s pretty much any light in the room, the eye will glow to some extent, and it will even vary in color depending on what light you use. I also really like the chest. On the surface, it’s just a clear plastic plate, like the G1 toy, but if you look closely, you can see that there’s not only molded detail on the backside, to create a layered look, but there’s also a fully painted inner chest, with black wires and nodes on a pink background. That same shade of pink can also, of course, be found on the toy’s hands, which are standard fare for Shockwave, right down to the gun in place of his left hand. And of course, the hose from “spaceship” mode now pegs into the back of his left forearm, to recreate the look of the original toy’s light cable. This hose also features one of the few spots of battle damage paint on this toy, with silver scuff marks on its surface at various points. I don’t know why they put those scuff marks there, though. If the hose had gotten scuffed up, we’d probably be seeing exposed wiring, not bare metal. At least it makes sense on his feet, where you get much more elaborate scuffing detail. But aside from that and some fake chipping on his right arm’s Decepticon insignia, that’s it for battle damage. Kind of makes me question the point of that whole gimmick, really.

Onto articulation, he’s about on par with Optimus in terms of sheer jointage. Ball-jointed neck, universal shoulders and hips, swivels at the bicep and thigh, 90 degree elbows and knees, wrist swivels, ankle tilts, and a waist swivel. However, the thing that makes him unique is that his hips and knees are ratcheted, giving him an extra element of stability that you can’t rely on from simple friction hinges. Though as one might expect, the hose on his arm can limit posability in the left arm. You still get enough range for some decent poses, though, so it still works. Though I will warn that, while I haven’t had any issues, some people have reported that the hose has broken on them, so... be careful, I guess.

Now onto the part that has people questioning the Leader price point, size. As nice as this figure is, it’s only the size of a Voyager in this mode, and that’s totally a fair point. However, this can be rectified slightly when one remembers that this is the white Prime to this set’s Ultra Magnus, and that means...

Super Robot Mode

Of course, the add-on parts from gunship mode can also be used in robot mode to create a sort of super mode. The nose piece just forms a bigger backpack, adding a pair of tails for some reason, but the booster rockets form larger shoulder pads, the side cannons form extra foot platforms, and the main cannons form into a pair of extra arms. It is so ridiculous and outlandish, I kind of love it. This form also gives some extra battle damage, in the form of scorch marks on the new shoulder pads. And don’t worry, these new parts don’t hinder any of his posability. In fact, his extra arms have about the same level of articulation as his regular arms, so he actually gains a bit of articulation. Each of these arms also has a port on the back for his hose, but I find that it’s a scarily tight fit on my copy. Again, mileage may vary.

Unfortunately, this mode doesn’t really do much for the height department. His extra foot pads don’t even add a head to his overall height, so he’s still about Voyager sized at the head. But this mode does still add a good bit of extra bulk to him, particularly in the arms, and on the backpack. That said, I can definitely see this being unsatisfactory to some collectors.

Final Thoughts

Siege Shockwave is an amazing figure, I’m really glad to have gotten him. He’s the perfect update to his G1 toy design, and the extra add-on parts give a lot of extra play option. That said, $50 might be a bit steep for some people, and I’ll admit, I had to think long and hard about whether or not to go for it when I saw him in the store. However, I’m still glad to have him in my collection, if only just to have a really good Shockwave toy. But if you are feeling hesitant about this toy, I don’t blame you. He is definitely not budget friendly. Still, if you’ve been waiting for a good retail level Shockwave since the Classics line first debuted, you will not be disappointed in this update.

[xaq-the-aereon]

Bit of a braindump regarding my OC, Willexia Rennar, and a redesign to her armor I’ve been working on.

Originally it was designed as a Nanoha-style magical girl outfit, highly similar to her normal clothing. However, lately I’ve been going more towards a design that utilizes her prosthetics’ inherent properties more and, more importantly, combines two of my favorite character designs: monster/beastgirls and mechagirls.

The original design had an armored breastplate with connections on the back for a pair of thrusters and a psionically-controlled mechanical tail, somewhat like a monkey’s. I’ve kept that aspect and expanded on it, turning her barrier jacket into more of a suit of armor, with some medieval and cyberpunk aspects to it. The animal aspects are most prominent in two spots: The tail mount at the base of her back, and the headgear that serves as an ear mount. Her leg prosthetics can also transform, giving her feet to match the form.

So far I’ve come up with a number of different beast forms it can transform into:

-Trickster: The base form, a fox-themed one. The headgear spouts a pair of ears in the back, the feet become animal-like paws, and the tail retracts to the nub, which spouts long fibrous wires to form a large, fluffy tail. The thrusters and the Henkouken’s weapons are inert in this form, with the latter’s rings staying mounted on her gauntlets. This form’s specialty is agility and ground speed.

-Chevalier: A unicorn-themed form. The headgear spouts a horn and horse ears, the feet switch to hooves, and the tail unit retracts to the end nub, which sprouts long fibrous wires to form a horselike tail. The Henkouken’s primary weapon setup for this form is a short jousting lance and a buckler-style shield. The thrusters can open to allow for high-speed charges with the lance.

-Arma: An armadillo-themed form. The ears are shorter and wider, and have an extra layer of armored plating on the back. The tail extends full and spouts wide armor plates down its length on either side. Another line of armored plates appear from the head down to the tip of the tail. The feet remain normal. The Henkouken’s setup here is a pair of larger bucklers with a second, expandable layer of plating on them. If need be, Willexia can roll the tail around her up to her head and expand the shields to a size large enough to connect to the tail’s plating, giving her a Morph Ball-like defensive posture. The outermost plates then detach and “float” on the armor surfaces, allowing the whole unit to roll without sending her tumbling with it. The thrusters are unusable in this form, locked down by the added plating. This is a purely defensive form.

-Wyvern: A dragon-themed form. The feet become talons, the thrusters open and fan out to form draconic wings, and the tail extends out full with a little additional plating. The front of the headgear spouts a pair of back-leaning horns. The Henkouken’s weapon form in this state is its signature partisan and “Stag Shield” form (seen here), with the shield having Willexia’s “Lightning Driver” device on the end, serving as a piercing weapon, claw (making the whole unit look similar to a stag beetle, hence the name), and remote flying blade.

-Tauros: A minotaur-themed form. The headgear spouts bull horns, the feet and tail take forms similar to Chevalier, and the Henkouken’s base rings mount directly to her gauntlets, powering devastating punches and grapples. The thrusters do nothing in this form.

-Rachnos: A spider-themed form. The headgear does nothing. The legs become somewhat longer and more slender. The thrusters open and segment out into their 6 parts, becoming a set of needle-like appendages. The Henkouken’s rings mount to the gauntlets and engage extra mounts for the “Strike Anchor” weapon, allowing multiple anchors and cables to be fired from each arm.

-Chimera: A manticore-themed form. The headgear spouts bull horns, the thrusters open to allow a set of avian wings to sprout from them, the tail extends and gets covered in armored segments ending in a scorpion’s tail, and the feet become larger versions of the Trickster form’s paws. The Henkouken mounts to the gauntlets and forms a large pair of claws. This was the original “power form” setup when first designing the armor, serving as a superior all-rounder.

-Predator: An insect-themed form. The headgear spouts a pair of antennae, the legs become somewhat longer and more slender, and the thrusters open to spawn 4 long, slender, dragonfly-like wings. The tail takes the Chimera’s scorpionoid form, while the Henkouken forms a pair of Stag Shields. This is an alternate to the Chimera form, modeled after a creature of my nightmares...a flying scorpion.

-Aereon: Oddly enough, I don’t have any ideas for this form yet. O_o?

[yourgabru]

Top Sports Earphones

1. Jaybird X3 – Simply the Best headphones for working out

Jaybird X3 is an excellent choice for people looking for headphones for the gym or other sports.

It’s our top pick because it offers the best balance of price, features, and functions.

Jaybird X3 offers extremely versatile and Secure fit and has a great build quality.

It also features a useful companion app to adjust the equalizer so you are in more in control while listening to music or podcasts.

(watch the in-depth video review below)

PROS 🙂

8 hours of Battery life. 15 mins of charging will give you 60 mins of playback time!

Great for running, and long gym sessions

Features Excellent adaptable sound

Compact & Durable design

Comes with a Useful App (Called MySound app) to personalize your experience. The software works with Android and iOS.

Excellent noise isolation

CONS 🙁

Proprietary charging accessory. So if you lose the charging dock, you have to purchase a new one.

Average call quality (but not a dealbreaker)

The X3 is the third generation workout and sports headset from Jaybird. It is the successor to the critically acclaimed X2, released in 2015. The Bluetooth-powered X-series headphones are known for their high-quality sound and customization options.

And the X3 doesn’t disappoint, with top notch sound quality, deep booming bass, and excellent clarity. After all, Jaybird has been ranked among premium brands like Beats, Bose, and Sennheiser in the past.

On the design front, the X3 is a Bluetooth wireless headset, with a cable joining the two earbuds. The cable also houses a small three-button remote.

Jaybird has added a lot of customization options with the earbuds to help us find the right fit. The memory foam and silicone tips are a mixed bag really. The foam offers the most secure fit, while the silicone may have a tendency to slip, especially after excessive sweating.

The patented silicone fins are entirely optional, and that is a good thing. Some might find it extremely useful to anchor the buds inside their ears. While for others, they may just be a needless distraction.

Regarding size, the X3 is a good deal smaller than the X2. But with the batteries inside the earbuds, they are still quite large and slightly heavy. But the extra weight was not a major issue for us.

Battery performance is not too shabby, with a total running time of close to 8 hours on a full charge. The charging is not lightning fast, but you can easily get an hours worth of juice in within 15 minutes of charging if you are in a hurry.

The Bad: Phone call reception quality is only average

If you need to answer a lot of calls while working out, you might have some issue with the X3. Don’t get us wrong, the call quality is quite acceptable, but there is some static involved. The whole experience is average. If you want to get a headphone with a better call quality, check out the Bose SoundSport Headphones.

The software features worked quite well. The app has some nifty features involving playlists. And the Android and iOS compatibility is excellent.

The cable is flat and quite tangle free. You get a cord shortening clip mechanism along with it to adjust the length. It doesn’t get in your way when you are running at all.

The earphones are almost waterproof, and we mean almost. They can survive rivers of sweat and the odd accidental splash of water. But they cannot handle showers or actual swimming.

Verdict

JayBird X3 is this year’s best bluetooth workout earbuds. The manufacturer specializes in producing premium quality sports earphones, and it shows in the way the X3 is designed. If you want to listen to music while breaking into as sweat, either in the gym or outdoors, the X3 is a great choice.

2. Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones – Our 2nd Best Bluetooth Headphones for Gym.

We are pretty sure that Bose does not need any introduction. And yes, quite unsurprisingly the SoundSport also finds a spot on our Editor’s Choice list.

The Bose Soundsport wireless headphones are our runner-up pick. They are the most comfortable in-ear wireless headphones right now.

They are sweat-resistant & offer excellent sound quality with a little bass emphasized sound compared to the X3 reviewed at #1.

According to out test results, the Bose Soundsports has one of the Strongest wireless performance when compared to other earbuds in this price range.

PROS 🙂

Great Sound

Good call quality

Sweat-resistant

Extremely comfortable to wear

Excellent Wireless Performance

Secure fit due to winged tips

Sweat resistant, ideal for running/jogging

CONS 🙁

6 hours of battery life which is relatively less than our top pick

Slightly bulkier than other on this list.

Full In-depth Review:

Perfection is a word that one commonly associates with the Bose brand. And they almost managed to pull it off again, with the SoundSport headphones. And we say almost, only because this is the first ever wireless sports headset designed by the company!

Like most of its competition, the SoundSport also features two earbuds connected by a cord. You also get an inline mic and volume controls on the cord. Incidentally, though, there is no cord shortening feature, just a clip on system to keep the cable from moving around.

There is nothing shocking or surprising about the sound quality. This is, after all, a Bose product. It delivers everything you expect from the brand regarding sound quality, period.

But you will be seriously taken aback when you see the earbuds. They are huge, positively massive, and do stick out a fair bit from inside your ears.

But once you get over the initial surprise, the earbuds do feel well designed. The set comes with silicone ear plugs in three different sizes. At least one of them should fit well enough for most people.

Plus, there is also the proprietary StayHear+ design technology that securely anchors these buds in your ear. They work well for the most part. The huge ear buds stay in place surprisingly well, even when one is running full tilt.

There is no noise cancellation option, so be prepared to catch quite a bit of background noise. If your gym music is loud, you might have some trouble with these headsets. But on the whole, they are perfect for the runners and joggers, as you need to be able to hear traffic sounds and all

The call quality is pretty decent, even if the person on the other end will get a lot of background sounds from the inline mic. Overall, the SoundSport can easily handle frequent phone calls when you are on the go.

Those earbuds are massive because of two Li-ion batteries inside, capable of delivering six hours of running time. Charging can be completed within two hours. And you can charge directly from the earbuds, which is a handy feature.

Battery life is decent, not decidedly the best. But Bose provides a way to get around that with a very useful accessory case, available for purchase. The case has a built-in charger that can be used for charging on the go.

SoundSport shines on the connectivity and software front, with NFC, Bluetooth, and the dedicated Bose app. Connecting to, and switching between devices is an absolute breeze. And the Bose app is packed with features like heart rate monitor.

Verdict

The Bose SoundSport are one of the best bluetooth in-ear workout headphones that very comfortable, sounds great and you can purchase it at a very reasonable price. it does have some chinks in its armor, but they are only minor gripes. Bose has managed to get their fundamentals spot on.

3. Plantronics BackBeat Fit – Best Waterproof Sports Headphones

Did you know that Neil Armstrong was speaking through a Plantronics headset while on the moon? The brand sure has a long and storied history, with experience in both commercial and consumer audio products. The BackBeat Fit is one of the best workout earbuds ever from the Plantronics stable.

BackBeat Fit does not have any messy cable connecting the earbuds. Instead, they have opted for a flexible wire that stays behind your head when you wear the headset. This wire/cord doesn’t touch your neck, which is great.

But on the whole, the fit and finish are quite satisfactory. The entire device is coated with a very soft and malleable rubber finish. The material is sweat and water resistant, which is to be expected from a sports headset.

The earbuds do not plug into the ear canal, so there is no noise cancellation on offer. This makes the BackBeat Fit a good option if you are on a bike, or running outdoors. The ear hooks loop over the top of your ear to keep the buds securely in place.

The design overall is quite comfortable and suited to constant movement. Some people might be bothered by the way the wire/cord keeps bobbing around behind their neck/head.

Buttons are placed on the external surface of the earbuds, controlling volume, calls, connectivity and play/pause. The setup is quite intuitive and easy to master. As long as you don’t mind reaching for your ears to do everything, they work fine.

The Bluetooth range is quite phenomenal at over 100 feet, so you don’t have to carry your phone around. If you must, you can also use the pouch provided, which doubles as an armband with a holster for your cell phone.

When the headset is placed outside the range of any connecting device, it is programmed to enter a battery saving mode automatically. And the battery capacity is also above average, stretching out to nearly eight hours of playback time. Charging can take up to 2 hours, which is quite acceptable.

You may have noticed that we have not mentioned audio quality yet, despite being deep in our review. To be frank, the BackBeat Fit does not have the chops to duke it out with the likes of Bose or JayBird. But it certainly is not the worst out there either.

If you are an audiophile, you may be disappointed by this headset. But for the normal user, Plantronics offers a more than decent listening experience. Sound levels might be too low for those who want high-intensity music to get into the “zone.”

Check Out the Video Review by RIZKNOWS:

Final Verdict

The BackBeat Fit is a good product, with enough features to entice outdoor workout enthusiasts more than the gym freaks. The sound quality is acceptable, the build quality is excellent, and the battery life is just outstanding. It has a few flaws, but they are not deal-killers.

PROS

Excellent durability and build quality.

Above average battery life

The wireless range is impressive

Ideal for biking and running

CONS

Disappointing bass and volume

The cord has an irksome tendency to keep bobbing

4. SENSO ActivBuds S-250 – Bestseller Earbuds for Working Out

It takes a special mix for a product to be popular to a wide section of the populace. Cheap alone does not cut it; you need a balance between affordability and quality. And that is what Senso seems to have nailed on the head, with their Amazon Best Seller sports headphones.

So what makes the Senso one of the best wireless headphones for working out? Yes, it is a budget product, but there is more to it than that. This headphone has a bevy of useful features that make it a worthwhile investment for fitness oriented users.

For starters, the design is quite compact and understated. The two earphones are connected by a tangle free fire that doesn’t get in the way while you are working out. The earpieces have a hook design that securely anchors them in place while you workout.

PROS

Amazon’s Best Seller

Comfortable

Good Wireless Performance

8 hours of battery life and upto 240 hrs of standby time.

Excellent customer support

Lots of freebies

CONS

Mic quality is average during calls

In-depth review:

The ClipSize ConfigurationBluetoothBattery

That hook or clip is made of soft silicone substance. It cannot be molded into shape, but it stays comfortable even without that feature.

Sure, they may not handle the more high-intensity routines, but they are good enough for biking, jogging, and other gym routines.

As for the sound quality, this is one of the highlights of the Senso. Sure, you cannot expect audiophile quality, but that would be madness for a budget sports earphone. Still, the Senso can offer some fight to higher priced brands like Beats in this category.

The bass is high enough for a good workout session. And the sound output is also very loud. The vocals are on the lower end of the spectrum, but you cannot anything more than that.

What truly seals the deal is the number of freebies provided as part of the package. You get two charging cords, including a car charger and a Lightning/micro USB, as well as a carrying case, and replacement buds. This is one of the best gym headphones out there.

Final Verdict

The popularity of Senso stems from what it offers on the whole, as a complete package. The earphones punch above their weight regarding audio quality, the manufacturer offers a bunch of useful freebies, and the wireless works fine. If you want a budget all-rounder for your medium intensity workout routines, this is a solid product.

5. Mpow V4.1 – Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Sport Earphones

Not everyone wants audiophile quality sound output from their workout headphones. If “budget” or “best bang for the buck” is what you are looking for, Mpow may have some affordable options with acceptable quality for you. And the V4.1 Sports earphones are just that.

The V4.1 are wireless sports earphones connected by a cable. The design is nothing revolutionary, but what is available is quite functional. The cable also hosts the volume control buttons and a mic for answering phone calls.

Let’s get audio quality out of the way as quickly as possible. You get average quality output that is quite acceptable at a budget price point. The bass is quite loud and adequate for gym settings, but everything else is mediocre.

And there is noise cancellation feature either. But that shouldn’t be too much of a concern since most sport model earphones leave that feature out for extra safety when you are outdoors.

The overall customizability and fit of the earbuds can be a hit or miss situation. The Mpow V4.1 does come with three ear tips of different sizes, as well as six different ear hooks, three for indoor use and three for outdoors.

You will have to spend some time experimenting with the combination of ear tips and hooks to get the best possible combination. Even then, the experience is not likely to be free of hiccups. The earbuds do have a tendency to fall off now and then, both in the gym and outdoors.

The individual earbuds have a metallic exterior, and they can feel quite bulky. The batteries inside offer average to acceptable performance, lasting around 5 hours.

Overall the build quality is quite decent, and the device is rated as sweat-proof and waterproof. But that is not entirely true, as, in some instances, excessive sweating can take out the volume control buttons.

The controls can take some time to get used to, but they are quite easy to learn. The Bluetooth pairing feature works well, and there is no trouble at all in finding the signals. The software end is not the best out there, but that is to be expected for this class of sports earphones.

Longevity is a serious concern for these earphones though. If you want a device that lasts for several years, you may very well have to look elsewhere. The customer care though is top notch, and they do deliver replacements quite quickly.

Final Verdict:

The Mpow V4.1 exists for a very specific reason, and that can be explained in just a single word: budget. It offers everything you can expect from a budget product, including the flaws. If you can suffer those, this earphone is well worth a look.

PROS

Acceptable sound quality

Uses Bluetooth 4.1

Robust metal and rubber construction

Excellent customer service

Great budget optional

CONS

Earbuds have a tendency to fall off

Not completely sweat-proof

6. SoundPEATS Wireless Earbuds

Not everyone likes the cables that connect our earphones and headsets. Even wireless earphones usually have a connecting wire between the two earbuds. If you want to go the Apple Air Pod route on a budget, the SoundPeats earbuds are a tantalizing option.

As already mentioned, these are just like Air Pods. They are truly wireless and have nothing linking the two earpieces. But in the looks department, they are nothing like the Apple pods.

The two earpieces have ear hooks to hold them securely in place over your ears. All the controls are placed on the side of the devices, which also feature a USB charging port. The on-board batteries can keep them alive for nearly six hours, which is quite good.

The individual pieces can work separately even at a distance of 10 feet. So if you want to share some music with your gym partner or better half while running, this is a good option.

There are quite a lot of control buttons on these SoundPEATS earphones when compared to some other options in our list. And getting a grip on them all can be a chore, especially since the manual seems to rather poorly written.

The pieces fit quite comfortably in ears. But it has to be said that they do seem to go in deeper than other earbuds. It might feel a bit awkward initially, but that should pass with time. As such, it was not a major inconvenience for us

Those who need some tinkering can try changing the size of the earbuds. The package comes with soft ear buds in three different sizes. You also get a much-needed carrying case when you purchase this set.

The hooks help keep the earpieces in place during workouts and sprints. They may fall off with very rigorous or strenuous workouts involving a lot of movement, but otherwise, they hold on pretty well.

They are rated sweat-proof and work as expected in that regard. Since there is no connecting cable hugging your body, there is no risk of the controls getting wet and malfunctioning.

Since these are two independent pieces, you can use them in single or stereo mode. But the right piece is the main one, and if you lose it, the other one becomes pretty much useless. And it is quite easy to misplace one of these since they are not connected.

The overall sound quality places SoundPeats firmly in the cheap budget segment. It is acceptable for workouts, but do not expect awesome bass or treble levels. If you are an audiophile, this is not the best workout headphones for you, period.

Bluetooth connectivity is not a major issue, but connecting both pieces can be quite confusing. This is especially true for users who are new to wireless headphones.

Verdict

The SoundPEATS earphones are ideal for those who want a true wireless experience on a budget. They offer decent if not stellar sound quality, and stay firmly in your ears. The battery life is also acceptable, with no major issues elsewhere.

PROS

True wireless listening experience

Uses Bluetooth 4.2

Comfortable to use, and stays in ear most of the time

Decent battery life

Can be used separately

CONS

Sound quality is not the best.

The individual earpieces occasionally cut out.

7. Shure SE215-K – Best Sound Isolating Earphones

PROS

Superb sound quality

Detachable cable, and modular design

Durable build quality

Fits comfortably in the ear

CONS

Not a dedicated sports design, might be unsuitable for jogging and running outdoors for some ears.

Video Review:

For audiophiles on a budget, there are some neat options in the market these days. The Shure SE215-K is one of the best among the lot, coming from a known brand steeped in history. Using a unique design, they offer something different from what you see around.

Okay, these are not wireless earphones. Instead, they are wired earphones with a neat twist: removable cable. This means that they will keep working for a lot longer since in most wired earphones, it is the cable that dies first.

[che-ck-your-self]

How did we let fear take control? Although we are being flooded with well-meaning books about the state of the nation, Sasha Abramsky has given us the clearest picture to date of our national anxiety around issues of immigration, income inequality, racism, Islamophobia, environment, guns and terrorism. “Jumping at Shadows” should be a must read for those looking for a well-documented assessment of how we got to this frightening state-of-mind. How did we move so quickly from a confident respected nation to one where our politics are defined by our worst fears and irrational anxieties? We want our national confidence back, but we are jumping at shadows. Abramsky brings us face-to-face with our complacency around real issues of racism and classism when we should be Working together on problem-solving. The book caused me to slap my forehead and say “oh yeah! Why haven’t we seen it?” So much divisive media and politics has led us to a fragmented society driven by irrational fears. We’re focused on the wrong things resulting in a majority of us working against our collective self-interest. Jumping at Shadows has given me a wealth of reasoned arguments for getting back on track to a country we can be proud of. Abramsky demonstrates that with a clear understanding of the problem - it’s not complicated, it’s just hard. Go to Amazon

More fantastic work from Sasha Abramsky; a challenging yet critical read in the current political atmosphere. More fantastic work from Sasha Abramsky. Those who read the American Way of Poverty will know that he already walked into this project with an extraordinary amount of knowledge about the history and modern day realities of America. While that book was more ethnographic in nature and focused on the stories of the American people, in Jumping at the Shadows he goes a step further and really dives into the American psyche--making this my favorite of the two. Its also remarkable to think he must have started writing this (unless he's extra prolific!) even before #45 was elected,which makes it even more poignant in tracing the rise of fear over the last two decades and its results: "Voting for the demagogue during times of high anxiety might, in short, be the equivalent of binge drinking and drugging to avoid depression: it's the ultimate form of self-medication." Now we are living with the results, and while this book is at times a sad reminder of this reality, it helps provide a critical frame for how we got there that ultimately will help us dig our way out. Go to Amazon

Insightful and timely Abramsky has written an important and fascinating book that is deeply relevant in today's political climate. As usual, it's well-written and engaging. But more importantly this book explains highlights where and how our vulnerabilities lie--and it's not where we think. Abramsky makes a compelling case that what we most have to fear is fear itself -- and the manipulative way in which politicians and mass media feed it and use it to further their own twisted agendas. The best way to counteract manipulations is to understand how they work and why human beings are uniquely wired to respond to them. Of course, this book has an added benefit. It easy to see how our current fear based culture is a threat not just to rational decision making on the political level, but in our everyday lives. By understanding the neural mechanisms underlying fear and the evolutionary buttons in play, we might all take a few steps toward liberating ourselves from their insidious distortions, and see things are they really are. Maybe we don't need to helicopter parent, obsessively watch cable television--or give in to the million temptations large and small to live our lives based on irrational fears. Go to Amazon

Abramsky's latest book Jumping at Shadows is thoughtful, impassioned ... Abramsky's latest book Jumping at Shadows is thoughtful, impassioned and painfully timely, given the tragedy that unfolded on October 1 in Las Vegas. Jumping at Shadows is, at its heart, about risk and perceived risk. Why is anxiety over ebola, terrorism attacks, or plane crashes so pervasive and panic-inducing, while everyday dangers that are vastly more lethal -- car accidents, flu, firearm deaths -- barely register in the public consciousness? Why does a young student who proudly brings a homemade clock to school detained on suspicion of carrying a bomb? Why do doomsday preppers stockpile supplies for economic and social collapse and lay plans to outrun a radioactive cloud, but yet don't view global warming as a threat? Why are some American convinced that Muslims want to impose shariah law in the United States and pass legislation banning it, and yet refuse to contemplate gun control measures? For anyone familiar with Abramsky's opus of work, it comes as no surprise that he approaches the issues with a critical eye and a progressive analysis. But a reader doesn't have to agree with Abramsky's point of view to find fascinating research in his writing. For example, it's worth reading the book for chapter 3 alone. A riveting exploration of human psychology and fear response, the chapter introduced me to the concept of "egosyntonia." When one person obsesses over a fear that no one else shares, pyschologists called a "egodystonic" fear. But the flip side is "egosyntonia," a fear caused by fear in other people. In other words, a fear "validated not by the likelihood of particular events actually coming to pass but simply by dint of volume. If enough people fear some event or some individual or some group of individuals.... 'those individuals don't think of themselves as having an anxiety problem. It's supported by everyone they know, so it becomes the right way to think.'" The book is timely and highly readable, and should be on the bookshelf of anyone puzzled by the clamor over conspiracy theories, the rise of right-wing politics and the demise of measured, informed debate. Go to Amazon

Entertaining, but jolting. Abramsky's new book is remarkably enjoyable, but about a serious subject. It successfully combines science writing, memoir, interviews into a flow that is both entertaining and jolting. He covers a lot of terrain, reviewing the science and sociology of our collective anxieties, and adds interview and analysis. It's like a fast road trip across the US, and our culture of paranoia. And we're glad to be on the trip with him. Go to Amazon

I wanted to tell Mr. Abramsky I read his ... A total MUST read! Really liked how he took the long view One Star Powerful and insightful take on American society In this trenchant book, Sasha Abramsky shows how the ... Eloquent and Devastating I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Abramsky's timely and insightful book