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Speakers

Speakers are foundational to the way we enjoy music from Spotify, Apple Music, and other services — and our own music collections. And increasingly, they’re also a convenient way of controlling smart home devices compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Siri. Companies like Sonos offer multiroom audio platforms capable of synchronizing music across speakers of all different sizes. Whether you’re looking for a smart speaker or a simple Bluetooth speaker to take everywhere, The Verge covers the best of what’s out there in 2025.

Motorola’s Razr Ultra and the Marshall Emberton II top this week’s best dealsMotorola’s Razr Ultra and the Marshall Emberton II top this week’s best deals
8BitDo’s new collection celebrates the NES’s 40th anniversary8BitDo’s new collection celebrates the NES’s 40th anniversary
Bose is yanking key features from its SoundTouch speakersBose is yanking key features from its SoundTouch speakers
Edifier’s new wireless speaker looks like a gaming PCEdifier’s new wireless speaker looks like a gaming PC
UE’s Wonderboom 4 is great for music lovers, and it’s 34 percent offUE’s Wonderboom 4 is great for music lovers, and it’s 34 percent off
A new iPhone setting will stop CarPlay from stealing your AirPods’ audioA new iPhone setting will stop CarPlay from stealing your AirPods’ audio
Bushnell’s new Bluetooth speaker has a touchscreen and golf caddy ambitionsBushnell’s new Bluetooth speaker has a touchscreen and golf caddy ambitions
Refurbished Sonos headphones, speakers, and soundbars are up to 25 percent off right nowRefurbished Sonos headphones, speakers, and soundbars are up to 25 percent off right now
Amazon announces a new Echo StudioAmazon announces a new Echo Studio
Amazon’s Echo Pop and Dot speakers are the cheapest they’ve been in monthsAmazon’s Echo Pop and Dot speakers are the cheapest they’ve been in months
What to expect from Amazon’s big fall hardware event on TuesdayWhat to expect from Amazon’s big fall hardware event on Tuesday
Your Sonos speakers can now control your Hue lightsYour Sonos speakers can now control your Hue lights
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Samsung’s new party speakers are less subtle than everSamsung’s new party speakers are less subtle than ever
Marshall’s first Bluetooth party speaker has a hidden light showMarshall’s first Bluetooth party speaker has a hidden light show
Bose’s compact TV Speaker is more than $100 off right nowBose’s compact TV Speaker is more than $100 off right now
The Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for a record low of $650The Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for a record low of $650
Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom 4 speaker is cheaper than ever at 40 percent offUltimate Ears’ Wonderboom 4 speaker is cheaper than ever at 40 percent off
Sonos confirms tariffs will increase its prices this yearSonos confirms tariffs will increase its prices this year
Bose’s stylish SoundLink Home speaker is cheaper for the first time in monthsBose’s stylish SoundLink Home speaker is cheaper for the first time in months
Sonos’ smart assistant is expanding from music to home controlSonos’ smart assistant is expanding from music to home control
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Some Sonos Roam users report overheating issues near the USB-C port.

As reported by Chris Welch at Bloomberg, a few Reddit users have shared photos of their damaged speakers.

A Sonos spokesperson tells Welch that the company has tracked a “a limited number” of reports. “While the overall incidence rate is very low, and environmental conditions appear to play a role, we’ve taken several proactive steps to even further reduce the likelihood of this issue, including software updates and hardware improvements.”

Sonos Acknowledges ‘Very Low’ Number of Overheating Roam Speakers

[bloomberg.com]

Sonos names Tom Conrad permanent CEOSonos names Tom Conrad permanent CEO
Sonos is offering a refurbished Era 100 for just $119Sonos is offering a refurbished Era 100 for just $119
JLab’s new party speaker puts a light show in your pocketJLab’s new party speaker puts a light show in your pocket
Bose upgraded the adaptive ANC on its new QuietComfort Ultra earbudsBose upgraded the adaptive ANC on its new QuietComfort Ultra earbuds
You can own a functional version of Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog sculptures for $750You can own a functional version of Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog sculptures for $750
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Lexon turned Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog sculptures into functional art.

The collaboration between Koons and Lexon Design sees the artist’s most iconic creation turned into a wireless speaker with touch controls delivering 360-degree sound and a lamp that uses tubes filled with color-changing LEDs to recreate the appearance of neon lighting.

Pricing isn’t known, but both will only be available in limited quantities later this month and hopefully be much cheaper than the 10-foot Balloon Dog sculpture Koons sold in 2013 for $58 million.

<em>You can <a href="https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=TgyUTU&g=XnRJBg">sign up through the Lexon Design website</a> to be notified when the lamp and speaker are available.</em>
<em>There are 10 drivers in the Balloon Dog Speaker, and it can be controlled through a smartphone app.</em>
<em>The lamp’s color-changing LEDs can set a mood or just brighten up a space.</em>
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You can sign up through the Lexon Design website to be notified when the lamp and speaker are available.
Image: Lexon Design
Sonos is finally updating its Ace headphones with a long-delayed featureSonos is finally updating its Ace headphones with a long-delayed feature
Anker’s new outdoor wireless speaker vibrates to shake off dust and sandAnker’s new outdoor wireless speaker vibrates to shake off dust and sand
The Sonos Ace have hit their best price to date ahead of Father’s Day The Sonos Ace have hit their best price to date ahead of Father’s Day 
This modern cassette boombox will lure you in with glowing VU metersThis modern cassette boombox will lure you in with glowing VU meters
WiiM’s first smart speaker looks like a HomePod for audiophilesWiiM’s first smart speaker looks like a HomePod for audiophiles
William Poor
William Poor
Why on Earth would ants pick a speaker, of all things, to nest in?

I recently came home from a week-long vacation to discover that a colony of ants had taken up residence inside my Sonos Play:1. It was shocking and gross, but I also got weirdly fascinated by the whole situation.

My curiosity led me to some hilarious Sonos user forums, a pile of theories involving speaker grills and magnetic fields, and a conversation with an entomologist. You can listen to the whole creepy crawly story on this week’s Vergecast. Please enjoy, and/or I’m sorry.

A buggy Sonos mysteryA buggy Sonos mystery
David Pierce
An in-depth interview with Sonos interim CEO Tom ConradAn in-depth interview with Sonos interim CEO Tom Conrad
Razer’s Clio is a $230 surround sound head cushionRazer’s Clio is a $230 surround sound head cushion
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Bang & Olufsen boosted the bass on its swanky portable speaker.

The third-generation of the Beosound A1, B&O’s compact Bluetooth speaker, is now available with a honey tone, eucalyptus green, or natural aluminum housing for $349. The upgraded model features up to 24 hours of battery life, an IP67 rating so you can submerge it to depths of up to one meter, and an improved woofer delivering an extra 2dB of bass over its predecessor. B&O has also added support for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec.

<em>The battery inside the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is replaceable so it doesn’t become e-waste when it stops holding a charge, but you’ll need to sent it in to B&O to have it replaced.</em>
<em>In addition to being waterproof, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is sealed against dust and debris, so a day at the beach won’t destroy it.</em>
<em>The three color options for the Beosound A1 3rd Gen include eucalyptus green, honey tone, and natural aluminum.</em>
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The battery inside the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is replaceable so it doesn’t become e-waste when it stops holding a charge, but you’ll need to sent it in to B&O to have it replaced.
Image: Bang & Olufsen
Sonos and Ikea are ending their partnershipSonos and Ikea are ending their partnership
Chris Welch
Chris Welch
The Beats Pill speaker now comes in blue and pink.

After bringing back its Pill portable Bluetooth speaker last year, Beats is today adding two new colors to the existing red, black, and gold selection. Navy blue will be exclusively sold by Walmart, while blush pink (pictured) is coming to Target. Both sell for the same $149.99 as before and are available starting today.

A marketing of the pink Beats Pill speaker on a beach.
You can get pink from Target or blue from Walmart.
Image: Beats
Sonos appoints software veteran Hugo Barra to its board after app troublesSonos appoints software veteran Hugo Barra to its board after app troubles

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