Speakers & Audio
Reviews and comparisons of home speakers, soundbars, and multi-room audio setups.
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