Latest news with #Tozo
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I put this $40 waterproof Bluetooth speaker to the test in my shower and here's what happened
Growing up, there was nothing I loved more than my cheap, rubbish-sound-quality, gimmicky speaker. It would come with me and my friends everywhere and pretty much soundtracked my youth in real time. But technology has advanced since I was young, and the best cheap speakers now come with good sound quality and without the gimmicks. The Tozo PE1 combines compact convenience with great sound quality, with help from the companion app. It's completely waterproof, making it great to take a shower with, and has multipoint connection to handle two of your devices at once. The battery life drains pretty fast if you listen at full volume, and the sound is tinny at those volumes too. But I have to say, these aren't deal breakers for me. You can find out more about how I got on in my full Tozo PE1 review. The Tozo PE1 Bluetooth speaker is a real budget steal. It's available for purchase at Amazon U.S, but the price differs depending on which colour you get. You get the choice of black for $36, blue for $39, or red for $34. The speaker is available for £29 at Amazon U.K., where it's only available in black. This super-cheap budget speaker performs very well. You'd pay $59 for its nearest competitor, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, , which is obviously still very cheap. But when the Tozo performs as well as it does, why spend $20 more? The Tozo PE1 speaker is super compact and easy to transport. Measuring just 5.7 x 4.2 x 1.8 inches, it fits almost perfectly in the palm of my hand. Its small stature also means it only weighs 8.9 ounces, so wherever it comes with me I'm never weighed down by it. Comparatively, the Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth speaker is also palm-sized, but costs a lot more at $79. I recently tested the Tribit Stormbox Lava, and while I love it, it's pretty big and can sometimes prove cumbersome. I prefer the tiny size and big noise of the Tozo PE1 — I can throw it in any bag, or clip it to the outside using the built-in flexible carabiner. On the carabiner, while it's rubber, there is metal inside, so it takes a good squeeze to get it to flex and is very secure. While the Tozo PE1 hasn't been specifically tested for dust protection (so be wary not to get it sandy at the beach), it's completely waterproof. The waterproof rating of IPX8 means it can be submerged in water and still come out good as new. So, if you're anything like me, you can perform a mean shower cover of Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats' to your shampoo bottles. The speaker has a mesh front which gives a textured look, and you can actually see this vibrate from the power of the drivers at higher volumes. The 43.5mm dynamic drivers produce a huge sound despite the tiny size of the speaker. They are better at lower volumes, but for the price point, even the high volume performance is great; but more on that later. There is a USB-C charging port on the bottom of the speaker, located next to the built-in microphone. There is a 20-inch charging cable included with the speaker too. The controls on the Tozo PE1 speaker are all located on the right-hand side, making it really easy to change the song or alter the volume while holding it in one hand. The buttons are also dual-purpose to save space on the speaker. The power button also plays and pauses the music, while the volume buttons also control the song skips. The only issue I have with these buttons is that they are indented, so you have to press quite hard to get them to respond. However, you can also control the music easily from your phone — especially handy if you're not right next to the speaker. The Tozo PE1 speaker uses Bluetooth 5.4 to give a total range of 15 meters. I found this great for when I was moving around the garden but wanted to stay connected to keep playing my music. The signal stayed stable wherever I was in the garden, and then in between rooms when I was using it in the house. There is also dual device connection, which is easy to use as the speaker is automatically discoverable without needing any button pushes. I connected to my laptop to play music and to my phone at the same time, so I was alerted to calls and notifications. The switch between the two was seamless with no delay. There is a built-in microphone at the bottom of the speaker so you can even use it to take calls. I tested this by calling my brother. He isn't one to mince his words, so I know he was being honest when saying he could hear me clearly, albeit with a little crackling. The speaker is compatible with the Tozo Signature Sound app, where I was able to alter EQ settings and use presets to get the most out of my music. And for a studio sound experience, Tozo says you can get two of the speakers and connect to them at the same time. This is also a feature of the Tribit Stormbox Lava, although I don't recommend forking out close to $300 for two of those speakers. However, since the Tozo PE1 is very affordable, buying two is definitely something to consider. Unfortunately, Tozo only sent me one unit, so I haven't had the chance to test it out for myself. When testing the sound quality of the Tozo PE1 speaker, what stood out to me was that it sounds so much better when hanging from the carabiner, although it does have contouring on its body to lie flat too. I began testing with 'Guns for Hands' by Twenty One Pilots. This is a song that uses electronic beats, so it's a great way to pick out any trouble areas with tinniness. Given the price and size of the speaker, I was expecting this to be far worse than it was. The speaker sounded pretty good until it reached about 70% volume, and then the song started to become tinny. This is also because the song is high-pitched, so the sound of the electronic beat becomes pretty much unbearable. I always like to test audio gear with some metal songs as it gives me a good idea of how the mids are performing. I went for 'Oh No' by Bring Me The Horizon, which (dare I say) is one of their more pop-y songs, so it felt like a fair test for a small speaker. I tried this with the Pop EQ preset and it balanced the vocals on the track really well, even at high volumes. The bass certainly carried the song here and sounded punchy, but the cymbals came across as very tinny. I wanted to see what else I could do with the EQ settings in the app and turned to 'She's American' by The 1975. I decided to create a custom EQ from one of the existing presets. I used the Deep EQ preset and raised the lower frequencies and highest frequencies to get a crisper sound on the rhythm guitar. I love this song and this gave it a super full sound, so I played it a few times on repeat. To test the Vocal EQ setting, I played 'The Last Man on Earth' by Wolf Alice. The vocals on the recording of this track are very raw, and accentuating this only made the experience better. There was still the tinny sound at high volumes, but this was by far my favorite song to listen to on the speaker, so slower, vocal-first songs are definitely the way to go. While the PE1 wasn't the definition of great sound quality, it's important to remember that this is a sub-$40 speaker. Being peaky at high volumes can usually be expected with smaller Bluetooth speakers. The Ultimate Ears Miniroll has the same issue as the Toxo PE1 of getting tinny at higher volumes — it just comes with the territory. The Tozo PE1 has a surprisingly good rated battery life of 32 hours, but when I listened to it at full volume, it drained much more quickly. Listening at moderate volumes, though, the speaker will last you around 15 hours based on my testing, and at low volumes you get closer to that 32 hour mark… but then isn't the point of a speaker to be loud? The battery life is certainly oversold here. It will probably come as no surprise that if you're looking for something with a more realistic battery life, you will need to fork out a little extra cash — and lower your expectations. An arguably better speaker with similar battery life to the high volume settings is the Sonos Roam 2, but it is $179 so you're obviously leaving the realm of budget speakers here. I've been very impressed by the Tozo PE1. Though it may be small, it has heart. Because of the small size there is inevitable tinniness at high volumes and the battery runs out pretty quick, but that's where my qualms end. The speaker is great to use anywhere — even in the shower, since it's completely waterproof — while its compact size means it can come with me everywhere I go. The flexible carabiner is also awesome for hooking onto the outside of bags. My favorite feature is the Tozo Signature Sound app, as this gave me more freedom to play around with the speaker and get the sound I wanted. If you're in the market for the cheapest speaker you can get your hands on that still has decent sound quality and a sleek yet convenient look, clip this to your bag.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Limited-time deal: These $32 headphones rival Sony and Bose, fans say
It's no mystery why Tozo earbuds are popular — their low price and high quality make for a compelling, consumer-friendly package. Now, the company is hitting that sweet spot again with over-ear headphones, and its HT2 Headphones are on sale at Amazon. Fans compare them to notably higher-end options like Sony or Bose, which should tell you something: It's time to grab a pair for yourself. Especially now that they're at $32 — the lowest we've ever seen them. Why is this a good deal? 💰 Those Sony headphones we mentioned? Some of them go for nearly $400. These Tozos are less than a tenth of that price. (Even Sony's most affordable option — the WH-CH520s — are $57.) At 36% off, Tozo HT2s are the lowest price we've seen them and, quite frankly, a no-brainer. They're also available in seven colors (though prices vary by color). Why do I need these? 🤔 Let's start with the battery life. These cans get 60 hours of playback time on a single charge, which is absolutely bonkers. That's more than 700 songs or nearly 10 NYC-to-LA flights. The battery life drops a bit when you do have ANC (active noise cancelling) on, but you're still looking at about 40 hours of crisp, clear audio excellence. Don't worry, though. Even if they do manage to run out of juice, you can connect them through a wired connection to continue listening without missing a (literal) beat. The 40-millimeter drivers produce fantastic sound, including crisp high notes and clear bass. The ear cups are made of soft leather and automatically adjust to the wearer's head. The Tozo app lets you tweak the settings for different types of music. When it's time to stop listening, these fold up for easy storage and transport. What reviewers say 💬 These headphones have over 7,000 happy fans who vouch for their quality. Pros 👍 "These were purchased to replace a pair of Sony CH520s that got paint all over them. I think these Tozo headphones are better in every regard," one fan said. "They are comfortable (I wear glasses). The ear cups are ergonomic; each side has a range of pivot at the headpiece; the headpiece is adjustable (fits my weird head); the crown of the headpiece has nice padding. ... They sound amazing. The bass is deep without any adjustments. The sound is clearly better than the Sony." Another reviewer also wrote that the sound is on par with higher-end models. "I lost a pair of Bose over-the-ear headphones (yes, that was a painful $375 loss). I wanted to buy another set, but not at $375. Then I read about the quality and reliability of this brand, Tozo! What a wonderful surprise. The quality is comparable to my previous set." And one parent echoed that, "I originally bought these for my son but would not mind these for myself. These expensive-looking headphones deliver similar quality sound compared to some big-name brands." Cons 👎 Just because they can be used wired doesn't mean there are no strings attached ... so to speak. "One downside I found was the wired connection does not allow for noise cancelling. So if you are connected to something like a laptop that doesn't have Bluetooth, they will then work like regular headsets. So you may want a Bluetooth adapter in that case," shared one shopper. (If you need one, we recommend the TP-Link Bluetooth Adapter.) Another fan offered an audio-related gripe: "My only complaint is the beeping sound the headphones make when they have a low charge. I wished the sound could have been a little bit less sharp." The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) Looking for more great Amazon tech deals? Check these out:
Rudaw Net
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Berlin exhibition showcases Yazidi genocide by ISIS
Also in World US says 4th round of Iran talks never confirmed Iran-US talks in Oman postponed All Syrian voices must be heard: UN Iraq receives two multi-role military helicopters from Airbus A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An exhibition in Berlin on Wednesday documented the brutal attack by Islamic State (ISIS) militants on the Yazidi heartland of Shingal (Sinjar) in 2014. Titled Rojda – In Light of Memory, the exhibition showcased photos, documents, and personal belongings of Yazidis that displayed their life before and after the brutal attack. It will run through May 5. Walid Tozo, the organizer, emphasized to Rudaw the importance of the exhibition, saying it serves to stress the severity of the atrocities committed by the extremist group on the Yazidi community. 'We will not gain any progress if we complain for years. On such days, we have to think about our future. The images tell dozens of stories of Yazidi families. Their gazes are full of experiences, and the videos talk about the massacres,' Tozo said. Jihan al-Omar was ten years old when she and several members of her family fell into the hands of ISIS. To prevent herself from being raped, she disguised herself as a boy, wearing boys' clothes and cutting her hair. She was freed after ten months, but nine members of her family remain missing. 'After ten months, the ISIS members who had bought us and our family took us to Anbar. There, we stole a phone. If ISIS had known we stole a phone, they would have killed us. Through that phone, we contacted our uncle, spoke with him, and my uncle found someone to rescue us from there. My uncle paid money for it. That means he bought us back from ISIS,' she said. The exhibition also served to display the Yazidi culture and their resilience in light of the atrocities. 'The aim of this exhibition is to create an archive that preserves Yazidi culture and history through photographs, videos,, and other media,' said Renas Hassan Babakr, a participant. ISIS's 2014 assault on Shingal resulted in the abduction of 6,417 Yazidi women and children, many of whom were subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor. Despite being territorially defeated in Iraq by 2017 and in Syria by 2019, ISIS continues to pose a security threat in the region. The United Nations has recognized the systematic targeting of the Yazidis as genocide. Up to 200,000 Yazidis were displaced from Shingal, many of whom now live in camps across the Kurdistan Region, particularly in Dohuk province. As of now, 2,590 Yazidis remain missing, according to the Office of Rescuing Abducted Yazidis, which is affiliated with the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Over 50,000 shoppers are fans of these earbuds, just $13 for a limited time
Looking for a new set of earbuds? If you need a pair that can stand up to unpredictable weather, Tozo's A1 Wireless Earbuds are an excellent choice. They're waterproof, plus they've received more than 54,000 five-star reviews from verified Amazon shoppers who say they have audio that's far richer than their price might suggest. And oh yeah: Right now they're just 13 bucks. These Tozo earbuds are incredibly popular, especially among buyers who don't want to shell out for Apple or other wallet-punishing brands. They're nearly 60% off now, thanks to this Amazon deal, making an already-good deal even better. When you compare them with the price of AirPods Pro (around $200), it's a no-brainer — these are worth the buy. What's made Amazon shoppers fall in love with these Tozos other than the incredibly low price tag? Superior audio quality, of course, courtesy of 6mm speaker drivers that produce powerful, crystal lear sound and heart-thumping bass. Trust us, these sound way better than the buds that came with your phone (do phones still come with headphones these days?). One of my favorite features of these headphones is the Tozo app, which allows you to change how the earbuds actually sound. Want deeper bass? More balanced output? You can dial things in just the way you like it. Finally, these earbuds have a long battery life. We're talking 32 hours, people: seven hours from the earbuds themselves and 25 hours from their case. There's a reason we highlight that these have nearly 54,000 five-star reviews. That's a lot of satisfied shoppers. "Incredible product for the price!" gushed this admiring audiophile. "These earbuds came with all the accessories (charger, earpieces), as well as an 18-month warranty and even an app with 1K EQ presets! The sound is excellent; I use them for sound therapy and brainwave entrainment, binaural beats and isochronic tones as well as solfeggio frequencies." This very cool aunt bought the A1s for her niece: "They stay in her ears and produce excellent sound quality and a great price! … These are durable and high-quality. The touch features work great, and she loves that she can control the volume and pause what she's listening to/watching without having to touch her tablet... These are great earbuds, especially for a first pair, because if the kids lose them or break them, they are not expensive to replace." "They connect easily, they're exceptionally comfortable, and the ergonomic design fits perfectly in my ears," praised a repeat customer-to-be. "I've had them for about a week and have yet to charge the case. If I ever need earbuds again, I'll definitely be getting these again." When it comes to $13 headphones that have all of these features, there's not much you can complain about. Though some still find a way. Said one sound snob: "These earbuds are more than adequate for listening to podcasts or TV, but for music I would recommend looking at one of their other excellent earbuds, such as their T6 earbuds, which I found to have very good sound quality and are still very comfortable, even though as far as I know they also use a 6mm speaker driver, same size as the A1. As you go up in the Tozo line you start to get bigger drivers (8mm for the T-10, and 10mm for the T12 and T20), so you may be more satisfied with music reproduction with those earbuds." "My only 'but' so far is that I notice that they fall out of my ears after some time (if I'm doing planks, running, etc.)," cautioned this jeering gym-goer. "Could be just my ears, but for the price, I'll put up with it in the meantime." If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fans compare these noise-cancelling headphones, down to $32, to Sony and Bose
It's no mystery why Tozo earbuds are popular — their low price and high quality make for a compelling, consumer-friendly package. Now, the company is hitting that sweet spot again with over-ear headphones, and its HT2 Headphones are on sale at Amazon. Fans compare them to notably higher-end options like Sony or Bose, which should tell you something: It's time to grab a pair for yourself. Especially now that they're at $32 — it's the lowest price we've seen them. Those Sony headphones we mentioned? Some of them go for nearly $400. These Tozos are less than a tenth of that price. (Even Sony's most affordable option — the WH-CH520s — are $40.) At nearly 50% off, Tozo HT2s are the lowest price we've seen them and, quite frankly, a no-brainer. They're also available in seven colors (though prices vary by color). Let's start with the battery life. These cans get 60 hours of playback time on a single charge, which is absolutely bonkers. That's more than 700 songs or nearly 10 NYC-to-LA flights. The battery life drops a bit when you do have ANC (active noise cancelling) on, but you're still looking at about 40 hours of crisp, clear audio excellence. Don't worry, though. Even if they do manage to run out of juice, you can connect them through a wired connection to continue listening without missing a (literal) beat. The 40-millimeter drivers produce fantastic sound, including crisp high notes and clear bass. The ear cups are made of soft leather and automatically adjust to the wearer's head. The Tozo app lets you tweak the settings for different types of music. When it's time to stop listening, these fold up for easy storage and transport. These headphones have over 8,800 happy fans who vouch for their quality. "These were purchased to replace a pair of Sony CH520s that got paint all over them. I think these Tozo headphones are better in every regard," one fan said. "They are comfortable (I wear glasses). The ear cups are ergonomic; each side has a range of pivot at the headpiece; the headpiece is adjustable (fits my weird head); the crown of the headpiece has nice padding. ... They sound amazing. The bass is deep without any adjustments. The sound is clearly better than the Sony." Another reviewer also wrote that the sound is on par with higher-end models. "I lost a pair of Bose over-the-ear headphones (yes, that was a painful $375 loss). I wanted to buy another set, but not at $375. Then I read about the quality and reliability of this brand, Tozo! What a wonderful surprise. The quality is comparable to my previous set." And one parent echoed that, "I originally bought these for my son but would not mind these for myself. These expensive-looking headphones deliver similar quality sound compared to some big-name brands." Just because they can be used wired doesn't mean there are no strings attached ... so to speak. "One downside I found was the wired connection does not allow for noise cancelling. So if you are connected to something like a laptop that doesn't have Bluetooth, they will then work like regular headsets. So you may want a Bluetooth adapter in that case," shared one shopper. (If you need one, we recommend the TP-Link Bluetooth Adapter.) Another fan cautioned that the low battery warning is kind of shrill. "My only complaint is the beeping sound the headphones make when they have a low charge. I wished the sound could have been a little bit less sharp." The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
