Tech Company Customer Service Rated

If the BBB can rate these guys, why not me? I’m a stickler for good service — I won’t patronize companies providing inferior service. When I had a billing problem with Sprint about 5 years ago and the phone rep called me a liar, I switched to VoiceStream (Jamie Lee Curtis had nothing to do … Read more

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… CinemaNow-burned DVDs likely to fail in many commercial DVD players. (BoingBoing) Humax DirecTV LCD reviewed. (CNET) Dolby to offer 3D projection system. (Engadget) ZigBee and other RF specs face possible litigation. (eHomeUpgrade)

Stop Paying Too Much For Cables

Stop it! Seriously. It sickens me when friends and family tell me how much they’re paying for cables at retail. Best Buy, Circuit City, and even Radio Shack are sticking it to consumers with profit margins that must exceed 80%. Obviously we can’t stop buying cables, but we can be more choosy in who we … Read more

Deal Of The Day: Harmony 880

Dell has the Harmony 880 for only $109, shipped free. If you’ve been sitting on the fence and/or waiting for a bargain, you’re not going to do better than this! The 880 retails for $249, but coupon code LWLCHHGG9Q7C9W gets you a $120 discount. Additionally, Logitech is offering a $20 mail-in rebate. The offer is … Read more

Deal Of The Day: SanDisk SD Plus USB

I can’t say I’ve picked up much amazing or inspiring technology in the last few months. However, when jkOnTheRun mentioned SanDisk has temporarily dropped prices on the convertible SD -> USB card, I needed in! Of the various computers I use regularly, none have card readers… meaning I either have to drag one with me … Read more

Altec Lansing AHP612 Wireless Headphones Review

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Altec Lansing is obviously looking to harness the power of the blogosphere… and I’m more than happy to help! A few weeks ago they sent me the XM3120, and Tuesday these sexy headphones were waiting at my door.

First off, I’m a sucker for good looks… and the AHP612 cans are pretty sleek other than the prominent “Altec Lansing” advertising on both ears. (I wonder if some nail polish remover could take care of that.) They also happen to feel pretty good — not too bulky, heavy, or constricting though my ears did get warm after prolonged use. Three included AAA NiMH rechargeables supposedly provide 8 hours of listening time, though I didn’t put that claim to the test. For charging, the headphones easily drop into their powered cradle. As you can see from the pics, each ear has a variety of buttons (and lights!), including the all-important volume up/down which work as advertised.

As far as performance goes, the clarity of the audio and the wireless range surprised me. Because the AHP612 headphones operate at 900Mhz, they shouldn’t interfere with WiFi gear or modern cordless phones. In testing I found the signal to be perfect in all areas of my 1100 sq. ft. apartment. To further test the range (listed at 150′), I visited the apartment two floors down and maintained excellent reception. Now the bad news… I’m no audio snob, yet even I can tell you the audio quality is just average. Perhaps that’s the trade we make for wireless freedom.

The AHP612 (couldn’t they have come up with a more memorable name?) retail for $150, though a quick search of Froogle shows several listings under a hundred. Overall, I think these are pretty slick if you have a need for wireless headphones. Since I don’t, I’m gifting them to Kevin over at jkOnTheRun — keep an eye out for his opinion in the coming weeks!

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