Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a stunningly high-quality photo printer
Question. I have a Canon Pixma 5320 photo printer and since my Mac’s latest update, my drivers are no longer compatible. I tried downloading new drivers from Canon, but it still does not work. Since the printer is more than 5 years old I started thinking that perhaps I should just replace it. What do you recommend in a photo printer selling for under $400 that can print 11-by-14inch photographs? I have an all-in-one inkjet for general use, and want something specifically designed to make the highest quality photo prints possible.
Your timing was spot-on, as I am in the midst of reviewing a photo printer, the first such review I have done in a while. As tablets and smartphones have become ubiquitous, there has been much less demand for reviews and recommendations of photo printers. Of course, the world needs printed photographs too, and a high-quality photo printer will surprise you with the quality photographs it can produce.
Check out the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 wide-format photo printer. It lists for $349 but can be found online for $299. It uses high quality, six-color ink system to make stunning color and black white prints up to 13x19 inches in size. I am in the midst of an in-depth test right now and have been thrilled with the results I am getting.
If you do buy the printer, I strongly, very strongly, recommend that you use only Epson photograde paper for the best results. The paper and ink are designed to match each other, and if you select the preset paper type when you click print, you will get more accurate color and overall superior quality without fuss. This is a bit of advice I have given since I first started writing this column all the way back in 2002, and it has never done me wrong. epson.com
Q: You recently reviewed and recommended the Sbode Wireless Sport Earphones in your column. They have disappeared from Amazon without a trace. Do you have any idea why? I bought a pair for my wife and she likes them quite a bit. I was considering a pair for myself, but they’re gone.
A: The Sbode Wireless Sport Earphones are indeed quite good earphones, especially for the selling price of under $30. I am not usually an earphones kind of guy, though I review them frequently in the column. For my own personal erassured gonomics, earphones are typically uncomfortable for long-term use, or they do not stay in my ears when I move around. The Sbode earphones were different, and not only did I find them comfortable, they stayed in place at the gym. That they sound good and are so affordable makes them quite an appealing buy, especially since they come with a little hard case, too.
After I received your email I reached out to Steven, Sbode’s PR representative. He apologized that the headphones were not available, and me they would be for sale again soon. He did not give a reason for the unavailability, but my guess is that they sold out quickly and the situation caught them off guard. Good news can travel fast with inexpensive products like this one, and the earphones received multiple positive reviews online. When you take that into account, I am not surprised they sold out. When they are available again I will announce it in the column.