Christmas Toys
Category: Apple/Mac OS...
Posted Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 10:02 PM [GMT-6]

I scored an embarrassingly rich haul of Christmas gifts (again...our family has always gone overboard on gift-giving; but, I suppose that on the list of Regrettable Family Practices, this habit falls so far down as to be hardly worth mentioning), too many to list so I'll just stick with my usual practice of focusing on a couple of cool tech-toys.

The first is a pair of Sennheiser headphones (model PX100). I don't have the gift of earbudgetry and, frankly, I think those models gyrating wildly through the iPod commercials with earbuds intact have been surgically altered in some way that I really don't want to know about. I do like the convenience of the small size of earbuds, but the musical experience is hampered considerably when you're losing one or both of them at the slightest twitch, ear-related or not.

The Sennheisers are quite comfortable and secure, with their traditional over-the-head design, and they have an ingenious design that allows them to fold flat and fit into a hard plastic case about the size used for eyeglasses. The sound quality is quite good (the claimed frequency response is 15-27,000 Hz). You can also listen to music at a comfortable level without losing all external input, which might be viewed as a shortcoming by some but I rarely want to be completely isolated from the world. And at less than $50, the price is right. I'm very happy with them.

However, the second item has unexpectedly caused me to forego the headphones for more and more of my iPod listening. I mentioned the Belkin TuneStage a couple of weeks back as a hint for those shopping for the iPod fanatics in their lives, and someone must have decided I fell into that category. The TuneStage is undeniably cool, despite the hokey name. It allows you to play your iPod through your home stereo system using a Bluetooth wireless connection system that effectively turns the 'Pod into a remote control. In other words, instead of your iPod remaining stationary, affixed to the receiver, it can move with you (or stay beside you), and as long as you're within 30' feet of the stereo, the music continues.

The maximum range is supposed to be 33' but I was able to move slightly further away than that, and the music was still clear -- and that despite two intervening walls. Your mileage may vary, of course, but it's safe to say that within 20' of your home stereo, this jewel is bulletproof. I also haven't yet noticed any kind of interference with my 802.11 network or my cordless phone.

While the music quality is excellent and the device is for the most part unobtrusive, I wish Belkin had provided the option of a shorter cable for connecting to the stereo. The 7' miniplug-to-RCA plugs cable is much longer than I need. I'm also looking forward to the day when devices like this product's base station can be connected and powered via a USB or Firewire port, and those ports are standard on all home stereo receivers.

Note that the TuneStage is not compatible with the shuffle, nano nor the new so-called video iPods, as it requires the presence of the remote control connector which Apple has eliminated in the new models. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before Belkin comes out with an alternative for those models.

At around $150, it's a bit pricey...and that's if you can find one at all. Belkin's website says it's temporarily sold out.

Technorati tags: Sennheiser PX100 | iPod | Belkin TuneStage