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Simon Cohen

Simon Cohen

Contributing Editor, A/V

Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and all manner of related devices and technologies. Whether it's a review of a new Bluetooth speaker or a deep dive into the benefits of hi-res audio, his approach remains the same: speak as plainly as possible so that readers can learn and discover which products are worth buying.

Simon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & English from Western University, which meant he was ill-prepared for a career in either field. Instead, he became a freelance teleprompter operator, with gigs working on commercials, industrial videos, corporate meetings, political speeches, and one very weird TV special with Buffy Sainte-Marie. However, when he discovered the web in 1993, he knew he had found his calling and began a journey that continues to this day.

Along the way, he became the ninth employee at AOL Canada, wrote about technology for Ozy.com, Mobilesyrup, Driving.ca, and VentureBeat, put in 15 years at what was once Canada's biggest website, Sympatico.ca, and appeared as a guest tech expert on international TV and radio programs, including BBC Radio, CTV News Channel, and CBC Radio.

The most common question Simon gets is, "are you related to Leonard Cohen?" The second most common question is "which wireless earbuds are the best?" (Answers: no and, it depends).

Simon in based in Toronto, where he works from a home office with no door, at the top of a set of stairs. It's as bad as you're probably imagining. He lives with three cats, one goldfish, a few dozen snails, and his wife, who wishes his job involved fewer large boxes. Sometimes his two adult children live there as well, but the less said about that, the better.

When he's not writing, he enjoys motorcycles, scuba diving, skiing, and reading sci-fi. He once met Douglas Adams.

Panasonic Z95A

Panasonic could abandon the U.S. TV market once again

A potential sale of the company's TV unit could end availability of Panasonic TVs in the U.S.
Mixx Analog System 5 turntable and Bluetooth speaker combo.

Mixx packages a Bluetooth turntable with wireless speakers for $300

The all-in-one package combines analog vinyl with wireless digital audio.
Sennheiser HD 505.

Sennheiser HD 505 add a touch of copper and greater comfort to open-back listening

The new cans are lighter and may offer more long-term comfort than other HD 500-series models.
A remote contol pointed at a TV displaying the Sonos logo.

Sonos’ streaming box could be great … if it doesn’t suck

Let's hope Sonos can fix its software problems before this new device debuts.
A hi-res audio logo adjacent to a Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar.

How to pick a hi-res streaming service for Sonos

Not all hi-res streaming services are the same, especially on a Sonos speaker.
Cleer Arc II Gaming open-ear earbuds.

Cleer’s open-ear earbuds get new features for gamers

The Arc II and Arc 3 Gaming editions feature ultra low-latency connections.
A screen of available channels in Prime Video.

New Prime Video/Starz/BET+ bundle could save you money

Amazon’s service has a new way for you to save money if you want access to content from Starz and BET+. The two are now available as , which Amazon says is about a 30% savings over subscribing to each one individually. Starz includes access to the March 7 premiere of Power Book III: Raising […]
Meze Audio 105 AER: side close-up.

Meze 105 AER review: Glorious levels of detail

The Meze 105 AER are an awesome entry point into the world of open-back audiophile-grade headphones.
An iPhone 14 displaying the Amazon Music app with a Dolby Atmos Music playlist, next to a set of Apple AirPods Max headphones.

Amazon Music Unlimited raises prices on individual and family plans

Non-Prime member prices are now the same as Spotify and Apple Music.
Leaked pics of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Leaked Powerbeats Pro 2 pics give us our first real look at Beats’ next earbuds

Looks like the new sports-oriented earbuds will have fitness tracking features.
A Sonos Five speaker.

Sonos updates its app with Zones as it rolls out the Era 100 Pro

The new feature coincides with the availability of the Era 100 Pro speaker for commercial installations.
Sony WH-1000XM5.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 might be announced before the end of summer

The wait for Sony's next flagship noise-canceling headphones may soon be over.
Panasonic DMP-BD91 BD blu-ray player tray

Sony quits Blu-ray, MiniDV, and MiniDisc recordable media but don’t freak out

Sony's exit is a sign of the times for physical media, but not necessarily the end of the road.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: top controls.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: an easy TV upgrade

Amazon new soundbar comes in multiple configurations and each offers a super-simple home theater upgrade for your TV.
Fiio Snowsky Retro Nano.

Fiio’s $60 Snowsky Retro Nano DAC doubles down on analog nostalgia

Fiio's new Bluetooth DAC is a budget-friendly way to take a nostalgic trip back to the 80s and 90s.
Rentals screen in the new Plex experience.

Plex gives Apple TV users a preview of its new design

Plex updates its current experience with public reviews and profiles while giving Apple TV owners a sneak peek at what's coming next.
Beyerdynamic DT 70 IE worn by Cory Henry.

Beyerdynamic reveals 4 new IEMs tuned for mixers and musicians

New IEMs share the same driver, but feature specific tuning for musicians, vocalists, and producers, as well as critical listeners.
A close-up of the Netflix app icon n an Apple TV.

Netflix’s prices are going up, including its ad-supported tier

Despite massive subscriber and revenue growth, the biggest streaming service is about to become more expensive.
A set of 3D-printed headband holders with an replacement SteelSeries Arctis headband, attached to a set of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Make Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headband more comfortable with this 3D-printed hack

For $25 or less, you can make your $400 Sony headphones feel way more comfortable for longer sessions.
An AI-generated image of Simon Cohen on a GlanceTV screen.

Glance’s AI-driven TV screensavers are coming for your attention, and your shopping budget

Say goodbye to random landscapes and buildings -- your TV's screensavers are about to become way more personal.
1More SonoFlow Max Over-Ear Headphones HQ70.

Has 1More cracked the code on affordable Wi-Fi headphones?

At CES 2025, 1More showed some truly innovative features for its upcoming audio products, including Wi-Fi for headphones.
The Foacl Diva Utopia speakers with grey felt panels in a suite during CES 2025.

From a $20K soundbar to a $200 speaker set, these are the best audio products of CES 2025

CES might not be an audio-focused tech event, but there were plenty of cool products on hand.
Olight Ostation X battery charger.

The Ostation X might cure your addiction to disposable batteries

Having a ready supply of rechargeable AA batteries on hand could keep hundreds of alkaline cells out of landfill.
Dynaudio Symphony Opus One.

Dynaudio’s first soundbar looks and sounds like nothing else on the market

Is $20,000 too much to pay for a soundbar? Possibly. But wait till you hear the Dynaudio Symphony Opus One.
Close up of Sonos logo on a Sonos Arc soundbar.

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence has been replaced by a board member

After months of fallout from the company's botched app redesign, Patrick Spence is out as the company's leader.
Fiio KA15 mobile headphone DAC/amp.

Fiio brought its adorable KA15 DAC/amp to CES 2025 and now I want one

It's a highly capable and portable DAC for lossless audio, but that's not why I want it.
Technics EAH-AZ100 lid open, held in hand.

Technics EAH-AZ100 review: true hi-fi wireless earbuds

Technics may not be known for its wireless earbuds, but with the EAH-AZ100, that could be about to change.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2.

Audio-Technica’s latest earbuds snap together to save power

Audio-Technica's new earbuds can power off in a snap, but with 25 hours of battery life, you may never need to do it.
Onkyo Creator Series.

Onkyo shows off its Creator Series powered speakers at CES 2025

Onkyo's new powered speakers come in two sizes and two colors to match a variety of uses.
Shokz OpenFit 2.

Shokz OpenFit 2 promise better sound, fit, and battery life

With the Shokz OpenFit 2, one of the best open-ear earbuds is about to get a lot better.
Earfun Air Pro 4+.

Earfun unveils real-time translation earbuds, headphones with huge battery at CES 2025

Earfun is bringing a massive number of new products to CES 2025, including its first-ever open-ear earbuds.
JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition headphones.

JLab’s sleek $200 Epic Lux Lab Edition wireless headphones have first-class features

JLab's high-end noise-canceling cans are still affordably priced at just $200.
Questyle M18i mobile headphone DAC/amp.

Questyle’s M18i mobile headphone amp is an audio Swiss army knife

The M18i does a lot more than convert digital audio into analog.
A Marantz AV 10 receiver displaying Dolby Atmos text on front panel.

The ultimate guide to Dolby Atmos: what it is and how to get the best possible sound

Dolby Atmos can be a great surround sound experience. But just because your gear bears an Atmos label, that doesn't mean you've got Atmos sound. Here's why.