Audio & Visual Gear


Fender x MoFi PrecisionDeck Turntable Combines Fender Style with MoFi Sound

With the resurgence of vinyl as a popular audio medium, so too are the devices to play those records. Amazing sound mixed with classic style is always a great thing. Fender has announced a partnership with Mobile Fidelity Electronics (MoFi), the legendary foremost audio technology company, to offer the Fender x Mofi PrecisionDeck Turntable to play your favorite recordings.


Roku Rolls Out Big Software Updates and New Hardware Just in Time for Fall TV

Roku is an incredible company in many ways. They’re not Amazon, Apple, or Google, yet they’re the heavyweight in the streaming world because they’re a neutral party. They don’t care what you watch, but they do care deeply that your experience finding and enjoying what you watch is the best one possible. And they want to keep that exacting standard with new OS updates and hardware for your fall viewing enjoyment!


LG XBOOM 360 Combines Sound and Light in a Sleek Speaker That Will Look Great Everywhere

Need a classy-looking portable speaker that can also function as a light? Take a look at the LG XBOOM 360. Made to radiate sound in all directions for up to 10 hours when on battery power, the LG XBOOM 360 is one of the more sleek and stylish portable speakers we’ve seen. Inside the LG XBOOM 360’s conical-cylindrical body, there is a 5.25″ glass fiber woofer and a 1″ titanium horn tweeter; LG says that the reflector structure of the tweeter and woofer will deliver 360 sound with minimal distortion indoors and outside. Available in four colors, including Burgundy, Peacock…


Upgrade Your TV Watching Experience Just in Time for Labor Day and Fall Football with Roku

Roku is America’s number one TV streaming platform and a favorite brand among Gear Diary staff because of its easy-to-navigate UI that’s found on multiple manufacturer’s smart TVs as well as Roku’s affordable smart speakers and stand-alone streaming hardware. With Labor Day coming up soon as well, along with the fall football season, we wanted to point out some of the ways you can upgrade your TV enjoyment without necessarily replacing your television — although there are excellent Roku deals to be had on smart TVs right now, too!





SOUNDBOKS 3 Review: The Portable Outdoor Speaker Made for the Summer Party Season

We’ve previously covered SOUNDBOKS speakers, so when the latest SOUNDBOKS 3 Bluetooth Speaker arrived at my doorstep, I already knew this wasn’t the typical “Portable” Bluetooth speaker. Built for performance, the SOUNDBOKS 3 speaker looks more like a monitor you’d see in front of a stage at an outdoor summer concert. It’s truly a massive speaker at 31.5″ tall by 19.69″ wide by 15.75″ deep, and it weighs about 35 pounds. The SOUNDBOKS 3 has carrying handles built on two sides — perfect for dragging it to the pool or toting from the parking lot to the beach to truly turn up…


Periodic Audio Rhodium DAC Review: Ups Your Audio Game Without Breaking the Bank

When Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from their mobile devices, we saw explosive growth in the wireless headphone market. Sadly, it was also another step toward prioritizing convenience over audio quality. As we have seen, some wireless headphones deliver exceptional sound but, there are times when you want the BEST sound. That’s where the Periodic Audio Rhodium DAC comes in.


Roku OS 10 Announced Along with New Rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro, Roku Express 4K+, and Roku Streambar Pro

I had one of the first Roku streaming devices when they first came on the scene but, over time, had moved to Apple TV. Last fall, I bought one of Roku’s current streaming devices, and was impressed by how much the platform has evolved; it’s fantastic! Never one to rest on their laurels, Roku has just announced Roku OS 10 as well as their latest hardware, the Roku Voice Remote Pro, Roku Express 4K+, and Roku Streambar Pro.


SKYWORTH Announces Five New Series of Smart TVs

Every CES, I learn about new technology and new brands and am always amazed that I never checked them out. One of those brands is SKYWORTH. The Chinese brand has been making products since 1988, and they have just announced their upcoming TVs.


JBL Releases New Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Soundbar and Charge 5, and Reimagines Two Collectable Classics

JBL’s products are everywhere. In fact, at their press conference, they mentioned having sold over 100 million pairs of headphones and portable speakers. To mark their 75th anniversary, they are releasing a pair of limited-edition classics that have been reimagined for 2021. But that’s not all. There is also a new JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam soundbar and a new JBL Charge 5 on the way too!


Samsung Goes Greener and Offers More Accessibility with New TVs

At Samsung’s (virtual) press conference presentation yesterday, the company announced new products and initiatives that reflect their commitment to innovation. Televisions that are more immersive than ever were on display, as were innovations that can make entertainment more accessible to more people. Here’s a look at some of what they shared.



Lenovo Helps the Office Embrace Video Conferencing No Matter Where You Are

We’re hopefully going to see an end to the COVID-19 pandemic soon, but there will be some lasting changes to how we work. Even when people go back to work, it’s unlikely we’re all going to be mingling like the before days. Lenovo is all set to make this transition easier, whether it’s working from home or holding virtual meetings across the world, with a line of adorably tiny computers, webcams, a soundbar for better audio (no more “I hear feedback, is it you or me? Hello?”), and ThinkSmart Manager to make the whole thing run smoothly.


Vizio V-Series Delivers Smart Affordable Entertainment #ad

This is a sponsored post; we received compensation from Vizio, but all opinions are the author’s. Vizio currently offers several television lines; their OLED line starts at $1299.99, the P-Series starts at $1199.99 for a 65” television, and a 40″ M-Series starts at $399.99. By contrast, you can get a 40” V-Series television for just $229.99. The V705x-H1, which I was sent for review, has an MSRP of $659.99 and is currently available for $549.99.


Roku Ultra and Roku StreamBar Both Bring Powerful and Enjoyable Streaming Experiences

Roku prides themselves on their laser focus — it’s all about making streaming the best possible experience for their users. Their interface is simple, their devices are plug and play, and their entire ecosystem is built around offering multiple options at every price point. We took a look at the Roku StreamBar and new Roku Ultra and came away very impressed!



Zvox SB380 Soundbar Is a Nice Upgrade from Your TV’s Built-in Speakers

The Zvox SB380 is a solidly built soundbar that delivers decent sound and makes dialogue sound even better. The SB380 can be wall-mounted, placed upright on a credenza, or placed “flat” with the speakers facing upward. The SB380 provides room-filling 3D sound from its 35.5” frame, and it is fairly priced.


Mark Levinson Expands Their 5000 Series with New Amps, a Turntable, and a Network Streaming SACD Player and DAC

Mark Levinson, by Harman, makes audio equipment that many of us can only ever aspire to own. I’ve been able to listen to several of their system set-ups in person, and each time I’ve walked away thinking that if I ever become rich and famous, I’d be tempted. If you’re already in a position to buy, then you’ll be glad to know that they’ve expanded their offering of luxury-line components. Even though the prices are still quite aspirational, they are a little more obtainable than Mark Levinson’s typical price-points.