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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.

GoldenEar T66

GoldenEar T66 loudspeaker review: This one is personal

A very personal take on what makes the GoldenEar T66 such a special speaker
Beats Pill (2024) in Champagne/Gold and matte black.

Beats Pill (2024) speaker review: the best portable for under $200

Tivoli Audio SongBook held in hand.

Tivoli Audio SongBook speaker review: a retro-style portable musicians will love

If you have a taste for retro design and the simplicity of mono sound, the Tivoli Audio SongBook is a portable (but pricey) speaker that doubles as an amp.
The JBL PartyBox Stage 320.

JBL PartyBox Stage 320 speaker review: power, clarity, and karaoke on wheels

If you're a DJ or just someone who wants clean, great-sounding volume and fun party features for your gatherings, the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is a solid buy.
The JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker. [Embargoed image 06/03]

JBL Xtreme 4 review: a sweet-sounding battery beast with AI smarts

The JBL Xtreme 3 is a tough act to follow, but the Xtreme 4's 30-hour battery, AI smarts, and gorgeous, clear sound make it 2024's Bluetooth speaker to beat.
[Embargoed until 05/29) Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Bluetooth speaker.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: simply dynamite

The $250 Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is powerful, waterproof, and rugged, making it the Bluetooth speaker to get for listening to care-free summer tunes.
The Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker.

Bose SoundLink Max review: back to Bluetooth form

The Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth speaker sounds great whether indoors or powering the party outdoors, without trying to do too much more than that.
The Skullcandy Barrel Bluetooth speaker on a rock.

Skullcandy Barrel review: a boombox that won’t blow up your wallet

If you're looking for a great-sounding, kinda portable Bluetooth speaker to take to the cottage or to the pool, the $180 Skullcandy Barrel is a great choice.
The Soundcore Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 review: big fat bass, skinny price, and it floats!

Want big, smooth bass you can take to the pool? The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is a floatable, rugged, $130 Bluetooth speaker that punches well above its weight.
The front of the Klipsch Nashville Bluetooth speaker.

Klipsch Nashville review: a rugged, backpack-ready Bluetooth speaker

The Klipsch Nashville Bluetooth speaker is a good-sounding, simple, and rugged Bluetooth speaker that will make a great addition to your summer listening.
The Kanto Ora Reference Desktop Speakers on a desk.

Kanto Audio Ora review: tiny, but mighty desktop speakers

Canadian speaker maker Kanto Audio is no stranger to small speakers that pack a punch, and the Ora Reference Desktop Speakers are no different.
View of Soundboks 4 showing drivers and woofer.

Soundboks 4 review: loud enough for a whole city block

The Soundboks 4 is a refined iteration of the venerable party speaker. Just take care to plan out how long you want to use it on battery.
Senic MoodPlay.

Senic MoodPlay review: a fun but pricey toy for the Sonos fan who has everything

Senic's MoodPlay is like a digital turntable for Sonos, giving you access to your favorite music with a tap of a card.
The JBL PartyBox Ultimate in a living room.

JBL PartyBox Ultimate speaker review: there’s no party it can’t power

The JBL PartyBox Ultimate is the company's biggest and loudest party speaker yet, but its sound is remarkably clean and its Wi-Fi connectivity gives it an edge.
Soundcore Motion 300 top view.

Soundcore Motion 300 review: great sound, even better price

Soundcore's Motion 300 might be similarly equipped to other Bluetooth speakers, but its price and sound set it apart.
Sonos Move 2 in white on green park bench.

Sonos Move 2 review: same body, better soul

The Sonos Move 2 improves on the first-gen Move speaker with better battery life, better sound, and more features. But Google fans may want to look elsewhere.
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

The Amazon Echo Pop is the least expensive way to get into the Alexa ecosystem — and you basically get what you pay for. Which is good.
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 audio 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.
A Sonos Era 100 on a dresser.

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.

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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. He’s also a candidate for Pensacola City Council, District 1.

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.