Leslie Shapiro

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Grace Notes
MediaEcho: Talk about Viewer Distraction!
Leslie Shapiro  |  Dec 13, 2011

Consider this fact. Over 80% of people watching TV or movies at home do so while also surfing the Internet or using their smartphones. No one just sits and watches movies anymore. If I was a film-maker, I would be pissed.

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CES 2014
Microlab FC10 Desktop Speakers Prove Function Trumps Fashion
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 08, 2014
It takes a lot to design a killer-looking speaker, but perhaps that money is better spent on sound quality. Ever practical, the designers at China’s Microlab put all their budget into making the FC10 ($77) good quality speakers that look nice in person, but they most certainly veer away from the sleek and swoopy design that Apple designers have deemed essential. They have a clean and simple look, lacking the curved aesthetic that most products embrace these days. The FC10 are wedge-shaped speakers designed to solidly surround any laptop - Apple or otherwise; the pair weighs 4.41 lbs.

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Headphone ReviewsGrace Notes
Mid-Priced JBL 'Phones Deliver High-Priced Sound
Leslie Shapiro  |  Apr 03, 2017
These days, it seems that listeners have no choice but to spend hundreds of dollars to get good quality Bluetooth headphones. The JBL E55BT (MSRP $150) has the sound of a $300+ headphone, with good performance and a wired option, all in a range of colors to suite any style.

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Grace Notes
Miley Cyrus Sued for Copyright Infringement: Word Up
Leslie Shapiro  |  Apr 02, 2018
What’s in a name? What’s in a lyric? Apparently, $300 million, according to a lawsuit filed against Miley Cyrus by Jamaican singer/songwriter Michael May, aka Flourgon.

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Headphone Reviews
Monolith by Monoprice M-TWE True Wireless Earbuds Review
Leslie Shapiro  |  Mar 10, 2021

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $130

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Long battery life
Comfortable fit
Compatible with SonarWorks SoundID app
Minus
Complicated LED indicators
No track controls on touchpads
Sound quality reduction with ANC off

THE VERDICT
Affordable true wire- less earbuds that work with the SonarWorks SoundID app might seem too good to be true, but that’s exactly what you get with the Monolith M-TWE.

Monoprice is an affordable direct-to-consumer brand, and its Monolith product line features sophisticated A/V gear including speakers, amps, surround sound processors, and now the new Monolith M-TWE earbuds. The M-TWE touts aptX Bluetooth audio, active noise cancellation (with cVc Echo Cancelling and Noise Suppression for phone calls), and SonorWorks SoundID, a feature that lets you customize sound to your preference, all at a very budget-friendly $130.

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Soundbar Reviews
Monoprice SB-500 5.1 Soundbar Review
Leslie Shapiro  |  Oct 19, 2021

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $280

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Includes wireless subwoofer and surround speakers
Good clarity with movie dialogue
Low price
Minus
Bright LED display
Cable required for surrounds
Music playback can sound thin

THE VERDICT
Monoprice's SB-500 delivers near-wireless true 5.1 surround at a very affordable price, making it one of the best soundbar options in its class.

Value-priced audio products usually come at a, well, price. A user can typically expect to sacrifice sound quality and/or features, but the Monoprice SB-500 soundbar system breaks that mold by offering true Dolby Digital 5.1 with a wireless subwoofer and surrounds, all for $280.

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Grace NotesAudio Video News
Monster 2019: The End of an Era
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 21, 2019
The Monster press conference at CES has typically been an electrifying, high-energy love-fest with the company’s boisterous CEO, Noel Lee, leading the charge. This year, the tone was definitely different as a dialed-back, subdued Lee announced this was the end of an era.

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CES 2018Grace Notes
Monster and Volkswagen Team Up For Pure Monster Sound in the Concept R Automobile
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 09, 2018
Monster doesn’t really have a stake in the automotive field, unless you take into account Noel Lee’s lineup of custom car builds, including a Bentley, Lamborghini and Ferrari show car. However, with a new collaboration with Volkswagen, the Concept R could become a Monster first: a true production vehicle.

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CES 2017
Monster Kicks off CES with Sport-centric News
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 04, 2017
Noel Lee, the always-energetic CEO of Monster, kicked off the Monster 2017 press conference with a bevy of sport and fitness celebrities, clearly showing where the company is focused moving into the new year.

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CES 2017Grace Notes
Monster Shines a Light with the Firecracker Bluetooth Speaker
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 08, 2017
Don’t you just hate it when you have the greatest photo op but the lighting is all wrong? Break out the Monster Firecracker Bluetooth Speaker to light up any situation. Monster is bringing back the boombox mentality with a new lineup up portable Bluetooth speakers, and they are most excited about the new little Firecracker, with a built-in flashlight.

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