Big headphones are fast becoming a fashion
statement. Even so, smaller in-ear types are not ready to lose out just yet.
Backing up this still popular earphones type is TDK as it releases the Clef
Cocktail, which comes in 10 different colours. Aside from the improvement in
style, how will this in-ear headphone's audio quality sound like? Read on to
find out.
Comfortable
sound
According to TDK, the design of its Clef
Cocktail is the reminiscent of a cocktail glass with a crystal cut. From the
looks of it, the in-ear headphones unit does look like it. The design is not
overly bling as it just uses enough for deco. Such a design allows them to sit
comfortably in the ear, even after an extended period of usage. A nice touch to
the headphones is the cord adjuster that help prevents it from tangling up.
Surprisingly
loud
As this is an in-ear headphone, the noise
isolation is naturally great. Another good thing to point out is its bass. It
may not be the best one available but it produces convincing bass for the ears
to identify. Another plus: there are no noise leaks. For all the plusses, the
Clef Cocktail suffers from being too loud as it produces audio levels that can
be painful to the ears when the music suddenly blasts out a high note.
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Info
·
Cord length: 1.1m
·
Connector: 3.5 mm audio jack
·
Frequency: 20 - 20, 000 Hz
Verdict
·
A nice looking in-ear headphone with decent
audio quality
·
Value: 7/10
·
Features: 6/10
·
Performance: 7/10
·
Design: 8/10
·
Usability: 7/10
·
Score 7.0/10
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WESC Chambers by RZA - By RZA
Much like Beats audio, WESC products tend
to fall in the lifestyle category, which means they are out there to be seen.
The Chambers by RZA (of the Wu Tang Clan) certainly looks good but the real
question is whether there is substance to the style.
The
style
So we’ve established that there is some
amount of style to the Chambers (by RZA). It’s not much though. The whole
construction feels a little cheap thanks to the plastic outer layer, which
something that isn’t noticeable until you start handling the headphones. Even
so, that isn’t the big issue. The real problem I had was with the padding
around the drivers. They were hard, like the person in charge of the foam used
to work in a Kevlar vest factory.
The
substance
I would be lying if I said that the sound
quality of the Chambers (by RZA) was bad. It really isn't. On the other hand,
it's not great either. While the audio quality is clear, it lacks any sort of
depth and everything is a little flat. The bass is average, not entirely
providing the proper low frequencies that are essential for enjoying certain
genres of music. Overall, one would expect a little more from something at this
price point.
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Info
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Output sound: 34mW
·
Frequency response: 20 - 20kHz
·
Impedence: 32 Ohms
·
Plug: 3.5mm Gold plated
Verdict
·
More style than substance
·
Value: 6/10
·
Features: 8/10
·
Performance: 8/10
·
Design: 6/10
·
Usability: 7/10
·
Score: 7.0/10
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CMStorm Quick Fire - Definitely on Fire
CMStorm may not be the biggest name in
gaming peripherals but they’re certainly building a reputation for high quality
products that any gamer would love to have. The Quick Fire gaming keyboard is
no exception. And yes, it does come in black.
Very
tall order
The Quick Fire comes with a very solid
construction, everything about it feels like it's meant to take the worst
over-reaction of any sort that you may have. The main chassis is heavy enough
that it won't end up shifting around much, which is good because the rubber
pads at the bottom aren't very good at stopping random keystroke movements on
their own. The mechanical keys are nice and solid and can definitely take a
pounding. CMStorm has taken a no-nonsense approach to this keyboard, and it
works beautifully. If there was one thing to complain about, it would about how
the whole build is very tall, which makes it difficult to find a comfortable
way to use the keyboard for a long time. Proper ergonomics are a must if you're
considering this purchase.
Great
feedback
The typing experience on the Quick Fire is
amazing. The amount of tactile feedback happens to be just right, making it
feel like something is being done while the keys are tapped on, while the sound
of the keys being pressed takes us right back to the early days of using a
keyboard. There's something nostalgic and satisfying about hearing keys tap
just the right way. That being said, this is not something that you buy to type
and do work. It knows exactly what it is, especially with the lighting on the
WASD and arrow keys. Performance wise the keys need to be pressed quite a bit
to get anything moving, which limits response times. However, it makes up for
the slight problem with a rapid repeat key-typing rate.
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Info
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Dimensions: 454 x 155 x 31 mm
·
Weight: 1.3 kg
·
Connection: USB 2.0
Verdict
·
Oddly satisfying for real work too
·
Value: 9/10
·
Features: 9/10
·
Performance: 9/10
·
Design: 9/10
·
Usability: 9/10
·
Score: 9.0/10
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Razer Taipan - Aren’t Taipans Venomous?
The Razer Taipan isn't as flashy as the
Naga but it's still a nice piece of work. While it sports the ambidextrous grip
that I personally find unnecessary, it is the other interesting features that
set it apart from the rest.
Designed
for comfort
Yes, the ambidextrous design doesn't quite
help anyone. It works for regular work because there's no need for superior
reflexes and control when putting a spreadsheet together. Microsoft Word
doesn't care if your mouse sensor has 8200 dpi, but a gaming mouse should allow
the hand to fit as naturally as possible. This isn't done by an ambidextrous
grip. However, that being said, the Taipan features a rubberised thumb rest.
This is, honestly, the best thing since sliced bread. There are times when it
feels more comfortable than a contoured grip, even after several hours of use.
Designed
for performance
The Razer Taipan comes with nine buttons
but the layout only allows you to operate eight of them at any time. Part of
the design concessions made to allow the mouse to be used in either hand. Sure,
you could potentially learn how to click the buttons on the far end with your
pinky finger but that's a lot more work than it's worth. Performance wise, the
Taipan is enjoyable to use and very responsive. I was using it to play World of
Tanks on my bed and still saw an increase in aiming speed and accuracy.
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Info
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Sensitivity: 8200 dpi
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Buttons: 9 programmable
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Response: 1000Hz Ultrapolling
Verdict
·
Rubberised grips should be standard on
everything. Oddly satisfying for real work too
·
Value: 8/10
·
Features: 8/10
·
Performance: 8/10
·
Design: 9/10
·
Usability: 9/10
·
Score: 8.4/10
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