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audio systems

Amazon’s Echo takes voice recognition for your home one step further

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Amazon Echo helps you at home

Home voice recognition systems are becoming useful and affordable.

Voice recognition for the car, Iwatch, smart phones have always been a cool idea but its usage and effectiveness has been equally frustrating at the least and wanting to rip its cords out and attach it to a bomb at the most.

Amazon’s Echo for the home claims to resolve those issues and at an affordable price. At a $180 even critics are giving it try.

Reviews are coming in saying that its “Alexa” voice is much more pleasing than SIRI. Maybe not like Scarlett Johansson in the movie Her but much more soothing than what has been out there.

Set up is easy and it’s black, tubular design makes it fit most anywhere. Most are putting it their kitchen and have it ready to answer questions about weather forecasts, recipes, schedules, road conditions and adding items to the grocery list as soon as you think of them.

It’s a speaker so you can tell it to play your favorite Pandora station. Although some reviews say there are better sounding speakers out there, the Echo does just fine for a room and, again, has the appeal and ability of becoming your home companion.

There are so many areas where Google, Apple and Amazon compete and some are saying that the Amazon Echo is the one that’s leading the pack regarding home voice automated systems.

Just another Shop RTO home audio and computer tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

Bluetooth speaker systems becoming the hot ticket

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Best bluetooth wireless speakers

Check out these tips for bluetooth wireless speakers

The vast improvement in sound quality, amplification, mobility and lowered prices are making bluetooth speakers the hot ticket. Add some unique and sleek designs to their look and they’re easily one of the hottest tickets in electronics today.

And we haven’t even mentioned the bluetooth aspect. As internet waves keep getting stronger and faster the ease and convenience make these portable, wireless speakers very attractive amongst consumers. And battery life has also improved to keep your tunes on the go for longer periods.

2015 brings in a whole new crop of quality bluetooth speakers at affordable prices ranging from $50 – $300. You need to shop around, though, as each offer benefits others don’t and vice versa. Here are some ShopRTO tips to making the best choice.

1. Make sure your iPod or portable device has bluetooth capabilities. Many older models do not.

2. Make sure you have your own radio station. With the ability to customize your own radio stations such as Pandora, your radio is just as good as your own playlist and they will find you new tunes for you already knowing your taste.

3. Do you need weather proof speakers? Because, they have them. If you’re looking for a portable system to broadcast outdoors a lot, look for the more durable, weather-proof and longer battery life models.

4. Some have carry cases, others do not. While that may not be a big deal, it is still a factor to be considered.

5. If it’s all about the bass then shop around. Many of these systems don’t have the thump as others and if it’s a big deal to you then be prepared to spend some extra cash. Again, it’s all about what room or settings you’re looking to jam your tunes.

6. Some allow for additional, wireless speakers. If you’re looking for a smaller home system to place speakers in key spots in your home then look for those with that feature. Many speaker systems do not.

7. Read the reviews on the Internet both from the experts and, especially, consumers. CNet Magazine can be a good source for both. Here’s their recent on 2015 bluetooth sound systems.

If you need to rent to own them to try before you buy or for a debt-free payment plan then shop around as some RTO stores carry them, others do not. If you do go rent to own, then make larger payments over shorter time periods to save you money.

Just another ShopRTO Home Audio tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

January is the month for home electronics

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New HD TVs

January is  home electronics month!

Consumers need to know that January is the month for  home electronics. It’s because that’s when the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas rolls out the latest gadgets for families, businesses and individuals.

The CES show is one of the biggest trade shows of the year if not the biggest. It consumes Las Vegas and shows how popular electronics are in our homes and lives. From HD TVs, Ultra HD TVs, 4K TVs, audio systems, computers and robotics.

What does this mean for you? It means all of the latest technology will now be reduced in price to make room for the newer versions. So if you’re looking for a good HD TV, tablet or audio system deal then start in January. On the flip side, if you’re wanting to be on the cutting edge of the newest products on the market, then January is the time to check them out.

If you’re like most of us and are budget conscience then prices are dropping from the low end such as a 32″ HD streaming TV to $180. Or the high end big screen Ultra HD TV that was $4000 two years ago is now under $1000. These price drops are definitely worth looking at.

Rent to own stores eye CES with 4K focus as well. Each year those TVs that were out of reach for consumers to try before they buy or want to use the debt free payment plan will now be in the price range that will fit your budget so if the rent to own transaction is your choice for this year’s electronics, make sure you check out the stores in your area to see what new offers they have.

Just another Shop RTO HDTV and Computer tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

How to enhance your home TV audio experience

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HDTV Home Audio tips

Enhance your home tv audio experience.

If you have an HDTV that looks great on screen but has an unpredictable or underwhelming sound experience then there’s several ways to help. The most simple, affordable and compact way is through a tv audio sound bar. It’s basically a sleek, horizontal speaker system that can give you a 2.0 sound or 2.1 sound with a sub woofer.

If you don’t know the numerical designation of a speaker system that tv audio geeks always blurt out then here’s a quick lesson. A basic stereo system of 2 speakers projecting sound from the left and sound to the right is a 2.0 stereo audio system. If you add a sub woofer which is the speaker that can handle the low frequency of bass sounds then you add .1. So if you have a stereo system with a subwoofer then it’s a 2.1 system.

A basic 2.1 sound system whether it’s a sound bar or two speakers with a subwoofer will make all the difference in the world especially if all you have done is listen to your TV speakers. Now going on to the next level of a 4.1 or 6.1 then you’re creating a surround sound experience which can be awesome but depends on the room and wallet.

If you go for a 4.1 then it’s basic logic on how to set it up. The first two are on the left and right of the TV and then you want the subwoofer in the middle preferable below the TV as that is where the bass frequency is in the first place. Then the next two speakers are on each side depending on the size of the room will depend where to put them but you want them half way from you and the TV and pointing at you not at each other. Then the next 6.1 system is that the two additional speakers are just behind you and pointing at you. Then you start creating the surround sound experience.

After that, you really start getting into the fancy-schmancy theater experience that we don’t care to get into because our job is provide you affordable home furnishing solutions.

There’s some other considerations you need to factor in. One of the most is cables. With a basic stereo system or a sound bar, the cables can be managed and hidden easily. If you’re going to four or more speakers then you’ll have to plan your wires very carefully to avoid an ugly wiring in your room. OR, go wireless and bluetooth as that technology is becoming much more reliable and affordable but be very thorough in your research on the best ones to buy.

But, remember, if your room or budget is small then go with a simple stereo sound and if you can throw in a subwoofer, do so. The difference is huge. For a test, throw in a DVD of a science fiction thriller-diller that has a lot of crashes, booms and laser beam sounds and you’ll really be able to tell a difference.

Just another ShopRTO Home Audio tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

These new mini stereo shelf systems are not your parent’s jam boxes?

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Home audio systems have shrunk in size but not power

Boom boxes have come a long way.

Talk about a jam box on steroids. The new evolution of the mini stereo and audio shelf systems are amazing. So, you may have to re-think your strategy when acquiring your next home stereo system. Here are some good tips to consider.

1. What space do you need the music to cover? Because you will be amazed how much power small systems have these days.

2. Are you an audio snob? If not then the smaller shelf units can carry a wollop even in a large room especially if you buy some extra speakers.

3. What about wireless speakers? Wireless are great to eliminate tacky, cumbersome cords. They’re also great for audio strategy as you have the freedom to place the speakers in tight areas and throughout the room or house. BUT, they can be unreliable at times and not as durable. Make sure you do your homework. Either buy good, cheap ones that you know will be replaced in 3 years or go with the more expensive ones if you want longevity. Wireless speakers also turn your backyard into a wonderful listening experience.

4. What is your source? If you’ve joined the 21st century and don’t use those things called “CDs” then the shelf systems with iPod docks only are cheaper and can pack a powerful audio punch. And take up a small amount of space. If you’re even further in the 21st century and use your iPhone or smart phone for your music, it’s also your radio player AND charges your phone all in the same doo-hicky.

If you’re an audio snob then these mini shelf systems are good for other rooms. But, if you’re not and looking to jam up your main rooms or multiple rooms including the backyard then these systems will fill your needs. They’re cheaper, smaller, effective and look really cool.

Just another ShopRTO ‘music to my ears’ home audio tip.

Ever heard of a Sound Bar? A simple way to better sound for your High Def TV

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Rent-to-own sound bars

Try a sound bar for your High Def TV

Back when home theater systems with 5.1 speakers (that is two front speakers, one center speaker, two rear speakers and a “.1” subwoofer) became popular, sound bars emerged as a space and clutter-saving alternative.

Not everyone wants to run speaker wire across their living room to hook up rear speakers or pay to have speakers installed more neatly. Sound bars are typically a single wide, short speaker centered above or slightly below an HDTV set that tries to mimic surround sound on its own, sometimes with the help of a subwoofer.

The surround sound effect wasn’t spectacular on early models, but sound bars have evolved. Newer ones, like a recent 42-inch sound bar released by Vizio, offer more options like a wireless subwoofer and additional satellite speakers which also don’t require speaker wiring.

That may defeat the purpose of having it all-in-one speaker, but at least the wiring is minimal.

Just another ShopRTO flat screen TV and home audio tip.

 

ShopRTO guides consumers to the best tips when decorating their homes and promotes rent to own as one of the means when shopping for affordable home furnishings.

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