Tag: Tech review

Technics AZ100 Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, travel

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

From the moment you lift the lid on the Technics AZ100 earbuds, they make an impression. The sleek, weighty charging case feels every bit as premium as you’d hope, while the neatly laid out set of ear tip sizes hints at just how much thought has gone into comfort and fit. And the experience doesn’t stop there, the Technics Audio Connect app helps guide you to the right ear tips size to give a snug secure fit that blocks out unwanted noise.  

These earbuds are clearly designed for people who really care about sound and it shows. With Hi-Res Audio Wireless support and Dolby Atmos optimisation, the AZ100s deliver an immersive high fidelity experience that’s hard to match in the wireless earbuds category. But what really sets them apart is the inclusion of magnetic fluid drivers, a high-end feature that coaxes out deep, textured bass with astonishing control. The result? Warm, full sound that feels balanced and easy to listen to.

For those who love to fine-tune their sound, the Technics app offers a range of pre-set EQ modes plus custom settings, allowing you to customise your audio experience so whether you’re into classical, rock or podcasts, the AZ100’s will make your content sound its best.

The touch controls on the AZ100 earbuds are nice and simple to use, especially as they  can be customised to your own preference by using the Technics Audio Connect app. I found it really easy to assign functions like play/pause, skip tracks, volume control, switching noise-cancelling modes, or answering calls to either earbud and you can also choose the number of taps to each function making them work in a way that suits you best.   

The noise cancelling on the AZ100 earbuds is seriously impressive. While other earbuds can struggle when your surroundings change, these ones automatically adjust to what’s going on around you. So whether you’re on a noisy train or walking through a quiet park, they block out just the right amount of background sound to keep your listening experience clear and consistent.

The battery life is equally impressive – with up to 10 hours listening time on a single charge, with the case adding an additional 28 hours which is perfect if you’re off on holiday this summer. USB-C charging and Qi wireless support make it easy to top up the charge wherever you are.

Connectivity, too, is another area where the AZ100 excels. With multipoint pairing for up to three devices, switching between your phone, laptop, and tablet is seamless, a real boon for multitaskers who don’t want to fiddle with settings every time they change tasks.

I’m really enjoying the Technics AZ100 earbuds, they fit comfortably, sound fantastic, offer excellent battery life, and come with an easy-to-use app that enhances the whole experience. Whether you’re after crisp detail, deep bass, or just a reliable pair of earbuds that perform across the board, these deliver on every front.

RRP £259 available in silver, black or champagne gold.

Available from Amazon here

JBuds Mini

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, travel

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

If, like me, you’re forever rummaging through your handbag, coat pocket or rucksack to find your earbuds, you’ll love the JBuds Mini from JLab. The clever charging case has a built-in keyring loop, so you can clip them onto your keys or bag meaning no more “Where did I put my earbuds?” moments. It’s such a simple idea, but incredibly useful, especially when travelling. These dinky little earbuds are among the smallest on the market, but don’t let their size fool you, they pack an impressive punch when it comes to sound.

I’ve been using them for a few weeks now, including on a recent holiday, and they’ve been brilliant, compact and lightweight, yet they deliver crisp, well-balanced audio that easily rivals more expensive brands. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool or catching up on a podcast during a long journey, they never miss a beat.

They come with three different tip sizes for a comfy, secure fit, and while there’s no  active noise cancellation, the snug design naturally helps to block out background noise. There’s also a clever “Be Aware Mode” which lets in ambient sound. perfect when you’re out exploring and want to stay alert.

They’re splashproof (so you don’t have to panic if you get caught in a downpour), and the battery life is good – 5.5 hours of play from the earbuds, with an extra 20 hours from the compact charging case.

The JBuds Mini are also supported by the JLab mobile app, which adds an extra layer of personalisation. You can adjust touch controls, switch between EQ presets, or even create your own sound profile, all from your phone.

Available in five colours, black, sage gray, teal, mint, and my favourite, bright pink, the JBuds Mini come with a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind. Cute, clever, and seriously convenient, they’re the perfect companion for holidays, commutes, and everything in between.

RRP £39.99

Marshall Minor IV Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you’re starting to think of Christmas gifts then you can’t go wrong with a pair of earbuds, especially a cool pair like the Marshall Minor IV earbuds. First off, let’s talk about looks, because when you’re dealing with Marshall gear, you know they’re going for that whole rockstar on tour vibe—even if your tour is mostly the supermarket and the occasional jog. These little guys are oozing with Marshall aesthetic, and you’ve got that iconic logo on the charging case. Classic black with brass accents? Check. Textured case that makes you feel like you’re holding a mini guitar amp in your pocket? Double check. It’s like they took the essence of a stage amp and shrunk it down into something you can pop in your ears.

Now, here’s the thing about design: they’re open-fit. Which is just fancy talk for “they don’t have rubber tips jamming into your ears like you’re getting an ear exam.” Depending on who you are, that’s either a win or a dealbreaker. Me? I wasn’t sure but after wearing these for a week or so have found them comfortable and secure. It’s like getting that smooth, carefree sound without the deep-pressure sensation of in-ears. One thing to bear in mind, the open fit lets a lot of the outside world in and there is no background noise reduction.

For tiny earbuds, the Minor IVs hold their own. Marshall’s really got the mids and highs dialled in – vocals come through super clear, and the treble’s crisp enough that you’ll notice those delicate high-hats or twangy guitar riffs. The bass isn’t exactly bone-rattling, though. I’d say it’s more tastefully understated. Not the kind of bass that you’ll feel in your teeth, but it’s balanced, not too muddy. If you’re a basshead, you might be left wanting a bit more thump, but for everything else – rock, jazz, podcasts it’s solid.

Marshall claims 7 hours of playtime, and an extra 24 hours from the charging case. In my field test – by which I mean doing normal human things and listening to music while pretending to be productive – the battery held up pretty close to that. And let’s face it, if you’re listening to music for 7 straight hours and not stopping, either you’re on an epic road trip or your hobbies are way more intense than mine.

Touch controls are simple to use and can be changed using the Marshall App which also gives you access to firmware updates, battery management settings and equaliser options. Connectivity is good, they’re Bluetooth LE ready and I had no problems connection them to my phone.

The Minor IV has wireless charging, which is great but if, like me, you’re yet to embrace the latest technology you can fall back onto USB-C (cable included) when you need to juice it up old school.

So, what’s the verdict? The Marshall Minor IV aren’t your “I need absolute isolation and my skull to rumble” earbuds. They’re more your “I want to look cool while listening to Led Zeppelin and still hear the barista call my name” earbuds. They’ve got style, decent sound, and comfort—if you like the open-fit feel—and that classic Marshall attitude that says, “Yeah, I rock. But, you know, casually.”

Would I recommend them? If you’re a Marshall fan and like your earbuds with a side of swagger, absolutely. They won’t replace your high-end over-ear headphones or some fancy active noise-cancelling buds, but for daily casual listening with a splash of rockstar flair? Yeah, they’ll do just fine.

RRP £119.99

EcoFlow River 2 Portable Power Station

camping, Days Out, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Summer, Tech

Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We just can’t get away from tech these days, whether it’s a trip to the beach or camping in the Lake District. It seems we can’t do without our gadgets. 

We can all pretty much manage for a day without a charger but if we’re away for longer, then we’re going to need power. Now, a small battery pack will charge a phone but what about bigger devices that require a mains supply?

The River 2 from EcoFlow is a really compact portable power station, the smallest in the EcoFlow range, with a 256Wh capacity and 300W output. The size of a shoe box, it only weighs 3.5kg so is really easy to include when packing for a weekend away or trip in the car.

It is well built, with a flat top so it is easy to pack when travelling. The handle is mounted on the rear of the device which helpfully leaves room for any cables coming out of the back.

Included in the box are two charging leads, a mains charging lead (no adapter required) which takes only an hour to fully recharge the battery, and a car adapter that plugs into the solar connector on the back. Optionally it can be changed through the USB-C connector or for a truly portable option a solar panel can be connected too.

We enjoy going away in our motorhome and much prefer the more remote sites, often with no mains hookup. The sites are peaceful and quiet, but we do sometimes miss a main supply. We do a lot of cycling when we’re away and depending on how far we have ridden my e-bike will need charging, but up until now I have had no way to charge the bike with only a 12v supply. The battery on my bike is 250Ah so using the fully charged River 2 to charge the bike means I can do more cycling when we are on sites with no mains power. I’ve used it to charge my bike a couple of times and founds it only changed up to 90%, I’m not sure why but to be honest 90% is certainly good enough and means I can get another couple of days cycling in when we are away.

A while ago we bought an electric cool box which is great for keeping food and drinks cool when going out with the family. The only problem is whilst I can plug it in when driving, once we’re there we just have to hope it stays cool, with the EcoFlow River 2 I can now leave it plugged in (when set on low (20w) you get 7 hours of use) meaning the drinks are still cold when we get back to the car after a day out.

The EcoFlow River 2 can also be used as a UPS, it has a 30ms switchover so most devices will not notice a power cut and whilst it might not run a PC for too long, it will at least give you time to save your work before shutting down.

I’m going on Scout camp in a few weeks and the EcoFlow River 2 is definitely coming with me, lighting is usually a mixture of small headtorches and large gas lamps but it will be much easier to use a 240v LED flood light. If it works well, I might look at getting the optional solar panel for a daytime recharge whilst we are on camp.

It’s a great device once you know its limits. You’ll not be able to run anything that draws more power such as a cooking device, heater or kettle but for all your tech and low powered devices it’s great. There is a good selection of outputs too, in addition to the 240v socket there are 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C and a 12v “cigarette lighter” too.

I’m really impressed with the EcoFlow River 2, although it is the smallest model in the range, it has a real quality feel and doesn’t lack features. It is controllable with the mobile app using bluetooth or wifi, can be charged in 4 different ways and by using Lithium Iron Phosphate technology, the battery can be discharged 3000 times and should provide years of use.

RRP £269 available here