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Cleer Alpha ANC Headphones review

Luke Gaul
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When it comes to buying headphones, one principle that I tend to live buy is I’d rather buy a pair once and pay a little more instead of purchasing cheap models time and again.

I’m not an audiophile or someone with extremely discerning tastes, but I know a good pair of headphones when I see them — or hear them. I can appreciate the build quality and audio of a premium brand, but I also like to keep some money in my pocket when I can.

I recently had the chance to test out a pair of wireless headphones from a brand that I wasn’t too familiar with, Cleer Audio. The model I got to review were the Alpha, a pair of over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation.

Priced $220, I feel like these are a perfect happy middle ground. They have a full suite of features and excellent sound, but they come in about 1/3 of the cost that I expected. These are the type of headphones I can picture lasting me a number of years.

Cleer Audio ALPHA

  • Ambient mode
  • Qualcomm cVc 2 mic beamforming for crystal clear voice calls
  • Dirac Virtuo Spatial audio
  • patented 40mm Ironless Drivers
  • 35hr playback on single charge, 10min quick charge for 4 hours
  • Intuitive touch controls

My initial impressions were very favorable, thanks to quick pairing and a full-featured app. I appreciate that I have such levels of control over the audio aspect with options such as manual and preset EQ settings, Active Noise Cancellation, and Ambient Mode.

The headphones are very comfortable to wear, even in longer listening periods. The design is more clean and minimal than others I’ve tested and I like that they feel solid at the hinges and cups.

Controls are fairly intuitive and don’t take too long to figure out. You can certainly feel the response and clickiness whether adjusting volume, taking a call, skipping tracks.

I would describe the Cleer Audio ALPHA sound as being robust but not overly heavy on the low end. There’s nothing muddy whatsoever in the experience; all levels are equally represented and appear spaced apart nicely.

Battery life is rated at up to 35 hours which is more than two full weeks of typical listening for me. I only charge them out of habit as I’ve yet to be prompted that the battery level is low. Speaking of which, I like that just ten minutes on the USB Type-C charger is enough to provide four hours of listening.

Other notable features include wear detection for automatic pausing and playback, conversation mode, the ability to pair to multiple audio sources, and support for Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec.

You can learn more about the ALPHA headphones at Cleer Audio’s website where you can also purchase them in two color options: Midnight Blue and Stone. They’re also available at Amazon where they’re currently listed at just $220.

Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro wireless earbuds review

Andrew Allen
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Tronsmart has been on a roll recently with new products like the Trip portable speaker. The company is creating a compelling new portfolio for 2022. The latest addition is the Onyx Ace Pro earbuds. We have been testing these for about three weeks and let’s dive into the full review.

Design

Let’s be honest, this design isn’t paving new roads for the industrial finish in the earbuds space. You have a very similar look and feel to many other wireless earbuds. The teardrop earpiece with a stem housing the microphone is pretty much the standard these days.

There’s a dual external microphone on the outside of each earpiece. This allows for great voice input while also blocking out surrounding noise. The stem of both units houses a capacitive area meant for controlling playback and calls.

Internally, the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro includes Bluetooth 5.2 and Qualcomm’s aptX codecs for stable connections and better audio. Combine those features with IPX5 water resistance and you should have a pair of earbuds poised for almost any environment.

Sound

Much like others in this earbud styling, the Onyx Ace Pro is good. Not great, but good. The highs and mids come through well and the bass can be underwhelming at times. More muted or natural audio like podcasts perform much better and the sound is very crisp.

The same can be said for phone calls. I’ve had zero issues with the performance of the Onyx Ace Pro earbuds while talking to loved ones or taking the occasional conference call. Both sides of the conversation seemed adequate with no complaints of noise or muffled mic output.

Touch controls

You can’t have a modern wireless earbud without some sort of capacitive control. Tronsmart doesn’t disappoint here with all the common interactions included on the outside areas of the Onyx Ace Pro headphones.

You can tap either earbud twice to start or pause the playback of audio. The same cadence will answer or end phone calls. Tapping the left side once will decrease the volume and the same on the right side will increase the decibels.

Tap and hold for two seconds to cover the majority of the remaining controls. Doing this on the right side moves you forward a track and the left takes you back to the previous item in your playlist. The combination on either earbud will reject an incoming phone call.

Finally, tapping three times quickly activates two more advanced features. The right earpiece will prompt your favorite voice assistant. The left Onyx Ace Pro will enter gaming mode. This allows a much lower latency of playback for those that might need it.

My only drawback with some of the controls is they are just cumbersome. Specifically, the tap and hold to triple-tap options just take way too much effort to really get the timing right. This led to numerous times of struggling to actually get the preferred outcome.

Battery life and charging

Tronsmart rates the total playtime of the Onyx Ace Pro earbuds to be around 27 hours. I found this to be accurate as long as you weren’t pushing them at 100 percent volume all the time. And honestly, you shouldn’t be doing that anyway.

The earbuds themselves get you close to 6.5 hours of playback and the case can charge them around three times total before the entire bundle needs a recharge. The case misses wireless charging capabilities but can recharge in just two hours.

Conclusion

Tronsmart has another competent option in the wireless audio department with the Onyx Ace Pro.  The company has created a budget alternative to the major players in the market that doesn’t skimp on features.

The Onyx Ace Pro is available for $60 full retail, but to mark the launch, Tronsmart has them 55% off at its partner, Aliexpress, storefront. For just $27 you can own the Onyx Ace Pro earbuds in either black or white variants. Hit the link below if interested in these wireless earbuds.

Purchase the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro earbuds

Sivga Robin headphones review

Connor Fricke
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The Robin SV021, from Sivga, is a closed-back, over-ear headphone with high fidelity audio and a simple but elegant design. It has an adjustable headband, a lightweight design, and extremely soft ear pads to deliver long lasting comfort.

In my opinion, the Sivga Robin is a very minimalist pair of headphones with a focus on aesthetics, quality, and simplicity.

It has a long, braided cable that plugs into both sides of the headphones to further balance the weight and I find that the length of the cable is a decent one for most setups that you would see in an office or bedroom setting.

The packaging is simple and pleasing, and Sivga provides you with a hemp carrying bag to protect and store the headphones as well as a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adaptor for additional uses that you might be looking for.

I think one of the cool things about this product is that Sivga doesn’t provide you with a manual for it. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten my hands on a new piece of tech and didn’t receive a manual, but thanks to the minimalistic design of the Sivga wood headphones, you don’t need it.

The headphones don’t have a built-in microphone, so for those on gaming or on Zoom calls, a standalone mic or webcam may be a worthy additional investment if you haven’t got one.

The Sivga Robin SV021s can be found at the Sivga website and on Amazon for $149.00 USD.

Design

At first glance, I was extremely impressed with the finish of the wood and aluminum parts of the headphones. I must say that they are one of the nicest looking headphones that I’ve come across in my expanding experience with the audio industry.

The headphones come in two color choices: brown and a black. I chose the brown option as I felt this would emphasize the actual wooden part of the design, and I definitely think it is the right choice.

The wood has a high gloss protective coating to provide it with durability and shine. The leather earpads and adjustable headband are extremely soft like memory foam and I have found them to be one of my most comfortable pairs of headphones thanks to the lightweight, zero pressure design.

Coming from a Chinese company I often worry about the build quality of the product, but as soon as I pulled them out of the box I knew it was not going to be an issue. Everything about these headphones just feels good in your hands and with a braided cable I think it really shows the extra focus that Sivga put into making these to be a premium pair of headphones.

The leather stitching looks well done and the rotating joints on the SV021s feel smooth and durable. And you don’t get any of that ‘crinkle’ that I find a lot with lower end headphones.

Audio Quality

With so much attention put into the design and build quality, I was a bit concerned that the actual audio quality might be where these were lacking, but I was wrong about that. While ‘Hi-Fi’ is arguably becoming less common and more outdated, I think it’s something that I can genuinely still appreciate, especially on these headphones.

There’s no extra fancy features to these headphones and that is one of the things I like about them. You’ll never have to worry about a poor Bluetooth connection or distorted audio.

Being closed-back, they do provide some decent noise isolation from the outside world if that’s important to you, but they don’t have any sort of active noise-canceling capabilities.

If you just want a pair of headphones that sounds good (and looks even better) then these are sure to suit your needs. They have super clear tones throughout the ranges and I felt like I was hearing things that I hadn’t heard before in some of my favorite songs.

Fair warning, they can get pretty loud as well if you’re the type to appreciate some ear-damaging jam sessions every once in a while but the volume potential will differ between devices, of course. In my opinion, the bass range isn’t super hardcore, but Sivga makes up for it with the general clarity of the audio.

Final Thoughts

The Sivga Robin SV021 is a great pair of headphones for those looking for good design quality, good aesthetics, and good sound.

I do wish that the headphones had a microphone, but I get it. If you aren’t looking for those extra amenities like wireless connection, ANC, playback control buttons, etc., then these headphones are a great option. With premium design, comfort, and simplicity, I can’t complain about what some might perceive as a ‘lack of features’.

The wood/aluminum/leather design is minimalist but unique. For long term listening, the ear pads are super soft and the design is extremely lightweight.

They may lack a bit of richness in the low ranges of sound but the sound is smooth and clear at all pitches. The fact of the Robin SV021 is that Sivga has taken a basic headphone and hammered out the imperfections to give you a premium product at a decent price.

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review

Scott Webster
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When it comes to personal gadgets there’s a general truism of “you get what you pay for.” And in the area of Bluetooth speakers, we tend to find “bigger is better” often applies, too. But every so often we have to toss those sort of concepts aside.

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, which we’ve recently checked out, is one of those instances where you get much more than you’d expect. It punches above its weight in a number of ways.

Design

Measuring around four inches on each side, its a square of a puck with rounded edges. Somewhat pocketable, it fits in a bag over larger pocket without issue.

The black mesh covering is unassuming and maybe a little generic, but that’s not the main reason we buy speakers. We care more about the sound, right? We’ll get to that in a moment.

There are three buttons on the top for playback control and volume with the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons on the front facing edge. The USB Type-C charging port is located on the side. A rubber strap is found underneath which can be used for attaching to a pole, backpack strap, or something else.

Audio

Looks take a backseat to audio sound and quality on speakers. And when it comes to the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, it punches well above its weight class. Not only is it considerably louder than expected, its quality keeps pace, too.

I’ve spent plenty of time with much pricier speakers, some of which are double the size, that don’t fare as well. It puts out a sound that easily fills a room on its own.

Because of its portability and rubber strap it is the type of speaker that I could see myself attaching to a bike frame or canopy pole. I doubt I would have to turn the volume up 1/4 of the way if I were toting it with me on a shoulder sling or taking it with me on a ride.

Performance

The buttons have a nice amount of clickiness and travel when pressing them. Whether pairing to a phone or adjusting volume levels, it’s unquestionable that the speaker that the buttons are responding.

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is IP67 rated against water which means it can withstand splashes and rain without issue. There’s no rubber protection boot over cover on the charging port so I would be cautious around pools and lakes, just to be safe. Still, though, I wouldn’t hurry home if I was caught in a spring shower.

On its own the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is nice and loud with sound that barely begins to distort at the highest volume levels. But, should that not be enough, you can pick up a second one and pair it for true stereo sound.

Battery life is rated at about 12 hours which is about 50% longer than its predecessor. That’s plenty long enough for a nice hike or afternoon at the beach. But that’s not all the battery does; it also doubles as a charger. Indeed, you can also plug in your phone or accessory into the speaker and use its battery for a top-up.

Conclusion

I’ve found the speaker works in more instances in my life than I expected. It’s the first one I look for when heading out back on the deck for podcasts and playlists. It’s light, easy to pack, and gives me peace of mind knowing I don’t have to worry about a random rain.

There is a lot to like about the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. It has great portability, water resistance, incredible sound, and a battery that can be used for charging other devices. Oh, and it’s priced to move at just $60.

Send heartfelt messages to friends and family with Lovebox

Scott Webster
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Looking for a way to spice up messaging and photos with a friend or family member? You may want to check out the Lovebox.

A digital device that connects to your Wi-Fi, the Lovebox is a wooden box with a removable top lid. On its front is a red pixelated heart that spins in an axis. How it works is simple – when you see the heart spinning you take the lid off the top and “peer into” it where a display shows a message, drawing, or photo.

The Lovebox is the sort of keepsake accessory that your significant other might put on a nightstand. It’s a cute and unique way of sending a message to let them know you are thinking of them.

Setting up the Lovebox is a pain-free experience that more or less boils down to pairing it to a Wi-Fi network. Once done, it creates an eight-digit code that others can enter into a phone, setting up a direct line of communication. You can share the code with everyone in the house, meaning your spouse and children can send you messages.

As for the types of messages, there’s a number of ways to go. You can choose from a photo from your camera or gallery, a pre-made image, a handmade drawing, a pixelated 8-bit graphic, and other customizable templates.

Lovebox Features

  • Send love notes, drawings, and photos
  • Connects via Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
  • 2-year warranty
  • Schedule your message
  • Get reminders to send messages
  • Save all your love notes on the app

After you send your message to the Lovebox it will begin spinning the red heart on the front. If and when the message is read, the recipient can spin the heart to send a “waterfall” of hearts back to the sender.

The Lovebox is not just for couples. It’s the sort of thing you might give grandparents to occasionally send photos and messages as an alternative to a digital picture frame.

Walking into a room, you can see the heart spinning which lets you know that someone close to you was thinking about you. Likewise, you can also simply spin the heart to send hearts to the person on the other end even if no message was received.

Also cool, you can schedule messages to be sent on specific days and times. This is a clever way to make sure you don’t forget people on their birthday or for a special occasion.

Priced about $150, the Lovebox isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s unique and cute enough to garner consideration. If you know someone who appreciates sentimental things, greeting cards, keepsakes, or personalized gifts, the Lovebox is great way to go.

While I’ve been using this for my wife, our son’s girlfriend has expressed to us more than a few times that she would love one for her bedside. And when my wife was out of town for an extended weekend, she was quick to tell me that she missed having it as part of her day. Pretty much everyone who has seen the Lovebox in our home, or heard about, has indicated that they’d be interested in picking one up.

You can learn more about the Lovebox at its website where it’s available to purchase. From time to time you’ll find a discount available, especially if buying more than one.

Google Pixel Buds Pro announced for summer

Scott Webster
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Google on Wednesday announced a number of things at its annual I/O developer conference, including new hardware such as the Pixel 6a. And while the phone is not expected to arrive until July 28, it won’t show up on its own. Indeed, a new pair of wireless earbuds are on the way in the form of the Pixel Buds Pro.

Expected to sell for $200, the Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s first pair of wireless earbuds to include active noise cancellation (ANC).In typical Google fashion, they’re built with some custom smarts, including a 6-core audio chip with Google-developed algorithms and in-house tuning.

Other noteworthy details include Multipoint connectivity for automatic switching between previously paired Bluetooth devices, built-in Google Assistant and Find My Device support. Transparency Mode lets listeners hear noises from surrounding areas should they wish.

Silent Seal detects and compensates for less-than-perfect sealing in the ear. Built-in sensors will be able to measure pressure in ear canals to ensure maximum comfort. Volume EQ can adjust the tuning to keep highs, mids, and lows balanced, regardless of volume level.

Later this year, Pixel Buds Pro will pick up an update to support spatial audio which will create a more immerse experience for TV shows or movies played on compatible Pixel phones.

The wireless buds will last for up to 11 hours of listening time, or seven with ANC enabled. They ship July 28th for $199 and will be available in four colors: Coral, Lemongrass, Fog and Charcoal.

Google provides first look at Pixel 7, Pixel Watch

Scott Webster
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Google, speaking at its annual I/O developer conference, provided the first look at its next-generation handset and its first ever wearable. Indeed, the Pixel 7 series phones and the Pixel Watch will arrive later this fall.

Things are pretty tight-lipped for now, but Google does spill a few details for the mobile phones.

For instance, both the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will be constructed from 100% recycled aluminum frame. And while it retains much of the same design language as the Pixel 6, the new phones will come with minor changes.

Powered by the “next-generation” of Google’s Tensor chip, the 7 will have two cameras while the 7 Pro offers up three on the rear. From the looks of things we should expect colors similar to the Pixel 6a and other Google products. Thus far we’ve seen pics of white, grey, and a light green color.

The Pixel Watch, which has been rumored for quite some time, has finally been formally recognized. It will be made from recycled stainless steel and have a round design with a rotating crown on the site. Also seen in the same colors as the Pixel 7, its bands figure to come in the same style; they will be interchangeable.

Additionally, we understand that the Pixel Watch will run an improved version of WearOS and integrate a number of Fitbit features. Look for it to offer continuous heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking as well as smart home controls and apps that work independently of a watch.

More information is expected to be released in the coming months ahead of the official launch of both the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel Watch.

Google Pixel 6a unveiled with July availability

Scott Webster
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Google on Wednesday announced its latest Android phone, the Pixel 6a. Priced $450, it will arrive later this summer.

Keeping with the tradition of the “A” series of handsets, the Google Pixel 6a gives consumers a junior flagship-like experience at a mid-range price point. It’s a perfect phone for the ‘every man’ as it packs in many of the features and functionality that make the standard Pixel line so popular.

Google stopped short of detailing the full list of hardware specifications but a visit to the official landing page of the device reveals more information.

Like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 6a will draw strength and smarts from the Google Tensor processor; the Titan M2 security chip is also present, keeping sensitive data safe.

The phone will have 6GB LPDDR5 RAM and pack 128GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. That is to say it ought to be quick to read and write to the phone, and multitasking should be no issue.

The Pixel 6a has the same distinct design language as the proper line, including the raised camera bar and two-tone color. The phone is constructed from recycled aluminum and comes in Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage color options.

Interestingly, and perhaps quite welcome to many, the screen size is 6.1-inches should make for better single-hand operation. Resolution is listed at 1080 x 2400 pixels with a refresh rate of up to 60Hz.

The Pixel 6a has a dual-camera system on the rear with a 12.2-megapixel main and 12-megapixel ultrawide shooter. Around front is an 8-megapixel camera.

As we’ve seen in other A-series phones, the Pixel 6a retains a handful of the signature features and smarts that come with other Pixel models. Included here are Real-Tone, Night Sight, Magic Eraser, Live Caption, Live Translate, and more.

While the Pixel 6a is expected to launch with Android 12, it will be among the first to see Android 13 when it makes its public debut. What’s more, Google pledges five years of Pixel updates which means security patches and Pixel feature drops as well as a few major OS updates.

The Pixel 6a goes up for pre-order on July 21 and will be available starting July 28. You can learn more about the phone and subscribe to be in the know when it comes to more information on this and other Google devices.

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra launches in China

Scott Webster
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ZTE this week announced its Axon 40 Ultra smartphone for China, putting the flagship experience up for pre-sale with a starting price of about $750 USD.

The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra runs Android 12 with the handset maker’s MyOS 12 interface and features high-end hardware. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor is paired with at least 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB storage. Other versions include 12GB and 16GB of memory with 512GB and 1TB of internal storage capacity.

The phone houses a 6.8-inch AMOLED display at 1,116 x 2,480 pixel resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. Moreover, it has a peak brightness of 1500 nits, 360Hz touch sampling, and 10-bit color depth. The 5,000mAh battery supports up to 65W super-fast charging.

When it comes to cameras, ZTE leans pretty heavily into this space for the Axon 40 Ultra. Present here are 64-megapixel triple camera system with wide and ultrawide shooters.

The main camera has 35mm equivalent focal length, with a 7P lens and a large aperture of f/1.6, which give it a hardware-based optical blur effect. The ultra-wide camera has a 16mm equivalent focal length and 4cm macro capability while the telescope periscope lens has a 91mm focal length with optical image stabilization.

According to ZTE, the Axon 40 Ultra is the only smartphone on the market with 8k ultra-high-definition video recording. Furthermore, it comes packed with AI capabilities and shooting modes for capturing in low-light settings as well as more humanistic colors.

Rounding out the hardware are Snapdragon Sound, DTS Audio stereo dual speakers, and a large vapor chamber for cooling. The whole thing is sleek and sexy with a “super-curved” waterfall surface design, rear-camera frameless glass design, and a practically hidden metal platform.

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is available for purchase in Mainland China now with a global release expected in June. It’s currently available for for ¥4998 for 8+256GB and ¥5298 for 12+256GB models.

LASTAR LED Desk Lamp review

AndroidGuys
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The 12W LASTAR LED Lamp has shown me what a lamp can and should do for you at your home desk space. I was very impressed with everything it provided for me as someone who does a lot of desk work. If you’re looking for an affordable desk lamp that provides the light and charging capabilities you need, look no farther.

Packaging

I receive many items in the mail and there is not one part more exciting than the unboxing experience.

Opening up the box to see the product you’ve been waiting for and all the excitement of finally getting to put it together and add it to your home. It is also a test of how well made and cared for your product is and I could tell this was a solid product as soon as I opened it.

The packaging for the LASTAR Lamp was simple but felt solid and secure so that no damage would be done. Everything was wrapped neatly and stored just right. The box came with the lamp, the power chord, and the manual for the lamp to provide you with all the information you needed to understand everything about the lamp. I was very pleased with the unboxing experience.

Quality and Performance

I have used a decent amount of desk lamps throughout my life and one of my siblings actually owns another brand of desk lamp like the LASTAR Lamp and I can safely say that this one exceeded expectations and provided exactly what you need for any circumstance.

The LASTAR Lamp provides five different temperatures of light (3000k-6000k) for you to choose based on the kind of work you are doing or the amount of light intensity you need. Each temperature is noticeably different and gives you all the options you should need.

The brightness of the lamp can be adjusted for seven different levels of brightness ranging from a dim light all the way up to lighting a whole room.

The desk lamp also has a night light setting that shines through the side of the base. This can fulfill the need of a night light. The lamp also has a timer feature so it can automatically turn off after an hour of usage. This can be especially helpful with the night light since it will more than likely turn off after you are asleep (assuming it doesn’t take an hour for you to fall asleep).

The LASTAR Lamp is also adjustable for multiple angles. The light rotates 90 degrees at the base and is capable of 180 degree rotation at the head of the lamp for it to shine right where you need it to.

It also comes equipped with a USB C on the opposite side of the night light for charging capabilities at your desk. This is not a fast charge slot but still gets the job done.

Conclusion

The LASTAR LED Lamp has provided tons of use for me and I’ve been very happy with it. I am fairly confident that anyone who buys this will get full use of the money they use to pay for it.

This model lamp comes in at about $34 which puts it a smidge higher than its competitors. I think the price point for this product is fair especially for the amount of potential use you’ll get out of it.

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