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Old Mar 29, 2016 | 2:29 pm
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CPRich
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Sorry, kind of busy at work, and then off on a short vacation. But it allowed me several weeks and several situations in which to use the devices.

My conclusion is that they are basically "hearing aids" with a graphic/parametric equalizer, without great sound quality, for which I struggle to find a good use case.

They are advertised as "augmented reality", which is a buzzword these days, but there's not often much that I really want to "augment" as they advertise. More bass, more treble? I prefer natural sounds. I've been at rock concerts where the balance is annoying, so they may come in handy, but that's the only scenario I've come up with.

As suggested above, they are strictly for modifying the ambient sound. While bluetooth is used to control the devices, you can't conduct a phone call, listen to music (other than live), etc.

As noted in a previous thread, one hyped use was to "tune out that crying baby", but the only way I can see that happening is hunting for the appropriate frequencies with the equalizer. It's not built in that I can find.

What is built-in are "filters" for bus, plane, train, office(loud), office(normal), and one or two others (from memory). I've tried the first 5 in all 5 situations and can't discern a meaningful difference. A train filter on a plane, a plane filter on a bus, etc., are all pretty much the same. More importantly, they're not much different than simply turning down the volume.

The device allows up to -22dB reduction, which I infer is simply muting the sound so it acts like a 22NRR earplug. But I carry around 30NRR earplug which are lighter and certainly cheaper.

It also allows +6db(iirc) amplification, but the associated hiss is unacceptable in normal use. I suppose if I wanted to listen in on someone without them knowing, it would work. But I don't think I'd want to, and big black plugs in my ears might be a tip-off.

Now perhaps I'm too harsh on these, as they're only $99. I'm not the demographic that just loves anything with "digital" and "bluetooth" and "augmented/active/etc." millennial buzzwords. I'm an engineer by training and an audiophile by avocation. I have multiple SPL meters, and have a dedicated listening room, so I'm rather serious about sound and quality.

If "hyper real" (to borrow a despised photography term) appeals to you - if you're the one that always turns up the bass and treble in my rental cars - if you find super-photoshopped pictures to be attractive - then maybe this fits the bill.
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