Independent reviews
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Hi-Fi Amplifiers
A feature-rich Class AB integrated amplifier with Dirac Live, HDMI ARC and a capable phono stage, plus the speaker-matching limits worth knowing before you buy.
Hi-Fi Amplifiers
A close look at the Onkyo Icon P-80 preamplifier and M-80 power amplifier, covering build, connectivity, sound, room correction and speaker matching.
Stereo Components
A practical look at Onkyo's flagship Icon lineup, covering the P80 network preamplifier, the M80 power amplifier, the A50 network integrated amplifier and the C30 CD player.
Hi-Fi Audio
The Onkyo M-80 pairs 130 W per channel Class AB output with balanced inputs, switchable speaker pairs, and amber-lit analog VU meters. Here is what it does well and what to check before buying.
Hi-Fi Amplifiers
Three one-box Onkyo systems compared, covering the differences in power, phono support, room correction and connectivity that actually shape a buying decision.
AV Receivers
A closer look at the Onkyo RZ70, a flagship 11-channel AV receiver with Class AB amplification, dual ESS Sabre DACs, full bandwidth Dirac Live, and a deep HDMI 2.1 feature set.
Stereo Receivers
A close look at the Onkyo TX-8470, an $800 stereo receiver with HDMI 2.1 switching, a built-in phono stage and streaming, plus the trade-offs to weigh first.
Home Theater Receivers
A THX-certified 9.2 channel receiver with full 4K 120 gaming support and Dirac Live room correction, plus the trade-offs worth weighing first.
AV Receivers
A nine-channel AV receiver that pairs six 8K HDMI inputs and THX-certified Class AB amplification with Dirac Live room correction included at no extra cost.
AV Receivers
A measured look at the Onkyo TX-RZ70, an 11.2-channel AV receiver with conservative power ratings, an exceptionally quiet preamp section, and a few setup rules worth knowing before you buy.
AV Receivers
A 5.2 channel Dolby Atmos receiver with 80 watts per channel, four HDMI 2.1 inputs, and power delivery that stays composed under demanding speaker loads.
Hi-Fi Speakers
A practical comparison of four boxless speaker options, from the Maco Mercurius and Magnepan 3.7i to the GR Research NX Extreme and Triple Threat kits, and the trade-offs that matter before you buy.
Loudspeakers
A handcrafted Italian two-way standmount at £3,000 a pair, with tight bass, a natural midrange and a refined treble that is easy to live with.
Bookshelf Speakers
Three bookshelf speakers at three price points, compared on build, specifications and sound, with clear guidance on which one deserves your money.
Hi-Fi Speakers
A compact 2.5-way floorstanding speaker with a concealed third driver, an Aeroflex hybrid bass system, and a midrange that rewards careful system matching.
Hi-Fi Audio
A close look at the Orchard Audio Starkrimson, a GaN Class D power amplifier with 250W into 8 ohms, modular internals, and a kit price that undercuts its rivals.
Audio Video Processors
A practical look at the OREI HDA-939, a 4K HDMI scaler that splits video from audio, downmixes Dolby Atmos to two-channel stereo, and adds eARC routing to older receivers.
Tube Amplifiers
A close look at the Orsay Fon MC275 clone amplifier: its $1,939 asking price, its measured sound and power behaviour, and the build quality trade-offs to weigh before buying.
Hi-Fi Audio
A measured comparison of a tube amplifier clone and the original it imitates, covering output impedance, load dependency, tube rolling, distortion, and noise.
Bookshelf Speakers
The OSD Nero 5 delivers clear sound, deeper-than-rated bass and a surprisingly solid crossover for around $64. Here is what to know before buying.
Stereo Receivers
A feature-dense stereo receiver with a moving magnet and moving coil phono stage, switchable bass management, a built-in streamer, and 110 watts per channel at $999.
Hi-Fi Audio
A closer look at frequently discussed hi-fi components, from speakers to headphones, with honest strengths and trade-offs to consider before buying.
Gravel Bikes
The Ozark Trail G1 Explorer is a $288 drop-bar gravel bike with an aluminium frame, rack and mudguard mounts, and 45 mm tires. Here is what it does well, where the price shows, and who should buy it.
Gravel Bikes
The Ozark Trail G2 Rebel pairs an aluminium frame and a full carbon fork with a 1x10 Microshift drivetrain at a budget price. Here is what works, what does not, and who should buy it.
TVs
A practical look at the Panasonic Z95B OLED: tandem panel brightness, filmmaker mode accuracy, built-in Technics sound, and the Fire TV compromises to weigh first.
Wireless Speakers
A practical comparison of two premium wireless speakers: the omnidirectional Pantheon One and the highly customizable Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level.
Bookshelf Speakers
A compact bookshelf speaker with solid build quality, low distortion, and a bright character that benefits from equalization and a subwoofer.
Bookshelf Speakers
A close look at the Paradigm Founder 40B, a Canadian-built bookshelf speaker whose pinpoint imaging and spatial realism set it apart, plus the amplifier matching and room placement it needs to shine.
Center Channel Speakers
The Paradigm Founder 90C brings a three-way layout, deep bass, and high sensitivity to a large center channel, but its upper midrange and distortion behavior raise serious questions.
Floorstanding Speakers
A hybrid floorstanding speaker with 1,000 watts of active bass, built-in ARC room correction, and a smooth, neutral character that stays comfortable over long sessions.