MasHD Blog

Razer has announced their latest Opus X wireless headphones for the year 2021. The pair, priced at $99 offers Bluetooth pairing to smart devices and active noise cancellation (ANC) thanks to microphones which cancel sounds with repeating patterns such as engines and devices (This is basically what noise cancellation does anyway). The pair features 40mm drivers and an audio latency of  60ms as well as 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled and charges over USB-C. The headphones come in Mercury, Quartz and Razer's signature green. Source - The Verge

Yamaha has officially announced 3 new AV receivers with 8K support. The trio - belonging to the Aventage series, comprises of the RX - A4A , RX - A6A and the RX - A8A  and are said to feature 8K 60fps passthrough support as well as 4K 120fps from output sources such as the PS5/XB Series X and Nvidia's 3000 series cards through HDMI 2.1  The trio are said to feature Yamaha's "Surround AI" for spatial audio as well as support for Auro 3D format. Other features include Cinema DSP , DTS-X VRR, QMS, QFT, ALLM and support for Smart assistants - Alexa and Google. A8A - rear The RX - A8A is set to cost (418,000 Yen which is about $3840), A6A at (275,000 Yen/ $2519) and the A4A at (132,000 Yen or $1209). These prices are directly converted from their respective JPY and thus when available in other markets, the pricing may be subject to change.  The new Yamaha Aventage series joins the growing new generation of Yamaha AV receivers, we hope that the newer AV receivers  have add...

Say hello to the new Zoom F1 - a small , yet capable audio recorder which can work with your DSLR and still become pocketable for any situation. The F1 , which features a Audio in and an audio out jack for monitoring audio or giving a line out ,is perfect for cameras which sometimes lack a dedicated headphone jack . This , combined with the fact that the F1 supports all Zoom accessories with Zoom’s audio interface means that you can convert this from an basic recorder to a shotgun or lavalier set-up with ease . Powered by two AAA batteries , the recorder can power something like a lav set up for about 10 hours , but keep in mind that this decreases with the type of accessory . Overall the F1 recorder is basically a must have if you are the sort of videographer who wants a compact , light weight and easy to use set up for not much money , speaking of money , the F1 costs $199 and this comes with a Lavalier mic and a belt clip . Two-channel audio recorder Compatib...

Mighty audio  Mp3 is basically a household name when it comes to describing an audio file . The format , introduced in a time when music was still sold on CD's and played off on Discm(e)n has now apparently reached an end as Fraunhofer institute has discontinued the .Mp3 format in favor of the newer AAC (Advanced audio codec) which would give a higher lossless audio clarity unlike Mp3 which has suffered from bad audio compression during audio conversion . The institute however does state that the consumer end of the mp3 format will move on due to its popularity , but professionals and streaming services will move on to AAC and MPEG-H formats as the popularity of lossless internet streaming and quality of playback devices are on the rise.Fraunhofer has also terminated its licencing for the format for the first time since the format's inception in the 80's . We thank all of our licensees for their great support in making mp3 the defacto audio codec i...

If you have dreams of using your proper camera and audio gear instead of using a smartphone for livestreaming , worry no more as Blackmagic has got you covered with its new Webpresenter . This encoding box , designed to process XLR audio and Video feeds from cameras is a plug in , ready to use system which will work with Mac , Windows and Linux systems .The system , which processes the feed into 1280x720 for livestreaming on facebook , youtube and other sites (most sites allow 720p streaming only ) is priced at a reasonable $495 Blackmagic Web Presenter Key Features  Converts any SDI or HDMI source to USB webcam video in 720p HD format. No drivers required, works with popular streaming software such as Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Periscope, Twitch.TV and more. Supports all SD, HD and Ultra HD input sources up to 2160p60. 12G-SDI input with 12G-SDI loop output. 12G-SDI program output, ideal for recording masters when doing live ...

Apple has updated their Beats Solo 2 Wireless headphones in a attempt to match them with the rest of their product line . Beats ,a artistic audio product company  was acquired by Apple last year and the Solo 2 wireless headphone line was the first Apple - Beats product to launch after the deal was done , The original unit came in Red , black and white , but now Apple has expanded the lineup with three more colors which come in Apple's exclusive gold , silver and Space grey . The units , which  retail for $299 are said to work for 12 hours of continuous music playback with its built in battery and it is said to work upto a distance of 30 feet from the source of the music - your music player , iPhone , Laptop etc . Written by Rakitha for MasHD Source - 9to5Mac

After the near-disastrous fire-phone smartphone , we all thought that Amazon gave up on the idea of venturing into uncharted territory  , but now the company is back with its new Echo wireless smart-speaker system , this cylindrical speaker - which costs $199 if you don't have a Amazon prime account (Prime users can bag one up for $99) can play streaming music via Bluetooth once you install the companion app on your iOS or Android device , the device also has Wifi which allows the device to reveal its secret weapon - Alexa (Personal assistant) , this personal assistant uses omni-directional microphones to listen to the keyword "Hey Alexa" and the question and task following it . Alexa is "always On" and it is connected to the internet via Wifi , you can assisn tasks , set reminders or ask  silly questions like the ones said in this rather cheesy commercial which reminds us of the 90's TV commercials designed to teach people how to use the internet . Whate...

The OnePlus One is a limited edition smartphone on its own , although the invite system was called off , the phone is still extremely rare and still unique thanks to its good design and affordable price .But now , the boffins at OnePlus made a limited edition phone of their already limited edition phone along with JBL who also unveiled a OnePlus special ear phones called the E1 .The phone , which is left unchanged in the hardware department except for some audio tinkering from JBL and a JBL logo at the back of the Sandstone black smartphone retails for $399 , the retail pack , which includes the new JBL E1+ which has JBL's Purebass technology that can hit frequencies of about 10 Hz at minimum can play audio upto a maximum 22Hz thanks to its 9mm drivers .The earphones include a built in mic , volume controls and a camera shutter key which are included in the mid section of the red color earphones , for buyers who don't have a special edition OnePlus /one , or a One Plus for that...

OnePlus - the company that made the famous "limited edition" OnePlus One are now setting their sights on accessories that will go well with your OnePlus One ,the new OnePlus Silver bullet is one of the latest products from the company and it is said to have a affordable price tag of just $15 . To celebrate the launch , OnePlus has started a competition where 10 lucky winners will receive a free  Silver Bullet earphone set if they win the raffle draw , which ends in 48 hours from now . The Earphones , which will come in OnePlus's signature white color will begin shipment soon , and hopefully , they will skip the innvite system this time . Written by Rakitha for MasHD Source - OnePlus

via- Engadget Apple's latest $3.2Billion acquisition of beats has been all over the internet today , the move by Apple marks a special day for Dr.Dre as he becomes the first billionaire in hip hop . The Beats brand was previously acquired by HTC for a sum of $300 million 3 years ago, but after failing to ride the  swag/ /hype , the company dropped interest and was retaken by the good Dr.Dre .The new move by Apple probably hints at a rebirth of the iconic iPod brand which was once the cash cow of the California based company . The $3.2 Billion price for the company gives Dr.Dre something to celebrate about , and as Actor  Tyrese Gibson puts it " "Oh S*it, the Forbes list just changed.". Sources - SlashGear , Engadget

Over the years, headphones have become very ubiquitous. You can buy them for a few dollars in the checkout lane at your local Walmart and many smartphones ship with a cheap generic pair of headphones right and the box. It also spend hundreds of dollars on audiophile grade headphones. One thing that all these headphones have in common is that they utilize speaker drivers on the inside that rely on moving parts to create sound. Scientists have created a new type of headphone that uses carbon nanotubes and features no moving parts. The headphones use an internal speaker that produces audio using what’s called the thermoacoustic effect. Typically new products using cutting-edge technology very expensive, but reports indicate carbon nanotube headphones may be reasonably priced. The thermoacoustic effect the headphones use to create sound relies on the expansion and contraction of air. Mechanical engineer Yang Wei from Tsinghua University said of the project: We found that processing t...

London-based tech start-up ROLI has introduced a new musical instrument line that should get musicians and audiophiles salivating. The “Seaboard” is a continuous-touch keyboard with curved “keywaves” (instead of keys) that flow into one another like waves on the sea (thus the name.) This overcomes the step-function limitations of a traditional keyboard, letting musicians bend and select pitches with absolute precision, analogous in principle to a fretless stringed instrument like a violin. The only other on-board control is a “Sounddial” resembling an iPod click wheel that allows for continuous preset indexing and fine-tuning. To all you who are concerned about the instrument’s ability to produce tones in pitch: by playing on the tops of the keywaves, you can play it like a normal piano. The keys, which use subtractive — rather than reactive — synthesis, are instantaneously touch-sensitive. As with any new instrument, the Seaboard takes practice. (ROLI has released a few online demos...

On August 11, 2011, HTC and Beats by Dr. Dre announced their “more than” partnership to create superior mobile audio experiences for consumers. HTC bought a 50% stake in the company which was later on, in July 2012, diminished to 25% after Beats bought back half of it. On August 19, 2013, we heard rumors that Beats might be considering buying back the rest (the remaining 25%), and, apparently, the rumors turned out to be true. $265 million is what Beats will pay to HTC for the remaining 25% and will put an end to the two-year partnership. HTC phones equipped with Beats Audio technology — among which, the most iconic, the HTC One — were often times subject to mixed reviews and polarizing feedback as far as the audio quality is concerned. Some believed the extra audio decoding and software enhancements that go with it delivered a superior audio experience, while others dismissed it as an “EQ-only”-solution.( PocketNow )

Sony has crammed several new media players into its Walkman lineup aimed at music fans who want to take their collection with the go. The new media players include the NW-ZX1 and three different colors of players that fall into the NW-F880 family. These players run the Android operating system making them able to do more than just play music The NW-F880 series comes in pink, black, white, and a turquoise blue color. There three different storage capacities available in the family including 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. Those players are model numbers NW-F885, NW-F886, and NW-F887 respectively. No matter the color or storage capacity choosen, they all support 24-bit/192 kHz lossless audio formats including FLAC and WAV. The players also have hardware buttons on the side for playback controls for users with the screen to control the music. The F880 series also has the Sony S-Master HX digital amp. The other player running the Android operating system the Sony has unveiled is the NW-ZX1....

Earlier this week, Monster took the wraps off their very own tablet line, the 7-inch M7. Yes, Monster – as in the folks that charge around 50x more for their HDMI cables then they are actually worth. So does that mean the M7 will be equally overpriced? Actually, not so much. The $150 M7 probably is actually pretty cheap, though its specs won’t exactly blow anyone away. The tablet features a 1.6GHz processor, 1280 x 800 display, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Not surprisingly, Monster also throws in a PowerControl app designed for controlling compatible Monster accessories. There are also a few small tweaks to the Android UI, but overall this is a pretty ‘typical’ low-end budget tablet. The Monster M7 takes a page out of Nokia’s book (and now Apple’s apparently..) by providing tons of colors, 8 in all. The company also boasts that their tablets feature a “non-skid” surface. The M7 is certainly an odd move for Monster, which is known for its high-priced acc...

Headphone manufacturer Beats by Dre is looking to buy back the stake in the company held by HTC as it seeks a new partner willing to put some fresh cash in the business. Only a couple of months ago, market conditions forced the company to discard a $700 million debt offering that seemingly was a win-win for the company and its owners. It would have provided the company with a war chest of hundreds of millions of dollars for acquisitions and would have paid off the founders of the company (Jimmy Iovine and Dr.Dre) with a handsome dividend without forcing them to give up control of the company. But fears of rising interest rates and the company's low credit rating put a kibosh on the offering in June. Beats would like to buy out the 25% stake in the company owned by Taiwan based handset manufacturer HTC. Originally, when HTC purchased the investment, it started including a special pair of Beats earbuds in the box with its new Android flavored smartphones, a practice that HTC even...