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Speaker Reviews

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Honest speaker and speaker system reviews by Digital Trends’ experienced reviewers. Compare the latest models based on rating, manufacturer, features, and more.

Section Editor, Audio/Video
Nakamichi Dragon Surround System Review

Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6 home surround sound system review: bringing the fire

Nakamichi has unleashed the Dragon 11.4.6 surround system and I put it through its paces to see if the Dolby Atmos system really is the stuff of legend.
The Amazon Echo Pop and its retail box.

Amazon Echo Pop Review: a perfectly priced Alexa

A front view of the LG XBoom LX7 portable party speaker.

LG XBoom XL7 review: a thunderous karaoke party speaker on wheels

Looking to rock your neighbors or belt out karaoke tunes into the night? The LG XBoom XL7 is the portable party speaker and light show to help you do it.
Anker Soundcore Motion X600 angled view.

Anker Soundcore Motion X600 review: a mini metal boombox

With a sleek metal and aluminum shell, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks as good as it sounds.
Sonos Era 300 seen from below.

Sonos Era 300 review: the best wireless system gets its best speaker yet

With outstanding sound for stereo and Dolby Atmos Music, the Sonos Era 300 wireless smart speaker is the complete package.
Sonos Era 100.

Sonos Era 100 review: bigger sound, better features

Sonos' newest entry-level wireless smart speaker packs plenty of new features and much more immersive sound – just don't say, hey, Google.
A low-angle view of Klipsch The Nines right-channel speaker next to a TV.

Klipsch The Nines review: way too much fun for just one box

Klipsch builds on the popularity of its HDMI-armed The Fives with a bigger, badder version called The Nines.
Klipsch The Sevens.

Klipsch The Sevens review: skip the AVR and subwoofer; this is all you need

Can a set of powered stereo speakers replace a soundbar? Absolutely. Especially if they're Klipsch's The Sevens.
The Marshall Middleton Bluetooth speaker on a bookshelf.

Marshall Middleton review: a road-worthy portable powerhouse

Marshall's Middleton Bluetooth speaker does its classic guitar amp lineage proud with a sound that's big and clear and a sturdy gig-worthy design.
The JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth speaker, glowing blue on a media sideboard table with a stereo receiver.

JBL Pulse 5 review: decent sound, trippy lava-lamp light show

The JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth speaker isn't going to blow you away with its sound, but it might with its beautifully trippy lava-lamp lights and waterproof design.
Apple HomePod 2023

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) review: two is better than one

One second-generation Apple HomePod is great. But it really starts to shine when you put two of them together.
The Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System on a shelf

Q Acoustics M20 HD review: not just any old Bluetooth speakers

The Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System punches well above its weight and shouldn't be dismissed as just another set of desktop Bluetooth speakers.
Trettitre TreSound 1 Bluetooth speaker.

Trettitre TreSound 1 review: a sleek mountain of mediocre sound

The elegant shape and quality construction of Trettitre's TreSound 1Bluetooth speaker are undermined by poorly balanced sound, with no adjustments or features.
Bluesound Pulse M speaker.

Bluesound Pulse M review: precision sound for any room

For those who want Sonos capabilities in a speaker that meets a slightly higher standard of audiophile performance, the Bluesound Pulse M is a worthy choice.
The Monoprice DT-3BT Powered Desktop Bluetooth Speakers

Monoprice DT-3BT review: Budget speakers that deserve a spot on your desk

The Monoprice DT-3BT powered Bluetooth speakers are a basic, budget, but better-than-expected set of desktop speakers that sound great for the price.
Sonos Sub Mini

Sonos Sub Mini review: The low-end finally costs less

For far too long, Sonos fans have had only one, very expensive subwoofer option. With the Sub Mini, choice has finally arrived. Was it worth the wait?
The Fluance Ai81 speakers set up on each side of a TV stand.

Fluance Ai81 Elite speaker review: Power from the towers

The Fluance Ai81 powered floorstanding speakers are far more than your average pair of Bluetooth speakers, from design and setup to actual sound.
A hand is holding the Wonderboom 3 speaker in front of a beach background.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3: still a solid buy despite only minor improvements

This go-anywhere mini Bluetooth speaker sounds pretty good, looks pretty good, and is built like a tank.
Marshall Emberton II and Willen side by side.

Marshall Emberton II and Willen review: A stylish set of Bluetooth speakers you can take anywhere

Marshall's Emberton II and Willen Bluetooth speakers mix retro styling, waterproofing, and sonic pleasure in two different shapes and sizes.
LG GP9 speaker in front of a monitor

LG UltraGear GP9 review: The best gaming speaker you shouldn’t buy

The LG Ultra Gear GP9 is an excellent gaming speaker that falls short elsewhere, which makes its $500 price tag a tough sell.
Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp (Gen 2).

Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp Gen 2 hands-on review: More light, more sound

Ikea's mushroom-shaped table lamp/wireless speaker gets a much-needed makeover while keeping Sonos' ease of use and room-filling sound.
Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker hung vertically on a wall.

Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame review: The art of noise

Ikea's unusual Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker is an attempt to hide a speaker by disguising it as art that hangs on a wall. Here's what you can expect.
nest mini review 2 google 2nd gen feat

Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) review: Even faster, even smarter

We tested the Nest Mini to see how it stacks up against the rest of the pint-sized smart speaker pack. Here’s our full review of the Nest Mini 2nd Generation.
Apple HomePod mini in hand

Apple HomePod Mini review: Finally, the smart speaker Apple needs

Apple failed to make an impression with the original HomePod, but the HomePod mini is poised to change that.
Sony SRS-RA5000 360 speaker

Sony SRS-RA5000 speaker review: An expensive experiment

Spatial audio is a hot trend, and Sony's SRS-RA5000 attempts to capitalize on that by leveraging the company's 360 Reality Audio format, but it misses the mark.
Sonos Roam

Sonos Roam review: Tiny speaker, huge value

The $169 Sonos Roam isn't the cheapest Sonos speaker, but it is easily the most versatile. We think it's an incredible portable speaker for the price.
Amazon Echo Studio

Amazon Echo Studio review: The best Echo speaker yet

With deep bass, hi-res audio chops, and Dolby Atmos support, the Echo Studio is Amazon's best smart speaker yet and has few peers in the smart speaker space.
Tribit StormBox Micro speakers

Tribit StormBox Micro review: River-tested, ears-approved

The Tribit StormBox Micro is a pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker that boasts eight hours of battery life, an IP67 weather resistance rating, and exceptional sound.
harman kardon soundsticks 4 anniversary edition review bluetooth 20th 1

Harman/Kardon Soundsticks 4 review: What’s old is new again

With impressive sound for $300, the Soundsticks 4 present excellent value -- despite a few quirks -- with a style that will take you back to the year 2000.
pantheone speaker review 7

Pantheone I speaker review: Sonos smarts, superior sound

With outstanding audio reproduction, integration with Spotify Connect, and multi-room audio, Pantheone I is poised to unseat the king — if not for the price.
klipsch the fives review powered speakers 6

Klipsch The Fives review: Soundbar killers

The Fives by Klipsch are the first powered speakers that are HDMI ARC compatible, and they put soundbars to shame with their incredible audio quality.
Bose Home Speaker 500

Bose Home Speaker 500 review: Stylish, super sound

Smart speakers with great sound and a wealth of features don't come cheap, but the Bose Home Speaker 500 is a strong argument that it's worth the investment.
The Sonos Move in an outdoor setting.

Sonos Move review: Great outdoors

Sonos' first Bluetooth speaker was made for life outdoors, and can power a pool party single-handedly. But is it worth the investment? Here's our full review.
Marshall Tufton

Marshall Tufton Bluetooth speaker review: Big, bold block rocker

Most Bluetooth speakers are small, personal devices that emphasize portability over power. Not so with the Marshall Tufton. It's a no-compromises crowd-pleaser.

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Section Editor, Audio/Video

Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the personality behind Modern Dad, and is currently an editor with Digital Trends. Phil’s online work has taken him all over the United States, as well as Europe and Asia.

When he’s not writing, editing, or shooting video, Phil serves as president of the Pensacola Youth Soccer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has worked on multiple local political campaigns and is a part-time photographer and videographer.

Phil is a native of Pensacola, where he resides with his wife, daughters and a dog named Max.

Find Phil on Mastodon, or on Threads.