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HTC Evo 4G

(Credit:
Bonnie Cha/CNET)

CNET’s resident cell phone expert Bonnie Cha is back from CTIA 2010, and we’re all anxious to hear about the new smartphones coming out this year. But the main dish is Sprint’s new HTC Evo 4G, the first handheld to use Sprint’s WiMax network that promises faster speeds than traditional Wi-Fi (when it’s finally deployed).

Before we get too deep, Bonnie tells us what we should know about Sprint’s 4G network, the difference between WiMax and LTE, and what we can expect in terms of speed from the Evo. Bonnie’s description of her firsthand experience with the phone at CTIA gets us even more excited about its upcoming release.

The phone features a 4.3-inch multitouch display, the new 1GHz Snapdragon processor (dual-core processors in phones coming soon?), forward- and rear-facing cameras, a built-in HDMI port for streaming high-def video, and the ultimate kicker: a KICKSTAND! This is not a drill; the HTC Evo actually does have a little foot on the back that stands the phone at an angle for hands-free Sprint TV viewing.

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A 404 sticker next to the Eiffel Tower, courtesy of Derrick!

(Credit:

Derrick Chen/The 404)

We’re also spinning our wheels about what this Thursday’s Apple announcement will have in store for the iPhone. Fresh off the recent release of the iPad, we’re crossing our fingers that Apple’s new iPhone OS 4.0 finally lets you multitask. Rest assured that Wilson and the rest of the CNET TV crew will be working around the clock to keep you up-to-date as we find out more.

Finally, don’t forget that The Audiophillie Music Awards for Excellence in Recorded Sound, hosted by our own Steve Guttenberg, is still in full effect! It’s not too late to record a band (could be your own!) for a chance to win a set of either Monster Turbine Pro Gold ($299) or Pro Copper ($399) headphones.

Lo-fi submissions are welcome, but to enter this contest you need to download, print, and complete the contest entry form (PDF). We already have a few submissions and the deadline is April 12, so record quickly and good luck!

EPISODE 553

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

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Google debuts Translate for Animals app for the Android OS.

(Credit:
Google)

April Fools’ Day isn’t particularly special for The 404 since we prank each other all year, but that doesn’t stop the rest of the Internet (or Natali Del Conte) from participating. Google continues its tradition of April Fools’ Day hoaxes with a new Android app that finally bridges the language gap between humans and our furry friends. It’s called Translate for Animals and uses the microphone to analyze and transcribe common phrases of your household pets. In related news, Google has also appointed this guy as its newest chief engineering officer.

Google isn’t the only one pranking the Web; Razer also introduced its new Venom gaming enhancement solution that might actually appeal to the most hard-core gamers. The Razer Venom comes with its own IV drip bag and a variety of gold-plated needles to suit your vein sizes; just inject the serum additives Oxymialterxin or Doctixillin into your veins and you’ll never let stupid things like sleep or hunger interrupt another precious gaming minute again.

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(Credit:
James Martin/CNET)

April Fool’s aside, the big news of this week is the upcoming release of the Apple iPad, and Natali Del Conte is on hand to tell us about her first date with the device on this morning’s Early Show. She only spent a brief amount of time with it, but her first impression is that the giant screen is perfect for her favorite recipe app Epicurious. She also gushes about a Marvel comic book app and addresses our concerns about the durability of the screen and aluminum casing.

Keep the e-mails and voice mails coming everyone! Call us up at 1-866-404-CNET or send a message to the404(at)cnetcom and let us know what’s on your mind. We’re starting to read listener e-mails on the air now, so make them good! As always, sticker pictures are appreciated as well, and don’t forget about Steve Guttenberg’s ongoing “Audiophillie” awards–we’ve already received submissions but you still have plenty of time to send yours in before the April 12 deadline, so get to work!

EPISODE 550

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

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Pucker up! The 404 Podcast cordially invites you to help us celebrate Kiss An Asian Day! Wilson and I are clearly delighted with this extremely made-up holiday, whereas Jeff couldn’t be stuck in a more compromising position. Yesterday also happened to be International Talk Like William Shatner Day, so the first story in today’s rundown is about his new social network that is aimed at sci-fi nerds. Myouterspace.com is still in beta (Shatner’s Twitter is apparently taking suggestions), but the site promises to be “a sci-fi social network for those with a passion for the arts.” In my best Shatner voice: that…sounds…very…lame.

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Nintendo's first shot at 3D gaming.

(Credit:

Geekosystem.com)

Today, Nintendo announced the next generation of its popular DS portable gaming platform, and, of course, it’s in 3D. The Nintendo 3DS will officially see a release at this year’s E3 conference in June, but so far we know that the device will be backward compatible with DS and DSi games and won’t require you wear special goggles for 3D gameplay. Here’s hoping that the 3DS will be a little more fun than Nintendo’s first foray into 3D gaming.

CNET audio expert Steve Guttenberg stops by on the second half to pimp his ongoing contest, “The Audiophillie Music Awards for Excellence in Recorded Sound.” Keep in mind that this is not “American Idol,” so entries won’t be judged by musical talent, but rather on the quality of the recording itself. This is your chance to prove your recording skills and promote your favorite unsigned band, so submit your entry on a CD and you’ll be entered to win one of six pairs of Monster Turbine Copper or Monster Turbine Gold in-ear headphones!

Click here for official rules and an entry form (must complete and send along with CD). The contest ends on April 17, so good luck, everyone!

EPISODE 543

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

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(Credit:
Case Lumbra/The 404)

We have no idea what today’s show title means, so we’re happy to welcome Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg back on the show to spell it out for us. He’s also here to officially kick off “The Audiophillie Music Awards for Excellence in Recorded Sound” contest! Read Steve’s blog on the contest here. Keep in mind that this is not “American Idol,” so entries won’t be judged by musical talent, but on the quality of the recording itself. This is your chance to prove your recording skills and promote your favorite unsigned band, so submit your entry on a CD and you’ll be entered to win a pair of Monster Turbine Cooper or Monster Turbine Gold in-ear headphones!

Click here for official rules and entry form (must complete and send along with CD). The contest ends on April 17, so good luck everyone!

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(Credit:
Michael Ngai/The 404)

The phrase “private Web browsing” has always been a bit of an oxymoron, but a new site called Have Your Friends Been There? threatens to broadcast your NSFW surfing to your closest friends and family. We’re not exactly sure how it works, but the site works like this: you create a customized list of “naughty” Web sites, HYFBT generates a link that you can send to friends, and you wait for the results to come in, essentially catching your friends in the act. Think before you click on random URLs and don’t forget to clear your history, people!

We’ve got plenty more to talk about in today’s rundown, including a wrap-up of last night’s spectacular hockey game, an update on the massive PSN meltdown and a segment we like to call, “What the hell did Justin do in his sleep last night?”

Finally, our hearts go out to the victims of the Chilean earthquake, and we urge all our listeners to join us in donating money to help. It’s super easy; just text “Chile” to 25383 for Habitat for Humanity, 20222 for World Vision, 85944 for the International Medical Corp, or 52000 for the Salvation Army, and your $10 donation will automatically get added to your monthly phone bill.

EPISODE 527

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Video coming soon, check back later today!

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

CNET Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg joins The 404 for an extra long and extra random episode that includes an exciting contest–listen to hear your chance to win a pair of Monster Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers!

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Click on the picture for the rest of the photos from Derrick's 404 trip. Thanks, buddy!

(Credit:

Derrick Chen/The 404)

We’re never entirely sure what will happen when CNET Audiophiliac Steven Guttenberg gets on the mic, but Lil Saint Steve always brings toys when he comes to town, and today he drops knowledge on vacuum-tube amplifiers and how a certain Panasonic Blu-ray player uses a Digital Tube Sound Simulator to enhance its audio qualities.

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Enter for a chance to win a pair of Monster Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers!

(Credit:
CNET/Sarah Tew)

All this home theater talk gives us the perfect outlet for our rage against NBC’s tape-delay of the 2010 Olympics. In our digital age of Twitter, Facebook, smartphones, and a million other gadgets that quench our thirst for instant gratification, everyone already knows the Olympic results before the network finally airs them on television! As a result, the sports tickers on ESPN continue to spoil ratings for browsers who just want to find out what time the events are on, which does not make Jeff a happy guy. Could Twitter, aka the world’s collective unconscious, be the source to blame?

Steve is also on the show to give us a preview of a new contest in collaboration with The 404! It won’t officially start until next week, but The Audiophillie Music Awards For Excellence In Recorded Sound will ask for high-quality demo recordings of you or your unsigned band, which Steve will judge and choose six winners based on what he thinks sounds the best from a technical standpoint.

Each winner will receive a pair of high-end Monster Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers valued at $300-$400! Keep in mind that this won’t be a judgment on the songwriting or composition, but rather an analysis of the recording itself. Check out more details after the break, and we’ll officially announce the contest a week from today with all the information on how you can enter–so stay tuned!

EPISODE 522

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

Energy RC-Micro 5.1

Energy is big on small speakers. Their RC-Micro 5.1 system ($600) includes four satellite speakers that stand a mere 4.7 inches tall, and the center speaker isn’t a whole lot bigger. The wee 240-watt, 8-inch subwoofer is a seriously gutsy performer. The big catch with most little systems is they crush wham-bam dynamics, and their bass either booms or runs out of gas. No problem here, the RC-Micro 5.1 belts out bombast like a larger system. It’s simply one of the most refined sounding micro systems I’ve heard to date.

Mirage Nanosat 5.1 Home Theater

The Mirage Nanosat 5.1 Home Theater ($600) sounds unlike any box-type satellite system on the planet. Conventional speakers project sound forward, the Nanosat speakers produce a ratio of 30 percent direct and 70 percent reflected sound. The direct sound heads straight to the listeners, while the other 70 percent bounces off the room’s walls and ceiling before finally reaching the listeners. With the room lights turned off, the Mirage satellite speakers can literally disappear as sources of sound. The system comes with five identical satellite speakers and a rather potent mini-subwoofer.

Definitive Technology ProCinema 600

Definitive Technology is a high-end speaker company, but it is one that has learned how to sell its products for a lot less than high-end prices. Take the ProCinema 600 six-piece satellite-subwoofer system ($800). Clever engineering solutions make for an exceptional package. For example, the system’s injection-molded mineral-filled polymer speaker cabinets have more of a high-end feel than more typical plastic or fiberboard cabinets. The 250-watt, 8-inch subwoofer has a second 8-inch “infrasonic radiator,” in order to produce extraordinary deep-bass slam. The ProCinema 600′s resolution of fine detail, razor-sharp imaging, and dynamic kick are the stuff that make high-end worth it. Listen and you’ll see.

For more details and full reviews of these three amazing systems, head over to The Audiophiliac.

Steve Guttenberg’s CNet blog, The Audiophiliac covers high and low-end audio and everything in between. He’s been reviewing audio components for 14 years. He has never ever heard anyone make a Police Academy or Short Circuit joke about his name. Ever.

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Lee Perry Sleeveface!

(Credit:

Sleeveface.com)

CNET Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg joins The 404 Podcast for a special Friday episode all about the art of music appreciation. We love having Steve on the show because he actually comes prepared with topics of discussion, and today he launches right into a thoughtful point about how music has become background filler for the digital generation.

It might be because MP3s and digital audio watered down the listening experience compared with putting a needle on a record, but we suspect the current generation is so used to hearing overproduced music with pounding bass and autotuned vocals that they wouldn’t recognize musical talent if it were performed live in front of them. Kids these days, I swear.

After we’re done complaining about people younger than us, we address the ongoing prevalence of digital abuse. Cyberbullying took an ugly turn earlier this year when 13-year-old Megan Meier took her own life over a fake MySpace profile. Tragedy struck again in the form of another 13-year-old, Hope Witsell, who committed suicide after finding herself the subject of constant taunting and abuse over a nude picture message that made its way around her school. As a tech podcast, we also examine the role that text messages and cell phones play in the hands of young people and how parents can protect their kids from digital abuse.

It’s not all sad news on today’s show, though. We can always depend on Steve to bring the most random and hilarious anecdotes, and be sure to listen to his uplifting message at the end of the show to start your weekend off right. See you back here on Monday!

EPISODE 480

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

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The hand-built JH 13 Pro in-ear headphone.

(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)

If you have ears, prepare to open them now.

I’ve just reviewed a bunch of contenders for the world’s best full-size, over-the-ear headphone: Audio Technica ATH-W5000, Denon AH-D7000, Grado PS-1000, Sennheiser HD 800, Stax SR-007Mk2, and Ultrasone Edition 8 headphones–and all boast higher MSRPs than the JH Audio JH 13 Pro in-ear headphone.

Sure, full-size headphones can be used with iPods and MP3 players with varying degrees of success, but they’re a lot more of a hassle to lug around than the JH 13 Pro. Honestly, I prefer the sound and comfort of over-the-ear models compared with in-ear headphones. Then again, the JH 13 Pro is a very different type of in-ear design, it uses six drivers–two woofers, two midranges, and two tweeters–to lower distortion compared with other in-ear designs. It’s a difference I can hear.

The JH 13 Pro’s resolution of fine detail is extraordinary, drums sound more realistic than I’ve heard from any other type of headphone. The JH 13 Pro is “fast,” cymbals’ shimmer and sparkle the way they do in real life, and when a drummer whacks his sticks against the drums’ metal rims, the sound is more realistic. Dynamic oomph and slam are the best I’ve heard from an in-ear headphone.

The JH 13 Pro’s bass goes deeper than any in-ear headphone to date, but it’s the way these headphones decode palpable bass textures that’s highly addictive. Electric, acoustic, and keyboard basses sound more different from each other with the JH 13 Pro. Switching over to Monster’s excellent new Turbine Pro Gold in-ear headphone ($299) is startling, the Turbines sound mushy and muddled by comparison. The Monster has more mid-bass fullness, which some listeners may prefer. I do not.

The JH 13 Pro’s midrange clarity is radically better than any in-ear ‘phones I’ve used to date. Its bass, midrange, and treble are better balanced and accurate than what I’m used to from in-ear designs.

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Originally posted at The Audiophiliac

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My second Linn LP12 turntable.

(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)

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Originally posted at The Audiophiliac

First, buying hi-fi without listening to it is a bad idea. Smart buyers compare one product to another, it’s simply the best way to learn what your choices are. Granted, it’s not the same as hearing speakers in your own room, but at least you’re hearing them in comparison to each other under the same conditions.

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An Innovative Audio listening room in New York City.

(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)

Online reviews, including the ones I write for CNET and print magazines offer my opinions about sound. But reviews by me or anyone else can’t predict about how, say a speaker, works with a receiver that’s similar to yours. I have no idea about your specific needs, your room size, acoustics, taste in music, etc.

Use my reviews as a starting point and then try and listen for yourself.

User reviews? Hey, I make my living writing audio reviews and my opinions are drawn from my experiences with literally thousands of audio products. I can point you in the right direction, but at the end of the day, its your ears and your money. Buy what you like; just make sure you’ve heard it.

A good salesperson can offer sound advice based on your specific needs. That’s a huge advantage online sales outlets can’t duplicate. Yes, finding the right store or salesperson can take time, but that’s true for doctors, lawyers, plumbers, and contractors, but once you’ve found a good one, their advice and council can be a huge asset. If you’re spending $500 or more for speakers or a receiver try to make the effort to hear the thing. A successful salesperson has lots of happy customers, there’s no other way to be successful. I sold audio for 16 years, I know from where I speak.

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Originally posted at The Audiophiliac