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High-resolution audio: everything you need to know

(Image credit: Astell & Kern)

After years of niche positioning in the music world, “high-resolution audio” (or “hi-res audio”) finally hit the mainstream, thanks to a huge raft of support in streaming services (such as Tidal and Amazon Music HD) and products (from smartphones to most digital hi-fi components).

So why should you care about hi-res audio? If you want the best digital music experience possible or at least better sound quality than you’re currently used to (and why wouldn’t you?), hi-res audio is definitely worth investigating.

It can be a daunting prospect. After all, what exactly constitutes hi-res audio, what do all the different file formats and numbers mean, where can you download or stream these high quality files, and what devices do you need to play it?

Indeed, where do you even begin?

That’s where we come in. Our handy guide will take you through the ins and outs of hi-res audio. By the end, we hope you’ll know everything you need to know (and then some) and will be well on your way to enjoying your new and improved sonic lifestyle.

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What is high-resolution audio?

Unlike high-definition video, there’s no single universal standard for hi-res audio. In 2014, the Digital Entertainment Group, Consumer Electronics Association and The Recording Academy, together with record labels, formally defined high-resolution audio as “lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD quality music sources”.

In its simplest terms, hi-res audio tends to refer to music files that have a higher sampling frequency and/or bit depth than CD, which is specified at 16-bit/44.1kHz.

Sampling frequency (or sample rate) refers to the number of times samples of the signal are taken per second during the analogue-to-digital conversion process. The more bits there are, the more accurately the signal can be measured in the first instance, so going 16bit to 24bit can deliver a noticeable leap in quality. Hi-res audio files usually use a sampling frequency of 96kHz or 192kHz at 24bit. You can also have 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz files too.

Hi-res audio does come with a downside though: file size. A hi-res file can typically be tens of megabytes in size, and a few tracks can quickly eat up the storage on your device or be cumbersome to stream over your wi-fi or mobile network. Thankfully, storage is much cheaper than it used to be, so it’s easier to get higher-capacity devices. And technologies such as MQA (see below) have arrived to help tackle that.

That’s not all: there are also several different hi-res audio file formats to choose from, all of which have their own compatibility requirements.

They include the popular FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) formats, both of which are compressed but in a way which means that, in theory, no information is lost. Other formats include the uncompressed WAV and AIFF formats, DSD (the format used for Super Audio CDs) and the more recent MQA (Master Quality Authenticated).

The relative merits of each of the formats can be argued, but the most crucial issue will be the file’s compatibility with your chosen products and software.

Here’s a breakdown of all the main file formats:

MP3 (not hi-res): Popular, lossy compressed format ensures small file size, but far from the best sound quality. Convenient for storing music on smartphones and iPods, but doesn’t support hi-res.

AAC (not hi-res): An alternative to MP3s, it’s lossy and compressed but sounds better. Used for iTunes downloads, Apple Music streaming (at 256kbps) and YouTube streaming.

WAV (hi-res): The standard format all CDs are encoded in. Great sound quality but it’s uncompressed, meaning huge file sizes (especially for hi-res files). It has poor metadata support (that is, album artwork, artist and song title information).

AIFF (hi-res): Apple’s alternative to WAV, with better metadata support. It is lossless and uncompressed (so big file sizes), but not massively popular.

FLAC (hi-res): This lossless compression format supports hi-res sample rates, takes up about half the space of WAV, and stores metadata. It’s royalty-free and widely supported (though not by Apple) and is considered the preferred format for downloading and storing hi-res albums.

ALAC (hi-res): Apple’s own lossless compression format also does hi-res, stores metadata and takes up half the space of WAV. An iTunes- and iOS-friendly alternative to FLAC.

DSD (hi-res): The single-bit format used for Super Audio CDs. It comes in 2.8MHz, 5.6mHz and 11.2mHz varieties, but isn’t widely supported.

MQA (hi-res): A lossless compression format that efficiently packages hi-res files with more emphasis on the time domain. Used for Tidal Masters hi-res streaming, and product support is picking up pace.

MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC: all the audio file formats explained

What’s so good about hi-res audio?

The main claimed benefit of high-resolution audio files is superior sound quality over compressed audio formats such as MP3 and AAC.

Downloads from sites such as Amazon and iTunes, and streaming services such as Spotify, use compressed file formats with relatively low bitrates – such as 256kbps AAC files on Apple Music and 320kbps Ogg Vorbis streams on Spotify.

The use of lossy compression means data is lost in the encoding process, which in turn means resolution is sacrificed for the sake of convenience and smaller file sizes. This has an effect upon the sound quality – those formats aren’t telling the full story of our favourite songs.

This might be fine when you’re listening to Spotify playlists on your smartphone on the bus on the morning commute, but serious audiophiles and music fans should want better. This is where high-resolution audio comes in.

To illustrate why it should sound better than MP3, for example, let’s compare the relative bitrates. The highest quality MP3 has a bitrate of 320kbps, whereas a 24-bit/192kHz file has a data rate of 9216kbps. Music CDs are 1411kbps.

The hi-res 24-bit/96kHz or 24-bit/192kHz files should, therefore, more closely replicate the sound quality the musicians and engineers were working with in the studio. And they could be that very same recorded file, too. These files are labelled as “Studio Masters” in some cases.

With more information on the file to play with, hi-res audio tends to boast greater detail and texture, bringing listeners closer to the original performance – provided your system is transparent enough.

What do I need to play hi-res audio?

There’s a huge variety of products that can playback hi-res audio. It all depends on how big or small you want your system to be, how much your budget is, and what method you’ll mostly be using to listen to your tunes. But it’s never been easier to get involved, now that plenty of the digital and streaming ecosystem supports hi-res, and especially as popular streaming platforms such as Google Chromecast (although not AirPlay 2) do.

These days, even, you don’t have to completely abandon your vinyl collection to go hi-res, either; turntables such as the Sony PS-HX500 let you digitise your vinyl collection by ripping your record tracks into hi-res audio files.

Smartphones

If you’re going portable, smartphones are increasingly supporting hi-res playback. This is restricted to higher-end Android models, though – Apple iPhones so far don’t support hi-res audio out of the box (though there are ways around this by using the right app, and then either plugging in a DAC or using Lightning headphones with the iPhones’ Lightning connector).

Phones that have USB-C sockets instead of 3.5mm headphones jacks for music playback – as is becoming the norm – can boost their USB-C output with adapters such as Zorloo’s Ztella USB-C DAC.

Hi-res audio is increasingly easy to stream wirelessly thanks to new advancements in Bluetooth. Phones with aptX HD Bluetooth support (which many these days have, although Apple’s iPhones are an exception) can wirelessly transmit hi-res audio to aptX HD-supporting headphones (such as the Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM3 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 noise-cancelling headphones).

aptX HD Bluetooth: What is it? How can you get it?

Portable music players

Alternatively, there are plenty of dedicated portable hi-res music players such as various Sony Walkmans and Award-winning Astell & Kerns and Cowons that offer more storage space and far better sound quality than a multi-tasking smartphone. More digital players than not support hi-res audio, although again an Apple product is the exception, this time the iPod Touch.

Desktop

For a desktop solution, your laptop (Windows, Mac, Linux) is a prime source for storing and playing hi-res music (after all, this is where you’ll be downloading the tunes from hi-res download sites anyway), but make sure the software you use to play music also supports hi-res playback. Apple iTunes, for instance, doesn’t support it, even if your MacBook does, so you’ll need to buy and download separate music playing software. The likes of Channel D’s Pure Music and Amarra are worth considering for a Mac. On a PC? Try JRiver Media Center.

DACs

We wouldn’t just rely on your computer or phone’s internal DAC to do hi-res audio justice, either. A USB or desktop DAC (such as the Cyrus soundKey, Chord Mojo or Audiolab M-DAC nano) is a good way to get great sound quality out of hi-res files stored on your computer or smartphone (whose audio circuits don’t tend to be optimised for sound quality). Simply plug a decent digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) in between your source and headphones for an instant sonic boost.

Best DACs: USB, portable and desktop DAC

Music streamers

If you’re after a proper hi-fi set-up, you’ll need to look into music streamers that support hi-res, and highly recommendable contenders include the Audiolab 6000N Play, Cambridge CXN V2 and NAD C 658. This is especially if you’ll be storing your growing hi-res library on a NAS (Network Attached Storage, essentially a hard-drive with processing built in), which we would recommend.

Systems

There are plenty of other products that also support hi-res playback, including hybrid DAC-amp-streamer systems (Moon Neo Ace), speaker systems with everything built into them (KEF LS50 Wireless II), just-add-speaker systems (Marantz PM7000N) and current AV receivers (Sony STR-DN1080).

The ever-popular Sonos multi-room system still has no plans to support hi-res audio, and neither does Apple. But that has led rival companies such as Bluesound to offer hi-res playback across their range of connected products (for a higher price, of course).

Wireless speakers

At the higher end of the wireless speaker market you’ll find hi-res support the norm. The likes of the Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation, Linn Series 3 and Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge are all able to handle hi-res file playback over wi-fi.

Best wireless speakers 2021

Where can I buy and download hi-res music?

Now that you’re armed with all this information on hi-res music, your next question should be: where can I get all these glorious hi-res music tracks?

There are currently a handful of UK download sites that let you buy and download single tracks and full albums in various hi-res formats. There are also plenty of US and European sites, though not all of them let you purchase from the UK.

Major music labels such as Sony, Warner and Universal have made their extensive music catalogues available to these hi-res download services – which is a real shot in the arm for fans of high-resolution audio. With all sites, make sure it’s clear what file format and bitrate you are buying. Ultimately, you may end up with a favourite go-to site, but even then, it’s worth checking across the different sites for the same album or track, too, as some stores can offer better prices than others.

Here are the top UK hi-res download sites:

7Digital

With a strong catalogue offering hi-res music from all genres and a website that makes buying music easy, 7digital is an excellent all-rounder. There’s an accurate search function and the website is simple to navigate. You can easily spot hi-res recordings thanks to a ’24bit FLAC’ badge on an album or song’s thumbnail, and there’s also a dedicated hi-res section. The sole drawback is that it only offers downloads in the FLAC format. Prices are affordable, though, and you can buy individual tracks as well as full albums.

Qobuz Sublime

Music discovery and front-end intuitiveness get full marks on French download store Qobuz. Both the website and dedicated app are easy to navigate, and you can search by genre or new releases, which can be sorted by sample rate. There is a strong Francophile focus, although the catalogue is growing more varied every day. Pricing is competitive, but if you opt for the hybrid download-and-streaming Sublime+ service you do get discounts when buying hi-res albums.

HDtracks

HDtracks may be one of the most established hi-res download stores, but it’s in need of a refresh in looks and catalogue. It can feel aimed at an older audience (there’s strong focus on jazz, classical and dad rock), which can be off-putting for wider audiences, especially fans of more current, popular music. On the other hand, whereas other download sites offer FLAC as default, HDtracks lets you choose between FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF (and the sampling rate for each) before downloading. There’s a selection of DSD tunes, too, which is great for audiophiles.

How to build the perfect hi-fi system

Where can I stream hi-res music?

Not ready to download hi-res files, or simply prefer streaming? Tidal and Qobuz streaming services have offered hi-res and CD-quality streams for years, putting them ahead of rivals Spotify and Apple Music. And now that Amazon has joined the party with its HD service, hi-res streaming is now firmly in the mainstream domain.

Tidal Masters

Tidal and MQA’s partnership has brought us one step closer to mainstream hi-res music streaming. You’ll need to subscribe to Tidal’s HiFi tier (which offers CD quality streaming) to unlock the Masters section, and then you can stream hi-res MQA files through the desktop app and Android/iOS mobile apps.

Tidal claims a 30,000-strong catalogue of MQA files, with about 400 clearly labelled. The MQA files have a resolution of up to 24-bit/96kHz (any 192kHz files will be unpackaged to 96kHz by MQA’s core decoding). With the right kit, the streamed tunes sound great, too. It’s a solid foundation from which the hi-res streaming experience can only evolve.

Qobuz Sublime+

Qobuz strikes again here and says its hybrid download-and-streaming tier is ‘”the best music subscription in the world.” This top-tier package offers hi-res streaming up to 24bit/192kHz files (as well as CD quality tracks) on its desktop and mobile apps, with its 50-million-track catalogue including more than 240,000 hi-res albums.

The big downside is the price – you have to pay an upfront £250 annual fee to use Sublime+ and all its perks (which does include good discounts when buying hi-res albums). And in comparison, we found Tidal offers more drive and dynamism when it comes to sound quality. Qobuz’s hi-res streaming tier is a great venture, but only if you’re fully committed to hi-res streaming.

Amazon Music HD

The most recent entrant into the hi-res streaming service world is Amazon – and its arrival at the end of 2019 largely marked hi-res streaming going mainstream. The cheapest hi-res service of the three, the value-packed streaming service is up there with the best thanks to its Intuitive desktop and mobile apps, good CD-quality and hi-res library and excellent value.

What’s next for hi-res audio?

With more support than ever before, hi-res audio is a viable choice for anyone interested in audio quality, whether part of your home audio system or when on the move.

Whether the biggest players – Apple, Sonos and Spotify – will ever natively support hi-res remains to be seen, but there are plenty of other, increasingly affordable ways that you can start delving into the hi-res audio world. (Interestingly, 360-degree or surround sound formats such as Sony 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos Music respectively are also making headway in offering higher quality, if not necessarily ‘hi-res’, music experiences, so they’re other options for melomaniacs to explore.)

With this wider availability, more people are able to learn and understand exactly what high-resolution audio is, and the benefits it can bring to music. There’s plenty of content out there, and there’s plenty of hardware to go with it.

So if you want the ultimate sonic solution, you know what to do.

MORE:

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11 of the best Spotify playlists to listen to right now

(Image credit: Spotify)

Live concerts, gigs and festivals are still out as we march further into 2021, so the need to feel transported to somewhere more beautiful via melodies, lyrics and rhythms has rarely been felt more keenly. In short, music has never been in greater demand.

Whether you’re after a selection of sounds to help you get a good night’s sleep, tunes to entertain children at home or a selection of inspiring albums written in self-isolation, heading down to your local record shop and rifling through crates is off-menu right now. But that’s where streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Apple Music come in. These offer a lockdown-approved lifeline at the click of a button – a chance to test-drive new tracks and try sounds before you buy.

Spotify isn’t our reigning champion when it comes to value, variety and audio quality, but its popularity and accessibility is undeniable. And the platform is always trying to offer something new, whether it be artist-led algorithms to better personalise your music recommendations, listing virtual events in lieu of real ones or giving Spotify account-holders a chance to ‘tip’ acts while listening – acts who are clearly losing gig revenue right now.

If you’ve ever used Spotify, you’ll know that typing ‘new music’ into the search bar will yield a selection of curated mainstream newness from the likes of Lady Gaga, Ella Eyre, Jake Bugg and Stormzy, (and New Music Friday UK is always a good playlist shout here) but what if you’re looking for something a bit different? That’s where we come in. Why not lend your and ear to a few of these slightly more niche curated playlists? It’ll make a change from the hi-res files stored on your laptop, whatever’s on the Astell & Kern, the playlist someone shared with you at the start of the first lockdown or the CDs you retrieved from your car glove box, at any rate…

See our Spotify review

Crate Diggers Anonymous

(Image credit: Spotify)

Imagine a record store (remember those?) in Las Vegas. Now imagine one in east London. Now think about popping into one in Bilbao for a crate rummage. What new and old LPs might you unearth? You could soon be spinning John Mayall, Led Zep, Kool and the Gang, Barry White or Weather Report, it depends. There’s no specific genre here. Click play. Let’s see.

33 Spotify tips, tricks and features

Anti Pop

(Image credit: Spotify)

Think beat-driven spitting segued with melodic, softly-sung but often edgy vocals – forget commercial pop music, there’s a message here if we’ll only listen. Expect new tracks from Curtis Waters (pictured) and ballads from Joji interspersed with hard rap from Kenny Mason and everything in between. If OutKast, Wu Tang Clan, Dave, Dungeon Family or Bel Biv DeVoe have ever featured in your heavy rotation, give this a spin. You’ll almost certainly learn something.

10 Apple Music playlists to listen to right now

Defected Records (Deep House)

(Image credit: Defected Records)

There’s a time and a place for house music, and that time is right now, in your actual house. Home entertainment remains the only entertainment for most of us, so go ahead and bring it home. Defected Records is a British independent record label specialising in deep house music and recordings, founded in 1998 and based in London. This playlist does exactly what it says on the tin, with over 25 hours of head-nodding tracks from the likes of FISHER, Gorgon City, Ferreck Dawn and Jack Back.

25 of the best podcasts on Spotify

(Image credit: Matt Berninger/Spotify)

American singer-songwriter Matt Berninger (frontman of indie rock band The National) curates and updates this playlist on a weekly basis. You might get Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Leonard Cohen or Interpol. And you might get Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston or even John Prine singing about a happy enchilada.

“Playlist themes subject to change according to moods and events,” is the cover description. We say, if you want someone to serve up the collective mood through the medium of music, subscribe.

Tidal vs Spotify: which is better?

Most Necessary

(Image credit: Spotify)

It’s like the ultimate new rap music label. Spotify describes this playlist as “the official voice of generation next”. If you’re looking for a soundtrack for your next virtual house party, Most Necessary gets it done. With one eye on the next huge hit-single and another on capturing a snapshot of the current vernacular, you’ll rarely hear a track that misses the mark. Expect new offerings from CJ, DaBaby, Lil Tecca, BRS Kash (pictured) and Toosii, for starters.

Spotify Connect: what is it? How can you get it?

Phonica Recommends (Home)

(Image credit: Phonica)

Independent UK record store Phonica only opened in London’s Soho in 2003, but it quickly became one of the capital’s most-loved vinyl specialists. Basically, if Phonica recommends it, that’s more than good enough for us.

Phonica’s Spotify page reads: “So much great music out there that we’ve decided to split up our recommended playlists into two: one for the club and one for home listening”.

So now you’ve got two extra playlists to add to your list, spanning everything from dub, reggae, nu jazz, soul and funk to broken beat and techno. Click the link below to access Phonica’s recommended ‘home’ playlist, or turn your abode into a particularly exclusive club for the night, with the Phonica Recommends (Club) selection.

Gold School

(Image credit: Spotify)

Vintage throwback hip-hop that strays from the well-explored coastal tracks and celebrates lesser-known heroes of the genre. Think Camp Lo, Big L and Mac Miller alongside Drake, Ghostface Killah, Eminem, 50 Cent (pictured) and Nas.

Got a pressing Zoom meeting or big grocery shop ahead? Get the cans on and stream this. You’re going to ace it.

Acoustic Covers

(Image credit: Spotify)

Discover Hozier’s laid-back cover of the Destiny’s Child classic Say My Name, John Mayer’s take on Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ using just a mic and two guitars, or Teenage Dirtbag as you’ve never heard it before; sung not by Wheatus but by Ruston Kelly.

The moments of surprise, recognition and ultimately approval come thick and fast here. A staple go-to for when you just can’t decide what to listen to.

R&S – Office Favourites

(Image credit: R & S Records)

R&S Records is an independent record label founded in 1984 in Ghent, Belgium. R&S represents the initials of Renaat Vandepapeliere and Sabine Maes, the couple responsible for creating the label.

Expect heavier electronica, house and trance offerings from Richard Fearless or V interspersed with expansive soundscapes from Darkstar, Nautic or Axel Boman, alongside the occasional grime track from Novelist. It’ll easily double as your running playlist too, if you’re pushing your time.

Late Night Lofi

(Image credit: Lofi/Spotify)

Think laid-back chill-hop, juicy lo-fi beats, layered synthy vocals, classical and jazz-infused piano chords with crisp textures; ice clinking in a glass, rain on a window, crunchy leaves and even the brushing of teeth. It’s perfect for playing through the cans and relaxing, zoning out, getting ready to sleep or seeing you through a bout of insomnia ’til sunrise.

At 4am in New York, when (if?) Birdland calls time at the bar, you’ll finish your drink and talk about the price of a subway ticket versus a yellow taxi home to this playlist, one day…

The What Hi-Fi? Lockdown Playlist (and more)

(Image credit: Bobby Womack)

Shameless self-promotion aside, this surely beats another Brian Eno album. What you’ll get is a What Hi-Fi? curated playlist featuring five-and-a-half hours of tunes to celebrate staying healthy and not going out.

It’s all relatively upbeat – no lonesome crooning – and all the titles here are relevant to our shared predicament, tangentially or otherwise. Think Lost In The Supermarket by The Clash, Outkast’s So Fresh, So Clean, Iggy Pop’s I’m Bored and Music For A Nurse by Oceansize, for starters.

Treat yourself to the full experience on Spotify and Tidal.

Like what you hear? There’s plenty more where that came from. We also regularly curate a monthly playlist featuring the music we’ve been listening to (and testing with) over the past 30 days. To enjoy it via the streaming service of your choice, just click on the relevant link below and drink your fill.

Listen: What Hi-Fi? Spotify playlist 2021

Listen: What Hi-Fi? Tidal playlist March 2021

Listen: What Hi-Fi? Deezer playlist March 2021

Listen: What Hi-Fi? Qobuz playlist March 2021

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Instagram says its algorithm won’t promote Reels that have a TikTok watermark

Instagram’s newest guidance for creators makes one thing clear: the platform wants people to stop posting recycled TikToks to Reels. Today, Instagram says it’s making changes to its algorithm and how it recommends Reels to users. Along with that, it’s issuing new best practices on its @creators account to give Instagram users tips on how to make content that’s likely to be seen and promoted.

The team now recommends that Reels users post vertical videos that use music found in Instagram’s library or sounds that they find on Reels. They also suggest “starting a trend” that others can participate in, like dance crazes, as well as “entertaining” and “fun” content. Reels that are mostly covered by text, are blurry, have a watermark or logo, or have a border around it won’t be recommended as frequently.

“We’re building on what we’ve learned from Explore to recommend fun and entertaining videos in places like the Reels tab, and personalize the experience,” says spokesperson Devi Narasimhan in an email to The Verge. “We are getting better at using ranking signals that help us predict whether people will find a reel entertaining and whether we should recommend it.”

Narasimhan says Instagram user surveys demonstrated that people have a “less satisfying” Reels experience when content is recycled from other apps or is blurry, so it’ll start deemphasizing that content in its recommendation software. This makes it less likely to be discovered by people who aren’t following the person who posted it.

It’s no surprise these recommendations are coming six months after Reels launched in the US. The platform might have been okay with people initially bringing their TikToks over to Instagram, but as it looks to become a popular destination on its own, Instagram needs to make sure Reels isn’t just an advertisement for TikTok, or worse, a place where people just dump whatever content they’ve already made. This might mean more work for creators, however, who will possibly have to shift some of their effort to Reels, rather than focusing on one platform and then distributing the content everywhere else.

Little Nightmares II review: A truly nightmarish work of art

(Pocket-lint) – If you’re seeking proof that videogames are about way more than shooting people in the face, you could do a lot worse than check out Little Nightmares 2.

Despite only being between five and six hours long, it manages to be by turns scary, cute, inventive and thought-provoking, all the while providing plenty of distinctive and often challenging puzzles.

Arthouse horror

The first Little Nightmares game, released in 2017, put its developer Tarsier Studios firmly on the games industry map and garnered a number of awards.

The sequel, Little Nightmares 2, doesn’t mess with the formula it established – but positively throbs with the confidence of a developer that knows it’s onto something unique.

As in the original game, it combines puzzle-solving with platform-style gameplay, taking in stealth and hair-raising chase sequences, and even stretching to a couple of thoroughly idiosyncratic segments that essentially amount to boss-battles.

At its heart, it’s a puzzle game, but its gothic and often threatening vibe – rarely but brilliantly punctuated by uplifting moments – set it far apart from the puzzle-game norm. That said, it will feel quite familiar to anyone who played the first Little Nightmares game.

A new face in town

This time around, you also control a small child, called Mono, embarking on a quest for freedom and liberation. Mono’s journey starts in a swampy, somewhat foetid countryside area, where he swiftly hooks up with Six, the protagonist of the first game.

Bandai Namco

Escaping from a shotgun-wielding adult – seriously, all the adults in the game are scary, Fantastic Mr Fox this isn’t – the pair stumble into a beyond-dystopian city, and must make their way through localities including the creepiest school and hospital you will ever encounter.

You can’t control Six, but she comes in handy as a co-operative partner, offering leg-ups so Mono can reach otherwise inaccessible places, and catching him at the end of gaps he wouldn’t normally be able to jump over. Plus, she provides an emotional wrench whenever the pair are separated, and close observation of her behaviour can produce hints about how to solve some of the more head-scratching puzzles.

Minimalistic marvel

As in the first game, Little Nightmares 2’s controls are very minimal: Mono can run, jump grab and, at times, use items like a TV remote and a torch.

Bandai Namco

He can also use weapons, including axes and bits of pipe, although not exactly in the manner you would expect if playing an action game. Because they are adult-sized, they are too heavy for him to wield with any dexterity, so he drags them around behind him, and has to work his way up to each strike, so timing is paramount.

Details like that bring an incredibly tactile feeling to the game, a sense which is enhanced by superb sound design and music. The music would adorn many a horror movie, while the ambient sounds create a chilling atmosphere and, sometimes, contribute to the puzzle-solving that allows you to keep moving forward.

Rewarding the observant

Little Nightmares 2 is packed with puzzles that are wildly inventive, vary according to where you are in the game, and are extremely memorable. At times, you will find yourself embarking on periods of head-scratching, and the game definitely rewards the observant, but there’s a lot of satisfaction to be had when you figure out what has to be done in order to progress.

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Bandai Namco

Despite its wordlessness – Little Nightmares 2 contains not a single word of dialogue – it still manages to cleverly convey a story, and its overall approximation of the disturbing nightmares we’ve all experienced is punctuated by moments of uplift and even cuteness.

As you work your way through the city, you discover an adult population transfixed by whatever beams out of the screens of their televisions, to such an extent that if you turn one TV off, they will move to the next one – or if there isn’t another one at hand, pursue you relentlessly. Which triggers all manner of reflections about being in thrall to whatever is broadcast to us, no matter how poisonous it might be – a very topical theme.

Verdict

Although roughly twice as long as the original game, Little Nightmares 2 clocks in between five and six hours, so it still isn’t hugely substantial, but the presence of hats that Mono can wear hidden in off-the-beaten-track areas that you might well have failed to explore in your first play-through provides a certain amount of replay value.

If you appreciate games that strive to create a unique ambience, harbour ambitions to be seen as art rather than mere entertainment, and have a thought-provoking agenda, you’ll struggle to find anything that fits the bill better than Little Nightmares 2.

Traversing a world of nightmares has never been so much fun. Little Nightmares 2 is a thoroughly entertaining, truly nightmarish work of art.

Writing by Mike Lowe.

Amazon is working on a wall-mounted Echo device to control your smart home

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon is making another Echo device, but this one is a little different from its usual smart speakers. It’s a wall-mounted device, designed to act as a command centre for your smart home, according to Bloomberg.

According to the outlet’s sources, it will have a touchscreen interface, so will likely look like a tablet or Echo Show device, although much slimmer. The 10- or 13-inch panel will let you control your other smart home devices, play music and movies, and conduct video calls using the built-in camera. Expect Alexa voice control to come as standard.

It’s being worked on by Amazon’s Lab126 hardware division. Lab126 was responsible for Amazon’s range of Kindle e-readers, Kindle tablets, Fire TV devices, and Echo speakers.

Amazon is said to be considering different sizes. If a 13-inch model does come to fruition, it would be the firm’s biggest display-toting device. It recently launched the Echo Show 10, where the device and its 10in screen automatically swivels to follow you around the room during video calls. It was delayed after an initial September announcement.

The wall-mounted device will likely launch at the end of this year or early in 2022. According to Bloomberg’s sources, it will cost between $200 and $250 (around £170, or AU$300).

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Get the A-Z on Amazon Echo smart speakers: which Alexa speaker should you buy?

Read the full Amazon Echo (4th generation) review

These are the best smart speakers you can buy

Amazon reportedly building an Alexa ‘command center’ that mounts to the wall

Amazon is developing a thin Echo device for users to mount on their walls and use as a “smart home command center,” according to a report in Bloomberg. The device could come with a 10- or 13-inch touchscreen display and be capable of controlling smart home devices, playing music and videos, and video chatting thanks to a built-in camera. Naturally, it’s also said to include Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.

Wall-mounting a display device could give owners more options for where in the house to place it, rather than having to find an empty space on a table or desk. Amazon has experimented with wall-mounted Echo devices before, like with its Amazon Echo wall clocks, and it’s also possible to wall mount other Echo devices using third-party accessories. But none of its previous Echo Shows have been specifically designed for wall mounting. Bloomberg says that it’s much slimmer as a result.

According to Bloomberg, the unannounced device could retail for between $200 and $250, and release at the end of either 2021 or 2022 (though the report has the usual disclaimer that plans are subject to change, and the device could be canceled). It’s being designed by Amazon’s Lab126 hardware division, and it may be offered in multiple variants with different screen sizes. The rumored product joins another Alexa device that’s also thought to be in development at Amazon, a radar-equipped sleep tracker, which is designed to sit on a bedside table and sense your breathing.

When contacted for comment, an Amazon spokesperson said that the company does not comment on rumors or speculation.

Update February 9th, 9:12AM ET: Updated with Amazon’s response.

Upcoming Final Fantasy concert to reveal new FFVIIR content

Mustafa Mahmoud
19 hours ago
Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming

Later this week at the Tokyo International Forum Hall, fans will gather to experience a live orchestral performance of the music of Final Fantasy VII Remake. In a surprise announcement, it was revealed that the concert will include information on some new Final Fantasy VII Remake “content.”

Making the announcement on Twitter, (as translated by aitaikimochi) the co-director of Final Fantasy VII Remake revealed that “There will be a special part of the concert where I’ll make an appearance and talk about a few FF7R contents to be revealed only during this event, so please tune in!”

Though no further details were given, fans have already begun to speculate about the many possible avenues that this announcement could take. Of course, Final Fantasy VII Remake, which released early last year, covered just the first part of the saga of the original Final Fantasy VII. As such, this new content could in fact be the reveal of the game’s sequel.

Alternatively, this announcement could be confirmation that a PS5 version of the game is on the way, fixing some of the technical issues found within the PS4 version. Alongside this, Square Enix could announce that the game will finally make its way onto PC and Xbox.

Whatever the announcement might be, fans won’t have to wait too much longer to find out, as the concert will be taking place on the 13th of February.

KitGuru says: What do you think this announcement will be? Do you enjoy the music of the original Final Fantasy VII or its remake more? When do you think part 2 will release? Let us know down below.

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HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 Review: Majestic Music Listening at a Price

Our Verdict

HyperX delivers a headset that’s meant to roll out of the box and into service. The Cloud Revolver offers 7.1 surround sound for gaming and wide soundscape, and listening to music is a great experience. But the price tag is a stumbling block for what you get in the box.

For

Great audio clarity
Steel lends it fantastic build quality
Solid sound out-of-the-box

Against

Very few audio tweaking options
Can make ears a little warm
Expensive for the offering

The HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 gets some things right in its quest to compete among the best gaming headsets. Compared to some of its other offerings, like the HyperX Cloud II Wireless, the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 offers more and higher quality memory foam, as well as firm steel. And despite the smaller drivers, HyperX promises a stronger, more robust sound scape on the Cloud Revolver 7.1 than some of its other offerings.

But at $150, this is an odd product. Although it’s wired, it’s the same price as the Cloud II Wireless, which offers similar features, like virtual 7.1 surround sound and a detachable noise-cancelling microphone.

The Cloud Revolver + 7.1 comes with an audio-boosting digital signal processor (DSP) via a handy USB sound card that also provides audio controls and virtual 7.1 surround sound. But it’s surround sound and audio in general isn’t tweak-friendly, keeping the package simple but hard to perfect.

HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 Specs

Driver Type	50mm neodymium
Impedance	32 Ohms
Frequency Response	10 Hz-23.2 KHz
Microphone Type	Detachable condenser noise-cancelling
Connectivity	USB Type-A or 3.5mm
Weight	Headset-only: 0.83 pounds (375g)
	Headset, mic, cable: 1 pound (452g)
Cords	6.67 feet (2.03m) USB-A cable and 7.1 dongle
	3.33 feet (1m) 3.5mm
Lighting	None
Software	HyperX Ngenuity (Beta)

Design and Comfort

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The HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 is an update of an older design: the original HyperX Cloud Revolver released in 2016. The general build remains the same, though HyperX has removed all the color from the overall design. While the original was black matte plastic and steel with red HyperX red highlights, the 2021 edition saps all the color. Instead, the highlights are in a simple, understated white. There’s no RGB on this headset, just crisp, clean black and white.

A single piece of steel runs across the entire headband from ear cup to ear cup. Not only is that the most striking part of the design, it also provides stability. Underneath that steel band is an adjustable smaller band that sits on top of your head. That band is made of leatherette and memory foam, providing a smooth cushion for the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 to rest upon.

The ear cups themselves are pretty hefty, with a design that looks like speakers on the outside flanked by the steel fins of the headband. On the inside of the ear cups, you’ll find more leatherette and memory foam. There’s more foam here than in some of HyperX’s cheaper headset models. There are no controls on the ear cups—no volume roller or mute button here—but there is a 3.5mm jack for the detachable microphone. The mic itself is flexible but can’t be slid into a position where it’s out of your face and lacks any indicator for when it’s muted.

All told, while it’s not the lightest headset I’ve tested, the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 feels pretty good. The headset itself is 0.83 pounds (375g), but the distribution of weight is fantastic. It sits light on the top of your head, and any clamping pressure around the ears is lessened by the memory foam pads. I have a pretty big head though, and I get the feeling it might be too roomy for those with tiny heads—the metal band is around 9 inches across, and the gap between the earcup pads is around 6-6.5 inches. There’s also not a ton of twist in ear cups, and for long sessions I could feel the insides getting a little warm.

The Cloud Revolver is a fully-wired headset. There’s a braided cable that runs from the left ear cup that cannot be detached. It’s around 3.33 feet (1m) in length, ending in a 3.5mm jack. HyperX only specs the headset to work with PC and PS4, but with the 3.5mm connection it should work with an Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 5 (PS5).

Then there’s the USB sound card. It has a 3.5mm jack for plugging in the headset and ends in a USB Type-A connector for use with your PC. With the box, you get boosted audio via a digital signal processing sound card, as well as the ability to use virtual 7.1 surround sound. This plugs into your PC, PS4, or PS5. On the sound card dongle, you’ll find volume controls for the headset and microphone, a mute button on the side and a big button for activating the 7.1 surround sound capabilities. The mute button and 7.1 button both light up, letting you know which mode you’re in for each feature. The dongle also has a clip on the back for attaching to your shirt or pants to keep it in handy.

Cloud Revolver + 7.1 Audio Performance

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

HyperX markets the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 as a “studio-grade” headset. It has 50mm drivers, in line with most of its competition, but sports a larger frequency range than most. The can stretches from 10 Hz to 23.2 kHz, giving it an edge on both ends against some in this price range. That means a relatively wide soundscape.

There is one problem though. This headset utilizes HyperX’s own version of virtual 7.1 surround sound. There’s no tweaking and no equalizer available in HyperX’s software suite. And there’s no support for something like DTS Headphone:X or Dolby surround. HyperX’s 7.1 utilizes Windows Sonic on PC for any tweaks; the problem I have is that while Windows Sonic is great for positioning, I find the overall audio quality and available settings are far better on DTS Headphone:X or Dolby. The company did have a version of this headset that had Dolby support, the Cloud Revolver S, but that product doesn’t look like it’s being produced anymore. The headset we’re reviewing is essentially a non-Dolby rebrand of the S.

I loaded up Hitman 3; One of the new levels in this entry in the series, Berlin, is an excellent test with 7.1 on. The level takes place in an underground club hidden in a derelict power plant. Voices came through on the headset clearly, from the correct virtual channels with no distortion. The real test was below though. As you round the stairs into the club proper, there’s loud, booming techno music playing, with a good meaty bass beat to it. Even among the cacophony, Hitman 3 is still great about allowing you to hear audio dialog that may point to future assassinations. It’s a pretty chaotic scene in terms of sound, especially with the ebb and flow of the techno as you move around the environment, and the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 handled it well.

The Cloud Revolver + 7.1 is only guaranteed to work with PC and PS4, as per HyperX. But my PS5 recognized it immediately in sound devices when I plugged it in via USB. I didn’t have any sound initially, leading me to assume it didn’t work, but the trick with the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 is the audio controls on the dongle work independently of the system volume. You can have the system volume up, but the dongle volume down, and hear nothing.

Playing Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, I found the system’s 3D audio worked well with the Cloud Revolver + 7.1. Walking around the city to get a feel of the directional sound, I could walk around a running car and clearly hear the engine humming along from the correct direction.

In terms of clarity, I could hear every thwip of the web-shooters alongside the whipping winds, the low bass beat of the soundtrack and even J. Jonah Jameson’s annoying radio broadcast. However, I did notice a little loss of clarity in the highs, with strings in the ambient soundtrack blending a bit with some of the city’s sounds.

The first music track I tried on the headset was Jason Derulo’s “Lifestyle.” It works well as a test case because of the transition from the early parts of the song. You have the thrumming of the bass guitar contrasted with Derulo’s vocals, which are then joined by accompaniment and staccato claps. Once the chunky bass in the chorus comes in, the song is playing on nearly every level. It’s got a little bit of everything.

Listening to the track on the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 allowed me to test the difference in the standard stereo versus the 7.1 surround. In stereo, there was wonderful differentiation and clarity between the different parts of the song. The wider soundscape really showed up to play. Switching to surround sound, it was clear that HyperX’s solution pushes the mids back, really playing up the highs and lows.

Across few other tracks, I actually found aspects of the music that was missing in my day-to-day headset. Gfriend’s “Labyrinth” had a sort of alternating high xylophone-style sound in the background of the chorus I never noticed before. And the understated low piano in the bridge of Clean Bandit’s “Higher” was suddenly apparent. There’s just an excellent amount of separation and clarity to the overall sound on this headset. It’s probably one of the better music listening experiences at this price point.

Microphone

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The microphone on the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 is a unidirectional condenser mic that you can detach from the headset. My recordings sounded pretty good, though they came across a little warm overall. Vocal clarity was pretty good, but there was still audible popping.

Noise cancellation, meanwhile, was decent. The headset took care of a good amount of environmental sound. There was someone mowing the lawn outside of my apartment, for example, and that wasn’t in the recording much. My local television noise also didn’t come through on recordings.

The boom mic is flexible, allowing for decent placement in front of your mouth. I also actually prefer having the mic mute on the dongle because it means you’re not getting a noise in your recording trying to mute your mic.

HyperX specs the Cloud Revolver + 7.1’s mic for a frequency response of 50 Hz – 7.7 kHz.

Software

HyperX has beta software, NGenuity, that works with many of its gaming peripherals, including some headsets. The Cloud Revolver + 7.1, however, is not meant to work with any software. Instead, HyperX targets this at users who want a simple plug-and-play package. But those who like to tweak their audio or want to address any perceived weaknesses in the Cloud Revolver + 7.1’s performance is out of luck.

If you want to do any virtual speaker positioning regarding the 7.1 surround sound, you can use the standard Windows menus via Windows Sonic.

Bottom Line

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

With the Cloud Revolver + 7.1, HyperX has crafted cans with great build quality, effective virtual 7.1 surround sound support, a nice wide soundscape and versatility through its two connection options (3.5mm or USB Type-A).It also delivers one of the better music-listening experiences I’ve had in the $150 price range.

However, the virtual 7.1 surround sound here is a step down from the immersive feel and customization options premium competitors, like Dolby, offer. And HyperX’s lack of audio tweaking options means you’re essentially stuck with what you get out of the box. The company could gain some ground simply by fixing that.

There are more customizable options with advanced surround sound for less. As of writing, Logitech Pro X is about $20 cheaper than our review focus, and you get DTS Headphone X 2.0 support, an extensive audio equalizer and Blue microphone audio tweaks via Logitech software. The Razer BlackShark V2 offers THX Spatial Audio for a whopping $50 less. And that’s all before you even get into wireless headset options, which are pretty price-competitive these days.

Sure, I might love listening to music on the Cloud Revolver + 7.1, but a gaming headset is more than that. And frankly, HyperX is still behind the competition in terms of bells-and-whistles.

But if you’re not into tweaking and just want something that offers decent virtual surround sound and covers a wide range of frequencies out of the box while sitting comfortably on your noggin, the Cloud Revolver + 7.1 is worth a look.

(Pocket-lint) – Huami has been turning out various smartwatches that sit under its Amazfit brand, with the square-shape GTS 2 sitting at the top of its fashion watch category.

That GTS family also includes the cheaper GTS 2e and the GTS 2 Mini. If you want the best in terms of features and a stylish design then the GTS 2 is the one to look at.

Along with making some welcome changes in the design department, the GTS 2 also performs more like a smartwatch than the original GTS did, bringing smart assistants and a music player into the mix. But that’s also seen the price creep up, so does it warrant its worth?

Design & Display

Display: 1.65-inch, 348 x 442 resolution
Measures 42.8 x 35.6 x 9.7mm
Size options: 42mm only
5ATM waterproofing

Like the original GTS, the GTS 2 goes square – much like an Apple Watch – but you certainly wouldn’t mistake if for a Series 6 or an SE.

That doesn’t mean you don’t get an attractive smartwatch for your money, though. There are notable improvements with the materials used and the design of the display that gives the GTS 2 a more stylish look compared to its predecessor.

Pocket-lint

You’re getting a 42mm watch case with a matte titanium alloy used around the display, with plastic on the back where the sensors and charging points lie. That’s paired up with a removable 20mm silicone strap.

There’s the pick of black, grey or gold looks, which does mean you have fewer colour options to pick from than the first GTS, but you do still have that option to switch up things in the strap department if you prefer to go for an overall more formal watch look.

What has really elevated the look of the GTS 2 is its display, which is made from 3D curved glass that creates a more unified look with the watch case. Overall it just makes it feel like a much nicer watch to wear.

That screen measures in with the same 1.65-inches and offers the same resolution as the GTS and, again, it’s a really good quality display. It’s nice and responsive to swipes and taps, isn’t a fingerprint magnet, and offers great sharpness and colours. The viewing angles are strong too, plus there’s an always-on display mode option if you want that screen on full-time.

Pocket-lint

Away from using the touchscreen, there’s a solitary button that sits closer to the watch body to help create that more streamlined look. As a package it’s got the same 5ATM water resistant rating, which means it’s safe to swim and shower with it (as that rating is good for 50 metres depth).

While the first GTS definitely had a more sporty look and feel to it, that curved screen and titanium addition certainly makes the GTS 2 a more attractive proposition. It’s no Apple Watch, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction for the GTS range.

Software & Performance

Customizable watch faces
Works with Android and iOS

Once again, Huami is using its own operating system to run the software and doesn’t divulge details of the processor or components. The performance is satisfying on the whole, whether that’s getting around menu screens or putting its key features to work.

Pocket-lint

The software experience hasn’t dramatically changed over the first GTS. The selection of customisable watch faces have certainly been better optimised for that curved display and getting to menu screens or your notifications are done in the same manner. There’s widgets to show off elements like your daily activity stats and weather forecasts.

Best Garmin watch 2021: Fenix, Forerunner and Vivo compared

By Chris Hall
·
4 February 2021

Huami’s smartwatches are generally very easy to get to grips with and that doesn’t really change with the GTS 2.

When you need to sync your data or tinker with settings you can’t access on the watch, you’ll now have to head to the Zepp companion app, which is a rebranded Amazfit app. Huami now owns Zepp, the sports tech brand that made its name using sports tracking sensors for baseball and golf.

Getting setup is pretty straightforward, especially if you take the QR code scanning route to pairing it with your phone. We used it with Oppo and Realme Android phones and didn’t have issues with syncing or pairing. While it’s a device you can use with iPhone too, pairing with an Android device will give you the optimal experience.

Pocket-lint

The two most important area of the app is the main Homepage where you can delve deeper into your health, fitness and exercise stats. The dedicated devices page is where you can adjust settings, such as notification support, set health monitoring modes, and get hold of more watch faces.

Sports & Fitness Tracking

GPS and Glonass satellite systems
Automatic exercise recognition
Built-in heart rate monitor
24/7 fitness tracking
Blood oxygen read

Like the GTS, the GTS 2 is well equipped as far as tracking your health, fitness and exercise. It has added a new improved heart rate sensor – BioTracker 2 PPG – and ramped up the number of sports with exercise recognition support also in tow.

Pocket-lint

On the sensor count, there’s GPS and GLONASS to accurately track outdoor activities, and the same motion sensors as included in the GTS. Huami’s new sensor can read blood oxygen (SpO2) levels – but that blood oxygen sensor, much like the one on Huawei, Garmin, Fitbit and Apple’s smartwatches, is not designed for medical purposes.

That sensor delivers resting heart rate, continuous monitoring, and heart rate during exercise. It also powers its PAI Health Assessment, which shifts the emphasis on raising your heart rate regularly as opposed to focusing on nailing your daily step counts.

There’s no 90 sports modes, which is significantly up from the 12 included on the GTS. That includes core sports like running, cycling and swimming (pool and open water), along with tracking support for skiing and climbing.

In terms of that tracking performance indoors and outdoors, accuracy definitely feels better suited to someone who has a more casual approach to fitness. Accuracy for things like GPS and heart rate feel better suited to steady paced workouts. As soon as you up the intensity, whether that’s running or riding for longer distances, those key sensors do have a tendency to falter. Heart rate testing against a Garmin HRM Pro heart rate chest strap monitor showed that the GTS 2’s sensor struggles to handle the sudden spikes and drops in heart rate with high intensity training.

Pocket-lint

It definitely does a better impression as a daily fitness tracker if you care mainly about steps, continuous heart rate monitoring and tracking sleep. Daily step counts were in the ballpark of the step counts we tracked on a Fitbit Sense and you’ll still get those inactivity alerts buzzing you to keep moving during the day.

For sleep, the GTS 2 posted similar sleep duration periods as the Sense and similar breakdowns of sleep stages, including REM sleep. There’s some nice additional insights and tips to improve sleep quality and is definitely one of the GTS 2’s strengths.

Smartwatch features

View notifications
Built-in music player
Offline voice assistant
Microphone and speaker
Phone calls over Bluetooth

The GTS was pretty light on smartwatch features, so thankfully that’s changed with the GTS 2.

Pocket-lint

You still have notifications that are still not actionable while multiple notifications from the same app can still bunch up as was the case on the GTS. There’s also weather forecasts, the ability to set alarms and access to music controls, with the latter accessible during workouts.

Huami has added in a microphone and speaker, which brings a collection of new features into the mix. It means you can now take phone calls when connected to your phone via Bluetooth. More interestingly is the introduction of a smart assistant that works without a data connection.

The new offline voice assistant will give you control of core watch features like turning settings on and off or to start a workout. The commands supported are all listed on the watch and the assistant can be woken up in a variety of ways including turning it on as soon as you raise your wrist. It’s an assistant that works well and is responsive to commands, making it a useful feature to have when you’ve got your hands full.

Pocket-lint

The other big feature is the built-in music player, giving you 3GB of storage to fit in roughly 300-600 songs. To get that music onto the watch, you’ll need to sync it over from the Zepp companion app. Currently, it only supports music you own and doesn’t work with any music streaming services. If you own a lot of music and it’s already piled onto your phone, then you’ll no doubt appreciate its inclusion as a feature. Hopefully though, Huami will add some streaming service support as well to make it even more useful.

Battery Life

Up to 20 days in basic watch mode
Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode
3.5 days in heavy usage

Huami has included a bigger 246mAh battery on the GTS 2, which is capable of giving you around a week of use in typical scenarios – and up to 20 days when you disable features like Bluetooth and heart rate monitoring. If you put features into play like the always-on display mode, that battery is likely to drop to around three days or so.

Pocket-lint

Based on our experience, you can get that week of use, but if you’re making use of all of those new features, it’s more likely to be a few days shorter than that. Features like continuous heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep monitoring, keeping the screen bright and having a steady stream of notifications, will see it fall short of that seven days. If you’re willing to compromise on what features are enabled, you can go further.

GPS tracking battery life is an impressive 25 hours, which betters a lot of more expensive GPS-packing smartwatches and sports watches. Putting that GPS to good use doesn’t horribly drain the battery either.

When you do hit zero there’s an identical charger to the one used on the GTS to get things powered back up. It takes 2.5 hours to get to 100 per cent, though, which certainly doesn’t make it the snappiest of chargers.

Verdict

While the first GTS offered great value for money at a price point where it stood up well against the competition, the GTS 2 is promising to be a better smartwatch – but a pricier one too.

It certainly steps things up in the looks department, while features such as the offline voice assistant is a great new addition. However, the music player is going to have limited appeal until it can partner up with some streaming services. And while fitness tracking is once again solid, you won’t get high-end accuracy for tracking sports and active heart rate.

All in all, the GTS 2 is a transformation for the series – and a decent one at that. But at the now elevated price point you’ll be able to find a more complete smartwatch experience elsewhere, which is why the original GTS scored better than this follow-up.

Also consider

Fitbit Versa 2

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While not its latest product, this watch offers richer music and notification features, plus all the great fitness tracking and health features you would expect from a Fitbit watch.

Read our review

Huawei Watch GT 2e

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Huawei offers a step up in sports tracking features and is capable of giving you weeks of battery life with its full gamut of features in play.

Read our review

Writing by Michael Sawh. Editing by Mike Lowe.

Driver Type	40mm neodymium magnet
Impedance	32 Ohms
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 40 kHz
Microphone Type	Unidirectional, retractable
Connectivity	Dual 3.5mm (Consoles)
	USB Type-A (PC)
Weight	0.6 pounds (300g)
Cord Length	USB Type-A cable: 3.9 feet (1.2m)
	3.5mm cable: 3.2 feet (1m)
Lighting	None
Software	Nahimic for Headset

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Our Verdict

For

Against

HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 Specs

Design and Comfort

Cloud Revolver + 7.1 Audio Performance

Microphone

Software

Bottom Line

Our Verdict

For

Against

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Design and Comfort of MSI Immerse GH61

Audio Performance of MSI Immerse GH61

Microphone on MSI Immerse GH61

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