Articles by Tom Bedford, Contributor

The Acoustune ATX001 on a grab background.

This new super-slim adapter adds aptX Lossless and LDAC Bluetooth to iPhones — upgrade your wireless music for cheaper than you might expect (and it doesn't stop you from charging at the same time, mercifully)

By Tom Bedford Published 29 May 26

The Acoustune ATX001 plugs into your iPhone, iPad or any other device via USB-C, and upgrades your music with certain audio codecs.

The Cleer Arc 5 buds on a shelf, either side of its case.

More and more earbuds come with touchscreen cases, but after testing a bunch of them, I'm still not convinced it's the future — do you really get the best value this way?

By Tom Bedford Published 27 May 26

With more and more earbuds coming with touchscreen cases, I've got to ask: "why?".

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless headphones on a white surface with a pink background

Sennheiser finally launches the successor to its ultra-popular 5-star Momentum wireless headphones, and adds in great new features including Dolby Atmos — Sony and Bose have some hot competition here

By Tom Bedford Published 26 May 26

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless took four years to arrive, and they've entered the scene just in time to show up Sony's 1000X The Collexion.

A Sony Xperia, Nubia RedMagic and Nothing phone in three different segments.

I've turned my old Android phones into 5G routers, power banks, and more — here's how you can do the same

By Tom Bedford Published 24 May 26

If you're thinking about buying a new Android phone, you don't have to throw away your old one — here are seven ways you can give an older mobile new life.

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The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and 5 Pro Max, with their lids open and buds shown.

I’ve tested both of Anker's new feature-packed Soundcore earbuds, which offer everything from personalized sound to Dolby Atmos to AI translation — one is clearly better, but I’d actually recommend buying the other one

By Tom Bedford Published 23 May 26

Anker's Soundcore brand has released two new earbuds; I've tested both, and have the lowdown on how they're different.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max on a bronze table.

Anker's new feature-packed earbuds come in two flavors, both with screens on the case — but don't be distracted by the outside, because the exciting news is under the hood and on your phone

By Tom Bedford Published 22 May 26

Anker Day 2026 brings two new pairs of earbuds, as well as a smartphone tie-in app and news of new components.

Look ma, no cables: this all-in-one Wi-Fi streamer, speaker and soundbar from a five-star audio company is hefty, but it might be all the modern hi-fi you need

By Tom Bedford Published 22 May 26

Dali has unveiled the Vega, an all-in-one piece of hi-fi gear that combines speaker, amp, streamer and soundbar — and it can be stuck on your wall or laid on a surface

High-end hi-fi company YBA has made what it claims is the world's first "transportable" CD player for SACDs — it's got the audiophiles in the office very excited, but it's not exactly a handheld model to slip in your jacket pocket

By Tom Bedford Published 21 May 26

YBA has made what it claims is the world's first "transportable" CD player for Super Audio CDs, but it's not exactly a handheld model.

The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds next to their case

You've heard of Touch ID and Face ID, but is Ear ID next? Researchers have detailed a new tech would let you use AirPods or similar buds to prove who you are and unlock your gadgets — and it's actually your heartrate that they detect

By Tom Bedford Published 21 May 26

Researchers in China have discovered a way to verify identity via heartbeat, all using earbuds. And it's a tech that's not limited to heart rate buds like the AirPods.

A man wearing the Vollebak Sonic Jacket.

‘You don’t listen to this jacket. You feel it’: someone made a sci-fi jacket that includes 180 built-in speakers, and for way weirder reasons than you’d expect

By Tom Bedford Published 20 May 26

Vollebak's new Sonic Jacket is a marvel of engineering, and you could actually buy one — theoretically…

The Sonos Move 2 has a new Bluetooth speaker competitor that comes in a cool and practical Scandi design — and it's way cheaper, though it lacks two key features

By Tom Bedford Published 18 May 26

The Jamo HYG range of Bluetooth speakers offer you another Sonos Move alternative, and some smaller and cheaper models.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on the left, and Galaxy S26 Ultra on the right.

Thinking of upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra? Here's why you should consider an older model instead

By Tom Bedford Published 18 May 26

If you've been thinking of buying the top-end Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, you might find another, older device that ticks your box just as much (or even more).

The Campfire Audio Chimera on a black countertop.

These new ultra-audiophile wired earbuds offer nine drivers, are made from carbon fiber, and are all literally unique — but they cost 30x the price of AirPods Pro 3…

By Tom Bedford Published 18 May 26

The Campfire Audio Chimera have the specs list of your dreams, but the price tag of your nightmares.

The ultimate Samsung tech challenge — from Galaxy phones to QD-OLED TVs, prove how well you know its gadgets with our quiz

By Tom Bedford Published 15 May 26

Think you know Samsung's hardware and software? Take this 15-question quiz on its phones, appliances, earbuds and more.

I hate expensive headphones — but after years of testing, I've finally found a pair I can't live without

By Tom Bedford Published 14 May 26

I've been using these AKG headphones for 12 months now, and they still get daily use.

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The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro in a sunny outdoor setting.

Xiaomi is teasing clip-style open earbuds, and having tested its previous open buds there's one one small feature that could make them must-buys

By Tom Bedford Published 14 May 26

Xiaomi is teasing its first clip-style earbuds. If the company uses its sound leaking tech from its past open-ears, these could be gems.

View of Microsoft Romania headquarters in City Gate Towers situated in Free Press Square, in Bucharest, Romania.

From MSN to Windows, test your Microsoft knowledge in this 15-question quiz — no Copilot allowed

By Tom Bedford Published 12 May 26

Think you know Microsoft’s hardware and software? Take this 15-question quiz on Windows, Xbox, MSN and more.

Sony WH-1000XM6 with earcups pointed towards the camera

Want a super-clear look at Sony's upcoming super-premium new headphones? These new image leaks appear pretty official — and they look very Sony-meets-Sonos

By Tom Bedford Published 12 May 26

We've been reporting on Sony's The Collexion headphones, and this is the clearest look at them so far.

Own a Kindle or Fire TV? Use Alexa, Prime Video or Amazon Music? Test how well you know Amazon’s tech in this 15-question quiz

By Tom Bedford Published 11 May 26

Love Amazon's gadgets and services? Prove how well you know Alexa, Prime Video, Fire TVs and more by taking our quiz.

The Shanling EC Play with some wired earbuds.

This retro-inspired portable CD player looks super-sleek, has audiophile credentials including a headphones amp for spicier cans, lasts 12 hours, and offers Bluetooth, 3.5mm, 4.4mm and Coax output too

By Tom Bedford Published 11 May 26

The Shanling EC Play offers a retro design and a range of connectivity tools, to make it useful for on-the-go listening as well as in your home hi-fi setup

Ever wish for earbuds with the disc-style fit of Apple's original iPod buds, but with hi-fi-quality sound and a USB-C cable? Then I've got great news for you — but don't expect them to come in all-white

By Tom Bedford Published 8 May 26

The Sivga M260 look like Apple's iPod earbuds, but with a big driver, premium build and multiple connection options.

The Jamo Concert Legacy 11 staddling a cupboard of vinyl records.

'A Lego brick that plays music': A great Scandi loudspeaker brand returns with 7 new products, including a shallower option designed for narrow bookshelves

By Tom Bedford Published 7 May 26

Danish audio brand Jamo has unveiled two new families of products, including some pretty small, thin options.

The Garmin JL Audio CS Centerpiece with a Primacy S3 speaker on either side.

Garmin has just launched super-elite hi-fi gear, through its sub-brand that's best-known for its maritime sound systems — and the stereo speakers are priced (perhaps appropriately) like a pair of Bowers & Wilkins' Nautilus

By Tom Bedford Published 6 May 26

Garmin has unveiled some hi-fi speakers through its JL Audio brand, including a streamer, loudspeakers and floor speakers.

Is Sony teasing its ultra-premium AirPods Max 2 rival? It looks a lot like it, as F1 star gets spotted wearing the super-chic cans, two weeks before tipped launch — and Sony itself is drawing attention to the suspiciously high-quality photos

By Tom Bedford Published 5 May 26

Sony's WH-1000XX The ColleXion has been spotted adorning the ears of Damson Idris, in what appears to me to be an early tease of the super-premium cans

The AudioVector R 5 Arrete next to a chair and a plant.

This beautiful hand-made floor-standing speaker ain't cheap, but I can't take my eyes off it and I haven't even heard it yet

By Tom Bedford Published 5 May 26

The R 5 Arreté from Audiovector looks incredible, and should sound it too, even though it's far from cheap.

Tom Bedford

Articles by: Tom Bedford

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