INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Portable power stations are picking up in popularity and that's not something I was expecting to happen so soon, mainly because of their size and of course cost. On the other hand, portable power stations bridge the gap between power banks and generators so it's not strange that people are turning towards them for emergency/backup power. And then you have all those who like going camping and well, due to its massive battery capacity and available ports/connectors a portable power station is the ideal solution, especially if we're talking about 2 or more people. PECRON is a name I didn't know until somewhat recently but since many of you asked me about them today, I'll be testing their popular E2400LFP portable power station model.

    PECRON was founded in 2012 with the Belief of “Renewable Is The Future” and the Vision of “Building Up A World That Runs On Green Energy”. We captured market opportunities with a series of marketable outdoor power stations, and started to build our brand image and focused on developing high-quality, efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for customers to access power wherever they go.

       The E2400LFP is yet another pure sine wave model with a maximum supported power output of 2400W (4800W peak) and a LiFePO4 lithium-ion battery capacity of 2048Wh (expandable to 8192Wh via 2 extra batteries). The LFP (LiFePO4) battery cells used here have a lifespan of over 10 years, offer up to 3500 charge cycles after which they retain up to 80% of their original capacity and in this model can be recharged up to 100% after around 1.3 hours (1800W max input). Also, thanks to its BMS advanced battery management system the E2400LFP features 6 different protections (overvoltage, undervoltage, overtemperature, short circuit, overload, and real-time monitoring) and as for extra functions it can be used as a UPS (8-20ms typical transfer), features WiFi for app control and comes ready with car jump start cables in the bundle (could come in handy). Just like every other portable battery station the E2400LFP features a real time LCD display and as for available ports the European model sports two AC outlets (2400W), two MPPT DC inputs (32/12V), DC 12V/10A car lighter output, MJ32 port (for extra battery connection), DC5525 12V/10A port, XT60 port (30A), 4 USB-A ports (18W) and two PD USB-C ports (100W & 18W) ports. Finally, as for warranty PECRON covers the E2400LFP with a 3-year limited one (2 year full warranty plus 1 EU support).

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The E2400LFP is shipped inside a large box that just has a product drawing on both the front and rear.

 

 

Typically, the power station is placed between two thick pieces of foam.

 

 

Inside the box you’ll find the E2400LFP portable power station, hard storage/carrying case (for the bundle), car lighter cable, jump starting cables, USB-C charging cable and the user manual.

 

 

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THE E2400LFP

 

 

 

 

 

The E2400LFP weighs 20.5Kg and measures 37.6cm in length, 23.6cm in width and 33cm in height.

 

 

At the front we find the LCD screen, 2 MPPT DC inputs, 2 AC ports, power port, AC/DC buttons, DC cigar lighter port, XT60 port, DC5525 port, two USB-C ports and 4 USB-A ports.

 

 

The LCD screen displays current battery charge, remaining time (hours, minutes), output type (DC/AC), temperature, mode and the ports used.

 

 

On the left side we find the MJ32 battery expansion port and two perforated areas behind which PECRON has placed 80-90mm cooling fans.

 

 

Each side has a handle coated with rubber for easier transport of the E2400LFP.

 

 

The right side also has two perforated areas but no fans behind them.

 

 

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PECRON SMART APP

 

 

 

 

 

For full control over the E2400LFP I suggest downloading the PECRON smart app.

Adding the device is easy, just follow the instructions (this will either happen automatically or you may need to reset the device by pressing the AC and DC buttons for 3 seconds).

 

 

Once you add the E2400LFP it will show in the main tab.

 

 

In the battery tab you can see everything from remaining battery life to the current wattage of both inputs and outputs (you can also switch AC/DC on/off).

 

 

In many ways the settings tab (upper right corner) is where the really useful things really are since from here you can share the device with others, adjust the AC charging rate (this could help the batteries keep more of their health/capacity over time), output frequency and voltage and set the auto-off time.

 

 

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TESTING METHODOLOGY

 

 

 

 

 

    In order to cover a wide range of electrical and electronic devices i decided that I’ll be using 3 different ones to test portable power stations, the VEVOR SH-C22 Bluetooth car refrigerator (DC, around 45W consumption - not continuous), Delonghi Aria Dry Light dehumidifier (AC, around 662W consumption) and a generic air cleaner (AC, around 55W consumption). Of course, my ExTech HD600 dBA meter will also be used at around 10cm away from each portable power station to record the maximum noise coming from the built-in fan/s.

 

TEST RESULTS

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    As always, I am a bit skeptical when testing products by manufacturers, I’ve heard of only recently but the E2400LFP by PECRON ended up being a good surprise to me. Not only does it pack the largest capacity of LiFePO4 batteries from all the portable power stations to arrive in the lab, it’s also less audible and in many cases smaller. Another great thing about the E2400LFP is that you can get a full recharge from a wall socket in just around 80 minutes (you can even adjust that from their smart app) and that's not something we see a lot from similarly priced portable power stations (although it's a feature that's picking up lately). Being able to connect it both to solar panels and extra batteries is also a good feature which I expect many people will use. Yes, the 2 AC wall sockets do seem a bit strange for such a high wattage and battery capacity portable power station (especially since the USA model has 3, as seen in the picture above) and it would be nice if this model also had a wireless charger on top like some others do but once again, I guess we just can’t have it all. Also worth pointing out is that from the next portable power station review I also plan on checking if portable power stations can be used on a slight overload since all report double their wattage output as peak number (this might be of interest to some people).

    Currently the E2400LFP portable power station by PECRON retails for USD629 inside the USA (PECRON USA) and for 719Euros inside the EU (PECRON EU) so it’s priced well. Overall, I have no complaints about the E2400LFP by PECRON, it features a very high wattage output (2400W), equally high LiFePO4 battery capacity (2048Wh), packs a grand total of 11 output ports and can be used both with extra batteries (total capacity up to 8192Wh) and solar panels so the Golden Award is in order.

PROS

- Good Overall Build Quality
- 2400W Output (4800W Peak)
- 2048Wh LifePO4 Battery Capacity (3500 Cycles)
- Pure Sine Wave Model
- BMS Advanced Battery Management
- Charging Speed (Around 80 Minutes)
- Available Ports (2xAC Outlets /  2xMPPT DC Inputs / DC Car Lighter Output / MJ32 Port / DC5525 Port / XT60 P /  4xUSB A Ports / 2xPD USB C Ports)
- Jump Starter Cables Included
- Smart App
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Only 2 AC Outlets

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I've always used two types of mice, wired gaming ones with my desktop systems since those are the ones I play games on to test various peripherals and hardware components and wireless ones with my laptops. For example, with one of my laptops I've been using the MX Master 2S Bluetooth Edition mouse by Logitech ever since I got one back in January of 2018 (just a few months after its debut in 2017). Since I really liked the MX Master 2S (and it's still working well) I never did look to get my hands on the MX Master 3S (don't think Logitech had reached out to me back then) but it's now been a while and so when Logitech asked me to review their latest MX Master 4 I was very curious to see how much further they've taken things.

    Logitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help businesses thrive and unite people when working, creating, gaming, and streaming. As the point of connection between people and the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech and its other brands, including Logitech G, at www.logitech.com

    The MX Master 4 (currently available in graphite and pale gray colors) is the latest wireless ergonomic mouse by Logitech which as expected follows closely the design of its predecessors. Inside the enclosure (which is not coated this time over) Logitech has placed an 8000DPI Darkfield sensor (compatible with most surfaces available, including glass - can be set in increments of 50 DPI), quiet primary keys, bluetooth 5.1 connectivity (low power - can be used with/without the bundled dongle), haptic sensor and and an user replaceable 650mAh rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery (up to 70 days - up to 3 hours with 1 minute of fast charge). Just like with its predecessors the MX Master 4 is a feature-rich model and so this time over it comes ready with a haptic sense left side panel (feedback via vibrations) which can also be used by loading program plugins from the Logi Options+ software, gesture controls, actions ring which allows the end user to access various shortcuts/commands, magspeed clickable scroll wheel for very fast and precise scrolling (up to 1000 lines per second) and a Logi Bolt USB-C wireless dongle (low power, BLE). So, let's see just how good the latest MX Master 4 really is.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Just like with past products Logitech uses a black box the front of which is taken by a product picture, company logo and the main features.

 

 

On the right side Logitech speaks about the battery of the MX Master 4 and also has a sticker which informs the end user that they are providing a free month of Adobe's Creative Cloud.

 

 

The system requirements and bundle contents are printed on the left side in multiple languages.

 

 

At the rear of the box Logitech showcases the 3 primary features of the MX Master 4.

 

 

The MX Master 4 sits inside a formed piece of plastic.

 

 

Inside the box you will find the MX Master 4, Logi Bolt dongle, safety and warranty information paper, papers that showcase the proper wall adapters and how to replace the lithium-ion battery, and a paper with links to various setup/configuration files.

 

 

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THE MX MASTER 4

 

 

 

 

 

The MX Master 4 is a large mouse weighing 150g and measures 128.15mm in length, 88.35mm in width and 50.8mm in height.

 

 

I placed the MX Master 2S right next to the MX Master 4 to showcase their similarities.

 

 

On the left side of the MX Master 4 we find the gestures button (top left), two thumb buttons, horizontal scroll wheel and the thumb rest with the haptic sense feedback that also has the actions ring on it.

 

 

As always at the top we find a mode shift button which as its name suggests is used to change modes.

 

 

Once again there's no pinky rest area on the left but there's plenty of space there to provide good grip.

 

 

At the front we find the magspeed clickable scroll wheel which is made of  machined steel.

 

 

Typically, the USB-C charging port is placed right under the primary buttons.

 

 

Turning the MX Master 4 over we find 4 large PTFE feet, the 8K DPI Darkfield sensor, Easy-Switch & connect button (allows the mouse to be connected with up to three different computers) and the on/off switch.

 

 

As Logitech points out you can remove the 650mAh lithium-ion battery on your own so opening the housing is very easy.

 

 

The Logi Bolt USB-C dongle is tiny.

 

 

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LOGI OPTIONS+

 

 

 

 

 

To have complete control over the MX Master 4 you will need to install the Logi Options+ software.

The initial screen of the Logi Options+ displays Logitech connected devices.

 

 

As always, I suggest heading into the settings page first to check for any firmware/software updates.

 

 

The buttons tab allows you to remap all buttons on the MX Master 4 with various actions as seen above.

 

 

Scrolling speed and button sensitivity can be adjusted from the point, scroll press tab.

 

 

The haptic feedback and actions ring settings are available inside the haptic feedback tab.

 

 

As you can see from the above screenshot the haptic feedback feature is also compatible with 3 programs, Lightroom, Zoom and Photoshop via plugins.

 

 

You can also access the easy-switch feature from the corresponding tab.

 

 

From the Logi Flow tab you can use the MX Master 4 to control multiple computers.

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The MX Master line of mice by Logitech has always targeted casual users and professionals and well, there aren’t that many wireless mice out there than can compete, especially with the MX Master 4. Tracking accuracy is excellent, at 8000 DPI I personally have no problems with its speed (even on one of my 4K screens), gliding is flawless and in terms of grip well, it may be large and somewhat heavy, but it feels nice when you hold it. Yes, the MX Master 4 is not a gaming mouse so it’s not quite ideal for fast passed games but for more “generic” titles (for example No Mans Sky, World Of Warships, Star Citizen, Days Gone) it actually does a very good job. Wireless performance is also flawless (only used the bundled Logi Bolt dongle for my review) and as for battery life even though I received it over 30 days ago on the 29th of September when I took the Logi Options+ screenshots battery life was still at 55%. The haptic feedback system is also interesting, it may not be that important for casual users, but it adds to the over experience and as for the actions ring it works well if you have some specific commands you use a lot (so mostly for professionals). The gestures button is a bit further forward than what I’d like but it wasn’t a huge issue during testing (long fingers). The Magspeed clickable scroll wheel also works well although I do prefer the one used with the MX Master 2S a bit more due to its partial rubber coating and as for the primary buttons yes, they are almost inaudible. The lack of rubber/silicon coating needs getting used to but to be completely honest that shouldn’t be a problem for most people (wasn’t for me, could be for others). My sole issue is with the Logi Options+ software since I don’t find it very easy to navigate and use but that could be just me.

    Logitech released the MX Master 4 officially on the 30^th of September and so it currently retails for USD119.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 135.46Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is on par with how much its predecessors cost at launch. At the end of the day the brand new MX Master 4 may be primarily aimed towards professionals/office workers, but it should be more than enough for most users (gamers aside) and since it delivers as advertised it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Excellent Tracking Accuracy & Speed (8K DPI Darkfield Sensor)
- Ergonomic Design
- User Replaceable 650mAh Lithium Ion Battery (Up To 70 Days)
- Wireless Performance (Bluetooth & Logi Bolt BLE Dongle)
- Features (Haptic Feedback, Gestures & Actions Ring)
- Inaudible Primary Buttons
- Available In Graphite & Pale Gray Colors

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- No Coating (For Some)
- Gestures Button Location (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Compared to the desktop speaker market many years ago today there are so many available choices that even people with a somewhat low budget can enjoy both wired and wireless high fidelity audio. Yes, you still need to decide on the type of speakers (active/powered or not), power output, frequency range and even looks but again, consumers today can find the ideal speakers for them without having to spend large amounts. With their latest MR5 Studio Monitor Speakers Edifier aims to win over demanding consumers looking for the jack of all trades and that's exactly what landed in the lab around one full month ago.

    Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance, delivering outstanding audio experiences through a wide range of headphones, speakers, and music systems, for personal entertainment and professional excellence. Established in May 1996 in Beijing, Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Over the past 25 years, Edifier has been guided by the “passion for sound” principle, which helped the brand emerge as a world-class designer and manufacturer of award-winning sound systems. Today, Edifier serves audio lovers worldwide through its distributors in over 70 countries, with operations in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions.

    The Edifier MR5 are a pair of active stereo speakers currently available in 2 colors (black and white) and based on a three-way design (5"/13cm long throw woofers, 3.75"/9.5cm mid-drivers and 1"/2.5cm silk dome tweeters) largely thanks to which they deliver a wide frequency range/response of 46Hz-40kHz. Inside the MR5 Edifier has also placed a DSP (full digital signal processing) and three class-d amplifiers with active crossover which produce a total output of 110W RMS (50W RMS each speaker - 10W treble, 15W mid, 30W bass) with a peak SPL of 101dB (1 meter range). The MR5 also have volume/mode/power (monitor, music and customized modes), highs and lows control knobs and are Hi-Res (24bit/96kHz) and Hi-Res Wireless audio certified with support for the LDAC HD audio codec (24bit/96kHz, 990kbps) thanks to its Bluetooth 6.0 with multi-point connectivity. Moving to available connectivity the MR5 are equipped with balanced XLR and TRS, stereo RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs and a 3.5mm headphones output. Finally, you can control most of the aspects of the MR5 via the Edifier ConneX app.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The front of the box is taken by a large product picture showcasing the black version of the MR5 and of course the company logo, model name and a product description.

 

 

On the left side of the box Edifier is showcasing the rear of the main/active speaker and what the control knobs do.

 

 

Both the main features and specifications of the MR5 are listed on the right side in 8 languages.

 

 

The white version of the MR5 is showcased at the rear of the box.

 

 

Both speakers are wrapped inside plastic bags and placed between two pieces of cardboard.

 

 

Along with the two speakers their connection cable and power cord inside the box you'll also find an RCA to 3.5mm cable, 3.5mm cable, statement of compliance, warranty information and the quick start guide.

 

 

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THE MR5

 

 

 

 

 

The enclosures of the MR5 speakers are made from high-quality MDF and measure 264mm in height, 159mm in width and 280mm in length for the main/active speaker and 257mm for the passive speaker.

 

 

Both the 1"/2.5cm silk dome tweeter and the 3.75"/9.5cm polypropylene cone mid-drivers look and feel nice (quality is high too).

 

 

At the lower front of the main/active speaker we find the headphones output and aux input and the volume/mode/power knob.

 

 

Bass reflex ports are placed on both sides of each speaker.

 

 

Turning around both speakers we see that all connectors and knobs are on the main/active speaker.

 

 

From top to bottom at the rear of the main/active speaker we find the RCA stereo input, balanced XLR and TRS ports, Bluetooth pairing button, high and low knobs and the speaker out and power ports.

 

 

Typically, I spend most of the time testing the MR5 using the R9 music player by FiiO.

 

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CONNEX APP

 

 

 

 

 

Just like with previous products by Edifier you should download the ConneX app for full control over the MR5.

From the main tab this app allows you to use the built-in equalizer (2 effects plus 1 custom - you can also add new effects) and set the volume.

 

 

Accessing the settings tab (top right) allows you to read the user manual, change the active speaker from the default right to left, enable/disable power saving mode (recommend disabling this), change the codec to LDAC (disabled by default - once enabled the Hi-Res Wireless logo lights up in the main tab), enable Bluetooth prompt tones, disconnect Bluetooth and power off the speakers.

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    When it comes to studio monitor speakers what people look for is a flat, neutral, uncolored audio signature and that's exactly what you're getting from the latest Edifier MR5. This however doesn’t mean you’re missing anything out in terms of audio clarity since the MR5 do a very good job across the audio spectrum thus delivering lively and crisp highs and mids with a good amount of bass (something I didn’t expect to be honest after checking what some of my colleagues had to say about them). As a matter of fact, the MR5 did extremely well delivering clear, natural and balanced audio with every music genre I threw at it from pop, classic and jazz to rock, techno, and even heavy metal. Volume levels are also very good, yes, the MR5 are far from the most powerful speakers I’ve ever used but they can easily fill a large room (with almost no audio distortion even at maximum volume) and that is more than plenty. As always nothing is perfect however and so I did notice 2 downsides about the MR5. First is that all audio inputs are enabled simultaneously and even though that shouldn’t pose an issue for most users it may for some. Second is the delay between the ConneX app and the speakers themselves so if you’re accessing the EQ section it may take 1-2 seconds between the time you adjust something and that change making its way to the speakers. Both downsides are not real game breakers but as always, I need to point them out (LDAC is once again disabled by default, but this has been covered many times in the past).

    Right now, the MR5 Studio Speakers by Edifier retail for USD297.49Euros inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 259.46Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so they are priced well. Again, the MR5 may not be the perfect speaker set out there but it’s hard finding one with its audio performance  and features (Hi-Res wireless audio / LDAC audio codec / EQ) at this price and that’s exactly why they are worth the Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Audio Reproduction (Accuracy / Detail / Neutral)
- Available Connectivity (Balanced XLR and TRS ports, RCA, 3.5mm Aux & 3.5mm headphones Output)
- HiRes Wired & Wireless Audio (LDAC)
- 2 Available Modes (Plus Custom)
- Available In Black & White
- ConneX App

CONS

- All Inputs Enabled Simultaneously
- ConneX App Delay
- LDAC Disabled By Default (ConneX App Needed To Enable)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    With every graphics card manufacturer out there gearing up to unveil their latest models in a few months’ time (and with the Christmas holidays not that far off) this could be the time for you to grab a brand new power supply unit. Many brands have recently released new power supply models compliant with the latest ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 standards and one of them is be quiet! with their Pure Power 13 M line the 1KW unit of which has been with me for the past month or so.

    We are the German premium brand manufacturer of quiet hardware components for gaming, workstations and desktop PCs. Since our foundation in 2001, we are proud to have more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Our goal from the very beginning has been to develop products of the highest quality that are not only quiet, but also extremely powerful. With a wide range of power supplies, PC cases, water and air coolers and fans, we have established ourselves as a leading manufacturer in this field.

    The latest Pure Power 13 M line of PCIe 5.1 & ATX 3.1 compliant power supply units by be quiet! currently includes 550/650/750/850/1000W output models all of which are modular and 80 PLUS Gold certified (up to 94.4% electrical efficiency). The 1000W unit I have here with me today it comes ready with a single 12V-2x6 power connector (600W),  4 PCIe 6+2 connectors, single strong +12V rail (83.4A) capable of delivering 100% of the units’ total power output (1000W) and a peak power output of no less than 11388W (according to the new ATX 3.0/1 specification peak should now be up to 2KW for up to 100ms - this however is something I’m unable to test with such high wattage models). The new Pure Power 13 M line also features Active PFC, half bridge LLC topology with DC to DC design and a full array of electrical protections including over-current (OCP), over-voltage (OVP), under-voltage (UVP), short-circuit (SCP), over-temperature (OTP) and over-power (OPP). Finally, once again be quiet! covers their entire Pure Power 13 M line with a very generous 10-year limited warranty.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typically, at the front of the black box we find a large product picture, the company and 80 PLUS logos and the power output.

 

 

As usual the unit's electrical table is printed at the rear of the box alongside several certifications.

 

 

Inside the box the PSU is placed between two thick pieces of cardboard.

 

 

Along with the Pure Power 13 M 1000W, its modular cables and its power cord inside the box you'll also find 5 cable ties, 5 mounting screws and the user manual.

 

 

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THE PURE POWER 13M 1000W EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the exception of the motherboard and 12V-2x6 connectors which are braided all else are low profile ones.

 

 

The Pure Power 13 M 1000W measures 160mm in length, 150mm in width and 86mm in height.

 

 

be quiet! has placed an 120mm rifle bearing fan under a nice looking grille.

 

 

On one side of the enclosure, we find the company logo whereas on the other a sticker with the unit's electrical table.

 

 

All 9 available modular ports are tagged and different in size.

 

 

At the rear we find the usual honeycomb perforation, power port and the power on/off switch.

 

 

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THE PURE POWER 13M 1000W INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 120mm rifle bearing fan used by be quiet! for the Pure Power 13 M 1000W model can reach speeds of up to 2000RPM.

 

 

It was a nice surprise to see that the OEM behind the Pure Power 13 M 1000W model is FSP.

 

 

The 2 primary capacitors found in this model are manufactured by the Taiwanese Chinsan Electronic and are certified for use up to 105 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Secondary capacitors are also manufactured by the Taiwanese Chinsan Electronic and are certified for use up to 105 degrees Celsius.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     Using a dedicated measurement instrument such as a Chroma or a SunMoon to test power supply units is without doubt the most ideal and accurate way (not to mention the fastest) to do that currently. However, it's certainly not the only way there is and so pretty much anyone can test a power supply unit just by using a test rig. Certainly, limitations do apply and so you can't really push a 1000W power supply to its limits if your system only uses 500W at peak loads and that's why over the years we saved certain hardware components for the purpose of building a dedicated PSU test rig. True it may not be as accurate as the above mentioned solutions, but it comes really close and is in fact much closer to real world usage. So as always, we ran several games with maximum graphic options enabled at a resolution of 2560x1600 in order to stress every hardware component and increase the overall power demands of the system. The Passmark BurnIn Test was also used to overstress the components in an effort to provide the most accurate results possible. As a final test we also used the latest OCCT 4.4 software and its dedicated PSU testing suite since it can really bring a power supply to its knees after inside a few minutes.

   Rail stability was checked/measured with the CPUID Hardware monitor and a Metex multimeter which also recorded the system load in idle and in load. As always try to remember that the power consumption numbers listed in the graph are the highest (Peak) ones recorded during the entire duration of the tests and not the average ones. Noise levels coming from the fan were recorded using the high precision HD600 ExTech Sound dBA Meter from the rear of the unit and at a range of no more than 5-10cm. Readings under load are recorded the exact moment we manually switch the fans of all graphics cards from full speed to almost zero, that way the fan of the power supply does not have enough time to slow its RPM and so by doing this we get very accurate noise level readings. Needless to say, in order to get 100% accurate readings, you need to have a noise isolated room for that exact purpose, something which is quite impossible unless you are working inside a real lab (some people use very small noise insulated boxes but due to their size both heat and noise exceed normal levels and so the results can't really be considered to be 100% accurate, nor realistic for that matter). Also do take into account that since all noise measurements take place from just 5-10cm away the final noise levels to reach your ears will be considerably less.

* After well over 10 years of testing PSUs the Intel Core i7-920 CPU of this rig failed and so we replaced it with a Xeon X5660 (we also swapped the GA-X58A-UD7 for the G1. Assassin).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Just like with most power supply units released by be quiet! to date the Pure Power 13M 1000W performed extremely well during my tests both in terms of rail stability and noise levels (be quiet! fans have always done well here). FSP is among the top power supply manufacturers around, so this wasn’t really a surprise. What was a surprise is that they used Taiwanese capacitors and even though Taiwan leads the electronics industry in many things when it comes to capacitors Japanese ones have always been the top choice for users all over the globe (Chinsan capacitors however have a very good track record).

    Retailing currently for USD149.90 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 144.90Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the Pure Power 13 M 1000W power supply unit by be quiet! is priced very well. From rail stability and electrical efficiency to noise levels and price the Pure Power 13 M 1000W has it all, yes it may not be perfect but it’s certainly more than enough for our Golden Award.

PROS

- Good Build Quality
- Solid Rail Stability
- ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Compliant
- Strong Single Rail (83.4A)
- 80 PLUS Gold Certified
- Electrical Protections (OCP/OVP/OPP/UVP/SCP/OTP)
- Noise Levels
- 10 Year Limited Warranty
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Taiwanese Capacitors (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Thanks to the long awaited HAMR technology 30TB hard disk drives are finally here and significantly sooner than what I had initially anticipated back in 2019 when Seagate released their first 16TB models. The recent introduction of HAMR technology based hard disk drives also effectively means that we should see 40TB models hit the global market by early to mid-2026 and if things go as planned by the people over at Seagate, we may even see 100TB capacities by 2030. My very first HAMR HDD review was of the latest EXOS M 30TB hard disk drive by Seagate a couple of weeks ago and since it delivered as advertised today, I'll be testing the also HAMR based IronWolf Pro 30TB model.

    Seagate is a global leader in mass-capacity data storage, having delivered over 4.5 billion terabytes of capacity over four decades. From edge to core to cloud, Seagate builds trust in data by delivering scalable, sustainable, and secure storage solutions. Learn more at www.seagate.com.

    Just like the Exos M 30TB the IronWolf Pro 30TB HDD (primarily designed for use with NAS) is also a helium sealed model based on Seagate’s Mozaic3+ platform and is powered by CMR (conventional magnetic recording) technology. The Mozaic3+ HAMR technology allows for more data density with improved reliability and reduced power consumption (thus carbon footprint) thanks to a combination of superlattice platinum-alloy media for the platters, plasmonic writer (nanophotonic laser, photonic funnel and quantum antenna combination), Gen 7 spintronic reader and a 12nm integrated controller. Seagate has plans for 4TB, 5TB and 6TB capacities per platter in the coming years but for now the new 30TB models feature a total of 10 platters. Moving to specifications the platters of the IronWolf Pro 30TB spin at 7200RPM while the drive itself has 512MB of cache resulting to a maximum sustained transfer rate of 275MB/s. Once again, Seagate covers their IronWolf Pro 30TB drives with a 5-year limited warranty (including 3-years or their rescue data recovery services) and reports an MTBF (meantime between failures) of 2.5 million hours.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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THE IRONWOLF PRO 30TB

 

 

 

 

 

Just like with most past HDD reviews, I received my sample inside a static-free bag as seen above.

 

 

On a large sticker at the top of the drive we find details along with its serial number and barcode.

 

 

Turning over the drive we find a tiny PCB which means that once again there’s minimal exposure of internal parts.

 

 

The usual SATA III (600 - 6Gb/s) power and data connectors are located at the rear of the drive right next to three pins (probably used for firmware updates).

 

 

Details on the drive thanks to Crystal Disk Info are available above.

 

 

For anyone wondering available space in Windows is around 27.2TB.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     Thoroughly testing hard disk drives may require time and patience but that's just about it. Of course, that doesn't mean that one must take it lightly, at least not when people base their decision on your results. True some choose to only use 2 or 3 benchmarking suits in order to measure the performance of a drive or drives since quite honestly most benchmarking suites do tend to agree with each other (so it's not really wrong) but I've always liked taking things a step further in order to be almost 100% certain of the results I get and post in the charts.

     So, in this kind of reviews I'll be using a total of 7 different benchmarking suites in an effort to bring you the most accurate results across the board. Now the only reason why i say effort is because real-world usage is not always on par with what results one gets by running several benchmarks on a drive and that's mainly because there are many variables at work from ambient temperatures to hardware configurations and even firmware versions. The benchmarking applications use are AIDA64 suite (former Everest Pro), HD Tune Professional (as of October 2016 seek times of 3.5” drives are also recorded), HD Tach RW, ATTO*, Sisoftware Sandra Titanium, Crystal Disk Mark 64bit* and the PCMARK 7** (secondary storage suite). These benchmarking tools are the best in what they do and as you will also see later on their results more or less agree. Each test is performed a total of 6 times and then the average is recorded into the charts. Temperatures are recorded using Hard Disk Sentinel and after 45 minutes of continuous testing in a 23 degrees Celsius temperature controlled room. Finally, I also make use of the ExTech HD600 dBA meter on each of the drives (2-5cm away) in order to accurately record their noise levels (during access), although if you don't turn off all system fans when doing so it's quite possible that you will never even hear the drive. The operating system used is a fresh installation of Microsoft Windows 10 Pro with every update installed up until the time of testing.

* As of August 2025, I'll be introducing extra tests with ATTO v5.00.2 and Crystal Disk Mark v9.0.1.
** Support for PCMARK 7 has been discontinued since 2020 but it's still valid for SATA & SAS drives.

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - AIDA64 / ATTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - HD TACH RW / HD TUNE PRO

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - SISOFTWARE SANDRA TITANIUM / CRYSTAL DISK MARK X64

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS – PC MARK 7 PRO / TEMPERATURES / NOISE LEVELS

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Although I’ve always favored the Exos HDD lineup by Seagate when it came to endurance the IronWolf Pro lineup has always felt slightly faster and the 30TB model doesn’t disappoint. For such drives however durability/endurance and capacity matter just as much if not more and well the IronWolf Pro does very well here as well and on par with the Exos M drive. Unfortunately, I don’t do power consumption tests but according to Seagate the IronWolf Pro is slightly less power hungry compared to the Exos M and on top of that features their IHM (IronWolf Health Management) and AgileArray technologies for increased reliability so those are more than enough for it to be recommended for NAS use (on the other hand both drives performed roughly the same when it comes to noise levels and temperatures).

     Right now, the IronWolf Pro 30TB HDD by Seagate retails for USD599.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com – out of stock currently) and for 654.48Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Yes, these are not what most people would call affordable but as I pointed out in my Exos M review the fact that you can get an 30TB HDD for the price of an 8TB Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD is already a great deal. Cost aside there are many reasons these drives are sold out in most places, they combine very good performance (for a mechanical drive at least) with ample capacity and impressive endurance numbers and so once again the Platinum Award is in order.

PROS

- Impressive Build Quality / Durability (2.5 Million Hours MTBF)
- Top Of The Charts Performance (SATA III)
- Technologies Used (Mozaic 3+ / AgileArray)
- 512MB Cache
- Massive 30TB Capacity (Up To 36TB)
- Temperatures / Noise Levels / Power Consumption
- Ideal For NAS Use (Power Consumption)
- 5 Year Limited Warranty & 3 Year Data Rescue Services

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Current Availability

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    In the never ending quest to find the best possible set of headphones three brands have really stood out for me over the years, Sennheiser, beyerdynamic and Meze. Yes, there have been other brands that have released some great models from time to time, but a single exception doesn't make the rule and so I'm always curious to see what new these 3 companies have to offer. Late last year beyerdynamic released the MKII versions of their very popular DT 1990 PRO and DT 1770 PRO studio headphones the latter of which arrived in the lab a while back.

    Since 1924, beyerdynamic has stood for first-class, professional audio products that delight discerning customers around the world. The majority of the product lines are handmade at the Heilbronn site. In the product areas “Creator”, “Gamer”, “Work & Learn” and “Enjoyment - Music lovers”, beyerdynamic offers headphones, headsets, microphones, gaming, and home office products. They all have one thing in common: pristine sound. This has always carried the company across the emotional stages of the world, through the inspiring studios of the cities and into the ears and hearts of the people.

    The DT 1770 PRO MKII are closed-back type studio headphones for which beyerdynamic has used their latest TESLA.45 drivers (45mm) which are placed inside full metal housings and consist by a multilayer sandwich layer diaphragm with voice coil, tesla ring magnet and precision fabric. Thanks to the new TESLA.45 drivers the DT 1770 PRO MKII studio headphones can deliver a very wide frequency response of 5Hz-40kHz with just 30Ohm impedance and 95dB SPL. The rugged steel headband construction of the DT 1770 PRO MKII produces a clamping force of 6N (+-0.5N) making ideal for studio use (25dBA ambient noise attenuation) and to cover more end users beyerdynamic bundles two different earpad sets dressed in velour and artificial (faux) leather. So, let's see what the latest DT 1770 PRO MKII by beyerdynamic are all about.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The DT 1770 Pro MKII arrived inside a small box that has a small product picture at the front along with the company logo and country of manufacture.

 

 

Contact details for beyerdynamic are printed on a sticker at the rear.

 

 

Once you open the box, you'll see a hard carrying/storage case in which beyerdynamic has placed the entire bundle.

 

 

Along with the DT 1770 Pro MKII inside the box you'll also find a 3 meter long 3.5mm straight detachable cable, 5 meter long 3.5mm coiled detachable cable, two 6.35mm gold-plated jack adapters, set of faux leather earpads, quick start guide and the hard carrying/storage case.

 

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THE DT 1770 PRO MKII

 

 

 

 

 

The 322g hard carrying/storage case (hardcase pro) measures 21cm in length, 18cm in width and 12cm in thickness.

 

 

Inside there's plenty of room not just for the DT 1770 PRO MKII but also the extra earpads and all the cables and adapters.

 

 

The DT 1770 PRO MKII weigh 377g and feature near excellent craftmanship (clearly build to last).

 

 

When it comes to size the DT 1770 PRO MKII are medium to large sized ones.

 

 

On the exterior of the earcups beyerdynamic has placed the model name.

 

 

The company name and logo are printed on both ends of the headband.

 

 

At the base of the left earcup we find the single 3pin mini XLR connector.

 

 

I was pleased to see that the earcups have a good range of motion making them even more comfortable.

 

 

The large velour dressed earpads are mounted by default but for people who may need even better noise isolation beyerdynamic also bundles a faux leather set.

 

 

The headpad is dressed in faux leather and thanks to its design and good padding it's also very comfortable.

 

 

Left and right markings are placed on the interior of the headband.

 

 

beyerdynamic has placed their name on the exterior of the headband as seen above.

 

 

The headband extends on both sides by 40mm (80mm total) via 11 increments (8 visible ones).

 

 

All jacks in this bundle are gold plated.

 

 

To effectively test the DT 1770 PRO MKII I used my favorite music players, the R9 and M15 by FiiO.

 

 

Here you can see an exposed picture of one of the earcups (marketing material).

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Studio headphones are usually tuned in a specific way tailored for professionals and yes, the DT 1770 PRO MKII may not sound like most consumer oriented models. Now I haven’t used many studio grade headphones in my life but if I was to quickly describe the DT 1770 PRO MKII I’d say they don’t overemphasize any specific frequency range (this can be fixed however by using EQ). Mids and highs are detailed and clear, vocals are crisp and accurate and bass is deep and more than enough for most music genres without however overshadowing the rest (to me it almost sounds as if bass cuts just short of that). Soundstage may not be the widest I’ve ever encountered with a pair of headphones (open back models produce far better results here), but it offers clear instrument separation with accurate and detailed spatial imaging. Moving to comfort I can’t say anything bad about the DT 1770 PRO MKII, both the earpads and headpad are well padded and sit well on the head. Yes, just like with most closed back models they do tend to get a bit hot after long periods of use but again, that’s something typical with such models. Finally, as for build quality as I mentioned earlier beyerdynamic offers near excellent craftmanship and that’s always a good thing to see.

    Currently the DT 1770 PRO MKII studio headphones will set you back USD699.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 595.34Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so yes, they are not what most would call affordable. Still, these are studio headphones and aside the fact that cost is usually not an issue for such users how they sound is also tailored for them (at least for the most part, my guess is that most people will like them from the get-go) and since they deliver as advertised the Golden award is in order.

PROS

- Near Excellent Build Quality
- Balanced Audio Signature
- Comfortable
- 3m & 5m Long Detachable Cables (With 6.35mm Adapter)
- Hard Carrying / Storage Case
- Good Noise Isolation
- Closed Back Design (For Some)

CONS

- Closed Back Design (For Some)
- Price (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Although it took some time for NAND controller manufacturers to resolve temperature related issues 2nd generation PCIe Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSDs have been slowly filling the market and even though most of them offer impressive read & write performance competition is always good for the end user. A few months back Lexar also released their NM1090 Pro Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSD and today I'm testing the 2TB capacity.

    For more than 25 years, Lexar has been trusted as a leading global brand of memory solutions. Our award-winning lineup includes memory cards, USB Flash Drives, card readers, solid-state drives, and DRAM. With so many options, it’s easy to find the right Lexar solution to fit your needs.

    The NM1090 Pro by Lexar is currently available in three capacities (1/2/4TB), with and without a heatsink (illuminated) and just like with most 2nd generation Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSDs currently in the market it uses the SM2508 NVMe 2.0 NAND controller by Silicon Motion (6nm lithography) which this time over is paired with Micron's 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash (B58R) and 2GB of LPDDR4 DRAM by FORESEE for the 2TB model. The Silicon Motion SM2508 NVMe 2.0 controller features an quad-core ARM Cortex R8 CPU with support for 4 PCIe lanes of 32Gb/s data transfer speed (Gen5 x4), 8 NAND channels with a speed of up to 3600MT/s per channel and packs various technologies including end to end data path protection, programmable firmware interface, SRAM ECC & CRC parity, Innovative LDPC ECC engine, embedded programmable RAID, real-time full-drive AES 128/256bit encryption, hardware SHA 256/384 and TRNG, secure boot for FW authentication, built-in smart clock-gating mechanism (highly efficient power consumption), ONFI 5.0 and Toggle 5.0 support and TCG Opal 2.0 compliance. When it comes to endurance Lexar reports an MTBF (meantime between failures) of 1.5 million hours for all models, TBW of 700/1400/2800TB for the 1/2/4TB capacities and covers the entire line with a 5-year limited warranty.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lexar uses a small black and gold box to ship their NM1090 Pro drive the front of which is taken by their logo, product picture, capacity and advertised performance.

 

 

Turning the box around we find a few words about the drive, contact information about Lexar and a cut out from where you can see the rear sticker of the drive.

 

 

Inside the box you'll find the NM1090 Pro Gen5 SSD, quick installation guide and warranty information paper and a small mounting screw.

 

 

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THE NM1090 PRO 2TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NM1090 Pro 2TB follows the typical M.2 form factor (2280) and features a graphene sticker on top for improved heat dissipation.

 

 

Removing the sticker reveals the SM2508G NVMe 2.0 NAND controller by Silicon Motion, single 2GB LPDDR4 DRAM module by FORESEE and two Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash modules (Longsys rebranded).

 

 

On the other side of the drive, we find a sticker with the serial number and barcode.

 

 

Beneath the drive we find two more Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash modules so unfortunately the NM1090 Pro 2TB is not a single side model.

 

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DISKMASTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can monitor and control some of the functions of the NM1090 Pro from Lexar's DiskMaster software.

The software allows you to do as other similar ones so you can check the drive status, SMART details, use secure erase, transfer data between drives, run a performance test, scan for errors, search for firmware updates and check information regarding the drive and your system.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   I've been using pretty much the same testing methodology for PCIe 3.0 Gen3 and PCIe 4.0 Gen4 SSDs for far too many years now, so I decided to "tweak" it for PCIe 5.0 Gen5 models. Needless to say, Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSDs will be tested using one of my latest test rigs (Intel Core Ultra 285K / ASRock Z890 Taichi Lite) and unlike with both Gen3 and Gen4 SSDs I will not be using the SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association) 12 hour IOMeter benchmark since it proved to be rather heavy for early Gen5 SSDs (temperature issues). Instead, I decided to use the latest versions of 3D Mark, AIDA64, AS SSD, ATTO, Crystal Disk Mark, HD Tune Pro, HD Tach RW, Performance Test, IOMeter (4k Random Writes / 4k Random Reads – since September 2024 / SNIA Mixed) and Sandra Titanium for performance measuring and ForSpoken for all of you who might be wondering just how well Gen5 SSDs do in regard to Microsoft's DirectStorage API/Technology. Each test will be run a total of 5 times after which the average number will be recorded in each chart.

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - AIDA64 / ATTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - HD TUNE PRO / HD TACH RW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - AS SSD / CRYSTAL DISK MARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - SANDRA TITANIUM / IOMETER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - PERFORMANCE TEST / 3D MARK / FORSPOKEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Thanks to the SM2508 NAND controller by Silicon Motion the NM1090 Pro does very well in terms of performance and as expected exchanged blows with both the T710 by Crucial and GM9000 by Predator. Using 232-layer 3D NAND flash by Micron was a good choice although as we all know this is their previous NAND flash generation and not their current one (but again, very good). Temperatures were a bit higher compared to the other two models and yes, that could be because this is a dual-side model (also reduces compatibility with some systems). Unfortunately, once again available capacities is an issue. Seems that 2026 will get here and storage media manufacturers (at least most of them) will not have 8TB capacities in their SSD lineups.

    At the time of this review the NM1090 Pro 2TB retails for USD179.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 185.99Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so it’s priced very well. Again, however potential buyers need to take into account that this is a dual-sided M.2 NVMe SSD which will not be compatible with certain devices. That aside the NM1090 Pro delivers as advertised and for that it deserves the Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Quality
- Top Performance (14000MB/s)
- Endurance (1400TBW)
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Available Capacities (Only Up To 4TB)
- Slight Thermal Throttling

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Whenever I start reviewing anything new I sometimes find myself going back to the time I first reviewed something similar to compare the two just to see how far things have progressed. When it comes to AIO liquid CPU coolers yes, we may have reached a bottleneck currently in terms of cooling efficiency (eventually I do expect AIO models which will actively cool the liquid inside to appear but that could take a while) but we've come a very long way since the first models made their appearance around 18 years ago, not just in performance but also size. be quiet! today officially launches their Pure Loop 3 line of AIO liquid CPU coolers and with me I have the tri-fan 360mm model.

    We are the German premium brand manufacturer of quiet hardware components for gaming, workstations and desktop PCs. Since our foundation in 2001, we are proud to have more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Our goal from the very beginning has been to develop products of the highest quality that are not only quiet, but also extremely powerful. With a wide range of power supplies, PC cases, water and air coolers and fans, we have established ourselves as a leading manufacturer in this field.

    The brand new Pure Loop 3 AIO liquid CPU cooler is available in 240/280/360mm sizes and just in black color without A/RGB lighting. The 360mm sized model which I have here with me today consists by an 397mm long, 120mm wide and 27mm thick aluminum & copper radiator (complete with a refill port), three daisy chained Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM high-speed fans (closed loop motor, 4 poles / 2100RPM / 59.6CFM / 2.41mmH2O / 30.9dBA), 400mm long flexible sleeved tubes, high-speed 5500RPM pump (6 pole, 3-phase motor) and an large copper cooling block/coldplate. As with previous lines be quiet! covers the entire Pure Loop 3 line with a 3-year limited warranty. 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always at the front of the box we find a large product picture, company logo and the product name.

 

 

A few words about be quiet! are printed on the right side.

 

 

The product specifications are printed on the left side.

 

 

At the rear we find three pictures used to showcase the pump and radiator.

 

 

Along with the main body of the Pure Loop 3 360mm and its 3 fans inside the box be quiet! has also placed fan extension cable, 3 cable ties, thermal paste tube, warranty information, user manual, Intel backplate and all the bits and pieces required to mount the AIO onto Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 motherboards.

 

 

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THE PURE LOOP 3 360MM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, just like most AIO models in the market the Pure Loop 3 360mm doesn't stand out.

 

 

The radiator is roughly 27mm thick which is the standard nowadays.

 

 

FPI (fins per inch) for the Poor Loop 3 360mm radiator is 20.

 

 

At the base of the sleeved tubes be quiet! has placed a plastic cover which could increase durability.

 

 

400mm long sleeved tubes should be plenty for an 360mm AIO.

 

 

The pump/coldplate combo has the be quiet! logo on top.

 

 

Typically, the tubes rotate from the base for up to around 100 degrees.

 

 

The waterblock be quiet! has used is quite large so it should work well with every consumer oriented CPU out there.

 

 

With a maximum speed of 2100RPM, 59.6CFM airflow and 2.41mmH2O pressure the new Pure Wings 3 PWM fans should provide good performance.

 

 

After mounting all 3 fans the thickness of the Pure Loop 3 360mm increases to 52mm.

 

 

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INSTALLATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radiator mounting is as always first, unfortunately I took the picture after installing the cooler.

 

 

After the radiator you will need to place the backplate at the rear and secure it with the thumbscrews in the package.

 

 

Next step is to mount the top/bottom brackets and secure the pump/waterblock with the two attached screws (again, finished picture, you can also find a short clip on TikTok and YouTube).

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Testing complete water cooling kits or individual radiators is no different than testing CPU Coolers and since we want all of you to be able to compare similar products, we created new and separate charts (you can still cross-compare results however since we are using the same test rig). So once again single (120/140mm) watercooling solutions are tested with the radiator mounted at the rear of our test rig while dual/triple/quad (240/260/280/360/420/480/560mm) solutions with the radiator mounted at the top. For the dBA tests complete water cooling kits or radiators with bundled fans are measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on extreme load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting (PWM fans do that on their own without our intervention). Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room and as for thermal paste I’m using the NT-H2 by Noctua. Finally, much like when testing CPU Coolers, it's very important to point out that just because a water cooling kit (or a AIO) outperforms another when tested with our test rig (when we test complete water cooling kits) that does not necessarily mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).

     To successfully record the load temperatures, we use the latest OCCT application for around 6-10 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded, we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure is then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results are wrong. This procedure takes a lot more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests, but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs, but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using the latest version of AIDA64 while noise level tests (when fans exist in the bundle) are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the radiator. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here, we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system (although all system fans are turned off when recording noise levels).

* Since some manufacturers have ceased support for the Intel LGA 2011-3 platform, for such coolers, I’ll be using the Ryzen 7900X / ASRock X670E test rig.
** After high demand since September 2024 I’ll be including average temperatures in my AMD Ryzen 9 7900Χ/Χ670Ε charts (under light load such as Internet browsing and Office use).
*** Since November 2024 I swapped test systems with the Intel Core Ultra 285K (same methodology as with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    As you can easily tell from today’s review the brand new Pure Loop 3 360 AIO liquid CPU cooler by be quiet! may not stand out in terms of cooling efficiency and looks (then Pure Loop 3 LX line does a much better job due to its ARGB lighting - will try to get one in the lab as well) but it should be more than sufficient for low/mid-end CPU models. By using high-speed (2100RPM) 120mm fans with the Pure Loop 3 360mm be quiet! has increased noise levels compared to previous models and the issue with this is that its overall cooling efficiency doesn’t really reflect that. The refill port on the radiator next to the tubes is a nice touch but since there’s no bottle of liquid included in the bundle (again like with previous models) this means you should go out and get one when/if the time comes (meaning you’ll need to spend both time and money).

    As mentioned earlier be quiet! just released their Pure Loop 3 line of AIO liquid CPU coolers and so for now the 360mm model is available inside the EU for 116.65Euros (Amazon.de) a rather balanced price tag. At the end of the day based on its overall cooling efficiency and looks the brand new Pure Loop 3 360mm by be quiet! may not be award winning material but if you’re out in the market for a new AIO model you should check it out.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Good Cooling Efficiency
- Motherboard Compatibility
- Large Coldplate
- Up to Six 120mm Fans in Push & Pull

CONS

- No A/RGB Lighting
- Noise Levels

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    AMD may be currently leading the market with their latest 3D CPUs but thanks to the introduction of the CUDIMM standard a while back it's Intel that's leading the market when it comes to memory kit speeds. As of now there are CUDIMM DDR5 kits with speeds going all the way to 9600MT/s (MHz) which are only compatible with high-end Intel Z890 motherboards paired with one of their latest Core Ultra 200S CPUs. Unfortunately, such high frequency CUDIMM DDR5 modules are not quite as compatible as we'd like them to be so at least for me the sweet spot for any Intel Z890 configuration sits between 8000-8400Mt/s. At least that was the case until I got the latest FURY Renegade RGB 48GB 8800MT/s CL42 CUDIMM Dual-Channel Kit by Kingston.

    Kingston Technology Europe Co LLP and Kingston Technology Company, Inc., are part of the same corporate group (“Kingston”). Kingston is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of memory products. From big data to IoT devices, including laptops, PCs, and wearable technology, Kingston Technology is dedicated to delivering top-tier product solutions, service, and support. Trusted by leading PC manufacturers and global cloud providers, we value our long-term partnerships that help us evolve and innovate. We ensure every solution meets the highest standards by prioritizing quality and customer care. At every step, we listen, learn, and engage with our customers and partners to deliver solutions that make a lasting impact. To learn more about Kingston Technology and our “Built on Commitment” vision, visit Kingston.com.

    The FURY Renegade RGB line currently has single (24GB) and dual (2x24GB) channel CUDIMM kits in two available speeds, 8400MT/s with a CAS latency of 40 at 1.45V and 8800MT/s with a CAS latency of 42 at 1.4V.  These CUDIMM kits use 45mm tall heatspreaders (either in black and silver or white and silver - several exterior lines differentiate the shorter 44mm ones used with UDIMM kits) behind which Kingston has placed SK Hynix single die modules (24Gbit density) and a total of 12 ARGB LEDs on top (12 available effects via the FURY CTRL app and also compatible with all the leading RGB motherboard sync technologies like ASUS Aura Sync, GB RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync and ASRock Polychrome). Typically, as with most other FURY RAM lines by Kingston the Renegade RGB CUDIMM kits are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE FURY RENEGADE RGB 48GB DDR5 8800MT/S CL42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A large product picture is located at the front of the box right under the company name and next to the speed, capacity, RGB sync support, lifetime warranty and motherboard compatibility (Intel/AMD).

 

 

At the rear of the box Kingston has placed yet another product picture right over some of the main features and a sticker with the serial and part numbers and barcodes.

 

 

The silver and black heatspreaders of the FURY Renegade RGB line always look great and this kit is not an exception.

 

 

As usual a small sticker at the rear contains information about the kit such as the country of manufacture, capacity, speed, timings and of course the serial number and barcode.

 

 

Under the plastic LED bar of the FURY Renegade RGB Kingston this time over has placed a total of 12 RGB LEDs.

 

 

Just like with past reviews the RGB section may not stand out compared to other kits, but it does look nice (short clip available on TikTok and YouTube).

 

 

Finally, thanks to AIDA64 you can check some details on the kit.

 

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FURY CTRL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though the CTRL software has 18 available RGB modes/effects only 12 of them seem to be available.

 

 

Depending on the mode you can also assign colors to each of the 12 LEDs.

 

 

From the top right corner, you can also access module information.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Thanks to XMP 3.0 and EXPO profiles the only thing one needs to do in order to run a brand new RAM kit at its advertised frequency, timings and voltages is to choose/enable it from within the BIOS and reboot (for CUDIMM you don’t need to do anything when used with a compatible motherboard). That being said if you're into overclocking you may not wish to use the main XMP/EXPO profile but instead to choose your very own frequency, timings and voltages to achieve even higher performance numbers and that's exactly what we'll also be doing during our DDR5 tests. To be more specific aside testing each kit with its XMP profile I'll also be upping the voltages (up to 1.4V for 1.35V kits – even though most kits can function at higher voltages I don’t recommend doing so - RAM modules that use 1.4V/1.45V/1.5V will be tested up to 1.45V/1.5V/1.55V respectively) and frequencies (200MHZ increments) until I find the maximum achievable stable frequency (those results will be entered into the OC charts). I also thought about upping voltages and reducing timings instead of increasing the frequency of the modules as high as it can go (always stable and without using 0.5-1V over stock) but the end results are pretty much identical.

   As for the how I'll be testing each DDR5 Dual-Kit to arrive in the lab well there aren't that many benchmark programs that only test RAM (or at least RAM and CPU without anything else coming into play) but I’ve got most of them and so you will be seeing results from following benchmarking programs, AIDA64 Engineer Edition, Cinebench Release 23, MaxMemm2, Passmark Performance Test v10.1, Sisoftware Sandra Titanium and WPrime v2.11. All tests are performed on a fresh Windows 10 Pro x64 installation (complete with all updates until the day of this review) and are repeated a total of 6 times after which the average numbers get recorded into the charts.

* Forza Horizon 5 is also used in DDR5 tests to showcase potential gains between stock and overclocked clocks/frequencies (1080p/Extreme Graphics). Still do keep in mind that I can't dedicate a high-end GPU solely for DDR5 reviews so each time I review such a kit I’ll be using a different chart (the card used will be listed above).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS – XMP 3.0 PROFILE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Just like the 8400MT/s CUDIMM RAM kit before it the latest FURY Renegade RGB 48GB DDR5 8800MT/s model by Kingston offers excellent performance and stability. Unfortunately, with the same clocks and up to 1.45V I was unable to push this kit to over 8800MT/s and well, that’s fine since performance is already great (loosening clocks should allow you to hit 9000MT/s however but performance wouldn’t change much, if at all). This limitation of course may not be due to the kit itself but the Z890 ASRock Taichi Lite motherboard which is why I may swap for something better sooner rather than later. Another thing I found interesting about this model is that although faster than its predecessor (8400MT/s kit) it requires less voltage (1.45V – 1.4V) and that’s always a good thing.

    As I type these lines the FURY Renegade RGB 48GB 8800MT/s CL42 CUDIMM Dual-Channel Kit by Kingston (KF588CU42RSAK2-48) retails for USD392.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for around 390Euros inside the EU so it’s not quite affordable. That being said this is a kit that’s compatible only with some of the best Intel Z890 motherboards out there so cost shouldn’t be much of an issue for owners of those. At the end of the day this kit delivers in performance, capacity and looks and since it’s the fastest one to arrive in the lab to date it deserves the Platinum Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Top Of The Charts Performance
- Clock Driver Kit (CUDIMM)
- RGB Lighting (12 ARGB LEDs & 12 Effects)
- Available In Silver/Black & Silver/White Colors
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Overclocking Headroom
- Price (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Portable power stations have been gaining ground recently and why not since they have many usages currently. People use them for when camping, as emergency power, UPS and even as backup power for medical devices. Yes, the high-wattage and capacity models tend to be quite large and heavy but until we see further advancements in battery technology this is how things are. VTOMAN just released their latest portable power station, the Jump 2200 and that's what I've been testing for almost a full month now.

    VTOMAN is a global leader in delivering versatile power sources, empowering individuals and communities to master new energy their way. Founded by a team of engineers and scientists with 15 years of expertise in battery and renewable energy, we are dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable energy solutions that enable people to take control of their energy future. As a beacon of innovation in the portable power solutions industry, VTOMAN makes sustainable energy lifestyles accessible to all.

 

    The Jump 2200 is a pure sine wave model featuring a maximum supported power output of 2200W (4400W peak) and a LiFePO4 lithium-ion battery capacity of 1.548Wh. The LFP (LiFePO4) battery cells used here have a lifespan of over 10 years, offer over 3100+ charge cycles and in this model can be recharged up to 100% after around 4 hours (400W max input). Also, thanks to the LifeBMS advanced battery management system the Jump 2200 features 10 different protections (overheat, overcharge, short circuit, excessive current, over-discharge, overvoltage, overload, spart prevention, reverse polarity, and real time monitoring) and as for extra functions not only can you expand its battery capacity (3906Wh total), but you can also use it to jump start your car and light up your surroundings (rear 12 LED torch). Typically, the Jump 2200 comes ready with a real time LCD display and as for available ports it sports three AC outlets (1500W), DC 12V/10A car lighter output, two DC5521 12V/10A ports, 4 USB-A ports (1x18W and 3x5V/2.4A ports), two PD 100W USB-C ports (100W per port, 200W total), and the jumper cable port. As for warranty VTOMAN covers the Jump 2200 with a 2-year limited one.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jump 2200 arrived inside a large box that has the company logo at the front along with a product picture, main features and the battery capacity and output.

 

 

The features list and specifications table are both printed on the left side of the box.

 

 

Another product picture with the main features and battery specs is printed at the rear of the box.

 

 

As with past models the power station is placed between two thick pieces of foam.

 

 

Along with the Jump 2200 and its power adapter inside the box you'll also find a storage/carrying pouch (for the power adapter and cables), car lighter cable, USB-C charging cable, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, several stickers, friendly tips paper and the user manual (once again VTOMAN doesn’t include the jump starter cable in the package).

 

 

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THE JUMP 2200

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 17.5Kg heavy Jump 2200 measures 360mm in length, 270mm in width and 280mm in height.

 

 

At the front we find the 2 DC inputs, cigar lighter port, 2 DC outputs, two USB-C ports, 4 USB-A ports, 3 AC ports, jumper cable port, solar panel connector and the LCD which displays current battery charge, remaining time (hours, minutes) and the output ports used.

 

 

Both sides of the enclosure are partially perforated and probably have 90mm exhaust fans behind both areas.

 

 

A large convenient handle is placed on top of the Jump 2200.

 

 

The 12-LED torch light is located at the rear of the enclosure.

 

 

VTOMAN claims that their 400W solar panel is the ideal companion to their Jump 2200 series and well, this is a massive model.

 

 

This model offers a voltage of up to 48.3V (open) and a current of 9.92A.

 

 

It's also compatible with MC4/Anderson/XT60/DC5521 ports (also via included adapters) so you should be able to use it with any power station.

 

 

The 15.5kg heavy 400W solar panel is an IP67 waterproof foldable quad panel model measuring 241cm in length and 106cm in height when unfolded (65x106cm when folded).

 

 

The solar panels feature an conversion of 23% and as for quality they are quite good.

 

 

To see just how massive the 400W solar panel model by VTOMAN really is I placed it next to the Jump 2200.

 

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TESTING METHODOLOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

    In order to cover a wide range of electrical and electronic devices i decided that I’ll be using 3 different ones to test portable power stations, the VEVOR SH-C22 Bluetooth car refrigerator (DC, around 45W consumption - not continuous), Delonghi Aria Dry Light dehumidifier (AC, around 662W consumption) and a generic air cleaner (AC, around 55W consumption). Of course, my ExTech HD600 dBA meter will also be used at around 10cm away from each portable power station to record the maximum noise coming from the built-in fan/s.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The Jump 2200 portable power station was a real surprise for me since it’s the only model that had me questioning my results (which Is why I had them performed twice). The issue I had was with its battery capacity, VTOMAN claims that the Jump 2200 has the same capacity as their FlashSpeed 1500 model (1.548Wh) and well, that doesn’t make any sense, not when the former did around 20% better in one of my tests (and between 5-10% in the others). So, my thought was either that I had done something wrong or that VTOMAN is using a different inverter with the Jump 2200 (and after double checking my results and considering that the Jump 2200 needs around 4 hours for a full charge – compared to the 1 hour of the FlashSpeed 1500 model - I can only think of the latter). This of course is not a bad thing since the Jump 2200 produces the best numbers in my charts, to date at least. Again, VTOMAN hasn’t placed the jump starter cable in the bundle and well, I just don’t get it. This should be standard with high-end models like both the FlashSpeed 1500 and the Jump 2200, so I have no clue as to the why they aren’t doing so (especially since that capability is printed in the features list). Noise levels are quite elevated so when recharging the battery, I strongly suggest not being anywhere near it and as for the 2-year warranty I was honestly expecting 5 (2 feels too low).

    Currently the Jump 2200 retails for 499Euros inside the EU (VTOMAN) but due to certain market limitations in the USA they’ve released the Jump 1800 instead for USD639.99 (VTOMAN) that has an output of 1800W (3600W peak). Overall, the Jump 2200 may not be the perfect portable power station and the 2-year limited warranty is by no means a lot but it did score higher than every other model in my charts when it comes to battery life and that along with available connectors and protections are plenty for the Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Build Quality
- Power Output (2200W / 4400W Peak)
- Battery Capacity (1548Wh)
- Pure Sine Wave Model
- LifeBMS Advanced Battery Management
- Charging Ports (2xUSBC PD100W / 4xUSBA / 3xAC / 2xDC)
- Jump Starter Port
- 12 LED Torch
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Jump Starter Cables Not Included
- 2 Year Limited Warranty
- Noise Levels
- Not Available In The USA (Jump 1800 Instead)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I recall a time in the mid-90's when people were going out to get a webcam only to be able to see their family and loved ones from afar using software like Microsoft's NetMeeting with video resolutions not surpassing 320×240p (640×480p wasn't introduced until the late 90's). Fast forward to today and webcams are used for a wide variety of things ranging from simple video calls and web conferencing (meetings) to remote teaching (online classes), content creation (video recording and live streaming) and even medical appointments. At the same time video resolution has reached impressive levels and so there are many webcam models out there that can record video at resolutions all the way up to 4K UHD (3840x2160p). The Tiny SE is among the latest models released by OBSBOT and that's what I'll be testing today.

    Founded in 2016, OBSBOT is an innovative imaging technology and hardware brand dedicated to using new technologies such as AI to inject new vitality into the videography market. With the artificial intelligence as the core, OBSBOT focuses on the application research of new technologies in the field of videography. It hopes to use revolutionary technology and innovative products to innovate the way of public records and image creation, and to change people's social way.

    The Tiny SE is one of OBSBOT's entry level models and so its 1/2.8" CMOS sensor (2M pixels, f/1.8 aperture, 78 degrees diagonal FOV) records video up to 1080p @ 100fps (FullHD 1920x1080p) and supports up to 4x digital zoom with staggered HDR (recent update). It also features a single microphone with noise reduction and automatic gain and a 2-axis gimbal (±150 degrees pan / ±90 degrees tilt - 140 degrees pan, 30 degrees tilt down, 70 degrees tilt up controllable) complete with auto tracking and auto zoom. Other features include auto tracking (motion, close up, standard, upper body, lower body, hand, group, headless and custom zones), auto focus, auto exposure, auto white balance, anti-flicker, beauty mode, auto sleep and gesture controls.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Once again OBSBOT uses a very small white and red box the front of which is taken by a product picture and the company logo.

 

 

At the rear OBSBOT lists the bundle contents, company contact information and numerous certifications.

 

 

Once you open the box, you'll see several warning icons and 2D barcodes for the OBSBOT center app.

 

 

Along with the Tiny SE inside the box you'll find a USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, warranty card and the user manual.

 

 

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THE TINY SE

 

 

 

 

 

The Tiny SE weighs just 94g and measures 64.2mm in height, 48.37mm in length and 46.46mm in width.

 

 

The 1/2.8" CMOS sensor sports a total of 2M pixels and features a f/1.8 aperture with 78 degrees diagonal FOV.

 

 

As always OBSBOT has placed the noise reduction microphone with automatic gain control at the lower front.

 

 

Typically, the USB-C port is located at the rear of the Tiny SE.

 

 

The 2-axis Gimbal allows the Tiny SE to move around freely (maximum of 300 degrees on the X axis and 180 degrees on the Y axis).

 

 

You can mount the Tiny SE on your monitor, have it on your desk or mount it on a tripod using the universal 1/4" mounting port.

 

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OBSBOT CENTER

 

 

 

 

 

As with past reviews the first thing I checked when I launched the OBSBOT center software was for a firmware from within the settings tab.

 

 

With the latest firmware install one tab I don't recall with past reviews is the A.I gameplay one. That aside the main software tab includes settings like high-fps recording, AI tracking, AI mode and manual PTZ use (also zoom).

 

 

From inside the image tab, you can enable/disable HDR and adjust the focus, exposure, anti-flicker, white balance and image settings.

 

 

Settings like device initial state (orientation), device sleep, gestures, zoom, direction flip, microphone noise reduction and automatic gain, indicator settings, image flip and reverse view and gimbal are all inside the more tab (firmware upgrades and factory restore as well).

 

 

Finally, we have the beauty mode which has been slightly expanded compared to previous software versions.

 

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SCORE

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't really tested and/or used that many web cameras over the years but the ones that I have are still in the lab so it wasn't hard for me to test all of them with numerous Viber and skype calls and make a chart based on my opinion (again, just like with all charts based on my opinion and/or findings you should take this with a grain of salt).

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

    The Tiny SE may be a FullHD capable webcam but it’s probably the best with that resolution that I’ve used when it comes to image quality (sharp pictures, vibrant colors, good tracking), audio recording (not quite as good as the dual omni-directional mics of its higher-end brothers however) and features (PTZ is very useful). The thing is that my sample had trouble auto focusing (it’s easy to spot in the beauty mode snapshots where it can’t properly focus on my Katana V2 soundbar – 35cm away). This wasn’t an issue when recording things from 1+ meter away but according to the specs it shouldn’t have the slightest issue with auto focus from 10cm and above. For me that’s the sole downside of the Tiny SE and again, this could mean there’s something wrong with my sample. I also need to point out that just like its brothers the Tiny SE does tend to get quite hot but that didn’t affect my tests in any way.

    With a current price tag set at just USD99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 131.29Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the Tiny SE AI PTZ Webcam by OBSBOT is priced very well, at least on the other side of the Atlantic (here, well it could be better). Leaving out the auto-focus issue (which could have something to do with my sample) the Tiny SE is a great webcam especially for people who need the extra fps or who really need staggered HDR as a feature. Yes, it’s not quite perfect but it does deliver as advertised (at least with the current firmware) and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Compact Size
- Image/Video Quality (1080p @ 100fps / Staggered HDR)
- AI Tracking With Auto Focus
- Audio Quality (Noise Cancelling Microphone)
- 2 Axis Gimbal
- Center Software
- Beauty Mode (Streaming)
- Gesture Controls
- Price (USA)

CONS

- Auto Focus Issue
- Price (EU)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     3D printing and even laser engraving are two hobbies I wish I had enough free time to follow but sadly I don't. So, to at least follow one of the two, I had to drop the other and well, I decided to drop laser engraving (not nearly as interesting after all). 3D printing for me always had but a single drawback, single color printing which users overcame by painting over their models themselves. Not only did this require lots of time but also increased cost and so I never was particularly interested in doing so. Newer models allowed the end user to pause printing, replace the filament and continue thus adding more colors. This wasn't such a bad implementation, it was however limited in usages and so again, far from ideal. Latest 3D printers however have taken things to a whole new level by allowing multiple filaments to be used and the Hi-Combo by Creality is such a model.

    Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd., known as Creality, is a world-leading brand of consumer 3D printers. Since our establishment in 2014, we have embraced our role as an "3D Printing Evangelist" committed to the innovation, application, and popularization of 3D printing technology worldwide. Our forward-looking business strategy, termed "One Core with Two Wings," has propelled our rapid growth. Specifically, 3D printer products are at the “Core” of our business, which is assisted by the first “Wing” of ecosystem products like 3D scanners, laser engravers, filaments, and accessories. A second “Wing” of our business is Creality Cloud, an all-in-one 3D printing platform that gathers 3D models and enables a cloud printing experience.

    The Hi-Combo consists of the Hi 3D Printer and the CFS (Creality Filament System) moisture-proof addon which allows for use of up to 4 different filaments (colors). The CFS can automatically identify inserted filaments and thanks to the bundled buffer the Hi 3D printer can connect with up to 4 CFS for use with up to 16 different filaments (additional power adapter is recommended for use with 4 CFS devices). As for the Hi 3D Printer itself it has a maximum speed of up to 500mm/s, 12000mm/s2 acceleration, aluminum alloy frame, direct-drive extruder with steel gears, step-servo motors with FOC algorithms, tri-metal nozzle with 300 degrees maximum temperature, flexible epoxy print plate (up to 100 degrees temperature), 3.2" fold away color touch screen, built-in 720p camera with LED light and privacy cap (1280x720p), RFID sensor (for easier identification of filaments), filament runout detector, automated filament cutter, USB port, Creality Cloud support, auto bed leveling, and fully supports Hyper-PLA, PLA, PETG, ABS and PLA-CF filaments.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creality uses a plain cardboard box for the Hi-Combo which has their logo and a product drawing at the front.

 

 

Contact information for Creality and a sticker with the serial number and barcode of the unit are available on the right side.

 

 

The entire bundle is placed in several thick pieces of foam as seen above.

 

 

Along with the 2 parts of the Hi 3D printer, its power cord and the CFS device inside the box you'll also find a three piece filament holder, buffer, small filament for testing purposes,  two plastic Z-axis motor covers, 3 cable ties, bag with 6 screws, glue, 3 Allen keys, cutter, cleaning tool, bag with CFS connection cables, double sided tape, stickers, Teflon tube bag, after sales service card and two quick installation guides.

 

 

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THE HI-COMBO

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lower end of the Hi 3D printer measures 285mm in length (roughly 370mm with the 3.2" display fully extended), 400mm in width (when the printing platform is all the way at the rear this increases to 700mm due to its cable) and 85mm in height.

 

 

Creality bundles a magnetically attached epoxy print plate with a print volume of 260x260x300mm.

 

 

The model name is printed at the front left while the RFID sensor is placed right next to it on the left side.

 

 

A sticker placed on the 3.2" display informs you that it can be extended up to 90 degrees horizontally and have a vertical angle of up to 60 degrees (the USB port is located behind it).

 

 

Turning the base around we find the power port, fuse and the on/off switch.

 

 

The top half of the Hi 3D printer measures 480mm in height.

 

 

The extruder assembly has an illuminated Creality logo at the front, left and right fans and the typical filament entry from the top.

 

 

If you get filament stuck in the extruder you will need to remove the two plastic covers (front-rear) and the feeder itself as seen above (total of 5 screws).

 

 

On the far right Creality has also placed an 720P camera with a privacy cap and an LED light.

 

 

The CFS is almost entirely made out of plastic and measures 379 in length, 314 in width and 276mm in height.

 

 

There are two plastic sliders (one on each side) that hold the top cover so slide them backwards to release it.

 

 

Once the top is open you can place your filaments and as for the anti-moisture feature Creality has placed large silica gel packs underneath the filament positions (two in total).

 

 

At the rear of the CFS there are two filament holes (one is covered - for use with another CFS) and 2 ports (one connects to the Hi 3D printer and one with the buffer).

 

 

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ASSEMBLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly of the Hi 3D printer is very fast, just attach both parts using the 6 bundled screws, connect the 4 cables (3 between the lower and upper half and 1 between the lower half and the extruder) and you're good to go.

 

 

If you don't plan on using the CFS or if you just have the Hi 3D printer you will also need to attach the three piece filament holder as seen above.

 

 

In order to connect the CFS with the Hi 3D printer you will need to attach the buffer on the right top side as seen above (you can either use the bundled dual sided tape or a cable tie like I did - just make sure the cable tie is not too thick).

 

 

After that just connect the CFS to the buffer with the bundled cable and with a Teflon tube and the buffer to the extruder again with a Teflon tube and you're set.

 

 

The CFS has a temperature and humidity display at the front.

 

 

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DISPLAY MENUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with every 3D printer out there once you power the Hi model for the first time you will need to choose the language, connect it to the Internet via WiFi, set the time zone and wait for it to complete a self-check.

 

 

Needless to say, the printer will also check for firmware updates and in my case v1.1.0.48 was available.

 

 

As with past models the main tab informs you of the current temperatures (printing platform and extruder) and whether or not the camera and WiFi are on.

 

 

From the main tab you can access the spool holder and CFS tabs, the control tab (for the printing platform, extruder and both axis), settings tab (firmware update check, calibration, camera timelapse, CFS, screen brightness and shut-off timer, Creality logo on the extruder, sound on/off, language, time zone, account information and expert mode settings) and maintenance, error report and faut reporting.

 

 

Typically, the 3D model files are displayed as thumbnails (the Hi 3D printer has an 8GB EMMC flash).

 

 

Once you start printing the display will report both completion time (which is not really accurate, at least wasn't during my tests) and the amount of filament you'll need to use (in weight).

 

 

You will also be prompted to select the filament for your 3D model from the available ones in the CFS.

 

 

Here you can see the proper layout of the Hi-Combo.

 

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TESTING METHODOLOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Once again to test this printer by Creality I used their latest print software (Creality Print 6.2) by manually entering the same settings I’ve used to date with all FDM printers (quality of 0.16mm, 20% infill density and cubic infill pattern).

    Nothing else has changed of course so again I’ll be using 2 different sized models (downloaded from Cults3D / member Eastman) to record completion time at 100% speed. Second thing to test are noise levels and so once again I’ll be using my ExTech HD600 decibel meter placed roughly 30cm away to record the maximum noise coming from the 3D printer while printing. As for the 3rd test with the help of an UPS and two power meters I decided to also record not only the lowest and highest but also the average instant power consumption of the 3D printer in my hands.

 

    Quality wise I have no complaints from the Hi 3D printer (also worth pointing out is that the epoxy print plate worked as intended, hope every print plate out there was like that). The only strange thing was that the 3D models changed color slightly when seen from a different angle but that was probably due to the filaments used (short clip is available on YouTube and TikTok - not timelapse since the end result was subpar).

 

 

Depending on how complex a dual-color (or more) 3D model is you may end up wasting as much filament whenever the CFS changes colors (and discards whatever is in the extruder) as the 3D model itself (for each of these two models I had to use around 85 meters of filament - always according to the Creality Cloud app). So my obvious recommendation is to avoid printing anything complex.

 

 

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TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Even though the Hi-Combo by Creality belongs in the mid-end segment of their lineup it’s the first time I had so much fun with a 3D printer. This is not only due to the CFS device which allowed me to change between filaments/colors at will (it does however take around 2 minutes to switch between filaments and it does waste quite a bit of material while doing so) but also because of its speed and epoxy print plate which needed no extra steps from me whatsoever (11 model prints without issue – PLA and PLA Silk filaments). Yes, the Hi 3D printer may be slower compared to some other models but what it lacks in printing speed it more than makes up for with its impressive acceleration. The 3.2” display is very easy to use (not very responsive at times but I don’t consider that to be an issue) and the Hi-Fi combo also does extremely well in terms of power consumption. So, what didn’t I like about the Hi-Combo? Three things, first the very short cable between the buffer and the CFS device (which means the 3D printer needs to be just around 20cm away), the somewhat bad LED light paired with the 720p camera which produces a subpar result in low light situations (the camera itself is not great either but since it does allow you to keep watch of what's happening from afar it's still better than not having one at all) and the rather small print surface (always compared to other models). I am also a bit concerned about the silica packs in the CFS since they may not be quite enough for areas with very high humidity levels but where I am located that’s obviously not a problem.

    As I type these lines the Hi-Combo 3D printer bundle by Creality retails for USD499 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 488.71Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so it’s priced extremely well for what it offers. Again, it has its shortcomings so it’s far from perfect, but it does deliver on most things that matter which is why it deserves the Golden Award.

PROS

- Good Build Quality (Aluminum Frame)
- Very Fast (Up To 500ms Speed / 12000ms Acceleration)
- CFS Multi Color Addon (4 Filaments Per CFS / Up To 16 Filaments)
- Print Quality
- Heated & Flexible Epoxy Print Bed
- High Speed Direct Drive Extruder
- G Sensor (Input Shaping)
- Manual & Automatic Leveling
- 720p Camera With Privacy Cap and LED (Remote Viewing / Timelapse)
- Tri Metal Nozzle
- 3.2 Inch HD Color Touch Screen Display
- WiFi & USB Port
- Power Consumption

CONS

- 720p Camera & Small LED Light (Image Quality)
- Small Build Plate (For Some)
- Short 3D Printer To CFS Cable

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Just like with powerbanks which you can use even while at home or the office (you may not be right next to a wall socket at all times) portable power stations can also prove to be very useful, even if you don't go camping. There are many people who either use portable power stations for emergency situations (blackouts) or instead of UPS devices and so there's a far wider range of uses for them than what many people may believe. Needless to say, this all depends on the capacity and power output of a portable power station but the good news is that there are models out there tailored for use even with low power devices like the R600 by Allpowers.

    Allpowers was established in the United States, with over 350 employees and three research and development centers in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen; Allpowers establish flagship offline experience stores for Guangzhou and Shenzhen brands; Having a factory area of over 20000 square meters in Shenzhen and Dongguan, it is a national high-tech enterprise, gazelle enterprise, and national military certified enterprise that integrates the design, development, production, and sales of solar energy storage power applications. It is a technology driven industry leading solar energy storage brand solution company. The company was founded in May 2010. The company has 15 core patented invention technologies, such as solar energy embedding and flexible manufacturing process, intelligent energy storage, and has established 4 brands in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and so on. The company has established independent research and development institutions for ID&structural design, 3D printing, mold development, injection molding, SMT and photovoltaic laser cutting, environment and performance testing laboratories. The new products developed by the company have been successively published by CCTV & US VOA.

    The R600 portable power station by Allpowers is currently available in silver and gray and beige colors and is the smallest member of their R line which just like its brothers is a pure sine wave inverter model featuring LiFePO4 battery cells (299Wh/12000mAh capacity) which can hold up to 80% of battery even after 3500+ cycles. It also features a maximum supported power output of 600W (1200W peak), total of 8 power outputs (2xAC 600W max sockets, 1xDC 12V 120W cigarette lighter, 2xUSB-C 200W max, 2xUSB-A 36W max & 1xWireless 15W), solar charging input (220W max), real time LCD display and an LED torch (with SOS mode).

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

---

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Allpowers ships the R600 inside a plain cardboard that has their logo and a product drawing at the front.

 

 

The product specifications are printed on a sticker located on the right side of the box.

 

 

Typically, the power station is placed between two thick pieces of foam.

 

 

Along with the R600 and its power cord inside the box you'll also find a social media card and the user manual.

 

 

---

 

THE R600

 

 

 

 

 

The R600 model by Allpowers measures 285mm in length, 190mm in width and 195mm in height.

 

 

At the top we find the wireless charging area and a convenient plastic handle.

 

 

All outputs are placed at the front of the power station so from left to right we have the 12V DC cigarette port, two AC ports with their on/off button, two USB-C and two USB-A ports with their on/off button, on/off power button, light mode button and the LED torch.

 

 

Both sides are perforated but on the right side we also find a small plastic door just over the power port, overload protector (breaker) and the solar panel port.

 

 

The device has four rubber feet on its base and another four at the rear so you can position it even with the outputs facing upwards.

 

 

When the R600 is turned on the LCD will display the current battery level, input/output, power plug display when the AC power ports are being used remaining hours (based on the current power consumption).

 

---

TESTING METHODOLOGY

 

 

 

 

 

    In order to cover a wide range of electrical and electronic devices i decided that I’ll be using 3 different ones to test portable power stations, the VEVOR SH-C22 Bluetooth car refrigerator (DC, around 45W consumption - not continuous), Delonghi Aria Dry Light dehumidifier (AC, around 662W consumption) and a generic air cleaner (AC, around 55W consumption). Of course, my ExTech HD600 dBA meter will also be used at around 10cm away from each portable power station to record the maximum noise coming from the built-in fan/s.

 

TEST RESULTS

---

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The R600 is the 3rd smallest portable power station I've received in the lab/office and well, it can't be really compared with the larger models, not just in terms of battery capacity but also power output. So, if you're looking for a power station capable of powering devices surpassing 300-400W for a significant amount of time the R600 model is simply not capable of that. On the other hand, the R600 is a great alternative to regular power banks since it easily surpasses most not only in battery capacity and power output but also available connectors (AC & DC support). On top of these you can also use a small solar panel to recharge the R600 when outdoors so if size (and occasional noise) is of no concern, it's the perfect replacement for large power banks. As for noise levels my sample was inaudible most of the time during testing, both while charging and while giving power to other devices. I only recorded noise a couple of times when things were getting very hot but again, for very short periods of time. I am pointing this out because Allpowers has made changes to the R600 lately and the speed profile of the internal fan seems to be among those changes.

    As of now the R600 portable power station by Allpowers retails for USD219.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 229.24Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so it’s priced well. Overall, the R600 by Allpowers may not be among the highest capacity and output portable power stations out there but if you’re looking for a great power bank alternative it more than fits the bill and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Build Quality
- Power Output (600W / 1200W Peak)
- Battery Capacity (299Wh)
- Charging Ports (2xUSBC / 2xUSB A / 2xAC / 1xDC / 1xWireless)
- Pure Sine Wave Model
- Allpowers Smart App
- Available In Silver/Grey & Beige Colors
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Price (Current)

CONS

- Small Capacity & Power Output

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Ever since the very first consumer SATA SSDs made their debut just under 20 years ago there have been many in the industry who supported the notion that mechanical disk drives (HDDs) would cease to exist sooner rather than later. SSDs have always offered immensely higher read & write performance, far lower access times and the lack of mechanical parts usually meant better reliability so in a way that made sense. Still, I was always skeptical about that for two main reasons, capacity and cost and well, it's now 2025 and HDDs don't seem to be going anywhere. Earlier this year Seagate unveiled their latest 30TB HDDs aimed towards Data Centers and professionals and with me I have the Exos M (3+) model.

    Seagate is a global leader in mass-capacity data storage, having delivered over 4.5 billion terabytes of capacity over four decades. From edge to core to cloud, Seagate builds trust in data by delivering scalable, sustainable, and secure storage solutions. Learn more at www.seagate.com.

    The brand new Exos M hard disk drives by Seagate are helium sealed models powered by CMR (conventional magnetic recording) technology paired with HAMR via their Mozaic 3+ technology. The Mozaic 3+ technology was unveiled by Seagate a few years back (they've been working on it since long before 2016) and what it basically does is to allow for more data density than ever before while at the same time improving reliability and reducing power consumption (thus carbon footprint). In order to achieve this result Seagate is using superlattice platinum-alloy media for the platters together with a plasmonic writer (nanophotonic laser, photonic funnel and quantum antenna combination), Gen 7 spintronic reader and a 12nm integrated controller. Seagate has plans for 4TB, 5TB and 6TB capacities per platter in the coming years which compared to the 3TB maximum for PMR/CMR drives is also a huge improvement (yes, the 30TB capacity Exos M model features a total of 10 platters). As for specifications the platters of the Exos M 30TB spin at 7200RPM, it has 512MB of multi-segmented cache and has a maximum sustained transfer rate of 275MB/s. Finally, Seagate covers the Exos M with a 5-year limited warranty and reports an MTBF (meantime between failures) of 2.5 million hours with a reliability rating of 0.35%.

 

 

---

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

THE EXOS M 30TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typically, I received my sample inside a static-free bag as seen above.

 

 

On a large sticker at the top of the drive we find details along with its serial number and barcode.

 

 

Turning over the drive we find a tiny PCB which means that once again all of the vital components are placed on the interior for maximum protection.

 

 

The usual SATA III (600 - 6Gb/s) power and data connectors are located at the rear of the drive right next to three pins (probably used for firmware updates).

 

 

Details on the drive thanks to Crystal Disk Info are available above.

 

 

For anyone wondering available space is around 27.2TB.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     Thoroughly testing hard disk drives may require time and patience but that's just about it. Of course, that doesn't mean that one must take it lightly, at least not when people base their decision on your results. True some choose to only use 2 or 3 benchmarking suits in order to measure the performance of a drive or drives since quite honestly most benchmarking suites do tend to agree with each other (so it's not really wrong) but I've always liked taking things a step further in order to be almost 100% certain of the results I get and post in the charts.

     So, in this kind of reviews I'll be using a total of 7 different benchmarking suites in an effort to bring you the most accurate results across the board. Now the only reason why i say effort is because real-world usage is not always on par with what results one gets by running several benchmarks on a drive and that's mainly because there are many variables at work from ambient temperatures to hardware configurations and even firmware versions. The benchmarking applications use are AIDA64 suite (former Everest Pro), HD Tune Professional (as of October 2016 seek times of 3.5” drives are also recorded), HD Tach RW, ATTO*, Sisoftware Sandra Titanium, Crystal Disk Mark 64bit* and the PCMARK 7** (secondary storage suite). These benchmarking tools are the best in what they do and as you will also see later on their results more or less agree. Each test is performed a total of 6 times and then the average is recorded into the charts. Temperatures are recorded using Hard Disk Sentinel and after 45 minutes of continuous testing in a 23 degrees Celsius temperature controlled room. Finally, I also make use of the ExTech HD600 dBA meter on each of the drives (2-5cm away) in order to accurately record their noise levels (during access), although if you don't turn off all system fans when doing so it's quite possible that you will never even hear the drive. The operating system used is a fresh installation of Microsoft Windows 10 Pro with every update installed up until the time of testing.

* As of August 2025, I'll be introducing extra tests with ATTO v5.00.2 and Crystal Disk Mark v9.0.1.
** Support for PCMARK 7 has been discontinued since 2020 but it's still valid for SATA & SAS drives.

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - AIDA64 / ATTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

TEST RESULTS - HD TACH RW / HD TUNE PRO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

TEST RESULTS - SISOFTWARE SANDRA TITANIUM / CRYSTAL DISK MARK X64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

TEST RESULTS – PCMARK 7 PRO / TEMPERATURES / NOISE LEVELS

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    My last encounter with a Seagate drive was back in 2019 when they had released their very first 16TB models and so jumping from that to 30TB is a first for me. Yes, HDD performance hasn't really changed since then as evident from my charts (which is why I’ll keep including the same ones I had in 2019) but since we're entering the era of massive capacities I decided to also add extra tests for more demanding audiences, more specifically 32GB tests using the latest version of ATTO (v5.00.2) and 64GB tests using the latest version of Crystal Disk Mark (v9.0.1). Now I don't have every single HDD I've reviewed to date in the lab, so I just benchmarked the ones I've kept. With all of these out of the way it's clear that the Exos M 30TB model by Seagate is among their fastest models to date, if not the fastest one. Not only did it reach over 290MB/s during my tests it also produced the 3rd fastest seek times behind the Exos X16 and Enterprise Capacity 3.5 V6 models again by Seagate. That's not all however since I also recorded the least noise from all the drives in my charts while testing the Exos M and even though that's not a game changer it's always nice to see improvements across the board (which HAMR obviously offers).

    With a retail price set at USD599.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and at 624.17Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) it’s very easy to see why HDDs offer a much higher capacity/cost ratio compared to SSDs. Granted, performance is not even close when comparing M.2 NVMe SSDs to a SATA III HDD but when capacity is the primary concern the latter has the lead (just for the record, the Exos M 30TB costs roughly the same as an 8TB Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD). Overall, I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about the Exos M 30TB enterprise-grade HDD by Seagate. So far HAMR via their Mozaic 3+ technology pans out and since it does offer the highest capacities currently the Exos M 3+ 30TB deserves the Platinum Award.

 PROS

- Impressive Build Quality / Durability (2.5 Million Hours MTBF)
- Top Of The Charts Performance (SATA III)
- Technologies Used (Mozaic 3+ / PowerChoice / PowerBalance)
- 512MB Cache
- Massive 30TB Capacity (Up To 36TB Currently)
- Temperatures / Noise Levels / Power Consumption
- 5 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Audiophiles looking for the best in terms of audio reproduction will always put wired connectivity above wireless and yes, I also feel the same way. Of course there's no denying that wireless connectivity is far more versatile since such models ditch cables entirely and offer certain features not found with wired ones (like ANC) but when it comes to audio quality wired connectivity will probably always be in the lead (alas not by much eventually). Fosi Audio is an audio manufacturer I never had the opportunity of cooperating within the past so when they recently reached out asking whether or not I'd like to test their latest i5 Planar Magnetostatic Headphones I was very intrigued.

    Fosi Audio, established in 2017, is dedicated to the development, manufacturing, and global distribution of high-quality HiFi audio products. Our extensive range includes home audio amplifiers, preamps, DACs, headphone amplifiers, speakers, portable DAC amps, and more. Fosi Audio has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in the HiFi audio sector, earning accolades from audiophiles worldwide. With a distribution network spanning over 100 countries, we have sold an impressive 20 million audio products to date. Guided by our mission statement, "Redefining HiFi with Unmatched Value," Fosi Audio is committed to advancing the HiFi industry. We continuously enhance our R&D efforts and collaborate with users to co-create innovative HiFi equipment. Our pledge is to offer exceptional HiFi gear that combines high value for the price, innovative design, cutting edge technology, and premium quality. All our products are backed by a 24-month warranty, ensuring customer satisfaction for audiophiles worldwide.

    The i5 is an full size open back wired model based on two 97mm sized planar magnetic drivers that sport a grand total of 44 high-strength (N50) neodymium magnets (arranged symmetrically - 11 on either side of the diaphragms) together with 2nm ultra-thin diaphragms, 1.3nm thin silver-etched voice coils and acoustic damping rear chambers. This configuration requires a power input of over 100mW (250mW recommended) and allows the i5 to produce a very wide frequency response of 10Hz-50kHz with 28Ohm impedance, 98dB sensitivity and a maximum SPL of 120dB. Fosi Audio has also equipped the i5 with a memory (silicon adjustment slider system) metal headband, dual axis earcups made of CNC machined aluminum and walnut wood, left/right 3.5mm audio ports, and easy to remove Velcro earpads. So, time to see what the brand new i5 Planar Magnetostatic Headphones by Fosi Audio are all about.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The i5 arrived inside a large black box that has a product image at the front, company logo and the model name.

 

 

Contact information and things like the warranty period, return period and lifetime product support are printed at the rear.

 

 

Fosi Audio has placed the i5 inside a thick formed piece of foam.

 

 

Along with the i5 inside the box you'll also find a balanced 4.4mm cable and a single-ended 3.5mm cable (both in soft pouches), 6.3mm gold-plated jack adapter and a user manual.

 

 

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THE I5

 

 

 

 

 

The 550g heavy i5 are made of CNC machined aluminum, walnut wood, faux leather, plastic and suede leather (among others).

 

 

Just like with most if not all planar magnetic headphones the i5 are large (perhaps even XL) in size.

 

 

The exterior of both earcups is perforated and has the company logo on it.

 

 

Left and right markings are printed on both ends of the headband.

 

 

The silicon adjustment slider system actually works well and almost like a suspension system.

 

 

At the base of the earcups we find the 3.5mm audio ports.

 

 

Both earcups can swivel 180 degrees (and more) so they should fit well.

 

 

The large earpads are dressed in faux leather on the outside and soft fabric on the inside.

 

 

Early samples of the i5 produced less than impressive bass levels but this has since been resolved with the addition of a rubber sound-isolating ring (as seen above).

 

 

The head strap is made of suede leather, so it looks great if you ask me.

 

 

All jacks are gold plated and it's also worth pointing out that the i5 are currently available with a balanced 4.4mm cable and a single-ended 3.5mm version or with just one of these cables (both cables feature 1120-strand 5N OFC silver-plated wires).

 

 

Since both the FiiO R9 and M15 are my favorite music players to date these were primarily used for this review.

 

 

Here you can all see an exposed view of one of the earcups (marketing material).

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    2 things you’ll immediately notice once you put the i5 on your head for the very first time, how exceptional/immersive they sound and just how heavy/large they are. Planar magnetic headphones offer superior audio reproduction over regular dynamic models and the i5 don't disappoint. Overall sound signature is very clear with crisp, detailed, and vibrant highs. Mids are clean and accurate and even though the i5 do tend to emphasize highs a bit more than mids, they don’t produce distortion even at high volume levels. Bass is ample and warm but since I never tested the i5 without the rubber isolating ring I can't comment on how they used to sound (keep in mind that some people call this revision 2). Finally, as for soundstage the i5 are clearly among the top headphones I’ve ever tested in that regard. It’s not only wider than expected but it also offers good transparency, sufficient spacing and accurate instrument separation. The sole thing I didn't quite like about the i5 by Fosi Audio is comfort levels. The silicon adjustment slider system works well but having a pair of very large headphones that weigh over half a kilo on your head is not something I’m used to (could be both because I haven’t used that many planar magnetic headphones and because I don’t use headphones as much as many of my colleagues out there). This of course is not an issue just with the i5's by Fosi Audio, all planar headphones are considerably heavier compared to regular dynamic models but at 550g the i5 sit right in the middle of similar models in terms of weight.

    The Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetostatic Headphones were released officially today so you can currently grab your very own for USD544 directly from Fosi Audio (using code FAI5MKT15 at checkout) or for USD559.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 625.20Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de – code FOSII515 at checkout). Worth pointing out is that this price is somewhat higher than expected based on what Fosi Audio had said during their Kickstarter event but it’s still good for what you’re getting in return. Cost aside the i5 Planar Magnetostatic Headphones do what they were created to do, and they do it extremely well, so the Golden Award is in order.

PROS

- Good Build Quality
- Audio Signature (Across The Board)
- Wide & Accurate Soundstage
- Slider Adjustment System (Comfortable)
- Earcups Can Swivel (180-360 Degrees)
- Balanced 4.4mm & Single Ended 3.5mm Cables

CONS

- Size & Weight
- Final Retail Price

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Wired vs wireless connectivity is always a hot topic, especially when it comes to audio. My solution/opinion on that has always been pretty straightforward, wired headphones while at home or the office (rare exception is using wireless headsets while playing) and wireless while on foot (public transportation included). Yes, some wired models are far superior to anything wireless, but that gap keeps getting narrower and so even demanding users (audiophiles) should have no issue using a Bluetooth model. Sennheiser released the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless roughly 3 years ago but since some of you asked for the past month I've been testing the Copper Special Edition version.

    We live and breathe audio. We are driven by the passion to create audio solutions that make a difference. Building the future of audio and bringing remarkable sound experiences to our customers – this is what the Sennheiser brand has represented for more than 75 years. While professional audio solutions such as microphones, meeting solutions, streaming technologies and monitoring systems are part of the business of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the business with consumer devices such as headphones, soundbars and speech-enhanced hearables became part of the Sonova Holding AG group of companies in 2022, who have licensed the Sennheiser trademark for this purpose.

    The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are currently available in 7 different color combinations (black, graphite gray, white, denim, copper, 80th anniversary edition and pride) and are based on Sennheiser's audiophile-inspired 42mm dynamic drivers which allow them to produce a frequency response of 6Hz-22kHz with 106dB sensitivity and 470 Ohms active impedance (60 Ohms passive). The MOMENTUM 4 also feature hybrid ANC (adaptive noise cancellation with transparency mode), four MEMS microphones with beamforming support (2 on each earcup, 50Hz-10kHz frequency response), Bluetooth v5.2 with multipoint (2 simultaneous connections) and support for the AAC, SBC and aptX Adaptive audio codecs, auto on/off (on-head detection), auto answer incoming calls, voice prompts, 700mAh lithium-ion battery pack (up to 60 hours with ANC on), touch pad controls and foldable earcups.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The MOMENTUM 4 wireless gets shipped inside a plain cardboard box that has a product drawing at the front along with the company logo and name.

 

 

Several certifications and warnings are printed at the rear of the box.

 

 

Placed inside the box is a hard carrying/storage case containing the entire bundle.

 

 

Inside the carrying/storage case Sennheiser has placed the MOMENTUM 4 wireless, aircraft adapter, USB-A to USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, quick start guide, compliance information and safety instructions.

 

 

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THE MOMENTUM 4 WIRELESS

 

 

 

 

 

The carrying/storage case is big enough to contain the MOMENTUM 4 wireless, their bundle and a few more things if needed.

 

 

Plastic, aluminum, fabric and rubber are just some of the materials used with the 293g heavy MOMENTUM 4 wireless.

 

 

Just like many similar Bluetooth models the MOMENTUM 4 wireless are clearly medium sized.

 

 

On the exterior of both earcups Sennheiser has placed a plastic plate, however the right side also includes touch/gesture controls (volume up/down, play/pause, previous/next track, answer/reject/hang up call, mute microphone, ANC/transparency).

 

 

Sennheiser has also placed their logo on both ends of the headband as seen above.

 

 

One of the microphones on each earcup is located on the lower front but on the right earcup we also find the 3.5mm and USB-C ports and the 5 activity LEDs and the power on/off button (manual).

 

 

The earpads are sufficient in size and as you can see they have left and right markings inside.

 

 

The headpad may not be very plush but it's quite comfortable.

 

 

A good surprise was that the earcups can rotate 90 degrees on either side (easier to store).

 

 

The headband extends up to 37mm on either side (74mm in total).

 

 

Here you can see an exposed picture of one of the earcups (marketing material).

 

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SMART CONTROL PLUS APP

 

 

 

 

 

For complete control over the MOMENTUM 4 wireless, you should download the smart control plus app by Sennheiser.

Once you install the app and turn Bluetooth on it will search for nearby Sennheiser devices.

 

 

The first thing you'll notice on the main tab is whether or not a new firmware version is available (this review was done with v2.13.28).

 

 

From the main tab you can also adjust the ANC settings, use one of the 8 available EQ modes (or create your very own), enable/disable bass boost and podcast modes, use the personalization feature and change the touch/gesture controls.

 

 

There are also secondary features available like creating sound zones (different settings automatically loaded for each) and find your headphones.

 

 

From the settings tab you can enable high-resolution audio (aptX adaptive - off by default), enable/disable on-head detection, smart pause, auto answer calls, auto power off and comfort calls, enable/disable tone and voice prompts, reset the headphones to their factory settings and check/perform firmware updates.

 

 

Unfortunately, sound personalization doesn't work when aptX adaptive is enabled.

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I ended up using/testing the MOMENTUM 4 wireless by Sennheiser for roughly a full month and well, a comparison with the much newer Aventho 300 by beyerdynamic was unavoidable (I did test them just a month before). The good news is that they both exchange blows when it comes to audio quality with the MOMENTUM 4 wireless surpassing the Aventho 300 in mids and highs and the Aventho 300 surpassing the MOMENTUM 4 wireless in bass, soundstage depth and vocals. Overall, the audio signature of the MOMENTUM 4 wireless just lacks bass (the bass boost feature may improve lows but at the cost of detail), mids and highs are crisp and accurate, and the soundstage is quite wide and detailed. But these headsets exchange blows in other things aside audio quality/performance such as features and so even though the MOMENTUM 4 wireless lacks the Dolby Atmos head tracking feature found in the Aventho 300 it did surpass it in battery life since I consistently recorded around 53 hours with ANC enabled. When it comes to ANC the MOMENTUM 4 wireless does a very good job and for the most part slightly better compared to the Aventho 300 so if you find yourself in very noisy environments Sennheiser has your back (still, I did find the Aventho 300 to do better with phone calls). Both models lack support for lossless audio codecs like aptX lossless or LDAC but aptX HD (adaptive) should still be sufficient for most users. Finally in terms of build quality and comfort I really had no issues with either of these headsets (touch controls sensitivity however could be better for both models) so at least for me it’s a clear tie.

    The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless currently retail for USD349.76 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 220.91Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) and so they are priced well, at least over here. Needless to say, price varies depending on the model/color but that’s not something new (for example the copper version I reviewed today is priced higher). At the end of the day if the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless may already count roughly 3 years in the global market but thanks to its audio performance, build quality, battery life and available colors it’s still a valid contender and for that it gets the Golden Award.

  

PROS

- Build Quality
- Audio Performance
- Available Features (Adaptive ANC / aptX HD / On Head Detection)
- Battery Life (Up To Over 50 Hours)
- 4 MEMS Microphones
- Touch Pad Controls
- Earcups Swivel
- Comfort Levels
- Available Colors
- Smart Control Plus App
- Price (EU)

CONS

- Lack Of Lossless Wireless Codec Support
- Touch Pad Sensitivity
- Price (USA)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    DDR5 CUDIMM RAM kits may have reached speeds of around 10000MHz (MT/s) but leaving out the fact that these are only compatible with a very limited number of motherboards (and Intel ones at that) not everyone out there is willing to spend large amount of money for them. Taking a look at current DDR5 sales numbers the largest share sits around 6000-7600MHz (MT/s) and yes, this represents UDIMM DDR5 kits. Now most DDR5 manufacturers may have already released their very own CUDIMM DDR5 kits but their goal is always to cover the largest percentage of the market and so I don't expect them to cease the development of UDIMM kits, at least not anytime soon. TEAMGROUP is among those said manufacturers and today I'll be testing their T-CREATE EXPERT 64GB 6000MHz CL34 Dual-Channel Kit.

    As a leading provider of memory storage products and mobile applications to the consumer market, Team Group Inc. is committed to providing the best storage, multimedia and data sharing solutions. All TEAMGROUP’s memory module products come with a lifetime warranty, repair and replacement services. Team Group Inc., also listed company at stock exchange market in January, 2019. In 2016, TEAMGROUP established T-FORCE gaming series which includes all the gaming memory module. In 2020, TEAMGROUP established T-CREATE brand for creative users. For more information, please visit the TEAMGROUP website at https://www.teamgroupinc.com/en/ 

    The T-CREATE EXPERT UDIMM line is Intel XMP and AMD EXPO compliant (not all kits) and is available both in gunmetal grey and white colors. In terms of available kits the T-CREATE EXPERT line includes 32/48/64/96/128GB dual-channel kits with speeds going all the way up to 7600MHz (5600/6000/6400/6800/7200/7600MHz), timings as low as CL28 (6000MHz CL28 - 6000/6400MHz CL30 - 6000/6400MHz CL32 - 6000/6400/7200MHz CL34 - 6800/7600MHz CL36 - 5600/6000/6400MHz CL38 - 6000/6400MHz CL40 - 6400MHz CL42) and voltages ranging from 1.2V and all the way up to 1.4V (5600MHz 1.2V - 6000/64000MHz 1.25V - 6000/6400MHz 1.35V - 6000/6400/6800/7200/7600MHz 1.4V). The T-CREATE EXPERT 64GB kit which I have here with me today is based on SK Hynix single-die unbuffered modules clocked at 6000MHz, with a timing of CL34 and require 1.35V. As with past models TEAMGROUP covers the T-CREATE EXPERT line with a limited lifetime warranty.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front of the box is taken by 2 product pictures (showcasing the available colors), company logo and the main product features.

 

 

A product description is available at the rear in 8 languages and right next to a sticker with the kit's serial number and barcode.

 

 

Along with the two RAM modules inside the box Team Group has also placed a case badge/sticker.

 

 

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THE T-CREATE EXPERT 64GB 6000MHZ CL34

 

 

 

 

 

 

The T-CREATE EXPERT kit I'll be testing today is a low profile one measuring just 32mm in height and 7mm in thickness.

 

 

Typically, at the rear of the heatspreaders we find a sticker with the serial number, barcode and details of each module.

 

 

TEAMGROUP has used perforated heatspreaders at the top to allow for heat to exist with ease.

 

 

Since this line is meant for professionals RGB lighting is not present and so the modules don't stand out as much when mounted.

 

 

Here you can see some in-depth details about the kit thanks to AIDA64.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Thanks to XMP 3.0 and EXPO profiles the only thing one needs to do in order to run a brand new RAM kit at its advertised frequency, timings and voltages is to choose/enable it from within the BIOS and reboot. That being said if you're into overclocking you may not wish to use the main XMP/EXPO profile but instead to choose your very own frequency, timings and voltages to achieve even higher performance numbers and that's exactly what we'll also be doing during our DDR5 tests. To be more specific aside testing each kit with its XMP profile I'll also be upping the voltages (up to 1.4V for 1.35V kits – even though most kits can function at higher voltages I don’t recommend doing so - RAM modules that use 1.4V/1.45V/1.5V will be tested up to 1.45V/1.5V/1.55V respectively) and frequencies (200MHZ increments) until i find the maximum achievable stable frequency (those results will be entered into the OC charts). I also thought about upping voltages and reducing timings instead of increasing the frequency of the modules as high as it can go (always stable and without using 0.5-1V over stock) but the end results are pretty much identical.

   As for the how I'll be testing each DDR5 Dual-Kit to arrive in the lab well there aren't that many benchmark programs that only test RAM (or at least RAM and CPU without anything else coming into play) but I’ve got most of them and so you will be seeing results from following benchmarking programs, AIDA64 Engineer Edition, Cinebench Release 23, MaxMemm2, Passmark Performance Test v10.1, Sisoftware Sandra Titanium and WPrime v2.11. All tests are performed on a fresh Windows 10 Pro x64 installation (complete with all updates until the day of this review) and are repeated a total of 6 times after which the average numbers get recorded into the charts.

* Since you all decided for me to use the Intel Core I9-13900K for graphics cards tests I’ll also be using that for DDR5 tests (5.8GHz P-Cores / 4.7GHz E-Cores / RING 4.9GHz) and in order to showcase potential gains between stock and overclocked clocks/frequencies I’ll also be using Forza Horizon 5 (1080p/Extreme Graphics). Still do keep in mind that i can't dedicate a high-end GPU solely for DDR5 reviews so each time i review such a kit I’ll be using a different chart (the card used will be listed above).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS - XMP 3.0 PROFILE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEST RESULTS – OVERCLOCK

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was able to hit a stable 6600MHz with just 1.4V (upping timings will allow you to go even higher but I don’t see the point in doing so).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS – FORZA HORIZON 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    With the T-CREATE EXPERT 64GB 6000MHz DDR5 UDIMM dual-channel kit Team Group is clearly targeting professionals who care more about rather low timings and RAM capacity rather than speed/frequencies. The good news is that this kit does better compared to most similarly clocked kits (6000MHz) and so speed matters less than expected. The heatspreaders may lack RGB lighting but they do look nice and since they are low-profile ones you should be able to use most CPU air coolers out there without issue. The sole downside is that the T-CREATE EXPERT line doesn’t have any kits with speeds over 7800MHz. Yes, it may not really need them (TEAMGROUP does have other lines with such kits) but it wouldn’t hurt either (even for just marketing purposes).

    With a current price tag set at USD180.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and at 251.49Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the T-CREATE EXPERT 64GB 6000MHz CL34 dual-channel kit by TEAMGROUP is priced very well, at least on the other side of the Atlantic (EU pricing needs looking into). At the end of the day this kit may not be the fastest out there, but it does offer good overall performance, comes with robust low-profile heatspreaders, the 64GB should be more than plenty for most people and the limited lifetime warranty is always welcome so the Golden Award is in order.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Very Good Performance
- Overclocking Headroom
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Available In Gunmetal Grey & White Colors
- Low Profile Heatspreaders
- Price (USA)

CONS

- Price (EU)
- Lack Of ARGB Lighting (For Some)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Largely thanks to both AMD and NVIDIA power supply unit sales have peaked since last year and for someone who's seen countless people over the years skip on getting a good model watching people now place far more weight on that specific hardware component than ever before is quite satisfying. MSI in particular has done very well with their latest ATX 3.2 & PCIe 5.1 compliant power supply units and today I'll be testing yet another such model of theirs, the latest MPG A1000GS PCIE5.

    MSI is a leading provider of hardware solutions for gaming, content creation, and business productivity. Known for its innovation and reliability, MSI develops products that enhance user experience and improve efficiency in a wide range of applications.

    The AxGS PCIE5 is part of MSI's MPG (MSI Performance Gaming) lineup and is currently available in 3 different output models (850/1000/1250W) all of which are fully modular, ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 compliant and 80 PLUS Gold certified (up to 90% efficiency). The 1000W unit which landed in the lab a while back features two 12V-2x6 power connectors (dual color, 600W), single 6+2 pin PCIe power connector, single strong +12V rail (83.3A) capable of delivering almost 100% of the units’ total power output (999.6W) and a peak power output of no less than 1138W (peak should now be up to around 2.25KW for up to 100ms - once again however this is not something i can test). The AxGS PCIE5 line also sports half bridge LLC topology with DC to DC module design, active PFC, zero fan mode for its 135mm fan (starts spinning after a specific load), embossed jacket modular cables, high-quality server grade Japanese capacitors certified for use up to 105 degrees Celsius and a full array of electrical protections including over-current (OCP), over-voltage (OVP), under-voltage (UVP), short-circuit (SCP), over-temperature (OTP), no-load (NLO), surge and in-rush (SIP), and over-power (OPP). Finally, MSI covers the entire AxGS PCIE5 line with a very generous 10-year limited warranty.

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

The front as always is taken by a large product picture, company logo and some certifications.

 

 

Moving at the rear we find the main product features, electrical table and the available modular cables.

 

 

Typically, the unit is placed between two pieces of foam while the modular cables are placed inside a storage pouch.

 

 

Along with the A1000GS PCIE5 power supply unit and its power cord inside the box you'll also find the modular cables with their storage pouch, 4 mounting screws, EU regulatory notes paper and a giveaway paper.

 

 

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THE A1000GS PCIE5 EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

MSI has used dual-colored 12V-2x6 power connectors with the entire AxGS PCIE5 line.

 

 

Once again, we have a compact model here that measures just 150mm in length, 150mm in width and 86mm in height.

 

 

The 135mm fan is placed under a very nice looking grill that also has the line logo on it.

 

 

Both the company logo and the MPG line are printed on both sides.

 

 

As usual you can find the electrical table on the belly of the enclosure.

 

 

All 10 available modular ports at the front of the A1000GS PCIE5 are tagged and grouped.

 

 

At the rear we find the zero fan button, on/off power switch and the power port.

 

 

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THE A1000GS PCIE5 INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

The 135mm brushless fan is manufactured by ZETA and yes, it's not a model we've seen a lot to date.

 

 

I was quite happy to see that the OEM behind the MPG A1000GS PCIe 5.1 model is CWT (Channel Well Technologies).

 

 

Primary capacitor is manufactured by Rubycon and is certified for use up to 105 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Secondary capacitors are manufactured by both Rubycon and Nippon Chemi-Con and are again certified for use up to 105 degrees.

 

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TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     Using a dedicated measurement instrument such as a Chroma or a SunMoon to test power supply units is without doubt the most ideal and accurate way (not to mention the fastest) to do that currently. However, it's certainly not the only way there is and so pretty much anyone can test a power supply unit just by using a test rig. Certainly, limitations do apply and so you can't really push a 1000W power supply to its limits if your system only uses 500W at peak loads and that's why over the years we saved certain hardware components for the purpose of building a dedicated PSU test rig. True it may not be as accurate as the above mentioned solutions, but it comes really close and is in fact much closer to real world usage. So as always, we ran several games with maximum graphic options enabled at a resolution of 2560x1600 in order to stress every hardware component and increase the overall power demands of the system. The Passmark BurnIn Test was also used to overstress the components in an effort to provide the most accurate results possible. As a final test we also used the latest OCCT 4.4 software and its dedicated PSU testing suite since it can really bring a power supply to its knees after inside a few minutes.

   Rail stability was checked/measured with the CPUID Hardware monitor and a Metex multimeter which also recorded the system load in idle and in load. As always try to remember that the power consumption numbers listed in the graph are the highest (Peak) ones recorded during the entire duration of the tests and not the average ones. Noise levels coming from the fan were recorded using the high precision HD600 ExTech Sound dBA Meter from the rear of the unit and at a range of no more than 5-10cm. Readings under load are recorded the exact moment we manually switch the fans of all graphics cards from full speed to almost zero, that way the fan of the power supply does not have enough time to slow its RPM and so by doing this we get very accurate noise level readings. Needless to say, in order to get 100% accurate readings, you need to have a noise isolated room for that exact purpose, something which is quite impossible unless you are working inside a real lab (some people use very small noise insulated boxes but due to their size both heat and noise exceed normal levels and so the results can't really be considered to be 100% accurate, nor realistic for that matter). Also do take into account that since all noise measurements take place from just 5-10cm away the final noise levels to reach your ears will be considerably less.

* After well over 10 years of testing PSUs the Intel Core i7-920 CPU of this rig failed and so we replaced it with a Xeon X5660 (we also swapped the GA-X58A-UD7 for the G1. Assassin).

 

 

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TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The A1000GS PCIE5 may be part of MSI’s mid/high-end MPG line but just like with several other hardware components from that line it produced very good overall performance. Rail stability is tight, build quality is very good (as expected by CWT), the dual 12V-2x6 power cables are certain to come in handy, it’s covered by a full industrial array of electrical protections and the zero fan mode is always good to have under certain scenarios. Unfortunately, noise levels emanating from the Zeta fan are slightly higher than expected and I also need to point out the lack of PCIe 6+2 pin cables (I know people can use 12V-2x6 to 6+2 pin power adapters but it’s always better to have native ones). Yes, I don’t expect these to be game breakers for many, but they may stand out for some.

    Currently retailing for just USD164 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 215.69Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the MPG A1000GS PCIE5 power supply unit by MSI is priced well (better than expected on the other side of the Atlantic). Overall there’s not much else to say about the A1000GS PCIE5, yes, it may not be perfect but it delivers on everything most modern users will look for in a power supply unit and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality (Japanese Capacitors)
- Solid Rail Stability
- ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Compliant
- Two 12V2X6 600W Power Cables
- Strong Single Rail (83.3A)
- 80 PLUS Gold Certified
- Electrical Protections (OCP/OVP/OPP/UVP/SCP/OTP)
- 10 Year Limited Warranty
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Noise Levels (For Some)
- Single PCIe 6+2 Pin Power Cable

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    There's no better way for me to enjoy listening to music while at home or the lab/office than using a good pair of speakers plugged into a high-end music player. Granted there's not too much free time for that which is why I always try my best to review as many speakers as I possibly can (two birds with one stone). Earlier this year FIIO released one of their most highly anticipated products, the very compact SA1 High Fidelity Desktop Active Speaker which is what today's review is all about.

    FIIO was established in 2007 and has experience in researching and developing countless portable music products of different types, and sell FIIO-branded products through sales agents worldwide. The brand name FIIO is composed of Fi (fidelity from HiFi) and iO (number 1&0), representing the real feeling and convenient life that digital brings to life. Meanwhile, the Chinese “飞傲” is the transliteration of FIIO, indicating the positive and innovative spirit as thriving as spring. FIIO is focused on product quality, adheres strictly to ISO9001 standards in quality management and works hard to attain the lowest repair-related product returns rate.

    Right now the SA1 are available in two different color combinations (twilight black and cloud white - above picture) and feature 3.5-inch (90mm) wood fiber woofers (with 75mm flexible suspension for bass extension down to 65Hz - 20W output), 3/4-inch (20mm) aluminum magnesium alloy dome tweeters (5W output), 2-way active crossover (3.5kHz), TPA3118 class D digital audio amplifier, built-in phono preamp, volume and bass control knobs and an RGB ring on the volume knob which changes color according to input type (sky blue for RCA, pink for PHONO, Green for AUX, purple for Optical, yellow for Coaxial, orange for USB and blue for Bluetooth). Thanks to the 3.5-inch woofer & 3/4-inch tweeter the SA1 offer a frequency response of 65Hz-20KHz (Hi-Res certified) with 6 Ohm impedance and a total power output of 50W. FIIO has also placed an adjustable 31-band high precision lossless PEQ (via their control app) and as for available connectivity the SA1 offer both wired (stereo RCA, 3.5mm aux, USB 96k/32bit, coaxial 192k/24bit and optical 96k/24bit) and wireless (Bluetooth v5.4 with support for LDAC, AAC and SBC audio codecs).

 

 

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SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

The company logo along with a large product picture, Hi-Res logos and the product name are all printed at the front of the box.

 

 

A drawing of the primary speaker rear end is located on the left side of the box.

 

 

At the rear FIIO obviously hints at the built-in phono preamp since between the SA1 we see a turntable.

 

 

FIIO has placed the SA1 between two thick pieces of foam.

 

 

Along with the SA1 and their power adapter inside the box you'll also find an remote control, RCA to 3.5mm cable, speaker connection cable and a quick start guide.

 

 

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THE SA1

 

 

 

 

 

 

The primary speaker weighs 1750g and measures 135.5x155.6x185mm whereas the secondary speaker weights 1660g and measures 129x141.6x185mm.

 

 

FIIO has used high density MDF for both enclosures, but the 9mm thick faux solid wood veneer panels look great.

 

 

Here you can see an exposed view of the SA1 (marketing material).

 

 

To have a better understanding of just how compact the SA1 are I've placed them right next to the R7 music player by FIIO which I use in the lab.

 

 

The brushed aluminum accents with the black grilles FIIO has placed over the 3/4-inch (20mm) aluminum magnesium alloy dome tweeters and the 3.5-inch (90mm) wood fiber woofers  look extremely well.

 

 

The two control knobs (volume/input and bass adjustment) and the power on/off and RGB on/off switch are placed on the right side of the primary speaker.

 

 

Turning both speakers around we find all available connectors.

 

 

As expected, everything is located at the rear of the primary speaker and so here, we find the grounding, coaxial input, SPDIF/optical input, USB-C input, RCA input, subwoofer output, 3.5mm aux input, input switch, DC in and the speaker connection port.

 

 

Bass ports are located at the lower rear end of each speaker.

 

 

The bundled remote control is quite basic but includes every function you'd like to have.

 

 

I ended up using the SA1 primarily with the R7 music player for a period of just over 2 weeks (less with the M23 and R9).

 

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CONTROL APP

 

 

 

 

 

 

The control app by FIIO gives you access to the more advanced features of the SA1.

As usual once you launch the app it will look around for available devices (in my case the BTR3 was also near).

 

 

From the main tab you can check the current wireless audio codec (my smartphone for some reason went to SBC although LDAC is also available), enable/disable the power saving mode, mute the speakers and change the input.

 

 

You can access the equalizer with the 11 available presets from the lower end of the app.

 

 

From the lower end of the app you can also access the current volume level and channel balance.

 

 

From the settings tab you can change the name of the SA1, check for firmware updates (no new ones at this time, not for my sample), clear pairing, restore the SA1 to its factory settings and shut it down.

 

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CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Four are the things you'll notice immediately once you take the SA1 out of their box, their compact size, design that really stands out, the rather impressive build quality (always for the size/cost) and the wealth of available connectors at the rear. To be completely honest with everyone I do enjoy using larger speakers more (mainly due to higher volume and bass levels) but the SA1 are probably among the only compact speakers I'd ever use if space was an issue. The MDF enclosures may not be heavy but thanks to the faux solid wood veneer panels and the front brushed aluminum accents they look nothing short of impressive. Moving to audio quality things are better than expected, mids and highs are crisp, detailed and accurate (the SA1 emphasize mids a bit more than highs) no matter if you listen to Coldplay, Teddy Swims, Bon Jovi or Iron Maiden. Things however change when it comes to bass heavy tracks and well here the SA1 aren't as forgiving (the 3.5-inch/9cm woofers simply can't produce miracles). This is also why FiiO made sure to include a subwoofer port and well, I'd make sure to use it regardless of what audio genre I’d be listening to. As for the control app the 31-band PEQ and the 11 available presets are certainly useful (somewhat demanding users will be playing around with these quite a bit), but the best news is that even if you don’t use the app, you will not be missing out on much.

    At the time of my review the SA1 High Fidelity Desktop Active Speaker by FiiO retail for just USD179.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for around 199Euros inside the EU so they are priced very well. Yes, if you listen to bass-rich audio tracks you will need to add the cost of a subwoofer eventually, but my guess is that many will not take that path. At the end of the day the FiiO SA1 deliver as advertised and are well worth of the Golden Award.

PROS

- Good Build Quality
- Audio Performance (Crisp & Detailed Mids & Highs)
- Active Speakers (50W Total)
- Bluetooth v5.4, 3.5mm Aux, Coaxial, USB & Stereo RCA Connectivity
- Features (Phono Preamp / LDAC Support)
- Sub Port
- Volume & Bass Control Knobs
- Available In Black/Wood & White/Silver Colors
- Control App (31 Band PEQ)
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Bass Levels (For Some)
- Overall Availability