Bluetooth Codec Comparison: LDAC vs aptX Adaptive & Variants vs LHDC vs LC3 vs SCL6 vs SBC vs AAC
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Bluetooth Codec Comparison: LDAC vs aptX Adaptive & Variants vs LHDC vs LC3 vs SCL6 vs SBC vs AAC

Following on from my previous Bluetooth guide, this article covers the main Bluetooth codecs used by various wireless earphones today. Lossy vs Lossless Audio Codecs Bluetooth earbuds currently use lossy audio codecs as the bandwidth available to Bluetooth can not accommodate lossless audio. Codec Comparison Table Bluetooth Codec Overviews SBC The Low Complexity Subband Coding…

Bluetooth Guide – Bluetooth Versions & Factors Affecting Quality of Bluetooth Codecs
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Bluetooth Guide – Bluetooth Versions & Factors Affecting Quality of Bluetooth Codecs

I would say most people know roughly what Bluetooth is and use it regularly. But how much do you really know about this wireless technology that’s now over 25 years old? When buying a new phone or earbuds, are you aware of all the different technologies that can affect the performance of Bluetooth? This is…

Creative Stage SE Soundbar Review – Nothing better at the price
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Creative Stage SE Soundbar Review – Nothing better at the price

Following on from my review of the excellent Creative Sound Blaster Katana SE, I have been checking out the Stage SE. This is a compact and affordable soundbar designed to sit below your monitor and enhance the audio from your laptop or desktop PC. It is a basic soundbar that lacks many of the features…

Soundcore Motion X500 vs X600: 40W Spatial Audio Speaker For £130 during presale, £170 RRP
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Soundcore Motion X500 vs X600: 40W Spatial Audio Speaker For £130 during presale, £170 RRP

Soundcore, Anker’s premium audio brand, has announced the launch of the Motion X500 Portable High Fidelity Speaker. The compact speaker delivers powerful, immersive sound with spatial audio capabilities. This follows the recent announcement of the affordable Soundcore Motion 300, which has two 15W full-range drivers, and the Soundcore Motion X600 I previously reviewed, which was…

Soundcore Motion 300 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Launches on 31st October. Get £15 During Presale
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Soundcore Motion 300 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Launches on 31st October. Get £15 During Presale

Anker Soundcore has announced the launch of its latest offering, the Motion 300 portable Bluetooth speaker. Engineered to deliver a high-fidelity audio experience, the Motion 300 boasts features such as wireless Hi-Res audio certification, LDAC codec support, SmartTune EQ, and an impressive 12-plus hours of battery life. Positioned as an ideal sound companion for outdoor…

Creative Sound Blaster Katana SE Soundbar Review – RGB soundbar with USB and HDMI Arc connectivity
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Creative Sound Blaster Katana SE Soundbar Review – RGB soundbar with USB and HDMI Arc connectivity

Creative announced the Sound Blaster Katana SE in June, which sits between the Katana V2 and V2X in pricing. Unlike the other Katana soundbars, Creative have condensed all the speakers into the soundbar itself, omitting the need for a dedicated subwoofer and increasing the driver size and power to allow this soundbar to achieve impressive…

Plex Transcoding Performance Guide
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Plex Transcoding Performance Guide

For home users that are interested in NAS devices such as Synology and TerraMaster, setting up a Plex media server is often one of the key features they want to use. As much as I love streaming services like Netflix and Disney, they are starting to get expensive, and it is not uncommon for me…

1MORE Penta Driver P50 Review – Wired Earbuds with DLC Dynamic Driver & 4 Planar Diaphragm Drivers
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1MORE Penta Driver P50 Review – Wired Earbuds with DLC Dynamic Driver & 4 Planar Diaphragm Drivers

I originally reviewed the 1MORE E1001 triple drive earbuds back in 2017 when wired earbuds were much more common. While true wireless earbuds dominate the market, many audiophiles refuse to give up on their wired earbuds due to the improved audio quality that a wire provides vs the compression of Bluetooth. 1MORE is one of…

Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4 Compared: Specification, Benchmarks, and Price
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Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4 Compared: Specification, Benchmarks, and Price

Raspberry Pi has been a game-changer in the world of single-board computers ever since its inception. With each new model, it brings in a wave of enhancements and upgrades that set a new benchmark in the arena of performance and affordability. The most recent entrant in this series is the Raspberry Pi 5, which is…

Guide on Headphone Impedance and Sensitivity

Guide on Headphone Impedance and Sensitivity

In the venture of acquiring a high-quality pair of headphones, you’re likely to cross paths with a few technical terms that may initially seem like a complex jargon, especially if you’re diving into the intricate world of audio technology for the first time. For individuals who haven’t ventured deep into the headphone territory before, the…

Top Wireless Bluetooth Ear Buds: A Technical Review

Top Wireless Bluetooth Ear Buds: A Technical Review

Wireless earbuds are increasingly carving a niche within the auditory realm, their appeal heightened by the liberation from wires, which is a sweet melody to the ears of the modern audiophile. Being a perennial companion to the brisk walker, the nimble jogger, or the casual listener, the wireless earbud has transcended from a mere accessory…

Spotify vs Amazon Music vs Tidal vs Deezer vs YouTube Music Streaming Comparison
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Spotify vs Amazon Music vs Tidal vs Deezer vs YouTube Music Streaming Comparison

In the world of music streaming services, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer are among the top contenders. Each platform offers a unique set of features, pricing options, and audio quality settings. Over time, many of these streaming services have increased in price. Back in July 2023, in the UK the price of subscriptions rose…