Microsoft has completely updated its line of Surface PCs — and launched its first high-end noise-cancelling headphones, too. The company unveiled a new Surface Pro 6 tablet, Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Studio 2 all-in-one desktop PC at a media event in New York, and surprised with its entry into the world of high-end headphones with the Surface …
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The most adorable wireless speaker I’ve ever seen is on sale for $79
I’m traveling today, cheeps, but I’m excited to bring you a rerun of one of my favorite discoveries from earlier this year — and at a Cheapskate-exclusive lower price! In my tenure as the Cheapskate, I’ve seen a lot of Bluetooth speakers. Big ones, small ones, cute ones, stylish ones. But this one? This one makes my heart go pitter …
Read More »Can you stop being an audiophile?
Audiophiles share a common passion for great sound, that’s what makes us audiophiles. Sound quality is a top priority, because once you’ve lived with great sound with speakers or headphones, you can’t settle for less. As one of my pals recently put it, “I can stop being an audiophile nerd, but I’ll always be an audiophile. Once an audiophile always …
Read More »NAD’s Bluetooth Viso HP70: Ready for audiophile prime time?
I rarely cover Bluetooth headphones, mostly because their wired counterparts usually sound better for less money. Still, it’s hard to ignore Bluetooth ‘phones booming popularity, so when NAD offered a sample of its Viso HP70 noise-canceling Bluetooth headphone, I agreed to take a listen. After all, its Viso HP50 headphone sounds awfully good; it’s really one of the best wired headphones I’ve …
Read More »This starter audiophile system sounds outrageously good for $88
I cover all sorts of audio gear, everything from dirt-cheap subwoofers to extravagantly expensive turntables; there’s something for every budget. This time it’s a system with a Lepai LP2020TI stereo integrated amplifier that sells for the low, low price of just $38, mated with Dayton Audio B652 Air speakers that go for $50 a pair on Amazon. I’ll cut right …
Read More »Amazon Echo Input is a tiny $35 Dot for your own speakers
Like the Echo but don’t like its speaker quality? Bring your own! That’s the promise of the Amazon Echo Input, a new $35 (£35) device that’s designed to connect to whatever speakers you want. Coming later this year to the US, UK, Australia and Germany, the little pancake-looking device lacks the built-in speaker found on the $50 Dot. (Australian pricing …
Read More »iPhone XS vs. Note 9: What a $1,000 phone buys you
The $1,000 phone may not be as shocking this year as it was when Apple first broke the barrier with 2017’s iPhone X, but the amount you’re asked to cough up for a premium handset is hardly chump change. The newly announced iPhone XS and August’s Galaxy Note 9 both start at a grand, and the higher-storage models go up …
Read More »This wireless FM transmitter solves a bunch of problems for under $10
It’s a first-world problem, no question, but a car without a Bluetooth-compatible stereo is a car without joy. How else can you listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts streamed from your phone? The AUX-in jack? Sorry, your phone doesn’t have an output jack anymore. It’s Bluetooth or nothing! For years now, the workaround has been the old-standby FM transmitter, which …
Read More »iPhone XS vs. Note 9, LG V30 and OnePlus 6
In addition to the iPhone XS Max and the more affordable iPhone XR, Apple unveiled its latest flagship iPhone XS phone Wednesday at a keynote event in Cupertino, California. The new phone (pronounced “10-S”, not “excess”) features a 5.8-inch OLED HDR display, a faster and more efficient A12 Bionic chip along with improved photos and video technology. Preorders start Friday …
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Happy Monday, cheeps! A few quick housekeeping notes before we dive in, starting with a recently updated Cheapskate FAQ page. It includes all the different ways you can receive my deals (including a Flipboard magazine!) and answers to all your Cheapskate-related questions. Next, if you live in the metro-Detroit area, there are two opportunities to come see me this week. …
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