Skip to main content
John Higgins

John Higgins

Former Senior Editor, A/V
Author/Co-Author of 60 articles

John Higgins is Digital Trends' former Senior Editor and section lead for A/V. After receiving his Bachelor in Music with an Audio Production focus from Ithaca College and Master of Music in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from the University of Southern California, he began working for Home Theater Magazine in 2003. His time in the print and online publishing world has been spent as a writer, editor, copy editor, researcher, and test lab technician. Before joining Digital Trends, Higgins was the Managing Editor of Tech at Reviewed, part of the USA Today network, where he led the website's tech coverage. He has previously written for Wirecutter, IGN, Projector Central, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine covering projectors, televisions, headphones and earbuds, sound bars and speakers, and monitors. He is a yearly attendee at CES and an ISF level 3 certified calibrator.

In addition to his career in publishing, Higgins has been a professional musician since the late 90s, having performed on piano in solo recitals, as a collaborative partner with various singers and instrumentalists, and with the Pacific Symphony. He also is an accomplished guitarist and, with his pop/rock band, has played such hallowed L.A. venues as the Troubadour, Roxy, Viper Room, and House of Blues. For 10 years, he was a teacher and music director at a private school in Los Angeles, and following his teaching career spent some time in the film industry as a post-production sound editor and composer.

Originally from just outside Boston, Higgins has been a Los Angeles resident since 2001 where he lives with his wife, son, two rescue dogs, and parrot. When not working, he spends his time watching TV shows about cooking and serial killers, preparing for his next D&D session, ignoring the growing list of games in his Steam gaming library, and building Legos with his son.

The Kaleidescape Strato M movie player on a gray background.

The new Strato M lowers cost of entry into the world of Kaleidescape

The Strato M is financially an easier way to get a Kaleidescape, but content output is limited to 1080p.
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 in front of a Sony TV on a wooden stand.

Sony bolsters its soundbar and projector 2025 lineups

Sony is adding two new soundbar setups, rear speaker add-ons, and the new Bravia Projector 7 in 2025.
A home theater setup.

Why you shouldn’t always trust manufacturer’s lumens specs

You might not be getting the brightness you think you are.
An Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini in front iPad on a wooden bookshelf.

Apple HomePod with Screen: everything you need to know

Rumors of an Apple HomePod with a built-in touchscreen have been around for years, but it now seems it could be a reality.
The 85-inch Samsung New QLED 8K TV on display at CES 2025.

Samsung begins release of 2025 QLED TVs and soundbars

The Samsung QLED TVs and soundbars are starting to roll out for purchase. Today, Samsung has announced pricing and availability for the QN900F 8K (the 65- and 75-inch version), QN90F and QN80F 4K QLEDs, and the HW-Q990F and HW-Q800F soundbars. The 85-inch QN900F and entire QN990F 8K and QN70F 4K series will be released at […]
Family watching a movie in kids bedroom with XGIMI Halo projector.

Please don’t use your wall as a projection screen

Using your projector with a wall instead of a projection screen is doing it a disservice.
Samsung HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos Soundbar.

Samsung responds about firmware that bricked the Q990D soundbar

Samsung has told Digital Trends it is taking immediate action to resolve the issue of non-working soundbars due to a firmware update.
A collection of DVD and Blu-ray discs on a shelf.

Have Blu-ray discs been given a stay of execution?

The first new Sony Blu-ray player released since 2019 could be good news for lovers of physical media.
Samsung HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos Soundbar.

Samsung Q990D flagship soundbar gets firmware update that makes it inoperable

Firmware update 1020.7 has caused Samsung soundbars to get stuck in eARC mode, making the soundbars unusable.
The Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones on a concrete sidewalk with some plants in the background.

The MW75 Neuro headphones read your brainwaves and their potential is fascinating

The Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones pair the incredible sound performance of the original MW75 with EEG technology to track you brainwaves.
An Auracast demonstrator points to a transmitter at a mock airport gate showing the technology at CES 2024.

Google’s Android Beta 16 includes support for Auracast

The new Android beta build adds Auracast support with Samsung Galaxy One UI 7 devices, Android 15 and Pixel 9 devices.
An LG G5 OLED TV hanging on a wall in a bright living room.

LG provides pricing for the 2025 G5 and C5 OLEDs

The LG C5 and G5 series will be available in March, with setup and soundbar deals available for those that purchase them by the end of the month.
A lineup of TVs at LG's 2025 reviewer workshop.

Don’t sleep on the LG B5 in 2025

After seeing the 2025 LG OLED TV line up close, the B5 might be one of the better deals for an entry-level OLED.
A lifestyle image of the TCL QM7K in a living room.

TCL’s QM7K might be the midrange TV to beat, and its just been released

The TCL QM7K is the second TV the company has released already, early in 2025.
A red Cadillac EV on a dark background with the Dolby and Cadillac emblems underneath.

Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos Music in Cadillac EVs

Dolby Atmos Music will be supported in every 2026 Cadillac electric vehicle and select 2025 models through Apple Music and Amazon Music.
An Audio-technica LP120 turntable with Miles Davis Kind of Blue on its platter, an audioengine speaker to its left, and two record sleeves to its right on a wooden floor.

Don’t let audiophiles bully you out of being an audiophile

A love of music and wanting it to sound its best is all that's needed to be an audiophile.
The Google TV/basic option on the TCL Q6 television.

Nearly 1.6 million Android TV devices have been infected by Vo1d malware

While Vo1D hasn't reached the US in any sizable numbers, it's a reminder to keep all your connected devices secure, including TVs.
Hisense U7N review

Hisense QLEDs didn’t have quantum dots? A new lawsuit claims just that

A class action complaint filed on February 25 claims that certain Hisense TVs didn't contain the quantum dots promised.
An Apple HomePod and an Amazon Alexa Echo on a wooden bookshelf next to a small fountain.

I’m kicking Alexa out of my home and maybe you should, too

I've been on the edge about keeping Alexa in my home, but now I think it's time for it to go.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 cases and earbuds next to one another on a stone step.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: which Apple earbuds are best?

The AirPods Pro 2 and Powerbeats Pro 2 are closely matched. If you're deciding between the two, we'll help you know which to choose.
The Optoma Photon Go on a wooden credenza displaying a Google TV homepage with The Super Mario Bros. movie.

A portable ultra-short throw projector? Optoma has you covered with the Photon Go

The Optoma Photon Go looks to be the smallest and most portable ultra-short throw projector we've seen.
The Apple TV app on a Samsung Android phone.

A native Android Apple TV app is now in the Google Play store

After originally being released five years ago, a full-functioning Apple TV app has come to Android devices.
An iPhone 15 Max displaying the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show with Apple AirPods Pro 2 next to it on a wooden table.

Watch Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music

If you missed Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show last Sunday, Apple Music has you covered, with spatial audio, no less.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 in orange sitting in front of their case on a stone.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: your next workout earbuds

After being teased about them last fall, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are finally here, and they should be your next workout earbuds.
A blue image that has the Amazon swoop and "Hi there." with the date February 26 listed below.

Upcoming Amazon event invite teases a new AI-powered Alexa

Invites went out for an Amazon event in New York City on February 26, and all clues point to an Alexa AI announcement.
A Sonos Era 100 speaker next to an iPhone showing AirPlay speaker options.

Sonos troubles continue as it lays off 200 employees

Layoffs at Sonos epitomize its bad year. Time will tell if the restructuring can help the company regain its direction.
The Xfinity home screen showing Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for Super Bowl 2025.

Super Bowl 2025 will be broadcast in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for the first time

Comcast and Dolby are pairing up to broadcast the Super Bowl with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for Xfiniti customers.
A record player on the front of the Grammys poster.

Grammy 2025 song and album winners to listen to in Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos Music mixes were well represented at the 2025 Grammy Awards, including mixes by winners Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, St. Vincent, and Chappell Roan.
A TV displaying the Fox Sports, Tubi, TV, and YouTube apps.

How to watch Super Bowl 2025

Super Bowl 2025 is almost here, and it will be available on Fox, Fubo, and the free-streaming platform Tubi.
Three vinyl records below an Audio Technica turntable on a wooden table.

It’s time we admit to, and accept, vinyl’s dirty secret

Some want to believe that vinyl delivers a pure analog experience, but in reality, digital is almost always a part of it.
The LG G5 OLED TV displayed in a suite at CES 2025.

LG Display confirms what Panasonic told us at CES — new four-layer OLED is here

A brand new four-layer OLED panel structure technology has been confirmed by LG Display.
The 98-inch TCL QM6K mini-LED TV in a suite at CES 2025.

TCL focuses on new QM6K and QLED advancements at CES 2025

The new TCL QM6K TV unveiled at CES 2025 brings with it a slew of new backlight and processing improvements.
The Hisense 116UX TriChroma LED TV in a living room.

Hisense goes big with new TriChroma LED TV and a consumer microLED

At CES 2025, Hisense is showing off the new TriChroma LED TV and a consumer microLED TV.
Sansui 65-inch OLED 65VO

Sansui builds on its OLED TV line with new sizes, and adds new AI gaming monitor

Sansui has unveiled new sizes of its impressive OLED TV, as well as a new AI gaming monitor, ahead of CES 2025.