Simon Cohen
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All things audio and video that everyday folks will care about, whether it's a new set of wireless earbuds or a new way to find streaming media.
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Business, investments, M&A, fintech, funding announcements, B2B, healthtech
🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 Freelance tech writer specializing in audio/video
Terrible at Wordle
authory.com/SimonCohen
Articles by Simon Cohen
How to enable Auracast on Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones
We here at Digital Trends have given props to the Sony WH-1000XM line of headphones in the past. Products like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WF-1000XM5 have been making waves for the last couple of years. In fact, the XM5s are currently our pick for the best headphones, and the XM4s had that distinction before them.
AirPods Max flaw means you might not be listening to lossless audio, but there’s a fix
When Apple announced that it had added lossless, USB Audio to the USB-C version of the AirPods Max, I was very keen to try it out. Especially given that Apple launched the USB-C version without the feature (or an analog input), a move I couldn’t understand at all. As soon as Apple was kind enough to send me a review unit, I checked for the latest firmware, plugged the AirPods Max into my iPhone 16 and … it sounded exactly the same as Bluetooth.
How to experience lossless audio
There’s been a lot of talk lately about lossless audio, and that might have led you think that you need special equipment or an expensive streaming music service to get it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you probably already own everything you need to hear lossless audio. So let’s take a quick look at what lossless audio is, and maybe more importantly, what it isn’t, and how you can listen to it.
Dolby’s soundbar alternative arrives this summer on select TCL TVs
It’s been almost two years since Dolby announced its Dolby Atmos FlexConnect technology — a system that lets you place a series of speakers anywhere in your room, all wirelessly connected to your TV, for a full Dolby Atmos experience, no soundbar or AV receiver required. At the time, Dolby said it would partner with TCL to bring Atmos FlexConnect to the market, but despite some demos at the Consumer Electronics Show, there’s been little movement toward that goal.
Dolby’s soundbar alternative arrives this summer on select TCL TVs
1 hour ago This Lenovo OLED laptop lasted 23 hours in my tests--no, seriously This convertible laptop takes Lunar Lake to its limits.
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: The best wireless headphones for almost everyone
“Sony's best ANC headphones so far are brilliant in almost every way.” Pros Fold-up, fold-flat hinges Premium-feeling materials and finishes Increased comfort, more secure fit Top-notch sound quality Excellent noise canceling/transparency Great for calls even in noisy places Cons No USB audio Awkward, Android-only Auracast Limited spatial audio “Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound...
Marshall’s first soundbar will change how we think about home theater
With its gold accents, prominent control knobs, and guitar amp styling, Marshall’s hefty Heston 120 looks like no other soundbar on the planet. But what fascinates me about the company’s first TV speaker isn’t the styling (it looks exactly like I’d expect from a Marshall product), it’s how it’s been engineered to work with the company’s equally iconic portable Bluetooth speakers: It uses Bluetooth.
‘A profound mistake’: Sonos’ CEO talks about its broken app and why it’s been so hard to fix
On May 7, 2024, Sonos launched a new version of its software intended to help customers manage their music and their Sonos system more easily, and with fewer taps. What happened next can only be described as a fiasco. Upon opening the new app for the first time, Sonos users were not only greeted with an unfamiliar interface, many found that their systems had become unresponsive and that features they had come to rely on (like alarms and play queue access) had evaporated.
Ifi’s Up Travel is an audiophile-grade, pocket Bluetooth transmitter
You’ll find plenty of Bluetooth transmitters on Amazon that will let you connect your wireless headphones or earbuds to an airplane’s seatback entertainment systems, but few do double-duty as a Bluetooth receiver, and I’ve yet to find one that offers the sheer number of codec choice as Ifi’s new Up Travel. At $99, the Up Travel is among the pricier options for this kind of device, and probably not the right option if you just need simple connectivity.
I spent 48 hours with Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and I don’t want to give them back Original
Sony’s new flagship noise-cancelling wireless headphones are a combination of upgrades I’d been hoping for and a few changes I didn’t even know I wanted. The result is a set of cans that feel instantly familiar yet entirely new. That’s no small feat when the product you’re following has been topping best headphones lists for years. At $450, they’re also the most expensive of the 1000X series so far.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 debut with better ANC, a folding hinge, and a higher price
Sony's 1000X series of wireless, noise-canceling headphones have consistently topped our headphone recommendation lists, and with good reason. With every generation, Sony finds ways to deliver a better experience, whether it's improved active noise cancellation (ANC), better sound quality, a more comfortable fit -- or all three at once.
Qobuz Connect launches with Denon, Marantz, and 58 more hi-fi brands
Fans of Qobuz, the France-based subscription music service that specializes in lossless, hi-res audio, now have a new way of streaming their favorite tracks to their favorite devices. Qobuz Connect has been added to the company’s iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps, letting them control compatible streaming speakers and components from a big list of hi-fi brands.
Wiim’s new Amp Ultra goes above and beyond its amplified streamers Original
Table of Contents For those seeking the ultimate all-in-one network music streamer and two-channel stereo amplifier, Wiim might just have exactly what you want.
Wiim debuts the Sub Pro, its first wireless subwoofer Original
Wiim is on a tear right now. Alongside the reveal of its first wireless speaker, the Wiim Sound, and its new Amp Ultra, the wireless audio company has announced its first wireless subwoofer, the Wiim Sub Pro. It can connect wirelessly (or via a wire) to Wiim’s network music streamers and amps, and the company says its 250-watt class D amp will faithfully reproduce frequencies down to 25Hz without distortion.
Exclusive: This is Wiim’s first wireless speaker
Table of Contents Tomorrow, Wiim will announce its first wireless speaker, the Wiim Sound. It looks like a lot like Apple’s HomePod, with an almost cylindrical shape that’s wrapped in a fabric grille and topped with a set of touch controls. But the detail that will likely get the most attention is its built-in, 1.8-inch circular touchscreen. The hi-res screen offers the same album displays and controls as the one on the front of the Wiim Ultra, the company’s flagship network music streamer.
Audio gear prices are climbing, but for how long?
Table of Contents The trade war between the U.S. and overseas countries like China no longer poses a theoretical risk of price increases on audio gear — those higher prices are here. Bose told Digital Trends that starting Monday, May 12, it will bump the price of its flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones from $429 to $449, while its sleek SoundLink Home Bluetooth speaker will increase from $219 to $229.
Soundcore Liberty 5 review: excellent daily driver earbuds
Soundcore Liberty 5 MSRP $130.00 “The Liberty 5 goes back to the basics (and nails them).” Pros Great sound Very effective ANC Excellent transparency Great for calls Long battery life Cons No Bluetooth Auracast Table of Contents Soundcore’s Liberty 5 wireless earbuds are, in many respects, exactly what I’ve come to expect from the Anker-owned brand.
Sennheiser’s Accentum Open earbuds look a lot like AirPods
Sennheiser has added a new set of wireless earbuds to its entry-level Accentum sub-brand: the $130 Accentum Open, which will start shipping in June in both black and cream color options. Though Sennheiser is really leaning into that word, “open,” touting the earbuds’ ability to do away with ear fatigue while providing awareness of your surroundings, the Accentum Open are essentially the same design as Apple’s iconic AirPods.
Soundcore Liberty 5 promises better audio and the company’s best ANC so far
Soundcore has released the Liberty 5, the latest generation of its midrange wireless earbuds. They’re priced at $130 — $20 less than the Liberty 4 — however, the new model lacks its predecessor’s heart rate tracking sensors and head-tracked spatial audio. Still, Soundcore says it has made significant improvements in areas like ANC, bass response, and battery life. They come in white, black, pink, and blue, and you can order them starting today from Amazon or soundcore.com.
Sonos and Ikea call it quits on Symfonisk speakers
Sonos and Ikea are winding down their partnership on wireless speakers, according to a new report from The Verge. Current inventory of the Symfonisk lineup is “being phased out globally at all Ikea locations and no future devices are planned.” The report notes, however that existing products will continue to receive software updates. The news comes shortly before the one-year anniversary of Sonos’ now-infamous botched software redesign.
You can now expand your Sonos system with a Yamaha AV receiver
The biggest TVs on the market may not necessarily deliver the best picture quality, but there are plenty of sets that deliver the best of both worlds. In fact, Amazon is offering a fantastic discount on one of its brand-new mini-LED TVs, and it’s a whopping 85 inches! We’re referring to the Amazon 85-inch Omni Mini-LED Series, a TV that’s marked down to $1,850 at Amazon for a limited time. Dolby Atmos is one of the most immersive surround sound formats ever created by audio engineers.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Ultraportable speaker that won’t disappoint on sound Original
Ultimate Ears MiniRoll MSRP $80.00 “On a pure sound-for-size basis, it doesn't get much better than the UE Miniroll.” Pros Impressive sound quality for its size Tough, waterproof, and built to travel Expandable via PartyUp (Auracast) Thoughtful, flexible silicone strap Lightweight and easy to pack Cons Lacks a true wrist strap Can't stereo-pair No app for EQ adjustments Table of Contents When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers for under $100, compromise is part of the game. You want...
New music service promises better lossless audio than Apple, Amazon, and Tidal
Table of Contents These days, with the ongoing exception of Spotify, most of the best music streaming services let you stream in lossless audio, which can deliver the equivalent of CD quality (or better) music to your phone, tablet, or wireless speakers.
LG Display claims victory in race to create blue PHOLED panels
In the world of OLED panels, there are two main types of OLED material: fluorescent and phosphorescent. Fluorescent has been the easiest to work with historically, but it’s far less efficient than phosphorescent, which is why, for years, the display industry has been trying to develop the technology needed to create a 100% phosphorescent OLED (PHOLED) panel.
Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED updated with interactive art, dual audio
Table of Contents In late 2024, When Amazon announced the launch of its new Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series, it promised that the TVs would eventually be upgraded with two additional features: an interactive art display powered by the TV’s onboard high-fidelity radar sensor, and Dual Audio — the ability to stream audio to a connected set of Bluetooth hearing aids, while letting everyone else in the room listen via the built-in speakers. With a recent over-the-air update, both are now available.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs. Shokz OpenDots One: Which open-ear clips are right for you?
Table of Contents Open-ear earbuds are a great option for anyone who wants to hear their tunes, podcasts, and phone calls while staying aware of their surroundings. A lot of people also find them more comfortable than conventional wireless earbuds. Still, even within the open-ear category, there are choices to be made. One of the biggest choices is, do you want an earhook design or the newer, clip style?
Shokz OpenDots One review: Comfy clip-on earbuds go big on bass and battery life
Shokz OpenDots One MSRP $200.00 Pros Light and pocketable Impressive bass response Wireless charging Excellent battery life Cons Expensive Limited controls Table of Contents When it comes to open-ear earbuds, there are two main styles: earhooks or clips. While great for stability, earhooks don’t always play nicely with glasses.
Lossless audio is a big upgrade, but the cables kinda suck
One of the biggest improvements to hit wireless headphones is the inclusion of lossless audio via USB. Instead of relying on a wireless Bluetooth connection, which always introduces compression and therefore some loss of musical detail, the newest headphones let you connect to a smartphone or computer using a USB-C cable, which lets 100% of those digital music zeroes and ones stream to your cans, with no compression at all.
Wiim’s tvOS app is another slap at Sonos
Wiim, the wireless audio company that has been making big inroads into a market once dominated by Sonos, quietly launched a version of its Wiim Home app for Apple TV owners earlier this month. Though not groundbreaking by any means, it’s yet another example of how this wireless audio upstart is moving at an incredible speed when compared to its main competitor.
Bowers & Wilkins debuts Px7 S3 headphones, teases Px8 S2
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has just taken the wraps off its latest wireless headphones, promising better sound, noise cancellation, comfort, and other improvements. The Px7 S3 will be available in Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue and Canvas White, and are being touted as the brand’s most advanced wireless headphones so far. But that title might not last long — B&W has also said that its next flagship, the Px8 S2, is in the works and should be available later in 2025.
Roku adds 2 new streaming sticks, announces plans for projectors
Hisense today announced that its new PL2 Laser Cinema ultra short throw (UST) projector, which launched in the U.K. in August and boasts a stylish new look and brighter 2,700 lumens of brightness, can now be had in the U.S. for $2,500.
Wireless earbuds are quickly becoming essential devices
Table of Contents As soon as someone learns what I do for a living, I know what’s coming next: “OK, so which are the best wireless earbuds?” You’d think that’s an easy one to answer. After all, I’ve tested every model on Digital Trends’ list of the best wireless earbuds. And yet, even though we provide guidance on the best overall wireless earbuds for most people, the honest answer is always, “it depends.” It depends on your budget. It depends on whether you find some earbud styles uncomfortable.
I’m definitely not ready for LG’s ‘emotionally aware’ TV ads
Table of Contents LG has announced that it’s partnering with a company called Zenapse to deliver so-called emotionally aware advertising across the entire webOS smart TV experience, including LG Channels, the company’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service, and I’m uneasy about the whole concept. I tend to be skeptical of the power of advertising to get me to do something (or buy something) that I wasn’t already considering doing.
JBL Flip 7 vs. Sonos Roam 2: Which portable speaker fits your style?
Table of Contents One look at our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, and you can see that JBL exerts a dominant influence. The company seems to have an unerring sense of what people want when it comes to portability and sound quality. Within the sub-$200 category, its latest model is the Flip 7, and it brings greater ruggedness and lossless audio to an already proven formula.
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Which portable speaker is right for you?
Table of Contents For years, JBL dominated our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, especially in the sub-$200 category where the company’s line of Flip speakers have proven so popular. That popularity continues with the Flip 7, the best version of the cylindrical powerhouse so far. But JBL is no longer alone. When Beats revived its fan-favorite Pill speaker in 2024, it did so at a more accesible price and added some great new features.
JBL Charge 6 review: Why a simple strap makes it the perfect portable speaker
“More powerful and portable than ever, the Charge 6 makes a great music companion.” Pros Rugged and waterproof Powerful for its size Convenient multipurpose strap Excellent battery life USB Audio Cons No speakerphone function No aux input Over-emphasized highs Table of Contents JBL’s Charge series of portable Bluetooth speakers has been a perennial favorite for those who want powerful tunes to go. It’s easy to see why.
Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: Brilliant Bose sound on a budget
Skullcandy Method 360 ANC MSRP $100.00 “The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are nothing short of a gift to Bose fans on a budget.” Pros Affordably priced Excellent sound quality Comfortable and secure Multipoint and wear sensors Very good battery life Cons Awkward charging case No wireless charging Table of Contents Skullcandy has made lots of decent-sounding, budget-friendly wireless earbuds and headphones over the years.
Beats debuts colorful USB-C and Lightning charging cables
Beats has added a new accessory to its lineup of audio products: Beats Cables. Specifically, USB-C and Lightning charging cables. They come in four colors — Rapid Red, Nitro Navy, Surge Stone, and Bolt Black — and feature a woven fabric exterior sheath designed to prevent fraying. They’re available in two different lengths: 1.5-meter (4 feet, 11 inches) and 0.2-meter (8-inch).
Edifier’s LolliClip bring ANC and health tracking to open-fit earbuds
Edifier has released its latest set of open-ear true wireless earbuds and they’re packed with the kind of features normally reserved for flagship products. The $130 LolliClip are available in black or white and you can order them starting today on Amazon. The standout feature on these clip-style earbuds is the availability of active noise cancellation (ANC). To be truly effective, ANC needs earbuds that can seal your ear canal using silicone tips, which open-ear earbuds lack.
JBL Tour One M3 review: The most advanced headphones you can buy
“With an insane amount of features and awesome performance, the Tour One M3 are the cure for audio FOMO.” Pros Light and comfy Great sound Very good ANC/transparency Best-in-class call quality Analog/digital wired connections Included Auracast transmitter Cons Somewhat dated design You may not need the transmitter Limited control customization Table of Contents There is no shortage of fabulous options for top-of-the-line wireless noise-canceling headphones.
Meet GPMI, the one-cable standard taking on HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt
There’s nothing like an excellent pair of wireless ANC headphones to tune out the parts of the world you’re cursed with hearing. We’re talking plane, train, and bus engines, construction sites, HVAC hum, and even coworker discussions. Brands like Beats have been perfecting ANC tech for years, which is why we’re always excited to spotlight a Beats discount when we come across one, including right now: For a limited time, the Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones are marked down to $200 from $350.
LG TVs are about to lose access to Google Assistant
South Korean electronics giant LG has announced a handful of new educational, personal growth, and lifestyle apps and content that will run on its webOS-based smart TVs. In the lead-up to CES 2024, where the world's biggest consumer electronics brands unveil their latest wares for the year, LG shared a list of new apps, platforms, and features that it's hoping will "meet users’ individual preferences and interests" through its TVs, while "enhancing various lifestyles with fun and enjoyment,"...
Wiim officially reveals its Voice Remote 2 for $39
Fans of Cambridge Audio's award-winning network music players are about to get a treat, as the British audio maker today launched its CXN100 Network Player, the long-awaited successor to its popular CXN V2. The redesigned player features a completely new DAC capable of handling 32-bit/768kHz, more precise and streamlined processing, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and all new tuning by the company's "engineering magicians." The CXN100 goes on sale today for $1,099.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: everything you need to know
Table of Contents If Apple’s most popular product is the iPhone, its most iconic product is its AirPods wireless earbuds. The instantly recognizable white buds have become ubiquitous since their debut nearly 10 years ago. Apple’s premium version is the AirPods Pro 2. These earbuds received a mild update in 2023, including the addition of MagSafe charging and USB-C compatibility, but we haven’t seen a real upgrade since the second generation was released in 2022.
Astell&Kern’s latest audiophile portable comes with its own dock
Astell&Kern (A&K) has announced its latest portable digital audio player (DAP) and it not only boasts a huge number of audiophile-friendly features, but it also ships with a home charging dock that doubles as a two-channel analog source for hi-fi systems. The A&K PS10 will officially debut at CanJam Singapore, 5 – 6 April 2025 and be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide in May 2025 for $2,500. The PS10 is a departure for A&K’s portables.
Wiim’s Voice Remote 2 bears an uncanny resemblance to Apple’s Siri remote
Wiim will soon update its Alexa-capable voice remote and the new model looks like a clone of the Siri voice remote that ships with every Apple TV 4K streaming device. Wiim calls it the Voice Remote 2, and I caught a glimpse of it while attending a Wiim product briefing in Markham, Ontario. Officially, it doesn’t launch until April 8, which is when we’ll know the price and details like battery life. On that day, you’ll be able to find it on Wiim’s website (and likely on Amazon too).
JBL Flip 6 vs. Flip 7: discounts determine this fight
Table of Contents Portable Bluetooth speakers are so handy that everyone who likes to listen to music should own one. For years, JBL’s Flip line of speakers has been topping recommendation lists across the internet and for good reason: they’re the perfect blend of portability, ruggedness, and sound quality. The question is, now that the Flip is in its seventh generation, should you buy JBL’s latest and greatest portable, or stick with the Flip 6 even though it’s now a few years old?
Audio-Technica’s new open-back headphones are surprisingly affordable
Audio-Technica (A-T) has broken a barrier on the price of studio-quality open-back wired headphones with its new ATH-R30x. At just $99, the new cans are more affordable than similar models from brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic, giving creators and music fans alike an easier-on-the-wallet way to enjoy the benefits of open-back listening. You can buy them right now from Audio-Technica or Amazon.com.
Dolby’s dominance threatened as free alternatives grow
Table of Contents For decades, Dolby Labs has been the undisputed leader in audio and video formats. Even when people can’t necessarily describe why a movie sounds better in Dolby Atmos or looks better on their TV when it’s presented in Dolby Vision, they know that these are the labels to look for when buying a new TV or soundbar, or when signing up for a streaming service like Netflix. Dolby’s near ubiquity is a testament to its technological innovation and masterful marketing.
Apple tvOS 19: everything you need to know
This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage Updated less than 0 just now ago Table of Contents Now that Apple’s annual WWDC event is just around the corner, we’ll soon learn what the company has in store for the software that powers its popular streaming device, the Apple TV. The next major version will be tvOS 19 and it’s expected to get new features, a possible new design, and will push integration with Apple’s other products deeper than before. When will tvOS 19 be revealed?
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