The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank is designed for charging all manner of devices, from smartphones to laptops, thanks to its powerful 100W output. Despite its capabilities, it’s surprisingly light; I’ve tested other, less capable power banks that weigh more. It’s also quite narrow, but very thick too, meaning it won’t be one to carry around in your pocket. This is justifiable, though, given it’s designed for charging big ticket items.
The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank looks smart with its dark grey finish, the signature colorway of Ugreen’s Nexode series. Unfortunately, this premium look belies its actual build quality: the chassis is a little too flimsy for my liking, even audibly creaking when I pressed its sides. Suffice to say it wouldn’t be my first choice of power bank for taking on more rugged excursions.
One of the standout features of the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank is its display. This provides useful information in a large format, making it clear to see. The percentage figures adopt a dot-matrix format, which may divide some users, but I didn’t have an issue with this. However, clarity is somewhat compromised by its matt finish, which is rather hazy in certain viewing angles and lighting conditions.
It has one USB-C port and one USB-A port, which is a little disappointing for a power bank with this much power on offer; there are many, less powerful power banks on the market with greater port selections.
The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G 14 inch laptop from 50% to 100% in about 90 minutes, which is a decent performance. It also stayed cool throughout, which again is also impressive. However, it depleted the bank’s battery from 100% to 12% in the process, which disappointingly means you’ll only get a single charge out of it for large devices.
Thankfully, the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank only takes about the same amount of time to fully replenish, thanks to its 65W input via the same USB-C port.
The USB-A port provides 22.5W of power, and charging from this and the USB-C port at the same time is possible, although this drops the output of both to just 10W. The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank also features trickle charging, used for devices with low current draws, such as wireless earbuds and smartwatches. This can be easily toggled by holding the power button.
With a price of $49.99 / £49.99 (about AU$80), the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank sits admirably close in the market to less powerful rivals. Its 100W power output is useful if you need to charge larger items – but you’ll only be able to charge them once. It really needs a capacity higher than 12,000mAh to make it practical for charging large devices on the go, and more ports wouldn’t go amiss either.
(Image credit: Future)
UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You want to charge big devices Laptop charging is possible with the Nexode, and it can top them up with relative speed.
You want something simple Simply plug in your device and away you go. The readout is simple to understand, and activating trickle charging is easy as well.
Don't buy it if…
You want the best build quality Although it’s pleasingly light, it isn’t as solidly built as some of its rivals, such as those from Anker.
You want to charge multiple times Yes, you can charge power-hungry devices with that high output, but the relatively low capacity means you’ll only be able to do so once.
UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank review: also consider
Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) If it’s power you need, then this Anker Prime model is for you. We think it’s the best power bank for power users, thanks to its massive 250W output and 27,650mAh capacity. However, it’s large and heavy compared to other power banks, and expensive too, so this is only for those who’ll need days of charging available to them.
The PS5 Slim picks up where the original launch model of the PS5 left off and offers a brilliant current-generation gaming experience. Adding a couple of quality-of-life improvements to the original and shrinking the footprint right down, while maintaining the excellent performance and experiences you would expect from a PS5, means this is still one of the very best gaming consoles to buy.
The PS5 Slim launched at the same price that the original launch model PS5 had. This differs from the last generation when the PS4 Slim arrived with a slightly lower price tag, which was very welcome at the time. While that’s disappointing, the PS5 Slim is now the dominant variant of the console - coming in both disc and digital editions too -and discounts and deals are now frequent. As such, while we heartily recommend it at its list price, it can offer exceptional value for money.
The biggest changes with the PS5 Slim are indeed as its name would imply: its small footprint and form factor mean the PS5 Slim is around 30% smaller, which is welcome given the original’s heft. It’s of the same design language, but not exactly the same either. While the form of the PS5 Slim still features the fanned, larger end, the console’s shell is now split by a gap (‘filled in’ by the black plastic of the console’s main body underneath), making for four separate plates.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
One small difference is the front ports both being USB-C on the Slim too, trading the launch model’s USB-A port for the second USB-C one. And apart from a slightly larger hard drive - the PS5 Slim sports a 1TB SSD as opposed to the original’s 825GB - it has the identical PS5 specs within it that offer that wonderful performance we’re used to from Sony’s current console. You’ve also got a host of customization options with the PS5 Slim, thanks to Sony releasing a wide number of different console covers that can be easily slotted on.
It is that performance, combined with the new design, that makes the PS5 Slim so easy to recommend. PS5 games run like a dream and with a library that’s bigger than ever, now offers more adventures than before. Sony’s first-party titles in particular are dreamy from a performance standpoint - whether you prefer resolution and detail or frame rate speed and smoothness. PlayStation 4 games also still run like a dream which means your backlog can be taken onto PS5 Slim with ease. The DualSense Wireless controller is still the same original one which is great for the haptic features that help make the PS5 stand out, but its battery life is still underwhelming.
The PS5 Slim doesn’t reinvent the PS5 by any means - that evolution is handled by the new PS5 Pro - but its new design makes it an exceptionally sleek version of Sony’s current-gen machine. With the same great performance, quality hardware and specs, and a larger-than-ever library, it’s an easy console to recommend.
Same price as the original PS5; regular offers are often available
The PS5 Slim is now the default PlayStation 5 model and is widely available in every region, replacing the launch model almost entirely. It took over the same price point and is thus a straight swap.
However, since the PS5 launched, several regions have been hit by PS5 price rises (sometimes multiple price rises) and the PS5 Slim represents the newer, adjusted price points in those countries, not the original one. The US price has remained the same, however. Offsetting this somewhat, now we’re into the console’s fifth year, is that deals and discounts on the PS5 Slim are becoming more frequent, with genuinely good bundles and offers being put on by Sony itself, as well as various retailers.
In the market, it’s priced almost identically to the Xbox Series X console, which has also seen some regional price rises. The PS5 Slim Digital Edition also now has direct competition from an Xbox Series X Digital Edition console but undercuts its Microsoft counterpart in price considerably.
Within the PlayStation 5 ecosystem itself, we now have the PS5 Pro to factor into the equation. Coming in at a mighty $699.99 / £699.99 the Pro is considerably more expensive than the Slim, and its performance and benefits are a little more niche, and for an enthusiast audience. As a result, the PS5 Slim offers good value in relation to its more powerful brethren, given the experiences it offers are still excellent.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
PS5 Slim review: Specs
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
PS5 Slim review: Design & features
Slick and chic design, more compact than that of the original
Detachable disc drive, and excellent controller
Wide choice of replaceable console covers for personalization
The main selling point of the PS5 Slim is indeed in its design, aesthetic, and form factor. Sony has a history of making refined, smaller, and slimmer versions of all its home consoles. so the PS5 getting the trimming-the-fat treatment was expected - and it delivers too, coming in at around 30% smaller than the launch model PS5.
There’s a similar design language here, however, with a flare remaining at one end (for the fans) and the sweeping curves of the PS5 hardware family remain across the Slim, making for a slick-looking form. The console’s covers are now in four parts, not two, with a gap between the plates forming a striking ‘black’ line across both the console’s top and bottom.
These, like the original, can be removed and swapped for others that Sony has made (or other third-party ones, if you fancy), meaning there are plenty of customization options to personalize your PS5 Slim. The disc drive is detachable by default too, so if you buy a digital variant and later decide to add a disc drive then that’s some extra flexibility right there.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
While the vertical stand for the PS5 Slim is a nicer-looking, slicker metal ring, compared to the original’s bulky black plastic model, it doesn’t come with the console by default which is a mark against the console’s value. If you do buy the stand, the result is a console that looks sharper when standing upright compared to its predecessor. If you stick with horizontal orientation, you can rely on the two small cheapish-lookin plastic feet that are provided.
In terms of features present on the Slim, it is exactly the same, spec-wise, as the original model apart from two minor quality-of-life amendments; one internal, one external. The internal change is that of a boost to storage, with the PS5 Slim being equipped with a 1TB SSD compared to the launch model’s custom 825GB drive.
PS4 games run like a dream on the PS5 Slim too, and the same backward compatibility level with the previous gen’s discs and digital titles remains a simple part of the day-to-day PS5 experience. I’ve been revisiting Doom (2016) recently, for example, and the extra boost to loading times in particular makes it a joy to play. The PS5 Game Boost mode will also improve performance across the board (in principle) for PS5 games, and makes some games run smoother, with faster frame rates, or in higher resolution - or a combination of all of those.
You can even experience older games on your PS5 with the updated and modern arrangement of Sony’s PS Plus subscription. The top premium level can give you access to PS3 game streaming from the cloud, as well as some select PS1 and PS2 games to download. While perhaps not quite as generous or deep as Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, a PS Plus subscription does make the experience of having a PS5 Slim even better and feels essential.
On that note of streaming and downloading games, it is worth noting that in all my testing, on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, I still never get close to my actual download speed on the PS5. This is something I have experienced on every PS5 I have owned sadly, and not a problem on Xbox Series X.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
On a practical performance level, using the PS5 Slim is a joy too. It’s incredibly simple to set up, and transfer files from one to another if need be, and removing the console covers to access the M.2 PS5 SSD slot or change them entirely is very easy, and quite satisfying. The extra USB-C port and slightly larger SSD means that day-to-day usage is improved too, and benefits the whole experience.
The DualSense, while exactly the same as it was in 2020 - there’s no V2 like there was with the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller, sadly - remains absolutely excellent. While a generally top gamepad, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers continue to feel brilliant. The PS5 Slim is compatible with all PS5 (and almost all PS4) accessories too, so if you own any from a previous machine from this or last generation then these will be able to be used on a PS5 Slim.
This is made extra simple because the UI and operating system layout are identical to the launch PS5 - and PS5 Pro. Navigating the PS5 Slim, from games to screenshots, and from streaming apps to save files and deeper settings is simple and intuitive. There are also now more customization options on offer with the UI being honed and enhanced since the launch model’s initial release.
Thus, the PS5 Slim is an easy recommendation. It’d be an easy recommendation if the launch model of the PS5 existed still, but now that it has taken over the position of the ‘standard’ console from its predecessor - and improved on it slightly - it’s the easiest current-gen console recommendation I can make right now.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
Should I buy the PS5 Slim?
Buy it if...
You want the best value PlayStation console available With the PS5 Pro now out in the wild, but the PS5 Slim offering an exceptional gaming experience still, this is the model to get if you want great bang for your buck and aren’t chasing the most powerful console going.
You’re looking for a customizable PS5 console With it being the standard model, there are now multiple options for console cover colors that also match with an expanded set of DualSense controllers giving you more control over your setup’s aesthetic than ever before.
You’re looking for a top console packed with great experiences The PS5 game library is larger than ever in 2025 and is filled with awesome, memorable, and expansive experiences and the PS5 Slim is easily the best way to enjoy these - and best value way when regular discounts and deals come around too.
You want the best current controller The PS5’s DualSense controller is one of the most interesting and best-ever pads made for a console, and you’ll get the absolute most and best out of it on PS5. The haptic feedback in particular is a dream, while the adaptive triggers also offer further immersion.
Don't buy it if...
You need the most powerful PlayStation console going right now If you do want the most performant console from Sony right now, then you’re better off considering the PS5 Pro with its beefier specs and a more capable feature set, and quality of life improvements offering the best PlayStation experience money can buy right now.
You are happy with your launch model PS5 If you’re content with your launch model PlayStation 5 then there’s almost literally no reason to change to the Slim, with the two models being almost identical apart from a port, and a bit of internal storage.
Also consider...
If you’re still undecided about committing to the PS5 Slim, then here are two fine alternatives to consider for console gaming in 2025.
PS5 Pro Sony’s mid-generation upgrade to the PS5 Slim is a great alternative to the Slim for those looking for more power and to be on the cutting edge of PlayStation tech. If you’re looking to get the absolute maximum out of your PlayStation games, and have the most performant console giving the most complete PlayStation experience then the Pro could be for you.
Xbox Series X Microsoft’s most powerful current-generation console is a great machine in 2025 and is perfect for anyone looking to combine a fine library of Xbox games with Xbox Game Pass. If you’re on the lookout for the best Xbox experience on the market right now, complete with its excellent asymmetrical controller, then this is the console to go for.
Tested over the course of months, replacing my original PS5
Compared to PS5 Pro and launch PS5
Used it multiple days a week for months playing a variety of games, transferring data, and with a range of accessories
I’ve tested and lived with the PS5 Slim for several months now with it being my office PS5, and regular ‘normal’ PS5 console (alongside my main PS5 Pro machine). As a result, it’s been used for testing hardware, and games, and has been used for regular gaming of PS5 and PS4 titles in my own time when not using my PS5 Pro.
I have been able to compare it to my PS5 Pro, as well as the original PS5 model I have owned from physical footprint and design to performance and everyday use. I have engaged with the console on multiple levels; using the SSD bay, using it in both horizontal and vertical positions, and also changing the console covers from white to Volcanic Red.
Hive is a trusted name in the heating and smart device market, and the Hive Thermostat is its flagship product. The Hive Thermostat has gone through several iterations over the years, starting as the Hive Active Heating before becoming the Hive Active Heating 2, then simply the Hive Thermostat we now know. But this isn't the same smart thermostat we reviewed back in 2022 - it's a newer model with some upgrades.
While the design is largely the same, Hive has done away with the physical buttons of the smart thermostat's predecessor, opting for touchscreen compatibility instead and making for a more sleek and stylish design. But this thermostat doesn't just look good - it's got the goods, too.
The newest Hive Thermostat allows you to easily schedule your heating and Boost it on a whim, but signing up for a Hive Plus subscription is the key to unlocking some of the device's best (and most efficient) features, including bill insights, saving advice, and the ability to ensure you're not heating your home when you're not home. It's an extra cost that's worth investing in if you want to have more control over your heating bill.
However, like its predecessors, the Hive Thermostat doesn't come with native zonal/room control. Hive Radiator Valves must be purchased for room control, which cost £59 a pop (the thermostat and its accessories are only available to buy in the UK). Other extras, like the Hive Hub and installation, can also quickly increase its £119 price tag, but if you're looking for an easy-to-use and convenient thermostat, you can't go wrong as it's one of the best smart thermostats on the market.
The updated Hive Thermostat (2024) has a sleek new design with a touchscreen rather than buttons (Image credit: Vic Hood)
The Hive Thermostat is only available in the UK and costs £119, making it £20 more than its £99.99 predecessor. That price can quickly increase, depending on your required extras - though delivery is free. You need a compatible Hive Hub for the Hive Thermostat to work, which costs an extra £70 if you don't have one, bringing the total to £189. Likewise, if you want to add on a professional installation from British Gas, this will add another £109 to the cost. Adding the Hive Thermostat, Hive Hub, and professional installation increases the total price to £298.
Other optional extras include a stand for £29 if you don't want to mount the Hive Thermostat on the wall, and a Hive Plus subscription (£3.99 a month / £39.90 a year). Zonal/room control doesn't come cheap, either. To heat rooms individually, you need to purchase a Hive Radiator Valve - costing £59 each - for each room you want control over.
For this review, I received the Hive Thermostat, Hive Hub, five Hive Radiator Valves, a professional install, and a year's worth of Hive Plus - which would typically cost an eye-watering £613.
The price of the Hive Thermostat comes in slightly less than the Honeywell Evohome, with similarly priced extras, but the Hive Thermostat offers more sophisticated features. If you're on a budget, it's worth considering the Drayton Wiser, especially if you're after room control. Like the Hive, the Drayton Wiser is only available in the UK.
Value score: 4/5
Hive Thermostat (2024): design
Easy-to-use digital display
Small enough to be inconspicuous
Professional installation optional
Straight out of the box, you get your Hive Thermostat with its four required AA batteries, a Hive receiver that connects to your boiler, and a Hive Hub (if you ordered one) that plugs into a normal electrical socket and your router via an ethernet cable. The Hive Thermostat comes with a 12-month warranty, but signing up to Hive Plus extends this.
The Hive Thermostat is stylish and inconspicuous, with the option to mount it on your wall or, if you bought a stand, set it on a flat surface. Measuring just 95.9mm x 95.9mm x 46.2mm (including the dial), it is considerably smaller than the 10-year-old Hive thermostat it replaced on my wall, and doesn't look imposing in my hallway. It's also much prettier than my old thermostat, with its black display, white surround, and silver dial giving it a contemporary look. There are also two discreet buttons on the top - one for the device's Boost feature, and one for Hot Water Boost (if you have a separate water heater).
The Hive Thermostat (2024) is much smaller than the one it replaced (as you can see from the mark left on the wall) (Image credit: Vic Hood)
While not in use, the display is blank, but press the dial, and the thermostat springs to life, with its touchscreen display showing a red back button, green tick button, and menu button (indicated by three horizontal lines).
The displayed text is easy to read, with large text showing the actual temperature and the target temperature. Just how toasty your desired temperature will make your home is indicated by the color of the text. For example, 21C appears orange (warm), 7C blue (cold), and over 25 red (hot). I found this very helpful, as it gave me a rough indication of just how hot I was making the house - very, apparently.
While you can install the Hive Thermostat yourself, the Hive Thermostat FAQs say, "You need to be competent in electrical wiring and DIY." If that's not you, you need to add on a professional installation when placing your order. The professional installation is done by a British Gas engineer, but you don't need to be with British Gas for this service or to use the Hive.
The thermostat's glossy surface remains blank until touched (Image credit: Vic Hood)
As mentioned, I already had an old Hive thermostat installed, but the engineer easily removed it and installed the new one, as well as the Hub and receiver. Alongside this, he installed my extra five Hive Radiator Valves, but this isn't typically part of the service. You need to install the valves (if you buy them) yourself, but it's fortunately a pretty straightforward process. My engineer also gave me a rundown on how to use the app to control my new thermostat. Overall, the engineer was at my home for two hours, but a typical installation takes about an hour and can be booked online when you order your Hive Thermostat.
Design score: 4.5/5
Hive Thermostat (2024): performance
Convenient smart app compatibility
More efficient heating
Linking with Siri can be confusing
The Hive Thermostat is a joy to use and there are plenty of features tucked away in this pint-sized heating device.
A click of the menu button brings up options for Heat, Holiday, and Settings. Under Heat, you can manually alter your current temperature, adjust your heating schedule, or simply turn the heating off. Holiday mode allows you to input when you'll be away for a long period and when you'll return, so your heating doesn't come on while you're away but your home is heated for your return. Thanks to Frost Protection, the thermostat turns on when your home reaches below 7C as default to prevent your pipes from freezing, while parents will be pleased to see the Child Lock function, which prevents little hands from adjusting the temperature.
Clicking the menu button reveals the thermostat's Heat, Holiday, and Settings options (Image credit: Vic Hood)
The aforementioned Boost button on the top of the device allows you to heat your home to a desired temperature for a set period, so you can give your home a controlled heat burst. The other button, for Hot Water Boost, allows you to turn your hot water on for a set period but doesn't control the temperature - this button is redundant if you have a combi boiler like me, though.
While the Hive Thermostat is fairly straightforward to use, I found controlling the device via the Hive app much easier. Controlling my thermostat's schedule was much more straightforward; I could quickly use the Boost feature, and I was able to control my heating from anywhere. There's nothing like the simple pleasure of coming home from a night out and popping the heating on so the house is warm when you get home. You can also set up Quick Actions so you can activate predefined settings at the click of a button, but I found these a bit complicated and they would be better suited to those who own several Hive smart devices.
The Hive app allows you to control your thermostat from anywhere (Image credit: Vic Hood)
Even more convenient are the Away Mode and Geolocation features. Away Mode allows you to tell the Thermostat when you're out so it doesn't unnecessarily heat your home while you're away, while Geolocation gives you a notification when you get a certain distance from your home and have left the heating on.
These features are only available with a Hive Plus subscription, however, which I advise getting if you want assistance with saving on your gas bill and advice on using your heating more efficiently. This subscription includes a Saver Mode which predicts your bill and helps you cut it, a Budget Tracker that can alert you when you're overspending, and a Schedule Assist feature that advises on the most efficient way to schedule your heating. Unfortunately, these three features don't work if you have Hive Radiator Valves (as I do).
If you have a Hive Plus subscription, the app will provide insights into your energy use (Image credit: Vic Hood)
Fortunately, despite the Hub's ethernet connection, you can still use your Hive Thermostat manually if you lose internet connection, but you won't be able to control it via the app.
The Hive Thermostat's performance isn't completely flawless, though. While the device is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Siri, Philips Hue, and Mixergy, I struggled to connect my thermostat with Siri - and the app's "Ask Hive" assistant did little to help. When I finally connected it, the voice command didn't work properly. This would be fine if there were clearer instructions on exactly how this compatibility works.
You'll need a compatible Hive Hub for the thermostat to work (Image credit: Vic Hood)
Another pesky issue is the 'Actual' temperature reading. You set a temperature cap for the Hive Thermostat, so it should never heat your home above that temperature. However, the Actual temperature is often wrong. It seems the temperature is measured from the area immediately around the thermostat, which isn't necessarily a true reflection of the temperature in your home.
For example, my thermostat is in our downstairs hallway, near no radiators, so the Actual temperature appears at the time of writing as 14.8C when it's actually 16C two feet away, so if I cap my heating at 25C, it could potentially reach 26 or 27C in my house before the thermostat registers it at 25. This is fair enough with the thermostat, which obviously can't track every room in the house, but it's worth noting it's not a true reflection of your home's temperature. This becomes a more apparent issue if you get the required Hive Radiator Valves for zonal control. I regularly found the temperature of a room to be higher than the Actual estimate of the valve. For example, right now, my small office is 16.6C, but the valve says it's 15.5C. A degree isn't much, but if you're setting a temperature cap, it's worth doing it a degree lower than you actually want and it's also worth noting if you're trying to save on your gas bill.
The 'Actual' temperature shown by the thermostat was often one or two degrees lower than it should be (Image credit: Vic Hood)
I also found a significant delay (around 15 to 20 minutes) between my radiators being Boosted and when they actually turn on, despite having Heat On Demand enabled, which should kick the thermostat, and therefore boiler, into action. This resulted in me increasing the Boost time to give the thermostat and boiler time to register the Boost.
A smaller issue I had with the device was its use of lithium batteries. No one likes changing batteries, and while it makes for an easier install, it does mean we need to keep a stock at home for when they run out.
Overall, though, these are only minor things, and the Hive Thermostat has made heating my home much more efficient - especially with the addition of the Hive Radiator Halves. With the press of a couple of buttons or the turn of a dial, I can heat my house, while the extra features ensure I don't use my heating when I don't need to - which should ultimately help my gas bill in the long run. It's made me more aware of how and when I heat my home, so instead of being scared to turn on the thermostat (and remember to turn it off), I happily turn it on, knowing I have greater control of both.
Performance score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Hive Thermostat (2024)?
Buy it if
You want to heat your home more efficiently
While the Hive Thermostat won't necessarily reduce your heating bill, it does allow you to heat (or not heat) your home most efficiently - especially if you get the radiator valves, too. Boost allows you to quickly heat your home for a set amount of time, easy scheduling means you can plan ahead, while manual heating can be capped to prevent you overheating your home. In addition, Holiday and Away modes allow you to easily turn off your heating when you're not home, while the Geolocation sends you an alert if you've left your heating on while out.
You want better control over your heating bill
Subscribing to Hive Plus (though an extra cost) gives you greater insight into your heating bill, helping you set a budget and offering advice on cutting down your costs if your predicted bill is more than you were hoping for. Even without this subscription, however, the Hive Thermostat gives you more control over your heating, which should allow you better control of your bills.
You have a smart home
If you're already invested in the Hive ecosystem, a Hive Thermostat will be a welcome addition to your smart home. You can control all your devices from the app, while Quick Actions allow you to control several devices at the click of a button.
Don't buy it if
You want accurate temperature reading
The Hive Thermostat has a weird quirk where the 'Actual' temperature shown on the device or the app is usually wrong, as it seems to read the temperature around the thermostat or radiator valves (with some wiggle room) rather than the real temperature of the room/s or the heat created by the controlled device. This means that while you can set the thermostat or radiator valves to turn off at a certain temperature, your room could reach that temperature and the 'Actual' temperature will be lower - meaning the device doesn't turn off.
You want room control on a budget
The Hive Thermostat on its own doesn't let you control the individual heating of each of your rooms. To do this, you need to buy the compatible Hive radiator valves, which cost £59 each. So, if you want to control each of the rooms in a five room home, it'll cost an extra £295 on top of the cost of the thermostat itself.
Hive Thermostat (2024): also consider
If you don't live in the UK, here are two other smart thermostats to consider:
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)
Google's latest smart thermostat looks better than ever, and uses AI to suggest smart ways to make your home heating schedule more efficient.
If the latest Nest Learning Thermostat is outside your budget, this simpler model is a great alternative, and its lower price tag means it could pay for itself sooner via reduced heating bills.
The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that pushes the outer limits of what a soundbar is capable of. It’s more akin to an AV receiver in its design, features, and execution. Using it, I was frequently reminded of AV receivers by everything from the system’s heavily buttoned remote control to its extensive, detailed setup menu. The Dragon is not aimed at someone interested in simple plug-and-play sound (though it does provide basic setup options and is easy to get up and running) but rather users who like to dig in and painstakingly tweak settings.
At $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750), the Nakamichi Dragon costs double what you’ll pay even for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market such as the Samsung HW-Q990D. That’s quite a lot to pay for a soundbar system, and it takes you into an AV receiver and separate speakers package price territory. But an important Dragon advantage is that it’s a wireless system, though one with the high channel count you’d get from a receiver-based home theater audio rig.
The Dragon isn’t as feature-packed as expected given its relatively lofty price. There’s processing onboard for Dolby Atmos and the Pro version of DTS:X, and there are four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC) that support 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through. The system comes with a full-scale remote control that provides quick access to a wide array of audio adjustments and it has Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless music streaming. There’s no AirPlay or Chromecast support for streaming over Wi-Fi, and the system’s control app is primarily used for system setup.
Automatic setup and room EQ features, either the more basic ones you get in premium soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra, or advanced ones such as Audyssey or Dirac Live in AV receivers, are also nowhere to be found. Basic setup of the Dragon soundbar system is surprisingly easy, however.
The Dragon system’s sound does its name justice. It can go incredibly loud and the dual subwoofers, each with two 8-inch opposing drivers, provide deep-reaching and very full-sounding bass. Having two subwoofers also helps to even out bass performance, which compensates to a degree for the lack of room EQ processing. (Two subs are provided with the system configuration I tested, but it supports up to four subs.)
With six up-firing Atmos height drivers between the soundbar and the surround speakers, which also provide both side and rear surround channel driver arrays, the level of immersion provided by the Dragon system surpasses any other soundbar system I’ve heard. Not all is perfect with the Dragon’s sound, however: it can come across as aggressive and treble-forward with some content, favoring clarity and presence over subtlety. But if your main thing is action movies or gaming, there’s not too much here to complain about.
At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon system’s soundbar is fairly huge – it just about fit my TV stand, which is designed to support TVs up to 75 inches. The soundbar’s stainless steel enclosure is superior to the plastic ones you get on budget models, and the system’s design strikes a nice balance between function and style. A large front panel LED display can be customized to show the names of sources (Blu-ray, Xbox, etc.) and it can also provide visual feedback beyond basic source and volume settings when you hit the Info button on the remote control.
Paying $3,000 for a soundbar system might sound a bit outrageous, but the Nakamichi Dragon is no ordinary soundbar system. It delivers a level of performance that’s more like what you get from a traditional AV receiver-based home theater system from a big honkin' soundbar with wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. If that all sounds appealing to you, you’ll find the Dragon to be a good value.
At 58.1 inches wide, the Dragon requires a substantial TV stand for support (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Price & release date
Released in October 2023
$2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750)
The Nakamichi Dragon soundbar system with two dual-opposing eight-inch subwoofers is listed at $3,999.99, but sells for $2,999.99. It is available in the US on Amazon, and can be purchased and shipped internationally through B&H Photo Video.
Along with the base configuration reviewed here, the Dragon can also be purchased in configurations with two 12-inch subwoofers ($4,199) or four 12-inch subwoofers ($7,199). Dragon pricing is high compared to other premium soundbar systems such as the Samsung HW-Q990D and LG S95TR, both of which have a lower overall channel count and lower rated power.
Nakamichi Dragon review: Specs
The Dragon soundbar and surround speakers use matching 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeters. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Features
11.4.6-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through
Bluetooth aptX HD wireless streaming
The Nakamichi Dragon combines a sizeable 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4-inch main soundbar unit (1476 x 112 x 196mm) featuring a stainless steel enclosure with two wireless subwoofers and wireless rear surround speakers. The soundbar provides processing for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Pro and features four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through along with optical digital audio and 3.5mm aux inputs and outputs. There’s no onboard Wi-Fi for streaming, but the Dragon soundbar does support Bluetooth aptX HD for streaming music.
The soundbar’s speaker array consists of three 1.5-inch “Air Motion” folded ribbon-type tweeters, each flanked by a pair of 3-inch mid-range drivers for the left, center, and right channels. Two pairs of 3-inch height speakers are arrayed on the soundbar’s top surface, with the pairs angled at 10 and 20 degrees, respectively, to evenly distribute Atmos height effects from the front toward the back of the room. Along with these, 3-inch drivers are located on the soundbar’s side panels for an enhanced surround sound effect.
Nakamichi’s tall, tower-like dual-opposing wireless subwoofers each house a pair of eight-inch drivers inside a ported cabinet. The system’s Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers each contain side and rear surround speaker arrays consisting of a 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeter and three-inch mid-bass driver, with a three-inch height speaker mounted on top. A PerfectHeight adjustment on the Omni-Motion Reference’s top surface lets you rotate the height speaker up 180 degrees to optimize height effects for your specific room layout and installation.
Unlike other premium soundbars on the market from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sonos, the Dragon has no automated setup or room EQ features. The system’s dual subwoofer configuration does help to evenly distribute bass in your room and compensate for room modes, however, and the extensive sound level and delay adjustments allow for a precise manual setup.
Features score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon's dual subwoofers are fairly tall, but can be tucked unobtrusively into the corners of a room. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Performance
Powerful, immersive sound
Deep, impactful bass
Overly aggressive sound with some content
The Dragon system sounded good out of the box but strongly benefitted from a manual calibration in the Advanced Sound Setup menu. Once that was done, I cracked open a new 4K Blu-ray disc of the recent Twisters remake that I had bought specifically for this test.
On the Dragon system, the sound of violent tornadoes ripping through space in the Twisters soundtrack was potently rendered, providing an almost unnerving sense of being directly inside the path of destruction. Vehicles propelled through the air and crashing to earth had a powerful impact, so much so that I found myself dialing back the bass adjustment – conveniently located right next to the volume button on the system’s remote control.
On Top Gun: Maverick, another movie that I regularly use to test soundbars, the sounds of jets in the first training scene early in the movie had a strong trajectory as they swooped from the front to the back of the room, and there was impressive verticality to the sound as they crisscrossed overhead. The drums and bass in The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again that plays in this scene came through with equal power, with Roger Daltrey’s yawps soaring along with the jets on the soundtrack.
Dolby Atmos music streamed from Apple Music on my Apple TV 4K sounded equally vivid and exciting on the system, especially tracks like Kraftwerk’s Nummern / Computerwelt. This track sounded almost endlessly wide and immersive, showcasing the benefits of six separate height speakers for delivering Atmos mixes. The low-end on this track was powerful and deep but also well-integrated with the rest of the mix, the system’s dual subwoofers working together to energize my room with bass.
With more subtle-sounding fare – Severance season 2 on Apple TV Plus, for instance – dialogue was very clear, and that was the case with most shows and movies I watched. As part of my initial setup, I selected the system’s Movie (Movie 1) sound preset (Music, Game, and Night modes are also available) and also dialed back the treble to the minimum setting. That’s because the Dragon system, while it has a considerable roar, can sound aggressive and even a bit harsh with some content.
I’ve listened with multiple speakers that use the same Air Motion-type tweeter that’s found in Nakamichi’s system and those generally had a much more laid-back quality to the treble. This tells me that the Dragon was voiced to have a bold, even in-your-face sound that befits its name.
Performance score: 4 / 5
The Dragon soundbar's rear input ports include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 w/ eARC) (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Design
Large soundbar and subwoofers
Soundbar height may block the TV image
Solid overall build quality
At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon’s design is anything but subtle. This is a big soundbar, and its 4.4-inch height means the top edge will definitely obscure the screen bottom of some TVs. At 32 pounds (14.5kg), it’s also a heavy one – not surprising given its stainless steel enclosure. Nakamichi sells optional floor stands for the Dragon, which will allow it to be used with wall-mounted TVs and projectors.
Aside from being massive, the Dragon soundbar has an appealing design, with top panel controls that light up when touched, angled front corners, and exposed Air Motion tweeters poking through the metal mesh front. The same design chops carry over to the Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers, which also get optional stands. Nakamichi’s wireless subwoofers have a plainer, more utilitarian look, but their tall form factor lets them tuck fairly unobtrusively into the corners of a room.
The Dragon soundbar’s front-panel alphanumeric LED display is a feature I fully expect to see in a soundbar at this price. While it’s welcome, I would have liked an option to dim the display or to shut it off entirely with the remote when viewing, which is a feature you get on some AV receivers.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
The Dragon surround speakers have matching tweeter-woofer arrays on either side to deliver rear and side surround channel, and there's an upward-firing driver on top for Atmos height channels. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Setup & usability
Easy wireless speaker setup
Extensive manual sound adjustments
Alphanumeric front panel LED display
The basic setup of the Dragon system was incredibly easy. After positioning the soundbar on my TV stand, where it occupied nearly the stand’s full width with an inch to spare on each side, I located the subwoofers in the front corners of my room and the surround speakers at either side of my sofa. After plugging all speakers in, they made an automatic wireless connection to the soundbar, with a blue LED indicating that the system was up and running.
After connecting my sources to the soundbar’s HDMI inputs, and my TV to the HDMI eARC port, I renamed the inputs in the setup menu so they would show up on the front panel display as “Blu-ray disc player, Xbox One X console, and Apple TV 4K.” I next made a Bluetooth link to my phone for music streaming by pressing the Bluetooth button on the remote control, which put the Dragon into wireless pairing mode.
So much for the easy part – the next part of the setup was much more laborious. Nakamichi gives you an easy out by providing Small, Medium, and Large room options. (Guidance on which option is best for your particular room is provided in the detailed and well-organized PDF owner’s manual.) Sound with the Small option selected – the closest match for my room – was good out of the box, but for my test, I wanted to go through the full manual setup to see what difference it would make.
Pulling out my tape measure and trusty old Radio Shack SPL meter, I manually entered the listening distance for each channel and also ran the pink noise output to adjust the sound level. With 11.2.6 total channels for the Dragon system I tested, we’re talking a lot of speakers to adjust! The effort was completely worth it, though, since sound clarity and bass evenness received an immediate boost.
Nakamichi’s remote control is large, has an aluminum faceplate, and is packed with buttons to access a wide range of fine adjustments for things like individual speaker channel levels, including height and subwoofer channels. There’s also a Dragon control app that gives you many of the same adjustments. The only thing I didn’t like about the remote is that the keypad doesn’t have the same backlighting feature typically found in AV receiver remote controls offering the same level of granular adjustments.
Another gripe I had with the Dragon was the setup menu, which requires you to jump out of any program you’re watching to make adjustments other than the ones with dedicated keypad controls on the remote. My annoyance with this was mainly during my initial setup and early use, however. Once I had dialed in my preferred settings for movies/TV and music, those adjustments could be stored in the two available Favorite Settings buttons on the remote for easy recall.
Setup & usability score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon's full featured remote provides instant access to many adjustments for tweaking the system's sound on the fly. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Value
Unique value proposition
Other premium soundbars available for much less
Approaching AV receiver-based system price range
The Nakamichi Dragon occupies a unique space in the home theater audio world, combining many of the functions of an AV receiver in a high channel-count soundbar plus wireless surround speakers and subwoofers package. At $3,000, you’re getting a lot for your money here, and there’s really nothing out there that parallels it.
While not as elaborate or high-impact as the Dragon, other premium soundbar systems can provide a similarly satisfying and immersive home theater audio experience. For around $1,500, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D, an 11.1.4-channel system that also has multiple HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough. And for under $1,000, there’s the LG S95TR, a 9.1.5-channel system. Both of these soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and they offer unique audio processing features designed to work with Samsung and LG TVs.
Another option is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad (around $2,200). This 4.1.4-channel wireless speaker system offers audio processing features designed specifically to work with Sony TVs, but it can also be used with any TV or projector setup. It’s a more compact and elegant alternative to soundbar-based systems, and with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping at work, it doesn’t skimp out on audio immersion.
Finally, the Dragon’s $3,000 price is a threshold where you should also consider an AV receiver-based system. You can buy a 9.2-channel receiver such as the Onkyo TX-RZ50 for as little as $999, and then the sky is the limit when it comes to which speakers you add to your setup. The advantage to this option is that receivers offer extensive switching and control options, and they also provide automatic setup and room correction processing solutions such as Audyssey and Dirac Live. But going the AV receiver route means running wires – lots of them – plus a more complicated setup.
Value score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon soundbar's top-panel control buttons (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Nakamichi Dragon?
Buy it if...
You want a wireless home theater audio system With an 11.4.6 channel count and dynamic overall audio performance, the Dragon comes closer to a traditional home theater speaker system than other premium soundbars.
You want a soundbar without typical soundbar limitations The Dragon’s six upfiring height speakers mean it doesn’t skimp on Atmos immersion, and its dual subwoofers deliver deeper and more powerful bass than you get with typical soundbar systems.
Don't buy it if...
You want a simple, no-fuss setup While the Dragon system’s various components easily make a wireless connection, optimizing its sound for your particular space can be time-consuming.
You listen to music as much as watch movies The Dragon system’s sound is a good match for electronic music and action movies, bringing everything to vivid, dynamic life, but it can also sound aggressive and in-your-face with some content.
Nakamichi Dragon review: Also consider
Sonos Arc Ultra The new flagship soundbar from Sonos is an all-in-one 9.1.4-channel unit, and it can be supplemented with the company’s wireless speakers and subwoofer for an even higher level of Atmos immersion. It has no HDMI inputs beyond an HDMI eARC connection for a TV, however, and also no DTS support. Here's our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.
LG S95TR LG’s 9.1.5-channel soundbar system also has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and it provides impressive surround sound immersion at a considerably lower price than the Dragon. Bonus points if you own an LG TV, which provides features to enhance the S95TR’s performance and usability. Here's our full LG S95TR review.
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung’s flagship soundbar system tops out at 11.1.4 channels, which is the closest you’ll get to the Dragon when it comes to Atmos (and DTS:X) immersion. It’s also half the price, supports AirPlay and Chromecast, and has similar HDMI 2.1 connectivity and gaming support as the Dragon. Here's our full Samsung HW-Q990D review.
How I tested the Nakamichi Dragon
The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)
Tested for over a month
Served as my main system at home
4K Blu-ray discs, TV streaming apps, and Apple Music used as sources
The Nakamichi Dragon arrives in a shipping container about the size of a coffin, so expect to enlist help when lifting it into your home. Once unboxed, I set it up in my near-3,000 cubic foot home theater room and connected TV, Apple TV 4K, Xbox Series X, and 4K Blu-ray sources via HDMI. For music testing, I listened to Dolby Atmos music streamed on the Apple Music app by the Apple TV 4K.
I listened with the system for over a month, using it as my main system for casual TV watching, movies, and music. I performed an in-depth audio calibration, measuring the distance between all speaker channels and my listening seat, and then inputting that data in the Dragon’s setup menus. This also involved adjusting the sound level for each channel with pink noise generated by the soundbar that was measured with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter.
I have 20-plus years of experience reviewing home theater speaker systems and components, including soundbar systems. Prior to testing the Dragon, I used Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers as my main home theater audio system, and before that an AV receiver-based 5.1.4-channel speaker system, so I have a good understanding of where the Nakamichi Dragon sits among its wireless and wired speaker competition.
Meze Audio doesn’t just stick to the super-high end with its headphone designs – it just seems that way sometimes, because its super-high end headphones are so very good. Mind you, its idea of what constitutes ‘entry level’ won’t chime with everyone – these 105 AER open-backed, wired, over-ears are $399 / £369 / AU$799 a pair.
That money does buy a nicely designed, beautifully finished pair of headphones, though certainly they’re a notch or two up from the equivalent Grados, say, where perceived value is concerned. And while the lack of a balanced cable option is a bit stingy, there’s no arguing with the lengths Meze Audio has gone to where the dynamic drivers that do the audio business are concerned.
And in pretty much every respect, there’s no arguing with the way they sound either. In every meaningful respect, the 105 AER get the job done in fine style: they’re an easy listen in the most positive way. Detail levels are high, soundstaging is solid, dynamic headroom is considerable, low-end presence is impressive... you name it, the Meze Audio understand it. Some of the best wired headphones money can buy then? Oh certainly, if you'll accept their open-backed nature.
If you’re in the market for wired, open-backed headphones – with all of the caveats those descriptions imply – and you have this sort of money to spend, it would be grossly negligent not to check the 105 AER out.
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Price & release date
Released December 1, 2024
Priced: $399 / £369 / AU$799
Meze Audio isn't often seen in the sub $400 space – see the $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$3,399Meze Audio Liric for reference, (now into their second iteration), however, the company has dipped its toes into more consumer-accessible pools recently, perhaps most notably with its $159 Alba in-ears.
At this price, Meze knows it could turn some heads – most pertinently from music lovers used to seeing such fees from Bose (whose QuietComfort Ultra cans are just a bit pricier) and Sony's top-tier wireless designs. Will the bid win them over? It depends – wireless audio has, and will always have, its perks. But on audio quality alone, there really is no contest…
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Features
50mm full-range dynamic drivers
5Hz - 30kHz frequency response
112bB sensitivity, 42 ohms impedance
Just like every other pair of wired over-ear headphones, the Meze Audio 105 AER are not exactly overburdened with features. But just like every other pair of Meze Audio headphones I’ve tested, the 105 AER features are very thoroughly implemented.
Let’s be honest, though; when I talk about ‘features’, really I’m talking about the drivers that deliver sound to your ears. Everything else about the 105 AER is more correctly found in the ‘design’ section – so let’s talk about the drivers, shall we?
The ‘feature’ here is a 50mm full-range dynamic driver – or, more correctly, two of them. It’s closely based on the driver Meze Audio fits to its considerably more expensive models, with some minor adjustments to the frame and driver membrane to keep weight (and costs) down.
The ‘W’-shaped dome is made of a carbon-fibre/cellulose composite. Meze Audio prizes it for its durability and light weight, and reckons it rejects resonances more effectively than any alternative material. The torus – the ring that surrounds the dome – is made of semicrystalline polymer. It too is light and responsive, and its impressive damping characteristics keep vibrations and resonances to a minimum. Finally, there’s a copper/zinc alloy stabiliser around the outside of the membrane to further reduce distortion.
This arrangement results in a frequency response of 5Hz - 30kHz, manageable impedance of 42 ohms, and helpful 112dB sensitivity. So while the 105 AER are light on features, they are demonstrably fit for purpose.
Features score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Sound quality
Impressive powers of resolution
Big, unified and poised sound
Great insight and variation
One of the major benefits of the open-backed arrangement, in theory at least, is a spacious and open presentation of music. The Meze Audio 105 AER are one open-backed model that validate this theory.
A 2.8MHz DSD file of Radiohead’s Reckoner delivered by the 3.5mm output of a FiiO M15S digital audio player proves the point in some style. This is a complex, element-heavy recording that modulates through a number of dynamic variations, but throughout it the 105 AER maintain a big, well-defined and properly organised soundstage on which every individual element gets plenty of space in which to express itself. The resolution of the stage is straightforwardly impressive, and even though the Meze Audio offer plenty of separation they nonetheless present the record as a singular, unified whole. There’s a coherence to the way the song is delivered that makes it seem of a whole, like a performance.
Detail levels are high across the board. The 105 AER load on the information at every point, but are especially adept at offering lots of variation at the bottom of the frequency range. The top end is substantial and detailed, sure, and the midrange is articulate too… but where bass is concerned, the Meze Audio are able to offer a great deal of textural and tonal variety while still maintaining straight-edged control and ample weight.
The whole frequency range hangs together nicely, and there’s a smooth transition from top to bottom – the 105 AER play no favourites and transitions from lowest to highest frequencies evenly. The tonal balance is quite carefully neutral, which allows recordings to reveal their balance without the headphones sticking their oar in too obviously. So a 16bit/44.1kHz file of Aretha Franklin’s How I Got Over is as warm as an 18 tog duvet, while similarly sized file of Kraftwerk’s Europe Endless has just the right sort of austerity.
The Meze Audio handle the dynamics of harmonic variation with just as much confidence and positivity as they do the dynamic shifts in volume or intensity. They offer convincing rhythmic expression and a naturalistic way with tempo management. In fact, they have the sort of direct, unequivocal overall personality that makes every listen an event and makes every recording sound like it deserves your attention.
Sound quality score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Design
1.8m detachable cable with 3.5mm termination
Self-adjusting headband
Detachable velour earpads
I’ve previously described the design of some of Meze Audio’s pricier over-ear headphones as ‘overwrought’ – and at the time I thought I was being quite kind. So it’s nice to be able to report that having to keep costs down has resulted in a design that makes the 105 AER look coherent, quite elegant, and definitely no more than ‘wrought’.
The detachable ear pads are of velour-covered memory foam. They feel nice, sit comfortably without warming your head too quickly, and can easily be cleaned. The almost-semicircular outer headband that connects the two earcups is of slender stamped magnesium and the inner headband that’s the actual contact point is self-adjusting and made of PU leather. The outer part of the earcups is an interestingly organic design and made from ABS-PC thermoplastic. The result is Meze Audio’s lightest over-ear headphone to date – a very manageable 336g.
Each earcup needs wiring, and the 105 AER are supplied with a 1.8m length of braided cable that has the necessary pair of 3.5mm connections at one end and a single 3.5mm connection at the other. There’s also a 6.3mm adapter included. It’s a pity there’s no option of a balanced cable, but perhaps if we all pester Meze Audio then something might be forthcoming.
The 105 AER are supplied with a hard, zip-fastening travel case that’s a cut or two above the alternatives supplied by rival brands with their $399-ish over-ear headphones. A little pouch inside keeps your cable tangle-free when the headphones are not in use – and there’s enough room in there for a second cable, no problem. Just saying…
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Value
Accomplished audio performance
Convincing standard of build and finish
Comfortable fit, coherent looks
It’s not even a question of ‘value’, really – but about the only way the Meze Audio 105 AER don’t make a strong-going-on-compelling case for themselves concerns the way they fit. Or, more correctly, the number of people they will fit – because although that headband is self-adjusting, it has upper and lower limits, and the lower limit isn’t all that low. In every other respect, though, it’s hard to make a justifiable complaint about the value that’s on offer here.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should I buy the Meze Audio 105 AER?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if...
You value balanced, insightful and organised sound That description could conceivably be interpreted to mean the 105 AER are not much fun - but that’s not the case. It’s just that ‘fun’ isn’t all they are…
You do your listening alone Open-backed headphones are quite anti-social at the best of times, and the 105 AER leak sound in the manner of a sonic colander
Your source(s) have unbalanced headphone sockets A 3.5mm connection with a 6.3mm adapter is all well and good, but what about those of us whose source equipment has a balanced output too?
Don't buy them if...
You’re after outright low-frequency wallop The 105 AER are a balanced and nicely poised listen - which means low frequencies are given the correct sort of emphasis rather than being overstated
Your head is on the small side The headband is self-adjusting, sure - but only up to a point. The more petite-headed among us may find it tricky to get a satisfactory fit
Meze Audio 105 AER review: Also consider
Sennheiser HD-660S2 The Sennheiser HD 660S2 look pretty purposeful where the Meze Audio 105 AER look relatively dainty, but the sound they make is balanced, poised very carefully neutral – and they come with a 4.4mm cable. Read our Sennheiser HD-660S2 review for more
Grado Hemp Grado's Reference Series Hemp may cost a little more but they’re very accomplished performers, with a botanical point of difference – it doesn’t prevent them looking like something the rear gunner might have worn during a bombing raid in 1944, mind you… See our Grado Hemp review for the full story
How I tested the Meze Audio 105 AER
Connected to an Apple MacBook Pro, a Naim Uniti Star and a FiiO M15S
With a whole lot of different styles of music in a number of different formats
Alone, because I’m not a barbarian
Because they’re open-backed, the 105 AER aren’t really candidates for mobile use. So all my listening took place either at my desk, connected to my laptop or to a digital audio player (the 4.4mm balanced output of which went sadly unused), or in my listening space connected to a Naim Uniti Streamer. At the desk, listening consisted of digital audio files of various types and sizes, while the connection to the Naim allowed for vinyl and CD content as well as network-attached stuff. And this happened, on and off, for well over a week…
The Panasonic Lumix G97 is effectively an updated refresh of the 2019 Lumix G95/90, with a higher-resolution rear screen, the video recording limit removed, and a new USB-C port for charging and power. Granted, that doesn’t sound like much of an update – but when you use the G97 you realize just how responsive, well-made and powerful this camera still is, even by todays’ standards.
It does have a 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is half the size of the sensors in its APS-C rivals, which also offer more resolution at 24-26MP+. This has some effect on the ultimate image quality, but perhaps not as much as you might expect, since the G97’s sensor has no anti-aliasing filter in order to maximize fine detail; and while there is more digital noise at higher sensitivities, you have to push the ISO quite a long way before it shows (and APS-C cameras also produce noise, of course).
Does the Panasonic Lumix G97 look familiar? It's VERY closely based on the previous G95/90 with a handful of minor improvements for 2025 (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
And then there’s Panasonic’s somewhat controversial DFD contrast AF – the G97 does not employ Panasonic’s latest hybrid phase/contrast tech. Is it a problem? Not in stills photography, where the AF is extremely fast and responsive. You might notice the difference in video, though, where many users report the AF hunting or ‘pulsing’ as it keeps re-checking even stationary objects. It will depend on what you film, and how.
Let’s look at what this camera delivers elsewhere. You get an extremely effective in-body image stabilization system (the smaller sensor helps here), a good-quality EVF where most rivals at this price don’t have one at all, a 1.84m-dot vari-angle touchscreen, a twin-dial control system (three dials, if you count the one on the back) and, if you go for 12-60mm lens bundle, one of the best kit lenses out there, both for zoom range and for real-world image quality. Really, this is an enthusiast-level camera at a beginner-level price.
Panasonic Lumix G97: Release date and price
$850 / £799 with Lumix G 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6
£699 body only (UK)
£899 with Lumix G 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II (UK)
At launch, the Lumix G97 is being offered only as a bundle with the Lumix G 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens in the US, but in the UK you can buy it body-only or with the Lumix G 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 10x zoom. They’re all great deals, but the 12-60mm bundle looks the best for new users.
It’s worth pointing out that this is a 24-120mm equivalent 5x zoom that goes well beyond the range of most kit zooms, and it’s also rather good.
At these prices, the Lumix G97 is just about the cheapest new mirrorless camera on the market, matched closely on price by the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. The Canon EOS R100 is cheaper still, but does not have IBIS, has weak 4K video features, and does not come with a lens to rival the Panasonic’s excellent kit lens.
Price score 5/5
Panasonic Lumix G97: Specifications
The Lumix G97 uses a 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor half the size of an APS-C sensor, but still delivers excellent detail rendition (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
Panasonic Lumix G97: Design and handling
DSLR-style design with twin control dials
1.84m-dot vari-angle touchscreen
5-axis 5-stop IBIS
The Panasonic Lumix G97 is styled like a compact DSLR, with a substantial grip for the right hand and a decent 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
The Lumix G97 looks and handles like a small DSLR. It might seem unnecessarily large for a camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, but the fact is that there is a limit as to how small you can make a camera that still fits a human hand properly – especially one which takes interchangeable lenses.
Where you do see an advantage from the smaller sensor is in the smaller and lighter lenses this system uses. The 12-60mm (24-120mm equivalent) kit lens is a great example – it offers a 5x zoom range in a lens that’s little larger or heavier than a 3x kit zoom on a larger-format camera.
There’s a decent-sized grip on the right side of the body that provides a secure hold, leaving your other hand free to operate the lens or the flip-out touchscreen. If you prefer to use the EVF, that's bright and clear, and has an eye sensor to switch from the LCD to the viewfinder automatically.
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The Lumix G97 takes a single SD UHS II memory card, but it's accessed by a door at the side and not squashed in with the battery (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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One of the handful of changes in the Lumix G97 is the swap to a USB-C port for power and charging. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The rear screen has had a resolution boost to 1.84m dots. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The top controls are clearly labelled and are positive and firm to use. There are also two control dials, with a third on the back. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The menu system is clear and easy to navigate and there's also a Q.MENU display for common camera settings. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The Lumix G 12-60mm (24-120mm equivalent) kit lens is perhaps the star of the show, offering excellent image quality right across its 5x zoom range. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
The main mode dial is clearly labelled and has a firm, positive action. There are two control dials on the top, one around the shutter release and the other at the rear, right where your thumb lies. These do different things in different modes; in Manual mode, for example, the front dial adjusts the lens aperture and the rear dial changes the shutter speed. These dials are firm, positive and perfectly weighted. In between them is a prominent red Record button for video.
Round the back there’s a useful three-position focus mode lever with an AF-L/AE-L button in the center and a four-way controller with a rotary dial around the outside – though this does not have the same feel as the control dials on the top.
Overall, this feels an extremely well-made camera for the money, with all the controls right where you need them – there are buttons for white balance, ISO and EV compensation on the top, and a Q.MENU button on the back to bring up an on-screen display with more camera settings.
A focus-point joystick would have been nice to make setting the focus point easier, but you only get these on more advanced semi-pro cameras, so you can’t really complain – and you can always use the touchscreen to set the AF point.
Design and handling score 4/5
Panasonic Lumix G97: Performance
Excellent definition and contrast from 20MP sensor and great kit lens
Very fast AF for single-shot stills photography
Continuous AF less good, and occasionally some ‘pulsing’ with video
The Limix G97 is capable of excellent results. Photography like this depends on lighting and composition, not small differences in sensor technology (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
The 12-60mm kit lens is a huge advantage, giving a natural perspective to this canine portrait as well as extremely crisp definition (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
The Lumix G97 delivers first-rate detail rendition. The lack of a low-pass filter and a kit lens that delivers super-sharp detail right across its focal range makes for a combination that plenty of APS-C cameras can’t match. Higher ISOs do show noise quicker, it’s true, but not by much. Besides, today’s AI noise-reduction tools can make an ISO 6,400 image look practically like ISO 200.
The G97’s video looks good too, though with only 8-bit internal capture there’s a limit to how far you can push things if you want to grade your footage heavily later. It does come with Panasonic’s V-Log profile, a paid add-on for many Lumix models, but this really needs better-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 capture to work on, and you can only get that with the G97 via an external recorder. It’s fine for basic use and if you’re just starting out vlogging, but it’s not a serious filmmaking tool.
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This shot and the next show the focal length range, and the opportunity for different perspectives with the 12-60mm kit lens. This was shot at 12mm (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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This was taken from the same position at a focal length of 60mm, offering a very different image. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The smaller Micro Four Thirds format means you're working with shorter focal length lenses, so depth of field is rarely a problem in landscape photography. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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Does this piece of driftwood look like a wild boar, or is it just me? The vari-angle screen makes low-level shots easy. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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Having a little extra depth of field makes it easy to get pet portraits sharp from nose to ears. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
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The 12-60mm lens focuses pretty close, so although it's not really a macro lens it can still fill the frame with small objects. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
The autofocus is a mixed bag. For stills photography, it’s extremely fast and responsive. In burst mode, it’s a little less positive, though given that the G97 can only manage 6fps with continuous autofocus, it’s not really intended to be an action specialist.
The AF generally does a good job for video, refocusing smoothly as your subject distance changes or you reframe the shot. Its characteristic ‘pulsing’ effect is often hard to see, but if you’re filming a static subject and background it can be quite annoying. One solution is to switch to single-shot AF and simply tap the rear screen while filming to refocus – carefully!
The IBIS is excellent. It’s only rated at five stops, but this is actually a consistent and achievable figure, unlike the bigger numbers often quoted for larger-sensor cameras – which are often absolute best-case figures you can rarely approach.
Performance score 4/5
Should I buy the Panasonic Lumix G97?
Like all cameras, the Lumix G97 is better at some things than others, but its versatility and value are hard to ignore (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
Buy it if...
You want performance, versatility and value Who doesn't! The Lumix G97 gives you an awful lot for your money. Effectively, it's an enthusiast-level camera at little more than a beginner-camera price.View Deal
You need a camera that can 'grow' with you This is a sophisticated camera that's capable of all sorts of more advanced photographic techniques when you're ready to try them out.View Deal
You want a decent, versatile kit lens The Lumix G 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 typically bundled with the G97 offers a 5x zoom range and excellent quality.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You already have a Lumix G95/G90 The improvements aren’t enough to make it worth swapping, though this could be a good upgrade from the older 16-megapixel G85/G80.View Deal
You want to do any high-speed action photography The burst speed is only 6fps with continuous autofocus, the buffer capacity is only average, and the continuous AF can struggle.View Deal
You want a camera specifically for video The G97’s video quality is good but it lacks higher-quality settings, and the autofocus can ‘pulse’ visibly, making it hard work for solo shooters/presenters.View Deal
How I tested the Panasonic Lumix G97
I spent two weeks photographing and filming a variety of subjects
I tested the 5x zoom kit lens across its range of focal lengths
I checked if the 5-stop IBIS lived up to its claims
I tested autofocus performance for stills and video AF/tracking
I assessed the image detail and quality against APS-C rivals
This is a 2.5-second handheld exposure I took to test the IBIS. It's not quite up to the latest standards like the Lumix GH7 or OM System OM-1, but it's still pretty impressive (Image credit: Rod Lawton)
I tested the Lumix G97 and its 12-60mm kit lens on many different subjects including outdoor still images, action sequences (with a very excited dog), close-ups and indoor shots, and in a variety of lighting conditions.
Panasonic’s DFD autofocus has not always had the best reputation, so I particularly wanted to find out if and when it struggled, and what to look for.
I also wanted to check the definition of Panasonic’s 20MP MFT sensor, which has no low-pass filter, to see how it stacked up against larger-sensor APS-C rivals. The 12-60mm kit lens is particularly interesting because it offers a 5x zoom range compared to the 3x zoom of most kit lenses, and I did want to see how the image quality varied across the zoom range, and whether it declined at all at longer focal-length settings.
Lastly, the IBIS system in the G97 is only rated at five stops of compensation, so I wanted to find out just how achievable that was in real-world shooting.
The Epson EH-QB1000 is a fantastic projector, and in terms of performance, specifications and features, no other beamer comes close at this price.
The QB1000 uses a three-chip LCD design and laser light source that’s capable of producing an incredibly bright 3,300 lumens, which is higher brightness than many of the best 4K projectors can manage. In addition, thanks to excellent out-of-the-box accuracy the resulting images are not only bright but also naturally saturated. There’s a very low input lag, 4K 120Hz high frame rate support, and even HDR10+ high dynamic range support, making this beamer a cracking all-rounder.
The SDR performance is clean and detailed, with good motion handling and great accuracy. The HDR images are even better thanks to the dynamic tone mapping that gets the most out of the specular highlights and expanded shadow detail. The result is a rich and nuanced image with plenty of visual pop. The same goes for HDR10+ content, with its additional dynamic metadata.
Epson includes a host of higher-end features that are often absent from competing projectors. These include fully motorised lens controls and up to 10 lens memories for those using a ‘Scope ratio (2.35:1) screen. The menus themselves are comprehensive but simple to navigate, plus there are also extensive picture controls if you fancy getting your new beamer professionally calibrated.
The build quality is excellent, with a solid chassis and a choice of matte black or white finishes. There’s an extensive selection of connections, including two HDMI 2.1 inputs, along with a well-designed remote control that has a very useful backlight. There’s even a motorised lens cover to keep out dust, which is important because the light path on an LCD projector isn’t sealed.
Aside from the possibility of dust blobs, the only other limitation is the black level, which could be deeper. It’s also worth pointing out that the Epson isn’t native 4K, but can still produce higher-resolution images thanks to pixel-shifting technology. So when you add it all up, you really won’t find a more highly specified or better performing 4K HDR home cinema projector for the money.
Epson QB1000 review: price and release date
First available: December 2024
Price: £4,799 / $7,999
The EpsonQB1000 is the new entry-level model in the brand’s range of Premium Residential projectors and is available now in a choice of matte black or matte white finishes. The QB1000 currently retails for £4,799 in the UK but costs more in the US, where it will set you back $7,999.
The QB1000 has a specified 3,000 lumens light output, and its laser light engine has a 20,000-hour lifespan (Image credit: Future)
Epson QB1000 review: Specs
The QB1000's motorised lens controls include 10 lens memories for those using a 2.35:1 screen (Image credit: Future)
Epson QB1000 review: design
Fully motorised lens controls
10 lens memory positions
Backlit remote control
The Epson QB1000 looks identical to the earlier Epson LS12000, with the same matte black or white chassis and central lens flanked by large forward-firing cooling grilles. The bodywork is solid and well-built, the motorised lens cover is retained, and there are basic controls at the rear, along with a removable cover to keep things tidy. There’s also an optional ceiling mount if required.
Setup is simple thanks to a generous throw ratio and motorised lens controls that include 10 lens memories for those using a 2.35:1 screen. The QB1000’s increased brightness makes it ideal for rooms with lighter-coloured walls, and as a bonus, the weak contrast ratios won’t be as obvious. There are also various picture modes, along with extensive calibration controls.
The connections are located in a long recess at the rear of the unit, where you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K 120Hz, eARC, HDCP 2.3 and HDR10+, alongside regular HDR10 and HLG. There are also three USB ports, a 12V trigger output, an Ethernet port and RS-232C serial connector, along with support for various integrated control systems when used in a custom installation.
Design score: 5/5
Ports include 3 HDMI 2.1 connections (1 with eARC) with 4K 120Hz support for gaming (Image credit: Future)
Epson QB1000 review: features
Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
Support for 4K 120Hz high frame rate
Support for HDR10+ with dynamic metadata
The Epson QB1000 incorporates the same 3LCD design the brand uses on all its projectors, and this particular technology is limited to Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). However, the QB1000 can accept and display 4K content (3840 x 2160 pixels) by using pixel-shifting technology that literally shifts each pixel diagonally to increase the perceived resolution and create more detailed images.
Despite using the same laser light source as earlier models it has a claimed peak brightness of 3,300 lumens, which is massive, and an average lifespan of 20,000 hours. As with all beamers that use LCD display technology the black levels are poor, with the QB1000 producing a claimed native contrast ratio of 5,000:1, although the dynamic laser feature can boost this to 5,000,000:1.
New this year is dynamic tone mapping that analyses HDR10 content and optimises the image, allowing the QB1000 to deliver improved performance with HDR compared to the earlier LS12000. As with the earlier model there is also support for HDR10+, which means the QB1000 can use the format’s dynamic metadata to deliver an image optimised to its inherent capabilities.
The QB1000 has improved motion handling and upgraded frame interpolation. As a result, it can deliver smooth and detailed motion with sport, although I’d recommend leaving the frame interpolation off when watching film-based content. The Epson also supports higher frame rates up to 4K 120Hz, which makes this beamer a great choice for any next-generation gamers.
Features score: 5
Picture accuracy is excellent in the Cinema mode (Image credit: Future)
Epson QB1000 review: picture quality
Incredibly bright HDR images
Impressive HDR tone mapping
Very low input lag for gaming
The Epson QB1000 impresses right out of the gate, with the kind of bright, detailed and saturated picture that makes big-screen projection so enjoyable. With quality content, primary colours are punchy, while the uniformity of the LCD chipset is good with no signs of patchiness, banding or dust blobs. The latter can be an issue with LCD due to the light path not being sealed.
The out-of-the-box accuracy is excellent in the Cinema mode, with whites that aren’t awash in blue. The same goes for the skin tones, which look suitably natural, while the image itself is pleasingly sharp thanks to effective 4K upscaling and the three LCD panels being well-aligned.
Despite its inherent brightness, the QB1000 is surprisingly quiet, although the noise levels will increase if you use the higher laser settings. However, there’s so much brightness available that you don’t need to move the power up too high to illuminate even a large projection screen.
In fact, the QB1000 has sufficient brightness to handle rooms with light-coloured walls, and the option of a white finish also lends it to more lifestyle-friendly installations. The reflected light in this kind of setup has the added advantage of disguising the Epson’s poor contrast performance.
Black levels are the QB1000’s big weakness, with the contrast ratio only measuring 4,300:1 in my tests. To be fair at least this is close to the 5,000:1 Epson claims in its marketing, but it does mean blacks look more like a dark grey. You can use the dynamic laser feature to improve the contrast performance but in reality this only helps with fades to black and the rest of the time the blacks remain the same.
One area where Epson has improved the performance is in terms of motion handling, even with the frame interpolation turned off. When it’s engaged this feature results in smoother motion, which makes it very effective when watching fast-paced sports. However, make sure it's switched off for movies and TV dramas, so they don't end up looking like cheap video.
The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 inputs means the QB1000 can support frame rates up to 4K 120Hz. This makes it a great choice for gamers, and this appeal is only enhanced by the inclusion of ALLM (auto low latency mode), which automatically selects the Game mode when a console is detected. In Game mode the input lag measures a very impressive 19ms, with only Sony’s VPL-XW5000ES projector measuring lower.
The QB1000 supports high dynamic range, and really impresses with a bright and detailed image where the highlights pop and the shadows reveal more subtleties. The QB1000 doesn’t use a colour filter, which means it only covers 88% of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut. However, thanks to the increased brightness and new dynamic tone mapping the results are often excellent.
For example, the Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest was shot on the larger VistaVision film format and the resulting 4K disc is stunning. The QB1000 expertly delivers the sumptuous images, fleshing out the fine detail and rich colours with skill. The crop-duster attack is a particular treat, with the Epson’s increased brightness helping to bring the Indiana cornfields vividly to life.
Furiosa is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and enjoys the same epic desert vistas and insanely detailed production design as the earlier film, along with a deliberately stylised colour scheme. The QB1000 handles all these visuals perfectly, while the excellent motion handling ensures all the frenetic vehicular action is delivered smoothly and without any annoying artefacts.
The WW1 thriller 1917 is about a mission across no-man’s land and boasts superb photography and HDR10+ encoding. As a result, the QB1000 can render all the detail in the native 4K image, as well as deliver bright and clean daytime vistas. The nighttime scenes are more of a challenge, and while the blacks could be better, the bright flares really cut through the darkness.
Picture quality score: 4/5
The QB1000's fullly backlit remote control makes it easy to adjust settings in a dark room (Image credit: Future)
Epson QB1000 review: value
Fantastic value for money
Cheaper than any direct competitor
The Epson EH-QB1000 is fantastic value for money value, especially when compared to its direct competitors. The Sony VPL-XW5000ES is currently £4,499/$5,999, and while it might be native 4K it doesn’t have motorised lens controls, dynamic HDR tone mapping, or HDR10+ and 4K 120Hz support. The JVC DLA-NZ500 is more expensive at £6,499/$5,999 and while it is native 4K, has better blacks levels and does include motorised lens controls, lens memories and HDR10+, it still lacks support for 4K 120Hz and doesn’t have a Game mode, so it’s not the best choice for gamers.
Value score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Epson QB1000?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want a super-bright picture The laser light source not only delivers a longer lifespan of 20,000 hours but also 3,300 lumens of peak brightness. This is brighter than any projector aside from Sony’s super-high-end XW8100.
You want 4K 120Hz support The HDMI 2.1 inputs allow the QB1000 to support frame rates of up to 4K 120Hz, which makes this beamer a perfect choice for next-gen console owners or anyone using a high-end PC gaming rig.
You want HDR10+ support The inclusion of HDR10+ allows the QB1000 to take advantage of the format’s dynamic metadata, ensuring tone mapping that’s optimised for the lower brightness of a projector compared to a TV.
Don’t buy it if…
You want native 4K The QB1000 has Full HD resolution, and while it can accept and project 4K sources by using pixel-shifting technology, the detail isn’t as impressive as native 4K beamers from Sony and JVC.
You want deep blacks The QB1000’s LCD display technology doesn’t deliver deep blacks or impressive contrast, so if that’s important you should be looking at the more expensive JVC NZ500 D-ILA projector instead.
You want support for 3D Epson dropped 3D support with the previous generation, so if you’re a fan of the format you’ll either have to look at an alternative DLP projector or the high-end and very expensive JVC NZ800.
Also consider...
Epson LS12000 Epson LS12000 is less bright than the QB1000 but also costs less. It's also a great choice for gaming with 4K 120Hz support and it has great overall picture quality.
Sony VPL-XW5000ES The Sony VPL-XW5000ES costs less than the Epson but is less bright and lacks the Epson's motorised lens controls, dynamic HDR tone mapping, and HDR10+ and 4K 120Hz support.
JVC DLA-NZ500 The JVC is more expensive than the Epson, has better blacks levels and includes motorised lens controls, lens memories and HDR10+ support. it lacks 4K 120Hz support, however, and doesn’t have a Game mode
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Epson QB1000
Measured with Calman calibration software
Evaluated using SDR and HDR content
Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema
As with all my TV and projector reviews I use a combination of subjective viewing and objective measurements against the industry standards. For projectors, I also do all my testing in a dedicated home cinema with a completely blacked-out environment and high-quality screen.
The subjective testing is based around watching a variety of familiar scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any test scenes have been specifically chosen to evaluate a display’s black levels, contrast performance, colour accuracy, upscaling, image processing, motion handling, and HDR tone mapping.
For the objective testing, I measured the QB1000’s brightness, greyscale and colour gamut in SDR, before doing the same in HDR. I also evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, along with the colour gamut coverage for DCI-P3. To do this I used a pattern generator and colour meter combined with Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software. I measured the QB1000’s input lag in milliseconds using a specialised Leo Bodnar tester.
Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Release date: January 31, 2025
Rather than just the bombast of dizzying intergalactic battles, modern science fiction tales are imagining futures shaped by pervasive inequality and technological conquest. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, a roleplaying game by Gareth Damian Martin and one-person studio Jump Over the Age, is a science fiction tale of that pedigree.
It also brings to mind a New Yorker profile of science fiction writer Liu Cixin from a few years ago, who achieved international acclaim for his book, The Three Body Problem. Liu insisted science fiction merely allows readers to indulge in escapism rather than serve as metaphors for real-world affairs. Perhaps this reflects his perspective that Chinese people are more concerned about immediate needs like healthcare and the economy, as opposed to more altruistic concepts like individual liberty - a nice to have, but not a necessity.
It’s an outlook that’s difficult to reconcile with, especially when confronted with a tale as introspective as Starward Vector that carries shades of moral complexity. For instance, an early contract - the game’s more treacherous gigs - involves preserving a data core with immense historical value, or selling it to a mercenary who’ll inevitably scrap the relic, so as to get the fuel you need to escape your captor.
It’s a choice between addressing immediate needs versus pursuing a more humanistic goal for the far future. But while most games would clumsily nudge you towards the latter, presenting this quandary as a form of delayed gratification by promising better, future rewards, Starward Vector tackles this choice more elegantly, gently suggesting that you lean on community in times of need.
On the run again
(Image credit: Jump Over The Age)
Like the first Citizen Sleeper, Starward Vector puts you in the shoes of a Sleeper, an indentured android and an emulation of a flesh-and-blood human being who owes a tremendous debt to a corporation. This time, however, you’re on the run from a sinister figure named Laine who wants you - his property - back. What this means is that you’ll need to stay one step ahead of his relentless pursuit, as you trawl the Helion solar system on your ship (which is also stolen from Laine) to eek out a living.
Of course, this is a perilous journey. For those who have played Citizen Sleeper before, Starward Vector will largely be a familiar experience, but for the uninitiated, this cadence will take a bit of getting used to. The game progresses through cycles, with dice rolls determining how well you perform your tasks; the higher the number, the better the outcome. That said, there are a few key differences from the original, such as a distinct lack of a condition bar, as this particular Sleeper is no longer reliant on drugs to prevent their body from decaying.
But instead of a failing artificial body, you’ll accrue stress from, well, almost anything. A poor outcome from a dice roll can induce stress, as well as having to plow through work while starving. Accumulate too much stress, and your dice can disintegrate. Once broken, they cannot be used, limiting the amount of actions you can take per cycle until you garner the right components to repair them.
Occasionally, you’ll also need to embark on contracts, which are high-risk jobs that offer a significant amount of cryos (the game’s form of currency). Make too many mistakes during these contracts, and you can set off crises, events that put you in pressure cooker conditions; the longer you take to complete contracts, the more stressful the gig will be.
This is how Starward Vector reminds you of the precarity of your situation. Even a streak of utterly perverse luck can derail your cycles, like a horrid day when Murphy’s Law is in full swing. For a Sleeper, the stakes are infinitely high, the specter of certain failure ratcheting up the tension at every turn.
A motley crew
(Image credit: Jump Over The Age)
Fortunately, you’re not alone. A ragtag crew of spacefarers will join you over the course of your expedition, with the first being Serafin, a close friend who’s instrumental in breaking your oppressive servitude under Laine. Then there’s Juni, a quiet character you’ll meet during the game’s earliest contract with the data core. These crew members have skills they are particularly adept in, and that you can leverage during contracts.
Your crew will have their own dice rolls, which you can select to perform tasks they’re inclined towards. Juni, for instance, gets a bonus to her Interface trait, so you’ll do well by assigning her to a task that requires that particular skill. Doing so effectively is vital in helping you complete contracts without burning yourself out. That’s because, unlike most RPGs, being self-sufficient isn’t the point; depending on your class, some skills cannot be maxed out or even unlocked.
But rather than frame your companions as additional resources to exploit, the game’s impeccably polished prose helps to embellish the crew’s growing kinship with the Sleeper. Serafin, for all his dour cynicism, is a welcomed presence, his steely visage betraying a deep affection for the Sleeper - and all these are inferred just from the game’s pithy, yet ornately penned paragraphs.
Best bit
(Image credit: Jump Over The Age)
Overcoming the multiple perils of contract work, such as keeping your stress level low amidst numerous crises or simply getting a good set of dice rolls after a bout of misfortunes, is exhilarating in its own way - especially when you do so with some of your favorite companions.
Thus beyond just matters of survival, your relationships offer something more: community. Take the data core contract; Juni, a relative stranger then, asked that you give her the data for archival purposes, in exchange for nothing more than a promise of assistance with your fuel problem.
Despite initial misgivings, you can hand the data to her, with her later returning the favor in unexpected ways. Another branching story, which involves potentially assisting a union leader, also feeds into this sense of camaraderie. Such instances of solidarity suffuse your ill-fated journey with something perhaps resembling hope, an aspiration of not having to struggle against the hegemony of corporate power over the working class alone.
That said, it’s possible to make a comfortable living and save a handsome sum of cryos, the cycles of stressful resource management a thing of the past. Eventually, you may become adept at gaming the very system itself.
Even a single cycle marred with sheer, unbelievably bad luck - a series of shoddy dice rolls, perhaps leading to an exhausting, energy-draining day of labor - becomes easier to recover from. What you do with this excess, however, is up to you, such as choosing to pay another crew their fees, turning down the payment owed to you by another worker, or just burning all your cryos at a gambling den.
Tinged with hope
(Image credit: Jump Over The Age)
The game’s onerous system points to a reality that’s attuned to our wretched times: a pandemic that has exposed structural inequality, governments that are slipping into authoritarianism, and countries that refuse to acknowledge genocides. But Starward Vector is more than just a bleak universe writhing with doom and peril; its bright spots are undoubtedly its well-written, likable characters, whose aid and support you’ll learn to lean into even as structural oppression looms.
It has achieved the rare feat of balancing its narrative with a multi-faceted system without drowning its humanity in these details - all the while imparting the value of collective action and mutual aid. For a tale set in a cyber dystopia, it’s an uncharacteristically hopeful tale.
Should you play Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector?
Play it if...
You enjoy reading prose laden with immersive descriptions Starward Vector has plenty of words and minutiae, accompanied by some portraits and an astounding map design. The bulk of the action is detailed via prose, without cut scenes.
You enjoy a well-written science fiction tale The tropes of science fiction are thoroughly explored in Starward Vector, from rampant inequality to corporate malaise. Indulge freely if this is your cup of tea.
Don't play it if...
You want adrenaline-fuelled action While dangerous encounters abound, traditional combat is non-existent in this game; that means no outer space or cyberpunk-style shootouts.
You can’t stand reading paragraphs of text Text and dialogue in Starward Vector are mostly concise and to the point, but they make up the bulk of the experience.
Accessibility features
Starward Vector offers three difficulty settings: safe, risky, and dangerous, which can be changed at any time during the game. This changes the penalties from poor dice rolls, such as increased energy depletion and permanent death in the dangerous setting. Scene text can be enlarged, while the text scroll speed can be increased and reduced.
(Image credit: Jump Over The Age)
How I reviewed Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
I spent around 16 hours on the game, completing the main quest, exploring its extensive solar system and planets, and experiencing its side content in the form of its contracts. I also reviewed the game on an original LCD Steam Deck, playing the game in handheld mode, with the device providing hours of seamless gameplay.
The Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones landed in September 2023. Although there’s now a (slightly) newer and more premium model from the brand on the market, the standard QuietComfort cans are still well worth considering. That’s because they present buyers with all of the basics, like great comfort levels, sound and ANC, done incredibly well with the Bose seal of approval.
Let’s get any confusion out of the way first. Where do these headphones sit in the Bose line-up? Rewind back to 2021 and the Bose Quietcomfort 45 over-ear headphones were released. The newer over-ear headphones we’re reviewing here, officially named just Bose QuietComfort, came out in September 2023 to replace them. Bose released the QuietComfort Ultra just a month later, in October 2023, but it's best to think of them as a solid step up from the QuietComfort headphones we’re reviewing here, making our best noise-cancelling headphones andbest over-ear headphones guides.
But just because those top-tier cans have a bunch of upgrades, doesn’t mean the Ultras are for everyone, as we’ll get to soon. What we’ve got here is a high-end pair of headphones that perform well in every department, without overcomplicating things. These headphones feature Bose’s signature tech, and while it’s not especially groundbreaking in 2025, that’s part of the appeal. There’s nothing new to figure out or fuss over. Setup is a breeze, and the controls are refreshingly straightforward. Instead of fiddly touch panels, you get trusty manual buttons on the earcups. There’s also an app if you fancy more customization, but it’s optional, and the interface is clean with just a handful of modes to pick from – it just works (sorry Apple).
That’s why the Bose QuietComfort headphones might not be the absolute best on the market, but they strike a balance between quality audio, supreme comfort, and no-nonsense usability. For anyone looking for high-end Bose headphones in a sleek, slightly more affordable package, these could be the perfect fit.
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released in late 2023
Priced at $349/£349.95/AU$549.95
Available in black, off-white, green, blue, lilac, sandstone
The Bose QuietComfort headphones were priced at $349/£349.95/AU$549.95 at launch. However, because they’re a little older you will find some discounts available now from both third-party retailers and even through Bose directly. For example, on the Bose Australia website, the headphones are currently discounted from AU$549.95 to AU$448.95.
How does that compare to the rest in the Bose lineup? It makes them almost the same price as the Bose QuietComfort 45 that came before them, which cost $329/£329/AU$499.95 at launch.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are currently $429/£449.95/AU$649, which is a big step up of nearly $100. Then again, if you’re splurging on headphones and want the most bang up to date features, you might want to consider the flagship version. But we’ll get into some of the key differences later.
How does this compare to similar noise-cancelling over-ears? Well, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are still at the top of our best noise-cancelling headphones guide. At launch, they were $349/£349/AU$549, the exact same price. But now, you can find them for much cheaper, around $249/£199/AU$399. This makes sense, as they were released in 2020. But it does mean that if you’re hunting for older, still very capable headphones, the Sony might just be a better shout – especially if you’re a fan of Sony and its LDAC support.
When it comes to the broader market, there’s a lot of variation these days. If you wanted, for example, to prioritize good ANC, great specs, an energetic sound and excellent battery life, the Cambridge Melomania P100 over-ears would cost you considerably less, at $279/£229/AU$479. If you’re looking for similar features but don’t care so much about the Bose brand name or getting a high-end pair, you can easily get a decent pair of noise-cancelling over-ears for a mid-range price, like the excellent Sony WH-CH720N headphones, which cost $149/£99/AU$259.
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Specs
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Up to 26 hours of battery
Excellent ANC
Simple buttons
The Bose QuietComfort headphones aren’t packed with the cutting-edge features that you’ll find from the latest over-ears, but that’s not the point here. They focus on doing the essentials really well. If you’re looking for reliability and ease of use, they’ll deliver without overcomplicating things.
Let’s start with the app. It’s slick, intuitive, and has that Apple-esque feel, by which I mean minimal, clean, and user-friendly. The best part? You don’t need the app to enjoy the headphones, but I’d recommend using it to explore customization options. For example, there’s an adjustable 3-band EQ. You can manually tweak bass, mids, and treble or select presets like Bass Boost or Treble Reduce. While the EQ options are more limited than some competitors, it gets the job done for those who want great audio without endless tinkering. Personally, I didn’t feel the need to touch the EQ at all.
You’ll also find different audio modes, like "Quiet" for noise cancellation and "Aware" for transparency. These can be toggled using the action button on the left earcup, and you can add two additional custom modes in the app for specific scenarios.
A standout feature is multipoint connectivity, which allows you to pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously. This is a standard on most high-end headphones these days, but it’s good to see it included in this pair – seamlessly switching between a laptop for work and a phone for music or calls is a must for me now.
The manual buttons on the earcups deserve praise, too. They’re tactile, easy to use, and customizable via the app. For those who prefer a wired option, Bose includes a 3.5mm to 2.5mm audio cable with an in-line mic – a nice touch for versatility.
Bluetooth 5.1 powers the connectivity (so no scope for Auracast, which requires the newer 5.2 and beyond), with support for AAC and SBC codecs. While it doesn’t include advanced features like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound – the Ultras do have this, mind you – it’s solid enough for most users. Bose SimpleSync is also on board, letting you pair the headphones with compatible Bose soundbars and speakers to sync audio across devices, which is a great addition if you’re already in the Bose ecosystem.
Battery life is another area where these headphones hold their own but don’t lead the pack. Bose claims up to 24 hours of playback, and I managed to squeeze out closer to 26 hours during testing. They charge via USB-C, and a quick 15-minute boost gives you an additional 4 hours. While 24 hours isn’t bad, many competitors now exceed that. For instance, the Cambridge Melomania P100 headphones offer a huge 60 hours of playback with ANC on (and up to 100 hours without it). Even the QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer the same 24-hour battery life, so if longevity is a key priority, there’s little to separate them.
Features score: 3.5/5
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
Great ANC
Sound is bassy, but brilliant
Could do with more EQ options
Let’s start with ANC. The Bose QuietComfort headphones offer excellent active noise cancellation, though they’re not class-leading. The QuietComfort Ultra definitely perform better in this department, providing more silence more consistently. But compared to most other over-ear headphones in their class, the ANC here is still fantastic.
One standout factor is the fit. As I’ll explain in more detail in the next section, the snug design creates a great seal, which enhances the ANC performance. This means minimal noise seeps in, and there’s virtually no sound leakage out at all. While it doesn’t deliver total silence, it’s impressively close. I couldn’t hear a kettle boiling a few feet away, the low rumble of transport, or even chatter at the table next to me while working in a café.
That said, certain louder or higher-pitched sounds can break through. A barking dog and a fire alarm, for example, were audible – but muffled. Overall, while the ANC isn’t eerily silent or perfect, it’s more than good enough for most users and handles everyday environments brilliantly.
(Image credit: Future)
The audio quality on the Bose QuietComfort headphones is crisp, rich, and strikes a pleasing balance across frequencies. Straight out of the box, without needing to adjust anything, the sound is warm and powerful, with bass that packs a punch and natural, clear mids and highs.
The overall sound profile leans towards a neutral presentation. Vocals and instruments feel natural and lifelike, while the bass has a satisfying depth without overpowering the other ranges. Highs are bright and detailed, and the lows are rich, but there’s a slight bias towards the low end. This means mids can occasionally feel a bit… squashed? somehow. Though it’s rarely noticeable, and the EQ options can easily smooth things out if needed.
Tracks like Childish Gambino’s Heartbeat really shine on these headphones. The powerful bass thumps beautifully while melodic vocals remain sharp and clear, demonstrating how well they handle dynamic tracks.
Sound quality: 4/5
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Extremely comfortable
Light at 240g
Folding design
The Bose QuietComfort headphones are incredibly comfortable, with an understated design. The plush memory foam earcups, wrapped in soft vegan leather, feel like pillows on either side of my head. The headband is equally well-padded, striking the perfect balance between support and comfort. The clamping force is just right, too – secure but never too tight – making these some of the most comfortable over-ears I’ve ever worn.
I don’t always get along with over-ear headphones (thanks to a cartilage piercing that often causes issues), but I had no trouble here. Whether I wore them for hours at my desk, on a long walk, or even during an easy jog, they stayed comfortable and didn’t irritate me. That said, while they’re excellent for everyday use, they’re not recommended for sports or workouts. There’s no official IP rating for water or sweat resistance, so they’re best kept away from heavy gym sessions or outdoor walks if it looks like it might rain.
The QuietComfort headphones come in a range of colors, including black, off-white, green, blue, lilac, and sandstone. They maintain the classic Bose design aesthetic and look very similar to their predecessors, the QuietComfort 45. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones are similar too, but this newer version does have a sleeker and more refined vibe.
Despite their premium feel, these headphones are impressively lightweight at just 240g. Combined with the comfort-focused design, they’re perfect for long listening sessions. The carrying case is equally well thought out. It’s a sturdy, hard-shell case with a zip, designed to fold up the headphones neatly inside. Unlike some over-complicated cases (looking at you, Apple AirPods Max), this one gets it just right. It’s compact, practical, and includes internal pockets for the charging and audio cables.
Design score: 5/5
Bose QuietComfort headphones: value
(Image credit: Future)
Everything you need, but…
Competition at the level is fierce
Ultras might make more sense
At first glance, the Bose QuietComfort headphones might seem pricey, but when you consider the overall experience they offer, we’d argue they do deliver good value – especially if noise cancellation and a travel-friendly design are two priorities for you. They’re an amazing choice for anyone seeking comfort, reliable ANC, and simplicity.
That said, it’s important to view them in today’s context. For those willing to pay more, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones might be a better long-term investment, offering improved sound quality and support for higher-resolution audio codecs.
It's also worth mentioning they don't represent the best choice if you already own the QuietComfort 45. Yes, they're better. But not by enough to justify the upgrade.
You can also find great ANC headphones at a lower price point these days. Plenty of mid-range options provide good noise cancellation for much less. While they may not tick every box – comfort, battery life, or sound quality – in the same way, alternatives are worth considering if budget is your main concern. For example, the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 headphones are cheaper, offering significantly better battery life but lacking the plush comfort (or let's face it, the iconic look) of the Bose.
If you’re someone who loves the latest tech, these probably won’t win you over. However, for those who appreciate simple, understated excellence and aren’t fussed about cutting-edge features, these headphones will make you very happy.
Value: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort headphones?
Buy them if…
You like simple things that work well You'll find flashy, more feature-filled headphones. But if the idea of keeping up with the latest tech gives you a headache, these are reliable and fuss-free.
Comfort is a top priority Incredibly light with some of the comfiest, memory foam earpads I've ever tested. If you have any sensory sensitivities or just really value comfort, you won't be disappointed here.
You travel a lot With top ANC and a very light, folding and portable design with a solid carrying case, they're going to be among the headphones I'll instantly recommend for regular travellers.
Don’t buy them if…
You can afford the Ultras I've mentioned them non-stop, but the Ultras are just a bit better. If you can afford them, they do make more sense for most people.
You prioritize longevity The battery life here isn't bad, but compared to rivals, it can certainly be bettered. Some other headphones boast nearly twice as much playback time these days.
You have a Sony phone In that case, we'd recommend the XM4s or XM5s from Sony instead, or even the mid-range Sony WH-CH720N headphones.
Bose QuietComfort headphones: Also consider
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones The alternative pick that makes the most sense, yes they're pricier, but they're a step up from the QC headphones we've reviewing here in almost every way (except for battery). Take a look at our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones review.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Because the battery life of the whole QC range is a bit disappointing, these over-ears from Cambridge Audio are a rival pick focused on all-day (and then some) wear. Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review.
How I tested the Bose QuietComfort headphones
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for three weeks
Tested at home, walks along the beach, working in a café and a library and more
I used the Bose QuietComfort headphones for two weeks before writing this review, and that involved listening to music and watching streamed movies.
Throughout the testing period, I used the Bose QuietComfort headphones alongside my iPhone 14 Pro via Bluetooth and MacBook Pro. Streaming was done via Spotify and Mubi.
I listened at home whilst working, as well as in a café and a library. I took them on a bus and on several walks, along the beach and through the countryside.
I've been testing tech for more than 12 years now, including many pairs of headphones, as well as lifestyle and fitness products, like workout earbuds and fitness trackers.
Bangkok-based audio company Gadhouse (which is just slightly short for ‘Gadget House’) enjoys a bit of anthropomorphism – just look at the model names in its product line-up. Two of these products – the Duke wireless turntable and the Roy powered speakers – are available, at a modest saving, as a system. Introducing, then, the Gadhouse Duke & Roy.
There’s no arguing with the breadth of functionality your money buys. The Duke turntable has an integrated, defeatable phono stage, a USB-B output in front of an A-to-D converter for use with a computer, and can stream wirelessly. The Roy speakers are driven by 30 watts of power each, have Bluetooth connectivity and a fistful of physical connection options, too. A little remote control handset puts you in charge.
Where audio performance is concerned, though, Duke & Roy fail to make good on the promises of specification and finish. At its best, the sound the system makes is lifeless and consequently tedious – this is, I think we can all agree, less than ideal. There’s no energy to its reproduction, no sense of excitement, so the fact that the sound is actually quite detailed and confidently staged becomes neither here nor there.
Gadhouse Duke & Roy review: Price and release date
$999 / £779 / (approx.) AU$1499
Launched in November, 2024
The Gadhouse Duke & Roy powered-speakers-plus-wireless-turntable system has been on sale since mid-November 2024, and in the United States it sells for $999. In the United Kingdom it's around £779. The Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but at today’s exchange rates you’re looking at AU$1499 or something quite like it.
Like-for-like comparisons are, of course, fairly thin on the ground, but everyone from ELAC via Kanto to Q Acoustics will sell you a pair of aggressively priced powered bookshelf speakers, while turntables equipped with Bluetooth streaming smarts aren’t hard to come by either. Off the top of my head, though, I can’t think of any with such snappy model names…
Gadhouse Duke & Roy turntable review: Features
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Belt-driven turntable with 33.3 and 45rpm settings
Wired and wireless connectivity options
Ortofon 2M Red cartridge prefitted to Duke’s tonearm
If you judge a system on a ‘number of features per pound’ sort of basis, you’re going to find a lot to like – admire, even – with the Gadhouse Duke & Roy.
Duke is a belt-driven turntable that operates at 33.3 and 45rpm, with speed selection automatic, via a chunky toggle-switch on the plinth. It comes complete with a straight static-balanced 219mm tonearm that’s pre-fitted with a very acceptable Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge and has a detachable headshell. There’s a metal platter and a textured faux-leather slipmat, which bears the truism ‘where words fail, music speaks’, just one of the little ‘live laugh love’-isms that Gadhouse seems so fond of. An adjustable counterweight, a classic anti-skate weight attached via fishing line, and a clear dust-cover complete the visible feature-set.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Look at the rear of the turntable, though, and it soon becomes apparent there’s a fair bit more to it. As well as a connection for mains power, stereo RCA sockets and a post for a grounding cable, there’s a switch to turn the integrated phono stage on or off, a USB-B output for connection to a computer (for instance) and a light to indicate a Bluetooth connection has been made. The Duke can wirelessly connect to appropriate speakers or headphones via Bluetooth 5.2 using the SBC codec.
The Roy loudspeakers, meanwhile, have a similarly extensive selection of features. As with most reasonably affordable powered speakers, one Roy does the heavy lifting and the other Roy does as it's told. The secondary speaker just has a pair of speaker cable binding posts (for connection to its boss) at the rear, below a bass reflex slot at the top of the cabinet. The primary speaker has both of those features, but adds a total of 60 watts of Class D amplification (30 per speaker, of course), a socket for mains power and an ‘on/off’ switch, a pre-out for a subwoofer and some physical and wireless inputs. The physical stuff consists of line-level stereo RCAs, an analogue 3.5mm input, a digital optical connection and a USB-B socket, while wirelessness is handled by Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD codec compatibility.
Up front, each speaker has a 25mm soft-dome tweeter above an 89mm mid/bass driver. Gadhouse reckons this arrangement is good for a frequency response of 80Hz - 20kHz.
Features score: 5/5
Gadhouse Duke & Roy review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Quite detailed and complete reproduction
Undemonstrative and entirely undynamic
Wireless connection between Duke & Roy is not advised
To hear the Duke & Roy at its best, you’ll need to a) hard-wire the turntable to the speakers using the supplied RCA cable, and b) bin off the supplied speaker cable in order to put the speakers a realistic distance apart. Mind you, there’s every chance you may wonder why you bothered.
The Duke & Roy, I think it’s fair to say, sounds like less than the sum of its parts, especially as one of those parts is the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. With a decent pressing of Cypress Hill’s eponymous debut album playing, the sound is quite detailed and Gadhouse’s claims for an 80Hz - 20kHz frequency response seem fair enough. After ‘quite detailed’, though, I’m struggling to find too many positives.
Because while low frequencies are reasonably solid and well controlled, the mid-range is quite poised and open, and the system has a decent stab at creating a coherent soundstage, it’s so devoid of energy or engagement that everything is rendered ‘background music’ no matter how intently you might decide to listen. The lack of drive and dynamism to the reproduction is fatal – the bland and matter-of-fact nature of the sound quality available here make the idea of ‘entertainment’, let alone ‘excitement’ seem completely fanciful. It takes a particular sort of system to leech all of the attitude and aggression from a Cypress Hill recording – and the Duke & Roy is one such system. Even the hard and edgy treble reproduction here fails to inject any energy into the sound.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
This is about as good as it gets. Switch to a wireless connection between turntable and speakers, and not only does the system sound slightly smaller scale and more inhibited than before, but it gives away some of the finer details that were previously apparent. Streaming from a smartphone via Bluetooth does nothing to help matters, either – the ever-present lack of positivity or apparent engagement is the defining characteristic of the Gadhouse set-up.
Switching off its integrated phono stage and playing the Duke into a moderately priced preamp before sending the signal on to the Roy speakers reveals the phono stage in question to be ordinary at best. Making digital copies of vinyl via the Duke’s USB-B output using Audacity software reveals there’s nothing special about the deck’s A-to-D converter.
At every turn, in fact, the Duke & Roy is an underwhelming performer and, for some reason, after a period of listening I begin to find ‘underwhelming’ even less appealing than ‘bad’.
Sound quality score: 2.5/5
Gadhouse Duke & Roy review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Oak-finished turntable
125 x 415 x 372mm (HxWxD) (Duke)
180 x 125 x 170mm (HxWxD) (each Roy)
The design of loudspeakers is almost as established and unbending as the design of turntables, especially when you’re talking about products competing in the mainstream. So it follows that neither the Duke turntable nor the Roy loudspeakers look anything other than exactly as you’d expect.
There are worthwhile aspects to the design of each, though. The Roy speakers are a very manageable 180 x 125 x 170mm (HxWxD) each, which means they are authentic candidates for positioning on a shelf or a desktop – as long as they can be connected to each other and to mains power, at least. The standard of build and finish is very acceptable, and the crisp edges of the matte-black cabinets of my review sample make for a clean look.
The Duke turntable seems equally well made and just as carefully finished. You’ll make your own mind up about the oak veneer – it reminds me of floorboards and seems gratuitous – but there’s no denying it’s a point of difference. The turntable’s 6.3kg weight (of which very nearly 2kg is contributed by its metal platter) is supported, at least at the front, by a couple of pliant, vibration-absorbing feet. The fact that the rear of the plinth is supported by a box with no vibration-absorbing properties and in which the Duke keeps all its electronics does undermine the point of the feet somewhat, mind you.
Design score: 4/5
Gadhouse Duke & Roy review: Usability and setup
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Duke and one half of Roy require mains power
Speakers must be wired together
The smallest, skinniest remote control handset I’ve seen in a while
There’s really not much to do in order to get up and running here. The Duke’s tonearm needs its anti-skate weight fitting and its counterweight needs adjusting to the 1.6 - 2.0g recommended by Ortofon for its 2M Red cartridge, and then it’s good to go. Or, at least, it is once you’ve made a connection to mains power.
The Roy speakers need to be connected together and Gadhouse supplies a short length of indifferent speaker cable to do the job. The primary speaker needs to be connected to the mains. Then make any physical connections you want – you may decide to connect the Duke using the supplied RCA cables rather than wirelessly, for instance, in which case you’ll need to turn its integrated phono stage on.
Control of the system is available by a small, slim remote control handset that’s not overburdened with buttons. Power, input selection, play/pause and volume up/down are available, and there’s a little LED embedded in the primary speaker’s IR receptor to let you know what’s occurring.
Value score: 4/5
Gadhouse Duke & Roy review: Value
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Lots of kit for under $1000 is good
The stodgy sound really isn't...
... and renders the price moot
A whole wireless audio system, with vinyl as one of the sources, for under $1000? A well-made, nicely finished system at that? In terms of the functionality and the simple amount of stuff your money buys here, it’s difficult to be too critical of the Gadhouse Duke & Roy.
When it comes to audio fidelity this outlay gets you, though, the value-for-money proposition takes quite a hit. It’s not so much that the sound is bad per se, it’s more that it’s as bland as warm milk.
Value score: 3.5/5
Should you buy the Gadhouse Duke & Roy?
Buy it if...
You enjoy simplicity From ‘opening the boxes’ to ‘getting up and running’ isn’t all that time-consuming and not that much of a chore.
You admire modernity as much as heritage Combining wireless smarts with the venerable vinyl format covers off the last eight decades of audio technology.
You don’t like sound to be too interruptive The undynamic and matter-of-fact sound of the Gadhouse system isn’t going to set any pulses racing, but it isn’t going to cause too much offence either.
Don't buy it if...
You value dynamism in your music The Duke & Roy hands over the bulk of the information in your recordings, but does so in the most undemonstrative and disengaged kind of way.
You like the idea of a wireless turntable Duke doesn’t sound especially energetic when hard-wired to Roy, but the wireless alternative is basically soporific.
You don’t want to have to spend money on speaker cable Not only is the supplied speaker cable fairly average, but there’s really not very much of it.
Gadhouse Duke & Roy: Also consider
For wireless powered speakers with a few connectivity options, consider ELAC’s Debut Connex, Kanto’s Ren and the M20 by Q Acoustics in particular. Bear in mind even the smallest of these is larger than the Roy, though, and none are anything like as appropriate for desktop use.
For a turntable with Bluetooth smarts, it’s hard to see beyond the LP60XBT by Audio Technica and the Sony PS-LX310BT (reviewed here by our sister site, then come back). Neither look as smart as the Duke but both have an advantage where performance is concerned – and not in a mild way, either.
Any combination of these products will come in at Duke & Roy-adjacent money, and any combination will prove more sonically satisfying, too.
How I tested the Gadhouse Duke & Roy
Tested for over a week on my regular home setup
Tested with a Rega CD player and streaming services via Apple iPhone 14 Pro
I made space on my Blok equipment and my Soundstyle speaker stands, got each component nicely positioned and then listened for several hours a day for quite a few days. I connected the Duke turntable to the Roy loudspeakers using both wired and wireless connections, and used it with and without its integrated phono stage.
I used my Rega CD player via the optical input. Naturally, I listened to my favourite streaming services too, using an Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
