The classic JBL speakers of the 70s came with a distinctive front fabric, known as Quadrex because of the pattern of cut-out squares in the foam. The new Authentics series has the same pattern in the grille, but otherwise there are few similarities. The Authentics series consists of three wireless table speakers. They boast stereo …
Bang & Olufsen are faithful to their own recipe. Which should be seen as a good thing. Models don’t change with random fashion fads, but are continuously updated for years – or even decades. Beolab 8, however, is brand new. So new that we are one of the first media outlets globally to have had …
The huge JBL speaker can raise the dead and scare the Devil out of Hell. It is not for nothing that they call it Ultimate. The recipe is the same as for all JBL’s party boxes, but with even more yeast added to raise the sound level so the windows pop out of the walls. …
It looks like something a roadie dragged onto a stage, ready for an overenthusiastic vocalist to put a mark on with his Dr. Martens boots that never fade. I suspect it could withstand that, for Sharp’s SumoBox seems like it will survive a long life on stages around the world. But that would be a …
The Logitech-owned Ultimate Ears has had great success with its portable Bluetooth speakers under the name Boom. The latest addition is the UE Epicboom, which we review here. Calling a two-kilo portable speaker with a wrist strap epic is ambitious, bordering on hubris. But what to do when there’s almost no effect word in the …
When Sonos suddenly introduced a portable speaker in 2019, moving away from multi-room and indoor TV speakers, it opened up new possibilities. Not only could you take it from room to room, but you could also use it in the garden or, for that matter, in the bathroom when you took a shower because it …
Floorstanding speakers have an undeserved reputation for being large, impractical – and associated with permanent bachelor status. Which is a shame, as floorstanding speakers often actually take up less space than compact speakers on stands. The Audio Pro A38 is a floorstander so humble in scale and design that it should be able to fit …
Swedish Audio Pro has more than 40 years of experience in building active speakers for home use. We have tested many, and very often with good results. The Audio Pro A28 is an ultra-compact two-way speaker with built-in streaming and multi-room functionality. In fact, they’re even smaller than the legendary compact Rogers LS3/5A. The speakers …
It’s bigger, more powerful and plays with more energy and richness than the tiny HomePod mini. For Apple users, it’s close to the perfect speaker, and since it can be used for both music and movies, HomePod can replace both your music system and your soundbar. With two of them, you can get both stereo …
Two active – and wireless – speakers with everything built in is really all you need. Even if you have audio sources you need to connect with cables, like a TV or a turntable. They come in all price ranges, from the very budget-friendly Argon Audio Fenris A5 to the amazing KEF LS60 Wireless. Somewhere …
If you can’ t get it loud enough, it’ s because you have too small a speaker. Try something bigger than a table speaker next time, and I guarantee your guests will fill the dance floor in seconds. Just ask a DJ. Music is everything, yet nothing if the speakers don’t get people engaged. That’s …
The smallest portable speakers all have one problem: they don’t play very loud, and they have almost no bass. That’s why we usually recommend buying a bigger speaker than you might have intended. But that’s not practical for everyone, at least not for those who want a speaker they can easily take on the road. …
“Iconic” is a misused term. But when it comes to Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin desktop speaker, it’s entirely justified. Very few speakers are as recognisable as it. Or as long-lived. The airship-shaped speaker made its debut in 2007 as a dock for the Apple iPod Touch (which has just recently been retired after 21 years …
Everyone who loves music and good sound has a relationship with JBL, whether they realise it or not: the American manufacturer has been around since 1946 and is a legend in speakers for PA systems, cinemas, music production and home hi-fi. The most exquisite hi-fi products come from JBL Synthesis, the company’s high-end division behind …
Argon Audio Fenris A55 is the largest model in the new Fenris series, which is (even) more affordable than the same company’s other active speakers. While the Fenris A4 and Fenris A5 models are compact speakers, the Argon Audio Fenris A55 is a full-size floorstander. Like the two smaller models, the Fenris A55 is available …