popularphoinix | Staff posted Today 07:19 AM
Item 1 of 4
Item 1 of 4
popularphoinix | Staff posted Today 07:19 AM
$173*: Sony BRAVIA Theater U Wireless Wearable Speaker at Amazon
$173
$300
42% offAmazon
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Having gotten several pair of the Boomerangs for less than $35 on flash deals (used to be very common a few years ago but I haven't seen them go that low in a very long time as they have become more popular), I'm always wondering just how much of an improvement, if any, these bigger name brand models could actually offer to justify the massive price jump that come along with models from Sony, Panasonic, Bose, etc.
Having gotten several pair of the Boomerangs for less than $35 on flash deals (used to be very common a few years ago but I haven't seen them go that low in a very long time as they have become more popular), I'm always wondering just how much of an improvement, if any, these bigger name brand models could actually offer to justify the massive price jump that come along with models from Sony, Panasonic, Bose, etc.
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Having gotten several pair of the Boomerangs for less than $35 on flash deals (used to be very common a few years ago but I haven't seen them go that low in a very long time as they have become more popular), I'm always wondering just how much of an improvement, if any, these bigger name brand models could actually offer to justify the massive price jump that come along with models from Sony, Panasonic, Bose, etc.
This Sony is a good product. I've owned this model and the similar one this replaced. The sound is more natural than the Bose (which was very good but is an obsolete model) and Monster, and is pretty comfortable too. The only complaint is the usual price is too high. That being said there isn't a better one that I could find when I bought it.
Nowadays, open ear style buds have replaced these for me (e.g. clip style). None of these open style options are for critical listening because they don't have deep bass, but the clip style allow me to move around and not have to worry about them falling off. This is especially true when I'm doing yard work.
Setup and calibration through the Sony apps was straightforward, and I know there are some niche use cases where these might shine (particularly with certain streaming services that have enhanced audio modes). But at the end of the day, they are exactly what the product name suggests: a wearable speaker that happens to sit near your ears.
What they are not is private or "laser-focused" sound. Even at modest volumes, the audio is clearly audible from across a room. Anyone nearby will hear what you're listening to. I would not want to be working in the same space with someone using these (just as I dislike hearing portable Bluetooth speakers on an otherwise quiet hike).
From looking at other reviews elsewhere, it seems I'm not alone in this assessment. Many people have pointed out that while the Theater U can sound immersive to the wearer, the sound leakage is more significant than you'd expect for something marketed as a "personal" solution.
Overall: 2.5/5 stars. These are basically a wireless neck-mounted speaker - not a private listening device.
This Sony is a good product. I've owned this model and the similar one this replaced. The sound is more natural than the Bose (which was very good but is an obsolete model) and Monster, and is pretty comfortable too. The only complaint is the usual price is too high. That being said there isn't a better one that I could find when I bought it.
Nowadays, open ear style buds have replaced these for me (e.g. clip style). None of these open style options are for critical listening because they don't have deep bass, but the clip style allow me to move around and not have to worry about them falling off. This is especially true when I'm doing yard work.
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