audio
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Blog
Huge Sonos sale on Amazon — 7 audio deals I’d shop ahead of the Super Bowl
If you’re hoping to take your Super Bowl watch party to the next level, adding surround sound to your home theater is sure to do the trick. And the good news is, Amazon is slashing the prices on Sonos audio devices. Sonos is a brand that makes some of the best home audio devices on the market — and in…
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How to Choose an Audio Mixer for Beginners
Summary Pay close attention to what you plan to plug in to the mixer, and make sure you have plenty of available inputs. If you need more than analog stereo output, like digital outputs or a USB connection for a computer, make sure the mixer has one. While extra features can be great, don’t discount the utility of a small,…
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How I Set Up a Budget-Friendly Home Theater Audio System
Summary Adding an audio system can make your home theater more immersive and improve your content-consumption experience. Consider the size of your room when choosing between soundbars and modular setups for better sound compatibility. Consider buying preowned or refurbished equipment to get more premium devices for less and upgrade over time. Configuring a home theater setup can make watching content…
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January Windows security updates break audio playback
Microsoft has confirmed that the January 2025 Windows security updates are breaking audio playback on some systems with external DACs (digital-to-analog converters). DACs are commonly used at home, in professional music studios, and in portable music players to improve audio quality, process signals, or convert digital audio into analog signals for playback through speakers or headphones. As the company further…
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Samsung and Google’s spatial audio tech is coming to Android — what that means
At the beginning of the year, Samsung and Google announced Eclipsa Audio, a 3D audio format meant to rival Dolby Atmos. The new spatial audio tech is supposed to arrive in Samsung’s 2025 TV and soundbar lineup as well as the Google-owned YouTube this year. Eclipsa Audio is similar to Dolby Atmos and uses “audio data such as the location…
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I found the perfect TV audio setup for my tiny space — and it’s not a soundbar
You may remember that I bought a Sonos Arc for my TV setup in my little office last year over Black Friday. I’d hoped that it wouldn’t take up too much space, and that I’d get lovely, big sound for my TV. Upon delivery, however, I found a problem. While my small space can house a massive TV, it can’t…
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The Best Bluetooth Audio Receivers of 2025
With devices like phones and tablets eschewing wired connections for Bluetooth alternatives, connecting modern devices to older equipment can be difficult. Bluetooth audio receivers add wireless connectivity to any stereo or audio device, and these are some of the best. UPDATE: 01/15/2025 We’ve reviewed our recommendations and updated the best budget Bluetooth audio receiver. Go check it out! Audioengine B1…
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Samsung and Google’s new spatial audio format will take on Dolby Atmos this year
Samsung and Google are ready to push a new standard, Eclipsa Audio. This format will enable 3D audio experiences on certain YouTube videos later this year, with support available across Samsung’s 2025 lineup of TVs and soundbars. Over the years, Samsung notably hasn’t supported Dolby Vision HDR for dynamic HDR metadata, choosing instead to promote its preferred alternative, HDR10 Plus.…
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Windows 11 24H2 upgrades blocked on some PCs due to audio issues
Microsoft has added another Windows 11 24H2 upgrade block for systems with Dirac audio improvement software due to compatibility issues breaking sound output. This known issue only affects PCs with cridspapo.dll, and it causes applications to stop detecting audio devices connected to affected devices. “The incompatibility relates to the software component cridspapo.dll, which is part of these devices’ audio processing…
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Cambridge Audio Evo One: The best all-in-one system yet
There are no shortage of ways to listen to your music in your living room. You could use one of the best soundbars that sits under your TV, or one of the best Bluetooth speakers you’ve got hidden away in your drawer. One of my favorite devices is part of an ever-improving family — the HiFi replacement all-in-one. I’ve been…
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