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Latest by Parker Hall

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Nokia is on a crusade to make your cell phone videos sound as good as they look

While cell phone cameras have enjoyed numerous upgrades over the past decade, very little has been done to improve audio quality. With its software-based Ozo audio platform, Nokia looks to change that, one mobile manufacturer at a time.
Bose SoundSport Free

Bose SoundSport Free true wireless headphones review

As early pioneers in the world of noise-canceling and digital signal processing, Bose has long been at the forefront of new audio technology. In our review of the SoundSport Free -- the company's first fully wireless in-ears -- we discover how Bose's latest tech stacks up against top-tier offerings from the likes of Apple and Jabra.
apple music

Apple Music is winning the stateside streaming war. Here’s how it beat Spotify

Apple now has more paying subscribers for its on-demand music streaming service in the United States than Spotify. Here's how Apple Music surpassed the Swedish streaming service for stateside streaming supremacy, and why it will likely continue its lead in the United States for some time to come.
qualcomm qcc3026 fully wireless headphones bluetooth

Qualcomm’s new fully wireless in-ear chip makes banded Bluetooth buds obsolete

Qualcomm's new QCC3026 chip will take fully wireless headphones to the next level, offering up to 50 percent more battery life, more powerful audio processing, and the potential for lower price points, a move that could make banded wireless in-ears obsolete.
rhas ma390 wireless are classy banded in ears with a working class price rha dt1

RHA’s MA390 Wireless are classy, banded in-ears with a working-class price

RHA has created a banded wireless version of its popular MA390 in-ear headphones, offering jackless listeners the same elegant looks and shocking affordability as the original, and providing those with thinner wallets with eight hours of battery and great sound to boot.
sony wf sp700n review btwleb hero2

Sony WF-SP700N wireless headphones review

With excellent bass and a very comfortable fit, Sony’s WF-SP700N distinguish themselves from many fully wireless in-ear headphones, but do they have what it takes to compete with our top picks? In our WF-SP700N review, we pit Sony’s compact headphones against industry leaders to see how they stack up.
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Yamaha’s new YAS-108 soundbar has a slim footprint, beefy 3D sound

Yamaha's new YAS-108 soundbar improves on the YAS-107 model with slimmed-down looks and even better Bluetooth. Those looking for an affordable home theater option get even more bang for their buck, as the company maintains its position as one of the best value audio brands.
sense8 netflix cancelled shows to stream

Two-hour ‘Sense 8’ finale is streaming on Netflix, bringing closure to fans

After a successful fan-lead petition campaign successfully changed Netflix's mind, the sci-fi drama Sense8 has returned from its premature end with a two-hour special, bringing with it all the cool fight sequences and deep interpersonal connections fans loved enough to bring it back from cancelation.
Man wearing AirPods.

An iOS 12 update will allow Apple’s AirPods to be used as hearing aids

A software update will come to Apple's fully wireless AirPods with iOS 12, allowing iPhone users to use their tiny white earbuds with the phone's internal microphone to amplify the sounds of the world around them — a feature the company calls "Live Listen" that was previously only available with hearing aids.
apple tv 4k adds dolby atmos and more

Apple TV 4K to add Dolby Atmos, out-of-this-world screen savers in next update

Apple has announced a new software update for its Apple TV 4K that will provide users with more channels, shots from the Internation Space Station, and Dolby Atmos' object-based surround sound, making it the first streaming box with both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision integration.
Optoma UHD50 Projector lens bright

Optoma UHD50 Projector review

The Optoma UHD50 projector is the latest stab at making huge, cinema-quality images affordable. Does Optoma's 4K HDR device transform your living room into a movie theater, or is getting cinema-quality projection at home still only possible for the execs?
Best Vinyl Setups

Is laser-cut ‘HD Vinyl’ the Holy Grail for audiophiles, or just a gimmick?

Austrian music distributor Guenter Loibl wants to revolutionize the way vinyl records are made, using a precise industrial laser in the pressing process with an aim to offer increased fidelity and play time. We asked the experts: Can HD Vinyl deliver on such lofty promises, or do records already sound as good as they ever will?
tcl 2017 4k hdr tv line pricing availability c series lifestyle edit

This weekend you can snag a gorgeous TCL C-Series TV for a heinously low price

TCL has made a name for itself as the best manufacturer of affordable TVs in recent years, offering viewers great-looking screens at prices that don't touch their vacation funds. This weekend, the amazing C-Series cheaper than ever, offering viewers the chance to get one of the best TVs for a shockingly low price.
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Don’t bother finding the remote — Alexa controls the new Hisense H8E TV

Hisense announced two new 4K TV models for 2018, one of which will allow you to leave your traditional remote sandwiched inside your couch cushions thanks to special integration with Amazon's Alexa ecosystem. Just how much can you do with your voice? A whole lot.
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Did Tidal really fake Kanye and BeyoncĂ©’s streaming numbers?

A Norwegian language newspaper claims that it has data that shows that popular high-fidelity streaming service Tidal manipulated listening data for two of its biggest artists, generating bigger streaming payouts for the artists. The evidence posed, if true, is compelling, but Tidal is vehemently fighting the claims.
backstreet boys dont go breaking my heart new song feat

The Backstreet Boys are back, and their new single is … a banger?

All-male pop quintet The Backstreet Boys have returned with their first new single in five years after a three-day social media countdown, and we've got to admit -- from coordinated dance moves and matching outfits to solo vocal runs -- the aging boy band has still got it.
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Bowers & Wilkins will design the sounds of the future in a massive new lab

British audio manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art research and development facility in the U.K. town of Southwater. We spoke with the company's chief revenue officer to find out what the new facility means for B&W's future audio products.
focal utopia news stella evo blue 03

Focal’s new Utopia speakers are gorgeous leaning towers of sound

French speaker manufacturer Focal has launched two new editions of its high-end Utopia speaker line at the End Trade Fair in Munich, offering audiophiles two beautiful speaker models that are jam-packed with the company's most innovative tech, with brand new drivers, crossovers, and auto-inspired paint.
Audeze LCD-4z

You don’t need a fancy amp to make Audeze’s LCD-4z sing. But you do need $4,000

Audeze's fantastic planar magenetic LCD-4 model has a special new variant called the LCD-4z. Made with a magnesium housing, the company has engineered the model to require significantly less power to drive than the original model, though you'll still have to pay some serious dough to enjoy them.
audioengine a5 plus review feat

Audioengine A5+ wireless speakers review

As with any wireless take on a great set of speakers, the Bluetooth-connected variant of Audioengine’s A5+ speakers had us very excited when they arrived in our A/V testing room. How do they compete with the superb original model, and could the wireless connection make them the perfect pair of speakers for jackless phone owners?

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation launching TV division headed by ex-‘Project Runway’ boss

Jay-Z's entertainment company Roc Nation is stepping further outside of the music world, announcing that it will launch a new TV division. What the new company segment will produce is anybody's guess, but it will be helmed by an experienced pro with over 15 years in television.
shure kse1200 news

Shure’s in-ear headphones are small, but the audio takes a big leap forward

Shure released a new set of electrostatic headphones and a dedicated headphone amp called the KSE1200, simultaneously pushing next-generation consumer headphone technology forward, and giving high-end buyers an even more cost-effective chance to hear music like they've never heard it before.
Sonos PlayBase

Sonos may be preparing to launch a home theater speaker called the S14

New regulatory filings with the FCC reveal that smart speaker company Sonos is preparing to launch a new product with the model number S14. Though much of the filing has been redacted, we do have some info on the new device, and it looks like it could be next in a line of fantastic home theater options.
abba announce new music hologram tour olle lindeborg 3

Mamma Mia! ABBA will share new music, return to stage as holograms

Fans of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA have a lot to be excited about in 2018 and 2019, as the band has announced a delightful blend of new music, and a fresh stage show that involves the acclaimed quartet being "digitally de-aged" to look identical to the way they did in 1979.
anker innovations launches soundcore by

Anker’s Soundcore gets new name, more bass, and wireless headphones

Anker Innovations' Soundcore brand has been renamed Soundcore by Anker, with the popular audio brand adding new sweat proofing technology, bass enhancement, and more than a dozen new wireless headphones and speakers to choose from, giving listeners a bunch of compelling new choices from the new brand.
Crosley C20 Turntable needledrop

How to set up a record player to get the most out of your vinyl

Whether you've been listening to vinyl for decades or you're new to the beautiful analog format, chances are you might not be getting the most out of your gear. Believe it or not, setting up a turntable isn't as simple as dropping a needle. Here's what you need to do to get the best possible sound.
946476 autosave v1 3 record store day 10 albums 2016

Get in the groove of Record Store Day with these 10 limited releases

With Record Store Day just around the corner, it can be daunting to figure out the best new music hitting shelves. Here is our list of our most anticipated new releases to check out during the year's best music holiday. Whether you're after rarified rereleases or fresh new jams, we've got you covered.
Crosley C6 Turntable Review

Crosley C6 turntable review

If you’re new to the world of analog audio, it can be hard to find an affordable turntable to spin your growing vinyl collection, let alone one that’s stylish enough to feature prominently in your living room. The sleek new Crosley C6 is designed to solve this problem. But does it sound as good as it looks?
fender guitar pedals all

Fender’s new guitar pedals are a smooth and stylish step toward shred city

Legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer Fender has launched a brand new pedal lineup that includes reverb, delay, distortion, overdrive, level set, and compression -- a vast array of tonal options that the company offers at a remarkably affordable price. That could make them your next secret weapon.
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‘DAMN.’ — Kendrick Lamar wins the Pulitzer Prize for Music

Kendrick Lamar has made music history, earning the Pultizer Prize for music for his 2017 release DAMN. As the first ever non-classical, non-jazz artist to earn the prize, Lamar may be the first of many influential modern artists to be considered for the award in the future.
Jabra Elite 65t review

Jabra Elite 65t review

Jabra’s Elite 65t true wireless earbuds offer features and pricing that match up nicely with Apple’s uber-popular AirPods. But can these new upstarts dethrone the king?
Naim Uniti Atom review

Naim Uniti Atom review

If you’re an audiophile who has embraced the wonders of on-demand music streaming, Naim’s Uniti Atom is ready to be the center of your digital audio universe.
Spotify CEO launches IPO in front of logo.

Is Spotify too big to fail? It just went public, so we’ll find out soon

Despite a massively popular business, increasing revenues, and hefty valuation, all signs point to Spotify’s direct listing decision being a way out for early investors.
crosley c6 turntable launch re a

The new Crosley C6 turntable is easy on the eyes and your wallet

Turntable giant Crosley has announced a new series of turntables for budding vinyl enthusiasts. Called the C6, the new line of decks comes in three sleek colorways, and should bright excellent sound to those with growing analog collections.