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CMF Headphone Pro could easily cost twice as much – and even if the sound is fun and fierce (rather than fully fledged fantastic) they’re still a great buy

5:28 pm | November 12, 2025

CMF Headphone Pro: two-minute review

Anyone familiar with Nothing and/or its affordable sub-brand CMF (often written as "CMF by Nothing", but the company has seemingly dropped the last two words of its traditional moniker for this particular product) knows that a normal-looking set of headphones was never going to be on the brand's bingo card.

And true to form, the CMF Headphone Pro neither look normal nor behave normally for the level – and I mean that in a good way. They're modular, with the option of buying extra ear pads if you want an even more striking look (pistachio with orange, anyone?) and there are three thoroughly abnormal on-ear controls, too, including an 'Energy Slider', an excellent 'Multi-function roller' and an 'Action button'. All of which I'll get into later.

How's the sound? Actually, really good for the level – easily as detailed, nuanced and energetic enough to skip to the top of our best cheap headphones guide. And while they won't compete with the more flagship models in our best headphones roundup for neutrality or audiophile-grade insight (and the noise nixing won't challenge pricier sets from Bose, Cambridge or Apple in our best noise-cancelling headphones list), there's clarity, a great circumaural delivery, two types of spatial audio, LDAC and hi-res wired connectivity.

And all of this means I can't – nay, won't! – pick too much fault for the money, especially when I've compared them to Nothing's original Headphone (1) and actually preferred the audio in the newer cans…

CMF Headphone Pro in pistachio green held in a hand or hung on a barbell, being pushed up by a carved frog — (Image credit: Future)

Oh, and that's before I get granular on the fact that the CMF Headphone Pro include one of the most detailed hearing tests of any set of cans I've ever tried at the level, which the headphones use to create a remarkable personal profile for your listening. It's something I thoroughly recommend you take soon after buying them.

OK, your EQ is limited to three tabs if you want to create a preset yourself, you don't get a hard-shell case (or even a USB-C charger) in the box and the 'Energy Slider' feels a little surplus to requirements when they're a bit bassy to begin with (although some will love it – particularly grime and drum 'n' bass fans). But the battery life is nothing short of excellent for the money and for me, the sound quality more than atones for these minor drawbacks.

All in all, you could do so much worse for $99 / £79 – and having seen a few healthy discounts already, I find myself recommending them even more urgently…

CMF Headphone Pro review: price & release date

$99 / £79 / AU$179
Launched on September 29, 2025

The CMF Headphone Pro launched on September 29, 2025, with a list price of $99 / £79 / AU$179, but in the UK I've already seen them discounted to £49 (at the time of writing, Black Friday approaches). This is huge because for that money you won't regret this purchase, I assure you.

At their regular list price, the CMF Pro Headphone's closest competition is likely the 2024 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 at $89 / £99 / AU$130, which also boast a great battery life and perhaps edge it for ANC efficacy, but the build is a tad flimsier, including the buttons. Also the 1More's app is neither as seamless or enjoyable and to be honest, the design doesn't exactly wow me – not like the CMF Headphone Pro's does, anyway.

Meanwhile, Nothing's own flagship Nothing Headphone (1) launched on July 15, 2025 with asking fees of $299 / £299 / AU$549 – ie. at least triple the price of the CMF Headphone Pro, depending on where you're buying. So, you know, food for thought there…

CMF Headphone Pro review: Specs

Drivers	40mm (nickel-plated diaphragms; 16.5 mm copper voice coil; dual chamber design)
Active noise cancellation	Yes (low; mid; high; adaptive)
Battery life	50 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off
Weight	283g
Connectivity	LDAC, AAC, 3.5mm - 3.5mm hi-res certified
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproofing	None

CMF Headphone Pro either beside Nothing Headphone (1) or on a table, with the accessories in the box — (Image credit: Future)

CMF Headphone Pro review: features

Excellent Personal Sound curation
Class-leading battery life
Premium-feel companion app

Here's the thing with the CMF Headphone Pro: they surprise you at every turn. The Nothing X companion app is slick, chic and helpful. Make no mistake, the experience here is thoroughly Nothing, which is to say that it still feels premium, rather than budget-grade.

The excellent hearing test software – which takes roughly three minutes and involves struggling to listen to ever-quieter tones piped first into your left ear, then your right – creates a graph of your hearing in each ear, then one of the best Personal profiles I've had the pleasure of testing at this level.

Aside from support for the more hifalutin LDAC Bluetooth codec, the CMF Headphone Pro also offer wired 3.5mm Hi-Res certified listening, albeit only when they're powered on, rather than passively. I hooked them up to my FiiO M15S (which is a fair bit smaller than the FiiO M23 player) and Teenage Fanclub's Satan was every bit as jagged, petulant and angsty through the ragged intro as I could've wished for, even at 45 per cent volume.

There's a dual connection toggle in the app which essentially means multipoint is on the menu and why you'd ever toggle it off I don't know – it becomes essential very quickly for chopping and changing between music from my phone and team meetings on my laptop.

CMF Headphone Pro: three screen-grabs of the Nothing X app — (Image credit: CMF)

Also here in the Nothing X app, you'll find noise cancellation in low, mid, high, adaptive and off increments, as well as a transparency option. The transparency profile in particular is very good, augmenting nearby voices in a useful way and without making frequencies within my music go tinny and unpleasant.

The ANC is fine rather than fantastic at dulling extraneous noise (the claim is up to 40 dB noise reduction, although that feels optimistic to me), but it does so without upsetting my music's timbre and detail. Ultimately I'd rather have it than not, which is not something I say about all budget noise-nixing software and at this level that's more than good enough. Serious, weapons-grade active noise cancellation really does still require climbing further up the food chain, because I've yet to find anything for this money that offers Bose-grade ANC. OK? OK, good to make that clear.

While I'm on the subject of mics (because these are imperative for the aforementioned ANC), the Headphone Pro come with three of the what Nothing calls "HD microphones" and with that same metallic wind-resistant mesh around each of them, they do look almost identical to those on the Nothing Headphone (1). Aside from ANC, these mics provide Clear Voice Technology in a bid to keep your voice sharp in calls. Now, I've been told my dulcet tones were indeed audible and clear in calls, but perhaps because the cups are quite big and the padding so ample, passive isolation is also good to the point that I could barely hear my own voice when talking. There's no sidetone-adjacent tech to boost your own speech either. Would I expect that at this level? No, but it's my job to point it out as a very minor issue.

Elsewhere, there are two flavors of device- and streaming service-agnostic spatial audio: cinema mode or concert mode. Cinema mode broadens the soundstage a touch, for clear dialog and decent pew-pew bullet effects in movies; concert mode is all about plonking you in the middle of a concert. Neither offers a dynamic, head-tracked presentation with your phone as the source device, mind, but I still enjoyed concert mode for lowering me into the melee a touch more.

Features score: 4.5/5

CMF Headphone Pro review: sound quality

Punchy, expressive and zealous – a true circumaural listen
Nuance and detail with both wired and LDAC listening
Limited in-app EQ options; energy slider gives mixed results

I'll talk a lot about the energy slider to amp up the treble and bass in the 'design' section of this review, below (since this unusual button is a key part of the headphones' design) but know this: if you want the most detailed, layered, unadulterated sound, you should probably leave this kind of tinkering alone.

There's a low lag toggle in the app to minimize issues when watching content, but I keep that off to test the sound over LDAC. And here, Billie Eilish's WILDFLOWER is emotive, textured, layered and underpinned by inky-deep and resonant keys.

Uh Oh by Tate McRae is a great test of the CMF Headphone Pro's bass impact and, let me tell you, if you like to feel a beat in your molars, these headphones can oblige. It's a head-nodding, cohesive mix with snap and crisp leading edges of notes, particularly through those zealous bass registers.

Switching to Girls Like You by Maroon 5 and I hear the intentional blurring of the axe in the intro, with Adam Levine's vocal upfront, up-close and central in an expansive and exciting soundstage. It’s Amazing to Be Young by Fontaines D.C. is a similar story – and here I perceive treble elements in the intro that lesser headphones can’t reach, along with oft-overlooked happier inflections is Grian Chatten's voice.

It's an emotive mix overall, but Nothing has just about stayed on the right side of faithful here, rather than succumbing to parlor tricks to get you in the feels – unless you want to deploy those with the slider. Every Other Freckle by alt-J is a good one to to prove this. I really get the sense that Joe Newman wants every other freckle, even at 50 per cent volume, with certain lines (like ‘let me be the wallpaper that papers up your room’) jumping out more readily in what is a highly complex track.

Did I listen against the original Headphone (1)? I did. And while the presentation is a touch more neutral in the inaugural (and much more expensive) product, I did feel that the CMF opens the audio out just a touch more. It's also a more full-throttle listen to boot.

Could the CMF Headphone Pro offer even more detail – even more nuance through the rise and fall of each musical passage? Yes, of course, but if the ultimate in audiophile sound quality had been achieved for this money we could all go home. There are compromises in terms of true neutrality and an ounce or two of clarity here and there over much pricier options. But know this: for the money, these headphones sound a lot better than I expected.

Sound quality score: 4.5/5

CMF Headphone Pro review: design

Nothing isn't afraid to be different – but no cassettes on your ears here
Extension arms are silent; comfort is good
On-ear controls work well, but the Energy Slider is a tad gimmicky

If you'd asked me to sketch what I thought a set of headphones made by Nothing's budget sub-brand CMF should look like, I can confidently tell you that I would not have drawn the CMF Headphone Pro.

Where the CMF Buds Pro 2 are all angular lines, slightly odd circle and grid motifs, brushed matte plastic (available in dark gray, blue, or red and with a silver rotary dial in the corner of the case), the CMF Headphone Pro come in totally different light green, light gray or darker gray glossy finishes with a resoundingly cushioned, polyurethane synthetic leather and memory foam build across the headband and ear pads.

My review sample is giving two tubs of pistachio ice cream and, for me, the build quality is rock solid for the level. The band is comfortable over the crown of my head, extends silently and offers decent clamping force without ever hurting. The ear cups are generously padded and rotate to lie flat (although they don't concertina up into the band for easier storage) and the buttons are not at all flimsy.

So let's explain what's going on with those, shall we? On the left ear cup, in between two mics you'll find power/pairing, your 3.5mm in and an 'Energy Slider'. The function of this solid little slider can be switched between 'Bass Tuning' and 'Treble Tuning' in the Nothing X app.

I cue up Kehlani's Folded to toy with the bass slider and ramping things up does augment the low end, albeit to the point of marginal bloating – but hey, it's a way of replicating that authentic 'standing just a little too close to a big (possibly blown?) sub at a gig' feel. Switching to the treble option and the track does sound a little too sweet and even tinny when moving the slider through its range, but then I know from various hearing tests that my own ear hones in on treble frequencies in most mixes. Having been on the fence about all of this for a week or so, I've decided that it does add novelty and for some grime tracks it might be a winner.

On the right ear cup and above the USB-C port, there's a little circular button with a red dot at the center. In the X app, this is simply called 'Button' and your options here are a single press or long press. A single press can handle voice assistant access, noise control, spatial audio profiles or even switch the mics on or off (there's another on this ear cup). A long press? That can perform any function from this same menu.

But above this is where I think Nothing has really knocked it out the park, because this brings me to the 'Roller' in the controls menu. And as well as being able to roll this to quickly tweak the volume (seems like a small thing but really isn't – especially when you're on the go) you can press and hold it to scroll through noise-cancellation profiles, single press it to pause and resume playback or answer/hang up on calls, double press to skip a track or triple press to go back.

There's no IP rating for rain or dust ingress, which isn't unusual at the level (or even a rung higher up) but because you also only get a simple fabric bag for transportation, you might want to think carefully about taking these out in the rain.

One other thing: you get a 3.5mm cable in the box, but no USB-C charger cable – much less an actual wall plug for it. In 2025, you almost certainly have one of these already in the wings, waiting for the job, but if you were hoping for an extra (or one in the CMF Headphone Pro's winsome pistachio green, say), you'll be disappointed.

Design score: 4.5/5

CMF Headphone Pro review: value

An excellent all-round budget package
No charger or hard-shell case – but these are minor omissions
As a sound-per-pound proposition, there's top value here

I mean look, for this money I struggle to argue with even basic headphones, provided they sound good for the level. But the CMF Headphone Pro are not basic headphones – just see the hearing test software and extra on-ear controls for that. They're a lot better than basic and a lot better than their fee suggests.

Market saturation does of course drive pricing and here, that's very good for us.

OK, those wanting bubble-of-silence ANC will not find their ideal set of cheap headphones here (the ANC is adequate, it just isn't shutting out the entire world), but those wanting zealous, bass-blasting sound and/or a quirky design that actually is not a case of style over substance just found a great inexpensive option to step out with.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the CMF Headphone Pro?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Excellent battery life, LDAC, top-tier app, adequate ANC	4.5/5
Sound quality	Big bass energy and commendable detail, with phenomenal hearing tests for the level	4.5/5
Design	Finessed, yet unusual – even among CMF by Nothing's other audio gear. You love to see it.	4.5/5
Value	Great audio, incomparable design, OK ANC, amazing battery life and a super-low price.	4.5/5

Buy them if…

You’re after a budget buy – but with good sound
With a list price of $99 / £79 / AU$179, but dropping even as I type, CMF by Nothing has aimed these headphones squarely at the budget market and priced them to sell out quickly. And given the audio quality and hearing test software to create a profile just for your ears, you won't find me suggesting you don't buy them…

You love on-ear whistles and bells
I actually really enjoyed playing with the various sliders and rollers on the CMF Headphone Pro – and while they're not exactly a gateway audiophile-grade sonic clarity, they do mean you can tweak the volume easily without grabbing your oh-so-pinchable phone, on the commute.

You like to style your own way
These headphones are not the same as the swathes of Sony dupes out there in the budget sector. And if a striking mint-or-pistachio green hue isn't enough for you, CMF sells alternate ear cups in a striking orange color for a nominal fee ($25 or £19). Mint!

Don’t buy them if…

You want bubble-of-silence ANC
The CMF Headphone Pro's solution is acceptable for the money, but it won't nix jet-engine noise on your next long-haul flight. For that, though, you'll need to climb the ranks a little, with something like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Apple AirPods Max. And by "climb the ranks", I mean that there'll be a surcharge.

You want auto-off when you remove them
No dice here, sadly, but it's perhaps the one area where they're lacking in terms of features I'd hoped to see.

You need to hear your own voice in calls
Certain pricier cans offer tech called 'sidetone' or similar, to pipe the sound of your own voice into your ears as you converse on calls. The CMF Headphone Pro don't have this, but the good news is that it's only an issue when the passive isolation is as good as it is in these headphones…

CMF Headphone Pro review: also consider

	CMF Headphone Pro	1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51	Earfun Wave Pro	Sony WH-CH720N
Price	$99 / £79 / AU$179	$89 / £99 / AU$130	$79.99 / £79.99 (about AU$13)	$149 / £99 / AU$259
Drivers	40mm (nickel-plated diaphragms; 16.5 mm copper voice coil; dual chamber design)	40mm dynamic	40mm dynamic	30mm dynamic
Active noise cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life	50 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off	65 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off	55 hours ANC on; 80 hours ANC off	35 hours ANC on; 50 hours ANC off
Weight	283g	246g	268g	192g
Connectivity	Bluetooth version not stated; LDAC, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-40kHz	20Hz-40kHz	7Hz-20kHz
Waterproofing	None	None	None	None

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
Head over to our best headphones guide and our pick of the budget cans is the product you see written in bold, above this sentence. They're a bit normal, looks-wise, but after that there's nothing average about their performance – including the stamina. The ANC probably just edges it over the CMF Headphone Pro, too, although the build quality and companion app don't feel as good. Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review to learn more.

Earfun Wave Pro
For quite some time, the Earfun Wave Pro also held the title of best budget option in our guide to the best over-ear headphones – and it’s not difficult to see why. Think similarly stupendous battery life, above-average sound and a neat design, all at a temptingly low price. Not into the quirky aesthetic of the CMF Headphone Pro? Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review.

CMF Headphone Pro review: How I tested

Tested for four weeks
Used at home, on the Eurostar to Paris, at the (blustery) beach
Predominantly tested using Tidal and Apple Music, or wired to my FiiO DAP

I tested the CMF Headphone Pro over a period of four weeks, using my MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and LDAC-toting FiiO M15S as source devices.

I listened to everything from my heavy rotation Three Bean Salad podcast on a long walk on Weymouth's blustery beach, to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska '82 Outtakes on the Eurostar train to Paris from London. I listened in both wired and wireless modes and found much to celebrate in terms of audio chops across the frequencies and energy.

I maxed out the battery and got 49.5 hours from them using ANC too – which, given their 50-hour claim at 50 per cent volume is no meat feat.

I've been testing audio products full time since 2019, first on TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as a lowly Staff Writer, then Senior Staff Writer at TechRadar and, since early 2024, Audio Editor (hey, career progression is gradual sometimes in journalism… and that's fine when you've got music).

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

Nothing Ear (3) earbuds look fantastic next to my phone and the ANC is solid –but I’m not sure the audio quality is good enough for this money

11:35 am | September 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: ANC, Apple Music, LDAC, Sony Xperia | Comments: Off

Nothing Ear (3): Two-minute review

Okay, so it's still hard to stop oneself from playing a game of Spot the Difference concerning Nothing's earbuds offering – but what of it? Apple's AirPods lineup is much the same, no? The problem is that this time (unlike Nothing's last major earbuds release, which came in at $50 / £30 cheaper than their older siblings) there's a price hike involved; and simply put, I'm not quite sure the extra perks here do enough to justify the extra outlay.

Sure, I'd say the new Nothing Ear (3) are they still among the best earbuds of the year – but one option in the duo of buds they replace has dropped so low in price that they've actually jumped into our best budget earbuds buying guide. So you see, to build a case for paying quite a bit extra for the new Ear (3), they'd need to be quite a bit better – and that's where I'm struggling.

To put the pricing into context, their closest rivals now would no longer be Sony's class-leading WF-C710N, which sell for around $120 / £100. No, at $179 / £179 / AU$299, the Nothing Ear (3) aren't exactly rubbing shoulders with the likes of the $299 / £299 / AU$450 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), but they have moved up a level – and it's tough company to keep.

There's no head-tracked spatial audio support (the device- and service-agnostic spatial audio option is either 'Static' or 'off') in the Ear (3), and although the ANC is solid and a new 'Super Mic' is fun to play with in calls, it hasn't become the new must-have earbuds feature for me – and if it was going to appeal to anyone, someone who remembers a world of landline phones only was probably the Nothing Ear (3)'s best shot.

My biggest gripe is the battery life, which I'll explain fully later. That said, I experienced no small sense of pride when wearing and showing off the Ear (3), thanks to the new aluminum 'elevated' build quality and finish – along with the return of the fidget-spinner case detail.

Is all of this enough to make the Ear (3) a hit? Perhaps, when you consider that the splendid hearing tests remain, along with advanced EQ tabs and LDAC support – all of which make the sound engaging, if a shade off excellent for dynamic nuance and treble clarity. Oh, and it's worth noting that if you have a Nothing phone, that Super Mic becomes a quick transcription tool, which admittedly makes it much more useful (I don't have a Nothing handset, so I'm typing out this review, dear reader)…

Nothing Ear (3) being tested on a commuter train late at night — (Image credit: Future)

For anyone scratching their heads as to how many Nothing earbuds iterations we're into now (because it certainly isn't three), Nothing fully admits its earbuds naming strategy to date may not have been the smartest. So to explain, the Ear (3) is an update on the flagship Nothing Ear primarily, but also on the Nothing Ear (a), which both launched in April 2024 on the self-same day – with the cheaper pair still sitting happily at the tippy-top of our best budget earbuds guide.

And here's my problem with that: a quick scan of current prices reveals that the aforementioned five-star Nothing Ear (a) are currently available for $89 / £69, which means they're half the price of the new Ear (3). And honestly, that makes the newest set even harder to recommend…

Nothing Ear (3) review: Price & release date

Released on September 18, 2025
Priced $179 / £179 / AU$299

The Nothing Ear (3) come in black or white finishes (no yellow this time around), and at this pricier level – Nothing's previous flagship Nothing Ear arrived with a list price of $149 / £129 / AU$249 – their closest competition may even be Apple's AirPods Pro 3, which retail for $249 / £219 / AU$429.

Yes, there's still a $70 / £40 difference between Apple's new top-tier AirPods Pro and Nothing's best buds, but if your budget stretches a bit further it does bring Apple's flagship earbuds into the conversation. And given that those AirPods now offer heart-rate monitoring, live translation and better stamina, Nothing is squaring up against some stiff competition.

Nothing Ear (3) review: Specs

Drivers	12mm custom driver
Active noise cancellation	Yes
Battery life	Buds: 5.5hrs (with ANC; up to 10 hours without) Total with case: 22hrs (ANC on; up to 38 hours without)
Weight	5.2g per earbud
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, USB-C
Frequency range	20Hz–40 kHz
Waterproofing	IP54 buds
Other features	New Super Mic case, 3 mics per earbud, Nothing X App support, Custom EQ with Advanced options, Static Spatial Audio, Personal Sound (Audiodo)

Nothing Ear (3) screen grab of three app images, showing the personal sound curation software — (Image credit: Nothing)

Nothing Ear (3) review: Features

'Static' spatial audio and Personal Sound curation
Total Radiated Power (TRP) up 15%; Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) up 20%
'First of its kind Super Mic' in the charging case

Like many of tech's heavy-hitters (Samsung, Sony, Apple, I'm looking at you), Nothing would love to snag you and embroil you in its ecosystem with the promise of walled garden perks – and here, Nothing really does start to come into its own.

The ace up the collective sleeve of Nothing's earbuds prior to now has been that for owners of the Nothing Phone (3), the Phone (2), Phone (1) and Phone (2a) – because Nothing has been far more sensible concerning the naming of its handsets – Nothing has offered instant access to ChatGPT via a pinch-to-speak motion on the stems. Now, users of a Nothing smartphone can use the Super Mic on Nothing Ear (3)'s case to capture transcription of your voice notes, which will sync to your on-device 'Essential Space' for easy location.

Nothing calls Super Mic a "first of its kind" breakthrough, and although it initially struck me as very similar to the 'record' button on the Viaim RecDot earbuds, there are of course those aforementioned walled-garden perks.

Otherwise, Nothing's Super Mic is quite like those little clip-on wireless mics that content creators like to hold very close to their mouths (does this look a bit silly to anyone else?). Nothing calls Super Mic a "breakthrough dual-microphone system driven by ambient-filtering technology."

In a nutshell, the dual MEMS beamforming mics built into the case are designed to hone in on your voice, cutting through surrounding noise (up to 95dB is the claim) for clearer capture in calls or notes – and in my tests, it worked well. On a very blustery day on the cliffs and beaches of the UK's 'Jurassic coast' in Dorset, I found using the Super Mic over the three-mics-per-bud in the earpieces a welcome aid; "much better" was the general feedback from calls.

You're also getting Bluetooth v5.4 (the older set used 5.3), and LDAC support for hi-res audio (the Sony-developed codec that lets you stream high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps), which is a valuable inclusion at any level, but will benefit Android users most since iPhones can't support LDAC natively.

There's now onboard spatial audio wizardry too, irrespective of your phone or the music service you're streaming from – but only the 'static' kind (so you don't get to use your phone as a fixed-point source device) and in my tests, it was a little clunky and not quite as immersive or convincing as similar offerings from Bose, LG or of course Apple.

However, you do get in-ear detection (to pause music when they're out and resume it when they're in), an Auto-Transparency mode to make transparency kick in whenever you're on a phone call, an ear tip Fit Test, Find My earbuds (which issues a trigger sound from whichever earbud you've lost), a Low Lag toggle for gaming, issue-free multipoint to two devices, a Bass Enhancement toggle, an 8-tab EQ graph that lets you adjust both gain and the actual frequency of certain registers (provided you're prepared to switch off the spatial audio augmentation), and Personal Sound.

This last perk is perhaps my favorite, because the tests only take around three minutes – they involve sounds at different frequencies being piped into each ear, getting gradually quieter until you tap the screen to say you hear nothing – but the result (a fully curated personal sound profile) is very good indeed.

Now, the noise cancellation: hit ANC (rather than 'Transparency' or 'Off') and you can pick from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive profiles. High is not bad at all – and it shouldn't be when the claim is 45dB (effective to 5kHz). The Transparency option is still signified by a woman exhaling, and it's still one of the best prompts in the business (aside from Matt Berry in Cambridge's headphones and earbuds), and it too is perfectly acceptable. But here's the thing: I did not find any of the ANC profiles better than on the Nothing Ear (a), which makes sense because that 45dB claim is the same as the older model.

And when that older model is now half the price of these newer earbuds, you have to be asking yourself if a Super Mic in the case and spatial audio that doesn't offer dynamic head-tracking is worth the extra outlay.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Nothing Ear (3) review: Sound quality

LDAC adds to the performance (but the spatial audio can be beaten)
Forward, full-bodied sound
A shade off excellent for dynamic nuance

Occasionally in hi-fi circles, you'll come across the 'integrated hi-fi listen versus fun and exciting' sonic debate concerning portable audio. It boils down to this: do you want a faithfully accurate, neutral representation of a recording with everything as intended, or an energetic, potentially more emotive version of the track?

In the second option, certain frequencies might be augmented just slightly, to give you the 'feels' of a live gig from small drivers fitted into your ear. And the odd thing is that what you may think you want may not actually be what your ear prefers (as mystical and strange as that may sound)…

Anyway, the Nothing Ear (3) sit firmly in the latter camp. What you'll get here is excitement, energy, bass clout and oomph. Those with a Sony smartphone (I'm still using the Sony Xperia 1 IV, because it isn't broken, so why would I fix it?) will find LDAC codec files are delivered with extra expanse and detail over more 'vanilla' Bluetooth streaming, but the tuning is the same regardless – very little has been held back.

Streaming Fontaines D.C.'s Starburster is a head-nodding celebration of the track, where drum fills and Grian Chatten's voice leap two-footed into each ear with all of the bite and impetus the group could possibly want, but there is a downside. Some lesser backing vocals and sloping string elements occasionally get lost just slightly; it's hard to compete when so much emphasis and energy is placed on sounds at the forefront.

Yes, there are plenty of ways to tweak things more to your liking in the Nothing X app and here, the eight-tab EQ graph is the place to go – it does help. What I personally would leave well alone is the Bass Booster. It isn't necessary – this is a meaty listen from the box. Also, I'd tone down the treble; I know my own ear is sensitive to these frequencies, but nevertheless, stream Kate Bush's Army Dreamers and if you're anything like me you'll hear occasional harshness through the treble that can become a little wearying.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Nothing Ear (3) three screen-grabs from the Nothing X app, showing how to use the new super mic — See how Ear (a) is just slightly bigger than Ear (2), across the board? (Image credit: Nothing)

Nothing Ear (3) review: Design

Solid, cool, pocketable case with 'TALK' button
IP54 earbuds are secure – but the comfort levels can now be beaten
Nothing's design language is even more striking now

After switching out to the smaller ear tips (you get four in total now: an XS, S and L options are supplied in addition to the pre-fitted M set), Nothing's ear tip fit test tells me I've nailed the fit.

I say that if you've got smaller ears I really would encourage you to try before you buy – and my guide to the best earbuds for small ears is worth consulting – because I found the driver housing just that little bit harder to accommodate this time around. It could be because of that larger 12mm driver (and "patterned diaphragm" which Nothing claims gives these buds "a 20% larger radiating area when compared to the previous generation"), or it could be because said earpiece is mounted at a slightly different angle to the stem now – see a close-up of Ear (3) next to the Ear (a) above – but they weren't as comfortable this time.

Nothing Ear (3) on the left, Nothing Ear (a) on the right, on a wooden table in close-up, to show marginal tweaks to the design — (Image credit: Future)

On this, readers might simply remark "Well, they're based on AirPods, can't really knock them for that – Apple did it first" but here's the thing: AirPods are different now! You might not have spotted it because it's all very new (and the heart-rate monitor and live translation perks have hogged headlines), but the AirPods Pro 3's fit has been completely reworked. I'm working on a full review of those too (they keep me chained up in TR HQ you know) but even at this early stage and during my testing, I can tell you that for me, the AirPods Pro 3 are much comfier than the Nothing Ear (3) now.

Nothing's pinch stems still work really well, but again (and at the risk of sounding like a broken record) it's only as good as the older, cheaper Nothing set. You can still customize what the morse code short- and long-press combinations do for each stem – including volume – and they also work with gloves on, unlike a lot of touch-capacitive solutions.

Now, the new case. If you've got a metallic-finish smartphone, the Nothing Ear (3) are going to look glorious beside it. Aesthetics really is one of Nothing's strong suits, and these earbuds are the ace in the pack. 'Elevated' is the word Nothing's team keep repeating on this; and it's true, they look more high-end now. There's a new custom Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) antenna, engineered to just 0.35 mm thick, that now runs along the still-see-through stems of the earbuds to keep connections stronger than ever. It's the same, but refined – it looks like a more expensive version of what was there before.

And if it's elevation we need to be focusing on, the charging nest is the thing that's, er, risen the most. It is now crafted from a block of 100% recycled aluminum and CNC machine finished through 27 processes. Nano injection moulding also "fuses the metal and transparent plastic without glue, achieving tight ±0.03mm tolerances for a seamless, compact body" according to Nothing, so there's no glue anywhere here. And the shiny 'TALK' button is placed directly under a nice snappy magnet where the case opens. Nothing assures me it has been positioned so that you won't cover it with your hand, and the green light-up LED to denote that you're recording is a strong touch.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Nothing Ear (3) earbuds beside a phone with the advanced EQ filter showing — Rarely have I had so many colleagues strike up a conversation with me over a set of earbuds (Image credit: Future)

Nothing Ear (3) review: Value

Great-looking earbuds
LDAC adds sound-per-pound value
…but this is higher-end territory, and the Nothing Ear (a) still exist

The older Nothing earbuds were near-rivals for Sony's cheaper earbuds, but that's no longer the case: Sony's excellent affordable WF-C710N cost $119 / £100 / AU$189, so they're in a different category to the $179 / £179 Nothing Ear (3).

And although there's a lot to enjoy in the Ear (3), unless you have a Nothing handset for transcription features, the Super Mic really is just a better mic for calls and certain voice notes – it doesn't support WhatsApp voice notes (yet), which I explain in more depth in my early Ear (3) experiential.

The personalization is very very good, but the audio has suffered a little for me in this iteration, becoming a little harsher through the treble on occasion, probably due to the slightly bigger driver and tweaked acoustic architecture.

Value score: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Nothing Ear (3)?

Section	Notes	Score
Features	Solid spec sheet, but the Super Mic is really only a standout feature if you own a Nothing phone	4.5/5
Sound quality	Zeal and get up and go to a fault? Almost. They're vigorous and exciting, but there's occasional treble harshness	4/5
Design	Beautiful design language, but the earpieces are no longer among the comfiest around	4.5/5
Value	Given the price of older iterations, it's hard to see huge value for money here	3/5

Buy them if...

You're a content creator
The Super Mic could be just what you're looking for to glean better voice capture – and the general aesthetic of the Nothing Ear (3) is more than Instagram-worthy

You have a Sony or Android phone
Does your phone support LDAC? Hurrah! LDAC is also back in the Ear (3), and that means better-quality wireless audio from your device on the go

You prioritize style
Hey, there's nothing wrong with that! I loved wearing these (and using the case) during my testing. Make no mistake, these are good-looking earbuds.

Don't buy them if...

You have small ears
If your concha (aka ear-well) is particularly bijou, you may struggle here. I find them that bit harder to wear compared to the Ear (a), which were already on the slightly larger side. You have been warned!

You want head-tracked spatial audio wizardry
No dice here; you get a static profile it's true, but it's not as immersive or detailed as something like the LG Tone Free T90Q (head-tracked using Dolby Atmos), or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), an admittedly premium proprietary offering that combines adaptive sound profiles with head tracking.

You're on a tight budget
The thing is this: most of the things I loved in the cheaper Ear (a) are still here in the Ear (3), and when those still exist –and for big discounts – the smart money is arguably still on the 2024 product… View Deal

Nothing Ear (3) review: Also consider

	Nothing Ear (3)	Nothing Ear (a)	Sony WF-C710N
Price	$179 / £179 / AU$299	$99 / £99 / approx AU$192	$119 / £100 / AU$189
Drivers	12mm custom	11m custom	5mm
Active noise cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Quoted battery life	Buds: 5.5hrs (with ANC; up to 10 hours without) Total with case: 22hrs (ANC on; up to 38 hours without)	Buds: 5.5 hrs (9.5 hours without ANC Total with case: 24.5 hrs (42.5 hrs without ANC)	8.5 hrs (ANC ON) / Max. 12 hrs (ANC off); up to 30 hours with the case
Weight	5.2g	4.8g	5.2g per earpiece
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, USB-C	Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC, USB-C (no wireless charging)	Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, Sony 360 Reality Audio, AAC, SBC
Frequency range	20kHz-40kHz	5000Hz range	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproofing	Yes, IP54	Yes, IP54 earbuds; IPX2 case	Yes, IPX4
Other features	Static spatial audio, Super Mic case feature, Personal sound profiles, advanced EQ		Sony 360 Reality Audio

Sony WF-C710N
If you want Sony's 360 reality Audio support as well as its LDAC hi-res codec, this money buys you that – and by "this money", I mean "cheaper than the Nothing Ear (3)". The build is plastic and doesn't feel anywhere near as premium as Nothing Ear (3), but then, they are cheaper…
Read whether it matters, in our full Sony WF-C700N review

Nothing Ear (a)
I'm putting these here because for the money, they're exceptional – and at half the price of Nothing's premium set, I'm struggling to see why you would pay double the price. Is wireless charging support, a Super Mic, static spatial audio and/or a more advanced EQ tab worth the extra outlay? That's up to you, of course, but to me the smart money may still be with the 2024 set – especially since I prefer the slightly more detailed, marginally less full-bodied audio in the Ear (a). View Deal

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
You'll have to part with a bit more money to get it, but scale that food chain and you can get the QCUE (2nd Gen) and enjoy really, really good ANC and remarkable spatial audio that works in conjunction with those talented spatial sound profiles.
Learn more in our in-depth Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

How I tested the Nothing Ear (3)

Nothing Ear (3) three screen-grabs from the Nothing X app, introducing the new super mic — (Image credit: Nothing)

Tested for two weeks, listened against AirPods Pro 3, Bose QCUE (2nd Gen) and Technics EAH-AZ100
Listened at work (in the office, walking on a beach, on a train) and at home
Listened to Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music and Spotify on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, MacBook Pro and heard LDAC on Sony Xperia 1 IV

The Nothing Ear (3) became my primary musical companions for 13 days – after a thorough 48-hour run-in period.

They accompanied me to London (walking brusquely from St. Pancras Station to Waterloo owing to strike action on the London Underground and my need to get a train back to Dorset in 43 minutes!) and at home – where I actually missed delivery of a review sample owing to the efficacy of Nothing Ear (3)'s ANC.

It goes without saying that to better test the comfort levels (and battery life claims), I followed TechRadar's meticulous methodology testing. I also used TechRadar's reference playlist (spanning everything from hip-hop to folk music) on Apple Music and Tidal, and also my own musical selections and podcasts. I wore the Ear (3) to watch YouTube videos (mostly about the Austrian singer Falco, since you ask) from my MacBook Pro.

I’ve been testing audio products for well over five years. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in another life, sound quality, fit, and user experience have always been imperative for me personally, but having heard how wonderful ANC can be when done well, I know what I'm listening out for here also.

First reviewed: September 2025

Questyle’s tiny wireless DAC is the Bluetooth audio upgrade your phone so desperately needs

11:30 pm | September 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers DACs Gadgets Hi-Fi | Tags: Apple Music, DAC, Google Pixel | Comments: Off

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro: Two-minute review

You may not realise it, but your phone and your wireless headphones don’t always agree on how good your music should sound. It’s a question of compatibility, and it can be a thorny issue.

Bluetooth audio codecs are the invisible lines of code that translate your music (whether streamed from a subscription service or stored locally on your phone) into something that can be transmitted wirelessly to your headphones, earbuds, or portable speakers.

All Bluetooth products support SBC, a codec that provides basic 'vanilla' audio quality, but when it comes to high-quality advanced codecs, like LDAC and aptX Adaptive (which preserve far more of your music’s detail), it’s the wild west out there. Some Android handsets support both. Some just support one. iPhones (in fact, all Apple devices) support neither. Support on the headphones/earbuds side of the equation can be equally messy – and it doesn't always follow that the more you pay, the more codecs your buds (or cans) will support.

So wouldn’t it be nice if there were a tiny, simple (yet powerful) gadget you could plug into any phone, tablet, computer, or game console that would assure you’ve always got support for these codecs? Behold – the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro.

Plug it in, open the app, and pair your headphones. Done. You’re now listening wirelessly at the highest possible quality (perhaps even losslessly) and you didn’t even have to mess around in Android’s Developer Options.

All of this makes the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro a very attractive little accessory for anyone who wants to maximize their listening experience.

One of the best portable DACs around – and more specifically, one of the best wireless Bluetooth DACs we've tested? Let's get to it.

The Questyle QCC Dongle Pro with a smartphone to denote size, on a light wooden table — Oh, it's red and no mistake (Image credit: Future)

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Price and release date

Release date: August 29, 2025
Price: $99 (around £70; AU$150)

$99 may seem like a lot for what you get. After all, it is tiny – and this device doesn’t make music or even play music; it just makes the music you already have access to sound better, with no guesswork.

I’ve also tried the $50 FiiO BT11, a nearly identical-looking product that, on paper at least, does all the same things. But it’s so maddeningly difficult to use, I’d happily pay the difference for the QCC Dongle Pro.

Still, there is another option. If you don’t need LDAC (perhaps because your Android phone already supports it), you can get the aptX-family-only QCC Dongle for $69 and save yourself some cash.

Elsewhere (and if you've got hard-to-drive headphones and a little more to spend), we love the FiiO BTR17 for its amplification powers on top of its codec mastery, and TR's audio editor still uses the FiiO BTR7 – both around $200 / £175 / AU$279.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Specs

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro: specs
Dimensions	25mm x 10mm x 15mm
Weight	2.5 grams
Supported codecs	SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC
Supported interfaces	USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)
System compatibility	WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS
Bluetooth version	5.4
Power draw	37mA

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Features

Excellent codec support
Easy, intuitive app
Works with almost all USB-equipped devices

A helpful app lets you control the dongle’s two main functions: getting it paired with your headphones and picking which codec and optional settings you want to use. An LED on the QCC Dongle Pro gives visual feedback on its pairing status as well as which family of codec is currently in use – a reassuring feature.

Better yet, as long as your headphones or earbuds support Bluetooth Multipoint, it’s possible to connect them to the dongle and your phone simultaneously. Doing so maintains your ability to adjust the headphones’ settings via their mobile app (if any).

Oh, and one more thing: the dongle also supports USB Audio Class 1 (UAC 1), which is a spec-speak way of saying you can use it as a wireless audio transmitter with gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation families – devices that don’t play nicely with run-of-the-mill USB Bluetooth dongles. Full disclosure: I didn’t test this feature.

You can use it as a transmitter for a PC or Mac, too, though with one caveat: there’s no Windows or macOS app, so you’ll need to initially pair your preferred headphones using the mobile app on a phone, then move the dongle over to your PC. It will automatically re-pair with your headphones and then you simply need to choose the Dongle Pro from your computer’s sound output menu.

Worried about the Dongle Pro sapping your phone’s battery life? Don’t be. With a 37mA draw, Questyle estimates that even if you used it intensively (e.g., with LDAC) for 10 hours straight, you’d only dent an iPhone 16’s full battery capacity by about 10%. Using aptX Adaptive would consume less juice. I didn’t notice any impact on my day-to-day use of my iPhone.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro three screen-grabs of a smartphone running the QCC Dongle Pro, on blue background — The bulk of my testing was done with the Sennheiser IE900 or the Austrian Audio 'The Composer' (Image credit: Questyle)

The QCC Dongle Pro is so easy and effective that it’s hard to find flaws. But if I were to nitpick, I’d point to the fact that the Questyle app doesn’t give audio nerds as much control over codec behavior as, say, Android’s Developer Options, or the uber-handy Bluetooth Codec Changer app.

For instance, purists often want to avoid additional resampling between their source of digital music and the output that gets to their headphones. With the apps/settings I mentioned above, you can set LDAC’s bit-depth and sampling rate to match that of your source. The QCC Dongle Pro doesn’t provide this level of control. The same goes for LDAC’s bitrate; however, you can nonetheless choose to favour sound quality over connection stability, which should accomplish the same thing.

I might also note that the dongle can’t support simultaneous Bluetooth connections. So if you were hoping to connect a set of wireless earbuds using LDAC and a set of headphones using aptX HD so you can hear the difference, I’m afraid you’ll have to find another way of satisfying your inner scientist.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Design

Tiny and featherweight
Fits most phone cases
Might block adjacent ports

The QCC Dongle Pro can plug directly into any device that can output audio over USB. At 2.5 grams, it weighs less than half as much as a single AirPods Pro earpiece. On its own, it will snap into USB-C ports, and a small ledge lets it protrude about two millimeters, making it compatible with many 3rd-party protective phone cases. It also comes with an adapter for gadgets that are still rocking USB-A ports. The only devices it can’t support are older iPhones/iPads with Lightning ports.

It’s a phone-friendly design, as long as you don’t mind using wireless charging while it’s plugged in. For laptops, especially those like the Apple MacBook Air with just two, closely spaced USB-C ports, the Dongle Pro forces the same choice, but without the fallback of wireless charging: You can have better Bluetooth audio or you can charge your computer, but not both.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Sound quality

Perfect match for LDAC/aptX devices
Lets you choose which codec to use when more than one will work

How does it perform? Brilliantly. Which is to say, when I use it on an iPhone 16 in either LDAC or aptX Lossless mode, with a compatible set of headphones, and then compare it to a phone with these codecs built in (e.g., Motorola ThinkPhone), they sound the same to me. I’m not sure I could ask for anything more.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 (LDAC) revealed the subtle details in Dire Straits’ You And Your Friend that tend to go missing when listening via AAC. Similarly, Sennheiser’s aptX Lossless compatible Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds were able to tame the blurry bass notes and crunchy highs that I typically hear when playing Bob Dylan’s Man in the Long Black Coat.

Given how convenient it is to pop the Dongle Pro into the bottom of my iPhone, I can easily see it becoming a permanent fixture in my daily listening life.

Sound quality score: 5 / 5

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Value

Pricey compared to other transmitters
Unmatched codec support
Perfect size/shape for mobile use

Though a pricey little device, you need to look at the QCC Dongle Pro in the context of your other options.

Most companies that make USB-C Bluetooth transmitters that sell for between $25-$55 on Amazon come with one or more compromises. They’re primarily intended for PC use, so they’re often equipped with a USB-A interface. Even the ones with USB-C tend to stick out too far and could easily snap off during portable use. The Dongle Pro’s one direct competitor, the $50 FiiO BT11, is a bargain by comparison – but I found it much harder to use.

Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro?

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Features	Gives any phone or PC the most popular hi-res Bluetooth audio codecs.	4 / 5
Sound quality	Works as well as any phone with these codecs built in.	5 / 5
Design	Tiny, lightweight, and elegant. If only it were a tad narrower, it would be perfect.	4.5 / 5
Value	Pricey, but worth it.	4 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re the kind of person who wants to maximize sound quality
For now, wired connections are still better than Bluetooth, but with the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro (and compatible headphones), you may not hear the difference.

You own a recent iPhone
iPhones don't come with LDAC or aptX baked in, and this is arguably the easiest (and smallest) way to get those onboard. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don’t know (and don’t care) about codecs
If you're not bothered about lossless/hi-res audio, or compression – as long as your headphones just work –
the QCC Dongle Pro isn't for you. Its only reason to exist is to serve those who care deeply about sound. If that’s not you, great! You’ve got one less device in your life.

You’re an iPhone 14 (or older) owner
Without Lightning compatibility, the QCC Dongle Pro only works with USB-C-equipped iPhones (and iPads).

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Also consider

Product	Questyle QCC Dongle Pro	FiiO BTR11
Dimensions	25mm x 10mm x 15mm	28mm x 9mm x 21mm
Weight	2.5 grams	3 grams
Supported codecs	SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC	SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC
Supported interfaces	USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)	USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)
System compatibility	WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS	WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS
Bluetooth version	5.4	5.4
Power draw	37mA (LDAC)	22mA (static)

FiiO BTR11
On paper, this very affordable ($50) dongle is a carbon copy of the QCC Dongle Pro, so why wouldn’t you just buy it instead? Well, if you’re only interested in using it with an Android phone, it’s definitely worth considering.

That’s because, unlike the QCC Dongle Pro, the BT11 isn’t Apple MFi certified. I’m not saying a product has to be MFi certified to work with iPhones, but in this case, it seems to make a big difference.

Whereas the QCC Dongle Pro just works when you plug it into an iPhone, I found the BT11 suffered from lag and, at times, couldn’t communicate with its companion app at all.

This is unfortunate since the BT11 has one skill the QCC Dongle Pro lacks: the ability to connect to two or more audio devices simultaneously.

Its construction and design aren’t as nice as the Dongle Pro, nor is it as sleek (it sticks out further from the USB-C port). Still, for half the price, maybe that doesn’t matter.
Read more about FiiO BTR11 and FiiO's other DACs

How I tested the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro

Tested for 2 weeks
Used it at home and while at the gym
Predominantly tested using Apple Music on an Apple iPhone 16, but also: Google Pixel 7 Pro, Apple MacBook Air M1

Testing the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro was primarily a case of comparisons. In other words, how easy was it to use, and how did the sound quality compare to a smartphone with the same Bluetooth Codecs built in?

To do this, I paired the Dongle Pro first with the Sony WH-1000XM6 (to test LDAC performance) and then with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds (to test aptX Adaptive/Lossless), with the Dongle Pro plugged into an iPhone 16.

Since both devices support Bluetooth Multipoint, I was able to pair them simultaneously with a Motorola ThinkPhone, which supports both codec families.

While using the same Apple Music Playlist on both the iPhone and the ThinkPhone, I swapped back and forth between these two sources, listening for any perceptible differences. I couldn’t detect any.

For additional testing, I swapped the dongle over to my MacBook Air and a Google Pixel 7 Pro. Both performed without issue.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

Groov-e’s Wave Glow Bluetooth speaker has a lot going for it, but sadly sound quality isn’t on the list

1:00 am | August 20, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Apple Music, AUX, LED, USB | Comments: Off

Groov-e Wave Glow: two-minute review

The Groov-e Wave Glow is a very affordable portable speaker and one with sound quality to match that price tag. Yes, this is one that will infuriate the ears of audiophiles sounding somewhat tinny at times and slightly lacking any oomph across the course of my listening.

On the other hand, it has some funky looking lights which I found rather endearing, a comfy to grip strap, and some surprising ways to connect it to your music. Besides Bluetooth, you can also plug in a USB flash drive, slot in a TF card (both admittedly with a tight 64GB limit), and there’s an aux port. It’s not often you see these features in a tiny speaker any more. Granted, not everyone will need these but if you do, well, your options are limited making this more tempting.

Of course, don’t count on it rivalling the best Bluetooth speakers. This is a decidedly cheap speaker. It feels a little cheap to the touch and there’s that dodgy sound quality. I say dodgy; it’s reminiscent of buying a cheap radio or speaker years ago, before good speakers were affordable for the masses. It’s not hideous, exactly, but it’s also fairly ‘blah’.

Away from that disappointing audio quality, the Groov-e Wave Glow has some chunky, tactile buttons for play/pause, volume, and adjusting the lights, and the ports are all hidden behind a pull-out protective shell. Then there’s the lights up top and down bottom, and the elastic strap.

The Groov-e Wave Glow is priced at £23.99 and at the moment is only seemingly available in the UK, but that would make it under $35, or around AU$50. For that price, it’d be silly to expect too much, but if you can stretch further, you will find better options – more on those later. If money is that tight, however, or you’re looking for a cheap gift, the Groov-e Wave Glow still has some appeal.

Groov-e Wave Glow outside on tarmac, with a lawn in the background — (Image credit: Future)

Groov-e Wave Glow review: price and release date

Released May 2025
£23.99 at launch
Limited availability

The Groov-e Wave Glow was launched in May 2025 and is currently available to buy in the UK. It’s already seen some modest discounts but is generally available for £23.99.

That makes it one of the cheaper speakers around. The recently released Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is close but is still usually priced at £39.99. If you’re able to increase your budget to that, there are a few other options like the JBL Go 4, but few as cheap as this one.

Groov-e Wave Glow review: specs

Weight	645g
Dimensions	13.7 x 8 x 7.5 cm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, aux-in, USB-C (charging)
Battery life	8 hours (quoted)
Speaker drivers	10W
Waterproofing	n/a

Groov-e Wave Glow review: features

AUX port, microSD slot, and USB flash drive support
LED lights
8-hour battery life

The Groov-e Wave Glow is a fairly typical looking little Bluetooth speaker but with some surprising features. The highlight is its plethora of connections. Sure, you’ll be mostly using its Bluetooth connection, but it has other options. You can use its aux port to connect to other devices (and the speaker actually comes with a 3.5mm jack), while next to it is a TF (read: microSD) card slot, and the USB connection allows you to plug in a USB flash drive. Admittedly, both microSD and USB have a limitation of 64GB so you might have to search around for a compatible option, but it could be that specific situation that fits you perfectly.

There are no mics for speakerphone duties (although few speakers seem to offer that, these days) and battery life is a very unremarkable 8 hours. I’d have liked to have seen more here, especially as it takes 2 hours for a full recharge. Its Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity works fine and I had no issues using it with my iPhone 14 Pro but there were occasional dropouts on my PC – usually when I moved the speaker around.

Elsewhere, the LED lights are my favorite thing about the Groov-e Wave Glow. They visually bounce away while playing music and look suitably vibrant and exciting. They’re potentially more exciting than the audio quality, but I’ll get to that. It’s a neat touch either way and makes up for the lack of app support and thus in-app customization.

Features score: 4/5

Groov-e Wave Glow review: sound quality

10W
Tinny sound
Weak bass

I didn’t expect much of the Groov-e Wave Glow but I have to be honest, it actually sounded a little worse than anticipated. It’s functional, of course, but pretty tinny at times. There’s no bass to speak of, but my word, do the lights try to atone for that. You're encouraged to feel like it’s doing its best, happily bouncing along. However, it’s pretty tame stuff.

Listening to spoken word – a podcast or YouTube video, say – is fine, but when you switch over to your favorite music, the limitations are much more noticeable. The volume can go pretty high, but that weakens the experience even more. I went for my cheesy favorite, Robbie William’s Let Me Entertain You to start, knowing exactly how it’s meant to sound and there was no urgency or strength in the mids.

I went bold then and loaded up some Muse and sighed as it sounded somewhat pitiful. The soundstage is weak but more importantly, the bass and general ambience is underwhelming.

Sound quality score: 2/5

Groov-e Wave Glow review: design

Comfy elasticated strap
Tactile buttons
Well hidden ports

The Groov-e Wave Glow is certainly exactly how you expect a speaker to look, but there are a few highlights. I’m a big fan of its buttons being attractive but tactile too, so anyone with visual impairments can find what they’re wanting to press. There are buttons for play/pause, volume, and for toggling the lights on or off.

There’s a chunky section for the ports too which blends in well and feels suitably snug. On another side is the strap which is elasticated but held in quite tightly. The idea is that you can easily hold it through the strap but also attach it to something like a hook. It feels nice in your hands which is the main thing here.

As with other similar speakers, the Groov-e Wave Glow is pretty lightweight to carry around. Up top and down the bottom is the lighting so you can place the Groov-e Wave Glow sideways as well as upright.

What lets it down in this section – and why not go higher than four stars? Well, any discussion on the design has to include the audio architecture under the hood, and as you'll know if you've read this far, this area is where the Wave Glow struggles. Also, unusually for a speaker in 2025, there's no mention of an IP rating for water or dust ingress – so it won't be joining the ranks of our best waterproof speakers buying guide any time soon.

Design score: 4/5

Groov-e Wave Glow review: value

Very cheap
Sturdy design
Useful for a specific situation

The Groov-e Wave Glow is certainly cheap but its sound quality demonstrates exactly why it’s so cheap. Having said that, the aux port, USB flash drive support, and TF card slot could make it exactly what you’ve been looking for. For those people, there’s not much else to rival the Groov-e Wave Glow at this price.

However, if you’re looking for good audio, it’s a smart move to spend a little more on the JBL Go range or something from Anker Soundcore. The Groov-e Wave Glow definitely isn’t the best choice for music lovers, but it is super cheap and for many, that's the priority.

Value score: 3/5

Should I buy the Groov-e Wave Glow?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	No app, but there are a few notable extras not on other models	4/5
Sound quality	The weakest element by far when considering the Wave Glow: tinny and lacking in low end	2/5
Design	Useful straps, fun lights and tactile buttons	4/5
Value	It's cheap, but given the sound quality, spending less doesn't always mean value	3/5

Buy it if...

You want extra connectivity options
Many speakers still retain an aux port but TF and USB flash drive support? That’s what potentially makes the Groov-e Wave Glow your dream option. Only you know what you need most.

You want something for the summer
Just need a short term solution? The Groov-e Wave Glow is cheap, easy to get hold of, and does the job. Just about.

You’re on a tight budget
If money is very tight and you need a speaker, the Groov-e Wave Glow is an impulse buy kind of price.

Don't buy it if...

You’re an audiophile
It’s been a while since I’ve heard something as underwhelming as the Groov-e Wave Glow which is a tragic shame, but true.

You want something to last all day
The Groov-e Wave Glow only has 8 hours of battery life which means it won’t last a busy day hiking or out and about. There are other cheap options with better battery life.

You want waterproofing
The Groov-e Wave Glow doesn’t confirm its waterproofing and while its ports are neatly hidden away, we wouldn’t trust it immersed in water. Go for something with guaranteed IPX7 waterproofing if you plan on heading to the pool.

Groov-e Wave Glow review: also consider

	Groov-e Wave Glow	Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus	JBL Clip 5
Price	£23.99; limited availability in other markets	$39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.)	$79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95
Weight	645g	545g	285g
Dimensions	13.7 x 8 x 7.5 cm	90.9 x 90.9 x 118.9 mm	86 x 134.5 x 46 mm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, aux-in, USB-C (charging)	Bluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC codecs), AUX-in, USB-C (charging)	Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (charging)
Battery life	8 hours (quoted)	12 hours (quoted)	Up to 12 hours
Speaker drivers	10W (dimensions not stated)	48mm	Integrated class D digital amplifiers x 1
Waterproofing	n/a	IPX7	IP67

JBL Clip 5
If you can stretch that budget, buy the JBL Clip 5. It’s perfect for outdoor use while also sounding great for the price. There’s plenty of detail and bass here with an adjustable EQ and an ideal strap for carrying.
Read our full JBL Clip 5 review View Deal

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus
A little more expensive but guaranteeing good waterproofing, the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus could still sound better but it’s otherwise a robust option at a very affordable price.
Read our full Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review

Groov-e Wave Glow review: how I tested

Tested over 14 days
Used with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Twitch
15 years of audio equipment reviewing experience

I used the Groov-e Wave Glow across 14 days in a wide range of ways. I connected it to my PC initially and listened to Spotify, Apple Music and Twitch using that as a source device, then moved to my iPhone 14 Pro.

That meant a solid mixture of spoken audio and also music. My music taste is fairly varied so it went from Robbie Williams to Muse to Chet Baker to various pieces of classical music. I also checked how good battery life appeared to be and monitored how long it took to recharge.

I have 15 years of experience testing audio equipment, specialising in portable, affordable products just like the Groov-e Wave Glow.

First reviewed: August 2025
Read more about how we test

In testing, I found this aggressively priced Bluetooth speaker sturdy and portable, but it has one major flaw…

1:00 pm | August 9, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Apple Music, RGB | Comments: Off

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: two-minute review

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is best summed up as ‘it does the job’. It’s not a standout speaker. It doesn’t offer anything exceptional above the competition, but it is very cheap, easy to track down, and very low-maintenance. Audiophiles will still complain about the lack of 360-degree sound (despite the specs) and when you crank up the volume, the audio quality definitely dips.

However, it’s much, much cheaper than the best Bluetooth speakers and it has the strength of being IPX7 waterproof and very robust, so it competes against the best waterproof speakers on that front. I accidentally dropped it a few times and it’s always fine and eager to work once more. It’s easy to carry in one hand, too, thanks to its strap.

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus has a handful of attractive buttons for volume, Bluetooth connectivity, and RGB lighting – all the kind of size that’s perfect for tapping while in the pool. There’s only a couple of RGB lighting settings and the app doesn’t support different color schemes, but it does the job. Yup, there’s that phrase again.

Costing $39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.), it's a good price for a simple speaker. There are better options available for slightly more, but not much that you can find for less. If you just need something a little disposable to take on your hike or vacation, the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus will keep you happy enough.

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus Bluetooth speaker on a grassy surface — (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: price and release date

$39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.)
Launched in June 2025

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus was released in June 2025 at a $39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.) price point and is available to buy in the US, UK, EU, and Australia. It’s already discounted at some third-party retailers, with the speaker dropping as low as £23.99 in the UK.

As with all of Tribit’s speaker range, it’s pretty cheap. Competitors at about the same price include the JBL Go 4, but it only offers IPX67 waterproofing, while the JBL Clip 5 is pricier with the superior audio quality to match.

For the most part, at this aggressive price, you’ll be more likely to find unfamiliar brands.

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: specs

Weight	545g
Dimensions	118.9 x 90.9 x 90.9 mm (HWD)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC codecs), AUX-in, USB-C (charging)
Battery life	12 hours (quoted)
Speaker drivers	48mm
Waterproofing	IPX7

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: features

IPX7 waterproofing
RGB lights
12-hour battery life

Small yet robust, the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is designed to be that speaker you take wherever you’re headed. It has IPX7 waterproofing so it’ll happily sit in the pool without issue. Accidentally, I dropped it from about 5ft onto concrete and, again, all good here. The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is built to last.

The battery life is a fine-if-unremarkable 12 hours, and you should expect a full recharge to take about 2.5 hours. More would be nice but it’s not the end of the world, especially at this price. Bluetooth 5.4 means dropouts aren’t going to happen and there’s a comparatively rare AUX port if you need it. Support for SBC and AAC codecs are convenient, too.

The Tribit app isn’t the most exciting to look at but it has a simple Equalizer, so you can tweak sound how you like it. This is far from an audio powerhouse (more on that and its mediocre 360-degree sound in a moment) but being able to adjust things is always useful.

I rather liked the RGB lighting. It’s not too in your face and the two presets both look nice without overcomplicating matters. It’s all a nice checklist of the essentials and everything is suitably speedy to get using. Nothing is too complicated.

Features score: 3.5/5

Top panel of the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus Bluetooth speaker, with RGB lighting, held above a grass surface — (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: sound quality

Less-than-encompassing 360-degree sound
48mm drivers
Fine at low volumes

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus’ principal weakness is its audio quality, which is quite an unfortunate drawback for a speaker. The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is fine-if-unremarkable at low volumes, but crank it up, and the issues become noticeable. Bass is weak and the general sound is pretty muffled. This is a small and cheap speaker so does all that matter? Only you know the answer to that.

For me, listening to podcasts was fine as I had no intention on maxing out the volume. Similarly, listening to some relaxing Chet Baker and other jazz worked fine. Moving over to the more bass-heavy Muse is where I realized the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus sounded weaker and more underwhelming. The soundstage is quite weak, too, with 360-degree sound appearing to be more of a buzz term than something that is actually noticeable.

Adjusting the equalizer helps a little but it still doesn’t solve the high-volume issue. Keep it low, though, and you won’t have many complaints at this price point.

Sound quality score: 3/5

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus Bluetooth speaker on a wooden surface — (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: design

Tactile, chunky buttons
Clear design
Grab strap

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus has a fairly typical design for a portable speaker and it works well for it. Along its side are chunky, tactile buttons for volume and playback, while the back contains smaller buttons for power, Bluetooth, and lighting.

The latter controls aren’t as tactile for those with visual impairments but they’re reasonably divided up so you won’t mis-tap easily. Underneath that lineup are the covered AUX and power ports. Everything works smoothly which should be an obvious one but, well, not always.

At the top is the lighting, while there’s also an easy-to-grab strap that is the perfect size for most hands. If you want to change up the EQ, you’ll need to use the aforementioned Tribit app, which is simple and offers five presets, as well as the ability to manually tweak matters.

There are less weighty speakers around but the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is nevertheless pretty light. I found no issue with carrying it around, placing it on a countertop or even leaving it lying on my bed while napping. The plastic exterior is robust but not harsh to hold.

Design score: 4/5

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus Bluetooth rear panel and buttons, on a grass surface — (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: value

Cheaper than most of the competition
Robust design
Ideal for a summer’s fun

The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is cheaper than most of the competition. For a little more, you could buy the JBL Clip 5 or the Soundcore 3 but there are pros and cons here. The former costs a fair amount more, but boasts much better audio quality. The latter is about the same price but not as portable-looking.

As always, there’s a trade-off here, and I certainly appreciated the form factor of the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus more than a standard speaker.

Value score: 4/5

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus Bluetooth speaker, held in a reviewer's left hand, above a grass surface — (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

Should I buy the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	All the essentials are here, from an app to neat lights, and reasonable battery life.	3.5/5
Sound quality	The weakest element, doesn’t lend itself to high volumes, but it could be worse.	3/5
Design	Portable with tactile buttons and an easy-to-grab strap, with few complaints.	4/5
Value	Well-priced, and feels like the speaker for your summer.	4/5

Buy it if...

You want a speaker for a season
I’m no fan of waste but if you just need a temporary solution rather than a long-term fix, the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus does the job. I’m thinking you can take it on vacation and not worry if you run out of storage space on the way back.

You want something robust
I’m clumsy and the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus was fine with me. It’ll last a few falls and clashes without any issue, which is great for a rugged lifestyle.

You’re on a budget
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is cheap and already discounted. It’s perfect if you can’t justify spending too much on a portable speaker.

Don't buy it if...

You’re an audiophile
This is a budget-priced speaker. This isn’t a surprise that punches above its weight so it won’t delight audiophiles by any means. Give it a miss.

You need great battery life
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus offers reasonable battery life but it’s nothing spectacular. If you need to be away from a power source for a while, this may not suit the bill.

You love music loud
The Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus sounds poorer the louder it gets. If you love your music loud, you’ll have an inferior experience to those keeping it low.

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: also consider

	Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus	JBL Clip 5	Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2
Price	$39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.)	$79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95	$69 / £49 / AU$129
Weight	545g	285g	225g
Dimensions	90.9 x 90.9 x 118.9 mm	86 x 134.5 x 46 mm	90 x 90 x 74mm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC codecs), AUX-in, USB-C (charging)	Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (charging)	Bluetooth 5.1, AUX, USB-C (charging)
Battery life	12 hours (quoted	Up to 12 hours	22 hours (quoted)
Speaker drivers	48mm	Integrated class D digital amplifiers x 1	45mm
Waterproofing	IPX7	IP67	IPX7

JBL Clip 5
Better audio quality, and more portable but a little pricier, the JBL offers great bass and detail. It’s perfect if you want superior sound quality, but it has a IP67 rating rather than IPX7. It won’t stand on its base like the Tribit option, either. Read our full JBL Clip 5 review

Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2
Teeny if a little soulless, the Nokia lacks a great soundstage but up close, it’s pretty crisp. It also has much better battery life and it’s small enough to easily toss into your bag.
Read our full Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2

Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus review: how I tested

Tested over 10 days
Used with Spotify and Apple Music
15 years' audio equipment reviewing experience

I used the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus a lot to entertain me while sick in bed. That meant a lot of podcasts through Spotify and Apple Music, and plenty of chill music via Spotify. As my health improved, it lived on my desk and was paired up with my PC so I could listen to YouTube and Twitch streams.

I also sometimes used the Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus while outdoors, seeing how it faced up against the British summer, and occasional drops on concrete. Basically, it took over as my main listening device for those 10 days to see how it performed.

First reviewed: August 2025
Read more about how we test

Viaim’s AI recording and transcription earbuds will blow your mind, if you’ll accept ANC that’s just a shade off excellent

1:00 pm | May 10, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: AI, ANC, Apple Music | Comments: Off

RecDot Earbuds: Two-minute review

Boy, have I enjoyed my experience with the Viaim RecDot earbuds. Beginning with the AI recording and transcription functionality and ending with the sound quality, there’s very little not to love about Viaim’s latest offering.

The positives begin with the ability to record and transcribe calls, audio/video clips and meetings. This covers all situations and scenarios that you could ever find yourself wanting this type of functionality. I tried all of these features and thankfully found them to be reliable and accurate; otherwise, I would have been left seriously frustrated. My only gripe was that if a speaker (as in, the person speaking) paused for too long, Viaim would insert a full stop. Not very helpful, but perhaps a nice reminder that AI doesn't have consciousness, creativity or actual emotion.

Transcription is extended further by translation tools, the creation of to-do lists and summaries, and sharing audio or transcriptions to other devices. It really is a one-stop shop for managing your professional life. I found that these buds fit seamlessly into all aspects of my life, but especially at work.

I’ve already mentioned how impressed I was with the sound quality, but my brief comment deserves expansion. Having listened to music and carried out calls with friends and colleagues, I think Viaim has hit the mark across the board for detail across the frequencies. Remarkably, I found that I could just as easily discern a caller’s words while in a busy location as I could enjoy soulful tunes having sunk into my favorite chair for the night.

In short, far from being AI earbuds with average sound quality that you have to put up with, these are buds that are as good as much of the competition out there at the moment. The fact that they also transcribe recordings like a pro is ever more impressive.

From a design point of view, the RecDot are slightly chunkier than I would have liked, although they look pretty good for it. They’re not the snuggest fit and therefore aren’t really suitable for intense exercise, but they’re fine for when you’re sat at a computer, commuting or in a meeting.

Each bud comes with a long stem which houses a sensor for picking up presses and swipes. I would love to have had a recognition tone or perhaps haptic feedback integration, as it can at times be difficult to tell if your touches have been picked up. The buds sit cosily in the charging case, which offers a total of 36 hours of life, with each bud able to hold a maximum of 9 hours of power. All of this is more than enough to keep you going even through the busiest of days.

At $249.99 / £185 / AU$375, they’re not the cheapest buds around, but I wouldn’t compare them like-for-like against any other alternative on the market right now. These are excellent-sounding buds that deliver game-changing transcription. If you’re looking to save time in (and after) work meetings, there’s no easier way than with Viaim’s RecDot.

Any flies in the ointment? One or two; the case lid feels a tad flimsy and the ANC is fine rather than fantastic. OK, so they're unlikely to ever make it into our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they popped up in our broader best earbuds guide. I also think that if ever we created a ‘best earbuds for AI’ category (can't be long, surely?) the RecDot would be a front-runner.

Viaim RecDot Earbuds review: Price & release date

Released January 2025
Priced $249.99 / £185 / AU$375

As Viaim’s flagship product, the RecDot earbuds attract a premium price tag. Early AI adopters might be able to stomach the price, but if you only have a passing interest in how AI can streamline your workflows, you might not be convinced.

It’s difficult to bring a direct price comparison given there are so few AI earbuds on the market that can do everything these earbuds can. One example would be the Aidio X1 AI Earbuds for $149, but we’ve not yet tested those – oh, and Samsung's Galaxy Buds can do the real-time translation trick (and have been able to for a little while now) provided you've got a Samsung phone.

A helpful comparison is always Apple's AirPods Pro 2, which usually cost under $199 / £199 / AU$349. Let's not mince words – the design correlation between Apple's buds and Viaim's newer effort is striking. If you go for the RecDot earbuds, you’ll be sacrificing ANC quality, but for the extra money, you’ll get an abundance of useful hearing health features that are well worth the money (especially if you own an iPhone).

Viaim RecDot Earbuds review: Specifications

Viaim RecDot Earbuds review: Features

Excellent AI recording
Live transcription
Smart ANC leaves a little to be desired

When you buy a pair of the best wireless earbuds, you’ll be looking for great audio, excellent ANC and a snug fit. What most people are not looking for is an extensive set of recording and transcription services. But just because you might not have been looking for them, doesn’t mean you don’t need 'em.

With that introduction out of the way, are you ready for some seriously good features? Let’s begin with recording. There are three primary ways your set of RecDot Earbuds can do this, including call recording, audio/video recording, or live recording. The first will transcribe in real-time during a system or VoIP call. The second transcribes speeches in an audio or video clip, again in real time. The last transcribes live when you are in face-to-face dialog or in a small meeting room.

No matter how you access these recordings and transcriptions, you’ll find them to be reliable, comprehensive and useful for everyday purposes. I used it to make written notes from my own voice, to access a transcription of a conversation with a friend, and in a meeting with colleagues.

The Viaim software was able to pick up what was being said with very few issues or errors. The only snafu I experienced was that if I or someone else spoke too slowly or paused, Viaim would think it needed to begin a new sentence even if that wasn’t the speaker’s intention. So, you'll need to sub-edit your notes afterwards, but I find that's true of all note-taking software. I’d definitely like to see some post-AI tools that can sweep through the text and bring corrections, but it's still a neat perk.

What is maybe even more impressive than real-time transcription is that Viaim is able to distinguish between different speakers and mark them accordingly. I found this feature to be surprisingly reliable, making it a good fit for creating extensive meeting notes about who said what.

Transcriptions can also be simultaneously translated into up to 14 languages. With support for English, Chinese, French, German, and others, Viaim has covered a very high percentage of the world’s languages. I wasn’t involved in any bilingual meetings during my time of testing, but I can imagine how helpful this would be to non-native speakers.

The final AI feature to mention is the meeting assistant, which extracts concise summaries and actionable to-do items from lengthy recordings. If my mind hadn’t already been blown, then it most certainly was when I tested this feature. I couldn’t believe how accurately it was able to determine who needed to do what. It also did it remarkably quickly. My experience of this particular feature rings true through all the AI tools: impressive, reliable, and accurate.

Let’s finish by talking ANC. The 'Smart ANC' in the RecDot claims to reduce ambient noise by up to 48 dB, which would make it more than capable of drowning out most ambient noise. They don’t nix noise to the level of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, but they’re still capable enough for general everyday use. Given that they’ll be used primarily in office settings, you’re unlikely to need the highest-performing ANC buds – although for long-haul flights their minor shortcomings when it comes to jet engine noise cancellation could be more noticeable.

Features score: 4.5/5

RecDot Earbuds review: Sound quality

Vibrant, detailed, and crisp
Only one profile works for those with broad music tastes
ANC can be hit and miss, but auto option is best

I began by firing up Azizam by Ed Sheeran. The RecDot are able to deliver high levels of vibrancy with the strong dance beat punching through, without fighting against the vocals. While I was in an Ed Sheeran mood, I jumped into Galway Girl and sat back to enjoy the surprisingly wide soundstage. I would have taken a little more detail across the listening experience, but in general, it was all very pleasant.

Transitioning to a more sombre mood, I hit play on The Curse by Agnes Obel. Obel’s voice rises above the beautifully defined plucking of strings, delivering a near-perfect blend of instruments and notes. Alongside numerous other tracks, I was keen to play something layered, complex and gentle. I turned to the theme from Jurassic Park, by John Williams. Given this track's multiple instruments, I was pleased to hear the distinction between the flutes, piano and in fact all other sections of the orchestra. Well done, Viaim.

Most of my testing was carried out using the 'balanced' sound setting, although I did have a play around with other options, including pop, bass boost, and electronic. These other profiles were fantastic for specific tracks, but given my broad music tastes, I found them unreliable across multiple genres. I would therefore recommend sticking with the default unless you have reason to change it.

It was a similar story when it came to ANC. There’s the option to set it to low, middle, or high, but I found these weren’t reliable enough across a wide range of environments. I opted instead for the auto option and let the RecDot do the work. It’s fair to say that this did affect the sound, negatively at times, but it was better than choosing one of the three predefined options.

All that being said, I wouldn’t buy these buds purely for their sound quality. As good as they are, audiophile purists will want a dedicated pair of earbuds or headphones – probably with wires to their source device. The RecDot are for audio lovers who want more from their buds, namely a meeting companion that gets the job done.

Sound quality score: 4/5

RecDot Earbuds review: Design

Accessible recording controls
Well-designed case that’s easy to use
Plenty of eartip options

The RecDot earbuds look pretty similar to almost all other long-stemmed earbuds, although they feel a little bulkier in the hand than something like the AirPods Pro. The additional size is no doubt due to the extra recording features that make the RecDot stand out from the competition.

The sensor strip is located on the stem and provides all on-board controls. The sensor supports five types of interaction with a simple slide increasing and decreasing the volume. I don’t mind sensors instead of buttons, but only if they work well. I found the RecDot earbuds a little fiddly to operate, especially the triple press to go to the previous track. Part of this will be personal preference, but I feel there’s some fine-tuning required.

The also buds ship in black, although I was sent the silver colorway. Both look smart, but I think the black offers a slightly more premium appearance. To help with fitting, Viaim supplies five different sizes of dustproof eartips. They’re a little bit fiddly to swap out, although I’ve never experienced a problem-free eartip change on any earbuds I’ve used to date. Finding the correct size of eartip took a little time, but I was glad to have an abundance to choose from.

With an IP55 rating, the RecDot earbuds are resistant to dust and water. That means you’ll be fine if sweat and rain are your only concerns, but if you’re looking to do anything more adventurous, then they’ll come up lacking. Given their recording and translation talents, these aren’t designed for extreme sports anyway.

Before moving onto the case, the only other thing to mention is that the 11mm dynamic drivers are coated in titanium, which provides the highest possible strength-to-weight ratio. This makes sure they are as light and strong as possible.

No pair of wireless earbuds would be complete without a charging case. Aside from the slightly flimsy sliding top, I only have positive things to say about it. The buds magnetically slot in with a seriously satisfying click, with zero chance of them falling out despite serious shaking. And yes, I did try!

The case supports USB-C charging, which delivers a total of 36 hours of battery life. Each charge will only give the buds a maximum of 9 hours, although this is more than enough for a full day of listening to your favorite music – and quite competitive.

The final element of the charging case is the physical record button. Offering one-click recording during meetings, all you have to do is place an earbud in the charging case, hit record, and wait for either the left or right indicator to flash. I love this feature and have used it regularly. My only bugbear is that I think this record button should double up as a ‘now recording’ light. In my opinion this would be far more satisfying and demonstrative than a dim blinking indicator on a bud.

Design score: 4/5

RecDot Earbuds review: Value

AI features to die for
Admirable sound considering the extra perks
Competitive battery life

At $249.99 / £185 the Viaim RedCot are far from cheap. You’re paying a premium price for a fully featured set of innovative earbuds. Whether they’re worth the money will hang solely on whether you will utilize their AI features. If you’re only concerned about design and sound then I’d perhaps nudge you towards the much more affordable AirPods 4 with ANC instead.

The AI recording tools are far above the biggest strength of Viaim’s latest buds. Record calls on your phone or at on-site meetings and view translations in realtime. With a capture distance of up to 7 metres you’ll be covered no matter where you’re sitting. I appreciate that you could download software to do this but to have all this tech alongside very capable sound performers makes the recording and listening workflow beautifully seamless.

Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the RecDot Earbuds review:

Buy them if...

You want on-board recording capabilities
Not only do the RecDot buds sound fantastic, but they also record audio and transcribe it.

You need a meeting assistant
Extract concise summaries and create actionable to-do lists from lengthy recordings.

You want a great all-rounder
With fantastic sound, decent ANC, good battery life and AI smarts, these are the buds that do it all.

Don't buy them if...

You’re on a budget
At $249.99 / £185, there are much more affordable alternatives.

You must have tight fitting earbuds
They fit fairly well, but I wouldn’t call them a super secure or sports-optimised fit.

Sound is your only priority
The Viaim RecDot do sound good, but there are superior alternatives on the market if detailed, nuanced, neutral audio is your chief concern.

RecDot Earbuds review: Also consider

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Prefer device-agnostic head-tracked spatial audio plus some of the best ANC in the business? These September 2023-issue earbuds from Bose are a great shout – and the in-ear security is nearly as good as the Powerbeats Pro 2. You'll have to forego a bit of stamina (it's only 6 hours here) and transcription/translation, but the noise-cancellation is superior.
Read more in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
The ANC-off and transparency profiles are much more enjoyable here – as is the sound quality generally. You also get a similar battery life and the option of Matt Berry on voice prompts (his "Waiting to pair!" is a delight). The overall aesthetic isn't as striking though, and they aren't as secure in your ears – also you can forget about meeting transcription…
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 review

How I tested the RecDot Earbuds

Tested for three weeks at work, home, while exercising
Listened to Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer on a MacBook Pro, and iPhone

I began by getting them fitted correctly. This was helped by the numerous ear tips provided and the in-app test that covered both sound quality and noise reduction. With that out of the way and my app fully configured, I was ready to test them out in earnest.

Given their AI recording smarts, I was keen to focus my attention on that in the first instance. This mean utilizing them in meetings, conversations, and when I'm on my own. I tested all the different workflows for recording and transcription alongside all the finer elements of functionality. The only part I wasn’t able to test accurately was the translation feature.

Once I was happy with that, I turned my attention to sound quality and ANC. With Ed Sheeran, Agnes Obel and John Williams all lined up alongside TechRadar's trusted track list, I sat back and let my ears do the work.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read more on how we test earbuds at TechRadar

I spent six weeks listening to the Samsung Music Frame and it kept missing the beat

5:07 am | March 12, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Apple Music, CES, Dolby Atmos | Comments: Off

Samsung Music Frame: One-minute review

I love the idea of hiding a speaker in plain sight – in fact, I refuse to have bookshelf speakers because I really don’t like how they look on my, well, bookshelf and, despite offering great sound, I’m not too enthused by the design of the best wireless speakers either. Call me fussy, but when Samsung launched the Music Frame, it looked like something that would fit right into my home – playing my tunes and potentially showcasing my photography as well.

I’m impressed by how well built the Samsung Music Frame is, but weighing in at close to five kilos, I’m hesitant to wall mount it. Moreover, as a renter in Sydney, Australia, I’m not allowed to bore a hole in my wall, so I can’t really comment on how well it would perform with sound waves bouncing off a hard surface directly behind it. That said, Samsung thoughtfully provides a dampener in the box precisely for this purpose. It still looks lovely on its stand.

Changing the artwork is easy, but you have to have photos or images that would look good within a 8x8 inch square space – as a nature photographer who typically shoots in a 4:3 aspect ratio, it was hard to find one of my own prints to fit within the Music Frame.

To match its lovely design, Samsung has managed to make a speaker that fills a large room with sound. The Music Frame can get quite loud, much louder than the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi speaker, with strong, expansive sound. And there are plenty of wireless streaming options to choose from, so it doesn’t have to be part of Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem to work as a standalone speaker, but the app is necessary for the initial setup.

What it lacks is detailed and dynamic sound. While it’s just bassy enough for the average listener who isn’t too fussed about the soundstage to enjoy some tunes or pair with a Samsung The Frame TV, it will be a disappointment to anyone who cares about sound quality and wants to use it as a standalone speaker.

Also taking into consideration that the front panel isn’t a digital screen that would display, say, album art or double as a digital photo frame, I am struggling to justify its price.

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside a vase — There's no denying that the Samsung Music Frame has 'presence' (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: price & release date

Made its debut at CES 2024; launched in April 2024
List price: $399.99 / £399 / AU$699

The Samsung Music Frame isn’t brand new – it made its public debut at CES in January 2024, then was released to select markets in April that year. It became a bit more widely available later in 2024 and can be picked up for $399.99 / £399 / AU$699 at full price.

Samsung was offering a discount in some countries when the Music Frame launched and, since then, we have seen offers that make the speaker a little more affordable. For example, I’ve seen the price drop to as low as $150 in the US and AU$499 in Australia.

While you can display printed photos within the Music Frame, compatible acrylic panels can be ordered from select third parties for an additional cost, plus shipping, but note that you may need to keep the rear studs safe or source more to reattach the new artwork panel back into the Frame.

Samsung Music Frame review: specs

Samsung Music Frame review: features

SmartThings app required for setup
Dolby Atmos support with two-channel output
Built-in Q-Symphony support

The Music Frame’s feature set is quite impressive on paper, perhaps exactly what you want from a “lifestyle” product (as Samsung calls it) to widen its appeal. From plenty of wireless streaming options – including AirPlay 2 and Google Cast – to built-in voice assistant support for Alexa but, strangely, not Samsung’s own assistant Bixby, there's a lot going on here.

You can’t get things started without Samsung’s SmartThings app, though, and that requires you to create a Samsung account or use an existing one. Setup from there on in is very simple and I had no issues when using a Samsung phone or an iPhone – just following the onscreen steps will take you about 30 seconds to get going.

You’re also going to need the app to get the best sound setup too. You can play around with the seven-band equalizer in the Standard mode within the app, but if you opt for the Music or Adaptive Sound mode, you only get bass and treble controls.

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Screenshots from the SmartThings iOS app for the Samsung Music Frame — You need the SmartThings app for initial setup, whether on Andriod or iOS... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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That done, you have the choice to pair the speaker with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.2 or cast via the built-in Chromecast. iPhone or iPad users will immediately see AirPlay as an option when they open the Apple Music app, but you also get Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support, all of which are better than using Bluetooth connectivity due to a slight lag that’s evident when using the SmartThings app as they pass control of streaming to the speaker itself rather than using the phone. Despite this tiny lag, I never experienced any connection dropout during my weeks-long testing, which probably says something about how well Samsung has executed the connectivity options.

There’s Dolby Atmos support too, although it comes with a major caveat: it’s received only via Wi-Fi – there’s no HDMI ARC/eARC port here and the optical input isn’t Atmos compatible – and works with only select Samsung TVs with a two-channel output. That means you can’t use this as a soundbar alternative, but you can set it up as an additional speaker for Samsung The Frame TV or the Samsung QN95D, even as a pair if you have the cash to spare for a second Music Frame.

Samsung Music Frame and a lamp on a table in front of a window — Samsung's Adaptive Sound feature didn't work when there were power-tool noises just outside the window (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Tap-to-Play is also available but, again, it only works with compatible Samsung phones. I had the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 during my testing, which is supposed to be compatible, but no amount of tapping anywhere on the Music Frame triggered the functionality. Another feature Samsung promises is on board is its AI-powered Adaptive Sound technology, which adjusts clarity and volume in real time to any changes in ambient sound and, once again, I didn’t notice any changes when a landscaper outside my window was using a power tool.

What I did enjoy, however, is playing music through both my Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame and the Music Frame for bigger stereo sound. Thanks, AirPlay!

• Features score: 4 / 5

Samsung Music Frame review: sound quality

Loud, room-filling sound
Decently bassy, but lacks the meatiness offered by other brands
Sound lacks detail and nuance

To match the impressive connectivity and streaming options, the Music Frame has a heck of a lot of power, although Samsung doesn’t reveal how much. However, the six drivers with built-in amplification in the Music Frame belt out a lot of volume. The first tune I played on the speaker immediately after setting it up – Gimme All Your Love by Alabama Shakes via Google Cast from the aforementioned Galaxy Z Flip 5 – it was LOUD with the volume set at level 17, enough to make me want to turn it down a notch. The louder it got, though, the muddier the audio sounded.

The rear of the Samsung Music Frame speaker — It looks like there are just two speakers in the rear of the Music Frame, but there are, in fact, six (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Several music streaming apps, like Apple Music and Tidal, don’t have built-in volume controls and I found that, when using the Samsung phone’s controls, each incremental increase or decrease made a significant difference. It was a different experience when using an iPhone 13 Pro’s volume control (streaming via AirPlay 2), where the changes were smoother and more appealing.

Pro Tip

I got the best sound using the Music mode within the SmartThings app, along with the SpaceFit Sound feature turned on.

Out of the box, the Music Frame offers decent bass but, compared to the 2024 Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker and the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame, it can sound airy (or tinny if you prefer) with the high-mid frequencies being the focus. You can adjust this via the bass control or the equalizer in the SmartThings app, but I struggled to find my sweet spot.

The Music mode on the SmartThings app adds warmth to the music, while SpaceFit Sound uses the speaker’s built-in mic to analyze the room and adjust the sound accordingly. It will work wonders for the average listener by improving the vocals on a track, but it might still disappoint if you really care about good overall audio as it lacks detail. For example, Ellie King’s Ain’t Gonna Drown sounds good but not great as it doesn’t deliver the dynamic contrasts in her vocals. JJ Cale’s Magnolia sounds flat, lacking the wistfulness and melancholy I normally associate with it.

I accidentally also found out that there’s some muffling due to the front artwork panel. This happened when I was listening to KD Lang’s After The Gold Rush, and decided on a whim I would try to swap out the artwork while still playing. The track lacked depth but, once the front panel came off, it sounded better.

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker — I like the look of the Samsung Music Frame (right), but prefer the audio quality of the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Listening to Dolby Atmos tracks like M.I.A’s Marigold and Freddie Hubbard’s Weaver of Dreams is immersive, but I’ve experienced better from the Sonos Era 300, although Sonos is known for putting details front and center. This is exacerbated by the fact that, when playing a Dolby Atmos track, its volume level dips significantly – I had to bump up the volume by five levels to get the same effect when listening to other tracks. The best way to enjoy Dolby Atmos here would be to make it part of an existing setup, combining it with a soundbar.

As much as I appreciate its room-filling performance, I expected better overall sound quality from a premium wireless speaker that costs more than several of its competitors.

• Sound quality score: 3 / 5

Front view of the stand of the Samsung Music Frame beside a propped up Galaxy Z Flip 5 phone — The stand for the Samsung Music Frame is demure and not an eyesore (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: design

Beautiful design with thin bezels and hidden controls
Removable frame panel to change artwork, but cost of customization can add up
Can be wall mounted, but the cable might be an eyesore

I might have been disappointed by the sound from the Music Frame, but I really love the design. It’s not as square as it appears, measuring 35cm along the base and stands 36cm high. It’s about 14cm thick and has a heft to it, tipping the scales at over 9lbs / 4.5kg. I’d be hesitant to wall-mount it as Samsung provides just the one screw for it to hang off, but its corners are sharp too. If it gets nudged off its perch for any reason – even if it’s on its stand – it can cause injury to toddlers and pets.

I love that stand, though – it’s easy to slip on but not remove (which is probably a good thing), and it doesn’t stand out, if you get my drift. So all your attention is on the actual Music Frame.

The thin black bezels surrounding the matte acrylic panel makes for a great aesthetic, but if you don’t like the dark border, Samsung will sell you white snap-on panels for an additional cost – although this is only available in select markets.

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The removable art panel of the Samsung Music Frame lying on the speaker — Removing the art panel isn't difficult... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The rear of the removable art panel of the Samsung Music Frame — ..and it doesn't take much effort to change the print inside, if you have one that will fit (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Removing the top panel to change the artwork isn’t difficult, but it requires a little elbow grease and best done by placing the speaker flat on its back. People with slim fingers will find it easy to get a grip on an edge, but I wish Samsung had included a pry tool to help those of us with sausage fingers. The panel is held in place by ball studs that fit into sockets on the black frame, and a removable plastic sheet on its rear allows you to change the artwork. While the panel measures 13x13 inches, only the central 8x8 inch cutout will showcase the artwork. Samsung says you can use 8x10 or 8x8 inch prints, but I suspect that using a print smaller than the actual size of the panel will give it room to slide around inside and look misaligned.

The Music Frame comes with a generic image pre-installed, but you’ll find an extra one in the box. I had hoped to use a print of one of my own photos, but none that I had handy would fit the frame. Samsung has partnered with some third parties to make custom acrylic panels that you can order and get shipped to you but, again, this customization will cost extra and you’ll need to bear the shipping cost too.

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Indicator lights at the bottom of the Samsung Music Frame — You can barely see the indicator lights as they're practically hidden in the gap between the art panel and the frame (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The ports on the rear of the Samsung Music Frame — You can use a SmartThings Dongle (middle port) here, but it needs to be purchased separately (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The rear of the Samsung Music Frame showing the speakers and the power cable — The visible part of the power cable is a light one, but it does have an adapter and a thicker cable (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I asked Samsung why the front panel wasn’t a digital screen to use as a photo frame or at least display album art of the track being played, and I was told the cost would increase. I’m not entirely sold on this argument, but if we can have smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show 15, it’s doable and would likely broaden the appeal of the Music Frame. The Frame TV already has the ability to display digital wallpapers and I wish Samsung had figured out how to carry that over to the speaker too.

It’s important to note that the Music Frame will need to remain plugged into the mains to work, so you get a thin, kinda translucent cable in the box that will go into a small power brick connected to a thick black power cord. While I’m really not a fan of power bricks, I appreciate that the thin cable isn’t as noticeable as the one of the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame, and the heavy cable and adapter can be tucked away.

The physical controls, in the form of four buttons are hidden away on a rear edge, which makes them hard to see. They’re also extremely sensitive and even the lightest touch can change the volume, switch the mic on or off, or switch sources (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical). Plus, every time you press one, indicator lights that are also tucked away between panel and the frame light up. There is no play/pause option here, so you are left with using the app’s controls for that.

The back of the unit looks like it only has two speakers, but there are six hiding underneath, playing through two channels. Plus there are three ports: the optical input, a USB port for the SmartThings dongle to connect to an existing smart home setup, and the power input.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Side profile of the Samsung Music Frame on a table

The Samsung Music Frame looks lovely no matter where you place it (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: value

Retails for a price higher than several premium big-brand wireless speakers
You’d expect excellent performance at this price point
Falls short against the competition in both price and performance

With a retail price of $399.99 / £399 / AU$699, the Samsung Music Frame doesn’t come cheap. When discounted, though, it might be worth considering, provided the offer available at the time of purchase undercuts the competition significantly.

That said, if you’re an audiophile or, at the very least, a discerning listener, you might well be disappointed by the lack of detail from the Music Frame. In comparison, the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker with Sonos sound is only $199 / £179 / AU$249 and, while not as loud as its Samsung counterpart, offers a more balanced and dynamic soundstage that’s also bassier.

Even some of the other best wireless speakers that the Music Frame is contending with are cheaper at full price. In our Sonos Era 100 review, for example, we said you’d get sound quality with “lots of clarity and punch” for a list price of $249 / £249 / AU$399.

Perhaps if Samsung had added a digital screen with a SmartThings interface or even just made it into a digital photo frame, it might have been easier to justify the price. If the sound quality and functionality were to be improved, I think the second-generation Music Frame could likely give the likes of Sonos a run for its money.

• Value score: 2.5 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Music Frame?

Buy it if...

You want a wireless speaker for a small space

The Music Frame is a 2-in-1 device – you don’t need an additional picture frame for your memories, and you get a speaker too.

You own a Samsung The Frame TV

Setting it up as an additional speaker for a compatible Samsung TV will make the most of the Music Frame, offering you a more engaging home cinema experience.

Don't buy it if...

You’re an audio purist

If you’re after a speaker with excellent audio, you’ll need to forgo the good looks for a speaker that was made for a more dynamic soundstage.

You’re on a tight budget

It might be hard to recommend the Music Frame at its current retail price, but if you want a good speaker sans the frame, there are plenty of options that cost less.

Samsung Music Frame review: also consider

If you’re looking for alternatives to the Samsung Music Frame, the most similar ‘lifestyle’ or ‘arty’ product would be the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker, which is still available at most Ikea stores around the world. However, if you’re after better wireless speakers, consider the two options listed below.

JBL Authentics 200
If it’s detailed sound you’re after, the JBL Authentics range is where you should be focusing. While there’s an expensive model that would be out of reach for most people, the Authentics 200 balances price, features and sound performance marvelously well. While it costs less than the Music Frame, it does have a rather retro boxy look that may not be to everyone’s liking.

Read our full JBL Authentics 200 review for more details

Sonos Era 100
For a smaller speaker that won’t look too out of place in most homes, consider the Sonos Era 100. It packs quite the mighty punch, though, with detailed sound and boosted bass, not to mention a plethora of sources available too. And it will cost you a lot less than the Samsung Music Frame too.

Read our in-depth Sonos Era 100 review to learn more

How I tested the Samsung Music Frame

Listened to it nearly every day for six weeks in different rooms
Used AirPlay 2 on an Apple iPhone 13 Pro and cast using the SmartThings app on a Samsung Galaxy Flip 5
Predominantly streamed from Apple Music, but also tried Spotify and Tidal

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside some books and a vase — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I’ve had the Samsung Music Frame in my apartment for about six weeks at the time of publication and, in that time, tested the speaker in various rooms, including an open-plan living and dining area. During this time, the Music Frame became my primary speaker, replacing the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker. I also had the opportunity to compare the audio with two Bluetooth speakers – the 2024 Beats Pill and the JBL Charge 4.

While I predominantly listen to the blues, I played a wide variety of genres through the Music Frame, mostly via the Apple Music app on an iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. I also briefly streamed via the Spotify and Tidal Android apps.

I tweaked the settings in the SmartThings app – both on iOS and Android – across various genres to see how the audio changed, and even tried various bass and treble adjustments.

While I tried out as many of the features as possible, I didn’t use the built-in Alexa support very much, and there were a few other things I wasn’t able to test due to the lack of additional hardware, namely the SmartThings Dongle and a compatible Samsung TV. And due to restrictions placed on wall-mounting it in my home, I wasn’t able to test how the Music Frame sounds when hung up against a wall. I did, however, prop it up against a wall (without its stand) to emulate wall-mounting as best as possible.

Apple EarPods USB-C: Two-minute review

Reader, I want you to cast your mind back to the 2010s, maybe even the noughties – I’m sure many of you will have fond memories of plugging your wired Apple earbuds into your iPod, or perhaps even an early-gen iPhone. And my mind was cast back to this exact period as soon as I got my hands on the Apple EarPods USB-C. These wired earbuds may not fit your iPod anymore, but they’ll work with almost any modern handset – Apple or not – thanks to their USB-C connector. But do these buds merely open a window to the past, or do they craft a strong sonic experience in their own right?

Well, to find out, let’s start with sound quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they only cost $19 / £19 / AU$29. But for the most part, they do still offer adequate audio. I rarely felt that treble was too grating or that overall sound was tinny – an issue that a lot of cheap competitors are guilty of. On top of that, you get a decent helping of bass – even if it’s not ultra-clear or able to stretch to extreme depths. Given these also support Apple lossless audio, at a glance they seem decent for general audio quality – but let’s drill into the details.

I tried listening to Young Blood by The Naked and Famous and quickly identified one key issue. The electric guitar that blares throughout the track is meant to have a well-defined position in the mix – in the lower-mid range, separated from the bass – to uphold the track’s powerful, full-sounding profile. However, it really didn't sound all too distinct, coming through slightly muddied with sounds in the low-end – an issue that you won’t experience with some of the best wired earbuds.

And speaking of that low-end, you’re not going to be blown away with incredibly clear quality. For instance, I played Ma quale idea by Pino D'Angiò and the iconic, funky bassline was uncharacteristically muddy. This muddiness almost smothered D'Angiò’s smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage. Despite that, actual bass levels are respectable – you get a solid amount of low-end weight for some super-cheap wired buds, even if clarity isn’t top-drawer. You won’t get tasty sub-bass though. I tried listening to The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy and although sub-bass was audible, it lacked its imposing, ground-shaking boom.

The lack of bite was also apparent with treble elements in Rains again by Solji and the vocalist’s high notes – despite avoiding the abrasiveness some cheap buds inflict – failed to reach their grandiose, showstopping potential, sounding slightly dulled and restrained.

Something that I feel diminishes the listening experience significantly is actually nothing to do with audio quality, though. That’s right: I’m talking about the fit of the Apple EarPods USB-C. These earbuds don’t have eartips, so you don’t get a proper seal with them. This looser fit means that sound isn’t perfectly concentrated and the buds will sometimes feel as if they’re falling out of your ears. This can be quite frustrating when you’re on the move; I found myself readjusting to get a more snug feel a little too often for my liking. It is worth noting, though, that some may find wearing buds with eartips for extended periods uncomfortable – so your impression of the fit itself will vary depending on personal preference.

A less debatable flaw of the relatively loose fit of the EarPods is that it allows a lot of external noise to seep through. Again, the lack of eartips removes what is typically a passive protective layer, so I often heard colleagues talking in my office or cars zooming by while on walks. If shutting out the wider world is a top priority, I’d simply recommend not grabbing these – there are better wired options for noise isolation, like the SoundMagic E80D or cheap wireless buds with active noise cancellation, like the Earfun Air Pro 3.

But on a positive note, these are a very elegant pair of wired buds – in fact, a lot of budget competitors can’t even come close in the style department. They are a fair bit heavier than a lot of competitors at 1.1oz / 30g, but they never felt heavy in-ear or irritating to wear for longer listening sessions. The drivers are encased in the classic white glossy housing that Apple fans will be well accustomed to. The wire is also slim, rounded and not too bad of an offender when it comes to cable noise – which is still noticeable, but not overwhelming. The USB-C connector here is also pleasingly compact and never got in the way when I was holding my phone.

Finally, the included controller is sleek and well-sized, though it did sit a little closely to my cheek – if it was slightly further down the wire it would be perfect. It includes volume and play/pause controls for music and taking phone calls, as well as a mic. And in terms of quality, the mic is pretty standard. Vocals were decently clear on a voice recording and phone call, although there is some noticeable static in the background – something that’s typical for cheap and even some less cheap buds.

So, at the end of it all, where do I stand on the Apple EarPods USB-C. Did they provide a fun, nostalgic ride for me? Sure, they still have the token Apple charm, sleek looks and minimalist design, and the wired look is aesthetically pleasing, in my view. But did they impress me in terms of audio quality? Well, not quite. The soundstage is a tad messy, with instruments often failing to find a defined pocket to play in. But having said that, there’s not too much tinniness or unpleasantly aggressive treble sounds that you get with a lot of cheap wired buds. Overall, then, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty solid given their low price – that is if you can deal with their lack of ear tips.

Apple EarPods USB-C plugged into iPhone 16 with Apple Music showing on the handset's display — (Image credit: Future)

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Price and release date

$19 / £19 / AU$29
Launched in 2023

The Apple EarPods USB-C released in 2023 and are the tech giant’s debut in the wired USB-C world. One of the most attractive things about these buds is their super-low price. They’re available for just $19 / £19 / AU$29 – that’s in-line, or cheaper than a lot of competitors. You can only get them in one color, White, but that was no issue in my book, given the glossy, bright look suits them to a tee.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Specs

Controller of the Apple EarPods USB-C — (Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Apple EarPods USB-C?

Buy them if...

You love the way Apple products look
If you typically like the white, glossy look of Apple’s peripherals, you’ll surely be a big fan of these buds – well, design-wise at least. If your top priority is style, these hit the right notes, thanks to a diminutive connector, sleek curved buds and a slim wire.

You’re on a tight budget
These buds subvert the preconception that many have of Apple products – they’re not expensive at all. At just $19 / £19 / AU$29, they’re ideal if you’re working with a limited budget.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
If top-drawer audio quality is what you’re after, keep looking. I didn’t find these buds to produce grating, nasty sound, but I didn’t feel that they offered well-defined, separated or dynamic audio either. They’re just decent sound-wise – fine for cheap buds, but not good enough for the keenest of listeners.

You want decent noise isolation
Because of their shape and design, the Apple EarPods USB-C won’t keep sound out effectively whatsoever. If you want passive noise isolation, you’re better off choosing some buds with ear tips in order to form a sound-repelling seal.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
The Skullycandy Set USB-C offer a sleek, curved design, excellent color options and IPX4 waterproofing, making them a worthy budget pick. Audio isn’t going to wow and the controller lacks volume controls, but if you just want some stylish, cheap buds, that likely won’t be a real dealbreaker. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMAGIC E80D
If you want to take a step-up on the Apple EarPods audio quality-wise, the SoundMagic E80D could be the perfect fit. They’re a fair bit more than Apple’s buds, but for less than $50/£40/AU$70, you still get detailed, balanced audio – partially thanks to a built-in DAC. You also get solid noise isolation and a comfortable fit. Sure, the controller is a little fiddly, but otherwise these are a great pair of wired earbuds. Read our full SoundMAGIC E80D review.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: How I tested

Left earbud of the Apple EarPods USB-C — (Image credit: Future)

Tested for one week
Used in the office, at home and while on walks
Listened using both Apple Music and Tidal

I tested the Apple EarPods USB-C over the course of one week. I used them while using Apple Music on the iPhone 16 as well as with Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I also played tunes on Spotify and watched video content via YouTube. I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home and while out on walks near busy roads.

When listening to music I played tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs spanning a variety of genres – though I also spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. When appropriate, I compared these buds to the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C, in order to better assess audio quality, comfort and elements of design.

First reviewed: November 2024
Read more about how we test

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker review: a small speaker with stacks of personality

1:30 pm | November 3, 2024

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

Marshall Emberton III: Two-minute review

Without a doubt, the Emberton III is one of Marshall's best Bluetooth speakers with long battery life and impressive sound considering its relatively small size. This third generation Emberton delivers even better battery life and slightly louder sound, and while it's not going to rattle the rafters it's an impressive performer.

The Emberton III is particularly good at lower volumes where Marshall's Dynamic Loudness delivers a bass boost that prevents your music from sounding too weedy; for podcasts, where voices tend to be lower frequencies, there's an EQ preset to cut the lows and boost the mid-range instead.

The main selling point here is a feature we weren't able to test: Auracast via Bluetooth LE. Auracast will enable you to create a multi-speaker setup with your Marshall as the sound source, broadcasting over Bluetooth to other Auracast-capable Marshalls, but the feature hasn't yet been implemented. It's coming as an over-the-air update via Marshall's smartphone app and Marshall tells us it's coming very soon. Basically, it's built to be LE Audio ready, so if future-proofing your Bluetooth system is something you're into, it's a great buy.

With speakers this small there is of course a limit to how much bass they can put out and how loud they can go before things start getting harsh. But the Marshall is a powerful performer for its size, and if you don't push it too hard you'll be able to get the most out of its large battery too.

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker — The Emberton III comes in two colours, a light stone and the none more black option shown here. (Image credit: Future / Carrie Marshall)

Marshall Emberton III review: Price & release date

Released August 2024
Costs $159 / £159 / AU$289

The Marshall Emberton III was launched in August 2024. The recommended retail price is $159 / £159 / AU$289.

This is the third version of this Marshall portable speaker; we reviewed the original Marshall Emberton back in 2020 and the Emberton II in 2022. It's one of two new releases from the firm alongside the Willen II, a smaller and more affordable speaker ($119 / £99 / AU$199) with one driver rather than two.

Marshall Emberton III review: Specs

Marshall Emberton III review: Features

Bluetooth LE and Auracast ready
32+ hours of battery life
"True Stereophonic" audio

You can set up the Emberton III in two ways: directly through your device's Bluetooth, or via the Marshall iOS or Android app. That gives you access to three EQ presets: the default "Marshall sound"; a low and high end boost; and a mid-range boost. That latter one is for speech such as audiobooks and podcasts. As with the previous model there are no EQ customization options.

Using the device is very simple, because it's a very simple device. There's an on-off button, a rocker switch for volume and track skipping, and a red LED strip to show battery life.

The big news here is the upgrade to Bluetooth LE audio and Auracast multi-device broadcast support. With Auracast you'll be able to share your music to multiple speakers simultaneously, but the Bluetooth LE it requires won't be available on launch day: Marshall promises an update imminently via the Marshall Bluetooth app but of course that means we weren't able to try that specific feature. There's also built in microphone so you can use this Marshall for calls, but not for voice assistants.

As with the previous Emberton, the Emberton III has what Marshall calls True Stereophonic, a 360-degree audio feature that promises to fill your room with surprisingly big sound. Oh, and there's a strap for your backpack so you can annoy people on hikes.

One of the issues with many speakers is that they can become too bass-light at low levels because audio characteristics change with volume. Marshall has a solution that it calls Dynamic Loudness, which automatically adjusts the tonal characteristics based on the volume you're listening at.

Battery life is a claimed 32-plus hours, two more than before, and we didn't have any problems achieving thirty hours with playback volumes around 50%. Full recharge via the USB-C port takes two hours compared to three for the Emberton II.

In a nice touch, the Emberton III plays a cute little ascending guitar riff when you power it on and a descending one when you power it off.

Features score: 4.5/5

Marshall Emberton III review: Sound quality

Dynamic Loudness impressive at lower volumes
EQ boost for podcast and audiobooks
Punchy given its small size

It'd be rude not to start testing with some classic rock, so the first song to try was naturally AC/DC's Back in Black. The Emberton delivered an impressively punchy performance with excellent mid- and high-range clarity, and the promise of room-filling sound was definitely delivered: this little speaker rocks much harder than you'd expect it to and doesn't need you to position it carefully to get the best results.

That said, it's important to manage your expectations with a speaker of this size. There's only so much air that two-inch drivers can push, so while Marshall has done a good job delivering low frequencies at lower volumes – so much so that you might want to swap to the mid-range EQ boost for podcast listening so the presenters don't make everything around you vibrate – when you crank up the Emberton to higher volumes the low end distorts and the higher frequencies become harsh.

With Marshall amplifiers, it's traditional to turn them up. But this Marshall speaker is best turned down. At lower volumes the Dynamic Loudness delivers very impressive bass for a system this small. REM's Out of Time album was a particular highlight, Mike Mills' bass as clear as his harmonies.

The relative lack of bass at higher volumes is particularly noticeable on dance music such as Pet Shop Boys' Loneliness, Troye Sivan's slinky One of Your Girls or Charli XCX's 360, all of which lose a lot of their floor-filling thump, and with expensively produced tracks such as Taylor Swift's No Body No Crime, which has a very distinctive bass drum sound that loses its punch here. All of these tracks sound better quieter on this system.

That's also an issue for guitar-based rock music, especially relatively busy tracks such as The Killers' When You Were Young. It's fun at lower volumes but turn it up and it quickly becomes tiring.

To my ears this is a speaker best suited to bedroom, kitchen or study listening and for taking outside on nice days. If you're looking for a party monster or intend to listen loud you might be better with something built around larger speaker drivers.

Sound quality score: 4/5

Marshall Emberton III review: Design

Looks like a Marshall amp
IP67 for dust and water resistance
Rugged and stackable

The Emberton III unsurprisingly looks a lot like the Emberton II. As with other Marshalls the design echoes that of the famous Marshall cabinets and stacks we've seen on rock stars' stages, and that means they're pretty rugged-looking and no-nonsense as well as stackable, just like stage speakers. I think they look great; having Marshall's design DNA in speakers makes more sense to me than crowbarring it into headphones such as the Marshall Major III, which I think just look overly boxy. You can choose between a classic black or cream.

The new Emberton is rated IP67 for dust and waterproofing, so it's capable of surviving a dunk as deep as 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. That makes it largely immune to a spilled drink or festival rain.

Inside the Marshall there are two class D amplifiers pushing twin 10W 2-inch full range drivers and two passive radiators. Frequency response is 65Hz to 20kHz and it's slightly louder than before, pushing out a sound pressure level of 90dB at 1m compared to the 87dB of the Emberton II.

The Marshall, thankfully, is a lot lighter than the Marshall amps I've had to lug up and down stairs and fire escapes: it's 0.67kg/1.5lbs.

Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall Emberton III review: value

Lots of impressive competitors in this price bracket
Marshall's battery life leaves many rivals behind

At $159 / £159 / AU$289 this speaker is competing against some very impressive rivals: spend £20 more and you could get our current favorite among the best Bluetooth speakers, the Sonos Roam 2. But where the Marshall has the Sonos speaker beaten is in battery life.

The Sonos promises up to 10 hours whereas the Marshall can deliver more than three times that. So if you're going to a weekend festival or anywhere else where home comforts will be absent for a few days, the Marshall is the speaker you'll want to take with you. It's small enough to be truly portable but loud enough to soundtrack your adventures without having to push it too hard.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Marshall Emberton III?

Buy it if…

You like the Marshall sound
You can't customize the EQ presets so you're going to be listening the way Marshall intends.

You like 'em tough
Just like Marshall's amps this looks and feels bomb-proof.

You listen long
With 32 hours of battery life this speaker has serious stamina.

Don't buy it if…

You're a bass monster
There's only so much air two-inch drivers can push.

You listen loud
Like most speakers of this size, the Marshall isn't at its best when it's really loud.

You want to connect a cable
The Emberton III doesn't have an Aux socket.

Marshall Emberton III review: Also consider

Sonos Roam 2
We called the original "the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet", although the controversy over Sonos's bungled app update has tarnished the brand a little this year. But the Roam 2 is a superb portable speaker with exceptional sound. Find out if it's the better option for you by reading our in-depth Sonos Roam 2 review

JBL Charge 5
The Charge 5 is a hooligan, and we mean that as a compliment: it's ridiculously loud for its size and while it doesn't offer 360-degree audio it does deliver 100% audio entertainment. Its drivers are larger than those in the Marshall and you can hear the difference. For more info, see our full JBL Charge 5 review

Marshall Willen II
The Emberton has a baby sibling, the Willen. It's effectively half an Emberton with a single 10-inch full range driver, and while it’s not as loud as the Emberton it's still impressive for its size. Battery life is 17 hours and it weighs just 0.36kg/0.79lbs. We haven't reviewed it actually, but if you like its looks, it's worth a look…

How I tested the Marshall Emberton III

Tested for two weeks as an alternative to Apple HomePods and UE's Wonderboom
Used indoors at sensible levels – and loud outside
Listened to Apple Music, my own library, Overcast podcasts and some of my own tunes too

I used the Marshall Emberton III for two weeks with Apple Music and some of my own recordings, using the same tracks I use to test all audio kit – a big mix of genres including live performances, dance and pop music, various flavors of metal and more. I also listened to podcasts via the Overcast app.

I've been a musician and audio obsessive for over 35 years now, and I've been reviewing audio kit – headphones, speakers and audio devices of all kinds – since the late 1990s.