Four devices for under $250, each of which is worth the splurge.
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Sonos One
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/sonos-one/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The Sonos One integrates full-fledged Alexa voice control, just like an Amazon Echo speaker but with better sound quality. It offers most of Alexa’s smart home controls and its far-field microphone performs similarly to an Echo. The Sonos One works seamlessly as part of a Sonos multiroom system, and can pair with another One for stereo sound. In 2018 Sonos will add Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 support is coming too.
The bad: The One costs twice as much as the new Echo. It cannot form a stereo pair with an existing Sonos Play:1. There’s no Spotify voice control or Alexa Calling at launch, and Google Assistant and AirPlay 2 support won’t arrive until 2018. It doesn’t work how you’d expect if you have an Echo within earshot. There’s no Bluetooth.
The cost: $199.00
The bottom line: The Alexa-powered Sonos One is the first smart speaker that actually sounds good with music — and even more new features will be coming to it in the months ahead.
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Sony MDR-1A headphones
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/sony-mdr-1a/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding) The good: The Sony MDR-1A is a relatively lightweight, very comfortable full-size headphone that offers sound that’s improved over the MDR-1R’s, with better definition from the bass through the midrange to the treble. The headphones now sit on your neck correctly (the earcups rotate the proper direction) and you get two cables, one of which has an in-line remote for smartphones, along with a nice carrying pouch.
The bad: Somewhat pricey; in-line remote lacks some functionality for iPhone users.
The cost: $199.95 TO $299.95
The bottom line: The super comfortable Sony MDR-1A does a good job balancing clarity and laid-back enough of to make it a very versatile headphone that’s well worth considering if you’re looking for a full-size headphone in the $200-$300 range.
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Apple TV 4K
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-tv-4k/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Apple TV 4K delivers the best streaming video available to compatible 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision TVs. 4K HDR titles on iTunes cost less than competitors. It offers the most polished streaming experience today, the best remote on the market and excellent Siri voice options. It’s just $30 more than the non-4K box.
The bad: The Apple TV 4K is expensive. Cheaper streaming devices from Roku and others offer similar image quality and capabilities, and more 4K apps (including YouTube). Up-conversion of non-4K/HDR video is confusing and doesn’t improve image quality.
The cost: $179.00 to $197.84
The bottom line: Apple’s 4K HDR streamer combines peak picture with a high-end feel nothing else can match, but it costs too much for most people.
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Microsoft Xbox One S
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-xbox-one-s/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Xbox One S is a slick looking game console that’s 40 percent smaller than the original and ditches the infamously gigantic power brick. It can display 4K video from streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-rays, and supports HDR contrast on video and games. The updated controller works with other Bluetooth devices, too.
The bad: 4K, Ultra HD Blu-ray and HDR settings only work with newer TVs, and may require some trial and error. The updated controller feels cheaper than its predecessor. Project Scorpio, the more powerful Xbox One successor, arrives in late 2017.
The cost: $249.99 to $268.99
The bottom line: The Xbox One S is the console Microsoft should have delivered three years ago, but there’s little reason to upgrade if you already own the original box.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Senior Editor Jeff Bakalar, Executive Editor David Carnoy, CNET contributor Steve Guttenberg, Section Editor David Katzmaier, Associate Editor Ty Pendlebury and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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