Ken C. Pohlmann

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Signals
JBL Charge 2: Is Two Better than One?
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Sep 16, 2014  |  2 comments
When I reviewed the original Charge last year, I wrote, “Long playback time, decent sound quality, compact size, and last but not least – the ability to keep your phone charged - the Charge does it all. Amid a sea of small speakers, this one merits a look and a listen.” Apparently millions of people, well, thousands, or perhaps hundreds, or at least more than a handful, agreed. That prompted JBL to capitalize on the success of the original to bring out a successor, the Charge 2. JBL is of the opinion that it is new and improved. I agree that it is new, but is it improved?

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JBL ES Series home theater speaker system
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jul 13, 2008  |  0 comments
JBL Classic Sound Redux ES80 JBL ES80 Having used JBL speakers in recording studios and at home for many years, there's something about them I've always found reassuring.
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Signals
JBL Shows the Link View with Google Assistant
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 10, 2018  |  0 comments
Smart speakers are popping up left and right, wack-a-mole style, one virtually indistinguishable from another. But, some are very distinguished. Take, for example, JBL's Link View.

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CES 2017
JBL's Playlist and BassPro Go Give You Music at Home, in the Car, and on the Go
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 07, 2017  |  0 comments
The Playlist (pictured) is a wireless home speaker but unlike most of its countless brethren, it has Chromecast built-in, and its D/A converter supports 24-bit/96-kHz high-resolution audio. The BassPro Go, uniquely, is designed to function as a car subwoofer, as well as a portable speaker.

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CES 2017
JBL’s Pulse 3 Mesmerizes with Pretty Lights
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 05, 2017  |  0 comments
First, let’s make sure everyone knows who Franz Mesmer was. Ok – good. Now, let’s consider the JBL Pulse 3. I wanted to post a video of the Pulse 3 in action, but S&V’s crack legal staff wouldn’t permit it. It’s just too darn mesmerizing, and hence poses a liability issue for the magazine. Instead, you’ll have to be content with a photo, and my wholly inadequate description.

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Signals
Just Don't Call Them Hearing Aids
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Sep 09, 2019  |  2 comments
You are a multi-billion-dollar audio corporation. Starting small, you grew big, then you bought out your competitors and got even bigger. You dominate entire segments of the audio market. Good work! But where do you go from here? How do you get even bigger? You create an entirely new audio category.

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JVC RX-D702B Digital Surround Receiver
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Nov 04, 2005  |  0 comments

Digital amplifiers are nothing new - they've been around for years in powered subwoofers and, more recently, home theater box systems. But standalone digital receivers are a somewhat new revelation.

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KEF Q-Series Home Theater Speaker System
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Nov 05, 2006  |  0 comments

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KEF Reference 207/2 Stereo Speakers
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Nov 04, 2007  |  0 comments

the listThe Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, a two-door convertible, is 181/2 feet long. Its mighty V-12 engine propels the massive 5,776-pound vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. Opening the suicide doors, you are greeted by an opulent world of chrome and leather.

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Signals
Ken Gets a Beat Down
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Mar 11, 2014  |  0 comments
Ouch! Thank goodness for the Affordable Care Act, because now I’ve got a pre-existing condition called Bruised Ego. Man, oh, man&mdashdid I get a beat down. Even after all the stitches and bandages are removed, I’ll probably always walk a little wobbly.

I made the cardinal error of dismissing two high-rez audio formats. You can tell a man that his wife is hot, you can tell him his horse is ugly, you can even tell him his car is slow. But you should never, ever, tell him his audio format is obsolete...

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