Grace Notes

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Headphone ReviewsGrace NotesAudio Video NewsNew Products
Beyond Guitars: Fender Unveils In-Ear Monitors from Aurisonics
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 25, 2016  | 
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the giant behind the Fender Stratocaster, has just announced a new product line: in-ear monitors from the legendary guitar manufacturer. There will be five models when the products hit the shelves in March. However, it’s the history of these products that is the most interesting.

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CES 2018Grace Notes
Blue Satellite Headphones Take Unique Approach to Noise Cancellation
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 12, 2018  | 
Relative newcomer to the headphone industry (but old-timer in the mic business), Blue is shaking things up with a different way of dealing with noise cancelling sounds. While most headphones use a single driver, Blue’s wireless, over-ear Satellite uses a separate driver specifically for the sounds used to cancel out noise. Different, right?

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Portable Player ReviewsGrace Notes
Bluetooth Speaker Shootout: JBL Charge 2+ and Scosche BoomBottle+
Leslie Shapiro  |  Sep 21, 2015  | 
For most of the country, summer coming to a close signals that it’s time to put away your outdoor gear and head to the gym. In Florida, it signals the best weather to get outside and play. The temps are cooling off, humidity is dropping, and it’s the best time of year for cycling. When two Bluetooth speakers that are water-resistant and shaped to fit in a bicycle waterbottle cage showed up at my house, I decided a speaker shootout was called for. The JBL Charge 2+ and the Scosche boomBottle+ are both next generation products. Let’s see which one is going to become a permanent feature on my bike ride.

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Grace NotesAudio Video News
Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone:” An Ever-Changing Interactive Experience
Leslie Shapiro  |  Nov 25, 2013  | 
48 years after its release in 1965, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” finally has an official music video. Well, actually, it has an infinite number of videos. The digital media company Interlude Studios has created a totally unique interactive video for Dylan’s classic that turns channel-surfing into a mind-blowing experience.

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Grace NotesAudio Video News
Bose Lawsuit Aims to Take a Bite Out of Apple’s Beats
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jul 28, 2014  | 
Bose, the pioneer of noise-cancelling headphones, has filed suit against Apple’s latest and largest acquisition, Beats Electronics. Bose alleges that the Beats Studio and Studio Wireless headphones use noise-cancelling technology that infringes on five patents held by Bose. They have also filed with the International Trade Commission requesting a cease-and-desist on sales and imports of Beats in the US. They are requesting an undisclosed amount of compensation for damages. Considering how long the Studio line has been available, did Bose wait until it could go after the deeper pockets of Apple?

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Grace Notes
BOSEbuild Headphones and Speakers: What Your Kids Need for Christmas
Leslie Shapiro  |  Dec 18, 2018  | 
Have you ever wondered how you could get your son or daughter more involved in your love of audio equipment, music, or engineering in general? STEM is an important agenda item, but what can you do, right here, right now to spark an interest in your children? Bose has the answer. Instead of buying your children a pair of headphones or a speaker they’ll open and use, how about you all work together to build them up from a complete kit?

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Smart Speaker ReviewsGrace Notes
Cavalier Audio Maverick Smart Speaker: Fresh Air for Alexa
Leslie Shapiro  |  Sep 10, 2018  | 
The Maverick from Cavalier Audio is a WiFi/Bluetooth speaker featuring Amazon’s Alexa voice control that seamlessly transitions from the home to portable with an elegant charging base. Alexa, pack your bags. We’re heading outside.

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CES 2019Grace Notes
China’s Edifier Debuts Impressive Array of Speakers
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 09, 2019  | 
Relative newcomer Edifier is showing off an impressive array of new speakers at CES 2019. As the first serious audio brand from mainland China to make an impact on the world market, the brand is probably making some of the older, more established brands a bit nervous.

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Headphone ReviewsGrace Notes
Cleer Edge Pulse Earphone Gives Your Workout an Edge
Leslie Shapiro  |  Aug 06, 2018  | 
While everyone and their sister is coming out with wireless earphones (thank you, Apple), clearly there’s a need for companies to give themselves an edge in a very crowded marketplace. The new Edge Pulse earphone from Cleer clearly has an edge over the competition.

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CES 2018Grace Notes
Cleer is Clearly In the Moment with New Product Lineup for 2018
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 10, 2018  | 
Cleer’s motto “Be In the Moment” couldn’t be more apparent with a new product lineup that takes advantage of many new technologies emerging lately, including voice activation, heart rate monitors, and ruggedness for today’s active lifestyles. The 2018 lineup includes a series of new headphones, a smart speaker, and a VR headset.

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Grace Notes
Conan the Barbarian: Bulging Pecs, Beheadings, and Bloodbaths
Leslie Shapiro  |  Aug 23, 2011  | 

Sometimes you go into a movie not knowing how it's going to end. Sometimes, you know exactly how it's going to end. Conan the Barbarian definitely falls into the latter category, but getting there is still worth the ride.

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Grace Notes
Coros Omni Cycling Helmet: Safe with Sound
Leslie Shapiro  |  Mar 05, 2018  | 
I know what you’re thinking. This is Sound & Vision Magazine. Why the heck is a bicycle helmet reviewed here? Simple. The Coros Omni Smart Helmet has built-in bone-conducting headphones. That’s why.

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Grace Notes
Cutting the Cord on Cable - and TV?
Leslie Shapiro  |  Nov 01, 2011  | 

It's really hard to feel sorry for any of the major cable providers. Shout out if you absolutely love your cable company. Anyone? So, when Time Warner Cable announced a significant drop in subscribers and a corresponding decline in their earnings last quarter, you didn't see a lot of crocodile tears. In fact, anyone who's spent an hour or five dealing with cable customer service will likely feel at least a bit of glee to hear about TWC's corporate woes. But what does this say about how we're all watching TV?

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Grace Notes
Dark Victory: The Dark Knight Rises
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jul 23, 2012  | 

Above all, we admire mastery. A painter, sculptor, athlete, musician, actor, scientist — whatever the profession, there is nothing quite like witnessing someone working at the top of their game. The expression of professional confidence, ease, and poise is a joy to behold. You sit back and let it wash over you, and think to yourself — this is really good.

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Grace Notes
David Versus Goliath: Internet Radio Takes On the Music Industry
Leslie Shapiro  |  Nov 15, 2012  | 

We all know the story. Underdog David takes down the giant Goliath with his tiny slingshot, giving little guys throughout the centuries a glimmer of hope.  This time, it’s Internet radio providers versus the three major record labels, but in an interesting twist, it could be time for Goliath to take a stand.

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