Becky Scarrott

Becky Scarrott

Audio Editor

Becky became Audio Editor in 2024, but joined TechRadar in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things audio and hi-fi. Before joining the team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing, reviewing and generally enjoying everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge, multi-product high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. 

When not writing, she is usually throwing shapes in a dance studio, spinning in the air to improve the tolerance of her inner ear to dizziness, drinking coffee, watching football or trying to surf in Cornwall with her other half; an irritatingly good surfer and an even better football writer. 

Articles by: Becky Scarrott

Audio Research Reference 330M valve amp in black, showing the valves, on a black carpet, with TR's 'Money No Object' franchise badge in the top right corner
The American gods of valve-based audio have released a huge monoblock power amp and I've never wanted 92kg of hi-fi more

By Becky Scarrott Published

Money no object: Audio Research's 'finest-ever power amplifier' is the culmination of 55 years at the apex of valve amp design and boasts a huge 330W of power.

2 Comments
McIntosh DS200 on gray background with TR's MNO branding
McIntosh's gorgeous DS200 streaming DAC is here, thus completing the nonpareil hi-fi system of my dreams

By Becky Scarrott Published

When McIntosh releases a hi-fi separate, I typically stop what I'm doing and take a look – and this one could grace pretty much any setup you care to imagine.

Huawei FreeArc worn by a male dancer in profile
Huawei just unveiled fully waterproof IP57-rated open earbuds and I think they could be the bargain of 2025

By Becky Scarrott Published

Like the look of Beats' new Powerbeats Pro 2 but want to bag a fully-waterproof design –and a significant saving? Huawei's got just the thing… 

Powerbeats Pro 2 worn by Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: everything you need to know about Beats' all-new athletic earbuds

By Jacob Krol Last updated

Updated Beats' much-teased Powerbeats Pro 2 arrived on February 11, so here's the scoop on the sports-centric earbuds from Apple's subsidiary brand.

2 Comments
Rotel Michi Q5 Transport DAC in a hi-fi listening room with TR's 'Money no object' franchise badge
I heard Rotel's ultra-luxe CD player and Hi-Res Audio DAC, and I'd buy it in a second if I could (even if it won't play my SACDs)

By Becky Scarrott Published

The Rotel Michi Q5 Transport DAC is also a CD player and having heard it, I just want one… 

2 Comments
A quartet of images claiming to depict the Powerbeats Pro 2, in lilac and orange colorways
More Powerbeats Pro 2 images have surfaced, and there's a 'Heart Rate' button

By Becky Scarrott Published

Hot on the heels of rumors that Powerbeats Pro 2 could beat AirPods to the punch for heart-rate monitoring, fresh images have landed – and they look good.

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Apple's banking on camera-equipped AirPods to trounce Meta smart glasses, but I'm not sure it's enough

By Becky Scarrott Published

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman doubles down on claims Apple's priority (and answer to Meta AR glasses) is to fit future AirPods with IR cameras.

Cory Henry wearing Beyerdynamic's new pro-specific IEMs, sitting at a piano
Beyerdynamic just released four IEMs pitched at different members of your band – yes, even the bassist

By Becky Scarrott Published

All band members are equal in Beyerdynamic’s new four-strong range of IEMs, even the bass player.

Happy Plugs JOY speaker in green, in front of a mirror reflection of a blue, fluffy-clouds sky
This cheap Bluetooth speaker is the perfect addition to the hygge lifestyle I wish I led

By Becky Scarrott Published

Want a portable Bluetooth speaker that vaguely reminds you of Baby Yoda? Meet the Happy Plugs Joy.

Focal Utopia Main UM 212 in a recording studio
I'm no pro sound engineer, but if I was, Focal's Utopia Main would be the studio monitors for me

By Becky Scarrott Published

Focal Utopia Main: you've seen the Diva towers, now see the dedicated in-studio monitors.

A trio of headphones being measured, with TechRadar's 'Personal Shopper' franchise badge
Size does matter: how one reader’s email left me obsessed with headphone arm length (and sent me on a quest to find a model for larger heads)

By Becky Scarrott Published

After a reader query about woefully short extension arms on budget headphones, I decided to do what other audio journos won’t: measure ‘em.

Close-up of woman using AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro’s long-promised heart-rate monitoring could be one step closer – but don’t wait up for it

By Becky Scarrott Published

A tidbit in a new report might send pulses racing, but the roadmap to AirPods with an actual, reliable ticker-taker seems to be a long and winding one.

Campfire Audio Clara IEMs on blue background
Campfire Audio's Alessandro Cortini collab IEMs are everything my Nine Inch Nails-loving heart needs

By Becky Scarrott Published

When an audiophile rock icon and a niche IEM specialist collide, you got your chin held high and you feel just fine… 

Ringo Starr's Studer Audio Recorder
I'd like to be, under the sea, with Ringo Starr's Studer 80 recorder, in the shade

By Carrie Marshall Published

Ringo Starr's 1970s studio recorder is being auctioned online – you've got 'til February 2 to bid!

Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds in black, on a beige background, held in a hand
Technics' intriguing new flagship wireless earbuds boast 'Magnetic Fluid' injected between the driver magnet and voice coil

By Carrie Marshall Published

It's a huge day: Technics' update to the excellent EAH-AZ80 earbuds is here – behold, the EAH-AZ100!

Noble The Knight IEMs in a very dark studio, with their blue/purple headshells shining
Noble wants to save your ears from bad audio with The Knight triple-driver wired earbuds

By Becky Scarrott Published

If it's a Knight you need to save you from your morning commute, Noble says it's got just the thing.

AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, held together to show the differences
Apple's cheapest AirPods 4 aren't sonically superb, but one great perk keeps me coming back

By Becky Scarrott Published

I pride myself on seeking out audio excellence, but AirPods 4 are great for a different reason – and sometimes, it matters.

Yoto Mini speaker held in a hand on blue background
This Yoto Mini 'fire hazard' children's speaker has been recalled again due to its overheating battery

By Becky Scarrott Published

If you have a Yoto Mini speaker (SKU PRPLXX00860), please stop using it immediately and contact Yoto for a free battery replacement kit.

Tribit StormBox Blast 2 with a mic plugged in, at a party with people enjoying a woman singing in the foreground
My favorite Bluetooth party speaker is back, and this time there's a karaoke function

By Becky Scarrott Published

Considering a cheeky karaoke party this holiday season? The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 can help with that.

Creative Pebble Nova speaker illuminated to look like a comet on starry sky backdrop
Are they Magic 8 Balls? Lawn bowling balls? I don’t care, I want Creative’s wild new desktop Pebble Nova stereo speakers

By Becky Scarrott Published

Someday you will find me caught beneath the landslide, with the Creative Pebble Nova on my desk.

Activo Q1 earbuds held in a hand either side of the Activo P1 hi-res audio player, on white background
Activo Q1 are the inexpensive wired earbuds made for our favorite budget hi-res audio player

By Becky Scarrott Published

The Activo P1 hi-res audio player stunned us for value when it arrived in July, and now it's got a set of IEMs designed for it.

Three iPhone 15 screens showing Apple Music Replay stats, on teal background
Apple Music Replay walked all over Spotify Wrapped in 2024, and after years of ridicule, you love to see it

By Becky Scarrott Published

Look, Replay was a poor cousin to Wrapped in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023… but that's all changed now – and better late than never.

Anker soundcore 2
Anker recalls nearly 80,000 Bluetooth speakers due to fire risk, check to see if you own one

By Becky Scarrott Published

Anker has said it will offer free replacement speakers to those speakers affected, all of which were sold exclusively on Amazon in 2023.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds held in a hand with the case, above a flowerbed
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: wireless earbuds with scarily good immersive audio

By Becky Scarrott Last updated

Recommended

If your ear desires the ultimate in spatial audio gymnastics, the Bose QCUE are ideal – but you'll have to forego multipoint.

A Lufthansa first class flight cabin
Sennheiser's best wireless headphones just became a perk of first-class flights… or you can buy a pair in this record-low Black Friday deal

By Carrie Marshall Published

Lufthansa? More like Luft-cans-ah… 

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