Wild West Electronics Blog

Marantz BD7003 Blu Ray Player (Shipping Now!)

Marantz is now shipping a follow-up to its reference BD8002 Blu Ray Player. The new Marantz BD7003 is a Profile 1.1 player, so it supports picture-in-picture/BonusView content but not BD-Live Web connectivity.

The Marantz BD7003 can output 1080p/24 and pass the native bitstream of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HS Master Audio soundtracks over its HDMI 1.3 connection, but it does not have the onboard high-resolution audio decoding and multichannel analog audio outputs found on the high-end model. It's best mated with a receiver that can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD such as the Marantz SR8002, SR7002, SR6003 and SR5003 receiver models, or the also new AV8003 preamplifier processor.

The player does not have control options like RS-232 and IR, you will need to step up to the BD8002 for those features. But a discreet front-panel SD card slot is included, and the player supports MP3, WMA, JPEG, and Divx playback. At a bargain price of only $799, the new Marantz BD7003 is available now online at Wild West Electronics and is sure to be a hit among budget minded Marantz fans everywhere.

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones Set New Standard

Just arrived from Monster Cable are the new Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Just as the name implies, Monster has teamed up with famous hip-hop producer Dr. Dre and set out to design headphones that were unique with very high-fidelity that only Dr. Dre could feel comfortable endorsing. I'm not so sure Dr. Dre would be the first person to pop into mind when thinking of audiophile priced headphones, but he is in the recording industry and should be instantly recognizable to anyone slightly familiar with the Rap/Hip-Hop scene nonetheless. Let's get past the names involved here, and see if the new Monster Beats live up to their design objectives. More than three years of thorough research and development were involved in creating them.

Monster has always been synonymous with top build quality and performance and the new Beats are no exception. The sleek, metal reinforced headband combined with the soft faux leather earpads and headrest combine durability with comfort and functionality that is missing in many competing models. During use, the Beats feel much lighter than you might expect considering the materials used. Even though the earpads rest directly on the listener's ear, they don't crush your skull like other headphones. Cosmetics are always subjective and are a personal taste, but I think a lot of people will value the unique style of the Beats even if they don't care for the "beats by dr. dre" logo along to the top of the headband. This phones are sure to turn some heads while your out. 

When you first use your Beats, you'll immediately notice that there's more to them than just plugging in and enjoying your music. The reason is because they incorporate active noise canceling technology which requires the insertion of two included AAA batteries into the the back of the left earpad. You'll probably want to invest in rechargeable batteries for the future with Beats because they will not operate without the batteries and economically it makes the most sense just to use a rechargeable set. You can expect about 24 hours of continuous listening from disposable batteries before they'll need to be replaced. On the right earpad there's an on/off switch and a large button that allows for quick and easy muting of the headphones when held down. 

Instead of hardwiring a fixed cable to the Beats, Monster wisely includes two different types of detachable cables that plug into the bottom of the left earpad. If you have ever owned a set of headphone before, then you know that the cord connecting the headphones to your source is often the first thing to get damaged from normal use. By allowing for detachable connections, Monster opted for maximum flexibility while giving you quality cables to get you started. The first cable included is just a standard 3.5mm audio connector, while the other one is meant to be used with your music-enabled phone. It allows you to press the microphone button on the cable in order to talk, and then press it again to hang up. Both cables are the same length and only reach about four feet, which is a concern in some situations. The good news is that if you need a longer cord, or if you'd prefer to upgrade the quality of the cord, you can easily purchase one and use it with the Beats.  Of course, there are a number of situations where the shorter cable length is actually a plus. There are also a couple of adapters included with the Beats so you can go from 3.5mm to 6.3mm as well as a double pronged connector so you can use it on airlines. A soft carrying case and cleaning cloth are also included so you can keep your Beats protected and maintain that glossy finish. 

As far as sound quality is concerned, the Monster Beats are quite impressive. We have found there is a very good balance between all frequencies which has come to us as a surprise considering Dr Dre's involvement. We initially expected them to sound bass heavy, but this wasn't the case at all. We found the the bass to be punchy rather than boomy while we found the midrange and highs to sound exceptionally good not getting lost in any of the music we listened to. Overall, we believe you would have to spend upwards of $1000 to get the kind of sound quality we experienced from this exceptional package. At just $349.95, these new Monster Beats headphones are actually a real bargain and are available for purchasing now.