Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 197 i T3 Australia

Q JIM GILBERT, VIA EMAIL Which kind of headphones offer the best experience? A Presuming we’re leaving out ear buds and on-ear headphones here, both for reasons of space and because each category is a subjective minefield, GaGu will limit this selection to only over-ear kit. There are a couple of key kinds of cans, both of which tend to have a very different feel: closed-backed and open-backed. The former is a completely sealed enclosure. Sound goes one way, towards your ears. This means the majority of outside noise can’t make it in to ruin your tunes, and is the logical reason that you’ll only find noise cancelling cleverness in closed-back cans. They’re close, warm, and keep the real world away – they’re core to the patented Guru family-avoidance technique.…

TRX SLAM BALL Performing HIIT with a TRX Slam Ball requires dedication, lots of power and good form to avoid any unnecessary strains or injuries. It’s worth it, though, as repeatedly mashing the TRX Slam Ball into the ground gets the blood pumping and feels awesome. $41, trxtraining.com.au ONNIT PRIMAL KETTLEBELLS ONNIT’s Primal kettlebell range is about as good as it gets. What to say – it’s a solid lump of metal with a handle, in the quality you expect – but it’s pleasant to hold, has a splash of personality and will last you forever. From US$42.95, onnit.com…

BEST TURNTABLE SYSTEM FOR LESS THAN $1,000 1 LENCO L-85 A semi-automatic, belt-driven turntable with a built-in phono stage and USB recording, the Lenco L-85 is a great starter deck. It offers an enjoyable performance for the money, which is next to nothing in record player terms, and its on-board pre-amp means you can just connect it to any powered speaker. You’ll be spending about double for a decent step up. $171, lenco.com 2 DENON D-M41DAB Great-sounding truly budget amplifiers are like hen’s teeth, but Denon offers a solution that takes care of more than only amplification. The D-M41DAB is a just-add-speakers micro-system that outperforms any group of separates you could find for the money. It has a CD player, DAB radio and Bluetooth, and an analogue input to connect…

You don’t need a running watch to get better at running, although wearing one can get you road fit faster. The best running watches in 2021 are way more accurate than sports wearables used to be, even just a few years ago. The most competent running watches can measure heart rate, cadence, respiration, energy levels and more, right on the wrist, without any additional sensors because all the sensors are already incorporated into the watch body. Additionally, thanks to the accompanying apps, runners can further scrutinise their performance and keep track of their sessions. Here are what we think are the best watches to buy right now. FRONT RUNNER GARMIN FORERUNNER 945 The Garmin Forerunner 945 is not only the best running watch Garmin has to offer, it’s also the…

HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with specialist knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these,…

$6,999 hisense.com.au The TV is, as is the way of modern TVs, sleek, slim in bezel with a somewhat spidery stand. The TV looked to also have four mounting points suitable for a standard VESA-compliant wall-mounting bracket. All the connections – four HDMI, two USB, one aerial, one analogue A/V in, one optical digital audio out, one headphone out – were set into a slim vertical panel on the back that was 90 degrees to the screen. In other words, all the plugs went in sideways, which allows for the panel to pushed back very close to the wall if it’s so mounted. Hisense is at pains to note that while it uses Quantum Dot technology for its increased colour control and efficiency (which can mean higher brightness or reduced…

$799 (50in) samsung.com This TV takes a key place in Samsung’s line up: the company cornered the ‘entry-level TV by a credible brand’ market some time ago and, based on how strongly above its weight the RU7100 punches, doesn’t seem ready to give it up. As Samsung’s latest demonstration of its understanding of mainstream customers, it starts from just 43 inches and is available in a range of sizes up to 75 inches. This, if Samsung continues to read the runes correctly, is exactly what a lot of people want. As for the budget required, well you could buy one of each size of RU7100 and still only spend roughly a third of the price of Samsung’s flagship 85-inch Q950TS 8K monster. Despite its affordability, the RU7100 is well-specified. It’s…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Best of the Best is the most useful gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. In many different categories, we’ve chosen the top four products, so you can choose one that’s just the right mix of features and budget for what you need. These rankings come from real testing by our team of experts – they’re the products we’d choose for ourselves, and we can’t recommend any higher than that. Look for the links above each category that take you to…

What is Lumen ($385, lumen.me)? Lumen is a hand-held, portable device that measures metabolism. In essence, Lumen is a breathalyser that uses “CO2 sensor and flow meter to determine the CO2 concentration in a single breath”. Based on this, the algorithm in the Lumen App can determine what type of ‘fuel’ your body is using (carbs or fat) and how flexible your metabolism is. This matters, because a flexible metabolism can shift from using carbs to using fats for fuel easier, balancing energy levels more effectively. Lumen users can also avoid ‘energy dips’ during the day. It takes roughly a week of frequent breath measurements to determine the user’s ‘breath signature’ and four weeks to be given a Lumen Flex Score (LFS). LFS represents metabolic flexibility (how efficiently the body…

Announced in September 2020, the Sony A7C holds the accolade of the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame camera system. In essence, Sony has blended together its top-of-the-line APS-C model, the Sony A6600, with its mid-range full-frame camera, the A7 III, to create an entirely new line. The idea behind this mix is that you get a small and compact offering that is more likely to appeal to younger users and those coming up from smartphones, as compared to the (slightly) bigger and bulkier standard A7 range. Just like the A7 III, the A7C’s sensor is a solid all-round performer, producing good images in a variety of different shooting conditions. Images are warm and vibrant, with a good degree of detail. Again, the A7C’s autofocus is another solid performer, generally locking…

From $1,999 apple.com/au This is the most exciting laptop Apple has made in years. Some may rightly point out that this isn’t a high bar – after all, there’s been a feeling for a while that Apple has been playing it safe with its MacBooks, instead saving all of its passion and inventiveness for its iPhones. However, while previous MacBooks have made small, iterative upgrades, the new MacBook Pro 13-inch offers something truly revolutionary in the form of Apple’s very own M1 chip. Rather than just settling for yet another Intel CPU, Apple has instead created its very own chip, giving the company almost complete control over the hardware in the new MacBook Pro 13-inch, the new MacBook Air, and the new Mac mini as well. This move has resulted…

From $1,299 samsung.com As a big, comprehensive Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q950T aims to create the effect of an elite 9.1.4 surround setup using four wireless boxes. The soundbar itself is substantial, and extremely nicely finished. There’s no avoiding its 123cm size, nor its 7kg bulk. Samsung includes a bracket for wall-mounting – just be sure your wall is up to it. That kind of width means this is for 55-inch TVs at the absolute minimum – 58 inches and up is the sweet spot. The horizontal array is designed to provide absolutely as much width to the sound as possible. On top of the soundbar there are a further couple of drivers, angled upwards in an effort to reflect sound off the ceiling and deliver the front two…

From $999 microsoft.com The Surface Laptop Go marks an attempt by Microsoft to offer a more affordable alternative to its line of premium products – and in this case those premium products are the Surface Laptop 3 and the Surface Book 3. It’s a laptop aimed at school and college students, or indeed anyone who wants an inexpensive laptop that’s going to take care of the basics. Emailing, essay writing, web browsing, movie watching... the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go handles all this very well. What you’re not going to get here is any kind of serious performance for high-end video and image editing projects, or gaming. If you need a laptop that works at top speed for more demanding tasks, then you’re going to have to spend a little bit…

$14.99 a month/$119.99 pa apple.com/au Bound to have the likes of Peloton and Fiit shaking in their gym socks, Fitness+ offers an interactive fitness experience powered by the Apple Watch. Clearly, Apple’s goal is to dominate the fitness space. But does it have what it takes to sway those already embedded in one of the other many fitness apps out there? Before you can dive head first into a sweaty workout, you’ll need to make sure all of your Apple devices and apps have been updated to the latest versions. You’ll need iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, WatchOS 7.2, and/or tvOS 14.3 for it to work. These updates can take a bit of time: set-up probably took around an hour or so. But once we got going, our favourite thing about…

1 PHILIPS 9636 PREMIUM $TBC, philips.com.au Philips’ TV division has been growing fast in recent years. The company’s patented Ambilight tech allows it to offer something completely unique to the market, its partnership with Bowers & Wilkins adds solid audio offerings to its TV lineup, and there’s no shortage of exploration in the design department, which is something of a rarity in a sea of black rectangle TVs. Now Philips seems to be placing itself directly ahead of the curve: its latest LCD TV salvo, due in the summer alongside a raft of OLEDs, totes mini LED tech. Dropping at two sizes, really big (65-inch) and probably too big (75-inch), the top-end 9636 Premium (to be released alongside the same-sized but slightly downgraded 9506 Premium) certainly packs in the features,…

TENET It get didn’t Guru. The timeywimey film flew through Guru’s eyes, ricocheted about his brain, then dribbled out of his ears. Maybe why he couldn’t hear the dialogue. GMHIKARU There’s a void between your author’s 500 ELO chess rating and his ambition, so he’s spent hours watching Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura make it look easy on Twitch. Mesmerising. RARE CHANGES Mayer Hawthorne’s lovely new album is finally here, dishing up a solid portion of smooth tunes that burrow into your soul and don’t let go. You’ll sing along, but not as well as Mayer.…

With the combination of 6mm heel-to-toe drop, a rockered midsole and the carbon plate running the length of the shoe, running in the Vectiv Flight almost feels like cheating. The Carbon adds an additional level of stabilty and propulsion to your stride that’ll have you efficiently springing along the trails, while the 3.5mm lugs and Surface CTRL Grip underfoot keep you sure-footed. Materials up top are lighweight, with welded overlays adding some armour at critical points. $330, thenorthface.com.au…

MIRRORLESS CAMS By far and away the dominant area of the market right now – at least in terms of new releases – mirrorless cameras bring you all the latest camera technology, generally in smaller and lighter packages than traditional DSLRs. Having been around for just over a decade, and with a range of different manufacturers in the game, this is where you’ll find the greatest choice. Whether you want something to get you started, or something with advanced and complicated controls to really get your teeth stuck into, there will be a mirrorless model on the market for you. We’ve selected four here at a range of price points and skill level, but there are many more out there for you to consider. Most mirrorless cameras these days offer…

01 ADIDAS SL20 RUNNING SHOES The Lightrike foam is Adidas’ latest innovation and it was first introduced in the SL20 running shoes. This light and responsive foam makes every run a joy, perfect for everyday training and jogging. $95, adidas.com.au 02 AFTERSHOKZ OPENMOVE WIRELESS HEADPHONES The Openmove might be entry level headphones from Aftershokz but they provide decent enough sound and comfort plus seamless Bluetooth connection. $129, aftershokz.com.au 03 MEGLIO ASTEROID FOAM ROLLER Foam rollers are runners’ best kept recovery secret. These inexpensive massage tools can effectively relax muscles after longer jogging sessions, which can accelerate recovery and also prevent injury. Around $25, mymeglio.com…

AMAZON ECHO DOT (4TH GEN) The diminutive Dot sounds better than the third generation, its front-firing speaker more effective than the previous model’s unidirectional one, and its voice recognition is better too. The bigger Echo sounds better but the Echo Dot is happy in smaller spaces, works well in a multi-room setup and can add voice control to your existing smart home devices. $79, amazon.com.au APPLE HOMEPOD MINI Apple’s smaller, much more affordable HomePod delivers surprisingly big sound for its size: it sounds like a much larger speaker. It’s a great device but it’s very Apple-centric: if you’re not an Apple Music subscriber, it lacks support for rival services. The HomePod mini is a HomeKit smart home hub and supports the new Thread smart home protocol. $149, apple.com.au AMAZON ECHO…

SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 ULTRA 5G S PEN To make the most of the S21 Ultra’s features, you’re going to want one of these bad boys. It will allow you to note and scribble to your heart’s content and Samsung currently packages them with a compatible case from just $99. $59, samsung.com RAVPOWER FAST WIRELESS CHARGER While the S21 Ultra shows quality can be worth paying for, this item from RavPower demonstrates why it can be worth holding out for a bargain. For just a tenner, it supports both 10W and 5W charging and comes with a lifetime guarantee. $32, amazon.com.au SAMSUNG GALAXY BUDS PRO When paired with a Samsung phone, these notso-beany buds unlock a universe of functionality. Not only do they offer ANC and UHQ audio at 24-bit /…

$319 thrustmaster.com Let’s cut straight to the chase: this is a seriously good controller and one that offers truly phenomenal customisation and configuration options. Its party piece is its ability to swap out its joysticks, d-pad, triggers and grips at any time and replace or rearrange them as desired. Straight off, the eSwap X Pro’s quality is evident, looking advanced and feeling weighty in the hand. It feels like a more spacious version of the new Xbox Wireless Controller, which makes sense considering it’s officially licensed and made for Xbox and PC gamers. In terms of stock layout, it features all of the buttons and triggers you would expect, plus a pair of trigger locking switches, which allow you to lock trigger travel at your desired angle, and four circular…

$365 gradolabs.com Anyone concerned about whether Grado’s acknowledged mastery of over-ear headphones could translate to a pair of true wireless in-ears, relax. Something so small never sounded so mighty. ‘Design’ is not really something that happens to Grado headphones. Consequently, these earbuds are small by prevailing standards, light (at just 5g each) and are slightly trickier to get securely in position than they really should be. They’re supplied with a selection of tips of varying sizes, but Grado’s insistence that the ‘twist and lock’ fitting action delivers the perfect fit in an instant is slightly wide of the mark. Persist, though, and a snug, secure fit that provides a degree of passive noise-cancellation can be achieved. There’s quite a large capacitive touch-surface on each earbud – it’s almost the exact…