Michael Gowan
Michael Gowan is a freelance technology journalist covering soundbars, TVs, and wireless speakers of all kinds of shapes and sizes for Tom’s Guide. He has written hundreds of product reviews, focusing on sound quality and value to help shoppers make informed buying decisions. Micheal has written about music and consumer technology for more than 25 years. His work has appeared in publications including CNN, Wired, Men’s Journal, PC World and Macworld. When Michael’s not reviewing speakers, he’s probably listening to one anyway.
Latest articles by Michael Gowan

By Michael Gowan Published
The UE Megablast sounds great, but it can't do everything an Amazon smart speaker can.

By Michael Gowan Published
Editor's ChoiceThe Sony HT-ST5000 soundbar delivers detailed audio, booming bass and encompassing Atmos surround sound, but the quality comes at a steep price.

By Michael Gowan Published
Packed with features, including 4K and multiroom capabilities, Samsung's HW-MS750 delivers crisp, clear audio in an attractive package.

By Michael Gowan Published
Perform work outs, get health advice, practice meditation and more with these handy Alexa skills.

By Michael Gowan Published
LG's SJ9 soundbar fills the room with sound and can decode Dolby Atmos, but it doesn't sound as good as other soundbars in this price range.

By Michael Gowan Published
Get the Fugoo Go if you want an affordable Bluetooth speaker that you plan to expose to the elements.

By Michael Gowan Published
The Anker SoundCore Boost delivers big bass and good overall sound — though you can get better sound and ruggedness for just a bit more money.

By Michael Gowan Published
Fluance's AB40 soundbase delivers above-average audio quality at an affordable price.

By Michael Gowan Published
The Vaux improves the sound quality of your Amazon Echo Dot while making it portable with an integrated battery.

By Michael Gowan Published
JBL's Cinema SB 450 delivers 4K video with a ton of bass and volume, making this soundbar a legitimate contender to replace your home-theater sound system.

By Michael Gowan Published
The Jam Voice is a cheap, portable Alexa-enabled speaker, but it suffers from weak sound quality and short battery life.

By Michael Gowan Published
Fabriq brings most of Alexa’s skills for under $50,and you can take it with you.

By Michael Gowan Published
You can cancel an Amazon order in many cases — if you act fast.

By Michael Gowan Published
With IFTTT, Google Home becomes a smart-home powerhouse. Here are the most useful applets.

By Michael Gowan Published
Vizio's SB4551-D5 5.1 SmartCast system delivers true surround sound without making setup too complicated.

By Michael Gowan Published
Creative's iRoar packs in almost everything you'd want from a Bluetooth speaker, except ruggedness, for a premium price.

By Michael Gowan Published
The YAS-106 delivers booming bass and a good set of features for the money, although all that bass can overwhelm the mix.

By Michael Gowan Published
The Vava Voom 20 delivers big sound for a small price — if you're willing to put up with a few design quirks and fewer features.

By Michael Gowan Published
Sony's HT-NT5 has all the features you want in a soundbar — and more — if you're willing to pay a premium.

By Michael Gowan Published
Libratone's One Click sounds better than the competition and offers good battery life, but it's not the most portable Bluetooth speaker out there.

By Michael Gowan Published
Editor's ChoiceBuy the JBL Clip 2 if you're looking for the best low-cost, ultraportable speaker out there.

By Michael Gowan Published
Buy the JBL Charge 3 if you want a dependable $150 Bluetooth speaker with sound quality comparable to its $200 rivals. If you own a JBL Charge 2+, however, there's no need to upgrade.

By Michael Gowan Published
Editor's ChoiceThe Roll 2 delivers good sound, improved range and excellent ruggedness for $100.
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