Audio
Sturdy portable speakers that will keep playing long after the sun sets
As the weather turns warmer and evenings become lighter, you’ll need a great sounding, durable portable speaker with strong battery life to add a soundtrack to your summer adventures. Portable...
Do hi-tech sound bar features mask poor audio quality?
The main reason for getting a sound bar is to take your home entertainment experience to the next level with sound that your TV speakers can’t beat. With scores of...
Why you shouldn’t write off buying a mini hi-fi
Bluetooth speakers may be increasingly popular, but those looking for the very best sound quality shouldn’t discount mini hi-fis – and they’re not as expensive as you might think. This...
Update: Apple Music now available on Amazon’s Alexa speakers, but avoid getting a Don’t Buy
Update – 9 April 2019: Apple Music is now available on Amazon’s Echo devices, allowing users full access to Apple’s music streaming service through Alexa voice control. But which are...
Record Store Day 2019: the best turntables to enjoy your vinyl on
Saturday 13 April is Record Store Day, when music fans have the opportunity to pick up newly released limited-edition presses of their favourite artists. The record players themselves are often...
New Apple Airpods and Samsung Galaxy Buds launched – but which ones should you buy?
Apple and Samsung have launched their latest truly wireless headphones with the upgraded Apple AirPods and new Samsung Galaxy Buds. But how do their earbuds compare to heavyweight rivals such...
Surprising speaker brands topping our tests: are you paying too much for big brands?
Surprise successes and disappointing flops have been revealed in our recent months of audio testing. Plus some remarkable trends have developed, with some lesser-known and unheard-of brands excelling in our...
Vinyl sales are surging – but do records really sound better?
Vinyl sales reached their 11th consecutive year of growth in 2018, with 4.2 million vinyl LPs sold in the UK. But can old turntable technology really match the latest digital...
Sound bars that promise crystal clear speech but leave you straining your ears
We tell you which sound bars are good at making speech sound clear in TV and movies, and which ones aren’t so good.
The Polk Audio Command Bar is £199 at Richer Sounds – but is it worth buying?
Polk Audio’s Command Bar has built-in Amazon Alexa, allowing you to effortlessly play, pause, rewind and adjust the volume using your voice. All you have to do is speak out...