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Latest by Caleb Denison

You Asked Ep 6

You Asked: Sonos setups, 5,000 nits, and dumb TVs

In this installment of You Asked, we tackle tricky Sonos setups, how many nits of brightness is too many, and some smart ideas about dumb TVs.
Sony X95L vs TCL QM8

Sony Bravia X95L mini-LED vs. TCL QM8 QLED: The best LCD TV and the one you should buy

I've already declared the Sony X95L the best LCD I've ever tested, so is comparing it to the TCL QM8 even fair? The answer may surprise you.
You Asked Episode 5

You Asked: Soundbars vs. receivers, TVs with no speakers, and car stereos

We tackle reader questions in the You Asked series of columns. This week, it's soundbars versus AV receivers, speakerless TVs, HDMI bandwidth, and car stereos.
TCL Q7 TV review

TCL Q7 QLED TV review: a great buy, but enthusiasts need not apply

The TCL Q7 has a lot to recommend it to a lot of consumers, but when it comes to performance, it is far from the budget darling we've come to expect from TCL.
A diagram showing how Dolby Atmos FlexConnect combines wireless speakers with a TV's sound system.

Is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect a potential soundbar killer?

I really want to be excited about Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, but I have some reservations. Here's why I'm skeptical about the new tech.
Sony X95L mini-LED review

Sony Bravia X95L mini-LED TV review: brilliance in LCD

The Sony Bravia X95L mini-LED TV is the best LCD TV I've ever reviewed. But that doesn't mean you should buy it. Read on to see if it's worth the price.
LG M3 Wireless OLED review

LG M3 Wireless OLED TV review: zero wires, zero problems

We put the Zero Connect box of the LG M3 wireless OLED system through its paces to see if the new-wave wireless tech really is worth the hype.
A person wearing the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C review: A glimpse into the future?

The big story may be the updated hardware with USB-C and MagSafe charging, but the best things about Apple's new AirPods Pro are also coming to the last-gen.
You Asked Episode 4

You Asked: Why we don’t buy the TVs we review

We answer the most frequently asked question we get about TV reviews: Why don't we just buy the TVs we review? There are more reasons than you might think.
Graphic art for the Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon.

Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon: beauty and the beast

It's the sleek and sexy Sonos beauty versus the beastly Nakamichi Dragon in a head-to-head comparison of the surround sound systems.
You Asked Ep 3

You Asked: How to add a subwooofer to Apple Homepods, Hisense UX review question

In this installment of You Asked, we tackle your questions about the Hisense UX, taking TV temperatures, and accessibility options with optical
why tcls 5000 nit x955 is a brightness bomb of qd mini led x955lifestyle images 2
Branded

TCL X955 TV: 5K nits, 5K zones

The new TCL flagship TV promises unprecedented brightness power and brightness control.
why tcls 5000 nit x955 is a brightness bomb of qd mini led x955lifestyle images 2
Branded

Why TCL’s 5,000-nit X955 is a brightness bomb of QD-mini-LED

The new TCL flagship TV promises unprecedented brightness power and brightness control.
TCL QM8 vs Hisense U8K

TCL QM8 vs. Hisense U8K: budget battle royale

When it comes to bang-for-your-buck TVs, these two are ahead of the pack. Find out which one is best for you.
TCL X955

Why TCL’s 5,000-nit X955 is a brightness bomb of QD-mini-LED

The new TCL flagship TV promises unprecedented brightness power and brightness control.
You Asked Episode 2

You Asked: Why TVs with same model numbers have different specs

You've got more questions about TVs — and other things. And our resident TV expert has answers. And other things.
You Asked episode 1.

You Asked: best TVs for bright rooms, when to use eARC, and more

You have questions. We have answers. The Digital Trends community has tons of great AV questions and we're going answer them in our new series: You Asked.
Sony X90L Review

Sony Bravia X90L TV review: a surprise hit from Sony

Sony's X90 Series TVs have always been a bit of a tough sell for me, with specs outclassed by some much cheaper competitors. The X90L is here to change that.
The LG 97-inch Signature OLED M3 4K TV and Zero Connect box.

LG’s new M-Series Wireless OLED TVs start at $5,000

LG has announced the suggested pricing for its new M3 OLED TVs with wireless technology, with orders expected to open late August 2023
Lg M-Series OLED

LG’s M-Series Wireless OLED TV is the future we need

The wireless signal transmission rolling out on the LG M-Series OLED TVs has broad implications for the future of TV. Here's why.
Hisense U8K Review

Hisense U8K ULED TV review: not 8K and that’s OK

The U8K isn't actually an 8K TV, and that's more than just fine. When word gets out how good this TV is, Hisense won't be able to make them fast enough.
HDMI eARC

I get more complaints about this tech than anything, but I can’t fix it

HDMI ARC was supposed to fix everything. Instead, it turned out to be a non-standard standard. This is why we can't have nice things.
Nakamichi Dragon Surround System Review

Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6 home surround sound system review: bringing the fire

Nakamichi has unleashed the Dragon 11.4.6 surround system and I put it through its paces to see if the Dolby Atmos system really is the stuff of legend.
The Samsung QN90C ron a media stand with white speakers.

Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV review: what premium looks like

The Samsung QN90C Neo QLED may sit just shy of flagship position, but it's no second-fiddle TV -- and the price proves it.
Vizio Home Screen

This one move could change everything for Vizio

Once the undisputed king of budget TV brands, Vizio's crown has long since slipped off. Here's what Vizio will need to do to stage a comeback.
Closeup of blue KEF LSX II speaker driver

How we test speakers

Great speakers are essential for any home theater or music setup, so when we review the latest, we do it with helping you in mind. Here's how we test speakers.
TCL QM8

TCL QM8 mini-LED TV review: massive appeal

It's big, it's beautiful, and it's going to be the best buy for the biggest number of people. TCL has done it again with the QM8 mini-LED TV.
Sony Bravia X93L Mini LED Review

Sony Bravia X93L mini-LED TV review: premium performance without the ‘Sony tax’

You'd be forgiven for mistaking the Sony X93L for the 2022 X95 mini-LED, but you won't forgive yourself if you sleep on flagship-level specs at this price.
A Sonos Era 300 speaker.

I had to try the Sonos Era 300 for myself and wasn’t ready for what happened

I already knew the Sonos Era 300 would be good. But I didn't expect them to challenge my expectations of what home audio can be.
Samsung S95C vs LG G3

LG G3 vs. Samsung S95C: the FOMO ends here

Two titans of the TV industry put forth their best sets, so we pitted the LG G3 against the Samsung S95C to find out which TV reigns supreme.
The McIntosh MHT300 Home Theater Receiver.

How we test AV receivers

Deciding on an AV receiver is an important decision. We put these high-tech entertainment devices through the wringer so you don't have to. Here's how we do it.
Bright paint colors on a Hisense U8H.

Hisense U8H mini-LED TV review: a budget videophile’s dream

A lot rides on the U8H TV, Hisense's first mini-LED backlit model. But if history is any indication, the U8H should be an absolute knockout.
Hisense U7H with bright green and yellow parakeet on black backfround, showing color and contrast performance.

Hisense U7H (65U7H) review: punching above its weight

With impressive brightness and black levels and out-of-this-world color accuracy, the Hisense U7H is a formidable challenger to its more expensive sibling.
how to pick the best tv for sports

How to pick the best TV for sports: what to look for and things to avoid

Anyone who says you shouldn't choose a TV just to watch sports is wrong. Here's what you need for a great view of a big game, plus a few big things to avoid.