Music Photo Life

29/07/2024

Review of the new HD620S closed back over ear headphones on my blog. I feel that the tuning is meant for popular music produced in recent years, giving the listeners more bass while controlling the treble. It may not deliver the sparkling highs that I am accustomed to, but it makes me appreciate the same music from another perspective, with emphasis on midrange but more engaging bass and finer treble.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/07/sennheiser-hd-620s-closed-back-headphones-review/

22/07/2024

Full review of the K19 Desktop and . Powerful deck that drives any headphones.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/07/fiio-k19-desktop-headphones-amp-review/

20/07/2024

How to choose an air purifier? Get one with HEPA H13 and activated carbon filter, one with smart app that can monitor the usage and air quality, and a brand that can be trusted. Read my review of the Vortex.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/07/prism-vortex-smart-air-purifier-review/

23/06/2024

Reviewed the Smart Monitor M8, it was with me for less than a week but I found it very useful. 32-inch UHD 4K display, built-in smart TV app, multiple connections support PIP and PBP. What holds me back is the price: I think the M7 series is better value.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/06/samsung-32-inch-uhd-smart-monitor-m8-m80d-review/

27/05/2024

I've been using the Honor Singapore Magic6 Pro for over a month. With Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, shoots 0.5x to 100x with 50MP and 180MP camera system, long battery life, the flagship smartphone works very well in all areas, runs smooth and fast, be it face unlock, fingerprint unlock, switching between apps, taking photos.

https://musicphotolife.com/2024/05/honor-magic6-pro-review/

08/05/2024

I've been wearing smartwatch for years to track my health stats, I'm glad that smart rings are great alternatives. I wore the RingConn for 2 weeks and here's how I find.

https://musicphotolife.com/2024/05/ringconn-smart-ring-review/

A new wearable that is lighter, less obtrusive, comfortable compared to smartwatch, smart ring is the new trend to track health and sleep.

20/04/2024

Review of the lightest and thinnest foldable smartphone. Magic V2 is the one to get to offer large display without hurting your pocket literally. Honor runs on 100% Google. I have used it for over 2 months, excellent battery life. As always, read my review on my blog (link in bio).

24/03/2024

The HT-AX7 is a battery operated multi-speaker spatial sound system that immerse your listening experience mildly. It does not achieve the true multi-channel sound effect, but nevertheless a cool concept to enjoy music in a personal space.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/02/sony-ht-ax7-review-portable-multi-speakers/

25/02/2024

The Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova will be available in soon at S$349. Meanwhile, you can read my hands-on review.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/02/rog-cetra-true-wireless-speednova-review/

16/01/2024

Full review of ATH-TWX7 on my blog. Highly customizable features through the smartphone app, supports LDAC, great balanced audio, wireless charging, IPX4. Control your playback with click buttons and touch sensors on the earbuds.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/01/audio-technica-ath-twx7-review/

07/01/2024

New post comparing Creative Labs Zen Air Plus and Zen Air Pro. I prefer the latter for its better treble and controlled bass. My daughter prefers the former after applying EQ. Reason : all about the bass. Full review on my blog.
https://musicphotolife.com/2024/01/review-creative-zen-air-plus-zen-air-pro/

21/12/2023

Full review of the new Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2. It is the most articulated in their catalogue. Controlled treble, outstanding midrange, deep sub-bass prominence delivers an inmersive listen without the fatigue.
https://musicphotolife.com/2023/12/creative-aurvana-ace-2-review/

12/12/2023

Who doesn't love a giveaway? Actually I enjoy giving away gifts more than contestants! It's a good reason to clear my shelves in anticipation of more review products for the new year!

I'll be giving away the products in the picture. All gifts are review units in like-new condition, only used for review purpose. How to win? Browse my review articles in 2023 Jan to Dec and tell me which one(s) is/are your favourite. Links in bio.

Contest closes on 15 Dec Friday. Prizes will be delivered to you by courier.

11/12/2023

Review of the Osmo Pocket 3 during my holidays, capturing scenes of my vacation easily and unobtrusively. Amazing fast charging, great gimbal performance, love the carrying case that fits everything into it. https://musicphotolife.com/2023/12/dji-osmo-pocket-3-best-video-camera-for-vacations-and-vlog/

15/11/2023

A sneak preview of Creative Labs latest true wireless earbuds, Aurvana Ace. Using MEMS driver, a first in audio industry.

Creative Aurvana Ace True Wireless Series deliver high-definition playback with exceptional audio clarity using xMEMS technology, aptXTM Adaptive, aptXTM Lossless, Qualcomm® cVc Noise cancellation, and more.

14/11/2023

After I started using the Google Pixel 4XL in 2019, I have been a Pixel owner and love the overall clean UI experience, but had to live with a "primitive" dual-camera setup and a facial unlock system without fingerprint which is a hassle during the COVID years. I gladly moved to Pixel 7 Pro early this year with an excellent triple-camera system, fingerprint sensor, and all the UI goodness....

The Pixel 8 Pro offers small improvements in AI photo and video edits. The Pixel Watch 2 delivers 2-day battery life and better bio-tracking.

12/11/2023

The benefit of open-ear headphones cannot be understated. They are the most natural way to listen to music without stuffing earbuds into the ear canals and losing the hearing of things around you. It is more important for bikers and road joggers as they need to be fully aware of the surroundings, but not so much for gym goers who prefers noise isolation from all the equipment noises and unwanted in-house music....

Air conduction earbuds transmit better audio quality and keeps aware of ambient noises. OpenRock Pro is comfortable with 19 hr battery

11/11/2023

With the Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI, you can connect multiple headphones and listen to the same audio simultaneously with a group of people. Silent movie screening? Silent party? They are now a reality for consumers without complicated setup. Full review on my blog https://musicphotolife.com/2023/11/creative-zen-hybrid-pro-review-le-audio-headphones/

09/11/2023

Creative latest ANC wireless headphones, the Zen Hybrid Pro, comes with one feature that 99% of the consumer wireless headphones in the market does not have. It's the ability to broadcast audio to many headphones at the same time with ultra low latency. Why do you need that, you may ask. Well, get a couple of the Zen Hybrid Pros and then you can watch a movie or listen to streaming music with your spouse without disturbing your family members or house mates....

Creative Zen Hybrid Pro supports Auracast that broadcasts to multiple LE Audio headphones for silent parties or group listening

22/10/2023

Technics has released their latest flagship true wireless earbuds. The EAH-AZ80 retails at S$469 in Singapore, replacing the Technics AZ70 to be their most expensive TWS to date. This, together with the rest of the models from AZ40M2, AZ60M2, offer a wide price range to suit the budget of all consumers. Let's start off by summarising the differences among the three earbuds....

16/10/2023

I last reviewed a Gaston Luga bag - The "Gaston Luga Classic" - back in 2019. Very well-designed with pleather accents and metal buckles, pairs perfectly with the Master & Dynamic MW65. But it was a tad small for me, the shoulder sling is too thin, the access into the main compartment is too much hassle and the opening is rather constricted....

The Gaston Luga collabs with Nikon in this practical multi-purpose camera backpack with removable padded compartment.

08/10/2023

In 2016, I was invited to listen to the Sennheiser HE 1 when it landed in Singapore for the first time. Dubbed the most expensive headphones at about 60,000 Euros, the entire system comes with its own marble-body amplifier and tubes that rise up when powered. It was an unforgettable experience. When the Audio-Technica NARUKAMI arrived in Singapore one week before the HiEnd Asia Singapore 2023 (6-8 Oct), the A-T team called me up and asked if I want to listen to this extravagant audio equipment at their office....

An extravagant headphones amplifier, a once-in-a-lifetime listening opportunity, a write-up to share my experience.

02/10/2023

Finally published my review of the FT3 wired headphones, an audiophile gem for the price sensitive consumers like myself. Full review on my blog https://musicphotolife.com/2023/10/fiio-ft3-headphones-review/

02/10/2023

I have been reviewing the FiiO FT3 for nearly two months, and this review article is long overdue, but for good reasons. Once I finish a product review, I would have to return the product. So what does it say about the product what I do not want to publish the article? Yes, the FT3 is quite an enjoyable wired headphones to use....

The FiiO FT3 is a value-for-money audiophile-grade headphones with comfortable fit, immersive staging, impressive bass performance.

23/09/2023

The Sennheiser AMBEO series are one of the most highly-regarded soundbars in the market. It delivers multi-channel surround sound with just a single soundbar unit through clever projection of the speaker drivers and self-calibration feature. Last year, I reviewed the AMBEO Plus with the optional AMBEO Sub for NXT Magazine, and in this review, I received an early commercial unit of the latest AMBEO Mini, the smallest soundbar in the family....

The AMBEO Soundbar Mini is a fit for small spaces to provide 7.1.4 surround virtualisation on Dolby ATMOS, DTS:X, MPEG-H, 360 Reality Audio.

11/09/2023

Samsung launched the first foldable smartphone in September 2019, and received a lot of flak for its durability issues. The units require so much care that media review units were extremely limited. But with each year, the folding mechanism and the flexible display get better, and by the third generation, the Z Flip3 and the Z Fold3 are in such good shape that you can use them without special care - except for the soft screen surface of course, you don't want to apply too much sharp pressure and leave permanent marks....

The fifth-generation foldable device is more durable, more compact, more versatile. Experience multi-tasking in your pocket.

28/08/2023

Dreame Technology has launched a new flagship robotic vacuum with mop system. This is my hands-on review of the DreameBot L20 Ultra, distributed in Singapore by Dasher SG. It will be available from 31 Aug 2023 at a launch price of S$1499 with 2-year warranty, only at COMEX 2023.

It's the newest robot vacuum with AI cleaning that auto refills water tanks, mops corners, camera surveillance with video capture

20/08/2023

The HONOR Magic5 Pro 5G is the brand's premium flagship series model for 2023. After a sell-off by Huawei, Honor no longer bears the burden of the parent company's trade restrictions and is able to license Google apps in its smartphones. It retails in Singapore at S$1249 with 512GB storage and 12GB RAM powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Here's a list of the other specs that are truly flagship grade:...

The Honor flagship model packs all the great features at an attractive price - triple camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen2, IP68, even infrared.

18/08/2023

With every new generation of the 1000XM series true wireless ANC earbuds, Sony is inching towards creating a perfect earbuds for music lovers and noise haters to enjoy. When the first WF-1000X was announced in 2017, it was the most underwhelming model of the 1000X series (headphones, neckband). Then came WF-1000XM3 in 2019 (they skipped M2 to align the number with the headphone series), delivering competitive noise cancelling but the earbud design is arguably a turn-off....

The new Sony flagship true wireless earbuds are sleeker, lighter, and sounds better balanced for the attentive ears.

14/08/2023

Music lovers are now yearning for a piece of "real music estate" in the form of a physical vinyl record. It has also revived an interest in collecting old vinyl records. There is a misconception that vinyl records are "superior" audio format, which technically isn't. Those who knows feel that there is no benefit listening to an "inferior" format since digital reproductions sound cleaner with wider dynamic range....

The best way to experience original music albums is using the original record medium. Vinyl records deliver authentic sound of the ages.