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I test audio kit every day and these bookshelf speakers are the dragon I’ll be chasing for decades to come

1:00 pm | July 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Speakers | Comments: Off

Sonus Faber Concertino G4: Two-minute review

The Sonus Faber Concertino G4 are a very posh set of passive bookshelf speakers. That poshness isn’t just imbued by the colour palette and material choices that define their physical form, even though they do help a bit. Nor is that poshness fully explained by the not-inconsiderable $5,000 / £4,625 / AU$9,495 price point, though, again, that cost does its own fair share of heavy lifting on that front.

The poshness of these posh speakers comes, in my opinion, from Sonus Faber’s dedication to detail. So much attention has been paid to the design, construction, and resulting sound of these speakers, creating an experience arguably greater than the sum of its parts.

On the sound front, these speakers sound unsurprisingly excellent. The two-way design provides for both rich, detailed bass and generous, airy high-end – balanced to the point of tasteful sweetness. There’s a real tactility to the sound produced by the Sonus Faber Concertino G4, as if you could reach behind each instrument or sound source and cup it in your hands. This incredible, three-dimensional resolution is caveated by some serious directionality, but having to sit before your speakers for optimal results is neither a problem, nor anything new.

Visually, it’s hard to beat those walnut sides – but the vegan Ohoskin leather cladding gives it a good old college try. The brass accents consummate the executive nature of these speakers’ design, and the high attention to detail paid in their execution. If you’ve the figurative brass to spare, and are willing to buy more than a great pair of speakers, here’s where to start looking. Among the best stereo speakers money can buy? Absolutely.

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speakers on a wooden table — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Price & release date

Released September, 2024
Priced $5,000 / £4,625 / AU$9,495

The Sonus Faber Concertino G4 are something of a celebration for the Italian brand – specifically, an anniversary. It’s been 30 years since the first Concertinos made it to listening rooms around the world, and Sonus Faber has deigned to mark the occasion with this special revisit to its classic design.

The first 300 pairs of the Concertino G4 are numbered via a unique brass plate on the left cheek, and sold as the Concertino G4 Maestro Edition; the pair reviewed here is number 29. The occasion, the numbering of the first out of the gate, and the brand from which they hail are all overt clues as to the lofty space these audiophile bookshelfs aim to occupy on the market. The other is the price – $5,000 / £4,625 / AU$9,495 per pair, with purpose-designed iron stands coming in at an extra $1,500 / £1,375/ AU$2,875 (approx.).

These are by no means the most expensive speakers you’ll see from Sonus Faber – indeed, they actually sit quite comfortably at the cheaper end of the brand’s (dauntingly broad) price bracket – but they are nonetheless considerably pricy objects d’art. How do you think they hold up?

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speakers on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Specs

Type	Bookshelf
Active or passive?	Passive
Bi-wirable?	Yes
Woofer	5-inch paper pulp
Tweeter	1-inch silk dome
Impedance	4 ohms
Dimensions	314mm x 214mm x 297 mm

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Features

Passive, bi-wirable two-way speakers
Unique cork damping
Look at ‘em!

The Sonus Faber Concertino G4 are a pair of passive two-way bookshelf speakers, but also probably the most beautiful pair of passive two-way bookshelf speakers I did ever see. I’ll be breaking down the impeccable aesthetic design of these bookshelfs a little later, but for now – quelle finesse!

Being a passive set of hi-fi speakers, the Concertino G4 are fundamentally uncomplicated and untroubled by the shoehorning-in of needless techy fripperies. However, there are some very nifty goings-on within, that make for a sound as phenomenal as the look. More specifically, the Concertino G4 utilize some precision-modeled cork damping material inside, which does a remarkable job of reducing internal resonances (and, I like to think, contributes a certain ‘springiness’ to the resulting sound of these excellent speakers).

This cork damping is paired, for the first time in Sonus Faber’s history, with a mid-woofer – a 5-inch paper-pulp, long-throw mid-woofer that goes some way to defining the brand’s sonic signature. Couple this with a 1-inch silk-dome tweeter, and you have a stunningly broad, stunningly rich set of living room listeners.

The speakers are, of course, bi-wirable; what else would you expect from a two-way speaker at this price? This writer doesn’t subscribe to the idea that running a bi-wired speaker system results in any tangible sonic improvements whatsoever, but bi-amping is a very different thing entirely – and something the Concertino G4 promise to benefit from all the more.

In the box, you’ll find the speakers, some optional magnetically attachable grille cloth covers, and, if you’re lucky enough to get a double-digit Maestro Edition, one of 100 hand-printed artworks – a copy of an etching, illustrating the Concertino G4’s unique internal damping, delivered in an embossed manila envelope. As far as ‘box candy’ is concerned, this is an excellent little gift, especially for the monumental shame that such downright cool designs are permanently, necessarily hidden from view.

Magnetic cover grille of the Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speakers — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Features score: 4.5/5

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Sound quality

Exceptional dimensionality
Sonorous low-end
Generous, airy high-end

Holy hell.

Being a writer of variable income (that is, varying somewhere between 'ramen noodles every night' and 'slightly posher ramen noodles every night'), I tend to champion the cheaper stuff over anything. Particularly so when returns diminish starkly after a certain price cut-off, and especially where it’s obvious that a premium brand is cashing in on its perceived pedigree as opposed to offering anything of serious value.

As such, it’s rare for me to recognize anything asking upwards of $2000 as 'worth it'. But the Concertino G4 are exceedingly hard to turn down, simply for the rapturous quality of sound they dare to bring into my humble living room.

I use ‘three-dimensional’ a lot as a term when describing the structure and texture of a given device’s auditory performance, and am forced to again here – but in full acknowledgement that this is about as three-dimensional as any bookshelfs can be. The platonic ideal. The dragon I’ll be chasing for decades to come.

Rich(ard) Dawson’s End of the Middle is a record rich (geddit?) in raw percussive instrumentation, blooming low-tuned guitars and alternately plain-spoken/high-falsetto’d art-folk tales of the unexpected. Through the Concertino G4s, Dawson’s heartbreaking windows into the banal (played from a 12-inch on my Victrola Stream Sapphire) are rendered with stunning richness and clarity.

Aptly for the Sonus Faber name, these are sonorous speakers. The low-end is unbelievably rich and structured; it’s rare to feel like you can reach behind the bass strings and grasp the thick air in their wake. Dawson’s voice is rich [that's enough now – Ed.], complex, and fully present – his fricatives feel as if formed in the room.

High-end information is rendered generously. There’s a sense that all higher elements sit plushly within a cushion of air, presenting themselves forth for scrutiny without force or strain – the same force and strain that, in my self-invented mythos of sound, causes tinniness, cloy or otherwise intolerable screech from lesser sources.

Close up of a Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speaker, on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

The balance of sound is hugely directional. If you, like me, place these facing across a room as opposed to down it, you’re likely to find patches of especial untamed bass-i-ness. Unsurprisingly enough, if you situate yourself where Sonus Faber’s manual actually instructs you to – that is, dead in front, with the speakers facing you, as one point of an audiophile equilateral triangle – the fruits of the Concertinos’ labor make the sense they’re supposed to make.

Dirty Projectors’ Swing Lo Magellan, also listened to on vinyl, is every bit as immediate as your mind’s ear interprets it. It might be a bit dross to fall on the word ‘musical’ to describe the Concertino G4 here, but here we go nonetheless – the subby kicks of opener Offspring Are Blank are discrete, weighted and musical, a far cry from the placeless wub lesser speakers would offer up as alternative.

As Offspring…’s pre-chorus opens out with twanging guitars, there’s a spring in the step – a delightful bounce emphasized by the rubbery drums and densely sponged short-scale bass of ensuing track About To Die. Percussion throughout the album is supple and giving despite its forefront presence, and David Longstreth’s dry, dead-center vocals are a floaty, reedy delight. My album favourite, The Socialites, has a weight and focus I’ve not heard elsewhere. It's a unique joy.

Speaking of which, the Concertino G4 has no issue bringing that same weight and focus to famously less-focused records, like My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. Kevin Shields’ stacked soundscapes throb and thrum with excitable energy throughout, while the dead, motorik drums at the center of When You Sleep punch out from behind as if pummeled by a hammer. Side B loud-lullaby Sometimes is a glorious bath of multi-tracked guitars and rabbit-heartbeat kicks, distinct in its indistinctness and clear in its complete lack of conventional clarity. A beautiful paradox delivered through these speakers.

The word I keep returning to with these speakers is ‘generous’. There’s space in and around everything tackled, from distant roomy drums to attention-begging upfront vocals – space enough you genuinely feel as if you could cup each element in your hands, or awkwardly reach around them to grab something. Aside from their clear preference for head-on listening (which is, assuredly, of necessity and by design), these speakers are functionally faultless.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Design

Executive walnut and brass build
Delicious vegan leather cladding
Nifty magnetically attachable clothe grille covers

Design-wise, it’s hard to know where to start with the Concertino G4s because of Sonus Faber’s trademark meticulousness. Each speaker is a work of art, exuding craftsmanship from every angle. They benefit from beautifully shaped walnut cheeks, with an outward crease that runs from bottom to top, front to rear, and bisect the trapezoidal shape of the whole thing in a very pleasing manner.

New here is the involvement of Ohoskin, an Italian manufacturer of high-quality leather alternatives. This bio-based leather material (made from orange and cactus byproducts) is eco-conscious, sure, but also a stunning ‘pleather’ that clads the top and front of the chassis. It certainly could’ve fooled me.

Between this sleek black not-actually-leather and the solid walnut cheeks, these are a distinctly executive set of audiophile speakers, enhanced further by the mirror-polished brass that forms its front logo panels, rear terminal plates and side-mounted issue number placards. Even the studs holding those walnut cheeks in place are highly reflective, monogrammed indications of attention to detail.

That same attention to detail gifts us sleekness elsewhere. Sonus Faber supplies you with a pair of lightweight cloth grille covers, which you may optionally attach to the front of the Concertino G4 by way of some concealed magnets beneath the pleather.

Now, I think these speakers look far better in their uncovered glory, both for generally preferring uncovered hi-fi speakers and for having my own aesthetic misgivings around the covers' design. Still, the option is a nice one to have, and well-executed besides – from the completely invisible magnets to the soft felt material covering the ‘feet’ on the covers themselves.

Design score: 5/5

Closeup of the tweeter of the Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speakers — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: Value

Commands a considerable price
But represents more than just ‘good sound’
Clearly made with skill, reverence and love

When buying the Sonus Faber Concertino G4, you’re actually buying at least two things, not one. Yes, one of them is an excellent-sounding pair of bookshelf speakers, but you’re also buying an immaculately designed, reverently constructed pair of artworks for your living space. On top of that, if you buy the Maestro Edition, you’re also buying a secret third thing – a limited-edition set, made all the more valuable for its combination of rarity and pedigree. It is with this in mind that I suggest, humbly, that value is difficult to ascribe to this set of speakers.

I’ve heard dozens upon dozens of bookshelf speakers below £1,000 – and even owned a fair few second-hand speakers bought for below £100 – that display similarly remarkable attention to detail in the audio realm, even if their chassis leave a little to be desired. Yet all fall short, however marginally, of the dimensionality on display here. Buying the Concertino G4 for performance alone could be justifiable, yes, but only if you’re willing to throw an extra £3,500 at the extra 5-10% that elevates these speakers above their upper mid-range contemporaries.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Concertino G4s. It’s a rare pair of speakers that can so convincingly render voices and instruments in discrete three-dimensional space, and nothing short of magic to hear the care with which such sound sources are treated. But you can find this for less. What you can’t is the Italian-made, executive-saloon suavity of the Concertino’s form, or the combination of this hand-built reverence with such deferent approaches to audiophilia.

So, while I might not be currently tempted to sell my belongings in favor of owning the Sonus Faber Concertino G4, I do know that, with the right capital and in the right atmospheric conditions, I’d snap them up in a heartbeat. Not just for their impeccable sound, but for the space they command, and for what that command represents.

Rear wiring options of the Sonus Faber Concertino G4 bookshelf speakers — (Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Value score: 4.5/5

Sonus Faber Concertino G4 review: scorecard

	Comment	Rating
Features	Passive, bi-wirable bookshelf speakers; smart internal cork damping.	4.5/5
Sound quality	Massive depth, clarity and three-dimensionality; careful handling of high-end, weighty low-end.	5/5
Design	A masterclass in executive chic. Cloth grille covers aren’t to everyone's taste.	5/5
Value	Pricy, but it buys you a work of practical art, made with reverence.	4.5/5

Should you buy the Sonus Faber Concertino G4?

Buy them if...

You have the cash
The price point is a lot to ask from most people, even if it’s far closer to the floor than the ceiling when it comes to the cost of audiophile-grade hi-fi equipment. That said, these walk the walk – and provide more than sound for the money.

You have a dedicated listening spot
The Sonus Faber Concertino G4 are designed to be listened head-on, like studio monitor speakers. These should be enjoyed as such, then – in a room where they straddle your hi-fi and point directly at your head.

Don't buy them if...

You want a daily driver set of bookshelfs
Sure, the Concertino G4 will serve you marvellously well whatever you deign to throw at them, but buying them for watching Countdown and listening to BBC Radio 4 would be a bit like ordering a Michelin Guide dish on Uber Eats. And scarfing it down while watching Countdown or listening to BBC Radio 4.

You don’t have a dedicated hi-fi spot
You don’t need telling that these speakers want to see the output from an integrated amplifier or broader hi-fi system. You might, though, need telling that these speakers demand their own dedicated space and placement to sound their best.

Also consider

	Sonus Faber Concertino G4	Monitor Audio Studio 89	Sonus Faber Lumina II
Type	Bookshelf	Bookshelf	Bookshelf
Active or passive?	Passive	Passive	Passive
Bi-wirable?	Yes	No	Yes
Woofer	5-inch paper pulp	x2 4.5-inch RDT III	150mm paper pulp
Tweeter	1-inch silk dome	x1 MPD III	29mm silk diaphragm
Impedance	4 ohms	6 ohms	4ohms
Dimensions	314 x 214 x 297 mm	340 x 157 x 361 mm	304 x 180 x 263mm

Monitor Audio Studio 89
Another set of passive bookshelf speakers, they incorporate two RDT III mid/bass drivers and a sandwiched MPD III tweeter, arranged vertically for wider sound dispersion.
See our full Monitor Audio Studio 89 review

Sonus Faber Lumina II
If you want that same Sonus Faber experience without having to worry about a potential remortgage, you can achieve just that with these excellent, ‘budget’ offerings from the Italian artisans. There are shortcomings (including a leather finish that may offend), but does a great job of bringing audiophile quality down a price peg.
See our full Sonus Faber Lumina II review

How I tested the Sonus Faber Concertino G4

Tested for four weeks
Used in my living room, as my primary listening speakers
Tested using a Victrola Stream Sapphire and Cambridge Audio receiver

As someone with considerable personal and professional investment both in the enjoyment of music and in its production, I have unique experience on both sides of the equation. I engage with speakers of various types as a matter of course each day, from flat-response studio monitor speakers to gorgeous, flattering hi-fi numbers like these.

For four glorious weeks, the Sonus Faber Concertino G4 speakers were my primary listening speakers in my living room. I wired them into my Cambridge Audio Azur 540r receiver, which received the sound of my vinyl record collection via a Victrola Stream Sapphire turntable (outfitted with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge).

First reviewed: July 2025

Read more about how we test at TechRadar

I think these cheap, comfy headphones mostly overcome their flaws in testing… bar one key area

1:30 pm | July 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: EQ, RRP | Comments: Off

Happy Plugs Pro: Two-minute review

The budget headphones market is becoming increasingly competitive. As more manufacturers cut the cost of their cans, it’s now relatively easy to snag yourself a decent pair of over-ears for well under $100. And the Happy Plugs Play Pro definitely fit into this savings-conscious category.

These cans may not quite compete with the very best cheap headphones out there, but they still provide relatively strong audio and okay(ish) ANC (active noise cancellation). The Play Pro also rock an unfussy yet attractive design that looks classier than you’d expect at such a reasonable price. As for comfort, these are some of the most comfy headphones I’ve ever worn. Really.

Despite housing five internal mics to assist with the ANC, the Play Pro aren’t great at shielding your ears from external sounds. Getting any noise-cancelling features in a cheap pair of cans is obviously welcome, no question. Still, there’s no disguising that there are far better options out there – like the superb Earfun Wave Pro, which are actually a little cheaper than Happy Plugs’ headphones.

Battery life with the Play Pro is borderline stellar. Switch off ANC and you can squeeze 50 hours of juice out of these cans, which is more than respectable. It’s just a pity there’s no idle mode on show here, meaning you have to remember to switch them off manually or they’ll stay paired to your smartphone/tablet.

Whatever device you’re planning to pair the Play Pro with over Bluetooth, you should know Happy Plugs hasn’t provided any software to let you tweak or set custom audio profiles. With no app available, you’re stuck with the default audio experience the company has created. To the Swedish firm’s credit, the Play Pro actually sound pretty good, with these over-ears’ potent bass being a particular highlight.

I spent the better part of a month with these cheap – but, crucially, not “cheap-feeling” – cans and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed listening to them. If nothing else, I’ll always remember them for being the headphones I was wearing during the last walk I took my beloved husky on before I had to reluctantly rehome him.

The Play Pro’s reasonably well-balanced audio brought tears to my eyes as I was listening to my all-time favorite song – Sonnet by The Verve – thanks to their loud, fairly punchy soundscape. Here come the waterworks again.

Moving past my doggo sadness, I’ll also give props to the Play Pro for being excellent for hands-free calls. Happy Plugs claims its headphones have a radius of around 50ft, and I experienced no distortion or break up when talking on calls even when I was several rooms away from my phone.

If you don’t want to break the bank on your next set of headphones, the Happy Plugs Play Pro are a solid option that are well worth a look. There’s no denying the likes of the fantastic 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are superior, though, while the Panasonic RB-M600 are also worth considering, along with the best over-ear headphones on the market.

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Specifications

Drivers	40mm
Active noise cancellation	Yes
Battery life (quoted)	50 hours (ANC off) 35 hours (ANC on)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	253g
Waterproofing	IPX4

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Price and availability

Close up of the control buttons on the earcups of the Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Released in March 2025
RRP of $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$120 (approx.)

The Happy Plugs Play Pro currently retail for $59 / $59 / AU$120 (approx.) – though at the time of writing, availability is limited on the Happy Plugs store. They first launched after CES 2025, and are available in either no-nonsense White or Black colorways.

Be warned: they’re not all that easy to find. Currently, they’re unavailable on Amazon US or UK, though I did find them in stock from retailers like B&Q and Very here in my native Blighty. Seeing as the Play Pro haven’t been out for long, it’s hardly surprising they haven’t dropped below that initial price tag just yet.

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Features

Close up of the the control buttons of the Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Long-lasting battery life
Middling ANC
IPX4 waterproof rating

Look up “no frills” in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of the Happy Plugs Play Pro. Not literally, of course, but when it comes to features, it's safe to say these headphones are lacking.

Considering there’s no software or app support, these budget cans' biggest selling point has to be their excellent battery life. Once you juice these pups up, you won’t have to give your charger as much as a glance for days at a time.

With ANC turned off, I found the Happy Plugs’ claim that the Play Pro will last for 50 hours pretty much bang on the money. That’s some impressive sonic stamina for a pair of over-ears that cost less than $60. A word of caution, though – the review sample I’ve been testing wouldn’t enter idle mode when I accidentally left them connected to my iPhone 14 Pro.

Instead, you have to manually hold down the power button to send these cans to sleep. This is a flaw I discovered when I forgot my phone while going to see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning recently, only to be greeted by a blue power light on the Play Pro once I got back to my apartment after 2 hours and 49 minutes of death-defying Tiny Tom stunts. The lack of a sleep mode is a missing feature that could prove annoying if you mistakenly leave them paired with a device overnight.

As for ANC, Happy Plugs’ cans are obviously no match for the best noise-cancelling headphones at such a change purse-friendly price point. They cost just $59, so I’m simply happy ANC makes the cut at all… even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

Do these cheap-and-cheerful over-ears keep out distracting indoor sounds? More or less. Once I clicked the noise-cancelling button – which allows you to switch between ANC and Transparency mode – and ramped the volume up to around 50%, my lobes were mercifully spared the din of my upstairs neighbor’s daily attempts to butcher ever last note of Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street on his saxophone.

The Play Pro’s ANC isn’t anywhere near as effective in outdoor surroundings. During many walks with these over-ears, I was constantly distracted by the rumbling of passing cars and screeches of vexed children, even when my favorite tunes were playing at 100% volume. I appreciate that Happy Plugs has managed to squeeze ANC into these aggressively priced cans, but the end results aren’t impressive.

While I’m giving the firm a pat on the back (albeit not a hearty one), kudos to Happy Plugs for making the Play Pro IPX4 waterproof rated. Granted, it’s been uncommonly warm and dry in my homeland of Scotland recently. Yet the one time I was caught in a brief downpour while wearing these headphones, the passing shower happily didn’t cause any audio distortion.

Features score: 2.5/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Design

Earcups, turned inwards, of the Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Pleasingly lightweight
Supremely comfortable to wear
Fold up design allows for easy storage

Wearing the Happy Plugs Play Pro is akin to giving your cranium a cuddle. These over-ears are light, breathable and come with foam cushions that are oh-so-kind on the lobes.

I’ve worn these affordable ANC cans for dozens of hours and I’m struggling to recall a more comfortable set of headphones I’ve either owned or tested. As much as I love my Apple AirPods Max, I usually find the cups start to irritate my ears after 90 minutes or so. By contrast, I can cheerily wear the Play Pro for hours on end and forget I still have these budget offerings clamped around my ears.

With a minimalist-yet-sturdy design constructed from matte plastics, these cans definitely feel like they should cost more than $59. The foam used on the cups and the middle of the Play Pro’s adjustable headband may attract a little sweat, but I can handle my ears getting a tad moist when the materials feel this comforting wrapped around my dome. I also dig the silver brushed metal that appears on the band should you extend it.

While it might be a slight stretch to describe the Play Pro as “premium”, they certainly don’t feel cheap. Tipping the scales at a svelte 253g, these cans are easy to carry around, and they’re made even more portable thanks to their fold-up design.

Design score: 4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Sound quality

Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones on a stand, on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Resonant, ear-rumbling bass output
Vocals can get drowned out
A lack of software means no EQ tweaks

Unlike Goldilocks, that porridge-stealing scoundrel who had her pick of breakfast options, you’re stuck with the Play Pro’s out-of-the-box audio serving. As there’s no available app, fiddling with EQ settings is off the table. OK, I’ll drop the stupid Three Bears analogy.

At this price, I won’t overly slam Happy Plugs for not providing software options for its sub-$100 over-ears. That’s not just due to the price of the Play Pro; it’s also because these headphones actually sound pretty good even though you can’t tweak their audio profile.

Naturally, the soundscape these cans offer can’t rival the best headphones out there. Yet if funds are tight, you could do way worse than the Play Pro. Bass feels relatively weighty, mostly avoiding that dreaded tinniness often associated with budget headphones, while also stopping short of dominating tracks that rock deeper melodies.

My musical tastes normally run the gamut of old to, well… older. While testing the Play Pro, I forced myself to listen to tracks that were at least semi-contemporary to complement the ageing bangers that prop up my iPhone’s various playlists.

Enter Alex Warren’s Ordinary. The chamber pop mega hit feels like it has dominated the charts for a veritable ice age, even if it was only released this past February.

The stirring percussion of this love song’s chorus is the audio equivalent of the T-Rex’s approaching footsteps in Jurassic Park. And that’s before you get to the singer himself, who has a baritone so deep, it makes the late, great James Earl Jones sound like Alvin or one of his chipmunk bros. I love a lower register and the Play Pro’s bass performance instantly impresses.

Alas, vocals can occasionally get a little drowned out during songs with a lot of instruments. A recent playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077 on my gaming PC inspired me to fire up snappy synthpop melody I Really Want to Stay at Your House by Rosa Walton & Hallie Coggins. Like Ordinary, the Play Pro handle the bass-heavy chorus sections with aplomb, however the song's flatter mid-sections come across as rather flat and muddled.

Not that vocal clarity is something these headphones are incapable of delivering. As someone who obsessively listens to podcasts on a daily basis, I found the Play Pro produced precise audio that was rarely difficult to pick out as long as the voices in question weren’t having to speak over background music.

And no, you spent three hours listening to a movie podcast about surprise ‘80s baby blockbuster, Look Who’s Talking. Don’t ask.

Generally speaking, the Play Pro sound loud and decently punchy. Mid-range audio doesn’t always come across as hugely accurate or detailed, but at this price I’m fairly content with the soundscape Happy Plugs has landed upon with these cans.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro: Value

Happy Plugs Play Pro headphones and their carrying bag on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Quality cups and sturdy plastic
Travel pouch is appreciated

Like to make a saving without massively compromizing on quality? The Happy Plugs Play Pro hit a pretty good sweet spot between price and performance. Sure, there are better sub-$100 cans out there – the aforementioned Earfun Wave Pro say hello – yet these perfectly decent headphones remain attractive at an alluring $59.

Well-built and with a carry pouch thrown in for good measure, the Play Pro are exactly the sort of affordable, commute-friendly cans you can throw in a bag and not worry about thanks to their price tag.

Sound is solid, their design assured without being garish, and battery performance above and beyond for a cheap pair of headphones. Yes, ANC could perform better, but it can just about get the ambient sound-slaying job done in the right circumstances.

Though I wish Happy Plugs had designed a companion app to allow me to create custom audio profiles, if a lack of such support was necessary to get the Play Pro in at $59 / £59 / AU$120 (approx.), then so be it. On the value front, the Swedish company has done a commendable job with these cheap yet reasonably classy over-ears.

Value score: 4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Features	Impressive battery life, but zero software support and subpar ANC drag the score down.	2.5/5
Design	Fairly stylish, extremely comfortable and easy to reach media controls.	4/5
Sound quality	Punchy without hitting premium territory, big bass makes up for muddled mid-range performance.	3.5/5
Value	Sound is decent, materials don’t feel cheap, ANC makes the cut, and battery life excels.	4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro: Should I buy?

Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones bent inwards on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Buy them if...

You want quality and comfort
Well-built, with foam ear cups that practically feel like cushions once you slip them around your head, these cheap headphones feel like they’ve been made with love. If you frequently go on long trips, you’ll love how comfortable these cans are.

You dig big bass
The Play Pro bring the bass… and then some. If you listen to a lot of R&B or like musicians with a Darth Vader-esque register, you’ll appreciate the audio output of these over-ears, which do a top notch job of emphasizing lower end tones.

Don't buy them if...

Quality ANC is crucial to you
There are so many headphones out there that do noise cancelling more effectively than the Play Pro. While ANC is reasonably effective in quieter indoor situations, go for a walk in a crowded area with these cans and you’ll hear every last bellow, laugh and tire screech.

You like to tweak EQ settings
As someone who constantly fiddles with the settings of his Sony Inzone H9, the lack of an app for the Play Pro really bugs me. If the default audio isn’t to your liking when you first unbox these over-ears, there’s nothing you can do about it.

Also consider

	Happy Plugs Play Pro	1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51	Earfun Wave Life
Drivers	40mm	400m dynamic	40mm
Active noise cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life	50 hours (ANC off); 35 hours (ANC on)	100 hours (ANC off); 65 hours (ANC on)	60 hours (ANC off); 37 house (ANC on)
Weight	253g	246g	264g
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.2; 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.4; USB-C
Waterproofing	IPX4	N/A	N/A

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
The overlord of cheap over-ears sport super-strong sound quality, top-tier ANC for the price and exceptional battery life. For less than $100, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more durable, better-sounding pair of budget headphones. Bravo, 1More.
See our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

Earfun Wave Life
At around $10 / £10 cheaper than the Play Pro, the Earfun Wave Life offer better ANC and longer-lasting battery life than Happy Plugs’ cans. Audio quality between the two is generally on par, though the winning Earfun app gives these over-ears the edge.
See our full Earfun Wave Life review

How I tested

Happy Plugs Play Pro over-ear headphones on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

Tested for three weeks
Used at home, outdoors and during commutes

I tested the Happy Plugs Play Pro over a three-week period. During that time I used these over-ears in different environments, spanning my ground-floor apartment, on walks through the center of my city and on public buses. I primarily connected the headphones to my iPhone 14 Pro – and to a lesser extent my iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) – to listen to my favorite tunes and various podcasts.

While listening to music, I ensured I covered a variety of genres, as outlined in the TechRadar testing playlist. I also tried to connect Happy Plugs’ cans to my Windows 11 laptop via a USB-C cable, but this only charges the headphones – you can’t listen to them over a wired connection.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: July 2025

I reviewed Marshall’s new Bluetooth speaker and it rocked my world with awesome audio and unbelievable battery life

12:07 pm | July 17, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: EQ | Comments: Off

Marshall Kilburn III: two-minute review

The Marshall Kilburn III is the latest entry in the brand's mid-sized Bluetooth speaker range, aiming to combine huge, impactful audio with a pleasingly portable design. It’s also a model that hopes to outdo its predecessor, delivering far superior battery life, refined looks, and revamped acoustics. But that all comes with quite a bump up in price. So, is the Kilburn III truly worth the additional spend?

Well, given the truly swathing improvements across the board, I honestly believe that the answer is "yes". Some of the upgrades here are totally game-changing, none more so than the boost to battery life. The Marshall Kilburn III can offer 50 hours – yes, 50 hours – of playtime, which is more than double its predecessor, at just over 20 hours. That bolstered battery life means that the Kilburn III has more playtime than any other Marshall speaker – and far more than the majority of competition in this size and price category.

What really makes this model stand out – even compared to some of the best Bluetooth speakers – is its stellar audio performance. But let me be clear, other enhancements, such as an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating, sleeker overall build and a premium gold control panel all come together to make the Kilburn III so much better than its predecessor, the Marshall Kilburn II.

Yes, the Kilburn III has fully reengineered acoustics, as well as bolstered 360-degree stereophonic sound. And the results from these adjustments are astonishingly good. This speaker served up incredibly clean, impactful bass, fantastically expressive mids, and energetic treble. No matter the genre of music you throw at it – it could be classical, it could be house, it could be rock – the Kilburn III nails it all, with beautifully full-sounding, omni-directional audio that’s seriously addictive.

It's also super-easy to adjust sound to your taste, either using the tactile knobs on top of the speaker, or via the Marshall app. The companion software opens up a number of EQ presets, a five-band equalizer, and even Placement Compensation, which optimizes audio for your space. It really is so easy to forge a sound that’s tailored to you, wherever you’re listening.

There are a bunch more features to unlock, too, such as battery preservation, Auracast, and charging bank functionality – which enables you to charge your phone through the Kilburn III’s USB-C port.

Arguably, though, the biggest draw of this model is its stunning looks. We’ve come to expect boundless beauty from Marshall over the years, with its eye-catching retro, amp-inspired design work translating beautifully into the world of speakers, headphones, and now even soundbars, following the launch of the five star-rated Marshall Heston 120. And it's no different with the Kilburn III.

Unlike the Kilburn II, gorgeous golden details used here for the logo and the controls really hammer home a premium feel. Pair that with neat speaker grilles on the front and reverse sides, pleasant knob and switch controls, as well as a red velvet-infused strap, and you’re looking at a masterclass in design.

The catch, as I flagged earlier, is that you’ll have to splash a fair amount of cash for the Kilburn III’s services. It will set you back $379 / £299 / AU$599 – which is by no means cheap. And it's also $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II cost at launch. Having said that, the improvements are seismic and this is a model that's right up there with premium rivals such as the Sonos Move 2 and Bose SoundLink Max.

All in all, the Marshall Kilburn III is an exemplary Bluetooth speaker that absolutely aces everything that matters most. Amazing sound? Check. Luxury looks? Check. And a tasty set of features? Also, check.

Sure, if you want an option that’s perfect for taking to the beach, its IP54 durability may not quite do the trick, and I’d point you in the direction of our best waterproof speakers guide. But if you want a true statement piece with class-leading battery life and audacious audio, this is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market.

Person holding the Marshall Kilburn III — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Kilburn III review: price and release date

$379 / £299 / AU$599
Launched in May 2025

The Marshall Kilburn III first released at the end of May 2025, almost seven years after its predecessor, the Kilburn II. It has a list price of $379 / £299 / AU$599, which is $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II at the point of release. But the price reflects a slew of improvements, which I’ll tackle in depth below.

You can grab the Kilburn III in either Black & Brass or Cream, but the variant you select should have little to no impact on the price you pay for the speaker.

Marshall Kilburn III review: specs

Weight	6.2lbs / 2.8kg
Dimensions	10.7 x 5.9 x 6.7 inches / 273 x 150 x 169mm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, AUX
Battery life	50 hours
Speaker drivers	1x 30W woofer; 2x 10W full ranges
Waterproofing	IP54

Person powering on the Marshall Kilburn III — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Kilburn III review: features

Effective Placement Compensation
Nifty companion app with decent EQ options
Colossal battery life

The Marshall Kilburn III has many of the key features you’d be looking for in a modern Bluetooth speaker. You get all the basics, such as multi-point connectivity and fast-pairing, but there’s so much more to unlock in the Marshall app.

For instance, there’s Placement Compensation, where you can state if the speaker is positioned close to an edge, a wall or corner, and the speaker will adapt its audio output accordingly. I tried all of the different calibrations and found that the adjustments all make a significant difference, so ensure that you have the right setup for your space.

There are also some tasty EQ options to sink your teeth into. Yes, gone are the days of simply making adjustments to the bass and treble; Marshall has included a five-band equalizer here, enabling you to make a custom EQ that's to your taste. Alternatively, you can pick from a number of presets, such as bass, mid, and treble boost.

Some other nuggets include: battery preservation options, such as the choice to lower charging speed if temperature is outside the ideal range; Auracast broadcast tune-in; and M-button customization, which enables you to alter the function of the "M" shortcut on the speaker’s control panel.

The bottom line is, all of the crucial features are present – and super-easy to play around with in the Marshall app. Although, there are a few omissions that you’ll find on rival speakers.

For instance, there’s no built-in mic for high-quality, hands-free calling, something you’ll find on a model such as the Sony ULT Field 3. In addition, there’s no multi-speaker pairing (ie. no JBL PartyBoost equivalent), so if 100% volume isn’t enough or you want to create a multi-room setup over Bluetooth, it may be worth checking out a larger option in our guide to the best party speakers. I don’t typically keep multiple units of the same speaker at hand, and I prefer to keep calls more private, meaning neither of these missing features bothered me all too much.

Perhaps the best feature of this speaker, though, is its ridiculously long battery life. It delivers 50 hours of playtime, which is far, far more than most rivals in its price and weight class. Even the brilliant JBL Xtreme 4 can only just knock out 30 hours with PlayTime Boost active. Combine that with the ability to charge external devices via the speaker’s USB-C port, and you’re looking at a true powerhouse.

Features score: 4.5/5

Person plugging USB-C cable into the Marshall Kilburn III — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Kilburn III review: sound quality

"True" 360-degree stereophonic sound
Incredible bass output
But overall sound is still brilliantly balanced

I was lucky enough to have the chance to try the Kilburn III out early at Marshall’s HQ in Stockholm, Sweden, so I already had a decent idea of this speaker’s talents. However, having spent a bit more time with it at our music testing room at Future Labs, I have realized that the Kilburn III is even better than I’d first thought.

One of the first things that struck me about this speaker was its booming bass output – something I also loved about the brand’s Heston 120 soundbar. When blasting Keep That Groove by Vitess, the pumping low-end was translated ultra-cleanly, with no noticeable distortion or muffling. Bass didn't ever overpower synths or vocals, and I didn’t even feel the need to activate the Bass Boost EQ mode!

The Kilburn III treated me to clear audio, even when I pumped out the tunes seriously loudly. For instance, when playing One-Winged Angel by Nobuo Uematsu, the piercing strings, ominous bass drums, and fear-inducing vocals culminated beautifully, never outshining one another. This is in part thanks to the Kilburn III’s dynamic loudness tech, which automatically adjusts bass, mids, and treble, so you don’t lose out on any detail.

Speaking of which, the Kilburn III is able to put up a pleasingly intricate performance, even though it lacks any "hi-res" Bluetooth codec support such as LDAC or aptX Adaptive. Leading sax from In The Pocket by Eric Darius danced through our testing room, sounding tonally accurate and unrestricted, resulting in a nuanced and expressive interpretation of the track. And thanks to the speaker’s "true" stereophonic sound, it didn’t matter where I was listening from – I got full-sounding, clear audio at every angle.

Even instrument separation surprised me after throwing on Vantablack by Intervals, with in-your-face electric guitar sounds well defined in the mix, even with a deep, powerful bassline and thrashing drums running throughout.

I really did throw a huge variety of tracks at the Kilburn III, and I was truly blown away by its ability to effortlessly handle anything sent its way.

With an all-action rock banger such as Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz, intertwining guitars sounded satisfyingly forward, with drums expertly positioned for a next-level listening experience. And with an upbeat dance track – something perhaps not associated with Marshall – such as A Fresh Energy by Gaskin, pumping bass was never lethargic, while higher-pitched percussive elements came through with incredible vibrancy.

The Kilburn III really is a Jack of all trades…but it's also a master of each one.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Person turning a knob on the Marshall Kilburn III — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Kilburn III review: design

Stunning amp-inspired looks
Excellent physical controls
IP54 waterproofing is better, but nothing special

I already own the Marshall Stanmore III and have always adored the way it looks in my living room setup. I just love the retro feel of the amp-inspired design Marshall uses for its speakers, so you won’t be shocked to hear I very much like the look of the Kilburn III.

It has a premium-looking faux leather outercasing, stunningly finished speaker grilles on its front and reverse side, a gold-plated control panel, and sleek handle that has a red velvet underside. I didn’t so much like the white logo and black control panel on the Kilburn II – but this new model feels far more high-end, and it's one that is going to look like a true statement piece in any living space.

When I spoke to Marshall about the Kilburn III, that sense of the speaker being a "statement piece" was strong in the mind. I was assured that the speaker wasn't meant to compete with the company's rugged models – think the Marshall Middleton or Marshall Emberton III. And that may explain its sort of "meh" waterproof rating.

The Kilburn III is just IP54 dust- and waterproof-rated, meaning it's only really protected against splashing water, not water jets or full on submersion. Of course, a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers are now IP67-rated – sometimes higher – so if you’re looking for the most rough-and-ready model around, you should probably look elsewhere.

Regardless, there are other design aspects of the Kilburn III of which I am a fan. First of all, the tactile knobs on top of the speaker are incredibly effective and well built. You can alter volume, bass, or treble levels with these. There’s also a pin control, which makes a return from other Marshall models, for switching the speaker on or off. Perhaps the most interesting physical control, though, is the "M" button, which can be set to a variety of functions – such as sifting through EQ options – via the Marshall app.

On the reverse side of the speaker, you'll also find a USB-C port to charge the speaker or external devices, as well as a 3.5mm AUX port if you want to indulge in wired listening.

Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall logo on the Marshall Kilburn III

(Image credit: Future)

Marshall Kilburn III review: value

More expensive than its predecessor…
…but a seismic improvement across the board
Well-priced against rivals

I’ve flagged it a couple of times in this review, but the Marshall Kilburn III is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. Given the sheer scale and breadth of improvements, though, I think it’s totally worth it.

Battery life is much improved, it has a more premium design, and the re-engineered acoustics have taken the revamped Kilburn to new heights. Even around that $400 / £300 / AU$600 zone, it sounds well-worth every penny.

And even against some similar-sized competitors, I wouldn’t consider the Kilburn III to be overpriced. For instance, 2024’s JBL Xtreme 4 launched at $379 / £329 / AU$499, and after testing both models side-by-side, I'd give Marshall’s effort the slight edge sonically. Of course, given its age, you can often find the JBL Xtreme 4 on sale now, though.

On top of that, this model is cheaper than the Bose SoundLink Max at the point of release, which often still goes for the full $399 / £399 / AU$599. So, the Kilburn III is far from the priciest in its weight class.

Value score: 4.5/5

Reverse side of the Marshall Kilburn III — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Marshall Kilburn III?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Some small omissions can’t overshadow amazing battery life and in-app functions.	4.5/5
Sound quality	Beautifully balanced audio even at high volumes, no matter the listening angle.	5/5
Design	Attractive amp-inspired design with gorgeous golden details.	4.5/5
Value	A price bump over its predecessor, but sounds, looks, and feels well-worth it.	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You love the Marshall aesthetic
The Kilburn III stays faithful to the traditional Marshall aesthetic with its retro-looking amp-inspired design, adding a golden control panel and logo, upgraded tactile knobs, and a pin-style power switch, to make the Kilburn III a real beauty.

You need plenty of battery life
Arguably the most impressive aspect of this Bluetooth speaker is its outrageously long battery life. With 50 hours of playtime, depending on listening volume, there's more than enough juice to keep the party running into the next day…and maybe the day after that, too.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Marshall Kilburn III is an expensive speaker, and significantly pricier than its predecessor. Of course, I think there's enough to justify that hike; but if you’re on a budget, consider models such as the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 and the Marshall Kilburn II – both of which we’ve tested and enjoyed.

You want a big, powerful party speaker
The Kilburn III can get pretty loud, displaying great bass output given its size. But for gigantic, yet talented, sound, nothing beats the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. It can even double up as a karaoke machine – what more could you want?

Marshall Kilburn III review: also consider

	Marshall Kilburn III	JBL Xtreme 4	Bose SoundLink Max
Price	$379 / £299 / AU$599	$379 / £329 / AU$499	$399 / £399 / AU$599
Weight	6.2lbs / 2.8kg	4.63 lbs / 2.1kg	4.7lbs / 2.1kg
Dimensions	10.7 x 5.9 x 6.7 inches / 273 x 150 x 169mm	11.7 x 5.9 x 5.6 inches / 297 x 149 x 141mm	4.7 x 10.4 x 4.1 inches / 120 x 265 x 105mm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, AUX	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
Battery life	50 hours	24 hours (plus up to 6 hours more with Playtime Boost)	20 hours
Speaker drivers	1 x 30W woofer; 2 x 10W full ranges	2 x 30W woofers, 2 x 20W tweeters	2 x 89mm transducers, 1 x 23mm transducer, 2x passive radiators
Waterproofing	IP54	IP67	IP67

JBL Xtreme 4
I still rate the JBL Xtreme 4 as one of the best party speakers around. I used it for comparison testing against the Kilburn III, and it still displays that clear, responsive, impactful sound that I remembered from last year. This model is a little more rugged, boasting an IP67 waterproof rating. On top of that, it can be found on sale fairly regularly now, so you should be able to grab it for less than the Kilburn III. Read our full JBL Xtreme 4 review.

Bose SoundLink Max
If you want big, bold, balanced audio, the Bose SoundLink Max is a top-tier option. Again, this one’s IP67-rated, so it’s a little better protected against the elements. It’s gorgeous, too, much like the other speakers in the SoundLink line – but there’s a severe drop off in battery life when you compare this to the Kilburn III. On occasion, you can find the SoundLink Max for $100 / £100 off, so if Bose has your heart, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for a sale. Read our full Bose SoundLink Max review.

Marshall Kilburn III review: how I tested

Marshall Kilburn III red velvet strap — (Image credit: Future)

Tested for one week
Mainly used in our music testing facility at Future Labs
Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Marshall Kilburn III over a week-long period, making use of its full set of features, playing hours of music, and assessing all aspects of its design. I mainly used the speaker in our music testing room at Future Labs, so that I could judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When blasting tunes, I mainly used Tidal, but I occasionally played songs over Spotify too. As always, I started the testing process by streaming tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to a ton of tracks from my own personal library. I ran a comparison test with the JBL Xtreme 4 to assess aspects such as sub-bass output, instrument separation, and sonic detail.

I’ve tested all sorts of audio equipment during my time at TechRadar, from flagship headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, through to home cinema products such as the Marshall Heston 120. I’ve reviewed an array of speakers along the way from brands such as Sony, JBL, and, of course, Marshall. As a result, I’m more than familiar with the Kilburn III’s rivals, as well as what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly competitive market.

First reviewed: July 2025
Read more about how we test

My favorite outdoor open earbuds finally have a successor – and I still can’t tell if I like them or not

2:30 pm | July 15, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Comments: Off

OneOdio OpenRock S2: Two minute review

I’ve tested so many of the best open earbuds recently that they’ve almost started to blur into one, but I’ve never forgotten two of the first open-ears I tested for how unique they were. One of these was the OneOdio OpenRock S – and it has finally seen a successor in the OneOdio OpenRock S2. But the thing is, it’s quite a different proposition.

The OpenRock Pro and OpenRock S were pretty big and bulky open-ears compared to what we’re seeing in 2025 but they were perfect for outdoor adventures or running thanks to their absolutely huge battery life, rugged design and solid, robust, inflexible design.

For better or worse the OpenRock S2 aren’t like the first-gen model but keep closer to current market trends in terms of design and feature set. I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but these new buds could be more appealing to a wider audience so I can understand the change.

These are slightly more affordable alternatives to most of the other major open earbuds we’ve seen this year, the majority of which sit just north of the $100 / £100 / AU$200 price line. I’d recommend them to people who want decent open-ears but don’t need the very best audio, fully-rounded feature set or long-lasting batteries.

The S2 are lightweight buds with a more flexible design and much smaller carry case, so won’t take up so much space in your bag or on your head than the last-gen model. I did find that this design presented a few issues with fit though, as the buds would sometimes move position on my head or get stuck on my ear’s antitragus, and I found myself missing the older buds’ design.

Another downgrade is a battery life in that it's roughly half that of the predecessors, but other areas compensate: OpenRock finally has a phone app for its earbuds, which wasn’t the case upon the release of the previous-gen buds.

The sound profile is warm with a clear focus on bass, with tech from the company emphasizing bass not to give it extra oomph, but to ensure you can even hear it in this form factor (which often loses it). They’re good options if you’re looking for something to work out with.

If you were put off by the original OpenRock’s rugged, chunky look and huge carry case, thinking it a bit too much of a fringe option for you, you’ll definitely think the S2 an interesting new pair of earbuds. But if those traits were the entire selling point of the originals for you (as they were for me), the S2 just don’t have that uniqueness.

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Specifications

Component	Value
Water resistant	IPX5
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds), 32 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 6.0
Weight	7g / Charging case: 58g
Driver	12mm

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Price and availability

The OpenRock S2 on the edge of a camp chair. — (Image credit: Future)

Released in June 2025
Costs $98.99 / £79.99 / AU$154

The OneOdio OpenRock S2 went on sale in June 2025, officially marking the second generation of OpenRock’s sports-specific open-ear headphones.

You can pick up the buds for $98.99 / £79.99 / AU$154 , so they’re cheaper than their predecessors, which released in October 2023 for $99 / £89 (roughly AU$150) although price cuts have seen the OpenRock S go for half that.

That also puts the OpenRock S2 as some of the most affordable open earbuds to come out this year, a good option for cost-cutters. You can find some competitors below, but let me speak plain: the options worth buying are all about $130 / £100 / AU$200.

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Design

The OpenRock S2 in a man's hands — (Image credit: Future)

Small and lightweight case
Lightweight buds, slightly wobbly design
Hard-to-press physical buttons

Having tested previous OpenRocks, I was expecting a similarly huge carry case (relatively – earbuds cases can be like boxes of dental floss now) for the S2, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a much smaller pebble-shaped holder which weighs just 58g and easily fits in a hand.

While it’s made from a fairly brittle plastic that doesn’t feel like it’d survive much of a battering (I didn't try any drop tests), the speckled pattern on it makes it more distinctive-looking than the vast number of its rivals I've used.

The earbuds themselves are also smaller and more svelte than previous offerings from the company. They weigh just 7g each and are made up of a small bud, a thin rubbery sports loop and a larger counterweight/battery pack that sits behind your ear.

As stated, I’ve tested loads of open-ears and these have got to be some of the most comfortable, thanks to how small and lightweight they are. Often I’d completely forget I was even wearing them.

Despite being comfortable, the fit isn’t reliable, likely due to just how thin, flexible and wobbly the sports loop is. When running, working out or sometimes even walking, the driver housing near my ear would wobble or change position a little, which can have a big knock-on effect on audio quality.

Another thing to criticize on the design front is the touch controls. On-ear controls, be they touch capacitive sensors or physical clicking buttons, are a hard thing for companies to get right, but the S2 is possibly the worst example yet on an open earbuds design.

The button is on the bottom of the counterweight, so if you want to pause your music, you have to press upwards — which shoves the thing straight out of your ear. Now that’ll stop your music! The solution is to hold the bud in place with your other fingers or hand to keep it in place, but this is a much more convoluted process than, say, picking up your phone and pressing ‘pause’.

Design score: 3.5/5

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Features

8-hour battery, 32 hours from case
New app with extra features
Reliable connection via Bluetooth 6.0

OpenRock has seriously cut the S2’s battery life from its predecessor, which is a big shame. You’re now looking at a lasting power of 8 hours per bud, or 32 hours when you factor in the case, which is about average for open-ears but far short of the 19/60-hour life of the OpenRock S. It’s a shame to see a downgrade like this from one of the S’ best selling points.

As with most open earbuds, there’s no noise cancellation here; in fact, the form factor makes it easy to hear surrounding sounds. In truth, the buds’ relatively low max volume means that often, you might not even hear your music over the surrounding din in built-up cities, say.

The OpenRock S2 work alongside the OpenRock phone app which brings a few extra features. The most important one of these is the equalizer, which has three presets (Rock Mode, Relax Mode and Boom Mode, a graphic of the equalizer curve being the only way you’ll know what any of them do) and a seven-band custom mode.

This was a little infuriating to use as every time you change profile, music quickly flickers off and back on, so repeatedly tweaking the sound creates a strobe-like effect.

The app offers a few premium features like Spatial Sound, a way to adjust the left-right balance of music, a Hi-Res Mode and Multi-Point Connection. Some expected features appear like the ability to customize touch controls and there are two rarer ones: the ability to set an alarm to let you know you’ve been listening for a set amount of time, and a maximum volume limiter (ironic, given what I said about the volume).

Throughout testing, I found the OpenRock S2 quick and easy to connect to my phone, and reliable at maintaining a connection.

Features score: 4/5

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Sound performance

The OpenRock S2 on a man's ear. — (Image credit: Future)

14.2mm driver
Bass tech returns for warm sound profile
Low max volume, can be hard to hear

Each bud of the OpenRock S2 has a 12mm driver. It supports LDAC, AAC and SBC codecs, the former once you enable it via the app. The buds sound decent for their cost, though they’re not the best open-ears for audiophiles.

A selling point of OpenRock’s first-gen open-ears is back here: TubeBass, which boosts low-end sounds to fix a common complaint of the form factor, that thumping rhythms can be lost in the gap between earbud and ear canal.

TubeBass works well in ensuring the S2 is one of the better open-ears for bass fans, ensuring that you hear the bump of a bass guitar, synth or double bass in your chosen song. It makes the buds useful for people who listen to lots of workout songs, though obviously they don’t compare to any over-ear or in-ears which will deliver far more bass.

The bass isn’t overwhelming though, so it doesn’t drown out the treble in sounds. The overall sound profile of the buds is undeniably warm though, so guitars are crunchy and brass can be punchy but vocal lines lack some sparkle and sharpness through the upper mids and trebles. Mids can also be lost in songs, even rockier ones that enjoy extra ‘oomph’ from their rhythm guitars.

The soundstage is fairly limited, combining instruments into a bit of a thick lump at times, but this isn’t as damning as it sounds because the kind of nuance that a detailed soundstage can offer can also be quickly lost in open-ears when surrounding sounds get in the way.

Sound performance score: 3.5/5

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: Value

The OpenRock S2 on a camp chair. — (Image credit: Future)

OpenRock’s decision to price these as more affordable than most other open-ears from major brands was a smart one. It makes them tempting as an alternative to top options from brands like Nothing, Huawei and Honor, for people who want to save money.

The S2 isn’t so fantastic value for money that it’s an instant must-buy, but they still provide lots of bang for your buck. That’d be doubly true if a discount ever comes to them to reduce the price a little further, especially for US buyers.

Value score: 4/5

OneOdio OpenRock S2 review: scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Value	It's an affordable option that doesn't have the feature set of rivals (or predecessors) but isn't that much of a downgrade.	4/5
Design	Much more lightweight and svelte than before, perhaps too much so.	3.5/5
Features	Most of the features you need are present, even if some have seen a downgrade from past models.	4/5
Sound	A warm sound profile that'll appeal to people working out, though it has its limitations.	3.5/5

OneOdio OpenRock S2: Should you buy them?

Buy them if...

You want something lightweight
Both the buds and the case of the OpenRock S2 are easy to wear or carry due to their light nature.

You're on a budget
One of the most affordable options around right now, the OpenRock S2 will appeal to people looking to save.

You like your bassy, fiery sound
The OpenRock S2 won't offer you sonic perfection but instead a sound profile that lists to the warm, bassy and fuzzy.

Don't buy them if...

You'll listen in busy areas
The low max volume of the OpenRock S2 makes them unsuitable for use in busy and noisy areas, where they'll compete with other surrounding sounds.

You need rugged earbuds
The unique appeal of past OpenRock buds is lost here with a shorter battery life, looser design and less-protected carry case.

Also consider

Component	OpenRock S2	Earfun OpenJump	JLab Epic Open Sport	OpenRock S
Water resistant	IPX5	IPX7	IP55	IPX5
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds) 32 hours (total)	11 hours (earbuds) 42 hours (total)	7 hours (earbuds), 30 hours (total)	19 hours (earbuds), 60 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 6.0	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.3
Weight	7g / Charging case: 58g	8g / Charging case: 67g	16.8g / Charging case: 49.6g	12g / Charging case: 132g
Driver	12mm	14.2mm	14mm	16.2mm

Earfun OpenJump
One of the other affordable open earbuds you might want to consider comes from Earfun, and they're cheaper in the US but pricier in most other places. These buds don't sound as good but their equalizer has plenty more customization and they last longer.
Read our full Earfun OpenJump review

JLab Epic Open Sport
These contemporary open-ears sound a little better than the OpenRock, however their features don't quite match especially in the battery life.
Read our full JLab Epic Open Sport review

How I tested

The OpenRock S2 underwent roughly two weeks of testing in order to write this review, and as the introduction implies they're just the latest in a long chain of open-ears I've been testing.

During the review period the buds were connected to an Android smartphone and I generally used them for music on Spotify but also occasionally for calls, games, TV show streaming and listening to voice notes. This took place on runs, at the gym, on walks around my neighborhood and at home.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019 and have used a huge range of tech. This includes other open-ear buds as well as past earbuds from OpenRock and other headphones from parent company OneOdio.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: July 2025

Well, I just found the best earbuds for noise-cancellation I’ll ever test (probably)

4:23 pm | July 9, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: DAC | Comments: Off

OnePlus Buds 4: Two-minute review

It’s easy to dismiss earbuds made by smartphone companies as a cheap add-on made to sell alongside a handset, a job made easier by the fact that many are. But the OnePlus Buds 4 shows that this isn’t always the case.

Let me speak plain: these earbuds are really good for ANC. Some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds around, then? Absolutely, but that's not the end of the story – if it were, you'd be right to utter 'So, why the four-star review, not five?' and I'll get to that, I promise.

The OnePlus Buds 4 are the successors to last year’s OnePlus Buds 3, but with a little of the DNA of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. And these new fourth-gen buds are independent from OnePlus phones to such a degree that they weren’t actually released alongside any flagship handset from the company (though their launch did coincide with some new cheaper Nord 5 phones from the brand).

I appreciate it when companies do what OnePlus has done here: create buds that focus on offering a few key superb selling points that beat the competition. It ensures it’s easy to compare them positively to other buds, and makes my job of writing an intro that much easier!

One such department on the OnePlus Buds 4 is the Active Noise Cancellation, or ANC. Once the most important arms-race of any headphone maker, though now slightly forgotten in the reverse arms-race of open earbuds, ANC is still an important feature for many buyers… and the Buds 4 have easily the best noise cancelling performance in any earbuds or headphones I’ve tested at this price. It absolutely eradicates background sound, no matter how noisy, and you’d have to buy buds for double the price to get something competitive.

The design of the buds also needs to be commended. You might not be able to tell from photos, but these earbuds themselves are perhaps the lightest I’ve ever tested at under 5g (I haven’t gone through every review I’ve written to check, but quite a few!) and they’re really comfortable as a result. The case is also really small, and equally lightweight (see above, about me having written too many reviews to check these against every one). Sometimes, fantastic design isn’t a funky look or weird features or LEDs, but the meat-and-potatoes of a light, comfortable wear.

You’re getting a (mostly) fantastic feature set from the OnePlus Buds 4 too, again one of the best selections of extras in any buds I’ve tested at this price. I won’t go through them all, as I’ve already exceeded my word count in the Features section talking about them, but goodies like a listening test, Spatial Audio and high-res listening are all working well.

But wait! I haven’t mentioned how the things sound yet! That isn’t because it’s bad, just that the features and design are so great I got distracted. Like the Buds 3, there's a strong focus on bassy booming sound, but it’s much better balanced this time around. Music is punchy and exciting, with plenty of customization options to take it further.

The main issue I had with the OnePlus Buds 4? It's a big one I'm afraid: the app had a ton of connectivity problems, which really affected my experience with the buds. I need to preface this statement by saying that I used the buds before their official release and it’s very possible that by the time they are in your ears, these software kinks will be ironed out, but it's also important for me to be honest in my write ups – and this was my experience. I have tested myriad sets of earbuds, and if it was challenging to me, it will surely be for any owner.

Some buyers will also find the price increase over the OnePlus Buds 3 hard to swallow, but the significant uptick in ANC efficacy justifies it.

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Price and release date

The OnePlus Buds 4 on a window sill. — (Image credit: Future)

Unveiled in June 2025, officially launched July 8, 2025
Costs $129.99 / £119 (roughly AU$200)
Price hike over predecessor

The OnePlus Buds 4 became available on July 8 2025, alongside a Nord-y line-up of phones from the company’s affordable line of Androids.

TechRadar was provided with the buds’ UK price prior to launch: £119, and they've been released in the US for $129.99, which means in Australia they'll set you back around AU$200 or just above.

Many buyers will probably get these buds for free, though, as OnePlus likes to offer gadgets like this for free if you buy its mobiles.

It’s worth pointing out that this price is a noticeable hike from the $99 / £89 / AU$179 price point of the previous-gen buds, but is still far south of the $179 / £199 (roughly AU$400) price of the Buds 3 Pro.

At that price, I could hear arguments for these counting as cheap earbuds, and other points in favor of these being mid-rangers. Either way, there are lots of rivals at this price point, and you can find them described in the Competition section below.

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Specs

Drivers	11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter
Active noise cancellation	Yes
Battery life (ANC off)	11 hours (buds) 45 hours (case)
Weight	4.73g (buds) 40g (case)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4
Waterproofing	IP55

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Features

The OnePlus Buds 4 in a man's hands. — (Image credit: Future)

Amazing noise cancellation
…but we need to talk about the app
6/24 hour battery life (ANC on)

When I first turned on the OnePlus Buds 4’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), I was in a busy gym – it’s a great test case due to all the noises going on (and the music they play at my local is absolutely awful). I was absolutely floored by how much background sound the buds removed, which I’ll aptly summarize simply as ‘basically all of it’.

This is on the buds’ High ANC mode, which uses an algorithm to automatically adapt for wherever you are. There’s also a moderate and low, and also an Auto which… also chooses between those three automatically. You’ve also also got a Transparency mode to block out ambient noise but allow loud nearby ones, and yet another adaptive mode which selects between Transparency and standard noise cancellation. If you’ve been keeping count, that’s three different auto modes.

Using the HeyMelody app was a pain. It never remembered the buds between listening sessions so I kept having to re-add them, which was hard when it could only detect them about 50% of the time. And when it could and I pressed ‘Connect’, I wouldn’t get taken through the the app pages where I could control the buds. Oh no.

Instead a pop-up would appear telling me that I can find more settings for the earbuds by going to my phone’s Bluetooth settings. Okay, good to know. But pressing ‘Cancel’ just hides the pop-up so I need to press ‘Connect’ again, and pressing ‘Go’ just takes me to my phone’s Bluetooth settings. It took me ages to figure out I’d need to go to this menu (not a page in HeyMelody, I should add), and then select the headphones, and then press ‘Earbud functions’ which would take me back to HeyMelody. It’s an absolutely infuriating and long-winded process and I can’t imagine that this is actually how it’s meant to function.

It’s a shame because you really do need to use the HeyMelody app as most of the Buds 4's features are within it – and because those features are some of these earbuds' biggest draws.

You’ve got OnePlus 3D Audio, the company’s version of Spatial Audio. You’ve got an equalizer, which offers a 6-band custom mode or three presets along with a separate bass booster called BassWave. You’ve got the ability to set up ways to control your phone camera with the buds, toggles for High-Res mode, a find-my-earbuds function and, most importantly Golden Sound.

Golden Sound combines two tests we infrequently see in earbuds: an ear canal scan and a listening test, which together create a custom sound profile to enhance your music. I was impressed to see results which back ups hat I’ve independent learnt about my ears (one being better than the other) and the created sound profile did mark an improvement on the buds’ sound (albeit a smaller improvement than on some other buds which also have this test).

Some other features of the Buds 4, like a live translation feature, are exclusive to owners of a OnePlus phone.

Throughout testing, the connection between my phone and the buds was flawless, with the Bluetooth never dropping once. That wasn’t the case with the app itself, as I’ve already said, and every time I plugged the buds in it defaulted to their Transparency ANC mode, so I’d have to open up the app and change it.

With all these features, and more to list in the Sound Quality section, there’s a knock-on effect. The OnePlus Buds 4 battery life is fine, but nothing to write home about, and it can suffer if you’re using all the features.

The buds have a battery life of 11 hours… with ANC switched off. Turn it on and that drops by nearly half to 6 hours, and using LHDC codec drops it even further by about an hour. The case itself has quite a bit of gas in the tank as it starts at 45 hours of listening time, dropping to 24 with ANC and 22 with LHDC.

Those are all OnePlus’ figures but my own testing backed them up. With ANC but without LHDC, I’d get just over 6 hours of listening time on one charge.

Features score: 3.5/5

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Design

Incredibly light case and buds
Fiddly touch controls
Black or green color options

Banish the thought of the square-cased OnePlus Buds 3; in the Buds 4, the company has borrowed the case design of the Buds Pro 3. That means it’s a pebble-shaped container that opens horizontally to reveal the top of the buds.

The case weighs 40g, so it’s very lightweight, and it’s certainly one of the smallest I’ve seen recently, clocking in at 65.4 x 52.4 x 25.3mm according to the very-specific figures OnePlus provided TechRadar.

I did find it a bit fiddly to get the buds back into the case at times, frequently putting the wrong one in the gaps. It’s probably only a concern to people who identify as klutzes, so I can’t list it as a ‘Con’, but it’s worth pointing out.

Like the buds themselves, the case comes in green or black. As someone who’s tested loads of OnePlus tech over the years, I’ve got to say the colors are very… ‘OnePlus-y’.

The buds weigh 4.73g so they’re incredibly lightweight. They use a stem design like previous buds from the company, so they consist of a body which stays wedged in your ear with a rubber tip, and a small stem that dangles down

Both buds have a stem that you can stroke up or down to change the volume. I found these really hard to use, as a light touch wouldn’t be triggered, and a hard one would invariably dislodge the buds in my ears. I quickly figured that it was better to stick to using my phone for volume controls. The actual double-tap controls worked a lot better though.

The buds are IP55 rated which means they’re protected against dust ingress, and can survive against low-pressure water jets. Yes, that includes sweat and rain, but I wouldn’t wear them during a water fight or while you swim.

Design score: 4/5

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Sound quality

11mm+6mm drivers, dual DAC
Emphasis on bassy sound
Supports Hi-Res Audio, LHDC

The OnePlus Buds 4in a man's ear. — (Image credit: Future)

OnePlus has absolutely stuffed the Buds 4 full of audio-specific features.

Take, for example the drivers: each has two, an 11mm woofer for bass and 6mm tweeter for the higher stuff. There’s also a dual DAC solution, offering a separate one for each driver, so let each specialise. Buds 3 Pro users might be getting some Deja vu right now.

If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, you will have noticed that I’ve referenced plenty of bass features. Like the previous-gen buds, these models offer absolutely loads of bass – they’re punchy and exciting, but crucially it’s not as lopsidedly-balanced as the last-gen buds.

Vocal lines, guitar rhythms, piano harmonies are all crystal clear and defined, with the buds’ new focus on dynamic balance ensuring other parts of music can cut through the bass surprisingly well.

Listeners who like finely-balanced audio may still find the Buds 4’s heavy bass off-putting (even though you can strip lots of the excess away using the app’s EQ), but if you don’t mind a bit of oomph, the buds are fantastic.

The buds also support streaming High-Res audio via the Hi-Res Audio Wireless standard, the LHDC 5.0 Bluetooth codec and offer a sampling rate of 192Hz.

Sound quality: 4/5

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Value

Good value at full price
Great value on sale
Incredible value as bundle gift

I mentioned before that you may be receiving these as a pre-order or buying bonus with a phone, and if that’s the case… yep, a 100% discount is pretty good value for money!

In a hypothetical situation in which you’re buying these at full price, they’re still really good value for money due to the stand-out features. You’d be hard-pressed to get buds for cheaper with ANC, a feature set or a design like this.

However, if you don’t mind compromising in a few areas, you can definitely get buds for under $100/£100/AU$200 which equal the Buds 4 in most departments – if not the ANC.

Value: 4/5

Should I buy the OnePlus Buds 4?

OnePlus Buds 4 score card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	A fantastic feature set and top-notch ANC are a little hard to use thanks to the app experience.	3.5/5
Design	Incredibly lightweight buds that you'll forget are in your ear.	4/5
Sound quality	Heavy bass that doesn't obscure the rest of your music and is energetic and punchy.	4/5
Value	They're not too expensive and the entire package could cost twice as much without it being a rip-off.	3.5/5

Buy them if…

You need top-of-the-line ANC
I can't stress just how impressive the OnePlus Buds 4 noise cancellation is. If you hate background sound, buy it.

You have a OnePlus phone
A few features of the Buds 4 are exclusive to OnePlus users, so if you have such a phone, you're getting a little extra out of the purchase.

You want lightweight buds
Some earbuds are a pretty noticeable presence in your ear, for better or worse. The OnePlus buds certainly aren't that.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You're not a bass fan
While not as overwhelming as on last year's model, the Buds 4 certainly offer lots of bass which isn't for everyone.

You want earbuds for long journeys
When you switch on all of its features, the OnePlus Buds 4 don't really last all that long.

OnePlus Buds 4 review: Also consider

	OnePlus Buds 4	Nothing Ear	Earfun Free Pro 3	OnePlus Buds 3
Drivers	11mm + 6mm	11mm	7mm	10.4mm + 6mm
Active noise cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life	11 hours (buds) 45 hours (case)	5.2 hours (buds); 24 hours (case)	7.5 hours (buds) 25.5 hours total (with case)	10 hours (buds) 44 hours (case)
Weight	4.73g (buds) 40g (case)	4.62g (buds); 51.9g (case)	41.5g total	4.8g (buds) 40.8g (case)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing	IP55	IP54	IPX5	IP55

Nothing Ear
These similar-priced earbuds also offer loads of bass and a top-end feature set that's comparable. The battery life is even worse but a few unique features may clinch the deal.

See our full Nothing Ear review

Sony WF-C710N
You could save a little money and buy these Sony buds, which have a stem-less design. They too have great ANC and some useful features, including from Sony's impressive suite, and their battery life is also much better/

See our full Sony WF-C710N review

How I tested the OnePlus Buds 4

Tested for 14 days
Tested at home, in the office and on walks

The testing and writing period of the OnePlus Buds 4 took roughly two weeks, most of which were testing and a few of which were writing.

I used the buds alongside my Realme Android phone and the apps I used included Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, Netflix and various games. I tested at home, around my neighborhood, at the gym and on public transport.

For TechRadar I've tested plenty of other earbuds including the previous-gen OnePlus Buds 3, and have other reviewed other gadgets from the company including the buds' contemporary smartphones.

First reviewed in July 2025

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I spent two weeks with the UE Megaboom 4, and it’s now my go-to Bluetooth speaker for summer

1:00 pm | July 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: UE | Comments: Off

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: Two-minute review

Ultimate Ears already has already put out some of the best Bluetooth speakers around, and while I don’t think it’s quite as easy to recommend for the masses as the brilliant UE Wonderboom 4, the UE Megaboom 4 still has its place as a great option for anyone who wants a fairly premium speaker that completely eradicates any feelings of battery anxiety, and can really bring the bass and volume necessary to give any party a jolt.

After putting the speaker through its paces, it’s clear now that the Megaboom 4 feels most at home with pop and dance tracks, so if those feature regularly in your go-to playlists then you’ll enjoy the soundscape on offer. Busier rock/alternative tracks do get a bit muddled in the mix so for fans of Linkin Park, Rise Against and the like, you may want to look elsewhere.

What can’t be faulted is the signature UE design that not only looks great with its oversized volume buttons, it’s also functional, giving way to a rugged IP67 rating, ensuring that the speaker is more than ready to withstand an accidental dip (or full submersion) in water. The move to USB-C, while a minor tweak on the UE Megaboom 3, is still a welcome change for the sake of convenience.

The UE app also lets you configure the EQ settings to offer up even more of a spotlight to the vocals or the bassline, depending on what you prefer, and the PartyUp mode lets you pair other UE speakers to keep the playlist going in every room of a house. What really sets it apart in this price range however is a 20-hour battery life that absolutely decimates the 10-hour stint of the similarly priced Sonos Roam 2. While you can certainly get better sound by paying a bit more for the Bang & Olufsen A1 Gen 3, I think the Megaboom 4 represents one of the best options for folks who want a long-lasting speaker that doesn’t go beyond the $200/£200 mark.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Price and release date

Released June 2024
Officially priced at $199.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.95

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 came to market back in June 2024 alongside a plethora of UE speakers, and at the time of writing it’ll set you back $199.99/£169.99 At that price, the Megaboom 4 is easily one of the more expensive Bluetooth speakers you can buy, but it still sits in the mid-range sector of UE’s own devices, eclipsed by the UE Everboom and the UE Epicboom.

There are four colourways available including Active Black, Cobalt Blue, Raspberry Red and Enchanting Lilac, all of which are set with the same RRP. At around the $200/£200 mark, the Megaboom 4’s closest competition can be found in the Sonos Roam 2 and the JBL Charge 5, although the latter tends to be regularly discounted. There’s also the cheaper and similar in style UE Boom 4 which is priced at £129.99/$149.99.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 in black, in a house with white window frames in the background — (Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Specs

Weight:	935g
Dimensions:	225 x 87 x 87mm
Battery life (quoted):	20 hours
Connectivity:	Bluetooth (unspecified)
Drivers:	2 x 50mm ohm drivers, 2 x 55x86mm passive radiators
Aux-in:	No
Charger port:	USB-C
Microphone:	No
Waterproof rating:	IP67

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Features

20-hour battery life
USB-C has replaced micro-USB
Quick playback with the Magic Button

It says a great deal about just how slow Ultimate Ears has been to fully embrace USB-C in its devices that one of the biggest upgrades the Megaboom 4 has over the Megaboom 3 is that it finally does away with having a micro-USB port. Beyond that however, the two speakers are largely the same, so if you’re not too fussed about convenience when it comes to charging then you might want to seek out the Megaboom 3 at a discount. If you’re anything like me however, access to a USB-C port wins out every time.

Even though the upgrades are fairly minimal, the UE Wonderboom 4 is far from being featureless. One of its best concepts (and something I wish every Bluetooth speaker had) is a ‘Magic Button’ that gets you straight into a playlist with one push. Without the marketing jargon attached, this button is the same play/pause input that you tend to see on the top of most Ultimate Ears speakers but if you hold it down (even when the Megaboom 4 is switched off), after a few seconds one of four preselected playlists will begin.

To save from any wasted time over deciding what to play first, this ‘one touch’ system is an ingenious way of getting the party started. Bear in mind however that you need either a Spotify of Amazon Music account to use this feature, so you’ll be out of luck if you’re an Apple Music fan. In addition to having your favourite playlists/albums ready to go, the Ultimate Ears app also lets you tweak the soundscape with equaliser controls.

There are five preset EQs available within the app, although the sound does tend to be a bit more generally pleasing to the ear if you opt for the standard ‘Signature’ mode. If you do have a preference for bass or treble however then there is a custom option available that lets you tweak the levels as you see fit, and you save those changes so that they’re ready to go in a few taps.

Even though the Megaboom 4 can reach some pretty high volumes, Ultimate Ears’ PartyUp mode lets you bring additional UE speakers into the mix to help cover a larger area. Not all of UE’s existing products work with this however, so you’ll need to check which devices are compatible ahead of time if you do fancy making use of it, but it’s still a great feature to have. It never gets old when you’re moving from one room to another and there’s no break whatsoever in the tunes you’re listening to, or as it more often tends to be in my case, an audiobook.

What is sure to raise an eyebrow (or two, if you can't raise one on its own) from anyone in the market for a new speaker is the fact that the Megaboom 4 can run for up to 20-hours at a time. That's more than you’ll ever need for a single gathering, but if you’re heading away for a weekend and you’d rather save your battery pack for topping up other devices like your phone, it’s nice to know that the Megaboom 4 can go the distance. With that kind of longevity, the Megaboom 4 towers over the Sonos Roam 2.

Features score: 4/5

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Design

Same signature UE style
IP67 waterproof and dust-proof
USB-C port has a dust cover

If there's one thing that I can’t fault Ultimate Ears speakers for, it's their design. Even though I have the far more portable JBL Clip 5 in my possession, I've preferred bringing UE devices with me to the office or to picnics over the years because of how great they look. The oversized volume buttons are instantly recognisable, and just a lot more interesting to look at than your average speaker.

It’s all much the same with the Megaboom 4, although I will admit that it looks practically identical to its predecessor, so don’t go looking for any visual markers to let you know that this is a newer product. Still, the cylindrical frame isn’t just for show, it’s also functional as it helps to deliver the audio in a 360-degree scope so you won’t have to strain to hear what’s being played.

Similar to its green ambitions that kicked off with the excellent Wonderboom 3, UE has endeavoured to have a sizeable chunk of the Megaboom 4’s plastic segments be constructed from recycled plastics – over 54% in fact. While there’s always more that can be done, it is still great to see Ultimate Ears taking some initiative in an area that feels as if it’s been sidelined somewhat in recent years by other companies. Plus, even with those recycled plastics in tow, the Megaboom 4 is still one durable device.

Courtesy of an official IP67 rating, the Megaboom 4 can absolutely take an accidental dip in the pool without cause for concern, and it’s been drop tested too. Even just to hold the speaker (which weighs in at 935g), there’s a decent heft to it that feels reassuring. As a nice added touch, the USB-C port also has a cover to keep it protected from any debris.

Design score: 4.5/5

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Sound quality

Works best at higher volumes
Pop songs sound great here, with plenty of bass
Rock and similarly busy genres don't fair too well

So far, I’ve painted a fairly pretty picture of the UE Megaboom 4, and while I do love this speaker, it unfortunately doesn’t quite stick the landing when it comes to sound quality. At the surface level, this is a speaker that feels right at home when listening to pop music.

Playing an all-time classic in Britney Spears’ Oops!… I Did It Again, it showcases the perfect mix of the song’s twangy bass, rhythmic cymbals and of course the vocals which never feel drowned out by everything that’s going on. It’s precisely the blend that you’d want for an outdoor gathering as you can sing along to the music without feeling as though the instruments are overpowering.

Moving over to a modern pick that leans more towards being a dance track, Charli XCX’s Apple benefits from the same treatment, except this time it does a better job of showing off the Megaboom 4’s room for a hefty bassline under the right conditions. The kick pedal beat that rolls throughout much of the track packs a hefty punch, and it’s sure to get people off of their seats and moving (it certainly had that effect on me).

It’s with these party friendly tracks that the Megaboom 4 really shines, especially when they’re played at a decent volume that allows the speaker to show off what it can do. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for personal playback when you’re alone and you just want to listen to your go-to favourites.

Embracing my emo roots, as one does when working from home, a run-through of Send the Pain Below by Chevelle shows where the Megaboom 4 trips up. At a lower volume, it just feels as if the song is a bit muffled, which isn’t helped by the fact that the speaker doesn’t quite know what to do with busier rock songs like this. The lead guitar sounds a bit too crunchy and it ends up suffocating the bass during the chorus, so I think you're better off looking elsewhere if you mostly plan on playing tracks of a similar vibe.

Sound quality: 3.5/5

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Value

One thing I cannot fault the Megaboom 4 on is its value. Almost in defiance of today’s economic landscape, the Megaboom 4 retails at the same price that the Megaboom 3 went on sale for back in 2018. That’s unheard of in the modern age and it just means that if your current Bluetooth speaker is starting to show its age, you won’t be penalised at the checkout for having held out until now to upgrade.

I will say though that because of how minimal the upgrades are between the Megaboom 4 and the Megaboom 3, if you do own the latter then it’s not worth making the upgrade unless battery life has started to take a real hit (or you’re ready to finally do away with the last micro-USB cable in your collection).

There’s also the issue that UE has undermined its own product to a degree as you can buy the slightly cheaper UE Boom 4 at $149.99£129.99, so long as you don’t mind sacrificing five-hours of battery life and a bit of bass. Still, for all that the Megaboom 4 offers, I’d sooner recommend it above the competition for anyone who just wants a long-lasting, durable speaker with great volume to get them through the weekend.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4?

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	The Megaboom 4 now supports USB-C and runs for up to 20-hours at a time	4/5
Design	The same classic UE design but with rugged credentials to back it up on the road	4.5/5
Sound quality	Improved bass and depth for pop, but lacking in clarity for rock and busier songs	3.5/5
Value	No price increase over the Megaboom 3, and feature packed for the price	4.5/5

Buy it if…

You need a long-lasting Bluetooth speaker
With 20-hours of battery life in the tank, it’s unlikely that you’ll reach 0% over the course of a weekend, which makes the Megaboom 4 a great option for longevity.

You need great volume to power a party
If there’s one thing the Megaboom 4 can carry with confidence, it’s volume. I can’t remember the last time I tested a speaker that felt more at home at the louder end of the scale.

You’re a fan of pop music
While heavy rock fans should look elsewhere, the Megaboom 4 does classic and modern pop justice with great depth that’ll have you singing along in no time.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a speaker for personal playback
The Megaboom 4 doesn’t sound quite right until you crank the volume up, which means you’re better off looking elsewhere for simply listening to music and podcasts at home.

You need a speaker for a small gathering
For a small gathering or picnic, the Megaboom 4 is definitely overkill, which is why a more portable speaker will do the job just fine.

You want the best value Ultimate Ears speaker
For most people, the more bijou UE Wonderboom 4 can give you everything you could want from a Bluetooth speaker, and it’s a great deal cheaper too.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review: Also consider

	UE Megaboom 4	UE Wonderboom 4	Sonos Roam 2
Dimensions:	225 x 87 x 87mm	104 x 95.3 x 95.3mm	98 x 98 x 35mm
Weight:	935g	420g	430g
Battery life (quoted):	20 hours	14 hours	10 hours
Connectivity:	Bluetooth (unspecified)	Bluetooth 5.2	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Drivers:	2 x 50mm ohm drivers, 2 x 55x86mm passive radiators	2 x 40mm active drivers, 2 x 46.1x65.2mm passive radiators	A tweeter, a mid-woofer, and two class-h digital amplifiers
Aux-in:	No	No	No
Charger port:	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Microphone:	No	No	Yes
Waterproof rating:	IP67	IP67	IP67

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
At just $99.99/£89.99, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is an absolute bargain, providing a rugged design and great sound in return. For the folks who just want an upgraded experience to playing songs directly on their smartphone, this is the one to go for.
Read more in our UE Wonderboom 4 review.

Sonos Roam 2
If you value sound quality and portability over battery life (plus the ability to stream over your home Wi-Fi network) the Sonos Roam 2 is probably the speaker for you. It can fit into a bag more easily than the Megaboom 4, and you'll benefit from Sonos’ signature detailed sound.
Read more in our Sonos Roam 2 review.

How I tested the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

Tested for two weeks, both indoors and in a communal garden
Connected to a variety of Android phones

For the purpose of this review, I used the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 as my main Bluetooth speaker over a period of two weeks, mostly playing songs indoors with occasional moments of testing in an outdoor garden.

I paired the speaker primarily with Android phones, including the OnePlus 12 and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro.

I tested the speaker with a wide range of genres beyond those mentioned in the sound test, including heavy metal (Lamb of God), hyperpop (100 Gecs) and rap (Kendrick Lamar).

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: July 2025

The Focal Bathys MG are beautiful wireless headphones, with just a modicum of higher-res wireless tech left off

1:00 pm | July 2, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones | Comments: Off

Focal Bathys MG: Two-minute review

And you thought Focal's first wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones were expensive…

The French company has had a good long think about things, developed an all-new magnesium driver, one with an ‘M’-shaped dome, and built it in-house. The company has then added a lovely new ‘chestnut’ finish and badged the resulting model ‘Bathys MG’. Oh, and then slapped an uber-premium price ticket on it.

Remarkably, the Bathys MG go quite a long way to justifying that asking price. They’re beautifully built and finished, and really look the part. They have potent battery life, and will remain comfortable even if you drain that battery in one sitting. They will function as a USB DAC if you want to use them for desktop or office listening. And they have way more positives than negatives when it comes to the sound those fancy-pants drivers can serve up.

Some of the best headphones money can buy then? Well, nothing's perfect, and the Focal lack the wireless codec compatibility that could absolutely maximise their Bluetooth performance – it only takes a moment’s comparison of their sound when running via USB-C to the wireless equivalent to realise this. And while their active noise-cancellation is pretty good, ‘pretty good’ doesn’t approach ‘class-leading’ at this sort of money.

As with sound quality, though, the overall positives outweigh the negatives to a considerable degree. If you’ve the headroom in your bank account, the Focal Bathys MG have plenty to recommend them.

Focal Bathys Mg in bronze, featuring ear cup detail on gray background — (Image credit: Future)

Focal Bathys MG review: Price & release date

Released March 26th, 2025
$1299 / £999 / AU$2299

The Focal Bathys MG were announced on March 26, 2025 and went on sale the following month.

Eyebrows were raised at the revelation of the asking price, and it seems fair to say they haven’t really been lowered since – Focal has pitched these headphones at the very outer edge of the wireless over-ear market, where only rarefied alternatives from the likes of Audio Technica, Bang & Olufsen and Mark Levinson serve as competition…

Focal Bathys MG review: Specs

Type	Over-ear, closed-back, noise-cancelling
Drivers	40mm magnesium ‘M’-dome
Weight	350g
Battery life	30h (wireless); 35h (hard-wired); 42h (DAC mode)
Connectivity	5.2 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility, 3.5mm, USB-C DAC connectivity

Focal Bathys MG review: Features

40mm magnesium ‘M’-dome dynamic drivers
Bluetooth: 5.2 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility
Will function as a 24bit/192kHz USB-DAC

When you’re asking absolutely top dollar for a pair of wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, there are a lot of ‘features’ boxes that need a thorough ticking. With the Bathys MG, it seems fair to say Focal has dealt with most, but not all, of them.

The headline, the thing Focal seems most proud of, and the feature that goes furthest in separating the Bathys MG from their more affordable Bathys sibling, is the 40mm magnesium ‘M’-dome dynamic driver that produces the sound. These drivers are made in Focal’s workshops in France and, according to the company, deliver a frequency response of 10Hz - 22kHz. The measurable distortion is vanishingly low, and Focal is bullish about the sonic power and clarity this design is capable of serving up.

Getting information on board the headphones in order for those drivers to do their thing can be achieved in a few different ways. Obviously the Bathys MG are wireless headphones, and use Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility for wireless connectivity - which is fine as far as it goes, but it could be argued that it doesn’t go far enough. Bluetooth 5.4 represents the cutting edge right now, and codecs like LDAC and, especially, aptX Lossless offer optimum sound quality. LC3 and Auracast are also increasingly common in wireless designs that sell for significantly less than this, but the Focal go without. At least the Bathys MG feature multi-point connectivity.

There’s a 3.5mm analogue input on the edge of the right earcup, so the Bathys MG can be hard-wired to a source of music – an in-flight entertainment system, for instance – when wireless transmission is not available. And the USB-C slot that’s nearby not only allows for battery charging but also turns the headphones into a USB DAC – make a digital connection to a source of music and the Bathys MG can deal with 24bit/192kHz hi-res content like the best of the standalone headphone DACs we've tested. Just select the correct position on the little ‘off/DAC/on’ slider on the right ear cup and you’re in business.

On the subject of the battery, it’s worth noting the Focal cannot be used passively – no power, no sound. But given that battery life is around 30 hours when using Bluetooth, 35 hours via the analogue connection or an epic 42 hours when operating as a USB DAC, you’d have to be pretty negligent to run dry. And should the worst happen, the fast-charging function means that 15 minutes of mains power should equate to five hours of playback.

Features score: 4/5

Focal Bathys Mg three screen-grabs of the app, on gray background — (Image credit: Focal)

Focal Bathys MG review: Sound quality

Spacious, insightful and energetic sound
Punchy and dynamic presentation
Treble response can be goaded

Conext, of course, is everything. The Focal Bathys MG get almost everything right when it comes to the way they sound – but when you’re asking four figures for a pair of headphones, ‘almost’ means you’ve come up slightly short.

The stuff that’s enjoyable is a much longer list than the stuff that isn’t, though, so I might as well start here. The Bathys MG are a beautifully open, organised and detailed listen – the stage they create is spacious and properly defined, and there isn’t an event that happens on it that’s too fleeting, too minor or too transient to be overlooked. The Focal are absolutely hawk-like in their attention to detail, and their ability to identify and contextualise every single incident in a recording makes them one of the most out-and-out revealing headphones I’ve heard in a good long while.

No matter it it’s Talk Talk’s timeless Spirit of Eden as a DSD64 file being delivered via aptX Bluetooth or a 24bit/192kHz FLAC file of I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin served up by the Bathy MG functioning as a USB DAC, they communicate in the most relentless and articulate fashion. Low frequencies are textured and endlessly varied, and so carefully controlled that rhythmic expression is never an issue. The word ‘revealing’ is almost too weak a way to describe the way the Focal handle the midrange – Aretha’s peerless technique and exquisite tone is translated in the most eloquent manner imaginable.

Switch to a 24bit/48kHz FLAC file of James Holden’s Imagine This is a High Dimensional Space of All Possibilities and the dynamic headroom the Bathy MG demonstrate, as well as the straightforward punch and attack, is deeply impressive. There’s real momentum to this recording, and the Focal describe it in full and with complete confidence.

The whole frequency range hangs together well, and frequency response is smooth and even too. Really, it’s only at the top end that any shortcomings are apparent – and for most of the time, they’re latent rather than overt. Treble sounds are slightly distinct in their tonality from the rest of the frequency range – there’s an edginess, a willingness to bite, that puts them at odds somewhat with everything else that’s going on. Very big volumes and/or sharp-edged recordings are no friends of the treble response of these headphones.

Otherwise, it’s only the active noise-cancellation that sounds the mildest of bum notes. There’s no shame in having to play second fiddle to Bose when it comes to ANC – everyone else is too, after all. But the job the Bathys MG do on external sounds is not complete. They damp down ambient noise, of course, and do so without altering their sonic characteristics in any way or leaving a sensation of counter-signal – but if it’s complete negation of external noise you’re after, you won’t get it here.

Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Focal Bathys MG review: Design

Excellent standard of build and finish
Premium materials look and feel good
Rigid carry-case with a selection of cables

Within the inevitable constraints of over-headphone design, Focal has done good work with the Bathys MG. Whether or not a pair of headphones can ever look or feel like they cost four figures is debatable, but there’s no arguing with the standard of construction, the industrial design or the quality of the materials involved here.

At 350g the Focal are of manageable weight, and their clamping force and hanger arrangement allow them to stay comfortable for hours on end. This is helped in a fairly big way by the use of leather and padded microfibre for the headband, and similarly padded pleather for the (replaceable) ear pads. The bulk of the frame is of aluminium or hard-wearing plastic, and the design on the ear cups (first seen on the original Focal Bathys) helps these headphones look distinctive and up-market. The ‘chestnut’ colour, which shifts subtly as the light changes, is very agreeable – and the in-app ability to adjust the intensity of the lighting of the stylised company logo on each ear cup is a nice touch too.

The app itself is on the brief side, but those few functions it does include are useful and well-implemented. A five-band EQ has some presets and the ability to save custom settings, noise-cancellation can be toggled between ‘transparent’, ‘soft’ and ‘silent’, and there’s a ‘Mimi’ test to help the headphones set themselves up to suit your specific hearing profile.

Voice-control is available via your player’s native assistant – there are four mics in each earcup taking care of these interactions as well as telephony and ANC. And there are some physical controls, almost all on the right earcup – the classic three-button strip takes care of volume up/down, play/pause, skip forwards/backwards and Bluetooth pairing, and there’s a button to wake your voice assistant. There’s that on/off/DAC slider too, of course. And on the left ear cup, there’s a button that lets you cycle through your ANC options.

The Bathys MG arrive in a rigid travel case (which is not as big as it might be, given that they don’t fold beyond some articulation in the ear cup yokes). It includes a couple of 1.2m cables of very acceptable quality – one is a 3.5mm analogue number, the other a USB-C.

Design score: 4.5/5

Focal Bathys MG review: Value

Great standard of build, from premium materials
Good battery life, extremely enjoyable sound
Not the last word in wireless technology

Obviously these are expensive headphones – so it’s mildly surprising that the Focal Bathys MG go so far towards offering value for money. They’re nicely made, look good, use upmarket materials and have quite a few technical highlights – not least their driver technology.

The uptick in performance when used as a USB DAC compared to the wireless equivalent does make me wish for LDAC or, better still, aptX Lossless compatibility though – then we’d be talking about value for money that would be very difficult indeed to argue with.

Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Focal Bathys MG?

Section	Notes	Score
Features	No power, no sound when wired, and no Auracast or LC3 in an otherwise beautiful setup	4/5
Sound quality	Practically perfect… just a shade off excellent for ANC and treble response	4.5/5
Design	Lovely colorway and classy build, but LDAC wireless support would've been ideal	4.5/5
Value	A touch surprising, given the asking fee, but they're not bad value at all…	4/5

Buy them if...

You value exclusivity
The Focal look and feel like a premium product - which is just as well, given the asking price

You like expansive and informative sound
Even music you’re very familiar with can sound fresh when heard through these headphones

You indulge in long listening sessions
Tha Bathys MG have the battery-life to indulge you and are as comfortable as they come

Don't buy them if...

You’re expecting a fully featured control app
The Focal app is sort of the anti-Sony - its functionality is very restricted

You want cutting-edge wireless technologies
Where Bluetooth specification is concerned, the Bathys MG are not exactly at the forefront

You’re especially sensitive to high-frequency sound
The Focal live right on the edge when it comes to treble response

Focal Bathys MG: Also consider

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
The OG of premium audio will, of course, sell you an extremely pricey and very good-looking pair of wireless over-ear headphones – and happily the H95 have the performance to justify the price. Read all about them in our Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 review

Focal Bathys
Their driver technology may not be as attention-grabbing as that of the Bathys MG, but then neither is the asking price – and the Bathys remain a very compelling option in their part of the market. Learn more in our full Focal Bathys review

Mark Levinson No. 5909
Safe to say Mark Levinson has concentrated on performance with the No. 5909 – they’re no one’s idea of a great-looking pair of headphones. If you prioritise sound, though, they are very hard to argue with. See them up close in our in-depth Mark Levinson No. 5909 review

How I tested the Focal Bathys MG

Wirelessly connected to an iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S
Hard-wired via USB-C to a MacBook Pro
For quite a long time

An Apple iPhone 14 Pro tops out with the AAC codec, of course – but a FiiO M15S can offer aptX to the Bathys MG, and doesn’t have the distraction of a native voice-assistant either.

For home listening, I listened to the Focal as a USB DAC via a USB-C connection to my MacBook Pro – the laptop is running Colibri software in order to get access to 24bit/192kHz content.

I listened for longer than I needed to, quite honestly, because it was no kind of hardship – and I listened to lots of different types of music, and lots of different file types and sizes.

First reviewed: July 2025
Read more about how we test

I’ve tested the Nothing Headphone (1) for 2 weeks, and they’re incredibly impressive – except where it counts the most

8:30 pm | July 1, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Comments: Off

Nothing Headphone (1): Two-minute review

The Nothing Headphone (1) are the first-ever over-ear headphones from the still-fairly-new tech company, joining its smartphones and a range of earbuds – including one model we rated as a five-star smash hit: the Nothing Ear (a).

While Nothing's earbuds are all mid-range or cheaper, however, the Nothing Headphone (1) are in competition with the best noise-cancelling headphones at a premium level, due to their $299 / £299 price (about AU$630). That's what you pay for a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 today – so do they stand up to one of the biggest names in wireless headphones?

Well, the Nothing Headphone (1) are a product of two halves. When it comes to the technical side of things, they absolutely won me over. They're crammed with features, ranging from tweakable active noise cancellation, to useful audio customization, to USB-C lossless sound support, to spatial audio.

With the exception of the limp spatial audio, these all work excellently, and when you pair them with fantastic on-ear controls – including a 'Roller' button that changes the volume (plus other functions) and is maybe my favorite button on a pair of headphones ever – and superb build quality, they feel well worth their price.

Sadly, the sound quality isn't at the same level. The audio is tuned by the great hi-fi brand KEF, and is reasonably refined, well-balanced, and broadly enjoyable. But it also feels compressed, and lacks the openness and expansive sound I'm used to from testing the competition at this price.

@techradar
♬ shine on - choppy.wav

I tested them directly against the Sony WH-1000XM5, and far preferred the extra breadth and detail the Sony cans offer. I also compared them to the Sennheiser Accentum Plus headphones, which can be bought for about half the price, and preferred the sound of those too.

That's the key divide in the Nothing Headphone (1): premium price, premium features, but mid-range sound. But is why you buy headphones, and it needs to match the rest.

There is another divide of sorts: the aesthetics, which some people like a lot, and some people detest. You'll have to make your own mind up. The headphones are comfortable and extremely well-made, though, there's no question about that.

If (well, when) they get a price drop, these could be great headphones. As it stands, I'd suggest you go for the Sony WH-1000XM5 at this price, or another option among our round-up of the best headphones.

The Nothing Headphone (1) on a man's head, shown from the side — (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Price and release date

$299 / £299 / AU$TBC
Released on July 15, 2025

Nothing's previous earbuds releases have all played in the budget-to-mid-range pool, but the Nothing Headphone (1) are going in at the premium deep end.

Their price of $299 / £299 matches the current street price of the Sony WH-1000MX5, and in the US is about the same price as the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. In the UK, you can get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for only a little more at the time of writing, and they often drop to a similarly competitive price in the US too.

That's pretty hardcore company, but the Nothing Headphone (1) are still significantly less expensive than the newest Sony WH-1000XM6, which come in at $449 / £399; and when it comes to features, the Nothing are closest to the XM6 and the Bose Ultra.

I'd also expect them to be available for less than their full price before too long. This is fairly standard with Nothing's earbuds, and the Nothing Ear (a) are now available at an effectively standard price that's far less than their launch price, which puts them top of our list of the best budget earbuds. Perhaps the Headphone (1) will drop before long; for now, though, I'm reviewing them based on their full price.

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Specs

Drivers	40mm dynamic
Active noise cancellation	Yes
Quoted battery life	ANC on: up to 35 hours. ANC off: up to 80 hours
Weight	329g
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3
Frequency range	20Hz-40kHz
Waterproofing	IP52

The Nothing Headphone (1) held in a man's hand, pushing the rocker switch — (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Features

Multiple noise-cancellation modes and spatial audio options
Lots of other customization options in the excellent app
You might need to turn on some basic-seeming features

The Nothing Headphone (1) certainly justify their price when it comes to the list of features. You've got adaptive active noise cancellation with Transparency mode, head-tracked spatial audio, equalizer customization options, LDAC higher-res wireless audio, USB-C lossless Hi-Res Audio connectivity, a 3.5mm jack, multi-point Bluetooth to two devices, wear detection, Google Fast Pair, a customizable control button, and up to 35 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on.

If you use them with the new Nothing Phone (3) you also get extra options, such as the option to use the customizable button to switch between your favorite audio apps, or active AI-based voice-note taking, in which your notes are automatically sorted into a relevant collection of notes on your phone.

Let's start with the noise cancellation, since it's the feature most people will use pretty much every time they turn on the headphones. You have three strength settings, plus 'Adaptive' – I was happiest sticking with 'High', but you might choose 'Low' for an office setting, say.

On High, the Nothing Headphone (1)'s noise-blocking power was essentially on a par with Sony WH-1000XM5 in my direct comparison. The noise cancellation does a great job of reducing sounds across the whole frequency range, and does it without interfering with the audio quality. I'd maybe give the Sony cans a 10% higher rating on higher-frequency noise reduction when listening to a podcast, but when listening to music, any difference between these two headphones was academic.

The noise cancellation isn't quite as good as you'll get on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Sony WH-1000XM6, but those cost more, so that's fair enough.

The Transparency mode works perfectly well, though it really emphasizes higher-frequency noises, such as crinkling a wrapper. This isn't uncommon, but the Sony XM5 cans maintained a more natural transparency sound when I compared them.

I also noted that when using Transparency mode and talking to someone, my own voice felt really boomy in my ears, far more so than with most of the premium headphones I've used for a while now, which is a bit distracting.

The Nothing Headphone (1) in their open case — (Image credit: Future)

You can switch noise cancellation levels in the app, and you can switch between ANC or Transparency mode using the Roller button on the headphones. The sound that the headphones make to indicate when you've switched modes are my favorite I've ever heard on a pair of headphones – a small thing, but I genuinely loved it.

You hear the sound of a big intake of breath when you switch to Transparency mode, like a sound spirit has been freed from the captivity of ANC. Then, when you turn ANC back on, there's a sucking and shutting sound, denoting the noise being trapped – like the lid slamming back down on the Ark of the Covenant. There's zero confusion as to which mode you've switched to, unlike with some headphones.

When you've finished choosing your noise cancellation mode in the app you can also customize the sound, using two different EQ options and a separate Bass Enhancer tool. I'll get into the latter in the Sound Quality section next, but the EQ options initially give you the option of some named presets (such as 'Vocal'), or you can go into a truly custom mode with an eight-band EQ.

By default, the only way to activate the spatial audio mode, or the separate head-tracked spatial audio mode, is from the app. However, one of the other options you can customize in the app is a physical button near the top of the headphones, which you can use to trigger basically anything from within the app (plus the Nothing Phone (3)-specific options, such as the AI Assistant or switching audio apps). I decided to set this to switch spatial audio modes for my review period, which worked nicely.

I'll talk about the quality of spatial audio in the next section, but the short version is that I don't think it adds anything here, and actively harms the quality of watching videos or movies, sadly.

One slightly odd thing about these headphones is that the wear-detection (to auto-pause what's playing when you take them off) and multi-point Bluetooth (to connect to two devices at once) are both turned off by default, and these settings are hidden in the Device Settings screen rather than being somewhere obvious.

I kind of get it with multi-point Bluetooth – it's not uncommon for this to be turned off by default, and it could be confusing for people not used to the idea. But auto-pause should definitely be turned on by default! The good news is that both work perfectly.

When it comes to battery life we're promised 35 hours with active noise cancellation turned on, and 80 hours with it turned off. I didn't have time to test the latter claim during my review period, but I got just over 38 hours of real-world use from the cans with ANC on, and that was with spatial audio turned on at times as well, which uses even more power.

That puts the Nothing Headphone (1) comfortably above the 30-hour Sony WH-1000XM5 for battery life, but they can't compete with the mighty 60-hour stamina of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless.

When it comes to microphone quality, these headphones are a little tinny and robotic, as many over-ear headphones are, but largely clear. Not bad, not impressive. I again broke out the Sony XM5 for comparison, and the two performed incredibly similarly – however, once again I heard my own voice booming far more in the Nothing in the Sony, which is a little unpleasant.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

The Nothing Headphone (1) black leather earpads — (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Sound quality

Well balanced with energetic low-end, especially with Bass Enhancer
Limited dynamism and expansiveness
Movie audio quality is weak, and spatial audio doesn't add anything

A quirk of timing meant that I received my Nothing Headphone (1) and starting testing them out before I knew their price. This meant that during my initial testing I had no preconceptions of how they should sound relative to their price; I just listened in isolation.

My instant reaction was "Oh, these must be much more mid-range than I expected from the design." I grabbed the Sennheiser Accentum Plus to do some comparison testing, since those are a top mid-range pick for us. And then I received the pricing information, and realized that these are not mid-range at all – but disappointingly the sound is.

The audio quality of the Nothing Headphone (1) is good, to be clear. But for their price, 'good' isn't good enough.

They're well-balanced across the frequencies, so the different elements of songs feel well represented, and no part seems to particularly overwhelm the others – as you'd hope, given the promise that the sound has been tuned by KEF.

The bass is muscular and impactful, but it still leaves space for the mid-range to feel solid. The treble is prominent without sticking out awkwardly, and delivers a reasonable amount of detail.

The problem is that it all feels bizarrely small and compressed. There's a surprising lack of expansiveness, and while the treble, mid and bass are all very well balanced they also feel shackled to each other, stuck dancing in a small group when then should be moving and spreading around the dance floor.

The sound never feels bigger than the earcups, and for this price, it should. I did direct listening comparisons, using the same music source, with the Sony WH-1000XM5, and you can feel that the music has more room to breathe in the latter.

Instruments separate better, voices sound more natural, the bass is more nimble and nuanced, the transient details are more defined in a way that gives the sound more solidity and realism, and there's a more expansive feeling to the mix.

The Nothing cans feel like they're lacking the fifth gear that other premium headphones have – when a song is supposed to open up into a climax of energy, the Nothing don't have any more headroom to offer.

If the Sony XM5's sound feels like it's coming from a pair of bookshelf speakers, the Nothing Headphone (1)'s sound feels like it's coming from a really good Bluetooth speaker; enjoyable enough given the limitations of the source, but simply lacking the scale and clarity you'd want.

I said that I was initially inclined to compare them to the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, and I'd put these two headphones roughly on a par. I prefer the Sennheiser's more open sound and extra touch of dynamism with small details, but the Nothing's energy and full bass will have their fans.

That's especially true if you activate the Bass Enhancer feature. I really like this! It adds more resonance and viciousness to low frequencies, in a good way. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it reaches deeper while maintaining total control over the sound. I would use this day-to-day with the headphones personally, for sure.

Bass Enhancer also gives you some fun extra flexibility choices when using the equalizer – for example, the Vocal preset on its own wasn't to my taste, but the Vocal preset with Bass Enhancer on was actually a tempting new option to listen with for a while.

The Sony XM5 are boomier in the bass than the Nothing, and with Bass Enhancer on I would say Nothing have the edge for low-end control and thrill, but it doesn't change the fact that I prefer the overall audio advantages of the Sony.

The spatial audio options ranged from middling to disappointing, in my opinion. They don't make music sound worse, but they don't really add to it. I felt no sense of anything new in the tracks with the basic non-head-tracking spatial mode enabled, I think mainly because it can't overcome the headphones' aforementioned overall problem of feeling like the sound is stuck right in the drivers next to your ears.

Switching to head tracking threw up an odd wrinkle, in that it always started with the 'centering' of the track being directly to my right, for whatever reason. If I kept my head looking forward it corrected itself after a few seconds.

The head tracking is good, but the lack of meaningful spatial upscaling means you don’t feel like you’re immersed in a performance in the way you can with Dolby Atmos head-tracking on the AirPods Max. It feels like sitting in front of a set of speakers; but, you know, not a very expansive set of speakers, because the headphones can't do that.

I'll also note here that spatial audio is no good with podcasts, since it throws a load of reverb into the mix, which just muddies things.

I tried movies as well as music, and the headphones' dynamic limitations really show themselves here. Epic movies feel smaller than they should, with dialogue trapped within the overall crush of the mix.

And spatial audio is even weaker here than it is with music – there was actually less directionality from the source soundtrack than when just listening in normal mode, I found. To go back to the Sony XM5, they delivered way more exciting movie audio, at a bigger scale, with harder impacts, and offering far clearer speech at the same time.

This has been quite a negative sound quality write-up, but I want to emphasize what I said at the top – they sound good. There's detail and good balance across the range, but you can get arguably better sound for half the price from Sennheiser, and definitely, in my opinion, better sound for the same price from Sony.

Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

The Nothing Headphone (1) showing the techy design of the earcups — (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Design

Weighty, but comfortable to wear
Headband adjusts further up than most headphones
On-ear controls are excellent

Before we get into the practical side of the Nothing Headphone (1)'s design, we need to talk about the aesthetic side.

This is one of the most divisive pairs of headphones we've had in TR Towers for a while, and conform strongly to Nothing's penchant for clear cases and the feeling that the tech inside is showing – but mixed with Apple-esque clean, milled aluminum.

The gamut of responses in the office has run from "I love the look of them" to "I really like what they're doing, but I don't think I'd wear them" to "I think they're straight retro cool" to "If they were round I think I'd like them more" to "These are the ugliest headphones I've ever seen".

I'm not going to dwell on the aesthetics here because it's so personal – I think they're charming, but they're not really my style.

They feel high-quality, though – there's basically no give in the construction where there shouldn't be, and the finish on the aluminum and plastic elements is really premium.

The Nothing Headphone (1) held in hands, flexing the headband — (Image credit: Future)

The earpads and headband cushion are leather, with no vegan option, so take note if you'd rather avoid that. The black leather really picks up skin oil, whether that's from your fingers while holding them or your head while wearing them. It wipes off instantly, but just know that it'll really show.

In terms of fit and comfort, the wireless headphones they most remind me of are AirPods Max. At 329g, they weigh a little less than 384g AirPods Max – but notably more than the 250g of the Sony WH-1000XM6 – and like the Max they use a fairly strong clamping force to stay on.

This fit will also be a little divisive – some people really prefer just a lighter-weight headphone that doesn't need to grip so much – but I found them more comfortable than the AirPods Max, and fine to wear for a good stretch of time. The well-padded earcups help with this, holding firmly but softly, and they didn't struggle to fit around my glasses. Still, I was certainly aware of the weight more than when wearing my trusty Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

I could see this kind of firm, clamping fit being popular with gym-goers, as is the case with the AirPods Max – and also just as with the AirPods Max I'm not sure it's a great idea, for sweat-related reasons.

The Nothing Headphone (1) worn by a man — (Image credit: Future)

Having an IP52 rating for dust and water is better than having no rating at all, but it means they're rated only for very limited water ingress protection; I'd suggest that IPX4 is what you want to protect against sweat properly. But it's better than nothing, which is what most rivals offer.

There is one physical design I element I really dislike here, though, and it's the positioning of the adjustable portion of the headband near the top of the head, rather than down by the earcups. My usual method of adjusting headphones for a tighter fit is to to grip the earcups with my palm, hold the armband with my fingers and pull them a little higher when needed.

Here, you have to reach for the top of the headband, which feels much less precise, and my brain had a lot of trouble adjusting. I'm counting this as an "If it wasn't broken, why fix it?" design change.

On the other hand, I absolutely love the physical controls on the Headphone (1). On the back of the right-hand earcup is a 'Roller' control, which you can rotate to change volume, press once to play/pause, and press and hold to change between noise cancellation and Transparency mode.

It moves really smoothly, the finger grips it just the right amount, and I never accidentally rolled it when I meant to press it, or vice versa. It's a wonderful bit of design, and might be my favorite piece of physical control design on any headphones ever. I should note that my colleague Becky Scarrot found that the Roller made a noise that irritated her when she used it – I didn't have any issue, though.

The Nothing Headphone (1) roller and rocker controls — (Image credit: Future)

Below this is a rocker control, which you can push forward or back quickly to skip tracks, or hold in either direction to fast-forward and rewind – perhaps not a necessary control for many people, but as a podcast fan who's used to skipping through ads or being able to go back if I became distracted, I liked having the option.

Another button near the top on the outside of the rear earcup is totally customizable – used with a Nothing Phone handset, it can be used to change which music service you're listening to; on other phones it'll activate a voice assistant as one option. I ended up setting it to change spatial audio modes.

On the bottom of the right earcup are a physical on/off switch, the USB-C port, and the 3.5mm jack.

Design-wise, then, the Nothing Headphone (1) are an odd mix of things I love, things I dislike, and things that really got the TR office talking. The controls and build quality lead me to conclude that they're well-designed on balance, but how you feel about the look will probably be the deciding factor, and I can't make that call for you.

Design score: 4 / 5

The Nothing Headphone (1) on-off switch and usb-c port — (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Value

Excellent, well-implemented set of features
High price sits well with feature list and build quality
The sound drags the value way down, though

As I've said elsewhere in this review, the Nothing Headphone (1) not only justify their premium price when it comes to their features, they actually manage to feel like something of a bargain. Only the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast prevents them from feeling truly future-proof, and those aren't widely used yet, so I can't really knock the value score on account of their absence.

They feel expensive too – whatever you think of the look, the quality under your fingers (and on your head) is clear, and elements as simple as the excellent roller control give you a little shot of satisfaction every time you use it, and reassure you that these are a well-made piece of tech, and that your money was well spent.

Alas, the sound is an anchor dragging all of that down. I think they sound arguably on par with, or perhaps slightly weaker than, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus headphones, which can be regularly found for a street price that's less than half of what Nothing is asking for the Nothing Headphone (1).

Balance it all out and they just about convince me that they're not actively bad value, but they're not good value either.

Value score: 3 / 5

The Nothing Headphone (1) resting on top of their closed felt case — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Nothing Headphone (1)?

Buy them if...

You want a unique look
They're the most striking pair of mainstream headphones in years, and are extremely well-built.

You want tons of control and customizability
Useful sound options, and the fully customizable button to add unique functionality are all really nice to have, and they have lots of connection options.

You'll use a Nothing Phone
They offer even more interesting options for Nothing Phone owners, including AI skills and instant switching between audio apps.

Don't buy them if...

Audio quality is your top priority
While they don't sound bad, they also don't sound good enough for the price – a lack of openness will frustrate both music and movie lovers.

You make a lot of calls
The call quality is average, but hearing your own boomy voice is frustrating, and other premium headphones generally avoid this.

You don't like heavy headphones
The Nothing headphones are comfortable, but you can feel their weight compared to far lighter options from Sony and Bose. That's the trade-off for the high-quality metal build.

Nothing Headphone (1) review: Also consider

	Nothing Headphone (1)	Sony WH-1000XM5	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Price	$299 / £299	About $299 / £279	About $349 / £349
Drivers	40mm dynamic	30mm dynamic	35mm dynamic
Connectivity (wireless)	Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC	Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC	Bluetooth 5.3, Snapdragon Sound
Weight	329g		250g
Connectivity (wired)	USB-C lossless audio, 3.5mm jack	USB-C (power only), 3.5mm jack	USB-C (power only), 3.5mm jack

Sony WH-1000XM5
The newer Sony WH-1000XM6 are out, but they cost way more than the Nothing Headphone (1). The older Sony XM5, however, can now be found for the same price, if not cheaper, than the Nothing – and they sound better, and feel far lighter, if that's your preference. Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review for more on the intricacies of these headphones.View Deal

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Another pair of headphones that are much lighter than the Nothing, and these also have a folding design, so are great for travel. They have better noise cancellation than the Nothing or Sony, and better sound too. Like the Nothing cans, they have a spatial audio mode that works by upscaling sound. They have around half the battery life of the Nothing headphones, though – although that was my only real complaint in my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review.View Deal

The Nothing Headphone (1) worn by man facing the camera directly — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Nothing Headphone (1)

Tested for two weeks using pre-release Nothing app
Tested at home, in the office, and while travelling
I've been reviewing audio tech for 14 years

I had two weeks to test the Nothing Headphone (1) before their official launch as part of my regular routine, using a pre-release version of the official Nothing app to control their features.

I primarily used them with my iPhone 16 Pro over Bluetooth, and also connected them to my iPad Pro to test the multi-point Bluetooth. I also listening to USB-C lossless audio from these devices, and from my MacBook Air. I used a Fiio M23 music player for LDAC playback.

I tested the active noise cancellation on public transport, walking around city streets, in the TechRadar office, and at home. I listened to the TechRadar audio testing playlist, as well as many hours of whatever music I was in the mood for.

I compared them directly to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Accentum Wireless headphones in listening tests.

To test the actual battery life I charged the headphones up to maximum, and then left them playing at 50% volume, with active noise cancellation turned on, for long periods, until I ran them down.

I've been testing audio products, including headphones, for around 14 years, ranging from early consumer Bluetooth options through to today's best wireless headphones of all kinds.

First reviewed: July 2025
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I reviewed the Sony ULT Field 3 Bluetooth speaker and it left me disappointed, for one key reason

5:30 pm | June 30, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: LDAC | Comments: Off

Sony ULT Field 3: two-minute review

The Sony ULT Field 3 is one of the latest portable Bluetooth speakers to enter a market stuffed to the gills with options. This one promises “impressive power”, “easy portability” and a build quality that'll play your music “anywhere, in any weather”. But with rivals such as JBL and Ultimate Ears going all-in on the whole rough-and-ready portable speaker thing, it begs the question… can Sony outdo its red-hot rivals?

At a glance, you may well think so. This speaker is packed with a ton of features. We’ve got multi-point, customizable EQ, environment optimization and, of course, ULT mode for enhanced bass output. That’s all very neat, and as always, Sony has done a great job with its Sound Connect app, which enables you to access all of these features and more.

This is also a highly durable speaker, with excellent build quality, IP67 dust and waterproofing and an adjustable strap, meaning it’s easy to transport and play in any environment. But, in order to outdo the best Bluetooth speakers around, the thing that truly matters in my book is sound quality.

Unfortunately for the Field 3, this is the one key reason that it fails to stake its claim as a class-leading option. Even with ULT mode on, which plays to the speaker’s strengths – beefy low-end output – you’ll notice significant compression at higher volumes, some harshness in the treble range and a slight lack of nuance.

Even if you want a more balanced listen, the ULT-off tuning simply didn’t cut it in my experience. You can achieve decent audio using the Sound Connect app’s seven-band equalizer, but still, you can’t expect well-separated, perfectly balanced audio.

And given the list price of this speaker – just under $200 / £180 / AU$330 – I think that middling sound quality is pretty disappointing. Some issues, like limited bass extension and mono-only sound (unless you pair to a second Field 3 model) are typical for a speaker of this size – but I’d still expect clearer, more controlled audio from a Sony product at this cost.

Again, a serviceable listen is certainly achievable on the Field 3. But some aspects are more than serviceable. More than anything, that includes battery life, which is very good for a speaker in this weight class. You get up to 24 hours with ULT on – admittedly not playing at high volume, though. Still, the Field 3 should have plenty of juice to last a long listening session, and it can even charge external devices with its USB-C port – which is a most welcome inclusion.

When all’s said and done, the Sony ULT Field 3 has some strong qualities, but just doesn’t have enough sauce to stand out in a talented crowd. Perhaps if it gets a juicy price cut in sales events I’d be able to say it’s worth checking out. But for the moment, I’d suggest looking elsewhere for a summer-ready Bluetooth speaker. Other models, such as the JBL Charge 5 or even the smaller, yet Wi-Fi-enabled Sonos Roam 2 would be better picks, just to name a couple.

Hand adjusting the strap on the Sony ULT Field 3 — (Image credit: Future)

Sony ULT Field 3 review: price and release date

$199 / £179 / AU$329
Launched in April 2025

The Sony ULT Field 3 launched alongside its sibling, the Sony ULT Field 5 in April 2025. It has a list price of $199 / £179 / AU$329, but there’s good news – I’ve already seen it on sale for less through various online retailers. In the UK, for instance, Sony has already run a slashed-price offer, which allows you to pick the ULT Field 3 up for less than £160, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain buy.

You can grab the ULT Field in three different colorways: Black; Forest Gray; and Off White. The variant you chose should have little to no impact on the price you pay for this model.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: specs

Drivers	1x 86 x 46mm woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter
Dimensions	10.1 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches / 256 x 113 x 79mm
Weight	2.6lbs / 1.2kg
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.2
Battery life	24 hours
Waterproofing	IP67

Buttons on top of the Sony ULT Field 3 — (Image credit: Future)

Sony ULT Field 3 review: features

ULT mode for enhanced bass output
Sound Field Optimization
Great battery life

As is typically the case with Sony, you’re getting a solid suite of features on the ULT Field 3. You get the standard stuff like multi-point connectivity, fast-pairing and multi-speaker pairing – which unlocks stereo mode – but there’s so much more to uncover.

Perhaps the main attraction is the ULT mode, which gives bass a gigantic boost. It’s well worth having this on if you want the most powerful, party-ready sound available, but I’ll drill into that a little more later. You can also listen with ULT mode off or set your own custom EQ using a seven band equalizer.

Another audio-related feature that interested me was Sound Field Optimization. This essentially detects noise from your surroundings and fine-tunes audio output to be as clear as possible for your environment – something that’s particularly useful in busier outdoor areas.

But if you dive into the Sony Sound Connect app, there’s a little more at your fingertips. There’s STAMINA (yep, in all caps) mode, which provides a boost to battery life while restricting elements like different sound modes. There’s also an option to prioritize connection quality over sound quality or control playback from your music apps.

One more feature that you don’t always find is an integrated mic that enables hand-free calling. I tested this out and found that my voice came through clearly and my friend's speech on the other end of the line never had any noticeable tinniness or distortion.

Does the ULT Field 3 have the most fleshed out feature-set I’ve ever seen? Well, not quite. There’s a distinct lack of EQ presets, no LED lights or similar, no Auracast over Bluetooth LE audio and omission of wired listening.

Still, there’s plenty overall – even a USB-C charging port that can juice up external devices or serve as a medium to charge the speaker itself. While we’re here, let’s talk battery life too. I was impressed with the ULT Field 3’s playtime – in fact, it’s one of the best things about this speaker. You get up to 24 hours of battery life – of course, if you’re listening at high volumes with ULT mode on, that’s gonna be lower. But still, this speaker is more than capable of keeping the tunes bumping well into the early hours.

Features score: 4/5

Tab on reverse side of the Sony ULT Field 3 open, exposing USB-C port — (Image credit: Future)

Sony ULT Field 3 review: sound quality

Standard ULT-off tuning sounds poor
But with it active, you get improved, bass-heavy audio
No advanced codecs, not even LDAC

OK, to be frank, I was initially pretty disappointed with the audio performance of the Sony ULT Field 3. I started off by listening with ULT switched off and tuned into Black Eye by Allie X which sounded… underwhelming. The meaty drum machine lacked its bite, taking the rhythmic bounce of the track down a peg. At higher volumes, the vocals had a slightly tinny edge to them too. But much of this could be rectified.

Yes, I simply pressed the ULT button and things vastly improved. The deep bass of that drum machine reared its lovely head, finally giving the track some much needed uplift in the low end and, in turn, I was gifted a more full-sounding delivery. In addition, dance tracks like Last One Standing by Kolter and Sidney Charles sounded better this way, with strong low-end output and decently crisp vocal sections.

But even with ULT mode on, I did encounter some issues. All songs sounded noticeably compressed as I gradually pushed the volume higher and higher. By the time I’d reached 80-100%, there was little breathing room for each instrument, resulting in quite a muffled, narrow sound. Treble especially could get pretty harsh with loudness pushed to the max. At medium volume, I’d argue that vocals, percussion and strings were all relatively clear, and the audio can just about fill a medium-sized room. But don’t expect phenomenal separation or microscopic levels of detail even here.

On that note, you won’t get any ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codecs with the Sony ULT Field 3. Even Sony’s proprietary LDAC has been left out. Then again, this is more of a fun and convenient party speaker rather than a device pitched at audiophiles. And there are a ton of great alternatives if you want a more revealing listen – just look at the Bose SoundLink Max (or newer, smaller, cheaper SoundLink Plus) for instance.

There are a couple of other issues I ran into that are worth noting. Even with ULT mode on, the speaker didn’t quite have the might to handle dark sub bass. For example, The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – marked by imposing deep bass running throughout – wasn’t replicated all too well. The speaker just didn’t quite have that extension in the low-end to make every boom sound ultra-clear, with the deepest notes tailing off a bit, even in ULT mode. For a speaker of this size, that’s fairly common – but it’s worth considering if you want the ultimate bass-heavy audio companion.

Speaking of that, there’s a seven-band equalizer that you can access via the Sound Connect app, which does enable you to forge a better sound than the standard ULT off tuning. But that’s it. There aren’t any other presets, which is pretty disappointing if you just want a swift way to adjust the sound to you. There’s also no EQ test, as seen on Sony’s recent smash hit headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Still, with a custom calibration, I did find that tracks with more emphasis on vocals – rather than big booming bass – could sound fairly clear. Rains Again by Solji had solid balance across the frequencies, with expressive vocals and soft strings coming through with enhanced clarity. And for tracks like this, where ULT mode will afford too much emphasis to the low-end, that quality is most welcome. All in all, decent audio is achievable with the ULT Field 3, but it’s far from the best-sounding speaker I’ve tested.

Sound quality score: 3/5

Sony logo on the Sony ULT Field 3

(Image credit: Future)

Sony ULT Field 3 review: design

IP67 dust and waterproof rating
Adjustable and detachable strap
Looks-wise not my fave, but fairly compact and durable

The Sony ULT Field 3 is certainly designed to be a rugged, outdoorsy speaker and it serves that purpose nicely. That’s largely thanks to its up-to-scratch IP67 rating, which means it's both dustproof and able to survive 30 minutes of underwater submersion, up to one meter – something I’d expect from any of the best waterproof speakers.

On top of that, there’s a really solid feel to the Field 3. It has a robust, durable, and fairly chunky build – if you dropped it I think it might break the ground rather than the other way round. Weighing in at 2.6lbs / 1.2kg, it’s got some serious weight for its size. Overall, it really does feel as if the ruggedness of this speaker is its selling point, rather than sound quality.

No matter the environment, you’ll be able to take the Field 3 around with ease, thanks to a fabric strap that’s pre-attached to the speaker (it can be removed). Some models like the Tribit Stormbox Lava come with a handle that you can swap in for transportation over shorter distances – something I would’ve liked to have seen here – though you can adjust the strap to make it shorter for handheld use if you’d prefer.

In terms of looks, I wasn’t loving the Field 3, though that’s fully down to personal preference. I just didn’t quite dig its rounded brick-like aesthetic and the color options were a bit on the bland side for me, but you might love it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

And there’s certainly stuff here that I do like, including simple yet effective button controls, a tab hiding the USB-C port, and a decently compact build. So yes, plenty to admire about the Field 3 as far as design goes – especially if you want something that’s ready to brave any setting, from living room through to the beach.

Design score: 4/5

Sony ULT Field 3 with strap attached — (Image credit: Future)

Sony ULT Field 3 review: value

Audio not good enough for the price
A lot of rivals can still offer the ruggedness too
Ultimately overshadowed in a tough market

The Sony ULT Field 3 is by no means an inexpensive speaker. At $199 / £179 / AU$329, it’s not quite in the premium tier, and its sibling the ULT Field 5 will come at a substantially higher price. But there are tons of similarly sized rivals offering great sound, build quality and features at a similar – or even lower price.

Value for money is simply not the ULT Field 3’s strong-suit. That's mainly because audio quality is pretty disappointing. You can definitely achieve a decent listening experience with ULT on for bass-heavy tracks, or custom calibration for softer genres and podcasts, but still – there are some issues, like underwhelming sound with ULT off and prominent compression at high volumes that hold this model back.

When you have rivals like the JBL Charge 6 on the market that offer impressive audio, an even higher IP rating and the same battery life, there simply aren’t many reasons to recommend the Field 3.

Is this a bad speaker? No, no it’s not. The ULT mode is the key draw, offering solid bass response for a speaker of this stature. You also get a ton of playtime and great protection against the elements. But I’d argue that’s not enough given the competition from, of course JBL – but also the Sonos Roam 2 (below), Ultimate Ears Everboom, and Tribit Stormbox Lava.

Value score: 2.5/5

Should I buy the Sony ULT Field 3?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Some omissions, but great battery life, environment optimization is a nice touch.	4/5
Sound quality	Needs ULT on to sound its best, at high volumes compression is noticeable.	3/5
Design	It's not the sleekest, but the Field 3 is rugged and ready for any environment.	4/5
Value	Average audio at a not-so-cheap price makes the Field 3 a tough sell.	2.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a speaker capable of handling any environment
I have no doubts that the Sony ULT Field 3 is capable of enduring almost any setting, thanks to its brilliant IP67 dust and waterproof rating. That means it can even survive being dunked underwater for 30 minutes – pretty impressive. If you want to bring your music anywhere and everywhere, the Field 3 has you covered.

You need a speaker with plenty of battery to go around
One of the best things about the ULT Field 3 is undoubtedly its battery life. You can get up to 24 hours here, which is enough to keep the tunes blasting throughout a beachside bash or house party for the ages. You can also use the Field 3 to charge external devices via its USB-C port, so when it comes to power, this really does have it all.

Don't buy it if...

You want great all-round audio
In terms of sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 3 is unlikely to wow you. Without ULT mode on, bass sounds too thin, but even when it is active you’ll notice a lot of compression at high volumes and treble especially can get quite harsh. I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best party speakers if you want a more sonically talented alternative.

You’re on a budget
The ULT Field 3 simply isn’t great value – particularly when it’s not on sale. You can do better for $199 / £179. But you don’t even have to spend that much. If you want a great speaker without having to spend all too much, I’d recommend checking out options like the five-star JBL Flip 7, or for something a little larger, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: also consider

	Sony ULT Field 3	JBL Charge 5	Sonos Roam 2
Price	$199 / £179 / AU$329	$179.95 / £169.99 / AU$199.95	$179 / £179 / AU$299
Drivers	1x 86 x 46mm woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter	1x 30W woofer, 1x 10W tweeter	1x tweeter, 1x mid-woofer
Dimensions	10.1 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches / 256 x 113 x 79mm	8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inches / 221 x 96 x 93 mm	6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches / 168 x 62 x 60mm
Weight	2.6lbs / 1.2kg	2.1lbs / 960g	1lbs / 440g
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.1	Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi
Battery life	24 hours	20 hours	10 hours
Waterproofing	IP67	IP67	IP67

JBL Charge 5
If you’re looking for a great-value rival to the Sony ULT Field 3, the JBL Charge 5 is right up there. You get well-balanced, clear audio, plenty of power and a highly durable design. Its battery life is very good, but not quite as high as Sony’s speaker and we still noticed distortion at peak volume. But overall this is a great speaker. With the Charge 6 recently arriving (review coming soon, and we’re expecting great things), you’re also able to pick the Charge 5 up at a massively cut price right now. I’m talking $139 / £119 – that’s amazing value! Read our full JBL Charge 5 review.

Sonos Roam 2
This one’s something a little different, but well worth checking out. Yep, the Sonos Roam 2 is a fair bit smaller than the ULT Field 3, weighs less than half of Sony’s speaker and can’t come close in terms of battery life. But still, I’d choose it over the ULT Field 3, personally. You get surprisingly powerful, yet rich sound quality, Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless streaming, and the same IP67 ruggedness. We’ve also seen it on sale for less than $140 / £140 in 2025, so keep an eye out for juicy deals if you’re sold on this Sonos speaker. Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: how I tested

Sony ULT Field 3 on table against pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Tested for one week
Mainly used in our music testing facility at Future Labs
Predominantly tested using Tidal

I put the Sony ULT Field 3 to the test for a one week period (after a thoroguh run-in of 15 hours), tinkering with all of its features, blasting hours worth of tunes and assessing all aspects of its design. I predominantly tested in our music testing room at Future Labs in order to judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When listening to music, I mainly used Tidal, but I occasionally played songs via Spotify too. I initially streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to music from my own personal library.

I’ve tested all sorts of audio gear during my time here at TechRadar, from flagship headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6 through to home cinema products like the Marshall Heston 120. I’ve reviewed a large array of speakers along the way from brands like Sony, LG and JBL, so I have a strong understanding of the ULT Field 3’s rivals, as well as what it takes to stand out as a strong candidate in a highly competitive market.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read more about how we test

They’re ‘fine’, but JLab’s new open earbuds fall victim to just how many ace pairs I’ve tested this year…so fine no longer cuts it

1:00 pm | June 28, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Comments: Off

JLab Epic Open Sport: Two minute review

The hottest earbuds craze of 2025 is open earbuds. These are usually hook-like headphones (no headband or neckband) that don't invade your ear canals and as such, let in surrounding sound so you can be safe and aware outdoors.

That said, not all makers have figured out to solve the fit and sound quality problems that come with the design territory. Key player JLab isn’t going to be left out of the tournament, but its most premium offering – the Epic Open Sport and the subject of this review – in the space doesn’t do enough to compete with what I've seen in the first half of the year.

The JLab Epic Open Sport were released over six months after JLab’s last offering in the area, the JBuds Open Sport, and our list of the best open earbuds has been changing near-constantly during that time. Back when those older buds were released, I hadn’t tested any that I thought provided decent sound quality, and was constantly facing buds which fit poorly and without a tip to anchor the buds in the ear.

That’s no longer the case though and while the Epic Open Sport match some of their top contemporaries in terms of price, the buds lack refinement in a few key areas and they simply don’t have that one unique selling point or draw that’ll cause you to consider them over their rivals.

When I say ‘lack of refinement’, I’m primarily looking at design. The case is bulky and cheap-feeling, with a poking-out-logo that catches dust. The grooves for the buds within said case don’t hold them very well. The buds too are bigger than many rivals (although I never had any comfort problems when wearing them).

The earbuds don’t have too many features either, beyond the relative must-haves in 2025 (an equalizer; the ability to customize what touch controls do) with a battery life that’s decidedly average too. And in terms of sound, the JLabs are nothing to write home about, although the sound profile does feel custom-picked to appeal to sports users so I’ll give kudos for that.

You can probably guess, given that my main issue with the JLab Epic Open Sport is that I don’t think they offer value for money or a competitive hook in a crowded marked, that there’s not anything particularly wrong with them either. They work well and rarely in my testing did I find something to grumble about. Purchase them and you won't be disappointed – you just won't be wowed either.

But if you’re on the market for open-ear buds, you’ve got plenty of superior options to consider for the money (more on those later), so it’s hard to make a case for the JLabs over those, in this busy market.

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Specifications

Component	Value
Water resistant	IP55
Battery life	7 hours (earbuds), 30 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	16.8g / Charging case: 49.9g
Driver	14mm

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Price and availability

The JLab Epic Open Sport on a tennis racquet. — (Image credit: Future)

Released in April 2025
Cost $114.99 / £99.99 / AU$199.99
JLab's priciest sports or open-ear buds

The JLab Epic Open Sport were announced in April 2025 and put on sale near the end of that month.

The buds cost $114.99 / £99.99 / AU$199.99, which makes them JLab’s priciest open-ears, $55 / £40 / AU$50 more than last year’s JBuds Open Sport. It also makes them JLab’s most premium sports-hook earbuds too.

In the open-ear market, you can also find the likes of the excellent Huawei FreeArc, Honor Earbuds Open and (less fantastic, but still) Acefast Acefit Pro for roughly the same asking fee – it’s a really competitive price area.

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Design

Case has a few minor issues...
... but supports wireless charging
Buds feel bulky, but fit well

Both the case and the buds for the JLab Epic Open Sport feel a little on the big side – in the former case at least it’s far from the chunkiest I’ve seen though.

Let’s start with that case. It weighs 49.6g (discounting, I presume, the buds themselves), measures 26 x 76 x 67mm and comes adorned with a large and slighty-jutting-out JLab logo (you can actually push it in a tiny bit if you want, which seems like an unintentional design decision). It opens in a clamshell style and there’s a USB-C charging port at the back.

The case’s plastic material feels a little cheap in the hand, and the looks of the thing make it seem unrefined. The buds also don’t sit in the case properly if you lightly drop them in, and I had to push down on them to make sure they were charging properly. However, points awarded for one premium feature: the case supports wireless charging.

Onto the buds themselves, these weigh 16.8g each so are some of the heavier open-ear buds I’ve tested, but it’s a negligible difference of a few grams. They consist of a bulky bud, a sport loop and a counterweight, all of which you can see in the images.

What you may not see is all the touch controls: the button atop the bud is obvious but you can also tap the JLab logo for a different function. I found the latter pretty unreliable in picking up my touch but the use of a physical button for the former made these buds much easier to use than some touch capacitive solutions I've tested.

Despite being a little heavier than the norm, I found the JLabs comfortable to wear. I could use them for long periods of time without feeling them weigh me down or rub my ears, and they stayed in place solidly without moving around too much above my ear.

There’s only one color option: black, for both the buds and case – so if you want snazzier colors you're out of luck here. The buds do have an IP55 rating which offers limited protection against dust ingress and also protection from low-pressure water jets (including rain), but they can't be immersed in water – so no swimming, OK?

Design score: 3.5/5

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Features

7-hour battery life (30 for case)
Useful 10-band EQ
Small ambient sounds library within the app

JLab has put the Epic Open Sport battery life at 7 hours, a figure I’d roughly back from my testing time, with the charging case bumping that up to 30 hours.

Those figures are both basically standard for earbuds, although some open-ears beat that figure by a considerable margin. Like most (though not all) same-form rivals, there’s no noise cancellation at play here – you may laugh, but the aforementioned Honor Earbuds Open do have ANC, and very good it is too.

To get the most of your Epic Open Sports, you can download the smartphone app, simply called ‘JLab’.

This lets you adjust both the touch and button controls of the buds, set a volume limit and toggle between Music Mode and Movie Mode (nowhere on JLab’s site or app can I find information on what this does but, judging by rival devices’ equivalents, the latter likely reduces latency at the expense of detailed audio quality). The app also has a limited library of ambient sounds you can listen to, which is a fairly unusual – though hardly unheard-of – inclusion.

Its equalizer is perhaps the main reason you’d download the JLab app. There are two presets, simply called EQ1 and EQ2, but a 10-band custom mode lets audiophiles design their bespoke mix.

All things considered, that’s a pretty light feature set, with no unique selling point or range of extras to win over buyers. At least the Bluetooth connection was reliable, not dropping at all during testing, and pairing was quick and easy.

Features score: 3.5/5

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Sound performance

14mm driver
V-shaped audio profile helps sports users
Max volume could be higher

The JLab Epic Open Sport aren’t going to top my list of the best-sounding open ear buds I’ve ever tested, but they’re definitely nearer the top of the list than the bottom.

JLab has given the buds 14mm drivers and they connect via Bluetooth 5.4. They support the SBC, AAC, MPEC-2 and LDAC codecs which could appease some audiophiles but, as you can tell from the name, these are mainly for sports users.

The buds have a V-shaped sound, emphasising bass and treble and leaving mids by the wayside. As someone who likes balanced sound, initial impressions weren’t in the JLab’s favor, but when I started using them for sports (specifically, for Epic Open Sport, the only type I know), it all fell into place.

This kind of profile benefits exercisers: heavy scooping bass to keep the rhythm, piercing treble to cut through the noise at the gym. A little bit of peaking, some tinny sibilance, a limited sound stage can be overlooked. It’s not for audiophiles, but I think people who want tunes as they work out or run will appreciate how these sound more than some better-sounding rivals.

What isn’t as handy is the max volume, which isn’t quite as high as I would’ve liked. When I was running past busy intersections my tunes would fight against the sound of traffic — and lose, lots of the time.

Sound performance score: 3.5/5

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Value

The JLab Epic Open Sport aren’t cheap, and their price roughly matches some competitive rivals (read more in the next section of this review).

However the specs don’t quite match up — the JLabs are good, but you can get greatness for the same price and in light of these competitors, it’s hard to view the Epic Open Sport as offering that good value for money.

If you find these things reduced below the $100 / £100 / AU$200 mark, that’ll definitely change. But for now, their lack of refinement or a unique selling point makes them hard to recommend from a value perspective.

Value score: 3/5

JLab Epic Open Sport review: scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Value	At recommended retail price, the Epic Open Sport don't offer much to draw your attention away from other options that cost the same.	3/5
Design	The earbuds fit well and sit on the ear reliably, with a useful button for controls. But they're a bit big and the case isn't one of the better ones I've seen.	3.5/5
Features	The feature set is quite limited, although what the JLab does have works well.	3.5/5
Sound	Sports users will enjoy the V-shaped sound which offers ample bass and treble, though audiophiles will find the sound lacking.	3.5/5

JLab Epic Open Sport review: Should you buy them?

Buy them if...

You're buying sound for sports
The sound profile of the buds will appeal most to people who need thumping bass and clear treble as they run or work out.

You rely on an equalizer
An equalizer is no sure thing when you buy headphones, but the JLabs' 10-band one gives you customization over your sound.

You want an option with wireless charging
Wireless charging isn't a common feature in earbuds, let alone open-ear ones, so if you really want such a product, the JLab might be one to consider.

Don't buy them if...

You like a lightweight case
Sure, open earbuds cases tend to be pretty big, but you can find smaller and better-designed ones on other buds.

You want a full suite of features
If you look elsewhere on the open-ear market you can find noise cancellation, listening tests, 'find-my-bud' features and a lot more.

You want a budget option
JLab sells lots of cheap earbuds, including sports and open-ear options, but the Epic Open Sport aren't them. These are more premium offerings.View Deal

Also consider

Component	JLab Epic Open Sport	Huawei FreeArc	Honor Earbuds Open	AceFast AceFit Pro
Water resistant	IP55	IP57	IP54	IP54
Battery life	7 hours (earbuds) 30 hours (total)	7 hours (earbuds), 28 hours (total)	6 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)	6 hours (earbuds) 25 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	16.8g / Charging case: 49.6g	8.9g / Charging case: 67g	7.9g / Charging case: 52.5g	7.8g / Charging case: 80g
Driver	14mm	17x12mm	16mm	20x8mm

Huawei FreeArc

The best-sounding open earbuds on the market right now come from Huawei, which match the JLab in price (though aren't available everywhere). They're also much lighter than the Epic Sport.

Read our full Huawei FreeArc review

Honor Earbuds Open

If it's the feature set you care about, then the same-price Honor Earbuds Open are worth considering. These offer noise cancellation, the ability to hunt down missing earbuds and even a translator. The case is also lovely and small.

Read our full Honor Earbuds Open review

How I tested

I used the JLab Epic Open Sport for over three weeks before I started writing this review, and I continued to test them during the writing process.

I wore them to the gym and on runs, but also in non-sports situations like walking to the shops or working at home. They were paired the whole time with my Android smartphone.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for over six years and that's included plenty of open-ear buds, especially through the first half of 2025.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: June 2025

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