Audio

Our audio coverage stretches from cheap earbuds to throw in your bag, up to hi-res DACs that can add extra dimensions of sound to your favorite music. The world of audio has changed a lot with the rise of higher-quality wireless and digital sound – streaming services offer better-than-CD quality, and you can beam it to speakers all over the house over Wi-Fi or next-gen Bluetooth options.
That’s unlocked a world of new devices where hi-fi meets modern conveniences, and we’re always looking to find the best new ideas in the audio world.
Our audio experts love products from the top to the bottom of the budget range – we love a cheap Bluetooth speaker that sounds great at the beach just as much as we love expensive wired headphones driven from a beautiful valve amplifier.
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Latest about Audio

Our favorite budget audiophile brand unveils wired earbuds with 26(!) drivers, electrostatic units, USB-C ultra-Hi-Res Audio, and a not-so-budget price
By Carrie Marshall published
FiiO's new FX17 IEMs have 26 drivers, a five way crossover and a hefty price tag.

iFi's iDSD Valkyrie DAC wants to guide your music to the great hall of Valhalla
By Becky Scarrott published
In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is one capable of guiding souls to Odin's great hall, Valhalla. iFi's Valkyrie, however, may guide you to celestial hi-res audio.

Huawei FreeArc review: simply the best-sounding open-ear headphones
By Tom Bedford published
The Huawei FreeArcs are the first great example of open-ear headphones: they sound great, fit well and don’t break the bank.

Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C will get lossless audio in April, but you'll need to go wired
By Jacob Krol published
Alongside iOS 18.4 in April, Apple is giving AirPods Max with USB-C a duo of a new features: lossless audio and ultra-low-latency support, but you still have to bypass Bluetooth.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds I love and they're down to their lowest price this year
By Jennifer Allen published
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are some of the best earphones around for Apple users and they're at a great price right now in the Amazon Spring Sale.

AirPods with cameras for Visual Intelligence could be one of the best personal safety features Apple has ever planned – here's why
By Carrie Marshall published
Here's why Apple putting eyes in your ears could be great – if it ever pulls off its AirPods-with-camera plans

I’m an open-ear headphones naysayer, but the Honor Earbuds Open won me over for sound
By Tom Bedford published
The Honor Earbuds Open aren’t just good open-ears, but they’re good earbuds period.

'Exploitative use of AI is social media; we already have it – it's called you don't own your data’: will.i.am talks tech, LG, and using AI responsibly
By Ural Garrett published
‘The public is not aware of just the power of data’: will.i.am on speaking to our speakers, responsible use of AI and, er, scrolling Insta on the toilet.
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