Play Zone Console - Plug&Play

Got this for my son for Christmas! He loves it...

My son wanted a ferrofluid bottle for Christmas and I didn't think it was that big a deal. He let me know right before Christmas that was one of the things he really wanted.So I ordered a cheap $30 ferrofluid bottle. But then I saw this and thought, "Maybe this will be cool too."Boy was I right!! He LOVES this gift and while it wasn't super cheap, it was by far and away his most appreciated gift and I felt really good about it because it showed I was listening and I went above and beyond what he had asked for.That said, how well does it work. It is pretty solid. You aren't going to get wild, bottle filling gyrations, but it does dance with music or talk. It responds very well to lower frequencies. And it is very neat that it has a battery, so when you unplug it and haul it around, you don't have to plug it in again to get it to work.This is a really clever design, would be great for a science teacher, and for any science minded person who "has everything." My son wanted a ferrofluid bottle for Christmas and I didn't think it was that big a deal. He let... My son wanted a ferrofluid bottle for Christmas and I didn't think it was that big a deal. He let me know right before Christmas that was one of the things he really wanted.So I ordered a cheap $30 ferrofluid bottle. But then I saw this and thought, "Maybe this will be cool too."Boy was I right!! He LOVES this gift and while it wasn't super cheap, it was by far and away his most appreciated gift and I felt really good about it because it showed I was listening and I went above and beyond what he had asked for.That said, how well does it work. It is pretty solid. You aren't going to get wild, bottle filling gyrations, but it does dance with music or talk. It responds very well to lower frequencies. And it is very neat that it has a battery, so when you unplug it and haul it around, you don't have to plug it in again to get it to work.This is a really clever design, would be great for a science teacher, and for any science minded person who "has everything." View More

yeah, this thing is terrific

This was a speculative purchase for me. Kind of expensive, not sure if it would look good or really work.Turns out the whole family loves it. The video shows how it works — music is playing in the room (not from the device) and the ferrofluid dances around. Backlighting makes it work and stand out. It looks like an AI animation but it’s a physical, real-world effect. I was also worried that it would look/feel like a cheap thing but it’s nicely solid and dense and feels like it’s quality-made in your hand. Charging is easy with a USB C port.One caveat — don’t leave the magnet permanently attached to the glass … it will magnetize the ferrofluid, or at least that’s what I think happened to me.Great purchase, would buy again and will probably gift come winter. This was a speculative purchase for me. Kind of expensive, not sure if it would look good or really work.Turns... This was a speculative purchase for me. Kind of expensive, not sure if it would look good or really work.Turns out the whole family loves it. The video shows how it works — music is playing in the room (not from the device) and the ferrofluid dances around. Backlighting makes it work and stand out. It looks like an AI animation but it’s a physical, real-world effect. I was also worried that it would look/feel like a cheap thing but it’s nicely solid and dense and feels like it’s quality-made in your hand. Charging is easy with a USB C port.One caveat — don’t leave the magnet permanently attached to the glass … it will magnetize the ferrofluid, or at least that’s what I think happened to me.Great purchase, would buy again and will probably gift come winter. View More

Finally, an Awesome Audio Visualizer!

Keep in mind, this is NOT a speaker. The listing DOES say it's not a speaker somewhere too. But anyway, I've tried tons of audio visualizers over the years, and it just seems like nothing really goes with the music. At least, no so that you can really tell it does. Some kind of go with the music, but nothing compares to how well this ferrofluid goes with it. You can use the magnet it comes with to play with it while it's turned off, but the real magic happens when it's turned on and close enough to an audio source. Which brings to mind the only real downside, in my opinion. To detect the audio that makes the ferrofluid move, there's a mic on the back. And while it still detects audio pretty well, at this price point it would be nice if it had the ability to increase and decrease the mic's sensitivity. Other than that, it comes with a cord with a regular USB-A connection on one side and a USB-C connection on the other side. No little power brick that plugs into the wall, but that's pretty standard these days. Also, the cord isn't something that's just to provide power that needs to be plugged in all of the time. No, it's actually for recharging this device, which means it CAN be operated wirelessly.And one more thing. If you order this and it comes with a big ugly air bubble in it, just put in for a replacement and it should be replaced with no problem. Sure, it's aggravating to have to do that, but I promise it's worth it. I just wish Amazon would quit putting their stickers on the actual product boxes of everything they ship, that has the kind of adhesive on it that can only be described as, "Evil." Keep in mind, this is NOT a speaker. The listing DOES say it's not a speaker somewhere too. But anyway,... Keep in mind, this is NOT a speaker. The listing DOES say it's not a speaker somewhere too. But anyway, I've tried tons of audio visualizers over the years, and it just seems like nothing really goes with the music. At least, no so that you can really tell it does. Some kind of go with the music, but nothing compares to how well this ferrofluid goes with it. You can use the magnet it comes with to play with it while it's turned off, but the real magic happens when it's turned on and close enough to an audio source. Which brings to mind the only real downside, in my opinion. To detect the audio that makes the ferrofluid move, there's a mic on the back. And while it still detects audio pretty well, at this price point it would be nice if it had the ability to increase and decrease the mic's sensitivity. Other than that, it comes with a cord with a regular USB-A connection on one side and a USB-C connection on the other side. No little power brick that plugs into the wall, but that's pretty standard these days. Also, the cord isn't something that's just to provide power that needs to be plugged in all of the time. No, it's actually for recharging this device, which means it CAN be operated wirelessly.And one more thing. If you order this and it comes with a big ugly air bubble in it, just put in for a replacement and it should be replaced with no problem. Sure, it's aggravating to have to do that, but I promise it's worth it. I just wish Amazon would quit putting their stickers on the actual product boxes of everything they ship, that has the kind of adhesive on it that can only be described as, "Evil." View More

Awesome Gift!

This little dude just hangs around and vibes along to music with you. I cannot stress this enough, it is NOT A SPEAKER! Be aware of that because it is meant to be an accessory and interactive decoration. With that being said, let's discuss the build quality. Man, it is straight-up premium. I had high expectations and they have exceeded it with their choice of materials and design. The ferrofluid also adds another level of interactivity and pizzaz to your table or anywhere you put it. This little dude just hangs around and vibes along to music with you. I cannot stress this enough, it is... This little dude just hangs around and vibes along to music with you. I cannot stress this enough, it is NOT A SPEAKER! Be aware of that because it is meant to be an accessory and interactive decoration. With that being said, let's discuss the build quality. Man, it is straight-up premium. I had high expectations and they have exceeded it with their choice of materials and design. The ferrofluid also adds another level of interactivity and pizzaz to your table or anywhere you put it. View More

Easy To Install One of the best things I’ve bought!

I love everything about this speaker. How bright it is, how sleek it looks like in front of my monitors and how it moves! Also 8 hours of battery!!! Went ahead and ordered another 2 for my family’s Xmas gifts and a big one for the living room! I love everything about this speaker. How bright it is, how sleek it looks like in front of my monitors... I love everything about this speaker. How bright it is, how sleek it looks like in front of my monitors and how it moves! Also 8 hours of battery!!! Went ahead and ordered another 2 for my family’s Xmas gifts and a big one for the living room! View More

Brilliant

Just wow! Wasn't sure about this at first, but after seeing it in action, I'm hooked. The way it visualizes my favorite tunes is simply out of this world. Had a minor issue with a small scratch on the glass, but customer service was top-notch and quickly sent a replacement. It’s more than just a visualizer; it’s a conversation starter. Everyone who comes over is fascinated by it. A fantastic addition to my home office setup! Just wow! Wasn't sure about this at first, but after seeing it in action, I'm hooked. The way it visualizes... Just wow! Wasn't sure about this at first, but after seeing it in action, I'm hooked. The way it visualizes my favorite tunes is simply out of this world. Had a minor issue with a small scratch on the glass, but customer service was top-notch and quickly sent a replacement. It’s more than just a visualizer; it’s a conversation starter. Everyone who comes over is fascinated by it. A fantastic addition to my home office setup! View More

 I’d rate all the stars if I could

Bought this on a whim for my home studio, and it's become the centerpiece. Initially concerned about the durability, especially with two curious cats around, but it's proven to be quite sturdy. The ferrofluid movement is so captivating, especially with ambient tracks. I did notice a tiny leak after a few months, but the customer support was incredible, offering helpful tips and even a discount on my next purchase for the inconvenience. Truly a piece of art that doubles as entertainment. Bought this on a whim for my home studio, and it's become the centerpiece. Initially concerned about the durability, especially... Bought this on a whim for my home studio, and it's become the centerpiece. Initially concerned about the durability, especially with two curious cats around, but it's proven to be quite sturdy. The ferrofluid movement is so captivating, especially with ambient tracks. I did notice a tiny leak after a few months, but the customer support was incredible, offering helpful tips and even a discount on my next purchase for the inconvenience. Truly a piece of art that doubles as entertainment. View More

Maybe I just had bad luck

The customer service from the seller has been fantastic. For that alone, I am changing my review to 5 stars. I’ve attached two pictures; one depicting the melted fluid and the second showing a replacement unit I was provided free of charge with a small interior bubble defect. The seller clarified that these are hand blown glass fabrications so defects happen. It DOES NOT IMPAIR THE DEVICE IN ANY WAY. It is purely cosmetic and because this will be on camera I just don’t want it to have the mark. It works beautifully and I’ve already gotten so many compliments from family and coworkers. They were kind enough to give me a discount due to the issue as well. Stellar service. The customer service from the seller has been fantastic. For that alone, I am changing my review to 5 stars.... The customer service from the seller has been fantastic. For that alone, I am changing my review to 5 stars. I’ve attached two pictures; one depicting the melted fluid and the second showing a replacement unit I was provided free of charge with a small interior bubble defect. The seller clarified that these are hand blown glass fabrications so defects happen. It DOES NOT IMPAIR THE DEVICE IN ANY WAY. It is purely cosmetic and because this will be on camera I just don’t want it to have the mark. It works beautifully and I’ve already gotten so many compliments from family and coworkers. They were kind enough to give me a discount due to the issue as well. Stellar service. View More