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I tested B&O’s third teatime treat-esque portable Bluetooth speaker, and three is the magic number
11:00 am | May 7, 2025

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

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation: two-minute review

The latest version of the Beosound A1 by Bang & Olufsen is the best yet – and when you consider how well-regarded the previous two versions were, it follows that this 3rd Gen is something special.

As you might expect from this brand (and as you’re likely to demand at this price), the A1 3rd Gen looks and feels like a high-end product. There's a heated debate among TechRadar's US and UK staff over whether the A1 Gen 3 looks more like a muffin, a crumpet or a bombolone, but whichever baked (or fried) breakfast (or teatime) treat works best for you also works for us. Yes, it looks like that, but in the most premium way. The materials used in its construction are relatively lavish, and build quality is unarguable. Its modular design means it can be repaired, and its battery can be replaced – both of which are good things and certainly help it all the way into our roundup of the the best Bluetooth speakers at its size and weight.

And between multipoint connectivity, aptX Adaptive compatibility, 60 watts of power, an IP67 rating (meaning it's up there with the best waterproof speakers too), plus a USB-C socket that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging, the A1 3rd Gen is pretty well-specified too. Only a lack of Auracast compatibility sounds a mildly false note.

Best of all, though, is the sound. The Beosound is a robust but deft listen, detailed and dynamic in equal measure, and able to present recordings with a nice open character at the same time as ensuring they sound unified and together. It’s short of ultimate scale, of course – a product of this sort of size is almost bound to be – but in every other respect it’s an engaging, revealing and thoroughly entertaining listen.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: price and release date

  • $349 / £299 / AU$639
  • Launched on May 6, 2025

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen is on sale from today (7th May 2025) and in the United Kingdom it’s priced at £299. It’s $249 in the United States, and in Australia it goes for AU$639. Which means that no matter the territory in which you’re shopping, it’s priced like a premium device – which, in turn, means it’s Bang & Olufsen business as usual.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: specs

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: features

  • Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive compatibility
  • 60 watts of Class D power
  • USB-C can be used for data transfer

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen uses Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity, and it’s compatible with SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs. That Bluetooth standard means it won’t support Auracast, though multipoint connectivity means your speaker can be connected to two sources at the same time. Once your digital audio information is on board, it’s dealt with by a digital-to-analogue converter of unspecified type and resolution, and then served up by a two-driver array. A 15mm tweeter and 83mm mid/bass driver each receive 30 watts of Class D power, in an arrangement Bang & Olufsen claims is good for a frequency response of 54Hz - 20kHz.

The adoption of aptX Adaptive is a step forward for the A1, but this 3rd Gen model dispenses with Amazon Alexa voice control and wider smart-control integration you'll find in the 2020-issue Beosound A1 Gen 2. Whether or not you consider this to be a backward step depends almost entirely on how much you enjoy the sound of your own voice.

Battery life is a very creditable 24 hours from a single charge (provided you’re operating at reasonably modest volume), while from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ takes a rather leisurely three hours. Charging happens via the USB-C slot on the edge of the speaker, and for this 3rd generation this input can also be used for data transfer – so the Beosound can be hard-wired to a source of music. It can also form a stereo pair with another A1 3rd Gen or, happily, an A1 2nd Gen should you have one.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: sound quality

  • Impressive low-frequency extension and substance
  • Consistent and balanced even at volume
  • Great detail retrieval and midrange resolution

With one or two fairly minor caveats, there’s an awful lot to like about the way the Beosound A1 3rd Gen goes about things. So minor are these caveats, in fact, I may as well get them out of the way right now before piling into all the things the Bang & Olufsen excels at.

It’s probably an inevitability given the physical size of the speaker, but the A1 3rd Gen isn’t an especially large-scale listen. The soundstage it creates is properly organised and quite open – but where out-and-out scale is concerned, there’s no getting around the fact that this speaker doesn’t sound especially big.

Its tonal balance isn’t, strictly speaking, all that neutral either. There’s a hint of warmth and richness, a kind of sonic luxuriousness, about its presentation that’s not in any way unpleasant but that is most definitely a characteristic. This can be mitigated a little in the control app – but given that the best overall balance comes from leaving the EQ setting at ‘optimal’ (the clue’s in the name, really) it’s probably best to accept your Bang & Olufsen speaker sounds, as well as looks and feels, deluxe.

From here on out, the news is all positive. The A1 3rd Gen can summon frankly unlikely low-frequency presence and substance - it hits remarkably hard for a speaker of its size, and the claim for frequency response down to 54Hz seems perfectly plausible. The low end is properly controlled, too, which means rhythms during Thin Air by Floating Points are confidently expressed – and the Bang & Olufsen is a front-foot listen as a result. At the opposite end of the frequency range it attacks with polite determination, bringing a reasonable amount of bite and shine to treble sounds without ever threatening to become unruly. There’s a fair amount of substance to offset the brilliance, too, which helps the overall balance of the sound no end.

In between, the A1 3rd Gen communicates through the midrange in the most uninhibited manner. Voices as dissimilar as Joni Mitchell’s and Alex Turner’s emerge with all of their character intact, and the midrange is nudged forwards just a little to help with intelligibility. The crossover between the mid/bass driver and the tweeter is smooth to the point of imperceptibility, and though the tonal balance here has a very definite flavour, it is at least consistent from top to bottom. The Bang & Olufsen sounds unified and of a whole, no matter the sort of content you’re listening to.

What else? Well, detail levels are high across the board – and even when it comes to the most minor harmonic variations or transient events in a recording, the A1 3rd Gen does good work in identifying and contextualising them. And despite its relative lack of outright scale, it can put appreciable distance between the quietest and the loudest moments in a recording too. As long as you’re not expecting to fill a medium-sized room with sound, the A1 3rd Gen is a great option – and you can at least be assured that if you do wind up the volume to the point the Bang & Olufsen is giving you everything it’s got, it doesn’t alter its sonic character in the slightest. It simply gets louder.

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: design

  • 46 x 133 x 133mm, HxWxD
  • 576g
  • Built to a high standard from premium materials

As both the asking price and the manufacturer’s reputation demands, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is little short of a masterclass where materials and their deployment are concerned. It’s tricky for a product of such modest dimensions (this speaker is just 46 x 133 x 133mm, HxWxD) to look overtly premium, but this Bang & Olufsen manages just fine.

The lower half of the spheroid is of hard-wearing polymer, and it’s seamlessly connected to an upper portion made of tactile, textured pearl-blasted anodised aluminium. A carry-strap made of waterproof leather is threaded through the polymer, and it’s here you’ll find the only visible bit of branding. The look is understated and sophisticated, no matter which of the three available finishes you choose – take your pick from ‘natural aluminium’ (which is ‘silver’), ‘honey tone’ (‘gold’) and ‘eucalyptus green’ (‘green’). And the 576g weight seems purposefully judged to strike a balance between ‘portability’ and ‘reassuring heft’. The overall standard of construction and finish is basically flawless, and the IP67 rating means it will be fine in any realistic environment.

This is, says the manufacturer, the first ever Bluetooth speaker with ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ certification (at the bronze level). So it’s made with sustainable practices in mind, and is modular to the point that it has a replaceable battery and can, in certain circumstances, be repaired rather than scrapped. This is something Bang & Olufsen has long been known for; just see the company's modular Beosound Theater soundbar and reissued vertical CD player for starters…

  • Design score: 5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: setup and usability

  • Some physical controls
  • Excellent B&O control app
  • Swift Pair and Fast Pair

It’s a very simple device to operate, the A1 3rd Gen – the options you have are very tidily realised indeed. Along with that USB-C socket, the polymer edge of the chassis features a few physical controls, all very positive in their action – you can take care of ‘power on/off’, Bluetooth pairing, ‘volume up/down’, ‘play/pause’ this way. There’s also a button to mute the mics that are used for telephony. Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair are available, while a single LED on the top surface indicates what the speaker might be up to, and another next to the USB-C input lets you know about charging.

There’s also the B&O control app that’s free for iOS and Android – and it remains one of the best examples of its type. Here’s where you can check for software updates, form that stereo pair using another A1 3rd Gen or your A1 2nd Gen, integrate your favourite music streaming service (as long as it’s Deezer, Spotify or TIDAL) and access music on a HomeMedia server. It also gives internet radio access via the entirely admirable ‘B&O Radio’. It’s where you can access some EQ presets, or define your own using a graphic ‘target’ control that’s about as gratifying an EQ adjustment mechanism as I’ve ever seen.

  • Setup and usability score: 5/5

B&O's Beosound A1 3rd Gen three screen-grabs of the companion app

(Image credit: Bang & Olufsen)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: value

This is far from the most affordable Bluetooth speaker around – although when judged by the standards Bang & Olufsen has long since established, it’s actually within touching distance of many credible alternatives.

The usual B&O selling points of premium materials, indulgent design and impeccable build quality are all present and correct, too – and the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is a match for any price-comparable rival where pure sound quality is concerned. So for once here’s a Bang & Olufsen product that doesn’t require all that “yes, but..” when it comes to value for money.

  • Value score: 5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation in silver, on gray table

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation?

Buy it if...

You like nice things
The Beosound A1 3rd Gen looks and feels every bit the Bang & Olufsen product.

You know a good control app when you see one
The B&O control app is comprehensive, easy to use and features the most gratifying EQ adjustment around.

You enjoy a hint of sonic luxuriousness
The A1 3rd Gen is slightly less than neutral in its sound, but in a quite expensive-sounding way.

Don't buy it if...

You intend to fill the great outdoors with sound
The A1 3rd Gen has a degree of grunt, but it’s not the biggest-sounding speaker around.

You want to just ask
There’s no Alexa integration for this latest model.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: also consider

JBL Flip 7
The March 2025-issue seventh Flip is also a five-star Bluetooth portable speaker. And it also looks good, thanks to a new switchable carabiner detail. The battery won't last quite as long as the B&O Beosound A1 Gen 3, but the audio is special for a speaker of its size, and it's hard to ignore the price difference… 
Read just how good it is in our full JBL Flip 7 review.

Bose Soundlink Flex Gen 2
It's a September 2024 release, so still a relative newbie to the game, and although the Bose Soundlink Max is closer in price to the B&O option you came here to read about (at $399 / £399 / AU$599), the Flex Gen 2 is a better size match – and a lot cheaper. How often can you say that of Bose products? It's not quite as gifted sonically, but it does give you punchy output in a relatively bijou design. Get the full scoop in our Bose Soundlink Flex Gen 2 review.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: how I tested

I connected the A1 3rd Gen wirelessly to my Apple iPhone 14 Pro and my FiiO M15S digital audio player, and also made a hard connection via USB-C to my Apple MacBook Pro. So I was able to listen to lots of different content from lots of different platforms, of various file-types and sizes.

And having done so for well over a week, I realised the A1 3rd Gen is the best yet – which is saying something…

I tested House of Marley’s solar-powered Bluetooth speaker and left the beach party disappointed
1:30 pm | May 3, 2025

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

House of Marley Roots Solar: Two-minute review

Competition is fierce among portable, beach-ready speakers. The best Bluetooth speakers offer all-day battery life, enjoyable audio and pool-proof durability, without draining your bank account. It’s in this crowded market that the House of Marley Roots Solar tries to stand out, as a beach-ready speaker with neat features and a unique sustainable design.

Physically, it achieves that goal. Fronted by a facade of renewable bamboo, the Roots Solar looks and feels distinctive. The fabric grille is nicely tactile, while the rubberized body – made from recycled plastics – is robust. There’s a reassuring weight to the whole package, which gives the impression that it’s solid enough to survive several summers.

Clever touches suggest that House of Marley’s design team has put a lot of thought into this speaker. The buttons are simple, well-sized and accessible. Little feet underneath cushion against vibrations. The carry strap is a handy addition. And then there’s the built-in bottle opener on the back: a party trick that bolsters its cookout credentials.

Unfortunately, other features are less impressive. At 14 hours, battery life does stack up well against rival speakers, lasting a full day on one charge. But the solar panel from which the Roots Solar gets its name is ineffective. House of Marley claims that it’s good for up to five hours of extra playing time. In my experience, even after several hours in direct sunlight, it did little or nothing to recharge the speaker. The strip is essentially decorative.

That’s a shame, because the promise of solar-powered listens is a key selling point, and one that ties in with House of Marley’s sustainable ethos. I had to charge the Roots Solar via USB-C like any other speaker, which somehow felt more galling than if the solar panel wasn’t there in the first place. Worse still, it means eco claims can’t save the Roots Solar from its biggest failing: sub-par audio.

Image 1 of 3

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)
Image 2 of 3

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)
Image 3 of 3

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

Given the weight of its build and the bass radiator on the rear, you’d expect the Roots Solar to give a bold performance – especially as it’s marketed for outdoor use. Yet, in practice, the sound lacks richness, depth and dynamism. It doesn’t come close to the low-end punch of something like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, with a sonic signature that feels thin in comparison.

It can’t boast particularly good balance or clarity, either. The mids are easily muddied on layered tracks and I encountered some significant distortion when listening at higher volumes. Only when playing indoors at a medium level can the Roots Solar come close to a making a good account of itself, and only then with songs that aren’t too complex.

I really wanted the Roots Solar to be a good speaker. I like its design and I salute House of Marley for trying to do things differently, making audio kit that’s environmentally conscious. I’m all for nifty features like bottle openers and I’d love a speaker that can boost itself from the sun.

But with solar charging out of the equation, the House of Marley Roots Solar lets itself down where it matters. You can get a sturdy speaker with similar features and significantly better audio quality for the same money or less. And use the change to buy yourself a bottle opener.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Price and release date

  • Released in September 2024
  • Official price: $99.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95

House of Marley added the Roots Solar to its speaker line-up in September 2024. At launch, it was priced at $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$149.95. That put it at a slight premium compared to other portable Bluetooth speakers with similar specs.

Since then, its official price has been reduced in both the US and the UK, to $99.99 and £79.99 respectively. With that discount, the Roots Solar sits more competitively alongside some of the best Bluetooth speakers, including the splendid JBL Flip 7. OK, the JBL speaker is admittedly a little pricier, but worth it. As you’ll read below, the numbers only tell part of the story.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Specs

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Design

  • Made with bamboo and recycled materials
  • IP67 water-resistant
  • Built-in bottle opener

Sustainability has always been at the heart of House of Marley’s ethos. That comes through in spades with the Roots Solar. Available in black and cream color schemes, both versions feature a facade hewn from renewable bamboo. This wood grain veneer gives the speaker a uniquely natural look and feel among portable Bluetooth speakers.

The whole package is both consciously constructed and satisfyingly tactile. Up front, there’s a fabric grille that’s woven from recycled materials. The body itself is made from House of Marley's own REGRIND silicone, a composite that's a solid step up from virgin plastic. This material's speckled finish feels smooth yet suitably robust, standing out from the cheaper plastics used in some budget speakers.

There are flourishes around the entire speaker which illustrate the thought that’s gone into its design. There’s the solar panel neatly integrated into the top of the unit and the fabric carry strap attached to one end by knurled metal screws. Rubber feet beneath help to insulate the standing surface against vibrations, while a light ring around the grille subtly illuminates when the speaker is powered on or charging.

Image 1 of 3

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)
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House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)
Image 3 of 3

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

Three buttons live on the left side of the rubberized body, controlling power, volume and brightness. It might seem like a minor detail, but these are perfectly weighted with a responsive click. At the back, you’ll find a port cover neatly shielding the aux-in and USB-C ports, along with a bass radiator that’s seamlessly fused in place.

Then there’s the Roots Solar’s party trick: a built-in bottle opener. This consists of a sculpted indent and a metal bar. It certainly does the job of popping tops, although I can’t say how well it would hold up with repeated use. The novelty of opening bottles with a Bluetooth speaker is probably also one that would wear off after a few goes, but it doesn’t hurt to have it as a backup.

It’s all quite smart and tidy. It’s weighty too, in a good way. There’s a reassuring heft to the Roots Solar, which suggests that it’s robust enough to survive a run of seasons by the sea. That’s backed up by an IP67 water-resistance rating. In terms of its physical build, no corners have been cut in the design or assembly departments.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Features

  • Battery rated for 14 hours of playback
  • Built-in solar panel for ‘gradual top-ups’
  • Stereo and Party Mode pairing

On paper, the Roots Solar has a killer feature compared to its rivals: solar charging. House of Marley claims the built-in solar strip can deliver ‘gradual top-ups’ for up to 5 hours of extra listening time. That’s in addition to a solid 14 hours of battery life when recharged using USB-C.

The reality is different. The standard battery life certainly holds up, easily lasting a full day on a single charge. At 14 hours, that gives the Roots Solar the longevity go toe-to-toe with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 and go just shy of the Flip 7's 16-hour stamina – and those are two of our favorite Bluetooth speakers.

What it can’t do is eke things out any further. In testing, even when left in bright, direct sunlight for several hours, the House of Marley Roots Solar showed zero or minimal gains from the solar panel. The LED light, which pulses when the speaker is charging, only glowed when connected to mains power. It never once illuminated from exposure to sunlight.

As a result, I didn’t experience any of the top-ups promised by House of Marley. I had visions of the Roots Solar as a speaker that I could leave by the window for passive charging to boost its battery on brighter days. Or at least as one which would last longer away from the wall on beach and camping trips, which is how it’s been marketed.

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

Instead, I had to charge the Roots Solar using the USB-C cable just like any other Bluetooth speaker. Somehow, the presence of a non-functioning solar panel is somehow more frustrating than if it wasn’t there at all. It doesn’t add to the user experience or substantively enhance the speaker’s eco-friendly chops. The strip is basically redundant.

Without it, the Roots Solar has to rely on other features to compete with other Bluetooth speakers. In that arena, it does offer stereo and party pairing, allowing you to link up with one or more matching speakers for synchronized playback. It also benefits from an aux-in port, something of a rarity in 2025.

I will mention one other small but irksome trait: the Roots Solar is very quick to power off if nothing is playing. Pause your playlist for any reason and you’ll routinely find that, when you come back to the speaker, you’ll need to power it on again to continue listening.

  • Features score: 3.5/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Sound quality

  • Lacks low-end punch, especially outdoors
  • Mids sound muddy on layered tracks
  • Distortion at higher volumes

Given its solid construction and the presence of a bass radiator on the back, you’d be forgiven for expecting the Roots Solar to give a bold performance. While the radiator does its best, though, the speaker simply lacks oomph. Even indoors, playback feels thin and bland. Take it outdoors, as its waterproofing suggests you should, and this lack of low-end energy really becomes apparent.

Not every speaker needs to be bass-heavy, of course. But the Roots Solar can’t boast balance or clarity as a saving grace, either. The mids feel crowded even on stripped-back acoustic tracks. Challenge the Roots Solar with a busy composition and things quickly get muddy, with little room for the layers to breath.

Crank up the volume and the audio goes from mediocre to unpleasant. Treble distortion quickly becomes apparent, while the bass radiator’s fruitless attempts to give some weight to the lower frequencies only end up clouding the mid-range even more.

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth speaker outdoors in a garden, on a wooden bench.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

If it sounds like I’m describing a complete cacophony, perhaps I’m being unfair. Playing at a medium volume in a small room, the Roots Solar does a passable job. To the untrained ear, it’s fine for streaming digital radio in the kitchen or bathroom. But the inescapable truth is that you can get a much better listen from other speakers for the same price or less.

This isn’t a speaker that I’d choose to soundtrack a beach party. No portable Bluetooth number is going to satisfy an audiophile, especially not outdoors. But both the Wonderboom 4 and the Flip 7 offer better balance, depth and dynamism for the money. The Roots Solar simply can’t compete.

  • Sound quality: 3/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Value

On paper, the House of Marley Roots Solar has a unique value proposition. It promises a sustainable construction and a robust, premium build, with the benefit of solar charging to keep summer singalongs going for longer. The built-in bottle opener is just the sweetener.

Because it fails to deliver on several of those promises, the Roots Solar is a hard speaker to recommend. Its eco-friendly approach is one to be applauded, and there’s an argument for supporting House of Marley’s efforts to use renewable materials. But those alone can’t justify the price tag.

When you consider the ineffective solar panel and the sub-par audio quality, the Roots Solar feels like an underwhelming speaker in premium packaging. Perhaps that’s why House of Marley has reduced the price of the Roots Solar in the UK and the US, in quiet recognition of its limitations.

House of Marley Roots Solar Bluetooth Speaker outside on a wooden sleeper in a garden

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Even at its new, reduced price, the Roots Solar sits in direct competition with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 and the JBL Flip 7. Those speakers both offer punchier, richer sound output for the roughly the same money, as well as IP67 water resistance and day-long battery life.

If you’re committed to buying greener gear, the House of Marley Roots Solar is still a contender. But sound is also important and if it's decent audio indoors and out you seek, there’s better value to be found elsewhere.

  • Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the House of Marley Roots Solar?

Buy it if…

You appreciate a sustainable approach
House of Marley kit is environmentally conscious. The Roots Solar uses renewable bamboo and recycled plastics in its construction. Solar charging adds to its eco credentials, even if it’s slow.

You want a speaker to take to the beach
With a robust build and IP67 waterproofing, the Roots Solar is made to withstand life outdoors. Its built-in bottle opener is useful and the battery can last all day.

You want a distinctive Bluetooth speaker
This is a well-designed speaker. Its bamboo facade is unique, while the speckled body, fabric grille and carry strap are all nice touches. It feels built to last, too.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best possible audio quality
It doesn’t take keen ears to detect the limitations of the Roots Solar. It lacks the dynamism and punch of similarly priced speakers, with muddy mids and distortion at higher volumes.

You want a speaker you don’t have to charge
Solar charging is a neat addition in theory, but top-ups are pretty ineffective. Even with lengthy exposure to sunlight, you’ll still need to charge it regularly via USB-C.

You want a powerful outdoor speaker
The Roots Solar is fine for background sound, but it lacks the punch to start an alfresco party. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a better bet for beach beats.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: also consider

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
A small, punchy speaker with a similar price to the Roots Solar, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker for picnics. It’s simple, portable and durable, yet capable of impressive sound quality. Like the Roots Solar, it offers a 14-hour battery life. There’s no solar charging, but the output is punchier, with more low-end oomph.
Read our in-depth Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review

JBL Flip 7
The JBL Flip 7 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker overall. There's no easy way to say this, so I'll blurt it out: it’s just better than the House of Marley speaker. Auracast compatibility also means that as well as forming a stereo pair with a second Flip 7 (albeit not with any of of the previous Flips), you can hook up as many Auracast-enabled products as you like into a single entity for simultaneous playback.
Read our in-depth JBL Flip 7 review

How I tested the House of Marley Roots Solar

  • Used it as my main Bluetooth speaker for a month
  • Tested it in a number of rooms, as well as outdoors
  • Played a variety of genres via Spotify and BBC Sounds

To put the House of Marley Roots Solar through its paces, I used it as my primary Bluetooth speaker for several weeks. I listened to it in a number of rooms around the house, to see how well it performed in spaces of different sizes. I also tested it at different volumes, to see how the dynamics held up at a range of output levels. When the neighbours were out, I cranked it right up.

I also tested it with a range of genres: podcasts while I painted the bathroom; pop hits on BBC sounds while cooking dinner; and the old faithful on a Friday night – Spotify’s Dinner with Friends playlist.

Because the House of Marley Roots Solar is pitched as a beach-ready speaker, I also made sure to test it outdoors. Besides using its built-in bottle opener for its intended purpose, I also tossed the speaker around in my backpack to give its rugged credentials a gentle test.

To see how effectively the solar panel could boost battery life, I used the Roots Solar in both sunny and overcast conditions. And to assess how well its sound carried alfresco, I used it to soundtrack several outdoor afternoons.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: May 2025
I tested iFi’s flagship Valkyrie DAC and found it capable of staggeringly complete sound –but portable it isn’t
1:30 pm | April 30, 2025

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

iFi iDSD Valkyrie: Two-minute review

iFi is a company that seldom goes anything other than ‘all-in’ – and with the new iDSD Valkyrie headphone amp/DAC it’s decided to try and make the best ‘portable’ headphone amp/DAC it possibly can.

‘Portable’ is a relative term, of course, and not only is the Valkyrie’s portability debatable when considering including it in our roundup of the best portable DACs, but the idea that you’d want to carry around a device you’ve spent £1699 (or equivalent) on is perhaps an odd one too. But for desktop or full system use, this iFi has an awful lot going for it.

And that’s the case no matter if you’re talking about design, build quality, the standard of finish or the way it sounds. It’s an individual looker, for sure, and it is unquestionably built to last. And when it’s working on your raw digital audio files, the results can be almost humbling – this is an extraordinarily detailed, precise and yet entertaining listen. It’s real ‘iron fist in velvet glove’ stuff the Valkyrie trades in – it’s controlled, energetic, insightful and, above all, musical. And that last word especially is by no means a given, even if you’re spending an arm and a leg.

For some, the seemingly limitless options to fiddle with the filtering, upscaling and processing of digital audio information might seem a bit daunting. For others, the idea that iFi is leaving the end user to have such a big say in the ultimate sound will seem like an admission that it doesn’t quite know what ‘best’ sounds like. For the rest of us, though, the iDSD Valkyrie will be a source of endless fascination as well as of enjoyment.

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Price and release date

iFi iDSD Valkyrie on gray table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Released of March 25, 2025
  • Priced $1,699 / £1,699 / AU$2,999 (approx.)

The iFi iDSD Valkyrie launched on March 25, 2025, and it costs the same £1699 now as it did then. In the United States it will set you back a slightly more palatable $1699, while in Australia it goes for AU$2999 or something very like it.

I don’t think I will be startling anyone when I observe that this is quite a lot of money for a portable (or, as iFi prefers, ‘transportable’) DAC/headphone amp. Really, the only alternative of any profile that’s contesting the same area of the market is Chord’s equally wilfully named Hugo 2 - which means the Valkyrie is competing against at least one hugely accomplished rival…

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Features

iFi iDSD Valkyrie on gray table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Quad Burr-Brown PCM1793 DACs
  • Numerous processing options
  • 20000mAh battery power for 18 hours of constant operation

Yes, there are three headlines as regards ‘features’ just above here – but in all honesty I could have chosen from quite a few others. ‘A trowel’ is too small an implement to indicate what iFi has used to lay it on with here.

I have to start somewhere, though, so I may as well start with battery power. There are four batteries fitted to the Valkyrie which means it will run quite happily for as much as 18 hours before it needs charging – and its quick-charge facility means it can be brimmed inside three hours.

Getting digital information into the Valkyrie and decoded analogue information out again can be achieved in quite a number of different ways, but what happens to it in between is subject to quite a lot of user-defined variation. Fundamentally, digital audio stuff is given the once-over by a quartet of Burr-Brown PCM1793 DACs, but they’re operating in conjunction with an FPGA (field programmable gate array) that allows a bewildering number of processing, filtering and upscaling options to be brought to bear if you so desire.

There are six filtering options, from the light-touch ‘bit perfect’ to the heavy-handed ‘apodising’ and points in between – upsampling to resolutions way beyond the native resolution of the incoming signal can be facilitated this way. PCM and DSD files can be upsampled to DSD512 or a colossal DSD1024, which means incoming content can have its sample rate adjusted in quite a few ways.

And not for the first time where one of its more upmarket products are concerned, iFi has included JVC Kenwood’s ‘K2’ processing that was originally developed back when 16bit/44.1kHz compact disc standard ruled the roost – it intends to help restore information that might have disappeared during the original remastering from analogue to digital. And naturally enough the upgraded ‘K2HD’ that reflects the more recent move to hi-res content is included too.

As well as the physical digital and analogue inputs, the Valkyrie is fitted with Bluetooth 5.4 wireless connectivity – and it’s compatible with top-of-the-shop, state-of-the-art aptX Lossless codec compatibility too. iFi has been demonstrating its impeccable facility with Bluetooth for quite some time now, and the implementation of the as-good-as-it-gets standard bodes very well indeed.

Features score: 5 / 5

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Sound quality

iFi iDSD Valkyrie on gray table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Lavishly detailed and insightful
  • Open, spacious and well-defined
  • Your favourite sonic balance is in there somewhere…

I’m going to have to assume you’ve taken your investment seriously, and have spent as long as it takes to find the sonic balance within the Valkyrie’s endless permutations that suits you best. During this journey you'll have discovered that it’s possible to make the iFi sound overprocessed and unnatural – but, of course, this is what ‘trial and error’ is all about.

Once you get where you want to be, though, there’s very little that’s erroneous about the way the Valkyrie deals with your digital audio information. It’s only slightly perturbed by very compressed, low-resolution content, and it doesn’t at all mind about the type of music you like to listen to. It’s forgiving of partnering equipment, no matter if it’s headphones or a full-on system. And it is capable of peering into a recording on a forensic level and returning with an absolute stack of relevant information that it is only too willing to impart.

A recording like Nick Drake’s Which Will that’s stored as a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file illustrates a lot of what is so enjoyable and so impressive about the Valkyrie. Its midrange fidelity is, quite frankly, stunning. There’s an immediacy about the vocal performance here, an utterly natural tonality, that makes every aspect of the singer’s performance – attitude, emotional state, character, phrasing, breath-management, you name it – completely apparent. And, what’s more, makes it sound natural, unforced and alive.

The spare instrumentation of the recording is equally alive – the tonal balance the iFi strikes is convincing, and the stage on which this performance occurs is confidently defined. Frequency response is smooth and even, attention to harmonic detail is fanatical, and there’s the sort of unity and togetherness of presentation that I more readily associated with the vinyl format.

A 24bit/48kHz FLAC file of James Holden’s Common Land allows the Valkyrie to demonstrate martial low-frequency control and an unequivocal way with rhythmic expression. Bass sounds are rapid, loaded with variation, dynamic as can be, and with the sort of straight-edged attack that means the tune just snaps. At the opposite end there’s substance to treble information that nicely balances out the bite and crunch the iFi brings, and again the Valkyrie observes the attack, the onset, of top-end sounds with complete attention.

I get the strong impression that the Valkyrie is able to bring the best from any partnering equipment no matter if it’s a system or a pair of headphones, and no matter how much or how little this equipment costs. Even if the digital audio information is getting into the machine via Bluetooth, the output is never less than coherent and convincing. Naturally if you decide you want to upsample a 320kbps MP3 file of The Roots’ Dynamite! to DSD1024 it’s possible to discern a process at work behind the actual sound you’re hearing - but you’ll appreciate that I’m taking things to extremes here.

Sound quality: 4.5 / 5

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Design

iFi iDSD Valkyrie on gray table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Arrives in a large wooden box
  • As winged as the name demands
  • Superb standard of build and finish

You can’t suggest iFi hasn’t put the hard yards in where the design of the iDSD Valkyrie is concerned. This is a product that’s been designed to within an inch of its life. In some ways this ‘designing at all costs’ impacts on outright usability (as we shall see), but never let it be said iFi doesn’t offer a bit of visual drama to go along with all that performance.

So the Valkyrie arrives in a substantial wooden box that stretches the definition of the word ‘transportable’ more than somewhat. Inside is the device itself (a not insignificant 30 x 160 x 172mm [HxWxD] and 882g) along with a necessarily large (and unarguably beige) carry case, a selection of connection cables and adapters to cover every eventuality, and a mains adapter.

The device itself is dramatically angular in a manner, says iFi, that evokes "the majestic wings of a Valkyrie's horse" – which is ambitious, no two ways about it. And let’s face it, only by comparing it to a horse does the iDSD Valkyrie seem anything other than very large. I’ve been using the equally special iFI i DSD Diablo 2 as my reference headphone amp/DAC for a while now, and I used to think it was quite big. Not any more.

There’s no arguing with the standard of build and finish here, mind you. The fit is even, the panel gaps are very tight indeed, and there’s even a suggestion of tactility about the casework. Used as a system device in a domestic setting or on a desktop it’s a singular and diverting looker.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Usability and setup

  • Multi-function sockets and buttons
  • Lilliputian labelling for these sockets and buttons
  • Almost too much user input into setup

So yes, as I said: this determination to ensure the iDSD Valkyrie is Fully Designed has led to some compromises where usability is concerned. It has a fair few sockets and buttons on both sides and both ends – but in all honesty it could do with a few more, because too many of them are fulfilling more than one function.

For instance, on the rear panel there’s a USB-C socket for charging that quartet of batteries and another for data transfer. Then there’s a hybrid optical/coaxial 3.5mm digital input, and a pair of stereo RCA analogue outputs. After that there are two analogue connections – one is an unbalanced 3.5mm socket and the other a balanced 4.4mm alternative - and both of them function as both inputs and outputs.

Up front there’s another 4.4mm balanced analogue output – this one doubles as an output for MEMS headphones. There’s also another 3.5mm unbalanced analogue output, with a (relatively) large volume/mute control-cum-power on/off dial in the centre. A button that allows you to cycle through your numerous filter options and to initiate upsampling to DSD (512 or 1024) is adjacent to a button that deals both with input selection and turns K2 or K2HD processing on or off.

On the bottom of the chassis there’s the usual iFi ‘iEMatch’ switch for finessing output relative to the demands of your headphones, and on the top there are two little buttons dealing with available audio modes. One switches the ‘XSpace’ mode (designed to improve imaging) on or off, and also governs the three different types of power output levels, while the other gives access to ‘XPresence’ mode (for extra midrange grunt) and ‘XBass II’ mode (take a wild guess). It also allows you to access menus on the little screen on the top of the device, turning the volume control into a turn/push dial to navigate them.

When I suggested many of the sockets and buttons on the Valkyrie are overburdened, I really wasn’t joking.

And if you’ve read the ‘features’ section, then you’ll know that as the end user you have plenty of legwork to do before the Valkyrie is set up to your satisfaction in purely sonic terms. All of the sound modes, in conjunction with all of the filter options, allied to all of the processing and upsampling possibilities, mean it will take time and effort to get the point you deem optimal.

Usability and setup score: 3 / 5

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Value

Like almost everything that gets reviewed at techradar.com, the ‘value’ the iFi iDSD Valkyrie represents is subjective.

Is it ten times better than one of iFi’s own admirable little USB DACs that cost a tenth of the price or less. Of course it isn’t; gains at the very top of the food chain have always been incremental. But if you want what is approaching ‘ultimate’ where a product of this type is concerned, well, it’s going to cost you.

And don’t be in any doubt, the results here are profoundly impressive.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the iFi iDSD Valkyrie?

Buy it if...

You’re after a uncompromised headphone amp/DAC experience
When it comes to flexibility and – most of all – performance, there are very few alternative products around that can get close to the Valkyrie

You enjoy design for design’s sake
Does the Valkyrie have to look like this? No, it doesn’t - but the fact that a company has decided to make a product look as interesting as it sounds is to be applauded

You fancy a lot of say in the way your headphone amp/DAC sounds
So many options, so many combinations… it’s almost like being wholly in charge of the sound you get to experience

Don't buy it if...

You’re short of time
So many options, so many combinations… this is not a plug-and-play device by any means

You’re short of space on your desktop
I’m quite tidy when it comes to my work station, and yet I had to move things, straighten things and tidy things away to make space for the Valkyrie View Deal

You don’t see all that well
The word I’m going with to describe the labelling of inputs, outputs and controls on the Valkyrie is ‘miniscule’View Deal

iFi iDSD Valkyrie review: Also consider

The obvious rival to the iFi iDSD Valkyrie, and the reigning ‘madly expensive and oversized headphone amp/DAC’ champion is the Chord Hugo 2 – which can be found for around the same fee as the Valkyrie these days (but launched at £1,800 / $2,175 / AU$4,500). In its own way it’s just as oddball a product as the iFi – it’s been eight years since it launched, and I’m no closer to understanding what each of the color combinations that constitute a user interface actually mean. But it’s a staggeringly accomplished performer nonetheless.

How I tested the iFi iDSD Valkyrie

I connected the iDSD Valkyrie to a MacBook Pro (running Colibri software) via its USB-C socket, and I also connected it via its digital optical input to a Rega Apollo CD player.

I connected a FiiO M15S digital audio player wirelessly using the LDAC codec. I used a pair of Sennheiser IE900 in-ear headphones via their 4.4mm balanced connection as an output, along with a pair of Bowers & Wilkins Px8 via the 3.5mm unbalanced output – and I also connected the Valkyrie to a main reference system (Naim amplification, Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers) using its RCA outputs. And then I fed it a lot of music, of different file types and sizes, and of different genres, in an effort to find something the iFi doesn’t excel at.

And then I had to accept that ‘excel’ is simply what the iFi iDSD Valkyrie does.

I tested the new Bluetooth speaker boss and let me tell you, it’s better than the old boss
3:00 pm | April 28, 2025

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

JBL Flip 7: Two-minute review

Meet the news boss, handily better than the old boss and even more of a class-leader than before. JBL has not rested on its laurels with the Flip 7, the latest version of its all-conquering portable Bluetooth speaker series, and the result is an obvious front-runner that will leave its nominal rivals gasping.

You get plenty of power (35 watts, in fact) to motor its two-driver speaker array. You get 14 hours of playback (16 if you’re happy to do without some low-frequency presence). You get Auracast compatibility and the chance to listen to genuinely hi-res content if you hard-wire the Flip 7 to an appropriate source via its USB-C socket. You get access to a good control app, the ability to form a stereo pair with another JBL Flip 7, and your choice of quite a few vibrant finishes.

What’s almost best is the sound the JBL makes. By the standards of small-ish portable speakers, it’s an open and detailed listen, punchy but controlled at the bottom end, has impressive dynamic headroom and the sort of clarity and positivity that eludes all but the very best Bluetooth speakers at anything like this price.

Best of all, though, is the fact that all of this talent, tactility and robustness is yours for $149 / £129 / AU$179. There isn’t as complete an alternative available for anything like as aggressive a price as this.

JBL Flip 7 review: Price and release date

  • Released March, 2025
  • Officially priced at $149 / £129 / AU$179

The JBL Flip 7 went on sale during March 2025, and in the United States it costs $149. That translates to £129 in the United Kingdom, and around AU$179 in Australia.

That the majority of its most obvious competitors have been directly inspired by previous Flip models is neither here nor there – class-leaders are there to be shot at, and this seventh generation of Flip has a lot to live up to as well as some good alternatives to deal with.

JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Specs

JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker, with Power and Bluetooth lights on, on white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Features

  • 45 x 80mm mid/bass driver, 16mm tweeter
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • 60Hz - 20kHz frequency response

For wireless connectivity, the Flip 7 uses top-of-the-shop Bluetooth 5.4 – it’s compatible with SBC and AAC codecs, which is not anyone’s idea of ‘top-of-the-shop’ but in the context of the product is perfectly adequate.

For the first time, here’s a JBL Flip that can be hard-wired to a source of music. The USB-C socket is used for charging the speaker’s battery, of course, but it can also be used for data transfer and, when connected to an appropriate source, it’s able to churn out genuinely high-resolution (24bit/96kHz) stuff. Just hold down the big, bold ‘play’ button on the speaker as you plug in your USB-C cable and you’ll be ready to go.

No matter your method of getting content on board, it’s delivered to your ears by a 45 x 80mm ‘racetrack’ driver taking care of midrange and bass, and a 16mm tweeter for the higher frequencies. The big driver gets 25 watts of power in order to do its thing, and the tweeter another 10 - and there’s no denying that a 35 watt output in a product of this size is plenty. It’s an arrangement that JBL reckons is good for a frequency response of 60Hz - 20kHz.

Another Flip first is Auracast compatibility. So, as well as being able to form a stereo pair with a second Flip 7 (albeit none of the previous models), you can hook up as many Auracast-enabled products as you like into a single entity for simultaneous playback.

Meanwhile, JBL’s proprietary ‘AI Sound Boost’ technology analyzes the music that’s playing on the fly in an effort to minimize distortion and (according to the company) liberate greater scale and bigger bass. An opposing technology is ‘PlaytimeBoost’ – it reduces low-frequency activity in an effort to eke out additional battery life.

  • Features score: 5/5

Carry strap of the JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker, on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Design

  • Choice of seven finishes
  • IP68 -rated
  • Carry strap and carabiner

‘Rugged’ isn’t too strong a word to describe the Flip 7's design. Anyone familiar with previous Flips will recognize the almost-cylindrical shape, the eminently grabbable 70 x 183 x 72mm (HxWxD) dimensions and the rubber’n’fabric construction. By the standards of affordable portable Bluetooth speakers, the Flip 7 looks and feels built to last, especially if you choose the camouflage (or ‘squad’) finish. That said, the other six available colours are all nice enough in their own way and you’ll certainly find something to suit you.

‘Rugged’ is definitely the word to describe this speaker’s durability, though. An IP68 rating is class-leading, and means the Flip 7 is basically immune to dust or moisture unless you really go out of your way to try and disprove that idea. The beach, the pool, the festival… none of these environments should present any kind of problem to the JBL. And the company has enhanced the Flip 7’s portable go-anywhere credentials by fitting a little detachable fabric carry-strap and providing a carabiner in the packaging.

Build quality is great, the choice of materials is judicious, and the standard of finish is beyond reproach. I like to try and find a 'yes, but…' where the design and construction of a product like this is concerned, but frankly I’ve got nothing.

  • Design score: 5/5

JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker top panel

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Sound quality

  • Detailed, direct and confident sound
  • Plenty of punch and dynamic headroom
  • Rhythmically adept

JBL has turned out plenty of very good portable Bluetooth speakers in its time, and its ‘Flip’ series has generally been very good indeed. So when I say the Flip 7 is the best so far, I don’t say it lightly.

In every area of sonic performance, the Flip 7 outperforms its asking price to an almost startling degree. Operating wirelessly and with a Qobuz-derived 16bit/44.1kHz file of Fugazi’s Waiting Room playing, the JBL is a confident and entertaining listen. It digs deep into the low frequencies, hits with real determination, and shapes bass sounds with such conviction that rhythms are given full expression. There’s plenty of variation at the bottom end, too, thanks to detail levels that are the equal of those higher up the frequency range.

The midrange is balanced and communicative, so a voice as idiosyncratic as Teddy Hill’s during I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) is loaded with character as well as the minutiae of his technique. It exists in a nice little pocket of space, thanks to an open and well-defined soundstage that seems to defy the physics of a small device with a couple of drivers facing dead ahead. The top of the frequency range is bright but not edgy, and just as detailed as everything going on beneath it. Overall tonality is nicely natural and consistent from top to bottom.The Fugazi tune is a good showcase for the JBL’s ability where big dynamic shifts are concerned, but Anxiety by Doechii is an even better demonstration of the speaker’s ability to deal with the more minor, but no less important, dynamics of tonal and harmonic variation. The Flip 7 is an attentive, eloquent performer with the sort of directness of sound that makes every tune seem somehow alert and alive.

Really, there’s no meaningful downside. It’s possible to interfere with the sonic balance JBL has hit upon by playing fast and loose with the seven-band EQ in the app, of course, but why would you? The Flip 7 sounds just right exactly as it comes out of the box.

  • Sound quality: 5/5

Trio of screenshots showing the JBL Flip 7 connected to the JBL app, including EQ settings

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Usability and setup

To be fair it’s difficult to get ‘usability and setup’ wrong when it comes to affordable Bluetooth speakers, but that doesn’t mean some brands haven’t given it a good go. JBL, though, is not one of those brands and the Flip 7 can be set up and used by anyone of reading age.

Control is available using the big, rubberised buttons on the device itself – ‘play/pause’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘Bluetooth pairing’, ‘Auracast’ and ‘power on/off’ are available. The JBL ‘Portable’ app that’s free for iOS and Android is also available - and it’s as stable, as logical and as useful an app as we’ve all come to expect from the company. It offers an indication of battery life, the ability to create a stereo pair, allows you to switch ‘PlaytimeBoost’ on or off, and features a seven-band EQ as well as a selection of presets. You can check for firmware updates and wireless connect multiple speakers for what JBL is confident is “an instant party”.

Some 14 hours of battery life is not to be sniffed at, of course – it turns ‘usability’ into an all-day event. And with ‘PlaytimeBoost’ switched on, you can go for as many as 16 hours if you don’t mind a little shortfall in bass power.

  • Usability and setup: 5/5

JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker turned on its side and stood on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

JBL Flip 7 review: Value

If you’ve read this far, I’d hope you understand the JBL Flip 7 is approaching ‘no-brainer’ status. It offers very decent value for money in every respect: it’s properly made and finished, is built to survive fairly major disasters, looks and feels good, and sounds better than any price-comparable alternative. It has some very useful extended functionality and will play for hours at a time before it needs charging.

What else do you want? Jam on it?

  • Value score: 5/5

JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker end panel laid flat on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Should I buy the JBL Flip 7?

Buy it if…

You enjoy energetic, detailed sound
The JBL is adept where rhythms, dynamics and detail levels are concerned, and it is a lively, entertaining listen at the same time.

You’re in any way careless
A class-leading IP68 rating means the Flip 7 is your best choice in pretty much every circumstance.

You like a long listen
As long as you’re not listening at top volume, the Flip 7 should run for an easy 14 hours between charges. That should be long enough, let’s face it.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to involve your older Flip speakers
Flip 7 will only pair with other Flip 7s, it has no backwards compatibility.

You’re in a hurry
Charging from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ takes a relatively leisurely two-and-a-half hours.

JBL Flip 7 review: Also consider

Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam owes a lot to the JBL Flip range, and the current Roam 2 costs a chunk more than a Flip 7, but it’s a very good speaker nonetheless. As long as you can live with the knowledge that the Sonos control app might suddenly burst into flames again, it’s well worth considering.
Read more in our Sonos Roam2 review.

Tribit Stormbox Flow
You could also sacrifice some of the JBL’s hardwearing go-anywhere appeal and save yourself a few quid while gaining a stack of battery life and consider the Tribit Stormbox Flow. No, it’s no looker and no, it’s not exactly a featherweight, but the sound is good and 30 hours of playback at a time is straightforwardly impressive.
Read all about it in our Tribit Stormbox Flow review.

How I tested the JBL Flip 7

  • Tested for about a week, mainly indoors but also by the sea
  • Played a variety of music types
  • Listened to the Qobuz app on iPhone smartphone, FiiO M15S high-res audio player and via USB-C

I used the JBL Flip 7 on my desktop, of course, but it’s an ideal candidate for use on the pebbly and windswept beaches around the United Kingdom's south coast too, and so I took it with me whenever I was near the sea.

I wirelessly connected it to an Apple iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S, and used its new USB-C functionality to hard-wire it to an Apple MacBook Pro, too. It was nothing but a pleasure to listen to every time.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: April 2025
Vertere’s DG X turntable is both sonically gifted and easy to use,and for ‘serious’ hi-fi, that’s rare
3:48 pm | April 10, 2025

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

Vertere DG X: two-minute review

Put $5,400/ £4,150 / AU$8,500 Vertere’s way and in return you get a beautifully constructed DG X turntable, a strange-looking but remarkably capable Groove Runner X tonearm, and a cartridge that’s a lot more serious than the model name ‘Lite Sabre’ might lead you to believe. Although this review is titled 'Vertere DG X' for brevity, I'm reviewing the full package here: Vertere DG X / Groove Runner X / Lite Sabre – and what a package it is.

What’s more, you get a proper power supply and equally capable cables too. You even get a dust-cover. The DG X package is simplicity itself to set up – all the hard work has been done in the factory – so your sonic gratification need not be deferred very long at all.

And gratification is really what the Vertere DG X is dealing in – it'll be the reason it soon features in our pick of the best turntables, at any rate. It might lack the last scintilla of audio bolshiness, and not be quite as willing as some alternative designs to really attack those recordings that are, let’s face it, asking for it. But in every other respect it’s a thrillingly accomplished listen. Where control, balance, tonal fidelity, frequency response, rhythmic expression and all the other stuff that goes into making a rounded and convincing presentation, the DG X barely puts a foot wrong. And it’s engaging and entertaining at the same time – which is by no means a given no matter how much you’re spending on a record player.

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Price & release date

The Vertere DG X / Groove Runner X / Lite Sabre package was released on March 20, 2025, and in the United Kingdom it’s yours for £4150. In the United States it sells for $5400, while in Australia the going rate is AU$8500.

There are two equally important things to bear in mind when considering this asking price. The first is that there are plenty of very capable turntable/tonearm/cartridge combinations available at this sort of money from extremely well-regarded manufacturers. The other is that Vertere itself is now firmly established as an extremely well-regarded manufacturer…

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Features

  • Microprocessor-controlled belt drive (33.3 and 45rpm)
  • Tri-point articulated tonearm bearing system
  • Vertere DC-2 bespoke power supply

Somehow ‘features’ seems too weak a word to describe the lengths Vertere has gone to, and the engineering mania that has been brought to bear, to deliver the DG X / Groover Runner / Lite Sabre package. Still, it’s the word I’ve been given to work with – so here goes…

The DG X turntable has a main bearing housing made of precisely machined brass alloy, with a tungsten carbide thrust ball. Its non-magnetic stainless steel spindle is mirror polished, and it features aluminium alloy plinth interface clamps. The drive system is made up of a machined acetal motor spindle thrust bearing, a machined aluminium alloy pulley along with a resonance control disc of the same material. The platter it turns is also (mostly) of machined aluminium, and Vertere supplies a cork/neoprene/nitrile mat which has, so it claims, a positive effect on the resulting sound. 33.3 or 45rpm speeds are electronically selectable via microprocessor-controlled motor drive – a silicon drive belt does the donkey work.

The Groover Runner tonearm, meanwhile, is 240mm long and an unusual flat shape. It’s made up of two bonded lengths of five-layer polymer – the idea is to minimise the resonance peak inherent in the more common tube arm designs. It’s a tri-point articulated design, and uses three captive silicon nitride balls with a machined non-magnetic bearing point. It’s similar in this way to the far more upmarket Vertere SG 1 turntable’s tonearm assembly. The azimuth setting mechanism and stainless steel counterweight have been updated - there’s now a locking aluminium alloy counterweight screw – and there’s a secondary weight that’s adjustable along much of the length of the tonearm to help with cartridge-matching.

The tonearm beam features a magnetic rest, so the arm doesn’t need to be clipped into place when it’s not active. The lift/lower mechanism is insulated, and is fixed to the non-resonant bearing pillar. The arm is pre-fitted with a new moving-magnet cartridge called Lite Sabre – it might seem a slightly flippant, pun-tastic name at first, until you realise it’s designed to offer a lot of the performance of the company’s considerably pricier Sabre MM cartridge. Naturally it’s optimised in every respect to be the perfect partner to the arm and the turntable it’s wedded to.

Power is supplied by Vertere’s DC-2 ‘Challenger’ 30V DC unit that was, until very recently, a cost option. Some very acceptable stereo RCA connection cables are included in the package too – so as far as the DG X system goes, you have everything you need to get up and running.

  • Features score: 5 / 5

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: sound quality

  • Sky-high detail retrieval
  • Rhythmically positive and assured
  • Tightly unified overall presentation

I may as well get this out of the way from the get-go: the Vertere DG X package isn’t a complete all-rounder. It very nearly is, but in one respect this turntable falls fractionally short. That’s not to say it wouldn’t be ideal for your purposes, of course – but nevertheless it’s something you should be aware of.

Basically, the DG X isn’t quite as attacking or driving as it might be. With a fairly assertive recording playing (a chunky reissue of Pere Ubu’s The Modern Dance, for instance) there’s not quite the charge or the onslaught the material demands. It’s not that the DG X is overly polite – it’s prepared to bare its teeth if it absolutely has to. But other price-comparable rivals are more willing to blitz through the recording than this record player is.

And with that out of the way, I’m free to discuss all the very many ways in which the DG X is an admirable, engaging and thoroughly convincing listen. Where to start?

With frequency response, maybe? It’s absolutely even from top to bottom; the DG X delves deep into the lower frequencies and reaches high at the top end, but no area of the frequency range is overstated and no area is underplayed. It’s even-handed and unified, and the overall presentation is brilliantly naturalistic as a result.

Tonally, too, the Vertere is expertly judged. There just doesn’t seem to be any significant input into tonality from the DG X – so when you listen to something warmly analogue like Heart of the Congos by The Congos, ‘warmly analogue’ is what you get, and when you listen to something rather more chilly and austere like Kraftwerk’s Trans Europe Express what you get is chilly an… well, you get the picture. The tonal balance of this record player seems to be dictated by the music it’s playing rather than any idea of what’s ‘correct’, and it’s an impressively balanced listen as a result.

Detail levels, across the board, are sky-high – and the DG X seems to have no problem identifying the most transient episodes in a recording and placing them into context with just the right amount of weighting. Despite its attention to detail, though, it never sounds analytical or dispassionate – it simply has a happy knack for extracting every shred of information in the groove of your record and handing it over in a completely unforced manner.

Rhythms are confidently expressed, thanks to the sort of low-frequency control and authority the Vereter demonstrates, and even the gimpy tempos of Tony Allen’s Lagos No Shaking roll along as if they’re the most natural and simple thing in the world. The attention the DG X pays to harmonic variations is fanatical, and it has the sort of effortless power to put significant distance between the quietest and the most vehement moments of a recording. When the horns really start to blare, the increase in volume and intensity is made absolutely apparent.

And all of this good stuff happens without sacrificing the sort of unity and singularity of presentation for which the vinyl format is routinely prized. There’s a sense of togetherness and of performance to the way the Vertere presents music that’s extremely persuasive – and this is the case even when it’s playing music that never was a performance. Four Tet’s And They All Look Broken Hearted sounds as whole and as singular as any recording by a band playing all together in the studio.

  • Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Design

  • 130 x 469 x 384mm (HxWxD including dust cover)
  • Black, white or red gloss finishes
  • Adjustable feet

Fundamentally, the DG X looks like a record player, but Vertere has managed to design just a little individuality into it. The company will of course tell you that everything it’s done, it’s done in the name of performance – but the fact that the result is a turntable that’s just slightly individual and even mildly dramatic in the way it looks can’t have disappointed Vertere either.

The main plinth, with its racy little angular cutaways on each of its four sides, is made up of three layers of cast acrylic arranged in a non-resonant sandwich. The filling is clear, and internally illuminated for a little visual pizzazz; the upper and lower sections are available in gloss black or gloss red as well as the gloss white of my review sample.

The substructure is a black-coated zintec steel chassis, and the entire arrangement is supported on three threaded feet that are topped (or, more correctly, bottomed) with resistive felt. They’re adjustable, naturally, so you can be sure your DG X is perfectly level. A spirit gauge is provided so you can make absolutely certain.

On the rear of the plinth, along with an input for the mains adapter, there are a pair of gold-plated RCA output sockets. Like almost every electrical element of this package, they have selectable shielding – choose from ‘signal’, ‘chassis’ or ‘floating’.

The DG X is supplied with a tinted acrylic dust-cover, and as is appropriate in the overall context of this turntable, it is designed to be as resistant to resonance as is possible. With the dust-cover attached to its hinges, the all-in weight of the Vertere is 8.5kg.

  • Design score: 5 / 5

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Usability & setup

  • Pre-fitted and pre-adjusted cartridge
  • Simple anti-skate adjustment
  • Both counterweights factory-set

It’s not unheard-of for an upmarket and shamelessly ‘audiophile’ turntable to be simple and straightforward to set up – it’s just quite rare. So it’s nice to be able to add the Vertere DG X package to the list.

As the Lite Sabre arrives connected to the Groove Runner X tonearm, everything that needs to be done has already been done in the factory. Tracking weight adjustment? Vertical tracking angle? Anti-skate, azimuth and counterweight? All taken care of. All you have to do is position the tonearm and plug its cable (which is terminated with what looks very much like a microUSB socket) into the body of the plinth and you’re in business. Well, once you’ve made a connection to an amplifier and to mains power, anyway.

And as far as usability goes, well, this is a record player – there’s next-to-nothing to it. The speed control is on a switch on the top left of the plinth as you look down on it - short presses toggle between 33.3 and 45rpm, and a long press switches the deck either on or off. Put a record on the mat, set it turning at the correct speed, lower the tonearm – and you’re in business.

  • Usability and setup score: 5 / 5

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Value

‘Value’ is a slightly tricky consideration where products like this, at this sort of money, are concerned. After all, shouldn’t spending north of £4K on a turntable guarantee impressive build quality, flawless finish and stunning sound quality?

If you’ve read this far then you know all of this is covered by the Vertere DG X – and you also know that if you’re going to take full advantage of what this record player has to offer, you’ll need a similarly expensive system with which to do so.

There’s no disputing this product’s credentials, and by extension the value for money it offers. Ultimately, it’s going to depend on whether or not you enjoy the way the DG X looks, and even more importantly, the way it goes about doing the audio business…

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Vertere DG X?

Buy it if…

You enjoy a full and unequivocal account of your records
The DG X package doesn’t scrimp on the details - quite the opposite, in factView Deal

You think this sort of money should by everything you need in a record player
From power supply and cables to a pre-fitted and pre-adjusted cartridge, the Vertere is ready to goView Deal

You like a bit of thoughtful design
The DG X is just individual enough in its design to count as ‘interesting’View Deal

Don't buy it if…

You want sonic blood and thunder
The DG X is talented in very many ways, but it’s not the most attacking listenView Deal

You don’t have particularly steady hands
The Groove Runner X tri-point articulated tonearm can feel perilously loose. It isn’t, of course, it just feels it…View Deal

You own lots of 78rpm recordings
Plenty of alternative designs can indulge your throwback ways… View Deal

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

Vertere DG X review: Also consider

Technics SL-1300G
The Technics SL-1300G will set you back $2,999 / £2,799 – but by the time you’ve specified an appropriate cartridge you’ll be rapidly closing in on Vertere DG X money. Sturdy and purposeful in appearance where the Vertere is relatively slender and delicate, the Technics is a potent and unshakably stable listen with plenty going for it where rhythmic expression and detail retrieval is concerned.
Read more on the Technics SL-1300GView Deal

Rega Planar 10

…Or you might go to the other visual extreme and consider the Rega Planar 10 – at $5,000 / £4,350 or so without a cartridge it’s a pricier proposition than the Vertere, and that money doesn’t seem to buy you very much stuff at all. But rest assured the Rega is a stunningly complete performer without a significant shortcoming to report on… View Deal

Vertere DG X turntable, in a hi-fi listening room, ready for testing

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Vertere DG X

How did I test the Vertere DG X / Groove Runner X / Lite Sabre? After setting it up, I connected the turntable to a Naim Uniti Star using the supplied RCA connections. The Naim was then connected to a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature loudspeakers (bolted to their bespoke FS-700 S3 stands) using QED XT40i speaker cable.

Then, I spent well over a working week listening to as much music as I could, of many different genres, and of many different qualities of pressing, in an effort to find something the Vertere couldn’t get along with. And if this sounds in any way arduous, I assure you it wasn’t.

I tested the Tribit Stormbox Lava Bluetooth speaker and although it lacks a red-hot design, it’s a solid, budget-friendly option
2:00 pm | April 3, 2025

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

Tribit Stormbox Lava: Two-minute review

A new Bluetooth speaker has erupted, boasting booming bass output that will make you “feel the heartbeat of the earth”. So yes, enter the Tribit Stormbox Lava. This semi-cylindrical party speaker aims to supply powerful sound and a rugged build in one budget-friendly package. It comes in with a list price of $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200) which is really quite modest for a medium-large sized option like this.

As some of you may have suspected given that low price-tag, feeling the earth’s heartbeat may be a slight exaggeration. And you’d be correct. Sure, you can get bold, room-filling low-end output from the Tribit Stormbox Lava, but it struggles to knock those really deep notes out of the park, even after some EQ adjustment.

General audio quality is decent, but hardly as red-hot as some of the best Bluetooth speakers. Out of the box, the standard tuning is a little bloated, with sounds in the mid-range often smothered by rumbling low-end frequencies. That can often be the case when you activate XBass too – a mode which ramps up low sounds even further and will cause the speaker’s solid 24 hour battery life to deplete at a faster rate.

With a bit of tuning, you can get relatively clean sound for a speaker close to $100 / £100. It’s never going to get ultra-detailed or airy, especially with the lack of ‘hi-res’ codecs like LDAC, but it’s certainly clear enough for house parties or outdoor events with lots of background noise.

And this speaker truly is party-ready, no matter the surroundings. It has a rugged build – similar to that of the JBL Xtreme 4 and, like the best waterproof speakers, has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, protecting it against grime and underwater submersion. Other practical elements include an interchangeable handle and strap, AUX port for wired listening and a USB-A port for charging external devices – though I would’ve preferred to see a more 2025-friendly USB-C slot substituted in.

The basic but handy Tribit app is back too, opening up access to a ten-band equaliser and a bunch of EQ presets, voice prompt settings and multi-speaker pairing. Speaking of, you can actually link more than 160 of the same model together. I didn’t get the chance to validate that, of course, but still…I’m sure 160 of these at once could create quite a racket.

I think the most disappointing aspect of the Tribit Stormbox Lava is that really, it does very little to appear on-theme and validate its strong name. Yes, the whole Lava thing may be more in reference to bass than anything else, but surely it could’ve inspired a more volcanic, explosive design? The Stormbox Lava is a plain, black speaker that does very little to stand out from the crowd.

Another issue I ran into was that sound would cut out for half a second whenever I adjusted volume, but I’d hope this will be remedied in a future firmware update. Otherwise, there’s a lot to like about this affordable party speaker. It can’t compete with more sonically talented speakers like the Bose SoundLink Max or even its cousin, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. But if you can grab it for around $100 / £100 it's a reasonable, cheap option that’s worth a look.

I’d argue that the original Tribit Stormbox Blast is a stronger alternative thanks to its regimented bass floor, eye-catching looks and USB-C out port. And given it's regularly available for less than $200 / £150, it beats the Stormbox Lava for sound-for-pound value – so long as you’re OK with a more boombox-like appearance.

Tribit Stormbox Lava with strap attached

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Price and release date

  • $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200)
  • Launched in March 2025

The Tribit Stormbox Lava is the latest addition to the audio manufacturer’s speaker range, having launched in March 2025. Pricing already seems to be in flux, but at the time of writing, Tribit is shipping the Stormbox Lava for $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200). I’d expect to see discounts coming thick and fast though, as this is regularly the case with Tribit products in my experience.

At the moment, it’s only available in black, but a grey version is said to be coming in May 2025. For a speaker of this size, the Stormbox Lava is very modestly priced. It’s strikingly similar in form to the JBL Xtreme 4, which for reference, has a list price well in excess of $300 / £300.

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Specs

Button controls on top of the Tribit Stormbox Lava

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Features

  • Handy app with nice EQ options
  • USB-A charge out
  • Solid 24-hour battery life

Tribit hasn’t done anything crazy with the Stormbox Lava’s feature-set, but it’s still got the basics down. Of course all the usual stuff is here, be that multi-speaker pairing, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity or XBass – a feature which ramps up low-end power for bass-heavy bangers.

But you also get EQ settings that have been fleshed out pretty nicely. There are six presets, including genre-specific options like Rock or Jazz, but there’s also space to save some custom calibrations via a ten-band equaliser. You’ll likely want to make use of that custom EQ option to achieve the best sound, but we’ll get more into that later…

There are a few other small options to mess around like toggles for voice prompt or remotely adjust volume and play/pause music. But a more prominent addition is a USB-A charge out port that enables the Stormbox Lava to double up as a power bank for other devices, including the best phones. I would’ve preferred to see a more modern USB-C port used for this function, something the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus offers, among others.

Another big talking point is battery life – an area in which the Stormbox Lava performs decently. It can offer 24 hours of playtime, so long as you’re listening at 50% volume with XBass on. That’s very much in-line with competitors in this size class – it’s nothing mind-blowing, but more than enough if you want a speaker that’s going to keep the party moving into the early hours.

  • Features score: 4/5

Someone undoing the tab on the reverse side of the Tribit Stormbox Lava, exposing various ports

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Sound quality

  • Relatively clean audio possible with some tuning
  • Bass is fairly meaty, but the deepest notes can prove challenging
  • Can struggle a little at top volumes

At around $100 / £100, I really wasn’t expecting any miracles from the Tribit Stormbox Lava and although there were definitely some sonic shortcomings, it still put up an adequate performance.

I knew what I was in for with the Stormbox Lava; a whole lotta bass. And that’s exactly what it delivers. XBass was on by default and I realized the room instantly filled with an impactful, in-your-face low end rumble. When tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the thump of the drum machine had commendable depth and didn’t sound too lethargic. But with XBass on, there was a slightly muddy audio profile and that deep bass smothered other sonic elements like electronica and vocals – the latter was given much more room to breathe after flicking XBass off.

Bass response, though big, wasn’t the most beautiful however. Comparing it to a more expensive and slightly more powerful model, the JBL Xtreme 4, I picked up on a lack of dynamism with the Stormbox Lava. Bass didn’t connect up to the mid-range quite as effectively, resulting in a slightly thin and cluttered sound at points, to the extent that the track’s trademark bounce felt less defined.

And although the Stormbox Lava can reach frequencies as low as 43Hz, it really struggled to belt out some ultra-deep notes. In Yung Gravy’s The Boys Are Back In Town, the deep dark sub-bass that blasts throughout sounded feeble, especially at high volumes. And although you can adjust EQ to improve this slightly, the Lava still won’t be able to go quite as far into depth as more premium competitors.

Everything from the mid bass and up does sound relatively clear though and even if you’re missing out on the absolute deepest notes in their fully-fledged glory, bass is generally powerful. Unfortunately, I found the standard XBass off EQ mode to sound a little uneven and slightly bloated, though. Thanks to Tribit’s easy-to-use app, though, I was able to adapt the speaker’s EQ to have a slight bump to deep bass and treble for a more balanced, albeit still exciting sound.

This made for an improved listening experience overall, especially for tracks that are less centred around thumping bass. For instance, when listening to SAMBA DO MARCOS by Sadao Watanabe, the intro’s raw, emotive guitar was tonally accurate and the accompanying piano layered nicely. Samba drums also entered the fray rhythmically with gusto. Some of the finer details, like light percussion in the background were understated. There are no ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codecs here, such as LDAC, which can offer up a less compressed performance either.

Another factor worth noting is that this speaker can get pretty loud thanks to its 80W maximum power output. However, at top volumes audio quality is going to take a bit of a dip. This is pretty standard and to be expected for what is ultimately, a budget Bluetooth speaker, but at peak loudness, treble could be a touch grating and vocal clarity took quite the hit to boot. If you’re looking for the ultimate party speaker, that may be problematic, but if you’re unlikely to venture into ear-splitting volume territory, this may not bother you all too much.

And one more note before I wrap up on sound. I realized that when altering volume on the Stormbox Lava, sound would cut out for half a second or so, which was pretty frustrating. I’m sure Tribit will fix this with a firmware update in the near future, but it’s still a frustrating quirk that I’m sure would frustrate a lot of users.

So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the Stormbox Lava. Does it sound terrible? No. With a bit of tuning, you can get decently clean audio out of this $100 speaker without sacrificing its room-filling low-end presence. But the combination of audio cutting out, sub-bass troubles and high-volume distortion will be hard to ignore for audiophiles.

  • Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Tribit logo on the side of the Tribit Stormbox Lava

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Design

  • Plain design that lacks a creative spark
  • But it is conveniently IP67-rated
  • Interchangeable handle and strap attachments

For me, the Tribit Stormbox Lava sounds like it should be a pretty cool-looking speaker – I pictured some red details or maybe even some fiery LED lights that could sync up to bass output. Unfortunately, this is a totally basic looking speaker with no real design quirk. It’s a plain, black model with no lights or splashes of color and I’m not sure why Tribit played it so safe.

Having said that, it’s undeniable that this model is a pretty practical beast. It’s got a rugged build – very much reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme line of speakers. And it also has an IP67 rating, meaning it's both dustproof and waterproof. That rating even ensures that the Stormbox Lava can be submerged in one meter of water for a period of up to 30 minutes – ideal for beach-side listening or pool parties.

Another practical inclusion is the Stormbox Lava’s accessories box, which includes both a handle and a strap for carrying the speaker around. The handle has an elastic-like property to it and is comfortable to hold, while the strap is adjustable and is useful for carrying the Stormbox Lava over longer distances.

The speaker is also adorned with seven button controls, all of which are well sized and responsive, these include buttons for volume/play controls, Bluetooth pairing, toggling XBass and even multi-speaker pairing. On top of that, you can find a tab on the reverse side of the speaker for accessing its AUX and charging ports.

  • Design score: 3/5

Someone holding handle attached to Tribit Stormbox Lava

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Value

  • Low price for a speaker of this size
  • And you can expect to see discounts in coming months
  • But that will come with a few hiccups in performance and design

The Tribit Stormbox Lava is available at a point ever-so-close to $100 / £100. It's a medium-to-larged sized option that sounds decent with some tuning and plates up both a good battery life and feature-set. At that price, this is an option worth your consideration.

I wouldn’t be surprised, either, to see this speaker available for less in the coming months as has so often been the case with Tribit’s products, including the Tribit XSound Plus 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast. You’ll be able to find other low-priced alternatives in this ballpark, like the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 or even the giant Earfun UBoom X when it’s one sale. But these both take more of a boombox form, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

As I mentioned earlier, this speaker feels far more reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme line of speakers, with its pseudo-cylindrical looks and similar scale. But the most recent iteration from it, the JBL Xtreme 4, will set you back $379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95 if you’re buying at full price – and I wouldn’t expect it to get anywhere near as cheap on sale.

Of course, this thing isn’t going to challenge the Xtreme 4 on sound quality, let alone looks or feature-set. But if you’re not the most analytical listener and you just want a bass-heavy, budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker for parties, the Tribit Stormbox Lava will still get the job done.

  • Value score: 4/5

Tribit logo on the front side of the Tribit Stormbox Lava

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Tribit Stormbox Lava?

Buy it if...

You want a Bluetooth speaker for parties
The Tribit Stormbox Lava is a capable party speaker with impressive loudness, prominent bass output and multi-speaker pairing. It’s also able to survive beach-side or pool-side environments thanks to its hardy IP67 rating – even underwater submersion won’t faze this fella.

You’re on a budget
Perhaps the most obvious draw of the Tribit Stormbox Lava is its fantastic low price. For a speaker of this size you’re gonna struggle to find many cheaper options – especially ones that sound this good. Of course, there are still flaws in the audio department and you’re not getting the most stylish beast out there, but when it comes to value, this Tribit speaker scores well.

Don't buy it if...

You’re an audiophile
I touched on it there, but if you’re a more analytical listener, the Tribit Stormbox Lava is not for you. It lacks ‘hi-res’ audio codecs like LDAC, it struggles with ultra-deep notes, you may experience distortion at high volumes... you get the idea. If you want a more talented speaker in the sound department but don’t want to compromise on size, an option like the JBL Xtreme 4 could be very tempting – read more below.

You want a speaker with a bit of flair
Unfortunately, this thing isn’t gonna win a beauty contest any time soon. It has a pretty plain design and it’s only available in black for now. Gray is on the way, sure, but I doubt that’s gonna set the world alight either. If you want a more stylish option, check out the Ultimate Ears Epicboom, or basically anything UE – they really know how to stand out from the crowd.

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Also consider

JBL Xtreme 4
The JBL Xtreme 4 has it all. Highly capable audio skills, a water-resistant rugged design and plenty of battery life. But that comes at a cost. This model has a high list price – well over $300 / £300. Luckily, though, it can regularly be found on sale for far less – I spotted it for £250 on Amazon UK while writing this and at that price, you’ll struggle to do much better. Read our full JBL Xtreme 4 review.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2
If you’re looking to keep expenditure at a minimum but you’re still hoping for room-filling, bass-heavy audio, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 could be the ideal candidate for you. I often see it on sale for less than $100 / £100, but don’t be deceived by this model’s price – you won’t have to sacrifice niceties like EQ adjustment, multi-speaker pairing or water resistance. Audio isn’t the most controlled and the boombox-like design might not be for you, but this bold Bluetooth speaker is still worth considering for those on a tight budget. Read our full Anker Soundcore Boom 2 review.

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: How I tested

Power and Bluetooth buttons on the Tribit Stormbox Lava

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for one week
  • Mainly used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
  • Predominantly tested using Tidal

I put the Tribit Stormbox to the test over a one week period, exhausting all of its features, blasting out tune after tune and closely critiquing all aspects of its design. I predominantly tested it out at our music testing room at Future Labs in order to test audio quality in a quiet, controlled environment.

When listening to music, I mainly used Tidal, though I occasionally played songs via Spotify after connecting up my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. To start with, I streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to music from my own personal library. Where appropriate, I tested the Stormbox Lava alongside the JBL Xtreme 4 to compare sound quality and ease-of-use.

I found this affordable DAB radio great on the go, but wouldn’t want to take it all the way to, er, 30
2:30 pm | March 29, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers DAB Radios Gadgets Hi-Fi | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Sharp Osaka: Two-minute review

If you’re the person that loves to have tech to match your personal aesthetic, the Sharp Osaka isn’t really the one for you. What it is, though, is a great value solution for anyone who simply wants to listen to the radio from seemingly any location.

Smaller than my desk calendar, the Sharp Osaka is easily grabbed with one small hand and slips into my coat pocket well enough, too.

As with all DAB radios, the only bulky part is its extendable aerial arm which you can easily hide away when not in use. The Sharp Osaka's battery life comes in at about 15 hours which isn’t above average for such radios but will serve you well for most of your active day. Charging via USB-C means you’re unlikely to need to pack an extra cable any time you go away, too.

Costing £70 – that's about $90 in the US or AU$143 in Australia, where available – when first released in September 2024, the Sharp Osaka is already discounted at time of writing, bringing it down to an even more affordable £50 ($65 in the US and AU$102). That’s a good price for a DAB radio of this standard and it also doubles up as a basic Bluetooth speaker.

Its controls are more intuitive than its convoluted manual suggests, leading you to mostly enjoying the Sharp Osaka without much hassle. One of the best DAB radios? Maybe not, but still a simple solution to your radio listening needs.

Sharp Osaka review: Price and release date

Sharp Osaka DAB radio on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Released September 2024
  • Cost £70 / €90 (currently only available in the UK and Europe)

The Sharp Osaka DAB radio was released in the UK and Europe in September 2024. It costs £70 / €90 depending on your region (unfortunately, it's not available in the US or Australia as it stands) so it’s affordable for a DAB radio.

We’ve already spotted some discounts emerging in the UK with the price more around the £50 mark.

That makes it one of the more affordable portable DAB radios around. It’s much cheaper than the stylish but premium Roberts Revival Petite 2 and also the ageing Sony XDR-P1 DAB radio. It’s slightly more expensive than the Groov-e Boston but that’s far from the right size for putting in your pocket.

Sharp Osaka review: Specs

Sharp Osaka review: Features

Side panel of Sharp Osaka DAB radio, showing USB-C charging facility and 3.5mm headphone jack

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • DAB and FM radio, plus Bluetooth speaker
  • 12-hour battery life
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

The Sharp Osaka DAB radio has all the features you could need without offering up much in the way of surprises. At first glance, it looks like it’s only a DAB radio but it uses a technology it calls BestTune which combines FM, DAB, and DAB+ into a single station list to help you find the best option based on signal strength. I really liked this as it saved me switching between different modes while still gaining the best signal.

In all, the Sharp Osaka has a 120-station memory spread equally across BestTune, DAB and FM and, honestly, you probably won’t have to overthink this either. I simply turned it on and it figured things out for itself, quickly allowing me to find the station I wanted to listen to.

A tap of the source button also takes you to the Bluetooth side of things. Bluetooth 5.3 is in charge here so you won’t need to fret about any drop-out issues when pairing with your phone or tablet. I certainly didn’t have any issues switching between the two.

Sharp's website in various regions differs between 15 and 12 hours of promised battery life, however I found the latter to be the rough sweet spot during use. As is often the way, volume can affect a lot here. The USB-C cable is perfect because on my travels I didn’t have to worry about packing an extra cable to recharge it.

On the side and next to the USB port is a 3.5mm headphone jack if you want to connect the Sharp Osaka DAB radio to the best wired headphones for some added privacy.

Other neat extras include an alarm function and a SlideShow tool which displays images from the radio station where available. In reality, I never found a station that offered this but I’m continuing my search in my own time as it sounds fun.

Features score: 4 / 5

Sharp Osaka review: Sound quality

Sharp Osaka DAB radio on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Mono speaker
  • A little tinny
  • Loud volume but some distortion

The Sharp Osaka is impressively loud, especially given its relative size. Though 10 is the average volume you’re likely to use, it goes all the way to a Spinal Tap-trouncing 30. It travels far, too. I cranked it up then walked a few rooms away and could still hear it.

That comes at a price with the audio quality not the best and offering some distortion but it’s fine for casual listening. I checked out Absolute 90s and found suitably old and nostalgic while listening to Blur’s Tender and The Rhythm of the Night by Corona. The latter lacks some excitement with the Sharp Osaka lacking crispness and spark, but the former translated reasonably well, never once leaving me waiting for that feeling to come.

This is the radio you’ll listen to while doing other things rather than indulging in your audiophile urges.

Sound quality: 3 / 5

Sharp Osaka review: Design

Sharp Osaka DAB radio held in the palm of a hand

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Functional, lightweight design
  • Simple-to-use buttons...
  • ... but not especially tactile

The Sharp Osaka gets right to the point with its design – it isn’t spectacular looking but nor will it confuse you. On the front left sits the mono speaker, with its controls and screen to the right. The 2-inch color display is simple but clear, other than when looking at it in bright light conditions.

Controls are also similarly easy to figure out although there’s no tactile quality to it which will be an issue for anyone with sight issues. That’s not uncommon with many popular DAB radios but it does mean my search for a more accessible DAB radio will have to continue.

When listening to the radio, you’ll need to pull out the antenna which is quite tightly clicked in at other times. On the side are ports for charging and headphones. There’s also a neat little key lock button which means no one can accidentally tap a button by mistake.

The Sharp Osaka is only available in a black/gray mix but it looks reasonably sleek.

Design score: 3 / 5

Sharp Osaka review: Value

Sharp Osaka DAB radio on a carpet

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Inexpensive
  • Ideal for a quick fix
  • Cheaper than most

The Sharp Osaka was pretty cheap compared to the competition even before it went on sale (which seems to be commonplace now). Its primary competition for portability is something like the aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2 but it’s far cheaper than that. A closer rival could be the Pure Woodland but that’s less portable.

It might not be as adorable as that Roberts but the Sharp Osaka is far more affordable, which makes it tempting.

Value score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Sharp Osaka?

Buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
The Sharp Osaka brings all the DAB radio essentials at a very affordable price.

You want something truly portable
The battery life could be a little better but in exchange, you get a truly lightweight and portable device for putting in your pocket.

You want simplicity
Combining FM and DAB options together saves you from paying too much attention. I’m a fan of this simplicity laziness.

Don't buy it if... 

You want great audio
With a mono speaker, the Sharp Osaka was never going to be class-leading but it can get a little tinny with music compared with talk.

You want great battery life
The Sharp Osaka’s battery life is about average for the price. There are trade-offs for its size and if you’re away from power for a while, this could be an issue.

You don’t need a radio
Potentially an obvious one, but if you need a Bluetooth speaker more than a radio, there are better choices around.

Sharp Osaka review: Also consider

Roberts Revival Petite 2

My favorite DAB radio in recent times, the Roberts is very portable and looks gorgeous, but it all comes at a higher price.

Read our full Roberts Revival Petite 2 review here

Sony XDR-P1

The Sony is harder to find these days but it certainly rivals the Sharp Osaka for size. If you want the big-name brand, this is the closest rival.

Read our full Sony XDR-P1 review here

How I tested the Sharp Osaka

  • Used the Sharp Osaka over two weeks
  • Listened to DAB radio, and music via iPhone 14 Pro and Bluetooth
  • Over 10 years' experience testing audio equipment

The Sharp Osaka followed me around the house and the garden. I mostly used it in my home office but I also moved it to the kitchen while I cleaned and the living room while relaxing. On the rare days of good weather, it followed me outdoors for a little bit.

I used it exclusively via the rechargeable battery as it saved me finding a USB port to connect it to. I mostly listened to the radio but once in a while, I listened to some podcasts through my phone. This was typically via Spotify.

Otherwise, there was a lot of Absolute 90s, ranting at LBC, and relaxing with BBC Radio 5 Live.

Creative’s new otherworldly desktop speakers belong on an alien spaceship – and they’re so good, I’d abduct them
7:00 pm | March 26, 2025

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

Creative Pebble Nova: One-minute review

Like any decent work of art, the new Creative Pebble Nova will mean different things to different people. TechRadar's audio editor Becky Scarrott said they looked like Magic 8-Balls, or lawn bowls with audio credentials – and she meant that as high praise. My partner thought they looked like an overly-elaborate microphone set up. I saw them more as delightful flotsam from an alien spacecraft, which had found its way to my desk.

However you look at it, the Pebble Nova speakers are a novel-looking new audio set-up fitting to strut their way onto our list of the best desktop speakers (and possibly even the best stereo speakers) on fashion chops alone.

The proposition doesn't need to rely on its good looks to get by, though. These speakers sound great, with defined bass, a high max volume and selection of enhancement features that make a marked difference to the norm for the money. They're elevated from your desk to create a much more immersive surround-sound effect and use coaxial drivers to refine the audio they deliver.

You'll find, though, that they cost a fair amount of aforementioned money. As the newest in Creative's line of affordable Pebble computer speakers, you'd think they might adhere to the affordable end of the market, but they're fairly premium in price. Not bank-breaking, but definitely enough to think twice about.

Maybe not twice actually, perhaps thrice. The Pebble Nova take a fair amount of set-up, with Creative channeling its inner Ikea with how much construction is needed. They also require a fair bit of space due to their design, so you'll need to make sure your desk is relatively large and uncluttered for them.

All that said, if you do decide you have the space, money and patience for them, the Creative Pebble Nova are a great set of computer speakers, regardless of what kind of audio you need them to play.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Price and release date

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Announced in December 2024
  • Mid-range at $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95

The Creative Pebble Nova were released in December 2024, as the latest entry in Creative’s Pebble line-up of desktop speakers. They are, by a significant margin, the most expensive.

You can pick up the Creative Pebble Nova for $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95 (although fair warning: they’re out of stock in several of the regions I checked). That ain’t cheap, especially when you consider that the next most expensive members of the Pebble family, the Pebble X, cost $89.99 / £84.99 / AU$169.95.

At that price, there’s no doubt that these are premium speakers. There are only a few entries on our list of the best computer speakers that cost more, although admittedly those cost a lot more, so if you want premium speakers but don’t want to hand over your life savings for them, these could be a good option.

As audiophiles will know, though, you can spend a lot more on high-spec speakers, up to ten times as much.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Specs

Creative Pebble Nova review: Features

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • USB, Bluetooth and AUX connections
  • Creative App brings ways to customize audio
  • Acoustic Engine brings some useful features

The Creative Pebble Nova offer three ways to connect to your chosen device. First up is with a 3.5mm jack, which will let you play music but won’t let you customize it via the Creative App (more on that later). Second is Bluetooth, with the Nova supporting Bluetooth 5.3 to various devices including phones, computers and games consoles. Thirdly is with USB, which is what I did for the majority of this review. In the box is a USB-C to USB-C cable but if, like me, your PC only has USB-A ports, you can buy cheap adaptors online.

If you connect via Bluetooth or USB, the Creative App (available on mobile and PC) is a no-brainer. It offers the ability to change the Nova’s LED lighting effects, an equalizer along with loads of presets, the ability to switch which of the speakers is the left and right one and the promisingly-titled Acoustic Engine.

Take my advice: when you first set up the Pebble Nova, go to the Acoustic Engine page and turn everything on. It includes features like audio upscaling, dialogue enhancement and virtual surround-sound, all of which have marked improvements on the way the speakers sound. I regret that I was already weeks into the testing process before I bothered to open this page!

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Design

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Bowling balls on stalks
  • Takes up lots of space
  • Time-consuming set-up process

How do you describe the design of the Creative Pebble Nova? Are they eyeballs on stalks? Alien command consoles? Magic 8-Balls? If you’re able, check out the review pictures because they’ll do better justice to the odd look of the Nova than my Creative Writing degree ever could. If you can’t see them, then… they’re basically giant spheres, held up from a circular base by a thin dowel.

It’s certainly a unique look taking the spherical-ish looks of other Pebble devices and literally elevating it. But it has a second advantage: the speakers themselves are higher than computer speakers generally are, which means ‘surround sound’ audio actually does surround you, as it’s at ear level (with the 45-degree point of the speakers also helping).

You can pick the Novas up in black, as you see in the images, and in a chic white-and-bronze model too.

I can see this design being a bit divisive but I didn’t mind it (I also spent lots of the review period with them hidden by my second screen). However there are two issues too.

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)

Firstly, these take up a lot of space. Said space is at a premium when it comes to the desk upon which I use my desktop computer, and I found it quite hard to accommodate the Pebble Nova given the dimensions of both the speakers and my London apartment – it’s why the images accompanying this review are of my laptop, because my desk was too cluttered with the Creatives on it!

The second thing to note is that the Pebble Nova take quite a bit of setting up: not only do you need to go through all the usual cable rigamarole of desktop speakers, but you also have to attach the dowels to the stands and those to the speakers. This was admittedly easier than your average Ikea project, but it still took a little while to accomplish (I should note, you don’t have to elevate the speakers if you don’t want, and can attach them straight to a stand).

On the primary– ‘orb’? – you get several ports: the USB-C power delivery port, another USB-C port to connect to your computer, and the 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as the cable which runs to the other speaker. You also get a range of buttons for volume, power, connection and more.

The speakers have LED lights which you can program using the app, although they’re not huge or bright and I didn’t really notice them during everyday PC use.

  • Design score: 4/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Sound quality

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • 1-inch driver + 3-inch woofer
  • Exuberant, clear bass and mids
  • Unnecessarily-high max volume

Each of the Creative Pebble Nova speakers packs both a 1-inch tweeter with a 3-inch woofer in a coaxial set-up.

I'm used to PC speakers being good for certain tasks and struggling with other ones (a set-up that's great for music might struggle for the range of sounds needed for gaming, or be poorly-tuned for YouTube videos, for example) but I was pleasantly surprised at how the Creative was a jack of all trades.

I say 'pleasantly surprised' because it wasn't necessarily expected. The presence of a woofer gives away that the Pebble Nova has a distinctly energetic sound profile, with plentiful bass. However these lower tones are well-defined and clear, instead of being overpowering and thumping like some bassy speakers can be.

This meant I could enjoy different kinds of music but then could listen to spoken-word audio without low voices having an unnatural rumble to them, an issue I've faced before.

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)

Treble is a little less bright than it could be, but I quickly fixed this in the Creative App with some quick equalizer tweaking.

The Creative Pebble Nova is great for the kind of sound stage or surround-sound audio that really benefits immersive gaming. This is because the elevated height of the speaker poles, plus their being angled upwards at 45 degrees, means that audio is a lot closer to ear-level than your standard desktop speakers.

The result is a marked improvement in immersion: the tweeting of birds, the sound of wind in trees, the repeated taunting of a dangerous bandit I was unsuccessfully trying to run away from, all felt well-placed around me during gaming sessions. The effect was definitely more pronounced than on other desktop speakers I've tried, which sit lower than your ear level.

According to Creative, the Pebble Nova has a whopping 100W power output for high volumes. Since I have neighbors, I didn't test quite how loud it goes, but it definitely reached (and could easily exceed) my needs. Why you'd need incredibly-loud speakers for your desktop, presumably within half a meter of you, isn't quite clear, but it means that they can double as general party speakers if you prefer.

  • Sound quality: 4.5/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Value

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Not a viable option for people on a tight budget
  • Other Pebbles may appeal to money-conscious buyers

While the overall Pebble line of Creative desktop speakers is known for offering great value for money, that's naturally less true of the Nova, as premium equipment always offers incremental returns for the price.

The Nova are good, but you're paying for it, as they're not cheap (at least, by Creative standards, although you can easily find countless pricier alternatives). They're not poor value for money, but they're not as much an obvious bargain as other Pebbles. That said, if I had the expendable income, I'd buy them – so take from that what you will.

  • Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Creative Pebble Nova?

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)

Buy them if…

You like the look of them
Fan of the way the Novas look? Then you should go for them, as you'll be hard-pressed to find anything quite as distinctive.

You're particular about your audio
The Creative app's equalizer, and Acoustic Engine options, will let picky listeners fine-tune the way the speakers sound more so than some rivals.

Don’t buy them if…

You think they look silly
If you prefer your desktop speakers to speak only through the drivers instead of the fashion statement, you best check out other options.

You've got limited space
I have a medium-sized desk and I had to remove some decorations to fit the Pebble Nova, so if you're short on desk real estate, these might not fit.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Also consider

Creative Pebble Plus
There are plenty of cheaper Creative Pebble desktop speakers on the market including the Plus, which we said will give you "more than your money’s worth".

See our full Creative Pebble Plus review

Vigilant Audio SwitchOne
Of the two options in our best desktop speakers round-up that have a similar price to the Pebbles, the Vigilants are the most recent. They have a pretty 'standard' design but sound great to listen to.

See our full Vigilant Audio SwitchOne review

How I tested the Creative Pebble Nova

The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for one month
  • Tested at home connected to phone and windows PC

The testing process of the Creative Pebble Nova was over a month.

For most of that time, I tested the Nova alongside my Windows desktop PC, with the speakers on my desk. I also tested it paired via Bluetooth to my phone and, for a short while, connected to my Windows laptop (as pictured).

I used my PC as normal during the month which includes my day job, various other types of work, watching TV shows and YouTube videos, streaming lots of music and playing video games.

I have over six years' experience testing gadgets for TechRadar which includes other desktop speakers, audio products (including from Creative) and other types of tech.

  • First reviewed in March 2025
I tested Meridian’s super-smart wireless speaker for a month – here’s my verdict on whether it’s worth that high price tag
3:28 pm | March 14, 2025

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

Meridian Ellipse: two-minute review

The Meridian Ellipse is a seriously capable single-unit wireless speaker. It can handle incredibly detailed hi-res audio, whether via Wi-FI or wired inputs like USB-C or optical, and is crammed with seriously clever features. But it’s also one of the most expensive wireless speakers I’ve ever tested. So does it justify that high price tag?

On the one hand, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of impressive clarity and detail. When listening to the relatively spacious mix of Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon, I was impressed with how much room various elements were given to breathe. The vocals of Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in particular projected forward into the room, while the slap of the percussion was keen and clear.

However, if you feed the Ellipse something much sonically denser like electronic or dance music, some of the shortcuts it takes become more apparent. Listening to Expander by Bonobo, dynamic elements like the punchy kick and shuffly hats were well-communicated, as was its gorgeous vocal line, but there was a lack of cohesion lower down to help glue the mix together. The sub and low mids felt brighter and chillier than the glowing warmth I’ve come to expect from the best wireless speakers. And while you can tweak both treble and bass levels in the Meridian app, I definitely felt like I was ameliorating these imbalances rather than entirely reversing them.

It compensates, in part, for this with its suite of smart features, some of which are truly fantastic. For example, Image Focus does an exceedingly deft job of reorientating the stereo field when you’re sat at an off angle, while Image Elevation is a piece of psycho-acoustic wizardry that throws its voice higher to make TV audio seem like it’s coming from your TV screen. Its position-optimization settings are decent, although they aren’t algorithmic like on some devices, merely offering Free, Wall, Shelf and Corner options. Sadly, I was pretty underwhelmed by its frequency-balancing tech for different volumes: the speaker sounds great at higher volumes, but somewhat neutered at lower ones.

The connectivity options on offer are also decent, although maybe not as extensive as with speakers like the Ruark Audio R410 or Cambridge Audio Evo One. It goes without saying that it can utilize Wi-Fi streaming solutions like TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Roon connectivity, as well as Bluetooth. But it’s also able to support sampling rates of 192kHz / 24-bit over USB-C, 96kHz / 24-bit via mini-TOSLINK optical, plus 88kHz / 24-bit via its stereo analog input and built-in DAC. However, it doesn’t offer more exotic options like eARC or phono in, so you won’t be using this as your all-in-one home audio hub.

As its name suggests, the shape of the Ellipse is… anyone? Yep, it’s elliptical. I’m sure I’m not the only person to notice this but it gives me distinct vibes of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro, both having an undeniably similar Hindenburgian silhouette when viewed front on. Oh, the humanity. However, the metal grille on the face of Meridian’s speaker is much flatter, giving the device a footprint more like a slightly gibbous moon. It also features blue-lit, touch-sensitive controls on its top surface, allowing you to play and pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and initiate Bluetooth pairing mode.

All told, the Meridian Ellipse is a hi-res, feature-packed speaker with some major strengths and a few significant caveats. It’s undeniably detailed and, when its smart functionality delivers, it really delivers. It deftly reproduces trebles and dynamic details, while managing satisfactory, if not exactly stellar, frequency reproduction elsewhere. Were it not for the price tag, I’d be tempted to give it a pass on some of the weaker elements but, at the savings-siphoning price of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, I feel its sound needs to be beyond reproach. For that reason, I’d suggest you at least consider cheaper options like the $1,799.95 / £1,299 / AU$2,599 Ruark Audio R410 or $1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,495 Cambridge Audio Evo One before you commit here.

Meridian Ellipse review: price and availability

  • Released August 24, 2024
  • MSRP of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999

Launched on August 24, 2024, the Meridian Ellipse is available to buy now. It goes for an MSRP of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, which is no small change for a single speaker. By way of context, TechRadar’s current pick for best premium wireless speaker, the KEF LS50 Wireless II, costs $2,499.99 / £1,999 / AU$4,000. Even our pick of best wireless speaker if money’s no object, the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8, is a similar $2,749 / £2,199 / AU$4,499, which shows you the kind of company this speaker keeps.

The rear of the Meridian Ellipse showing its ports.

(Image credit: Future)

Meridian Ellipse review: specs

The Meridian Ellipse at a 3/4 angle in front of a house plant and a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Meridian Ellipse review: features

  • Crammed with smart features
  • Good range of connectivity options
  • Lower wattage than some rivals

For a comparatively compact speaker, the Meridian Ellipse certainly squeezes in a lot of features. When it comes to drivers, it focuses on quality over quantity. It only contains three drivers but they’re substantial: it has two 3.5-inch (90mm) polypropylene wide-range drivers and one 5.9 x 3.9-inch (150 x 100mm) racetrack sub. There’s not quite as much oomph behind these drivers as you’d hope, though. The Ellipse only offers 25W for those full-range drivers and 30W for the sub, while the cheaper Cambridge Audio Evo One packs a whopping 50W of amplification per driver.

Naturally, as a wireless speaker, the Ellipse focuses much of its energy on cable-free connectivity. It can stream over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, offering both native streaming from Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect, as well as AirPlay, Google Cast, and Roon connectivity. This doesn’t mean that wireless connectivity is the only connection to its bow however: it also possesses a USB-C that supports sampling rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit, a mini-TOSLINK optical port capable of 96kHz / 24 bit and an analog input with a built-in DAC that can hit rates of 88kHz / 24 bit.

None of this is unusual for a premium wireless speaker. However, what does set Meridian’s speaker apart is the range of smart features they’ve crammed into the Ellipse’s brain.

Some focus more on clarity: for example, Q-Sync exists to minimize jitter and increase clarity, while Digital Precision boosts the signal-to-noise ratio of the digital audio. Others aim to smooth out the Ellipse’s acoustics, with Perfect Balance ensuring low and high frequencies are perceived the same at low and high volumes and Free-Q offering the now-obligatory tech for sonically compensating for the device’s placement.

Perhaps the most unique smart features are those that tweak the speaker’s soundstage. Bass & Space offers stereo-enhancing tech to increase the sense of soundstage width, while Image Focus helps ‘correct for off-center listening’. Finally, Image Elevation is a piece of pseudo-Dolby-Atmos-style trickery that promises to raise the sound image so you can raise it from the speaker below to the middle of your TV screen – although with no actual height channels, it’s worth moderating your expectations on this front, as it won’t position sound as well as one of the best soundbars.

There are admittedly a few things the Meridian Ellipse is lacking. You won’t find a remote control here, which some rival premium wireless speakers supply and it doesn’t offer fancier inputs like eARC or phono in. All told, though, the Meridian Ellipse has an excellent range of features and a lot of the core functionality you’d expect.

  • Features score: 4.5 / 5

The front grille of the Meridian Ellipse.

(Image credit: Future)

Meridian Ellipse review: sound quality

  • Crisp, accurate presentation
  • Sounds great at higher volumes
  • Bass and lower mids a bit flat

Given its not-inconsiderable price and the hype around the Meridian Ellipse, I was really hoping to be able to give it an unequivocal thumbs up. But in reality, things aren’t so clear-cut. While a lot of the coverage of its sound quality during its release and early demos was gushing in its praise, I think part of this is down to the protean nature of the device itself, where it sounds wonderfully crisp in some situations and displays distinct flaws in others.

Undeniably, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of some impressive, high-resolution detail. When playing Chemtrails Over the Country Club by Lana Del Rey, it could achieve skillful separation of each instrument. Not only that, but it really brought out the rich, smokey timbre of her voice, giving it real, palpable presence in the room.

High-end detail is also unflinchingly precise. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac has exposed many a speaker’s weakness with its bright, trebly mix but the Ellipse holds the line. It never becomes overly sharp and yet still has plenty of definition – you can almost hear the scrape of the plectrum as it rings off those taut guitar strings, while the toms punch right through the mix.

Elsewhere, the picture gets a lot more mixed. For example, the Ellipse did a reasonable job with I Want You by Moloko: the funky keys and glockenspiel both had plenty of bite and presence, though I couldn’t help but feel this came at the expense of more nuance in the lower mid frequencies. With electronic music like Chimes by Otherliine, this became much more pronounced: the sound felt very forward without necessarily having the depth to back it up, leaving everything feeling a bit compressed and overdriven.

Again, the Meridian’s bass sometimes felt like it was all bite and no bark – which is particularly disappointing in light of its supposed E3 Bass, which is meant to ‘Expand, Extend, Enhance’ the low end. It’s undeniably punchy and dynamic, with kick drums giving a sizable thump, but the Ellipse can’t always back this up with substance – emphasis on the sub. The gargantuan bass of Tectonic by Technimatic sounded a lot weedier than I’m used to and there was noticeable ducking of the bassline every time the kick sounded, making me question whether its racetrack can really deliver the goods where sub is concerned.

Thanks in no small part to the Perfect Balance feature mentioned above, the Ellipse can hold its own at much higher volumes than many wireless speakers. In fact, I would argue it sounds much better when you crank it up. While Black Eye by Allie X sounded a bit hollow in the lower mids at average volumes, turning it up to 60% gave its saw-toothed synth line much more presence without causing those urgent string slams to distort. While this does give it some much-needed punch, if you’re not going to be listening to the speaker at earwax-melting volumes, it's worth asking whether its weaker sound profile at lower volumes is a compromise you’re willing to make.

To test the speaker’s soundstage, I popped on Tighten Up, Pt. 1 by Archie Bell & The Drells. Despite the hard panning typical of 1960s soul, on the Ellipse there was barely a sliver of daylight between the bass and horns, with much of the sound feeling like it came from a single point.

Its Image Focus stereo field correction was much more impressive, however. Positioning the device at a 3/4s angle definitely left Heart of Gold by Bettye LaFayette missing some of its high-end clarity. And when I slipped the Image Focus setting to <7, it really brought the slap of the bongos back into clarity. Admittedly, you could get up and spin the speaker around yourself, but where’s the fun in that?

I was skeptical about how convincing its Image Elevation feature would be, but when I played some classic episodes of The Simpsons and dialed it up to max elevation, it was genuinely compelling. The slight treble boost of the dialogue made it seem like it was issuing directly from the screen. Yes, with some effort I could get my brain to recognize the sound was issuing from the speaker, but it’s a pretty convincing effect.

Impressive though these smarts are, though, I’m not sure they totally compensate for some of the speaker’s sonic weaknesses. It might seem like I’m being overly harsh – the Ellipse doesn’t sound bad by any means and fed the right genres and sources, it sounds impressively clear and expressive for a speaker of its size. But it’s also inconsistent: in some frequency ranges it focuses on cut-glass definition at the cost of more balanced expression and there’s a lack of ballast to ground it in both the mids and bass. As a result, its sound quality is a qualified success, which would definitely give me reservations about spending this kind of money.

  • Sound quality: 3.5 / 5

The touch-capacitative buttons on the top surface of the Meridian Ellipse.

(Image credit: Future)

Meridian Ellipse review: design

  • Well built and attractive
  • Decent touch controls
  • Not the most original shape

For anyone who has spent some time following the wireless speaker space, the design of the Meridian Ellipse looks… eerily familiar. There’s no getting around it: there’s something undeniably Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin-esque about the Meridian Ellipse. It’s not quite as rounded as B&W’s audio dirigible, with a front grille that’s slightly convex rather than actively bulging, but it’s still a similar elongated ellipse shape that will be familiar to that device’s many fans.

Build quality is very decent, even if it’s not as luxe as some audio products in this category. Its matt black surface is smooth to the touch but doesn’t seem to pick up fingerprints, while a sturdy metal mesh protects its fabric covering and drivers. Its size is right in the middle of a Goldilocks zone between ‘big enough to make its presence known’ and ‘so large it’ll dominate your living room setup’. It’s also pretty light and easy to move, should you want to: at 8.6lbs (3.9kg), you won't need to wear a back brace just to relocate it to another shelf.

Controlling the Ellipse falls to a series of blue-lit touch-capacitative buttons on the top surface of the device. These are clearly marked and easy to activate, covering most of the basic functions you’d expect, including play / pause, skipping forward and back, adjusting the volume, and triggering Bluetooth-pairing mode. There are no presets here, though, which is a shame. Being able to quickly switch to various inputs or playlists is something a lot of wireless speakers offer these days and, while it’s not a must-have feature, it would be nice all the same.

  • Design score: 4/5

The Meridian Ellipse in front of a pink background, showing the feet and base of the device, as well as half of the grille.

(Image credit: Future)

Meridian Ellipse review: value

  • Eye-wateringly expensive
  • Some cheaper speakers sound better

Ultimately, the Meridian Ellipse is a good – or even potentially great – wireless speaker. But your expectations are inevitably going to be influenced by how much you’ve paid for a device. And for $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, I expect an audio device to sound unimpeachable. That’s not really been my experience with the Ellipse.

It’s smart, really smart. But instead of taking already rock-solid audio and polishing it up to a truly breathtaking listening experience, I often found myself tweaking the features just to get an aural picture that bested or even matched what I’ve heard from much cheaper speakers. When you can get better audio from the Cambridge Audio Evo One and comfortably buy the £599 / $699 / AU$1,299 Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 out of the change to plug into its inbuilt phono stage, it does make me wonder who this device is for. Because, in reality, I think audiophiles can get more for much less.

  • Value score: 3 / 5

The Meridian Ellipse from above on a stone worktop in front of a pink background and a house plant.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Meridian Ellipse?

Buy it if…

You want crisp, high-resolution audio
For a speaker of its size, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of consummate detail, with each instrument having impressive separation. And it keeps this up even at high volumes: it remains coherent at a level many speakers dissolve into a mess of distortion.

You want a whole range of smart features
Whether it’s tweaking the positioning of the soundstage, tailoring the speaker to its placement in the room, or widening the sound, the Meridian Ellipse features a wide range of tech to improve the audio you hear.

Don’t buy it if…

You want well-rounded lower mids and sub bass
Despite the above, the Ellipse does have a few shortcomings, sonically speaking. In particular, the mids and bass are lacking heft in their lower registers, meaning it can sound like it’s pulling some punches when it comes to certain genres.

You want value for money
Not only is the Meridian Ellipse firmly at the premium end of the market, with a whopping $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999 price tag, but I would argue some cheaper speakers can give a more balanced, consistent experience.

Meridian Ellipse review: also consider

Cambridge Audio Evo One
While the Cambridge Audio Evo One is significantly bulkier than the Meridian Ellipse, it’s also arguably more talented. It’s capable of producing polished, dynamic sound that’s well-tuned across its full frequency range and genuinely impressive separation when fed appropriately hi-res sources. However, its real strength is in just how versatile it is: not only can it stream over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but it can also handle your TV’s audio over eARC and play records from your turntable via its built-in phono stage. Not bad given its $1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,495 price tag. Check out our full Cambridge Audio Evo One review.

KEF LS50 Wireless II
The similarly priced KEF LS50 Wireless II can muster streaming hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz and offer a range of connectivity options, whether that’s HDMI eARC, Ethernet port, coaxial and optical or 3.5mm AUX inputs. They’re also discreet, compact units that nonetheless provide crisp, detailed sound across the frequency spectrum and taut, well-controlled bass. Couple this with superb stereo separation and a wide soundstage and these are some fantastic performers. Read our full KEF LS50 Wireless II review.

How I tested the Meridian Ellipse

  • I tested the Meridian Ellipse for a month
  • I used it to stream a wide range of genres and audio resolutions
  • I have several decades of experience using and reviewing audio gadgets

I lived with the Meridian Ellipse for a month, testing it with a range of types of music and sources. Not only did I listen to the TechRadar testing playlist but I also tried out plenty of my own go-to tracks to assess its dynamics and frequency balance.

Additionally, I monitored the quality of its output by trying out a variety of sources. This included my iPhone 16 Pro, MacBook Pro, and TV. On top of this, I tried out a variety of different audio resolutions, from Spotify's most basic tier to Tidal's 24-bit, 192kHz Max tier.

In terms of experience, I've covered tech and reviewed gadgets for over 10 years. Additionally, I've been listening to and producing music for several decades, which has given me insight into the balance of different frequencies and sonic performance.

I tested this affordable DAB radio and, sadly, its tinny output made me think of every car garage I’ve ever been to
2:30 pm | March 13, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers DAB Radios Gadgets Hi-Fi | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Groov-e Boston: Two-minute review

If you had a checklist of everything you wanted from a DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston would mark off almost every point. It lacks good looks and its sound quality could be better but for only £39.99 – it's currently only available in the UK, but that would make it approximately $52 or AU$82 where available in the US and Australia – it’s hard to criticize it too much.

Also, I can see it fitting in nicely in any room of your home, or you can always take it with you to a holiday let, a caravan: you get the idea. It’s lightweight for the size so it’s easy to move around.

A wooden frame isn’t the priciest or most exclusive look but it does make the Groov-e Boston appear a little classier than if it stuck with the speaker grilles' metal styling, or went for plastic casework. This isn’t the radio to show off to friends and family (that’s the Roberts Revival Petite 2) but it has, nevertheless an old-school charm about it.

Audio quality could be better but for a basic DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston is fine. Don’t count on using the Bluetooth connectivity too often to listen to your own music, though, unless you’re really stuck for options.

So, the Groov-e Boston isn’t one of the best Bluetooth speakers but who really cares about that? You’re buying something like this to compete with the best DAB radios. The Groov-e Boston may not have stolen my heart, but my head (and bank balance) do certainly love the price tag.

Groov-e Boston review: Price and release date

Groov-e Boston DAB radio on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Released February 2023
  • Cost £39.99 (currently only available in the UK)

The Groov-e Boston was released in the UK in February 2023. Availability hasn’t stretched elsewhere – though if you happen to find it in the US or Australia it'll set you back approximately $52 or AU$82 – but if you’re in the UK, this is a cheap DAB radio while still being from a reputable brand.

It’s far cheaper than my beloved aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2, as well as the bulky Pure Woodland. There are some obscure brands with DAB radios around the same price point but none from a reputable brand to compete with the budget delights of Groov-e.

Groov-e Boston review: Specs

Groov-e Boston review: Features

Groov-e Boston DAB radio on a gray carpet

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • DAB & FM radio
  • Bluetooth streaming
  • Built-in alarm clock

Pretty much all the features you could need from the Groov-e Boston are here. It has DAB and FM radio connectivity along with Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing with your phone or other devices. All are easily tapped around thanks to the clearly laid out buttons. It takes seconds to get started with the Groov-e Boston and it never really gets any more complicated.

You can set up 40 presets if you really plan on browsing that many stations regularly and the Groov-e Boston also has an alarm clock function. The latter is a little awkward to set up, though, compared with the simplicity of everything else.

I’d consider the Groov-e Boston primarily as a radio to use at home but it does take batteries if you want to use it out and about. You need four size C batteries to stick in the back – though probably not something you’ll ever actually do, the option is there.

Features score: 4 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Sound quality

Groov-e Boston DAB radio on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • A little tinny
  • Best for spoken word over music
  • Some distortion at high volumes

The Groov-e Boston’s sound quality instantly reminds me of almost every car garage I’ve ever been to. That may be too a specific an anecdote but what I’m getting at is the Groov-e Boston is pretty basic-sounding, with that low-level quality you’d get from a small radio trying to expand to much larger surroundings. The Groov-e Boston transfers that tinny sound to a smaller room.

Mileage will vary depending on the strength of the DAB signal, of course. I found it sometimes improved but there was never any punch such as when listening to Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) while browsing through some music stations. Spoken word is far better with some time spent with rant-filled LBC sounding reasonably strong, if still a little tinny for want of a better word.

There’s a reasonable stereo effect here but little heft. Crank up the volume and the Groov-e Boston ends up sounding more distorted but it works well enough in a small environment.

Sound quality: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Design

Rear panel of Groov-e Boston DAB Radio, on a beige carpet

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)
  • Useful carry handle
  • Lightweight
  • Retro stylings

Reminiscent of electronics' stylings a few decades old, the Groov-e Boston is functional if not exactly the device you’ll be posting across all your favorite social media platforms. It has a great metal carrying handle so you can move it from room to room without any bother, while the antenna pulls out easily enough.

In the center is a simple LED display showing the time, date, and whatever you’re listening to. Underneath that are your control buttons which are well laid out and explained, as well as a volume knob, which feels so much more satisfying repeated button bashing. The buttons on this radio are a tad on the noisy-clunky side but at least there’s never any doubt you’re tapping them. As is increasingly the way, there are no tactile bobbles to help those with sight impairments figure things out but the buttons are spaced out well so you can’t mistap anything.

On the back is simply the place for the batteries. No additional ports or anything like that. Also, if you’re keen to pick the right colorway for your decor, this isn’t the device for you. The Groov-e Boston is solely available in its part-gray/metal, part-wooden build.

Design score: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Value

  • Very affordable
  • Reputable name for the price
  • Fine for short- or long-term plans

Check out any retailer and you’ll be lucky to find a DAB radio for this price that is also from a brand you’ve heard of. The competition is simply more expensive. The likes of the Sony XDR-P1 are in the same ballpark, but still pricier and also nowhere near as pleasant to place on your shelf.

You’ll be unlikely to find much for cheaper but if you want style or better features, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Value score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Groov-e Boston?

Buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Groov-e Boston packs a lot in for the price, even if it isn’t perfect.

You want something that fits everywhere
The Groov-e Boston will look fine in your kitchen as well as your living room, and you can even take it out with you.

You want something lightweight
Ideal for those who need to pack light or can’t carry anything too heavy, the Groov-e Boston won’t overwhelm you.

Don't buy it if... 

You want great sound quality
The Groov-e Boston works well with the spoken word but I was no fan when listening to music. Bear that in mind.

You want something stylish
The functional look will suit some but you won’t be showing off the Groov-e Boston to friends.

You need something more robust
The Groov-e Boston isn’t the weakest radio around but I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking it to the beach or off the beaten path.

Groov-e Boston review: Also consider

Roberts Revival Petite 2

Costing much more but looking gorgeous, the Roberts is just as portable while being something you’ll be proud of owning. Don't blame me when you decide to spend more.

Read our full Roberts Revival Petite 2 review here

Pure Woodland

The Pure Woodland is just as portable as the Boston but is a little more robust, making it ideal for the rugged lifestyle.

Read our full Pure Woodland review here

How I tested the Groov-e Boston

  • Used the Groov-e Boston over 14 days
  • Listened to DAB radio, FM radio, and music via iPhone 14 Pro and Bluetooth
  • Over 10 years' experience testing audio equipment

I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of different DAB radios over the years. I opened up the box and got started with the Groov-e Boston the moment it arrived. It spent much of its time between my home office, bedroom, and living room. The carrying handle came in useful there. I mostly used it connected to mains power.

I listened to a lot of talk radio (LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live) to keep up with current affairs, while switching over to Heart 90s and 00s along with a local music station to calm my nerves after too much news.

When using the Bluetooth functionality, I connected my iPhone 14 Pro, and listened to Spotify and Apple Music.

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