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Reviews
Tribit's XSound Mega speaker will light up a party
This pill-shaped Bluetooth speaker performs best at loud volumes and features entertaining light settings that pulse in time to the music.
Updated
How to play music you own on an Amazon Echo
Play your own MP3 collection on an Amazon Echo or other Alexa devices using Plex or My Media.
Reviews
The Monster Blaster 3.0 is a beefy Bluetooth boombox with big sound
Monster’s hefty Bluetooth speaker is indeed an audio monster, though its so-so battery life will hamper weekend warriors.
News
Sonos’ rumored headphones could be at least seven months away
For the rest of its fiscal year, Sonos is focusing on new products in “existing” categories, the company’s CEO says.
News
Some third-party Google smart displays can no longer access web pages. Here's why
Unless they support a key browser feature, non-Google displays can’t open web links anymore.
How-To
Smart home guide for beginners
You don’t need to be an expert or spend a fortune on cutting-edge gear, these first steps will lay a foundation you can build on.
Reviews
Mackie's PC soundbar delivers solid audio for the price
If bookshelf-style PC speakers don’t work for you and you’re on a budget, Mackie’s compact StealthBar might be just the ticket.
Reviews
Monoprice's Dolby Atmos-enabled SB-600 soundbar suffers from too many drawbacks
While we like its multiple HDMI inputs, eARC support, and easy setup, the Monoprice SB-600 pales next to its similarly priced competition.
Reviews
Tronsmart Element T6 Plus review: A loud, thumpy Bluetooth speaker
Tronsmart's Element T6 Plus IPX6-rated personal Bluetooth speaker pumps out the volume and bass, and boasts a clever, easy-to-use multi-function/volume dial on the top.
News
Google speaker still talking? Just say “stop” to make it shut up
You don’t have to say “Hey Google” anymore to make your Google smart speaker or display stop talking.
Updated
Sony SRS-NS7 neckband speaker review: Personal spatial audio for Bravia XR TVs
This innovative speaker lets you watch TV and play games on Sony Bravia XR-series TVs in immersive surround sound without filling your room with speakers.
Feature
How Amazon’s Echo Frames helped me deal with tinnitus
Besides channeling Alexa, the open-ear speakers on Amazon’s smart glasses have been unobtrusively piping soothing sounds into my ringing ears.
Reviews
Speaqua Cruiser H2.0 review: This Bluetooth speaker opens bottles, too
Free your beverage, free your soul! You won't get top-notch sonics out of this speaker, but for a tiny speaker that opens bottles, it's not half bad.
Updated
Google users fume as smart speaker features disappear following Sonos patent ruling
Sonos just won a major victory in its patent spat with Google, and now Nest smart speaker users are caught in the crossfire.
News
Polk Audio and Westinghouse will make Roku TV Ready soundbars
More soundbar manufacturers are signing on to the Roku TV Ready program, with Polk and Westinghouse joining the club this year.
Updated
Vizio’s new midrange Elevate soundbar has swiveling drivers that play peek-a-boo
The new 5.1.2-channel M-Series Elevate has hidden left and right port tubes that peek out only when its swiveling drivers are rotated upwards.
News
JBL upgrades its massive Boombox 3 Bluetooth speaker to a 3-way configuration
The latest model adds a racetrack-shaped subwoofer to pump up it’s the impressive low-end sound previous generations are famous for.
News
CES 2022: LG’s new soundbars add improved drivers and room correction refinements
With its 9.1.5-channel flagship, LG is promising better audio thanks to larger speaker drivers and woofers, along with upgraded room calibration.
News
Sony will bring 360 Spatial Sound to two of its premium soundbars
Both the HT-A7000 and HT-A5000 soundbars will get an update this year adding Sony’s immersive 360 Spatial Sound technology.
News
CES 2022: Lenovo’s updated Smart Clock Essential comes with built-in Alexa
The new Smart Clock Essential is Lenovo’s first smart clock with onboard Alexa rather than Google Assistant.
News
Victrola Announces a pair of high-performance Bluetooth speakers at CES
The Victrola ME1 and ME2 will be available in a variety of colors, with optional leather cases.
News
CES 2022: Samsung soundbars tee up wireless Dolby Atmos, improved Q Symphony feature
Samsung’s latest soundbars can receive Dolby Atmos audio over Wi-Fi, no cables required.
Reviews
Soul S-Storm Max Bluetooth speaker review: A lifestyle speaker that gets the job done
This portable, splash-proof music maker delivers a lot of volume for such a small device.
Reviews
DALI Spektor 2 bookshelf speaker review: A hi-fi experience in a small package
These versatile speakers sound great whether you use a stand or put them on a shelf.
News
Google stops selling the four-year-old Home Mini
Two years after it was replaced by a newer model, the Google Home Mini has finally disappeared from the Google Store.
Updated
LG teases a 9.1.5-channel soundbar with an upfiring center driver
Slated to make its first appearance at CES, LG’s new flagship soundbar comes with a dialogue-enhancing upfiring driver for the center channel.
Reviews
Polk React review: This budget soundbar packs premium sound plus Alexa
Polk’s all-in-one React soundbar boasts sweet sound, onboard Alexa, and the option to add more speakers, all for a budget-friendly price.
Reviews
Fluance Reference Surround Sound Home Theater 5.0 review: Better than any soundbar
This is is one of the best surround-sound systems you'll find for less than $1,000.
News
Polk Audio unleashes its first Dolby Atmos soundbar
The Polk Audio Signa S4 comes with upfiring drivers that bounce Dolby Atmos height cues off the ceiling.
Reviews
Amazon Smart Thermostat review: A fantastic smart-home value
With an assist from cloud-based artificial intelligence, the Amazon Smart Thermostat can help find your home’s comfort zone.
Updated
Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System review: Hi-Fi less the high price
Sure, these high-performance speakers support Bluetooth, but only a USB connection to a computer will unlock their full potential.
News
Alexa can now listen for running water and beeping appliances
Alexa’s latest Sound Detectors can let you know if a faucet has been left running, or if your oven timer is beeping.
Reviews
Sony HT-A9 Home Theater System review: This all-in-one wireless surround system delivers
Sony’s audio-mapping technology makes four speakers sound like a 16-speaker array, enveloping users in an impressive bubble of sound.
News
Did Sonos just leak a smaller Sub?
The official Sonos app may have just tipped the manufacturer’s hand about a smaller, cylindrical-shaped version of its wireless subwoofer.
Updated
Cyber Monday smart speaker deals 2021: Where to find the best sales
Whether you’re shopping for an Alexa-powered Amazon Echo speaker or a Google Nest display with Google Assistant, we have some great Cyber Monday deals for you.
Deal
The Amazon Echo Auto is 70% off again for Black Friday
Reviews are mixed on the Echo Auto, but there’s no arguing with $14.99 price tag, a massive 70-percent discount.
Updated
Black Friday smart home deals 2021: Big savings on Nest, Ring, Philips Hue and more
We've scoured retailer listings to find the best Black Friday smart home deals. Here's what to expect in every category, from smart speakers to smart lighting and everything in between.
Updated
Andover Audio SpinSub review: Deeply satisfying vinyl listening thanks to deep, vibration-free bass
The affordable SpinSub is the perfect low-frequency companion to the company’s SpinBase turntable speaker, pumping the bass from a remarkably vibration-free enclosure.
How-To
How to create motion-triggered routines on a newer Amazon Echo or Echo Dot
Amazon's Echo and Echo Dot can now detect when people are in the room, which is perfect for triggering Alexa routines. Here’s how to take full advantage.
News
The Echo Show 10’s new Conversation Mode lets Alexa join your discussions, no wake word required
With Conversation Mode enabled, you can chat with Alexa on the Echo Show 10 without saying ‘Alexa’ over and over.
Updated
Free Alexa-to-Phone calling is now limited to just 10 contacts
Want to make a free phone call using Alexa? You still can, but only to a total of 10 contacts.
Reviews
Speaqua Barnacle Pro Bluetooth speaker review: Weatherproof fun
We don't often see IP68 ratings, but darned if Speaqua's Barnacle Vibe 2.0 doesn't carry one. It also has internal storage. As long as you're not looking for thump, it's a fun, if a tad pricey pool and shower accoutrement.
Updated
Audioengine HD3 desktop speaker system review: Good things do come in small packages
The sound quality is excellent, except for weak bass, which is to be expected from such small speakers.
Reviews
Samsung HW-Q950A review: This 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar is the one to beat
It’s pricey, but the 11.1.4-channel HW-Q950A delivers thrilling immersive sound, along with Alexa and AirPlay 2.
Reviews
KEF LS50 Wireless II review: Supersonic streaming speakers
These second-generation self-powered speakers get reinvented for the streaming age.
News
The Alexa app now lets you Favorite your most-used smart home devices
The one-touch Favorites buttons let you turn smart lights and other devices on and off with a single tap, but we have some suggestions.
News
The Google Nest Hub’s sleep-tracking features will eventually cost you, but not until 2023
After hinting that Sleep Sensing wouldn’t be free forever, Google finally spilled the beans about how much the Nest Hub’s sleep-tracking functionality will cost.
Updated
Amazon’s affordable new air quality monitor works with Alexa
With help from the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor, Alexa can warn you of poor indoor air quality.
Updated
Amazon is yanking Alexa’s ability to read your email
In less than a week, Alexa will lose the ability to check your Gmail or Outlook inbox, and she won't be able to track third-party packages, either.
Deal