u/DaveCarr_SG

Thoughts on Apple asking an extra $20 for a few hardware conveniences without changing the core listening experience?

Both AirPods 5 get the same ANC and acoustic hardware, but the $149 version adds wireless charging, an extra hour of battery life with ANC on, and volume swipe controls.

Personally, the volume controls are what get me. I use them all the time on my AirPods Pro 3, so of course I’d end up spending the extra $20. Curious which version everyone else would actually buy.

JBL just released its new Cove Wi-Fi speakers. There are three models, the M1, P1, and X1, starting at $230 and going up to $450. They’re basically JBL’s take on a whole-home speaker setup, with multi-room audio, stereo pairing, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth. The P1 is the interesting one if you want something portable since it has a battery, IP56 rating, and charging dock. The P1 and X1 also get Dolby Atmos with upward firing drivers. I had a chance to check all three out in New York, so here’s the deal for anyone wondering what they’re all about!

Recently reviewed the new QC Headphones, and I must admit the USB-C to 3.5mm cable was a nice touch. With audio over USB-C, there’s no reason to have the jack on the headphones themselves anymore.

Thoughts? Honestly something every pair of headphones should come with now.

Hey everyone, I recently put together this video to help first-time buyers make the right choice when picking out their first Bluetooth speaker (or their next one).

I cover a few things that aren't always obvious from looking at the specs, and some lessons I've learned from testing a ton of Bluetooth speakers over the years.

Hope it helps!

A recent trip to the beach made me appreciate ANC somewhere I’d never really thought about using it before.

Where do you use your AirPods Pro ANC the most? Any situations where it’s come in surprisingly handy?

If anyone needs help deciding which JBL portable to buy in 2026, here's a quick overview video of the current lineup to help you narrow down your options! The short version? The Charge 6 is still the best for most people, I'd say.

I was putting together a comparison and ended up landing on the XM6, Momentum 5, and Nothing Headphone (1). Curious what everyone else would pick, and why.

If anyone is waiting for a deal on the X5, the black version is $100 off on Amazon right now!

Anyone else rocking Transparency mode most of the time? Of course, I'm still using ANC when needed, that's the beauty of it, but if I'm out and about in the city or even cycling these days, I find myself listening at quieter volumes with transparency mode on to be more aware of my surroundings. Works great.

Heads up, the BB4 is $100 off again, making it only $50 more than the Xtreme 5. Navy, Black, and Camo colors only!

The Micro does indeed sound great, but if you don't want to spend $129 on a grab-and-go speaker, the Soundcore Boom Go 3i and the newer Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 sound just as good, offer way more customization, and will save you a pretty decent chunk of change!

All Apple needed to do was hide an "Advanced Mode" deep in the settings for those of us who actually like to tweak, but it ended up being the bare minimum!

Looks like the BB4 is still on sale on Amazon. Just wanted to share my latest versus video if you're still on the fence between the X5 and the BB4! Cheers.

Heads up! The BB4 is $100 off on Amazon in the US right now! All colors included! That's only $50 more than the Xtreme 5.

Hey all, we put together this overview video and some initial impressions after testing out the full Bose Lifestyle Ultra lineup.

A couple of things to note if you're considering this system. There's no remote, it uses HDMI-CEC, and there's no optical in, so you'll need a newer smart TV to use with the soundbar. You can also only run one sub at a time.

Also dealt with a few app blunders, including the app deciding not to recognize my system in the middle of a movie... which means reconnecting and re-configuring the entire thing :(

https://youtu.be/eCpJ6wxqGAo