Noble Audio is no stranger to making expensive, high-end audio gear that makes your ears smile. Having spent a week listening to my favorite tunes through the Noble Audio Iris, I have to say, they’re phenomenal. Intricately and beautifully designed, the Iris are a sight for sore eyes, and they’re built well, too. That’s not even the best part. The Iris boast an extremely wide soundstage with airy treble and accurate imaging.

The Iris are ridiculously comfortable IEMs, too, and you can wear them all day long with no problem. But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the eye-watering $699 price tag. Are they worth the premium when the bass lacks a punch (but that’s down to their neutral-sounding tuning) and plug replacement is a little finicky? I’m almost convinced that they are.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Noble Audio Iris review.

Noble Audio Iris review: Specs

Noble Audio Iris review: Price & availability

Noble Audio’s headphones, earbuds and in-ear monitors (IEMs) rarely come cheap, and the same goes for the Noble Audio Iris. These IEMs retail for $699 and can be bought directly from the American manufacturer. The Iris launched in July 2026 alongside the Vanguard, which are slightly cheaper at $325.

Though they sound extremely expensive, the Iris are some of Noble Audio’s cheapest IEMs, with the next most expensive IEMs, the Lu Ban, retailing for $1,399 — and the Kronos, at $4,500, are the brand’s priciest monitors. Given that context, the Iris are Noble Audio’s budget-ish IEMs.

The Iris find themselves competing with other high-end IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 600 ($699) and the Shanling Moria ($699). Are the Iris worth the money? Oh hell yes! But if you can’t afford them, the Sivga Lyrebird ($149) and Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) are phenomenal budget-friendly IEMs.

Noble Audio Iris review: Design

The Noble Audio Iris are some of the most beautiful in-ear monitors I’ve laid my eyes on. When I first unboxed them, I couldn’t stop staring at them. They feature a blue CNC-machined Micarta (a durable material made by stacking layers under heat) shell. Noble Audio’s crown insignia is engraved on and adorns each ear piece. Given their name, you can tell that they’ve been inspired by an iris flower.

In addition to looking downright gorgeous, the Iris are built extremely well and they feel solid — and let’s be honest, you wouldn’t expect any less for the premium you’re paying. The anti-tangle cable is made of high-purity copper and it looks and feels great. Similar to other IEMs, the cable can be detached from the ear pieces and replaced with another if it gets damaged.

Weatherproofing

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested, the Iris aren’t waterproof or weather-sealed. This isn’t uncommon for IEMs, though the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE ($159) are IP54-rated splash-proof — but they don’t sound anywhere near as good as the Iris. Since Noble Audio doesn’t specify an IP rating, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the Iris in the rain or during sweaty workouts. But that’s not really what IEMs are designed for anyway.

Comfort

When I first held the Iris in my palm, they felt substantial and a little heavy, and I was concerned that they wouldn’t feel very comfortable for extended wear. Boy, was I wrong. The Iris are supremely comfortable IEMs. Each ear piece weighs 0.5oz, so while they’re slightly heavier than the Sennheiser IE 600 (0.21oz each), they don’t feel unwieldy.

They fit snugly in my ears, and the braided cable wraps comfortably around each ear. The Iris didn’t fall out of my ears, even when I was bobbing my head. I wore them for a six-hour stretch without feeling any discomfort.

Controls

The Iris don’t feature an in-line remote for controlling playback, so you’ll need to use your smartphone, laptop or other audio source to play, pause, rewind and skip tracks. Again, not uncommon with IEMs.

Connectivity & drive

As is the nature of wired IEMs, the Iris need to be driven, or powered, by a power source, and there are two ways of doing so. In the box, you’ll find a 3.5mm plug as well as a 4.4mm one, and you can easily swap between the two as and when needed. The 3.5mm plug is handy for using the Iris with your laptop, while the 4.4mm jack (which separates audio into left and right channels to keep interference to a minimum) can be used with a DAC/amp, like the FiiO K11 R2R ($175).

In theory, the Iris’ termination plug should be super easy to remove. All you need to do is unscrew the bolt and then pull out the one that’s already attached, line up the four alignment pins correctly, and push it in. Et voilà. But I struggled to do so, and so did three of my coworkers. There’s a joke in there somewhere, along the lines of, “How many tech journalists does it take to unscrew a bolt?” It’s worth noting, though, that this could be down to my Iris being a pre-production sample, and this may not apply to everyone. Just try not to overtorque the fastener.

Noble Audio Iris review: Sound quality

Unlike the Sivga Lyrebird which use a quad-driver setup, or the Noble Audio Vanguard with their triple-driver configuration, the Noble Audio Iris utilizes a single 10.2mm custom dynamic driver. The single driver eliminates crossover distortion as it handles the entire frequency spectrum on its own. The Iris also features a three-layer diaphragm and a triple-chamber acoustic structure to reduce distortion and improve sound clarity.

All of these elements come together to deliver an astonishing, sublime listening experience that makes the Iris (almost) worth their asking price. I tested the Iris by listening to my favorite tunes on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, using the 4.4mm jack plugged into the FiiO K11 R2R.

When listening to ‘Time’ by Pink Floyd, I immediately appreciated the Iris’ wide soundstage which gave the track’s layered production plenty of room to breathe. Imaging feels extremely accurate as the individual percussion hits, guitar lines and atmospheric details occupied well-defined positions. The opening clocks felt especially immersive, spreading naturally across the soundstage rather than forming a flat wall of sound. Instrument separation feels excellent, too, and I felt like I was finding new details in my favorite song of all time.

I then listened to ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ by Led Zeppelin to see how the Iris handled the upper frequencies and crunchy guitar slides. The IEMs gave me newfound appreciation for the track as they reproduced the energetic character accurately, and there was plenty of sparkle in the percussion. The bite of the guitar came through with precision without making the song feel overly sharp or unpleasant.

Billie Eilish’s ‘BITTERSUITE’ proved to be an excellent test for the Iris’ mid-range, and one the IEMs passed with flying colors. Vocal presentation feels beautiful, as Billie’s haunting vocals sat front and center, sounded natural, and the Iris ensured that the instrumental arrangement didn’t get lost either. Everything felt well-balanced. I loved how textured and smooth the vocals sounded, with subtle inflections and breathiness coming through without sounding exaggerated.

The only area where the Iris fall short of perfection is bass, as I found out when listening to ‘Baby Driver’ by 070 Shake. The Iris made the track’s pounding bassline sound tight and controlled, but it lacked the oomph and pronounced rumble I thoroughly enjoyed through the Sivga Lyrebird. This was especially apparent in the distorted, electronic bassline leading up to the second verse. It’s supposed to drive the alternative R&B track but instead, the sheer force of it felt subdued. This isn't a flaw, per se, as much of Noble's gear is tuned to sound neutral, but just a pre-purchase consideration if you like meaty bass.

Listen along to my review with the Noble Audio Iris testing playlist:

Noble Audio Iris review: Verdict

The Noble Audio Iris are seriously impressive in-ear monitors, and after a week of testing, I can (almost) see why they cost as much as they do. They look drop-dead gorgeous, feel incredibly well made, and, most importantly, sound brilliant. The soundstage is extremely wide. The treble is oh-so-crispy. The mids are refined. The imaging is accurate. What more could you want?

Punchy bass, I suppose. The Iris make bass sound tight and controlled but they lack oomph — although this isn’t a dealbreaker as the Iris are tuned to sound neutral. It’s also great that you can swap between 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, but try not to overtorque the bolt.

And there’s the small matter of the price. $699 is a serious investment, even if the Iris are comparatively affordable by Noble’s standards. If all you care about is spacious, balanced and highly detailed sound, the Iris warrant a recommendation. At the end of the day, they’re beautiful, comfortable, and a joy to listen to.

As someone who’s always listening to music and looking for the best headphones to replicate the sound of my favorite artists, I was excited to test out the Grado SR325. I’m a big fan of detailed sound, and the Grados deliver it in abundance.

They have amazing vocal reproduction while also delivering detailed mids performance, so you can take in your favorite guitar riffs and drum fills. I found them best for mellow music, but they perform well across the board.

But while the design is sleek and retro, I had some issues. The on-ear style of the headphones isn’t for me. I found them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and the cheap foam padding made this even worse. To find out more about the headphones, you can keep reading this full Grado SR325 review.

Grado SR325 review: Specs

Grado SR325 review: Price & availability

The Grado SR325 headphones are available in the U.S. on Amazon for $350 and in the U.K. on the Grado website for £349. When it comes to open-back headphones, you’re likely to be forking out a fair bit of cash for great sound, so that’s to be expected.

For around the same price, you can pick up the FiiO FT13 ($329). These cans provide a deep, rich sound with impeccable instrument separation. Similarly, the Meze 99 Classics Gen 2, which cost $349, can provide an even cleaner sound. The Mezes are over-ear headphones with a light headband, making them comfortable to wear for long periods, unlike the Grados.

The Meze Audio 105 AER are another solid choice, offering warm sound, some of the best clarity you’ll find, and much better comfort. That’s all for $299, which makes them a true no-brainer when compared with the questionable sound and $350 price tag of the Grado SR325.

Grado SR325 review: Design

The Grado SR325 are on-ear headphones with an open-back design. They have built-in wires, so there's no need to plug in each time you listen. The headphones look sleek with black aluminum details and a faux leather headband. I think they look great and more than a little retro, but the headband feels flimsy as it’s not very thick. The headphones don’t fold and don’t come with a case either, so you’d need to invest in a headphone stand to ensure they stay in tip-top condition.

Comfort

While the Grado SR325 are comfortable to wear for short listening sessions, I would much rather use a pair of over-ear headphones like the FiiO FT13 ($329) for comfort over extended periods of time. The on-ear style Grado headphones rest directly on my ears, making the cartilage ache, which is annoying if, like me, you want to listen to music for hours on end. Also, the cheap, thin foam used to cover the earcups is uncomfortable and a little bit scratchy. It reminds me of the foam covering on the Gadhouse Wesley headphones, which are significantly cheaper at $69. For $350, I expect more care to be taken with the comfort of the Grado cans.

The headphones weigh 14 ounces and didn’t feel too heavy, but the top of my head became sore where the headband was resting after about 45 minutes because there’s not much padding.

Connectivity

The Grado SR325 headphones have built-in wires connected to both earcups that merge into one aux wire. You have the choice between a 3.5mm jack or a 6.3mm adapter when connecting to your device.

While listening, I used the FiiO K11 R2R DAC to power the headphones, and my colleagues also tested the cans with the iFi hip-dac 3 and FiiO K15. While the SR325 aren’t very hard to drive and can be powered by your laptop or phone, using a good DAC ensures they’ll sound their best, and I could hear a stark difference between listening with and without.

Grado SR325 review: Sound quality

The Grado SR325 headphones have a very interesting sound profile. It’s a sound I completely enjoy, and they accentuate different areas from other audiophile headphones I’ve used, but this original sound is fuzzy, adopting an analog tone, like a cup of tea on an autumn afternoon.

I listened using Qobuz, one of the best music streaming services, and used the FiiO K11 R2R desktop DAC to amplify the sound. The headphones offer a well-rounded sound across most genres. They thrive with simpler, acoustic music, but they also enhance layers in more complex tracks.

Firstly, I listened to Music On The Radio by Empire Of The Sun to test the bass performance. While it didn’t deliver the same depth of bass I can expect from my everyday drivers, which are the Sony WH-1000XM6, I was able to appreciate all of the layers of the track without the bass becoming crackly or overwhelming. This means the headphones strike a good balance and allow me to hear more of the vocal performance. Bass certainly takes a backseat, but it’s still there, gently warming the track from the bottom up.

To test out the mid-range performance, I listened to Birds by Turnstile, as it has a prominent guitar riff complemented by heavy drums. The hi-hats stood out between the verse and the chorus, and the guitar riff was incredibly powerful when it kicked in. The soundstage wasn’t as wide as when I listen using my Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro, but the level of detail made up for that.

Finally, to test the treble performance of the Grados, I listened to The Last Man On Earth by Wolf Alice. This song focuses on the vocal performance before exploding with the addition of harmonies, drums, and bass. The vocals were bright throughout and so detailed that I could hear every breath. When the drums kicked in, I experienced some very slight fuzziness, but that’s why I think these headphones do a better job with simple tracks.

Overall, I think the Grado SR325 headphones are a great option for detailed listening, especially for people who like detailed tracks.

Grado SR325 review: Verdict

The Grado SR325 headphones have a sleek-looking, retro design that is sure to look great next to any audio setup. My favorite thing about these cans is the amazing vocal replication. The mid-range is also exceptionally detailed, with guitar riffs taking the forefront where needed. The warm sound makes these cans very pleasant to listen to.

And while the sleek, retro design looks good, I can’t help but notice that the foam padding on the earcups feels very cheap. This doesn’t help that the on-ear style is uncomfortable for long listening periods.

Overall, these headphones are a great choice, but for $350, you may be expecting a little more comfort with your sound.

If you want to stream hi-res audio without spending a small fortune, the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are worth a look. There’s a lot to like about these in-ear monitors. They’re very light and extremely comfortable for all-day wear, and they’re IP54-rated to withstand splashes and sweat. In addition to that, the DT 30 IE are good for gigging musicians as they boast excellent instrument separation and tight, meaty bass.

But they aren’t perfect. Unfortunately, the DT 30 IE suffer from an all-too-plasticky feel. While the bass is commendable, the mids and treble could have been more refined and textured. And given that they face fierce competition at their price point, do they do just enough to edge out their rivals?

For the complete breakdown, and to find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Specs

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE in-ear monitors (IEMs) enable you to stream hi-res audio without breaking the bank. Launched in June 2026, they have a retail price of $159 / £99 at Amazon.

They’re priced similarly to the Sivga Lyrebird ($149), the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the gaming-first Sony Inzone E9 ($149). As you’ll soon see, the DT 30 IE are good for some people but not for everyone — and it might make more sense to buy any of the aforementioned alternatives if you fall into the latter category.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Design

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are good looking, with each earpiece fitted with a transparent shell that lets you see the IEMs’ inner workings or hardware. They don’t look and feel as premium as the Sivga Lyrebird, though, which feature wooden faceplates and CNC-machined aluminum housing. The DT 30 IE feel quite plasticky, and I’d recommend the Lyrebird if that’s a dealbreaker.

Also unlike the Lyrebird, the DT 30 IE don’t feature a specialized anti-tangle cable — but to ensure they don’t get bunched up in your pocket, Beyerdynamic happily includes a carry case for the IEMs. Regardless, the DT 30 IE’s 1.4m Kevlar-reinforced cable feels sturdy and durable. It’s detachable from the ear pieces, too, which means that you can use a different MMCX cable if the stock one gets damaged.

Similar to the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sivga Lyrebird, you wrap the DT 30 IE’s cables around your ears to ensure they don’t fall off. I found that the cable stays the shape you mould it into, for a secure fit, and the IEMs didn’t fall out of my ears. To ensure a perfect fit, Beyerdynamic includes six pairs of eartips, of varying sizes, in the box: three silicone for a balanced seal, and three foam for more comfort (and some degree of passive noise cancelation).

Replacing the tips on the ear pieces is a walk in the park too — unlike on the budget Dunu Titan X ($39) where it took me 30 minutes to do so. On the DT 30 IE, it took me just under a minute to pull off the eartips and replace them. Quick, easy and painless.

Weatherproofing

Wired earbuds and IEMs are rarely weatherproof, but the DT 30 IE are. Unlike the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sivga Lyrebird, the DT 30 IE carry an IP54 rating, which means they’re resistant to dust and water splashes. Beyerdynamic says that this makes the DT 30 IE suitable for use by musicians during sweat-inducing and intense concerts. You should be fine wearing them to the gym.

Comfort

The DT 30 IE are ridiculously comfortable IEMs, thanks to each ear piece weighing just 0.09oz. I’ve worn them for four straight hours without any discomfort. The DT 30 IE are lighter than all of their $149 competitors, like the Sivga Lyrebird (0.22oz each), the Sennheiser IE 200 (0.14oz each), and the Sony Inzone E9 (0.16oz each).

Controls

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested and studio monitors designed for music professionals, the DT 30 IE don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback, so you’ll need to use your audio source for changing tracks.

Connectivity & drive

The DT 30 IE are wired IEMs, so you don’t get Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity as you do with the best wireless earbuds. This means that they need to be powered, or driven, by a power source. They come fitted with a 3.5mm plug that you can use with your phone, laptop, or a DAC/Amp. If you want to use them with a mixing console or bodypack system, like a mic transmitter, you’ll need to buy a dedicated 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter separately.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Sound quality

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE feature a single 11mm dynamic driver setup and they cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 20KHz. For the most part, music sounds excellent through the DT 30 IE, and these IEMs reproduce most sounds accurately. I tested them by listening to my usual mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

We’ll kick things off with what the DT 30 IE do well. Basslines through the DT 30 IE sound powerful but controlled, and that was the first thing I noticed when listening to ‘2515’ by Wasia Project. The track’s dark electronic textures felt like they had a tangible weight to them, while the bass and kick drum packed a convincing punch. The song sounded powerful without becoming muddy. Each note stopped and started cleanly, remaining disciplined, while retaining its texture.

Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’ showed off the DT 30 IE’s great instrument and layer separation. Each clink and mechanical sound in the opening cash register loop remained distinct rather than blending together. All the instruments occupied their own spaces, such as Roger Waters’ iconic bassline and the melodious saxophone, but they gelled well together to deliver an immersive listening experience.

I then listened to ‘A&W’ by Lana Del Rey to test the IEMs’ mid-range. The DT 30 IE handle the abrupt shift between low-end heavy beats and Lana’s textured vocals well, with the transitions sounding seamless. I appreciated being able to hear the whispered words and easy-to-miss ad libs. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the way the DT 30 IE reproduced the upper mids. The vocals in the mid-range sounded flat and lacked body.

Similarly, I wasn’t a massive fan of the treble. In Yin Yin’s ‘Elma,’ the percussion, cymbals and higher-pitched instrumental details were present, yes, but they lacked the razor-sharp quality and sheen I experienced when listening to the same track through the Sivga Lyrebird. The track almost sounded smooth around the edges when in reality, it’s energetic and sparkly.

If you want a pair of IEMs that boasts powerful bass and good instrument separation, the DT 30 IE are sure to please. But if you want a pair that doesn’t compromise on every other part of the soundstage, I’d recommend the Sivga Lyrebird or the Sennheiser IE 200.

Listen along to my review with the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE testing playlist:

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are some of the most comfortable in-ear monitors I’ve had the pleasure of testing. They’re so light that you forget you’re wearing them, and they’re IP54-rated which makes them more versatile than some of their competitors. There’s plenty to enjoy sound-wise, too, as the DT 30 IE deliver punchy bass and excellent instrument separation.

However, the mid-range and highs sound a little flat and one-dimensional, which makes the Sivga Lyrebird better value for money. The ear pieces have a plasticky feel and look, too, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

The DT 30 IE are a solid choice if bass and comfort are your priorities, but if you want a more balanced, detailed sound, or a more eye-catching design, there are better similarly-priced options available.

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 is Sony’s mid-range soundbar with true Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. If you’ve got a compatible Bravia TV, you even get access to IMAX Enhanced sound. Of course, it’s also a stellar “smart”(ish) home product, with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth streaming from various music streaming services.

As typical with the Theater Bar line, you can get the 7 with or without the subwoofer. I tested the model with the subwoofer. If you want a Sony Bravia experience for less than $1,099, you could check out the $349 Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5, but this isn’t compatible with Sony’s wireless subs.

With crystal-clear dialogue, powerful bass, and impressive surround sound, could the Bravia Theater Bar 7 be one of the best soundbars of 2026? You bet. For the full story, keep reading this Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Specs

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Price & availability

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + Sub is $1,099 from Amazon U.S. Without the sub, you’re looking at $869 from Amazon U.S. I tested the subwoofer version, so that’s the model I’ll be discussing today.

In the U.K, the soundbar alone is £699 from Amazon U.K. You can’t buy the soundbar and subwoofer in one bundle in the U.K., but the overall price would be £948 — the sub is £249.

If you change your mind post-purchase and decide you want the subwoofer, you can buy it for $329/£249 at Amazon. This subwoofer is compatible with: Bravia Theater 7, 8, and 9, as well as the Bravia Theater Trio and Quad, and the HT-A7000, HT-A5000, HT-A3000, and STR-AN1000 amps. Theoretically, you could get the Bravia Bar 7 and use the Subwoofer 9 ($898). Sony also offers the Theater Bar 5, 6, 8, and 9, which range from $349 to $1,498.

In comparison, this is a pretty average soundbar price. It’s not particularly good value or poor value. You can get the Samsung QS90H, an all-in-one soundbar (yes, including a built-in sub that’s actually powerful), for $999, or the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar for $1,099.

If you want something a little cheaper but still good, I’d recommend the $449 Polk Audio Signa S4 or the $699 Samsung Q600F.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Design

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 is relatively compact, making it ideal for TVs 55 inches and under. I tested it with a 55-inch LG G6, and it looked divine. Like most high-end soundbars, the Theater Bar 7 is effectively a long rectangle covered in a fine dark gray mesh. There’s no logo on the front, only a soft white light on the bottom right. No, you can’t tell it’s an expensive Sony soundbar from one glance, but you don’t buy a soundbar for the branding. You buy it for the sound.

Thankfully, as you’ll soon discover, it sounds great.

Controls

In terms of controls, there’s a physical remote with a few basic commands. You can increase or decrease volume, turn it on and off, and toggle night, sound field, and voice modes. Of course, you can also control inputs.

This is effectively the same as the phone app, but the phone app, of course, has more advanced settings, which I’ll get into soon.

Features

Like Samsung soundbars, most of the Theater Bar 7’s USPs reside within compatible Bravia TVs. Unfortunately, I had to test with an LG G6 (boo-hoo me, I got to use one of the best TVs of 2026, right?)

As any soundbar worth its salt should have, the Theater Bar 7 has a night mode and voice mode. Night mode reduces bass so you can watch blockbusters at 3am without receiving a noise complaint from your neighbors, while voice mode accentuates dialogue without making it sound unnatural.

There’s also a sound field mode. This effectively widens and raises the sound, which majorly improved my overall experience while watching movies.

The Bravia Connect app has a litany of advanced features, which I’ll dive into now.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: App

The Theater Bar 7 uses Sony’s Bravia Connect app. While the app looks incredibly basic, almost bordering on careless, it boasts a range of advanced features.

As you can see, there’s a room calibration setting, much like on the JBL Bar 1300X MK2 and the Samsung QS90H. This sends out a pulse of sound and calibrates the audio based on your watching space.

You can also adjust the sound field height. I set mine to the max, which benefited the flying scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick” massively.

Of course, you can also play music directly through Spotify or Qobuz Connect. You can also turn on DSEE Ultimate, an AI-assisted upscaler. If you’re an audio nerd, there’s no shortage of fun things to play with in Bravia Connect.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Sound quality

I test every soundbar in the same room, with “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K Blu-ray, various other Blu-rays, TV on basic Netflix, and music.

Movies

As always, I started with “Top Gun: Maverick”. I customized the sound field height to max, upped the bass to 10, and turned on sound field and voice mode. The soundbar balanced in-scene sounds like jet engines with the soundtrack well.

However, some, but not all, high-frequency sounds were lost in the bass-heavy “Danger Zone” soundtrack. Despite this, louder details like whooshing steam and engine takeoff sounds were clear. Only the softer whipping of ropes melted into the background.

Even so, the bass on “Danger Zone” was excellent, and the vocals sauntered across the soundstage with unbelievable clarity.

In the first dog-fighting scene, I could feel the planes flying overhead and around me. The screeching jet engines rumbled through the soundbar without overpowering the soundtrack, which flitted underneath the fighter jets with grace. Even the radioed dialogue was perfectly audible.

Throughout the movie, I never struggled to hear dialogue, even in flying scenes. Every word was perfectly clear. Every note in the piano-led soundtrack twinkled across the soundscape like a beacon. Ocean waves and whistling wind sound effects were woven underneath dialogue beautifully. This was a fantastic viewing experience — just like the movie theater.

Next, I watched “Michael”. I needed to evaluate how the soundbar handled both dialogue and in-movie music beyond the soundtrack. Again, dialogue was crystal clear; perhaps this is TMI for some, but I could even make out the sound of saliva in the actors’ mouths.

The soundbar handled this movie excellently. Every performance was rich and immersive, with powerful yet controlled bass and exceptional clarity across the guitars, percussion, and vocals. Switching back to quiet, introspective scenes felt natural.

Finally, I watched “Oppenheimer”. The sound effects during the space dust clips (I’m not sure how else to describe them) glimmered and glitched in a way that made me feel like I was floating in the aether. The string-heavy soundtrack took control of the scenes and held tight, making me feel like I was also a physicist spinning out of control.

The softer detail sound effects like chirping birds and quacking ducks, as well as the crinkling of fabrics brushing together, also came through strongly.

TV

To test TV performance, I watched “Interview with the Vampire” on basic Netflix, as you’re not always going to be watching 4K Blu-rays.

Even on basic Netflix, I could still hear soft in-scene sounds like the fluttering of wings or the subtle intake of breath. Dialogue, again, was clear and never overpowered the soundtrack. Action scenes, such as when Lestat transfixes his human prey in the speakeasy, were clear.

Diegetic (in-scene) sound effects like chirping crickets and crackling fires were audible over dialogue, no matter how softly spoken.

Overall, this performance was excellent. I really have no issues with this soundbar at all, except the slight muffling of high-frequency details in “Top Gun: Maverick”.

Music

Music performance is okay. It’s neither the worst soundbar I’ve ever heard or the best — the best is still the Bose Smart Soundbar (2024). Vocals had a tendency to feel quite pinchy, and bass was strangely lackluster. But, I digress — soundbars aren’t made to play music. They’re designed to be the center of your home cinema.

I listened to “Knocking at the Sky” by The Last Dinner Party. While the soft “la la” notes right at the end sounded great, the bombastic chorus was muddled and the vocals pinched in my ears. There was a disappointing amount of tinniness in the percussion, too.

Electronic music fared a little better. “If you wanna party, come over to my house (Eli Escobar remix)” by Fcukers was clearer and didn’t hurt my ears. The pulsing synth and warbling synth details were both full-bodied and confident, but the bass synth fell flat for me. There just wasn’t any intensity, likely due to the lack of bass.

Lastly, I switched to something heavier: “Red40” by Die Spitz. This guitar-led metal-punk-indie track is usually propulsive and insistent, but the vocals were squashed into the guitars and the kick drum didn’t carry any weight.

I was disappointed by this music performance because of how utterly excellent the movie and TV experience was, but you can’t win them all, and this is a soundbar — not a speaker.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Verdict

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 is a fantastic soundbar. With the subwoofer, you get powerful, controlled, and immersive bass, and the soundbar itself has a knack for delivering crystal-clear dialogue balanced perfectly over top of a dramatic OST. In terms of movie and TV performance, I really have nothing bad to say. Other than the tiny suppression of some high-frequency sounds in “Top Gun: Maverick”, the Bar 7 gets applause all round from me.

Sure, the app could look a little nicer — it’s nothing compared to the aesthetic of SmartThings — but are you going to be spending that much time simply looking at it? It works well and is reliable, with zero connectivity issues, and for me, that’s enough.

Whether you buy the subwoofer or not, I’m sure you’ll be incredibly pleased with the Theater Bar 7. It’s reliable, powerful, and immersive. For me, that’s all I want from a soundbar.

I wish I had bought myself better speakers growing up. For the better part of my late teens, I used a hand-me-down portable boombox that I used to play burned CDs from friends. It's not like these days where you can just pick up one of the best Bluetooth speakers and be done with it.

Still, had I known about better audio products — and the differences between active and passive speakers — I would’ve traded out that boombox in a heartbeat.

So let’s break down the differences between speakers, starting with the most obvious distinction: How do speakers get power and information to play your favorite music?

Passive vs Active Speakers: Major differences

If you’re just encountering these terms for the first time, the words “passive” and “active” might bring to mind two very different-sounding pairs of speakers — one pair that’s loud and aggressive, and another that’s quieter and muffled.

Thankfully, 'passive' and 'active' doesn’t refer to how the speakers sound, but rather how their internal components work and whether or not they require external amplification. That, in a nutshell, is the biggest difference between the two: Passive speakers require external amplification whereas active speakers come with an amplifier built in.

When it’s framed like this, you might immediately be drawn to active speakers — they sure sound like a lot less work — and you wouldn’t be wrong.

Since a manufacturer has done all the hard work of pairing the drivers to an amplifier, you don’t have to spend the time looking at specs sheets to make sure you’re not overdriving or under-driving them. However, by choosing to go with active speakers, you’re missing out on the secret advantage of passive speakers. (Hint: Changing out amplifiers at the drop of a hat is actually a benefit, not a curse.)

The other major difference is how these speakers actually get the sonic information passed over to them. On active speakers, information is obtained wirelessly, over optical audio or via a set of phono cables. Passive speakers use traditional speaker wire. We’ll get into the pros and cons of each in just a minute.

Active speakers: Pros, cons and sound quality

The main advantage of active speakers is that they work right out of the box without any additional hardware. These days, most active speakers come with a number of wireless connectivity options built in like AirPlay, Chromecast Built-in, Spotify and Tidal Connect, alongside many more.

On the backside of the main speaker (we call this the lead speaker or, in some cases, the master speaker) are a plethora of ports. Here you’ll find your standard phono inputs, usually a sub-out if you want to connect a separate subwoofer, optical in and, if you’re lucky, an HDMI port that allows you to connect the speakers to your TV without an AV receiver.

Active speakers are connectivity rich and easy to set up, so what’s the downside? The downside is that the speakers will always sound the same — which isn’t bad if you’re the kind of person who likes to set it and forget it. Tinkerers, however, won’t love this.

Sound quality will vary from speaker to speaker, obviously, and it's hard to give a broad sweeping generalization about the technology. However, if I had to give one, I'd say the majority of active speakers I've heard follow a v-shaped curve with big, bold bass response and sparkling highs. It's not that the mid-band frequencies are lost entirely; I just feel like they're less prominent in the active speakers I've owned.

Passive speakers: Pros, cons and sound quality

This is going to sound like some wine-swilling non-sense, but different components impart different sonic signatures — and that includes speakers themselves. This comes down to a number of factors including the amplification technology, the digital-to-analog conversion and the DSP (digital signal processing), all of which vary from device to device.

When talking about speakers and their sound signatures, we sometimes shorthand this chain as tuning, and herein lies the true joy of buying passive speakers: You’re able to tinker the tuning to your exact specifications. In the audio world we have plenty of default tunings, but not everyone’s ears are shaped the same, nor are our music preferences the same. Being able to tailor the sound to your liking is a huge benefit for folks with specific preferences.

The bad news is that not all music components aren’t interchangeable — and it is possible to cause damage to your audio equipment by mismatching it. This is a lot of fun for some folks, and a very stressful situation for others.

As far as sound quality is concerned, it will again vary between speakers and the components used to drive them. The difference between one system and another can be extreme. Still, I've found properly crafted passive systems to be more nuanced than their active counterparts.

When I listen to my passive speaker setup, I find new aural details I hadn't heard before in my favorite songs. (Billie Eilish's "WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?" is filled with small details that are totally lost on some speaker systems.)

Passive vs Active Speakers: Recommended models

If you just want easy, plug-and-play speakers with lots of features built right in, you should go for a pair of active speakers. There are plenty to choose from, but some of my recent favorites are the affordable Edifier S880DB MKII and the pricier — but much more powerful — Klipsch The Nines II. You can also go for floorstanding models like the Fluance Ai81 Elite.

If you want to build out a modular system piecemeal to allow for upgrading down the road, then you want some good passive speakers. As mentioned earlier, picking out a pair is a lot harder because it will depend entirely on the receiver or amplifier you decide to pair them with.

If the idea sounds daunting, you can always buy a system in a box that pairs passive speakers with a receiver for you, like the Yamaha YHT-4970U 5.1-Channel Home Theater System. This is an affordable way to get started with home theater audio.

For music aficionados wanting a good starter package, pick up the Bluesound Powernode and a pair of KEF LS50 Meta speakers. This way you’re getting both the modularity to upgrade down the line and the convenience of a streaming setup in one package.

Recommending systems can be difficult as tastes vary so much from person to person, but building the reference system of your dreams is a lifelong pursuit that many folks — myself included — wholeheartedly enjoy.

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Over the weekend, Amazon quietly raised prices for nearly all of the devices the company makes, including the Echo Dot, Kindle Paperwhite and Fire TV Stick HD. It's the latest in a series of price increases that have hit nearly every company. You can guess what's to blame.

Amazon's new prices vary in amount, with at least one device seeing a 60% increase; the company cited the ongoing RAM crisis and component inflation. First spotted by Fortune, some of the company's cheaper devices appear to be the most affected.

Here's what the new prices look like:

The Echo Dot saw the largest increase up 60% and $30, from $49 to $79, while the higher-tier Echo Show 11 is also getting a $30 hike from $219 to $249.

Additionally, the 16GB Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite saw hikes, going from $109 to $149 and $159 to $199, respectively. The Fire TV Stick HD only saw a $5 hike from $34 to $39 and the 4K Max rose from $59 to $84.

Surprisingly, the Amazon-owned Ring lineup of doorbells and security cameras didn't get more expensive.

An Amazon spokesperson told Tom's Guide, "After absorbing these increases for as long as we could, we recently adjusted pricing across our product lines." She noted that "significant" increases in memory and component costs led to the decision.

Still a cheaper option

In some cases, despite the price hikes, Amazon's devices might still be the cheaper option. Unfortunately, that's because everything else also got more expensive this year.

In July, Roku bumped prices on its streaming devices, with the Roku hitting $150 and the entry-level Roku Streaming Stick now at $40, up from $30.

Kindles might be more expensive than similar rival options like the Nook GlowLight 4, which comes with 32GB of memory for $149.

The Echo Dot, though, remains cheaper than the Google Home Speaker, which starts at $99, though the gap is only $20 now.

Amazon Devices: Outlook

At the moment, only the Fire tablets seem to be unaffected — in fact, they’re the only devices currently on sale, but this could be due largely to the fact that it’s back to school season.

For years, Amazon’s Echo smart home speakers have been the company’s trojan horse to get its voice assistant in homes across the world. Given that Alexa+ is available on virtually every Amazon Echo device, the company may have calculated that it’s saturated the market enough so that adoption of Alexa+ wouldn’t be affected by any potential loss in sales.

Still, the timing is curious, as the company also announced last week that Alexa+ would be available, free of charge, to its newest Fire TV devices. That means if you have a current-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Fire TV Cube, or Amazon Ember smart TV, you can get the full version of Amazon’s AI-enabled assistant without needing a Prime account, or paying $19.99 per month.

Regardless of whether you want Alexa+, more than ever it’s worth waiting until Black Friday or Prime Day to purchase one of Amazon’s devices (sadly, the new sale price may be the old regular price). If you don’t want to wait that long, some third-party retailers are still offering the original price. For example, you can still find the Amazon Echo Dot for $49 at Target and Home Depot.

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For years, the original DJI Mic has been my undisputed daily driver for capturing crisp, reliable audio on the go. I’ve tested plenty of alternatives, but nothing truly managed to dethrone it — until now.

On paper, the new Insta360 Mic Pro nails all the fundamentals I expect from a flagship wireless setup: seamless plug-and-play compatibility across smartphones and dedicated cameras, clean stereo recording, and onboard local backup storage so I never lose a take.

Yet, none of those standard specs are what actually won me over. The real standout is a feature I’ve never seen on a wireless microphone system before. While I initially wrote off the built-in e-ink display on each tiny transmitter as a novelty, it adds a layer of personalization in this age of content creation — where practically everyone is shooting video on the fly.

It’s all about the branding

Most weekends, I spend time working with small businesses and non-profits to create, capture, and produce all sorts of video content. What makes the Insta360 Mic Pro special is how easily it personalizes a video, thanks to the neat e-ink display on both transmitters. It's the same reason why I use the Xtrem Inno case with my iPhone 17 Pro.

With its customizable, full-color e-ink display, I can personalize each transmitter with custom artwork, channel logos, or client branding in a matter of seconds right from my phone. I handed one to a client recently, and they were genuinely amused by the gesture — preferring it to having a generic black slab clipped to their shirt.

Best of all, swapping the image through the Insta360 app is also remarkably simple and intuitive. The app not only helps frame the image properly, but it also lets me adjust contrast and detail levels to get the best possible look. Once transferred, the graphic stays permanently on the screen until I change it — drawing virtually no power to remain visible.

For creators juggling multiple clients or trying to build their own recognizable presence, that quick visual touch instantly makes your production look more polished.

Record confidently

When you're out on fast-paced run-and-gun shoots, my iPhone 17 Pro makes it a breeze to quickly shoot clips — but the on-board mics can’t handle ambient sound levels that can spike without warning. That’s where the Insta360 Mic Pro’s auto gain control proves its worth.

During one of my shoots where I was recording a festival, the Insta360 Mic Pro dynamically adjusted the gain on the fly without the need of me doing it — so it perfectly handled a sequence when I was recording someone speaking when a band started playing in the background. With the DJI Mic, I’d have to turn down the gain level to compensate for the immense background noise disturbance.

Paired with its onboard noise cancellation — which does an impressive job muting distracting background noise without making vocals sound too artificial — it keeps dialogue clear and centered. Sure, there’s software that can do that in edit, but turning it on at the time of the shoot helps to save me time.

Add in local recording, which has already saved a few critical takes from unexpected wireless dropouts, and the entire system gives me the freedom to focus entirely on framing my shots rather than sweating over audio levels.

Highly versatile

One of the biggest strengths of the Insta360 Mic Pro is how effortlessly it bridges the gap between dedicated cameras and mobile rigs. Setup is so simple that when I connected the receiver to my Motorola Razr Fold, the native camera app immediately supported external wireless audio without requiring third-party camera apps or tedious workarounds.

Beyond straightforward connectivity, the tactile controls on the transmitter itself make handling adjustments a breeze. With dedicated onboard buttons, I can trigger local backup recording in a pinch, mute the mic instantly, or cycle through three distinct voice tone presets to best highlight the speaker’s vocal profile. Topping it all off is the compact charging case, which neatly stores everything and ensures the entire kit is always powered and ready the moment I pull it out of my bag.

The standard Insta360 Mic Pro kit (two transmitters, one receiver, and the charging case) retails for $329.99, positioning it competitively alongside other flagship wireless systems. For solo creators, there's also a single transmitter and receiver option available for $199.99.

Best of all, scaling up to multiple mics really lets that e-ink display shine. It’s a unique angle I hadn’t even considered in all my years of testing gear: by integrating an e-ink screen, it truly transforms what used to be generic hardware into a customizable piece of branding that sets your videos apart.

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The world of high-end turntables is a tough nut to crack. There are exotic materials to consider, from metal coverings to interiors lined with special resins. Some float to get rid of vibrations; some are made out of the same stuff as hypercars.

All of them, though, cost thousands of dollars. High-end sound has always been the territory of the ultra-wealthy — until now. The Fluance RT87 brings excellent sound to the masses, with snazzy construction and some premium features for a price that undercuts just about everyone else.

But is it one of the best record players? Should you spend your hard-earned $800 on a turntable that needs extra stuff to make it work? Find out in my Fluance RT87 review.

Fluance RT87 review: Price and availability

On first impression, the RT87 seems like an expensive turntable. There’s no built-in pre-amp, so you’ll need to buy one separately. It’s entirely manual, apart from electronic speed control. The anti-skate weight is just that — a weight. For some, this could make the turntable’s $799 price tag seem steep.

But then you start to add up what comes in the box: The electronic speed control and silent motor start to become a boon, and the manual nature makes sense when you see the carbon tone arm. There’s a premium cartridge from either Ortofon or Audio-Technica to read those all-important record grooves. The dual plinth reduces vibrations.

Comparison to other, similarly specced turntables starts to make the price of the RT87 sting a whole lot less. My favorite turntable, the Rega Planar 3 RS, costs thousands of dollars. The Goldring GR3, the last TT I tested, costs about the same with fewer premium features.

For a reference turntable, the RT87 makes a great case for its loftier price — and then you pull it from its cardboard prison, assemble it, plug it in, and drop the needle. Suddenly, $799 starts to feel like something of a bargain.

Fluance RT87 review: Design

I love the way that the RT87 looks. The dual plinth design makes it look unlike any other sub-$1000 turntable and lends a commanding presence to the deck. The carbon tonearm is a nice visual touch, and the hefty acrylic platter really brings everything together. This is a turntable that looks like it means business from foot to dustcover.

Then you start to notice the little details. The screw holes are filled with rubber stoppers so that you can’t see them through the frosted platter. The metal spindle and metallic surround in the center reduce vibration and motor judder. There are as few controls as possible for a clean look; the only thing on show is the speed control, which doubles as a power switch.

Then it's all wrapped in that lovely gloss finish. I reviewed the natural walnut option, and it looks lovely. It makes the whole thing feel very polished and premium — and like it costs a whole lot more than its price would suggest.

There are some slight hiccups in places, however. The counterweight sits on a hollow tube that feels a little cheap, although at least it's metal. The anti-skate weight has a habit of falling off while you move the tonearm around, but never enough to be too annoying. The dust cover hinges are slightly looser than some I’ve used, but I’ve never had the cover drop during play.

Overall, this is a well-designed, premium-looking turntable that’ll look great atop your HiFi rack. Just be wary that it's pretty heavy at 21lbs.

Fluance RT87 review: Setting up

There’s some work you’ll need to do when you pull the turntable from the cellophane and polystyrene in which it comes delivered. The tonearm needs balancing. This is easy enough if you’ve balanced a tonearm before, but you might need to watch a YouTube tutorial if this is your first time.

First and perhaps most important is to remove the transport screws — they’re long and designed to hold the dual plinth in place during delivery. Keep hold of them should you need to move the turntable again in the future. Then you can fill the holes with the little rubber stoppers.

Pop the platter onto the spindle, and then run the drive belt around the edge of the platter and the motor pulley. It’s a pain, but it doesn’t come off during use, so it’s a “one and done” kind of job.

You’ll also be fitting the cartridge to the end of the tone arm — easy enough. Finally, you’ll fit the dust cover. I found fitting the hinges into the dust cover first, then onto the plinth worked well.

If you’re looking for something with minimal setup, this might not be the turntable for you, but it’s rare to find a record player of this caliber with a less-involved setup process. This is about standard in turntable land.

Fluance RT87 review: Features

If you’re looking for fancy tech and super-futuristic features, there are other decks out there that might be more your style. All the extra features here are to make the turntable sound as good as possible without touching a circuit board, from structure and construction to clever design touches.

First and foremost is that dual plinth design. It looks cool, with two plinth layers that almost hover apart. But what does it do? It’s all about reducing vibration as much as possible. To do that, the vibration-dampening feet absorb as much vibration as possible. Any that make it through are dampened by the first plinth, which is isolated from the second. That means that the second plinth shouldn’t suffer from any unwanted vibrations.

Does it work? It does, actually. Rather well. I could dance and headbang to my favorite tunes with nary a twitch from the stylus. It stays rock solid in the groove, every jump and air guitar solo absorbed by the plinth design. Very clever and very impressive.

The carbon tonearm is all about negating vibration while remaining as stiff as possible while reducing the overall weight. I would have liked a more impressive anti-skate than the typical weight on some fishing line we’ve got here, but it's more anti-skate than we get on some very premium models.

Other than that, this is a very simple turntable. On the back there’s a pair of RCA connectors, a grounding post, the power port, and a switch to turn the auto-stop on and off. That’s about as high tech as we get here, folks — it stops the record when the stylus reaches the run-out groove.

But a little expert advice here — leave it turned off. It’s not that it doesn’t work, but because no mechanism lifts the tonearm, your stylus will end up stuck in the run-out groove, unmoving. Don’t do that. Just watch the record as it's coming to the end of play, and move the stylus once the record is over.

Oh, one last thing — 78RPM fans, rejoice! You can play your 78s here. Just remember that you’ll need to change out the cartridge to something compatible. Those wider grooves will chew up your standard stylus.

Fluance RT87 review: Sound quality

If you’re after the warmest-sounding turntable around, you should probably look elsewhere, or make sure you pair this one with a suitable amp or pre-amp. This is a lively-sounding deck despite all that extra wood, and detail retrieval shines no matter the genre of vinyl that spins on the platter.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s some nice low-end to enjoy here — but it's not in your face or particularly dominating. Instead, the RT87 goes for a much bigger, wider sound. This turntable sounds massive no matter the system you play it through.

I played my records through an iFi pre-amp going into a Cambridge Audio EXA100. That goes into a pair of Focal Vestia No. 3 floorstanders — a system that needs powerful sound and reveals bad audio. The RT87 had no problem.

The sawblade guitars of Bloodbath’s “Survival of the Sickest” cut through like a jagged knife, filling my office room with suitable menace and violence. Dua Lipa’s vocals were a highlight during my testing, revealing some wonderful clarity.

More expensive models to the tune of thousands will sound better, with more robust low-end and perhaps a little more sonic bite. But you’d be hard-pressed to find something that sounds better within $300-$500 of the RT-87’s price. And that’s mighty impressive.

Verdict

While the RT87 is expensive, it offers excellent value. Some more costly models envy the price-to-quality ratio here, and it’s mostly down to that very snazzy dual platter design.

Are there better-sounding turntables? Absolutely — but you’ll be paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars more to get the increase in performance from the likes of the Planar 3 RS, or even the Technics SL13000G. Great turntables that come for a hefty premium

This is a five-star deck through and through. My few nitpicks are few and far between, and don’t dull the luster of what is otherwise a spectacular buy for $800 or so. Just remember that you’ll need to factor in a phono pre-amp (and maybe some powered speakers if you don’t own some already), and you’re home free.

Sennheiser has just revealed the latest version of its flagship in-ear headphones, the Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds. Taking the fight to the best wireless headphones from Bose, Sony and even Apple's all-conquering AirPods, the Momentum 5 have a notable sustainability feature that immediately caught my eye.

Alongside the audio upgrades (these buds feature Sennheiser's signature 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers) is a user-replaceable battery system in both the earbuds and the charging case. At a time when repairability is sorely needed, it's great to see a flagship product launch with the ability to swap the batteries "using only a compact screwdriver."

Lilika Beck, President of Sennheiser Consumer Hearing, said: “Balancing compact size, our signature high-fidelity acoustics, and a replaceable battery is a major breakthrough.

“With Momentum True Wireless 5, we are proving that cutting-edge performance does not have to sacrifice longevity.”

Enabling the user to swap out batteries is a huge step in the right direction and it's something I'd like to see other manufacturers implement wherever possible.

When it comes to the audio stuff, I'm not concerned. We gave the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 a 4.5 star review a couple of years ago and I expect things will have improved since then. The new earbuds come packing Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX Adaptive codec, meaning you'll get hi-res wireless audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz, provided your streaming service supports it.

Battery life claims

We can't confirm the battery life until we've tested them, but according to Sennheiser you'll get Up to 12 hours of playback per charge and 40 hours total with the charging case. That's with the ANC turned off, however. If you enable noise cancelling the battery life drops to six hours from the buds, with a further 20-25 hours supplied by the case. This is one area where Apple has Sennheiser beat: the AirPods Pro 3 will give you up to eight hours with ANC enabled.

Sennheiser says it has given the buds an all-new ergonomic design that improves comfort and portability. And users will be able to fire up Sennheiser's Smart Control Plus app to utilize an 8-band EQ and advanced personalization options. Which is a good thing as our review team is always unimpressed with earbuds that don't allow you to adapt the EQ.

Whilst these certainly aren't sports headphones, they're IP54 rated water and dust-resistant, so you can expect some protection against sweat or rainfall. Which is impressive when you consider you can replace the batteries yourself.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 will be available from September 3 in a choice of Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim or Lavender finishes. Pricing is set at $299 / £249 / AU$479 and CA$449.

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• iOS 27’s safety filter was ruining my FaceTime calls — here’s how I turned it off
• Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale is live — here are my top 9 TV deals on QLEDs and OLEDs starting from $279

2026 is the 10th anniversary of the original Apple AirPods that debuted on September 7 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 — and that could mean a special surprise for Apple's true wireless earbuds line.

Reporting from folks like Mark Gurman at Bloomberg point to a new model called the AirPods Ultra that will leverage a new H3 chip, built-in cameras and Apple Intelligence to detect objects around you.

So, what exactly do we know about these futuristic earbuds? Here's a full breakdown.

AirPods Ultra: Potential release date

The earliest reports of a camera-equipped pair of AirPods came from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a report dated July 1 2024, Kuo said that "the cameras can detect changes in the environment" and could "potentially enable in-air gesture control to enhance human-device interaction."

The legend of the camera-equipped AirPods Ultra has only grown from there.

These days, the person who seems to know the most about the AirPods Ultra is Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Back in January of 2025, Gurman said in a newsletter that Apple was “exploring other types of wearable products” that included a pair of AirPods that could come with miniature infrared cameras. Back in June, he said that we're likely looking at a 2027 release date. This was then repeated in a post on X.

Less qualified folks have said that Apple might unveil them at this September's iPhone 18 event, but I'm not entirely convinced. Apple is rarely in a rush to release a product, especially one as potentially complex as the AirPods Ultra are rumored to be.

AirPods Ultra: Potential features

So what are the AirPods Ultra going to do different from the current-gen AirPods Pro 3? Well, it turns out, quite a lot.

As far as we know right now, there are two different models in the works: There's a B790 model and a B798 model. The former is closer to launch than the latter, and it's unlikely that both will debut at the same time.

On the outside of the earbuds will be IR cameras that can scan objects around you using Apple's Visual Intelligence. (If you have long hair that impedes the view of one of these cameras, the earbuds will ask you to move it to the side.)

A video purportedly found in the latest macOS Tahoe 26.7 software shows what this could look like in action.

The AirPods Ultra's IR cameras are, reportedly, lower resolution than Meta's AR glasses and will feature a light-up LED that will turn on when it's scanning, which should mean that they'll be less of a privacy concern than other wearables we've seen lately.

There are a number of potential uses for IR-enabled earbuds, including proximity detection to other people that can improve ANC functionality.

To power this functionality would be a new H3 chip. Little is known about it other than the fact that it is the key driver of the deeper Apple Intelligence integration. Better processors usually enable better noise cancelling, however, so expect to see that as a feature Apple touts sometime in the future, too.

AirPods Ultra: Potential price

All this cutting-edge tech isn't likely to come cheap. A fair assumption right out of the gate is that the AirPods Ultra will cost more than the current-generation AirPods Pro 3 that currently sit at $249 / £249 / AU$429.

I would not be surprised if Apple charged $349, which would be $100 more than the AirPods Pro 3. There is some wiggle room if Apple wants to increase the sticker price of its new earbuds: Two of the AirPods' biggest rivals, the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2, cost $299.

For now, all we can do is prognosticate what Apple will do with pricing as the AirPods Ultra are truly a one-of-a-kind device that doesn't really match up with anything on the market at the moment.

AirPods Ultra outlook: Why I'm skeptical

The AirPods Ultra do sound like an extremely inventive innovation in the world of wireless earbuds. The ability for a pair of earbuds to detect objects around a user has major implications for the future of wearable technology.

However, I have two major reservations about the AirPods Ultra.

The first is that it's unlike Apple to jump first when it comes to launching a new type of product. Apple wasn't the first AR glasses manufacturer, for instance, and it certainly wasn't the first to make an MP3 player or laptop. What Apple usually does is that it lets competitors lead and then presents a more elegant solution.

Even if the AirPods Ultra are production-ready, that doesn't mean Apple will put them out without waiting for something else on the market first.

I'm also skeptical about the cameras themselves. Apple paints itself as extremely privacy focused. Putting cameras on a pair of earbuds flies in the face of that stance. Unless there are some serious limitations of the technology (like the only data it collects are IR images), it'll be hard for Apple to keep its privacy-first reputation.

But if Apple finds the balance between features and privacy, locks in at a reasonable price and gets developers on board, the AirPods Ultra could truly be the next big thing in wireless earbuds.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods Ultra with cameras are 'nearly ready' — here's 4 features you need to know
• AirPods Ultra 'almost certainly' hinted at in iOS 27 code — and they could be a huge audio (and camera) upgrade
• Apple iPhone 18 event — all the new products expected to launch in September

With summer winding down and back to school season in full swing, there's no better time than the present to upgrade your audio devices. Even better, Amazon is currently knocking up to 50% off top-rated headphones and earbuds.

Whether you're looking for noise-cancelling headphones to help you focus during your study session or a pair of wireless earbuds for when you're hitting the gym, Amazon's sale has deals for every budget. Some of the best headphones we've tested from brands like JBL, Bose, Apple, and Sony are discounted to as little as $19.

I've rounded up all my favorite headphone and earbud deals on Amazon that will get you the most bang for your buck! Keep scrolling to check them out. For more deals, check out the Tom's Guide Savings Squad and the Tom's Guide Amazon Storefront.

Quick Links

• shop all deals on Amazon
• Anker Soundcore P20i: was $39 now $19
• Sony WH-CH520: was $59 now $38
• Beats Flex Wireless: was $69 now $45
• Apple AirPods 4: was $129 now $99
• Beats Studio Pro: was $349 now $169
• Sony WH-1000XM5: was $399 now $248
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: was $449 now $364

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Apple's AirPods are a mainstay on our list of best wireless earbuds due to things like sound quality, noise canceling, and the way they fit seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. While the AirPods are almost universally loved, the next iteration of the famous white buds could prove a bit more divisive.

We've heard rumors for awhile that a new pair of AirPods reportedly called the 'AirPods Ultra' could feature on-board cameras for the first time. These are believed to act as a visual input for Siri and could be revealed next month at Apple's iPhone 18 event.

Now, the team at MacRumors claims to have uncovered a video in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate showing the AirPods Ultra in action.

The video shows a man picking up a book and glancing at it while wearing a pair of distinctive white AirPods. Meanwhile, a Siri-esque voiceover says, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."

According to the site, if an obstruction like long hair is in the way of the AirPod cameras, the wearer receives an alert that reportedly states: "To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered."

Unlike some of the best smart glasses, the cameras on the AirPods Ultra aren't designed for taking pictures. Instead, they're believed to act as a way to feed Siri information for Visual Intelligence without users having to take out their iPhone to snap a picture. A small LED is expected to be included that will reveal when the earbuds are capturing information from the outside world.

Avoiding a backlash

Launching any kind of head-mounted wearable with cameras attached is turning into a risky endeavor right now. There's a growing privacy debate about the 'pervert glasses' aspect of smart eyewear and Apple could easily fall into this trap if it doesn't nail the messaging.

A quick glance over at X shows plenty of users ready to be concerned about what Apple has planned.

The user @MatheasRomak wrote on X: "Yuck… I don’t need the NSA stapled to my head."

But an equal number seem convinced that Apple will integrate this tech in a non-intrusive way.

For example, the X user @imlwi writes: "We're seeing Meta AI Glasses get banned due to privacy. I'm guessing these AirPods will temporarily capture a few frames, identify the object, send Siri something like the book/author, throw away the camera frames."

I don't imagine Apple will face the same kind of backlash that's currently plaguing Meta, especially if it sticks to privacy-centric messaging.

Furthermore, the AirPods are one of Apple's best-selling and most popular products with a dedicated install base. Apple goes to great lengths to process data on-device and if the company can demonstrate that the AirPods Ultra can meaningfully improve Siri's capabilities without compromising privacy, I think adoption will overcome the criticism.

Genuinely useful

Apple's innovations with the AirPods have already helped those who are hard of hearing, and giving the AirPods cameras could be a game-changer. One of the rumors I'm particularly excited about is that the AirPods Ultra will be able to use external landmarks to help you navigate through unfamiliar areas. Voice prompts will tie to what the earbuds see and guide you around a foreign city.

When you combine this with the buds' real-time translation feature, you arrive at a genuinely useful feature for anyone who travels regularly.

Let me know in the comments below if you find the idea of camera-equipped AirPods concerning. In the meantime, here's everything we expect to see at Apple's iPhone 18 event next month.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods Ultra with cameras are 'nearly ready' — here's 4 features you need to know
• AirPods Ultra 'almost certainly' hinted at in iOS 27 code — and they could be a huge audio (and camera) upgrade
• Apple iPhone 18 event — all the new products expected to launch in September

Apple's annual iPhone event has been officially confirmed to take place on September 9, and it could easily be the biggest Apple event in years. We're expecting a slew of new devices to be unveiled as John Ternus takes the reins as Apple's new CEO.

And all of that is before we discuss the launch of the long-rumored, much-hyped foldable iPhone Ultra — Apple's first attempt at a foldable phone. It's not clear when the device will actually launch, but at the very least, its reveal is almost certainly right around the corner.

In all, Apple is expected to launch up to eight different devices, from the expected new iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches to several new smart home-focused products.

Here's what we expect to see at Apple's 'Surprise and shine' September event, and when it's kicking off

When is the iPhone 18 event?

Apple has officially confirmed its "Surprise and shine" event will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at Apple Park. Although Apple normally holds its events on a Tuesday, the Labor Day weekend means it's being moved forward to Wednesday.

This has happened in the past, and the reasoning is that Apple doesn't want to ask attendees to travel on a holiday weekend. For example, the iPhone 14 launched on Wednesday, September 7, following Labor Day on Monday 5, and that'll likely be the case this year too.

The event is set to take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST and will livestreamed on various social media platforms as well as Apple's own site.

iPhones usually go up for pre-order the Friday following the Apple event, but this year that's September 11. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.

This year's edition will be hosted by incoming CEO John Ternus, and it looks like his tenure will start with a bang.

New iPhones

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

This year, Apple is expected to launch only its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus reportedly won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e model.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are both tipped to feature Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island and Apple's new C2 modem. And both phones should get larger batteries.

However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might have some exclusive upgrades, including a variable aperture camera and longer zoom. For more see our iPhone 18 Pro vs Pro Max comparison.

Unforutnately, analysts have predicted that the new iPhone 18 Pros could cost between $200 and $350 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro family.

iPhone Ultra

The biggest announcement of the Apple event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

Leaks have suggested that it will have more of a wider shape, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.

It's rumored to sport a 4,883 mAh battery, the A20 Pro chipset, Apple's in-house C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button. The rear is expected to come with a pair of 48MP cameras, horizontally positioned like the back of the iPhone Air, alongside two separate 24MP selfie cameras — one for each screen.

Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.

One downside is that the iPhone Ultra could be very expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to 2,500. And a recent leak suggests that iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.

Just keep in mind that the iPhone Ultra could have a number of trade-offs versus the iPhone 18 Pro, including the lack of a telephoto zoom.

AirPods Ultra

These ones are a little surprising as based on a previous Gurman report, we weren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest. However, rumor aggregator AppleTrack just reported this week that the Ultra version of AirPods will launch at the iPhone event.

The big change with these headphones is they will allegedly feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world.

It would utilize a version of Visual Intelligence to let you ask Siri questions about your surroundings or get turn-by-turn directions from the more powerful AI Siri releasing this fall.

The AirPods Ultra has also just appeared in a leaked video buried within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, and it shows how they'll help you identify objects in the real world.

Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Unlike the iPhones, we know a bit less about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting two new models in the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

The leaks have been sparse, but Apple is reportedly not bringing many upgrades this year. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.

Reportedly, Apple could offer a ceramic case option for the first time in years. It should also sport new health and fitness-related upgrades. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.

Smart Home

Apple's smart home ambitions and the rumors surrounding them need to be taken with a massive grain of salt. Leaks have suggested Apple is planning on introducing a suite of smart home devices starting with a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K streaming device.

Those rumors have existed for more than two years and largely feed into the company's promises around the AI-powered Siri.

However, this year with iOS 27, Apple may finally have the chatbot that was promised. If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements.

To be clear, this one feels even more far-fetched than the Hub; the HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

Will you be tuning in to Apple's event next month? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.

What we don't expect to see

Even with a huge event like this, there are still going to be devices that won't make an appearance. Due to staggered release schedules and supply-chain timing, Apple is spreading its hardware roadmap across multiple release windows over the next year. As a result, the following devices are unlikely to make any sort of appearance at the event.

• iPhone 18: Apple is reportedly holding back the base model until early 2027 to drive early demand toward the Pro models.
• AirPods Ultra: Rumored AirPods with cameras for Siri AI context are reportedly delayed until 2027 due to software and supply-chain bottlenecks.
• New Macs: Upgraded M6 MacBooks and touchscreen models are typically saved for dedicated computing announcements in October or later.
• OLED iPad mini: The next refresh of the compact tablet is slated for an October arrival rather than competing for stage time with the new iPhones.
• Apple Watch SE (4th gen): The entry-level wearable update will sit out this event, with Apple likely to focus on the Series 12 and Ultra 4 instead.

More from Tom's Guide

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• The 5 accessories that transformed my iPhone 17 Pro Max for under $50
• Ultimate back to school guide 2026: Laptops, Chromebooks, headphones and more

Marshall has been on a roll in 2026, adding to its lineups of headphones, home speakers, and now, portable Bluetooth speakers. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing the Marshall Stockwell III which succeeds the seven-year-old Stockwell II — and it has quickly become my go-to speaker for almost everything.

The Stockwell III improves on its predecessor by doubling the battery life (over 40 hours now), being more waterproof thanks to its IP55 rating, and delivering punchier bass, brighter treble, and incredible 360° sound. Though a little expensive and slightly heavy for a portable speaker, those feel like minor issues in an otherwise compelling (and beautiful) package.

So, is this the best portable Bluetooth speaker for you? Read my full Marshall Stockwell III review to find out.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Specs

Marshall Stockwell III review: Price & availability

The Marshall Stockwell III was first announced on 9 June, 2026, over seven years after its predecessor, the Marshall Stockwell II. Available to buy from 18 August, the Stockwell III has a retail price of $249 / £199 — same as the second-gen model at launch in 2019. The Stockwell III comes in Black or Cream, and both have brass accents.

This is a premium portable Bluetooth speaker, and it finds itself competing with the likes of the Ultimate Ears Everboom ($249) and the Sonos Play ($299). Though a little expensive, it’s still cheaper than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen which costs a whopping $399. The Stockwell III is worth the investment if you want 40+ hours of battery and beautiful sound stuffed into a compact (and stunning) package.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Design

The Marshall Stockwell III is, in a nutshell, a ridiculously sexy speaker, and the portable speaker to get if you care about aesthetics above all else. Not much has changed between the Stockwell III and its predecessor when it comes to portability. The third-gen model measures 7.1 x 6.4 x 2.9 inches and weighs 2.9lbs. To make it easier to carry around, Marshall has included a guitar-esque, velvet carry strap in the box, which can be attached to the Stockwell III’s sides.

Given its hefty weight, the Stockwell III isn’t the most portable speaker around. The Ultimate Ears Everboom is lighter at 2.1lbs, as is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen which weighs 1.27lbs. The Stockwell III’s strap makes it slightly easier to carry around, but if you want an even lighter speaker but with Marshall’s looks, the Emberton III ($149, 1.5lbs) is a standout choice.

The Stockwell III looks more premium compared to its predecessor, too. While the Stockwell II featured white accents, the Stockwell III now features brass branding (on either black or cream), keeping in line with the brand’s other current-gen speakers — and headphones, too, like the Milton ANC ($229) and the Monitor III ($349). I much prefer this look as the black/cream and gold combo makes the speaker stand out in a crowded market.

Build quality is solid, thanks to metal mesh grilles and the textured silicone outer sleeve. You’re getting bang for your buck with the Stockwell III.

But why should you buy the Stockwell III instead of Marshall’s other more portable (ergo, lightweight) speakers? The Stockwell III is a mid-sized, premium Bluetooth speaker that’s clearly designed for both home (given the Placement Compensation feature within the app) and light outdoor use (given its IP55 rating).

It’s got a more luxurious feel to it than the ultra-portable Emberton III, for instance, but it’s smaller than a massive party speaker, like the Bromley 450 ($799). If you want a small speaker to travel with, and one that can withstand the elements, get the IP67-rated Emberton III. But if you want a mid-sized speaker that isn’t as expensive or bulky as the Kilburn III ($379), get the Stockwell III.

Weatherproofing

Marshall has made significant improvements to the Stockwell III’s durability as the third-gen model is now IP55-rated — the Stockwell II was only IPX4-rated. IP55 means the Stockwell III is protected from dust and is fairly water resistant, though you can’t submerge it underwater like you can the IP67-rated Ultimate Ears Everboom.

IP55 should suffice for most scenarios, but be mindful of using it in wet conditions repeatedly as any gadget’s waterproofing wears down over time.

Controls

All the buttons and dials are located on the Stockwell III’s top plate, and you’ll be familiar with them if you’ve used any of Marshall’s other speakers, like the Acton IV ($299). Even if you aren’t, getting to grips with the controls is quick and easy. All the buttons and dials give great tactile feedback when pressed or turned.

There’s a Source button for swapping between Bluetooth and AUX, and a customizable ‘M’ button that, by default, activates Spotify Tap so you can start playing music without opening the app on your phone; playback joystick; and three amp-like knobs for adjusting volume, treble and bass. Alongside these, Marshall has also added a handy battery indicator.

Connectivity

The Stockwell III features a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C port for wired playback, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. Over Bluetooth, you get support for SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs — the latter delivers high efficiency and better sound quality at low bitrates. This also gives it a leg-up over the Ultimate Ears Everboom which supports SBC and AAC only.

While the Stockwell II featured traditional multi-speaker pairing with other Stockwell IIs, the Stockwell III is Auracast-enabled — and that’s better as it enables multiple devices to connect to a single audio source without pairing. The third-gen model utilizes Bluetooth LE to essentially connect to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled Marshall speakers, such as the Emberton III or other Stockwell IIIs.

You also get multipoint connectivity, which means that you can connect two different Bluetooth devices to the Stockwell III simultaneously. I did this with my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and it worked seamlessly.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Sound quality

The Marshall Stockwell III is very loud for its size — it’s one of the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speakers around. Under the hood, the Stockwell III is fitted with a 65W Class D amplifier to power its 3-inch woofer, and two 31W Class D amplifiers for its dual 1.75-inch wide-band drivers (versus two 5W tweeters and a single 10W woofer on the Stockwell II). The speaker covers a frequency response range of 54Hz to 20KHz.

Marshall has clearly spared no expense when it comes to stuffing the Stockwell III to the brim — and the result is simply outstanding sound. To test the speaker, I listened to a range of songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles. ‘2515’ by Wasia Project, which has a strong, pulsating bassline acting as the track’s backbone throughout, sounded sublime. The song’s dark electronic pulse came through with real weight, while the bass remained tight and controlled, and never became muddy — even at high volumes.

This is where Marshall’s ‘Dynamic Loudness’ comes into play. The Stockwell III borrows this from the Stanmore IV ($399) and the Acton IV, and it basically ensures that sound remains balanced and distortion-free regardless of the volume. Playing ‘2515’ at 80% volume didn’t overwhelm the speaker, as the lows maintained their warmth and richness.

I then listened to ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’ by Lana Del Rey to test the soundstage — and sure enough, the Stockwell III didn’t falter. Lana’s vocals sat front and center, with her words remaining clear and never bleeding into one another. There was a great balance between her remarkable vocals and the acoustic guitar and piano, and the strings sounded textured and defined. Also, the True Stereophonic 360° — found on the Bromley 750 ($1,299) and Bromley 450 party speakers — filled the room and the song sounded consistent when I moved around, giving the track an effortless sense of space and depth.

Lastly, I played ‘Papua New Guinea’ by The Future Sound of London, an electronic, ambient techno track. The driving basslines, swirling synths, breakbeat-style percussion and oscillating keyboard loops all came together to create a layered production, and the Stockwell III reproduced the dreamy nature extremely well. The treble felt vibrant and nuanced without becoming fatiguing. My partner and I couldn’t help but move along to the song, like we were at a rave.

Listen along to my review with the Marshall Stockwell III testing playlist:

Marshall Stockwell III review: App

The Marshall Stockwell III is accompanied by the Marshall Bluetooth app, available for free on iOS and Android. It’s the same app used by the British brand’s headphones and earbuds, and it’s your one-stop shop for adjusting the EQ or choosing a preset, updating the firmware, enabling Auracast, and customizing the ‘M’ button. The app sports a clean interface and is extremely easy to use.

You also get Placement Compensation, where you can select whether the speaker is close to an edge or corner, or flush against a wall. Once you’ve chosen your desired settings, the Stockwell III then corrects itself for any nearby reflective surfaces that may affect the sound quality. This feature has been borrowed from the Stanmore IV and Acton IV, which are plug-in home speakers. It’s handy to have if you’re keeping the Stanmore III in one place but given that it’s a portable Bluetooth speaker, I highly doubt you’ll be keeping it stationary.

There’s a Source Mix option, too, which is new. It basically enables you to play music over Bluetooth and via USB-C at the same time. I can’t really think of a use case for this, but I suppose if you want to feel like a DJ, you can.

One thing I find surprising, though, is that the Stockwell III uses the Marshall Bluetooth app and not the new Marshall app (came out in 2026 before the Stockwell III) which its fourth-gen home speakers utilize. Wouldn’t it make sense to have all of its speakers in one app? I’m personally not a fan of having two separate apps for different devices. Maybe it’s because the Stockwell III was actually created before the Stanmore IV and Acton IV were. Perhaps this is something Marshall will fix later. This isn’t a complaint, anyway, just an observation.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Battery life

Marshall has fitted a bigger battery into the Stockwell III, and the speaker can now run for over 40 hours on a single charge. That’s double the Stockwell II’s battery life. The Stockwell III trumps its competition too, as the Sonos Play is rated for 24 hours, and the Ultimate Ears Everboom is rated for 20. Even the pricier Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen is rated for just 24 hours.

In my testing, I played at 50% volume over multiple listening sessions. The total time it took for the Stockwell III to run out of battery was just over 40 hours, keeping in line with Marshall’s claims.

Similar to the Sonos Play, the Stockwell III doubles as a power bank and you can use a USB-C cable to charge your smartphone, laptop and other devices. This is a great feature to have in a portable speaker as you don’t need to worry about finding a socket to charge your phone if you’re, say, out on a hike.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Verdict

Just when I thought Marshall speakers couldn’t get any better, the iconic amp manufacturer comes out with something like the Stockwell III. This is an excellent portable speaker that delivers far more sound than its compact design suggests. Though it isn’t cheap — just shy of $250 — its combination of rich bass, vibrant treble and clear mids make a strong case for the price.

The Stockwell III also packs 40 hours of battery life, IP55 durability, and immersive 360° sound into a slim profile. While it’s still not the lightest portable speaker around, the included velvet strap makes it easier to carry around.

I can’t help but describe the speaker’s sound as genuinely astounding. If I had to take one speaker with me on my travels or to picnics outdoors, it would be the Stockwell III. At the time of writing, it’s Marshall’s best portable Bluetooth speaker right now.

I’ve made it my personal mission to find the best pair of open-earbuds on the market. I find myself reaching for my open-earbuds almost daily, and I think everybody should have a pair in their audio gear rotation. But how do you know what to look for or how much to spend?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room — open-earbuds won’t be for everyone. They’re for a very specific person, such as office workers, runners and gym-goers who need to hear the ambient sound around them at all times.

When I first started testing open buds, I was skeptical. I was so used to in-ear buds that I wasn’t sure why anyone would want to sacrifice ANC (and indeed audio quality) in their daily listening. However, once you realize that having situational awareness and superior comfort in the office and at the gym is a game changer, I’m telling you, there’s no going back.

This style of earbud is still in its infancy, with the first pair of truly open earbuds being released by Bose in 2021. So this means that the space is still constantly improving, with brands innovating their open-ear styles and finding ways to replicate the sound quality of in-ear buds. My personal favorite style is the clip, but you can also buy hook-style earbuds that are better suited for high-intensity activities like running.

Open-earbud sound

In short, since you don’t get a seal around the ear canal, which you get with regular earbuds, sound waves escape. Open-earbuds rely on directing sound towards your eardrum, but there’s a lot of sound leakage. This means you can lose some frequencies, and with the addition of ambient sound, it can be tricky to listen to your music in detail.

Low frequencies that contribute to bass performance are often lost as they need trapped air pressure to effectively drive the sound. This means you’ll lose the low-end impact, according to Shokz.

Recently, I’ve been using the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Bose is known for awesome bass performance in its products from speakers to headphones — but what about open-earbuds? Well, I can tell you they do a great job. Despite the obvious hurdles, these buds deliver a bass performance I’d be pleased with from regular earbuds.

However, for their $299 price, I was disappointed by the lack of detail I got from the Bose buds. I had high expectations because of the premium price tag and the sleek look, but ultimately, I felt let down. The sound was almost unnatural, and the bass priority was making my music sound muffled in the mid and high frequencies.

So while I enjoy listening with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, they’re far from perfect. And if I’m paying $300, I need them to be perfect.

My perfect open earbuds

But fear not. My quest to find the best open-earbuds continued. And after months of testing, I think I found them. The buds to beat all other buds. The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO.

Reaching for a lower-priced competitor after being let down by a premium flagship product felt like a bit of a Hail Mary. But after spending months wishing I could get some real balanced detail from a pair of open-earbuds, the Beyerdynamics have delivered.

They are everything I’ve been asking for from open-earbuds.

Firstly, these buds have the same clip design as the Bose, but are far more comfortable as they’re highly flexible and don’t move much during workouts. The Beyerdynamics also have a higher durability rating, with dust and splash protection, whereas the Bose are only protected from water splashes. The studio tuning of the Beyerdynamics lends itself well to crisp highs and a natural sound, whereas the Bose buds sound almost artificial and manufactured.

The Bose buds are tuned to please a large consumer base, but the detailed studio tuning of the Beyerdynamics allows you to immerse yourself in the music wherever you are.

Keeping it real

Although the sound tuning of the Beyerdynamics makes them my winner, there are some trade-offs. The Bose buds have a longer total battery life of 27 hours in comparison to the 20 hours of the Beyerdynamics, and if you care about special features like head-tracking spatial audio, the Bose will be your bag.

Also, when you look at the cases side by side, there’s not much difference, so either pair will do the job well for portability.

The takeaway here is that spending more doesn’t always get you the best sound. Sure, the Bose buds are some of the best you can buy, but for a natural, balanced sound that translates well across a wider variety of genres, I can’t recommend the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZEROs enough.

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I love podcasts and listen to them whenever I get the opportunity. There’s so much good stuff out there from amazing pop culture podcasts to those for a true crime junkie. But often I come across snippets of great content within a podcast that I want to save and listen to again later.

Instead of re-listening to an entire episode or scrubbing around hoping to find the right spot, I now use Spotify’s clip feature to save key moments directly to my account or share them with others.

It saves me a whole ton of time. All I have to do is head into the 'Your Library' section and my saved clips are ready to play. It’s super easy to do and works with both Free and Premium accounts, making it available for everyone.

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The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is an incredibly interesting soundbar. It’s $1,499, which puts it firmly in the “premium” category, and it’s all-in-one, which means it has two subwoofer channels in the soundbar itself. So, is all of this enough to make it one of the best soundbars available in 2026?

Unfortunately, not quite. While the overall sound performance is great, a few dialogue issues (and no dialogue mode) prevented it from achieving full marks. Even so, I didn’t have to strain to understand 99% of dialogue — but those rare instances marred my experience. It’s pretty pricey for just a soundbar, and there’s not as much height as I would expect for $1,500.

It’s still a worthy contender, though, especially if you want a soundbar as part of a wider multi-speaker sound system. Want to find out more? Keep reading this Bluesound Pulse Cinema review.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: Specs

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: Price & availability

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is a pretty pricey soundbar, at $1,499 from Amazon U.S. and £1,249 from Richer Sounds in the U.K.

For a 3.2.2-channel soundbar, this is quite expensive. I’ve tested the 23-driver, 7.1.4-channel JBL Bar 1300X MKII, which is only $300 pricier, at $1,699. I’ve also reviewed the Samsung QS90H ($899), which is fantastic if you want excellent bass without needing a separate subwoofer.

If money is no object, I’d recommend checking out the $2,999 Yamaha True X Surround 90A, which is the most immersive Dolby Atmos soundbar I’ve ever used. There’s also the fantastic KEF XIO, $1,699, which has incredible sound quality and 360° audio.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, I’d recommend the $399 Samsung Q600F/H or the $699 Denon Home 550 for soundbars with clarity and depth.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: Design

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema looks like any other soundbar. It’s pretty plain, but in a purposeful way that means it won’t steal attention away from the rest of your living room. Of course, there’s a mesh exterior and an on-bar button control pad. This illuminates red, green, and blue.

It’s quite long, at 47 inches, so I’d recommend it only for 55-inch TVs and up. Any smaller would look strange. If you’ve a smaller TV, you might be better suited to the 27-inch Bose Smart Soundbar (2024), or the 26-inch Denon Home 550.

The soundbar was much lighter than I thought it would be: 14.8 pounds. Compared to the Yamaha True X Surround 90A’s 24-pound heft and the KEF XIO’s 23-pound bulk, this was noticeably easier to move around. You might not even need a friend to help you set it up.

Controls

There’s no remote, so all your controlling is done via the BlueOS app. I found setting this up relatively straightforward. I had to restart it a couple of times, but it worked without any headache from me. I didn’t even have to set up my Wi-Fi network: the app took the information from AirPlay, which was great. No scrabbling around trying to find that pesky piece of paper taped to the back of my router.

Ideally, there would be a remote, too. What if your phone breaks and then you’re stuck without a soundbar remote? While this likely won’t be an issue 99% of the time, there’s always that 1%.

As I connected the soundbar via HDMI eARC, I was able to control it via my TV and Blu-ray player remotes, so I didn’t have any issues here. Specific adjustments like treble and bass volume controls were easy to make in the app.

Features

I was disappointed to see no dialogue mode or dialogue enhancer. I personally wouldn’t buy a soundbar without this, purely because I like the reassurance of being able to enhance my dialogue if required.

The Pulse Cinema does have “night”, “movie”, and “music” modes. There’s also a “surround upmixer”, “virtualizer”, and “volume leveler”, alongside treble and bass EQ adjustment. The surround upmixer does what it says on the tin — creates a virtual surround sound environment. “Virtualizer” does pretty much the same thing. I didn’t notice “volume leveler” making much of a change, but it’s supposed to make all the soundbar output the same volume. This would be good if you listen to poorly mastered media or if you’re struggling to hear dialogue.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: App

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema uses the BlueOS app, which works almost identically to the Denon HEOS app. This is more of a multi-room smart speaker app than the soundbar-specific JBL One app. There’s no room calibration or individual channel adjustment, which is a shame for a $1,499 soundbar.

As you can see, the app has TuneIn and integrates music streaming services like TIDAL and Qobuz, making it ideal for building a general multi-speaker home setup. It’s easy to use and easy to set up, so I have no criticisms here. I just wish it had some more soundbar/home cinema-specific modes.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: Sound quality

I test every soundbar in the same room, with “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K Blu-ray, various other Blu-rays, TV streaming, and music on Qobuz via AirPlay.

Movies

As always, I started with “Top Gun: Maverick”. The opening scene is a goldmine for soundbar testing: high-frequency in-scene sound effects like whirring engines and whooshing ropes, bass-heavy “Danger Zone”, the roaring of jet engines flying overhead.

I could feel the planes flying around me, but I couldn’t hear them tracking over me. This is a similar issue on Samsung soundbars, namely the QS90H and the Q600F/H. I want height and width! I tested the Yamaha True Sound 90A in the same room, and it offered much more height, which is why it’s the best Dolby Atmos soundbar I’ve ever used — but it is $3,000. I’d also recommend the JBL Bar 1300X MKII as one of the best surround sound experiences — it had plenty of height in the same test, and is only $300 more than the Bluesound.

Whooshing ropes were clear, and the grinding of Tom Cruise’s wrench was audible in the following scene. The string-heavy soundtrack radiated through the scene like sunlight streaming through cloud cover — but I didn’t get as much width or depth as I wanted.

I also noticed some roughness around dialogue, as if the soundbar was struggling to differentiate the bass in Tom Cruise’s voice from the bass in the OST. This was also an issue in “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)”, but I’ll discuss that in detail below.

However, during action scenes, the bass performance was good. In the first flying scene — Maverick attempting Mach 10 — I could feel the cabin rattling around, the rumbling of the engine right before the explosion. I did want a little more during the explosion, though.

In the first dogfighting scene, the radioed dialogue was clear, despite the lack of dialogue enhancement mode. The rumbling bass of the jet engines didn’t overpower dialogue. I never struggled to make out speech in this scene.

I also watched “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)”. Hiccup’s voice-over and the OST were both clear in the opening action scene, but the dragon sound effects were the true standouts here, especially in the grove scene halfway through the movie. When Toothless flew away, the sound swarmed from around me.

However, there were unpleasant crackling sounds when the characters were talking and moving. While this might be a “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)” mixing issue, I also experienced some crackling during Tom Cruise’s dialogue in “Top Gun: Maverick”. Amazon reviews mention “bass popping”, but I didn’t experience anything like this.

I also watched the original Disney “Alice in Wonderland”. This movie is encoded with Dolby Digital rather than true Atmos.

“Alice in Wonderland” sounded fantastic. The soundbar had no issues switching from music to dialogue to ‘action’ scenes (Alice falling down the rabbit hole). When Alice fell, my stomach actually dropped thanks to the sound effects. The flutes sounded particularly excellent, and I never struggled to hear dialogue — but this isn’t exactly a blockbuster action movie.

As a final blockbuster test, I watched “The Batman (2022)”. The eerie, tense, string-heavy OST didn’t overpower the dialogue or in-scene TV sounds whilst screeching in the background of the scene. The falling rain was exceptionally wide; I could hear it as if it were actually pouring in the testing room.

The iconic “Something in the Way” scene was my favorite scene of the movie. I could hear Pattinson’s brooding voiceover clearly, despite the music and motorcycle sound effects. I could also make out the newsreader speech and the rewinding sound effects over the music. This performance was really great — much better than “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)”.

TV

To test TV playback, I watched “Interview with the Vampire” on basic Netflix. I didn’t notice any crackling or dialogue hissing here. The saloon-inspired soundtrack danced across the soundstage, but never overpowered the dialogue. In-scene sound effects like crickets and crackling fires were clear and pronounced, but layered perfectly beneath dialogue.

I noticed some compression issues when the scenes switched between voiceover and retrospective scenes. “Interview with the Vampire” is that — an interview, taking place in modern day. The protagonist’s dialogue weaves from “present day” interview answers into the retrospective scenes of which he speaks. During each scene, I didn’t notice any processing issues, but during transitional scenes, some dialogue was compressed.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this experience. I never struggled to hear dialogue or make out high-frequency sound effects.

Music

To test music playback, I listened to a range of genres via Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. ‘Von dutch (A.G. Cook remix ft. Addison Rae)’ by Charli xcx is an electronic track with processed synths and rolling bass. Right at the end of the track, there’s a spoken section. This section sounded fantastic. I felt like the words were bouncing around the room.

After, I played ‘I Was Neon’, an indie track with rounded female vocals and slightly crispy guitars. The percussion was a little muted, but not overly so, and the licks of electric guitar after the chorus were particularly melodic. While I wanted a little more control and complexity to the bass performance, at the end of the day, this is a soundbar, not a speaker. This music performance is impressive.

Lastly, I switched to heavier rock with ‘My God Is The Sun’ by Queens of the Stone Age. As with the Julia Jacklin track, the overall performance was good for a soundbar. Homme’s vocals were clear and propulsive, and the percussion wasn’t tinny. However, I wanted more. More bass, more complexity, more passion. At the end of the day, though, this is a soundbar. And soundbars will never be as impressive as genuine music-focused speakers.

Overall, for music, this is one of the best soundbars I’ve ever used. It matches the Bose Smart Soundbar (2024) and exceeds the Samsung Q600H and QS90H.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema review: Verdict

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is a great soundbar, with impressive width and perhaps the best music on a soundbar I’ve ever experienced. The app is easy to use and straightforward, with no connectivity or setup issues.

Even so, for it to achieve our coveted 4-star rating, it would need a few changes: no dialogue/bass rumbling issues (as experienced during “Top Gun: Maverick” and “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)”, and more premium soundbar-specific features — or a lower price. When you can spend $300 extra for the near-perfect JBL Bar 1300X MK2, or save $600 and get the all-in-one Samsung QS90H, why wouldn’t you just do that?

I think I would buy the JBL Bar 1300X MK2 over this model due to the more expansive sound and room calibration tools, but the Bluesound Pulse Cinema is still a great option if you want to build a multi-room smart sound system.

The Nothing Ear (3a) are the latest mid-range earbuds from budget British brand Nothing. The new buds sit underneath the flagship Nothing Ear (3), but there’s really very little between the two.

For $99, the Nothing Ear (3a) are a bit of a bargain. They offer striking design, plenty of features and decent sound quality (after some fettling in the EQ). If you’re only considering their core performance, these are some of the best wireless earbuds around for people on a budget.

However, I have one major concern around some new onboard recording features. In short, these earbuds will let you secretly record and store phone calls. So… spy buds. Is this a bug or a feature?

Want to know more? Keep reading my full Nothing Ear (3a) review to find out.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Specs

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Price & availability

The Nothing Ear (3a) cost just $99 / £99, undercutting the brand’s flagship Nothing Ear (3) ($149), as well as big-name rivals like the Apple AirPods 4 ANC ($179) and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ($179). If you’re using either an iPhone or Galaxy phone, you’ll benefit more from the ecosystem integration of the latter two earbuds — the ability to swap seamlessly between an iPhone and iPad, for example. Otherwise, it’s difficult to recommend the big names over the Ear (3a), given the $80 difference.

At this price, the Ear (3a) are in direct competition with other budget-ish heroes like the EarFun Air Pro 4+ ($99) and CMF Buds 2 Plus ($79). The Air Pro 4+ are the toughest to beat, offering equally as powerful ANC and excellent sound. That said, the Air Pro 4+ look cheap and don’t offer the same number of features as the stacked Ear (3a).

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Design

Nothing is known for its striking design ethos. True to form, the Ear (3a) look phenomenal. Bold colors and Nothing’s trademark see-through design give pure cyberpunk vibes. I tested the hot pink variant, but there’s an equally striking yellow model, plus Nothing’s typical white or black colorways.

Build quality is excellent, with both case and buds feeling high quality. The case lid is magnetic and snaps closed reassuringly, while the buds click magnetically into place with similar confidence. The case is transparent, which looks scruffy pretty quickly, but I’ve yet to see a case that doesn’t reach that point eventually.

The flagship Nothing Ear (3) have a more premium case, with wireless charging and a microphone built into it. They also have a bone-conduction mic in the earbuds. But I wouldn’t say there’s enough there to justify an extra $50 on the Ear (3). They use the same 12mm drivers, while the Ear (3a) benefit from the new stem controls and the recording features I’ll cover later.

The Ear (3a) buds and case are each IP54 rated, just like the Apple AirPods 4, meaning they’ll stand up to rain if you’re caught in a shower, and you can use them for working out. The EarFun AirPro 4+ are IP55 rated, so a little tougher against water.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus have a slightly higher IP55 earbud rating, but only IPX2 for the case. That could be an issue if your clothes got wet with the case in your pocket. I’d rather have IP54 all-round.

Comfort

Mileage is always going to vary with earbud comfort, based on your individual ear holes. But I’ve found the Ear (3a) extremely comfortable. The tips are made from a softer, lighter silicone than my daily drivers, the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($79), and I noticed immediately how much nicer the Nothing tips felt. I wore the buds for two train journeys, plus daily life around the city, with no issues or soreness whatsoever.

Controls

I really like the Ear (3a) controls. You pinch either side of the drop stem, which I much prefer to the touch controls we often see on earbuds. The stem gives subtle haptic feedback to confirm you’ve actuated the controls, and they proved reliable and accurate when I used them while walking through central London.

You can reassign commands in the Nothing X app, with loads of combos to choose from. There are a few too many, to be honest. I simply memorized playback controls and the ANC toggle, which is all I really need.

Connectivity

The Ear (3a) use the latest Bluetooth 6.0, which is nice to see (and not a given) — even the Apple AirPods Max 2 launched in 2026 with the ageing version 5.3.

Bluetooth 6.0 offers higher data transfer rates and more modern codecs than older iterations, reduced power consumption, more stable connection, plus better pinpoint location detection (for ‘Find My’-type services). It’s always nice to see the latest tech in products, but especially budget ones like this.

Codec-wise, the Ear (3a) support the usual AAC and SBC, plus LDAC for hi-res streaming. There’s no LC3plus, an updated version of the LC3 low-energy codec, which is one of the key codec updates in Bluetooth 6.0 and improves latency. That’s not a huge deal, though.

The Ear (3a) feature multipoint connectivity, so I hooked up my phone and work laptop simultaneously and switched between the two. The Nothing X app shows you all connected devices with on/off toggles, so you can curate your connections easily.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Sound quality

The Nothing Ear (3a) stock tuning (i.e., how the equalizer is set up by default) needs work. It’s not awful. Treble and higher mids are clear, with lighter percussion sounding pretty crisp and vocals staying prominent. This is actually an improvement on the flagship Ear (3), whose treble we found overly bright and uncomfortable. Similar to the Ear (3) though, the (3a)’s low end is way over-amplified by default, at least for my liking — if you like bass and bass alone, it might be for you. Not me.

I found heavier and busier tracks difficult to listen to. Mid-range instrument separation effectively disappeared under overwhelming bass. Despite boasting impressive low extension (i.e. how low in the frequency range they can actually reproduce), the drivers can’t handle all the bass amplification EQ’d their way either. In deep electronic music like Burn Water’s Ikigai, larger warbles suffered distortion, as did the sweeping wave of sub bass in the final 20 seconds of SOHN’s Antigravity.

The low end simply needs controlling. Thankfully, you can retune the buds all you like in the Nothing X app. There are three different EQ modes. A simplistic version; some per-genre presets; plus a full and fantastic 8-band parametric EQ. After a lot of fettling in the parametric EQ, paring back bass in particular, the Ear (3a) sounded way more balanced.

Kick drums and basslines were no longer just boomy, fuzzy messes. Addison Rae’s Fame Is a Gun was no longer just one big kick drum, and I could hear the individual oscillations of the track’s wavy synths. Melvins’ Honey Bucket and The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siva, whose distorted, sludgy guitar riffs were effectively buried by booming before, now sounded fantastic, with a hearty amount of crunch and separation in the mid-range.

Likewise, with space to breathe, vocals sounded fantastic. I could pick apart each of Blusher’s voices in the harmonies of Your Love Is My Drug, and could hear the soft, slowly fading reverb on Chris Stapleton's vocals in Death Row.

Sure, it took a little time with EQ to get the Ear (3a) sounding grown up, but for $99, that’s not a big sacrifice to make.

Soundstage

The Ear (3a)’s soundstage is pretty decent for a set of ANC earbuds (which are inherently intimate) — Antigravity’s bouncy spatial intro had a convincing amount of width, for instance. There’s a ‘Spatial’ mode in the app, intended to boost three-dimensionality, but it isn’t worth it. It forces the EQ back into ‘Balanced’ and then just makes everything echoey. It’s how I’d imagine music sounds inside a medieval dungeon.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz, our favorite music streaming service for audiophiles.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: ANC

The Nothing Ear (3a) have three-level ANC (low, medium, high), plus an adaptive mode that changes automatically, and a transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. You switch between these via the app or stem controls.

Adaptive did a good job at tailoring the ANC to the scenario I was in, and I could hear it switching up to the highest level when I entered the busy Paddington Station in London.

The ANC itself is okay, too. It’s not the best, with nearby conversations and hubbub making it through during a train journey. However, lower-frequency sounds like the train’s engine were mostly cut. I also wore the buds while walking around the city, and the ANC cut most traffic noise, too.

You’ll get better ANC performance on the EarFun Air Pro 4+, but the Ear (3a) still did the job I needed them to do: I was able to work on the train with no distractions.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: App

I love the Nothing X app. It’s absolutely packed full of features, and useful for virtually every aspect of operating the buds, from sound (where it’s absolutely necessary) through to call recording, controls, ANC and updates.

Given the app plays such a pivotal role in using the buds, I’m glad it’s so slick and polished. It hasn’t crashed on me once, and is extremely easy to navigate and use.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Call quality

To test call quality, I called my wife while on a walk. With three bars of reception, she said my voice sounded weak and distant, although she understood everything I said. I didn’t sound hi-res, but then again I didn’t need to. The Ear (3a) got the job done.

Nothing’s flagship Ear (3) have the usual earbuds mics, plus an additional microphone built into the case. Given this is one of the only differences between the two sets of buds, it’s not enough reason to recommend the pricier model.

The Ear (3a) have some novel call recording features, but I’ll discuss these in the Privacy concerns section below.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Battery life

Nothing claims the Ear (3a) will last up to 10 hours with ANC off, or 6 hours with ANC enabled. This aligns with my testing, with the buds dropping about 30% over a nearly-two-hour train journey. In total, you can expect 42 hours without ANC from the buds and charging case combined, or 25 with ANC.

This is on the low side, but not awful. The Apple AirPods 4 ANC, for example, manage 24 hours in total with ANC on, while the (Nothing-owned) CMF Buds Pro 2 last 26 hours. The CMF Buds 2 Plus offer 33 hours, while the EarFun Air Pro 4+ can go for 36 hours.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Privacy concerns

I wouldn’t normally need to write a section on privacy — and the fact that I have should raise alarm bells. The Ear (3a) have a range of recording features, which look fairly innocent on the surface. There’s an Audio Snapshot mode, which will store the last minute of media playback — i.e. your favorite excerpts from music or TV.

They can also record and store two hours of calls or voice notes, with a transcription service available via a subscription in the Nothing X app. Very handy for any students or journalists needing to record and transcribe online meetings. But I have serious privacy concerns with this feature.

During test calls, initiating ‘call recording’ delivered a prompt to both parties saying “this call will be recorded in 3, 2, 1.” Fine — good, even! Not so fast. After hitting mute on my side, the other party heard no prompt whatsoever. I ran the test with my colleague Nikita, then again with my wife. Same result for both. So, the Ear (3a) can record calls without the other person knowing or consenting. Here in the U.K., that isn’t illegal, but in many U.S. states it is. Regardless, it’s immoral unless under specific public interest needs.

I don’t like the idea of this feature becoming widespread in earbuds, either. Sure, there are already plenty of ways to record calls nefariously. But adding this kind of thing to tech as ubiquitous as earbuds feels like it’ll make non-consensual recording much easier and more commonplace.

I’ve reached out to Nothing for comment on this issue, but it hasn't got back to me yet.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Verdict

The Nothing Ear (3a) surprised me. I thought nothing could tempt me away from my long-term daily drivers, the EarFun Air Pro 4. But it seems Nothing can!

I really, really wish they didn’t make it so easy to spy on people, but, putting aside the privacy stuff just for a minute and judging these on their merits as earbuds, the Ear (3a) offer impressive performance for their price. Consider the striking design, premium build quality and decent comfort, and these buds start looking like a proper bargain — in fact, I’m not sure why you’d buy the pricier Nothing 3 flagship.

OK, the sound needs some work by default, but the drivers are inherently very good, and it only takes a little time in the EQ to sort everything out. For under $100, that’s time I’m more than happy to spend.

Today is National Vinyl Record Player Day so, if you have a turntable it's time to dig out a few of your favorite records and give them a spin!

But perhaps you're looking for a few tips on how to fill out your shelves or even a place to start your collection? Music is so subjective and it's impossible to create a truly definitive list. For that reason I've broken my suggestions down into four sections.

First off I've picked out three must-buy all-timers, from legendary artists – think legends like David Bowie and Miles Davis. Then I've thrown in a few underrated classics (the Broadcast album is one of my favorite records ever) followed by some modern masterpieces, and rounding out with three of the year's best releases so far. All 12 of these films are well-worth your time and finding a copy on vinyl.

All-timers

Underrated classics

Modern classics

The best of 2026 (so far)

A lot of my childhood memories revolve around family roadtrips, and on one such roadtrip, I vividly remember my dad inserting a CD with a white triangular prism on a black background, the colors of the rainbow emerging from one side, into his car's player. I listened to the entirety of that 10-track album and though I didn't understand many of the lyrics as a 7-year-old, the album stuck with me.

I didn't even have to name the album and you're already thinking of it. Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" is nothing short of iconic. It's my favorite album of all time (I've even got a tattoo dedicated to it), so when the We Are Rewind x Pink Floyd WE-001 cassette player landed on my desk, I instantly fell in love.

And We Are Rewind's CEO, Romain Boudruche, echoes my sentiments. Speaking with him about the inspiration behind the collab, the popularity of cassettes (alongside vinyl) among Gen Z, and how cassettes are becoming "collector's items" will give anyone newfound appreciation for physical media.

'Today, you don't own what you pay for'

Physical media has seen a comeback in recent years, with vinyl purchases in 2025 surpassing $1.04 billion in the U.S. alone, according to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America. On the flipside, Sony announced that it would be ending physical disc production for PlayStation consoles in 2028. Why can't we own what we pay for now?

We Are Rewind is doing what it can to keep physical media alive. The French company was founded by two friends who wanted to bring back the cassette player — and that resonates with Gen Z. "Gen Z really want to hold things in their hands," Romain tells me. "You pay for your Netflix and Spotify subscriptions but you never hold anything in your hands. You don't own what you pay for. It's both a global saturation of digital things and that, for example, when you're listening to music, you're constantly distracted by notifications."

That's something I believe all of us can relate to.

"I listen to music on my phone and then I have a pop-up from Instagram, and I click on it, and then I realize I've been scrolling for hours, for nothing," Romain says.

And that's where We Are Rewind's WE-001 cassette player comes into play. "Holding a cassette player is a way to be very focused on what you're doing in that moment, and you're committed to it."

Alongside eliminating doomscrolling, cassette players invoke a feeling of nostalgia. I, personally, grew up in a time when I was burning my own CDs. The generation before mine was doing the same with mixtapes.

"I think there's something reassuring about projecting yourself in past times, even for people who didn't grow up in the 1970s or 80s," Romain says. "They are nostalgic for a period of time they didn't know but it's a way to go back, because they think of it as a less stressful time.

"Back in the day, you didn't worry about, 'What's the future going to be like?' I know there were a lot of scary things in the 80s too, but for those who didn't grow up in that period, it feels safe."

And Romain isn't wrong. In the age of social media where there's an overload of information, disinformation and fearmongering, it's hard not to worry about the future. Music, for me, has always been a safe space, and having a screen-free cassette player helps keep it intact.

'It's more of an art object'

The We Are Rewind WE-001 was first released in 2023 and since then, Romain has been working closely with his team to release the limited edition Pink Floyd collab, to pay homage to one of his favorite bands.

And the Pink Floyd version is a thing of beauty. I've been using it for a couple of weeks and it's sublime: from its aluminum body and tactile buttons, to its modern features like USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.1 support, it's a nifty gadget.

For Romain, it's more than that. "It's more of a lifestyle, a fashionable device," he tells me with a big smile on his face, "and it's more of an art object, not just tech."

The WE-001 being made of aluminum plays a big role in it feeling like a "collector's item" and not just a toy, so how did the cassette player come about?

"It started with an article I read which said that cassettes were making a comeback thanks to 'The Guardians of the Galaxy,' " Romain laughs. "I saw that there are only plastic players, poor quality ones, in the market. We wanted to do something very close to the first Sony Walkman — one I held in my hands, and it was cold and heavy, and I wanted that, and we did it. The WE-001 gives the impression of something strong and something that's going to last long."

You're getting bang for your buck with the WE-001. The Pink Floyd version is priced at $199 / £159, and when explaining the price to me, Romain cites a quote from the 1993 blockbuster, "Jurassic Park."

"You know when the kid picks up the glasses and the guy says, 'Are they heavy? Then they're expensive.' Every time we can, we like to use premium aluminum materials in our products, like in the Freddie Headphones."

The Pink Floyd WE-001 is certainly a collector's item, and each box includes an official 50th anniversary remastered edition of "The Dark Side of the Moon" (exclusive, because there's nowhere else to get it). The first batch consisted of just 3,000 units — and they sold out within a week.

I was lucky number 834, as mentioned on a little card inside the cassette player box. We Are Rewind is currently working on a second batch, expected to be available around November. "Just in time for Christmas!" exclaims Romain.

'A 50/50 split between the older and younger audiences'

The We Are Rewind x Pink Floyd collaboration feels special. Creating a product that pays homage to one of the greatest rock bands of all time is no mean feat but We Are Rewind has done it, and there's a lot more Romain wants to do. When asked if there are any bucket list artists he wants to work with, or design products inspired by them, Romain was quick to answer.

"The 'White Album' by The Beatles, definitely! We would like to make an entire white boxset dedicated to it, hopefully for the anniversary in 2028. There's things we want to do with Gorillaz and Daft Punk, too, and David Bowie. But I don't think we can go higher than Pink Floyd and Dark Side. It's the best album of all time, and it looks fantastic. As soon as I opened the box, I was like, 'Okay, I'm in love.'"

He is, of course, not the only one. Given the limited edition's popularity and how quickly it sold out, I had to ask Romain about who was buying it. Gen Z? Gen X? Millennials? While he didn't have the data to hand, Romain believes that it's "a 50/50 split between the older and younger audiences."

"It's something that we didn't expect in the first place as we were going to target only people who were familiar with cassette players, so older generations," he adds, "and it's totally different now. We have people between 50 and 70 as well as very young people between 17 and 25 buying the player." Maybe you were one of them, dear reader, or you could be when the next batch drops.

While cassette sales are up by 17.5% in the U.S., and up by 53% from 2024 to 2025 in the U.K., Romain doesn't think they will become as popular as vinyl. "I wish it would but I don't think it will," he says.

"Physical and running issues with cassettes can be problematic and something people struggle with. It's definitely going to keep growing in popularity in the coming years, I'm convinced about that, but I don't think it will reach the peaks vinyl has."

Even if they don't become as popular as vinyl has, I don't believe that's a problem. As long as they're still around and available to buy, and a company like We Are Rewind is actively working towards making the format more accessible, perhaps that's all we need right now.

For Romain, even having just the option to buy cassettes is a boon. "When you are in love with an artist, you want to hold something from them, which is why I collect CDs, cassettes and records, and sometimes, it's nice to just display them and show your love for them."

And in an age of digital saturation where even one screen can feel overwhelming, We Are Rewind has nailed its WE-001 cassette player, striking the perfect balance between old and new. The Dark Side of the Moon edition is perhaps one of the the most special gadgets — or rather, pieces of art — I've owned.

I'm going to Breathe (In the Air), take my Time, maybe go On the Run, and enjoy this sonic masterpiece like it's The Great Gig in the Sky. On tape. As Pink Floyd intended.

More from Tom's Guide

• I've been testing this cassette walkman, and I'm having a blast reliving my childhood
• Inside the underground cassette tape label reviving physical media (and defying algorithm culture)
• Digital fatigue is showing up in our music consumption — and Gen Z is ditching streaming for vinyl crackle

Bose makes some of the best headphones and best waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market. If you're in the market for some new gear from the popular audio brand you're in luck: Amazon is currently knocking up to 36% off Bose devices.

Looking for a new speaker? I recommend the Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) for just $119. When it comes to headphones, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for $229, which are currently $130 off.

We don't know how long these rare Bose deals will last, so we recommending adding to cart ASAP. Keep scrolling to check out the rest of my favorite picks from the sale.

Quick Links

• shop all Bose deals on Amazon
• Bose SoundLink Micro: was $129 now $99
• Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2): was $149 now $119
• Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbud: was $179 now $149
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• Bose QuietComfort Headphones: was $349 now $229
• Bose SoundLink Max: was $399 now $309

Best Bose Deals

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We’re just over half way through 2026 and it’s shaping up to be one of the best years yet for home cinema enthusiasts. We’ve seen new, cutting-edge TV technology in the form of RGB TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and Hisense; fantastic active speakers from Klipsch and Edifier; and new luxurious high-end open-back headphones that have blown us away.

To help you sort through this year’s cavalcade of great gear, we’ve put together a list of 25 award-winning products that deserve a spot in your home theater or listening room. This list of products is sorted in alphabetical order to avoid any bias or claims of favoritism, so be sure to scroll all the way down to see the complete list of winners.

TVs

Samsung S95H OLED

The Samsung S95H OLED TV earned my 5/5 star recommendation because it sets a completely new benchmark for OLED performance. It delivers fantastic brightness that confidently challenges traditional LED sets without compromising the sophistication of black levels. Thanks to a Glare Free display, the TV looks spectacular in both dark home theaters and bright living rooms. It even features fantastic gaming capabilities with low input lag right out of the box. — Kate Kozuch, Managing Editor

Sony BRAVIA 9 II TRUE RGB TV

The Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV is an absolute masterclass in modern LED technology and is, undisputedly, the champion of the current RGB display revolution. I recommend it for its astounding luminance and virtually invisible blooming, getting as close to OLED I’ve ever seen in terms of black levels. Delivering nearly 4,000 nits peak HDR brightness on a glare-reducing screen, this TV is the ultimate premium choice for bright room viewing. — Kate Kozuch, Managing Editor

TCL QM8L SQD-Mini LED TV

While the rest of the industry is zigging toward RGB technology, TCL is sticking to white light-driven Mini-LED and ratcheting everything up to 11. SQD stands for Super Quantum Dot, and the new QM8L uses it to deliver high levels of brightness and high levels of color without breaking the bank. I saw it at CES 2026 and knew it was going to be the mid-range LED to beat this year. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Streaming Stick

Roku Streaming Stick Plus

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus nails the basics: It’s 4K HDR streaming in a pint-sized package for under $50. Roku’s primary interface is one of the easiest to use (and has been for years) but still features pretty much every single streaming service you’d want to watch. Streaming sticks may not be the home theater staples they once were, but anyone interested in adding new functionality to an aging 4K HDR TV will appreciate Roku’s slim and affordable solution. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Projectors

Hisense XR10 4K Triple Laser Projector

The Hisense XR10 is an exceptional projector with a bright, crystal-clear image and contrast I’ve rarely seen from projectors. It’s brilliant as a home theater beamer, it rocks for games, and it’s easily adaptable to just about any space. The Hisense XR10 offers simply brilliant projection that’s a knockout in dark home theater environments and can still dazzle even with overhead lights on. — Mark Knapp, Tom’s Guide Contributor

JMGO N3 Ultimate

In the early part of my career I avoided portable projectors like the plague. I found their performance lackluster and, despite their claims about being user friendly, never quite worked the way I wanted them to. The JMGO N3 Ultimate delivers the convenience and performance that I craved all those years ago. I'm definitely getting one of these for myself. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Soundbars

Bluesound Pulse Cinema

If you've yet to try a BluOS product, I urge you to do so. There are plenty of multi-room audio solutions on the market, but Bluesound's is the best by far. Its latest soundbar not only uses that platform to great effect, but it delivers 3.2.2 Dolby Atmos sound via 16 drivers. It's a next-level soundbar from a company on the cutting-edge of sound performance. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Samsung HW-QS90H Soundbar

Want a soundbar that can seriously do it all? The Samsung QS90H is your one to watch. This all-in-one soundbar combines a powerful subwoofer with seven center channels and two surrounds — yes, in one bar. Dialogue is crystal-clear and smooth, and diegetic sounds are exceptionally detailed. It’s ideal for home setups that might not have space for a dedicated sub or rears. — Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer

Headphones

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

By adding noise cancellation to the already fantastic Maxwell 2 formula, the new Maxwell 2 is the all-rounder that Audeze’s gaming lineup has been crying out for. Its planar magnetic drivers deliver excellent fidelity, and while there are other headsets out there using similar drivers, none offer the immersion of ANC and a closed back design. — Pete Wolinski, Senior Reviews Editor

Belkin SoundForm Mini 2 Kids Wireless Headphones

As a relatively new dad, I take my daughter’s health seriously. As desperate as I am to have her right beside me listening to music on the latest speakers and soundbars, I want to preserve her hearing health — that’s where these cheap wireless headphones come in. With a set volume cap, there’s no way for her to crank up the music to a dangerously high level, which makes me feel better about the times we do listen to music together. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

JBL LIVE 780NC

Bolder doesn’t always mean better, but in the case of the JBL Live 780NC, it does. Available in a splash of striking colors, including the bright orange we tested, the Live 780NC combine style, finesse, and good vibes. Sound quality is just as vibrant as the design, and the battery life is good enough to keep you movin’ and groovin’ all week long. — Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer

Meze Audio STRADA

Audiophiles are quick to say that open-back headphones deliver a more natural, concert hall-style performance, but if you want lower bass response, you're not going to get it in open-backs. The closed-back Meze Audio STRADA delivers that clean, crisp low-end performance in spades. For high-end headphones, they're actually pretty affordable, too. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Earbuds

EarFun Clip 2

For gym-goers, runners and anyone who wants to remain aware while working out, few open-earbuds are better than the EarFun Clip 2. Their comfortable clip style is a winner in our books, and they’ve got AI-powered real-time translation to boot. Generally good for listening to music as well as taking calls, we were also impressed by the Clip 2’s 40-hour battery life. They’re some of the best cheap earbuds you can buy right now. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Writer Reviews

ShokzOpenDots 2

The Shokz OpenDots 2 offer an impressive combination of a great fit, excellent sound quality for open buds, and long battery life. They’re ideal for runs, strength sessions and other workouts, and great for general use as well, keeping you aware of your surroundings while delivering better sound than bone conduction headphones. If you’ve yet to try clip-on headphones, the OpenDots 2 will convince you of the advantages of the design. — Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Fitness Writer

Technics EAH-AZ100 Wireless Earbuds

In the pantheon of the best wireless earbuds makers, Technics holds a top spot. The Technics EAH-AZ80 that debuted in 2023 are some of my favorite earbuds of the last 10 years, and the new Technics EAH-AZ100 are even better. For discerning listeners looking for a pair of wireless earbuds, the Technics EAH-AZ100 deliver class-leading sound with head-tracked Dolby Atmos audio. For $249, I definitely recommend them. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Speakers

Creative Technology XF1

It's not often that I get excited about computer speakers. If I'm sitting at my desk, I'm usually testing out a new pair of awesome open-back headphones or I'm going to connect wirelessly to a nearby pair of bookshelf speakers. But the Creative XF1 has me intrigued, for sure. With a 10-band parametric equalizer and more than 120 genre- and game-specific presets, it's the Swiss Army knife of desktop speakers. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Edifier S880DB MKII

There’s a reason why the audio world made such a racket about the Edifier S880DB MKII upon release late last year. These $449 speakers look like a high-end brand and the sound matches up, too. With a rich, controlled low-end, expansive mids, and a dextrous, flexible treble, the S880DB MKII are some of the best midrange bookshelf speakers available right now. — Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer

Klipsch The Nines II Powered Speakers

Klipsch's The Nines II were my favorite speakers of CES 2026. I heard them in a small enclosed booth on the Las Vegas Convention Center and I instantly fell in love with them. Despite their medium-sized footprint, they're bombastic. They deliver powerful, detailed sound with a fairly wide soundstage. It also comes with Dirac Live Room Correction that measures the acoustic characteristics of your room and automatically tunes the sound to prevent issues. I'm here for it. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution Subwoofer

Squeezing flagship subwoofer performance into a smaller package is no easy task, and yet, somehow SVS succeeded with the new 3000 Micro R|Evolution Subwoofer. Packaged in a compact 11-inch enclosure, the 3000 Micro R|Evolution Subwoofer delivers 20Hz sub-bass response using dual opposing 9-inch active drivers and a 1,200W RMS amplifier. That’s a serious sub all for under $1,000. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Go 5

Good becomes great as JBL has introduced small but meaningful upgrades, making the JBL Go 5 one of the best Bluetooth speakers of 2026. It's pocketable so you can take it anywhere with you. Even though it's small, we've been impressed by its wide soundstage and just how loud it can get. Its IP68 rating means it's highly waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof too. At just $54, it offers simply unbeatable value for money. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

JBL Xtreme 5

What a speaker. The JBL Xtreme 5 is officially the most durable speaker in the world thanks to its drop-proof, IP68 rating. But hardiness isn’t the only area the Xtreme 5 excels — it’s also a bass beast. Improving on its predecessor’s loud-but-muffled bass performance, the Xtreme 5 brings control, power, and ferocity to the party. The ultimate party speaker of 2026. — Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer

Sonos Play

The Sonos Play is a highly versatile portable speaker that flawlessly bridges the gap between everyday home use and travel listening. I recommend it for those looking to blend wireless multi-room audio capabilities with everyday Bluetooth convenience. Offering crisp vocals, satisfying bass and an impressive 24-hour battery life, this lightweight speaker delivers incredibly balanced, room-filling sound. It’s the middle ground between the bulkier Move 2 and smaller Roam 2 that Sonos users didn’t know they were waiting for. — Kate Kozuch, Managing Editor

Home Hi-Fi

Denon AVR-X2900H

Denon knows what it’s doing when it comes to home cinema amplification. The company has been at it for decades, but blimey, this AV receiver is a bit of a belter. For a mid-range model, it’s exceptional. Movies sound convincingly cinematic, and music is rewardingly rhythmic. Thoughtful engineering, sensible connectivity and an excellent multiroom platform are the icing on the cake. — Steve May, Tom’s Guide Contributor

Fluance RT87 Reference High Fidelity Dual-Plinth Turntable

I love the way that the RT87 looks. The dual plinth design makes it look unlike any other sub-$1000 turntable and lends a commanding presence to the deck. The carbon tonearm is a nice visual touch, and the hefty acrylic platter really brings everything together. In terms of performance, you’d be hard-pressed to find something that sounds better within $300-$500 of the RT-87’s price. — Tammy Rogers, Buying Guide Editor

WiiM Amp Ultra

Home entertainment centers can only hold so many products. I wish there was space for an amplifier, a streaming music player, speakers, a turntable, a pre-amp and a CD transport on every shelf. Sadly, there's not. But thankfully Wiim is there to reduce the amount of gear we need with its excellent Amp Ultra that combines a streaming player with an amplifier that can deliver up to 100W per channel. For $549, I've yet to find something better. — Nick Pino, Managing Editor

More from Tom's Guide

• Best TV Brands 2026: We just graded them on price, performance and more — here’s how their report cards stack up
• These are the 5 best TVs we've tested for movies, sports and gaming you can buy right now
• Best headphones: Top picks tested by experts

If you want to listen to your favorite songs the way the artist intended, you need a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) — and you don’t need to spend an extortionate amount on them either. The Sivga Lyrebird are phenomenal IEMs, and at just under $150, they give Sennheiser a run for its money. Sound quality is 10/10 with great instrument separation, powerful bass, and airy treble, thanks to the quad-driver configuration.

In addition to that, the Lyrebird are mighty comfortable, making them perfect for all-day wear, and they’re built well, too. The only drawback is that these IEMs utilize a 4.4mm jack, so you’ll need either an adapter or a DAC/Amp.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Sivga Lyrebird review.

Sivga Lyrebird review: Specs

Sivga Lyrebird review: Price & availability

If you want to stream hi-res audio, the Sivga Lyrebird are excellent in-ear monitors (IEMs) that don’t necessarily break the bank. They have a retail price of $149 at Amazon U.S. / £125 at Sivga Shop U.K.

This puts the Lyrebird in the same price range as the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the Sony Inzone E9 ($149) — though the latter are gaming IEMs. If you’re on a tight budget, the Dunu Titan X ($39) are much cheaper than the Lyrebird, but their eartip replacement is finicky and they’re slightly heavier than the Lyrebird (more on that shortly).

Sivga Lyrebird review: Design

The Sivga Lyrebird are beautiful IEMs, and I was impressed with their design as soon as I unboxed them. Unlike the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9 — both of which are made of plastic — the Lyrebird are a sight for sore eyes. The Lyrebird’s earbuds feature wooden faceplates and CNC-machined aluminum housing (aviation-grade, according to Sivga) to give the IEMs a premium look.

In addition to looking great, the Lyrebird feel solid and well-built too. The Lyrebird’s braided cable features a tangle-free, flexible design, so you don’t need to worry about untangling every time you take them out of your pocket or their included case. They’re equipped with a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, which means you can swap them with ease and increase the IEMs’ lifespan.

Weatherproofing

Wired earbuds and IEMs are rarely waterproof. Similar to the Dunu Titan X, the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Lyrebird don’t have an official IP rating. I wouldn’t recommend wearing them in the rain or during workouts. You may want to consider a pair of the best wireless earbuds if you want waterproofing.

Comfort

Alongside their lovely design, the Lyrebird are exceptionally comfortable, and I’ve had no problem wearing them continuously for over five hours. Each earbud weighs 0.22oz and fits snugly in my ears. The Lyrebird are lighter than the Dunu Titan X (0.45oz each) but slightly heavier than the Sennheiser IE 200 (0.14oz each) — they hit the sweet spot, in my opinion.

Just like the Dunu Titan X and the Sennheiser IE 200, you wrap the cables emerging from the earbuds around your ears to ensure they don’t fall off — and they didn’t in my testing, even when I was headbanging. I used the default size of eartips that came fitted straight out of the box, and Sivga happily includes three extra pairs of hybrid silicone tips for a stable fit and balanced seal, plus three pairs of soft silicone tips for superior comfort.

I also appreciate how easy it is to replace the eartips on the Lyrebird. On the Dunu Titan X, it took me 30 minutes to get a pair of eartips onto the earpieces because the tips’ opening felt ridiculously tight and rigid. On the Lyrebird, it took me about 20 seconds to replace the eartips — quick and easy.

Controls

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested, the Lyrebird don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback, so you’ll need to whip out your phone or use your audio source to play and pause music.

Connectivity & drive

The Lyrebird are wired IEMs, so no wireless Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity. That means they need to be powered (driven) by a power source.

They’re not difficult to drive, but the Lyrebird only have a 4.4mm balanced cable to connect to your audio source. The advantage of a 4.4mm jack is that it separates the audio into left and right channels to keep interference to a minimum.

The downside of a 4.4mm jack is that very few phones, laptops and tablets, if any, feature 4.4mm ports. Due to this, you’ll need to grab either a 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter, or a dedicated DAC/Amp — I recommend the latter as you won’t be sacrificing the balanced channels and will be able to enjoy your tunes fully. I used the FiiO K11 R2R ($175) to test the Lyrebird, and can’t recommend this DAC/Amp enough if you want to get the best out of your passive headphones or IEMs.

If you want to drive straight from your phone or laptop, the Dunu Titan X and the Sennheiser IE 200 are fitted with 3.5mm jacks.

Sivga Lyrebird review: Sound quality

Though they’re tiny, they’re mighty — and just like the Australian bird they’re named after, the Sivga Lyrebird truly sing. They’re fitted with quad-driver setups in each earpiece. Each earpiece utilizes a combination of 10mm dynamic, 9.2mm ceramic, balanced armature, and micro-planar drivers. Sounds like overkill, I know, but each driver has its purpose.

The dynamic drivers are there for reproducing deep, elastic bass; the balanced armatures deliver clear mids and details; the micro-planar drivers enable distortion-free treble; and the ceramic drivers act as super-tweeters to handle ultra-high frequencies. All of this is to say that the Lyrebird make music sound phenomenal. As I mentioned earlier, I tested the Lyrebird by plugging them into the FiiO K11, and listening to my mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

The instrument separation and different atmospheric layers in Pink Floyd’s ‘Time’ jumped out as soon as I played the song. This is my favorite song of all time, and listening to it through the Lyrebird is the quintessential way. From the chiming clocks to the layered guitars and subtle keyboard textures, every element occupied its own distinct space while maintaining a cohesive melody. The track sounded and felt expansive and three-dimensional, while the vocals remained focused at the center.

Speaking of, ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac felt like an excellent showcase for the Lyrebird’s vocal presentation. The IEMs allowed each voice to remain distinct while blending seamlessly together. Lead vocals sounded expressive and packed plenty of detail, while the treble felt crisp and vibrant. Cymbals and acoustic guitar overtones had plenty of sparkle to them without coming across as fatiguing. I also appreciate that the sibilance remained smooth — “s” and “t” sounds weren’t harsh and didn’t sound like they were bleeding into one another.

Dire Straits’ ‘Sultans of Swing’ highlighted the Lyrebird’s ability to balance precision and musicality. The bassline sounded tight and articulate with plenty of oomph to it, and it provided a solid rhythmic foundation without overshadowing the rest of the mix. Every note plucked and the slides on Mark Knopfler’s guitar came through with exceptional clarity. The track sounded the most energetic it ever has, and I love that the Lyrebird successfully maintain the classic’s dynamic, engaging, and groovy energy.

I’ve also been impressed by the Lyrebird’s ability to remain distortion-free even when listening to music at high volumes (you shouldn’t be listening to music at 100% volume though as it can potentially damage your ears). Charli XCX’s electronic track ‘Von Dutch’ never sounded distorted at full volume, as the pounding kickdrums hit with authority and the bass remained tight and never bloated.

Listen along to my review with the Sivga Lyrebird testing playlist:

Sivga Lyrebird review: Verdict

The Sivga Lyrebird are simply outstanding. That’s it. That’s all you need to know; my job here is done.

No but really: the Lyrebird make music sound extremely detailed and like you’re in the recording studio with your favorite artist. With excellent instrument separation, deep and punchy bass, vibrant treble, and refined mids, the Lyrebird don’t give you lots to complain about.

They’re also extremely comfortable for all-day wear, and not only are they built well, they’re pleasing to look at, too. All of these qualities make the Lyrebird easy to recommend, especially if you need a pair of IEMs that doesn’t break the bank. Because these IEMs utilize a 4.4mm jack, you’ll need to get a DAC or an adapter — but that’s about the only drawback I can think of.

Summer is the perfect time to upgrade your audio setup with the high-quality headphones, earbuds or speakers you've had your eye on. Even better, Amazon is offering up to 50% off top-rated audio gear, making now a great time to save.

Amazon's sale has deals for every budget. Some of the best headphones we've tested from brands like JBL, Bose, Apple, and Sony are discounted to as little as $38. You'll also find great savings on some of our favorite speakers, including the Bose SoundLink Micro for just $99.

If you're looking to upgrade your audio devices for summer travel, pool parties, beach days and more, keep scrolling. I've rounded up all my favorite audio device deals on Amazon that will get you the most bang for your buck!

Quick Links

• shop all deals on Amazon
• Sony WH-CH520: was $59 now $38
• Beats Flex Wireless: was $69 now $45
• Apple AirPods 4: was $129 now $99
• Bose SoundLink Micro: was $129 now $99
• Beats Studio Pro: was $349 now $169

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