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Review: Sennheiser’s HD820 are superb, imperfect headphones like no other

Nov02
by on November 2, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Plugged


For as long as I’ve been reading and writing about headphones, one thing has remained true: the very best cans have an open back. They leak music out to the world and let noise in, a necessary compromise to reduce reflections and resonances that could distort the sound. Closed-back headphones can be great, but they can’t match the expansiveness and transparency of their open brethren. Sennheiser’s HD820 – its first go at premium closed-back cans – doesn’t destroy those dogmas, but it gets pretty darn close. Despite questionable decisions – that $2,400 price tag particularly stings – it sounds like…

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Influencer marketing is bullshit

Nov02
by on November 2, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Social Media


Pop quiz time: What’s estimated to be worth between 5 and 10 billion dollars by 2020 and is (at least, in my humble opinion) largely bullshit? Answer: Influencer marketing. Okay, let me clarify something. The idea of paying people with huge amounts of reach to advertise your products isn’t dumb. Celebrity endorsements are a thing, and have been known to work wonders for brands. Think about LeBron James’ nearly $1 billion deal with Nike, or George Foreman with his eponymous lean, mean, fat-reducing grilling machine. Online influencers, on the other hand, are a different kettle of fish. Christ, just let…

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Bulgarian officials took Bitcoin bribes to issue passports to Ukrainians

Nov02
by on November 2, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Hard Fork


Two Bulgarian government reps have been arrested on allegations of accepting bribes in Bitcoin in return for illegitimately issuing Bulgarian identity documents to foreign individuals. Court files claim the accused, both of whom held management positions in the National Agency for Bulgarian Citizens Abroad, have been illegally receiving payments to issue documents, according to local outlet NOVA. The prosecution further adds the criminals purportedly received between five and 15 bribes each week since at least July 2017. Witnesses have suggested that refusing to comply with the bribe requests would result in huge delays in the issuing of documents. Indeed, witness depositions suggest…

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Or just read more coverage about: Bitcoin

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a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Bulgarian officials took Bitcoin bribes to issue passports to Ukrainians

Nov02
by on November 2, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Hard Fork


Two Bulgarian government reps have been arrested on allegations of accepting bribes in Bitcoin in return for illegitimately issuing Bulgarian identity documents to foreign individuals. Court files claim the accused, both of whom held management positions in the National Agency for Bulgarian Citizens Abroad, have been illegally receiving payments to issue documents, according to local outlet NOVA. The prosecution further adds the criminals purportedly received between five and 15 bribes each week since at least July 2017. Witnesses have suggested that refusing to comply with the bribe requests would result in huge delays in the issuing of documents. Indeed, witness depositions suggest…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Bitcoin

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I wish Moshi’s Avanti Air headphones sounded as good as they look

Nov02
by on November 2, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Plugged


The premium headphone market is crowded. There are not only boatlands of brands battling for your earholes, but some very established companies (think Sennheiser, Sony or Bose) who suck up a lot of market share. Well, one of the latest companies to enter the ring is Moshi. It’s hoping that its Avanti Air on-ear, wireless headphones will earn it a foothold in the space. Sorry, Moshi? Yep. The company made its name with phone cases and battery packs. Business shifting from accessories to headphones isn’t new (like Anker), but these tend to be on the budget end. Moshi’s Avanti Air headphones – which retail for $300 –…

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