audio
Harmon Kardon GLA-55 Desktop Speakers
Those looking for a stylish unique compact and powerful set of desktop speakers for your PC iTunes or iPod need look no further than the Harmon Kardon GLA-55 2.0 Speaker System
The way the audio controls and jacks are integrated makes this a beauty to behold (see photo below).
The GLA-55 speaker system delivers 110W (55 per channel) and near-reference quality audio performance throughout the frequency spectrum. More than a pretty face Harmon Kardon made sure that this system shares the DSP and high-end speaker components found in their line of audiophile speakers. Harmon Kardon is never known as ‘cheap’ but with all this punch laying below the surface you may be hard pressed to find regular boxy 3-way speakers with this combination of price performance and size, much less ones that look this cool.
Read more from Amazon.
Ultimate Headset for Sports Workouts and … Breakdancing?
Your b-boy/b-girl craving for an active and music-based lifestyle has probably run you into the Extreme Sports Conundrum. Namely the difficulty keeping headphones in place while you’re mountain biking, snowboarding, running, skiing or just straight up breakin’ to the beat of Buffalo Gals by Malcom McLaren. Yeah you know who you are.
Along comes Coosh with special-built headsets, promising you can get your shred on and never miss a beat. Heck, you can even be on a call with your iPhone while catching some serious air. Coosh has a series of “crash test” videos showing the headsets in action:
Let’s Play Some Hoops
Coosh recruited industrial design wizards Pensa (Brooklyn, NY) and Astro Studios to create headsets designed specifically for the active lifestyle crowd. Together they researched the Extreme Sports Conundrum and designed a new style of headphones with a special “hoop” that encircles the base of the ear. The hoops are removable too so the ‘phones can be used in more ordinary situations. Like waiting for the doctor to reset your broken leg.
Knowing their audience well, Pensa & Coosh knew this was a non-starter if they couldn’t deliver good sound quality too. And of course they can get uncomfortable with all that motion. That’s a lot to deliver.
Reality Check – How Did They Do?
We found Coosh did a surprisingly good at their mission. When doing some rugged mountain biking we could not jar them loose. The ‘phones delivered strong audio for both music and phone calls. And most surprising to us, the hoops were comfortable because of they are made from a soft & flexible silcone material. We’ve had our share of problems getting comfortable normal headphones – the fact Coosh nailed comfort, sound quality and ear-stickiness is impressive. As a bonus these things are inexpensive too – less than $25.
- understated but hip look
- excellent sound quality, with good base and accurate overall sound
- 65 Hz to 20Hz frequency response
- built-in mic on handset with answer/mute buttons
- available in black, white and pink (pink not available for iPhone version)
- soft and flexible silicone hoop material
- hoops can be removed when not breaking
Where To Get Them
You buy from Coosh.com direct or smart shoppers should check out Coosh Products (Amazon)
If there’s any disappointment here it’s the fact Coosh didn’t see fit to include Breakin’
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