Super Duper Gamer Team Entertainment: audio

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The 2024 Wishmas Guide... Hub!

Yo Yo Yo! Don't look now, but it's that time of the year again. Grab the hot chocolate and your favorite holiday snack as we jump into the Wishmas Guide for 2024! This year we're serving things up a little different folks (just a teensy weensy bit). So... this is what we'll call the Wishmas Guide... Hub! A portion of individuals we've met around Orlando this year, actually contributed to these guides in a round about way... just based on their collective needs + wants + frustrations.

This hub post will represent items good for any member of the family regardless of age or gender for the most part. For the other guide's related to Younglings, the Ladies, Gents, and the... Office will be in separate posts (as usual) that are accessible through this... hub! Stay tuned!

Elevate Your Family TV Time with Surround Sound

This year, in the name of family time, whether you're playing games or watching a movie together, consider upgrading from your TV's built-in speakers. A true 5.1 channel surround sound system with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X is the perfect addition to your living room. Audio is one of those features that's always appreciated, especially when it comes to headphones, but I've noticed that many living room setups are missing that extra oomph. It's a personal choice, but investing in a quality sound system can take your entertainment to the next level. It's not about having a louder entertainment experience... it's all about the depth of the experience, and if you find yourself watching the latest movies at home don't leave an ounce of enjoyment on the table.

By the way, before I go into this... (maybe it's just me but) I've always felt weird about placing a subwoofer off to the side rather than front and center. If you have the ability to place it under your livingroom table or under a high enough entertainment center... I think the placement works better. If you have space behind the couch in the center, that works as well and... some newer options can be controlled by your phone if you.

Two options under the $200 mark are the 2024 models of the Vizio & Ultimea model seen below:

Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Compact Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

~~Optical Output~~

Ultimea True 5.1 Soundbar Poseidon D60

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos ~~+ DTS:X~~

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

Auxiliary

Optical

The placement of a subwoofer can significantly impact the quality of sound in your home theater or living room setup. While it doesn't necessarily have to be placed in the center of the viewing area, there are some guidelines to follow for optimal sound:

Corner Placement: Placing the subwoofer in a corner can enhance the bass response by utilizing the walls to amplify the sound.
Front of the Room: Positioning the subwoofer at the front of the room, near the main speakers, can create a more cohesive soundstage.
Experimentation: The best placement can vary depending on the room's acoustics. It's often recommended to experiment with different locations to find the spot that provides the best bass response.

Ultimately, the goal is to achieve a balanced and immersive sound experience, so feel free to move the subwoofer around and test different positions to see what works best for your space.

See More Options

Family Fun with Nintendo Switch Games

While it might be tempting to say wait for the new Nintendo Switch 2, expected to announced during the first half of... 2025, not everyone wants to put family game time on pause. Many parents I've spoken to in Orlando would love to see cellphones set aside for more family fun. Luckily, there are plenty of options to make that happen with multiplayer action. Here are multiple Nintendo Switch games with 4-player fun:

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury: This game offers a fun and chaotic multiplayer experience as players work together to complete levels and collect power-ups.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: A classic racing game that never gets old. Compete against each other in exciting races and battle modes.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat: A hilarious and frantic cooking game where teamwork is key to serving up dishes in crazy kitchens.
Minecraft: Explore, build, and survive together in this sandbox game that offers endless possibilities for creativity and adventure.
Nintendo Switch Sports: Engage in friendly competition with sports like bowling, tennis, and volleyball (the other sports in this game lack a local 4 player option).
Super Mario Party Jamboree: The biggest Mario Party yet, with over 110 minigames, new online and offline modes, and plenty of customization choices.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Classic Mario gameplay turned on its head with Wonder Flowers, offering game-changing items and a new adventure in the Flower Kingdom.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge - Anniversary Edition: Enjoy stunning full-color pixel art graphics and a vintage TMNT vibe, with new characters and modes.
Just Dance 2025: Get your friends and family together to dance and enjoy 40 hot new songs, whether you want to take the party to a whole new level or create special family moments.
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble: Step into the streets of West Valley and Okinawa, battling waves of enemies as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Ali Mills, or Kumiko in this pixel art, side-scrolling, beat 'em up adventure. Intense martial arts combat and dynamic boss battles await!
Jitsu Squad: Fast-paced 2D brawler with intense, action-packed battles. Play as unique characters with special abilities, fighting through waves of enemies in vibrant, hand-drawn environments. Perfect for fans of classic beat 'em ups!

These games are perfect for bringing the family together for some fun and interactive entertainment.

By the way, don't forget to grab more Joy-Con controllers for 4-player fun! If you take the more affordable route, go with the officially licensed options for half the price of the first party ones or go first party that's bundled with a free game! Either way... you save! By the way, we have no idea what the next Nintendo console would be called... but that sounded like a fun name to call it!

Get Moving with Bikes

While home entertainment is great, don't forget the fun and exercise that bikes can provide. Health care professionals recommend physical exercise for its numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles, and better mental well-being. Being active with your children also sets a positive example and strengthens family bonds.

Consider investing in bikes for the whole family. There are even electric mountain bikes for those who want to give their legs a break after a nice ride, ranging from $200 to $300. With options for both kids and adults, you can enjoy quality time together while staying active and healthy.

If you grab bikes, wouldn't hurt to grab a bike rack.

Active Fun for the Whole Family

Sticking to the realm of physical fun, consider gifting a tennis set, basketball goal or a volleyball net. These can provide hours of entertainment and exercise, especially if the lucky recipient actually uses them. For more affordable options, a football, baseball or soccer set is a great choice. These activities offer family fun while also improving your children's skills. It's a win-win for everyone!

Unforgettable Experiences as Gifts

When it comes to taking trips, going on cruises, enjoying spa days, savoring delicious food, or just having fun locally, these experiences are even better when received as gifts.

Whether it's a weekend getaway, a relaxing spa day, or a fun-filled local adventure, these experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds (especially with good vibes on deck). Just remember, while browsing, don't get distracted by deals you'd love to get your hands on... unless it includes your family. Enjoy!

Great Family Stocking Stuffer: Dr. Plotkas Toothbrush

The family stocking stuffer is... a Dr. Plotkas Toothbrushes, because they're just that good. This has been my toothbrush of choice for years now. The family pack would allow for you to easily hook everyone up, and save their grill at the same time. We may like pirate themed entertainment, but I don't know many people who want to look like one... in the mouth.

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1More SonoFlow Headphones HQ51... Reviewed!

The 1More Sonoflow HQ51 (also known as... 1More SonoFlow Pro) over-ear headphones are a sweet choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With a combination of high-quality sound, exceptional comfort, and impressive features, these headphones offer excellent value for the money. I know because I've been here before with the first gen SonoFlow headphones, but... are these better? Well, let's check out the specs... after this unboxing!

Quality & Comfort

Right off the bat... you get comfortable padding in all the right places. The padding on the headband is soft and durable and you won't feel the housing. The other obvious area where you will find the padding are the left and right ear pads on the swivel and foldable earcups. The yokes of these headphones are sturdy, and have actually lasted longer than headphones that cost hundreds more. I won't say names, but... yeah, these swivel and foldable headphones have solid yokes that connect to a thicker section that you adjust on the headband.

I don't want to overlook the buttons either, they don't wiggle or feel loose. The buttons are solid, clicky, and responsive. They're spaced out and easy to identify. The upper button in the back of the right earcup is the ANC button, the two below are Vol+/Vol-, and the button in the front of the right earcup is the power button. I'm not seeing a difference in regards to the quality and comfort of the original SonoFlow and the HQ51's, but... that's not a bad thing. If it ain't broke... don't try to fix it.

The only thing i'm not a big fan of is the change in the interior of the headphone case. I figure it was a manufacturing decision, but I like that secure fit of the original case. The exterior of the case is similar to the original, which is great... so at least it gets a win on that note.

Specs and Features

QuietMax AI Noise Cancellation: Effectively tunes out background noise, enhancing your audio experience. 42+dB noise cancellation using QuietMax.

By the way, the HQ51's have a deeper noise reduction depth than the Bose NC700's. They dance for dominance, but... the winner is the winner.
Tuned by Grammy-Winning Sound Engineer: Ensures top-notch sound quality.
Fast Charge: Provides 10 hours of battery life from just 5 minutes of charging.

Let me say this: I haven't charged these headphones yet. I've used them for a little over a week and even forgot to turn them off one day, and they're still going.
Battery Life: Up to 100 hours on a full charge after 80 minutes with the HQ51. You still get 65 hours of battery life with ANC on.

You get 70 hours on a full charge with the original SonoFlow headphones. Regardless of long battery, remember to give your ears a break, especially when it comes to listening at certain decibles.
40mm DLC Dynamic Driver: Delivers rich, detailed sound.
12 Studio-Grade EQs: Customizable sound settings, with the “Studio” setting being particularly impressive.
Wired and Bluetooth 5.4 Wireless Modes: Offers flexibility in connectivity.

The original SonoFlow's have Bluetooth 5.0.
Comfort: High comfort level with no extreme pressure on the ears, making it suitable for long listening sessions. However, it’s best used in a cool setting to avoid sweating around the ears so you can truly appreciate the material.

Audio Performance

The SonoFlow HQ51 contains a 40mm Dynamic Driver. The diamond-like carbon composite diaphragm matches up with aluminum's material density, but... when it comes to resonance frequency, sound conduction, and thermal conductivity, that's all the DLC in these HQ51's. By the way, these headphones have dual hi-res gold certification. On a side note, I wasn't planning on making a left turn to speak on the headphones of other brands, but... the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in the HQ51's is better than Sony's XM5s. High THD can lead to audible distortion that can deliver an unnatural sound. I don't want to crap on the XM5s because they're solid, and run a close race to some extent but... the HQ51's are better. I want to speak on price right now, but i'll hold my tongue for now.

What is Hi-Res Audio?

Hi-Res Audio refers to audio files that have a higher sampling frequency and bit depth than CD quality. This means more detail and a more accurate representation of the original recording (it will sound more on the lines of what you would hear in the studio if you were there).

What is Hi-Res Audio Wireless?

For audio to qualify as Hi-Res Audio Wireless, it must meet certain standards set by the Japan Audio Society (JAS). This includes using codecs like LDAC or aptX HD that can transmit audio at higher bit rates, ensuring minimal loss in quality during wireless transmission.

When it comes to my audio experience during this test, I played a number of games, music, and tv/film including:

Sumerian Six

The lows, mids, and highs of these headphones worked in harmony for my listening pleasure. I enjoyed every bit of audio, even if I had to endure the entire "Dead Zone" film. Yikes. But yeah, I loved the audio experience so much that, despite playing these fantastic games... I found myself wanting to zone out and just lock in on what I was hearing while doing nothing else. I also enjoyed some ASMR through Gentle Whispering and Gibi ASMR.
I didn't have to crank the volume up to appreciate the bass either; the lows were like, "Here I am!" as soon as I turned on the headphones.

Technical Specifications

Speaker Impedance: 32 ohms, which means the headphones can be driven by most portable devices without requiring an external amplifier.
Bluetooth Protocol: Supports HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP for versatile connectivity.
Frequency Band: 2.400 GHz - 2.4835 GHz.
Bluetooth Range: Up to 10 meters in open space.

Price and Value

Priced at $87.99, the 1More Sonoflow HQ51 headphones offer kick ass value. (On top of that... on top of that) You can also take advantage of an additional 20% off deal here. Presenting affordably sweet options is awesome because money doesn't grow on trees, bills are real along with other expenses, so having access to quality that rivals well known brands is sweet.

Overall, the 1More Sonoflow HQ51 over-ear headphones excel in quality, comfort, audio performance, and value. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just need a reliable pair of headphones for daily use, these are a fantastic choice. The beautiful thing is that you don't need the most expensive headphones in the world in order to get your hands on quality that delivers (sometimes you're just paying for the brand name... just like with the Sony XM5s).

Quality 5

Comfort 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

+ Sophi

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1More Open Earbuds S70... Reviewed!

Today, I’m excited to present the new 1More Open Earbuds S70. They look sleek and stylish, but are they worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s dive in and find out... after this unboxing!

Quality

In terms of my initial impression, the box is sturdy. It’s not exactly one of 1More’s premium boxes, but it’s not bad and will protect the headphones even from a firm press from your hands. As for the 1More Open Earbuds S70 case, it has a nice metal finish that’s cool to the touch when you sit it in a cooler room and features a little display window that reveals the headphones. You might question whether it’s actually metal or plastic when you tap it, but put a magnet next to it. It’s thinner than I’ve experienced, but the metal is there in some form and it feels durable enough. The shape of the case allows it to slip right into my pocket next to my wallet.

When it comes to the actual earbuds, they look sleek and are suitable for both casual and business settings (they won't look out of place with a suit either). They have a quality feel when holding them in my hands. Now, let’s get into the... comfort level (dun dun dunnnnn).

Comfort Level

These earbuds get a strong 5 for comfort, even over the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50. The design allows them to sit on your ears and almost vanish in terms of how they feel. Sometimes, I have to check if they’re still there when nothing is playing. No joke, I’ve taken a series of naps to test these earbuds😏, and over 4 days, one of them came off just once. It actually happened the day I had an awesome dream. I was about to win something after making the baker laugh, and a certain someone woke me up. I totally tried to go back to sleep to see what it was, but I digress.

These earbuds don’t put the weight directly on the top of the ear; it’s distributed nicely. Thanks to the ergonomic earhook design. Nothing goes directly in your ear either. 1More describes it as the Balance AIR+ Technology, but I call it... a job well done. By the way, I didn't find it awkward to wear sunglasses with these earbuds. I've been asked this question several times so far.

The earbuds sit near the opening of the ear canal with no ear tips, which increases the tolerance of wearing them. Ear tips work well for some options, but the need to adjust is real when they're on deck. Plus, sometimes it feels like something might be on them trying to infiltrate your ear. Maybe that’s just me, but something tells me I’m not alone.

Specs and Features

Third up, let’s talk about the specs. These earbuds come equipped with 4 AI ENC Mics for crystal-clear calls... compliments of the minimized background noise. I put this to the test by making a call to a busy restaurant while shopping at a grocery store. I added a last-minute item to my order, and the lady on the phone heard me perfectly, despite my deeper voice. I double checked just to make sure she actually heard me. Spoiler alert: She did!

Other features include:

Bass Enhancement for Directional Sound: This feature ensures you get that rich, immersive audio experience.
Fast Charge Support: Just a 5-minute charge can give you an additional 2 hours of audio. Perfect for those on-the-go moments.
Ingress Protection 5 Rating (IPX5): These earbuds are water and sweat-resistant, making them ideal for a hard workout or a day out in the hot sun. Just don’t go swimming with them; they’re not built for continual immersion like IPX7 or IPX8 ratings. Not that I’ve seen many people swimming with earbuds, but hey, feel free to shrug.
Low-Latency Gaming Mode: A game-changer for all you gamers out there.
Customizable Controls: Change your tap actions in the app by selecting desired tap functions -
Both the Right and Left earbud get 2 functions to choose from with 2 or 3 taps.

My settings:
Left Earbud 2 Taps = Skip
Left Earbud 3 Taps = Play/Pause
Right Earbud 2 Taps = Volume Up
Right Earbud 3 Taps = Volume Down
Long press for 5 seconds = Power on (outside of case)
Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth Range 10m: Quick and strong connection. These earbuds fought to play audio 4 rooms away from the connected device.

Audio Performance

In terms of specs, the impedance is 16 Ohm, which requires more power than 8 Ohm but delivers more output in terms of bass. The bass can be a bit shy, but you can hear the depth in certain audio experiences. The Tesla-grade magnetic acoustic design is made from lightweight aerospace-grade titanium and soft skin-friendly liquid silicone. The secure fit has allowed me to keep the earbuds in without needing to adjust them throughout the day. That’s probably one of the things I love the most about these earbuds—they fit and stay put.

The sound clarity is based on the dual magnetic drivers and DiamondFlex diaphragms that enhance the bass. These earbuds were also tuned by the Grammy-winning Luca Bignardi.

Back to the sound. The bass is there, but it’s a tad shy until you find the right tracks to flex the ehanced bass. I did deep bass tests, listened to a variety of tracks including the Dolby Atmos test, and played games like Black Myth: Wukong and an indie game titled Office Fight that always puts a smile on my face. The sound holds up with the mids and highs being the strongest, followed by the lows. Black Myth: Wukong gave me the best audio experience thus far, and the lows were richer. It’s open ear, so you can still hear things in the environment, but it doesn’t affect the sound. The preset EQs allow you to switch up the equalizer from Studio, to Bass Booster, to Hip-Hop, Pop, Podcast, etc. You get an extra oomph from the Bass Booster when activated.

Additionally I listened to the following tracks while playing with the EQs:

1More Open Earbuds S70 vs 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Sound and Comfort Comparison

Both the 1More Open Earbuds S70 and 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 offer impressive sound quality and comfort. The sound is similar between the two, though the edge goes to the S70. The S70 has a slight edge with better battery life as well. The S50, however, boasts a superior IPX7 rating compared to the S70’s IPX5, making it more water-resistant. For comfort, the S70 stands out with a more secure fit (it's not just a loop around the ear... the ergonomic earhook design is sweet), making them ideal for activities and naps. You can see the improvement, making the S70's a clear upgrade based on 1More’s commitment to quality. I put these in my fave category with other products like the 1More Quad Driver Headphones (wired) and 1More SonoFlow over-ear headphones.