Philips SHE3205 – in-ear headphones with 14.2 mm membranes, neodymium magnets and 8 Hz – 24 kHz frequencies

Headphones Philips SHE3205
Headphones Philips SHE3205

Another one novelty of Philips company among dynamic headphones is an in-ear devices SHE3205 with 14.2 mm membranes, neodymium magnets, 8 Hz – 24 kHz sounds frequencies and open acoustic architecture. Their impedance is 32 Ohms, maximal input power 30 mW and 107 dB sensitivity. To both cups 1 m not detachable cable is mounted with 1/8″ mini jack plug with nickel-plated contacts for connection to sound source, in its volume control unit microphone and smartphones control button are built-in.

Cups of Philips SHE3205 are created with accounting of anatomy of humans ears, which provides their comfortable and tide placement in ears. In each cup there is only 1 driver, in places of mounting to tips cable is additionally reinforced with resin tubes for increased wear resistance and durability during bending and tear-off forces application. They have no active noise cancellation function, as some monitor headphones have; device is released only in black, white and blue color variants. Package contains : Philips SHE3205 headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide.

Headphones are good with large membranes, neodymium magnets and wide frequencies range; probably, Philips will not rise their price too much, but there is need to wait for their appearance in shops to tell for sure : whether they are worth buying or it is worth to look on headphones of other types or manufacturers. At the beginning of August of 2016 year they cost around 22 USD – which is an adequate price for them, however for approximately the same or close money there is ability to buy 40 mm monitor headphones, providing much better sounds frequencies reproduction quality, especially basses; adding acceptable amount of money more, there is ability to buy 50 mm monitor headphones, which are even better in this respect. So, if from device compactness and lightness are not needed, then there is ability to look on this type of headphones.

Philips – is a company, which were founded in Dutch in 1891 year; now it has 3 large subdivisions, which develop and produce : consumer electronics, medical equipment and lighting devices. At current moment this is one of the largest companies – producers of electronics, in which around 105000 people work in 60 countries of the world. In electronics area it produces wide range of devices : from kitchen appliances to headphones and smartphones. Philips is notable for producing quality devices, providing proper technical information about them without using of large amounts of psychological marketing and for setting of optimal prices for its goods.

Lenovo Phab PB1-750M – 7″ IPS Android 5.1 tablet PC with 4G LTE and 13 MP camera

Tablet PC Lenovo Phab PB1-750M
Tablet PC Lenovo Phab PB1-750M

Company Lenovo introduced new tablet PC Phab PB1-750M with 7″ multitouch IPS screen with HD resolution 1280 х 720 pixels, support of 4G LTE networks and 13 MP main camera, under Android 5.1 OS operation. In it following are built-in : 4-cores 64-bits processor Qualcomm MSM8916, working on 1.2 GHz frequency, graphical chip Adreno 306, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash memory cards with 64 GB max capacity ( larger ones are, probably, also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. It can work as phone and supports 2G ( GSM ), 3G and 4G LTE networks; in it are built in GLONASS and GPS ( with support of A-GPS ) satellite navigation and lighting, proximity, acceleration and gravity, Hall and vibration sensors and electronic compass.

Tablet PC Lenovo Phab PB1-750M ( sides view )
Tablet PC Lenovo Phab PB1-750M ( sides view )

In Lenovo Phab PB1-750M two quite good for tablet PCs cameras are placed : 13 MP main one with flash and autofocusing and 5 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 a/b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 4.0 connections for data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. It can receive FM radio signal; on its external panels following can be found : USB port for external devices connection and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headset and headphones connector, directional microphone and Dolby Atmos speaker and power and volume control buttons. Its battery capacity is 4250 mAh, this is enough for 20 days in stand-by mode or 24 hours in talking mode; device’s body is made from plastics, its sizes are 97 ( height ) х 8.9 ( depth ) х 186 ( width ) mm and mass is 250 g. It is supplied in 3 colors variants : black, white and blue.

Package contains : Lenovo Phab PB1-750M tablet PC itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : tablet is good, with IPS screen, 4G LTE, satellite navigation and good for tablet PCs cameras; from the other : its price is around 200 USD, for 80 USD there is ability to buy 8″ Windows IPS tablet PC with more powerful system, but with weaker cameras and without satellite navigation, and for smaller sum there is ability to buy 7″ IPS Android tablet PCs with approximately the same characteristics and only weaker cameras. So, is there sense to pay for cameras of tablet PCs which will not give high quality videos and photos due to small sensors and lenses, when there is ability to buy with tablet PC good novice camera or entry-level professional one with interchangeable lenses?

Rhamphorhynchus – winged toothy reptiles of Jurassic Period

Rhamphorhynchus skeleton
Rhamphorhynchus skeleton

Among dinosaurs there were flying species, for example, rhamphorhynchus – toothy reptiles with long tail, vane from skin and hollow bones. They reached 1.26 m in length and 1.81 m in wingspan, wherein their mass was small, thanks to hollow bones. Rhamphorhynchus lived on Earth in Jurassic Period 170 – 140 millions of years ago; hunted on fishes and insects ( their forward-looking teeth were adapted for hunting on them ) and during flying held their heads parallel to the ground.

Rhamphorhynchus pterosaur
Rhamphorhynchus pterosaur

Currently there are no exact data on whether they were warm or cold blooded; soon after hatching from eggs they were able to fly and reached adult sizes by age of 2 – 3 years. They were able to live in nocturnal lifestyle, but there are also no exact information about this; they were hunted by other animals, for example, were found skeletons of flying reptile and large fish, which tangled in skin membranes of reptile, they drowned together and went to the bottom, where they were covered by the silt and preserved in such state for hundreds of millions of years up to ours days. Fossils of Rhamphorhynchus were found in Europe and Northern Africa, the most well-preserved and complete ones were found in Bavaria Germany. Their skeletons were described for the first time in 1825 year by collector Georg Graf zu Münster and scientists Samuel Thomas von Soemmerring and Georg August Goldfuss.

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 – miniature MIDI keyboard with powering from USB and good package of controls

MIDI keyboard M-Audio Keystation Mini 32
MIDI keyboard M-Audio Keystation Mini 32

Among M-Audio MIDI keyboards there are very little devices, for example, Keystation Mini 32 – keyboard with 32 velocity sensitive keys, powering from USB and good set of controls. Among them : volume control knob, buttons Sustain, edit, octaves control ( they can be programmed for other uses ) and modulation and pitch control. On its side there is Mini USB port for connection to computer and powering. Device works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X without additional drivers and allows to record MIDI notes in DAW ( Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others ) and control VST instruments and effects. Its sizes are 418 ( width ) x 105 ( depth ) x 19.8 ( height ) mm and mass is 0.45 kg.

MIDI keyboard M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 ( top view )
MIDI keyboard M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 ( top view )

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 can be connected to iOS devices via additional Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit. With it AIR Music Technology Ignite, 275 instruments’ sounds and DAW Ableton Live Lite are supplied. Package contains : M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 keyboard itself, USB cable, disks with programs, warranty card and user’s guide. MIDI keyboard is good : has 32 keys, compact sizes with powering only from USB connection and good set of controls; there is ability to wish for modulation and pitch bend wheels, instead of buttons, drumpads and larger set of controls, however this will dissonate with its compactness. Also it worth noting, that for the same amount of money there is ability to buy larger and more functional MIDI keyboards, including ones with powering from adapter for work with tablet PCs; so, here is the choice between compactness and functionality.

LG K4 K130E – 4.5″ Android 5.1 smartphone with 4G, 4-cores CPU, 1 GB of RAM and 5 MP camera

Smartphone LG K4 K130E
Smartphone LG K4 K130E

Company LG at the beginning of year released a couple of new smartphones, among them there is K4 K130E – 4.5″ multitouch Android 5.1 smartphone with 4G, 4-cores processor MediaTek MT6735M, working on 1 GHz frequency, 1 GB of RAM and 5 MP main camera. Judging by photos, screen has good angles of view and IPS, AMOLED or other quality matrix is used; its resolution is 854 x 480 pixels; in device following are also built in : 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via flash memory cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger are, probably, also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE networks; it has A-GPS satellite navigation system and gravity sensor.

Smartphone LG K4 K130E ( side view )
Smartphone LG K4 K130E ( side view )

In LG K4 K130E two relatively good for smartphones cameras are placed : 5 MP main one with LED flash and 2 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n + Direct ) and Bluetooth 4.1 for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On its external panels following can be found : Micro USB 2.0 port for connection with computer and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack connector for headset and headphones, microphone and speaker and power and volume control buttons. Device’s body is made from plastic, its sizes are 131.9 ( height ) x 66.7 ( width ) x 8.9 ( depth ) mm and mass is 120 g; battery charge is 1940 mAh – this is not big value for smartphones; device is released in 2 color variants : blue indigo and white.

Package contains : LG K4 K130E smartphone itself, USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is good : with large screen, powerful system, relatively good for mobile devices cameras and 4G LTE support; its minus is only weak battery. There is need to wait for device to appear in shops and there’ll be an ability to say what competition it can make to other simillar Android and Windows smartphones.

M-Audio M-Track Hub – USB hub and audio interface in compact metal body

Audio interface M-Audio M-Track Hub
Audio interface M-Audio M-Track Hub

One of combined USB hubs and audio interfaces is a M-Audio M-Track Hub – device in small fully metal body. It has power adapter input and can supply energy to 3 USB devices simultaneously and play sound at the same time, this allows to connect to computer a couple of USB instruments and listen for the sound from DAW with 24 bits per sample precision ( manufacturer does not tell with which sampling rate ). On top it has large metal knod for main inputs volume control; on frontal panel there are TRS 1/4″ jack headphones output, their volume control and 3 USB ports. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, power adapter input, USB input for connection to computer and 2 balanced main analogue TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( left and right ).

Audio interface M-Audio M-Track Hub ( back panel )
Audio interface M-Audio M-Track Hub ( back panel )

Package contains : combined USB audio interface and hub M-Audio M-Track Hub, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : this is a convenient compact device, allowing to power 3 USB devices and connect them to computer and listen to the sound simultaneously; from the other : taking into account M-Audio‘s pricing policy, it is better to buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI or other manufacturers production and externally powered USB hub and receive much bigger functionality for the same or even smaller sum.

Philips SHQ4305 – in-ear 8.6 mm headphones with neodymium magnets, 5 Hz – 24 kHz and microphone

Headphones Philips SHQ4305
Headphones Philips SHQ4305

Among new devices of company Philips there are in-ear headphones SHQ4305 with 8.6 mm membranes, moved by neodymium magnets, support of 5 Hz – 24 kHz sound and built-in microphone. Their acoustic system is closed, impedance is 16 Ohms, sensitivity is 107 dB and maximal power input is 20 mW. To one their side 1.2 m cable is connected with 1/8″ gold-plated mini jack connector and microphone, built into volume control module; it additionally is reinforced with kevlar to increase break resistance at exercises and equipped with clip for mounting to clothes. Headphones have neckband, they are protected from sweat and moisture and have only 11.4 g mass. Package contains : Philips SHQ4305 headphones themselves, cable storage pouch, 3 pairs of interchangeable tips of different sizes, clip, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good : with neodymium magnets, 5 Hz – 24 kHz reproducible frequencies range, built in microphone and protection from sweat and moisture. Probably, Philips will not overprice them and there is ability to expect around 20 USD price. If they’ll cost more, then for the same amount of money there is ability to buy 40 and 50 mm monitor headphones or for much smaller sum in-ear headphones of other manufacturers. So, here is need to look on their price at shops, when they’ll appear in them.

Oysters T104 WSi – 10.1″ IPS Windows 10 tablet PC with 5800 mAh battery and 1 GB of RAM

Tablet PC Oysters T104 WSi
Tablet PC Oysters T104 WSi

Among Windows tablet PCs there is a novelty : device Oysters T104 WSi with 10th version of this OS, 10.1″ multitouch IPS screen with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution, 5800 mAh battery and 1 GB of RAM. In it are also built in : 4-cores processor Intel Atom Z3735G, working on 1.8 GHz frequency; graphical chip Intel HD Graphics ( Bay Trail ), built into CPU; 16 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger are, probably, also supported ); and SIM cards slot. It can be used as phone and supports 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support. It has no satellite navigation systems and has only gravity sensor.

Tablet PC Oysters T104 WSi ( back panel )
Tablet PC Oysters T104 WSi ( back panel )

In Oysters T104 WSi two weak, even for tablet PCs, cameras are placed : 2 MP main one and 0.3 MP frontal one; it supports wireless connections Wi-Fi ( IEEE 802.11 b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 4.0 for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On external panels of device there are : Micro USB port for battery charging and external devices connection, 1/8″ mini jack headset and headphones connector, microphone and speaker and power and volume control buttons. Device’s body is made from plastic, its sizes are 258 ( width ) x 173 ( height ) x 11 ( depth ) mm and mass is 600 g. Battery size is 5800 mAh – this is a very good value for tablet PCs.

Package contains : Oysters T104 WSi tablet PC itself, USB cable, recharger, warranty card and user’s guide. Tablet is very good : has large IPS screen, Windows 10 OS, 5800 mAh battery and powerful system and costs around 120 – 130 USD. There is need to note, that for 2 times smaller sum there is ability to buy 8″ IPS Windows and Android tablet PCs with approximately the same other features and 2 times smaller mass.

ESI Dr. DAC nano – mini USB audio interface for analogue signal output and conversion into optical one

USB audio interface ESI Dr. DAC nano
USB audio interface ESI Dr. DAC nano

One of the smallest devices of ESI company is a Dr. DAC nanoUSB audio interface for analogue signal output or conversion into digital optical with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample work modes. On frontal panel of device there is combined 1/8″ mini jack connector for analogue or digital optical S/PDIF signals output; on back panel there is Mini USB port for connection with computer and powering. In interface there are : DAC AKM AK4421 with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits internal work mode and 103 dB dynamic range; headphones amplifier Analog Devices AD8397; and solid tantalum electrolytic capacitors. Device works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X without additional drivers with Plug and Play, also for it drivers are released for Windows with support of ASIO 2.0 interface, via which it can work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others.

USB audio interface ESI Dr. DAC nano ( back panel )
USB audio interface ESI Dr. DAC nano ( back panel )

ESI Dr. DAC nano can power headphones with 16 – 300 Ohms impedance; its sizes are 60 ( depth ) x 45 ( width ) x 17 ( height ) mm. Package contains : ESI Dr. DAC nano audio interface itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. For its purposes interface is very good, if it is bought only for compact high-quality audio playback or conversion into digital optical signal; but if it is bought for other purposes also, then it is better to add not big amount of money and buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI itself, M-Audio or other manufacturers production.

Philips SHL3850NC – new 32 mm foldable monitor headphones with active noise canceling

Headphones Philips SHL3850NC
Headphones Philips SHL3850NC

Legendary non-overbranded in headphones area company Philips released new model of its production SHL3850NC – 32 mm foldable monitor headphones with active noise canceling and drivers’ neodymium magnets. They can reproduce sounds in 10 Hz – 22 kHz frequencies range, have 16 Ohms impedance, 30 mW max power input and 105 dB sensitivity. Cups architecture is closed, active noise canceling removes up to 97% of external sounds and is powered from AAA battery, charge of which is enough for 50 hours of stand-by and 40 hours of music playback. 1.2 m cable is connected to one of the cups, it receives signal via 1/8″ mini jack connector. Package contains : Philips SHL3850NC headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good, have wide frequencies range, neodymium magnets and active noise canceling; there will be need to look on their price, when they’ll be available in shops : if it will be around 30 – 40 USD, then they can be bought ( however for the same amount of money there is ability to buy 40 and 50 mm monitor headphones without active noise canceling ), if it will be higher, then is there sense to pay such amount of money for active noise canceling?