Because we can can: CanJam Singapore 2024
Lots of audiophile love last weekend
If headphones and in-ear monitors are your thing, you probably know about CanJam Singapore. The seventh-edition of this headphone audio show took place last weekend (April 6 & 7) at the Pan Pacific Hotel, and featured brands such as Astell&Kern, iFi audio, Creative, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many, many more.
It’s basically heaven for audiophiles. We rate our ears as average at best, but it was nice getting to try out iFi’s portable Bluetooth Go Blu (which doesn’t quite break the bank at just S$249). The Go Blu is a tiny HD DAC/Amp that connects to your phone, and you plug in your expensive over-ear headphones for the most excellent sound.
We also swung by Creative’s booth where they were showing off the affordable Sound Blaster X5 external DAC and Aurvana Ace 2 earbuds. We also got to try two soon-to-be unveiled headphones — can’t wait to put them through the paces when they are released! We then checked out some expensive IEMs, and scoped out the other booths — only to realise that everything was out of our budget. The place was packed with avid audiophiles. So if you have discerning ears, and felt like you missed out, well, you’ll probably want to check out the action when CanJam returns next year.
In the meantime, here are the reviews for this week: An affordable Google Wear OS watch, a prosumer Wi-Fi 7 router from Asus, and a lightweight vacuum cleaner that’s competitively priced.
Looking for an affordable Google Wear OS watch for your Android smartphone? You can’t go wrong with the Xiaomi Watch 2 (S$239). It offers almost all the features of the higher-end Pro model, and comes in a lighter form factor. The only downsides: It’s available in only one size, and the remote camera features works only with certain Xiaomi phones.
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is the prosumer choice for early adopters of Wi-Fi 7. Like other flagship Asus gaming routers, it’s chock-full of features, many of which are intended for power users. Performance is excellent, though the range is more limited for the faster 6GHz band. However, it is pricey at S$1,099.
The Shark CleanSense IQ+ Vacuum Cleaner is a great fit for most homes with its lightweight and compact design that also offers good suction power. It comes with a dock, which charges, and empties the vacuum's bin. There are also a bunch of accessories. Battery life is good, and the price (S$899) is competitive, too.