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Derek Malcolm

Derek Malcolm

Former Contributing Editor, A/V
Author/Co-Author of 269 articles

Derek Malcolm is a contributing editor and evergreen lead for the A/V and Home Theater section of Digital Trends. Derek joined the DT team in 2020, spending his days wrangling the movie and TV streaming guides before getting the chance to nurture his obsession with the latest audio/video gear. A former musician and practicing vinyl nerd, his passion for sound can be found in his writing, whether it’s a guide to the best speakers and turntables, or a review of a party speaker that’ll blow your roof off.

Derek studied journalism at Toronto’s Humber College, graduating in 1999. He started his career writing about music, movies, and TV, back when people still read things on paper, working at such magazines as TV Guide and celebrity mag Hello! Canada. Derek counts Matt Damon, Britney Spears, and Coldplay among his favorite interviews.

From 2006 to 2018 Derek was the editor-in-chief of Canadian tech and entertainment magazine Connected, where he steered the publication through the invention of the iPhone and the rise of streaming to the demise of BlackBerry and the print industry.

One of two Canucks on the Digital Trends A/V team, Derek is based in Toronto where he lives with his wife, daughter, two cats, and his prized vintage Marantz stereo receivers.

When Derek isn’t cussing at the labyrinthine setup menus of the latest projectors, he can be found at home listening to records or counting the days to ski season.

You can find Derek on Threads and sharing his vinyl exploits on Instagram.

The JBL Flip 7 by the pool.

Best Bluetooth speakers for 2025, as tested and reviewed by our experts

Choosing a Bluetooth speaker can be a tough task, which is why we've put together this roundup to shine a light on all the best speakers for 2025.
Spotify on an Android device.

The best music streaming services of 2025

Does one go with Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal? We break down some of the most popular music streaming services to help you choose.
How to fix common Spotify problems

The most common Spotify problems and how to fix them

Is Spotify or one of its latest features giving you trouble? These are the common Spotify problems we've encountered and the best fixes to get your music back.
Apple Music on a Mac.

How to add family members to your Apple Music subscription

A Family subscription is a great way to save money on Apple Music. Here’s how you can add family members to your Apple Music without getting a headache.
The Sonos Roam 2 laying horizontal on a table.

Best wireless speakers for 2025: Top picks by Sonos, JBL, KEF, and more

Stream your favorite tunes and playlists with some of the best wireless speakers of 2025. Our roundup includes devices from brands like Sonos, Bose, and JBL.
An NCAA basketball on the court.

How to set up your TV for watching NCAA March Madness basketball

Spending a little time dialling in your TVs picture and audio settings will make all the NCAA mens and women's basketball action look and sound its best. Here's how.
The Kanto Sub8 in Matte White set up next to a chair.

The 8 best subwoofers of 2025 for every budget and use

Get ready to bring the thump and rumble to your favorite movies and music! Here’s a roundup of all the best subwoofers you can buy in 2025.
Amazon Prime Live TV on an iPad 11 Pro.

Best live TV streaming services: YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling TV, and more

Ditching cable? To demystify the journey to independence from traditional cable and satellite providers, we present the very best live TV streaming services.
Sony 4k Blu-ray Player

The 6 best 4K Blu-ray players for 2025 for every budget

A 4K Blu-ray player is still one of the best ways to experience UHD picture and sound. Here are several of the best models to choose from.
The Apple TV main screen with its menu display in the left.

Apple TV+ tips and tricks: 7 ways to enhance your TV time

Apple TV+ has many useful features, but they're not always easy to find. Here are the best TV Plus tips and tricks to enhance your viewing experience!
A pair of Apple AirPods Pro in an open case with water splashed on them.

Are AirPods waterproof? Everything you need to know

Apple has quite a few different AirPod models these days, and not all of them can stand getting wet. Here's how waterproof all AirPods are and what that means.
Spotify on iPhone.

How to download music from Spotify for offline listening

One great benefit of a paid Spotify Premium subscription is being able to download music for offline listening. Here’s how to do it.
Best TV vs Biggest: Sony A95L & TCL QM8

The 11 best TVs of 2025, tested and reviewed by our experts

The best TVs of 2025 are brought to you by noteworthy brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and TCL. Here are all our favorite sets for the year so far.
A hand-held iPhone showing the new Sonos app's now-playing screen.

How to position every Sonos speaker for the best sound

Sonos speakers are super easy to set up. But you still have to figure out where to put them. Here are some best practices.
Amazon Prime Video playing on a TV with the Subtitles menu.

How to turn off subtitles on Amazon Prime Video

Do subtitles keep popping up when you are using Amazon Prime Video? It's an annoying problem, but you can quickly turn them back off again. Here's how to do it!
The Apple TV+ home screen with an image from Invasion.

What is Apple TV+? Price, devices, features, how to get it, and more

Apple TV+ isn't a household name like Netflix or Hulu, but high-quality, star-studded content make it worth knowing about. Here's everything you need to know.
ESPN on Disney+ on a TV.

ESPN is now available on the Disney+ app, with some free content

Disney has added a new ESPN tile to the Disney+ app, making it easier for its subscribers to access ESPN+'s sports content in one place.
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 portable projector on a table under a tent.

This deal on the Nebula Mars 3 outdoor projector is out of this world

One of the best outdoor projectors around, the Anker Nebula Mars 3, is on sale for Cyber Monday at $300 off its sticker price.
The JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker on an ooutdoor table.

Ending soon: My favorite JBL speaker has finally gone on sale for Cyber Week

The JBL Xtreme 4 is my favorite Bluetooth speaker of 2024. Easily worth its full price, this Cyber Week deal makes it a no-brainer for JBL fans.
Apple Music Replay 2024

Apple Music Replay 2024: where to find it and how to see your listening stats

Apple has released its annual Apple Music Replay 2024 list that shows users their yearly listening habits, as well as what the world has been listening to most.
The Edifier S1000W bookshelf speakers on a shelf with a Marantz receiver and a record player.

These Edifier speakers are my daily drivers, and they’re $150 off right now

They sound great, have tons of connections, and their wood panels look awesome — for $300, just go get the Edifier S1000W bookshelf speakers for Cyber Monday.
The KEF LS50 Meta passive bookshelf speaker.

Spoil your ears with this Cyber Monday deal on KEF’s LS50 Meta speakers

Audiophiles waiting for KEF to put its best bookshelf speakers on sale need wait no more. The British company's primo LS50 Meta speakers are going for a song.
An iPhone 14 displaying the Amazon Music app with a Dolby Atmos Music playlist, next to a set of Apple AirPods Max headphones.

What is Amazon Music: everything you need to know

Joining the ranks of platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, Amazon Music is another great service for indulging in your favorite tunes!
The Fiio dm13 Portable Stereo CD player rtable Stereo CD player with a pair of B&W Px7 Bluetooth headphones.

Fiio DM13 review: Get ready to fall in love with CDs all over again

It's time to pull your dusty CD towers from your basement and give them the love they deserve with the Fiio DM13, a modernized take on the CD walkmans of old.
The Apple TV Plus icon on an Apple TV home screen with the show The After Party.

How to get Apple TV+ for free

If you've thought about getting into Apple TV+'s award-winning content, but want to try before you buy, here are several free trials and how to get them.
A mobile device in a hand with the Tubi Scenes feature.

Tubi’s new Scenes feature plays clips to help you find your next binge

Tubi has just launched its new Scenes feature for mobile devices that serves up short clips of movies and shows to help users find somthing to watch easier.
The Lego Retro Record Player on a table.

This cool retro Lego record player can be yours for free this weekend

Vinyl nerds will to want to get their hands on Lego's miniature Retro Record Player set that can be had for free (with purchase) this weekend.
The Skullcandy Barrel Bluetooth speaker on a rock.

Skullcandy Barrel review: a boombox that won’t blow up your wallet

If you're looking for a great-sounding, kinda portable Bluetooth speaker to take to the cottage or to the pool, the $180 Skullcandy Barrel is a great choice.
The Cast selections on the Chrome browser for playing Apple TV+ on Chromecast.

How to watch Apple TV+ on a Chromecast or Google TV device

Do you want to watch Apple TV+ content but you don't have an Apple device hooked up to your TV? Chromecast or Google TV is your solution. Here's what to do.
Netflix catalog on a TV.

How to turn off autoplay previews and episodes on Netflix

Netflix subscribers can disable the streamer's autoplay feature for both previews and playing the next episode of a show. Here's our guide on how to do it.
Soundcore Motion 300 hanging from a towel rod.

The best Bluetooth speakers for under $100 for 2025

You don’t have to spend boatloads to get a great Bluetooth speaker! Here’s a handful of excellent mobile-friendly speakers that all cost under $100.
Wiim Ultra with Klipsch The Sevens.

The 6 best network music streamers for 2025: make your hi-fi smarter

A network music streamer is a great way to bring hi-res digital playback to your existing hi-fi system. Here are several of our favorites for 2025.
The Tubi app icon on Apple TV.

What is Tubi? Everything to know about the free streamer

There's no shortage of on-demand streaming services out there, but few are free, like Tubi. Here, we outline what Tubi is and what it currently has to offer.
Samsung HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos Soundbar.

Best soundbars of 2025: tested and reviewed by our tech experts

A soundbar can make a big difference for your TV-watching, especially when it comes to dialogue clarity. Here are 12 of the best soundbars you can buy in 2025.