Sony MDR-1A over-ear headphones review: Classy on the outside, fun on the inside

Usually when big-name electronics manufacturers get into audio, they do so casually. Their headphones are more targeted towards the average consumer, with decent quality and a reachable price.

Sony is different, though. It’s audio gear can dive well into “audiophile” territory, and the brand is highly regarded among those passionate about audio quality. Take the NW-ZX2 Walkman digital audio player, for instance. It goes for a staggering $1,200 and is jam-packed with HiFi prowess.

What we’re reviewing today isn’t that high-end, but it’s definitely not your budget headphone.

The MDR-1A can be called Sony’s signature over-ear headphone, or the within-reason premium offering before things go into crazy expensive audiophile territory. Let’s see if the MDR-1A should be your next upgrade.

Design

I really like the MDR-1A’s design. It’s both classy and edgy. The black model that I have (there’s also a silver/brown one) has stealthy styling that is also sophisticated. Its leather-dominated headband blends into shiny metallic stems. Then a deep red edge is lined between the earcup and earpad, for a touch of flair.

The soft, leather-wrapped earpad cushions and seamless stitching also invoke the premium feel. The attention to detail doesn’t stop there, as you’ll uncover a brushed metal band when you extend the headband to make it larger.

I’m glad that the MDR-1A looks the part, as it’s not a cheap headphone. That said, it does lose of its premium appeal when you pick it up. The hard plastic construction is immediately noticeable (the metallic finish is a deception). Still, I have no question about the MDR-1A’s durability.

Sadly, these over-ears don’t have a fold-able design. Many headphone manufacturers are doing this these days so the headphone can compact down to a travel-friendly size. But at least the earcups can rotate to lay flat. This means that the carrying case doesn’t have to be as thick. Speaking of which, the included case is drawstring-style and maintains the leather aesthetic.

Usability

The packaging includes an extra cable (with an in-line remote for playback control and a microphone to take phone calls), so this means that the cable is removable. You’ll find the 3.5mm connection on the left earcup, as one arm of the stem extends downward for easy access. The benefit of a swappable cable is replaceability. Cables can go bad, and you don’t want to have to replace the entire headphone if it happens.

You may have noticed that the ear pads look fairly substantial. Sony’s goal was both comfort and sound isolation. The ear pad cushions are constructed with an “enfolding design” to minimize sound leakage.

This in no way means that the earcups are stiff and uncomfortable. Quite the opposite is true. The pads are more soft than firm. Bear in mind that as they are leather, they will heat up over a lengthy period on your head. But all in all, these earpads are one of the comfiest that I’ve used. The sound isolation was also great.

Sound

Oh boy, the sound. The MDR-1A captures you from the bat. Sony was totally not going for a “reference” kind of sound, but rather, engaging. There’s a clear emphasis on bass. But it doesn’t irresponsibility call for attention and overshadow the rest of the spectrum. It’s boisterous in the right ways: depth and impact. You can almost feel the low-end’s sound waves shake the space within the earpads. It borders on head-rattling; if you love bass, you must try these headphones.

However, from an audiophile perspective, I have to throw a word of caution. If you like a balanced/neutral sound, these may not be for you. The bass is the clear star of the show here. It does at time borderline on boomy, but impressively controlled for the most part.

I don’t mean to downplay the rest of the range, though. The MDR-1A is detailed across the board. Second to the bass is the mid-range. Vocals and instruments in this region sound satisfyingly full and rich. Too often sound signatures recess the mids and do them an injustice, not so here. The soundstage is also pleasant, as the separation and placement of notes fill the space around you.

I wasn’t as impressed with the treble as the other ranges. It’s good, but can fall flat at times (there could be more extension) or get overshadowed by another sound. I wouldn’t call it recessed, because when the track calls for it, it’s prominent and detailed.

Final Thoughts

Sony’s expertise certainly shows in the MDR-1A. The design is attractive from either a sophisticated perspective or someone who likes standout styling, the wear/comfort is impeccable, and the sound is an experience. Though, the plastic build and bass-heavy sound may put some serious listeners off, but I can see it being fine for many people.

The MDR-1A is more premium than your standard over-ears, so the price tag won’t be for the faint of heart. They retail for $299. But you are getting a well-made, good-looking, super comfortable, and fun sounding headphone.

Sony MDR-1A product page

Cover-Up your phone with wood: S7 Edge Woodback case review

There are plenty of us out there that like the look of wood. Wood and electronics don’t necessarily mix, but that won’t stop us. Some phone makers, like Motorola and OnePlus, have recognized this and included wood as a back cover option. Device skin makers, like dbrand and Toast, also offer wood.

So I was intrigued when I heard about Cover-Up, a case manufacturer that uses real wood. If you peak at its Woodback inventory, you’ll see tons of different kinds of woods/styles. It should be enough to satisfyingly any wood lover.

Today we’re taking a look at a couple of those cases for the Galaxy S7 Edge – with Carpathian Elm Burl and Padauk wood. Let’s see if these are the right cases for your wood fetish.

Design

Cover-Up offers two different types of cases, a slim Snap case and a more protective (but still slim) Explorer case.

Snap case with Carpathian Elm Burl woodExplorer Case with Padauk wood

The framework of the cases are plastic, with a wood panel slapped on top. The wood is real, not just a skin. You can tell it by the feel. Additionally, Cover-Up offers tons of wood options, some of which you probably haven’t heard of before.

Snippet from Cover-Up’s case inventory for the S7 Edge.

Although the core is plastic, it’s well done. The frame around the wood has a super smooth (velvety) matte finish. It’s great to the touch. The difference between the two cases is that the Explorer case has extra plastic (TPU-like) that wraps around the sides of the phone, for extra protection. Despite that, it’s still very slim.

Explorer case

In contrast, the Snap case is more like a tray that the phone sits on (but it still snaps in place). The S7’s volume and power buttons remain exposed. The bottom is open too, as the plastic only grasps the phone from the corners. It’s a quality job for those who want a less invasive case and only care about minimal protection.

Snap case

Usability

As I suggested, both of the cases fit like a glove, and are very form-fitting to the S7 Edge. They satisfyingly maintain the phone’s slimness; it slips in and out of the pocket just as easily.

The Explorer case one-ups the Snap case in regard to grip. On the sides, there’s a dotted texture that helps my buttery fingers significantly.

Explorer case

My only complaint (minor) is that the plastic over the physical buttons is flat and not the easiest to locate. I’d suggest Cover-Up to outline them better in the future. That’s no problem with the Snap case, as the buttons of the phone are exposed.

Snap case

Bear in mind that these aren’t going to be your military-grade armor cases, even on the more substantial Explorer case. The perimeter of the phone is wrapped, but the material is fairly thin and there’s not much of a lip around the front (meaning that the front glass is still vulnerable).

Final Thoughts

Cover-Up did a great job on these cases. They accomplish the company’s slim, form-fitting purpose and deliver high quality aesthetics. The cases are also made more compelling by the multitude of wood panel options. I would totally recommend these if you want the wood look and don’t care for ultimate protection.

That said, it’d be cool if Cover-Up adds a more robust case to their lineup. Many consumers want their phones to be unphased by drops, and I’m not confident of the front of my phone surviving with these cases.

Cover-Up website

Operation Dracula – An amazing game marred by difficulty and price (Review)

At the end of the Vampire Wars, the Dracula Spear, the pivotal weapon developed by wizards to defeat Dracula, was split apart between four nations as a sign of victory and alliance. It is present day. Each of the four nations has received a message saying “Bring the Dracula Spear, and you will be given rewards beyond your wildest dreams.”

The war to defeat Dracula has once again commenced. This is Operation Dracula.

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Developer: Crescent Moon Games

Price: $2.99

Bullet Hell Is Back

Hailing the glory days of Arcade shoot ’em ups, Operation Dracula can best be described as an SNK shoot em’ up meets Capcom’s Street Fighter. While that may sound like a bizarre hybridization, it works quite well.

Graphics

The game looks AMAZING! I say this with the utmost conviction. The game just looks phenomenal. The graphics are sharp, crisp, vibrant, and colorful. The game’s art is fantastic! From the mechanical designs of the ships and robots, to the backdrops you fly over, Operation Dracula’s art direction oozes quality and provides a faithful representation of what the greats like SNK and Capcom were distributing in arcades all throughout the 80’s and 90s. Although arcades may have died here in the West, it’s refreshing to know that the very genres that kept us there are being refreshed in the mobile realm.

Sound

Do you remember when I said earlier that Operation Dracula is part Street Fighter hybrid? The game’s sound design is why I made that claim; specifically, the narrator’s voice. From the moment I heard the voice utter the words “Operation Dracula” at the game’s main menu, I was immediately transported back to an arcade somewhere, hearing that same voice emanating from a Street Fighter arcade machine. As a matter of fact, if you’ve ever played Street Fighter Alpha 3, it’s the exact same voice. While I cannot verify whether it’s the same voice actor in both games, I can tell you that the voices sound identical, and it’s a wonderful thing.

With the mix of the narrator’s voice, the sounds of explosions, laser cannons firing, alarms going off, and more explosions, Operation Dracula’s sound does a great job of supplementing (and complementing) the game’s already visual chaos. With your blood pressure already on the rise, the game’s soundtrack pushes you even further over the edge with music that I would describe as “classic arcade music meets heavy metal.”

All of these elements work incredibly well together and help create a tapestry of sheer brutality (from a difficulty standpoint) that I think was very intentional on Samurai Games’ part; which leads me to the next topic:

Gameplay

Brutal. There is no other way to describe Operation Dracula’s difficulty. The game has two modes: Normal Mode, Easy Mode. I would rename these modes to: Blood Boil Mode, Cardiac Arrest Mode. I found myself relegated to Easy Mode, and I still was slaughtered over, and over, and over again. I hope you like Game Over screens because you’re going to be seeing this game’s Game Over screen a lot.

Despite it’s difficulty, Operation Dracula’s controls are solid, responsive, and tight. You control your ship by simply moving it with your finger. The game automatically fires the ship’s main weapons for you. To the bottom right of your screen you will find an icon for your bombs and you can also perform a unique, special attack with your ship, by double tapping the screen. Each character has its own unique bomb and special ability, and each have their strengths and weaknesses.

The problem with Operation Dracula is its difficulty. It is brutal; no doubt about that. I know I am parroting that statement but I can’t over emphasize how difficult this game is. While I am not opposed to a challenge, I do think that Operation Dracula’s level of difficulty may severely limit its audience. In a climate where Free To Play is dominating the mobile game market, releasing a $3 game with such an unforgiving level of difficulty may spell a recipe for disaster. Don’t get me wrong; the game is fun, but it’s not for the faint of heart, and $3 may be too much of a risk to ask your audience to take.

Conclusion

Two simple changes can transform Operation Dracula from an amazing game, to an “ABSOLUTE MUST BUY!” game of the year contender:

Diversify the game’s difficulty. Offer three levels of difficulty instead of two. Break it down into:
Easy – Make this a step down in difficulty from the game’s current Easy Mode
Normal – Make this identical to the game’s current Easy Mode
Insane (or Brutal) – Make this identical to the game’s current Normal Mode.

Change the price. $2.99 is a bit steep for this game. I’d recommend an MSRP of $.99. I feel like this is a perfect price point for what you get with this game, and I also think it will help Operation Dracula gain more success in such a “Free To Play” saturated market. With gamers being so accustomed to seeing ‘Free’ on everything in the Google Play Store, $2.99 will almost surely scare them away. It did me.

Even with my criticisms, I really, really enjoyed Operation Dracula. I am thankful for the opportunity to have played it, but unfortunately, I just cannot recommend it to my audience at such a steep price. This is a shame because Operation Dracula really is a good game. However, asking $2.99 for a mobile “Arcade Shoote ’em Up” that’s this difficult, is just asking too much. Fix the difficulty, change the price, and you have a 5/5 game.

Operation Dracula – Google Play Store

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My Quotes Book provides a slew of inspiration (review)

If you’re looking for an Android app that provides a database of famous (and not so famous) quotations, a quick search in the Play Store will yield literally hundreds of options. One good choice to give a whirl is My Quotes Book from developer Sylvain Saurel.

You can download the app directly by clicking on this link to the Play Store.

My Quotes Book tends to specialize in the more serious/motivational/positive quotes out there (vs. funny, romantic, or other quote categories you might be looking for). You can search by author, category, or the individual quotes themselves.

The quote database has about 1,500 quotes available, which isn’t the end-all-be-all, but is  a good list to work with.

You can also set up a daily quote pushed to your notification bar, at a time you can select. If you discover any quotes of particular value, you have a couple of options: you can choose to save them to a ‘saved’ folder for later review, or you can share with friends, using several email and social network options.

What We Liked

• Clean, Material-Design interface.
• Quotes can be saved.
• Customizable quote of the day.

Could Use Improvement

• Somewhat limited quote selection
• Some genres missing or lacking.

Download My Quotes Book here.

Rocket VPN: Fast, Secure, Mobile (Review)

VPNs have their place in the world. They allow users to do many things, such as enter a secure network, emulate a physical location, and browse securely. A few days ago Jason reviewed SaferVPN. Today, I bring you Rocket VPN, by Liquidum Limited. Rocket VPN is a great tool for many of your VPN needs at an affordable price.

Opinions

Rocket VPN boasts some bold colors and a neat material design to fit right in with all your native Google apps. A hamburger menu houses a few options and the login options for those customers that choose to pay for the service.

Main Screen

Browser and App Launcher

The built-in browser allows you to surf the net worry-free. Right next to the browser option is a location selector that allows you to set a specific region for your browsing needs. if you want your searches to appear as if you are in the UK, no problem: simply set the location to London, launch, and you are surfing from London.

There is also a built-in app launcher that allows you to set specific locations for specifics apps that you may want to launch via VPN, such as Netflix, Hulu, or Pandora. This is very handy if you are trying to access content that may be restricted by region.

Data Used

Location

Options Menu

Unfortunately, there are very few locations to choose from when you compare it to other VPN services. That being said, the locations seem to work as intended. When I link to the UK, many Netflix shows available only in the US don’t show up. Also, while logged into UK, Pandora (which is not currently available in the UK due to licensing issues) does not work.

Conclusion

Admittedly, I am not a fan of personal VPN use. It has many professional uses and some niche uses if you want to emulate your location somewhere else or secure your communication data on an unprotected WiFi.

Rocket VPN is a great tool for those with limited need for VPN access. It is free (ad-supported) up to 500MB per month with no login required. If your VPN needs seem to be more intricate, I would recommend looking into a more robust client.

Download and install Rocket VPN from the Google Play Store.

Ninja and Yokai: Guide a cowardly ninja to heroics (Review)

Overview

Ninja and Yokai, a game played on a grid, is a very unique app, with beautiful graphics and characters. However, the gameplay is a bit limited.

• Developer: GaLboa,Inc.
• App Link: Ninja and Yokai
• Cost: Free with ads. The whole game can be completed for free.

Let’s play!

Review

Ninja and Yokai welcomes you with beautiful characters and a twist to the hero’s journey. Our hero Ink is a ninja (which sounds awesome). But, as it turns out, Ink is a coward who still wants to perform the heroic task of rescuing Princess Sakura, but not at the expense of harm.

Our character instead uses his planning skills and lightning-fast reflexes in order to avoid all battles and collect all the scrolls required to save the princess.

Gameplay

You must traverse each marked spot on the map.

Obstacles and prizes are strewn about the grid, with some obstacles turning into the dreaded yokai. The yokai are trouble, as they appear and take our hero down.

It is possible to accumulate prizes and then use these as “hints” that show you where the yokai are waiting to ambush Ink. If you use the hint, you can then draw your path to avoid the squares that the yokai can attack Ink from. Part of the fun is anticipating their attacks, so I did not employ the extra brushes Ink earns throughout the game.

Ink’s path is full of… Ink! You need ink to draw your path but also to transform and hide from the yokai. When Ink transforms, he takes the shape of a bonsai, a golden statue of Buddha, and more.

If you run out of ink, you can’t transform. That’s trouble, as our ninja doesn’t appear too eager to fight and instead is taken down by the yokai every time.

Graphics

The graphics are beautiful. The characters are clean and the scenic backdrops change with each level. Each backdrop seems to be more intricate than the previous, which is the same case for each grid our cowardly ninja Ink traverses.

Music

The music is soothing and fitting. It is only interrupted when the yokai take down Ink. The music sounds like Japanese strings and woodwinds. It is a good accompaniment to the lack of battles to come.

Bug?

Can’t go back? Now what?

I’m not sure if this is a game design, but at times, Ink can get stuck. You can only move forward by drawing a single continuous line through the grid. If you end up surrounded by obstacles, you cannot go back. The only button that works in this case is the pause button, where you will then have to restart the stage.

What I like:

• Beautiful graphics.
• Soothing music.
• Backdrops and characters are gorgeous.
• Whole game can be completed for free.
• Appropriate for all ages.

Room for improvement:

• There is no way to erase or redraw a line.
• Because you cannot go back, Ink gets stuck. If you get stuck, there is no option but to restart the game.
• Lack of gameplay variety. There are plenty of gorgeous graphics, but all Ink can do is follow the path and hide.

HIDE!

Conclusion

Ninja and Yokai is a fun game, but a bit limited. The sounds and graphics are beautiful and younger users will enjoy the game’s simplicity. However, after a while, interacting with the grid and hiding from the yokai do not seem like enough. Although the backgrounds, grids and obstacles change, the game variability does not and this can get a bit stale after a while.

Overall, this is a fun game with excellent illustrations, music and characters.

You can purchase brushes to skip levels.

Download and install Ninja and Yokai from the Google Play Store.