Audio Accessories

We've been rocking the Google Nest Hub in our kitchen for well over a year now, just recently replacing it with a Nest Hub Max unit. We've since moved the original Nest Hub into our bedroom, but the new announcement of a second generation device from Google is making us think it's time for an upgrade, with a bunch of new features that are sure to be impressive if they work as intended.

Back in September 2019, we review the Creative Outlier Air's and were really impressed with the overall audio quality. In our review, we were probably a bit nicer than we should have been, because over long periods of the time, the buds did ultimately hurt my ears. When Creative reached out and said they had the Outlier Air version 2 available, I was intrigued to see if the issues I had with the first pair after a few months were rectified in this one. Let's take a look!

A next generation system isn't all it can be without a whack of additional next generation accessories to go along with it. We previously reviewed the Sony PS5 Media Remote and, for the most part, really enjoyed that product. Now it's time to look at yet another next generation accessory from Sony - the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset. In a market with so many amazing headset products, is Sony able to push through with this one? Let's take a look.

As the world awaits the release of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S, SteelSeries is already getting ahead of the game with the release of the Arctis 7P & 7X headsets, designed to work seamlessly with the next-gen consoles. While the 7X is designed to work specifically with Xbox consoles and the 7P with PlayStation consoles, both are still compatible with PC, Android and the Nintendo Switch.

During their 2020 Made by Google, Launch Night In showcase, Google announced the brand new Nest Audio smart speaker, which will be available in just a little while. While Google has released a number of different smart speakers over the years, it looks like new software will make the Nest Audio the premier smart speaker option this holiday season.

Not too long ago, Creative revealed its Super X-Fi technology and began implementing it in many of their new headphones. The Aurvana Trio Wireless is a neckband set of earbuds that promises extremely high audio quality without the hassle of bulky headphones or tangled wires. Neckbands might be the most uncommon type of headphone when compared to typical fully wired or wireless earbuds or traditional over-the-ear headphones, but they certainly have their place. How will the newly-envisioned Aurvana Trio Wireless headphones stack up to the competition? Let's ...

For all of the technological advancements that are flying towards us at an increasing rate, there are still many gaps in compatibility that are glaring when you end up on the wrong side of them. Bluetooth connectivity is one such gap. Even though more and more headsets and audio devices are Bluetooth enabled, it is wild to think that current-gen consoles do not have native Bluetooth functionality. Enter the Creative BT-W3 Bluetooth transmitter, designed to help turn (almost) any device into a Bluetooth capable one, with your choice of codecs. How does it ...

In October, Google introduced the all-new Google Pixel Buds — with high-quality sound, an unobtrusive design that fits securely and comfortably in your ear, and helpful AI features. Their intention was to make sure whether you're streaming content while working out, or sitting in a noisy room talking on a conference call, you have the best possible audio experience. Today, Pixel Buds are available in Canada for $239 in Clearly White.

As a rule, I am often skeptical of third-party accessories that claim to offer a boost in audio quality, especially when these accessories are reasonably priced. More often than not, accessories of this type will indeed created an amplified audio experience, but at the cost of heavy distortion. Other times you receive what is, in essence, no more than an advanced audio EQ - not something worth dropping any significant money on in my opinion. With these things in mind, I set my expectations fairly low for the Creative Soundblaster G3. How did it compare? Let's ...