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The LG G6: First impressions

Matt Adams
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We received our LG G6 a little over a day ago and while that is nowhere near enough time for any kind of review, we do have some opinions on the LG G6 already. While we are keeping an open mind for our full review, the LG G6 has impressed us in some areas and disappointed in others so far.

To be honest, a lot of people are going to overlook this device. The Samsung Galaxy S8 was just announced and the screen is bigger, the processor is newer and potentially faster, and the base storage is twice that of the LG G6. Those are all valid reasons to choose the S8 over the G6, but that doesn’t mean the G6 is a bad phone when looked at in a vacuum. It still has a very powerful processor, more than enough RAM and storage, and quality of life features like water resistance and quick charging.

Here are some of the things we’ve noticed right off the bat. We’ll continue to test the LG G6 for a few weeks and bring you our full review soon.

Build quality

I’ve owned the LG G2, G3, G4 and I had the G5 for three weeks while I reviewed it (full review here). To say I’m familiar with LG’s design language would be an understatement. That’s why I’m so blown away by the LG G6’s construction and build quality.

A few years ago, starting the Galaxy S6, Samsung redesigned its flagship phones and started using higher quality materials like metal and glass to make the devices feel more premium. LG didn’t follow that track and stuck to plastics, leather, and painted metal on its devices. Premium, they were not.

But LG changed that with the G6.

If you like how glass feels, you’re going to love this device. The front and back are almost entirely covered with glass with aircraft-grade aluminum on the sides. There aren’t any curved edges like the S8 and S8 Plus, but the back is slightly curved to help you pick it up when it’s laying flat. The G6 feels as well-built as any phone on the market right now besides maybe the iPhone and OnePlus 3T. I am extremely impressed by what LG was able to design in just one cycle.

Fingerprint magnet

The downside of all that glass are the fingerprints. Our black version looks gorgeous when it’s clean, but once you pick it up all that grease from your fingers is instantly transferred to your G6. It’s an easy wipe to get rid of it, but it doesn’t look great.

I’m actually kind of surprised at how many fingerprints the front glass is picking up. I’ve gone through several devices recently and none have held fingerprints on the display like the G6. I don’t know if LG used a different kind of oleophobic coating on the display of the device, but it’s very obviously different from other devices. I’ll probably keep a microfiber cloth with me just to keep the G6 fresh.

Smaller is better

The smaller bezels make a huge difference. There is almost no space between the 5.7″ display and the side of the phone. When viewing apps, pictures, or video with a dark background you can’t tell where the screen ends and the rest of the phone begins. It’s an awesome effect that almost no phone out there can emulate right now.

LG, in its wisdom, didn’t curve the edges of the G6. The phone feels more like an old school Apple iPhone 5 than the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and that is a huge plus. With the flat edges, you actually have somewhere to hold your phone. Yes, in the world of disappearing bezels and thinner phones, we do need somewhere to grip the device.

Due to the smaller bezels, the screen size was increased. Yes, the screen was stretched out 5.7″, but it was also given a different aspect ratio. Most phones follow the 16:9 ratio to match televisions. The LG G6 (and Samsung Galaxy S8) moved to a new 18:9 ratio to increase screen size without making the devices any wider.

The issue with this new display ratio is how the phone interacts with apps. Apps have generally been made to fit into 16:9 screens but now have to either stretch to fit the 18:9 screen or be shown with black bars on the top and bottom fo the app.

LG gives you options in the software to choose how you’d like your apps displayed. I’ve only played around with the ratio on a few apps because most of my apps have (so far) played nice. One of my most used apps, Ishtar Commander, had a menu at the bottom covered up but a quick hop into the settings menu to change how the app is displayed and I was back in business.

This will be a problem for some apps but LG has done a good job in the software to make everything work correctly until app developers update their apps to work in a native 18:9 environment.

Other thoughts

Here are some other thoughts that we’ll touch on more in a full review.

Auto brightness: LG still struggles with auto brightness. Putting it on automatic keeps it too low in most cases. LG has had issues with this on every device I’ve ever owned or used made by them.

Quick charging: A lot of users on Reddit are complaining that included charger doesn’t charge all that fast. The G6 should have Quick Charge 2.0 enabled but we’ll test exactly how fast the included charger can refill the embedded battery in our full review.

Cameras: Everyone is doing a dual-camera setup these days. LG was one of the first and continues to be one of the best. We’ve only taken a few snaps so far but the pictures look excellent, especially in low light.

Fingerprint scanner: It’s blazingly fast. I’ve yet to have a misread (but keep mind, it has only been one day). The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, always on display, and knock-on are a perfect combination to stay on top of whats going on your device.

Software: Many of my friends know how much I absolutely hate LG’s skin. I admit that the first thing I did when setting up the phone was switch the to preloaded dark theme and install Nova launcher. Obviously, for our full review we’ll use the phone’s stock launcher so you can know what to expect when the phone comes out of the box, but the fact that there are 5 pre-installed themes is promising.

Early Conclusion

Like we said above, we’re keeping an open mind until the full review is complete, but color us impressed. LG has put together a very solid, if unspectacular device. I think if Samsung wasn’t releasing the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus at the same time, people would be all over the G6. The build quality is very good, the software seems to have taken steps forward, and there are a lot of other little improvements.

While we’re impressed with what we see so far, there are some definite weaknesses too. The fingerprints are a big one, but we’re also seeing a weak bottom firing speaker, some slight sluggishness in the software under load, and charging speeds.

Is the LG G6 worth your $650? We’re inclined to say yes at this point, especially if you can score some of the awesome preorder bonuses. If you’re interested in picking one up, check out our post on when and where you can buy the LG G6 and the bonuses you may entitled to.

Enable traffic notifications in Google Maps

AndroidGuys
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I live in Los Angeles. Traffic notifications are indispensable, as there seems to be no end to gridlock, accidents and other delays. Therefore, when planning your trip or daily commute, knowing how to enable traffic notifications in Google Maps is a must.

Enabling traffic notifications

Fortunately, Google Maps has a very robust traffic notification system. The first step is to sign-in to your Google account. If you are using your Android phone, you are probably already signed-in.

To enable traffic notifications on your phone, perform the following:

  1. Open Google Maps. See Figure 1.

    Fig. 1
  2. Tap on the menu bars on the top left corner. See Figure 2.

    Fig. 2
  3. Tap on Traffic. See Figure 3.

    Fig. 3

Your map will now show traffic conditions near your location. See Figure 4.

Fig. 4

If you have location services enabled, Google Maps will periodically provide real-time notifications of traffic around you. When there is severe traffic or an accident nearby, Google Maps will also notify you.

Disabling traffic notifications

If you need to disable traffic notifications, perform the same steps as enabling traffic.

  1. Click on the menu bars on the top left corner. See Figure 2 above.
  2. Notice that Traffic is highlighted, showing notifications are enabled. See Figure 5.

    Fig. 5
  3. To disable, click again. Now your map will look like Figure 2 above without traffic (and a lot less red in L.A.).

This completes this procedure.

This year you can buy the Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition

Alexandra Arici
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The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7, both shipped out with Microsoft apps pre-installed and now it seems like the “partnership” between the two companies will leave a mark on the Galaxy S8 too. However, this time around the apps won’t come pre-bundled on the device.

Microsoft just announced it is taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition starting today from Microsoft retail stores across the US. This version of Samsung’s Galaxy S8 will come with a range of Microsoft apps and services.

Once upon a time, Samsung wanted to avoid paying Microsoft huge amounts of cash, after signing a contract back in 2011 which stipulated the Korean tech giant had to pay the Redmond company per-device royalties for its Android phones.

But Microsoft filed an Android patent-royalty suit against Samsung in 2014, which was eventually settle, but not without a bit of blood being shed. Forced by the circumstances, the Korean smartphone maker had to agree to bundle Microsoft Office apps on its Galaxy S6 smartphone.

Well it seems that two years after, the Microsoft-Samsung deal hasn’t expired. What’s more the Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition will come with even more pre-installed apps than its predecessors. Besides Skype, OneDrive and OneNote, customers will also find apps like Outlook and Cortana.

According to a Microsoft spokesperson, the Microsoft customization will be applied in-store once a Galaxy S8 is unboxed and connected to the Wi-Fi – which means the phone will be populated with the Redmond giant’s apps.

But if people actually want Skype or Cortana on their phone, can’t they just download and install them on the phones themselves? Also, if the phones don’t come with the apps pre-installed why is the Redmond company calling them, the Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition? Well because it probably wants to differentiate customers purchasing the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ from the Microsoft Store from those buying from Best Buy or Samsung itself.

Anyway, if for whatever reason you’re actually interested in buying these phones, you should know the Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition will become available for purchase for $749.99, while the Galaxy S8+ has an $849.99 retail price.

Star Wars: Force Arena is a superb addition to the Star Wars universe (Review)

Gerson Noboa
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There’s a pleasing tendency these days of having high-profile franchises betting on mobile games. We’ve seen Pokémon, Mario, Marvel, and Fire Emblem all release top-quality games in the Play Store, which is something healthy for the community. Having several big-name clients under its belt, Netmarble Games got the chance of developing a Star Wars game. The result? Star Wars: Battle Arena, a game that mixes several genres into one full-fledged, enjoyable game.

Developer: Netmarble Games
Price: Free

Setup

After connecting with your Google Play Games account, the game takes you to a screen that downloads additional files, a sight that is getting way too common with each passing day. After 243 MB of information, the game takes you to a very informative tutorial.

This sequence takes you through basic controls, objectives and different elements that have been added to the game. The tutorial is kind of long and has you executing a lot of activities, so be sure you have at least 15 spare minutes to complete it.

Overview

It is kind of difficult to explain which genre this game falls under. On the Play Store, Netmarble Games decided to list it as a strategy game, which is an appropriate categorization, but it doesn’t capture the full picture.

Great, kid! Don’t get cocky.

First of all, this is an online-only game. If you try to start it without an Internet connection, you’re gonna have a bad time. Star Wars: Force Arena merges some MOBA elements with character improvement. Also, you have additional units that you can deploy through a card-based system. It is a very interesting mixture of genres and works pretty well.

But what is it all about? The game is simple: you need to destroy your opponent’s base. You control a character, called a hero, and can deploy troops throughout the field, such as stormtroopers, rebel troops, and even X-Wings. Each site is protected by three turrets, and destroying them gives your team one point. Since matches are time-constrained, the match can be decided by who gets more points if you fail to destroy your opponent’s base before the time expires.

Controls are pretty simple. Just as in any MOBA, you just need to tap on whatever you want to destroy, and your troops will do the rest. For deploying troops, tap on the corresponding card and, as long as you have energy, they will deploy automatically.

Gameplay is action-packed and fast-paced.

The game gets a whole new level of depth thanks to this card system since it provides such a large amount of strategies and customization. Do you prefer weaker troops that you can spawn quickly or prefer to have strong troops on your side at the cost of deploying them slower? What about a balance between both? You can do it whichever way you feel more comfortable with.

You get these cards through boosters, which you can get by winning matches, getting tickets, for free every four hours, or buying them directly with real money. Troops can also be leveled up by spending gold and collecting cards from the same type.

Let’s say you want to level up your Stormtroopers so that they actually hit something. You will need the appropriate amount of gold, and a certain number of Stormtrooper cards. Because the content of these boosters are random, leveling up troops can be a bit tricky. If you reach a point in which you want to upgrade a troop but you don’t have the required cards, you can also buy them separately with gold.

2 vs 2 battles are superb.

All of the matches are online unless you choose the training mode instead. The matches can be either 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 and both of them are done in real-time against other humans. You will find different strategies, characters, and movements used since you’re playing against humans, and not a computer opponent.

The 2 vs 2 matches are especially entertaining. You have to collaborate with another person in order to win, and the amount of troops and heroes wandering around the stage makes the matches a very unique experience.

If you want to collaborate with people you know and not with random humans, you can also join a guild. Members of the same guild can go into missions together and chat through the built-in chat group. You can also battle with members of the guild in order to hone your skills.

General Impressions

Thanks to the robust card system, the amount of replay value increases dramatically, since there’s a lot of stuff you can upgrade and improve. The fact that you can choose between the light and dark side means that there are elements to improve on both sides of the Force as well.

Battles are frantic and exciting thanks to the different strategies you can use and the time limit the game puts on you. The fact that you play against a human and not an AI-controlled character, coupled with a pairing system that works as it should, means that opponents are normally pretty equal in skill and level.

Through the deck system and leveling of your character, the game offers lots of replay value.

Unlike many other free-to-play games, you can totally play Star Wars: Force Arena without spending a dime. Sure, it requires patience and your progress will be slower, but it is completely doable. Also, in-app purchases are logically priced in the sense that you actually get a good value for your hard-earned money. It’s not like Pokémon Duel, for example, in which spending $5 yielded one token that could easily be useless to you.

Unfortunately, I believe that the game doesn’t explain fully everything that it should. The deck system is kind of complex and there’s not enough explanation of what some specific on-screen elements are, increasing the learning curve. With enough patience, you will figure it out by yourself, but it can feel a bit daunting at first.

Graphics

Always in our hearts, Princess Leia.

With many games embracing the pixel/voxel art style, Star Wars: Force Arena focused instead on creating gorgeous-looking graphics that resemble as close as possible the masterpieces we see in the movies. The stages are all the same in structure but the scenery is different. Stages like Hoth and Tattooine will be immediately recognized and appreciated by any Star Wars fan.

Keep in mind, though, that in order to display these beautiful graphics, the game requires internal components that are able to handle it. For the first time since I’ve owned a Nomu S10, I saw bad performance in several sessions.

This is not a statement against the game, since what I’m doing is equivalent to trying to play Battlefield 4 on a Core Duo laptop, but rather a heads-up so that you know what to expect if you have a low-end phone. The graphics are first-class, the graphics processor needs to be too.

Sound

Music and sound effects are as top-notch as you would expect from a Star Wars game. The soundtrack sounds exactly like if it was extracted from a movie score, and the sound effects stay true to their origins. Blasters, lightsabers, and starships all have the characteristic sound we all love, immersing you in the experience.

Conclusion

Star Wars: Force Arena offers interesting gameplay through the mix of several elements and game mechanics. If you’ve played League of Legends or DOTA before, then you’ll feel right at home. Coupled with recognizable characters from the Star Wars world, superb graphics, and the sound we’ve grown accustomed to listen in the Star Wars universe, this game is a great example of how to use a well-known franchise and make a worthy game out of it.

Download and install Star Wars: Force Arena from the Google Play Store.

What’s the difference: Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy S8+

Alexandra Arici
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So, Samsung finally unveiled its latest and greatest premium smartphones. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are here and they’ve made quite a very big impression on us, right from the get-go. They are both beautiful, revolutionary smartphones, but when faced with a choice between them, what will you choose?

It’s not an easy decision to make, since the two devices have a lot in common. However, there are a few differences and knowing about them will help you determine whether you should get the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. It all boils down to personal needs and preferences. So let’s see how the two phones differ from one another:

Difference 1: Display size

This year Samsung moved its flagships into phablet territory. Both Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ feature larger than average displays. The “smaller” Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch display, while the more spacious variant, the Galaxy S8+ takes advantage of a 6.2-inch screen. Both are Infinity Displays that offers Quad HD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440 pixels) and the new 18:5:9 aspect ratio.

Given the size difference, the Galaxy S8 comes up at 570ppi, while the S8+ brings forth 529ppi. The size of the new phones is in stark contrast with Samsung last year’s flagship, which featured 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch displays respectively.

Most people are probably accustomed to phones around the 5.5-inch form factor, but as you can see flagships are slowly gravitating towards bigger and more spacious displays. A few examples, the LG G6 has a 5.7-inch display, the Huawei Mate9 has a 5.9-inch display, while the OnePlus 3T and Google Pixel XL have 5.5-inch screens. So for most people the 5.8-inch screen on the Galaxy S8 will probably be enough.

We should also note that there are differences when it comes to measurements too, as the S8 comes in at 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm, while the S8+ stands tall at 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm.

Difference 2: Battery capacity

Battery packs for Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ leaked before official announcement

Samsung’s new phones come equipped with super safe batteries that went through rigorous testing protocols including an 8-point check and multi-layer safety protocol, before making it under the hood of the new devices.

And as you would expect, the larger model gets the larger battery pack. So the Galaxy S8 relies on a 3,000 mAh power house, while the Galaxy S8+ takes advantage of a 3,500 mAh one. Despite the many innovations brought forth by the Galaxy S8 duo, advanced battery life is not one of them. Sure, the phones will be able to sustain you throughout the day, but don’t expect any miracles.

Despite the Qualcomm’s 10nm Snapdragon 835 processor onboard, the chip will still put a toll on battery life – especially on intense usage.

Difference 3: Pricing options

Like it’s the case with the Google Pixel and Pixel XL and many other phone pairs, the larger model is bound to be expensive than the smaller one. While the exact pricing specifications in the US are yet to be revealed, we expect the Galaxy S8 to come boasting a price-tag of about $750, while its larger brother will cost $100 extra (meaning $850).

The two models will be sold in Black Silver, Orchid Gray and Blue in the US. A fourth Maple Gold version will be available in some markets.

Apart from what we just mentioned above, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are exactly the same. In order to get a better idea of their full spec lists and accompanying accessories, we recommend you read our previous in-depth story.

Samsung’s foldable Galaxy X smartphone might arrive before the Galaxy Note8

Alexandra Arici
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The Galaxy S8 barely stepped into the wild and we’re already seeing new rumors about Samsung’s upcoming high-end smartphones.

Earlier this month, we told you that a working Samsung foldable smartphone prototype might be ready for primetime as soon as Q3. The Korean tech giant has been working on such a device since forever, but this year we might actually be able to get a taste of it.

A Chinese leakster who is not a stranger to delivering Samsung tips, recently revealed Samsung’s upcoming foldable smartphone dubbed Samsung Galaxy X might arrive in Q3, while the Galaxy Note8 could arrive at a later date in Q4.

Traditionally, the Korean tech giant unveils a new Galaxy Note phablet during IFA trade show in Berlin. But given that this year Samsung skipped MWC 2017 and did not unveil the Galaxy S8 during the event, we expect the Note8 to be launched with an appropriate delay as well.

A recent rumor claimed the Galaxy Note8 will make a debut into the world with a massive 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display to take on the Galaxy S8+’s 6.2-inch one. The screen could feature 4K resolution – a fist for Samsung. We were also told the Note8 will rely on a Snapdragon 835 and will probably take advantage of Bixby, as well.

As for the Samsung Galaxy X – we don’t know much about this device just yet. The prevailing opinion seems to hint at two new phones, the Galaxy X1 and Galaxy X1. Like in the case of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ the main difference between them is probably going to be display size.

The tweets by the Chinese leakster are pretty elusive, so we can’t be sure whether the Galaxy X (prototype?) will be officially unveiled in Q3 or whether it will become available for purchase during the period. The same goes for the Galaxy Note8 and Q4.

Love baseball? T-Mobile offering subscribers 1 year of free MLB.TV Premium

Alexandra Arici
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This week T-Mobile announced a new promotion. The carrier says it will offer customers a free annual subscription to MLB.TV Premium (again!) on April 4. The service usually costs $112.99 and allows users to stream all your team’s game, whether live or on-demand, as well as home broadcasting. It also includes live game DVR, multi-game viewing and more.

On top of that, T-Mobile’s offer offers access to the MLB.com At Bat Premium mobile app, which delivers baseballs stats, latest news, real-time pitch tracking and radio game broadcasts.

How do you gain access to the promotion, you might wonder? T-Mobile customers will be able to claim the gift through the T-Mobile Tuesdays app until Wednesday, April 5 at 1:59 a.m. Pacific Time. After accessing the app, customers need to sign up for MLB.TV Premium by Tuesday, April 11 at 1:59 a.m. Pacific Time.

To be eligible, T-Mobile subscribers need to be on a qualifying monthly rate plan, including “most consumer and business, postpaid and prepaid plans.” Those who have a Government account or plan without high speed data are not eligible.

We should also note, T-Mobile will be giving $100 or $50 MasterCard gift card to a handful of lucky fans, so they can purchase MLB gear. One super lucky fan will also be able to win a trip to MLB All-Start Week in Miami, between July 9 and 12.

The 2017 Major League Baseball season is set to kick start Sunday, April 2.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and Bixby to integrate Pinterest visual discovery tech

Alexandra Arici
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are finally officially and by now you probably know the two phones arrive with the company’s own Bixby virtual assistant onboard. While, Bixby is currently quite limited in functionality, Samsung says to expect great things from the AI-driven helper. For example, Bixby will be able to visually identify objects in the real world and then search for related things on Pinterest.

Since Bixby can identify objects right from the camera, the process is super simple. Click the dedicated Bixby button on the Galaxy S8, point the camera, tap to take a photo and discover related products on Pinterest. As part of the integration, Pinterest will also recommend ways to bring the idea, recipe or style to life.

This is similar to using Pinterest’s newly introduced Lens features which allows users to use their camera phone to recognize objects in real time and identify related items on Pinterest. But instead of having a separate application on their phone that allows them to do all that, Samsung Galaxy S8 owners will have this feature built-in. Similar functionality is available in Samsung’s browser and photo gallery applications.

Pinterest announced that Lens is now available in beta outside the US for customers who use their mobile device in English. It’s pretty obvious Pinterest Lens is gearing up for a broader launch, something also made possible via the Samsung partnership. The phone is expected to hit retail on April 21 in US.

What is so great about Samsung’s ‘Infinity Display’?

AndroidGuys
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Making its debut with its latest smartphones, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, is Samsung’s new Infinity Display. It’s a fancy sounding name to be sure, but what is it really?

The Infinity Display builds on the curved edge displays first introduced a few years back around the Galaxy Note Edge. After finding a home on various “Edge” models since, curved screens get more interesting this year with the Galaxy S8 line.

…Infinity Display and bezel-less design form a smooth, continuous surface with no buttons or harsh angles. The result is a truly immersive viewing experience without distractions and makes multi-tasking more convenient…

For 2017’s flagship model, Samsung has pushed things ever further to the side edges of the phone. Moreover, it has also trimmed things at the top and bottom of the handset. What does this do? In short, it gives you bigger screens without the need for a bigger physical unit. Indeed, the standard Galaxy S8 boasts a 5.8-inch display while the Galaxy S8+ comes with a whopping 6.2-inches of real estate.

Not that it has anything specific with the “Infinity Display”, but Samsung’s phones also feature Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back. This means they’re much more durable than predecessors and can withstand drops, scuffs, and scrapes better than most.

If the phones look like they are nearly all screen, that’s for good reason. Samsung completely redesigned its handsets, embedding the home button under the screen until you need it. At first glance it appears there’s nothing to see but what you need to see.

We’ve seen various phone makers employ different tactics over the years, all in the name of standing out from the pack. One of the most consistent trends, however, is trying to eliminate any traces of bezel. Some, like the Xiaomi Mi Mix and forthcoming UMIDIGI C NOTE, are almost all screen. LG comes close with its G6; we suspect there will be others this year which comprise a high screen:body ratio.

As for Samsung and its Infinity Display, we’re on board. Time will tell, but we imagine the days of “Edge” models may be over.  This may be the way things are for Samsung and its key releases. Going forward we figure we’ll get standard displays for most of the entry-level and mid-range stuff and Infinity Displays on flagships and premium models.

Marshall MID Bluetooth on-ear headphones review

AndroidGuys
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Since the mid-1960’s Marshall has been producing top notch sound producing devices in the way of guitar amplifiers. The brand has been known over the years for the specific sounds that its amplifiers produce. In more recent years, the English company has started producing additional sound accessories, like headphones. Let’s see how it stands up to the reputation it has made for its speakers.

Marshall was gracious enough to provide us with a set of the Marshall MID Bluetooth Headphones to review. Ringing in at $199, the MID is tied for the most expensive headphones that it offers. Left to my own devices, there isn’t much of a chance that I would be spending that much on headphones, but if you have read some of my previous reviews, my mind has been changed before.

Initial Thoughts

Every time I get a new package, whether it is something from Amazon, work, or a review item I just can’t wait to tear it open and see what is inside. Receiving the MID headphones was no different. Straight out of the cardboard box it was shipped in, the packaging is something I would expect to receive a $200 set of headphones in.

Fold them up for easy transport

Upon opening, I was presented with the prized item front and center. They come packaged in their folded state and presented nicely so that you can admire your purchase. Digging a little deeper, we can find a microUSB charging cable as well as a coiled 3.5mm audio cable with built-in microphone. Finally, we see a large owners manual that lists the instructions in multiple languages.

Upon first examination of the headset, my attention is drawn initially to the leather headband. Soft and smooth are two descriptors I would use here. Next, upon unfolding the headphones it is hard to miss the clean, vinyl lettering clearly spelling out the brand name in that signature Marshall font.

Design

After I got over the initial giddy feeling of getting a new present, the first thing I did was thrown them on and start to listen, but we will get to how they work a little bit later. When I finally sat down and took a look at quality, I could see that we were dealing with a product that, from design and exterior quality alone, was worth the price tag.

Starting from the top, we see the leather headband that I spoke about earlier. The textured top of the band runs all the way down into the cleverly stamped vinyl speaker housings which, of course, have that beautiful stark white Marshall lettering. Moving to the inside of the band, we find the embossed company logo on the under side. Moving down each side, we see brass rivets marking R and L (yes, that is for Right and Left). Protruding out of the bottom of the leather band, coiled cables connect the two speaker housings. The steel hinges hide behind the coiled cable sporting more brass to continue the style.

On the bottom of the speaker housings, we find all of the important stuff. The right one has the input for your 3.5mm and microUSB as well as the notification light that is directly adjacent to the charging port. We also find the microphone hole if we rotate the right speaker slightly to the front.

The left speaker houses my favorite physical feature of the headphones, the brass control knob. This small, button-like feature sits to the back of the headphones making it easy and convenient to access the controls. We will get into what you can do with it more later but it is very nice to have a single point of control.

Performance

Before I get into my experience with these headphones, I would like to say a couple things. First, I am not the world’s biggest audiophile. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some music but, for the most part, I listen to music to either pass time or occupy my idle brain while I concentrate on work. Second, I have never been a large fan of on-ear headphones. All of the ones I have used in the past either hurt my ears or did not have great sound.

Getting these set up was a dream. Holding the button for 4 seconds turns the headphones on, signified by the white light flashing next to the charging port. Pushing the button twice turns on Bluetooth discovery, signified by the notification light flashing blue. The rest of the setup is straight forward.

Tuning Specs

When I eagerly slid the headphones over my ears I was greeted with a quality of sound I can easily say I have never experienced before. The sound was clear and robust. By far, my favorite part of music has always been the bassline and these headphones do not disappoint. The bass is clear and prominent within the music that I was playing. My typical choices of music consist of Rap and 90’s alternative (I know, I’m weird) and those come across better than I have ever heard them before. The more I use them, the more I become used to the quality of sound they produce and refuse to use any of the other headphones I have. My wife even went as far as to lay claim to them; I had to wrestle them away from her so I could finish the review.

Now that we have determined that these are quality headphones there is usually one question that follows, “How long do they last?” The box claims 30 hours. I cannot claim that I have used them for 30 hours straight. In fact, I did the math and since charging them the day I got them, I have used them for roughly 24 hours and they are still going strong. I think its claim is pretty close if not spot on.

Other Features

These headphones can do some pretty neat things other than simply play music. First, and the most common of the features, is the ability to be used for making and receiving calls. I have made a number of calls with these headphones and only had one complaint. The noise canceling seems to cut off all sound when in a high noise area. I was making a lot of noise while feeding the horses and my wife told me that the sound went dead and she could not hear anything.

The second feature, which is pretty freaking cool, is the ability to share music through the 3.5mm audio jack. Simply plug your second device into the audio jack and begin listening. A very neat feature for road trips or long lines.

Control nob options

Finally, we get to the control knob. It is so nice to have a single point of control. No multiple buttons to search for, no getting frustrated trying to remember which button does what. There are a number of optional controls that range from simple to, “How do I do that again?” It does all this while fitting in perfectly with the rest of the design and the Marshall brand in general.

Conclusion

My experience with the Marshall MID Bluetooth headphones can only be described as wonderful. The sound was amazing and the design is classy and sleek. I will confess, I have been made a believer in purchasing quality devices to obtain quality sound. Since I started using the MID’s, I have not used any other headphones for music listening. In fact, I have been using these every day and don’t see that changing in the near future.

On a more personal note, my appreciation for what musicians and sound booth technicians do has grown. I was blown away by how much quality audio equipment can change what you hear in songs that you have listened to hundreds of time before.

I have to run, my wife has more chores for me to do, and that means I get to listen to more music.

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