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Pioneer Elite X-Z9 Review

The Pioneer Elite X-Z9 is a compact solution for audiophiles that desire quality no matter the size.

Samsung HT-X710T Review

The $500 price tag on Samsung's HT-X710T system places it in the middle of the company's home-theater-in-a-box line.

Sony Blu-ray BDV-IS1000 Review

It's the sort of home theater you just want to love and we probably would have, had the wireless surround speakers worked.

Orb Audio Mod 2 and Uber Ten Review

These baseball-sized speakers pack a lot of sound for their size
klipsch hd theater 500 hdt500 review

Klipsch HD Theater 500 (HDT500) Review

Despite its size and price, Klipsch's HT500 which we review, cranks out impressive 5.1-channel sound.
logitech z523 review

Logitech Z523 Review

In our review of Logitech’s Z523 desktop speakers we learn that they shake off their inexpensive price tag and boom with the big boys.

Snell Acoustics IC-K7 Review

In our review of the Snell Acoustics IC-K7 bookshelf speakers we find out that the IC-K7's sound will appeal to even the most discerning listener.

Boston Acoustics VS 344 Review

We review the stealthy Boston Acoustics' VS 344 floor-standing loudspeakers which feature their proprietary drivers and superior engineering.
joey roth ceramic speakers review

Joey Roth Ceramic Speakers Review

We review Joey Roth’s Ceramic Speakers which are a revelation in stylish audio technology
Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021

Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021 Review

We review the Altec Lansing’s Expressionist Ultra MX6021 PC speakers which feature surprising power and a unique design.
Axiom Epic Grand 500

Axiom Epic Grand Master 500 Review

The Grandmaster 500 speaker system from Axiom Audio offers knockout performance at an extremely reasonable price.
EMP Tek Impression Series E55Ti

EMP Tek Impression Series E55Ti Review

Review: The E55Ti tower speakers, part of EMP Tek's Impression Series, offer clean, lively sound and an attractive finish that make them a solid buy.
Edifier Sound To Go (MP250)

Edifier Sound To Go (MP250) Review

Review: Edifier's Sound To Go portable speaker provides a solution for laptop owners who want better sound quality in a small, portable package.
Aperion Verus Forte

Aperion Audio Verus Forte Review

Review: Aperion’s Verus Forte loudspeakers dress up the packaging and sound of the fabled Intimus line, but keep price under $1,000 a pair for the towers.
Boston Acoustics A-Series

Boston Acoustics A Series Review

Review: Boston Acoustics A-Series speakers defy their value-oriented price point with big, satisfying midrange, plenty of sonic detail, and a handsome finish.
paradigm-milleniaone-black-system

Paradigm MilleniaOne 5.0 System with MilleniaSub Review

The Paradigm MilleniaOne 5.0 speakers and MilleniaSub bulldoze the notion of underpowered “lifestyle audio systems” with astoundingly clear, full sound from a tiny package.
Hercules-XPS-101-2-1-Multimedia-Speaker-System-2

Hercules XPS 101 Review

Review: The Hercules XPS 101 multimedia speaker system dazzles with sharp design, but grates on music lovers with fatiguing highs and overly thumpy bass.
boston-acoustics-cs-260-ii-front-grill-speakers

Boston Acoustics CS 260 II Review

Boston Acoustics’ CS 260 II defies its $200 price tag by performing on par with speakers at twice the price, even if it can’t quite compete on looks.
pioneer-s-dj05-black-speakers-controller

Pioneer S-DJ05 Review

Review: The Pioneer S-DJ05 active speakers target DJs and audio professionals with tight, tonally accurate sound from a compact, portable package.
boston-acoustics-soundware-xs-se-system-bunch

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS SE Review

Review: The Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS SE cube speaker system looks sharp at an affordable price point, but the micro size leaves midrange lacking.
paradigm-a2-front-with-grill-grey

Paradigm A2 Review

Review: Paradigm’s A2 speakers are a total knockout and, at about $500 a pair, a tremendous value, too.
monster-clarity-hd-model-one-review-yellow-front-rear

Monster Clarity HD Model One Review

Review: The Clarity HD Model One from Monster delivers big sound in a lightweight package, mixable inputs and a built-in iPod dock.
aperion-verus-grand-tower-review-black-angle-no-grill

Aperion Audio Verus Grand Tower Review

Aperion Audio’s Verus Grand tower speakers obliterate competitors priced at twice and three times as much, winning them a much-deserved Editor’s Choice award and a spot in our test labs.
martin-logan-motion-lx16-dark-cherry-front-angle

Martin Logan Motion LX16 Review

Martin Logan’s Motion LX16 bookshelf speakers distill the company’s signature technology down to a more compact, affordable package that still delivers big sound.

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS Digital Cinema Review

The Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS Digital Cinema throws sound well beyond its tiny size, and looks good doing it.

Fluance ESHTB Review

The Fluance ESHTB Higher Fidelity 5-speaker home theater system impresses up high, but disappoints down low with nearly nonexistent bass.
velodyne impact 12 subwoofer review

Velodyne Impact 12 Review

Velodyne delivers outstanding audio performance in an attractive, wallet-friendly subwoofer.

Klipsch RF-62 II Review

Klipsch’s RF-62 II home theater system grabs listeners with rock-solid bass, wide-open midrange, tasty, detailed highs and a remarkably wide and seamless soundstage.
Samsung HT E6500W home theater review

Samsung HT-E6500W Review

Samsung raises the bar for home-theater-in-a-box systems with the HT-E6500W, an spendy but powerful and surprisingly well balanced 5.1-channel system.
MartinLogan Dynamo 1000w subwoofer review

MartinLogan Dynamo 1000w Review

MartinLogan’s potent Dynamo 1000w subwoofer has no shortage of gut-scrambling power, yet still remains nimble and musical.
Sonos Sub review

Sonos Sub Review

Sonos finds some missing oomph with its Sub wireless subwoofer, a potent box of boom to round out the bottom of end of your Sonos system, no wires needed.
Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre review audio

Bowers & Wilkins MT-60D Review

Bowers & Wilkins MT-60D speaker system pairs solid satellites with one of the most outstanding subwoofers we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

Paradigm Millenia CT System Review

Paradigm's Millenia CT system puts most other compact, self-powered speaker systems to shame with supreme sound the defies its compact size.
SVS-SB13-Ultra-subwoofer-review-front-angle-no-grill

SVS SB13-Ultra Subwoofer Review

The SVS SB13-Ultra floored us – and even the neighbors – by belting out the most perfectly reproduced bass we've ever had the pleasure of hearing.
Senior Editor, A/V

John Higgins is Digital Trends’ 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. Most recently, 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.