At long last, Google has refreshed its smart speaker lineup with the new Google Home Speaker; first announced in the fall of 2025, it took nearly nine months for the device to come to market, and replaces the six-year-old Google Nest Audio as the top-shelf smart speaker in the company’s portfolio.

Things have changed a lot since Google last released a smart speaker. During that time, AI got real big, so now the assistant powering the Google Home speaker can do a lot more than just turn on your lights.

So how does the Google Home Speaker stack up against the best smart speakers? I’ve used it for a few days and compared it against its main rivals, the Apple HomePod mini and the Amazon Echo Dot Max, to find out.

Google Home Speaker review: Price and availability

The Google Home Speaker went on sale on June 24, 2026 for $99. You can get it in one of four colors: Jade (green), Berry (red), Porcelain (white) and Hazel (grayish black). However, the Jade and Berry colors are exclusive to the U.S.

The Google Home Speaker replaces the Google Nest Audio, and, for the moment, the Google Nest Mini, both of which are no longer for sale at Google’s online store.

Google Home Speaker review: Design

The Google Home Speaker looks a bit like someone took the Apple HomePod mini and smushed it a little

There are two touch-sensitive buttons on the top of the speaker to control the volume. You can’t see the buttons, as they’re hidden by the fabric, but if you tap the top of the speaker, two LEDs turn on to show you their location. You can’t tell which is volume up or volume down by sight; you’ll have to tap them to find out which is which. Tapping the top of the speaker will also play/pause your music.

Google had similar hidden touch-sensitive buttons on its previous smart speakers with an equally mixed reception; the Mini’s buttons had to be deactivated because of their finicky nature. I just find it annoying that you have to give the speaker an extra tap.

Similar to the Echo Dot Max, the Google Home Speaker has a circular ring of LEDs which changes color based on the circumstance; for example, it turns white when Gemini is listening, multiple colors when it’s thinking, and orange when the microphone is off.

Also on the base of the speaker is a physical switch to disable its microphones, which is a commendable feature. Less so is the nonremovable power cord; break it, and you’ll have to replace the whole device.

Google Home Speaker review: Sustainability

As with most companies’ claims, Google throws out some numbers which are ultimately a little vague. Google says the speaker and its adapter is “Made with at least 37% recycled materials based on product weight.” Whether that means the metal or plastic parts is unclear.

By comparison, Amazon says the Echo Dot Max is made from 23% recycled materials; the fabric parts are made from 98% post-consumer recycled fabric, while the plastic is made from 41% post consumer recycled plastic.

The Apple HomePod mini uses 99% recycled rare earth elements, and 35% or more recycled plastic in multiple components.

Google Home Speaker review: Audio performance

Where the Nest Audio had a 75mm woofer and a 19mm tweeter, the Google Home Speaker has a single 58mm driver. I didn’t have the older Nest to compare the two side-by-side, but the tl;dr is that the Google Home Speaker performs well for its size.

I played a variety of tracks on the Google Home Speaker, as well as the HomePod mini and Echo Dot Max, and though there were some subtle differences between them, they weren’t all that disparate.

I might give a slight edge to the Echo Dot Max; it’s the only device that has two speakers (an 0.8-inch tweeter and 2.5-inch woofer) which helped midtones stand out a bit more than the Google Home and the HomePod mini, which has a single 2-inch driver

Mids sounded a bit compressed, such as Billy Joel’s voice in “Movin’ Out.” Joel’s voice sounded better and warmer on the Echo Dot Max, and there was also better bass. However, the HomePod mini sounded the best of the three.

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” sounded best on the Echo Dot Max, as it was able to better separate the mids and highs; the Google Home Speaker and HomePod mini mushed things a bit.

Not surprisingly, bass was just ok, I threw on some old-school Snoop Dog “Who am I (What’s My Name)?” and the groove was much better on the Echo Dot Max and the HomePod than Google’s speaker.

Google Home Speaker review: Google Gemini

The hardware may be new, but the bigger upgrade inside the Google Play Speaker is Gemini, which is far more capable and powerful than Google Assistant.

Gemini for Home works with all of Google’s smart speakers and displays, but only the newer ones — Nest Audio, Nest mini (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub (2nd Gen) — will support the full Gemini for Home experience, as well as Gemini Live, where you can have a more natural, free-flowing conversation.

To test out Gemini on the Google Home Speaker, I asked it a series of questions, which it answered correctly, and was much more engaging than the old Assistant. For example, when I asked “Hey Google, what’s a good recipe for chicken wings?”, Gemini responded with a wide range of options, as well as certain things that it thought were popular.

I then asked Gemini to save the recipe, and it told me it created a note, but not where it was saved. I was able to find it in my Google Keep folder.

I also tested Gemini on sports, and here, it was a bit slower on the uptake. I asked ““Hey Google, did France win today?” and received the response “No, France did not play today,” although they had just defeated Iraq in the World Cup.

I then followed up with “Are you sure France didn’t play today?” and Gemini quickly corrected itself, gave me a summary of the game, and told me that Les Bleus secured a spot in the round of 32.

Google Home Speaker review: Subscription costs

You get Gemini for Home for free with the Google Home Speaker, but to make the most out of Gemini (and the speaker), you’ll need to sign up for a Google Home Premium subscription. Otherwise, you won’t get conversational Gemini, among other things.

If you sign up for Google Home Premium Standard ($10/month or $100/year), you get the following:

• Gemini Live (Get expert help, brainstorm ideas, and learn new topics)
• Help me create (lets you describe to Gemini the smart home routine you want to create)
• Sound detection (Smoke/carbon monoxide alarm and Glass breaking)
• 30 days of video event history

If you sign up for Google Home Premium Advanced ($20/month, $200/year), you get those features as well as these:

• Search video history - Quickly search your camera history by just asking
• Daily summaries - Ask about what you missed when you were away
• 60 days of video history
• 10 days of 24/7 video history
• Descriptive notifications
• Event descriptions

If you’re more invested in Gemini, you can also get the Standard plan as part of a Google AI Pro subscription ($20/month), and the Advanced plan with Google AI Ultra ($99/month).

Google Home Speaker review: Home theater features

Similar to its rival smart speakers, the Google Home Speaker works well with the Google TV Streamer to create a home theater experience. You can pair either a single speaker or two to the streaming device; if you pair two, you can also set up spatial audio. Dolby Atmos is supported, and the Google TV Streamer can also convert HD audio into a proprietary spatial audio format.

Amazon takes things a step further with its Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio speakers, as you can create a full surround sound experience with up to five speakers.

Google Home Speaker review: Smart Home functionality

As a smart home device, the Google Home Speaker is less capable than its Apple and Amazon rivals. For example, the HomePod mini has temperature and humidity sensors; the Amazon Echo Dot Max can act as an eero mesh router extender and has ambient light and temperature sensors, as well as presence detection.

Those other sensors make the other smart speakers far more functional. For example, you can create an Apple Home or Alexa routine to turn on your air conditioner if the temperature as measured by a speaker rises above a certain level, or if it senses someone entering the room.

Google Home Speaker review: Bottom line

Smart speakers aren’t quite the commodity they once were; Like Amazon, Google has gone from releasing a new model every year to waiting more than half a decade between the Nest Audio and the Google Home Speaker.

And that’s fine. There’s only so much you can do, though both Amazon and Apple have done more with their smart speakers than Google in terms of embedding additional sensors to make their devices more integral to a smart home ecosystem.

As smart home assistants, both Alexa and Google are very capable, especially now that they’ve gained extra AI abilities. If you’ve already started using either smart assistant, it’s unlikely that you’re going to switch your smart home from Alexa to Google or vice versa.

At this point, a smart speaker is more or less a delivery mechanism for the smart assistant of your choice. If you already own a Google smart speaker and it’s working well, there’s no real reason to upgrade, unless you want to create a Google-centric home theater system.

Small, portable Bluetooth speakers can sound really good, but let's be honest: if you're soundtracking a large gathering or party, a small one isn't going to cut it. You need a proper party speaker for that, one that gets incredibly loud and makes your guests feel like they're at a concert. How about one that hits a staggering 121dB, then?

The Soundboks Mix is perhaps the loudest speaker I've tested yet. It's loud, but even at the highest volume, music doesn't sound too distorted, and the treble and mids remain surprisingly clear. Bass is nothing short of Earth-shaking, and the room-filling sound leaves you drooling. But...

Yeah, there's always a "but." It's part and parcel of testing and reviewing products, because few (if any) are perfect. The Mix is no different. Even though I love its sound profile, its drawbacks have left me feeling shortchanged — and when $799 is on the line, you want bang for your buck. There is one speaker out there that's great value for money, and sadly, it ain't the Mix.

Shake the ground

One of the Soundboks Mix's biggest selling points is that it's get ridiculously loud. At a whopping 121dB, the Mix sounds loud enough to vibrate a glass off a desk if you're indoors, or shake the ground when you're outdoors. Metaphorically speaking, of course — I didn't actually manage to drop a glass off a countertop.

All that's to say is that you can certainly be the life of the party with the Mix. Whether you're head-banging to bass-heavy rock or dancing to electronic dance music, the Mix has you covered. Two 72W Class D amplifiers powered by a 10-inch woofer and a 1.2-inch dome tweeter cover a frequency response range of 40Hz to 20KHz — typical for a speaker of its demeanour.

Regardless of the tune I listened to, I was impressed. Lana Del Rey's vocals in ‘First Light’ sat front and centre and sounded remarkably clear. The warmth, texture and emotional nuance were reproduced accurately, while subtle details in her delivery found themselves in the spotlight without sounding too clinical. The treble in rock tunes, like ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin and ‘Echoes’ by Pink Floyd, shone and sounded vibrant without cutting through the rest of the soundstage.

None of that would matter, however, if the Mix didn't do what a party speaker is designed to do: make you dance to electronic tracks, and it manages to do so. The bass in ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’ by Fred Again and Jaime T sounded controlled and tight with the EQ set to Indoor. It didn't overpower the rest of the soundstage. Switching the EQ preset to Bass+ made me feel the song in my bones. It was loud and made the ground beneath me shake. I could feel my teeth chattering.

Turning the volume all the way up to 10 (as you might do if you're hosting a party outdoors) revealed a weakness, though. The bass was still room-filling, but it sounded wobbly and uncontrolled, like the Mix was struggling to keep up with it, or was feeling overwhelmed by it. Truth be told, that's not great news for a party speaker — especially for one that costs just under $800... which, very nicely, brings me to my next point.

Nowhere to hide when the competition is so good

When I was testing the Soundboks Mix, I couldn't help but think to myself, "This speaker could be the best party speaker around... if it wasn't competing with the Marshall Bromley 450." The Bromley 450, Marshall's second-ever party speaker, is a top-notch product that doesn't skimp on features on sound quality. I've thoroughly tested that speaker too, and knowing what it offers for the same money has further highlighted the Mix's flaws to me.

One of the first things I noticed about the Mix was its lack of ports. All you get is a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for wired playback. The Bromley 450 goes above and beyond here, with two XLR/6.35mm combo ports for microphones and acoustic/electric guitars, and RCA ports for keyboards and turntables. It essentially doubles (or triples) as an amplifier and a karaoke machine.

You've then got the Mix using an old version of Bluetooth: 4.2. That's not bad, per se, but it isn't good either for a speaker that came out in March 2026. Bluetooth 4.2 is an old version at this point. That means shorter range and no way to stream LE or hi-res audio, so you're stuck with the basic SBC codec.

The Bromley 450 has yet another ace up its sleeve: 360° True Stereophonic surround sound, which means that regardless of where you're standing in a room, you'll hear the same exceptional sound. This makes listening to your favorite tunes more immersive, something the Mix can't achieve.

Combine all of this with the wobbly bass and you've got yourself a clear winner. The Mix costs $799 / £599, and the Bromley 450 retails for $799 / £549, and for the same price, you get versatile connectivity options, better Bluetooth and LE audio, 360° sound, and even integrated stage lights that react to the music.

I know which speaker I'd personally buy. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested Soundboks’ portable party speaker — and it’s so close to be being great
• I just tested the ‘best party speaker of 2026’ — here's why you should buy the Marshall Bromley 450
• Forget Bose — there's no better party speaker on the planet than the brand-new Marshall Bromley 450

Sometimes, a small speaker isn’t loud enough to soundtrack an evening with friends or a big party. You need a party speaker for that, and the Soundboks Mix is a solid choice. Soundboks’ portable party speaker is built extremely well and is protected against the elements, thanks to its IP65 rating. The sound? Nearly exquisite. The Mix delivers powerful, Earth-shaking bass, vibrant treble, and precise, balanced mids.

But is it the best Bluetooth speaker for the money? It costs $799 and features some noteworthy flaws, such as wobbly bass at high volumes, Bluetooth 4.2 only, no 360° sound, and more. If those are compromises you’re willing to make, then the Mix could be perfect for you. Trust me, it sounds really, really good.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Soundboks Mix review.

Soundboks Mix review: Specs

Soundboks Mix review: Price & availability

Launched in March 2026, the Soundboks Mix is the Soundboks 4’s smaller sibling, and it effectively replaces the Soundboks Go as the brand’s most portable party speaker — it’s priced as such too. While the 4 costs $999, the Mix retails for $799 / £599 at Amazon. Given how loud it gets, the Mix is a great party speaker for anyone who doesn’t want to spend nearly a grand on the bigger model.

The Mix is Soundboks’ answer to the Marshall Bromley 450 ($799) and the JBL PartyBox 520 ($879). It’s got the specs and sound to go toe-to-toe with the Bromley 450, too, but is it worth buying instead of the Marshall? I've reviewed both, so let’s find out.

Soundboks Mix review: Design

The Soundboks Mix looks very similar to the Soundboks 4 — similar to how the Marshall Bromley 450 and Marshall Bromley 750 ($1,299) share design philosophies. You’re getting bang for your buck here as the Mix feels very well-built, featuring an ABS and polycarbonate cabinet, silicone ball corners to protect it from getting damaged, and a detachable steel grill. All in all, it feels sturdy and durable.

The Mix doesn’t sport any garish LED lighting that makes it look tacky, like on the JBL PartyBox 520 — although I do wish it had some integrated stage lights, like the Bromley 450 does. Branding is fairly minimal too, with the logo sitting in the top left corner. You can buy the speaker in black only, which is no bad thing; the Bromley 450 and PartyBox 520 come in single colors too.

As Soundboks’ most compact party speaker, the Mix doesn’t feel too heavy and doesn’t take up much space either. It measures 18.9 x 13.4 x 10.6 inches and weighs 21.38lbs, so it’s about 5lbs lighter than the Bromley 450. To move it around, you can use the built-in carry handle, which is fine, but because there’s only one located in one corner, the Mix feels a little unwieldy to move around. This problem could have been easily solved by installing a suitcase-style handle smack dab in the middle of its side, à la Bromley 450.

But hey, you can buy a strap to turn the Mix into a backpack… for $59. And it doesn’t come with a charger... which you can also buy separately for $59. The Mix feels to speakers what EA is to gaming: full of microtransactions.

Weatherproofing

If you want a rugged party speaker that you can use outdoors without worrying too much about it getting rained on, the Mix is a great choice. The speaker is IP65-rated which means it’s fully dust-tight and protected against rain and moisture. That’s slightly better than the Marshall Bromley 450 which is IP55-rated. When I was testing the Mix outdoors, it started drizzling and knowing that the speaker was IP65-rated reassured me.

Controls

There isn’t a lot going on in terms of controls on the Mix. All the physical buttons and volume dial are located on the speaker’s right edge, and these include the volume knob, TeamUp button for wirelessly linking up to five Soundboks speakers together, and the power button for, well, turning the speaker on and off. That’s about it. The buttons give good tactile feedback when pressed, and are fairly straightforward to understand.

Connectivity

The Mix utilizes Bluetooth 4.2 to connect wirelessly to your smartphone, laptop or other devices, and it features multipoint connectivity for simultaneously connecting up to two devices. Bluetooth 4.2 is disappointing, though, as it means there’s limited codec support, so you only get the standard SBC codec. No AAC and no LE audio, unfortunately.

This older version also limits the speaker’s maximum operating range to 40m only. Not great for a party speaker. What if you’re soundtracking a big gathering and you’re far away from the speaker, and the connection drops when you move out of range? That’s one way to kill the mood.

In comparison, the Marshall Bromley 450 utilizes the newer Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AAC and LC3, and sports many more connectivity options, such as RCA and two XLR/6.35mm combo jacks for plugging in instruments or microphones. One thing the Mix and Bromley 450 have in common, though, is 3.5mm wired playback. But if you want a versatile party speaker, I’d choose the Bromley 450 any day.

Like I alluded to earlier, there's a TeamUp button on the Mix for wirelessly connecting up to five Soundboks speakers. There's also a Bond button with arrows, located right under the TeamUp button. When it lights up in green, it means the speaker is connected to another speaker it has been linked to in the past. You can also become the "Host" when other speakers are connected to yours, and control them via the smartphone app (more on that shortly).

Soundboks Mix review: Sound quality

There’s no dearth of tech squeezed into the Soundboks Mix’s portable body. It packs two 72W Class D amplifiers powered by a 10-inch woofer and a 1.2-inch dome tweeter. It can go all the way up to 121dB — a little louder than the Marshall Bromley 450 (100dB). The Mix covers a frequency response range of 40Hz to 20KHz, which is typical for party speakers as it delivers crisp highs and deep bass, perfect for pop, rock, EDM, what-have-you. I listened to my usual mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

To test the Mix’s midrange performance, I listened to ‘First Light’ by Lana Del Rey, and I was instantly impressed. Lana’s vocals sat front and centre with remarkable clarity, and the speaker captured and accurately reproduced the warmth, texture and emotional nuance that define the James Bond theme song. Subtle details in her delivery, such as her short, sharp breaths, shone without sounding too clinical or like they were piercing through the soundscape. I also appreciated the Mix preserving the tonal balance even at the highest volume — the track never once sounded distorted, and it still sounded engaging and cinematic.

There’s nothing the Mix can’t handle, and it manages to deliver vibrant treble without making it sound too overzealous. The psychedelic/electronic guitar notes landed with impressive clarity and shimmered in ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin, while the drums’ hi-hats added depth to the track without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

Similarly, in Pink Floyd’s ‘Echoes,’ I thoroughly enjoyed the delicate balance between cymbal work and the ambient or atmospheric sound effects. The Mix added a brilliant airiness to the track, making me feel like I was there with the band as they recorded the song at Pompeii.

But this is a party speaker, after all, so I had to test it by listening to an electronic track you can dance to. ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’ by Fred Again and Jaime T highlights the Mix’s greatest strength: bass. With the EQ set to Indoor, the bass sounds very controlled and tight, giving the track a great backbone without overpowering the rest of the soundstage. I then tried the Bass+ EQ preset which turns the bass all the way up to 10.

While the song still sounded powerful and the bass was room-filling, I couldn’t help but notice that the bassline sounded wobbly, like it was too much for the Mix to handle. This was indoors so I tried this preset outdoors, and the bass still sounded slightly muddy — an issue I never encountered when testing the Marshall Bromley 450.

It’s also important to note that the Mix doesn’t feature 360° surround sound, which means that you can only really appreciate music when standing directly in front of the speaker. If you want a more immersive listening experience, and want your party guests to be able to hear your tunes regardless of where they’re standing, I’d recommend the Bromley 450 which features True Stereophonic 360° sound.

Listen along to my review with the Soundboks Mix testing playlist:

Soundboks Mix review: App

The Soundboks Mix is accompanied by the brand’s app for all its speakers, and it’s available for free on iOS and Android. This is one area in which the Mix upstages the Marshall Bromley 450. The Bromley 450’s app is decent but not great, and the Mix offers a lot more in terms of customization.

Via the user-friendly app, you can make adjustments to the five-band custom equalizer, choose one of three EQ presets, control other Soundboks speakers you’ve paired with the Mix, control the volume, and, of course, update the firmware. I also like that the EQ presets have quirky descriptions. For instance, the Bass+ preset is described as, “More bass, just like you wanted. Yes, you.” I dig it.

Soundboks Mix review: Battery life

The Soundboks Mix offers superb battery life as it can last up to 40 hours between charges. Battery life will naturally depend on the volume and EQ presets, and happily, the app tells you how long the speaker will last when certain EQ presets are active. If you’re playing at full volume or have the Bass+ preset enabled, the battery life drops to eight hours. You can use any USB-C cable to charge the Mix.

Both the Marshall Bromley 750 and the Marshall Bromley 450 also pack 40-hour batteries. The Mix upstages the JBL PartyBox 520’s 15-hour and the Sony ULT Tower 9’s 25-hour batteries, too.

Similar to both the Bromleys, the Mix’s battery pack is removable and it can even be used to charge your smartphone, laptop and other devices. This is a handy feature to have especially if you’re out and about and not near a charging outlet.

Soundboks Mix review: Verdict

The Soundboks Mix isn’t without its compromises, but when it comes to sound quality, it still delivers a wonderful listening experience. Party speakers need to put out big sound, and the Mix can get incredibly loud without distortion. Earth-shaking bass is balanced well with detailed treble and mids, and though the bass can get a little wobbly at high volumes, it’s still enjoyable.

Designed to withstand the elements, the Mix is IP65-rated and is reinforced to stand the test of time. That said, for the same price of $799, the Marshall Bromley 450 offers better value for money. More ports for hooking up instruments, better connectivity thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, and 360° sound.

If all you want is full-bodied sound, the Mix is a great choice, but the extra versatility of similarly-priced rivals stops it achieving one of our very highest scores.

As a reviews writer here at Tom's Guide, I get my hands on a lot of the latest tech, including some of the best Bluetooth speakers. And funnily enough, some of my favorites have been some of the cheapest offerings.

Tribit is a budget audio brand, but its Bluetooth speakers always turn out to be some of my favorites. I recently tested the Tribit StormBox Micro 3, and it totally earns it's 4.5 star rating.

The speaker is only $64, and can often be found on sale for even less. Like right now, it's down to $49 at Amazon U.S.

Excellent audio performance

Of course, sound is the most important thing to consider when buying a new Bluetooth speaker, and the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 nails it. For such a small speaker, it creates a big sound.

And when the BassX setting is deployed, you have home-filling sound. I love using this feature in the house or just in the backyard while taking care of some chores. You can also switch up the EQ settings in the Tribit companion app, but the BassX button on the speaker makes switching up the sound incredibly easy, and it suits most music genres.

Top choice for durability

With a durability rating of IP68, this speaker can take on anything. With this rating, the speaker can actually withstand water submersion and is completely dust-tight.

You don't need to worry about dropping it, either, as it's been rated to survive falls from as much as four feet. I'm the world's worst butterfinger, so I did end up dropping the speaker a few times, and it was completely fine.

All-day battery

The 24-hour battery life is one of the best things about this speaker. It's double the battery life of some competitors, and it doesn't suffer too much at high volumes.

If using the BassX settings, the battery drains faster, but I was still able to get a good 18 hours, which is very impressive.

Not exactly "micro"

Though the StormBox Micro 3 is small, Tribit actually makes smaller speakers than this. The Tribit PocketGo, for example, is a lot smaller, and I find it far easier to carry around with me.

It's also surprisingly heavy, but that's down to the speaker being magnetic. This feature is incredibly convenient, and in some ways makes it worth the extra weight.

To find out more about the Bluetooth speaker and what it can do, you can read my full Tribit StromBox Micro 3 review.

More from Tom's Guide

• Tribit has done it again — the brand-new StormBox Micro 3 rivals JBL for under $70
• You can take a portable Bluetooth speaker with you camping, but here's why it's not the best idea to use it on your hike
• Ever wonder why ChatGPT is free? The answer is far more calculated than you might think

The KEF XIO is one of the best soundbars I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Review over, that’s me done for the day. I jest, I jest — but seriously, if you want the best single-product home cinema experience possible, you’ll want to know about the KEF XIO.

At 23 pounds, almost 50 inches long, and 6.5 inches deep, this is a pretty hefty soundbar. You’ll ideally want at least a 55-inch TV (if not bigger) and a large entertainment unit or TV stand to house it. But if you’ve got those things, a 4K Blu-ray player to take full advantage of the immense sound, and $2,500? Then, yes, you will not be disappointed by the KEF XIO.

I knocked off a star for some app connectivity issues, which I’ll go into later on, but if you’re all about getting the best home sound without fiddling around with playback modes, you’ll want to find out more in this KEF XIO review.

KEF XIO review: Specs

KEF XIO review: Price & availability

The KEF XIO is a whopping $2,499 from Amazon U.S. and £1,999 from Richer Sounds and Sevenoaks in the U.K..

This is a premium soundbar with premium sound to match. If $2,499 is a little out of your price range but you still want a “best of the best” home cinema setup, I’d recommend checking out the JBL Bar 1300X ($1,799), or the Samsung QS750F ($899).

I’ve also tested the Yamaha True X Surround 90A ($3,499), which is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar I’ve ever reviewed. However, it’s an eye-watering $1,000 more expensive than the KEF XIO, so I’d recommend the XIO over the True X Surround 90A.

KEF XIO review: Design

The KEF XIO is a long, heavy soundbar. You’ll need a 55” TV at minimum, or else it'll look at little odd having such a huge soundbar underneath. I tested it with a 55” Amazon Ember QLED, and it was almost too small. I’d recommend a 60-incher and up.

As you might expect for $2,499, the KEF XIO is fantastically well-made, with a minimalistic yet modern appearance. There’s a nice mesh panel that diffuses sibilant treble and looks stylish, and a control panel on the top of the soundbar. It’s available in black or gray — as you can see from the images, I tested gray — and I have no reservations about recommending it based on looks alone.

The KEF XIO has a subwoofer out (alongside a built-in sub), which you can theoretically connect to any compatible subwoofer. KEF offers the KW2 wireless adaptor, which can wirelessly connect any KEF subwoofer to the XIO and the Connect app. You can also get the KEF KC92 ($2,499) which connects to KEF’s smart system without a separate adaptor.

Controls

The remote is much bigger than Samsung, Bose, and Sony’s soundbar remotes. It’s also much more premium-looking than Bose’s remote. It’s not quite as innovative as Samsung’s new solar-powered remotes, but it still looks and feels great.

You can also use the KEF Connect app as a mobile remote (for certain inputs), which I’ll discuss in detail in the ‘App’ section below.

Features

As soon as I set up the XIO with the KEF Connect app — which was seamless and stress-free, phew — the soundbar automatically calibrated itself for my space. If you have particularly discerning ears, I’d recommend getting a soundbar with this calibration software built-in, like the JBL Bar 1300X, the KEF XIO, or the Klipsch Flexus Core 300.

After inputting room size and soundbar height information into the app, the soundbar adjusted itself using built-in microphones and a gyroscope. This is an essential feature if you’re after “perfect” sound quality.

The XIO offers a range of sound-related features, too. Of course, you’ve got the standard EQs: ‘Dialogue’, ‘Night’, ‘Movie’, and ‘Direct’. I pretty much only listened using ‘Movie’, as dialogue was already clear enough. As you’ll find out soon, the KEF XIO’s sound is astronomically good. I have nothing bad to say about the sound.

KEF XIO review: App

The KEF XIO uses KEF Connect, the app also used for KEF speakers like the LSX II ($1,499). The app is easy enough to use, and connecting to the soundbar itself was instantaneous. Some apps are better than others, though, and I feel Samsung’s SmartThings app has more options and is easier to navigate.

Even so, there’s a ton of customization options in KEF Connect — as long as you’re listening in certain playback modes. Weirdly, customization is not available in TV mode, only Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

This is due to HDMI CEC incompatibility, but I connected the XIO to HDMI eARC in two different TVs and had the same issue. I adjusted both TV settings, reset both TV CEC settings, but still, I was unable to control the soundbar via my phone while watching TV.

This is a major issue for such a premium soundbar — and the main thing holding it back from being a 5-star product.

KEF XIO review: Sound quality

I test every soundbar with “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K UHD Blu-Ray (and then two extras), TV shows on Netflix, and music on Qobuz via AirPlay.

Movies

The KEF XIO is one of the best soundbars I’ve ever used for movies. I have nothing bad to say about the sound quality here.

During "Top Gun: Maverick", I listened with ‘Movie’ and ‘Dialogue’ EQ, but quickly switched back to ‘Movie’. The soundscape was incredibly wide during the first scene; I could feel the planes flying across the room, I could hear the high-frequency diegetic sound effects like whipping ropes and clinking metals without straining. The groovy bass of ‘Danger Zone’ pounded through the soundbar but let the softer sound effects shine.

Dialogue was clear, even without ‘Dialogue’ mode, even during the radio scenes. Flying scenes sounded outrageously good; the bass rumbled in my chest when the jets took off.

Dolby Atmos performance is utterly fantastic, especially in "Top Gun: Maverick". Every single flying scene had unbeatable height and width, and the planes seemed to fly over my head. I was incredibly impressed with this. For $2,499, you’d hope so — but I’m pleased to report that the soundbar is worth it.

I also watched “How to Train Your Dragon (2025)” and “The Running Man (2025)”. During “How to Train Your Dragon”, the soft footsteps across the mossy ground were audible over the choral OST. In one scene, I could hear diegetic murmured chatter from behind me, while the central characters’ conversation was front and center on the mix. The flying scenes were particularly impressive, with the brass-led soundtrack booming through the soundbar without overpowering the on-screen sounds.

In “The Running Man”, I could hear the static hum of the retro TVs and on-screen lights. High-frequency diegetic sound effects like typing, opening doors, and pinging bullets carried across the soundstage well.

Although this movie didn’t have the opportunity for super impressive Dolby Atmos — unlike "Top Gun: Maverick" — I was still immersed in the sound.

TV

To test standard mix, non-Atmos-mixed sound, I watched TV on Netflix and ITVX (a U.K. TV channel like BBC).

I watched “Yellowjackets” on ITVX, a horror/thriller show. The soundtrack has an eerie, string-heavy, bass-heavy production, and I never struggled to hear dialogue over the OST. All the string instruments were clear, with audible vibration in the notes, and a controlled yet propulsive bass response.

Even in basic 2.0 configuration (ITVX’s output), the show sounded fantastic.

I also watched “Yellowjackets” on Paramount+ on 5.1, and the difference was astounding. On Paramount+, the dialogue was richer and warmer, and the high-frequency sound effects were clearer.

While the KEF XIO performs well even with 2.0 channel output, it really shines with 5.1 and above (obviously).

Music

I would best describe music performance as ‘okay’. No soundbar really excels with music — it’s not what they’re designed to do — but the KEF XIO isn’t particularly bad or good.

‘Genesis’ by Grimes had great treble performance; the synth notes tinkled around the room like a glitch-pop fairy powered by Ableton and hallucinogens. Although I longed for a bit more oomph in the bass, I would have no qualms about listening to music like this while cleaning or cooking.

After, I switched genre to rock and played ‘Unravelling’ by Muse. Again, I wanted a touch more bass, but the vocals and synth arpeggios sounded divine. You won’t be filling any floors with music like this, but, again — it’s a soundbar.

For blockbuster movies, and even standard-defintion TV shows, the KEF XIO is a sure-fire winner. It sounds sublime.

KEF XIO review: Verdict

If you’re willing to overlook potential app connectivity issues — I personally never lean towards downloading ‘smart’ apps, so this is a non-issue for me — then you won’t be disappointed with the KEF XIO. This is a mighty, mighty soundbar. It’d be a great centerpiece of your home cinema setup.

The soundbar has enviable width and height, with unbeatable dialogue clarity and powerful bass that doesn’t overpower subtle high-frequency sound effects. The XIO is everything I want in a soundbar, and I have zero reservations about recommend it.

If you can afford it, the XIO is a formidable sonic beast that will mark its territory fearlessly. Can you get similar enough performance for less? Sure. Will those alternatives make you go “Ooh, that sounds so good”? Probably not. It’s gotta be the KEF XIO.

I’m a big fan of Tribit’s speakers, and the Tribit Strombox Micro 3 has joined the ranks as one of the best Bluetooth speakers I’ve tested. It has seriously excellent audio performance for a variety of genres, EQ customization, and simple controls. On top of that, it’s waterproof, dustproof, and dropproof. The 24-hour battery life is the cherry on top, and it can even be used as a portable charger for your phone in a pinch.

The only downside is that some of the EQ presets, such as ‘Rock’, compress the sound, and you lose the full effect of the wide soundstage.

Some people may not love the basic appearance, but I don’t mind it as I think it fits in any situation.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Specs

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Price & availability

The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 is available to purchase from Amazon for $64 / £62. It comes in three different colors, including black, blue and grayish white. This is the third iteration of Tribit’s StormBox and is only slightly more expensive than the Tribit StormBox Micro 2, which costs $59.

The StormBox Micro 3 is also more expensive than the Tribit PocketGo, which has become my most reliable portable speaker. The PocketGo costs $34 and has huge sound without a huge price tag.

While the StormBox Micro 2 is a cheap offering in the Bluetooth speaker world, there are even cheaper options: The cheapest Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested is the Tozo PE1, which costs $29, but it’s worth spending more for the better bass performance offered by the StormBox Micro 3.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Design

At 4.4 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches and 0.7 pounds, I think the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 is a little big to call itself ‘micro,’ but it’s still small enough to fit nicely into your backpack. It also has a flexible strap on the back so it can be attached to anything with a diameter of under 1.1 inches, such as handlebars on a bike.

It was a lot heavier than I expected, but because it has a magnet inside, it can be mounted to any magnetic surface, which is probably the best way to carry it around.

I tested the black color, which has white buttons and a mesh overlay in front of the speaker. It looks a lot like the previous StormBox Micro speaker, but with more rounded edges, which softens the rugged look.

The speaker has a durability rating of IP68, meaning it is completely waterproof and dustproof. It’s also been military drop-tested up to a height of four feet.

Controls

The controls on the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 are very simple, and since I’ve used Tribit speakers in the past, including the Tribit StormBox Lava ($129) and the Tribit PocketGo, the controls felt very natural to me.

On the side of the speaker, you'll find a power button, a Bluetooth connection button, a BassX EQ preset button, and a TWS (True Wireless Stereo) button for linking speakers.

On top, there are larger buttons for volume, play, and pause. I like that these buttons are big and easily accessible, as they're the ones you'll reach for most.

Connectivity

The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 uses Bluetooth 6.0. The speaker has a connection range of nearly 150 feet, so I was able to walk away from the speaker all the way into my garden without the connection breaking up.

The speaker also has TWS (True Wireless Stereo, not to be confused with True Wireless), which means you can connect multiple speakers together at the same time to create a stereo setup.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Sound quality

For such a small speaker, the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 creates a big sound. I think the speaker’s signature sound with the BassX setting already sounds great, but I got the best sound when using a custom EQ setting.

To test bass performance, I listened to Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy) by The 1975 using the BassX EQ. The punchy bass drives this song, and the speaker did a good job of keeping it controlled. It sounded clean while not overpowering the other components of the song, which still sounded sharp and balanced.

I then turned to the mid-performance of the speaker by listening to Ok Love You Bye by Olivia Dean. This track has a lot of layers that played perfectly with Tribit's signature EQ. The woodwind and brass instruments were very prominent throughout, and the vocals remained strong. I could hear how broad the soundstage is when listening to this song, and I was impressed by the performance.

Finally, I tested out the treble by listening to In Bloom by Neck Deep. This track is very bright with a complex percussion rhythm from the drums. For this track, I made a U-shaped Custom EQ. There were no issues with muddy sounds, and although there’s a lot going on, the instrument separation was excellent.

Overall, I was impressed with the way it played my favorite songs, but I wouldn’t recommend using the EQ presets, as some caused a lot of compression.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: App

The StormBox Micro 3 can be used with the Tribit app, which is available to download for free.

In the app, you’ll find six EQ presets you can choose from, or you can make your own custom EQ settings.

The EQ uses nine bands, so there’s a lot of scope to make changes to the sound to fit your personal preference.

You can also set a sleep timer for automatic shut-off of the speaker, which is pretty useful, as well as see the remaining battery on the speaker.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Battery life

Speaking of battery life, the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 has a rated battery life of 24 hours when used at half volume. This is plenty loud enough for casual listening, but if you’re using the speaker outdoors and need to listen a little louder, the battery will then drain faster.

Still, 24 hours is plenty of battery, and four more hours than you get with the Tribit PocketGo. This battery life is far superior to the JBL Go 5, which only has 10 hours.

Should you find yourself out of juice and in need of a quick boost, just 15 minutes of charging time with the included USB-C cable provides three hours of playback while a full charge takes around two hours.

Just like the Tribit StormBox Lava, the Micro 3 has reverse charging, which means you can use it as a portable charger in a pinch if you need to charge your phone.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Verdict

Tribit has managed to make me love a budget speaker yet again. It's waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof, making it an ideal option for anyone who wants to use the speaker outdoors.

Its companion app can be used for EQ customization, and the simple controls make it a breeze to use even without your phone nearby. The 24 hours of battery life mean you can listen all day, and the speaker can even be used as a portable charger in a pinch. But most importantly, the audio performance really is excellent.

For something slightly lighter, you could consider the JBL Clip 5 for $79. This speaker also has a more sturdy clip at the top, rather than a flexible strap. The JBL Go 5 also gives beautiful sound for $54. The UltimateEars Miniroll costs $79 and also has a strap attachment at the back. This speaker is even lighter but is around the same size as the StormBox Micro 3.

For its price, however, the StormBox Micro 3 is tough to beat.

For me, hiking is a form of escapism. Getting out into nature is one of the easiest ways to switch off from the stressors of day-to-day life and reflect on what's happening, or block it out altogether.

But another way I like to unwind is by listening to music. It seems only natural to want to combine the two pastimes.

When I head to a campsite for the weekend, I usually like to bring one of the best Bluetooth speakers with me, like the Tribit PocketGo or the Tribit StormBox Micro 3. And while it can be tempting to take the speaker into the woods to soundtrack a hike, that's probably not the best idea. Here's why.

Sound travels farther than you think

Even though it's just you and your speaker walking the trail, the sound it's making travels a lot farther than you'd think. In an open area, there's not much around to stop the sound from traveling, and not to mention the echo that can be caused by the shape of the landscape.

Many people, including myself, like to sit and listen to the sounds of their surroundings when on their walk. When the sound carries, it can disturb other people on their trail appreciating these sounds — or, worse, disturb the sleeping habits of nocturnal animals.

To combat this, it's best to use some of the best over-ear headphones to keep the listening party private.

Better safe than sorry

This probably goes without saying, but when you're out walking, hiking, or running, you need to stay aware of your surroundings. Depending on the difficulty of the trail, it's important to stay aware of all of the sounds around you.

When you block out environmental sounds, you can miss out on important safety cues like wild animals, falling rocks, or even someone nearby who needs help. Even when listening at lower volumes, it can block out these ambient sounds.

I always think it's best to take in the sounds of nature too. As I mentioned, it helps me clear my mind and can be very good for lowering stress hormones.

A nice compromise here are open earbuds like the Sony LinkBuds Clip, Soundcore AeroClip or Bose Ultra Open. These earbuds let you listen to your music without disturbing nearby wildlife as well as let you keep an ear out for potential danger.

Impact on wildlife

Most importantly, if you care about wild animals' wellbeing, playing music out loud on trails can disrupt local wildlife. This can have a detrimental effect on the entire ecosystem and even lead to entire species being driven out of an area.

It impacts predators and prey in the wild alike, disrupting the food chain in the areas as well as breeding patterns.

The United States government's National Park Service states that sound plays an important role in ecosystems: "Activities such as finding desirable habitat and mates, avoiding predators, protecting young and establishing territories all depend on the acoustical environment."

Many speakers are marketed for use in the outdoors, and they do a good job at projecting sound when outside. If you're at the beach with friends or having a picnic they're great to have on-hand, but we should be mindful about where we use them.

Next time you're on the trail, keep the speaker back at camp and throw on a pair of headphones or open earbuds. Mother Nature will thank you for it.

More from Tom's Guide

• Netflix’s new rom-com with Jennifer Lopez and ‘Ted Lasso’s’ Brett Goldstein is now streaming — and it’s got all the charm of a corporate training video
• I found this $10 IKEA tool in the smart home section that'll help you keep cool without breaking the budget
• I spent two weeks with the $99 Fitbit Air — here are my 3 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)

The High End audio show is on! I've been at High End Vienna for two days now, and I've seen my fair share of wildly expensive audio gear (it's called High End for a reason), including a $3.8 million speaker system.

Personally, I prefer the more attainable audio gear. With that in mind, I've rounded up a few of my favorite products from the show, from headphones to turntables. These were either launched at the show, or are fairly new and being shown off properly for the first time. Looking for the latest and greatest in audio? I've got you covered.

1. Noble Fokus Artemis

These are without doubt my favorite headphones from this year's show. I spent some time talking to Kai, Noble Audio's Director of Marketing, who ran me through these new cans.

Building on the success of Noble's Apollo over-ears, the Fokus Artemis are designed to appeal to the general user just as much as the public. "We really wanted something that was for the people," Kai said.

The drivers have been tweaked from the Apollo. In fact, there are three in each earcup: a planar magnetic driver, a dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver, to give a much wider spread of sound.

They're super comfortable, IP52-rated, feature a replaceable battery and can be tweaked with a 5-band parametric EQ via a companion app. The EQ data is also stored on the headphones, so you can theoretically delete the app and your custom EQ will still run.

The best part is that they can utilize an automatic EQ that can compensate for hearing loss. So, if you have a hearing imbalance, the EQ will automatically adjust per side to ensure the sound is balanced. Very cool.

The Fokus Artemis will cost $899 / £799 at Noble Audio and will start shipping in July.

2. Meze Arta

Another set of cans, albeit a lot more pricey: Meze Audio has launched the ARTA, which I got to try out at High End. These things are utterly exquisite — something that applies to all Meze gear, even my "budget" Meze 105 AER.

The ARTA are open-back, planar magnetic beasts that just exude luxury with their gorgeous art nouveau design. The sound profile is exceptionally clean, with as much detail as you could ask for. They're warm, though, and aren't lacking in bass when you want it.

There are a couple of issues, however. Firstly, there's the price. Top-tier Meze gear never comes cheap, and the ARTA are no exception. You'll need a cool $6,000 to get your hands on them. These cans have a very high resistance of 225-ohms, too, making them extremely tricky to drive — so add on the price of upgrading your DAC/amp.

Stay tuned to Meze's official channels for estimated shipping timelines.

3. Kanto OBI3

Alright, this one was known about before High End, but I got to see Kanto's new budget turntable, the OBI3, and even talk to the guy who designed it!

The cheap, entry-level turntable market has plenty of options, but when you dig a little deeper, you'll find that most are all the same, kinda crappy units, reskinned, rebadged and repackaged.

Kanto set out to make its own turntable for the budget market that was built by them, not someone else. It uses an Audio Technica 3600L cartridge and costs $199, meaning newcomers to vinyl can grab a turntable and a budget speaker, like Kanto's $349 YU, for around $550. Not bad.

4. Ruark R710

"The world is crying out for CD players," said Ruark's Design Manager, Jan Paoli, during the launch of the Ruark R710 media console at High End.

British high-end (but attainable) hi-fi manufacturer Ruark has been making radios and CD players for a long time, which is rather fortuitous given the (re)rising popularity of CDs right now.

The R710 is a music console, delivering 200W of power per channel and offering a wealth of connectivity options, including wireless stmreaing via Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz connect.

It offers hi-res streaming up to 32-bit/192kHz, features a phono stage for hooking up turntables, and is designed to be used with the new Ruark Talisman-R floor speakers — which I was treated to a demo of, and which sound utterly lovely, with a warm-but-detailed hi-fi sound.

The R710 will go on sale in September at £2,200, while the Talisman-R speakers will follow shortly afterwards in October, priced at £1,500. They'll be available in the U.S., although pricing has yet to be confirmed.

5. iFi GR2

"A Hip-Dac 3 on steroids." That's how iFi's engineers described the new iFi GR2, and it's spot on. I own an iFi Hip-Dac 3, and love it, but the GR2 is a whole different beast.

Delivering 1,513mW of power, or 2,173mW in its max power mode, the GR2 is intended to be a pocketable powerhouse for hard-to-drive headphones.

Admittedly, it probably won't power the Meze ARTA above, but otherwise there aren't many headphones it can't drive, according to the engineers.

The GR2 takes what I love about the Hip-Dac 3 — its portability and simplicity of use — beefs it up with a touch screen, and adds more power.

In addition to iFi's Xbass mode, the GR2 also has an Xspace mode, which increases the width and spaciousness of sound. It worked extremely well in the ultra-spatial "Antigravity" by Sohn.

The GR2 will cost $529, can be pre-ordered now, and is expected to start shipping in July 2026.

More from Tom's Guide

• ‘I never thought cheap wired earbuds could sound so good’: here's how the $39 Dunu Titan X change the budget hi-res game
• I tested the new Shokz OpenDots 2 headphones for three weeks and they’re better value than the Bose Open Ultra Earbuds
• I tested JBL’s new mid-range headphones — and they’re zingy, fresh, and fun (and finally have hi-res audio!)

It isn't often that I come across a product that makes me say, "Damn, I want to keep that on my desk forever."

That very thing happened last week, when I tested the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2, one of the best Bluetooth speakers around. I took one look at it and said, "Mine! Mine!" like the seagulls from Finding Nemo.

Up until that point, I was using the JBL Go 5 to blast my favorite tunes, but now, I'm not sure I want to go back to the JBL — for a few good reasons.

JBL is arguably one of the biggest names in the audio sphere and when it comes to pure, full-bodied sound, the Go 5 upstages the Retro Cube 2.

8BitDo, on the other hand, is known for making retro-looking gaming and computing peripherals, and isn't a big player in the audio world.

So why do I still want to stick with the Retro Cube 2? Allow me to tell you why.

A 10/10 NES-inspired design

When it comes to design, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is easily the winner. Sure, the JBL Go 5 looks sleek and attractive, and doesn't draw eyeballs, but does it have an NES-inspired design? D-pad-style controls? A charging dock that's good-looking and practical? No, but the Retro Cube 2 does.

The Retro Cube 2's design is inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and it comes in a combination of beige, red and black. It looks utterly fantastic, and it's the cutest, quirkiest speaker I've tested so far. If you have an 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, there's no better speaker to complement it.

Unlike any other speaker I've used, it comes with a charging dock so you can keep the speaker powered at all times. What's more, the charging dock has a slot for the Retro Cube 2's 2.4GHz dongle so that you don't lose it — neat!

But perhaps my favorite stylistic choice on the Retro Cube 2 is its D-pad-like buttons to control playback. They give great tactile feedback when pressed, and given how much fun they are to press, it's like having a fidget toy and speaker all-in-one.

The best part? When you power on the speaker, it sings, “8BitDooooo.” Does the Go 5 do that? No way.

The Go 5 naturally has a couple of aces up its sleeve — waterproofing and a rugged design, as well as better Bluetooth connectivity and support for advanced codecs. But given just how lovely the Retro Cube 2 looks, I'm OK living without them.

All-day listening? Yes, please

One of the key differences between the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 and the JBL Go 5 is the battery life — and truth be told, it isn't even close.

The Go 5 is rated for just 10 hours, while the Retro Cube 2 achieves thrice that. At 30 hours, the Retro Cube 2 lasts a long, long time, and as it comes with a charging dock, you can keep it powered on at all times.

Question is, would you want to listen to music through the Retro Cube 2 all day long? Yes and no. Given that JBL dominates the audio space, it's not surprising that it sounds better than the Retro Cube 2 — but that doesn't mean the Retro Cube 2 is all bad. Treble is crisp and shiny without overpowering the rest of the soundstage, while the midrange is refined and tuned to make songs sound spacious.

The only real complaint I have with the Retro Cube 2's sound profile is the bass, which sounds muted. It's true that small speakers struggle to reproduce powerful bass, but the Go 5 does just that. The bass packs plenty of low-end impact on the Go 5, which feels non-existent on the Retro Cube 2. And as someone whose favorite bit of a song is the bass, the Retro Cube 2 left me wanting more.

You can read my in-depth sound quality analysis in my full 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review.

The price is right

Given everything I've said so far, I think it's pretty clear that I adore the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. It looks fantastic, it sounds almost great, and it can comfortably last an all-day listening session. In fact, because of how beautiful it looks, the Retro Cube 2 has earned a permanent spot on my desk. Unlike most products that I promptly box up when I'm done testing them, the Retro Cube 2 is here to stay.

And the price is just right. The Retro Cube 2 is available for just $49 / £39 at Amazon, making it an affordable and attractive speaker-cum-centerpiece package. As I write this, I'm listening to Lana Del Rey on the Retro Cube 2, and playing with those outstanding D-pad buttons.

Don't know about you, but I love my 🎶 8BitDooooo 🎶.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve never seen a speaker as cute and quirky as the NES-inspired 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 — and it boasts surprisingly good sound for just $49
• I tested the JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4 budget Bluetooth speakers — and there’s a clear winner under $60
• I’m soundtracking my summer with the $54 JBL Go 5 — it’s one of the best budget speakers I’ve ever used

The world of soundbars has gotten a whole lot better over the past few years. The likes of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 have made it easier to get Dolby Atmos and a reasonably vibrant sound without having to spend thousands of dollars. Sony's take on this is the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6.

The Theatre Bar 6 is designed for those who want to cut out the fuss of improving their living room audio. Sure, it doesn't have fancy features like rear speakers, but it still comes with a wireless subwoofer for improved bass, and you can often find it for less than $600. That said, it's lacking some features that some of the best soundbars offer.

Is the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 worth buying, or should you look elsewhere for Atmos? I tested the Bravia Theater 6 Bar to find out.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? A compact Dolby Atmos soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer
• Who is it for? Folks who want to cut out the fuss of improving their living room audio.
• What does it cost? $699 / £449
• What do we like? Its sleek design and inclusion of a wireless subwoofer
• What don’t we like? The Bar 6 leaves a lot to be desired in the low end and it’s missing wireless features like AirPlay 2.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Price and availability

Sony offers the Bravia Theatre Bar 6 at $699 or £449, which puts it squarely in mid-range territory — comfortably above the budget options, but also far below the high-end alternatives, including some of the options in Sony's lineup.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Design

As a mid-range soundbar, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is pretty no-fuss in terms of design and setup. It’s a sleek black bar that measures 37.5 inches wide, 2.6 inches high, and 4.4 inches deep. That's bigger than some of the ultra-compact soundbar models out there, but also more compact than larger models like the Sonos Arc Ultra. It was able to fit between the legs of a 65-inch TV that I tested it with, but only just, and if your TV is smaller, or even if you have a model with narrower leg placement, you might need to move the soundbar in front of those legs instead of between them.

Sony actually includes a set of detachable feet that are designed to sit on the legs of some of its Bravia TVs, which is a nice touch for those in Sony's ecosystem.

On the top of the soundbar are small windows for the up-firing speakers, while the rest of the speakers' drivers fire out towards the front and sides. The front corners are rounded while the back corners are sharper, which is a nice design touch. On the back you'll find HDMI and optical ports, but that's it, apart from a power input. There’s only one HDMI port — so no HDMI passthrough.

The subwoofer offers a similar build quality and overall look to the soundbar, made from the same materials and in the same color. It is a little larger than the subwoofer that comes with some soundbars, but not overly so, measuring 8.31inches wide, 15.31 inches high, and 16.94 inches deep. You'll want to think about where you want to place it in your living room, though.

Last but not least is the remote, which is very simple. It's small and offers controls for power, input, volume, bass volume, night mode, and mute. If you connect your soundbar through HDMI eARC, you probably won't need to use the included remote all that much, as you'll be able to change volume using your TV's remote. But if you do prefer a separate remote for the soundbar, you'll get one, which is nice.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Setup

Setting everything up is incredibly easy. All you do is plug the power in and connect the HDMI port to your TV's HDMI eARC port. If you're using a compatible Sony Bravia TV, it'll detect and connect to it right away, but even if not, when connected through HDMI eARC, your TV should know to output audio to the soundbar.

Setting up the subwoofer is very easy too. All you have to do is plug it in and the soundbar should automatically connect to it without you actually having to do anything.

Once you've connected the soundbar to your TV, you'll want to connect it to the app, and this is very easy as well. You don't even actually have to create an account if you don't want to, though doing so will give you additional controls and features. After you download the Sony Bravia Connect app, you'll be walked through connecting the soundbar to the app through Bluetooth, which took me under one minute, as the app can automatically detect the soundbar and initiate a connection.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Connectivity and controls

One area where the Theatre Bar 6 doesn't quite match up to the competition is in connectivity. Of course, the main way to connect the soundbar is through HDMI eARC — which is how most soundbars connect to TVs these days.

Where it's lacking is in additional connectivity. There's no 3.5mm port for connecting something like a phone through a wired connection. Plus, if you want to connect your phone wirelessly, you're stuck with Bluetooth 5.3 and not a Wi-Fi-based standard like Apple's AirPlay 2 or Google Cast.

Wi-Fi-based connectivity is an area where budget soundbars often compromise, but there are plenty of options in this price range like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which does have more advanced wireless connectivity for those who want to integrate their soundbar with a multi-room setup. In other words, if you're looking for a soundbar that will work with other speakers for whole-home audio, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 probably isn't the soundbar for you.

The app in general is pretty bare bones, and that means that you won't get a ton of customization options. You will get controls for things like standby modes and DSEE, but you won't get an EQ that you can use to more finely tune the audio. That's a little disappointing.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Performance

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 offers a 3.1.2 channel configuration, which includes three front-firing drivers coupled with two up-firing drivers and a wireless subwoofer for the low end. Those up-firing drivers allow it to support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which isn't necessarily a given in this price range, but also not uncommon.

I found the overall audio response to be quite good. The drivers and their placement made for an immersive sound overall, including for both music and movies. The soundstage was decently wide when listening to music, and while you can certainly get more immersion from systems with rear speakers, I found the height effect on offer by the Theatre Bar 6 to be better than expected for a mid-range soundbar. It helped make the sound effects in Avengers: Endgame more immersive than they otherwise would be, especially when it came to some of the higher-frequency effects during the final fight scene.

Now, to be clear, the height effect that you'll get on the Theatre Bar 6 isn't perfect — and it's not necessarily ultra-convincing when it comes to hearing specific elements in the mix, but you do at least get some immersion from the soundbar when watching movies in Dolby Atmos. In other words, while it definitely adds a sense of height to the mix, it doesn’t quite separate out those elements in a way that might allow you to pinpoint exactly what you’re hearing in those height channels – especially in dense mixes, like the aforementioned final scene in Avengers: Endgame.

The subwoofer definitely helps allow the system to produce deep frequencies compared to systems that don't come with a subwoofer, but I wouldn't say it's the most powerful subwoofer out there, despite its somewhat large size. It can get reasonably loud, but its frequency range is a little limited, meaning that it can sound a little muddy and overly boosted in the low mids and upper bass rather than extending deep into the bass spectrum. That’s especially true in already bass-heavy tracks, like Kendrick Lamar’s Loyalty, in which the bass somewhat overpowered other elements in the track.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 review: Verdict

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is a well-built, decently compact soundbar with a solid audio response overall. It offers good spatial audio for the price, and it's nice that it comes with a subwoofer at all, when plenty of others at this price point don't. That said, the subwoofer leaves a lot to be desired in the low end, and the high frequencies aren't as crisp as I would have liked. On top of that, the soundbar is missing wireless features like AirPlay 2, limiting how much it can integrate with the rest of your speaker ecosystem.

Those things don't mean it's not worth consideration — it just depends what your priorities are. If you want a no-fuss soundbar and don't care much about getting something with Wi-Fi connectivity that can support, then the Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is actually a pretty compelling option. But, if you want more in the way of features, and a slightly better-rounded audio response, then something like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is worth going for instead — especially as it allows you to add a subwoofer down the line anyway.

I’ve tested many of the best Bluetooth speakers in my time, but most of them look either the same or they sport bland or uninventive design. Not the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. It’s the cutest, quirkiest speaker you can buy today, and not for a lot of money as it costs just $49. An NES-inspired design and D-pad-style buttons make the Retro Cube 2 a joy to look at and use.

In addition to its simply fantastic design, the Retro Cube 2 boasts long battery life with up to 30 hours of playback time. It comes with a practical wireless charging dock too. Sound quality is great, with treble that shines and strong dynamics. However, given the speaker’s size and limited frequency response, the bass is a little lacking. It isn’t waterproof either, and its underbaked companion app doesn’t do it any favors.

Should you still buy it? Read my full 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review to find out.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Specs

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Price & availability

The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is the successor to the first-gen speaker, which first came out in 2019. The 2026 iteration is priced similarly, and is available for $49 / £39 at Amazon. It’s available in one color only, at the time of writing: N Edition, which is a combination of beige, red and black.

If it’s a budget Bluetooth speaker you’re after, the Retro Cube 2 is perfect for you. It’s cheaper than the JBL Go 5 ($54) and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 ($64). It’s a little pricier than the Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($39) and the Tozo PE1 ($39) but it’s still in the same ballpark. So, why should you buy the Retro Cube 2 from a brand that isn’t as well-known for audio gear as it is for its retro-style peripherals? The design and long battery life, for starters, and we’ll get into the details next.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Design

I’ve tested a lot of Bluetooth speakers in my time, but I’ve never seen one as cute as the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. Sporting a design inspired by the NES, the Retro Cube 2 fits right in with the brand’s other retro-style products. If you own the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard like I do, or the 8BitDo 64 N64-styled gamepad, the Retro Cube 2 is the perfect accompaniment, thanks to its beige, red and black colors.

The Retro Cube 2 is, as the name suggests, a cube. Four red speaker grilles are located on each face, and the top of the cube hosts the D-pad physical buttons, which I’ll talk about shortly. With subtle branding, the Retro Cube 2 is minimalist and good-looking, and is sure to draw eyeballs (in a good way). There’s no flashy RGB lighting, which I like, and the only bits that light up are the setting indicators on the top.

It’s quite small too, measuring just 3.47 x 3.45 x 3.45 inches. The Retro Cube 2 weighs 15.87oz so it’s a little heavier than the JBL Go 5 (8.16oz), but lighter than the Tribit StormBox Mini+ (19.2oz). A wireless charging dock is included in the box so you can keep the speaker powered at all times. Both the speaker and the dock host grippy rubbers to keep them from being unintentionally knocked about.

Weatherproofing

8BitDo doesn’t specify an IP rating for the Retro Cube 2, so it isn’t waterproof or dustproof. Given that this speaker is designed for indoor use, this isn’t a massive drawback, but something to keep in mind before you choose to take it outdoors, or use it in the shower. For a rugged waterproof speaker, I’d recommend the JBL Go 5 (IP68) or the Tribit StormBox Mini+ (IPX7).

Controls

The playback controls are in the form of an NES D-pad, and are unlike any other buttons you may have seen on other speakers. The four physical buttons enable you to adjust the volume, play/pause playback, and initiate Bluetooth pairing. All buttons give great tactile feedback when pressed.

To add to the speaker’s quirkiness, when you press the power button to, well, power on the speaker, the speaker sings, “8BitDooooo.” 10/10, no notes.

Connectivity

The Retro Cube 2 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the standard SBC codec. There’s no AAC or LC3, like on the JBL Go 5. You do get multipoint connectivity, though, so you can connect two devices simultaneously. I did this with my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and my MacBook Air M2 and it worked seamlessly.

In addition to Bluetooth, the Retro Cube 2 comes with a 2.4GHz dongle for virtually lag-free audio in games and music. The dongle can be stored in a slot located on the charging dock’s underside, which is a neat feature as it keeps it from getting lost. There’s wired playback too, via the USB-C port located around the back.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Sound quality

If you want a speaker to soundtrack your workday, gaming session, or an intimate dinner party, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is up to the challenge. It has a power output of 10W (5W x 2) and covers a frequency response range of 125Hz to 15KHz. Given that it goes down to just 125Hz, the sub-bass and bass in general are a little lacking, but I’ll talk about that later. Good things first.

To test the Retro Cube 2, I listened to my usual selection of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res, over Bluetooth. I kicked things off with ‘One Inch Punch’ by Yin Yin. This track highlighted the Retro Cube 2’s treble clarity, as the song’s bright surf-guitar riffs, crisp hi-hats and intricate percussion came through with plenty of energy and definition. The track sounded lively and the guitar notes cut cleanly through the mix, while percussion retained its texture without becoming harsh.

The Retro Cube 2 features a surprisingly capable midrange too. Lana Del Rey’s vocals in ‘Taco Truck x VB’ sat front and centre, sounding clear, intimate and well-defined which allowed the emotional nuances in her performance to come through effortlessly. The guitars blended smoothly without becoming congested, and the Retro Cube 2 lent the midrange elements a natural warmth that flattered the song’s laid-back, hazy production style.

But the only disappointing bit about the Retro Cube 2 is its limited bass capabilities — something commonplace in small speakers. I played ‘No Chances’ by Twenty One Pilots to test the speaker’s bass extension. While the track’s ominous low-end pulse and deep synth bass were present, they lacked the weight and physical impact that lend the song much of its tension — something you won’t experience when listening to it through the JBL Go 5. The song’s cinematic foundation, then, felt noticeably reduced, and while the kickdrums had definition, they didn’t hit with the chest-thumping force the song demands.

Overall, the Retro Cube 2 performs well but doesn’t provide a sound as full as the JBL Go 5, so if you want powerful bass, you may want to consider the JBL instead. But if cute looks matter more to you, then the Retro Cube 2 is a no-brainer.

Listen along to my review with the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 testing playlist:

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: App

The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 doesn’t have a mobile companion app, so you can’t customize the speaker on the fly. Well, you can’t customize the speaker full stop. While the Retro Cube 2 is compatible with the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 macOS and Windows app, the only thing you can do is update the speaker’s firmware.

This means that there’s no custom EQ or way to remap the buttons. If you want customizable EQ, I’d recommend spending a little extra on the JBL Go 5, or getting the cheaper Tribit StormBox Mini+.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Battery life

One of the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2’s biggest selling points is its long battery life, which is class-leading. 8BitDo says that the speaker can last up to 30 hours, and can go from zero to 100% in three hours. In my testing, the Retro Cube 2 ran out of battery around the 29th hour mark when it was playing at 50% volume.

The Retro Cube 2 outclasses most other speakers in its weight class. The JBL Go 5 offers a maximum playtime of 10 hours, while the Tribit StormBox Mini+ can last up to 12 hours. The Tozo PE1 has a rated battery life of 32 hours at low volume, and we found that it drained really quickly at high volumes. Given that, the Retro Cube 2 is your best option in the battery life department.

Unlike any other tiny Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested, the Retro Cube 2 comes with a wireless charging dock to keep it powered at all times.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Verdict

Few Bluetooth speakers are as attractive as the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. This cute little thing sports an NES-inspired design that’s sure to impress retro gamers. Its D-pad-style buttons not only give good tactile feedback when pressed, but they add to the Retro Cube 2’s charm too. Throw in 30 hours of battery life and a wireless charging dock with dongle storage and you’ve got yourself a winner.

But how does it sound? The Retro Cube 2 boasts great sound dynamics with the ability to make the treble sparkle. However, the bass is a little lacking, given that the speaker doesn’t have a wide frequency response range. It doesn’t have a custom EQ either, and it isn’t waterproof.

Should those drawbacks stop you from getting the Retro Cube 2? Depends on what you’re after. If you want a full-bodied sound, the JBL Go 5 is clearly the superior option. But if you want a $49 speaker that makes for a great addition to your setup, or as a coffee table centerpiece, the Retro Cube 2 is sure to please you. Its retro aesthetics have won me over, and it's become a permanent fixture on my desk. I’m vibing to the “8BitDoooo” startup sound.

In October 2025, Google teased its next Google Home speaker, but declined to provide any release or pricing details. However, thanks to new listings on Best Buy we may have both.

The original Google Home speaker released in 2020, which we described as great if you're in the Google system, but it lacked key features compared to competitors. The new version makes an aesthetic leap that appears more similar to the Apple HomePod Mini and the Echo Dot.

We found a Best Buy listing for the Google Home speaker that reveals a price of $99. It also appears to come in four colors: berry, hazel, jade and porcelain.

The new speaker is "engineered for Gemini," which includes Gemini Live. This version would be able to control your smart home, set up automations and play media. Apparently, it will also be able to detect sounds like alarms going off and breaking glass — responding by sending alerts to your phone.

Earlier today, the Canadian version of Best Buy listed a release date of June 25, 2026. It appears that was a mistake since that information has been scrubbed from the listing as of this writing. Both listings now say "coming Spring 2026."

How it compares to the HomePod mini and Echo Dot

Apple is expected to launch new Gemini/Siri-powered versions of its HomePod devices later this year at which point this comparison will have to change.

Right now, the HomePod mini costs $99. By comparison, the newest model of the Echo Dot costs $49. Though unlike the HomePod and Google's speaker, it comes in a variety of versions including kids and sports-themed ones that have slightly higher prices but still not $100. The larger Echo Dot Max is $99 and works great with Alexa+ but isn't really that much of an upgrade over the Dot.

We took an in-depth look at the Echo versus the HomePod mini and the current Google Nest Audio in October last year. Check out for more concrete details.

Simply, the Echo combined with Alexa Plus works great with Amazon devices like the Ring Doorbell. The audio is a downfall but good enough.

The HomePod mini, meanwhile, has easy setup isn't as compatible with smart devices. The juice is in the sound, which is excellent. The issue is that Apple doesn't have as robust a smart home ecosystem like Google and Amazon, though that is something Apple reportedly wants to change.

Once Google does release its new Home speaker, we'll give it a full test to see how it stacks up. Hopefully, we'll actually have it in our hands at the end of June.

More from Tom's Guide

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Which Android foldable will win in 2026?
• 5 Google TV features you're probably not using but definitely should
• I hate that I love Google’s new AI-powered search bar — it makes the internet easier to digest, but my career is cooked now

LG Sound Suite — a new blend of LG audio hardware and Dolby FlexConnect software — blew me away at CES when I saw it in early January. The technology, though still in its infancy, is going to change the way we think about surround sound as it allows you to place speakers anywhere in your room and get calibrated spatial audio sound tuned to wherever you want to sit.

Part and parcel of the technology is the LG Sound Suite H7 Soundbar. Technically, it’s possible to run the Sound Suite software through an LG C5, G5 OLED or one of LG’s new 2026 TVs, but this soundbar enables any TV with an eARC port to partake in FlexConnect’s … well, flexibility.

As the brains behind the brawn of LG’s new platform, the H7 has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, this best soundbar competitor itself isn’t quite as versatile as the technology driving it. Here’s why.

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A Dolby Atmos soundbar that can connect wirelessly to up to four FlexConnect speakers and a subwoofer
• Who is it for? Anyone looking for an alternative to Sonos or Samsung’s all-in-one audio boxes
• What does it cost? $999 / £899
• What do we like? The FlexConnect integration enables you to set up surround speakers anywhere in your room
• What don’t we like? The aforementioned surround speakers don’t come in the box and will set you back an additional $249 apiece

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Price and release date

The LG Sound Suite H7 is one of those rare products that gets announced at CES in early January and then becomes available to buy shortly after the show ends; it went on sale in mid-January 2026 at a launch price of $999 at Best Buy and Amazon.

Of course, if you only buy the soundbar, you’re not really getting Sound Suite’s full functionality — you’ll at least need a few of the Sound Suite M5 or M7 Speakers to go with it. Those will set you back an additional $249 or $399, respectively. Finally, if you want to add a subwoofer to the mix, you’re looking at an additional $599 for the Sound Suite W7 sub.

If you went all-in on a full Sound Suite system, you’re looking at around $3,200 — much more than it would cost for a comparable Dolby Atmos system if you build it piecemeal.

This is similar, in some ways, to how a Sonos system works. You’d start by buying the Sonos Arc Ultra for close to $1,000, then you’d tack on a Sonos Sub Mini ($399), a pair of Sonos Era 300 ($379 apiece) or both. You’ll get a more robust sound that way, but you can see where LG got its Sound Suite pricing model from.

Your other option for a similar setup would be the Samsung HW-Q990F, an 11.1.4 system-in-a-box that includes a subwoofer and two satellite speakers for $1,800. This is the cheaper option, but will offer less flexibility in speaker placement than LG’s new Sound Suite system.

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Design and controls

LG designed the Sound Suite H7 as a 9.1.6-channel soundbar; it’s impressive that LG managed to cram 12 speakers and eight passive radiators into the soundbar’s 47.2 x 2.5 x 5.6 inch chassis. There’s not enough room between those speakers to truly feel like distinct channels — an issue I’ll cover more when we talk about its performance — but it certainly packs a punch.

Spin it around to the backside and you’ll see the port…er, ports, technically because there are two of them. Only two of them. There’s the HDMI-In port that you’ll connect via a cable to the TV and a USB 3.0 port that can be used to host local media.

There are no other ports here. No optical audio (likely omitted because Dolby Atmos requires an eARC connection) or HDMI passthrough ports. The latter is unfortunate, as it means you’re going to lose a port on your TV without any form of recompense and it’s something we see often on rival soundbars.

For better and worse, every connection besides the TV is wireless. The satellite speakers and subwoofer connect cable-free, and music playback comes courtesy of AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast. There's even Bluetooth for more old-school wireless connections. Unfortunately, wireless connectivity on board the H7 isn't always the most stable, which creates issues.

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Features

The reason you’d buy an LG Sound Suite speaker instead of, say, something from Sonos or Samsung, is for its Dolby FlexConnect features. The ability to place speakers anywhere in the room and have them play perfectly attuned spatial audio never fails to impress me.

Of course, even better than simply having a room that’s set up for spatial audio is having a central “sweet spot” where you get the best sound possible. LG has enabled this through a technology it’s calling Sound Follow, and it’s like having a calibrator on-call 24/7. Sitting in the sweet spot had audible advantages to sitting on the periphery of the system, and became a spot everyone in the house would race towards when we sat down to watch a movie.

When it comes to wireless playback, the H7 supports Bluetooth connectivity alongside Apple AirPlay2 and Google Cast. If you want to get really fancy, there’s also Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect supported right out of the box as well.

Of course, LG’s ThinQ app is the bridge between you and the soundbar. This is the place you’ll go to get the speakers connected to your Wi-Fi network and, eventually, paired together. There’s not a lot of functionality in the app, but it’s here you’ll find the all-important Sound Follow feature. If you ever need to change the Wi-Fi settings, you’ll come back to the app to do that, but otherwise I didn’t find myself using it all that often.

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Sound quality

As a standalone soundbar, I wasn’t wildly impressed with the H7 — it’s loud but not well-rounded. But pairing it up with the M7 speakers was a totally different experience.

My biggest issue with multi-channel performance — and this applied whether I was watching a movie or listening to music — is that the speakers would sometimes drop the connection. Each speaker requires its own internet connection, and that can lead to just one of them dropping out. They’d usually re-connect within a few seconds, but it wasn’t the best user experience.

Movies

To see how it fared with movies, I loaded up the Dolby Atmos-enabled “Inside Out 2” on Disney Plus. This film is not only a visual treat — and absolutely heartwarming — but it’s got a great audio track that’s perfect for speaker testing.

I noticed right away that, on its own, the H7 couldn’t convey convincing Dolby Atmos. That’s not uncommon on unibody soundbars, but it was slightly more painful given the price. Dialogue was mixed, with some scenes having extremely easy to hear conversations, while other scenes required me to turn up the volume to hear what was being said.

Without a subwoofer, I didn’t get a lot of low-end extension, but again, this isn’t uncommon for a unibody soundbar. Still, musical swells in the movie’s main theme and certain action sequences (pretty much anytime there was hockey involved) all sounded great.

Music

As with movie soundtracks, bass frequencies can get lost while listening to standard two-channel albums — but thankfully, the soundstage is fairly wide thanks to those 12 speakers and eight passive radiators. Placing instruments in their exact locations was a struggle, but live albums like David Gilmour’s “Live at Pompeii” felt truly immersive. This is the first time I’ve heard a live album on a soundbar system and walked away impressed.

Studio albums like The Format’s new “Boycott Heaven” also leaned into the soundbar’s strengths — Nate Ruess’ impressive vocal range sounded excellent across the board.

Overall, the H7’s performance is a lot like Ruess’ former band — exciting and dynamic, but just missing that special something that we’ve seen in the Sonos Arc Ultra.

LG Sound Suite H7 review: Verdict

The LG Sound Suite H7 is the start of something big. I’m still genuinely amazed by Dolby Atmos FlexConnect and LG’s implementation of the technology, despite the connectivity issues I faced. This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to use a soundbar for a live album instead of my stereo speakers. That’s a massive achievement.

Problematically, however, the soundbar is a bit rich. At a lower price or in a total package that includes all the speakers and a subwoofer for under $1,800, the H7 and its Sound Suite stablemates would be an easier recommendation. But the fact that you can get a whole surround system in the form of the Samsung HW-Q990F for a fraction of the cost makes it a lukewarm deal in a hotbed of competition.

Once it drops down in price, I’ll be more forgiving of its shortcomings and I’m very much looking forward to seeing FlexConnect blossom in the next few years.

I test audio gear for a living, and that means I get my hands on some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. But in the hours I spend testing these speakers, there are only a few that I keep going back to.

And these top choice speakers are the proof you need that you don't need to spend big bucks to get awesome sound because they're all on sale. In fact, the priciest one is just $111.

All of these speakers have impressive battery life, durability protection for the outdoors, and most importantly, impressive sound. So without further ado, these are the speakers I'll be reaching for all summer long.

• Tribit PocketGo: was $29 now $19 at Amazon
• Marshall Willen II: was $129 now $89 at Amazon
• Tribit Stormbox Lava: was $139 now $111 at Amazon

Tribit PocketGo

The Tribit PocketGo is a speaker I use almost daily, and it comes absolutely everywhere with me. In fact, it's coming on vacation with me next week so I can listen to my favorite tracks by the pool. And I don't even have to worry about it getting wet because it has an impressive durability rating of IP68.

This sub-$30 speaker is nothing short of impressive. It sounds like it should be triple its size when it measures just 4.3 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches. But the 20 hours of battery life are what really win me over. Even at the highest volumes, the battery lasts me days at a time, although this will depend on your own listening habits.

Marshall Willen II

This is the speaker I get out when I want to show off a little. The Marshall Willen II is the sleek answer to the world of portable Bluetooth speakers, and it's not hard to see why. Just look at it.

It's compact, measuring 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.7 inches, and is as light as a feather, weighing just 0.79 lbs. It's has 17 hours of battery to soundtrack your whole day outdoors without needing to worry about a charger, and the durability rating of IP67 means that the speaker can withstand rain or shine.

Tribit Stormbox Lava

Another choice from Tribit, but it's for good reason — the Tribit Stormbox Lava provides incredible ground-shaking bass. This is the speaker that I used almost every single day in my backyard last summer, and it was the perfect addition to every barbecue, bonfire and sunbathing session.

The 24 hours of battery keep me company all day long, and just like the PocketGo, it's waterproof and dustproof, so there's no need to worry about any spontaneous rain. You can also use stereo pairing with this speaker, but you'll need to purchase two of them.

More from Tom's Guide

• We know that core workouts build strong ab muscles, but what move should you start with for strength and stability after 50?
• I walked 5,500 steps with the Apple Watch SE 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 70 — and the results surprised me
• We just lab tested the LG B6 OLED — here's how it stacks up to the LG C6

Marshall might be making waves with its audio products like the Marshall Milton ANC, but it’s not the only instrument maker-turned-electronics manufacturer in town — the Fender brand also has a new suite of Bluetooth speakers that allows you to take your music (and guitars) anywhere and everywhere you want to go.

The most affordable entry in the two-piece ensemble is the ELIE 6, a $299 portable Bluetooth speaker that was developed by the Fender Audio team. It features a quarter-inch XLR port for music instruments, which I’ve been using with my Ibanez bass.

Is $300 a bit too much to spend on a portable Bluetooth speaker when you can get louder, more competent models like the LG Xboom Grab and Ultimate Ears Boom 4 for half the price? Yeah, probably. But having a portable speaker that doubles as an amp is certainly handy for vagabonding musicians looking to take their music on the road.

It's a decent little Bluetooth speaker

Although it doubles as an amp, the ELIE 6 is a Bluetooth speaker first and foremost — and it does a competent job in this role. It doesn’t bring the wall-shaking party the same way the JBL Xtreme 4 does, nor does it have the Sony Ult Field 5’s lightshow, but the sound profile is refined and relatively bassy.

In terms of size, it's not all that big. It's only 7.7 x 4.8 x 4.1 inches, so it's easy to throw in a bag.

To put it through its paces, I used my usual speaker testing playlist that includes songs from Paramore, Eminem, Jimi Hendrix and John Williams.

By and large, the highs and mids are clear and precise at a moderate volume level and only begin to distort as you push it to 11... I mean full volume. (Sadly there's no actual 11...)

It's bass levels that are very underserved in this speaker, though it's not for a lack of trying. There's a woofer at the bottom of the speaker that does its best to produce low-end frequencies, but the small form factor prevents it from reaching any form of meaty sub-bass.

If you want to double your output, you can sync up a second ELIE 6 speaker in either stereo, or round up a whole group of speakers if you want to turn your garage into a Guitar Center.

Personally, the ELIE 6 isn't going to replace my critical listening open-back headphones anytime in the near future, but for small gatherings, it's perfect.

A portable amp you'll want to bring everywhere

Whatever you feel about the speaker's sound quality, it's not the whole reason to buy an ELIE 6. You're choosing it over the competition because it doubles as a portable amplifier.

Now, I’ve never been a road musician, but I’ve carried my fair share of amps for friends and my older brother. Compared to schlepping a traditional 40-pound amplifier around, however, moving the 4-pound ELIE 6 around is a breeze.

Connecting my Ibanez bass was as simple as plugging in the jack, and volume is controlled by the knob on the right of the controls.

I was able to play a few renditions of my favorite Red Hot Chili Pepper songs, and the sound quality was good. Again, there was no floor-shaking rumble to it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the amp likely serves guitarists better than bassists.

Overall, the ELIE 6 is the perfect size and volume level take outside to a park and play for some friends.

Is the Fender ELIE 6 worth $300?

There is a very specific kind of person out there that's going to love this speaker.

It's not the person who wants crystalline-clear sound quality. It's not the person who wants all-day battery life. (Fender says the ELIE 6 is good for about 18 hours of playback, which felt right given my two days of testing.) But it's very appealing for someone who just wants one speaker that doubles as a Bluetooth device and an amp.

If that's you, rock on. Fender Audio's got you covered.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m soundtracking my summer with the $54 JBL Go 5 — it’s one of the best budget speakers I’ve ever used
• I test earbuds for a living and these are the 12 best cheap earbuds you can buy right now
• AirPods Max 2 are my favorite over-ear headphones — but I hate that I can't create my own EQ

Here at Tom's Guide, we're committed to helping you upgrade your life for less by finding gadgets that can make everything a little easier without breaking the bank. And that includes making sure you have the best Bluetooth speaker on hand for summer parties and personal listening.

If you haven't already, now's the time to get your hands on an audio upgrade for the summer, and I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be from one of the most expensive brands like Sonos or Bose. You can find decent audio performance for well under $100; you just have to know where to look.

One of my top recommendations for this summer is the Edifier ES20, which is currently on sale at Amazon for $69. It's small but mighty, and is a perfect option for outdoor gatherings. Here are my favorite things about the speaker.

Premium and weatherproof design

The Edifier ES20 is one good-looking speaker. It comes in ivory or black, and both versions of the speaker look premium with champagne accents and a metal grille on the front, which is reminiscent of the Marshall Willen II.

It's a very small speaker, measuring just 3.7 x 3.6 x 2.0 inches, but don't let that put you off because its sound is larger than life. The size makes it easily portable, so it can go absolutely anywhere.

Beyond the good looks, there is functionality too. The speaker has an IP67 rating, meaning it's fully protected against dust and can even be submerged underwater. So there's no fear if it happens to fall into the pool by mistake!

It gets very loud

As I was saying, don't let that small size deter you. This speaker can get incredibly loud — I was seriously shocked. When using the speaker indoors, I could hear it clearly from the other side of my house. And the sound carries well outside, too.

It rivals some bigger boombox-style speakers I've tested in the past, such as the Tribit Stormbox Lava. At the lowest volumes, the Edifier starts to struggle with a little static in the bass, but that's to be expected.

And you can go louder

Speaking of loud, the Edifier ES20 has stereo pairing capabilities. That means if you have more than one of the speakers (and at that price, why wouldn't you?), then you can pair them to create a surround sound setup.

This can create a more immersive sound for casual listening too, with a wider sound stage to support instrument separation and avoid static.

This is a speaker I'm going to be reaching for all summer long, but how about you? If you like the sound of this small but mighty speaker, you can read my full Edifier ES20 review to find out more.

More from Tom's Guide

• This budget speaker looks totally premium — and it almost nails it in the sound department too
• 'Expensive doesn’t mean good’: here’s why I’ll be sticking with my $40 speaker over this $200 one
• You don't have to buy the most expensive Bluetooth speaker for awesome sound — here are my top picks under $30, $50 and $100

Bose has shown us time and time again that it can build some truly great soundbars — both the Bose Smart and Bose Smart Ultra soundbars being good examples. But in 2026, the brand wants to take things to another level with the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar.

Although I’ve only had a few days with it, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar feels like it’s a true Sonos Arc Ultra competitor. It sounds great both with and without the additional Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer, and I was hard-pressed to hear anything wrong with it.

Is it time for the Arc Ultra to finally give up its crown as the best soundbar?

TL;DR

• What is it? A new Spatial Audio soundbar from Bose
• How much will it cost? $1,099 for the black or white model
• What does it work with? Any streaming service that supports Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth

Price and availability

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar was announced on May 5 2026, and became available to pre-order at Bose.com shortly afterwards.

At $1,099, it’s the most expensive soundbar in Bose’s range, but it’s similar in specs and power to the $999 Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar and is exactly the same price as its closest competitor, the Sonos Arc Ultra.

If you want something a bit more manageable in price, the 3.0-channel Bose TV Soundbar starts at $279, while the 5.0-channel Bose Smart Soundbar can be had for $549.

Design

Bose being Bose, the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar only comes in two color options: black and white… Excuse me, Arctic White.

The top of the soundbar is divided into two layers. There’s a fabric layer that wraps all the way around the front and sides of the soundbar and a glossy section that sits on top and acts almost as a mirror to the TV.

Spin it around to the back and you'll see a strange array of ports. You've got the essential HDMI-in port that you'll want to connect to the eARC HDMI port on your TV, but also connections for Ethernet, Bass and Data, as well as a USB-C port for service.

I'm not sure I totally understand why some of these ports are here and I would trade any one of the aforementioned extras for an HDMI passthrough that could link up to a Blu-ray player or game console.

On the top right of the soundbar are the touch-sensitive controls laid out in a large circular indentation. You'll mostly use your phone to control playback, but these are handy to use in a pinch.

Audio

According to Bose, the speaker features six full-range drivers (two up-firing and four front-facing) alongside an additional center tweeter and two proprietary Bose PhaseGuide drivers inside the main bar. On the back are two QuietPort acoustic openings that enable what Bose calls "CleanBass" technology.

The specs are all very impressive on paper. But how does the speaker actually sound? I haven’t put the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar through my entire testing regimen yet, but I’m fairly pleased with what I’ve heard from it so far.

To kick things off, I started with songs from Qobuz, my streaming service of choice. First up: “The Mountain” by Gorillaz. Its blend of sitars and flutes fluttered wonderfully out of the soundbar, never too shrill for my ears and perfectly balanced. The soundstage wasn’t the largest, especially if I toggled off the subwoofer, but the clarity was great.

To test the bass response, I threw on “Barbra Streisand” by Duck Sauce. If you need an impromptu dance party in your living room, I highly recommend giving this a listen. The bass response wasn’t the greatest with just the soundbar, but there was enough oomph there to get me bobbing along with the beat.

Testing some classical music, “Star Wars: A New Hope Main Title” was up next — and I knew this one was going to be difficult for the soundbar.

Unfortunately, to make classical music to sound like you’re listening to it at the philharmonic, you need a wide soundstage. It’s here the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar fell a little flat. There was nothing wrong with the sound profile itself, mind you, it just felt cramped. Admittedly, this is an issue with nearly all soundbars, but I was hoping Bose’s CustomTune technology would widen things a bit.

Last but not least was “INDUSTRY BABY” by Lil Nas X, a perennial banger that should have the windows and walls shaking with its deep sub-bass. Without the subwoofer enabled, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar got pretty darn low, but it wasn’t until I flipped back on the subwoofer that I really got the walls to shake.

To see how dialogue sounded, I threw on a Premiere League game. With the SpeechClarity setting at Medium, the announcers were crystal clear and the cheers of the audience were audible, but not overwhelming. This is an area that I'll really dive into with more movies and shows when I write the final review early next week.

Setup and smart features

Setup for the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar is done via the Bose app. The whole process can be done in just a few minutes and requires little technical knowledge to pull off. It also worked the first time, which is something I can’t say about every soundbar I’ve tested recently (cough, LG Sound Suite H7, cough).

Inside the app are a number of very simple tuning options. There’s a three-band EQ (treble, mids, bass) and adjustments for height and surround. You’ll want to adjust the height of the sound to match the distance to your TV. If the soundbar sits five feet below the TV, crank this setting up to +5. Need the sound lower? Go in the other direction to -5.

If you pick up the subwoofer to go with it, you’ll be able to toggle it on and off via the app as well as increase its output if you feel the bass is a little lacking. I had mine set to a +2 for the majority of my hands-on time, but I occasionally cranked it up higher to see if I could rattle windows. (I was able to and my wife was none-too-pleased about it.)

You’ll also come into the app to re-configure your setup if you shell out for a pair of Bose Lifestyle Ultra speakers or need to change the source of your playback from HDMI to Bluetooth or AirPlay.

Outlook

I'll need to spend some more time with it before I can say definitively whether this overtakes the Sonos Arc Ultra, but I think it's going to be exceptionally close.

Features like Bose's custom tuning and SpeechClarity are genuinely helpful, and I think music sounds fantastic for a soundbar. There are some minor issues like the small soundstage and lack of an HDMI passthrough port that are troubling, however.

Although it's a bit pricey, the Lifestyle Ultra is a darn good entry in Bose's storied soundbar lineup, and it's one I'm excited to fully test over the next week or two.

What took so long? It’s pretty remarkable that, for all its other products, it has taken Bose this long to come out with an in-home smart speaker. But the Bose Lifestyle Ultra is finally here, and it looks like the company has not only taken lessons from its own rich history of designing audio products, but also from what’s worked — and what hasn’t — from its competitors.

Apart from delivering excellent audio, this is the first smart speaker not made by Amazon that supports Alexa+; it supports AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect, and you can even plug it directly into a turntable.

But, having used it for a week, I have a few reservations. So how does the Bose Lifestyle Ultra stack up against the best smart speakers? You’ll have to read the rest of my review to find out.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: Price and availability

The Bose LifeStyle Ultra Speaker went on sale May 5 2026 at Bose.com, and is more widely available at other retailers. The speaker comes in three colors: the black and white models cost $299, while a limited-edition Driftwood Sand model costs $349.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: Design

Stylistically, the Bose speaker falls between the all-plastic Sonos Era 100 and the completely cloth-covered Apple HomePod 2. The body of Bose’s speaker is made primarily of plastic, but the front and sides are wrapped in an acoustic cloth, which softens the overall look.

The top of the device has a speaker grille towards the front, and a circular indentation towards the rear with volume controls. In between are additional touch-sensitive controls for Bluetooth and muting the speaker’s microphone. With all the little icons, it feels a bit busy, but that’s just me.

I saw all three color options in person, and the limited-edition Driftwood Sand model definitely stands out, especially with its white oak base. If you have wood decor, it might be worth springing the cash.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: Audio quality

As you might expect from a Bose product, the sound quality from the Lifestyle Ultra speaker is superb. To test its performance, I streamed a number of tracks through Spotify.

One thing I noticed in my hands-on — and confirmed in my home — is that the Bose speaker has much brighter mids and highs compared to the Sonos Era 100. As a result, female vocals were especially more pronounced and defined. I could really hear the personality of Carole King singing “I feel the Earth Move,” Dua Lipa in “Dance the Night,” and Kristen Chenoweth belting out “Popular.”

In fact, the mids were forward sometimes to the point of them sounding a bit too harsh. It was especially evident when I cranked “Tom Sawyer,” Geddy Lee’s falsetto cracked a little bit on the higher lines.

Lower tones also came through loud and clear; on that same track, the bass line and drums were so crisp that I could hear every bang and thump cleanly. The thumping bass line on the Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere” also rang through like the silversmith running through Massachusetts warning of the British.

When played on the Sonos Era 100, those same vocals weren’t as present — things felt a bit rounder and pulled back — but the soundstage also was a bit wider, if not as tall as the Bose.

Ultimately, choosing between the Bose and the Sonos really comes down to a matter of preference. Both offer superior audio quality, and it’s hard to pick a winner based on sound alone.

The upward-firing speaker also added a bit more height to music, which, in the absence of Dolby Atmos support, is a nice little extra. Still, both the HomePod 2 and Amazon Echo Studio support spatial audio, so Atmos’ absence is felt.

Unlike some of the other smart speakers I’ve tested — most notably the Sonos Era 100, HomePod 2, and even the Amazon Echo Studio — the Bose Lifestyle Ultra speaker does not support Bose’s room-tuning feature, CustomTune.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: App and home theater capabilities

Maybe Bose learned from Sonos’ lesson, because its app is pretty minimalistic — but in a good way. You really only need it to set up the speaker, connect it to Wi-Fi, Alexa+, and tweak EQ settings. It has a 3-band EQ (treble, mid, and bass) plus a fourth for height. Overall, it has one of the clearest guides to walk you through the setup process that I’ve ever seen.

After that, there’s little reason why you’d need to use the app, as Bose has designed it to work within the music app of your choice. It’s compatible with Google Cast, Apple Airplay, and Spotify Connect; when I opened Spotify, the Bose speaker was listed there as a music source.

If all else fails, you can also simply connect to the speaker via Bluetooth, or just plug in a 3.5mm cord in the back. At a time when physical audio connections seem to be disappearing, it’s nice to see Bose keeping this legacy connector around.

You can also pair two Bose Lifestyle Ultra speakers for stereo sound, group them in different rooms of your house, or add them as part of a home theater surround system. One bummer is that, while the Lifestyle Ultra Speakers can be paired with a Bose Lifestyle Ultra soundbar, they’re not backwards-compatible with other Bose equipment. So, if you already have a Bose soundbar, you won’t be able to use these as surrounds.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: Smart home features

The Lifestyle Ultra is the first third-party smart speaker that’s compatible with Alexa+, Amazon’s AI-improved voice assistant. However, unlike the HomePod and Echo Studio, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra lacks presence, temperature, or any other sensor of that ilk which would allow you to create automated routines

Bose Lifestyle Ultra review: Bottom line

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra is a very capable and well-designed smart speaker. Its audio quality is superb, it’s easy to set up, it works seamlessly with all the major music streaming services and it’s the first third-party smart speaker that can access Alexa+.

All that being said, it’s sandwiched between some well-established competition. At $299, it’s the same price as the Amazon Echo Studio and Apple HomePod 2, but those models both support spatial audio and have extra sensors to take fuller advantage of their smart home capabilities.

Bose’s other chief competitor in this market, the Sonos Era 100, has now been out for three years, costs $80 less, and offers similar audio quality. (Sonos also sells the Alexa-free Sonos Era 100 SL for $189, so I suspect that not as many use voice controls as the company originally thought.)

In addition, all three rivals offer some sort of room-tuning capability, while the Bose does not.

On the basis of its performance as a speaker to play music from your turntable or streaming service of choice, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra will not disappoint. However, it falls a little short when it comes to the little extras you get with its rivals.

It's taken a minute, but Bose is finally coming out with a smart speaker that will rival the likes of the Sonos Era 100 and Apple HomePod 2. Last week, I had the opportunity to listen to the Bose LifeStyle Ultra Speaker, a new device that will not only let you stream music from Spotify, Apple Music and more, but also connect to your home theater system — including your record player.

But how does Bose's new product compare to the best smart speakers? I checked out the Bose LifeStyle Ultra Speaker; here's my early impression of a device that could be the next addition to your entertainment system.

TL;DR

• What is it? A new smart speaker from Bose
• How much will it cost? $299 for the black or white model
• What does it work with? Any streaming service that supports Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth

Price and availability

The Bose LifeStyle Ultra Speaker goes on sale today (May 5) at Bose.com — we can only imagine that it will be available at other retailers shortly after. The Lifestyle Ultra Speaker will come in three colors: the black and white models will cost $299, while a limited-edition Sandstone model will cost $349.

At launch, Bose's speaker will cost $80 more than the Sonos Era 100 and Amazon Echo Studio, but is the same price as the Apple HomePod 2.

Also going on sale today is the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar ($1,099) as well as the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($899). Unfortunately, the soundbar is only available in black or white, so you can't get one to match your Sandstone-colored Speaker.

Design

Bose's smart speaker is roughly the same size as its main competition, but has some nice design flourishes to set it apart. As viewed from the top, it has an oval shape, with a fabric wrapping around the front and sides, to give it a softer look. The majority of the rest of the speaker is made of plastic, but the base of the Sandstone model is made of white oak, which looks most visually distinctive.

On the top are the speaker's touch-sensitive controls; there's a large circular indentation for volume controls, which you can adjust either by tapping or spinning your finger around.

Also on the top, you'll see a grille for an upward-firing speaker, which Bose says will help give your music more vertical depth.

Around back is the power plug, as well as a 3.5mm audio jack; the bottom of the speaker has a screw mount should you wish to place it on a pedestal.

Audio

Inside the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker are three drivers; a forward-facing woofer and tweeter, and one more tweeter that's directed upwards. There's also a rather large resonance chamber that exits out the rear of the speaker, to add additional passive bass to your music.

During my hands-on session with the speaker, the music I heard ("Man I Need by Olivia Dean, "Bad as I Used to Be" by Chris Stapleton, "Peaceful Place" by Leon Bridges," and "Hey Nineteen" by Steely Dan) was definitely impressive for its size. Bass was powerful without being overwhelming, and vocals came through crisply.

I will say that the highs sounded a bit too bright for my tastes, but I'll have to listen to it more before I can render an official verdict.

The upward-firing speaker definitely added height to the tracks I listened to, but this is a speaker you'll want to have placed fairly close to a wall, so that the music has something to bounce off. However, keep in mind that unlike the HomePod 2, it does not support Dolby Atmos.

Home theater capabilities

Like most other smart speakers, you can pair two of Bose's together for stereo, and you can also create a multi-room setup.

Similar to the Sonos Era 100, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker can be used as rear-channel satellites with the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar, should you want to create a more fully immersive home theater setup. However, the Ultra Speakers struggle to interface directly with a TV, unless you were to run RCA cables from your TV to each speaker.

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker has a 3.5mm jack, which lets you connect it directly to a turntable — a nice touch for those who want to listen to records with as little fuss as possible. (With the Sonos, you need to purchase a USB-C adapter, and the HomePod and Echo Studio lack this capability entirely.)

Smart functions

Bose takes a very light approach when it comes to the app that controls the speaker. While you need the app to set it up, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and adjust things such as treble and bass, you won't use the app to when using your music streaming service of choice.

Rather, you'll go through that company's app — be it Apple Music, Spotify, or whatever — and select the Bose speaker there. The speaker supports Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect, so you should be well-covered.

In the U.S., the Bose speaker will also support Alexa+, and in fact will be the first third-party speaker to support Amazon's upgraded smart assistant. (The Sonos Era 100 supports the older Alexa, but not the newer version.)

Outlook

Bose finally has a smart speaker that rivals those of its biggest competitors: The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker certainly ticks all the necessary boxes with strong audio capabilities, as well as support for the major streaming protocols — and it has an audio jack in the back.

At $299, it's priced to compete with the established names out there, so we can't wait to get one in to test out and see how it fares in our home.

I've tested tons of the best Bluetooth speakers, but none hold as special a place in my heart as the JBL Xtreme series. I loved the Xtreme 4 back when it was released in 2024, and I love the Xtreme 5 in 2026. Though pricey, these are the two boombox-meets-portable party speakers I'd invest in for myself.

But the Xtreme 5 comes with one major upgrade I've never personally seen on a speaker before — not one I've tested myself, anyway. The Xtreme 5 has an IP68 rating, meaning it has the highest-possible durability rating. Yes, this speaker is not only 99.9% waterproof, dustproof, it's now drop-proof, too.

I hope this upgrade comes to every major speaker in the future, because I don't want to live without it now.

Xtreme 5 is surviving the apocalypse

An IP68 rating is pretty cutting-edge. It means the Xtreme 5 has the highest possible waterproof and dustproof rating. The "6" means the speaker is as protected as physically possible from dust ingress, while "8" means the speaker will survive sitting at the bottom of a pool.

Here's the caveat: while there is "technically" an IPX9 rating, this is an industrial-grade rating not really seen on consumer tech because it means the product can withstand high-pressure jets of near-boiling water. This just isn't a scenario most people will experience during backyard parties, so speaker brands don't really bother with IPX9.

IP68 is, generally, the best you can get.

But JBL went one step further — the Xtreme 5 is also "drop-proof". To test this out, I dropped it onto gravel from a height of 5-and-a-half feet, and it bounced. My music didn't stop playing. Honestly, I was a bit scared to drop it from a higher height — I was wary of dropping it out of my first-floor window to avoid hitting a passerby — but surviving a five-and-a-half foot drop is more than I can say for my iPhone screen. RIP.

This advanced level of durability is what makes it perfect for pool parties, beach parties, backyard parties, full moon parties, and anything else you could think of.

And, now that JBL has done it (JBL Xtreme 5, JBL Charge 6, JBL Flip 7), and Tribit has done it (Tribit StormBox Micro 3), hopefully, we'll start seeing an IP68 rating more and more.

But it's not just about durability

Of course, one thing is even more important than durability: sound quality. As a speaker, the JBL Xtreme 5 literally has one job — sound incredible.

And, boy, does it sound incredible. I adore this punchy, bassy, ferocious speaker. It's wide, expansive, and room/park-filling. When I use this speaker, I spend half my time worrying I'm going to get a noise complaint from my neighbors, but the other half of the time, I'm having way too much fun to care.

In my 4.5-star review of the Xtreme 5, which you can read if you want more information, I wrote, "When the beat dropped, my entire desk started shaking. The bass squelched and oozed out of the speaker, a bouncing quagmire after sucking down a few amps."

While you won't get the clarity you'd expect for bookshelf speakers or the best smart speakers (like the Denon Home 400, which I recently tested and love), but if you want a portable, meaty, and fearless speaker, I completely recommend the Xtreme 5.

That being said, if JBL can do it, why can't everyone else do it? Bose, Marshall, Sonos, I'm waiting!

More from Tom's Guide

• I've been testing this new open-earbud upgrade from EarFun — and they're an instant win for gym goers
• These are the best noise canceling earbuds that are actually worth your money right now
• I tested the JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 — and it's closer than I thought

Upon its release in 2024, the JBL Xtreme 4 instantly positioned itself as one of the best Bluetooth speakers ever made. Well, now the JBL Xtreme 5 is here, so it got me thinking: Can JBL top near-perfection?

I'm not going to answer that right away — magicians don't reveal their secrets at the start of the show, do they? — but I am going to give you some hints. The Xtreme 5 comes with a smattering of changes, both big (literally) and small. Surprisingly, the Xtreme 5 has grown a few inches in both length and girth, gained a few pounds, and acquired a semi-drunken light show, kind of like me at Christmas.

But those extra pounds aren't for nothing. The Xtreme 5 is, pardon the pun, xtremely loud. And bassy. And ferocious. When I was testing the speaker in my apartment and in the local park, I worried I'd get a few noise complaints. I didn't, but if that's the kind of speaker you're after, you'll want to keep reading to figure out if you should buy the JBL Xtreme 5 or JBL Xtreme 4.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Specs compared

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Price

The JBL Xtreme 4 launched in 2024 with an MSRP of $379. You can buy it on Amazon right now, still for that launch price of $379. Comparatively, the JBL Xtreme 5 launched at $399, available on Amazon.

I was disappointed to see this 5% price increase over the previous model. The Go 5 launched on the same day as the Xtreme 5 with a $5 increase, which works out to 10%. I suppose we should be glad the Xtreme 5 didn't get this 10% increase, but $20 is noticeable.

As the Xtreme 4 is now the older model, we should start seeing great discounts. I'm not sure when said discounts will kick in, but keep your eyes peeled as we approach major sales events like Black Friday.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Design

As you can see from the 'Specs compared' section above, the Xtreme 5 is considerably larger than the Xtreme 4. I'm not entirely sure why JBL did this, as the brand already has the Boombox 3, which is 19 inches long and weighs 14.7 pounds. As the Xtreme 5 is 13.6 inches long and 6.4 pounds, it's still a lot smaller than the Boombox, but it's also a lot bigger than the previous model.

The whole "point" of the Xtreme line is boombox performance without boombox size. Yes, it's not quite boombox size, but every little helps, right? When I unboxed the Xtreme 5, the first thing I thought was, "Oh darn, that's bigger." If you already thought the Xtreme 4 was too big, then I don't think the 5 will be for you either. For seriously portable speakers, you might want to check out the Flip 7 or Charge 6, just 1.8 and 2.7 pounds, respectively.

This extra weight has its advantages: The Xtreme 5 is louder, bassier, and more durable than its predecessor. You're looking at an IP68 rating, the highest durability rating a speaker can get. Essentially, this means it can be buried in sand, thrown in the ocean, dropped from a great height, and will still keep the party going. You won't find a more rugged speaker.

Speaking of ruggedness, both the Xtreme 4 and 5 have the durable carry strap for traversing across beaches, parks, deserts, mountains, and wherever you might want to take this speaker.

Controls are just as straightforward on either speaker: you've got some nice tactile buttons on the speaker body for play, pause, volume, and AuraCast.

Last but not least, there are two built-in LED strips. Yes, the Xtreme 5 keeps the party going in sound and also vibes. You can adjust the light color and style in the JBL Portable app. This light show isn't as extravagant as, say, the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, but it's still fun.

Even though the 4 is considerably lighter and more portable than the 5, I'm going to give the 5 the win. It's literally the most durable speaker you can buy, and it has lights.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 5.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Features

As the Xtreme 4 and 5 are both party speakers, you'll be pleased to know they both come locked and loaded with AuraCast. If you ever find yourself at a party with multiple AuraCast speakers, you'll be able to sync them up using JBL's 'PartyTogether'. I found this very straightforward to set up in the JBL Portable app: the speakers just knew what they were doing and sorted themselves out.

The Xtreme 5 also comes with Bluetooth 6.0, which provides a decent range for outdoor usage. I was able to get out of my apartment and a little down the street before the speaker disconnected.

The Xtreme 5 has 'PartyBoost', which is effectively a battery longevity mode. The Xtreme 4 doesn't have this. With PartyBoost, the sound quality decreases slightly, but you can squeeze an extra four hours of playtime. You win some, you lose some, right?

As the 5 has PartyBoost, I'm giving this win to the newer model.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 5.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Sound quality

Both the Xtreme 5 and Xtreme 4 are characterized by loud, propulsive bass. If you want to soundtrack your house parties, pool parties, beach parties, or anything in between, I think you'd get on just fine with either speaker. However, the Xtreme 5 just ekes out the win, and let me tell you why.

Because of its size, the Xtreme 5 has a more expansive, wider sound that reaches every corner of your house. When I played 'REAL MOVE TOUCH' by Confidence Man, the bass pummeled through the Xtreme 5 like an uncontrollable conflagration intent on setting the dancefloor alight.

This isn't to say the Xtreme 4 performed badly — not in the slightest — but, as the 5 has those extra two inches over the 4, you've naturally got more width.

Similarly, when I played 'All I Am' by Ninajirachi, the Xtreme 5 made the song feel bigger and bolder. The bass pounded through my desk without overpowering the female vocals.

In contrast, the Xtreme 4 had a little less bass and more roughness in the treble. Please don't think the Xtreme 4 sounds bad, because it sounds frankly divine, but the Xtreme 5 is just so darn near perfection.

I also played 'Artificial Angels' by Grimes, which is another party-ready electronic track. The glitchy, crawling bassline and frenetic synths stole the show on the Xtreme 5, compounded by the mesmerizing LED light show.

I really can't fault the Xtreme 5 — it's the best party speaker I've ever tested.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 5.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Battery

This is an objective win: the Xtreme 5 is going to scoop this round. As the Xtreme 4 has 24 hours of battery life and the Xtreme 5 boasts 28 (with PartyBoost), I can't really do anything but name the 5 the champion here.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 5.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Verdict

I love the JBL Xtreme 5. It's one of my favorite speakers of all time, and it's definitely the "best" party/outdoor Bluetooth speaker you can get right now.

However, if you've already got an Xtreme 4 and you're considering upgrading, I think you should stick with your 4. Sure, the improvements are nice — lights, better sound, and more durability — but are they worth $400 when you already have a $380 speaker? Although the Xtreme 5 won every round, as you can see from the ratings scorecard, the results were closer than I'd predicted.

But if you don't have a party speaker and you're considering it, then you should 100% get the Xtreme 5. It's the best new speaker on the market.

JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Ratings scorecard

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m soundtracking my summer with the $54 JBL Go 5 — it’s one of the best budget speakers I’ve ever used
• I test earbuds for a living and these are the 12 best cheap earbuds you can buy right now
• AirPods Max 2 are my favorite over-ear headphones — but I hate that I can't create my own EQ

JBL knows how to make a good speaker. From chunky speakers, like the JBL Xtreme 5, to small ones that can be clipped onto a bike handle, like the JBL Clip 5, there's no dearth of options in JBL's lineup.

In April 2026, JBL revealed the successor to its two-year-old JBL Go 4 pocket speaker, the JBL Go 5, and I've tested it for a week to come to the conclusion that it's the best budget Bluetooth speaker you can buy today.

But how does it compare to its predecessor? After all, the Go 4 is a formidable speaker that you can still buy today — often for less than $40 when it's on sale. I put the Go 5 and the Go 4 through their paces in this face-off to find out which is best value for money. I don't think the winner will surprise you that much.

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Specs

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Price & availability

The JBL Go 4, at the time of writing, is two years old as it first came out in early 2024. At launch, it had a retail price of $49 / £39, but as the speaker is a little old now, you can find down to $39 / £29 during sales events, like Black Friday. In April 2026, JBL revealed the JBL Go 5 with a launch price of $54 / £39 — a $5 price hike over its predecessor, which is practically unnoticeable.

In terms of sheer value for money, the Go 5 is the winner. It's newer and it improves on the fourth-gen model's shortcomings while introducing a couple new upgrades, as you'll soon see throughout this face-off.

Winner: JBL Go 5

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Design

If you weren't already familiar with the design differences between the JBL Go 5 and the JBL Go 4, and you were to put both speakers side-by-side, you probably wouldn't be able to tell which is which. The Go 5 bears striking resemblance to its predecessor as it continues to sport a boxy, rectangular design with mesh covers over the front and rear faces.

One of the key visual differences is that the Go 5 now features two strips of LED lighting which run along the base and the top plate, with four lighting effects. Rubber strips are located on both speakers. The Go 5 is a little heavier at 8.16oz, versus the Go 4 which weighs 6.7oz, but the difference is hardly noticeable. You can still carry both with ease, even in your jacket's pocket.

Controls are fairly similar too, so you can change the volume, enable Auracast, and swap between Bluetooth sources easily. Build quality of both speakers is sublime. In my opinion, the Go 5 is the winner as it's still pocketable and the LED lighting strips are a nice, classy touch.

Winner: JBL Go 5

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Features & connectivity

The JBL Go 4 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC and AAC codecs, while the JBL Go 5 utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 with added support for LC3 for improved sound quality at lower bitrates. Both speakers are Auracast-enabled which means you can link multiple speakers together for bigger sound — or if you want to play the same song in different parts of a room.

In my testing, I found Auracast pairing to be a little finnicky on the Go 4, as it took a few tries to do so and I ended up using the companion app to make the process easier. On the Go 5, though, I found the process to be more straightforward as it took me hardly any time to pair multiple speakers together. The Go 5 has another ace up its sleeve too, in the form of AirTouch stereo pairing. If you have another Go 5, you can touch two Go 5s together to instantly create left and right stereo channels.

Both speakers are durable too. The Go 4 is IP67-rated while the Go 5 is IP68-rated, making the latter the better choice if you want to submerge it in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. It's also drop-proof, and having dropped it from a height of approximately 2m onto a wooden floor, I can confirm that the Go 5 remained unscathed.

Winner: JBL Go 5

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Sound quality

The biggest difference between the JBL Go 5 and the JBL Go 4 is the sound quality. Both speakers are highly competent, and they can get very loud, but the Go 5 is simply better because it delivers better sub-bass and general bass response. This was instantly clear in my testing.

To start, I listened to ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin, an atmospheric psychedelic rock and funk track. The Go 5 boasted impressive separation between the shimmering guitar and synth waves. There was plenty of low-end impact to each string plucked on the bass guitar too. Listening to the track on the Go 4 right after revealed a lack of warmth to the groovy bass, and it sounded hollow rather than full-bodied. I also noticed that I couldn't really hear the kickdrum through the Go 4, which made the track feel soulless, but this wasn't the case through the Go 5. The sub-bass sounded thick, warm and very enjoyable, and it gave a good backbone to the track.

Lana Del Rey's ‘First Light’ sounded fairly similar through both the speakers. "T" and "s" sounds remained crisp without becoming hissy, and the vocals shone through the track and didn't get drowned out by the orchestration. The treble sounded crisp, clean and vibrant without cutting through the rest of the track, lending the song a lovely energy.

An area where the Go 5 upstages the Go 4 is dynamic management, as in ‘Who Will You Follow' by Evanescence, I noticed the distorted, low-tuned guitars sounded a little muddy through the Go 4. This wasn't an issue on the Go 5, as the newer speaker handled the song with aplomb. There was a great balance between Amy Lee's high-pitched vocals and the gothic metal guitar riffs.

Based on sound quality alone, the Go 5 is a no-brainer. For such a tiny speaker, it can get very loud without music sounding distorted or too tinny at high volumes, and it quashes the Go 4 in every aspect.

Winner: JBL Go 5

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Battery life

Both the JBL Go 4 and the JBL Go 5 are tiny speakers, so you shouldn't expect extensive battery lives from either. JBL has added a bigger battery pack to the Go 5, so you get 8 hours of playback time or 10 hours with Playtime Boost enabled via the app — a three-hour improvement over the Go 4.

In my testing, I was prompted to charge the Go 5 after 9 hours of listening to music at 50% volume, and to charge the Go 4 after 7 hours of doing the same.

The Go 5's playback time will also depend on whether the LED lighting is turned on or off, but both speakers should last you comfortably if you're hosting a barbecue or a poolside party with friends. Playtime Boost is a handy feature too, but note that it sacrifices some of the bass to last longer.

Winner: JBL Go 5

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Verdict

As you've seen throughout this face-off, and based on the ratings scorecard below, there's a clear winner, and it isn't even close. The JBL Go 5 wins in every category, from value for money and design to sound quality and battery life. While the Go 4 is good and can be a great speaker when picked up during sales events, the Go 5 is simply better.

If it's outstanding sound quality you're after, the Go 5 should be your port of call. It doesn't compromise on sound, boasting excellent sub-bass, meaty bass and vibrant treble. The Go 4 struggles when it comes to reproducing warm sub-bass, which can make songs feel hollow.

At the end of the day, both the Go 4 and the Go 5 are superb budget Bluetooth speakers, but the Go 5 is crowned the winner in this face-off because JBL has improved it in basically every way possible. Personally, it's my new favorite budget speaker that I'll be using for a long, long time.

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4: Ratings scorecard

More from Tom's Guide

• The JBL Go 5 is one of the best budget speakers I’ve tested, and it offers stellar sound for just $54
• JBL Go 4 review
• The only Bluetooth speaker you need for pool parties costs less than $40 — no, I’m not joking

The Denon Home 400 is one of the best home speakers I’ve ever tested, but I’m not sure it quite jumps the “best smart speakers” hurdle. Let me explain. The Home 400 sounds divine, with enviable instrument separation, rich, room-filling bass, and clarity across the frequency range. Vocals, keys, strings, and percussion all sound full-bodied and immersive. When I was playing music through this speaker, I never wanted to turn it off.

Streaming directly from the HEOS app was super straightforward. I instantly synced up my Spotify and Qobuz account, and could even play my favorite radio station directly from my phone. However… if you want to use the Denon Home 400 as a smart speaker — as in, give it commands like “start a timer” — you can’t. There’s no built-in, first-party smart assistant. If you have a HomePod on the same network, you can use Siri, but there’s no Google or Alexa integration (yet).

Is this an issue for you, or do you prioritize sound quality anyway? If sound quality is more important, I’d recommend the Denon Home 400 over a Sonos Era 300. To find out the full story, keep reading this Denon Home 400 review.

Denon Home 400 review: Specs

Denon Home 400 review: Price & availability

The Denon Home 400 is $549 from Amazon U.S. and £449 from Amazon U.K. This is a pretty high price, but I suppose if you want premium performance, you have to pay for it.

The Denon Home 200 is $399, and the Home 600 is $799, so if you want the complete setup, you’re looking at $1,797. This is just as much as getting the JBL Bar 1300X MKII soundbar + rears + subwoofer setup.

Let’s compare to Sonos, the indubitable competitor here. You can get a Sonos Era 100/100 SL for $199, which is $200 cheaper than the Denon Home 200. The Sonos Era 300 is $479, which is $120 cheaper than the Home 400 and $320 cheaper than the Home 600.

If you think this price discrepancy might be due to the Denon gear having more speakers, you’d be wrong. The Era 300 has four tweeters and two woofers compared to the Denon Home 400’s two tweeters, two woofers, and two up-firing speakers… for an identical six speakers each.

Alright, so there’s one major reason why the price is so different: target audience. Denon is aiming for the casual-slash-audiophile market here, whereas Sonos tends to lean towards the “casual” end of that spectrum. I’ll discuss this more in the ‘Design’ section below.

Denon Home 400 review: Design

Like most smart speakers, the Denon Home 400 has a clean, inconspicuous design. If you want a subtle speaker, this is definitely the style for you.

If you want a conversation piece-style speaker, you might want to go for something a bit more ornamental, like the Samsung Music Frame ($600) or the IKEA SOLSKYDD ($99) — but then, of course, you’re sacrificing sound quality. These thinner, more eye-catching speakers lack the high-fidelity speaker array present on the Home 400.

Personally, I like how the Denon Home 400 looks. I do wish it came in more colors — of course, it’s fantastic that it comes in charcoal and stone, but I’d also like to see some pastel shades like pale blue, pale green, pale yellow, pale brown, pale pink, so on and so forth. This is going to sound really obnoxious, but my living room has a theme of “sunrise”. All my decorations in my living room are warm hues, like pinks, yellows, warm browns, ochres, so I wish the Home 400 matched this warm aesthetic.

I tested the stone colorway, which looked pleasant against my cream wallpaper, but I would like it to be more of a statement piece. I know that’s kind of the opposite of what Denon was going for here, but a girl can dream.

The speaker has a metal panel at the bottom, which I scuffed the moment my clumsy self unboxed the darn speaker, but it buffed out with a microfiber cloth.

On the side, you’ll find the row of buttons: these are for quick-select presets, playing, pausing, skipping tracks, and adjusting the volume. The rear of the speaker houses the USB-C input and the connection buttons.

I found the Home 400 straightforward to control and pleasant to look at. However, the Denon Home 400 is not waterproof at all. Sonos’s speakers — like the Era 100 and Era 300 — are also not waterproof, but they are “humidity proof”. This means they’re suitable for environments like bathrooms and covered porches. If you’re planning on using the Denon Home line in bathrooms or porches, you might want to play it safe with Sonos.

Connectivity

The Denon Home line is capable of things well beyond Sonos: the Home 400 can play 24-bit/192kHz and DSD files via the HEOS app (or USB), and a 3.5mm jack, consequently angling the Denon line more at audiophiles — explaining that price difference a bit more.

I found setting up with HEOS super straightforward: everything linked together instantly. Then, I could control the Home 400 straight from the Spotify app, or play music via Spotify/Qobuz/BBC Sounds in the HEOS app.

Smart home features

I’m gonna rip the Band-Aid off: you can’t use the Denon Home 400 (or 200, or 600) as part of your smart home system without a HomePod. You can only use Siri, so no Google or Alexa. Even if you have Siri, you need that additional device if you want to sync up the Denon speakers. Denon's representative has confirmed this to me — no Google, no Alexa; it's not set in stone if these assistants will come to the Home series in the future.

Yep, this is majorly frustrating, but I don’t think it’s Denon’s fault. This reeks of corporate red tape, but I’m sorry to say that I have to classify this as a con because it’s marketed as a smart speaker. I couldn’t test the smart home features as I don’t have a HomePod.

Even so, Sonos speakers can be used as smart speakers without additional purchases — you just have to say “Hey Sonos” rather than “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google”. I think if Denon wants to really crack that “smart speaker” market, there needs to be some kind of “Hey Denon” introduced into the mix, or better integration with existing third-party systems. The Home series could be positioned more as a Wi-Fi streaming speaker rather than a “smart” speaker.

It is great, though, that the Home 400 comes with a physical mic on/off button. If you don’t want the mic “listening” to you, simply turn it off at the rear of the speaker. I kept my mic off.

Denon Home 400 review: Sound quality

As the Home 400 features two tweeters, two woofers, and two up-firing speakers, its sound can seriously fill a room. All the drivers have individual amps so the speakers themselves aren't competing for power. I live in an old Georgian townhouse with 10-foot ceilings, and even my apartment felt like it was alive with music.

I played a huge variety of music through the Home 400 during my testing period, but I’ll discuss three standout genres here. I streamed via Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, Spotify, and listened to BBC 6Music directly from the HEOS app.

First, I played ‘Fabienk’ by Angine de Poitrine. This track is built over a frantic guitar scurrying up and down the frets like an anxious mouse trying to collect enough cheese to last it through winter. The Home 400 handled the frenetic guitar, equally as frenetic bass, and crashing percussion incredibly well. I adjusted the ‘width’ and ‘height’ settings to +5 each, which highlighted the delicate detail. I felt like I could feel the guitar strings vibrating.

I wanted to test the Home 400’s handling of classical instruments, so I played ‘Exogenesis Symphony Pt. 1 (Overture)’ by Muse. The double bass didn’t overpower the delicate strings, and the softer percussion taps resounded across the soundscape. Even when the guitar came in, the violins were still audible.

Last, I played the electronic track ‘Play Me’ by Fcukers. The bass was fantastic, with clarity even in the sub-bass. The breathy female vocal floated delicately over the instrumentation, and the track filled my entire living room, even with ‘Pure’ enabled. When I enabled ‘Auto’ and turned the bass to max, the DnB-tinged bassline pounded through my entire apartment. If I get a complaint from my neighbors, I’ll know why — but I’m not mad about it.

I have zero complaints about the sound quality on the Home 400. This is one of the best-sounding speakers I’ve heard — smart or not. There’s unbeatable clarity across the entire frequency range, instrument separation in every genre I listened to, width and height powerful enough to fill an entire room, and, most of all, it’s just fun to listen to.

Denon Home 400 review: App

As with everything under Denon’s belt, the Home 400 is controlled via HEOS. I have had falling outs with HEOS in the past, but not this time around. Setting the Home 400 up was a breeze: I simply opened the app, selected ‘Add new device’, followed the instructions on the screen, and I was done.

After the Home 400 was set up (and I breathed a sigh of relief), I linked my Qobuz and Spotify with HEOS. Again, this was instant and super easy. Praise be!

Here are some screenshots so you can see.

You can turn off button controls, set up speaker placement (so the app will adjust bass response based on the speaker’s proximity to walls), turn on or off power saver mode, and customize name options (yes, mine’s called bathroom even though it’s in the living room).

Of course, there are more features, but I’m not going to list them all. You can do everything with the HEOS app… except one. Strangely, volume adjustment doesn’t work when playing via Qobuz, but it does work while playing via Spotify. Not sure if this is a HEOS issue or a Qobuz issue, but it’s not that annoying — I adjusted it manually in the app.

Denon Home 400 review: Verdict

I really, really like the Denon Home 400. It sounds incredible, is both accessible for speaker newbies and clever enough for audio aficionados, and looks nice and inconspicuous. The sound is genuinely room-filling, and the range of customization options means most types of music lovers should be catered to.

Yes, it’s frustrating that you need separate smart home products if you want to integrate the Home 400 into your Apple Home. Personally, I’m not overly bothered about the presence of a “smart” assistant — I’d rather the speaker sound good than set timers — but if you’re really concerned about smart tech, you might be better off with first-party speakers like the Google Nest Audio or the HomePod.

For me, though, I prioritize sound over smart home integration, so the Denon Home 400 is a win for me. Its range of high-fidelity playback modes and sonic customization make it a sure-fire win.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy. There you go. I’m clocking out now; you don’t need me anymore. I jest, but seriously, the JBL Xtreme 5 is a sonic machine. If you care about bass-heavy sound that doesn’t skimp on clarity across the mids and highs, it’s all about the Xtreme 5.

Although it’s considerably larger and heavier than its predecessor (not to mention $20 pricier), the Xtreme 5 is perfect for taking to every party on your calendar. It’s got a carry strap that alleviates as much weight as possible, an improved 28-hour battery life, and is daring enough to fill any room with its bassy sound.

If you’re a student, partygoer, or simply living room raver, let me do you a favor and put you onto the Xtreme 5. Want to find out more? Of course you do. Keep reading for the full story in this JBL Xtreme 5 review.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Specs

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Price & availability

The JBL Xtreme 5 is a wince-inducing $399 from Amazon U.S. and £299 from Amazon U.K.. In the States, this is a price increase of $20 over the previous model, which was already expensive at $379.

In the U.K., you’re getting a better deal — and you’re actually getting a discount from the Xtreme 4. Although on JBL’s website the 5 is listed at £329, it’s £299 on Amazon (sold by Amazon, not a third party), so I’d recommend buying on Amazon.

Even for a boombox speaker such as this, $399 is really, really pricey. I have the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, $299, which is just as loud as the Xtreme 5. Although it doesn’t have as much clarity in the mids and treble as the Xtreme 5, it’s a fantastic, cheaper option. Even cheaper is the JBL Flip 7 ($129). Another more affordable option is the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, which is $249 and packs a major bass-shaped punch.

If money is no object, may I interest you in the Marshall Bromley 450? This $799 speaker is literally the size of an amp (which it can also double up as), has rave lighting, and can be a karaoke machine.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Design

Like its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 5 is a gorpcore delight. This rugged speaker looks like it will survive the apocalypse. In 3026, it’ll just be a few Nokia bricks and the JBL Xtreme 5 left.

However, unlike its predecessor, the Xtreme 5 is weirdly massive. It’s 2 inches longer, 0.3 inches deeper, and 1 inch taller than the Xtreme 4. The Xtreme 5 is also two pounds heavier than the Xtreme 4. I’m a weakling, so I’m perhaps not the best point of comparison. But if you, too, have arms built like string beans, you will probably be better off sticking with a lighter speaker like the Marshall Middleton II $329) or opting for JBL’s uber-portable Flip 7 ($149).

I’m not really sure why JBL did this, because the iconic brand already has a line of bulky speakers — the JBL Boombox 4, $549 — and there should be more of a distinction between each model.

You even get a nice LED light show now! The Xtreme 4 didn’t have any lights, but I’m seeing it more and more these days, even on cheaper brands like Soundcore and Tribit. You can change the lights using the JBL Portable app — I chose pink, obviously.

Last but not least: IP68. This is an upgrade over the Xtreme 4, which had an IP67 rating. IP68 basically means this is the most durable speaker physically possible. It’s completely dustproof, you can bury it in sand, and it’ll live to tell the tale, and it’s fully waterproof.

Oh, and before I forget — the Xtreme 5 is literally dropproof now, certified and everything. Remember what I said about it surviving the apocalypse?

Connectivity

As you might expect from a $399 speaker, the Xtreme 5 comes pre-loaded with a litany of features. Of course, you’ve got AuraCast — the technology that allows you to sync up your speakers with as many devices as you physically can get in one room — an IP68 rating, a huge array of EQ presets (including a completely custom option), the aforementioned light show, Playtime Boost, and now USB-C lossless audio.

Playtime Boost is effectively a battery extender. It reduces the quality of music playing (even if the JBL Portable app claims it “boost[s] up sound”, which it most certainly does not) to extend your battery life — but more on that later.

Another fun feature is AuraCast. I was able to connect the Xtreme 4 with the Xtreme 5 instantly, with no connectivity issues.

The Xtreme 5 boasts Bluetooth 6.0, which is refreshing to see. Bluetooth 6.0 basically means the Xtreme 5’s range and reliability are both as high as possible. I was able to get out of my apartment and down the street before the speaker disconnected.

Controls

The Xtreme 5 looks a treat, with a bulletproof-looking fabric grill and high-quality metal-meets-plastic carabiners. I particularly like the radiators on either side, and found myself mesmerized by their bouncing.

You can control the Xtreme 5 by tactile buttons on the top: these include play/pause, volume up, volume down, and Auracast.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Sound quality

Alright, now let’s get into the good stuff. The Xtreme 5 sounds just as good as the Xtreme 4, with powerful, earth-tremoring bass and clarity in vocals and mids, even in bass-heavy tracks. It sounds notably better than the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, EarFun UBoom X, and the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus.

As for EQs, you can select from: ‘JBL Signature’, ‘Chill’, ‘Energetic’, ‘Vocal’, and ‘Custom’. ‘Custom’ lets you create an EQ from a 7-band frequency range. I found ‘JBL Signature’ sounded the best.

As this is a party speaker, I had to start with some party bangers. ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ by Kylie Minogue sounded thrilling through the Xtreme 5; the plucky synth instrumental and keyboard motifs weren’t lost in the bass-heavy speaker. Clarity across the bass, vocals, and synth riffs was high.

After, I kept the energy high but switched genre. ‘Flight fm’ by Joy Orbison is a UKG/jungle-inspired electronic track not afraid of starting a fight. As it’s almost entirely bass, I worried the Xtreme 5 might struggle discerning between the layers, but oh boy, was I wrong. When the beat dropped, my entire desk started shaking. The bass squelched and oozed out of the speaker, a bouncing quagmire after sucking down a few amps.

Last, I knew I had to test a lower-energy track (even though the Xtreme 5 is a party speaker first and foremost). I played ‘Kick the Curb’ by NewDad, which is a slow, shoegazey track with atmospheric acoustic guitars and breathy vocals. This sounded fantastic, despite the lack of frenetic, club-ready bass, with extreme clarity in the top of the frequency range — I could hear every rattle of the lazy tambourine, every layer of the airy vocals.

Overall, the Xtreme 5 sounds fantastic… but I knew it would. It’s just as fun and addictive as the Xtreme 4.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: App

As with other speakers on JBL’s roster, the Xtreme 5 uses the JBL Portable app. This app is as you’d expect. User-friendly, easily navigable, not glitchy.

Here are a few screenshots so you can see for yourself.

I found changing my EQ and light settings to be incredibly easy, and I never struggled to figure out where each feature was hiding.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Battery life

While the Xtreme 5 ‘technically’ has a 24-hour battery life, you get an extra 4hours with ‘Playtime Boost’, making the overall max battery life 28 hours. This is four hours longer than the Xtreme 4 and eight hours longer than the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, but two hours less than EarFun’s UBoom X.

This is much better than the Flip 7’s 16 hours, but not as impressive than the Boombox 4’s 34 hours. Oh, and the Boombox 4 lets you replace the battery, essentially futureproofing the speaker for years and years. If you’re serious about using your speaker to death, I’d invest more in the Boombox 4.

JBL Xtreme 5 review: Verdict

I said this about the Xtreme 4, but the Xtreme 5 may be my favorite portable(ish) speaker to date. The sound quality is fantastic, with extreme height and width and bass that’ll make your bones shake.

While yes, it’s expensive, it’s a price I’d be willing to pay for a speaker of this caliber. For house parties, pool parties, beach parties, street parties, I’m not sure you’d get much better at this price. Sure, you could spend a bit extra for the Boombox 4 or the Marshall Bromley 450, but for $400, it’s the Xtreme 5.

So if you want rich, room-filling sound and don’t mind that the Xtreme 5 is a bit bigger than its predecessor, I wholeheartedly recommend this music monster.

As temperatures soar, many of us are looking forward to spending time with our friends and family outdoors, perhaps at a barbecue, or by a friend's pool.

And I don't know about you, but anytime I hang out with my friends or my partner's, we love having some jazzy tunes playing in the background. No gathering, during the summer or otherwise, is complete without one of the best Bluetooth speakers.

Don't have one yet? Don't fret, because I've found the finest speaker to soundtrack your summer without breaking the bank: the new JBL Go 5.

The Go 5, in my opinion, is the ultimate summer speaker. It's extremely portable and pocketable so you can take it anywhere, and it gets very loud — perfect for large gatherings. The build quality and design are sublime, and the sound quality is nothing short of outstanding.

I've spent a couple of weeks listening to my favorite tunes on the Go 5, and I'm here to convince you to get one for yourself if you love music.

Take anywhere-able

One of the key reasons why the JBL Go 5 is the perfect summer speaker is its size — the Go 5 measures 3.98 x 3.05 x 1.7 inches and weighs just 8.16 oz.

The small size and light weight make it highly portable, so whether you're taking it to a friend's house or to a beach party, you should have no problem carrying it in your backpack or pocket. It's also got a strap for clipping to a carabiner, in case you want to travel with it that way.

Even though it's compact and light, the Go 5 doesn't compromise on build quality. It's well-built, and I didn't notice any hollow-sounding parts when I tapped the speaker with my fingernails.

It looks fantastic too, sporting a minimalist design with two low-key LED lighting strips which light up to correspond with the speaker's color: If you buy the blue model, the lights will be blue, and if you buy the red model, they'll be red, and so on.

Controls on the Go 5 are extremely straightforward too, and you don't need to be tech-savvy to use the speaker — so don't worry about people at your party struggling to figure out how to adjust the volume or swap between Bluetooth sources.

Oh, and did I mention that the Go 5 is IP68-rated, so it can be submerged in 1.5m-deep water for up to 30 minutes, and it's highly dustproof and drop-proof? Yep, it's the ideal speaker for the outdoors.

Surprisingly powerful bass for such a tiny speaker

Size isn't everything, and you shouldn't underestimate just how loud the JBL Go 5 can get. For its size, it can get loud enough to soundtrack a large gathering of people and you can pair multiple Auracast-enabled speakers to it, or grab another Go 5 and pair them together instantly by simply bumping them together. It's that easy.

As for the sound quality, the Go 5 boasts powerful bass response and sub-bass too, something its predecessor, the Go 4, struggled with.

In songs like 'Elma' by Yin Yin and 'Loser' by Tame Impala, I appreciated the clean bass, and the fact that I could hear every string plucked on the bass guitar. The bass had plenty of low-end impact in both tracks, and the kickdrum was clean and warm too.

Of course, I couldn't feel the sub-bass in my chest as the speaker goes down to only 100Hz, it still provided a good backbone to both songs, and ensured that the tracks didn't sound hollow.

Alongside the bass, the treble is crisp and vibrant. 'First Light' by Lana Del Rey and 'Time' by Pink Floyd sounded beautiful through the Go 5.

The sibilance was clean, and "t" and "s" sounds didn't bleed into one another. Along the same lines, plosives didn't pop too much to detract from Lana's vocals. In my favorite song by Pink Floyd, the hi-hats and cymbal hits didn't sound too shrill and they didn't pierce through the rest of the soundstage.

Unlike the StormBox MIni+, the Go 5 doesn't sound too tinny or distorted when it's being played at high volumes. I say "too tinny" because small speakers are limited by their hardware, and you should expect some level of tinniness at 100% volume.

Having said that, it isn't unpleasant at all. The Go 5 gets a 10/10 from me in the sound department.

So good and cheap that I'm buying two

The JBL Go 5 has quickly become my favorite budget Bluetooth speaker. It earned a 4.5-star rating and the coveted Editor's Choice award from me in my JBL Go 5 review thanks to its stellar sound quality, beautiful design, sturdy and durable build.

And it isn't a hefty investment either. The Go 5 retails for $54 / £39 at Amazon, so even though it's $5 more expensive than its predecessor, it's well-worth the extra spend. For the price, I'd be happily buying two so that I can pair them together and create left and right stereo channels.

Not sure how to take your music with you outside in 2026? The Go 5 is, without a doubt, the perfect speaker to soundtrack your summer.

More from Tom's Guide

• The JBL Go 5 is one of the best budget speakers I’ve tested, and it offers stellar sound for just $54
• The only Bluetooth speaker you need for pool parties costs less than $40 — no, I’m not joking
• I've spent 300 hours testing the best portable Bluetooth speakers — these are the 11 that are worth your money

As someone who loves music, I don’t think any party (or shower karaoke session) is complete without a speaker. The JBL Go 5 is one of the best budget Bluetooth speakers you can buy today, period. It improves on its predecessor by offering more refined sub-bass, and the overall sound quality is dynamic thanks to the wide soundstage.

The Go 5 retains most of the Go 4’s design while adding LED lighting strips. It’s highly waterproof, dustproof and even drop-proof, so it’s perfect for the outdoors. Small and compact, the Go 5 is pocketable so it’s great for your travels. Auracast-enabled, it can be paired with other JBL speakers, and creating stereo channels with another Go 5 is easy as pie too.

Should you buy it? Yes! Why? Read my full JBL Go 5 review to find out.

JBL Go 5 review: Specs

JBL Go 5 review: Price & availability

Launched in April 2026 alongside the JBL Xtreme 5, the JBL Go 5 succeeds the two-year-old JBL Go 4. Priced at $54 / £39 at Amazon, it’s $5 more expensive than its predecessor, which isn’t a huge jump (and is justified by the Go 5’s improved sound). It’s available in a range of colors, including Black, Blue, Pink, Squad (camo) and White.

The Go 5 is a budget Bluetooth speaker, and it finds itself competing with the likes of the Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($39), the Tozo PE1 ($39) and the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 ($59). There’s no dearth of speakers in the sub-$50 range, so why should you buy the Go 5 and not, say, the StormBox Mini+, the PE1 or the Go 4 ($49)? The Go 5 is more rugged thanks to its IP68 durability rating and it boasts loud volume and better bass performance.

JBL Go 5 review: Design

• Compact and pocketable
• Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC and LC3
• IP68 waterproofing and dust resistance

If you put the JBL Go 5 next to the Go 4, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The Go 5 bears striking resemblance to its predecessor as it continues to sport a boxy, rectangular design with mesh covers over the front and rear faces. The rear face, however, doesn’t feature two grip rubber strips anymore. Instead, they extend down from the top and bottom, lending the speaker a more premium look.

The base and top of the Go 5 are also fairly similar to the Go 4’s. There’s textured rubber feet at the bottom to make the Go 5 stand upright. In terms of size, the Go 5 remains pocketable and portable, measuring 3.98 x 3.05 x 1.7 inches and weighing 8.16oz. It’s a little heavier than the Go 4 which weighs 6.7oz but the difference is hardly noticeable. I’ve had no trouble carrying the speaker in my backpack, a tote bag, and even in my jacket’s pocket. The Go 5 is smaller and more portable than the Tribit StormBox Mini+, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 and the Tozo PE1 too.

JBL has added two strips of LED lighting which run along the base and the top plate. There are four effects to choose from, within the companion app (more on that shortly): Bounce, Loop, Freeze, and Switch. You can’t change the color as the default is blue on the Blue model (red on the Red, pink on the Pink, and so on). I don’t mind that as it makes the speaker look classy. If you want customizable RGB lighting, I’d recommend the Tribit StormBox Mini+ instead.

Weatherproofing

If you want to use the Go 5 to soundtrack a pool party, a karaoke session in the shower, or a bonfire in the Sahara, you can confidently do so as the speaker is IP68-rated. This means that the speaker can be submerged in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes, and it’s dust-proof too, so it won’t get damaged by dirt and dust. Oh, and it’s drop-proof. Although JBL doesn’t specify how much of a tumble the Go 5 can sustain, I dropped it from a height of approximately 2m onto a wooden floor and it was unscathed.

Controls

The playback controls (play and volume) are located on the top plate. Other buttons — power, Bluetooth and Auracast — can be found along the Go 5’s left edge. Straightforward enough that you shouldn’t have any issues getting to grips with them.

Connectivity

The Go 5 utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 as opposed to its rivals utilizing older versions. Alongside support for SBC and AAC codecs which you can also find on the Go 4, the Go 5 supports LC3 for improved sound quality at lower bitrates.

Just like its predecessor, the Go 5 is Auracast-enabled which means you can link multiple speakers together for bigger sound — or if you want to play the same song in different parts of a room. Auracast pairing is simple as all you need to do is press the triangle on two (or more) Auracast-enabled speakers and et voilà. While we found the process on the Go 4 a little finicky, I had no problem pairing the Go 5 with my friend’s JBL Clip 5 ($79).

The Go 5 also features AirTouch stereo pairing if you have another Go 5 at hand, as I did. All you need to do is touch the two speakers together and left and right stereo channels are instantly created. It worked flawlessly in my testing, and considering the Go 5 doesn’t cost a lot, you might as well buy two for a more immersive experience.

JBL Go 5 review: Sound quality

• Better sub-bass than the Go 4
• Crisp treble and refined mids
• Can get very loud!

One of our complaints with the JBL Go 4 was that the sub-bass was practically non-existent, but thankfully, the JBL Go 5 doesn’t suffer from that problem. The sound quality is refined and fine-tuned and straight out of the box, it doesn’t give you much to complain about. The Go 5 can get very loud too, especially for the size, and it doesn’t sound tinny at high volumes either, unlike the Tozo PE1.

To test the Go 5, I listened to my range of testing songs on Qobuz, in our opinion the best music streaming service for hi-res audio. I kicked things off by listening to ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin, an atmospheric psychedelic rock and funk track. The Go 5 handled the track beautifully, with the shimmering guitar and synth waves boasting impressive separation. Each string plucked on the bass guitar had plenty of low-end impact. While I couldn’t feel the sub-bass in my chest due to the Go 5’s frequency response going only as low as 100Hz, it still sounded thick, warm and enjoyable.

I then listened to ‘First Light’ by Lana Del Rey and the song felt remarkably intimate, with Lana’s vocals shining and not getting drowned out by the David Arnold-produced orchestration. “T” and “s” sounds remained crisp without becoming hissy. The Go 5 also did an excellent job at reproducing the high-frequency tension of the string section with plenty of agility, and the song sounded energetic throughout.

‘Who Will You Follow' by Evanescence proved to be a good test for the Go 5’s dynamic management, as in this gothic alternative metal, Amy Lee’s vocals compete with a dense wall of sound. The Go 5 handled the distorted, low-tuned guitars with surprising grit, and the track never sounded muddy — something small speakers, like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2, can get overwhelmed by. Amy’s high-pitched vocals never pierced through the soundstage either, and they didn’t sound too shrill or unpleasant.

If you want a compact speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound quality due to its size, the Go 5 should be your port of call. It sounds better than the Tribit StormBox Mini+, a speaker I use nearly every day, and doesn’t feature poor bass reproduction like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2.

Listen along to my review with the JBL Go 5 testing playlist:

JBL Go 5 review: App

• JBL Portable app on iOS and Android
• User-friendly
• Straightforward EQ customization

To customize the JBL Go 5, you’ll need to download the JBL Portable app for free on your iOS or Android smartphone. Intuitive to use thanks to its clean interface, the JBL Portable app lets you update the Go 5’s firmware, customize stereo channels and group speakers together, customize the equalizer, and choose an EQ preset. That’s about it and it’s all you really need for a portable, budget speaker.

JBL Go 5 review: Battery life

• 10 hours of battery life
• Rivals offer longer

According to JBL, the Go 5 offers up to 8 hours of playback time and 10 hours with Playtime Boost enabled via the app. This is a three-hour improvement over the Go 4. To test the battery life, I played the Go 5 at approximately 50% volume, and after nine hours, I was prompted to charge it. If you’re planning on soundtracking a barbecue or party, the Go 5 should last you comfortably.

It’s important to note, though, that the Go 5’s rivals offer longer battery lives — but not by much. The Tribit StormBox Mini+ lasted 13 hours in my testing; the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 nets you about 12 hours of usage; and the Tozo PE1 lasts around 15 hours at moderate volumes.

JBL Go 5 review: Verdict

I’ve tested my fair share of Bluetooth speakers: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The JBL Go 5 falls into a secret fourth category: the excellent. Compact and pocketable, the Go 5 can be taken anywhere, and its robust IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating means you can use it by the pool or in the desert.

The Go 5 boasts a wide soundstage too, and while its predecessor struggled with sub-bass, the Go 5 thankfully doesn’t. The bass is meaty, especially for the size, and the treble is crisp and refined. Pairing the Go 5 with other Auracast-enabled speakers is a walk in the park, which is great for large gatherings where you want everyone to listen to the same tunes.

While the battery life isn’t the best, I don’t believe that should put you off from buying the Go 5. That’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make for the dynamic sound quality.

JBL is a brand with a long tenure in the audio space. The company doesn't make the most expensive headphones and speakers, but it does offer a solid blend of value and sound quality. These solid speakers often find themselves featured on best Bluetooth speaker lists for the powerful bass relative to the cost.

Seemingly out of nowhere, JBL's Bluetooth speakers are going viral on TikTok. And users aren't gushing about the audio quality of the company's models — it's the customizable nature of JBL's speakers that has the internet all excited.

Instead of just offering vibrant colors, JBL lets you create a custom design on four of its Bluetooth speaker models (and one pair of headphones).

Viral JBL Bluetooth speaker

You can see all kinds of videos on TikTok of people showing off their customized JBL speakers. As you might expect, people are getting creative with the various models, and a hot dog-themed speaker is gaining a lot of views and engagement on TikTok.

One person even designed a bunch of speakers and shared a slideshow on TikTok, asking viewers to help them choose the best option. And it is a tough choice, because they all look great.

We actually looked at the now-viral speaker a few months ago for a YouTube video showcasing gifts under $100 (we chose the JBL Clip 5, which is currently on sale for $69).

You can also customize the Grip for $129, the Flip 7 for $144 and the Charge 5 for $169. And if you're looking to make a pair of Bluetooth headphones your own, the JBL Tune 520BT is $49.

As mentioned, the Clip 5 is only $69, so you don't need to break the bank to get in on the viral speaker fun. And who knows, maybe your design will be the next one to grab millions of views on TikTok, Instagram or another vertical video platform.

I think I'm going to grab the Charge 5 with a photo of my dogs, this way when I hear loud music blaring from a speaker, I can think of them barking at absolutely nothing for no reason as soon as I join an important meeting.

More from Tom's Guide

• Of all the parts of my $9,500 golf simulator, this $280 hitting mat was the key to improving my game
• I put IKEA's new $35 cast iron pan head-to-head with my Lodge skillet — there was a clear winner
• I tested everything from a $100 Bluetooth speaker to a $6,000 Hi-Fi setup — and the results surprised me

As the sun begins to show itself for the first time this year, I can't help but get excited about hanging out in the park with friends and listening to our favorite songs. I always make sure I have one of the best Bluetooth speakers on hand.

I've tested a whole host of speakers, from larger boom boxes to tiny keychain speakers you can hang on your bag, and I have my favorites. Whether it's the most balanced soundstage or the loudest sound possible, I have recommendations for anything you could possibly need.

I've gathered 12 of our highest-rated portable Bluetooth speakers that I love listening to, so you can get the best sound possible as you soak up the sun's rays as the days get longer and warmer.

Most TV setups aren't complete without one of the best soundbars. As someone who watches a lot of TV and plays video games on it too, I'm well aware that a TV's built-in speakers can never sound as good as a dedicated soundbar. I don't know about you, but when I'm curled up on my couch, I want to feel like I'm at the movies instead — and the Marshall Heston 60 makes me feel just like that.

The Heston 60 is one of Marshall's two soundbars — the other being the Heston 120 — and it's a compact, mid-range option for those short on space.

As compact soundbars go, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the undisputed king, so why would you buy the Marshall? It looks good, sounds good, it's got Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support to boot. Here's why you're going to love it.

A sight for sore eyes

I've tested my fair share of audio gear — headphones, earbuds, speakers, soundbars, you name it. But I've never drooled over a brand's product as much as I have over Marshall's. The British manufacturer's design philosophy is one of sophistication and class, and the Heston 60 is no different.

Available in either black or cream with gold accents, the soundbar looks and feels premium — from its tactile buttons to the soft mesh grille covering.

As I mentioned earlier, the Heston 60 is ideal for small spaces as it measures 28.74 x 4.88 x 2.68 inches and weighs 6.08lbs. It's easy to move it around if needed, and it fits well with sub-55-inch TVs. It's wall-mountable and the Marshall logo is magnetic, so you can stick it wherever you like on the soundbar depending on your setup. I've never seen this feature on a soundbar before and now I wish all of them had it.

It should be noted that the Heston 60 isn't as petite as the Sonos Beam Gen 2, but by soundbar standards, it's still the ideal space-saving solution. The Heston 60, like the Beam Gen 2, is built extremely well too, and looks like it could stand the test of time. That's the least you'd expect from a soundbar that costs $699 / £499, of course.

10/10 performance across the board

It's not just a pretty face. The Marshall Heston 60, like many other Marshall products, sounds extremely good, and you shouldn't be fooled by its size. The Heston 60 is well-endowed, featuring two 25W and five 5W Class D amplifiers which help it produce a maximum power output of 56W.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support mean you're engulfed by immersive, spacious soundscapes where sounds are placed precisely above or around you. You feel like you're at the cinema, to be honest.

On paper, the Heston 60 sounds near-perfect, but is it any good in real world usage? Absolutely. 'Top Gun: Maverick' is the benchmark film for soundbar testing here at Tom's Guide, so that's the first movie I watched. The metal clinking of the fighter jets and the ropes whooshing as the planes took off in the opening sequence was loud and clear, and I could feel the bass response in my chest.

The balance between the various frequencies sounded sublime, and dialogue separation was excellent too, especially in 'F1: The Movie' where each commentator's, driver's and pitlane engineer's voice was discernible and clear.

There are four sound modes for users to enjoy, and though the bass is reduced in Voice mode, the low rumbling of the cars was enough to provide a good backbone to the film.

It's worth noting that I watched these two movies on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, but the Heston 60 performs formidably even in non-4K UHD movies and TV shows. Clear sibilance and plosives made it a treat to watch 'Agatha All Along,' and the Salem Seven's shrieks and bone-crunching noises worked harmoniously with the bass to deliver a spine-chilling soundscape. You can, of course, check out my in-depth sound analysis in my full Marshall Heston 60 review.

But is it worth the price?

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 retails for $499 / £449 but you can often find it down to $349 / £349 during sales events, like Black Friday. This isn't surprising, of course, given that the soundbar came out all the way back in 2021.

The Marshall Heston 60, in comparison, was released towards the tail-end of 2025, so it hasn't received any major discounts yet. You can grab it for $699 / £499.

I know that sounds like a lot of money, and it's $200 more than what the Beam Gen 2 costs. While you miss out on voice assistant support, you gain DTS:X support instead, which is arguably a better feature to have. Both soundbars are also compatible with their respective subwoofers — the Sub Gen 3 ($799) for the Sonos and the Heston Sub 200 ($599). This brings the price of each package to $1,298. If I had to choose one, it would have to be the Heston 60.

In my opinion, the Heston 60 delivers more consistent Dolby Atmos performance but the Beam Gen 2 boasts slightly improved dynamics. You don't get as many connectivity options on the Beam Gen 2 either — there's no 3.5mm aux in, USB-C or Bluetooth which you'll find on the Heston 60. You can stream music over Wi-Fi, yes, but I like the additional option of streaming over Bluetooth or using the USB-C and 3.5mm jack for wired playback.

It's pricy, but it's well worth it.

More from Tom's Guide

• Marshall’s compact soundbar isn’t just a pretty face — I tested it and it feels like a genuine threat to the Sonos ecosystem
• Sonos Beam Gen 2 review
• Best soundbars in 2026

Size isn’t everything, and one should never underestimate how powerful a compact soundbar can really be. Just look at the Marshall Heston 60. Marshall’s second-ever soundbar is a joy to not only look at, but to listen to as well. Featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it creates spacious, immersive soundscapes. And even without the optional subwoofer, bass response is nothing short of outstanding.

With plenty of wired and wireless connectivity options available and a user-friendly companion app to boot, the Heston 60 is a masterclass in compact soundbars. It takes the fight to Sonos and Bose and emerges victorious. While there’s no physical remote included and it’s a little on the pricey side in the U.S., it’s worth the premium.

To find out if this is the best soundbar for you, read my full Marshall Heston 60 review.

Marshall Heston 60 review: Specs

Marshall Heston 60 review: Price & availability

The Marshall Heston 60 is one of the British brand’s two soundbars, and the little sibling of the Marshall Heston 120 ($999). It retails for $699 at Amazon U.S. / £499 at Argos U.K., meaning it’s a mid-range soundbar. It comes in either Black or Cream, and you also have the option to buy the optional Heston Sub 200 for $599 / £429 if you want more ground-shaking bass.

As a Dolby Atmos soundbar with DTS:X support, the Heston 60 finds itself competing with the likes of the Sony HT-S2000 ($499), but the Sony is nowhere near as compact. The Heston 60’s most notable opponents, then, are the Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($449) and the Bose Smart Soundbar ($499). All three are competent soundbars, but the Heston 60, in my opinion, offers more bang for your buck than the Bose, and is on-par with the Sonos. It’s a bit on the pricey side in the U.S. but if you want a classy compact soundbar, it’s worth the spend.

Marshall Heston 60 review: Design & features

• Wall-mountable and ideal for small and large TVs
• Plenty of connectivity options
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive sound

Marshall knows how to make a good-looking product. We’ve seen it with the Middleton II, the Monitor III, and the Bromley 750, and now with the Heston 60. It maintains a low-profile, classy design with gold accents and amp-like tactile controls. The Heston 60 measures 28.74 x 4.88 x 2.68 inches, so it’s great for small living spaces. It also weighs 6.08lbs so it’s light enough to move around as needed.

All the buttons are well-laid out and signposted, so you should have no issues getting to grips with them. They give tactile feedback when pressed. Alongside its good looks, the soundbar is built extremely well and feels premium.

My favorite design feature is the magnetic Marshall logo, which you can attach to any part of the soundbar, so you can optimize the look for wall-mounted use if you want.

Connectivity & setting up

There’s no dearth of connectivity options on the Heston 60. Around the back, you’ll find an HDMI eARC alongside 3.5mm aux in, RCA mono (sub out) and USB-C ports. Setting the soundbar up couldn’t be easier, as all you need to do is plug it into your TV and start watching your favorite movies and TV shows.

For wireless fans, you also get Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6, enabling you to play music over AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. This gives the Heston 60 a leg-up over the Sony HT-S2000 which doesn’t support music streaming using Wi-Fi.

It’s important to note that, like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, the Heston 60 doesn’t come with a physical remote — both lose here to the HT-S2000. Instead, you download the Marshall app on your smartphone to customize and control the soundbar, just like you would via a remote.

The app is extremely user-friendly and sports a clean interface. Pairing it with the soundbar takes seconds, and once you’re set up, you can customize the equalizer, swap between sources, calibrate it according to the room it’s in, and more. If you already use Marshall gear, chances are you'll be using the app already. This'll doubtless be an issue for some, but ask yourself: do you really need another remote to lose in your couch’s crevices?

Features

The Heston 60 packs Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, for immersive, spacious soundscapes. The latter places sounds precisely around or above you, making you feel like you’re at the movies. DTS:X compatibility is missing from the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which makes the Heston 60 a more attractive option for cinephiles.

The Heston 60 is well-endowed, too, as this 5.1 soundbar is powered by two 25W and five 5W Class D amplifiers which help it produce a maximum power output of 56W — 14W more than the bigger Sony HT-S2000. The soundbar covers a frequency response range of 45Hz to 20KHz but if you want some extension below the 45Hz mark, I’d recommend grabbing the aforementioned Heston Sub 200. But even without the sub, the Heston 60 boasts powerful bass response.

One thing missing from the Heston 60 is voice assistant support, which means you can’t just ask it to do something with your words alone. This is something that I haven’t seen on the Sony HT-S2000 either, but is present on the Bose Smart Soundbar and the Sonos Beam 2nd Gen. Not a dealbreaker for me, personally, but something to consider before you buy.

Marshall Heston 60 review: Performance

• Crisp and clear dialogues
• Consistent Dolby Atmos performance
• Powerful bass even without subwoofer

To test the Marshall Heston 60, I watched a variety of movies and TV shows, and listened to music. In all three areas, it performed formidably, exceeding my expectations of what a compact soundbar is capable of.

Movies

I kicked things off by watching ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. In the opening scene, the bass sounded peerless through the Heston 60. For a compact soundbar, the bass felt room-filling. Kenny Loggins’ ‘Danger Zone,’ which soundtracks the opening scene of fighter jets taking off, sounded just as it would through a pair of high-end headphones, and it wasn’t too loud that it overwhelmed the bassiness of the metal clinking and ropes whooshing.

I then watched the final mission sequence and the Dolby Atmos performed beautifully here. The sound of missiles leaving the jets was highly detailed, and the human grunts through the pilot’s oxygen mask sounded just as clear — and I could feel the anxiety of the ground engineers. I felt like the jets were flying right overhead, which made for an immersive experience. The balance between high-frequency sounds and the low-end impact was thoroughly enjoyable. The bass felt expansive and bigger than you’d expect of a soundbar this size.

The Heston 60 features four different modes: Music, Movie, Night and Voice. The above testing was conducted with the Movie mode enabled, and I then swapped to Voice mode to see how well dialogues were enhanced in ‘F1: The Movie.’ I was genuinely impressed with the separation of voices, when the commentators were chatting with each other and drivers were communicating with engineers in the pit lane. Even though the bass was reduced in this mode, the low rumbling of the cars provided a good backbone. The sound of tires burning on the tarmac and raindrops falling on the track was also discernible.

It’s important to note that unlike the Sony HT-S2000 with its S-Force Pro Front Surround, the Heston 60 doesn’t create a virtual wraparound effect, so it doesn’t feel like sounds are bouncing off the walls. While it isn’t as immersive, it’s still excellent, and isn’t a dealbreaker, especially for a soundbar this dinky.

TV

Not everyone has access to Blu-rays, so it’s important to evaluate the Heston 60’s performance with non-4K UHD TV. I watched a few episodes of ‘Agatha All Along’ on Disney+ . Vocal clarity was exceptional through the soundbar, with clear sibilance and plosives, and even when there were multiple characters speaking at the same time, I could hear each voice clearly. Voices didn’t bleed into one another either.

I also found the balance between spoken dialogue and the backing soundtrack and ambient sounds to be outstanding. The bass engulfed the area around the TV and the couch I was sitting on, and gave the show a great backbone. Spine-chilling scenes, like when the Salem Seven are descending upon Agatha’s house in episode two, felt terrifying, as their shrieks worked harmoniously with the bass to deliver a horror-esque soundscape. I appreciated the fact that the high-pitched screams in the treble didn’t pierce either.

Music

I listened to music over Wi-Fi and on Qobuz, with the Heston 60 set to Music mode. ‘Echoes’ by Pink Floyd sounded probably the best it ever has to me. The build-up to the first verse, with the multiple instruments, sounded atmospheric with every guitar string pluck loud but not too loud that it sounded unpleasant. The layered vocals, again, shone through the Heston 60, and the low-mids felt thick and textured.

‘Drag Path’ by Twenty One Pilots sounded just as exquisite, with the eerie background sounds traveling from the left to the right and vice versa. The Heston 60 created a sort of dome that did justice to the song’s claustrophobic yet grand vibe. Percussion and hi-hats felt vibrant but not overzealous, similar to what the clean treble sounds like through the Marshall Monitor III over-ear headphones.

Marshall Heston 60 review: Verdict

The Marshall Heston 60 is a triumph. If you want a compact soundbar that doesn’t take up much space but produces loud and powerful sound, this is the one to get. With tactile controls and gold accents, it’s a sight for sore eyes. Looks aren’t everything, of course, and the Heston 60 boasts outstanding movie and TV show performance too.

Dolby Atmos performance is consistent across the board, making you feel like you’re at the cinema. Dialogues sound loud and clear while the treble and bass sound well-balanced. Although the Heston 60 doesn’t come with a physical remote, the user-friendly companion app lets you change its settings and functions straight from your phone — and if you own other recent Marshall gear, you'll be acquainted with this app already.

Is it worth dropping nearly $700 on the Heston 60 if you’re in the States? If it’s top-notch build and a stunning design you’re after, there’s no two ways about it: this is the soundbar for you.

I’ve been waiting for the Sonos Era 100 SL for a long time, I just hadn’t realized I’d been waiting for it. See, I use a pair of old Sonos Play:1 speakers as the left and right surrounds in a home theater setup in my back room. They’ve been overdue for an upgrade for years, but Sonos never made a speaker that fit the bill in terms of price-to-performance ratio — until now.

The Sonos Era 100 SL is the company’s most cost-effective speaker with an MSRP of $189/£169 — a tidy saving on the £199/$219 Sonos Era 100. In a year where everything simply seems to be going up in price, more affordable releases like this and Apple’s recent MacBook Neo are refreshing.

To keep the cost down, Sonos has trimmed the fat in a couple of ways. First, there’s no mic on the speaker and therefore no voice control. You can’t ask Sonos Voice Control or a third party like Alexa+ to set timers or answer questions for you. That suits me just fine — I need these speakers to round out a passive sound system, not to be an active participant in my smart home. However, if you pair the Sonos Era 100 SL with a voice-enabled soundbar you can still benefit from voice control that way. Getting rid of a feature I would never use anyway to save me more money is a win-win in my book.

Because of the lack of microphone, there’s no Trueplay technology for Android phones. Instead, it’ll only work with an iOS device. If you’re using one of the best Android phones, this could be a deal-breaker —or at least a reason to pay more for the regular Era 100. But since I have access to an iOS device, this also isn’t a problem for me. Another tick in the plus column for the Era 100 SL.

If you lift the lid, the Era 100 SL has the same sonic architecture as the regular Era 100. When we reviewed that speaker in 2023, we gave it 4.5 stars, saying Sonos “Elevates the sound performance for its new entry-level home speaker with twin tweeters for stereo sound from a single cabinet, and a larger woofer for richer-sounding bass.”

Our reviewer said it was a noticeable step up from the Sonos One, and I can confirm it's absolutely streets ahead of my tired old Play:1 speakers. Bass at lower volumes is noticeably improved which works exceptionally well when you want to use it as part of a larger setup where the soundbar is doing the heavy lifting.

So Sonos is giving me better sound at a lower price by cutting features I either don’t use or aren’t affected by. Sign me up!

Setup is a dream

In the past, I’ve been critical of Sonos’ app and the general frustrations encountered in its software. The company has promised that those are a thing of the past and this is my first time setting up a new speaker on my system since the crisis of the new Sonos app back in 2024. The process couldn’t have been smoother and achieves almost Apple-levels of simplicity.

Once the speakers were plugged in, all I had to do was add them in the Sonos app and, once they were updated and linked to the Wi-Fi network, I was automatically asked if I wanted to group them in with my existing soundbar and mini sub.

It took all of about five minutes to add both speakers through the app, and there wasn’t a single hiccup during the entire process. Technology can all too easily become a rabbit hole of settings and configurations, but adding a pair of Era 100 SL to my setup was handled entirely in the app in a matter of minutes.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to tweak and fiddle with a setup but would prefer to get on with watching your content with surround sound, I definitely recommend this.

Bottom line

Sonos is pitching the Era 100 SL as the entry to a Sonos home theater and I agree with that wholeheartedly. For example, the speaker doesn’t support Dolby Atmos spatial audio for music but does support Dolby Atmos and surround channels in a home theater setup. So, if you’re in the same boat as me and looking to build out a (or upgrade an elderly) Sonos system, you should stop reading right now and buy this speaker.

On the other hand, if you’re on the hunt for your first Sonos speaker primarily for music playback, it’s probably not the one to go for — even if it is affordable. For ultimate versatility, I would suggest looking at the brand new Sonos Play which gives you the benefit of both a home-based and portable Bluetooth speaker.

The Era 100 SL is a real return to form for Sonos, offering a really solid core performance whilst keeping the cost down by cutting away the window dressing. It would have been even nicer if the company had cut the cost even further through the double pack you can buy for $378, but perhaps that was one step too far.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sonos Play review: One of the best portable speakers in years
• Sonos launches Sonos Play and Era 100 SL speakers — specs, price and what’s new
• Sonos' epic noise-cancelling headphones are the cans I'll take to my grave — and Amazon's Big Spring Sale just dropped them by $100

The Sonos Move is, hands-down, my favorite speaker Sonos has ever made. It has a big sound, big battery and Bluetooth support. My only complaint is that, at over 6.5 pounds, it’s slightly just not portable enough for most situations where you’d actually want to use a wireless speaker. Enter the $299 Sonos Play.

Sonos Play takes the same idea as the Move and scales it down into a sub-3-pound package that’s genuinely convenient to carry, complete with a utility loop and 24 hours of battery life. You still get Wi-Fi for streaming, voice assistants, multi-room listening and all the other core Sonos system features at home. It’s even line-in ready for my record player. But Bluetooth, and waterproofing means this speaker can join me on outings, too.

From someone who’s part of the company’s long-term user base, Sonos has far from escaped its series of software controversies unscathed. But Sonos Play is the kind of product that brings the focus back to what the brand does well — connected smart speakers that fill your space with great sound. And that’s the takeaway you can read more about in my full Sonos Play review below.

Sonos Play cheat sheet

• What is Sonos Play? A portable Sonos speaker that offers Wi-Fi multi-room audio as well as Bluetooth, designed for both home use and on-the-go listening.
• How much does Sonos Play cost? It costs $299.
• Can you use two Sonos Plays together? Yes, pair two for stereo sound over Wi-Fi, or group multiple speakers (including up to three additional Play or Move 2 units) over Bluetooth.
• Can you use Sonos Play with a record player? Yes, as long as you have the $20 Sonos Line-In Adapter. And yes, it has to be the Sonos one to work properly.
• Sonos Play vs. Sonos Move 2? The $399 Sonos Move 2 is larger and more powerful, but less portable. The $299 Play is lighter and easier to carry while still delivering strong stereo sound, plus it has more sophisticated Bluetooth pairing than the Move.
• Sonos Play vs. Sonos Roam? The $179 Sonos Roam is a smaller Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker and weighs under 1 pound, but without a charging base or line-in, it’s less appealing for in-home sound system use.
• What is Sonos Play battery life? Up to 24 hours, plus it doubles as a power bank to charge your phone.

The ups

Practical, portable design

While I’ve always sung the praises of the Sonos Move, I’ve never felt the same way about the Sonos Roam. It’s a perfectly fine Bluetooth speaker, but at its price, it’s hard to ignore how many comparable options are out there for less. It doesn’t quite justify itself in the same way something like the Play does.

The Play feels unmistakably like a Sonos speaker, with intuitive controls and a large enough audio presence to complement any Sonos system. But much like the Move, it lives on a wireless charging base at home, then seamlessly transitions into a travel speaker designed for everyday carry. It even has a removable utility loop that makes it easy to grab and go. It’s also IP67-rated, so dust and water aren’t a problem.

To sum it up, the Move is too big of a home speaker to be truly portable, while the Roam is too much of a portable speaker to be practical at home. The Play strikes the perfect balance between them within Sonos’s battery-powered options.

Balanced, room-filling sound

For a speaker this size, the sound is impressively well-rounded. Vocals, whether I was listening to podcasts or stripped-down tracks, come through crisp and clear, thanks to that dedicated midwoofer.

At the same time, bass-heavy tracks (think Kendrick Lamar’s ‘m.A.A.d city’ or electronic playlists) still hit with enough depth to feel satisfying without overpowering everything else. The dual passive radiators do a lot of work here, while the Automatic Trueplay feature adapts playback in real-time to suit your listening space.

Like most Sonos speakers, though, I wouldn’t push it to max volume in most circumstances. It holds up well, but it’s clearly tuned for balance over brute force. The key to getting a bigger sound from Sonos Play is your pairing options.

Flexible pairing

There are lots of different ways you can play music with Play. First, you can listen to it solo over Wi-Fi, either casting (I use AirPlay) or using the Sonos app with your synced streaming services. With the compatible Sonos line-in adapter, the Play can also hook up to a record player and cast to your other speakers.

If you have other Sonos speakers, you can also assign it for multi-device and multi-room playback, too. Better yet, you can stereo pair two Plays over Wi-Fi for a more immersive setup at home.

Over Bluetooth, you can connect one Play to your phone, then sync up to three additional speakers, including the Sonos Move 2, just by holding the pairing button. That’s a newer feature the Move doesn’t have.

24-hour battery life

Sonos rates the Play for up to 24 hours of battery life. I left it off the charging base for about 3 days, and my hours of active listening landed just around that estimate. Comparing the other battery-powered Sonos speakers, the Move 2 lasts 24 hours as well and the Roam lasts up to 10 hours. Both the Play and Move 2 have replaceable batteries, which I think is a meaningful factor for speakers you’d want to last in your home for a long time.

What’s more, the Play doubles as a USB-C power bank. Being able to top off my phone while I was out made this speaker feel even more multi-purpose.

The downs

Pricey depending on what you’re looking for

I’ll be honest, I struggled to find much fault with the Sonos Play. For what it offers (Wi-Fi streaming, multi-room audio, voice control, strong battery life and portability) it actually delivers a lot of value.

That said, you don’t need to spend $299 for a Bluetooth speaker of this size and with solid sound. For example, the UE Everboom can usually be found for $199 and it’s pretty similar in dimensions. I also like the JBL Charge 6, which tends to go on sale for about $170. I’d recommend these if you’re not looking for any “smart” features via Wi-Fi.

Verdict

The Sonos Play takes everything that makes the Sonos ecosystem great and packages it in a design that provides comprehensive versatility between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Unlike past attempts, the Play doesn’t feel like you’re compromising in either direction.

That balance is what makes it stand out against both the Sonos Move 2 and Sonos Roam. One leans too far into being a home speaker, the other too far into being ultra-portable. The Play sits right in the middle, offering enough power for your living room and enough practicality for a park day, weekend trip or if you're like me, concert in the shower.

$299 is a lot if all you want is a Bluetooth speaker. But if you’re even slightly invested in the Sonos ecosystem, or want a speaker that can grow into one, this is easily one of the most well-rounded options the company has debuted in years.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the attic sorting through boxes of gadgets I forgot I even had, and I stumbled across my first record player. It's a suitcase-style record player (which I know, I know, is very bad for long-term vinyl care), but it only cost me $40 when I bought it. I remember thinking this was a total steal, so I was able to pick up a bunch of records at the same time.

Does it sound as good to me today as it did back then? Absolutely not. But can I make it better? Absolutely yes. I’ve been testing the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers, and they have seriously blown me away.

Turns out, they're the perfect partner to my old gear and, with a few tweaks, I had that $40 record player sounding like a system that cost hundreds more.

Computer speakers to the rescue

Part of the problem with suitcase-style record players that were popular in the 2010s is the awful quality of the built-in speakers. So, fixing the issue from the needle on the record to the speaker creates a major upgrade.

When you’re on a budget and don’t want to invest in a hi-fi setup right away, computer speakers are a great gateway into improving home audio. After testing the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers, I knew they would be perfect for this job. They’re priced at $349, so while they’re not the cheapest you can get, they’re certainly budget compared to other big dogs in the market. Not to mention, the sound you get from them is totally epic.

These particular speakers have an amazing array of connectivity options, making them ideal for everything from gaming to watching movies to streaming music.

It’s all about connection

The connectivity options with these speakers can seem overwhelming, but when it comes to playing music from a record player, there’s really only one option: RCA cables.

Using RCA cables means that any interference is minimized as they are low-latency. They can also handle weaker signals, which is a common issue with turntables. Luckily, the Onkyos also have the option of using the RCA connection with phono or line to accommodate a wider range of devices.

Using this type of wired connection also eliminates any buzz you would experience if just using a 3.5mm jack, for example.

What happened?

Was I able to get stellar audio with mid-range computer speakers and a dirt-cheap, outdated turntable? Absolutely, I was.

I was seriously blown away by the results. While I recognize that exclusively using a suitcase-style player for my records is going to do more harm than good in the long run, this is an awesome solution for vinyl newbies.

All tinniness was reduced, and vocal performances were impeccable. I tested the setup with two of my favorite records at the moment, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams and The Clearing by Wolf Alice. The distorted tracks on Hayley Williams’ album were incredibly impactful, and the more acoustic tones from Wolf Alice completely warmed my home. Both albums held up extremely well.

To find out more about my experience with the speakers, how they perform over different connectivity, and their inner workings, you can read this full Onkyo GX-30ARC review.

More from Tom's Guide

• Wired headphones are the ultimate retro audio flex — and these ’80s-inspired cans from Gadhouse are the fashion statement of 2026
• Gardeners urged to put egg cartons in their yards — here are 5 ways to use them now
• The iPhone Fold could blow away the Galaxy Z Fold 8 on Apple’s very first try — here’s why

The Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers are a fantastic option for improving your home audio, and they’re some of the best speakers you can get for the money. Their amazing sound quality and competitive price make them feel like an absolute steal.

They look great, have versatile connectivity options, and are super easy to set up. While minor, the lack of EQ customization and hi-res Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX might put off wireless listeners. Even so, the GX-30ARC are bookshelf speakers at their core, so are intended to be used wired.

To find out if these are the home audio upgrades you need in your life, keep reading this full Onkyo GX-30ARC review.

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Cheat sheet

• What are they? Minimalistic bookshelf speakers with great connectivity options
• Who are they for? Anyone looking to make home audio upgrades
• What does it cost? $249 / £339
• What do we like? They provide amazing sound at a competitive price and are extremely easy to set up
• What don’t we like? No EQ alteration and only SBC

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Specs

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Price & availability

The Onkyo GX-30ARC are bookshelf speakers with a middle-of-the-road price point, offering amazing sound without breaking the bank. They’re available at Amazon U.S. for $249, and at AV.com in the U.K. for £339.

These Creator Series monitors have some pretty fierce competition, as you can get some budget bookshelf speakers with decent audio for under $10. Take the Majority D40X, for example — they cost just $99 but still offer great sound quality and style.

Moving higher up the market, well-known budget brands like Edifier start to creep in with offerings like the Edifier M60, which are compact speakers priced at $199. Or the $149 Edifier R1280T speakers, which don’t have Bluetooth but are the cheapest way to get premium sound.

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Design & controls

The Onkyo GX-30ARC are some of the best-looking speakers I’ve had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. With the mesh speaker grill attached, they have a minimalistic style that complements any home interior, whether that’s next to your television, turntable, or computer.

With the speaker grill detached, the driver and tweeter are exposed, giving a more modern finish to the speaker. But the covers still protect the speaker from dust and debris, and also offer some acoustic modulation and soften the treble, although in this case it’s slight. How you set the speakers up is personal preference.

The speakers measure 8.7 x 5.8 x 6.7 inches, which sets them at around the same size as the Majority D40X (8.8 x 5.4 x 7 inches). But with the Onkyos, you have the option to perch them on a wooden-finish plastic stand, which increases the height and depth slightly to give dimensions of 10.6 x 8.3 x 5.8 inches. Since the stand is made from plastic, it feels a little light and flimsy, which is a let down — but the effect still looks great.

You also get a speaker stand with the Edifier M60 speakers, and I wish more audio brands would include stands with bookshelf speakers. Mounting speakers at an angle like this can help to direct the music in the room for better sound. If the sound waves from the speaker are reflecting off the surface below, the sound will become dull.

Two indicator lights on the front indicate the source and the sound mode, which are visible through the grill. My only issue with the design is that the power cord is pretty short, so you’re going to want to set it up as close to a plug socket as possible.

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Features & connectivity

The front of the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers is extremely minimal. You’ll find all the connectivity ports and controls on the rear of the primary speaker. Here we have the power button, inputs for all the different connectivity options, including HDMI, USB-C and Aux, and the power settings. There’s a lot more connectivity scope here than what is offered by the Kanto Ora4 ($399) speakers, which are smaller and less well-equipped, but better sized and shaped for placing on a desk.

You can use the GX30ARCs as desk speakers, and they’re very good for that. But they’re a lot larger, and all of the connectivity options mean they can be used with your television or turntable. The speakers come with a remote, which is easy to use and feels well-made.

The speakers use Bluetooth 5.3 and only offer the SBC audio codec. This left me a little bewildered at first since speakers like the Edifier S80DB MKII ($499) support hi-res 24-bit streaming with LDAC. But the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers still sound brilliant. While I would have liked to see a higher resolution codec in these speakers that look and feel so premium, their performance means it’s not the end of the world. Besides, you can use them wired for the best results anyway.

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Audio quality

I was totally impressed by the sound of the Onkyo GX-30ARC. I tested by streaming my music over Qobuz in high resolution, over Bluetooth, a 3.5mm jack, and via RCA when plugged into my turntable.

Firstly, I listened to Play It Out by Wolf Alice, which has powerful vocals. The speakers did a great job of bringing harmonies to the forefront of the track, without allowing the vocals to overpower the guitar-led instrumental. Every layer of the frequency range was well-rounded without overpowering the delicate sounds at the high end.

To test out the bass performance, I listened to Midnight Sun by Zara Larson. This song is full of high-energy beats and impressive vocal riffs, so I was impressed to hear the speakers keeping up with the runs so easily. The bass carried well across the song and felt extremely powerful, but at the same time, the other instruments and vocals remained well-balanced.

Since you can use these speakers with your television if you want to (although you’d certainly be better off with one of the best cheap soundbars), I wanted to test them out with one of my favorite movie soundtracks. I listened to Planetarium by Justin Hurwitz from the movie La La Land, an orchestral track. I was able to hear every nuance with the speakers, and their wide soundstage gave the song all the room it needed to grow.

While there’s no personalized EQ customization with this speaker, there is a button on the controls to make the sound flat or more dynamic. This is great, as the dynamic option certainly enhances bass performance, but if you’re not in the mood for shaking floors, you can go for the flat setting. While there’s no indicator when switching between these (which would be useful), you can hear a stark difference in the settings.

I also plugged the speakers into my turntable and listened to Hayley Williams’ Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. This was very easy to set up with an RAC cable, and sounded crisp — it carried the tracks with heavy distortion really well. No faults here.

Onkyo GX-30ARC review: Verdict

The Onkyo GX-30ARC bookshelf speakers offer amazing sound quality at a competitive price. The minimalistic and sleek design means they fit into any household, and the versatile connectivity options make them perfect for anyone, whether you want to use them to listen to your records spinning or hook them up to the television.

They’re super easy to set up, but the speakers only support SBC audio, so hi-res fans will be feeling left out over wireless. That said, the sound is still stellar and you can hook the speakers up wired for high-res playback anyway. There’s very limited EQ customization, which feels like an oversight, and the stands feel cheap, but then again, they do look good.

These speakers are a great option for anyone who wants to upgrade their home audio but doesn’t want to splash major cash. And with sound this great on such a budget, they’re the perfect addition to any setup.

The best Bluetooth speakers designed for parties can either elevate your group listening session or make you want to leave. You, of course, don't want the latter to happen, especially if you're the one hosting the party! Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there, and I myself have tested a few party speakers — and I have two clear favorites.

In August 2025, British giant Marshall revealed the Bromley 750, its first-ever party speaker. I reviewed it and absolutely loved it. And then came its smaller (and cheaper) sibling, the Bromley 450, launched in March 2026, which I also tested and loved. Both speakers earned 4.5-star ratings from me as well as the coveted Editor's Choice award.

Testing the Bromley 450 got me thinking: "Is this better value for money than the Bromley 750?" And I even thought to myself, "Is there a clear winner here, even though they're both very similar to each other?" So naturally, I put them both through a five-round face-off to see which is better — and the winner surprised me. Read on to find out which party speaker is best for you.

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Specs

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Price

The Marshall Bromley 450 is the smaller and cheaper sibling to the Marshall Bromley 750, so naturally, there's a bit of a price difference between the two. The Bromley 450 is available for $799 / £549 while the Bromley 750 retails for $1,299 / £899. As neither speaker has been out for too long, we're yet to see them go on sale.

In terms of sheer value for money, the Bromley 450 is the winner. As you'll see throughout the face-off, the Bromley 450 borrows a bunch of features from its stablemate, so if you want best-in-class sound without breaking the bank, you know which way to go.

Winner: Marshall Bromley 450

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Design

Both the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750 share design philosophies, so they look fairly identical. In fact, you wouldn't be able to tell one apart from the other if you didn't already know which was which beforehand. They both feature Marshall's classic premium build quality and tasteful design with well-defined front grilles, integrated LED lamps for reactive lighting, and sleek branding in brass accents.

Controls are similar too. On both speakers, the buttons and dials look like they could belong on a guitar amp. Everything is well-signposted, and each control offers good tactile feedback when pressed or turned. While controls remain fairly similar, the Bromley 750 has an additional Sound Character dial which lets you adjust audio on a scale of Dynamic to Loud, depending on your listening style.

The biggest difference between the two speakers is the size and weight. The Bromley 450 is much smaller, measuring 19.37 x 14.17 x 10.27 inches compared to the Bromley 750 measuring 25.7 x 16.3 x 14 inches. It's also lighter at 26.89 pounds, while the Bromley 750 is nearly double the weight at 52.7 pounds. But both speakers are easy to transport: the Bromley 450 features a built-in handle on its side while the Bromley 750 features large wheels and a suitcase-like pull-out handle.

Neither is better nor worse than the other, so we'll call this round a tie.

Winner: Tie

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Features & connectivity

There's no dearth of features and connectivity options on both the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750. Both feature integrated LED lamps that can react and dance to the tunes you're playing to create an immersive light show. Both also feature Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs and multipoint connectivity for up two devices. The presence of Auracast means you can pair numerous (even endless) speakers to both — including Marshall's Bluetooth speakers, not just party ones.

The Bromley 450 and the Bromley 750 double/triple as karaoke machines and amps for instruments, as they both feature RCA and two XLR/6.35mm combo jacks each. You also get 3.5mm aux and USB-C ports for wired playback. See? A plethora of connectivity options!

While both speakers are excellent, they share a drawback too, and that's the companion app. You can't use the app to adjust the equalizer, the delay/reverb effects for karaoke and instrument use, the Sound Character (on the Bromley 750), or the lighting effects. While you can do so via physical controls, you can't via the app, which is disappointing.

Both speakers are protected against dust and water, as the Bromley 450 is IP55-rated and the Bromley 750 is IP54-rated. The former is ever-so-slightly better than the latter, and takes the win in this round by a very narrow margin.

Winner: Marshall Bromley 450

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Sound quality

The Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750 sound near-identical, and unless you've got a keen ear for hi-res audio or are being nit-picky, you really wouldn't notice the difference. Both speakers are well-endowed, although the Bromley 750 has more going on in terms of hardware (check out my full Bromley 450 and Bromley 750 reviews to find out).

Bass on both speakers is meaty and punchy, although the Bromley 750 has more refined lower ranges as its frequency response goes down to 20Hz (versus 42Hz on the Bromley 450). On the Bromley 450, I had to increase the bass up a notch or two via the onboard dial to really appreciate the sub-bass in tracks like 'Tomorrow is Another Day' by M-High, which I didn't need to do at all on the Bromley 750.

Treble is crisp and vibrant on both speakers too. Sibilance and plosives never sound shrill or harsh or like they're bleeding into one another, as I found when listening to tracks like 'White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter' by Lana Del Rey and 'From Finner' by Of Monsters and Men. I found that transitions between low and high pitches were clean on both speakers too, with the higher frequencies never sounding piercing or like they were cutting through the instrumentals.

Auracast works extremely well on both the Bromley 450 and the Bromley 750. When two speakers are synchronized and playing on opposite ends of a room, the sound is concentrated in the middle and you feel truly immersed in the music. Both speakers are phenomenal for hosting large gatherings or parties, as they get very, very loud while remaining detailed throughout the frequency range.

The Bromley 750 takes the crown in this round based purely on straight-out-of-the-box sound and its internal hardware. Thanks to the additional Sound Character dial, you get more control over the dynamics, making it the better choice of the two if you want extensive adjustment.

Winner: Marshall Bromley 750

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Battery

Neither the Marshall Bromley 450 nor the Marshall Bromley 750 will disappoint you when it comes to battery life. Both speakers are rated for up to 40 hours of playback between charges, which is excellent (and both upstage rivals from JBL and Soundboks). They share the same removable LiFePO4 battery pack, which can be used as power banks to charge your other devices (via a USB-C port).

In my testing, the Bromley 450's battery dipped by only 15% after six hours of listening to it at full volume. Similarly, the Bromley 750's battery dropped by 20% while listening at full volume and playing with the Sound Character over a period of seven continuous hours. This round is, once again, a tie between the two.

Winner: Tie

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Verdict

Based on our ratings scorecard below, the Marshall Bromley 450 wins, but by a very narrow margin. The Bromley 450, in my opinion, offers better value for money over the Marshall Bromley 750. For just under $800, you get a powerful party speaker that delivers punchy bass and crisp treble, features plenty of connectivity options and controls, and slightly better waterproofing and dust protection. It's also more portable than its bigger sibling, and retains the same 40-hour battery life.

As you can see in the ratings scorecard, the Bromley 750 earns a full 25/25 points from me in the sound quality round. While the Bromley 450 is fantastic, it needs a bit of fiddling with the bass and treble dials to achieve your perfect sound (if you're being nit-picky, that is). The Bromley 750, on the other hand, doesn't require any adjustment at all, and sounds outstanding straight out of the box. The Sound Character dial gives you more control over, well, the sound too, making it more versatile.

At the end of the day, both of Marshall's party speakers are formidable and extremely competent, and neither gives you much to complain about. If I had to choose just one of the two, though, I'd go for the Bromley 450 — for its smaller size, portability and battery life.

Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750: Ratings scorecard

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested Marshall’s first party speaker, and it’s perfect for musicians, karaoke enthusiasts and everyone in between
• I’ve been testing the Marshall Bromley 450, and it might be the ‘best party speaker of 2026’
• Forget the Bose S1 Pro+ — the brand-new Marshall Bromley 450 just redefined party speakers

One thing I love about my job is that there's never a shortage of audio gear to test: When I'm listening on my own, I use the Marshall Monitor III over-ear headphones. When I'm chilling with my partner or we're hanging out with friends, I turn to one of the best Bluetooth speakers. And if we're having a party? It's gotta be a party speaker — and there are few (if any) better than the Marshall Bromley 450.

The Bromley 450 is the British audio giant's second-ever party speaker, and it joined its bigger sibling, the Bromley 750, in March 2026. I was one of the first reviewers to test the Bromley 450, and I immediately fell in love with it. It looks good, it sounds better, and its battery lasts oh-so-long. I've found it difficult to fault, really, and testing the Bromley 450 got me thinking, "Does it sound better than other party speakers in the same price range?"

Luckily, in our testing lab, we had a Bose S1 Pro+, so I listened to it for a while and immediately knew that I preferred the Bromley 450 (sorry, Bose). There's plenty to love about the Bromley 450: from its exquisite design to the drool-worthy light show and delectable sound quality. Few brands come close to the prestige Marshall's speakers and headphones ooze, and it's no different in the case of the Bromley 450. Here's why it's my top pick for the party speaker of 2026.

I can't stop staring at it

When John Keats wrote "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," he was clearly talking about the Marshall Bromley 450, because I would very much like to place it in my apartment, turn on the LED lamps, and stare at it for as long as I can. It's one of the best-looking speakers I've had the pleasure of testing. No, scratch that. It's one of the best-looking anything I've ever used.

I'm no stranger to speakers. I've tested many during my time as a tech journalist. I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and the Bromley 450 very clearly belongs in the first category. It really is a thing of beauty. Its matte black finish feels exquisite to touch and pleasing to the eye, while its brass and gold accents add a premium panache to the impressive package.

Adding to the Bromley 450's appeal are its integrated LED lamps, located behind the front grille. They light up in white and yellow, and depending on the lighting mode you choose, they can dance and react to the music you're playing too, to create an immersive light and sound show. Beautiful.

I could wax poetic about the Bromley 450 all day long if I could but I wouldn't want to bore you, of course. Marshall's trademark tactile controls are present on the Bromley 450 in spades, as you can control basically every sound and light setting via the onboard buttons and dials. Thank goodness for that because the companion app is... underwhelming, at best.

No dearth of features

The Marshall Bromley 450 has everything you could need in a proper party speaker. Want to play music from your phone? Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs. Want to connect two smart devices at the same time? Multipoint connectivity. Want to plug your phone in for hi-res wired playback? 3.5mm aux or USB-C is at your disposal.

Or imagine you're hosting a party and someone says, "Hey, I brought my guitar to the party and want to serenade everyone with Oasis' Wonderwall, can I do that?" You've got the Bromley 450, so you can reply with, "My Bromley 450's got two XLR/6.35mm combo ports for guitars and RCA ports for keyboards and turntables so technically you can, but I don't want you to bore everyone with Wonderwall, so let's refrain from that." Sorry, Oasis fans, it is what it is, but at least you can plug your guitar into the Bromley 450 as it doubles/triples as an amp and a karaoke machine!

In addition to the connectivity options, the Bromley 450 is also protected against dust, dirt and water as it's IP55-rated, so it's perfect for outdoor parties. If you've got another Bromley 450 or 750, or even another Auracast-enabled Marshall speaker, you can sync them up any number of them to play at the same time, making the Bromley 450 even better for big parties.

But does it sound good?

Via its onboard controls, you can adjust the Marshall Bromley 450's bass, treble, add reverb and delay effects if you're using the karaoke feature or instruments, and adjust the lighting.

"Sounds great, but does the speaker sound good?" I hear you ask, and I'm here to tell you, dear reader, that it sounds excellent. The sound quality really doesn't give you much to complain about, and I had to be really nit-picky to find any faults with it. And the faults I found? You'll need to play around with the bass and treble dials to get the perfect sound — but apart from that, that's about it.

The Bromley 450 is a powerful, well-endowed speaker, and you can learn all about its internal hardware in my full review. All I'm going to tell you in this article is that it sounds phenomenal. I thought the treble, especially, sounded brilliant. Crisp, vibrant, never overzealous or shrill. Sibilance and plosives gave me nothing to moan about as the sounds didn't bleed into one another, especially in tracks like 'White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter' by Lana Del Rey, where she ad-libs different 's' and 'tss' sounds.

This is a party speaker, though, and chances are you'll be using it to listen to dance music or bass-heavy electronic tracks, and it's the ideal speaker for high tempo music. The bass is warm with plenty of low-end impact and detail in the mid range, and it never sounds booming in tracks like 'Tomorrow is Another Day' by M-High, and you can hear each individual string pluck in songs like 'Money' by Pink Floyd. I have no notes.

Unlimited powaaaaah

The cherry on top of this beautiful cake is the Marshall Bromley 450's battery life. Marshall says that the speaker can last for up to 40 hours between charges. This will naturally depend on usage conditions, such as the LED lighting and volume. While I couldn't drain the entire battery during my testing period, I noticed that the battery had dropped by only 15% after six hours of listening to the speaker at full volume and with reactive lighting turned on.

What's even better is that you can remove the Bromley 450's battery pack (securely slotted in the back and protected by a hard plastic cover) and use it as a power bank for your other devices. It's got a USB-C port on it so you can plug in your headphones, phone or laptop. I think that's very cool, and it's something I loved about the Bromley 750 too.

I absolutely adore the Bromley 450. It's pretty, its sound quality is stunning, and it lasts a long, long time. What more could you possibly need?

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve been testing the Marshall Bromley 450, and it might be the ‘best party speaker of 2026’
• I tested the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750 party speakers — and the winner surprised me
• As a guitarist and an audiophile, this is the all-in-one speaker I’ve been waiting for

Seven months since the launch of its first-ever party speaker, Marshall is back with a smaller, more affordable option for the budget-conscious. The Marshall Bromley 450 is a hoot. Sporting the British giant’s trademark premium build and brass accents, the Bromley 450 is good-looking to the point that I want to keep it in my apartment as eye candy.

Aiding the Bromley 450’s position as one of the — if not the — best party speakers of 2026 is its wide soundstage and refined sound quality. The treble is crisp and bright; vocals are clear and detailed; and the bass is meaty and powerful, and it makes you want to headbang. With up to 40 hours of battery life, integrated reactive LED lighting, and its ability to double (or triple) as a karaoke machine and amp for your instruments, there’s so much to love about the Bromley 450.

So, is this the best Bluetooth speaker for you? Read my full Marshall Bromley 450 review to find out.

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Specs

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? Marshall’s second-ever party speaker, and the Bromley 750’s smaller (and cheaper) sibling
• Who is it for? Musicians, mobile DJs, and social gatherings or parties
• How much does it cost? $799 / £549, so it’s a fair bit cheaper than the Bromley 750
• What do we like? The powerful bass, crisp treble, long battery life, premium design and build, and connectivity options
• What don’t we like? The lackluster app

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Price & availability

Launched on March 17 2026, the Marshall Bromley 450 is Marshall’s second-ever party speaker, and it’s the smaller and cheaper sibling to the Bromley 750 ($1,299) which came out only in September 2025. The Bromley 450 is much cheaper than the Bromley 750 as it retails for $799 / £549, so it’s for anyone who wants a party speaker like the Bromley 750 but doesn’t want to burn a hole in their pocket.

The Bromley 450 is priced similarly to the JBL PartyBox 520 ($879), the Sony ULT Tower 9 ($899) and the Soundboks 4 ($999). In my opinion, the Bromley 450 trumps its competition with its battery life, integrated and classy LED lighting, and best-in-class sound quality.

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Design & controls

• So good-looking and well-built
• Convenient handle for transportation
• Guitar amp-like tactile controls

Marshall knows how to make a good-looking product. I’ve been using the Marshall Monitor III ($349) headphones for over a year now, and I’ve had the pleasure of listening to and testing the British brand’s other products too. Every single time, I’m blown away by the design and the build quality, and this holds true in the case of the Marshall Bromley 450 too.

Put the Bromley 450 next to its big brother, the Bromley 750, and you’ll notice that they look nearly identical. Similar to the latter, the Bromley 450 comes in matte Black with Brass accents, and the well-defined front grille houses the integrated LED lights. The side and rear drivers and passive radiators are covered with grilles as well. I love the branding on the front as it makes the speaker look premium and classy.

But unlike the Bromley 750, the Bromley 450 isn’t as large. It measures 19.37 x 14.17 x 10.27 inches and weighs 26.89lbs, making it more portable than its stablemate. Also a departure from the Bromley 750, the Bromley 450 doesn’t feature large wheels or a suitcase-style handle that emerges from the top for easy transport. To be fair, you don’t really need wheels on the Bromley 450. A built-in handle is located on the speaker’s left side and it features a textured grip so that you can, well, grip your fingers around it. I had no trouble carrying the speaker up and down stairs and between different rooms.

Adding to the Bromley 450’s aesthetic appeal are its controls. All the buttons and dials are signposted and easy to understand. The main controls are located above the front grille and they wouldn’t look out of place on a guitar amp. Each button gives good tactile feedback when pressed, and each dial has just enough friction to ensure you don’t move it by mistake.

These buttons and dials give you plenty of control over the Bromley 450’s settings. You can adjust the volume, bass, treble, add reverb/delay if you’ve got a mic or instrument plugged in, swap between input sources, and use the M button to toggle a strobe lighting effect. The Bromley 450 doesn’t feature a Sound Character dial as found on the Bromley 750, though, but I didn’t miss it much.

Overall, the Bromley 450 is designed extremely well and hasn’t given me much to complain about. The design and controls are perfect, no notes.

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Features

• IP55 waterproof and dustproof
• Immersive and reactive LED lights
• Auracast works well

The Marshall Bromley 450 knows how to put on a show, thanks to its integrated LED lamps. The LED lighting feels immersive and tasteful, and I much prefer it over the garish RGB lighting used by the JBL PartyBox 520.

Similar to the Bromley 750, you can choose one of three lighting modes: one ambient as well as two dynamic modes where the LED lamps react to the music playing and dance around. Reactive lighting is a delight, and it worked well to synchronize with the bass in nearly every track I played — whether that was an instrumental track or a heavy rock one.

If you want to use this speaker outside, you can do so without worrying about it getting damaged as the Bromley 450 is IP55-rated (5 for solids and 5 for liquids, on a scale of 1-8 each). It’s ever-so-slightly better than the Bromley 750’s IP54-rating — essentially, the Bromley 450 has slightly better water resistance and the same protection against dust and dirt as the 750. It’s much more durable than the JBL PartyBox 520 which is only IPX4-rated, which isn’t protected against dust at all. The Soundboks 4 has the best rating at IP65-rated, which means it has the same water protection as the Bromley 450 and better dust protection.

The Bromley 450 features Auracast (called Broadcast on Marshall devices) if you want to pair it with other speakers, and this must be done through the app. What’s great about this is that you can connect any number of Auracast-enabled speakers to the Bromley 450 — whether that’s two Bromley 450s, another Bromley 750, a Kilburn III ($379) or another brand’s speaker (JBL, for instance), as proven by my testing. Sound quality is fantastic when using two Bromley 450s together, and I’ll discuss it in detail below.

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Connectivity & app

• Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LC3
• Ports for wired playback, mics and instruments
• App is still underwhelming

There’s no dearth of connectivity options and modes on the Marshall Bromley 450. In terms of wireless connectivity, it utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AAC, SBC and LC3 codecs. It also features multipoint connectivity so you can connect up to two devices simultaneously as I did with my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and MacBook Air M2.

As for wired connectivity, you get 3.5mm aux and USB-C ports, as well as two XLR/6.35mm combo ports for microphones and acoustic/electric guitars, and RCA ports for keyboards and turntables. This makes the Bromley 450 perfect for mobile DJs and musicians too, as it essentially doubles as an amp and a karaoke machine. Combine that with the reverb and delay effects and you’ve got a winner.

My biggest criticism of the Bromley 450, however, is related to its app, because aside from the lackluster companion app, the speaker is great hardware-wise. The speaker uses the same companion app as Marshall’s headphones and the Bromley 750 and just like with the Bromley 750, you don’t really get much control over the Bromley 450.

See, you can’t adjust the equalizer, the delay/reverb effects, or much of the lighting. While these controls are available onboard in the form of physical buttons and dials, what if you’re the host and on the other side of the large room it’s in? It’s a missed opportunity and it’s something I wish Marshall had fixed this time around. Third time’s the charm?

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Sound quality

• Supremely powerful bass and crisp treble
• Broadcast works extremely well
• Gets very, very loud

If you want a loud speaker to soundtrack large gatherings or for a jam session in the skatepark, I can’t recommend the Marshall Bromley 450. Don’t underestimate how loud it can get just because it’s smaller than the Marshall Bromley 750. Just like its stablemate, the Bromley 450 is well-endowed, featuring a 500W Class D amplification powered by two 90W woofers, two 55W full-range drivers, and four 50W tweeters. In terms of drivers, it is fitted with two 6.5-inch 40W woofers, four 2-inch 6W full-range drivers, and two 8-inch passive radiators.

All of this is to say that the Bromley 450 gets very loud and delivers best-in-class sound on par with the Bromley 750. To test the speaker, I listened to my favorite tracks on Qobuz which is the best music streaming service for hi-res audio. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy listening to music through the Bromley 450, I also appreciated the fact that songs sounded just as detailed when the speaker was playing at full volume and I was standing far away from it outdoors (at the opposite end of our office’s parking lot).

I started off by listening to ‘My Dark Disquiet’ by Poets of the Fall to test the bass, first and foremost, and how well the Bromley 450 creates an atmospheric soundscape — and it excels at both. Through the Bromley 450, the bassline sounded powerful with plenty of low-end impact, and it never sounded muddy or lost in the background. The throbbing bassline created a perfect backbone for the song, while the kick drum delivered some punchy flavor and worked in conjunction with the bass. Marko Saaresto’s vocals sounded as beautiful as ever.

Towards the end of the track when his voice sounds like it’s being played through a megaphone before the guitar’s staccato riffs and the drums kick in, the transition sounded seamless through the Bromley 450, and I never heard any unpleasant distortion. Keeping in line with the fact that this song features in the video game Control, it certainly made me feel like Jesse Faden navigating the Oldest House!

I then put the Bromley 450 through a vocal stress test by listening to ‘From Finner’ by Of Monsters and Men. The dual lead vocalists, Nanna and Ragnar, have distinct voices: the former has an airy high pitch while the latter focuses more on the warmer lower range. Through the Bromley 450, both of them sounded harmonious, and the speaker highlighted the dual-input vocal architecture as the star of the show.

When the “heys” and “la-la-las” kicked in during the chorus, it felt like the Bromley 450 had expanded them, showcasing the speaker’s wide soundstage, and it created a sense of the song being sung on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Vocals were packed with detail too, as I could hear the wobble in Nanna’s voice every now and then. Very atmospheric, and nothing short of stunning.

The Broadcast feature on the Bromley 450 works extremely well too. To test the Bromley 450’s stereo sound, I paired it with another Bromley 450 that my colleague was testing. I talked about the ease of doing so in the section above, so I’ll talk about the sound quality now.

Immediately, I noticed that the sub-bass and mid-bass sounded incredible and when I stood between the two units, I felt immersed by the tunes and felt like the bass was running through me. Vocals fared just as well if not better, with the sibilance and plosives sounded very clean and detailed in ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ by Lana Del Rey, and her words didn’t bleed into one another either. It felt like I was at a live concert.

But of course, this is a party speaker, so I had to put on a party track. I listened to ‘Tomorrow is Another Day’ by M-High. The bass felt mighty but so did the treble. The snare hits and hi-hats in the track never sounded shrill, and there was a distinct sound to each without bleeding into one another. This created a swing that felt mechanically perfect yet bouncy, and the synth stabs around the 3-minute mark sounded chirpy but light enough that they didn’t pierce through the rest of the instruments.

Listen along to my review with the Marshall Bromley 450 testing playlist:

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Battery life

• 40 hours of battery life
• Same battery life as Bromley 750
• Battery pack doubles as power bank

To top it all off, the Marshall Bromley 450 boasts outstanding battery life. It utilizes the same battery pack you’ll find in the Marshall Bromley 750, and on a single charge, both speakers can last for up to 40 hours (depending on usage conditions). I really appreciate Marshall fitting both its party speakers with the same battery despite the price difference.

The Bromley 450’s 40-hour battery life upstages the JBL PartyBox 520’s 15-hour and the Sony ULT Tower 9’s 25-hour batteries. The Soundboks 40 is rated for 40 hours on paper but our testing showed that this drops significantly, to just six hours, at high volumes. Having used the Bromley 450 for a six-hour listening session at varying volumes and the LED lighting turned on, the battery life dropped by just 15%.

As is the nature of the LiFePO4 battery pack that the Bromley 450 and the Bromley 750 use, it’s replaceable and can be removed by opening up the hard plastic latch on the back. It also doubles as a power bank so you can use it to charge your phone, tablet, laptop, or as I did, my Marshall Monitor III, thanks to the USB-C port.

Marshall Bromley 450 review: Verdict

As party speakers go, the Marshall Bromley 450 is the best you can buy. I’d even argue that it’s better than its bigger sibling, the Bromley 750, simply because it doesn’t carry an eye-watering price tag. While the app could be better, that’s really the only issue I have with the Bromley 450 because aside from that, it’s almost perfect.

The Bromley 450 looks stunning with its matte black finish and brass accents on its buttons and dials, and the integrated LED lighting is mesmerizing. Thanks to the many connectivity options, it’s the only speaker you’ll need if you’re a mobile DJ, karaoke enthusiast, musician or even just an audiophile. Sound quality is top-notch with meaty bass and vibrant treble to boot.

If you don’t mind the underwhelming app, I can’t recommend the Bromley 450 enough. It’s great-looking, it sounds even better, and its LED lamps will leave you mesmerized if the sound hasn’t done so already.

Sonos has announced two new speakers today, its first new products of 2026, following a whisper-quiet 2025 and a tumultuous 2024. The two products — Sonos Era 100 SL and Sonos Play — look set to shore up the company's product line by offering affordability and portability.

The Sonos Era 100 SL handles the former. It's essentially a cheaper version of the Sonos Era 100, stripping out the mic and paring down the features to serve as a new entry point to the ecosystem. Sonos is pricing this speaker at USD $189 / GBP £169 / EUR €199 / AUD $289 with pre-orders going live today and general availability on March 31.

Far more interesting, however, is the latter. The all-new Sonos Play is something of a middle-ground between the Sonos Move 2 and the Sonos Roam 2. It's loaded with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth depending on whether you want to use it at home or out and about. There's 24 hours of battery life but Sonos also includes a wireless charging base so the Sonos Play can sit happily at home until you need to go mobile.

There's an IP67 waterproof rating, a removable fabric loop for portability and even a built-in power bank so you can use it to charge your phone. You can interact with the Sonos Play through the Sonos app or use voice control.

Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2 are both supported and you can, of course, link it to any other Sonos products you also own.

The Sonos Play hits the price point between the $499 Move 2 and the $179 Roam 2 at USD $299 / GBP £299 / EUR €349 / AUD $499. Like the Era 100 SL, it's also available to pre-order from today and will go on general availability March 31.

“We believe a great sound experience shouldn’t reset every time you add something new. It should get better," said Tom Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of Sonos.

"Sonos Play and Era 100 SL are a clear expression of what Sonos does best — creating products that feel simple on the surface, but are deeply powerful because of the system behind them.”

Both the Move 2 and Roam 2 are some of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy, so it makes sense for Sonos to do more in this category, offering a Goldilocks choice for buyers. Meanwhile, the brand has often been painted as a premium choice so bringing a new Era in at $60 is a welcome addition to the lineup in a time when everything is getting more expensive.

Providing Sonos can keep customers happy on the software side, these two new devices could be the first steps along the road to redemption for the audio company. We'll be testing both these speakers in the upcoming weeks to make sure you check back for our full review of each.

More from Tom's Guide

• Ditching your headphones for speakers might be best for your health
• The Sony WF-1000XM6 are here — here’s everything you need to know
• I tested the AirPods 4 ANC vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 — and there's a clear winner

Soon, the Sonos family of portable speakers will gain a new member — the top-secret Sonos Play. Rumors have been circulating about the new device for months, but the product finally leaked on a Best Buy page over this past weekend.

The posting was spotted by The Verge and was quickly taken down. Before it came down, however, the outlet recorded some of its key features — including a 24-hour battery life, IP67 water resistance, AUX input, wireless charging base and support for AirPlay 2.

The listing cited a release date of March 31, though that could just be a placeholder until the speaker gets formally announced by Sonos sometime this month.

Meet Sonos’ new slightly more affordable Bluetooth speaker

Based on its purported price of $399 CAD (around $290), the Sonos Play will sit in between the cheaper Sonos Roam 2 ($179) and the more expensive Sonos Move 2 ($499).

Its specs also seem to support its middle-of-the-road placement. At 24 hours of battery life, it would offer twice as much juice as the Roam 2 but, based on the photos, it wouldn't be as heavy duty as the 6.6 pound Move 2. The Move 2 and Roam 2 are two of the best Bluetooth speakers, so you can understand why there's so much interest in the forthcoming Sonos Play.

There’s a good chance that Sonos will launch the new Play portable speaker with a refreshed version of its app. According to Bloomberg, a new version of the beleaguered app is in development and already available internally. The timing appears to match up with this speaker’s end-of-month launch date.

We’ll of course reach out to Sonos for comment on its potential upcoming product launches, but we expect to hear more closer to the end of March rather than at the beginning.

More from Tom's Guide

• You could buy AirPods Pro 3 right now — but here are three other options you should consider instead
• Should you prioritize a subwoofer or smart features? I put my favorite Bose and Polk Audio soundbars head-to-head, and the results will surprise you
• I'm only excited about one pair of upcoming earbuds, and it's not the AirPods Pro 3

Audio can be cheap. Audio can also be extremely expensive. Thankfully its possible to spend more for incremental improvements in your audio quality. But I've always wanted to compare them all side by side — how much better does spending more sound?

So I've lined up 5 different "tiers" of audio: a cheap Bluetooth speaker, a more expensive option, a pair of Wi-Fi speakers, a budget HiFi system, and then a fairly expensive system.

I've listened to them all and now I can say which one might be worth your hard-earned money... and which ones are not. So let's get listening.

Tier one — cheap Bluetooth speaker

This lil' guy is the Wonderboom 4, and it's one of the best ways to listen to music outdoors or in your bedroom without spending too much money. It only comes in at around $100, making it one of the cheaper Bluetooth speakers.

Can you expect the best sound? Of course not. But if you're on a budget or want a throwaway speaker for some outdoor trips, it's great.

You can listen to your music, as I did, and you won't find a huge amount to complain about. It would be nice to have some more bass, a bit more detail, and a wider soundstage, but you can't expect much from something that you can palm with one hand.

It marks the start of my audio journey, and it shows you don't have to spend loads of money to get something that sounds good. Still, I'm excited for my next speaker to see how things improve.

Tier 2: Bluetooth stereo pair

My next port of call was to connect two Bluetooth speakers and see how much better the sound would be. I stepped up to the Bose SoundLink Flex 2, a solid Bluetooth speaker in its own right, that also lets you double up for twice the sound.

First off, you won't get more detail or even drastically improved sound when it comes to dynamics or frequency representation. The only thing that might seem enhanced is bass volume, and that's only because there are now two drivers making the low stuff, although even then, it mostly only smooths things out. After all, there's less work for each to do.

What is on offer, however, is vastly improved soundstage. That's because you can now spread the sound out amongst the two speakers, widening the sound stage. The sound is improved in terms of space and immersion as a result — if you can afford the extra for a pair of speakers, I'd say it's actually worth buying two for stereo mode rather than one more expensive model. This next step has been an interesting one, but now I'm ready for the next step — and we're connecting to the Wi-Fi.

Tier 3: Wi-Fi connected speaker

This hourglass-shaped wierdo is the Sonos Era 300. It's a Wi-Fi-connected smart speaker that offers something we've not yet seen on the list (and won't see again) — Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. That means that compatible streams from Apple Music and Amazon Music sound more spacious, as if you've got multiple speakers dotted around the room.

That's why I chose this speaker. The Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio mean that not only does the speaker sound excellent, but it also sounds much larger than similar devices sound on their own.

This step-up in audio quality does feel like it's worth the extra dollars. Its mighty bass, impressive mids, and massive sound make up for the lacking detail — and its sculpture like design makes sure it fits in no matter where you put it. Now — onto the really good stuff.

Tier 4: Entry level HiFi

HiFi systems this side of the pond are expensive. Where in the likes of the U.K. you can pick up excellent components for relatively cheap, audio equipment in the U.S. often demands a hefty premium. Still, it's possible to spend less than $1,000 and get something that sounds epic. Case in point — the Wiim Amp Pro and a pair of Q Acoustics 3020i.

So far, this one's the clear winner. The speakers themselves have more drive, more dynamism, and more detail than the other options we've seen so far. They're more articulate as well, so you're in for a more involving musical experience.

The system is also more flexible. There are loads of inputs on the back of the amplifier, so you can hook up stuff like the best record players and spin some discs, or even pick up a CD player for some '90s throwback headbang sessions.

This is the happy medium for me — and even better if you can find some components on eBay and save some money. That's how I got my first HiFi system, and I only shelved some of those components when I replaced them last year. My old speakers lasted about 10 years in my care before I upgraded them, and they were older than that when I bought them.

Still, there's better; let's give it a try.

Tier 5: Premium HiFi

Now we're into the big leagues. I've got here a Cambridge Evo 150 SE, nearly three-and-a-half grand worth of streaming amplifier. At its core, it's the same idea as the Wiim Amp Pro above, but dials up all its features to eleven. That means 150 watts per channel so that it can drive even the most demanding of speakers, and some seriously impressive internals to make sure the music sent to the speakers sounds epic.

I've paired it with some monster new floorstanders from Dali, the Sonik 7. They exude special, from their monolith-like design to the massive speaker units that dominate their front fascia. They also happen to sound insane.

As you might expect, the sound fills the living room. There's bass for days, detail for miles, and immersion like nothing else. Is it that much better than the entry-level system? Oh yes, it really is, but I'm not sure I could ever tell anyone to buy it.

This is an audio system for people with more money than sense. For audiophiles who are seeking the best sound possible, who have lots of money but not the tens of thousands of dollars for the really expensive stuff.

This is the point when things get trickier. The sound is much better than anything else on the list, but spending more becomes a case of diminishing returns. For some, this is an endgame system. Until they experience something even better, and suddenly, nothing is good enough. The path of the audiophile is a slippery, expensive slope.

Which should you buy?

Honestly? Buy what you can afford, or save up for that which you can't. Not everyone is going to the need the sonic prowess of even the entry level HiFi system, and will be more than happy with the $100 Bluetooth speaker.

As for what provides the best bang for your buck, I'd say the entry level HiFi system. It sounds much better than the other options towards the cheaper end of the list. You'll be left with space to upgrade in the future, and have something to show off when friends come to visit. Some of them, like the system I've built here, can be plugged into a TV to improve your movie and TV show sound.

Most important of all is to have fun — the important thing is the music you're listening to, not the equipment you're playing it through.

More from Tom's Guide

• I put IKEA's new $35 cast iron pan head-to-head with my Lodge skillet — there was a clear winner
• I spent 24 hours with the Galaxy S26 Ultra — what I like (and don’t) so far
• 41 Pokémon deals to celebrate Pokémon Day, picked by a lifelong fan

I've loved music for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of music involve me sitting in the backseat of my dad's car, and singing along to songs like 'Eleanor Rigby' by The Beatles, 'A Horse With No Name' by America, and 'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd. My love of music and singing along grew exponentially as I grew up, to the point that I was the lead vocalist of my high school band.

Though I'm a lead vocalist no longer, I still love singing, whether that's at a karaoke bar after a few drinks or performing a full-blown concert in the shower (yes, accompanied by air guitars and air drums). But to make that happen, I need one of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers that won't get ruined by steam or splashes of water.

Since joining Tom's Guide almost two years ago, I've tested my fair share of waterproof speakers, so if you're on the hunt for one, I'm here to assist. I've picked my top-rated speakers which are waterproof and in some cases, dustproof too — and they start at as low as $39!

A quick rundown of IP ratings

A device's, or speaker's (in this case), durability is defined by an IP score. "IP" stands for Ingress Protection, and it's the level of protection against dust and water getting in. The first number that follows "IP" determines the speaker's protection against dust, and it's measured on a scale of 1-6, with 1 being least protected and 6 being most protected.

Another number then follows the first, and the second number after "IP" represents water protection. This is measured on a scale of 1-8, with 1 being least protected and 8 being most protected. If you want to use a speaker in the shower or by the poolside, I'd recommend either an IP54 or an IP67 speaker, as you'll soon see below. One of the following recommendations is rated IPX7, which means it's waterproof but not protected against dust — but that's the bare minimum you'll want in a waterproof speaker.

For a more detailed breakdown of IP ratings, check out our best waterproof Bluetooth speakers buying guide.

My top picks for shower-proof speakers

The cute speaker with reactive RGB

The 'hook-it-anywhere' speaker

The inconspicuous, lowkey speaker

The 'more-than-a-pretty-face' speaker

The 'can-withstand-anything' party speaker

More from Tom's Guide

• The only Bluetooth speaker you need for pool parties costs less than $40 — no, I’m not joking
• As a guitarist and an audiophile, this is the all-in-one speaker I’ve been waiting for
• ‘I didn’t think a traditionally budget brand could make such good premium speakers’ — here’s why the Edifier QR65 are never leaving my desk

Creative is a legacy brand, and I'd wager that you probably owned a pair of Creative computer speakers back in the day. While I didn't own Creative ones, personally, I've heard from several coworkers that they used to, and that the sound quality was nothing to write home about. Well, guess what? Creative has turned a new leaf, and its speakers are excellent now.

I've spent the last couple of weeks testing Creative's latest gear: the super cheap Pebble Pro, the mid-range Pebble X Plus, and the premium Pebble Nova. All three vary in price but their features are pretty much the same. When I was testing the Pebble X Plus, it got me thinking, "Why wouldn't you just spend the extra on the Pebble Nova?"

I know, I know, the Pebble Nova costs a lot more than the Pebble X Plus, but I fully believe that it's worth spending the money for one reason: the balanced sound profile.

The Pebble X Plus are good but they seriously struggle with balancing instruments and different layers, while the Pebble Nova produce a well-balanced and nuanced sound.

If you're still unconvinced, let me break it down for you.

You're in treble now

There are two reasons why you might choose the Creative Pebble X Plus. One, they're cheap, retailing for $119 / £99 at Amazon. Two, they're accompanied by a compact subwoofer. The subwoofer is a welcome addition, as it puts all of its energy into producing powerful bass, leaving the speakers to handle the treble, rhythm, timbre, and other musical elements. You'd think that, then, the Pebble X Plus would sound absolutely amazing, but you'd be wrong.

While the bass doesn't give you much to complain about, and lead vocals have plenty of room to shine and be front and center, the same can't be said for everything else. In my testing, I found that the speakers got overwhelmed very easily, which resulted in the different instruments and vocals sounding muddled, like they were mushed together.

The biggest problem, however, is that the Pebble X Plus push the treble, percussion and backing vocals into the background.

This, to me, is extremely surprising and disappointing. The subwoofer is there to do the heavy lifting of producing the bass, leaving the speakers to do their job of just reproducing a balanced sound profile. The speakers feel and sound confused, especially when it comes to layered voices in tracks like 'Labour' by Paris Paloma and layered instruments in 'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd.

And that's where the Pebble Nova come in, with their bountiful bass, refined mids, crisp and bright treble, and all-round superb sound profile. They're ideal for music, watching movies, playing video games, and even listening to podcasts and spoken word. You name it, they can make it sound downright fantastic.

That's the reason why I'm not entirely convinced by the Pebble X Plus, and it's worth spending more on the Pebble Nova, especially if you're an audiophile.

Eye-catching sci-fi design

There's another area in which the Creative Pebble Nova take the cake, and that's the design department. If you're a "Star Wars" fan or just like sci-fi movies, the Pebble Nova will be right up your alley. The Pebble Nova look like they belong on the set of "The Mandalorian," as their mesh grille design makes them look like droids.

Sitting atop two metal stands, the Pebble Nova look like planets, or the Death Star, floating above your table. RGB rings located on the bottom of each speaker light up in various colors to make your space look ambient or feel cozy when you're sitting at your desk in the dark.

This isn't to say the Pebble X Plus don't look great — they do — but there isn't anything striking about them, unlike the Pebble Nova which could definitely win a couple of design awards, in my opinion

Is it still worth buying the Pebble X Plus?

Just because one thing in a comparison piece is good doesn't automatically mean the other is bad — and if you want to buy the Creative Pebble X Plus, there are a few good reasons you can.

Firstly, they're much cheaper than the Creative Pebble Nova. Secondly, though their treble and overall sound is unpolished, they'll certainly please fans of bass-heavy tracks. That's thanks to the subwoofer — and these speakers are also the cheapest way to get a 2.1 channel sound system.

If you really, really want a subwoofer that's compact and doesn't take up too much space on your desk, then the Pebble X Plus will more than satisfy you. This is also the set of computer speakers I'd recommend for casual listeners and for those who don't care much about nuanced sound — A.K.A. not audiophiles.

Audiophiles should consider the Pebble Nova instead. For details on the sound quality, don't forget to read my full Creative Pebble Nova and Creative Pebble X Plus reviews.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested the Creative Pebble X Plus and it's the cheapest way to get speakers and a subwoofer — but might not impress audiophiles
• 10-year-old me would have loved these Star Wars-esque computer speakers — and adult me absolutely loves the powerful sound quality
• Remember your childhood Creative computer speakers? They're actually good now — I tested these $70 ones that blew me away!

A subwoofer can make all the difference to your sound setup and the Creative Pebble X Plus is one of the cheapest ways of getting a 2.1 channel system. These computer speakers are accompanied by a compact subwoofer, and they’re perfect for small spaces. The subwoofer produces meaty bass while the speakers give lead vocals lots of room to shine.

But while the bass and lead vocals are excellent, everything else feels lacking. The treble as well as the backing vocals feel like they’ve been pushed back, and the companion app doesn’t let you make any adjustments to the sound quality.

Are these still the best computer speakers for you? Read my full Creative Pebble X Plus review to find out.

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Specs

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A pair of computer speakers with a compact subwoofer
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants a good-looking set of speakers for their space
• How much does it cost? $119 / £99
• What do we like? The lovely design, customizable RGB lighting, powerful subwoofer, and bright vocals
• What don’t we like? The unpolished treble and the lackluster companion app

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Price & availability

A part of Creative’s extensive lineup of speakers, the Creative Pebble X Plus are the only computer speakers that come with a subwoofer. For $119 / £99 at Amazon, you’re getting a 2.1 channel system, which is excellent value for money.

They’re priced similarly to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX ($129), which also come with a subwoofer, but they don’t feature Bluetooth connectivity like the Pebble X Plus. Since the Pebble X Plus come with a sub, I’d recommend them over the pricier SteelSeries Arena 3 ($129) whose bass is severely lacking. If you like the Pebble X Plus’ design but don’t care for the subwoofer, you can get the cheaper Creative Pebble X for $99, but I highly recommend spending the extra money as without the sub, the bass is, in a word, non-existent.

But truth to be told, I’m not entirely convinced by the Pebble X Plus because of their unpolished sound quality, which I’ll get into in a minute.

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Design & controls

• Orb-shaped design
• Customizable RGB lighting
• Straightforward, tactile controls

The Creative Pebble X Plus look nearly identical to their cheaper stablemates, the Creative Pebble Pro ($69). They sport an orb-shaped design and are available in one color only: black with rose gold accents. They look great and fit right into my existing setup as they don’t draw a lot of attention to themselves. RGB strips light up the speakers’ exterior, lending the speakers a funky, gamer-esque touch.

If you’re short on space, I’d highly recommend the Pebble X Plus. Each speaker measures 5.49 x 5.71 x 5.35 inches, so while they’re slightly bigger than the Pebble Pro, they still don’t take up a lot of space on your table. Even the subwoofer is compact, measuring 6.16 x 6.14 x 6.24 inches and weighing 3.74lbs. While the speakers on their own look plasticky, the subwoofer makes the system look premium, thanks to its inconspicuous all-black design.

Controlling the Pebble X Plus is extremely easy too, as the physical buttons and volume dial are well-placed and signposted. They give good tactile feedback when pressed or turned, and I found them responsive in my testing. The RGB lighting can be customized either via the app (more on that soon) or via holding the RGB button and turning the volume dial.

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Connectivity

• Plug-and-play interface
• Bluetooth 5.3 wireless and USB-C/3.5mm wired
• Two ports for headphones and mic

Connectivity options and modes on the Creative Pebble X Plus are plenty, and similar to the cheaper Creative Pebble Pro and the pricier Creative Pebble Nova ($265). Setting the Pebble X Plus is easy as all you need to do is plug the speakers either into your laptop, or directly into the wall to power them. There’s a single connection port on the subwoofer, so plug that in too, and you’re good to go.

Once that’s done, you can choose to listen to music via USB-C or 3.5mm wired connection, or over Bluetooth 5.3. The speakers are compatible with macOS and PC, as well as Android and iOS smartphones. Pairing is straightforward, too, via the Bluetooth button on the speaker, and you can swap between wired and wireless playback by pressing the same button.

Similar to the Pebble Pro, the Pebble Nova and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX, the Pebble X Plus house two dedicated ports to connect an external microphone or set of headphones. This means that you can connect external peripherals without having to disconnect other cables, or ducking under your desk and fiddling with wire nests. This is a bonus, and even the pricier SteelSeries Arena 3 don’t have these ports.

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Sound quality

• Bass with subwoofer is powerful
• Lead vocals have lots of room to shine…
• …leaving the treble in the dark

For just over $100, the Creative Pebble X Plus are a great addition to any setup… as long as you don’t mind the treble taking a backseat. These speakers are designed to be used with the subwoofer, and the sub does a fantastic job at delivering powerful bass. The speakers themselves are fitted with two 2.75-inch full-range drivers, while the subwoofer utilizes one 3.5-inch flat-cap with dual passive radiators, to cover a frequency range of 45Hz-20KHz.

While you can use the speakers just fine plugged in directly into your laptop, I’d recommend using the included PD adapter. The adapter delivers up to 30W RMS in total and 60W peak power, so you’re maximizing the speakers’ and sub’s full acoustic capabilities. With the speakers plugged into the wall, I listened to music over a USB-C wired connection, on Qobuz, which is the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

The Pebble X Plus are meant to be used in conjunction with the subwoofer as without the sub, the bass is non-existent — and the sub excels at delivering punchy and meaty bass. I kicked things off by listening to ‘Holy Mountains’ by System of a Down. This is a heavy track that starts with an ambient sub-bass drone, and the subwoofer does a lot of heavy lifting here. Through the Pebble X Plus, this never sounded thin. Throughout the song, the bass sounded crisp and detailed, with a metallic feel to the plucked strings.

Vocals have plenty of room to shine when listening to music through the Pebble X Plus. As the speakers don’t have to reproduce bass, they can spend their energy reproducing crystal clear vocals instead. The vocals in ‘Wolves Without Teeth’ by Of Monsters and Men sounded loud and vibrant, packed with detail. The sibilance (“s” and “t” sounds) sounded energetic and bright, and the Pebble X Plus do a respectable job of balancing the higher vocals with the lower-pitched ones, ensuring that you hear two distinct lead voices at all times.

Backing vocals, however, struggle, especially in tracks like ‘Labour’ by Paris Paloma. While Paris’ lead vocals sound detailed, it feels like the backing vocalists in the bridge and the final chorus feel pushed back, and you can barely hear them. The track, therefore, loses its power. Towards the end of the track, it feels like all the instruments and multiple voices are fighting for space.

But while lead vocals are placed front and center, everything else gets lost — mainly the treble. This is surprising (and disappointing) because all the speakers need to focus on are the melody, harmony, timbre, treble, and so on, as the subwoofer is taking care of the bass. This became very clear while listening to ‘Comfortably Numb’ by Pink Floyd. It’s a track I find impossible to fault, and yet, here I am complaining about how it sounds through the Pebble X Plus. Due to the lack of tweeters, the track lacked its usual ultra-fine resolution, and I missed being able to hear the micro-details, such as the quiet echoes.

Overall, the Pebble X Plus are awesome for bass-heavy tracks, but listeners and audiophiles who appreciate micro details in song will be left wanting more. If I’m honest, the cheaper Creative Pebble Pro do a better job of delivering well-balanced sound across genres.

Listen along to my review with the Creative Pebble X Plus testing playlist:

Creative Pebble X Plus review: App

• Free Creative app
• But it doesn’t do much
• All you can do is adjust the lighting

The Creative Pebble X Plus suffer from the same issue I had with the Creative Pebble Pro: their app is awful. These speakers are supported by the Creative app, available for free on Windows, iOS and Android devices. The Creative app enables you to customize the RGB effects and colors… and that’s about it. You get no control over the EQ or any audio adjustment, which is disappointing. I’m not sure why Creative has chosen to reserve extensive audio adjustment for its most expensive model, the Creative Pebble Nova.

If you want the ability to customize the equalizer, I’d recommend the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX or the SteelSeries Arena 3 — but keep in mind that the latter’s bass is nothing to write home about, even with the bass bumped up.

Creative Pebble X Plus review: Verdict

For casual listeners, the Creative Pebble X Plus are decent-enough speakers for the money. They come with a compact subwoofer which delivers punchy lows and bass that far outperform standard computer speakers. Combine that with the crisp, vibrant lead vocals and customizable lighting, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic space-saving 2.1 channel sound system.

While the Creative Pebble X Plus are a pleasing choice for listeners who prioritize bass, audiophiles will be left wanting more. This is because the audio profile is far from balanced, as micro details get lost and the treble feels muted, and complex harmonies struggle. There’s no EQ customization through the lackluster companion app either, so serious listeners seeking a nuanced soundstage should consider other options, like the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX.

If you aren’t fussed about the finer details and prefer bass-heavy tracks anyway, the Pebble X Plus should be more than enough for you.

Remember when you were little and you had those little round computer speakers with a Creative logo on the front — that didn’t sound particularly great? Turns out that Creative’s longstanding Pebble speakers are actually sonically powerful now, as proven by the Creative Pebble Nova that I’ve been testing for a week — and they look better than they ever have.

The Pebble Nova look like two droids from Star Wars, thanks to their sci-fi design and integrated RGB lighting. Aside from looking fantastic, they sound incredible too. The bass is warm while the treble is crisp and vibrant, and the sound is consistent and well-balanced across a range of genres. If you want to tweak the sound profile, there are two companion apps available too.

But are they perfect? Not entirely, as the frustrating setup and the lack of a subwoofer out port may be frustrating for some. To find out if these are the best computer speakers for you, read my full Creative Pebble Nova review.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Specs

Creative Pebble Nova review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A pair of computer speakers sporting a sci-fi design
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants Star Wars-esque aesthetics and refined sound quality
• How much does it cost? $265 / £239
• What do we like? The design, powerful bass, crisp treble, and two companion apps for audio enhancement
• What don’t we like? The frustrating setup and lack of a subwoofer out port

Creative Pebble Nova review: Price & availability

Creative’s lineup of computer speakers is quite extensive, catering to all budgets. You’ve got cheap speakers, like the Creative Pebble SE ($27), and mid-range ones, such as the Creative Pebble Pro ($69). The brand’s most expensive speakers are the Creative Pebble Pro, retailing for $265 at B&H Photo / £239 at Amazon U.K.

The Pebble Nova are priced similarly to the Audioengine A2+ ($269) but the former are certainly more compact, and aren’t designed like traditional, boxy computer speakers. The only difference is that the A2+ can be connected to an external subwoofer, while the Pebble Nova can’t. While I found the Pebble Nova’s bass plentiful and powerful, you can get the Creative Pebble X Plus ($119) which come with a compact subwoofer — but then you’d be missing out on the Pebble Nova’s uber cool sci-fi design.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Design & controls

• The stands and the speakers are very well-built
• They look like they’re out of Star Wars
• Straightforward touch controls

The Creative Pebble Nova wouldn’t look out of place on the set of Star Wars, thanks to their sci-fi design. Creative has gone all-in on that intergalactic look and feel, even with its marketing material, where the speakers stand against a starry background on the official product page. The Pebble Nova also “emerges from the stars to redefine your auditory experience.” Make of that what you will.

This is all to say that the Pebble Nova don’t look like your traditional speakers — or even other speakers from Creative itself. These round speakers sport mesh grills on the front, with bronze accents complementing either white or black. The speakers are certainly more compact than the likes of the Audioengine A2+ or the Edifier G2000 Pro ($199), with each speaker sitting atop metal stands and measuring 6.02 x 5.93 x 5.87 inches.

But because of the metal stands, these speakers are heavy, weighing 8.32lbs together. With the metal stands attached, they aren’t exactly portable, but they can be used without the stands too, similar to the Creative Pebble Pro. The heavyweight does mean, though, that the Pebble Nova won’t get unintentionally knocked about or fall over — and it gives a sci-fi touch to your space. Similar to the Pebble Pro, customizable RGB lighting emanates from two rings at the bottom of the speakers, adding to the Pebble Nova’s gamer-y aesthetic.

Unlike the Audioengine A2+ and the Edifier G2000 Pro, the Pebble Nova don’t feature any physical buttons or dials. Everything is controlled via the touch controls located atop the right speaker. These enable you to adjust the volume, swap between Bluetooth and wired playback, and change the RGB effect. I found them responsive in my testing, with my touch commands being registered instantaneously.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Connectivity

• Setup is a little finicky
• Bluetooth 5.3 wireless and USB-C wired playback
• 3.5mm aux is available too

One thing I really appreciated about the Creative Pebble Pro when I was testing them was just how straightforward and quick the setup was. I wish I could say the same for the Creative Pebble Nova. You see, to attach the stands’ stems to their respective bases, you need a screwdriver — and a screwdriver isn’t included in the box, so you must find one of your own. I feel like this could have easily been avoided by opting for a design that required an allen wrench instead.

Once you’ve assembled the stands, you need to align the holes on the base of each speaker with the protruding bits on the stands. Then, push the stands into the holes. Sounds simple enough, but thanks to a tight fit, it took me a couple of tries to manage. I can see why Creative has opted for such a system, as the speakers don’t fall off the stands, but it’s still a little frustrating and complicated.

But once you’ve got them all set up, you’ll notice that there are a few ways to connect the Pebble Nova to your smartphone or laptop. The Creative Nova are compatible with macOS and Windows, so you can plug them into your machine’s USB-C port (or 3.5mm port) and start listening to music. A 65W power adapter is also included in the box so the speakers can be plugged into a wall socket to free up the USB-C port on your laptop.

If you want to play audio wirelessly from your computer or smartphone, you get Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC codec. SBC is the most basic codec, and they don’t support AAC or aptX Adaptive/Lossless, which the Audioengine A2+ do. This isn’t that disappointing, though, as the Pebble Nova are designed to be used while plugged into your computer. They’re desktop speakers after all.

Similar to the Pebble Pro, the Pebble Nova also feature two dedicated ports for plugging in headphones or an external microphone. The headphones port is useful for those who want to avoid ducking under their desk or unplugging other cables, while the mic port is great for Twitch or YouTube streamers. Neither the Edifier G2000 Pro nor the Audioenginer A2+ feature such ports.

It’s important to note, though, that the Pebble Nova don’t feature a subwoofer out port, so you can’t connect an external sub to the speakers to amplify the bass. This is surprising as even the cheaper Creative Pebble X Plus feature a sub out port… and they come with a compact subwoofer too! I’d recommend either those or the Audioengine A2+ if having an external sub is important to you — but even without it, the Pebble Nova pack respectably punchy bass.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Sound quality

• Bountiful bass
• Refined mids and highs
• Fantastic for spoken word too

Similar to the Creative Pebble Pro, the Creative Pebble Nova are angled at 45° to ensure audio travels in the direction of your ears when you’re sitting at your desk. Attaching them to their stands gives them some height and helps the speakers create room-filling sound, and I found listening in this way quite immersive.

The Pebble Nova are well-endowed too, featuring two 3-inch drivers and two 1-inch tweeters with passive radiators, which deliver “pure, unadulterated audio,” according to Creative. And to their credit, the Pebble Nova indeed make music sound beautiful, with bountiful bass and refined mids and highs. To test the speakers, I listened to my favorite testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio, over a wired connection.

I’ve been listening to Of Monsters and Men’s discography on repeat as I’m seeing them live soon, so naturally, I listened to ‘Television Love’ through the Pebble Nova. This track proved to be a great test for the speakers’ soundstage, as it features multiple layers. The palm-muted guitar plucks at the beginning didn’t feel boxy or thin, and the speakers provided plenty of instrumental separation. In the chorus, Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir’s high vocals and Ragnar Þórhallsson’s lower ones didn’t sound muddled and they sounded harmonious, with the latter’s voice featuring a unique grain against the former’s soprano soaring over the top.

I then tried ‘Rock and Roll Thugs’ by Icon For Hire, an aggressive and densely packed track, and the Pebble Nova managed to keep their pace with it. It proved to be a great test for the speakers’ treble, and they did a fantastic job at ensuring Ariel Bloomer’s ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds didn’t sound too sharp or shrill, and they felt energetic instead, just as the band intended. The bass sounded warm too, with plenty of low-end impact and without sounding wobbly or booming.

Alt-J’s ‘Every Other Freckle’ didn’t sound unbearably scratchy through the Pebble Nova either — and this is a naturally scratchy track which a lot of speakers and headphones can easily mess up. Through the Pebble Nova, the instruments never overpowered the vocals, and the transitions between Joe Newman’s hum-like “ooohs” and high-pitched “aaaahs” felt very clean.

Lastly, I played ‘Welcome to the Internet’ by Bo Burnham to see how the speakers handled a track that’s mostly spoken word with a touch of tonal neutrality. Bo’s vocals were crystal clear with each word pronounced and heard clearly, with some oomph to them to deliver a hard-hitting message. The backing keyboard didn’t sound dull or recessed either, providing a great backbone to the track. His laugh towards the end of the track sounded startlingly real too, traveling from one channel to the other to create an immersive listening experience.

Listen along to my review with the Creative Pebble Nova testing playlist:

Creative Pebble Nova review: App

• Finally, a proper companion app
• Two companion apps, actually
• Available on Windows and iOS

One of my biggest issues with the Creative Pebble Pro, when I reviewed them, was that they were compatible with the Creative app but the app didn’t give you much control over the speakers’ settings. The Creative Pebble Nova are also compatible with the same app, and thankfully, the app gives you plenty of control and customization options on these speakers. It can be downloaded for free on Windows, iOS and Android.

The smartphone app gives you access to many, many EQ presets, such as bass boost, acoustic, classical, R&B, and so on. You can tweak the equalizer band as well. You can adjust the RGB lighting too, as there are plenty of patterns and colors to choose from. The speakers’ firmware can be updated via the Creative app too.

There’s a second companion app too, known as Acoustic Engine, which can be accessed from within the Creative app on Windows (no app on macOS, sadly). This sub-app gives you some more control over the Pebble Nova by allowing you to enable the virtual surround sound, which boosts the volume for left- and right-panned sound effects. There’s also a Dialog+ tool which enhances voice clarity — great for spoken word, podcasts and movies. I like the Smart Volume feature too, which lowers the volume of sudden loud noises in its Night mode, so you won’t get startled by high-pitched jump scares, for instance.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Verdict

If you want to give your deskspace a sci-fi touch, the Creative Pebble Nova should be right up your street. These speakers wouldn’t look out of place on the set of The Mandalorian, and the RGB lighting rings light up your desk quite nicely. With plenty of wired and wireless connectivity options at play, the Pebble Nova are versatile too.

The Pebble Nova excel at reproducing warm, meaty bass with plenty of low-end impact as well as crisp and bright treble that doesn’t feel overzealous. I love how balanced and consistent the sound quality is across genres, and there’s virtually nothing to fault the Pebble Nova on in that area.

As long as you don’t mind the lack of a subwoofer out port and the frustrating setup, the Pebble Nova are the only computer speakers you need to elevate your space’s sound system.

The best soundbars are, at their core, a compromise. You want better sound than your TV speakers, but you don't want to take up the same space as traditional HiFi or home theater speakers.

Of course, the higher up the soundbar ladder you get, the closer you get to the sound quality that traditional home theater speakers provide. You'll never quite get there from a soundbar alone — I've haven't yet tested a soundbar that's entirely sonically flawless, thanks to how much manufacturers have to pack into relatively small boxes — but each year we're getting closer and closer.

Case in point — Samsung's Q990F. It's a big soundbar that sounds huge and offers a fairly hefty bang-to-buck ratio. Look a little closer, however, and the compromises start to show. It turns out, we're still not there yet.

Samsung Q990F: The Good

If you like movies, you're in for a treat. The Q990F, for most people, sounds massive. The subwoofer adds that helpful hit of low end for explosions and car chases, and movie soundtracks sound great.

The Dolby Atmos (and other spatial formats) are well judged, sending elements to pretty much where you want them — at least, as well as a bar relying on room acoustics can.

The physical surround speakers add that extra dimension (mostly), and make sure that movies feel immersive and involving. It's not quite up there with the likes of the Sonos Arc Ultra and the Sonos Era 300, but it's still decent.

"Star Wars Episode III's" opening scene was suitably monstrous, as the space battle raged around me. Movie sound-wise, we're pretty much there.

The smart features are genuinely useful as well: You can stream music to the soundbar using your music service of choice, and manipulate settings using the Samsung Smart Things app. Given how dreadful these things are usually are, it's nice that Samsung's Bar just kind of... works.

I won't get too into the weeds, but the Q990F is a good soundbar. But when the competition at this same price from Sonos and Sennheiser are excellent, good just doesn't quite cut it.

Samsung Q990F: The Bad

The main issue with the sound is the dialogue. Contrary to popular belief, the most important part of your movie sound is not the music or even the ability to shake a room with explosions. Those are literal set dressing. The meat and potatoes of most movie watching is speech. Spoken word dialogue. You know, so that you can hear what your characters are talking about.

The Q990F handles dialogue like an annoying extra. "Fine, you want to hear the story. Here are some words. Happy?" No, Q990F, I'm not happy. Because while everything going on around the dialogue sounds great, the speech sounds like it's coming out of something that costs a quarter of the price.

Characters come across as muffled for the most part, and sometimes completely inaudible. This could be fixed with a competent dialogue booster mode as you'd find in the Sonos Arc Ultra, but alas, no luck. The built-in sound modes just aren't good.

Samsung Q990F: The Ugly

I'm not expecting the satellites that come in the box with the Q990F to sound like the Sonos Era 300s I've got for rear sound with my Arc Ultra. That would be unfair. I would, however, like them to sound good — and, despite the packages relatively high asking price, they just don't.

For most surround sound, they're fine. They don't do very much. But when more work is asked of them, they just kind of falter and fall down. Intense action scenes make them sound cheap and cheerful, and god forbid you want to listen to any spatially mixed music.

It sounds awful. And soundbars usually don't sound great for music, but the Q990F sounds particularly bad. I searched everywhere for a setting that made music sound good, and I just couldn't find one. It wasn't there. Part of that is down to the closeness of the drivers in the bar, but the cheap-sounding surrounds certainly weren't helping the situation.

Should you buy one?

If you want everything all in one box, then the Q990F is a good option. The surround sound is mostly impressive, and most of your visitors aren't going to notice that the satellites are sub-par. If you've only listened to music on a cheap Bluetooth speaker and AirPods until now, then the music performance is going to be very impressive.

But if you expect something that feels like $1,700 worth of sound, then you'll want to look elsewhere. Spend the same on some stereo speakers and a decent amplifier, with space to upgrade with other speakers later if you've got the space. Or, buy the Arc Ultra and a Sub 4, and then buy a pair of Era 300s later.

Like I said. The Q990F is a good soundbar. But for $1,700, you want something excellent — and the Q990F is not that.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested ANC on 3 flagship earbuds from Apple and Sony on my daily commute — and there's a clear winner
• Samsung Galaxy Unpacked February 2026: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Ultra and everything else to expect
• I ditched ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude for NotebookLM — and didn't expect these results

Desk speakers can get really boring. Sure, you've got those funky little spherical ones that used to sit by your Dad's PC in the 90s, and there are approximately 1 million different monitor options if you want to mix audio for a living. If, however, you want to listen to the best-sounding music possible while working (and annoying your housemates), there are fewer options.

Well, good options at least. There are Kanto's speakers, of course, as well as the new Creative Pebbles. But I'm generally left wanting — I want something from a brand that really cares about music, and how it sounds on my desktop. Something holographic that knows how to get the most out of a stereo mix.

Enter the Cambridge Audio (sorry Cambridge, I know you've had a rebrand) and the L/R s. They're not the company's first foray into speakers, but they are the first time the brand has distilled its amplifier prowess into something that goes on my desk and makes noises. And good lord — those noises are glorious.

A visual statement of intent

That tweeter, though...

For the most part, the L/R s follow the same design language as most of the best desk speakers. They're a wooden cabinet filled with an amplifier that powers a pair of drivers in the front. The excellent Kanto Ora4 follow the same design trend, and all of the many Edifier speakers we've tested are similar.

But there are some lovely subtleties to the L/R s that set them apart from the competition. The very solid enclosure that all the tech lives in is wonderfully premium looking and feeling, making them a step above the plastic-covered Ora4.

The horn for the tweeter looks magnificent and highlights the orange tweeter dome in the middle. Pair it with the large driver that sits at the bottom of the speaker, and you've a pair of boxes for your desk that are super subtle and minimally attractive. Paired back branding finalises the package — these speakers look more expensive than they are (or will be — you can't buy them yet).

All of the inputs

Look, they don't have Wi-Fi or HDMI — but that's about it. The L/R s have just about every other kind of input that you could possibly want. There are RCA connectors for legacy gear, an optical port for older digital equipment, and a USB-C port for newer ones. There aren't many physical connections I could think of left wanting.

Wireless connection is handled with Bluetooth, with support for aptX HD for better audio. There are only two more connectors on the back of the powered speaker: the connection linking the left and right channels, and a sub-out for larger rooms that might need extra low-end.

Those toggle switches you'll spot next to the connections are some of my favorite parts of the speaker. There's a switch to decide which side the powered speaker is, giving you loads more placement flexibility. Then there are two more switches — one that tells the speaker it's sitting on a desk, and the other that tells the speaker how close it is to a wall.

Both change the sound to suit your setup, and they're a quick and simple way to ensure they sound their best. The alternative would be an application and a customization engine, but I prefer this "click the switch" and leave it approach. Is it as in-depth? No, but I'm not sure it needs to be.

Huge sound, small speakers

For desk speakers, the L/R s are quite large. They're not going to do you any good if you've got a narrow desk — they'll take up most of it. If you're wielding a larger, wider desk, however, they're perfect. Stick one in either corner, angle them towards you, and enjoy some truly epic, holographic sound.

What do I mean by holographic? Well, I'm glad you asked, dear reader. It makes the music sound three-dimensional, rather than rooted to the left and the right. That means voices cemented in the centre, more depth to guitars and the rest of the band. Your music is more present in the space, more tangible. Imagine spatial audio, but more natural and engaging. The L/R s excel with a magically holographic soundstage.

Worm's Necropalace takes me on a blackened vampiric black metal throwback, the vocals centered perfectly while the guitars dance around me. I can see each member of the band as they play, the drummer furiously beating his kit as Phil Tougas rips one of his legendary solos. I could wax lyrical about the frequency response, but the L/R s have that boringly nailed down. It's how BIG everything sounds that really wows here.

Floyd's Comfortably Numb extends the soundstage further, making for one of the most involving sonic experiences you'll have sitting at your desk. The Kanto Ora4 sound great — they're flat, and fairly undynamic so that mixers have a clear picture for their work. The L/R s are all about distracting you from your work with some truly incredible sound. There's too much sonic coloring for mixers, but if you want to really get into the music you listen to, they're looking like the best desktop option you have.

Cambridge's future is looking bright

The L/R s are a taster of what the London-based HiFi brand has in store for us in 2026. They're not available to buy Stateside yet, but they land here for around $549, they might just be some of the best speakers for your desk that you can buy, and well woth the slight expense over the likes of the Kanto and Edifier options.

And there's the larger L/R family. The L/R M bring WiFi streaming and HDMI to the table, along with a $1,599 price tag. I've also been lucky enough to try out the $2,299 L/R X (the largest) at a launch event. Neither are desk speakers, but if the L/R s are anything to go by, we're in for a proper sonic treat. I can't want — and I'm loath to send these guys back to Cambridge once I've written their full review. My desk needs some L/R s.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Do you need to upgrade?
• Apple event announced in New York for March 4 — iPhone 17e, first cheap MacBook and more
• 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' just followed up its best episode with a battle of the century

The Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII is a visually stunning speaker. It’s perfect for anyone looking to upgrade the aesthetics of their home interior with a good-looking sound system. Wi-Fi audio streaming and stereo capabilities also make this speaker a great choice for multi-room audio in a home audio setup.

The controls are easy to use, offering everything you could need at the touch of a button, but be mindful that this speaker needs to be plugged in to have power, so it can’t be moved around with you.

EQ control is limited, while sound quality also suffers at higher volumes. So could this be the best Bluetooth speaker to upgrade your home listening? Keep reading this full Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review to find out.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Specs

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Price & availability

The Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII is available at Amazon U.S. for $219, and at Amazon U.K. for £260. The speaker comes in a variety of colors, including White, Black and Grey. I tested the white colorway, and it fit in perfectly with my at-home audio setup.

This price point puts the speaker in the middle of the road for plug-in home speakers. The C5 MKII even comes with Wi-Fi streaming options, which gives it a leg up over the Klipsch The One Plus that costs $274. But if you’re not looking for a plug-in speaker but still want something to fill your home with sound and look good while doing it, the Bose SoundLink Home ($219) offers deep bass performance.

If you want stereo sound, though, remember you’ll need to buy two C5 MKIIs (I was sent two to test the stereo linking). For stereo sound out of the box, bookshelf speakers like the Edifier M60 have the same retro look and offer stereo audio for $199. Or for a more compact offering, you could take a look at the Kanto Ora4 speakers ($399), which deliver studio sound for a more professional setup but don’t offer multi-room connectivity or Wi-Fi streaming.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Design & controls

• Good-looking
• Angled for better sound
• Easy to use controls

You shouldn’t trust anyone who tells you the C5 MK II is ugly. They’re lying. How do I know this? Because retro is in, baby, and anyone who knows anything about the zeitgeist will tell you the same. The Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII’s retro look and exposed central driver are incredibly sleek. I’ve got the White version here, which looks totally polished.

The handle on top might suggest this is a “luggable” speaker, but the power port in the back and the need for it to be permanently plugged in would wake you from your hopeful stupor. So once you find its home, it won’t be moving; not that you’d want to, given that it looks so good.

The Addon C5 MKII measures 9.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches and is just a bit smaller than the Klipsch The One Plus speaker, which measures 12.5 x 6.1 x 6.0 inches. I set it up on my cabinet next to my turn table, and it fit in perfectly. It only weighs 5.5 pounds and is very light to lift if needed, but since it’s a wired speaker, you won’t be doing much walking around with it.

For a larger speaker on the portable side, you should look to the Tribit Stormbox Lava ($129), which weighs about the same as the C5 MKII at 5.1 pounds. But since it has 24 hours of battery life, it’s a viable option for camping trips and picnics.

The speaker has two larger feet at the front to angle it upward. This is to create the optimal conditions for playback. Having the tweeters pointed upwards can reduce muffled audio and reduce any sound reflections that may be caused by whatever surface you have the speaker on. When I angled the speaker to be more level with the table it was on, the sound became more muffled, so the feet are a great addition here.

The controls (which I’ll talk about below) sit on the top of the speaker at the front and have a brushed silver finish. There are lights here to let you know what input mode the speaker is using. This is easy to switch between using the buttons on top.

The controls of the Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII are very easy to use. The buttons sit at the top of the speaker, and there are 13 in total, which may appear daunting at first glance, but they’re actually very straightforward to use.

The controls for power, connectivity, and playback can be found on the left-hand side. There’s a larger button in the middle for controlling volume, which offers alterations in small increments to get the perfect level for your listening.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Connectivity

• Wi-Fi streaming
• Bluetooth streaming
• Built-in charger

The C5 MKII can be used in a multi-room speaker setup or in stereo using the app, which I will go into later. The speaker has both Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, making it compatible with AirPlay2 and Google Cast. Wi-Fi- streaming can also provide superior sound when compared with Bluetooth, as there is less compression, and I noticed that the connection to my device was stronger when streaming. The Wi-Fi connection took a lot of trial and error to get going, but it eventually worked. The Bluetooth was a lot more straightforward to connect to, just like any other Bluetooth speaker.

The speaker can also be used with Bluetooth for quick and easy streaming. You also have the option to use RCA cables if you want to use the speaker as an output for a turntable. There’s also a USB output at the back of the speaker for charging devices. I simply plugged in my phone charger, and it juiced up my phone.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: App

• Not enough EQ customization
• Can configure controls in-app
• Multi-room connectivity

The speaker has six preset buttons that are configurable via the app. In conjunction with the app, you can set commands for the numbered presets on top of the speaker. This gives you instant access to radio stations and playlists from compatible streaming services. The speakers can be used with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect.

In the Audio Pro app, I was able to assign one speaker as the left and one speaker as the right. This made my music sound great. The app also allows for customization of EQ settings, although this is limited to bass and treble alterations only.

I also tried out the multi-room function, which was easy to control when using Wi-Fi streaming. The sound was pretty good as I walked through the house, and I could even control the volume of each individual speaker from the app, depending on where I was.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Sound quality

• Wi-Fi streaming sounds better
• Stereo set-up
• Struggles at louder volumes

I streamed my music over Wi-Fi via Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, to get the best possible sound. The Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII has great sound quality, but there are a few little quirks that stop me from being a real lover.

That said, the speaker isn’t inherently bad; it just depends on what you like listening to. I have a pretty eclectic taste, so I was challenging the speaker with everything from metal to country to drum and bass — maybe I just gave it whiplash.

First up, I listened to Half Mast by Empire Of The Sun. This track admittedly has a lot going on, from driving drum beats to higher-pitched synth; there’s a lot to take in. At loud volumes, I immediately noticed that the track sounded plasticky and a little warped — it sounded like a basketball was bouncing on the kick drum hits and the bass points. Despite this, the vocals remained strong and prominent while the percussion also shone. Some of the higher synths were completely lost unless the treble was turned all the way up, which is a symptom of a low-quality tweeter.

Next, I played You Get What You Give by the New Radicals, which is driven by a drum beat and a roaring electric guitar. The falsetto vocals remained strong throughout the song, much like the higher piano on the track, but as I turned the volume up a little, only to around 50%, I started to run into some issues. The drums became muddy, and there was a lot of confusion happening between the frequencies. There was also some very slight static creeping in.

Finally, I listened to Potion by Djo, which is my favorite song at the moment, so I’ve had it on repeat. And boy was I happy that this speaker could cope with the melodic acoustic guitar and gentle vocals. This made it totally clear that this track thrives in conditions with softer music, so maybe stay away from the hard stuff with it. That said, it sounded better with the bass lowered (which is something I never think) and the treble brought a little higher. The speaker certainly suits more purposeful sounds like acoustic fingerpicking without too much going on in the background.

While I didn’t always love the sound when using one speaker, when using two of the speakers in stereo, it’s hard to complain too much. The sound is a lot fuller, and since elements of the song are spaced out between the two speakers, it sounds less muddled. Multi-room also sounds great and means I can fill my house with music.

Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII review: Verdict

The Audio Pro Addon C5 MKII is a stylish speaker that’s perfect for anyone looking to step into the world of plug-in home speakers. It’s totally versatile, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and plug-in streaming options, and even has multi-room capabilities. Stereo set-up is also a win here, as being able to split two speakers between right and left made the music sound so much better.

There are some letdowns, though, including the sound quality suffering at higher volumes, and very limited EQ customization options. But the speaker performs well with softer acoustic music. It really depends on what type of music you listen to. If you’re into metal and rock, this might be one to avoid, but acoustic pop and indie will complement the speaker well.

All in all, it’s a decent speaker, and when paired with another, they can create pretty decent sound.

Computer speakers rarely come cheap. Well, good ones, at least. I've been using computer speaks since I was a child. I still remember the off-white speakers that set either side of my parents' computer when I was 10 years old, and I remember them not sounding particularly great — but back then, when I didn't know any better, I made my peace with it.

Since then, technology has come a long way, and I've tested my fair share of computer speakers — from cheap ones like the SteelSeries Arena 3, to premium ones like the Edifier QR65. Outside of the realm of computer speakers, I've reviewed cheap Bluetooth speakers, some as cheap as the Tribit StormBox Mini+. Never did I imagine I would test a pair of super cheap desktop speakers that actually behave like $200 ones... and then I unboxed the Creative Pebble Pro.

The Pebble Pro are part of Creative's extensive lineup of computer speakers — and there are plenty to choose from, from very cheap sub-$20 ones to ones that cost nearly $200. The Pebble Pro sit somewhere in the middle. I was a little skeptical at first, given the sub-$70 price, but I was quickly proven wrong when I unboxed the speakers. If you're wondering whether or not it's worth buying these speakers, I'm here to help make that decision easier.

Surprisingly meaty and desk-rattling bass

Let's talk about the most important thing that won me over while testing the Creative Pebble Pro: the sound quality. I'm very picky when it comes to how my favorite artists sound through audio gear I'm testing. There's no point in buying a pair of computer speakers if they're going to make me dislike Pink Floyd and Linkin Park. Thankfully, the Pebble Pro make music sound beautiful — for the size and the price, at least.

When plugged into a wall socket, the Pebble Pro deliver an output of 60W, delivering the speakers' full acoustic capabilities. They're powered by two 2.25-inch full-range drivers with passive radiators which work in tandem with Creative's BassFlex and Clear Dialog technologies to deliver meaty bass, crisp treble, and bright vocal clarity.

In ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ by JJerome87 (Alt-J’s frontman’s solo project), Joe Newman's elastic and nasal vocals sounded clear and characterful. The upper-mid frequencies never once sounded shrill, even in ‘Just Two Girls’ by Wolf Alice. Meanwhile, the treble and percussion in ‘So Young’ by Portugal The Man sounded like it had a metallic sizzle, just as the artist intended.

The Pebble Pro's ability to reproduce powerful bass is what left me astounded though. I listened to the entirety of Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory, and not once did I feel like the bass-heavy album overwhelmed the speakers. The driving basslines always worked in conjunction and harmony with the snappy kickdrums and record scratches to deliver a well-rounded and refined listening experience.

Distortion at high volumes wasn't a problem either, and I was very surprised by this. The audio became fuzzy only when the volume was pushed past the 80% mark — it's unlikely you'll be listening at that high a volume when you're sitting at your desk.

And they're good-looking too

In addition to sounding downright fantastic for their price, the Creative Pebble Pro are a pair of good-looking speakers. If you don't want a pair of very flashy speakers (like the Edifier G2000 Pro) but you don't want really bland-looking ones (like the SteelSeries Arena 3) either, the Pebble Pro are a happy middle. The Goldilocks of computer speakers.

The Pebble Pro strike a great balance between minimalism and style with their orb-shaped design. They're available in black, white, and green. I tested the black model with gold accents — and it looks sublime. Regardless of the model you get, each speaker is fitted with RGB rings at the bottom, and the speakers light up the surface they're sitting on. Via the button and dial on the left speaker, you can adjust the effect and brightness of the lighting too.

Adding to the Pebble Pro's minimalism is a set of equally minimalist (and straightforward) controls. Each button and dial gives good tactile feedback when pressed or turned. Also, thanks to the simple plug-and-play interface, it really couldn't be easier to use the Pebble Pro.

What are the trade-offs?

Of course, all of this isn't to say that the Creative Pebble Pro are perfect. These speakers cost $69 / £55 at Amazon, which means that some compromises have naturally been made.

The Pebble Pro do have a companion app... but it doesn't do anything. Well, it enables you to update the speakers' firmware, and test the left and right channel. But that's about it. You can't adjust the EQ, and you can't customize the RGB lighting any further than via the basic onboard controls. Zilch.

The Pebble Pro sound really good straight out of the box, so you don't necessarily need custom EQ, but it would have still been nice to have for those of us who want to tailor the sound to our liking. At the end of the day, though, the Pebble Pro cost less than two tickets to the movies. Given that, I'm finding it really hard to fault these speakers.

More from Tom's Guide

• These tiny computer speakers are perfect for those short on space, and they cost less than $70
• Best computer speakers: Top desktop models tested and rated
• ‘I didn’t think a traditionally budget brand could make such good premium speakers’ — here’s why the Edifier QR65 are never leaving my desk

When I was younger and I used my family’s shared computer, I remember having orb-shaped speakers that didn’t sound particularly great, but it’s all I knew, so they were awesome to my ears as a 10-year-old. The Creative Pebble Pro are reminiscent of that era, with modern touches like RGB lighting, and they sound much better than the computer speakers I had as a child.

The Pebble Pro are the cheapest, good-sounding speakers you can buy. Not only do they look cute and premium, but they also pack powerful bass and bright treble in a compact package. They’re perfect if desk space is at a premium, and feature plenty of connectivity options, including USB-C wired playback.

If you don’t mind the lack of customizable EQ, these could be the best computer speakers for you. Read my full Creative Pebble Pro to find out more.

Creative Pebble Pro review: Specs

Creative Pebble Pro review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A pair of computer speakers for those on a budget
• Who is it for? Anyone who needs tiny speakers that don’t take up much space
• How much does it cost? Only $69 / £55!
• What do we like? The small size, powerful bass, lovely RGB lighting, and array of connectivity options
• What don’t we like? The lack of a proper companion app and EQ customization

Creative Pebble Pro review: Price & availability

The Creative Pebble Pro are a pair of computer speakers, one of many in Creative’s extensive lineup, which includes super cheap ones, like the Creative Pebble SE ($27), and expensive ones, like the Creative Pebble Nova ($279). The Pebble Pro are mid-range speakers, retailing for just $69 / £55 at Amazon.

Yes, they’re very cheap. In fact, the Pebble Pro are the most inexpensive computer speakers I’ve tested yet. There aren’t many tiny speakers that cost so little. The closest competition I can think of are the Edifier G2000 Pro ($149), sci-fi looking space-saving speakers with RGB lighting, but they still cost double the Pebble Pro. There’s also the egg-shaped SteelSeries Arena 3 ($129), but I’d recommend the Pebble Pro over them as they sound much better and more refined — despite that lower price.

Creative Pebble Pro review: Design & controls

• Orb-shaped design is cute and practical
• RGB lighting lights up your desk
• Straightforward, tactile controls

The Creative Pebble Pro are really lovable speakers, thanks to how cute they look. They sport a minimalist, orb-shaped design, and are available in black, green or white. I tested the black model with gold accents, and I think they look quite premium, and don’t feel out of place on my otherwise dark desk setup.

If you’re short on desk space, the Pebble Pro are perfect for you. Each speaker measures just 4.84 x 4.84 x 4.65 inches. For context, a standard 12oz Coca-Cola can in the U.S. is 4.83 inches tall! The speakers weigh 1.76lbs together, which sounds lightweight and as though they’d be prone to getting knocked about. Located on each speaker’s bottom are rubber feet which keep the Pebble Pro from sliding here and there.

In comparison to the Edifier G2000 Pro (3.52lbs) and the SteelSeries Arena 3 (4.72lbs), the Pebble Pro are both lighter and more compact. They also sport customizable RGB lighting, which emanates from two rings at the bottom of the speakers to light up your desk. It’s not like the jet engine-esque lighting on the G2000 Pro, but it’s still a nice touch — and it’s more than what you get on the Arena 3 (which is nothing).

Keeping in line with the minimalist design are the Pebble Pro’s straightforward controls. The dial for controlling the volume, and the buttons for swapping between wired and Bluetooth as well as customizing the RGB lighting are located on the left channel. They’re easy to reach and give tactile feedback when pressed. Adjusting the RGB lighting is easy too, as this is done via a combination of pressing the RGB button and turning the volume dial.

Creative Pebble Pro review: Connectivity

• Simple plug-and-play interface
• Bluetooth 5.3 wireless and USB-C wired playback
• Headphones and mic ports too

There are a few different connectivity options available on the Creative Pebble Pro. First things first: setting them up. They feature a simple plug-and-play interface so all you need to do is either plug them into your Windows or macOS machine directly via the USB-C PD port (peak power of 20W), or into a wall socket to power them.

I’d recommend — and Creative does too — doing the latter using a 30W USB adapter to “enjoy astounding acoustics power of up to 30W RMS in total and 60W peak.” This, basically, means that you’ll be maximizing the speakers’ full acoustic capabilities. The former will be very useful if you want to take the speakers on the go. A hotel room, for example. Or an Airbnb.

Once you’ve got everything set up, you can then connect the speakers to your macOS, Windows, Android or iOS device via Bluetooth 5.3. Wired playback is also an option, either via a USB-C cable or 3.5mm aux. You also get two dedicated ports for plugging in headphones or an external microphone.

Having a headphones port means you can quickly swap between room-filling sound and private listening without ducking under your desk or unplugging cables. And being able to plug in an external mic is a boon, too, especially if you stream on, say, Twitch or YouTube, and want your viewers to be able to listen to you loud and clear. Even the pricier SteelSeries Arena 3 and the Edifier G2000 Pro don’t have these.

Creative Pebble Pro review: Sound quality

• Bright and crisp treble
• Powerful bass for the small size
• Clear Dialog audio processing works well for vocals

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting much from the Creative Pebble Pro’s sound quality, given that these speakers are tiny and cost less than $70. But sometimes (not always), I enjoy being proven wrong, and that’s exactly what they did when I plugged them in and listened to my favorite tunes. It would be unfair to expect best-in-class sound from them, and they don’t sound as refined or powerful as premium speakers, like the Edifier QR65 ($499), but they’re still very good.

Firstly, the speakers are angled at 45° so sound travels directly to your ears, giving you a more immersive experience. The Pebble Pro are fitted with two 2.25-inch full-range drivers with passive radiators. While these are the same as the ones on the Creative Pebble V3 ($39), Creative says that they have been redesigned to deliver louder, clearer audio performance with “3.5x richer and deeper bass performance.” That’s great because in our Pebble V3 review, we noted that the bass was lacking, and this isn’t the case with the Pebble Pro.

To test the speakers, I listened to tunes I’m familiar with via a USB-C wired connection, on Qobuz, which is the best music streaming service for hi-res audio. I kicked things off by listening to ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ by JJerome87 (Alt-J’s frontman’s solo project). Joe Newman’s elastic and nasal vocals sounded crisp and clear, with plenty of character to them. His voice is rich in the upper-mid frequencies and through the Pebble Pro, it never sounded shrill, and I could even appreciate those pesky easily missable details, such as the sharp intake of breath before he sings the song’s title.

Moving to ‘Just Two Girls’ by Wolf Alice, this track showcased the Pebble Pro’s wide soundstage. The ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds (the sibilance) in certain lyrics didn’t sound shrill either, and it was very clear, just as the artist intended. Creative says that the speakers utilize Clear Dialog audio processing to ensure the vocals sound natural while being discernible, and ‘Just Two Girls’ shows just that.

The treble and percussion in ‘Just Two Girls’ didn’t bite either, as the acoustic guitar strums and light synth flourishes sounded crisp through the speakers. Similarly, the percussion’s hi-hats in ‘So Young’ by Portugal The Man sounded prominent with a metallic sizzle, and the cymbals shushing against each other between hits felt distinct.

Finally, to test the bass, I listened to ‘Papercut’ by Linkin Park, and the bass packed a punch here. The driving bassline worked in tandem with the snappy kickdrum to deliver a well-rounded listening experience, and it never once felt like the two were out of sync. The bass didn’t feel booming either, which is excellent. It’s also worth noting that I didn’t experience any distortion when listening at high volumes either. Distortion became a problem only past the 80% volume mark, which is commendable.

Listen along to my review with the Creative Pebble Pro testing playlist:

Creative Pebble Pro review: App

• There is a companion app
• But the companion app does very little
• No customizable EQ

One of my biggest gripes with the Creative Pebble Pro is the lack of a proper companion app. You can download the Creative App on a Windows machine, and all it enables you to do is update the speakers’ firmware and test the left and right channels. And that’s about it. I would have really appreciated being able to adjust the equalizer or choose an EQ preset to tailor the sound to my liking.

There’s also the Creative SmartComms Kit which is (kinda) useful if you plug a microphone into the Pebble Pro’s 3.5mm mic port. It then allows you to make some adjustments to the mic, such as automatically muting the mic during a call, or reducing background noise. Again, I would have preferred EQ customization instead — or both! You’ll have to spend a lot more on the likes of the Edifier G2000 Pro or the SteelSeries Arena 3 if you want more customization capabilities.

Creative Pebble Pro review: Verdict

Few computer speakers are as cheap as the Creative Pebble Pro — these cost less than $70, after all! The Pebble Pro are a great money-saving as well as space-saving solution, given that they’re compact and lightweight, so they don’t take up much room. RGB lighting lights up your desk in a gamer-y hue, and the speakers themselves look cute and minimalist.

One of the biggest selling points of the Pebble Pro is the powerful sound quality. Even though the speakers are small, they boast meaty bass, bright vocals and detailed percussion. While you miss out on customizable EQ and a companion app, for the asking price of only $69, it’s hard to fault the Pebble Pro.

I've tested my fair share of speakers here at Tom's Guide, and one feature that always sticks out to me is the battery life. I need to make sure I have enough juice to take the speaker with me on walks, or day trips to the beach.

I also need to know the speaker can withstand everything thrown at it come rain or shine. That's Where the Tribit PocketGo comes in. It's an uber affordable speaker that can take on water, dust, or falls with ease. And right now for Presidents' Day sales, the speaker has dropped to its lowest price. You pick up the Tribit PocketGo at Amazon for just $19.

Music all day long

When I head out on a hike and take a speaker with me, I always worry about running out of battery halfway along the trail. This is extremely annoying as music is a huge source of motivation for me, but the PocketGo has taken away those worries.

With a whopping 20 hours of battery life, the Tribit PocketGo can support my listening all day long, even at higher volumes. I've previously taken it with me on a weekend trip and didn't need to charge it once even though I was listening to music all day every day.

A rugged beauty

It may not be the prettiest speaker, but the PocketGo offers military-grade levels of protection against the elements. With a waterproof and dustproof rating of IP68, the speaker is totally dust-tight, meaning you can take it to the beach and not worry about sand getting in everywhere, and you can even submerge it in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

The PocketGo has even come in the shower with me to totally elevate my karaoke (sorry to my neighbors). But if you love taking a speaker to add a soundtrack to your hikes, and are a butter fingers like myself, you'll appreciate the drop protection.

The PocketGo has a durability rating of MIL-STD-810H, which in layman's terms means that it can survive a four-foot drop. I never need to worry about this speaker, even when it's clipped to the outside of my bag in the rain.

More from Tom's Guide

• Tribit PocketGo review
• 15 years later, 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' has a chaotic twist that makes it one of the very best rom-coms — stream it now on Netflix
• My iPhone now helps me get a good night’s sleep — here’s how this hidden iOS feature can help you too