Braven BRV-Pro Bluetooth Speaker Review

Braven BRV-Pro First Look Review by mikemuonline

Audio samples and comparisons coming later in November / December.  The kit (includes solar panel accessory) featured in the video was purchased for $150 from Sam's Club.

Samsung DA-F61 Portable NFC Bluetooth Speaker Review

Samsung DA-F60 Bluetooth Mobile Speaker Review

First a confession - I expected more out of these speakers given the $250 price and the fact that I have been listening to the awesome Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker this past month.  Not only are the Samsungs physically bigger, they claim 20 watts of power, and APT-X capability (which I did not test) - but they didn't super impress me.

Here's an audio sample:

It sure does look cool and slick though right?  

Pros:

• Looks really nice
• Fantastic battery life
• NFC makes it really easy to pair with NFC capable phones
• Good sound quality, fairly well balanced (with bass boost off)
• Vocals sound good
• Strong bluetooth connection with no dropouts during testing
• USB charging port for your music player or phone

Cons:

• The black cover is only for speaker transport - leave it on and you have one cheap sounding speaker
• No USB charging option, in a portable speaker
• Manual says you should should not keep it plugged into the charger, it will shorten battery life
• Sounds somewhat muddy compared to Big Jambox; missing some detail playing rock music
• Lacks lower level bass that Bose Soundlink Mini seems to boom out of nowhere
• Should be priced around $179.99 retail

Overall I give this speaker a 7 out of 10.

So here are my rankings given portable bluetooth speakers of this class/size:

1. Jawbone BIG JAMBOX (Better sound, speakerphone, louder)
2. Sony SRS-BTX500 (40 watts of power)
3. Samsung DA-F60 
4. Sony SRS-BTX300 (less clarity)

If you want portability, get the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker.

Update on 2014-05-14 21:26 by Mike Mu

Lowest price is now $177 at buy.com / rakuten.com

Carbon Audio Zooka Review

Sony X Series SRS-BTX500 Bluetooth Speaker Review

Sony SRS-BTX500 Premium 2.1 Channel Bluetooth Wireless Speaker, 40 W Output Power, NFC Technology, USB Charging Port, Built-in Rechargeable Battery

Update on 2013-06-13 00:14 by Mike Mu

Sound comparisons between:

SRS-BTX500 vs Big Jambox

SRS-BTX500 vs Klipsch G17 Airplay

Logitech k760 Bluetooth Keyboard Review

Unboxing:

More coming soon...

Update on 2012-11-11 00:59 by Mike Mu

Seen @ Best Buy for $59.99

Logitech - K760 Wireless Solar Keyboard for Select Apple Devices Type comfortably when using your Apple Mac, iPad or iPhone with this Logitech K760 920-003884 wireless keyboard that features a solar-powered design to allow on-the-go use. Bluetooth technology enables a simple connection.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Review

Samsung HM7000 Bluetooth Headset Review

Unboxing:

Review with sound samples:

Update on 2012-05-09 03:17 by Mike Mu

$39.99 Today @ Newegg.

Bluetooth Headset w/ Android Application Support (HM7000) Type: Bluetooth Headset Ear Coupling: In the Ear Talk Time: Up to 4 hours, 16 hours with charging case Music Time: Up to 4 hours, 16 hours with charging case Standby Time: Up to 160 hours, 640 hours with charging case Compatibility: Bluetooth 3.0 Dimensions: 1.89" x 0.75" x 0.47" Weight: 0.39 oz.

Update on 2012-06-22 03:57 by Mike Mu

So I get asked this a lot, and I thought I covered it in the video review with real sound samples too.  Bottom line, for $40, you can't beat it for a wireless bluetooth headset package.  I just checked my link, and its just $41.99!  That's a fantastic deal!  Keep in mind these went for $129 or $149 when they first came out and for what you get it seemed justified.

However, for general day to day use I prefer a wired microphone headset.  In fact, I still use the Apple microphone headset. I tend not to lose those, and the audio fidelity for listening to music is generally better not to mention that most don't need additional batteries or power to work.

DriveNTalk BHF-1800 Bluetooth Speakerphone Review

Jabra Cruiser 2 Review

QVC.com brand name electronics from HP, Toshiba, Dell & more!

Be sure you check out the comments below on this page.  Videos are being transferred from now deactivated Youtube account...

Part 2:

Part 3:

Jabra Cruiser 2 vs Blueant S4

Support this site and my reviews by purchasing from the following links:

Jabra Cruiser 2 from JandR

Jabra Cruiser 2 from iSave $61.95 Shipped

Jabra Cruiser 2 from CircuitCity.com

Update on 2012-12-03 18:00 by Mike Mu

Blueant S4 Bluetooth Speakerphone Review

Buy.com has it for $69.99 (10/07/2010)

S4 Voice Controlled Car Kit Blueant S4 from thenerds.net

Update on 2011-07-13 18:05 by Mike Mu

BlueAnt S4 Bluetooth Speakerphone for Most Vehicles - Black Communicate with friends and family on the road with only your voice using this Bluetooth speakerphone that features voice-activated dialing and commands and a phone book that stores up to 2,000 contacts.  For instore pickup at your local Best Buy.

Update on 2011-07-13 18:09 by Mike Mu

BlueAnt S4 Bluetooth Hands-Free Voice Controlled Car Speakerphone With the BlueAnt S4, there is no longer any need to touch your phone or car speakerphone while driving. For the first time, drivers can communicate on the road, making and receiving calls and accessing a world of information, using only their voice. Type: Bluetooth Car kit Noise Reduction: Yes Talk Time: Up to 20 hours Standby Time: Up to 700 hours Charge Time: 3 - 4 hours Operating Range: 33 Feet Battery: 3.7V Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery Specifications: CE, FCC, BQB, Ctick, RoHS/WEEE Compliant Micro USB Connector 3GPP with DSP solution  from Newegg.com

Blueant S4 Speakerphone in testing

So I have a Blueant S4 Speakerphone now in my 'labs' for testing.  Look out here for a review.

So far so good.  Pretty impressive features, but I can already tell I will miss the FM transmission feature.

Yamaha NX-B02 Review and Sound Samples

Best price @

Jawbone Icon Review with sound samples

Buy the Jawbone Icon at Amazon.com

Update on 2010-07-09 20:04 by Mike Mu

New Best price at $69.99 Free Shipping!

Now $65.xx at Buy.com: Jawbone Icon The Thinker Bluetooth Headset (Black)

Update on 2010-11-20 05:59 by Mike Mu

Jawbone Icon Hero Bluetooth Headset - Military-Grade NoiseAssassin, Wind Reduction Technology, Voice Activity Sensor (New in Bulk Packaging) - < $50

Jabra Cruiser Video Review

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Jabra / GN Netcom Cruiser Bluetooth Speakerphone-Bulk Packaged "Jabra CRUISER SP710 Brand New Bulk Packaged One Year Warranty, The Jabra Cruiser is the revolutionary Bluetooth in-car speakerphone that is equipped with dual microphone technology. This technology is currently utilized in all of Jabra's high-end headsets, and has proven to drastically improve calling quality by eliminating background noise while enhancing voice. Thus, by successfully integrating this technology into Jabra's new Bluetooth in-car Speakerphone, Cruiser is set to revolutionize the market. Cruiser has many great additional features including it's voice announcements, which not only provide pairing instructions and connectivity and battery status information, but also accesses your address book to announce the name of inbound callers . It is also equipped with an FM transmitter, A2DP and AVRCP, which allow you to stream and control stereo music from your phone to your car or home stereo. Enhancing accessibility, the multiuse function allows it to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Jabra Cruiser Features: Voice Controls, Voice Guidance / Announcement, Bluetooth Speakerphone, Caller ID, Digital Signal Processing Technology Enriches Sound Quality, Connect to Multiple Devices, Call Answer / End Button, Adjustable Volume, Listen to Music (Supports A2DP), Up To 14 Hours Talk Time, FM Transmitter"  $37.99

Retail Package at QVC:

Jabra Cruiser In-Car Bluetooth Speakerphone Kit Turn your car into a hands-free command center. This Bluetooth speakerphone conveniently clips onto your visor and plays calls or music through your car stereo. Dual microphone technology and digital signal processing ensure the caller hears you loud and clear by eliminating road and passenger background noise and enhancing your voice. From Jabra. Use of Bluetooth Wireless Technology requires Bluetooth software and Bluetooth-compatible accessories. Additional accessories may be required.

Update on 2010-10-29 17:37 by Mike Mu

Jabra support page here.  DOES NOT WORK.

How to reset all pairing on the Jabra to start fresh.  SEE BELOW

Update on 2010-10-26 02:52 by Mike Mu

Jabra's website killed the old links.  And sadly, it seems that even their indexed site links don't point to the correct ones either.

Here's the new Jabra support page for the cruiser.

Instructions on how to reset pairing for the Jabra Cruiser:

The speakerphone registers a list of up to 7 mobile phones.

To remove the list, press and hold the Answer/End button, Volume up button and FM button at the same time. A beep indicates the list was removed from the speakerphone memory. The next time you power on, the speakerphone will go into pairing mode as the first time you powered your new Jabra CRUISER on.

If you need to do a full reset, there is a little hole you need to stick a pin in for 10-15 seconds underneath the unit.  

Update on 2010-11-03 22:19 by Mike Mu

Update on 2010-11-22 04:07 by Mike Mu

Other FAQs:

The Cruiser SP-710 vs SP-715:

The base models are essentially the same.  Differences may be in what country it was designated for, what retailer/reseller it was from, as well as accessories it comes with.  (ie, additional AC adapter).

Blueant Q1 Quick Review with links to other reviews

BlueAnt Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset (Black)

The BlueAnt Q1 was going to be my headset for use in the car with my iPhone.  With advanced voice recognition technology, dual noise cancellation microphones, and cool slick packaging, and a high-end ($129.99) price, I had high hopes.

Too bad after a few days of use I found that:

1. Voice recognition technology was not as useable in the car on freeway with the iphone.  I can't voice dial any contacts with the iPhone, but that's more a limitation of the iPhone.  I also can't ask the headset to press any keypad numbers, only to dial speed dial contact 1-8.

2. The headset does not get loud enough for me in a cafe / window down environment.  Compared to a Jawbone II, it simply wasn't getting loud enough.  I perceived the Jawbone II to be 25% louder.

3. The Jawbone's noise cancellation technology is still superior.

I give it a 3 out of 5 stars overall. 

Cnet's Review of the Blueant Q1

ZDNet's Review of the Blueant Q1

Comparison review of Q1 vs Motorola Endeavor vs Jawbone Prime by PhoneArena

WMExperts review of the Blueant Q1

Electronista Blueant Q1 Review

Digitaltrends Blueant Q1 Review

Howard Chui Q1 vs Jawbone Prime Video Review

Update on 2010-03-03 21:04 by Mike Mu

At these lower prices, and new firmware updates, it may be worth checking out.