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Nakamichi Dragon: Two minute review The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that pushes the outer limits of what a soundbar is capable of. It’s more akin to an AV receiver in its design, features, and execution. Using it, I was frequently reminded of AV receivers by everything from the system’s heavily buttoned remote control to its extensive, detailed setup menu. The Dragon is not aimed at someone interested in simple plug-and-play sound (though it does provide basic setup options and is easy to get up and running) but rather users who like to dig in and painstakingly tweak settings. At $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750), the Nakamichi Dragon costs double what you’ll pay even for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market such as the Samsung HW-Q990D . That’s quite a lot to pay for a soundbar system, and it takes you into an AV receiver and separate speakers package price territory. But an important Dragon advantage is that it’s a wireless system, though one ...

Hive Thermostat (2024): one-minute review Hive is a trusted name in the heating and smart device market, and the Hive Thermostat is its flagship product. The Hive Thermostat has gone through several iterations over the years, starting as the Hive Active Heating before becoming the Hive Active Heating 2, then simply the Hive Thermostat we now know. But this isn't the same smart thermostat we reviewed back in 2022 - it's a newer model with some upgrades. While the design is largely the same, Hive has done away with the physical buttons of the smart thermostat's predecessor, opting for touchscreen compatibility instead and making for a more sleek and stylish design. But this thermostat doesn't just look good - it's got the goods, too. The newest Hive Thermostat allows you to easily schedule your heating and Boost it on a whim, but signing up for a Hive Plus subscription is the key to unlocking some of the device's best (and most efficient) features, including ...

Meze Audio 105 AER: Two-minute review Meze Audio doesn’t just stick to the super-high end with its headphone designs – it just seems that way sometimes, because its super-high end headphones are so very good. Mind you, its idea of what constitutes ‘entry level’ won’t chime with everyone – these 105 AER open-backed, wired, over-ears are $399 / £369 / AU$799 a pair. That money does buy a nicely designed, beautifully finished pair of headphones, though certainly they’re a notch or two up from the equivalent Grados, say, where perceived value is concerned. And while the lack of a balanced cable option is a bit stingy, there’s no arguing with the lengths Meze Audio has gone to where the dynamic drivers that do the audio business are concerned. And in pretty much every respect, there’s no arguing with the way they sound either. In every meaningful respect, the 105 AER get the job done in fine style: they’re an easy listen in the most positive way. Detail levels are high, soundstaging is ...