Audio

What Is an M4A File, and How Do I Open One?

An M4A file is an audio file—not to be mistaken with an audiophile—which is an appreciator of music and acoustics of all kinds. Like many other types of audio files, ones with the M4A extension can be opened with multiple…

Reyadh Rahaman May 22nd

Apple’s Beats Studio Buds+ Are Built for iPhone & Android

When thinking about Apple-made earbuds and headphones, AirPods might come to mind. Beats is still alive as an Apple brand, though, and now there’s a new Beats Studio Buds+.

Arol Wright May 17th

Fairphone Now Sells Repairable & Modular Headphones

You probably know Fairphone because of its unique business model — it sells smartphones that were made ethically, by supply chain workers that earn a fair wage, and that are also built from the ground up with repairability …

Arol Wright May 12th

Sony’s New Bluetooth Speakers Are Tiny and Huge

Sony already sells some of the best Bluetooth speakers around, and the company has now revealed two new options: a compact speaker for calls and outdoor use, and a massive boombox-like model for room-filling sound….

Arol Wright May 9th

8 Reasons Music CDs Are Still Worth Buying

In a world where streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music are ubiquitous, it’s easy to forget the benefits of buying a CD. But before you turn your back on CDs, here are eight reasons why they’re still worth considerin…

Sydney Butler May 6th

How to Use Dolby Atmos Sound With Apple Music

Since 2021 Apple has offered Dolby Atmos sound with spatial audio on its devices, giving you a more enhanced auditory experience. But there’s a catch: you must be signed up for Apple Music to use it.

John Bogna Apr 30th

What Is Sonos Trueplay?

Proper audio design can be challenging, given how much stuff we cram into our homes. Sound waves are dynamic signals that bounce all over the place, so picking the ideal spot for your speakers can be quite the trial. Sonos gi…

Reyadh Rahaman Apr 24th

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Has ANC and 7-Hour Battery for Just $59

OnePlus is probably best known for its smartphones, but the company also sells earbuds (and soon, a tablet). The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 wireless earbuds are now out, and they look impressive for the $59 asking price….

Corbin Davenport Apr 4th

Audible Now Has Audio Books With Dolby Atmos

As far as audiobooks and podcasts go, one of the very best options out there is the Amazon-owned Audible. Now, it’s getting even better, as Audible is adding support for Dolby Atmos.

Arol Wright Mar 23rd

Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi Music: Which Has Better Audio Quality?

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are two ways to wirelessly stream music from your devices to speakers, but which is the best option for you? While one definitely has higher-quality audio than the other, as you’ll see they’re both still w…

Kris Wouk Mar 20th

Voice Dictation Works Great, But Should You Use It?

For years we were promised voice dictation that was accurate, real-time, and easy. Today that promise has (largely) come true, but should you write your next work report, dissertation, or novel using your voice? Maybe not, as…

Sydney Butler Feb 20th

What Are Reference Headphones and Speakers (And Should You Buy Them?)

While shopping for new speakers or headphones, you notice some fancy products with the word “reference” in the description. They look slick and have a price tag to match, but what does “reference” mean, and is it right for yo…

Sydney Butler Feb 19th

What Is Phantom Power, and Does Your Microphone Need It?

If you’re shopping for a microphone or audio interface, you’ve probably seen the term phantom power. But what exactly is phantom power, where does it come from, and do you need it to power your microphone?…

Kris Wouk Feb 15th

How to Match Speakers With Your Amp or Receiver

Buying speakers can be a daunting process. Is matching up the wattage enough, or are there other important specs? How many watts do you need? We’ll show you everything you need to know when buying speakers or a receiver….

Kris Wouk Feb 13th

The AirPods Pro Has New Competition: The OnePlus Buds Pro 2

OnePlus might be best known for selling smartphones, but the company also offers accessories like headphones and smartwatches. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is now official, and it’s aiming to compete with the best wireless earbuds….

Corbin Davenport Feb 7th

What Is a Condenser Microphone, and How Do They Work?

Whether you’re a content creator, musician, or producer, a quality microphone can go a long way. People often recommend condenser microphones for accurate recordings, but what are they? How do they compare to other types of m…

Kris Wouk Feb 3rd

Did You Know Cassette Tapes Are Making a Comeback?

In the music world, vinyl records get a lot of attention when it comes to physical media. Sales for vinyl records have been on the rise for years, and now the same thing is starting to happen with cassette tapes….

Joe Fedewa Jan 14th

What Is Beamforming Audio, and How Does It Work?

Beamforming audio is coming to the world of audio, and it could change everything. What is so special about beamforming audio, how does it work, and what could this technology mean for the future of audio?…

Kris Wouk Jan 13th

JBL’s New Soundbar Can Break Into Portable Wireless Speakers

Soundbars are a great way to add high-quality audio to your TV, and JBL’s Bar Series has consistently been among the best. The JBL Bar 1300X is a unique soundbar with detachable ends that double as portable wireless speakers…

Joe Fedewa Jan 4th

Lossless vs. Hi-Res Audio: What’s the Difference?

Streaming services are starting to make a big point of offering lossless audio, hi-res audio, or both, but which matters more? We’ll take a look at what both qualities mean and what the differences between them actually are….

Kris Wouk Jan 3rd

What Is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)?

If you’ve looked into producing music, podcasts, or other audio projects, you’ve likely heard talk of digital audio workstations. So what are these tools, who are they meant for, and how do you know which one you should use? …

Kris Wouk Dec 28th, 2022

What Is an Audio Interface (and What Should You Look For in One)?

Whether you’re a musician, looking to upgrade your streaming rig, or starting a podcast, you need an audio interface. But what are they, what do they do, and what features should you be looking for when you buy one?…

Kris Wouk Dec 23rd, 2022

Are Bone Conduction Headphones Still Worth Buying?

Bone conduction headphones offer the promise of audio without cutting you off from the outside world. This made them great for work or workouts, but now that headphones have passthrough modes, are there any good reasons to st…

Sydney Butler Dec 15th, 2022

How to Get Better Laptop Sound Quality

Laptop speakers are frequently disappointing, with all but a handful of models to choose from if sound quality is a high priority. So what can you do about it, and what’s the best bang for your buck when it comes to laptop so…

Tim Brookes Dec 11th, 2022

How to Fix Bluetooth Audio Delay

Bluetooth is great for music or audiobooks, but as soon as you’re watching videos or gaming, it can introduce latency that makes everything look like a bad dub. Bluetooth speakers and headphones will always have lag, but ther…

Sydney Butler Dec 10th, 2022

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