Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA In-Ear Headphones Review: Cheap, but definitely not Nasty

If you have read any of my audio product reviews, you will know that I am not a huge fan of in-ear headphones. More than just the tight fit most earphones need to stay in your ears, I find that having the speaker so close to your ear is a recipe for trouble, often leaving my ears sore and sometimes giving me a headache. However, the Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA In-Ear Headphones have changed my perspective on in-ear headphones, from their comfy ear buds to the very balanced sound to the very affordable $59.95 AUD/$49.99 USD, I think I’ve found the first pair of earphones that I actually like. Let’s check them out.

What’s in the box

In the box of the Denon Music Maniacs, you will get the earphones themselves and an assortment of accessories. You’ll get 3 additional sets of earbuds in different sizes, extra-small, small and large (medium is included on the earphones). You’ll also get an additional cable add-on which is required for some devices; if you need this, you’ll likely know by now. I’m a little disappointed that there is no method for transporting the Maniacs with you or to even keep them neat, whether it be a bag or winding tool.

Despite being named “Music Maniac”, the Maniac’s have a very un-maniacal look. Almost all black with small silver highlights on the back of the earbuds, the Maniacs are extremely reserved and simple, which is perfectly fine, because the main event of these earphones is their performance where it really matters; more on that soon.

The Maniacs have one other notable feature, which is the inline microphone and answer button. The design of the inline unit has a very small footprint which is perfect for travelling. While it’s a bit disappointing there aren’t more controls on the inline unit, I do applaud Denon on keeping it extremely small and still functional.

How does it perform

For those who aren’t aware, Denon is a brand who has been involved in premium audio products for many years, though most recently have been making inroads with their consumer audio offerings. So the Music Maniac earphones have the pedigree, but do they have actual audio performance to back it up? Absolutely.

I mentioned in the introduction that the Music Maniacs are very possibly the first earphones I’ve liked, and partly thanks to its balance. The highs and mids are very clear and the bass is not at all overbearing, though some would say nonexistent. I really liked the audio balance that the Maniacs offer; it was right for almost every genre of music I listened to, and while rock and dance listeners may want a little more bass, that’s nothing a little equalizer tweaking can’t fix.

The other part that I really like about the Maniacs are the fact that the earbuds are superbly comfortable. I’m not exactly how these earphones are so different to other offerings, but I have happily used the Maniacs for hours on end without getting sore ears. The fit is just right, and doesn’t put any unnecessary pressure on your ear cavity, which for me is a huge plus

There is one more part of the Denon ecosystem which I haven’t mentioned yet. Denon has released an app that was supposedly designed to enhance the performance of the Music Maniac earphones. From my brief exploring of the app, it doesn’t do anything ground breaking; it’s useful for playlists and adjusting EQ, but that’s nothing you can’t already manage with other apps, and not that useful if you listen to music using a streaming app.

What I like about the Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA In-Ear Headphone

As I mentioned earlier, there’s a lot I like about the Music Maniac earphones. The top two things are obviously the comfort and the audio quality, which should really sell it for anybody just looking for a simple set of earphones that get the job done. That’s exactly what Denon would want for their cheapest entry in the Music Maniac category: cheap and effective. And for $59.95 AUD, that’s a small price to pay for that kind of performance.

This point is a little less tangible, but I really appreciate how simplistic and reserved the Maniacs are. While they look at crazy as their name suggests, that all creates a nice contrast with the abilities that it hides beneath.

What I don’t like about the Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA In-Ear Headphones

Despite liking the Maniacs a lot, I do have some concerns about the package you get. Chief among these concerns is the fact that you don’t get a means of transporting your earphones nicely. Obviously it’s not a dealbreaker, but transporting earphones is an absolute pain without a bag or something to wrap them around to keep them untangled.

Final Thoughts

The Denon Music Maniac earphones are by far my favourite earphones ever. They’re comfortable, cheap and the audio quality is extremely good given its price. They aren’t going to blow your mind, but if you’re in the market for something simple that does the job and does it well, without breaking the bank, the Music Maniacs are for you.

If you’re interested in picking up the Denon Music Maniac earphones, make sure to check out the product page here.

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Fitbit’s Tory Burch jewelry makes your activity tracker slightly more fashionable

Even though activity trackers are all the rage, few would call them fashion items. Do you really want explain why you’re wearing something so gauche at a wedding or high-brow luncheon? Fitbit isn’t happy to have its devices treated as eyesores, though — it’s teaming up with designer Tory Burch to launch jewelry that makes the Flex tracker a little more suitable for upscale gatherings. The newly available collection starts off with a $38 printed silicone bracelet that, to be frank, is just a small step above (?) what you get out of the box; it’s more for casual situations than formal galas. If you’re up for something more luxurious, you can spring for a brass bracelet or pendant for $195 and $175, respectively. With that said, it’s hard to see a truly style-conscious person picking these up in the first place, no matter how nice they look. Many attempts at shoehorning fashion into technology haven’t fared well, and there’s a good chance that you’ll still look a bit silly with a tracker hanging from your neck. May I suggest using your phone instead?

Filed under: Peripherals, Wearables

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Source: Fitbit, Tory Burch

Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5 Review: who says pouches can’t be stylish and Functional?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 hasn’t quite been the revelation that Samsung were hoping for, getting lambasted by critics for a lack of innovation (perceived or otherwise). While it has likely still sold extremely well, it seems unlikely to have matched the same sales highs that the Samsung Galaxy S4 did, but with so many Galaxy S5′s out there, it means lots of them are going to need protecting. One of the classic considerations when thinking about a case for your phone is whether you really want to obscure the back (or front) of your phone; chances are, you chose your phone for its looks and most cases will obscure at least part of that look on a daily basis. A pouch, while not generally an intuitive option, does give you the flexibility to enjoy the unadulterated looks of your device while still having protection. So with that in mind, let’s check out the Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5.

What’s in the box

There’s not much to the Snugg pouch case with only the pouch and a ‘Lifetime Guarantee’ slip included in the packaging. The pouch itself is made from polyurethane leather, which is similar to the Nexus 7 Snugg case we reviewed before (read the full review here).

Notable external feature of the pouch include a hold that allows the speaker to be uncovered, and a tab at the back which is connected by elastic to within the case; more on that function later. The pouch is also quite elegant, in my opinion; the Snugg pouch can be had in the pictured Black Leather, or the equally stylish Distressed Brown or Tan Suede.

How does it perform

Unsurprisingly, given the name of the company, the Snugg pouch produces a very snug fit for the Galaxy S5, full encapsulating the phone inside case. It can be a bit tight at first, but with leather, it’s likely to loosen up a bit over time, but I can’t see it getting loose to the point where your phone just falls out. In fact, if you put your Galaxy S5 into this pouch, it’s actually nigh on impossible to get it out by prying with your fingers.

That’s when the aforementioned tab comes into play. Being connected within the case, pulling on the tab allows you to pull the phone out of the case, only by about an inch or so, but enough for you to grab a hold and pull it out. It does take a bit of getting used to, but it is quite a neat system. When not in use, the tab is held in place on the outside of the case by a magnet so that it’s not just dangling around when not in use.

There’s also a pocket at the front of the pouch that will allow you to carry business cards, cash, or perhaps a credit card with your phone, though like the pouch itself, the pocket is quite tight and you won’t be able to cram too many things in there. In terms of protection, the Snugg pouch protects your device exactly as much as you would expect a leather pouch to; it will shield your device from errant scratches and marks, however, it’s not going to stop a disastrous fall down the stairs from being just that. However, it is a stylish option that still lets you enjoy the naked look of your device, so maybe that’s a compromise you’re willing to make.

What I like about the Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5

I really like how the Snugg pouch case is put together; the leather is well fitted, the stitching is neat and tidy and everything seems to fit as intended. Sure, there’s not much that can go wrong with a pouch, but to know that the quality is there is always a load off. I’m also a big fan of the elastic tag that helps pull the device out of the pouch; it’s a simple yet effective system once you get used to it.

What I don’t like about the Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5

While I’m a big fan of the elastic tab system, I do worry that it’s not going to stand the test of time. Snugg says on their website that it is a “Strong, elasticated pull tab”, but whether it will last months or years is up for debate. That’s not to say that it feels cheap, inadequate or is in any impending threat of breaking; it’s only a concern for me since the phone is so hard to get out without the tab. All-in-all, this is a fairly minor, neurotic concern.

Final Thoughts

Pouches have gone out of fashion somewhat recently, however the Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5 certainly looks the part of a more stylish pouch for the present. It’s not particularly expensive either, coming in at $19.99 USD, with versions of the pouch available for not only the Galaxy S5, but Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 as well. If you’re after a bit of protection for your device and still want to be able to enjoy the phone that you chose based on its looks, the Snugg pouch case is a strong candidate for your hard earned cash.

If you’re interested in picking up the Snugg Pouch Case for Samsung Galaxy S5, you can visit the product page here. To check out Snugg’s other products, you can visit their main website here.

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