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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini Review

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

The Sennheiser AMBEO series are one of the most highly-regarded soundbars in the market. It delivers multi-channel surround sound with just a single soundbar unit through clever projection of the speaker drivers and self-calibration feature. Last year, I reviewed the AMBEO Plus with the optional AMBEO Sub for NXT Magazine, and in this review, I received an early commercial unit of the latest AMBEO Mini, the smallest soundbar in the family. It retails in Singapore at S$1299.

Verdict

Launching a smallest model of the AMBEO soundbar series is definitely going to invite heavy comparison, and it is hard to beat or even match the quality of its bigger siblings. Nevertheless, the AMBEO Soundbar Mini offers a flavour of the AMBEO audio technology to produce quite an impressive wall of sound for the smaller rooms. If you have a larger room and can afford the AMBEO Plus, I highly recommend that over the Mini. Choose the Mini only if your TV supports HDMI Out (ARC/eARC) and you listen to the soundbar at rather close proximity.

The AMBEO Soundbard Mini retail for S$1299 in Singapore and is available now. Visit the product page for more information.

FiiO FT3 Headphones Review

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

I have been reviewing the FiiO FT3 for nearly two months, and this review article is long overdue, but for good reasons. Once I finish a product review, I would have to return the product. So what does it say about the product what I do not want to publish the article? Yes, the FT3 is quite an enjoyable wired headphones to use. It retails at S$479 in Singapore and is distributed by AV One.

Unboxing and Accessories

The FT3 is FiiO’s maiden attempt at designing over-ear wired open-back headphones, so clearly they are going to great lengths to make it an impressive product. Holistically, this headphones could easily please a large group of users, from the audiophiles to the gamers, from the bargain hunters to the premium goers. The retail box is packed in a separate generic cardboard box protected with plastic corner inserts and a sticker of authenticity. Check out the unboxing video:

It is impressive that FiiO includes the accessories that are not common. First of all, you will find a luxurious brown leather hard case further protected with a cloth bag. The colour doesn’t quite correlate to the headphones style, but nevertheless, I appreciate the inclusion of a storage case which is better than not having one, as it helps to keep the headphones safe when not in use.

Design

The headphones are designed with a stretchable headband that supports the fit. The clamping force is not too tight while keeping the headphones secured on my head. The outer headband is wrapped with full grain leather material which appears unlikely to flake compared to the software pleather. The design reminds me of the Philips Fidelio X2 I owned many years back, but the FiiO FT3 is much more comfortable, lighter, while fitting larger 60mm diaphragm drivers.

Sound Quality

Remember that the FT3 comes with two pairs of earpads. As stated in the product website, the suede earpads produces “balanced sound, enhanced ambiance, majestic experience”, while the protein leather offers “clear sound, large soundscape, highly detailed”. It is largely aligned with what I hear. Bass frequency lingers around more on the suede pads, it fills the ears with the low rumbles better. When switching to the pleather, the bass is less plump but sounds clean and articulated. Conversely, the treble sounds more airy, spatial, more precise on the pleather pads. Midrange also benefits from the pleather’s cleaner presentation and sounds less veiled.

Personally, I prefer the suede earpads because of its more prominent bass, which is not too overpowering yet its presence provides an overall warmer tonality. I believe that its larger diaphragm contributed to the greater bass intensity yet leaving room for the midrange and upper frequencies to showcase the details. At the same time, the treble is not too pushy on the suede pads so that listening gets less fatiguing. Having said that, I am quite happy to swap the pads if I listen to albums that I want the vocals to shine and give me the chills. For acoustic piano tracks, I am able to pick up the key-striking movements amidst the loitering sustain notes that suspend yet dissipates across the wide stage.

How does the FiiO FT3 compare to my other wired headphones? First, I want to compare it with my old headphones that I have sold off, but I have to disclaim that my impressions on these old headphones may not be accurate. The Philips Fidelio X2 rests heavier on my head, its sound is brighter and more brittle, bass is less oomph compared to the FT3. The Sennheiser HD650 is warmer, treble is less bright, while bass is less boomy.

The Hifiman HE400se has a narrower sound stage, so instruments sound closer, more direct. Bass is leaner with less low energy. Dishing out my Sennheiser HD 800 S, I can appreciate why I pay so much for it. The HD800S sounds much more engaging, immersive, yet presenting in a wider space. Treble is not as sparkling and prominent mix as the FT3, yet it remains highly detailed. Instruments have better balance among one another, less crowded, you can hear the separation.

After putting all the good words, that is not to say the FT3 is lacking. I feel that the HD800S offers me an ultimate reference-grade listening experience when I’m in the mood. This master headphones present music in a different plane that is certainly in a league of its own.

What I enjoy on the FT3 is the ability to present instrumental performance with a relatively prominent bass impression while showcasing the rest of the musical details without sounding too sterile. Its high sensitivity and resistance mean that it will convert the amplifier’s characteristics to the FT3, letting you appreciate the quality (or lack of) of your amp. I enjoy driving the FT3 with the Burson Playmate digital headphone amp with V6 Opamps which I have kept in storage for a while. Using a Ugreen USB-audio adapter on my Pixel 7 Pro, the FT3 still manages to deliver articulated sounds with a good feel of the sound stage where the mid and upper instrumentations are spaced for comfortable refined listen aided with firm filling lows.

Conclusion

The FiiO FT3 is my new favourite value-for-money every-day headphones with audiophile-grade versatility that I can use both as a high-quality casual headphones and a reliable reference cans. At a retail price of S$479, it trumps many headphones at the price range for its impressive audio performance and generous accessories. More importantly, its design ensures that the headphones will last for decades without any surface deterioration.

Audio-Technica NARUKAMI: A Private Listening Session in Singapore

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

In 2016, I was invited to listen to the Sennheiser HE 1 when it landed in Singapore for the first time. Dubbed the most expensive headphones at about 60,000 Euros, the entire system comes with its own marble-body amplifier and tubes that rise up when powered. It was an unforgettable experience.

When the Audio-Technica NARUKAMI Series first system of the line, HPA-KG NARU Headphone/Pre-Amplifier and AW-KG NARU Headphone arrived in Singapore one week before the HiEnd Asia Singapore 2023 (6-8 Oct), the A-T team called me up and asked if I want to listen to this extravagant audio equipment at their office. This headphones amplifier was first unveiled at the Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show by the A-T President himself Kazuo Matsushita on 11 Aug 2023, and the kagami-biraki ceremony took place in front of invited guests. The official model name is HPA-KG NARU and the companion headphones is AW-KG NARU, with a list price for Singapore of S$113,888.

The First Encounter

Even after doing some online research on this product, it still could not prepare me for the moment when I met the amplifier for the first time. Seated firmly on a wooden-grained table in the A-T audio room, the NARUKAMI system radiates an imposing presence with its outlandish yet harmonious element. It looks better than the press images, appearing more muted and less red. The metal mesh cover feels thick, dense, and not cold. Neither do I notice any heat radiating on the amplifier surface when I was touching all over it just to appreciate the attention to details.

My Listening Equipment

To help me evaluate the NARUKAMI, I brought my best headphone equipment so that I can do some listening comparison.

HPA-KG NARU: Effortlessly Detailed, Outclassed Amp

The job of an amplifier is to amplify recorded sound while being able to bring out all musical data to the driver without sounding overloaded or tired. Powerful amplifiers like the NARUKAMI is certainly able to deliver more impactful sound compared to smaller amps. Compared with my Burson Playmate, the NARUKAMI lets me hear music details better as I turn up the volume without any hint of struggle or veil in expressing the content. The amp translates the source with amazing sensitivity and musicality. The music does not sound processed or digital. There is an air of realism and analogue even when listening to digital tracks.

AW-KG NARU Headphones: Impression

The NARUKAMI package includes the headphones, whose design largely derives from the ATH-AWKT wooden headphones. It will come with a 2-metre gold-plated balanced XLR-M 4-pin cable and a 3-metre balanced XLR-M cable. The headphones follow an Audio-Technica signature tuning, which is elevated upper midrange which emphasizes vocals. Among the three headphones I compared during the listening session, the AW-KG headphones attain the widest sound stage with most expressive vocal transparency. Any vocal music lover will find joy with this headphones. However, it lacks the meat in the bass section, and instrumental arrangements sound recessed, so the headphones do not provide a full warm cosy sound. For orchestral tracks, the AW-KG presents great imaging and open stage even with its closed-back design.

Difference between Balanced and Single-Ended Output

Technically, there is electrical signal difference between a single-ended (unbalanced) and a balanced circuit. On the NARUKAMI, this difference is very audible. When listened to an unbalanced signal, I felt a lack of space and dynamics. Once I switch over to balanced cable, the audio sounds more resolving and sensitive to dynamic expressions. It makes perfect sense to make full use of all the audio components by channeling the signal through the balanced circuits.

Supports Pre-Amplifier Balanced and Line-Out

The HPA-KG amplifier also serves as a pre-amplifier with preamp output functionality, driving using the TA-300B vacuum tubes to your next audio chain before hitting the speakers. I didn’t test the pre-amp function due to limited time, but it is good that owners can make use of the supreme all-tube preamp circuitry to connect to audiophile speakers.

Final Words

Music is art, and art is subjective. Each individual experiences audio differently. It is for this reason that the audio market has such wide variety of products, accessories, designs, features, and prices. It is one of the few consumer categories that offer products with price ranging from a single-digit price to six-figure value. There will be an audio product that you can afford.

Is the NARUKAMI extravagant? No doubt about it. Does it sound like it is worth S$113,888? I would probably say, it all depends on whether you feel the listening experience is worth that value. So, yes, the value is subjective. However, I know that the NARUKAMI is loaded with some of the best audio components in the industry, and from how it sounds, the sound quality is at its pinnacle.

The Goods

Outstanding musical performance
Precise, detailed, clean
Analogue quality without too brittle or excessive treble brightness
Elevates headphones quality

The Bads

Expensive
Design that may not blend with existing home audio components
Headphones tuning does not really showcase the amplifier full range

Gaston Luga Promo Code Collab: GL X Nikon Black Backpack

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

I last reviewed a Gaston Luga bag – The “Gaston Luga Classic” – back in 2019. Very well-designed with pleather accents and metal buckles, pairs perfectly with the Master & Dynamic MW65. But it was a tad small for me, the shoulder sling is too thin, the access into the main compartment is too much hassle and the opening is rather constricted.

Fast forward to 2023, this Sweden lifestyle brand continues to blaze through the world of bags and accessories. I recall the very day that I saw the collaboration product announced by Nikon, I received an email from GL, as if they have waited for the right time to engage me for a partnership. Readers can enjoy 15% discount on any bags when they check-out the items with promo code CHESTER15 from the official website https://gastonluga.com/sg/ . Enjoy free shipping with your orders.

Conclusion

It’s such a joy to review products that I enjoy using, which makes it easy to pen my positive experience. I picked the GL X Nikon Black backpack as my choice for review because it’s a practical backpack with a removable interior which allows versatile configuration. It really works well both as a camera bag and as a daily bag. I highly recommend this GL X Nikon bag even if you do not own any cameras. Get your own GL bag at SGD 269 with 15% discount using promo code CHESTER15 when you order from the Gaston Luga website.

Disclaimer: Gaston Luga sponsored the backpack in exchange for my instagram posts. This blog article is not sponsored.

Technics AZ80 Review: My Favourite True Wireless Earbuds in 2023

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

Technics has released their latest flagship true wireless earbuds. The EAH-AZ80 retails at S$469 in Singapore, replacing the Technics AZ70 to be their most expensive TWS to date. This, together with the rest of the models from AZ40M2, AZ60M2, offer a wide price range to suit the budget of all consumers.

Compare Technics AZ80 to AZ70 and AZ60

I still have the Technics AZ60 (first gen) and the AZ70, so I did a close comparison of the audio quality with the new AZ80. The AZ60 was one of my go-to earbuds because its sound signature of a light V-shaped tuning makes music sound more punchy and exciting. It dethroned the AZ70 because the AZ70 has less bass though its strength is on the midrange. The AZ70 also has a chunky charging case that is more bulky to bring out, and a larger set of earbuds. After all, the AZ70 was the first true wireless model from Technics, hence an overall more conservative design approach. But for this review, I took them out to listen again, and its sound tuning is still enjoyable and works well for listeners of vocal genre.

Compare AZ80 to Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

The Sennheiser MTW3 is another of my favourite earbuds to use, but now with the Technics AZ80, I have a new favourite. The difference is subtle but it depends on the type of music you listen to. I find that the MTW3 is still better to deliver a fuller bass, but at the expense of midrange, which turns out to be a little less clean than the AZ80. In the treble area, the MTW3 might seem to sound bright, but again, the boomy lows create a veil over the treble transience. For that, the Technics AZ80 lets me enjoy the space of the treble sparkle a little better. Again, depending on your genre, the MTW3 is still enjoyable especially if you prefer a less forward treble.

Compare AZ80 to Sony WF-1000XM5

I don’t have the Sony WF-1000XM5 with me anymore, so I’m going to give my impressions based on memory. In terms of audio quality, the AZ80 offers slightly more treble authority, but since both earbuds support EQ customisation, you can get either of them and tune the frequency range to your preference.

But when it comes to overall usage, I would prefer AZ80 because it has more usage personalisation, for instance, change the touch controls, adjust ANC levels. I also prefer the eartip fit, and the AZ80 earbuds are smaller. The wireless connection to the smartphone also exhibits lesser disruptions compared to the WF-1000X5 when I use during train commute to work. While ANC on the WF-1000X5 is better, it’s only marginally.

There are unique features on the WF-1000XM5, like Speak-to-Chat, Quick Attention, and Adaptive Sound Control, but I do not use them, so they are not factored into my choice.

ANC Quality

In terms of ANC, the AZ80 offers slightly improved noise cancellation from the AZ60 which is already excellent. While it is generally harder to beat the Sony WF-1000XM5 especially with its passive-noise-cancelling foam tips, I find the AZ80 more comfortable to wear. It is close to impossible to achieve total noise cancellation from the urban environment, especially in the train commute. You are bound to be able to hear some noise. The more important consideration is whether the noise disrupts your listening enjoyment. For the AZ80, I feel completely at ease and isolated, and I can easily listen to music details even at low volumes, especially when it comes to Classical genre tracks. In fact, the ANC on the AZ80 is so good that I feel a bit wary that I was not able to hear things around me, like train announcement, or someone asking me to give way. As I walk through the train station from one platform to another, I am really in my world, feeling tranquil, no chattering, no footstep noises, no station announcements.

So what I usually do is to turn on Transparency Mode just to make sure I am still aware of things around me when necessary. And since every user has his or her own preference in the ANC and Transparency intensity, the Technics AZ80 – as well as the rest of the AZ series – lets you adjust the level.

Ambient Sound Quality

The Ambient Sound transparency mode on the AZ80 is the best among the Technics models, and I would also say, the best among all the true wireless earbuds – except AirPods Pro. However, in terms of features, the AZ80 is THE BEST, because it allows you to adjust the transparency level. When I turn to the max at level 100, it is completely open and almost natural, with the exception that the white noise seems to be a little enhanced. If I dial down the level to about 8, the white noise is less but the overall ambient noise would be slightly reduced. I love the ability to adjust the level because depending on situations, I can adjust to let in less ambient noise because I want to reduce overall noise yet at the same time I want to be aware of things around me.

More Multi-Point Pairings

For the longest time, multi-point pairing allows connecting up to two devices at the same time. Even so, not all wireless headphones support multi-point. Finally, the Technics AZ80 (as well as AZ60M2 and AZ40M2) supports up to three device connections, making it more versatile. I can now connect to a tablet, a smartphone and a laptop, a common set of tech devices that mobile warriors use. The compromise is that LDAC cannot be enabled.

LDAC – Hi-Res Wireless Audio Quality

Do not overlook LDAC. It does improve the audio quality of your earbuds. If you somehow felt the sound quality is not that good, and you demand good sound, then switch to LDAC. As LDAC demands higher data bandwidth, you need to disable multipoint to achieve the best resolution of 96kHz 24-bit at 990 kbps which transmits a frequency range from 20 to 40000 Hz.

Good news is that even with multi-point with 2 devices, LDAC can also be enabled but streamed at a lower bandwidth. This is supported even for the older Technics AZ70 and AZ60 models via firmware update.

JustMyVoice

One of the best features for the Technics has got to be the ability to remove background noise during a call. The Technics AZ80 continues to achieve this feat. They even built a demo from the app to show how effective the mic can remove background noise. This is one of the reasons why I stick to my AZ60. I compared with the Sennheiser MTW3 and the AZ80 is able to remove the background noise better.

Smartphone App

There are so much customisation possibilities with the Technics AZ80 (as well as all other AZ-series), here is a highlight of those that matters to me:

Battery Life

The Technics AZ80 is rated with 4.5 hours on each earbuds with ANC and LDAC audio codec streaming, or 7 hours with AAC codec. When combined with charging case, you 16 hours to 25 hours (ANC off). It takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the case, or just 15 minutes quick charge for 70 minutes of usage. You can leave the earbuds on your ears with ANC enabled and no audio for up to 9 hours.

Verdict

My experience with the Technics AZ80 tells me that it is a remarkable true wireless earbuds built upon years of experience in the previous models. Most of the features have existed in earlier models and even the newer mid-range models. With a retail price of S$469, it appears to be a tough sell when there are other more popular models like the Sony and Sennheiser, at lower prices. Technics has got a marvelous premium product, the earbuds sound great, and packed with features, but it would take more than just positive reviews to convince consumers, because there are fewer actual owners compared to the competitors. And my biggest reason for advocating great products like Technics AZ-series earbuds is that I hope it can be commercially successful to continue developing and releasing future models. The world needs better earbuds, and it’s getting boring with just Bose and Sony helming the top of the popularity rankings for ANC earbuds.

You might want to consider the Technics AZ60M2 at S$359. It has the same features as the AZ80 but using a smaller 8mm speaker drivers and a less premium build. Or, get the AZ60 that has the same features as AZ60M2 except triple multi-point connection, improved JustMyVoice, wireless charging, and wear detection.

Creative Zen Hybrid Pro and LE Audio Transmitter: Broadcast Audio to Multiple Headphones

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

Creative latest ANC wireless headphones, the Zen Hybrid Pro, comes with one feature that 99% of the consumer wireless headphones in the market does not have. It’s the ability to broadcast audio to many headphones at the same time with ultra low latency. Why do you need that, you may ask. Well, get a couple of the Zen Hybrid Pros and then you can watch a movie or listen to streaming music with your spouse without disturbing your family members or house mates. Or get a dozen headphones for an open-space listening event – silent party perhaps?

LE Audio and LC3 Codec

The technology that drives this capability is Bluetooth LE Audio, a new audio standard that consumes lower energy and supports more efficient bitrate. It transmits through the new audio codec, LC3, and powered by Auracast broadcast audio. LC3 has been around since Bluetooth 5.2 but it is not widely adopted. On its own, LC3 is a better codec than SBC with higher quality audio in lower bitrate. I suppose the biggest reason that manufacturers do not use it is due to lack of adoption: why introduce a new codec if most of the devices out there are not using?

Having said that, there are actually brands that have been using LC3 in their products. For instance, Sennheiser’s AMBEO soundbars use LC3 to communicate to the wireless subwoofer. Samsung is also using LC3 for its products to deliver the features that LE Audio promises – the ability to stream audio to multiple devices. When more products have the LE Audio and LC3 supported, then the benefits become more widespread. Imagine you can just switch over your existing wireless headphones to a special channel to listen to audio broadcast over Bluetooth – in airports, or museums, or learning institutions.

3 Variant Models

Now that you have a little more understanding about Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codec, let us now talk about the Zen Hybrid Pro. Creative has packaged the Zen Hybrid Pro into three bundle variant models. Here is a summary of what they come with:

Zen Hybrid Pro – comes with headphones. RRP S$149
Zen Hybrid Pro Classic – headphones, boom mic, BT-L3 audio transmitter supporting LE Audio. RRP S$189
Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI – headphones, boom mic, BT-L4 audio transmitter supporting LE Audio and Super X-Fi. RRP S$219

They go on sale from 10 Nov 2023. Pre-order now to enjoy S$30 discount.

If you buy only the Zen Hybrid Pro headphones, then you can connect to your existing devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, etc.) over SBC, AAC, and LC3/LC3+ if your device supports. It is essentially an upgraded Zen Hybrid that supports LE Audio and RGB colour around the earcups, with optional boom mic.

Creative BT-L4 Bluetooth LE Audio Transmitter

The BT-L4 is basically the BT-L3 with built-in SXFI chip. Super X-Fi was launched in 2018 and since then, the features remain largely unchanged. You need to take photos of your ears and let the system work out some computational algorithm to determine the optimal sound to achieve the out-of-the-head audio holography. Since then, there are already many more popular 3D-audio formats, like Sony 360 Reality Audio, Dolby Atmos, Apple Spatial Audio. It seems like a coincidence, but simulated surround audio seems to pick up after Creative’s big announcement of Super X-Fi. Now, with Creative’s new LE Audio headphones and the USB transmitter, could it also signal the rise of Bluetooth Auracast adoption?

Creative App (Windows)

The same Creative app that you install for other USB products – like Creative Sound Blaster X5, Creative Live! M3, to name a few – will recognise the BT-L4 and you can access many features like Acoustic Engine, EQ, SXFI, Mixer. The playback page allows you to select up to 32-bit 96000Hz resolution, while the recording quality can be up to 24-bit 48000Hz.

Audio Quality

It then leads to the question of how the Zen Hybrid Pro sounds. Let me start with standard stereo audio quality. The Zen Hybrid Pro is full of bass, much more because of the cosy ear cups that packs your ears with no room to breathe keeps the sonic intensity. The treble offers clarity but struggles to overcome the strong bass boom, and does so if the audio tracks are not excessive at the lower frequency. This means the Zen Hybrid is not an ideal headphones for a neutral listening experience, though it can be easily overcome through custom EQ. The sound staging is also uninspiring, with instruments closely positioned near the ears.

However, it’s a different story when you turn on Super X-Fi mode. The Zen Hybrid Pro is easily your saviour if you want to enjoy immersive multi-channel cinematic audio experience without possibly getting complaints from your family and your neighbours. You can turn up the volume as much as you want on the Zen Hybrid Pro and enjoy the surround sound. This is where you will appreciate the bass tuning: the Zen Hybrid Pro offers quite the identical sub-woofer experience, minus the reverberations that you feel through the skin. And because the multi-channel sound is generated from the headphones right next to the ears, actually you can hear the directional audio details much better than over physical speakers even though the sound source appears from outside the ears.

For stereo music, the SXFI mode does make the sound stage come from outside the headphones in front of you, but I find the frequency tuning is too heavy on the upper midrange. Pushing it down will reduce the excessive chesty tone and make the audio more refined and less bloated. After listening for a while, you really get the impression that the audio is coming from your home speakers instead of from the headphones.

ANC and Ambient Mode Quality

Through the smartphone app, the ANC and Ambient mode level can be adjusted. The ANC offer adequate background noise removal while not too aggressive to feel total silence. Similarly, the ambient mode lets in some background noise but does not sound very open.

Mic Quality

The normal Zen Hybrid Pro does not come with a boom mic, but based on my testing, I do not find that the boom mic delivers better fidelity. The only benefit is that the mic is positioned nearer to my mouth which achieves better pick-up. However, the mic quality for either mic lacks the high frequency, which is puzzling. Also, the boom mic does not support DNN noise cancellation on background mic noises. I would use with the boom mic where possible for better voice pickup, but using without it does not reduce the quality much.

Verdict

The Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI is a splendid headphone for immersive cinematic experience with multi-channel audio. Its ultra-low latency makes it ideal to be used for gaming and movie watching, and the USB transmitter enables broadcast audio to multiple headphones, which I find it a compelling use case where several people can listen to the same audio content at the same time. I highly recommend you to get one unit of Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI (retails S$219) and a few additional Zen Hybrid Pro (retails S$149) so that multiple people can enjoy the same audio content over headphones simultaneously without complex workaround.

OpenRock Pro Review: True Wireless Open-Ear Air Conduction Sports Earbuds

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

The benefit of open-ear headphones cannot be understated. They are the most natural way to listen to music without stuffing earbuds into the ear canals and losing the hearing of things around you. It is more important for bikers and road joggers as they need to be fully aware of the surroundings, but not so much for gym goers who prefers noise isolation from all the equipment noises and unwanted in-house music. There has been numerous variants of open-ear earbuds, and OpenRock Pro features the latest design, which is a pair of true wireless earphones with ear hooks that loop behind the ears.

Conclusion

The OpenRock Pro is available from Lend Me UR Ears, a Singapore audio retailer, at a launch price of S$129. It is available at Shopee with varied promotional price, so head there to get your best deal. The earbuds are excellent for workouts but I find them very useful for use at work, as I can leave them on my ears all day.

Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 Review

Nov 14, 2023 725195 0 Comment

After I started using the Google Pixel 4XL in 2019, I have been a Pixel owner and love the overall clean UI experience, but had to live with a “primitive” dual-camera setup and a facial unlock system without fingerprint which is a hassle during the COVID years. I gladly moved to Pixel 7 Pro early this year with an excellent triple-camera system, fingerprint sensor, and all the UI goodness. When the Pixel 8 series was launched, I was excited to review it, as well as the Pixel Watch 2 which officially goes on sale in Singapore.

Between Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro

Even though the phone appears similar to the Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro has different dimensions, which means the casings are not interchangeable. The new model has a matt glass back which prevents fingerprint marks, but this feature no longer matters if you use the phone with a casing, which most people do. The 6.7-inch display is now flat on the sides, which means the screen protector can adhere snugly without popping up.

Camera Quality

I find that the Pixel 8 Pro is less aggressive in sharpening, which makes images appear less digital. The colour saturation is also slightly elevated so the images appear less dull. At the maximum 30x zoom, the Pixel 8 Pro maintains its ability to make sense of images thanks to its conservative extrapolation. Here, the Pixel 7 Pro’s sharpening engine creates a more positive impression of being more detailed. But the new Pixel 8 Pro can enable 50MP high-res mode that allows users to manipulate the images with more pixels. Shooting at high-res mode requires a bit more time to save the image.

Google Imaging AI

The Pixel 8 Pro supports offers many AI-driven editing capabilities not available in other smartphones. Any photo saved in Google Photos can be processed. In “Best Take”, the Google Photo app provided suggestions on swapping some of the faces with better expressions. In “Magic Editor”, the app cleverly traces the subject accurately for me to reposition and resize to another area. It then tries to fill in the details. I find the results very convincing as long as I do not push the edit too extreme.

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Exchanging links is a link building strategy

Aug 31, 2023 725195 0 Comment

Exchanging links is a link building strategy that has been around since the rise of web pages on the internet.

And like a lot of SEO-related topics these days, the legitimacy of exchanging links draws opinions from both sides of the fence.

This informational guide will highlight the risks and rewards of link exchanges (including their purpose for SEO).

You will learn how the various types of link exchanges work and what makes them different from each other.

And if you ever decide to exchange links for SEO value, this article will teach you how to ask the right questions to do it safely and effectively.

Let’s get started.

What Is A Link Exchange?
A link exchange is when two or more websites link out to each other based on a mutual agreement. In other words, each site has agreed to receive backlinks from one another.

Ideally speaking, a link swap is a “quid pro quo” arrangement between websites (often within the same niche) to increase their trust and authority by exchanging high quality backlinks.

It is a backlink strategy for increasing search engine rankings or traffic.

Since a link exchange is a mutually beneficial agreement, the process of getting good backlinks can be quite easy (or even cheap/free) and pass on benefits to each party.

But on the other hand, exchanges can also carry some risk and not do much for your rankings.

This is because not all links are created equal, and Google might penalize a website that manipulates links (especially bad links that are frequently picked up this way).

That being said, the best way to understand how a link swap works is by learning the various methods that SEOs and websites use to exchange links these days.

Check Out Our Backlink Services (Trusted By Over 1,000 Brands)
Types of Link Exchanges
There are four common types of link exchanges that can be used in a link building campaign.

Despite their differences, each strategy lets website owners achieve the goals of adding trust, relevance, or authority to their own website while helping other sites achieve the same.

Some are riskier than others.

Private Influencer Networks
A “private influencer network” (PIN) is a private link building model whereby a group of companies or websites partner up to share backlinks and promote each other to boost their rankings or grow traffic.

A PIN is made up of four or more relevant websites that send links to each other’s homepage, blog, or guest posts/articles (using any means at their disposal).

A group of people can also pool their resources together to design a PIN from scratch with the purpose of sharing in the profits.

Each group member could build one or more money sites in the same niche to provide high-quality incoming links and social mentions for another target site to increase its link popularity and improve its ranking.

In this example of a network effect, the shared value of the PIN increases as other members join in to provide link opportunities, which in turn improves their rankings and circulates more traffic within the network.

PIN exchanges are a common practice of websites within related niches that can help each other without increasing direct competition.

But if the group gets discovered by Google somehow, its manipulative link building tactics aren’t going to look good at all.

Reciprocal Links
Reciprocal linking is when two websites agree to swap links (i.e., “link to me and I’ll link to you”).

The ultimate goal is for each website owner to benefit from quality backlinks that help SEO.

Even though it is the most obvious link scheme known to search engines such as Google, the act of one site linking to another (and vice versa) is still a natural part of the world wide web.

A reciprocal link is often created out of coincidence or because it makes sense to do so (while also adding value for site visitors). No mutual agreement was necessary.

Reciprocal links are the most basic type of link swap
That is why exchanged links are not always seen as violating Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.

Just because two people vouch for each other’s high-quality content or expertise using outbound links does not mean they are trying to manipulate PageRank.

In this case, reciprocal links could be considered natural links.

Instead, Google may consider “excessive” link exchanges to be part of a link scheme (more on the topic of safety later).

At least 74% of domains (with 10k organic monthly traffic or more) were shown to have reciprocal links in a recent Ahrefs study.

Since direct link swapping is a common (and sometimes natural) thing to do, you can expect this type of link exchange to persist in certain industries and niches for years to come.

Guest Post Swaps
A guest post swap is an arrangement in which people contribute guest posts on various websites that include a link to each other’s target site (plus a backlink to their own site).

There are several guest blogging benefits that make guest posting a popular link building activity. It lets websites gain exposure to topical relevance and domain authority via contextual backlinks (while sharing valuable information with website visitors).

Guest post swaps let websites add topical niche relevance
In the SEO space, guest posting campaigns are associated with great links and relevant articles.

If you cannot find someone who wants to publish a guest post as part of a swap, you can still offer your guest posting service as a sign of good faith or to curry favor with someone who might respond in kind someday.

To get started, just contact someone you know or know of in your niche and offer a guest post link from a relevant article on another website.

Then, request a list of relevant target pages in case they like the idea.

With any luck, they will agree to do the same.

Three-Way Link Exchanges
The three-way link exchange was created to bypass the footprints and potential risk of direct link swaps (which can appear shady to Google if done unnaturally).

This indirect method lets two websites mimic the effect of a direct link swap by using an intermediary site to receive and send a link between them.

A three-way link exchange needs at least two high-quality sites to make it worth the effort.

Because the exchange represents a series of one-way links from one website to the next (e.g., Site A → Site B → Site C), each receiving website would prefer a good backlink from a quality site.

A three-way link exchange is a series of quality one-way backlinks
It is not uncommon for high authority sites to pass benefits to one another using a three-way link exchange.

How does Google know where one three-way exchange begins and another ends (let alone who is knowingly partaking in one)?

Generally speaking, it is less obvious to search engines that a couple of sites are taking part in a link scheme when they are not sending a reciprocal link to each other.

Are Link Exchanges Good For SEO?
Backlink swaps can be good for SEO in the way that other link building opportunities are useful. They help you build relevance and authority while establishing relationships with people.

Remember, backlinks are a trust signal to Google that other websites vouch for your content, and getting a quality backlink is always good for ranking.

Link exchanges can give you good SEO results if you can get links from good sites (but this is often a problem as many sites doing link exchanges are low-quality).

And of course, you have to do them in moderation to avoid getting in trouble with Google.

For the most part, you’ll want to stick to things like guest posts, niche edits, HARO links or even buy editorial links.

These tried-and-true ways of getting backlinks allow you to get links from quality sites without having to worry about Google catching you for exchanging links.

Unsure About Backlinks? Our MLB Service Has You Covered
Are Link Exchanges Safe?
Link exchanges are reasonably safe when used in moderation.

Even though they are not risk-free, a smart link exchange that follows best practices could be helpful without ever raising a red flag with Google.

Of course, they can be pretty risky when done excessively or unnaturally.

Google’s Webmaster Guidelines briefly describes how link exchanges may be considered part of a link scheme (which could result in a website penalty):

“Excessive link exchanges (“Link to me and I’ll link to you”) or partner pages exclusively for the sake of cross-linking.”

Google defines “link schemes” in its Webmaster Guidelines
You can see how the definition is intentionally vague.

This is because Google knows that link schemes can be difficult to prove, and certain occurrences, such as reciprocal links, are just a natural part of the web.

Here are some examples of when a link exchange may not be safe:

A site is not related to your niche.

A site looks new, low-quality, or spammy (including its backlink profile).

A site has too many outbound links relative to inbound links.

A group of sites with too much exchange overlap.

A lot of powerful backlinks pointing at brand new content (especially at the same time).

Never do a link exchange with someone who is unprofessional or you do not trust. It is not worth risking your site over someone else’s mistakes when there are plenty of safe options out there.

Reciprocal linking is probably the riskiest type of link exchange because it is easier for search engines to detect.

Three-way link exchanges are harder to detect and provide a layer of security for their members.

SEO Case Studies: Learn From Our Ranking Success Stories
What To Look For When Exchanging Links
You want to focus on getting quality backlinks from well-established sites that Google trusts. Authority, relevance, and traffic are the key metrics you want to improve with link swaps.

Looking for the right link exchange opportunities is not that different from doing a site audit.

The overall quality of the website you are receiving a link from is the most important thing to consider. Especially if you want some real link juice from that site.

Niche-relevance is another important factor to consider when looking for a link exchange. For example, there should be some kind of relationship between the content being linked to in a guest post swap.

Look for websites that rank for your related keywords and websites that link out to other related sites.

When looking into three-way exchange groups, it is good to find people with experience running well-established sites that can pass some authority to your website.

Find people who want to add value and help one another.

Here are some examples of when a link exchange may be a good idea:

A site is healthy and has good metrics
A site is topically relevant to your niche.
A site is not a direct competitor.
A site is well-designed and high-quality.
A site seems trustworthy (including its owners).
Where To Find Link Exchanges
You can find link exchange opportunities in online communities or in your network. The process has some similarities to finding guest post opportunities.

You either have to do manual outreach (which may involve niche research to find relevant sites and message forums) or join a social network where it can be easy to connect with like-minded people.

Here are some of the best platforms to find and chat with people who are interested in link swapping:

Facebook Groups. Register for Facebook and start browsing for public/private groups about SEO, link building, or a niche. Blogging groups are a good start.

Slack. Search for open Slack channels using a Slack bot, online directories, niche sites, social media, or Reddit.

Discord. Explore public servers with the built-in directory or search online.

Skype. Download the app and browse for keywords in the search box (or the name of the chat group).

You may also receive link exchange requests without you having to do any work at all.

No matter how you find opportunities to exchange links, remember to always vet the sites and owners as discussed previously.

Questions To Ask When Exchanging
Let’s say you found someone who wants to exchange links. Now is a good time to do some extra quality checks and dive a bit deeper to make sure the link exchange is safe and worth the effort.

What is the purpose of the referring domain?
It may seem obvious, but you should get a clear idea of what the linking site is really about beyond your initial research.

Is the website designed to help search users or make a quick buck? What if the site is used to advertise link swaps?

There are lots of questions you can ask. You may have to interview the other person to gain some insight.

In the end, you want to make sure the site serves a legitimate purpose rather than something nefarious or against Google’s guidelines.

Where will my link be placed?
If you have a choice, make sure the linking page is relevant and acceptable in terms of design/content quality.

Try to have your link placed into contextual content instead of low-value positions like the sidebar or footer.

Where is the referring page linking out to (and what type of backlinks does it have)?
Ideally, you want the other page to reference similar content as yours.

It is also good if the linking page isn’t receiving many low-quality spam links or anything that does not make sense to you.

If it has a good amount of decent links pointing to it, it can be a very valuable article to get a link from.

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