Audio: the ones I still recommend
Headphones, headsets, and speakers I have listened to for more than a demo. Audio is personal, so I focus on the things that hold up over time: comfort on long sessions, build that lasts, a mic that does not embarrass you, and whether the sound is worth what it costs.
Spec sheets and frequency graphs only tell you so much. What matters after a month is whether a headset still feels good on your head, whether the pads and hinges survive, whether the mic is usable, and whether the sound justifies the price. These reviews are written from that side of the purchase.
At a glance
| Product | Verdict | Rating | Paid | Owned since | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundcore Boom 2 | Still recommend | 8 /10 | $84 | June 2026 | Big, punchy sound for the size |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite | Returned | 3 /10 | $600 | June 2026 | |
| Fractal Design Scape | Returned | 5 /10 | $200 | June 2026 | The base is nice and well made |
All Audio reviews
By scoreSoundcore Boom 2
I grabbed the Soundcore Boom 2 for $84 on Prime Day and it punches well above the price. Big, punchy sound from a...
Still recommend tested June 2026
Fractal Design Scape
I wanted to like Fractal's first headset and sent it back inside the return window. The base is nice and the mic is...
Returned tested June 2026
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
At $600 this is the most I have spent on a headset and my biggest letdown. The mic is the worst I have heard, the...
Returned tested June 2026