Poor-quality audio is a persistent problem with most affordable earphones—they sound weak, don’t have enough bass, and aren’t built well. But the JBL Synchros E10 is closer to the better options, very few of which are under Rs.3,000.
And, with Web connectivity on the move a basic requirement for smartphone and laptop users, the Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo works well for home users who don’t have a wired broadband connection. Tata’s new router connects to the mobile network, offers high Internet speed and packs in a big battery that can charge your phone.
JBL Synchros E10
Rs.2,999
Audio quality improves greatly as you move up the price band; so far, most lower-end products have not paid much attention to user experience. Things, however, seem to be changing.
Audio-Technica and Sennheiser recently launched some good, affordable earphones, and now, JBL is joining the party.
Over a period of time, it is hard to miss the fact that the sound signature is not perfectly neutral, and leans over to the treble side ever so slightly when the volume is increased above 60%. That is the reason the bass sounds subdued on certain tracks. While we always suggest keeping the equalizer settings at neutral on most earphones, a slight reduction in the higher frequencies while using these earphones at higher volumes is not a bad idea. The sound isn’t for purists, but then again, the E10 isn’t meant for that audience.
The linguine-style flat cable doesn’t get tangled, the way other earphones do, and the wire for the left ear has in-line volume controls.
The closest rival is the Sennheiser CX 1 (Rs.2,990), which offers largely similar performance and sound quality. In the end, the preference comes down to which sound you prefer more. Sennheiser has a warmer sound that is easier on the ear; something you can get used to. JBL has ensured that the low and high frequencies are given an equal boost, which does mean that vocals could sound too sharp at times.
Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo
Rs.2,899
Remember the data card—a USB device that we would plug into our laptops to access Internet on the move? Tata’s Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo is a neat evolution, with Wi-Fi, and doesn’t need to be plugged into the laptop. Switch it on, leave it on a desk or beside you on the seat in the car, and wirelessly connect five devices to it. There is a microSD card slot, too, to share your files over the network.
This device is an EVDO Rev.B type modem—it connects to Tata Photon’s MAX Ph-II data network. Simply put, you can download at speeds up to 9.8 Mbps and upload data at up to 3.6 Mbps. However, those numbers are just the best-case scenario. Mobile data speeds depend on multiple factors—the network load at the time, and the signal strength at your location. During our speed tests, we did touch 3.2 Mbps download speeds a couple of times, but the speeds largely remained at around 1.5 Mbps. This is enough to let you upload and download files quickly, and even do a video call over Skype. Ping rates remain consistent, which is critical for a stable Internet connection.
This device packs in a 4,400 mAh pack. There are two uses for this—use it to run the modem and connect to the Internet on the move, or plug in your phone and charge its battery. Both things can also be done simultaneously. If you’re powering just the Internet, the battery can last about 14 hours on a single charge. The charging voltage is enough for phones, but not enough to charge a tablet.
Unlimited usage tariff plans start at Rs.650 (3 GB data) and go up to Rs.1,250 (30 GB data). We would suggest that you insist on a demo at your home or office (where you will be using it the most) to get a better idea of the signal coverage and the kind of speeds available in that area.
