Update September 2016: The SVS SB-1000 is now our top recommended subwoofer under $500.

Polk Audio PSW505 ($200)

Pros:

• Powerful enough to fill a large room
• Flexible input options
• Impeccable build quality

Cons:

• Too much bass for small spaces

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon 5.0/5.0 (200+ reviews)
• Newegg.com: 5.0/5.0 (225+ reviews)
• AudioEnz: “A fine sense of extension, tactile impact and all round bass weight and authority”

The Polk Audio PSW505 is an established and respected player in the large-room subwoofer game. Its performance is class-leading, with deep reserves of thundering bass and incredible precision. The PSW505 is a 12-inch woofer with a frequency range of 23 to 160Hz. It is solidly-built, measures 16-1/8″ H x 15-1/8″ W x 18-3/16″ D, weights 43 pounds, and is wrapped in black, real wood veneer. Features include an adjustable low-pass crossover, volume control, and a phase switch. This sub is magnetically shielded against interference and has an auto on/off switch to conserve power. Inputs are 5-way binding posts, line level (filtered), and LFE (unfiltered); output is a pair of 5-way binding posts. The PSW505’s 300 watts of power and big volume potential make it best suited for large spaces.

Amazon sells the Polk Audio PSW505.

Polk Audio PSW10 ($94)

Pros:

• Solid construction
• High value
• Clean and clear sound

Cons:

• No LFE input
• Might be insufficient for large rooms

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (375+ reviews)
• CNET: 3.5/5.0 “It pounds out home-theater thrills and musical bass with equal prowess”
• Newegg.com: 5.0/5.0 (225+ reviews)

The low-price, high-performance Polk PSW10 makes it difficult to justify building a home theater without a powered sub. For $100, this subwoofer delivers 50 watts of continuous power through a 10-inch composite polymer speaker, producing rich bass with plenty of punch. Equally skilled at enhancing music, movies, or television, the PSW10 does its job without becoming boomy or muddled at high volumes. Its solid construction contributes to its great sound: 26 pounds of medium-density fiberboard measuring 14-3/8″ H x 14″ W x 16-1/8″ D. Included are speaker-level and line-level inputs, plus a speaker-level output. Frequency response is 35 to 200Hz. You also get on-speaker volume, crossover, and phase controls as well as an auto on/off switch. The PSW10 is built for small- to medium-size spaces. It is available in black or cherry finishes.

The Polk Audio PSW10 is currently available on Amazon.

Definitive Technology SuperCube III ($379)

Pros:

• Small package; huge bass
• Great range
• Solidly built

Cons:

• Will distort at extreme volume

Top Review Sources:

• Crutchfield: Staff Pick “True, accurate, and extremely deep bass in any room”
• Best Buy Customer Reviews: 4.5/5.0 (15+ reviews)
• Home Theater Magazine: “other SuperCube subs…have had amazingly low but very musical bass output—and lots of it. The SuperCube III is no exception”

Definitive Technology’s SuperCube III produces unbelievable bass despite its compact footprint. Its sound profile is defined by its extreme depth—all the way down to 16Hz. The SuperCube III produces an authoritative 650 watts of power, capable of handling the bass duties in small or large rooms. Listeners appreciate the SuperCube III’s versatility; it performs as well when asked to provide a steady, undistorted rumble as it does when the soundtrack demands rapid, staccato bursts of bass. Though this gloss black cube weights a substantial 25 pounds, it only measures 10-1/4 inches in any dimension. It has a signal-sensing auto on/off switch, low-pass crossover, volume control, 5-way binding post outputs, and line level, LFE, and 5-way binding post inputs. Its woofer is 7-1/2 inches in diameter.

You can buy the Definitive Technology SuperCube III on Amazon

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The BeoSound 35, made by Bang & Olufsen, is a wireless hi-fi “super soundbar” that stands as an unbeatable “all-in-one integrated music system”.

The Details

Renowned Danish audio products engineers and designers Bang & Olufsen (B&O) have come up with a soundbar that’s not a mere soundbar in the usual sense but something far beyond that, aesthetically and sonically. It’s the pentagonal BeoSound 35, a wireless “all-in-one integrated music system” that I find formidably good among mounted or standing audio systems of this kind.

The BeoSound 35 can deliver clear and powerful sound for 24-bit/192 kHz high resolution audio. Other supported formats include MP3, AAC, AIFF, ALAC playback, FLAC, WA, and WMA (but not WMA lossless). What’s more, support for streaming services including Spotify Connect and the Deezer app is integrated right into the system. Likewise, so is support for AirPlay, BLNA, Google Cast, and TuneIn. There’s connectivity for Bluetooth 4.0 alongside “old school” hard-wired inputs. The company has, characteristically, made sure that it’s simplicity itself to pair up the BeoSound 35 with other B&O audio equipment if you want multi-room audio. According to B&O, all of this makes it a true “all-in-one integrated music system”, and I have to concur.

The unit has an OLED display built in, along with on-board touch controls. You control the volume with a finger swipe.

Behind the face cover, you find a pair of forward-facing 4″ woofers and a pair of 0.75″ tweeters which are angled at 90 degrees to the woofers, each pair driven by an 80-watt Class-D amplifier. The unit’s frequency range is from 45 Hz to 22 kHz.

The BeoSound 35’s aluminum outer shell and elongated pentagonal shape are a seamless blend of optimal function and form. The aluminum simultaneously helps with durability and heat dispersion. The pentagonal shape is much more aesthetically pleasing than the usual “rectangular box” shape of mounted wireless hi-fi speakers, but it also provides additional sound quality. That is, with the unit’s bigger loudspeaker at its center and the smaller tweeters on the ends you experience a well-balanced, 180-degree, room-filling sound without the annoyance or disappointment of hot spots or dead zones.

It has been thoroughly demonstrated that the BeoSound 35 can utterly cascade a room with crisp, high quality audio which doesn’t allow Beats-like bass dominance or distortion — whether you mount the system on the wall or set it up on a table with the included aluminum stand.

At the time of this writing, the BeoSound 35 has only had demo models heard. B&O are putting it on the market in April, 2016.

The post The Best Mounted Wireless Hi-Fi System of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

The u-Jays over-ear headphones are gorgeously minimalist and durable, and provide astonishingly good sound for under-$300 headphones.

The Details

Swedish headphone designer and maker Jays spent two years developing its u-Jays over-ear headphones. They’re sleekly minimalist in form, and come in your choice of black on black, black on gold, white on silver, or white on gold. Jays’ stated objective was to design durable headphones that can be used for hours of pleasurable listening at a time, and the company has succeeded.

The viscoelastic earcups of the u-Jays, which are made to allow the them to become form-fitting to your ears (this helps with comfort and with the prevention of sound leakage), are detached out of the box and require you to put them on yourself. Also, the u-Jays come with a separate plug-in audio/remote cable, not an integrated cord. Both of these features are intended to enable you, the user, to repair or upgrade the u-Jays yourself instead of needing to shell out more money for a replacement. However, these are durable headphones. They’re made with a spring-steel (stainless) and wire core with integrated screws (the headband has a comfortable silicone-skin covering). They won’t fold up, but you can fold them 90 degrees so that they can fit into the included carrying bag.

The audio cord is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows, and equipped with a MEMS technology microphone. A three-button remote operates it.

The most important thing, needless to say, is the question of sound quality. It is articulate and well-balanced. With their 40mm Japanese-silk diaphragm dynamic speakers surrounded by evenly distributed vent holes and acoustic tuning filters, the u-Jays bring a bass end which has strength and depth without becoming distorted. There’s abundant detail in the mid-range. The highs soar.

With the headphones’ speakers having a frequency response of 10 to 20,000 Hz, a 32-ohm nominal impedance, and a sensitivity of 100 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, music sounds organic, as if you’re hearing something quite close to what the musicians heard and intended. Your eardrums are washed with excellent low-end and high-end detail, instrument separation, and clarity, no matter what genre of music you’re listening to.

There are those audiophiles who won’t be overjoyed with the u-Jays. But they’ll have to shell out more than $300 to get superior sound quality to what these headphones deliver. The u-Jays retail for around $230.

The post The Best Wired Headphones Under $300 appeared first on Reactual.

• The most durable leather wallet is the Saddleback Leather Front Pocket ID Wallet by Saddleback Leather Co. It is made with 100% Full-Grain boot leather, which is among the thickest and most durable leathers on the market. It costs about $45.
• The most durable wallet with RFID blocking technology is the RFID Bifold ID by Ragged Edge Gear. Made from carbon fiber, this wallet comes equipped with the latest in layered RFID blocking protection technology to safeguard your identity. It costs about $75.

The Most Durable Leather Wallet: Saddleback Leather Front Pocket ID

The Saddleback Leather Front Pocket ID is a thin, stylish, and durable wallet crafted from some of the toughest leather on earth. Its minimalist design foregoes any unnecessary fasteners or compartments that might be vulnerable to wear and tear. The Full-Grain boot leather comes from the highly-prized top layer of cow skin, which is renowned for being both durable and elegant. UV and saltwater resistant polyester stitching ensure that the wallet will not fray at the seams after extensive use.

This wallet does not have a compartment for carrying cash, so it is not ideal for those who prefer paper to plastic at the register. While it is a bit tight, it does comfortably fit over 10 cards. The wallet’s simple, stylish design makes it appropriate for almost any occasion, from hiking to steak-house dinners. It looks, feels, and smells great. One drawback: the ID window is too small to fully display a driver’s license, so overzealous bartenders may ask you to take your ID out of the wallet.

The Most Durable Wallet with RFID Blocking Technology: RFID Bifold ID

The RFID Bifold ID is hand-crafted in the USA by RAGGEDedge Gear, a trio of competitive sailors with formidable sewing skills. Their wallets are made with carbon fiber, making them last 4 to 6 times longer than the average wallet. Their line of RFID blocking wallets is fitted with technology proven to block radio frequency signals that can be used to steal your personal information. The Bifold ID comes with six card sleeves as well as a full-size bill pocket and a secret stash spot.

While the RFID Bifold is spacious and durable, I am not partial to its appearance. The stitching is prominently displayed and, while masterful, is out of place in a formal setting. This wallet prizes craftsmanship and durability at the sacrifice of style.

The post The Most Durable Wallet Available appeared first on Reactual.

The speakers that produce the lowest bass are tactile transducers — they typically produce frequencies in the 0.5 – 20 Hz range. Tactile sound is not perceived through the ears — it perceived through the body. Most subwoofers are incapable of producing audio in this range.

A good tactile transducer to start with is $150, entry-level Clark Synthesis Silver Edition (TST239) — it provides ample sub-frequency bass for the home user.

The Details

Tactile sound is the sensation of sound transmitted directly to the human body by contact, rather than by sound waves through the ears (tympanic sensation).

More specifically, it is sound perceived through bone conduction, through muscles and deep tissue, and via skin sensation. We perceive the vibrations through our haptic senses which include both kinesthetic (muscle) and touch (cutaneous) senses. We feel both inaudible (infrasonic frequencies) and audible frequencies. Thus, tactile sound is not just brute rumbles and shock waves.

Tactile sound can be perceived in high fidelity up to the mid-range frequencies. According to NASA research we perceive 0 to 1 kHz through the sense of touch, 0 to 3 kHz through kinesthesia (the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body), and 0.20 kHz to 20 kHz through our ears. Note there’s an overlap — we can hear the range of 0.20 kHz to 3 kHz both with our ears and through other parts of our body. Also, some hearing-impaired individual can hear sounds up to 5 kHz through their skin.

Tactile sound is a sensation that many seek out. People often buy expensive subwoofers to achieve deep bass effects. In this pursuit, subwoofers are often pushed past recommend levels, resulting in damaged equipment, muddied sound fields, and disturbed neighbors. Typically, subwoofers not produce tactile sound very well. They are designed to transmit low frequency sound through the air, and they don’t usually produce bass below 25 – 30Hz. Correctly installed and enclosed subwoofers can producer lower and louder deep bass, but they will not produce the same level of tactile vibrations.

So what kind of device produces tactile sound? Tactile transducers, or electro-mechanical devices that are built specifically to vibrate objects. They are very similar to a loudspeaker woofer driver minus the cone.

There are two basic flavors of transducer: inertial shakers and linear actuators. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two:

Inertial Shakers

Inertial Shakers operate by shaking a mass in an enclosed housing. The resulting vibrations are transferred to an attached object, like the wooden crossbeam of a couch, for example. Usually, shakers are bolted directed to an object.

Companies that make Inertial Shakers include: Clark Synthesis, Aura Sound, Earthquake Audio, Buttkicker and Sonic Immersion Technologies. These devices vary widely in price — some produce a simple shaking effect, some produce high-fidelity sounds that compliment to a stereo system or home theater (such as those offered by Clark Synthesis, my personal favorites).

A good tactile transducer to start with is $150, entry-level Clark Synthesis Silver Edition (TST239). It will produce solid definition to drum hits, or shake your fillings loose if you so desire. The transducer can be installed in less than an hour. It took me about 45 minutes to bolt it to the bottom of my couch, using the parts provided with the transducer. In my test installation, I removed the fabric from the button of a couch, and bolted the transducer to a crossbeam underneath. Once installed, the entire couch functions as a bass speaker.

But wait, we need to power the tactile transducer! Clark Synthesis sells a $350 customized tactile amplifier to do this, but you can actually use any amplifier that outputs at least 100 watts (check the Clark Synthesis documentation for more info). Well, Cambridge Audio makes good amplifiers, but their entry-level models start at $330. We can instead use an AudioSource amplifier. This is a 2-channel 100-watt (50 watts x 2) power amplifier, which can be purchased for under $100. This amplifier is well-reviewed —  111 reviewers on Amazon gave it an average of 4 out of 5 stars. You attach your amplifier to the tactile transducer using standard speaker cables. You then connect the amplifier to the Sub Out connector on your receiver.

Linear Actuators

Linear Actuators are transducers that push against a hard surface. They apply a force directly to an object, in contrast to Inertial Shakers which vibrate themselves, and then transmit that vibration into another object. Commercially available Linear Actuators usually replace the feet of a chair. They operate by pushing against the floor, and directly lifting and dropping a chair. They tend to be more expensive that Inertial Shakers, and they can be only installed under chairs — they can’t be installed under a floor or in a swimming pool like the shakers above.

Companies that offer Linear Actuator include: Crowson Technology and d-Box Technologies.

See also: The Tactile Transducer FAQ

The post The Speakers With The Deepest Bass: Tactile Transducers appeared first on Reactual.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks III Computer Speakers

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks received editor’s choice on both PCMag and CNET for excellent sound performance and unique, aesthetic design. The frequency response range of 44Hz to 20KHz offers crisp definition for all forums: music, movies, and gaming. Power switch built in to the volume control on the subwoofer makes for energy efficiency. Satellite speakers can be angled to personal preference. You can own a piece of art and pop culture.

On the negative side, missing from this system is a remote control and a headphone jack.

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III  is on permanent exhibit at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. The third generation system was redesigned for 2010.

Features on this 2.1 sound system include 8 full-range transducers powered by a 10-watt amplifier in each speaker and 1 low-frequency, down-firing subwoofer powered by a 20-watt amplifier for bass. The system connects to 3.5 mm stereo devices such as computers and Mp3s.

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III are on sale at Amazon for $145.81 or you can buy them direct from the Harman Kardon site.

Audioengine 2 Multi-Media Computer Speakers

Pros: Compact design fits well for a computer set-up. Superior sound clarity as reviewed by CNET, PCMag and Amazon customers who have given these computer speakers an average 4.5 star rating. Music and movies can be played at high volumes with no buzzing or distortion. Speakers are housed in hand-built wood cabinets to help amplify the bass.

Cons: The volume control is inconveniently located on the back of the speaker and doesn’t come with a remote control. PCMag thought the bass was slightly lacking compared with a subwoofer system.

Audioengine has successfully married compact size with superior sound and convenient features for a high quality computer speaker. Perfect for those who want a comparable subwoofer sound without the subwoofer, features on the Audioengine 2 include 2 audio inputs for both RCA and mini-jack, AC adapter, 15 watts of power per speaker with the left speaker housing power amps, Kevlar woofers and silk tweeters, and an auto-sleep power saving mode.

The Audioengine 2 computer speakers are on sale at Amazon for $199.00.

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Computer Speakers

Pros: Excellent sound quality and ample low end bass levels for those who listen to music or watch movies on their computer. The editor’s review at CNET says “they sounded bigger, delivered more bass, and played louder than the other PC speakers we had on hand”.

Cons: Though there’s no subwoofer to make room for, these speakers will still take up considerable space on your desktop. They also weigh 14 pounds each so if you’re looking for portability, say in conjunction with a laptop or switching between devices, then these are not the ones.

M-Audios are larger than other computer speakers and pack a powerful punch with 20 watts per speaker, 4-inch polypropylene-coated woofers and 3/4-inch tweeters. Other features include RCA inputs on both speakers, a 3.5 mm jack, a headphone jack, and an integrated bass boost switch.

The M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 computer speakers are currently on sale at Amazon for $149.00.

Logitech Z623 Computer Speakers

Logitech has a long-standing reputation for making mid-range, quality computer speakers at an affordable price. The Logitech Z623 computer speaker system was one of PCMag’s Best of the Year products for 2010. It features a sleek, efficient design ideal for desktop listening. THX-certified, the 2.1 system offers 200 total watts of power with a 130 watt subwoofer and 2 35W satellite speakers as well as convenient inputs for multiple devices including computers, iPods, DVD players, and gaming consoles.

Sound quality is commended by reviewers at PCMag, CrunchGear, and Amazon. Clarity and power are unrivaled at this price range. Subwoofer presents a powerful bass that can be easily adjusted by the on-speaker nob. No buzzing at high volume. RCA and 3.5 mm inputs provide simple transfer between devices. THX certified.

The LogitechZ632 computer speaker system retails for $149.99, but is currently on sale at Amazon for $136.99

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless Computer Speakers

The Klipsch ProMedia has a USB wireless transmitter that can stream audio from your computer to the speaker system from up to 30 feet away. Features a 2.4 GHz wireless signal and a total wattage of 120 watts between the 2 satellite speakers and subwoofer.

Pros: No pesky wires to clutter up the space. According to the review by PCMag, this system “packs so much power you’ll rarely raise the volume beyond half-way”. Using Apple’s Remote Application, iPhone customers can wirelessly access iTunes on their computer. Black cloth grilles are removable. It’s also THX certified.

Cons: No remote control. Power switch is inconveniently located on the subwoofer.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 wireless computer speakers are only available through Klipsch on their website or via Amazon for $199.99

Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Computer Speakers

This 2.1, 3-piece speaker system from Cyber Acoustics is our budget pick for a computer speaker set-up. There aren’t many tech reviews on this model, but the user reviews are outstanding with 109 5 star reviews on Amazon and 168 5 star reviews on Wize. Cyber Acoustics has been putting out quality, affordable audio equipment since the 80s. This system includes 2 satellite speakers, a subwoofer, a separate desktop control pod for volume, power, and bass, and a cradle for your Mp3.

Pros: The price: with an MSRP of $54.99, the CA-3602 may not be the cheapest computer speaker, but it will deliver a more powerful sound than other discount speaker systems. The low-end bass sound has been rated as excellent. The desktop control is convenient and features an LED light when turned on and also contains a headphone jack. A good choice as a basic computer speaker.

Cons: Speakers aren’t protected by a covering.

The Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 is currently on sale on Amazon for $37.23.

JBL Duet III Computer Speakers

Tight on space? The JBL Duet III computer speakers are perfect for a small desktop setting or for your laptop. They are simple to set up and offer versatility with an AC adapter and a 3.5mm jack to plug into a Mac, Mp3, PC, or CD player. The 2 satellite speakers put out 10 watts each of power. There’s no subwoofer here, but the Duet IIIs are slightly larger than the predecessor, the Duet II, and therefore provide a bit more bass, though still not as powerful as a 2.1 system.

Pros: The design is both aesthetically pleasing and convenient for work space. Both CNET and PCMag recommend these computer speakers for decent sound quality at modest volume levels. These would be good in a work environment. Speakers connect to each other with a standard RCA plug. The price is reasonable at the Amazon sale price of around $100.00.

Cons: Not for bass lovers or those who are looking for loads of power. There isn’t an auxiliary input to plug in a second device as most of the other computer speakers offer.

The JBL Duet III computer speakers are currently on sale at Amazon for $107.98.

The post The Top Rated Computer Speakers appeared first on Reactual.

These top-rated headphone were selected based upon studying reviews on CNET, Crunchgear, PCWorld, and Digital Trends, as well as user reviews from Amazon and Newegg.

Sennheiser PC 350 Collapsible Gaming Headphones ($175)

Top Review Sources:

• Digital Trends: 8.5 out of 10; “Comfortable, Excellent sound quality”
• Trusted Reviews: 9 out of 10; “The very best headset for gaming”
• Amazon: Average 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 173 customer reviews

Sennheiser, a name synonymous with exceptional sound, offers up the PC 350 for the serious gamer. Sennheiser owners rave about the sound clarity during games and the headphones transfer well for movie and music listening, though the microphone inhibits versatility in that area. The microphone is one of the best tested with excellent noise cancelling. The use of a sound card is recommended to get the most value out of these pricier gaming headphones.

The Sennheiser PC 350 collapsible gaming headphones are available on Amazon.

Turtle Beach Ear Force X 41 ($140)

Pros:

• Excellent 7.1 channel surround sound
• Removable microphone
• Wireless, includes a headphone jack to connect another headset
• Xbox live chat with automatic chat boost

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 3.5 out of 5 stars, very good, “One of the best wireless gaming headsets around.”
• Amazon: Average 4 out of 5 stars, based on 319 customer reviews

The Ear Force X41s from Turtle Beach can be connected to virtually any audio source using the included base station, though the live chat is only for Xbox users. Wireless technology has had its’ issues in the past, but these headphones use radio frequency to produce excellent surround sound. Powered by a USB port, these headphones come with all the required cables to get started.

The Turtle Beach Ear Force X41 gaming headphones are for sale on Amazon.

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 ($118)

Pros:

• Wireless technology sounds as good as wired
• Accurate 7.1 channel surround sound
• Programmable G-keys for one touch commands
• USB recharging base recharges during play

Cons:

• Not MAC compatible
• Microphone not removable

Top Review Sources:

• Crunchgear: “A very nice headset with great sound and solid wireless technology.”
• Newegg: 4 out of 5, based on 162 user reviews
• Amazon: Average 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 153 customer reviews

The Logitech G930 gaming headset uses improved wireless technology with a range of up to 40 feet. The microphone works well for noise cancelling and mutes when rotated out of the way, but is not removable. Sound is impeccable for gaming and movies, but doesn’t transfer well for music listening. The battery life and ability to recharge while in use beats other wireless gaming headsets.

The Logitech G930 wireless gaming headset is available on Amazon.

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