All posts tagged: bluetooth

Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2026

Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2026

Published by Miika Tikkanen

JBL Go 4: JBL’s new-for-2026 Go 5 has hit the market, so you can find some discounts on its predecessor, the Go 4. The Go 5 does have some modest enhancements, including slightly improved sound and battery. A bit heavier than the Go 4 at 8.16 ounces, the Go 5 is equipped with programmable “mood boosting” lighting slits toward the front on the top and bottom of the speaker, and the Go 5’s battery live is rated for up to 10 hours versus the JBL Go 4’s 7 hours (at moderate volume levels). Bose SoundLink Home: The best way to describe Bose’s new SoundLink Home speaker is as the spiritual successor to the SoundLink Mini 2, which was quietly discontinued in late 2018. Available in two color options, the SoundLink Home is a portable Bluetooth speaker with up to 9 hours of battery life, but it has more of an indoor design, with an aluminum chassis and no water resistance. (You can move it around, but it’s not a speaker you’d take to the beach …

I love Sony’s new Bluetooth turntable, so why do I feel so conflicted using it

I love Sony’s new Bluetooth turntable, so why do I feel so conflicted using it

Published by Miika Tikkanen

pros and cons Pros Impressive sound Versatile setup Sturdy design and build Cons Expensive for what it is No adjustable anti-skate or tracking force more buying choices Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. In a world of Spotify and Apple Music, vinyl records are still going strong as an audio medium. Last year, vinyl record sales reached over $1 billion for the first time this century, proving that music lovers are still drawn to the art of listening to and collecting records.  Also: I listened to Sony, Bose, and Apple’s flagship headphones – and this pair’s ahead of the pack With all these record sales, you have to have a way to play them, and turntables have now entered the 21st century with features like Bluetooth and USB outputs to record vinyl to digital. I’ve tested quite a few turntables over the years, so I was excited to try the new Sony PS-LX5BT to see how it held up to my sound standards — and if it would be a good buy for anyone …

Your soundbar sounds worse than it should because of Bluetooth

Your soundbar sounds worse than it should because of Bluetooth

Published by Miika Tikkanen

While my soundbar is indisputably a massive improvement over my TV’s built-in speakers, I have noticed that, as a mid-range model, it underperforms in certain areas. However, if you have also expressed disappointment in your soundbar’s performance, the culprit may be hiding in plain sight. A soundbar that doesn’t sound as rich or powerful as expected could be down to one thing — the Bluetooth connection. While it’s incredibly convenient, the protocol simply wasn’t designed to deliver the highest possible audio quality. Its primary goal is efficient wireless transmission, not pristine sound. Why Bluetooth is the weak link Bluetooth is often the weak link in your sound setup Credit: Jack Mitchell/MUO When audio is streamed over Bluetooth, devices “compress” the sound to fit within a certain bandwidth. This makes for a more efficient audio delivery, but it strips away detail. In soundbars, which are meant to process complex audio like soundtracks, immersive sound, and multilayered effects, this can seriously limit their potential, even if you’ve invested in a high-quality model. Bluetooth also affects consistency. Several factors …