Sony WH-1000XM2 Gold wireless Bluetooth headphones
03 Jan, 2019
Still The Best?
These are better than Bose QC35 IIs. Operation, noise cancelling and comfort are very good. Bluetooth pairing is easy. Build quality is good but folding the headphones to get them to fit the provided case is a bit awkward at first.
Summing up, not being a current model makes them cheaper than the latest ones. That means the price you pay will make these headphones superb value.
I didn't give these five stars for one reason - sound quality isn't as good as much cheaper wired non noise-cancelling headphones. However, if you specifically want noise-cancelling headphones, but these and you won't be disappointed.
Dewalt Keyless Chuck 1.5mm - 13mm DT7002 DT7002-QZ 1/2 inch x 20 UNF Fits Bosch
04 Apr, 2019
Good Value Replacement Chuck
Cheap, good make. Fitted today, I hope it lasts well.
04 Oct, 2012
Nice try, Yamaha. Almost all things to all men!
Well, I hadn't heard one before (or any soundbar that I was considering, come to that matter) but I'd known of Yamaha's pedigree in this field for a very long time.
I wasn't sure if it would sound very false in an over-dramatic way or offer sound effects with surround sound effects. I mean, it wasn't overly expensive, was supposed to pair up with our Panasonic plasma TV using the TV's remote control, had built-in FM radio and even had a USB socket for MP3 playback. Was it all too good to be true?
Upon unpacking the unit, I was surprised to see how small the soundbar was. The subwoofer/receiver unit was impressively made for the price. Everything in the box was there apart from an optical (SPDIF) cable, but I got one from Ebay for under a fiver. I was disappointed to find that the 'infra-red extender' was just a but of clear plastic and wondered how it could work.
Well, I read the instructions, connected all the cables and transferred some music onlo a memory stick. I took the feet off the soundbar as I didn't need them, and they would have made the soundbar sound less focussed.
Using the YHTS401BL now, starting with TV:
The rumble of the subwoofer transformed TV into a far more dramatic experience. I found myself wanting a lot more volume to get the full effect.
MP3 playback from the USB comnnection was fine. Scrolling through the menu to get a particular track is a bit 'hit and miss' but it's really just a bonus feature.
The radio was good too. I hooked up the FM antenna and programmed in my favourite stations. In this day and age, why didn't Yamaha put a DAB radio in there though?
The soundbar doesn't give any pseudo-surround effect. There are a number of sound modes that change the tonal qualities a bit, in addition to bass and treble controls.
Oh, the 'infra-red range extender' thingy doesn't work very well but it does help.
All in all, £400 is cheap for what it does. It's a complete sound system, meaning we don't need a CD player or radio in the living room. Having the brains and brawn in the subwoofer case is a nice touch. If I got some extra surround speakers it would sound even better.
I must add that I used to have a very high spec hifi system costing a few thousand pounds, and I realise that quality sound costs money. Any reasonably priced soundbar shouldn't be expected to come close to proper hifi gear.