Riva Audio’s Concert and Stadium are smart speakers with an emphasis on sound
When we've gotten our hands on speakers from Riva Audio in the past, we've been impressed, so we expect that to remain the case with the company's new smart speakers, the Concert and Stadium, both of which are the first third-party speakers to feature the complete Alexa communications suite.
2018 TVs from Samsung, Panasonic are getting HDR10+ via firmware updates
A firmware update released for 2018 TVs from Samsung and Panasonic adds support for the HDR10+ standard, which brings HDR10 closer to Dolby Vision by adding support for dynamic metadata to each frame. This means the manufacturers' decision not to include Dolby Vision support will be less of an issue.
Astell & Kern’s new A&futura SE100 hi-res player looks funny, sounds fantastic
Astell & Kern continues to outdo itself, this time with its latest middle-range player, the A&futura SE100. The device with the funny name (and the funny design) is all business when it comes to sound, offering stunningly accurate performance for the money. Even at $1,700, the A&futura SE100 is an audiophile bargain.
Pioneer embraces Bluetooth, launches true wireless C8, tethered C7 headphones
Pioneer has launched two new pairs of Bluetooth earbuds, continuing its trend of offering great-sounding and affordable headphones. The new fully wireless C8 and the tethered C7 in-ears take aim at jackless phone owners' wallets, competing against excellent options from Jabra and Apple.
RHA’s CL2 Planar are the world’s first wireless planar magnetic in-ears
We’ve seen planar magnetic in-ear headphones before, such as the Audeze iSine series. But while they might technically be in-ears, they’re anything but compact. RHA’s new CL2 Planar use a different form factor, making for the most compact planar magnetic design ever released. Even better, they’re wireless.
Kill the noise and crank the bass with Skullcandy’s new Venue and Crusher 360
Skullcandy is mainly known for its more affordable, but with its latest outings the company is eyeing the higher end, with the new noise-canceling Venue wireless headphones and the Crusher 360, wireless headphones with a haptic engine that makes sure not only do you hear the bass, you feel it.
Samsung may launch its first 8K TVs this year, but will the U.S. get them?
Samsung has announced that it plans to launch two ranges of 8K TVs, complete with a 120 Hz refresh rate and “next-gen” HDR. One range is set to debut in 2019 while the other could launch later this year, but maybe not in the U.S. A banner displayed in Berlin suggests the TVs may be unveiled at IFA.
LG’s Tone series of wearable audio gear gets smarter with Google Assistant
It seems that Google Assistant is coming to everything, from smart speakers to soundbars, and now it’s coming to LG’s popular Tone series, specifically in the new LG Tone Platinum SE in-ear headphones, launching along with the LG Tone Ultra SE, which features an external speaker.
Google has a new Chromecast on the way, but don’t expect a major leap forward
An FCC filing by Google shows that the company is planning to release an updated model of its Chromecast streaming hardware, but you might not even notice to look at it. This is a minor update, albeit one that may be welcome if you’ve been having issues with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Amazon’s next piece of hardware could turn your Fire TV into a DVR
Amazon continues to push its business in different directions, so it shouldn’t really come as too much of a surprise that the company is reportedly working on a new piece of hardware that would take on Tivo by adding DVR-style functionality to its Fire TV streaming devices.
Soul Electronics’ new earbuds act as your personal running coach
Soul Electronics is no stranger to fitness-focused earbuds, but its new Run Free Pro Bio use a new gait-analysis technology to measure exactly how you run and what you need to change, effectively packing your own personal running coach into the form factor of a set of earbuds.
Samsung’s Harman buyout could prove its worth in new Dolby Atmos soundbars
In 2017, Samsung bought out audio powerhouse brand Harman, which itself owns a ton of major audio brands. Now it seems that purchase may be paying off, as Samsung is launching two new Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars that can make for maximum immersion without taking over your room with speakers.
Do you need an $8,000 gold-plated digital music player? Sony made one anyway
If you're looking for the ultimate in luxury when it comes to your digital music player, Sony's new DMP-Z1 may be just the thing for you, with "audiophile-grade" sound quality and a gold-plated volume knob to let everyone around you know you take your music extremely seriously.
Beem United’s latest wireless earbuds track your heart rate during workouts
Beem United is launching the second product in its BeActiv line of fitness-focused earbuds, the BeActiv S100, which builds on the foundation laid by the previous earbuds but adds an integrated continuous heart rate monitor to make them a perfect companion for your daily workout or run.
Amazon update for older Fire TV devices helps keep you safe from malware
In June, some users of older models of Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick devices found themselves targeted by malware. While this is still a risk depending on how you use your device, new security measures rolling out as part of the latest software update will help keep you safe.
Firmware update brings Alexa to Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II wireless headphones
Last year, Bose released the QuietComfort 35 II, an iteration of its popular headphones that integrated Google Assistant, the first headphones to do so. Now another voice-powered virtual assistant is available on the headphones in the form of Amazon Alexa, thanks to a recent software update.
Wish your AirPods were as tricked out as your car? Hadoro can make that happen
Do you love Apple’s AirPods so much you wish you could spend even more on them? Hadoro Paris can help, with its redesigned take on the iconic earbuds that replaces the cheap plastic casing with an incredibly light, incredibly strong carbon fiber shell and matching case. Insanely high price included.
Roku makes free movies and TV shows even easier to find
Roku’s streaming devices offer up a ton of free movies and TV shows, but they’re scattered across different streaming services and can be hard to find. The new “Featured Free” section ties together shows and movies across various services, making it easier than ever to find something to watch for free.
Yamaha’s new MusicCast soundbar lets you add speakers for more immersive sound
Yamaha’s new MusicCast BAR 400 soundbar doesn’t just let you easily trade up from your TV’s built-in speakers, it also lets you add optional MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 rear surround speakers to make for a more immersive experience, whether you're watching a movie or listening to music.
Denon debuts new A/V receiver with Airplay 2 and support for Amazon Alexa
If you’re looking for a new A/V receiver for your home theater and want to make sure it’s not immediately out of date, Denon’s new 7.2-channel AVR-X3500H might be just the thing for you with all the standard features plus support for Apple Airplay 2 as well as control via Amazon Alexa.
Klipsch gave its flagship Reference speakers a complete redesign for 2018
Klipsch unveiled a redesigned version of its popular Reference model speakers for 2018, but its more than a modern cosmetic upgrade, with updated components, new audio enhancements, and even a few new features that make them worth a look, even if you weren’t planning on upgrading your speakers.
3 billion data points reveal streaming TV’s surge
Conviva's Q2 2018 streaming TV census found viewing hours more than doubled since 2017 with significant jumps in simultaneous viewers, especially during the World Cup and the NBA playoffs. The survey also noted shifts in the devices used to stream TV and marked improvements in five video quality measures.
Looking for a new TV? Vizio’s 2018 lineup is sure to have something for you
Earlier this year, Vizio unveiled it's 2018 TV lineup, which included a surprise in the form of the P-Series Quantum. Here's a rundown of what those TVs have to offer and which one might be the best for you based on your needs and the size of your living room -- as well as your budget.
Vizio undercuts Samsung’s QLED TVs by hundreds of dollars with the Quantum
Vizio's challenger to Samsung's QLED TV is here, and it appears to keep with the company's tradition of providing high performance at an enticing price. Armed with Quantum Dots and a 192-zone full array local dimming backlight system, the new Quantum series could disrupt the premium LED/LCD TV space.
Crank up the bass with Amazon Alexa’s new hands-free EQ adjustments
Your music listening on Amazon’s Echo and other Alexa-powered devices just got easier, as a new feature lets you use Alexa to cut or boost the equalization by up to 6 decibels, simply by using voice commands like “Alexa, turn up the treble” or “Alexa, reset the equalizer."
Will Samsung’s massive MicroLED TVs make their way into homes next year?
Samsung showed off its massive 146-inch “The Wall” MicroLED display at CES 2018, and now it the company will reportedly bring thinner, likely somewhat smaller MicroLED TVs to the luxury home market starting next year, at a price it says won’t be as high as people might assume.
Walmart’s planned Netflix competitor will reportedly be part of Vudu
It seems that everyone wants to launch a streaming service these days, and Walmart may be next, as the company is reportedly considering a lower priced, Vudu-branded alternative to services like Netflix, though the company has yet to confirm any official plans to launch such a service.
Crowdfunded xFyro Aria true wireless earbuds claim eight hours of playback time
True wireless earbuds have a lot of advantages, but battery life generally isn't one of them. The xFyro Aria true wireless earbuds, now on Indiegogo, claim up to eight hours of play time, which would be the most playback time on a single charge we've seen in this type of headphone yet.
Yamaha’s RX-S602 packs MusicCast Surround wireless tech into a slim package
Earlier this year, Yamaha debuted MusicCast Surround, a technology that let you wireless connect your surround speakers, meaning no complicated cable runs. Now the company is packing that technology into a smaller package with the introduction of the RX-S602 Slimline A/V receiver.
Audeze’s LCD2 Closed-Back bring isolation and privacy to its popular headphones
Audeze’s LCD2, released in 2009, quickly gained popularity and recognition as one of the best sets of headphones you could buy. Now the company has released another twist on that format in the LCD2 Closed-Back, which keep the sound of the LCD2 while adding a new level of isolation and privacy.
Roku TV Wireless Speakers make Roku TVs an even smarter choice
If you’re looking for simplicity, a Roku TV is great, as you get a TV with all the functionality of Roku’s streaming boxes built right into it. The company wants to make things even easier for you with its Roku TV Wireless Speakers, which pair wirelessly and make setup a snap.
AT&T wants to make HBO more like Netflix, and it could be a disaster
After acquiring HBO parent company Time Warner, AT&T is pushing HBO to become more like Netflix. For those who remember HBO from its initial glory days, this could mean the end of an era, and for all of Netflix’s success, this plan might not be great for everyone else either.
Only newer Sonos models will get AirPlay 2, but that’s not as bad as it sounds
Last year, Sonos announced that it would be bringing support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 to its multiroom wireless speakers. Now the company has clarified that while newer models like the Sonos One will get support, older models like the Play:1 don’t have the horsepower necessary to use it.
Deezer’s lossless audio for Google Home has finally arrived in the U.S.
A little less than a year ago, music streaming service Deezer brought lossless audio streaming to the Google Home and other Google Assistant-powered devices, but only now has the service brought this feature to music lovers in the United States, as well as Canada, Italy, and Australia.