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Accessory Power
I think we’ve all been there: You settle in to watch a movie or listen to your favorite playlist, only to discover there’s no audio in one ear. You wiggle the cord a bit and, yep, the sound cuts in and out. Or maybe it just stays out. Either way, another pair of headphones headed for the trash.
Seems a bit unfair, don’t you think? Even if you pony up big bucks for, say, a set of Beats, you get a warranty that lasts only a year.
Try these on for size: 2nd Street Electronics (via Amazon) has the Gogroove Audiohm RNF earbuds with lifetime warranty for $19.99 shipped. That’s after applying coupon code CNETARNF at checkout. And you don’t even have to be a Prime subscriber to bag free shipping!
The Audiohm is technically a stereo headset, as it includes an inline microphone with a play/pause, answer/end, Google/Siri button. (What the button does depends on when/how you use it.) That’s not uncommon; the real news here is the design. From end to end, the headset sports reinforced cables, connectors and housings.
The idea, of course, is to prevent the usual wear at the usual stress points. Pure marketing gimmick? I don’t think so. I’ve got a pair here, and everything about them feels way more durable than typical earbuds.
What’s more, it comes in a compact, seriously convenient zippered clamshell case, the better to keep the cord from getting tangled or otherwise stressed.
A couple things to note. First, because these incorporate a noise-isolating in-ear design, you’ll “hear” every movement of or brush against the cord. That’s just the nature of this kind of earphone, something to be aware of if you’ve never owned a pair. Second, your only color options are army green and “rasta.” Can’t say I’m a fan of either, but that’s just me.
Finally, while sound quality is highly subjective, I found the Audiohms a little flat. Obviously I don’t expect world-class sound from $20 headphones, but certain songs just seemed to be lacking in range.
Because this is a brand-new product, only three user reviews have been posted thus far — but they’re all five stars. That puts me in the minority with regard to sound quality, and I will say I’ve been extremely pleased with other audio products in the Gogroove line.
So if you’ve been frustrated by earphones that just don’t last, it might be worth giving these a try. They break, you get a replacement. And not just for the first year.
Bonus deal: Do you use a desktop monitor? Time to get it off the desk! For a limited time, Monoprice is offering its 2-way adjustable desktop monitor mount for just $11.99. Regular price: $18.19. It can hold flat-panel monitors up to 33 pounds as long as they’re VESA mount-compatible. Do check out the (mostly positive) user reviews, however, as a few buyers ran into trouble regarding desk thickness and monitor size.
