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5 of the most sonically gifted speakers I heard at High End Munich 2024

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Munich’s annual High End Show is a must for the audiophile – a nerve center for hi-fi’s elite leaders to converge, converse, build wildly expensive sound systems and showcase their oeuvre.

The 2024 show kicked off on Thursday May 9 (10am-6pm) for press and trade visitors only – but on Saturday May 11 (10am-6pm) and Sunday May 12 (10am-4pm) it’s open to the public. 

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Q Acoustics 3000c: probably the most affordable speakers at High End Munich

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In case you’ve yet to be introduced to High End Munich (don’t worry, they’re a very friendly bunch), it’s where the elite hi-fi brands go to flex – see the wild audio experiences, the outrageously expensive system separates or the mind-blowing headphones I’ve been lucky enough to try over the years. 

So, Q Acoustics’ new 3000c loudspeaker series is something of a novelty at the elite German trade show. Why? Well, because “affordable” isn’t a word you often hear at High End Munich – and affordable is what these are.

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Bisnis Industri

Edifier speakers rock slick MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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If you’ve read much of Cult of Mac’s computer setups coverage, you know we love good audio. And we love it more when it’s high-value, where the sound is great despite affordable pricing. Edifier R1280T speakers meet that mark.

Edifier is a brand that has long lived in that space. And today’s MacBook Pro and PC laptop setup makes good use of a pair of powered Edifier bookshelf speakers that even MacBook Pro’s fine set of six can’t really compete with (outside of portability).

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Edifier R1280T speakers rock MacBook Pro and PC laptop setup

YouTuber and Redditor MiRealEscape showcased the sleek-but-not-quite-complete setup in a post entitled, “Macbook Pro Setup version 1.0.” He runs a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro and a PC laptop, along with a 28-inch Asus 4K display, a PlayStation 5 and other peripherals, through an Orico 15-1 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Docking Station bristling with ports.

“This is my semi-complete MacBook Pro Setup. I also swap it out with a windows laptop for my remote work,” he said. “For my personal use, I do content creation as I started a YouTube channel where I test out home office and gaming tech mostly. Hence the lazy cable management as I swap things in and out a lot.”

On Friday we focused on the Orico 15-1 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Docking Station serving as a nexus between the computers and peripherals. On Monday we get more into MiRealEscape’s impressive audio side of the setup.

Affordable but outstanding audio gear: Edifier R1280T speakers

Edifier R1280T speakers
MacBook Pro has nice speakers, but powered bookshelf speakers tend to top them.
Photo: Edifier

MiRealEscape’s setup impresses all around, but nowhere more-so than in its thoughtful array of affordable and high-quality audio gear. Whenever someone packs more than two or three audio elements into a home computer setup, you know they take it seriously.

Rather than relying on the M1 Pro MacBook Pro’s six good built-in speakers, this setup pumps its sound out to Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers slightly elevated on Kanto stands. That’s a near-field audio monitor use — the sound is essentially pointed at the user’s ears, like in a studio.

Edifier made its reputation on high-value gear (low cost, great sound) over the past couple of decades. The well-regarded R1280T wired speakers cost a mere $99 a pair, one active and one passive with dual RCA input, on Amazon right now (normally $120). Edifier says the speakers are most commonly used with turntables to get the most out of vinyl records.

Here’s how it describes the speakers:

If you’re looking for affordable and versatile bookshelf speakers with uncompromising sound the R1280T bookshelf speakers is your go-to 2.0 speaker system. Featuring a 4-inch bass driver and a calibrated, flared bass reflex port, this bookshelf speaker system delivers robust, rich bass notes that are full of presence and depth.

Along with the Edifiers, MiRealEscape uses a FocusRite Vocaster Two audio interface with a Shure SM7DB microphone as well as Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones. We’ll cover his interface and mic in more depth in the next Setups post.

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Speakers and other audio gear:

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If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.



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Best Sonos Setup (2024): Which Speakers and Soundbars Should You Buy?

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Here at WIRED, we like Sonos speakers. We really do. Throughout the past decade, we’ve reviewed all of the company’s wirelessly connectable speakers, from its small shelf speakers to its TV soundbars, and we’ve recommended every one of them. But turning your home into a Sonos-powered shrine to sound isn’t cheap. Like Apple products, Sonos speakers sell at a premium, starting at $120 for a basic model. But which ones should you buy? Read on for our favorites, from tiny Bluetooth speakers to full home theaters.

Updated May 2024: We’ve added the Victrola Stream Carbon as another great Sonos turntable option, and we’ve updated links and prices.

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Best Overall Sonos Speaker

The Sonos Era 100 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Sonos speaker, for its perfect blend of sound and features. It’s the same shape and size as the Sonos One that came before, which means it easily blends into most spaces. The speaker comes equipped with a volume slider and a play-pause button so you don’t have to take your phone out whenever you want to control it. It has a USB-C input as well, along with a switch on the back of the speaker to manually disable the built-in microphone for privacy.

The Era 100 has large woofers and angled tweeters that create real stereo sound, along with a fast processor that allows the speaker to receive software updates for longer. WIRED senior editor Parker Hall says the speaker sounds noticeably better than the two generations of Sonos One speaker that came before it. It packs a punchier, more defined bass, crisp definition, and room-filling sound. There’s also a room-tuning feature that adjusts the audio based on where you put it (but this works better on iOS devices). We’re also happy to see the addition of Bluetooth pairing, in addition to Wi-Fi, so you can stream audio without a Sonos account and also pair it with a phone easily.

Sonos one SL

Sonos One SL

Photograph: Sonos

If you’re looking for a less expensive speaker that’s also free of microphones, the Sonos One SL is a solid alternative. You can only control it from your phone or the touch buttons on it (and you don’t have to worry about someone listening in to your home). The SL is also a good way to add more satellite speakers to your home.


Best Speakers to Fill Out a Room

In 2022, Sonos reunited with Ikea to release a second-generation version of its bookshelf speaker. At $130, it’s a bit pricier than its $99 predecessor, but it does come with a few upgrades, including an increase in memory and a faster processor. We still have yet to test the second-gen model, but we did like the first-generation version.

You can mount it right to your wall or stand it upright on a bookshelf or table. And if you want to network a few speakers together for a larger room, or connected rooms, this is the cheapest way to do it. It doesn’t directly take audio commands, because it has no mic, so you’ll need a Sonos One, Sonos Era 100, Google speaker, or Alexa speaker that you can yell at if you want to control it with your voice. Other than that, it does everything you’d want a Sonos to do.

Symfonisk Lamp on bedside table

Photograph: IKEA

As with the first model, the second-generation Symfonisk Speaker Lamp has great sound, and it makes for a nice addition to any room. I keep it on the media console in my apartment. The lamp gets bright enough to light the living room, and I love using the speaker to listen to podcasts every morning. It also has a more modern and elevated look compared to its predecessor—with glass shades that come in both black and white. But it’s a fingerprint magnet. I’d recommend the textile shade ($240) if that’ll bother you. My only gripe is that it lacks a microphone, so you can’t control it using voice commands. You can, however, connect it to an Amazon or Nest smart speaker to take advantage of the smart assistant support. If wall art is more your style, Ikea offers the Symfonisk Picture Frame with a built-in Sonos Wi-Fi Speaker for $260.


Best Large Speaker

The Sonos Era 300 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a rather awkward and startling appearance (we think it looks like a robot’s butt), but the sound quality makes up for it. Under the hood are six speaker drivers, four tweeters, and a couple of mid/bass drivers—all of which deliver detailed, big, and confident sound. The standout feature, however, is spatial audio. With sound that spreads in all directions and for a substantial distance without lacking definition, we think the Era 300 surpasses the Apple HomePod by a wide margin when filling rooms. It’s worth noting that it supports Amazon and Apple’s spatial audio catalog, but not Tidal’s library of Dolby Atmos content.

As with the Era 100, the Era 300 has physical controls including a volume slider, play/pause, skip forward/backward, and voice-assistant interaction (with a choice between Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control). In the back, you’ll find a socket for power, a switch to mute the mics, a USB-C auxiliary input, and a button for Bluetooth pairing (which means you don’t have to use the Sonos app to control it). If you opt for the Sonos companion app, you can adjust EQ, tune the speakers to your environment via the TruePlay feature, and pair other Sonos speakers together.


Best Portable Speaker With Bluetooth

The Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the company’s smallest and most portable speaker. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity (it’s one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers), you can easily throw it into a tote bag and play music on the go. Using the Sonos app, available for Android and iPhone, you also have the ability to stream from major services like Spotify, Apple Music (with support for AirPlay 2), Tidal, and more. And you can control the speaker via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

It may not offer audiophile-approved sound for its stature, but it’s still fairly impressive. The dual-driver system, subwoofer, and tweeter work in tandem to provide a bold bass and clear highs—with zero distortion when the volume is cranked up. And with up to 10 hours of listening, it’ll last you a full beach day—and then some.

olive black and white Move 2 sonos devices lined from left to right on white backdrop

Photograph: Sonos

The Sonos Move 2 (8/10, WIRED Reviews) isn’t as portable as the Roam—it weighs in at 6.1 pounds while the Roam is 0.95 pounds—but the second-generation version comes with a fair share of upgrades (which explains the higher price). It packs 24 hours of battery life (a major increase from 11 hours on its predecessor), a touch interface for media controls (instead of physical buttons), and the option to connect via Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi (the original Move was strictly Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when in use). It also comes equipped with a second tweeter (both of which fire on both the left and right above the mid/bass driver) and a third digital amplifier—delivering punchy, detailed sound. It’s worth noting that, unlike the first Move, the latest version doesn’t have support for Google Assistant. You’ll have the choice between Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. It’s a solid speaker for those who are already part of the Sonos ecosystem and are looking for a speaker they won’t take beyond their living room or backyard.


Best Sonos Soundbar (for Most)

As with the original Beam (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the second-generation Beam delivers impressive sound and has a sleek design. In terms of upgrades, it has a faster processor, support for Dolby Atmos (with compatible TVs and streaming apps) for enhanced sound, and an HDMI eARC port for higher-definition audio. You’ll also get hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, and it works with Airplay 2. You can pair it with a Sonos Sub (an expensive subwoofer) and two other Sonos speakers for surround.

Sonos tweaked the design too, adding a polycarbonate grille to the front instead of a fabric cover as seen on the Gen 1 model. That’s supposed to make it easier to blend in with your interior decor. It’s $50 more than the previous model, which isn’t that much more expensive than the already expensive soundbar. For non-Sonos alternatives, read our Best Soundbars guide.

Sonos sub speaker gen 3

Sonos sub speaker gen 3Photograph: Sonos

The standard Sonos Sub will cost you $799 at Sonos. It’s superb but expensive. If you’re working with a smaller space, the less costly Sonos Sub Mini is $430 at Best Buy. Don’t bother buying surround speakers until you own a Sub, though. It will make a profound difference.


Best Small Soundbar

If you have an apartment or a smaller room, or are just getting started in the soundbar department, the Sonos Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a solid option for you. The Ray comes in a compact frame, but don’t let that fool you. The soundbar produces clear, crisp sound that easily fills your space with zooms and booms, quiet conversations, and any other moments you wouldn’t want to miss in your favorite movies and shows. Plus, with adjustable settings in the Sonos app, you can configure your ideal listening experience for every song on your favorite album.

This small soundbar easily fits on entertainment centers and dressers, or you can mount it on your wall to free up as much precious space as possible.

Wanna take it to the next level? You can pair the Ray with the aforementioned Sonos Sub Mini to round out the sound in your room. The Sub Mini is wireless (aside from a power cord), so it connects seamlessly to your current system through the Sonos app.


Best for Big Home Theaters

A soundbar can make all the difference in a home theater, and they cost a lot less than a full surround-sound setup. And if you’re looking for one that’s really powerful, the Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the way to go. It has full Dolby Atmos support, and in many rooms, it can bounce sound off your walls and ceiling well enough that it sounds like you have a surround setup.

With three tweeters and eight mid-woofers, it delivers deep bass and has more balance and depth than the Beam. It’s also a lot longer, stretching 45 inches, or about the width of a 55-inch TV. Its design is elegant and understated in the usual Sonos way—you won’t always notice the bar, but when you do, it’s not an eyesore at all.

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This super-cool music player is like an iPad and hi-res music streamer in one – and it works with Sonos and Bluetooth as well as wired speakers

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Italian hi-fi maker Volumio has just launched a new audio device called the Motivo Streamer, Transport & Headphone Amplifier, which is best described as a high-res music streamer and iPad rolled into one compact and stylish package. 

To control the device, Volumio has combined a sleek-looking 8-inch touchscreen with a retro-styled haptic control dial to make the whole entertainment experience feel more immersive. It boasts a range of software and hardware connectivity options, which means you can use it with any of the best music streaming services. It’ll also play nicely with your current home entertainment set up and a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones, thanks to wide connectivity options.

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Sonos refurbished speakers and soundbars: Hurry while they last

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Sonos Beam soundbar - Sonos refurbished speakers and soundbars
Sonos first-gen Beam soundbar at 25% off is one of the deals you can grab.
Photo: Sonos

A lot of folks love Apple audio products like HomePod speakers and AirPods earbuds. But another cherished audio brand is running a promotion right now you don’t want to miss. That would be 25% off Sonos refurbished speakers and soundbars, plus a couple of other primo deals. See the details below.

After all, we know Apple’s refurbs are good, so why not Sonos?

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Sonos refurbished speakers and soundbars going for 25% off

Covering home audio products for Cult of Mac, I’ve noticed how well-regarded and popular among users Sonos products are. They constitute a leading alternative to Apple.

In some recent moves, Sonos recently greatly improved its Move 2 speaker and added spatial audio to its Era 300 speaker.

Sonos products also show up fairly frequently in our Setups coverage, like in this slick MacBook Pro rig and in this 6-display Mac Studio monster.

So Sonos speakers and soundbars make good options for listening to music at home or on the go, and for boosting the sound from your home-theater setup.

Current deals from Sonos

Sonos said you can take 25% off an array of its certified refurbished speakers and soundbars. Find them at the first link below. Some are marked “out of stock,” so hurry.

We also included Sonos’s deals on Move and One speakers below, in hopes that their current “out of stock” status will change.



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KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers drive setup’s clear sound

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A more than capable M3 Pro MacBook Pro powers today’s computer setup, but its six-speaker sound system won’t be needed. That’s because the medical student who own the rig has the good taste to include fantastic KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers.

He’ll just have to keep the powerful speakers’ volume in check to avoid having to see an ear doctor.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

MacBook Pro setup relies on KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers

Redditor and medical student felluimeinmeer (“Lu”) showcased the charming setup in a post entitled, “New setup.” On Friday we discussed the M3 Pro MacBook Pro powering his setup.

“It basically just for med school,” Lu replied. “Having multiple sources open without interruption is the goal of this setup: Safari, Digital Book Word/Notion and a video. No need for a webcam I only have like two meetings in one semester.”

Lu uses a space black M3 Pro MacBook Pro to drive two 27-inch Dell 4K displays, one in portrait orientation (vertical) and the other in landscape (horizontal). A nice BenQ Screenbar Halo LED Monitor Light sits on the center display.

KEF speakers

Lu rounds out his setup with a full-sized Magic Keyboard with number pad and Touch ID, a Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac mouse and — what we’ll focus on today — a pair of KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers.

“How do you like the KEF speakers?” a commenter asked.

“I really like them, they sound [crystal] clear,” Lu replied. “However I’ve owned them for just 2 weeks.”

We doubt more time will do anything but convince him to like them even more. Each one of these two KEF speakers packs a 280-watt amplifier for the mid range and 100-watt amplifier for the tweeter. That’s a lot of power for desktop speakers.

The speakers get up to 384kHz/24bit resolution depending on the connection. And they work with AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP and Bluetooth 4.2.

Even the color selection is cool with these KEFs: carbon black, titanium gray, mineral white and special-edition royal blue and crimson red. You can buy them with matching stands as well as a subwoofer if you want to blow out the low end.

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KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers setup
Those KEF speakers are deceptively powerful. The user calls their sound crystal clear.
Photo: [email protected]

Audio:

Computer:

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If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.

 



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Sonos refurbished speakers and soundbars are up to $170 off right now

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A speaker doesn’t have to be brand new to sound good. Sonos speakers get high marks in our reviews and buying guides and the company has one of the better refurbished programs out there. Right now, you can grab a refurbished Sonos Arc SL soundbar for $509, which is $170 off the refurbished price and $240 off the speaker’s full $749 price tag when it was new. A decent selection of other renewed soundbars and speakers are also on sale at Sonos, with up to 25 percent off the refurbished prices.

Sonos

The refurbished Sonos SL soundbar is $170 off the usual refurbished price. 

$509 at Sonos

We named the Sonos Arc the runner-up premium soundbar in our buying guide, praising its stellar sound quality and ability to calibrate its sound to match the room its in. The difference between the Sonos Arc and the Arc SL is the lack of a microphone, so you won’t be able to talk to Alexa or the Google Assistant directly through your speaker. That might be a plus for anyone interested in the extra privacy of a mic-less device. Other than the lack of microphone, the Arc SL hardware is the same. It can even calibrate its sound to the room with the Trueplay feature, which uses the Sonos app on an iOS device to measure how sound reflects off your walls and furniture. The Arc SL is Wi-Fi enabled, supports Dolby Atmos, Apple Air Play 2 and connects to your TV via HDMI ARC or eARC. Though, sadly, there’s just one HDMI port.

Buying a refurbished device from Sonos carries a lot of the same perks of buying new, including the same one-year warranty, all necessary cables and manuals plus all-new packaging. They also donate one percent of refurbished sales to environmental non-profits as part of 1% for the Planet.

If you’d rather a speaker that does have a mic, the refurbished second-generation Beam soundbar is also on sale. It’s down to $299 after a $100 discount off the refurbished rate — which works out to $200 off the brand new sticker price. The Beam is our top pick for a mid-range soundbar in our guide and has great sound quality, supports Dolby Atmos and, like all of the company’s wares, does an excellent job of pairing up with other Sonos speakers.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.



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Sony debuts Bravia Theater line of Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers

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Sony didn’t announce any new home theater audio gear at CES, so it was only a matter of time before the company would reveal its latest soundbars and speakers. Today, the company unveiled its new Bravia Theater line, a moniker that the company’s soundbars and living room speakers will carry for the foreseeable future. Sony is ditching the HT-XXXX naming scheme, which should be less confusing for all parties. For the initial offering, the company has two new Dolby Atmos soundbars, a four-speaker surround system and a wearable neckband speaker.

At the top of the list sits the Bravia Theater Bar 9. This is Sony’s new flagship soundbar, but the company says it’s 36-percent smaller than the former premium model, the HT-A7000. Inside, a 13-speaker setup includes three tweeters, four woofers, two beam tweeters, two up-firing and two side-firing drivers. The slightly smaller Bravia Theater Bar 8 houses 11 total speakers, lacking the the two beam tweeters from the Bar 9. Sony says the Bar 8 is 30-percent smaller than the unit it replaces, the HT-A5000.

Both soundbars feature very similar spec sheets, including support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio and Hi-Res audio content. The pair will also gain IMAX Enhanced capabilities with a pending update, but that feature will require additional wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer. Connectivity is the same on both models with one HDMI input and one HDMI output (eARC). HDMI 2.1 is supported, so you can expect 4K/120 passthrough and all the other perks that standard affords.

A closeup of the front corner of a black Sony soundbar.A closeup of the front corner of a black Sony soundbar.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 (Sony)

There’s also a host of Sony-specific features on both soundbars. That list includes Sound Field Optimization for room calibration and 360 Spatial Sound that places virtual speakers around a space for more immersive audio via virtualization. Acoustic Center Sync combines the speakers of a Bravia TV with either of these soundbars for a more realistic cinema experience where it sounds like the audio is coming directly from the screen. The soundbars also support Voice Zoom 3 from Sony’s Bravia TVs, a tool that uses AI to recognize human voices and amplifies them so it’s always heard clearly.

The Bravia Theater Bar 9 and Bravia Theater Bar 8 are compatible with Sony’s current rear satellite speakers and subwoofers. Those include the SA-RS5 and SA-RS3S speakers and the SA-SW5 and SA-SW3 subs. Unfortunately, there’s no bundle option, so on top of a $1,400 (Bar 9) or a $1,000 (Bar 8) soundbar, you’ll have to shell out hundreds more for a better setup. At the very least, you’ll want a subwoofer, which will currently cost you either $350 (SW3) or $620 (SW5).

A living room with a TV and four speakers, two beside the TV and two on a shelf behind a couch.A living room with a TV and four speakers, two beside the TV and two on a shelf behind a couch.

Sony Bravia Theater Quad (Sony)

And then there’s the Bravia Theater Quad. This four-speaker set replaces the HT-A9 that Sony introduced in 2021. Instead of four cylindrical units, the company opted for flat, square designs this time, which will allow you to mount them on a wall more easily. Like the A9, there’s a separate box that holds all of the necessary connections. You’ll get HDMI 2.1 here too, with one input and one output (eARC).

Inside of each speaker, there are four drivers: one tweeter, one mid-range, one woofer and one up-firing unit. That’s a total of 16 across the set, and Sony says you can add on either the SW3 or the SW5 subwoofer for more low-end thump. The Sony-developed features from the new Bravia Theater Bars are here as well, including 360 Spatial Sound, Sound Field Optimization, Acoustic Center Sync and Voice Zoom 3. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio and Hi-Res tunes are in the mix too, and IMAX Enhanced will arrive later via an update (you’ll need a sub to use it). The Bravia Theater Quad is the priciest of the bunch, setting you back $2,500 for the initial set without a bundled subwoofer.

Lastly, Sony has a new neckband speaker for “open-air yet personal listening.” The Bravia Theater U ($300) supports Dolby Atmos when paired with a compatible Bravia TV. Two of the company’s X-balanced speakers power the device, which supports 360 Reality Audio on its own. There’s also 12-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth and a built-in mic for calls.

Sony says the Bravia Theater Bar 9 and Bar 8 will be available for preorder this spring from Amazon and other retailers. Ditto for the Bravia Theater U. The Bravia Theater Quad is available for preorder now.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.

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Sony’s new ULT Bluetooth speakers are bringing back the ’90s bass boost button

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Sony just announced a trio of new speakers in a new line of audio products called the ULT Power Series. This is an attempt by the company to reduce some of the clutter involved with its naming conventions, so and XE-Series products. Both lines are being wrapped up into the ULT Power Series branding. To suit this new branding, each of the following speakers include something called the ULT button, which provides a bass boost.

The ULT Field 1 is your standard portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s compact and comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, gray and orange. The battery lasts around 12 hours per charge and the casing is IP67 water resistant, dustproof and shockproof. Like many of these ultra-portable Bluetooth speakers, the design lets users stand it on its end or lay it on its side, to make use of space. There’s also a built-in mic for hands-free calling. This speaker costs $130 and will be available later this spring at major retail outlets.

Two Sony speakers.Two Sony speakers.

Sony

The ULT Field 7 is basically a beefier version of the Field 1. It’s bigger, though still portable, and includes two dedicated ULT buttons. One provides deeper bass in the lower frequency range and the other brings a powerful, punchy bass. There’s also plenty of ambient LED lighting that synchronizes with the music.

The battery lasts 30 hours, which is a fantastic metric, and includes quick-charging capabilities. It’s also being advertised as a karaoke machine, thanks to the built-in microphone port. Finally, Sony says people can string together up to 100 of these things to make a cacophony of noise that’ll really annoy the pants off of their neighbors. Those neighbors, however, are likely to live in a glorious mansion, as just one Field 7 costs $500. They go on sale later this spring.

A Sony speaker.A Sony speaker.

Sony

The ULT Tower 10 is, as the name suggests, a Bluetooth tower speaker intended for living spaces. This speaker wirelessly connects to stereo systems and TVs for enhanced audio and includes the same two ULT bass boost buttons found with the Field 7. There’s also a sound optimization feature that detects local noise and adjusts the settings to accommodate the surroundings.

The speaker boasts omni-directional synchronized lighting, which Sony says “makes listeners feel like they are at a music festival.” There are two microphone inputs for belting out karaoke duets and the speaker actually ships with one wireless mic. Listeners can also connect up to 100 compatible speakers at once, including the Field 7. This is one expensive tower speaker, however, so it’ll set you back $1,200 when it releases later in the season.

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