Articles by Simon Lucas

Simon Lucas is a freelance technology journalist and consultant, with particular emphasis on the audio/video aspects of home entertainment. If it's involved in the production of sound or visual images, Simon will have written about it during the course of what will soon be a 20-year career.

Before embracing the carefree life of the freelancer, Simon was editor of What Hi-Fi? magazine and whathifi.com – a stint that lasted nearly six years and coincided with the website becoming the planet's leading source of audio/visual buying advice for consumers. Since then, he's written for titles including (but not limited to) to Wired, Metro, the Guardian, HiFi+ and GQ, and has acted as an audio consultant for some of the world's most high-profile consumer electronics brands. All from what he likes to call 'The English Riviera' but what is more commonly known as 'Brighton'.

Despite an invariably packed schedule, Simon likes to make time during the working week to publish (and invariably then hastily delete) tweets about the state of the nation (in general), the state of Aston Villa (in particular) and the state of his partner's cat via @OnlySimonLucas.

Articles by: Simon Lucas

As a music fan, AirPods just aren't relevant to me any more – here's why

By Simon Lucas Published 29 December 23

Just because you see them everywhere, that’s no reason to spend your hard-earned cash on some completely unremarkable headphones…

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 review: a high-end hi-res digital audio player

By Simon Lucas Published 24 December 23

Editor's Choice

At what point does a digital audio player become more than just a digital audio player? Astell & Kern thinks it knows – hence the A&ultima SP3000…

Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 review: a luxury high-end speaker with a premium price to match

By Simon Lucas Published 16 December 23

Recommended

Bang & Olufsen has never been shy when it comes to setting prices for its products – but is there some overreach where the new Beolab 8 wireless speaker is concerned?

iFi Uno review: a small, but big way to boost your audio

By Simon Lucas Published 3 December 23

Editor's Choice

A teeny tiny way of making a big difference to your desktop's or smartphone's audio quality.

The Helm Audio Bolt plugged into a phone

Helm Audio Bolt review: punchy high-quality audio that's ultra portable

By Simon Lucas Published 2 December 23

Recommended

Supercharge your smartphone's or laptop's sound as discreetly as possible with the Helm Audio Bolt USB DAC/headphone amp.

The iFi xDSD Gryphon on a stool next to a pair of headphones and phone

iFi xDSD Gryphon review: a stylish DAC and headphone amp that's as portable as a hip flask

By Simon Lucas Published 30 November 23

Editor's Choice

iFi works its magic on a DAC-and-headphone-amp that’s just as much use indoors as out, and just as capable with wired and wireless sources.

SoundMAGIC P60BT review: broad features and great value but lacks bass

By Simon Lucas Published 18 November 23

SoundMAGIC brings its established entry-level expertise to bear on what is a new product type for the company – and so picks a fight with a whole new selection of rivals…

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar in front of a TV on a wooden surface

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review: a more compact Sonos Arc alternative

By Simon Lucas Published 9 November 23

Bose fancies a slice of the ‘premium but not too premium’ soundbar market - is the Smart Ultra Soundbar the product to secure it?

Bose launches three new QuietComfort headphones and now I can’t decide which one I want

By Simon Lucas Published 14 September 23

Bose finally launches three new QuietComfort headphones with next-gen spatial audio modes.

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini on a wooden surface

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini review: huge Dolby Atmos from a compact soundbar

By Simon Lucas Published 30 August 23

Recommended

Sennheiser attempts to bring some of the extraordinary potency of its Ambeo spatial audio soundbars down to a slightly more "real-world" price-point.

Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 on a side table with a plant

Harman Kardon's new Bluetooth speakers bring back a Jony Ive design icon, with a twist

By Simon Lucas Published 6 July 23

There are three new speakers for different sizes and budgets – and one is real funky.

The FiiO FT3 over-ear headphones in black on a wooden surface.

Fiio FT3: high-end wired headphones without the high-end price

By Simon Lucas Published 29 June 23

Editor's Choice

The Fiio FT3 headphones are super-comfortable and super-rich sounding, even if you're not super-rich.

Audeze Euclid review: some of the most insightful earbuds you can buy

By Simon Lucas Published 28 June 23

Recommended

Unlikely as it may seem, the Audeze Euclid in-ear monitors deliver a sound that’s even bigger than the earbuds themselves

The Sony NW-A306 with Stevie Wonder playing

Sony NW-A306 review: a small but mighty digital audio player with a retro look

By Simon Lucas Published 14 June 23

Recommended

Sony's NW-A306 boasts hi-res audio playing capabilities in a compact design for an affordable price.

Ruark MR1 MkII speakers sitting on a wooden surface

Ruark MR1 MkII review: the best small stereo Bluetooth speakers

By Simon Lucas Published 26 April 23

Editor's Choice

Get sumptuous stereo sound without the bulk of an old-style system.

The Yamaha SR-C30A soundbar and subwoofer pictured on a wooden table.

Yamaha SR-C30A: one of the best cheap soundbars you can buy

By Simon Lucas Published 14 March 23

Recommended

Yamaha is strongly betting that small is beautiful with its latest Yamaha SR-C30A Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer.

Denon DHT-S517 review: a cheaper Dolby Atmos soundbar that sounds big

By Simon Lucas Published 27 February 23

Recommended

The Denon DHT-S517 can help you maximize your home theater sound experience without maxing your credit card, but not quite flawlessly.

Fiio M11s on table, showing the lock screen

FiiO M11S review: a mid-price music player with premium Hi-Res sound

By Simon Lucas Published 21 February 23

Recommended

The FiiO M11S is a talented portable music player, and is tantalisingly close to being ideal.

The Samsung AU9000 TV on a wooden cabinet in a living room.

Samsung AU9000 TV review

By Simon Lucas Last updated 15 December 22

Great Value

REVIEW We knew how accomplished Samsung is at developing and delivering high-performance TVs at realistic prices, and the AU9000 absolutely delivers on that promise.

I tested Samsung’s cheaper 8K TV and I’m not sure I see the point of it

By Simon Lucas Published 22 October 22

Opinion When 8K TVs feature the best image quality as well as super-resolution screens, they're wonderful. But if the picture quality falls short of 4K TVs, they look lost.

Samsung QN800B (65QN800B) review

By Simon Lucas Published 19 October 22

The Samsung QN800B delivers 8K detail for a more affordable price, but 4K TVs still offer better value.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II worn by a man outside

Bose launches QuietComfort Earbuds II, with next-gen noise-canceling skills

By Simon Lucas Last updated 7 September 22

The new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II bring super-adaptive noise blocking, in a seriously small and light package.

Samsung QN90B vs Samsung QN85B: which Neo QLED 4K TV is best for you?

By Simon Lucas Published 22 August 22

These two Samsung TVs both use advanced mini-LED tech, so what are the big differences? We explain everything you need to know

Samsung Q80B vs Samsung QN85B: which mid-range QLED 4K TV is best?

By Simon Lucas Published 17 August 22

These two Samsung 4K TVs sit next to each other in the range, but there are some big differences between them.

4 tips to get perfect pictures from the Samsung QN85B Neo QLED 4K TV

By Simon Lucas Published 16 August 22

The Samsung QN85B is a great TV, but it needs a bit of coaxing to encourage its best results. Here's how to make it sing.

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