Dave Meikleham

Dave Meikleham

Dave is a freelancer who's been writing about tech and video games since 2006, with bylines across GamesRadar+, Total Film, PC Gamer, and Edge. He's been obsessed with all manner of AV equipment ever since his parents first bought him a hideously garish 13-inch CRT TV (complete with built-in VCR, no less) back in 1998. Over the years he’s owned more plasma and OLED TVs than he can count. On an average day, he spends 30% of his waking existence having mild panic attacks about vertical banding and dead pixels. 

Articles by: Dave Meikleham

Panasonic SC-HTB100 on white table with remote control

The best cheap soundbars, all tested by our experts

By Matt Bolton last updated

We’ve reviewed the best budget soundbars, from affordable Dolby Atmos models to super-cheap and simple sound upgrades, and here are our top picks.

A section of an RGB backlit mini-LED panel, showing the letters R, G and B lit up in red, green and blue respectively

I've owned OLED TVs for a decade — but the new RGB mini-LED sets have me itching to switch sides

By Dave Meikleham published

No one loves OLED TVs more than I do, but even this self-emissive zealot is at a tipping point.

8 Comments
Collage of 3 TVs showing colorful images

The Year in OLED TVs: 2025 takes the tech to new brightness peaks

By Dave Meikleham published

Whether it was Samsung wowing us with its Glare Free technology or the incredibly bright LG G5, OLED ruled the TV world in 2025.

TV showing image of green landscape with horses

TV winners and losers 2025: OLEDs got even brighter, and 8K (still) strained for relevance

By Dave Meikleham published

It’s been a stellar year for Samsung and OLED tech, yet Amazon panels have floundered as 4K Blu-rays continue to fight to merely exist.

OneOdio Focus A6 over-ear headphones on a Parisian stool

I tested these brilliant OneOdio over-ears and they're now my favorite budget headphones – by a mile

By Dave Meikleham published

The OneOdio Focus A6s may well be the best budget over-ear headphones I’ve ever had the privilege to use. Here’s why.

Panasonic RB-F10 open earbuds and carry case beside a swimming pool

The way Panasonic's attractive new open earbuds sound makes me smile, but they’re so annoying to operate

By Dave Meikleham published

Super stylish and a pleasure to wear for hours on end, the Panasonic RB-F10s are otherwise winning open earbuds let down by really irritating controls.

Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones hanging on a stand, on a wooden table

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: cheap, comfy over-ear headphones that mostly overcome their flaws

By Dave Meikleham published

Fairly stylish and incredibly comfortable, the budget-friendly Happy Plugs Play Pro headphones sound good but the noise cancellation isn’t great.

Earfun Wave Life over-ear noise-cancelling headphones on a wooden surface

Earfun Wave Life review: mostly excellent, comfortable over-ears with an enticing price

By Dave Meikleham published

Despite middling ANC, the Earfun Wave Life over-deliver considering just how cheaply you can pick them up, thanks to incredible comfort and solid build.

AV gifts on yellow background

10 great Father’s Day gifts for movie-loving dads: from OLED TVs to Dolby Atmos soundbars

By Dave Meikleham published

On the hunt for the perfect present for your AV-loving pop this Father’s Day? We’ve got your gift needs covered.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K with image from Andor onscreen

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is the best TV accessory I’ve ever owned

By Dave Meikleham published

The iconic AV company’s latest HDMI, color-recreating splitter is a glorious device that will admittedly dent your bank balance.

3 Comments
Apple AirPods Max with a French bulldog and a chicken

Sure, noise-cancelling headphones are great for work but they saved my sleep (and sanity) and several vacations too – here’s how

By Dave Meikleham published

The Apple AirPods Max’s noise-cancelling chops helped save my ultimate bucket list holiday in Hawaii.

4 Comments
The Sonos Arc Ultra in a living room, in front of plants and personal niknaks

Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar was one of the worst tech experiences of my life, but damn it sounds incredible

By Dave Meikleham published

The Dolby Atmos soundbar sounds sensational, but pairing it with your existing speakers can be a nightmare due to the Sonos app.

Bose, JLab and Nothing earbuds, all held in someone's hand

Want noise-cancelling earbuds ready for 2025 travel? Here are the 4 best we’ve tested for all budgets

By Dave Meikleham published

Save your hearing and your sanity on planes, trains or automobiles with small buds that slip in your pocket.

Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura walking together in Apple TV+'s Dope Thief

Apple TV+ releases a gritty new crime drama trailer for Dope Thief that looks like a stylish version of The Wire

By Dave Meikleham published

Apple TV+'s violent Philadelphia-set show has snagged the legendary Hollywood helmer and will start airing in March.

Grado Signature S950 headphones hanging on a headphones holder, in a gray room

Grado's elite new open-back headphones feature huge 52mm drivers, and a beautiful walnut wood finish

By Dave Meikleham published

The Brooklyn-based company’s latest flagship headphones look the part, and they should sound even better.

TEAC AP-507 amp on a black background

TEAC's new hi-fi amplifier is made to power hardcore audiophile systems, but in a super-compact size

By Dave Meikleham published

If you’re a serious audiophile who’s looking for a discrete but ultra-high end amplifier, the TEAC AP-507 could be worth throwing your life savings at.

Adam Scott in Severance

Severance is officially Apple TV Plus' biggest hit for years – but it’s still miles behind Netflix’s Squid Game

By Dave Meikleham published

Apple's streaming service has a lot to celebrate after the latest Neilson viewing stats, with Severance posting the best numbers since a certain Ted Lasso.

2 Comments
Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds and case on table with pink and plant in background

Feel like the battery on your wireless earbuds degrades faster than other tech? You might not be wrong – scientists have dug into how device design may make the difference

By Dave Meikleham published

The battery life of earbuds seems to be depleting more and more, but researchers are working on finding the solution.

The iBasso Nunchaku DAC on a MacBook

Ever wish you had a tube amp with you everywhere for your headphones? Now you can with this switchable USB-C DAC

By Dave Meikleham published

The iBasso Nunchaku USB DAC lets you switch between two different amp modes.

TV picture setting menu with Wallace from Wallace & Gromit in background

If you let me near your TV, I will immediately adjust these 5 settings

By Dave Meikleham published

Are you one of those folks who buy a TV then never change a single setting? Don’t be that person. Instead, make these picture tweaks right away.

2 Comments
Image of Jones the cat from the movie Aliens, shown on the LG G4 OLED TV. A floor lamp emitting blue light is to the right of the TV.

The TV tech to watch out for in 2025, from even brighter OLEDs to better LCDs

By Dave Meikleham published

TVs will get some serious upgrades in 2024, from super-bright ‘MAX OLEDs’ to LCD TVs with far better viewing angles. Here are our predictions for the best TV tech for the year ahead.

Samsung S95D showing image of mountains

TV winners and losers of 2024: OLEDs got brighter and 8K strained for relevance

By Dave Meikleham published

Samsung OLEDs stole the show but 8K can’t catch a break

mini-LED and OLED TVs side by side showing image of sunset on lake

OLED vs Mini-LED: which TV type is best?

By Dave Meikleham published

OLED and mini-LED TVs are the best on the market, but which technology is better? Let’s find out.

The Little Mermaid is shown on two TVs in the same room

I swapped my LG C2 OLED TV for the LG G3, and it's the best upgrade I've ever made

By Dave Meikleham published

The brightest OLED TV the South Korean manufacturer has ever made is astonishing, and proves Micro Lens Array OLED tech fully justifies the hype.

Two Sonos Subs side by side

I added a second subwoofer to my Sonos soundbar setup, and it took it to a new level

By Dave Meikleham published

I’m all in on my dual sub setup after experiencing the best night of home theater audio my ears have ever experienced

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: