The best powered speakers are a minimalist’s dream: Because they feature built-in amplification, there’s no power-matching, no racks of components, and cable clutter is essentially nonexistent: Just plug the speakers into wall power, connect your sound source, and you’re in business. Increasingly, powered speakers are being marketed as all-in-one sound hubs, combining the convenience of…
Courtesy of retailers By now, you’ve turned your into everything it was destined to be—and then some. What’s now a home office, a happy hour bar, and our favorite, a home gym. As you look forward to the warmer (and warmest) months of the year, chances are you’ve already started gearing up for all the…
Spring is in the air, so it should be in your step, too. And one of the best ways to put some of that spring, swing, pulse, or pogo in your pace is with new speakers. With that in mind, British audiophile mainstay Bowers & Wilkins is celebrating March Music Days and offering savings on…
When it comes down to it, the consensus on the best of the best speakers for music is that they are top-of-Mount-Olympus reference units that run into the tens of thousands of dollars—far out of reach for most mortal humans. But don’t despair. You don’t have to forego buying a house or having children just…
Despite the prevalence of wireless earbuds and portable Bluetooth speakers, there’s something new in the air. That something is high-quality, space-filling audio—the kind of rich response you find in the best bookshelf speakers. While many still listen to music on budget ’buds and battery-powered “smart” speakers, there’s a growing appreciation for lossless, immersive audio on…
Choosing the best stereo speakers used to be a pretty straightforward decision: If speakers sounded good, matched your amp, and fit your space, they were winners. These days, that decision is a little more complicated, taking into account granular music preferences, streaming functionality, and whole-home connectivity. With a wide range of speaker choices available at…
Inexpensive Bluetooth speakers can be hit or miss; some models stand up well against pricier units while others sink. Luckily, if you know what you’re looking for, you won’t have any trouble selecting the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 to fit your needs and budget. Whether you’re looking for something waterproof to bring with you…
Giving a speaker to your child opens up a world of exploration through music and audiobooks. They can listen to tunes while playing, share their favorites with friends, and hold dance parties in their bedrooms. Stories and podcasts will take them to new worlds, both real and imagined. And when it’s time for bed, they…
Connects to Google Assistant or AlexaThe pint-sized Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has become our new favorite portable speaker. I (Parker) have taken it on road trips, to outdoor weddings, and in the basket of my bike. The simple-to-use Sonos ecosystem works with Google Assistant and Alexa, and the speaker has Bluetooth for when you’re…
When you buy a computer — whether it’s a desktop or laptop — audio quality is one of the things that’s typically missing. Yes, laptops typically come with a small speaker or two that offer some sound output, but it’s not exactly full, rich stereo sound. These built-in speakers aren’t ideal for listening to music, watching videos or gaming…