Speakers & Audio
Reviews and comparisons of home speakers, soundbars, and multi-room audio setups.
WiiM Ultra Review: The One Box That Ate My Whole Audio Rack
A long-term review of the WiiM Ultra streaming preamp. The ES9038 DAC, the touchscreen, room correction, the phono and HDMI inputs, and the one missing feature that decides it.
Jul 8, 2026
Kanto YU6 Review: The Powered Bookshelf Speaker Built for the Living Room
A long-term review of the Kanto YU6 powered bookshelf speakers. The neutral voicing, the optical and Bluetooth inputs, the real remote, and who should buy them.
Jul 6, 2026
Audioengine A5+ Review: The Warm Desk Speaker You Buy Once
A long-term review of the Audioengine A5+ powered bookshelf speakers. The warm voicing, the furniture-grade build, the deliberate lack of a remote, and who should buy them.
Jul 3, 2026
Q Acoustics 3030i Review: The Bookshelf Speaker That Chooses Charm Over Clinical
A long-term review of the Q Acoustics 3030i bookshelf speakers. The wide soundstage, the British-warm tuning, the rear port that wants room, and who should buy them.
Jul 1, 2026
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Review: The $300 Bookshelf Speaker That Refuses to Lose
A long-term review of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers. The warm soft-dome tweeter, the easy amp load, the front port that loves shelves, and who should buy them.
Jun 29, 2026
Polk Reserve R200 Review: The Bookshelf Speaker That Punches Above $500
A long-term review of the Polk Reserve R200 bookshelf speakers. The Pinnacle Ring tweeter, the bass that needs room, the amp they actually want, and who should buy them.
Jun 26, 2026
FiiO K11 Review: The $130 DAC and Amp That Ends the Budget Debate
Four months with the FiiO K11 desktop DAC and headphone amp. 1400mW of balanced power for $130, the gain trick that matters, and the one output-impedance caveat for IEMs.
Jun 19, 2026
Edifier MR4 Review: The $130 Studio Monitors That Outclass Every Computer Speaker
Six months with the Edifier MR4 powered studio monitors. Honest near-field sound for $130, the dual-mode trick that matters, and the one input limitation to know before you buy.
Jun 12, 2026
Fosi Audio ZA3 Review: The $130 Amp That Embarrasses Gear Costing Five Times More
Six months with the Fosi Audio ZA3, a TPA3255 Class D amp that pushes 155W per channel, takes balanced XLR in, and switches to mono. The budget audiophile darling, tested honestly.
Jun 10, 2026
miniDSP UMIK-1 + REW Review: The $90 Mic That Made My Bookshelf Speakers Sound Right
After two years of squinting at YouTube speaker placement videos, I finally bought a UMIK-1 measurement mic and ran REW. Here's what the room actually sounded like, what changed, and why $90 was the best audio money I've ever spent.
Jun 3, 2026
How to Add a Subwoofer to Powered Bookshelf Speakers
A practical tutorial on adding a subwoofer to powered bookshelf speakers like the Audioengine A5+, Kanto YU6, or Edifier R1280T. Connection options, crossover settings, placement, and the dialing-in process.
May 22, 2026
Audioengine A5+ vs Kanto YU6: Powered Bookshelf Speakers Head-to-Head
Two of the most-recommended powered bookshelf speakers under $500. The Audioengine A5+ and the Kanto YU6 are both excellent, both popular, and both genuinely different. Here's which one belongs on your desk or sideboard.
May 19, 2026
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Review: The Default Turntable Earns It
A long-term review of the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB direct-drive turntable. Why it's the table I recommend more than any other, what the built-in phono stage actually does, the AT-VM95E cartridge, and the small list of things I'd change.
May 15, 2026
ELAC DB63 vs Q Acoustics 3030i: A Head-to-Head Under $500
Two bookshelf speakers, both critical darlings, both under $500. Which one belongs in your living room? A focused head-to-head between the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 and the Q Acoustics 3030i.
May 12, 2026
Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for 2026
Bluetooth speakers worth actually buying in 2026 — JBL, Sonos, Bose, and Soundcore compared. Real opinions on sound, battery, durability, and which one to grab for the patio.
May 7, 2026
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 Review: The Bookshelf Speaker That Embarrasses Its Price Tag
An honest, long-term review of the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 — a $280 pair of bookshelf speakers that punch into territory three times their price.
May 1, 2026
Best Turntable Setup for Beginners in 2026
A complete vinyl setup that doesn't require a second mortgage. Turntable, phono preamp, amp, and speakers — picked for sound, not snobbery.
Apr 28, 2026
Best Subwoofers Under $500 in 2026
Five subwoofers that hit hard without emptying your wallet. From compact sealed units to room-shaking ported monsters, these are the best options under $500 for music and home theater.
Apr 10, 2026
Best Soundbars Under $300 in 2026
Your TV speakers are terrible — here are four soundbars under $300 that will fix that without requiring a home theater degree or a dedicated subwoofer the size of a mini-fridge.
Apr 7, 2026
Best Wireless Earbuds for Working From Home in 2026
Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, and AirPods Pro 3 go head-to-head. One clear winner for most people, and it's not the most obvious choice.
Mar 20, 2026
WiiM Sound Review: The Sonos Killer I've Been Waiting For
WiiM finally made its own wireless speaker. The WiiM Sound packs 100W, a 1.8-inch touchscreen, RoomFit EQ, and Hi-Res audio into a $299 box that's quietly better than the Era 100 in most of the ways that matter.
Mar 13, 2026
The Best Multi-Room Audio Setup for Home Assistant in 2026
You want music in every room, controlled by automations, without cloud dependencies. Here's the stack I'd build today — from the budget approach to the full WiiM ecosystem.
Mar 9, 2026
WiiM Amp Ultra Review: The Best Streaming Amplifier I've Used
WiiM's flagship amplifier packs 100W per channel, an ESS DAC, built-in RoomFit EQ, and every streaming protocol you'd want. Is it the one to buy? Yes. Here's why.
Mar 9, 2026
The Best Passive Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 (2026)
Passive speakers are back. Pair one of these with a WiiM or a budget integrated amp and you've got a real hi-fi setup for less than most soundbars. Here's what to buy.
Mar 6, 2026
WiiM Ultra vs WiiM Pro Plus: Which One Should You Buy?
WiiM makes two of the best streaming devices money can buy right now. But they serve different needs — here's exactly which one to get and why.
Mar 3, 2026
Life After Sonos: The Best Local Multi-Room Audio Systems for 2026 (Juke, WiiM, & Home Assistant)
Tired of Sonos app lag, cloud outages, and forced updates? Here are the best local multi-room audio systems for 2026 — from Juke Audio's rack solution to WiiM streamers and Home Assistant's Music Assistant.
Feb 26, 2026
Best Smart Speakers Under $200 in 2026
The best smart speakers under $200 in 2026. Real sound quality rankings for Sonos, Apple, Amazon, and Google speakers.
Feb 22, 2026
Best Whole-Home Audio Systems (2026)
Comparing the best whole-home audio systems in 2026: Juke Audio, Sonos, HEOS, and more. Wired vs wireless, with real pros and cons.
Feb 22, 2026