So many of the products we find are simple in premise. We see them and think, "Dammit, why didn't we think of a portable computer so we could swim in gold coins?" Then it quickly dawns on us, even if we had that brilliant flash in our skulls, we wouldn't have a clue how to begin making it. Then we stumble across ... continue reading
Even if you're not John Cusack, boomboxes are cool. We gotten past the point of cassette tapes and D-batteries (if they even make these anymore) though, so we need one that works with phones and mp3 players. Unfortunately, finding a boombox that looks as good as the ones from the 80s, and supports modern technology, ... continue reading
For a no-frills flask that's perfect to toss in your bag when you're out camping or exploring, turn to Stanley. The classic brand has been crafting solid, well-made food and drink gear since 1913. Their latest flask is the first in the Adventure Series which is aimed at being both essential and rugged. With more grip ... continue reading
We're not going to kid ourselves: you probably already have three different ways of projecting your iPhone / Android tunes throughout a room. If you're going to spend another $300 on another piece of technology to replace one of the ones you already have it had better be really damn good. The Table Top Concert Hall ... continue reading
It seems like product designers and manufacturers are always trying to solve the same two problems with the iPhone: the audio and the fact that it doesn’t stand up on its own. You can buy any number of accessories that solve either problem, but until now there hasn’t been any one product that solved them both as ... continue reading
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," would be a good summation of the history of guitar design. Whatever axe you choose to play today, won't be so dissimilar from the ones the Stones, Zeppelin (unless Jimmy Page brought up a double neck) and older legends carried out on stage with them. While you might not be playing ... continue reading
Listening to music when you're not near your surround sound system should be easy. Your phone holds thousands of songs locally, has access to millions through your subscription service and can even beam music digitally to far off lands. It should be easy to get it from the device into your ears, but it's not. You can ... continue reading
You've got two options when rocking your Beats by Dre headphones: Look like every other person who happens to have the exact same pair or do what Lil Wayne did, and encrust them with a million dollars worth of diamonds. Frankly, we don't care for either option. While we do love our Beats, we don't like to conform ... continue reading
There are a lot of things $1000 will buy you. A few hours at the "club." Rent or a good chunk of your mortgage payment. A down payment on a Rolex. It will also get you these Sennheiser HD700 Headphones. Why would anyone spend $1000 on this particular pair of headphones? Because they've got a vibration damping frame, ... continue reading
With all the handheld gadgets we own and time we spend staring at them, we probably will evolve into some sort of craned-neck species. Human candy canes. If you're looking for one audio system for them all, there's the OnBeat Xtreme from JBL. It docks your entire Apple catalog (iPhone, iPod and iPad) and can also ... continue reading
The biggest issue we have with the iPad is the audio (well, and not supporting Flash and general addictiveness). Sure, a quick solution is a Bluetooth speaker set up, but once we're out of range that sucker is pointless. Seeing as how the iPad is a device for the go, tying it down with wires or 30 feet ranges, kinda ... continue reading
To some, speakers are simply pieces of equipment that get placed in corners, partially hidden from view. They deliver acceptable audio in an aesthetically bland design. We're going to go out on a limb and say, that as a reader of Cool Material, you are not one of these people. If you're like us, you put thought into ... continue reading
Do you remember a time when a proper home audio system cost thousands of dollars and required separate cabinets just to house a bunch of different pieces of audio equipment that we would consider ugly by today's standards? We do. We also happen to consider ourselves pretty technologically savvy, but setting those ... continue reading
The days of gigantic pieces of audio equipment stacked in your home are long gone. So are the days of tangled cables running throughout your home as well. In fact, the whole idea of your audio delivery system being tied to your home went out the window with all those jewel cases you had. If your portable Bluetooth ... continue reading
There’s a reason that Marshall’s first product in the headphone world was called the Major. Marshall means serious business when it comes to audio and the new Pitch version of the Major headphones are no different. On the business side, they’re fully collapsible, compatible with anything with a music jack and ... continue reading
Kurt Cobain might have been the harbinger of death for hair metal, but he also did quite a few really awesome things. He made plaid cool again. He sang and strummed in a way that made all of us neurotic teenagers feel normal. He let Dave Grohl play drums. He married Courtney Love. Ok, he had his faults too. Musically ... continue reading
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