All posts tagged: Sonys

I love Sony’s new Bluetooth turntable, so why do I feel so conflicted using it

I love Sony’s new Bluetooth turntable, so why do I feel so conflicted using it

Published by skeptic

pros and cons Pros Impressive sound Versatile setup Sturdy design and build Cons Expensive for what it is No adjustable anti-skate or tracking force more buying choices Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. In a world of Spotify and Apple Music, vinyl records are still going strong as an audio medium. Last year, vinyl record sales reached over $1 billion for the first time this century, proving that music lovers are still drawn to the art of listening to and collecting records.  Also: I listened to Sony, Bose, and Apple’s flagship headphones – and this pair’s ahead of the pack With all these record sales, you have to have a way to play them, and turntables have now entered the 21st century with features like Bluetooth and USB outputs to record vinyl to digital. I’ve tested quite a few turntables over the years, so I was excited to try the new Sony PS-LX5BT to see how it held up to my sound standards — and if it would be a good buy for anyone …

Sony’s PS5 Price Hikes Prove This Console Generation Is Far From Over. Good.

Sony’s PS5 Price Hikes Prove This Console Generation Is Far From Over. Good.

Published by skeptic

If you’ve been holding off on picking up a PlayStation 5 in hopes of a price cut, bad news: the cost of every model of Sony’s all-conquering console has instead just gone up considerably. It’s a move that breaks with decades of tradition (or at least consumer expectations) and is undoubtedly a blow for anyone hoping for a discount, five years into the current console generation. However, it’s also a sign that the current generation is likely to stick around for a while yet—and that may be a good thing, for the industry and players alike. Historically, at this point in a console generation, incumbent hardware sees steep discounts. For example, the PS4, which launched for $400 in 2013, was retailing for $300 by 2018, a 25 percent decrease. Even if hardware is loss-leading, it’s a pricing trajectory that’s usually win-win for manufacturers and customers alike. Production and component costs will typically have dropped over that half-decade, allowing companies to drop the retail price, often alongside slimmed-down hardware revisions. At the same time, players who …

I love Sony’s latest headphones. But its older ones are nearly as good (and cheaper)

I love Sony’s latest headphones. But its older ones are nearly as good (and cheaper)

Published by skeptic

Sony WH-1000XM6 on the left; Sony WH-1000XM5 on the right.  Nina Raemont/ZDNET When Sony released its WH-1000XM6 headphones last year, I was instantly floored by the new headset’s stellar noise cancellation and classic Sony sound. They fit and sounded simply amazing. The headphones had such strong noise cancellation that, while listening to them on a recent flight, I didn’t realize the plane had embarked on an emergency landing.  Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Still the king of ANC headphones? My verdict after months of testing The XM6 headphones are great, and that’s for sure. They’re also $400 — not terribly affordable. If $400 is just a little out of your price range, you might be better off opting for the $300 XM5 headphones that Sony unveiled a few years ago. It’s a good time to buy them, too, since Amazon’s Spring Sale is well underway. The headphones are 25% off right now, but the discount will likely only apply during the duration of the sale, which ends on March 31.  Also: Amazon Spring Sale live blog 2026: Tracking …

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value at full price, but right now they’re a steal.

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value at full price, but right now they’re a steal.

Published by skeptic

We’ve tested oodles of noise-canceling headphones and the Sony WH-CH720N might have an unfortunate name, but they’re the best budget-friendly pair we’ve tried. They usually offer good value when selling for the full $178 MSRP, but right now they’ve fallen to $95 shipped on Amazon and $100 on Best Buy. These headphones are well-built and well-designed, with great active noise cancellation and robust sound. They don’t fold up and they don’t come with a case, but you can get a case as a separate purchase if that’s a deal-breaker for you. These are lightweight, with adaptive sound that can adjust itself to suit your environment. Moreover, if you want a pair of over-hear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, it’s very difficult to get that in a package this affordable. Tack on the long-lasting 35-hour battery, and paying under $100 becomes a no-brainer if you’re in the market and on a tight budget. We haven’t seen them drop this low in price before. We’re nowhere near a shopping event like Amazon Prime Day or Black …

Sony’s new earbuds deliver a slimmer build and enhanced features

Sony’s new earbuds deliver a slimmer build and enhanced features

Published by Jenni Sidey

Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. Good audio products make you want to listen. Good consumer electronics companies make you feel you’re listened to. When designing the latest version of its flagship true wireless earbuds, Sony obviously heard user feedback and, much as the Japanese icon did with the 2025 redesign of the WH-1000XM6 headphones, it addressed pain points. A less awkward shape. Check. A less glossy, fingerprint-friendly finish. Check. More powerful processors for even more effective adaptive noise cancellation and audio customization. Check. Bose and Apple stole all the attention last year, but the WF-1000XM6 earbuds bring Sony back to the top of the ANC earbuds conversation. See It The design The blob is out. The bean is in. To me, the WF-1000XM5 (shown below, bottom left) was more polished river stone, whereas the WF-1000XM6 is matte pebble. The WF-1000XM5 was slippery, whereas the WF-1000XM6 has a soft, grippier texture. Tucking comfortably into the concha, it’s an ergonomic improvement in Black (above) or Platinum Silver (the rest of the …

Sony’s new WF-1000XM6 earbuds are exactly the upgrade I wanted

Sony’s new WF-1000XM6 earbuds are exactly the upgrade I wanted

Published by skeptic

The most highly-anticipated audio launch of 2026 is here: Sony’s WF-1000XM6 earbuds are official, and I’ve been testing them for the past two weeks. The upgrades include a redesigned audio driver, one extra microphone per earbud, a more powerful QN3e processor, and a completely new look. A lot has changed from the WF-1000XM5, and it’s mostly for the better. There were a few items on my wishlist Sony didn’t hit, such as Qualcomm aptX support and longer battery life, but the company seemingly covered the rest of the upgrades I hoped for. The redesign is a huge success for Sony, as I think the WF-1000XM6 both look and fit better than prior models. The earbuds’ quality and tuning sounds the best I’ve heard from recent releases straight out of the box, requiring minimal changes. The software is solid, too, with support for Bluetooth LE Audio, Auracast, multipoint connection, and variable listening modes. The Sony WF-1000XM6 finally feel like a complete package — and they’ll have to be to justify their higher price point. 8/10 Microphones …

Sony’s Biggest QLED Screens See Big Discounts This Weekend

Sony’s Biggest QLED Screens See Big Discounts This Weekend

Published by skeptic

When we cover televisions, we often talk about the most popular 55 and 65-inch versions, but as someone with an 85-inch TV in their guest room, I know the appeal of an oversized screen. Today, I’ve got a deal for you on the larger end of Sony’s Bravia 9 Series screens, with a $900 discount on the 75-inch model, and a massive $1,800 markdown on the 85-inch version. In addition to taking up an entire wall of your living room, these big screens are also super bright, reaching a stated 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Our reviewer Ryan Waniata, watching Moana, noted that “the sun blazed to near eye-squinting levels.” It’s helped along by quantum dots, which help colors look bright and real, even with the brightness cranked up. While the viewing angles can’t quite compete with the best OLED screens, Sony has some tricks up its sleeve, like antireflection coating and wide-panel tech, which should make sure everyone on the couch has a good view. The occasional rainbow that pops up as a result …

I compared Bose and Sony’s best ANC headphones for months – here’s who should buy which pair

I compared Bose and Sony’s best ANC headphones for months – here’s who should buy which pair

Published by skeptic

Jada Jones/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways I found Bose and Sony’s headphones to be exceptional in their own right. Bose’s option appeals more to laid-back listeners who prioritize comfort and simplicity. Sony’s option appeals to headphone enthusiasts who prioritize customization and utility. Sony’s and Bose’s latest headphones are some of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. On paper, Sony wins in several categories for its advanced audio features and customization, impressive noise-canceling abilities, and long-lasting battery life. But after months with each model, I have a clearer understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.  Also: Sony just shook up the Bose rivalry with these earbuds, and I wasn’t prepared for it If you’re a power user who wants headphones with granular audio customization, smart features, and those that enhance their performance the more you tweak them, you’ll appreciate Sony’s WH-1000XM6. If you want headphones that require minimal decision-making and deliver a high-performing experience without toggling many features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are up your alley. Here’s …

Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip make situational awareness look clean

Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip make situational awareness look clean

Published by Jenni Sidey

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. Sony’s LinkBuds have always been contrarian. Back in 2022, years before open-ear Bluetooth earbuds were a trend, the original LinkBuds arrived with a donut-shaped ring radiator that hovered at the edge of the ear canal, letting a bit of the world leak in like daylight through blinds. The new LinkBuds Clip keeps that always-aware idea, that link to the world, but trades the sci-fi circle for something a little more convenient as you run errands: an ear cuff-style wireless clip-on so you can stay social, stay aware, and stay in the groove. The C-shaped body and upper band are accommodating to a wide range of ear shapes and sizes, and they spread pressure to avoid soreness. Plus, there are removable Fitting Cushions you can reposition to further stabilize them for different anatomy and different days. See It No, this style isn’t new, just new to …