Xterra Vortex 4 Wetsuit Review

Xterra sent me a wetsuit to train in and use for my 70.3 race. It’s a good thing they did because I otherwise would have donned my green bikini, spray painted myself black and called it good.

Ease of Getting On and Off:

Due to weather, I only got to use my wetsuit twice before the race.  Wait, that’s a lie. I did use it the day it arrived. In the bathtub. Go ahead, label me “dork” and tell me to “get a life.” It doesn’t hurt me:

I can’t say I love the feeling of putting on a wetsuit. It is similar to stuffing a swollen foot into a too-small shoe or a beefy sausage into a straw.

Chris from Polar USA gave me a good tip that made things slightly easier: put plastic bags over my feet before putting my legs into the wetsuit. This made it slide on much easier, but then there is still the struggle of pulling it up around your crotch. I always felt like I couldn’t get it high and snug enough, kind of like a saggy pair of panty hose. That is my malfunction, not Xterra’s.

I was always careful to put Body Glide on my ankles, wrist and neck so stuff would not rub and the wetsuit would hopefully peel off my body easier. I actually watched some videos on You Tube about how to remove a wetsuit quickly, and this helped. The Vortex is actually quite easy to get off in a hurry.

Getting a wetsuit on is a pain regardless of brand. I don’t think the Vortex performed any differently than other wetsuits of similar style.

Fit and Appearance:

The Vortex 4 is a full wetsuit. I debated weather to go sleeveless, but in the end decided I’d rather have the sleeves for increased buoyancy as well as warmth if I ever do a colder climate race (hint, hint). I’m glad I went with the full, even though the day of the race was very warm and the water temps were 74 degrees. I was worried I would sweat like a prostitute in church, but I never felt hot, probably because the air temps were still cool at 6:45 a.m..

I ordered the size small, which at 5’5” and 110 lbs. is a good fit for me. I ordered it online without trying on first, but found the manufacturers’ size charts to be spot on. I actually ordered the Vortex 3, but was sent the 4.

It is slick in appearance and highlights my boyish figure. I like the bold yellow “X’ on the front. It screams, “I am tough, don’t mess with me.” I think I scared a lot of people.

Performance and Comfort:

Being my first wetsuit, I cannot do much of a comparison with other brands. I can say, however, that the suit was comfortable and performed well for me. I also never noticed restrictions to my arm stroke while swimming. Flexibility in the arms and chest was good. Mind you, I am not the most stellar swimmer, but I found the suit very easy to move around in. Buoyancy was noticeable due to the suit’s 5mm layer of neoprene (the thickest layer available that is still legal in races) that extends from the neck to the ankles on the front side of the wetsuit. While I did not need it, I think this thicker layer would also provide extra warmth if necessary.

Drawbacks:

I cannot say if this is an issue with Vortex suits, or just wetsuits in general, but I was surprised at how easily the suit got nicks in the neoprene. I only wore it twice before I noticed two small gauge marks which I assume came from my fingernails (see fingernail shape below). I had been exceptionally careful when putting it on and taking it off, so this was surprising. It is frustrating because I had deliberately cut my nails short, so I am not sure what else one can do to avoid this. I’m thinking about total fingernail extraction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost: $400 with free shipping. This is for the Vortex 3. I could not find pricing for the Vortex 4, but am assuming it is comparable.

Bottom Line:

A good quality wetsuit is not cheap, and the Vortex 4 is no exception. Having only been able to train in it twice and race in it once, I cannot attest to how the quality of the suit holds up over time. I can say, however, that Xterra suits have an amazing track record and that they perform well. My experience was that it was a comfortable and flexible suit that provided exceptional buoyancy. I am eager to train in it more consistently and to test it in colder conditions.

Xterra, thank you for your generosity in sending me the suit. I’m excited to put it through some tough training in the future!

SUAR

Fine Print: Xterra Wetsuits sent me this item free of charge in exchange for my unbiased review.

Winner & “A Day in the Life”

The winner of the Active Band $50 giveaway is #79 Allison from (Mis)Adventures of the Johnson Jocks. Wonder if they know Harry Beaver. Congrats! Shoot me an email at beth@shutupandrun.net and I’ll let you know how to claim your prize!

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Everyone once in awhile I will do these “day in the life” posts. Not because I think my life is that interesting; really it’s not. I do it because I want other people to do it. PLEASE! I know you all through this crazy blogging world, but I really don’t know the ins and outs of your days.

In and out. In and out. TWSS.

The blog only tells so much. It is an overview. Everyone once in awhile, we need to share the minutia. The mundane. The stupid. Lord knows I have a lot of that going on.

The cool thing about my life and why I love it so much is that no two days are in any way the same. I work from home, so the unraveling of my day is based on kids’ schedules, my workload, my training plan and letting the dog out back to shit.

A Day in the Life

5:30 a.m. Get the damn coffee going before I lose my momentum:

5:40 a.m. Take out the recycle (which tells a lot about someone) while coffee brews:

5:45 a.m. Take some drugs (meth and crack not pictured):

5:50 a.m. Feed this lump of precious stinky fur. He is looking at you with that one eye. Yes, that is my bike in the dining room. It is the only safe place for a bike. Climate controlled. Free of robbers. My mom HATES that I do that. Moms think dining rooms are for fine china, not Treks.

6:00 a.m. Head to the pool with Scooby Do towel for some early morning laps:

6:15 a.m. Grab a lane, preferably one without band aids, hairballs or feces:

7:10 a.m. Put on running stuff and head out from the pool:

7:30 a.m. Arrive at middle school to coach some cross country:

7:40 a.m. Run three miles with these girls (my victims)

8:15 a.m. Head home and notice my car looks like I am homeless. But I bet yours does too.

8:20 a.m. Also notice how I carry around half eaten food on my seat. Them are some perfect bite marks.

8:21 a.m. My car console has to be one of an athlete in training (cereal, Z bars, GPS, sunscreen and Altoids so I can impress the pussy posse).

9:15 a.m. Wake up this kid because he is getting braces off today. Drive him to dentist.

9:40 a.m. But first stop at Starbucks for hit #2 of caffeine for the day

9:45 a.m. You can tell I handed the camera over to Sam. Some unknown person’s butt. Is it yours?

9:46 a.m. Enter Starbucks. Try to take pictures of baristas but they inform me this is “strictly prohibited.” Whatever. I tell them I’m just having fun and FINE I will only post pictures of myself.

9:50 a.m. Grande coffee with extra extra cream and I’m ready to roll. I don’t get Sam anything because he always wants the $6 frap and I’m not that nice. I even have a coffee bag with a free coupon on it. I am frugal (cheap) that way.

10:00 a.m. Greeted by this dear friend, Kathy, at the dentist. She makes me look bad with her perfect hair and stunning outfit. Very, very bad.

10:15 a.m. Sam in all of his braces-removal-glory. I wish I had a multi colored shirt like that. Where do the dentists get those?

11:00 a.m. Check out those pearly whites:

11:05 a.m. The orthodontist office gives him a gift bag with all the “bad” candy in it. I love them for it.

High noon. Make myself a quick lunch (grilled ham/cheese with tomato and Dijon because I am fancy like that)

12:30 p.m. Trip to the grocery store. Yes, I look very serious when I shop. And yes I do need a hair cut and color.

12:50 p.m. Emma thinks she is two years old again. No dammit, I do not have a penny for that dirty thing.

1:30 p.m. Family stop off at Coldstone. I go for the “Like It”:

1:45 p.m. I make kids use their gift cards because I am cheap and no way am I spending $4 for a glorified scoop of ice cream with a couple mix ins.

1:50 p.m. I love summer. I love my kids. But only when I’m holding ice cream.

2:00 p.m. until late into the deep dark night. Me and my computer make love. Reports to be written. Training plans to be thought out. Blog posts to be read. Emails to answer. Twats to be made.

That’s all I got.

Do you work from home or have flexibility in your days? I am a contractor for several social service agencies around here. I meet with families in their homes and write all my reports from my home office.

Does your car look like you’re homeless? What’s the weirdest thing you keep in your car? I have an airplane blanket I stole from Jet Blue. I’ve gotten lots of mileage out of that thing.

Do you like ice cream with chunks in it or just smooth? I’m a big chunk person. I LOVE Oreos and cookie dough in mine.

How do you take your coffee? Frou frou drinks or just plain ol’ Joe? I’m a plain coffee gal myself.

Post your “day in the life.” I dare you.

SUAR

Dude, Where’s My Car?

I’m not surprised I lost a couple followers on that last post.  Can’t please the masses. I guess not everyone likes to read about Harry Beavers. He’s a doctor for God’s sake. Get your head out of the gutter.

Today I tried something new. I’m not feeling 100%, but well enough to get a workout in.

I drove to the pool at 6:30 a.m. sipping some coffee and stuffing my face with a waffle sandwich on the way. I swam 1,900 yards in 42 minutes and only saw one band aid on the bottom of the pool. I then changed into my running stuff, put my crap in the car and ran home for 6 miles in 53 minutes (8:49 average). No water, no nothing. I am trying to train my body to run in summer heat without much hydration. Did I tell you that the half marathon portion of the HIM will be done in August at about noon with no shade? I’m getting a hot flash just thinking about it.

Here I am doing a post run snot rocket:

Here I am showing you my favorite running shirt from the Boulder Striders. I love it because it makes me look like I have boobs. That’s why I rarely take it off:

So, today is such a fun day because some of my favorite bloggers are descending on Boulder for the Fitness and Health Bloggers Conference. We’ve got Miss Zippy, Jason from Cook, Train, Eat, Race, Clair from Own Your Backbone, Paul from Family Fan Club, and Jill from Run with Jill. Just to name a few. Zippy and Clair are staying with me, so lots of estrogen funneling through my house this weekend!

I have been waiting months for this conference and cannot wait!! I know for a fact that Jason, Clair and I will be going to a yoga class together. I never do yoga with people I know because it makes me laugh. I don’t know why. This should be interesting. If I get kicked out for uncontrollable farting or laughing, I’ll blame them.

Any chance you will be here this weekend? Let me know so I can be sure to meet you!

Do you like to switch up your workouts/training routes or are you a creature of habit? For me, the more variety the better. I try new routes and workouts all the time.

Ever been to a conference geared towards health fitness and/or blogging? Not me. I am a virgin.

Are you offended by Harry Beaver posts? I’m sorry if you are, but there is more to life than running, biking, swimming and recovering from running, biking, swimming.

Oh crap. I forgot I have to figure out how to get my car. It’s still in the pool parking lot.

SUAR

Triathlon vs. Plain Old Running

Today I have lost my voice, literally, and I know there are some people around here who are thrilled. No yelling, nagging, singing, cussing. This virus has not, however, affected my fart capacity. That end is still going strong.

Things that are hard about losing your voice:

• It is hard to whisper road rage like, “WTF are you doing a$$hole?” while driving down the road.
• People you just meet think you are either very meek or mute. Sometimes they start using sign language. I don’t know sign language except for my ABC’s and the middle finger.
• The dog never comes when I do a yelling whisper. What is his problem?
• I can’t sit on my back porch and heckle the golfers, “Your balls hang left!” Or some other reference to balls. Working “blue balls” in somehow is the best.

ANY REMEDIES TO GET MY VOICE BACK? <- That is me yelling.

Question of the day from a reader, Marilynn: “I was wondering last night if you miss a running-only training schedule. I love that you've gotten into this triathlon training routine and what you're sharing about it but do you miss the days when you just run (almost) everyday? Maybe you can do a post on triathlon vs. plain old running training?”

I’ve actually thought a lot about this, because the two forms of training are so different.

My first love is running and as is the case with any first love, you want to “do” it all the time. Plus, logistically it is way easier to just run than to try to plan even workouts in running, biking and swimming. Not even to mention the gear involved in doing all three sports. Don’t even get me started on swim paddles, CO2 cartridges, tubes, towels, goggles, fins, and swim diapers. The planning for this type of training is ridiculous.

That said, like with anything, you get into a groove. Preparation is everything. Every Saturday I sit down with my calendar and various half ironman training plans. I come up with a time goal for the week and the types of run, bike, swim workouts I want to incorporate. I put it all into a fancy red and yellow spreadsheet and hang it on the wall. I put an extra copy in my gym bag in a Ziploc bag so I can have it with me when I swim.

The gym bag is essential. It makes grabbing and going at 6am much easier. Inside I have: two bathing suits, two pairs of goggles, iPod, iPod case, Clif bars, water bottle, towel, paddles, workout plan, pasties, thongs, etc.

As far as “do I miss the days when I just ran?” the answer is “sometimes.”

1. There is something very pure and simple about training for just one sport and putting all of your energy into excelling at that one thing.
2. Running feeds my soul. At the beginning of half ironman training in May I had a tough mentally (and physically) giving up some of my running and replacing it with swimming and biking. At first I did not enjoy those activities as much. However, as time has gone by and I’ve gotten stronger on the bike and in the pool and I’ve gotten more acquainted with those types of workouts, I’ve really embraced the multi sport thing.
3. My body has adapted to the increased training hours and the variety of workouts, as our amazing bodies will. When you only run, you only use certain muscle groups, so adding in biking and swimming has created muscle, tone and strength in new and interesting areas!

I’m sure I’ll keep doing triathlons after this, but not at all sure I will do a long distance one again. This is purely because of the amount of training time and planning involved. If all I had to do everyday was train, that would be one thing. But I have two jobs, two kids, volunteer work and marriage to tend to as well. I’m sure my friends would like to see me one day again too.

And, to be honest, I miss my friend, the marathon. We need to get re-acquainted again soon. We might have a date in the fall.

When you shift your training and you are not running as much (either due to injury, time off, or other training goals) how does it affect you mentally and physically?

Now that I’m deep into my HIM training, my physical and mental well being is spot on. I still run enough to get that runner’s release, but am enjoying the challenge of the other disciplines. It feels good to be doing something different and to be challenging myself in a new way.

SUAR

I Never Lie (Almost)

I never lie. Especially about a fart. I pride myself on that fact.  But, we were in the car with the in-laws and I was feeling self conscious.   All three rows of the Ford Explorer were in use because there are six of us. I was crammed in the back row with Emma. I let one fly. Silently.

Emma: (loud) MOM! You farted!

Me: (actually a bit embarrassed for once) No, I did not.

Emma: Yes, you did!

Mom: (deflecting) Maybe it’s the cow farm you smell. Or, someone else in the car.

Emma: Grandpa! Was that you?

Me: (snickering)

Later that night…

Me: That was me who farted in the car.

Ken: No, shit. And nice of you to blame my dad.

Me: I didn’t blame your dad. The conversation just flowed that way.

Bad daughter-in-law. BAD. You would have done the same thing.

But we did have a nice day in Estes Park visiting the Stanley Hotel (think the “Shining” movie).

This morning’s workout was 2,700 yards at the pool (that’s 108 lengths to you and me). I warmed up and did a 200/400/600/600/400/200 ladder with 5 second rest intervals. Then a cool down. Back and forth. Back and forth. Like a robot. Staring at the bottom of the pool. Trying to keep count.

The pool was teeming with pre-pubescent swim team girls. What? Is school out? Do kids like to swim? Isn’t there somewhere else for these kids to be at 7:00 a.m. on a Monday morning? Like sleeping maybe or watching Sponge Bob?

Post workout, I got out and the lifeguard said, “Since you spend so much time looking at the bottom of the pool, would you please let me know if you see hairballs or band aids that I need to clean up?”

I’m not kidding. She said that.

Sure, sister. I got your back.  Are you paying me by the hour? And, thanks for reminding me that there ARE indeed hairballs and band aids in the pool. And thanks for not mentioning turds and scabs.

Ick.

And, the goggle eyes. They really have to go.

TGO4DTF (Thank God Only 4 Days ‘Til Friday),

SUAR

Laying on the Airport Floor

Here’s what I want to know. How the hell do you do it? Fit it all in?

This half ironman training is ridiculous. I seriously do not know how anyone trains for a full ironman and ever sees friends, gets work done, reads a book, cooks a meal, takes a dump, or washes the stains out of their shorts. Or, maybe they don’t. It’s insane.

This week I am trying to do a ten hour training week.

This is harder than it sounds. This means that most days I am doing double workouts or very long workouts. Today, for example, I got up and ran 7.17 miles and a few hours later went and swam 1,800 yds. That’s a total of 1:43 in workouts for today. Might not sound like much but when I’m trying to sandwich it in between work, kids and breathing, I find it challenging.

But, I did shower today mostly because the stench of my sweat and chlorine made me gag. I might have also had a skid in my skort from the run, but I’m not saying.

And, no, there can never be a picture without my dog in it. I think he is licking my scab. Bad dog. He follows me everywhere I go. He even doggy paddled while I swam laps today.

I was thinking about something. Why is this training kicking my butt so much when I train for and run marathons? I realized that even with marathon training, I would max out at about eight hours per week.

Maybe what I feared has come to pass. I really am a pussy.

A very small part of me is questioning why I signed up for this thing. I swear, I would consider dropping out (pussy) if I hadn’t paid $250 to sign up. Well, knowing me that is a lie. I wouldn’t drop out, but I will continue to wonder if I can keep this up.

In other daily news, son Sam left to go to Chicago for four days with my mom and dad. Yes, he’s 13, but I run a prison and he’s never been away from home without me for more than two nights. I like to think I am not an overly hovering or controlling mom, but I’m sure my kids might say different. Last night while watching his baseball game I texted him.

Me: I miss you already

Sam (after the game): You do? I’m looking at you right now.

When he left today I told him to call/text me so much it was annoying. I quickly got a text with this picture:

It said, “mom and baby laying on airport floor. knew you would like this.”

Made me smile.

I lied and told him he and I used to always do that. NOT. You won't catch me doing anything on an airport floor.

And now, I had a work appointment to get to in a hurry and my car is dead. Can you come over and jump me? Not in the dark alley sense, but in the jumper cable sense?

Do you lay on floors in airports?

How do you handle high high training volume without burning out or getting bitchy?

Are you a controlling parent? I like to think I am involved, but not controlling. I may be kidding myself.

It’s only 1:57 pm, but wine might be calling my name. I’ll try to hold off until 5pm.

SUAR

Becoming a Master

This quote was brought to my attention today:

"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame".  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I think this means that we have no clue what we are REALLY capable of.

As I sit here getting ready to go to my first masters swim ever, I am feeling a loss of confidence. Wouldn't it just be easier to keep swimming on my own and not bother with this shit?

Then I have to remember that you never get anywhere by dropping out of life because you have fears and insecurities. I know to grow stronger for my half ironman I need to become a stronger swimmer and I can’t do that on my own.

What is a masters swim, you ask? Apparently, it is this:

Masters swimming is a special class of competitive swimming for swimmers 25 years or older.  Most towns or cities now have masters clubs. Typically these are very friendly and welcome newcomers. Club members will follow a set of different drills and swims each time typically covering anything from 1-3 miles. Each club will have lanes and so whilst the younger and faster swimmers who are competing nationally and regionally are at one end, the other lanes are for hobbyists who may have taken up swimming quite recently.

I really like the part about how they are friendly to newcomers and how I can have my own lane if I am slow. I also like how they use the term “whilst.” You don’t hear this every day so this must be a very classy group.

Things swirling in my head: These master’s people will all be better than me. They will make fun of me. I will drown. I will hit my head on the flip turn. I might get my period.

Bottom line fear: I will fail.

Oh, is that it? I might fail? At what? Not being the fastest or the most skilled? Big deal. Who am I trying to impress anyway?

Interesting how we psych ourselves out when we get ready to try new things. Maybe wearing my underwear will intimidate them all.

Or, perhaps I will just demonstrate my technique whilst laying on the carpet.

What are you doing that scares you (makes you grow, be better today)?

SUAR

Winner and Going Bald?

The winner of the Interval 4G Waterproof Headphone System for iPod Shuffle is #130 Lisa! She wrote:

Please email me at shutuprun@gmail.com and I’ll tell you how to claim your prize!

Moving on…

Something is wrong around here. I am going bald. How do I know this? It’s not because my hair is seeming terribly thin or you can see my scalp. It is because my family is finding my hair…in their meals.

Gross. I know.

Last week my dad came for dinner. I made Tuscan Stew. I saw him eat a bite with a long hair hanging out of his mouth. I knew it was the cook’s. I knew it was mine.

Yesterday I peeled an orange for Emma (yeah, I know she can peel it herself. I’m so damn enabling sometimes). An orange is innocent enough, but I heard her panicky voice yell, “There is a hair in my orange segment.”

And if that wasn’t enough, last night I whipped together a breakfast burrito for Sam after baseball. He’s 13 so he stuffs his face with anything edible and consumes about 13,000 calories in two seconds. As he wolfed it down, he did the “hair move” – you know the one – when you realize there is a hair in your mouth, you grab hold if it and pull it out while simultaneously gagging and making a face. I knew it was my hair because he kept pulling and pulling.

Mom you need to start wearing a hair net while you cook!

He still finished the burrito though.

Yes, it’s gross, but more than that it’s disturbing. I am only 44. A hair net is not a bad idea. I might ask the cafeteria ladies at school for one.

Here’s the thing. Maybe I’m just going through seasonal shedding, like a dog. Or hormonal changes.  Probably not a big deal.

I did hear something disturbing recently, however. About hair loss. The headline was, “Causes of Pubic Hair Loss.” Yes, balding down there with age. Dang, it sucks to get old. At least I’ll be clean shaven for the pool. No wonder those pussy posse ladies always look so trimmed. Good news is, you can buy a wig specifically for that area. It’s called a merkin. I’m not kidding. Look it up.

Do you shed? What hair care products to you use to keep your hairs healthy?

Speaking of, I’m off to the pool for 2,000 yards. Happy Friday.

SUAR

H20 Audio Waterproof Headphone System & iPod Case Review

I have something to add to my list of confessions. Yes, I lick knives and sometimes jog with scissors. But, my biggest confession for today is that I don’t really like to swim. Which is humorous, because I am doing a Half Ironman in August and it requires a bit of swimming. Just 1.2 miles or so.

For all of the time I spend in the chlorinated and hairy waters of my local pool, one would think we are having a love affair. Not the case.

Sometimes swimming feels like a chore what with having to diligently shave certain areas that I would typically ignore. Then there is the whole locker room thing involving chit-chatting with the pussy posse while we’re all naked (weird). Don’t even get me started on the black raccoon rings the goggles leave around my eyes causing me to look more old-haggish than I usually do.

But, the real reason I don’t love swimming is the endless back and forth from one end of the pool to the other. I break it up with intervals and boards and pull things between my legs. But, I still find it a bit mundane at times.

H20 Audio took pity on me on sent me a gadget to help those hundreds of laps fly by just a bit more quickly. The item?

An Interval Waterproof Headphone System and Case for my 4th Generation iPod Shuffle.

“The Interval is the only waterproof iPod case designed just for swimmers! If you’re an iTunes user, there’s no better way to bring your own personal soundtrack into the pool. The waterproof case for the iPod shuffle 4th generation has integrated Surge 2G headphones and easily attaches to almost any swim goggle. Finally swimmers can have the same advantage of training with music that dry land athletes have enjoyed for years. Train harder, swim longer and have more fun doing it with the Interval 4G.”

Pretty slick, right?

This thing intimidated me a bit.   First, I was worried my iPod would be ruined. Second, the sheer thought of figuring out how to swim with this thing was kind of a mental block. I got over it.

Prior to using the device, you test it to make sure the seal is adequate and that no water gets into the chamber. After doing this, I was confident my iPod would be okay.

Yesterday, I went to try out this baby. I loaded my iPod into the case (all pictures taken at home after the fact):

I fastened to case onto my goggle strap like so (very easy to do; don’t mind my uneven goggle straps):

I put in the headphones:

I swam for about an hour (on the carpet of course. This is a great place to train):

The conclusion? This thing rocks. Seriously. It changed the whole swim experience for me. I just got into a zone and tuned out. The laps flew by. I loved it. I never noticed or thought about the case strapped to my head. It is very lightweight and stays in place. The controls were simple to work.

I did struggle with the headphones a bit. There is a learning curve involved here. You are supposed to put them in before getting your ears wet and secure a seal. If they are placed correctly, no water should get into the ear canal at all. I was sent multiple-sized earplugs so that they would fit properly in my ear.

Yesterday’s fit was not quite right, and although the phones stayed in my ears just fine, the sound quality could have been better. I am convinced this was user error and not the fault of device because other users have had good sound quality. Once I am able to find the correct fit, I will update the review.

All I know is it beats this one-eyed contraption I was using for water running:

Bottom Line: If you like working out to music and do a lot of swimming, this might be a good investment. It is available for all iPod versions and there are armbands as well. The cost for this one is $99 and comes with the case, headphones and five sizes of earplugs (iPod sold separately).

Off to “carpet swim” because who needs a pool,

SUAR

Fine Print: The Interval Waterproof Headphone System and Case was sent to me free of charge from H20 Audio in exchange for my unbiased review.