Facebook looks back with delight at the turn of the year. Especially for the New Year, people would have used the company’s apps to get rid of good wishes and greetings. The numbers for Whatsapp, the Messenger app, Facebook and Instagram increased significantly compared to the previous year. The enormous increase is related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Doubling of usage As the company announces, more than 1.4 billion video calls and simple audio calls are said to have been made via WhatsApp for the New Year. This represents a new record for the app. Compared to the turn of the year from 2019 to 2020 use more than doubled.
The in-house messenger app, which was developed in conjunction with Facebook, is said to have been used with many effects at the same time. In the USA, the augmented reality effect “2020 Fireworks” was particularly popular. In addition, New Years Eve 2020 was the most successful day so far for messenger group video calls in the USA. These video calls typically involve more than three people speaking to each other at the same time. Here there was almost a doubling of calls compared to everyday use.
Via Facebook’s large platforms, Facebook and Instagram, users also had more than 55 Millions of live switches denied the New Year’s Eve.
Proximity despite Corona The large increase in usage figures is likely to be due to the coronavirus pandemic and a number of lockdown measures in various countries. Many people were encouraged to reduce their contacts at the turn of the year in order to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This is how Facebook interprets the numbers.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, far more people had met virtually over the course of the year 2020 and exchanged in order to still be able to continue exchanging information in times of contact restrictions. This was also clearly shown in the company’s statistics. The numbers for video calls and other calls would have broken earlier New Year’s records in the spring. In order not to have to accept any failures of the apps at the turn of the year from 2020 to 2021, Facebook has taken appropriate precautions .
LG Display’s latest prototype is a 48-inch flexible OLED panel that can be bent for gaming or flattened for watching TV. The company has shown off similar bendable TV prototypes before, like when it demonstrated a 65-inch TV meant for use inside planes that could bend into a curve for passengers to watch movies. This model, which is being shown off at this year’s virtual CES, features LG Display’s Cinematic Sound OLED (CSO) technology, which vibrates the screen to produce audio.
The 48-inch TV could potentially offer the immersive benefits of a curved screen while gaming without forcing you to live with a curved screen’s many downsides when you just want to watch TV. You can briefly see the panel in action at the 19 second mark in LG Display’s video below.
In terms of specs, LG Display is emphasizing the gaming capabilities of its prototype, which can bend with a radius of up to 1,000mm. It’s got a high refresh rate of 120Hz, a variable refresh rate range that goes from 40Hz to 120Hz, and a response time of 0.1 milliseconds. It’s also able to vibrate its screen to produce sound — a technique that LG Display has previously shown off for its flat panels — though we imagine most gamers would probably prefer to use headphones or separate speakers.
This new prototype is LG Display’s latest experiment with flexible OLEDs, which have previously included a rollable TV that packs up into a compact box when not in use.
LG Display is also showing off transparent OLED panels, which it thinks could be used in restaurants.Image: LG Display
LG Display is also showing off a range of use cases for its transparent OLED displays at this year’s virtual CES show. These include a “Smart Bed” with a transparent OLED TV that rises out of its frame, a transparent restaurant display that allows diners to see chefs at work behind it, and train carriage windows that can also display customer information. On the consumer side, LG has also debuted a range of TVs featuring Mini LED display technology.
nubia’s gaming-inclined Red Magic line recently welcomed its first TWS earphones dubbed Cyberpods and they will now star in this review that will follow.
Already selling in over 40 markets across 3 continents for $50/€50/£40, the buds come with a unique aesthetics, featuring prominent LED lights, and 39ms low latency mode that should appeal to all gamers out there.
The Cyberpods and their case weigh only 58 grams, which is extremely light. And they really do feel light but not in a cheap way – Red Magic made them extremely comfortable and light. However, the bulky design of the case makes the whole package a bit uncomfortable to wear in jeans pockets.
Each bud has 60 mAh battery capacity, and the case adds 500 mAh for a total of 20-hour battery life. The case has a USB-C port so it’s directly compatible with most modern chargers.
Red Magic Cyberpods case
Arguably the key feature about the Red Magic Cyberpods is their Game mode, which lowers the latency to 39ms. That’s a huge difference in some games, but unfortunately it’s only available on Red Magic devices. We also found it to be a massive juice drainer and along with the LED lights you can’t switch off takes a considerable toll on battery life. The Cyberpods are even missing a dedicated app, so you can’t push updates or adjust settings on phones of other makers.
Speaking about LED lighting, the Red and Black aesthetic are really nice, and gamers who are into these looks would definitely appreciate it. The case has three lines on the outside that show the remaining battery life while lifting the lid reveals some more red lights; these are just for looks.
A key component in multiplayer gaming is communication with teammates (and sometimes enemies). The Cyberpods worked smoothly when talking in a closed space. We couldn’t test how well they pick up the correct voice in a crowd with the current health situation, but the in-call quality is nicely high.
Pairing is impressively fast with the Pixart Bluetooth 5.0 connected to your phone the moment you remove each bud from the case – even before they go into the ear, a female voice saying “Connected” can be heard.
The earbuds feature 8mm “gaming-grade” dynamic driver so even on paper we knew not to expect miracles in terms of audio quality. Still the Cyberpods delivered okay bass and well defined vocals, so they weren’t bad by any means.
The buds themselves are operated with touch gestures on the spear-shaped stem. Due to the design featuring sharper lines getting the actual touches to register takes some practice, but once you are used to them you will have no issues.
Overall the Red Magic Cyberpods are the easiest of recommendations to those that already own a Red Magic phone – the unique aesthetics and amazing Game mode alone are worth the asking price and as we established these TWS earphones have more going for them.
If you use a smartphone of a different brand things a less clear cut. The gaming design may still draw you in, while the nice fit in the ear and adequate sound won’t leave you disappointed. However there’s plenty of competition in this segment, so if you aren’t into this particular style you can probably find slightly better audio quality elsewhere.
Oppo is wasting no time when it comes to its new Reno5 line. After unveiling the Reno5 5G and Reno5 Pro 5G on December 10, the Chinese giant followed-up with an official announcement for the Reno5 Pro+ on December 24 and then a Reno5 4G on December 31, with persistent chatter of yet another Reno5 model on the way. Meanwhile, the company appears to have been keeping busy with an international release for the original Reno5 5G and Reno5 Pro 5G pair.
Oppo Reno5 5G CPH2145 certifications
The two devices have now managed to bag quite a few certifications under new, international model numbers. The Reno5 5G is officially denoted as the PEGM00/PEGT00 in China, whereas the Reno5 Pro 5G goes by PDSM00/PDST00. However, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) recently published documents for a Reno5 5G under the CPH2145 model and the Reno5 Pro 5G under the CPH2201 one, respectively. The first of these model numbers has also appeared on other certification platforms, like Bluetooth SIG, Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC), Indonesian SDPPI and Global Certification Forum (GCF). The second one has been spotted at NCC, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This all clearly hints at an imminent international release for both handsets.
Oppo Reno5 5G CPH2145 certifications
In an even more-recent development, the Reno5 Pro 5G (CPH2201) was also spotted on GeekBench. The benchmark listing mentions both the MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset and 8GB of RAM, as featured in the specs of the Chinese model. An encouraging sign that Oppo isn’t planning a convoluted “switch” maneuver and will hopefully be launching the same hardware under the Reno5 5G and Reno5 Pro 5G monikers abroad.
Reno5 Pro 5G CPH2201 GeekBench and certitifactions
Just as a quick recap, the Reno5 5G features a 6.43-inch, 1080p+, 90Hz, OLED panel, a Snapdragon 765G chipset, a 64MP main, 8MP ultrawide and two 2MP camera modules around back, 32MP selfie, a 4,300 mAh battery, with 65W charging, a 3.5mm audio jack and two memory configurations – 8/128GB and 12/256GB.
Reno5 Pro 5G CPH2201 certitifactions
The Reno5 Pro 5G is rocking a bigger 6.55-inch, brighter panel, also 90Hz, 1080p+ and OLED. It swaps in a MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset, with Wi-Fi 6 support and gets faster speeds on its RAM chips, with the same 8/128GB and 12/256GB configurations. Battery capacity and charging are also nearly identical, but the Pro does ditch the 3.5mm jack, while adding in NFC.
Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | Source 4 | Source 5 | Via 1 | Via 2
Remember LeEco? We sure do. A quick search in our news archive reveals that last we heard, despite some financial troubles, the company had managed to procure a lucrative investment from property developer Sunac China Holdings and was seemingly doing well. Letv is one of the public brands used by what was originally the Le.com company, or rather its LeMobile subsidiary and is another name we are familiar with from its involvement in the smartphone market some years ago.
Well, despite being more or less absent from the smartphone scene, the LeEco conglomerate is still alive and kicking on its home China market, where it continues to sell a variety of products. The latest of which is a pair of truly wireless buds, with a name roughly-translating to Letv Super Earphone Ears Pro.
Letv Super Earphone Ears Pro
On the surface, these look like yet another entry into the already overcrowded TWS market. One clearly going for an in-ear design, akin to the Apple AirPods Pro or the Huawei FreeBuds Pro. However, digging a bit deeper, we find a rather impressive set of features on these CNY 218 ($33) buds.
For one, the Letv Super Earphone Ears Pro offer ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and are based on a potent L1+ chip, complete with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and support for HSP, HFP, A2DP, AAC, and SBC audio codecs. The 62 x 22.8 x 46.3 mm charging case for the buds has both USB Type-C and Qi wireless charging support. The box is advertised as offering 24 hours of battery life, with the two 33.2 x 19.6 x 23.6mm, 4g buds able to last an advertised 4 hours on their on-board 45 mAh cells. So, in total – 28 hours of battery life on the go, with a 4-hour top-off time. Not too shabby. The buds also have touch gesture controls. Users can tap once to play/pause, double-tap tap for next and triple-tap for previous track.
Letv Super Earphone Ears Pro
Currently the Letv Super Earphone Ears Pro buds are available on pre-order for CNY 218 ($33) on the company’s Chinese website and can be had in either Black or White. Unfortunately, there is no word yet on international availability or pricing. We would definitely love to see these make it out of China, especially if they manage to stick to the surprisingly-low price tag and maintain their impressive feature set.
Page 1: MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI in the test – carbon look incl.USB 3.2 Gen2x2
MSI’s GAMING- (PRO) -CARBON mainboards from the MPG product range (MSI Performance Gaming) are of great interest to many people who want to upgrade, because in most cases these models strike the balance between good equipment and an acceptable price. So we didn’t let it be missed and the MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI through our LGA 1200 – Mainboard test course sent.
Last summer we introduced the MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING EDGE WIFI ( Hardwareluxx test), which was able to convince in the important areas. The MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI also comes from the MSI performance series, but can – and this much is revealed in advance – stand out in a few points.
The basis between the two models is quite similar. In addition to the CPU socket, four DDR4 memory banks and six SATA 6GBit / s ports, two M.2 interfaces and various USB connections are usually used. In order to do justice to the model name, the corresponding optics are of course only used in the CARBON variant.
MSI has not only applied the carbon look to the large chipset cooler, but also to the I / O panel cover. The MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI was designed in the classic ATX format, whereby the PCB itself is black and has been given some bright accents. Except for the two M.2 and the VRM cooler, the circuit board is generally kept dark.
The technical properties
These are the technical data of the MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI:
The data of the MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI in the overview
Mainboard format
ATX
Manufacturer and Designation
MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI
CPU socket
LGA 1200 (for Comet Lake-S )
Power connections
1x 24 – ATX pin 1x 8-pin EPS 12 V 1x 4-pin + 12 V
Phases / coils
15 (14 x CPU (12 + 1 + 1 ), 1x RAM)
Price
from 244 Euro
Website
MSI MPG Z 490 GAMING CARBON WIFI
Southbridge / CPU features
Chipset
Intel Z 490 Express chipset
Memory banks and type
4x DDR4 (dual-channel), max. 5. 000 MHz
Memory expansion
Max. 128 GB RAM UDIMM Non-ECC
SLI / CrossFire
SLI (2-Way), CrossFireX (3-Way)
Onboard features
PCI-Express
2x PCIe 4.0 x 16 (electrical with x 16 / x8) via CPU (PCIe 4.0 only with Rocket Lake-S!) 1x PCIe 3.0 x 16 (electrical with x4) via Intel Z 490 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 via Intel Z 490
PCI
–
Storage
6x SATA 6 GBit / s via Intel Z 320 2x M.2 with PCIe 3.0 x4 via Intel Z 490 (M-Key, 32 Gbit / s)
USB
1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbit / s, 1x external) via ASMedia ASM 3241 5x USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 GBit / s, 4x external, 1x internal) via Intel Z 490 2x US B 3.2 Gen1 (5 Gbit / s, 2x internal) via Intel Z 320 6x USB 2.0 (2x external, 4x internal) via Intel Z 490
graphic interfaces
1x HDMI 1.4b 1x DisplayPort 1.2
WLAN / Bluetooth
WiFi 802. 11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax over Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 CNVio, dual band, Max. 2.4 GBit / s, Bluetooth 5.1
1x 4-pin CPU FAN header 1x 4-pin water pump header 6x 4-pin system FAN header
LED lighting
Chipset cooler, I / O panel cover 1x 4-pin RGB header 2x 3-pin ARGB header 1x 3-pin CORSAIR header
Onboard comfort
Status LEDs, LED switch
The supplied accessories
Mainboard manual
Driver and software DVD
Quick Installation Guide
two SATA cables
2T2R-WLAN-Atenne
3 -Pin ARGB extension cable
Corsair RGB LED extension cable
RGB-LED-Y-ext connection cable
MSI case sticker
Information card for product registration
MSI product booklet
Housing screw instructions
SATA cable sticker
Be MSI is generous in terms of accessories and puts a little more in the box. The manual, the support data carrier, the 2T2R WiFi antenna and of course the M.2 screws are among the mandatory items. But we were also able to find a quick start guide, short instructions for screwing the case, the MSI gaming case sticker, and numerous SATA identification stickers. Also on board are numerous cables, such as two SATA cables, a 3-pin ARGB extension cable, a CORSAIR RGB LED extension cable and a 4-pin RGB Y adapter cable.
Finally, with the small product booklet, MSI gives an outlook on many other MSI products and with the info card MSI encourages product registration, which of course also gives the buyer some advantages.
<> MSI MPG Z 320 GAMING CARBON WIFI in the test – carbon look including USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Features and layout (1)
If you’re serious about your FPS gaming, a monitor with the highest refresh rate possible will be preferable to maximise your in-game reflexes. Not long ago, this would have meant 144Hz. But now that over 200Hz is becoming a regular option, you need a bit more to give you the edge. Enter the AOC AGON AG273QZ, which offers 240Hz, a 0.5ms MPRT response and a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. Could this be the perfect FPS gaming partner?
In order to achieve these incredible refresh and response rates, AOC has equipped the AGON AG273QZ with a TN panel, which used to be the most popular technology but hasn’t been so frequently used in the monitors we have reviewed in the last couple of years, with VA in particular finding favour. However, a good TN panel has faster-switching pixels, and AOC has chosen an example that doesn’t have one of the usual downsides of TN – lack of brightness. This monitor has a 400cd/m2 rating. However, the base contrast is just 1,000:1 – typical for TN.
Thanks to the brightness level, the AG273QZ is able to support DisplayHDR 400. There’s no G-sync hardware onboard, but AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is supported. This is the top AMD adaptive sync specification, stipulating at least 120Hz refresh at Full HD resolution, low framerate compensation, low latency in SDR and HDR, as well as HDR certification. There’s a growing list of games that can take advantage of FreeSync Premium Pro. The AG273QZ isn’t on the official G-sync compatibility list yet, but similar screens like the AG273QCG are, so we’d hope this one will be soon too.
There’s a healthy complement of connections available. Video inputs include two HDMI 2.0 and two DisplayPort 1.4, and there’s a quad-port USB 3.2 Gen1 hub as well. You get a microphone input, headphone output, and even a pair of 5W speakers. Ergonomics are as expected, with swivel, tilt, height adjustment and even the ability to rotate into portrait. There’s also a separate menu control puck so you don’t have to reach under the bezel for the joystick.
Overall, the on-paper specifications look very promising. But you’re also paying a significant amount at around £470, which is relatively expensive for a 27in screen by today’s standards. So the AOC AGON AG273QZ really needs to deliver in every respect. Read on to find out if it’s an express delivery or more like surface mail via donkey.
Specification:
Screen size: 27-inch, 21:9 aspect
Native resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
Curvature: None
Refresh rate: 240Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Panel type: TN
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 (typical); DisplayHDR 400
Brightness: 400cd/m2
Response time: 0.5ms MPRT
Display inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4
USB hub: Yes, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1
Tilt: 5.5 degrees forward, 21.5 degrees backward
Raise: 110mm
Swivel: 32 degrees left and right
Portrait: Yes
Other: Audio output, analog audio input, 5W stereo speakers
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XSplit is a broadcast application like OBS (Open Broadcast Software). There are a few differences in the features because there are paid and free versions of XSplit. XSplit Broadcaster has a professional feel and is not hard to set up because it easily integrates with all the major platforms, including Twitch.
What You Need to Stream on XSplit
XSplit Account
Livestream platform account on Twitch, Facebook, YouTube or Restream
A PC that can handle at least 720p, 30 fps
A capture card if you are streaming from a console.
Mic / webcam / headset: For recording yourself. Check out our lists of best webcams, best gaming headsets and best gaming microphones.
How to Set Up XSplit
1. Sign up for an XSplit account at www.XSplit.com.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Download the Broadcaster software after you sign up for your account.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. When the software downloads it will ask if it can make changes to your computer, click Yes to continue. It will ask you this every time you open Broadcaster.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
4. Click Broadcast in the left corner the select Set Up a New Output. To set up a new output means to connect your streaming platform like Twitch or YouTube. You can set up multiple accounts for multiple streaming platforms.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
5. Each platform will request authorization for XSplit to use it . Click Authorize XSplit to use Twitch (or whatever platform(s) you have).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
6. After you verify your Twitch account it will show up under Choose a Twitch Account. Once you see the account you want to stream to click on it. You can also have multiple Twitch accounts logged in on XSplit. But you can only stream to one account at a time.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
7. This is what authorizing XSplit to use your Twitch will look like. Click Next.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
XSplit will automatically determine your server and tell you what your recommended settings are for Twitch and the other platforms available. Just because there are recommended settings doesn’t mean that’s the highest setting you can stream on.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
XSplit Settings for 1920 x 1080 running 60 FPS on Twitch
Twitch Properties are for technical stream settings like your Bitrate and Codec. You don’t usually have to pay attention to these settings. The only thing I would change for a smooth stream with great graphics is the Video Encoding.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Codec encodes or decodes a digital data stream or signal. Currently, it’s on H.264 and is using my graphics card the GTX 1060. I change my Codec to x264 because it has better quality, meaning it gives my stream a more polished look.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Bitrate: The lower the Bitrate the choppier the stream can be. I recommend 5000 for 1080p streams. Running at a lower setting like 1280 x 720 at 30FPS the bitrate should be raised to 4000 maximum and 1500 minimum. And the Codec can still change x264.
That’s recommended bitrate for Twitch. Recommended setting for YouTube & Facebook are 4000 to 6000.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Change the Resolution and Framerate on XSplit
1. Click on theresolution and framerate in the upper right corner.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Scroll down to Resolution and select the resolution works for your stream. The two most common Resolution options are 1280 x720 (16:9) & 1920 x 1080 (16:9).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Click onResolution scroll down to Framerate to change your framerate. While streaming at 1920 x 1080 the framerate is usually 60 frames per second. Streaming at 1280 x 720 the framerate is 30 fps.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Import OBS Scenes into XSplit
If you have scenes on OBS that you don’t want to recreate in XSplit, there’s a very easy way to port them over. Before importing your OBS scenes to XSplit you must save your scenes.
1. Open OBS, click Profile in the upper left corner & select Export and choose a place to save them.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Switch to XSplit.
3. Click Tools located in the upper left menu.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
4. Select Permissions.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
5. Check the box for OBS Scene Importer and click apply.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
6. Click Import from OBS Studio.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
7. Select the scenes you’d like to import and click open.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
8. Click Import. Now your scenes and sources are available in XSplit.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Create New Scenes & Sources in XSplit
If you are starting from scratch and want to build your scenes in XSplit, whether you’re using StreamElements, StreamLabs, or importing an overlay you made yourself, it’s very easy to use.
1. Click the + button to add more scenes.You can rename the Scene by clicking on the white bar toward the bottom.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. To add an overlay as an image, video, or GIF click Add Source at the bottom of the screen. Your File Explorer will open up and you can choose your overlay from there.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to add an Overlay from StreamElements to XSplit
Adding an overlay from StreamElements and StreamLabs is easy. These are free websites in which to create overlays.
1. Sign up for an account on StreamElements using a streaming platform or your email.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Create your overlay.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Click the link button to copy the URL to your clipboard.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
4. Switch back to the XSplit software and select paste.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
5. Grab the edges of your overlay to adjust it to the size you want.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Using VCam with XSplit
VCam is an additional free program under the XSplit brand that allows any user to remove background without a green screen and create different effects without any additional software.
1. Download install and run VCam. You can get it on XSplit’s site.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Click continue after Vcam launches and starts its calibration.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You can blur your background by moving the slider up & down.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You can remove your background.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You can add a background from their collection of images or upload your own image, gif, video, or webpage by clicking Add Background.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You can also change the brightness, contrast or move the image to the right or left by clicking the edit button near the blur bar.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
If you have multiple cameras you can select them from the list.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Click 3 dots “…” to adjust your webcam settings.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to add your webcam or VCam to your Scene
1. Select Add Source ->Devices -> Video and then XSplit VCam or your Webcam.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Use Your Phone or Tablet Instead of a Webcam
If you don’t have a webcam you can use XSplit Connect Webcam which allows you to use your smartphone camera as a webcam.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Open XSplit VCam & select the ^ button.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Click Connect your mobile phone camera.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
It is supposed to connect because it’s on the same IP address. However, in my tests, it didn’t yet work because it’s in beta. You may have better luck.
How to add your Mic to your Scene in XSplit
1. Select Add Source ->Devices-> Audio, and then select the mic you want to use.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Additional mic & audio settings are located in the bottom right corner.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Click Settings underneath the mic button for advanced options like using Noise Gate.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Use Noise GateThreshold if you have a fan that your mic is picking up. Sliding the bar down lowers the gate and lets in more noise. Sliding the bar up raises the gate and let’s less noise in. Checking the Noise Suppression box helps lower all background noise.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
4. Clicking the settings button will open general and advance settings.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
5. In the Audio tab, you can adjust your system sound/headphones, microphone, and control if you’d like your audio to have a delay.
6. Use the Audio Preview section to monitor the final audio output from your stream. It may sound like an echo but the echo won’t show up in recordings or livestream.
7. Click the drop-down menu under System Sound allows to choose what audio your stream picks up, like audio from your entire PC, which might include, Discord notifications or YouTube audio. Or you can set it to just pick up your voice and the gameplay.
Due to latency, there may be a delay between the live feed of the game and when it reaches XSplit (particularly if you are using a capture card). The delay checkbox allows you to create a delay on video and audio sources, like your System sound, Webcam, and microphone.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
8. The white bars next to the microphone and speakerphone icon control the volumes of your mic and the PC sound. Click and hold the left button on your mouse to make the volumes go up or down.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Set a Delay for a Source in XSplit
1. Find out how much the delay is by measuring it in seconds.
2. Convert that time it into milliseconds. For example, 2 seconds is 2,000 milliseconds.
3. Input that into the delay section and tes it. There will be a lot of fine-tuning to get the delays the sync up.
How to Set Up a Console and Capture Card in XSplit
If you are streaming with a console, you need a capture card to connect it with XSplit
1. Hook up your capture card to your console.
2. Turn on your console.
3. Click Add Source at the bottom of the screen, select devices -> video and select your capture card. You can resize the window by grabbing the edges of the box and pulling them outward or inward.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Set Up PC Game Streaming in XSPlit
If you are streaming PC Games you don’t need a capture card.
1. Open the game you’d like to play.
2. Select Add Source at the bottom of the screen then select Game Capture and the game will appear in the list under Auto-Detect.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Resize the game display by grabbing the edges of the window and pulling them outward if you want to make it bigger or inward to make it smaller.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
How to Start a Livestream in XSplit
After your platform of choice, overlay and gameplay are added and your mic and camera settings are configured, you can start livestreaming.
1. Select the button on the top right above your preview window. If you only have one platform click the Stream button and your stream will startup.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Select the platform where you’d like to go live if you have multiple platforms.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3. Click the stream button and your stream is now live. The red button and the message in the bottom right corner confirm your stream is live.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Saving Scenes
You can have multiple scenes for different platforms or games. Multiple scenes saved into one file is a Presentation.
1. To save these scenes select File in the upper left corner, Save Presentation, and choose where to save it.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
2. Select File, New Presentation to create another set of scenes You can even save, load, or add individual scenes by selecting File.
Adding Transitions in XSplit
Transitions are for moving from scene to scene. And XSplit comes with preloaded transitions, which you will find on the bottom right corner of the screen.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You are able to favorite them with the star button.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
And if you have a custom transition that you’ve made, feel free to upload it by selecting the transitions, scrolling to the bottom, and selecting Stinger or Luma.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Express Video Editor
XSplit has its own video editor which is another program you can download from its website.
Last year, AMD released the Ryzen 3000 series desktop processors in one of the most monumental hardware launches of the modern era. This final step completed the Red brand’s ascent back into the forefront of the desktop processor market that began with the launch of the first generation of Ryzen CPUs. Now, Intel is finally firing back with the launch of the 10th Gen Intel Core processors, along with a new motherboard standard to drive them.
As should be no surprise, the focus will remain on the new motherboards. While the 10th Gen Intel Core processors will not support PCIe 4.0 connectivity due to signal integrity issues, many of the Z490 motherboards are designed to support the PCIe 4.0 specification. This is accomplished by adding clock generators to help clean up the signal. Generally speaking, when it comes to long-term platform support, AMD has been the trendsetter. Has AMD’s long support of the AM4 socket on its newer-generation processors inspired Intel to take similar steps?
So what is Z490 offering right now? For starters, there has been a large focus on VRM and VRM cooling design. With the top-level Intel Core i9-10900K featuring 10 cores along with HyperThreading, the ability to deliver clean, continuous power is going to be one of the primary factors that separates a good Z490 board from the competition. With the introduction of HyperThreading on Intel’s mid-range line up, power delivery is going to be vital in all segments.
The Maximus family serves as ASUS’s flagship line for Intel motherboards, with premium looks, premium features, blazing performance, and broad overclocking support. The Maximus lineup typically comprises four models: the Hero, Apex, Formula, and Extreme. Intel’s Z490 chipset is no exception. The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme serves as the capstone entry for the Maximus family, providing every bell and whistle available.
The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme features a robust VRM cooling solution complete with an optional active cooling fan, all paired with no less than sixteen 90 A power stages from Infineon. Dual BIOS with BIOS flashback has also been included, as well as ASUS’s excellent BIOS designed to provide an optimal, stress-free overclocking experience. The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme also offers great connectivity with not only WiFi 6 and 2.5 Gb/s LAN, but also 10 Gb/s Ethernet using an Aquantia controller. All of this performance is bundled into a sleek, modern package with excellent RGB options and a host of accessories.
Let’s take a closer look at what the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme has to offer.
2x Antenna ports 1x Bios Flashback button 1x Clear CMOS button 1x Optical SPDIF out port 2x LAN (RJ45) port 1x USB 3.2 (Gen2x2) Type-C port 1x USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-C port 6x USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports 2x USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-A ports 2x USB 2.0 ports 5x 3.5 mm audio jacks
Audio:
1x Realtek ALC1220 Codec
Fan Headers:
14x 4-pin
Form Factor:
Extended ATX Form Factor: 12.0 x 10.9 in. / 30.5 x 27.7 cm
Home/Component/Cases/Gigabyte unveils the new Aorus C700 Glass full-tower chassis
João Silva 1 hour ago Cases, Featured Tech News
Gigabyte Aorus has unveiled a new case this week – the C700 Glass. This full-tower chassis features extensive water and air cooling support, up to E-ATX motherboards, and 10x SSDs, allowing users to create a powerful system inside it.
Featuring translucent black tempered glass panels on both sides, the case features RGB Fusion 2.0 ARGB lighting that you can synchronise with other compatible components. The side panels are easily removable without tools, making it more convenient to upgrade your components, or just cleaning dust out of your case.
The Aorus C700 Glass allows users to mount air coolers with 198mm tall heatsinks, 490mm long graphics cards, and 200mm length power supplies. The GPU can be installed either horizontally or vertically. This case supports up to 3x 120/140mm fans (3x 120mm ARGB fans included) on the top panel, 2x 120mm fans (included) or a 140mm fan at the rear, and 3x 120/140mm fans on the front panel. Radiator support is also quite extensive, allowing users to mount 420mm radiators on the top, 360mm radiator on the front, and 140mm at the rear.
There are multiple drive bays for storage drives inside the chassis, supporting up to 10x 2.5-inch drives, from which 4x drive bays also support 3.5-inch drives. The case comes with a built-in ARGB and PWM hub controller with 3x 5V 3-pin ARGB connectors and 5x PWM connectors. The front I/O panel is well equipped with 4x USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C 3.1 Gen2 port, a 3.5mm audio-out jack, a 3.5mm audio-in jack, RGB and fan speed buttons, and an HDMI port. Additionally, there’s a PSU shroud to hide the cabling and separate the PSU heat from the rest of the system and enough space on both left and right sides of the chassis for cable management.
Pricing and availability details of the Gigabyte Aorus C700 Glass have not been disclosed yet. You can learn more about this case HERE.
KitGuru says: What do you all think of the new Gigabyte Aorus C700 Glass? Is this a case that you would consider for your next PC build?
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Asus introduces the ProArt PA278CV Calman verified monitor
The ASUS ProArt line of monitors has always carried a great reputation amongst creative professionals. …
RESUME The Qnap TVS – 672 N is a NAS aimed at the true audio enthusiast. With the enormous amount of storage capacity, lovers of films and series will not complain. Support for Roon, Linn Audio and the possibility for virtualization are big pluses. The scalability of the hardware ensures that you are ready for years to come. The Qnap TVS – 743 N is (almost) a must have for the digital audio enthusiast.
PLUS POINTS Hardware Scalability Future proof Storage capacity Roon Virtualization MINUSES Price can deter You still need to buy hard drives With the exponential growth of streaming services, we would almost forget that not too long ago we provided our own streaming or still do. The NAS is an extremely suitable system for this. NAS systems have gone through many developments and are now able to accomplish a lot more. We’re going to enter the Qnap TVS 672 N and at the same time wondering if owning a NAS is still interesting.
Qnap TVS 672 N: Large amount of local self-managed storage
Netflix, Disney +, Amazon, Videoland, Tidal, Spotify, Deezer and Qobuz. Just a quick selection from the enormous range of streaming services. But many audio enthusiasts have already built up a huge library of music. And many film lovers also have a collection with films and series. Of course, it would be weird to pay a streaming service money to watch movies or listen to music you already own. So why not start your own streaming service at home on your own computer network?
We have received a heavyweight from Qnap: the TVS – 672 N NAS server. NAS stands for Network Attached Storage, or in plain English, storage capacity on the network. Perhaps an overkill for one person, a solution for another. We are curious what the Qnap TVS – 743 N us in the streaming era can offer.
Qnap TVS 672 N: Scalable Hardware for User (s)
Technology has an expiration date . You know from a smartphone that a faster and better model will be on the market in a year. A NAS server should be more aging-free. The Qnap TVS – 672 N therefore has a lot of functionality on board, which you can scale. We have the test model with 4 GB DDR4 RAM (RAM stands for Random Access Memory, that is working memory, not storage memory). The processor on board is a desktop processor and supports up to 32 GB RAM. So if the initial amount of RAM is not enough, you can just expand.
This also applies to the storage capacity. It is also easy to expand. Our test model TVS 743 N has six hard drive bays. These can easily be put in at the front. In addition, the device also has 2x m.2 NVMe ssd storage slots (Gen 3 x2.2 GB / s). This makes SSD caching possible, which can increase the overall speed considerably. There is also a USB connection on the front for easy and fast file transfer and a display for reading information.
The party really starts at the back. The first thing that strikes us are the two expansion options with Pcie. It is therefore possible to expand with, for example, a (small) video card. Or the Qm2 card for an extra SSD, if necessary. We also see three ethernet connections type RJ 45. These have different speeds. 5G / 2.5G / 1G network ports make it possible to work with large files over the network. There is also 1x a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, 2x a Type C USB 3.2 Gen 2 port and 2x Type A USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Because the Qnap TVS – 743 N equipped with a desktop I3 8100 T 3.1 GHz processor, you have access to Intel graphics. At the back we also find an HDMI connection that supports 4K. To make it complete also a 3.5 millimeter audio input and output.
On the Qnap TVS – 672 N runs Qnap’s own software. The Qnap operating system runs from 5 GB flash memory and that is nice and fast.
This is really just the hardware that we can see on the outside just as quickly. This gives you as a user, but also as a small company, an enormous amount of functionality. And we haven’t even looked at the software yet. It does indicate that this NAS is focused on the future.
Qnap TVS 672 N: Roon Ready
Connecting and installing is almost as easy as connecting a Sonos Five or Bluesound to the network. Qnap has paid attention to this in the right way to make it as easy as possible for the user (s). We set a password and end up in the Qnap environment of the NAS server. The first thing to do is add storage. We set a raid volume. This ensures that we significantly reduce the risk of data loss. Preference is given to large discs in sets of two. The support for a large amount of storage is of course available. Drives up to 18 TB are supported should it be needed now or in the future. Multiply that by a factor of six and we can get rid of quite a bit of music and movies, even with raid volumes configured.
There’s actually little you can’t do with the Qnap TVS – 672 N can do. You can set up the Nas for the office or for entertainment. And the latter is exactly what has our attention. Qnap has its own piece of software for music and movies. That works fine and for the average music and video enthusiast this is more than enough. Butâ ?? ¦â ?? ¦ there is something that we as audio enthusiasts attach a lot of value to. Roon! One app to rule them all! Roon does not need any further introduction (If you do, read our article about the Roon Labs software). But if you still want to read more about it, read all about how Qnap how Roon works enabled on the NAS. It can be downloaded and installed as an app. There is a small catch. To get Roon working properly, Roon has a few requirements. For example, Roon would run best from a separate SSD of at least 300 GB and 4 GB RAM to keep it running smoothly. The SSD can be both internal and external. 6 TB of storage is also not an unnecessary luxury. So if you want to do a lot on the Qnap TVS – 672 N, you can always upgrade the amount of RAM. Consider, for example, a mail and / or Ldap server, together with Roon and also Plex. Because Roon, as we know, is a demanding piece of software. Still, it’s nice to know that the Qnap TVS – 672 N is prepared for it.
However, the possibilities don’t stop there. We choose to install Roon on an external Samsung T7 SSD. The Samsung T7 SSD uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 and can therefore use speeds of until 1000 Get Mb / s. Plex is slightly less demanding and can be installed without Diva behavior.
Qnap also offers the possibility to run virtual systems. For this Qnap uses the software Container station. This gives you the option to run a Linux virtual machine or use Docker. Why can that be useful (and we think mainly in audio and video)? Because it gives you the option to set up a virtual machine that is purely focused on audio. Suppose you don’t have Roon but Linn. Qnap also provides this. But if you prefer to work with a different system, you can set up a virtual machine that serves as an audio streamer or database. Many people love to interact with a Raspberry Pi and try things out. On the Qnap you just create a virtual â ???? Raspberry Piâ ???? and you start working with it. Maybe you have a security camera around your house and you want the images for a few more days can look back. So there are a lot of possibilities and functionality that the Qnap TVS – 672 N us can offer.
Qnap TVS 672 N: work in your own cloud Today you cannot open the newspaper or newspaper app or there is a message about a data breach. Another company that has lost data or data that has ended up on the street. Working in â ???? the Cloudâ ???? is of course great and also offers many outcomes, but â ???? The Cloudâ ???? In short, is still someone else’s computer. And the use of someone else’s computer is usually not unlimited, nor is it free. Why not just your own cloud? That is not a bad idea at all in this special period, in which we all work more and more in different places from a distance.
This actually happened organically for us. We had the Qnap TVS – 672 N fully equipped for entertainment. But slowly we started to use more functionality. We started working on the Qnap with text files and photos that we want to be able to share. More and more the Qnap started to become a digital partner in our daily use. With the Boxsafe app you can link the suite from Google or that of Microsoft Office 400.
But if there are more information is put on the Qnap, another aspect becomes important. Especially if the server can also be accessed from the internet. We are referring to information security. This is a subject to which complete books and training courses are devoted. Telling it in one paragraph how this should and works is simply not possible. Nevertheless, we would like to give a few tips. Make sure you have good passwords, but preferably a passphrase. Create separate users, other than Admin and do not give those users the admin rights. This separates the powers / rights. If you want to use third party software, make sure you can validate the origin of the software. It should preferably be a reliable source and maker. It’s safer to use Qnap’s app center itself, but in some cases it’s no different.
Qnap TVS 672 N: Final Verdict
The Qnap TVS – 672 N is a fairly heavyweight. With a price of 1. 599 euro is the Qnap TVS – 672 N not suitable for everyone. The price of one or more hard drives is in addition to that, but the user can start with one or two drives and expand later if necessary. But for the digital audio and video enthusiast, the Qnap TVS 672 N one solution and offers more than enough possibilities to provide storage. The Qnap is also highly scalable and you will always be able to upgrade in the coming years. Think of more RAM, an M.2 SSD or even a video card. And as an audio enthusiast, you don’t have to purchase a separate Roon server, you just install it on the Qnap. An Intel Nuc that functions as a server can easily cost around 365 a 599 euro (without storage or memory), but can expire when using a Qnap NAS.
Our initial question “Is it interesting to own a NAS?” we can answer with “yes”. Qnap also has smaller models and also more extensive models. Should the Qnap TVS – 743 If you are a heavy overkill or even fall short, then there is certainly a Qnap model that suits your personal needs.
Qnap TVS 672 N: c inclusion
The Qnap TVS – 672 N is a NAS aimed at the true audio enthusiast. With the enormous amount of storage capacity, lovers of films and series will not complain. Support for Roon, Linn Audio and the possibility for virtualization are big pluses. The scalability of the hardware ensures that you are ready for years to come. The Qnap TVS – 672 N is (almost) a must have for the digital audio enthusiast.
João Silva 16 mins ago Featured Tech News, Monitors
The ASUS ProArt line of monitors has always carried a great reputation amongst creative professionals. As we head towards 2021, there is going to be a new ProArt monitor coming, this time with a QHD resolution, IPS panel and Calman verification.
According to DisplaySpecifications, the ProArt PA278CV monitor uses a 27-inch IPS panel with a QHD resolution, 5ms G2G response time, and a 75Hz refresh rate. The panel has an 8-bit colour depth and comes with a typical brightness of 350nits and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. This results in covering 100% of the sRGB and Rec. 709 colour spectrums, but it also supports the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut.
As a monitor aimed at creative professionals who need the highest colour accuracy possible from their displays, the PA278CV comes calibrated out-of-the-box. The Calman verified PA278CV has multiple colour presets available to use, but you can also freely customise the display colours to your liking with ProArt Palette, allowing you to adjust the colour hue, temperature, and gamma. Other features worth mentioning include the 6-axis colour adjustment, Color Temperature Selection, QuickFit, flicker-free and low-blue light mode technologies certified by TUV Rheinland, and Trace Free technology.
Connectivity options include an HDMI 1.4 port, 2x DisplayPorts 1.2 supporting daisy-chain, a USB-C upstream port with USB charging and DP alt. mode, a USB hub with 4x USB-A 3.1 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio-out jack. There are also 2x built-in 2W speakers. The included stand allows you to pivot, swivel, and tilt the monitor, as well as adjust its height. You can also easily mount it on a VESA monitor arm thanks to the screw-free attachment system that is also used to mount on the included stand.
Asus hasn’t shared details about the pricing and availability of this monitor yet.
KitGuru says: Have you ever owned a Calman verified monitor? How was your experience with it? Would you like to get an Asus ProArt PA278CV?
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Samsung Galaxy S21 specs leak ahead of January launch
We’ve previously heard that Samsung is planning to launch its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy …
LG’s Stylo line has somewhat successfully positioned itself as a more budget-friendly alternative, to Samsung’s Note family for a few years now. The main parallel between the two being the stylus, housed in the phone’s body. A successor to the Stylo 6 is actually a bit overdue at this point, but earlier leaks did already indicate that the Stylo 7 is on its way.
In this new leak we get a much clearer look at the Stylo 7 in higher resolution images along with some basic details, like general dimensions. The phone will sport a 6.8-inch flat display, with a punch hole for the selfie camera, in place of the notch of its Stylo 6 predecessor.
As per the source, these renders depict the 5G version of the device, which will measure 170.4 x 77.2 x 8.8mm (10mm including the camera bump). A 4G variant will exist, as well, likely with minimal physical differences.
Unfortunately, we have no info on the internals of the LG Style 7 as of yet. Even the phone’s camera setup remains a mystery, other than the fact that it will have 3 rear snappers, contradicting the quad camera array, suggested by earlier leaks.
LG Stylo 7 5G renders
Looking at the renders themselves, we can also easily spot a side-mounted fingerprint reader, as well as a Type-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. And that’s about as much detail as we have. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on any further developments.
For the true music fan, there should be as little difference as possible between listening to your music on your home system and listening when you’re out and about – whether that’s simply being in the garden, on a walk or even (fingers crossed for the future) on your daily commute or on holiday.
Until fairly recently, though, being able to listen to your tunes on the go required a massive compromise in the quality you had to accept. That gap between home and mobile is, as is the way with technology, closing all the time – and here we have a terrific example of just how good your music can sound from a relatively simple handset and headphones combination; with a rather important addition to link the two…
Here’s a brilliant turntable, tablet and wireless speaker system
Here’s an excellent hi-fi system combining vinyl and streaming
Enjoy CDs and streaming with this complete digital hi-fi system
While we’re huge fans of bespoke personal music players (and for the very best sound, you should plump for one, and listen to high-resolution music files), being practical about this, it’s clear that for most people, using their mobile device is the preferred option. It’s simply more practical to use one piece of kit for everything – provided it can do a competent job. And today’s smartphones do a really fine job of being the jack of all trades. You can take your pick of the best Android or Apple devices, but for our purposes, we’re going down the Apple route here, as the Cupertino king has produced consistently great-sounding products over the years.
And, of course, for our purposes here it’s the sound that we’re thinking of. Plug in a decent pair of in-ear headphones (you’ll need Apple’s 3.5mm-to-Lightning dongle), or fire up a pair of wireless earbuds and the iPhone 12 really earns its stripes. We’ve come to expect musicality and rhythm where Apple’s smartphones are concerned and its latest effort doesn’t disappoint.
Essentially, it’s a case of more of the same, with the iPhone 12 delivering enthusiasm and musicality in spades. It works well across multiple genres and keeps you entertained right to the last second of every track.
Play Michael Jackson’s Man In The Mirror and there’s plenty of sparkle in those highs during those opening seconds. The iPhone picks out plenty of detail and texture from Jacko’s voice and its ability to handle dynamics with aplomb means you feel the full impact as the vocal switches from sounding delicate in the verses to punchier and more direct in the chorus, reinforced with the backing of the gospel choir.
Best smartphones 2020
(Image credit: AudioQuest)
The iPhone is a decent music player in its own right, then. But, to really boost the sound of this little system, you need to add a good DAC. Audioquest’s DragonFly range has always impressed us with its abilities at a reasonable price. And the DragonFly Cobalt we have here is its best effort yet – although also its most expensive. You’ll need to invest in Apple’s USB camera adapter to use it (another £26/$29 to the bill, sadly), but you’ll certainly appreciate the difference to the sound the investment makes. And it’s not restricted to simply improving your mobile tunes; use this little stick on your laptop and it will be a winner as well.
Once attached to your device and selected as means of audio output, the DAC’s LED will shine one of six colours to indicate sampling rate: red for standby, green for 44.1kHz, blue for 48kHz, yellow for 88.2 kHz, light blue for 96kHz or purple when decoding MQA.
The Cobalt does wonders in cleaning up sonic performance, no matter what kind of file we feed it or whether it’s streaming from YouTube, Spotify, Tidal or playing from our own hi-res library.
AudioQuest claims its new DAC ‘strips away fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until removed’, and we’d have to agree. It is so precise a rendering that we feel almost duty bound to play our highest-resolution recordings through it.
Lines are indelibly drawn round the edges of each instrument, with granular detail on offer to complement the cleanliness and military precision. The Cobalt isn’t necessarily concerned with polishing your music, only the lens through which it can be seen: bedroom recordings can still sound intimately lo-fi, purposefully screeching treble remains uncensored and grisly riffs still drag their knuckles along the floor.
You could spend your time analysing the music if you like; the Cobalt makes that easy with its wide-open soundstage and impressive clarity, but AudioQuest has not lost itself entirely in the detail, offering still a keen sense of rhythm and expressive dynamic range. The Cobalt’s hard work is also heard as it belts out grand dynamic shifts before donning its reading glasses to contour those more diminutive quivers.
The only reason some people might be put off the Cobalt in favour of the cheaper DragonFly Red is that the Cobalt is a serious performer. It improves on almost every aspect of its older sibling’s Award-winning presentation, yes; but with that added insight and maturity comes a slight loss of the fluidity that makes the Red sound so human. That doesn’t counteract any of the sonic improvements you’re getting for your premium outlay, but some may favour the Red’s more relaxed temperament.
Best DACs 2020
(Image credit: Shure)
Our choice of headphones for this on-the-go system might be a surprise to some – they’ve been around for many a year now, after all. But the Shure SE425, for all their lack of modern wireless connection, are still, after seven years, hugely competitive in-ears. As we said when giving them their gong in 2019, these simply sound fun, absorbing, classy, polished, captivating…
Get some music going and it’s as if the Shures disappear, leaving you with just their sound. To say it’s an immersive experience is an understatement. The level of finesse on offer is astonishing even at this price: you’ll hear things you never thought were there, even on recordings you know inside out.
They’re energetic, too, more than capable of handling tight rhythms and punchy rock, while never tipping over into brashness. It would be easy to overcook the top-end in the name of excitement, but Shure has kept just enough of a lid on it to create space and fun without making it feel like someone’s squirted lemon juice into your ears.
The midrange performance is as solid as you like – that vein of detail continues all the way down the frequency range.
Vocals are nuanced and placed to the fore, yet they never conflict with other elements in the same frequency range.
Move down to the bass and there’s a decent amount of thud. The sense of isolation helps with low-frequency extension too – these really do block out almost everything around you.
And, of course, that cable only helps to get them in this system. As with most hi-fi, having a direct physical link tends to help quality – and the DAC and headphone combo here is a superb recipe for sonic success.
Best earbuds 2020
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