Gramophone’s Favorite Things

Sonos: Simple, Smart, and Wireless

I’m all about music. Anytime, anywhere just play the right song and I’ll be pacified for hours. But if you’re like me, you hate all the clutter that music systems can bring. Excess wires bulk up behind A/V furniture...or even worse, they’re visible (*insert gasp here*)! So I’ll usually resort to my laptop and just carry it around the house with me. But laptop speakers don’t do my music justice. Last week, however, when I was introduced to the Sonos wireless music system at Gramophone, my perception of multi-room music streaming changed forever.

The Technology Behind the Speaker
Sonos made white technology streamlined and sexy before Apple. From the smallest ZoneBridge, to the fully integrated Play:5, every Sonos product is crafted with appearance and placement. So with looks in mind, how does the Sonos music system actually work? Well, it all depends on what you want to do with it.

Let’s say you already have a stereo system. You’ve got a great amplifier and a wonderful set of speakers you’ve kept since those bachelor pad days. What does Sonos have to say to that? “Awesome! Great! Let’s work with it!” With the Sonos ZonePlayer 90, you can easily connect your home theater to the device without any added wires, cords, or bulky electronics. Now you’re ready to start wirelessly streaming music from your smartphone, iTunes library, or any Internet radio station.

But let’s say you’re starting from scratch. You’ve just moved into your first apartment, and all you have is a pair of speakers you took from the basement. Don’t worry! Sonos doesn’t judge! The ZonePlayer 120 comes fully prepared with a digital amplifier and a simple connection to your speakers. And if you want to stream your music to, let’s say, your bedroom, you can easily integrate a Sonos Play:5  which comes packed to the core with 5 speakers, an amplifier, and the ability to wirelessly connect to other Sonos devices. Imagine the possibilities!

The Controls
Once you’ve set up your Sonos system, it’s time to start controlling your experience. Download the free app from the iTunes App Store and you’re instantly connected to all your music. Browse music online or play your favorite song on your music library. And because all or your Sonos devices are wirelessly connected, you can control the song playback and volume collectively or individually for each Sonos Player.

It’s time to start thinking about your music’s true potential. With Sonos, “unlimited” can be your new favorite word.

-Ela

 

Hurricane Irene is On Her Way!

You've probably already made it to the store to stock up on the essentials & non-perishable items, as well as made sure you have batteries & candles in case of power-loss.  

We're all great at preparing ourselves for bad weather, but it's easy when going down the checklist to forget about your home electronics.  In light of that, we'd like to give you a few tips on what to do to minimize damage to your system.

Make sure you are prepared for the worst: In case of the need to submit an Insurance claim, make sure you have pictures of your system pre-damage!

High-Winds & Flooding:

• Debris can go flying when high-winds are involved.  Especially if your home is in an extremely high-risk area, you'll want to make sure your windows are covered, and that - if possible - you've moved your electronic equipment as far away from windows as possible.

• Elevate any equipment that's on a floor to protect from water damage.

 

Lightning:

• If you don't have surge protection on your equipment (Read why this is so crucial), you'll want to make sure you've unplugged the equipment prior to thunder & lightnight storms to protect it from any lightning strikes.

• Surge Protectors are great for the unexpected, but even with a surge protector, when you have fair warning you'll still want to unplug everything including the COAX cable from your cable box or satellite box, as those can also lead to surge. 

• Be aware that surges can also occur when the power comes back on!

 

Loss of Power:

• Remember: Wireless devices do not always mean they don't have wires!

• Be prepared that extended loss of power can reset equipment back to the factory default settings. So, when power returns, items may require a service call to have audio/video and/or calibrations settings reset.  If you find this is the case, please give us a call and we'll be happy to get a field technician out to your house ASAP.

 

Boredom:

• Remember, lots of entertainment options go out the window when there's no power!  Having battery-powered items (like the Arcam rCube or Sonos Play 5) & battery-powered chargers for small items, such as your phone, iPod/iPad, and Portable DVD player can come in handy, especially when the boardgames just aren't taking care of the kids! Are your playlists up to date? 

• What did people do before the internet?  No Power = No internet. (Unless 3G is up and running and you have the ability to connect through 3G, make sure you have options for entertainment that's can be used offline)

• Here's a list of offiline activities to share with your kids!

• To our streaming music fans out there (perhaps you have MOG, Rdio, or Spotify): Be sure that playlists have been downloaded.

• Headphones are always a great resource for during a power outage (as long as your iPod's charged up!), but keeping yourself calm & occupied are always important.  Remember, if your headphones use batteries, to keep extra batteries available.

 

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All in all, it's most important to take care of yourself, family, and friends!  Please stay safe this weekend!

-The Gurus at Gramophone

 

P.S. Last Minute In-Stock Products for Hurricane Preparedness

Surge Protectors: Don't be fooled: Those $15 powerstrips aren't going to protect your equipment...

Arcam rCube Portable & Battery-Powered: 8 continuous hours of high-quality audio output! That's quite a bit of music, podcasts, etc. to listen to while the power's out!

Oh, hey! And we're having a sale!

What’s That Cable Do Again? A Simple Guide to All Things Wire and Cable Related

Just a simple little guide to wires & cables...

PS3 to TV
So you love your PlayStation 3, right? Me too. But how do you get the most out of your gaming system? Simple. You just need to use the right cable. First off, you need to know what kind of screen resolution you’re playing in. If your television supports HD, you’ll need a HDMI or component AV cable, which are sold separately from your system. HDMI cables are the only cables that support gaming in 1080p. If you’re gaming on an older television, you can use the AV cable that comes with your PS. 

   HDMI cable                     

Component AV cable


Laptop to TV
If you enjoy watching your TV shows on your laptop, why not give yourself the gift of a larger screen by connecting your laptop to your television? HDMI cables currently give the highest quality connection. However, many laptops don’t support the HDMI input, so you may need to buy a DVI cable, as well. Another option is a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter. The Mini DisplayPort was originally developed by Apple for Mac laptops, but many newer PCs are also equipped with the DisplayPorts. Connect an HDMI cable to the Mini DisplayPort and you can view screen quality in 1080p resolution.

              DVI cable        

       

Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter


Blu-Ray/HD-DVD to TV
Blu-ray players and HD-DVDs are the next best thing to the live show. Hook them up to get the best audio and video and you’re set! To watch your Blu-ray discs in HD, you’ll need an HDMI cable or a component video cable. Audio can be a bit more tricky if your receiver doesn’t accept HDMI cables. In this scenario, you’ll have the option between a digital coax cable or a optical toslink digital audio cable. With these cables, you won’t have audio equal to that of HDMI, but you’ll get a resolution up to twice that of a standard DVD! Happy watching!

Component video cable                

Digital coax cable                    

Toslink digital audio cable

-Ela

 

 

BDI Sequel Office Furniture - Stylish, Modern, and Functional

BDI doesn’t design home furnishings. BDI is design. By maintaining a  clear focus on style and an attention to detail, BDI furniture unites functionality with an aesthetic display. From the corporate office to the home theater, BDI features innovative engineering. Adjustable shelving, hidden wheels, and a cable management system allow you to organize and seamlessly blend your technology into your space. Contemporary, finished designs offer flexibility for a limitless number of customizable configurations, allowing you to build the perfect setup for any sized room. BDI knows, design is way more than just looking good.

Over the past few months, we have come into work each morning dropping our bags on the desk, flipping through note pads, and proceeding to sit down to the computers to begin the marketing department’s day. We eat our lunch in the office as we work, drink our afternoon coffee, and frequently take the journey to the showroom for the ever-impressing demonstrations of speakers, televisions, and iPod docks. But unbeknown to us, we are still in part of the showroom, in fact, using part of the showroom every single day. That is, the entire marketing office is filled with the line of BDI Sequel office furniture.

Now that we take the time to really pay attention to our desks, drawers, and cabinets, Sequel is definitely as stylish as it is functional. With expansive desktop space to hold stacks of notes and folders, a computer monitor, office supplies, and to not even look cluttered, well, that takes skill. The smooth black glass top is incredibly easy to clean, especially when the all too familiar coffee ring decides to strike. The leg room is significant and the storage is ample. But the best part? Every wire is concealed in the back panel so nothing is tangled and everything is neat. The drawer even has a pull down front so even the largest, clunkiest keyboard can be stored neatly yet accessibly.

So with so much style, how do you make BDI home office furniture look even better? Simple, you add the sound. The MM-1 desktop speakers from Bowers & Wilkins (more well-known as B&W) are a perfect addition to your Sequel furniture. And unlike most compact desktop speakers, the MM-1’s bypass your computer’s audio jack and connect directly to the USB port, delivering unparalleled sound to simply make your work day better.

-Julia and Ela

Ela's Internship Experience

I started searching for a summer internship in February. I was interviewed for 3 positions, was hired at 2, and worked at 1. That final number would of course apply to Gramophone. After 3 months, countless hours, and just 2 days left of my internship, I’m proud to say I’ve accomplished a lot. Wait! Pause. Did you just read that right? Did Ela, a first-time employee with minimal (if any) experience in the business world, actually carry out and complete real tasks? I’m here to tell you that I did. And through the 3 months of my summer internship, I’m even more proud to say that I couldn’t be happier with my experience. (Read More...)

5 Upcoming Baltimore/Washington Concerts You Can’t Miss

Summer is winding down and the fall breeze is setting in, well not for me because I’m heading back to Miami! But for those of you still in Baltimore or D.C., here are five concerts that, if I was here, I definitely would not miss.

1. Thievery Corporation

When: Saturday, August 20th

Where: Kastles Stadium at The Warf

Time: 5:00 pm

Tickets: Available from Ticketmaster

Why you should go: Thievery Corporation has a great sound and an edgy twist as alternative electronic. Some of you might recognize them from Garden State featuring Zach Braff and Natalie Portman, with their song “Lebanese Blonde” featured on what is one of the best soundtracks of all time. Still not convinced? Check out the new movie Crazy Stupid Love in theaters now featuring Thievery Corporation’s own “The Numbers Game” and their collaboration with David Byrne “The Heart’s a Lonely Hunter”.

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Does alternative electronic not quite strike your fancy? How about the good ole classics, Classic Rock that is.

2. Lynryd Skynyrd

When: Saturday, August 20th

Where: Shine Field at Aberdeen Proving Ground

Time: 7:30 pm

Tickets: Available from Ticketmaster

Why you should go: As if Lynryd Skynrd is a name that sells itself, these guys sure know how to rock a stage, after all they are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers! Also to perform is The Doobie Brothers, so it’s no doubt going to be an incredible show.

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Feeling a little blue? Big names in Jazz and Blues are heading to DC!

3. B.B. King and Buddy Guy

When: Tuesday, August 30th

Where: DAR Constitutional Hall

Time: 7:30 pm

Tickets: Available from Ticketmaster

Why you should go: Taglined “One Night, Two Legends” you won’t be disappointed. Two Grammy award winning artists - one a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and the other ranked in the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” - both extremely talented guitar/voice soloists teams up to give you an incredible evening you’ll never forget.

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Looking for something a little more...modern? One bright act is lighting up Baltimore.

4. All Time Low

When: Sunday, September 4th

Where: Maryland State (Timonium) Fairgrounds

Time: 7:00 pm

Tickets: Available from Ticketmaster

 

Why you should go: For starters, ticket prices include the admission to the fair, so its a perfect way to end a day out with the family or have fun with your friends. But most of all, its always great to support local artists, especially when the decide to come home. And, All Time Low is definitely known for making home shows memorable, like playing their debut songs.

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Or, have you been struck with House fever? One of the biggest names in the world famous Ultra Music Festival lineup is coming to DC!

5. Bassnectar

When: Saturday, September 24th

Where: DC Armory

Time: 7:00 pm

Tickets: Available from Ticketmaster

Why you should go: Living in Miami, the US host of Ultra and the booming scene for electronic dance music Bassnectar is a regular visitor. But now DC is amping up their music to attract the younger crowds and this show is no exception. Get ready for a fun filled, energy required night.

Enjoy!

-Julia

Julia's Internship Experience

I am no stranger to Gramophone. My dad has been a proud owner of several products/systems and just has the biggest smile on his face when ever he walks in the front door. He’s a musician and a movie enthusiast with an incredible Vinyl/CD/DVD collection to boot. My dad has certainly handed down his love for all things music/movie/ and electronic related so ever since I was a wee tot, I joined on his trips to Gramophone. Okay well maybe that’s exaggerating just a bit, but I have definitely had my fair share of...(Read More...)

Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights, Brighter Future

Before I write these reviews, I scan through recently released albums on iTunes, browse through small seemingly unknown bands I’ve never heard of, and eventually find an album worth harping on for more than 5 minutes. My biggest test is to see if I can listen through the whole album, start to finish, at least once, without the urge to skip to the next song. And, if you knew me, you’d realize how incredible that must make an album, considering I’ve had a love affair with the next button for as long as I’ve been aware of its existence. I read about the band, their history and how they came to be, and finally I read plenty of reviews already written about the album to see how I can bring new insight to the table.

So now, before I proceed to do just that, I feel the overwhelming urge to bring attention to one particular reviewer’s spiralling downfall - Rolling Stone. What was once a magnificent publication that used to write such awe-inspiring articles practically driving you to buy the albums that instant, is just dreadfully out of touch. For goodness sake, they’ve recently written articles titled “Rebecca Black Leaves School Due to Bullying” and “Why Rebecca Black's Much-Mocked Viral Hit 'Friday' Is Actually Good” - two titles I never expected to see on TMZ or Tiger Beats let alone Rolling Stone! It pains me to even mention her name in this article for fear of giving too much recognition.

With that in mind I was less than thrilled reading the “Editor’s Choice” review of Gary Clark Jr.’s new EP. Granted I do believe the man has incredible talent but Rolling Stone failed to recognize Clark for his feats and instead made an all too terrible review of how he sounds like 18 too many rock and blues greats. Alright already we get that he has serious skill! And now for a more telling review.

Background

Gary Clark Jr. of Austin, Texas is a guitarist and actor, often pegged as the “Savior of Blues”. His work is unique yet familiar, a modern twist to an otherwise antique style, combining rock & roll and blues. To date, Clark has released 2 EPs and has appeared in the film Honeydripper, contributing 3 songs to the soundtrack. His most recent EP titled The Bright Lights was released on August 8, 2011 by Warner Bros. Records.

The Album

The four-track begins with an undoubtedly southern rock anthem fitting for the opening to any super charged blockbuster or prime-time cable TV show. The catchy “bright lights, big city, goin’ to my head” chant lends itself incredibly well to the insane guitar solos and blues twang. The following track, “Don’t Owe You A Thang” keeps up with the heavy rock with blues intertwined and kick-ass guitar riffs, featuring a vocal phenomenon making it hard to believe that Clark is only 27. Suddenly breaking from the now expected distorted guitar is a couple of live solo electric acts, “Things are Changin’ ” and “When My Train Pulls In,” demonstrating the young talents versatility from powerful and instrumental hard rock to soft vocally driven ballads.

Intrigued? Check out Gary Clark Jr.’s new EP The Bright Lights on iTunes.

 

How Many Times Can I Use the Word “Blog”?

Blogging is in the air! Well the Gramophone air, that is. From a blogging event to a new blog site, we’re in that blogging spirit.




The Event: Social Media Club of Baltimore

On Thursday evening, August 11th, Gramophone hosted a blogging panel and happy hour sponsored by the Social Media Club of Baltimore. The panel featured expert bloggers - Jill "Scary Mommy" Smokler, Scott Paley, Sunday Stilwell of Extreme Parenthood, and Rachael King - who explored the uses ofsocial media to promote, engage, and expand a brand. 

My contribution? Driving to Fells Point to pick up the oh-so-fittingly named Dangerously Delicious Pies. The star of that show being the Baltimore Bomb, Berger cookie pie awesomeness, yea it exists. 

The Site: See it. Hear it. Love it.

So, in great spirits over a successful and informative blogging event, we prepare for the long-awaited and slightly overdue launch of the new and improved See it. Hear it. Love it. Blog! Mark your calendars because the Beta Version launch is Monday, August 15! Explore the iPad-friendly interface while learning all things cool, awesome, and fun in the electronics, music and movie worlds.

-Julia

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*ATTENTION: Guest bloggers wanted!

All published posts will include links back to the author’s primary blog site. A minimum of 3 published posts will establish a “Featured Author” title included with a picture and bio. Oh and just to thank you for your support, Gramophone will award a $250 Gramophone gift card to each author upon the completion of 25 published posts! Interested in becoming a guest blogger? Shoot an email to khudkins@gramophone.com with the subject line: Guest Blogging Opportunity.

 

Why I Want the Geneva Model S, and You Will Too!

I must admit, speakers really kind of bore me. Not to say I don’t appreciate great sound, but I’m not one to enjoy listening to over ten types of good speakers only to try my hardest to find the slightest differences. Instead I tend to go by looks, so what if that might be a little shallow? But with Gramophone’s selection of the only best quality products, I think we’re all entitled to shop purely on style.

So why did I pick the Geneva? Mainly that it’s perfect for my college lifestyle being that it’s a portable single unit, with one, yes one, cord. The model S, for small, is hardly a compromise on sound and features. Outfitted with an iPod dock, twin speakers, and an amplifier, the Model S is no ordinary gadget. The ultra-sensitive TouchLight menu operates the Model S with just a few taps of your finger. You would never know that the petite modern box with a sleek glossed finish would have high-tech hidden touch controls and excellent sound quality to boot.

The Model S by Geneva is a small but mighty device. Academy Award winning sound designer Per Hallberg speaks of the impressive full range audio capabilities of the Geneva Model S: “It pretty much blew me away,” he said.


Geneva also prides itself on making their pieces part of your design and acting like furniture. Each speaker system is encased in wood cabinetry made by hand, sanded by hand, hand lacquered, hand buffed, and hand polished, available in a variety of chic modern colors. Each piece takes one full week to complete so I know the Geneva is made to perfection.

Think you could be sold? How about this - the Geneva Model S is only $299 and starting August 15th, we’ll even pay the sales tax!

-Julia