Today, we have an article from reader Ian Bundey in response to my post on Saturday asking if anybody would like to volunteer and write a few articles for Gavin’s Gadgets.
From Ian –
I thought I would put a quick comparison together, bought my Beats about a year ago, to match my Apple Watch. I am currently on my second pair as the first pair had to be replaced after going in the wash
with my muddy MTB gear (not that waterproof).
I use them mainly for the Gym, Running and Mountain Biking. Heard some really good things about TechElec SP-X Bluetooth V4.1 Stereo Headsets from Amazon, pretty much identical to my Beats, the main difference is the controls are on the right earbud, they also come in a soft plastic finish compared to the Beats. Firstly, the fit is much better, I often find there’s a great deal of audio leakage from the Beats as they don’t give enough, but the SP-Xs fit really snug and also look a lot more streamlined on.
Now I am no audiophile, but I do the like the sound better than the Beats, definitely don’t have to turn them up as loud as the Beats, this maybe down to the fit, but at under £20 compared to £170 seems a bit of a no brainer to me.
Will keep me going until Samsung release the Icon X or if Bragi ever fix the Dash.
More info and latest pricing on Amazon UK for the Powerbeats 2 – Click HERE.
More info and the latest pricing on Amazon for the TechElec SP-X – Click HERE.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 
I bought some Jaybird bluetooth earbuds at the Apple store a few years ago. I tried them for a few days, but they had an odd effect that I didn’t like. When walking outside, the wind blowing over the wires transmitted into the earbuds and interfered with what I was listening to. Also, anything that touched the wires also interfered with music / podcasts.
So – I took them back to the Apple store. I was really disappointed, because I had wanted some decent A2DP bluetooth earbuds for a long time. But there’s no “demo units” to try out , for obvious reasons.
After arranging for the return with the Apple store sales buy, I went over and looked at the Powerbeats 2. I think they had just been released. The price knocked my socks off.
I asked the sales guy “If I don’t like these, can I return them?”
He replied “of course you can”.
So I forked over the 200 maracas and enjoyed those powerbeats for a long time. I wore them out I used them so much. They eventually started to fall apart. I walked back to the Apple store at lunch one day and bought my second pair.
The powerbeats ship with a large egg shaped zippered semi hard pouch. If you buy them – always store the earbuds in that pouch. The zipper on the pouch of my first beats broke. I then took to wrapping two rubber bands around the pouch to hold it shut, Rubber bands only last a few days,
The second pair I bought are a little more sturdy than the first. Just a little better build quality, They ship with the same egg shaped semi hard pouch.
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