Super Parked » Donald Bell

A double-barrel FLAC attack

Donald Bell — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:36:00 +0000

If you want to hear every detail in your music--every breath, every strum, every rattle--lossless music formats are the only way to go. But if you hate the idea of your precious music files being tied up in some corporation's proprietary format (i.e. Apple Lossless and Windows Media ...

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

MP3 Insider 131: Don’t call them headphones

Donald Bell — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:55:00 +0000

The Monster Turbine headphones are so good, we're actually not allowed to call them headphones.

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

Donald talks about his review of the Cowon S9 touch-screen MP3 player and Jasmine brings us up to speed on in-ear speakers (aka headphones). Then, we round-up six iPod alternatives that are compatible with DRM-free iTunes Plus downloads.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Originally posted at MP3 Insider

iPod alternatives for iTunes Plus AAC

Donald Bell — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:55:00 +0000

The Sony S-Series Walkman wants to be your AAC-friendly iPod rebound.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Apple's iTunes store is offering more and more of its music catalog in the DRM-free iTunes Plus music format (256kbps AAC). There's no question that DRM-free music purchases are better for consumers ...

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Review: Cowon S9, the good news and bad

Donald Bell — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:33:00 +0000

The Cowon S9 is one of the first touch-screen MP3 players to use OLED screen technology.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

The Cowon S9 is a gorgeous-looking touch-screen MP3 player that had the unfortunate fate of appearing on my desk right before the end of 2008--a time when all I ...

MP3 Insider 130: Personal radio apps for the iPhone

Donald Bell — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Donald and Jasmine discuss Pandora 2.0 and the new Slacker app for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Also on deck: a bit of info from the NAMM show and a little good-natured ribbing at Haier America's expense. Oh, and we poke some serious fun at Microsoft...prepare for your ears to bleed a little first, though.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Akai teases APC40 at NAMM 2009

Donald Bell — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:50:00 +0000

The Akai MPC40 looks like the love child of a DJ mixer and a disco dance floor.

(Credit: Akai)

Hot on the heels of CES and Macworld, the 2009 NAMM showcase (National Association of Music Merchants) kicks off Thursday, offering musicians and audio professionals heaps of new gear to drool ...

CES 2009 wrap-up: Portable audio and video

Donald Bell — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Will 2009 be the year when frivolous, '80s-throwback iPod boomboxes go huge? Don't hold your breath.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CBS Interactive)

CES 2009 delivered a surprising amount of MP3 player-related product announcements compared with last year's show. No, I didn't see any "iPod killers" out there, but ...

Originally posted at CES 2009

Zoom H4n handheld audio recorder, hands-on

Donald Bell — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:49:00 +0000

I practically squealed when I saw Zoom's new H4n professional handheld audio recorder on display at CES 2009. The $350 recorder was announced just a few days ago with hazy details on when it might hit store shelves, but lo and behold, here it was hanging out in the ...

Originally posted at CES 2009

MP3 Insider 129: Live from CES 2009

Donald Bell — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:18:00 +0000

Jasmine and Donald talk about their favorite portable audio discoveries from the 2009 Macworld Expo and the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This episode is recorded live from the CNET stage at CES 2009.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

...

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Hands-on with Altec Lansing’s BackBeat Bluetooth headset

Donald Bell — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:24:00 +0000

I don't often get excited about Bluetooth headsets, but Altec Lansing's BackBeat series is definitely worth a look. CNET's David Carnoy already reported the details of these Bluetooth beauties earlier in the week, but I thought I'd add some of my first-hand impressions, as well as ...

Originally posted at CES 2009