Written by Kris on 29 January 2010
For someone who loves to surround herself with music on a daily basis, buying into the hype of these Monster Beats by Dre headphones was a difficult decision. I practically coveted them every single time I walked into the store. Each product trial ended the same: I was lured again and again by the thundering bass. My pocket was ready to make the investment, but my mind had real doubts. Since its debut over two years ago, these popular ear candies have received mixed reviews online. True believers emphasize its performance and aesthetics. Other reviewers warn about its price and sub-standard craftsmanship. Both sides are equally passionate about either loving or hating these headphones.
After about six months of sweating out the details, I decided to order it and form my own opinion. When it finally arrived yesterday, the negative reviews thankfully didn’t diminish my experience of opening a newly-minted gadget. It felt like Christmas morning and I was giddy to fill my ears with music! I immediately put together a quick playlist to break her in with:
- Circa Survive – “The Greatest Lie”
- Voices of Light – “Pater Noster”
- Dr. Dre & Ice Cube – “Natural Born Killaz”
- Divine Comedy – “A Lady of a Certain Age”
- Hanz Zimmer – “Hunger” (Black Hawk Down soundtrack)
- Radiohead – “Reckoner”
- Philip Quast – “Stars” (Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert)
- The Rifles – “The General”
- Timbaland feat. SoShy & Nelly Furtado – “Morning After Dark”
- Garth Brooks – “More Than A Memory”
- Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah”
- Philip Glass – “Metamorphosis One”
- Eric Serra – “NPOKMOP” (La Femme Nikita soundtrack)
- Gabriel Yared – “Rupert Bear” (The English Patient soundtrack)
- Joaquin Phoenix – “Get Rhythm” (Walk The Line soundtrack)
- Michael Giacchino – “Nero Sighted” (Star Trek soundtrack)
- Juliana Finch – “Outshine the Sun”
- Miles Davis – “So What”
So, how did my new headphones stack up to this playlist?
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Written by Kris on 07 January 2010
It boggles my mind where technology is headed nowadays and how saturated our shopping aisles have become. These are just some of today’s headlines that grabbed my attention. I hope to get into the habit of collecting stories like these to fuel my interests.
Panasonic releases world’s first prosumer 3D HD camera
…And gives Wall-E’s designers a run for their money. Like most video gear news I come across, this one was passed along by a good friend and coworker. Here’s the kicker: “Using a standardized, fully integrated design, the Full HD 3D camcorder will be offered at a much lower price than traditional 3D rigs. Transportation expenses for this handheld unit will be less and faster setup times reduce labor costs.” In English: potentially, indie filmmakers and film schools around the country could get their feet wet producing their own 3D films… But without an inexpensive way to display 3D content, it may be best to let blockbusters get away with the technology for now.
Windows 7 goes mobile
Although I was skeptical of owning an iPhone, it’s become an indispensable gadget especially when I’m on the road and need immediate questions answered. Recently, I’d purchased a lower-end Samsung netbook running Win7 Starter and, despite some limitations in desktop personalization, I’ve found the experience of running Win7 overall as friendly. I don’t see myself switching from my iPhone to a mobile device running Win7 soon, but I’ll be paying a visit to the store when phones start carrying Microsoft’s mobile browser and see how it stacks up.
Invisible (See-Through) OLED Laptop
It gets points for style but not privacy – this proof-of-concept laptop features a totally see-through screen (even the borders are clear). With the way personal devices are going these days, it may do well for itself if it includes touch technology. But I have just one question…where might you use this thing except inside your closet?
Polaroid’s not dead (no no)
A couple months ago, I toyed around with the idea of going out and buying myself an Holga camera – those inexpensive toy cameras anybody nowadays can buy online or at stores like Urban Outfitters. They were popular in the early 80’s and have been resurrected for hobbyists today. That Polaroid is still getting development support is good news for amateur photographers like myself that rely on their iPhone camera apps to fake vintage pictures. Now maybe I should quit being cheap and go out and buy a real film camera.
Intel’s Double-HD MultiTouch Wall like something out of “Minority Report”
Okay, so there no floating displays that interact with you by touch, but this is still an impressive display. I’ve interacted firsthand with TV displays running touch technology and it’s easy to never want to go back to clicking buttons. Even lightly sliding my finger over my phone’s display still hasn’t gotten old. Now, where are our precogs to tell us what the pricetag is on these wall displays in the future?
Ion Twin video camera has two lenses
So many trick little HD cameras being introduced, so little time to try them all. I own a Flip Ultra HD which suits my needs fine and have even come across HD cameras you can mount on ski goggles and helmets at REI (Seattle’s giant outdoors gear and clothing store). But I have to admit, this is a pretty cool idea… I mean, if you’re going to be jumping out of a plane, you’d definitely want the camera to capture your fearsome descent to the ground and your terrified mug at the same time, right? If it was on discount at Woot.com, I’d lap this up.
Denon S-5BD Receiver with BluRay player
A wish list item that I’ve been sitting on the fence about for months is owning my first home theater system. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Onkyo HT S7200 receiver/speakers package because it’s in my price range and steadily dropping. But along comes this gorgeous receiver that makes me think twice about settling for less… Do you have a home theater system that you’re happy with? Email me some recommendations!
Tags: 3d, bluray, camcorders, cameras, gear, home theater, laptops, mobile phones, photography, polaroid
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