audio
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Blog
New Chirp tool uses audio tones to transfer data between devices
A new open-source tool named ‘Chirp’ transmits data, such as text messages, between computers (and smartphones) through different audio tones. The tool, developed by cybersecurity researcher solst/ICE, maps each character into a specific sound frequency and plays it along with real-time visualization. Other microphone-equipped computers running Chirp may capture the sound and translate the message back into text. The project allows…
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Audio Technica ATH-R70xa review: Light on build, big on sound
If you’ve got $349 to spare and you want a pair of the best audiophile headphones, you’re spoiled for choice. Do you want some of Sennheiser’s excellent cans, with all the pedigree that comes with them? Or do you perhaps want one of Audeze’s slightly lower-specced models, so you can hear all the low end? For a little while, audio…
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I don’t like Spatial Audio — here’s what it needs to do to wow me
Spatial audio feels like the buzzword of the moment. A technology that wants to make your music more immersive, more involving, and, ultimately, more engaging to listen to. It’s in your soundbar, it’s in the best headphones, and it’s coming to the best music streaming services. So why can’t I get behind the format? There are loads of different spatial…
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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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