Innehållsförteckning för Issue 202 från T3 Australia

PRO-JECT A1 Pro-Ject’s turntables regularly top our lists of the best record players for good reason: their great features, quality sound and super affordable pricing make them very hard to beat. So when the brand announced it was launching its first ever automatic turntables, the Automat series, it was a safe bet we would be more inquisitive than a mob of hipster meerkats. Its debut entry, the A1, has definitely earned our curiosity. The fully automatic belt-drive system allows you to pop a record on by just setting the speed and hitting play – the turntable does everything else. Even better, the mechanism is entirely mechanical and physically disengages while the record is playing, which means there’s no horrible hum of electronics here. Meanwhile, the A1’s four silicon-damped feet, damped…

1 SAMSUNG GALAXY S22 From $1,249, samsung.com It’ll come as no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S22 series looks like a winner – Samsung pulls it out of the bag every year, offering the latest in smartphone tech packed into a range of sleek, sturdy devices. One thing that all the new models have in common is an eco-conscious spin on things: Samsung has repurposed ocean-bound plastic, like fishing nets, to build the phones. At the top-end of the new series, you’ll find the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (from $1,999), the all-singing all-dancing handset that offers the most advanced tech and the most sophisticated design made for enthusiasts and professionals. Ultra by name, Ultra by nature. It even comes with the S Pen slotted into the body of the phone.…

JOWAIN JONES Q I’m tired of x86. Is Windows-on-ARM worth trying? A Not yet. Oh, dear reader, not yet. Guru has recently tested a Samsung Galaxy Book Go, which pushes Windows 11 onto the most unwilling frame of the Snapdragon 888 processor, and there just isn’t enough power there. While there’s a translation layer that will do its darndest to get every app running, it’s dog slow. Also, and this has nothing to do with Windows-on-ARM, but the screen on the Galaxy Book Go is just about the worst panel GaGu has ever used – and he’s old enough to have worked with the original colour LCD displays on laptops. The PC grows, it improves, but it is based on fundamentally the same architecture as it was in the late…

1 BEYERDYNAMIC DT 1770 PRO These studio-grade headphones from Beyerdynamic don’t actually support surround sound playback in the way the others in this section do. We’ve included them, though, because their uncompromising construction together with Beyerdynamic’s sound-stage-building Tesla headphone technology (named after Nikola, not Elon Musk’s cars) delivers detailed, well constructed film sound stages. $699, beyerdynamic.com 2 JVC EXOFIELD XP-EXT1 This is the only current headphone solution that provides an external receiver for extracting sound from HDMI sources like Blu-ray players and Apple TVs. These extracted mixes are then sent wirelessly to the Exofield headphones, where JVC’s ‘out-of-head localisation sound field processing’ makes them sound like they’re coming from an external multichannel speaker array rather than cans on your ears. $TBC, jvc.com 3 CREATIVE SXFI THEATER Creative’s award-winning Super X-Fi…

1 SPIGEN RUGGED ARMOR CASE Spigen’s tough phone case is available for a wide range of Apple and Android devices, and while it’s hardly the prettiest it has extra corner protection and raised edges to protect the screen if it’s dropped. $20, spigen.com 2 BELKIN BOOST UP WIRELESS CHARGER The Belkin happily charges iPhones, and it also charges Androids with wireless capability. Plus you can also use it as a stand to watch a movie while the battery recharges. $49, belkin.com 3 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO MELOMANIA TOUCH These affordable earbuds deliver better sound than many more expensive rivals, and they’re compatible with both Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant for controls and calling. $TBC, cambridgeaudio.com…

HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with specialist knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these,…

The Denon Home 550 has got a lot of the right ingredients. It’s compact and discreet, nicely made, properly finished and better-specified than many of its competitors for the price you pay. But can it knock our current favourite small-ish soundbar – the Sonos Beam Gen 2 – off its perch? Let’s kick off with an additional HDMI socket. Unlike the Sonos Beam Gen 2, with its single HDMI eARC socket, the Home 550 adds an HDMI input – so you don’t have to take up one of your TV’s HDMI inputs if you don’t need to. A seemingly obvious course of action, but not as obvious to some competing brands it seems. The HDMI sockets support 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision too. And in the little recess at the…

Reviewing the Beats Fit Pro, we had a little deja vu: they share a lot of similarities with the relatively recent Beats Studio Buds. At least, on the surface. But, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a much improved experience. The Beats Fit Pro don’t reinvent the aesthetic wheel of earbuds, nor should they. Though the squarish charging case looks very different, they resemble the Beats Studio Buds quite a bit, only adding the wingtips that a lot of sports-focused earbuds tend to come with. As far as materials go, the body of the earbuds is made of a durable plastic while the wingtips have a flexible runner feel, letting the outer part of the buds have a softer feel. While the wingtips don’t look as secure as…

NEBULA SOLAR A solid 1080p smart projector that’s the same size as the Elfin, this comes with extras like mobile app support and a built-in stand. However, it only has 400 ANSI Lumens of brightness, HDR10, and a 120-inch projected image. $TBC, amazon.com.au BENQ TK850 If you don’t mind sacrificing portability for stunning 4K resolution, the TK850 features a whopping 3000 lumen brightness and is still pretty compact. It comes in with Android TV built-in – but also won’t run Netflix. $3,099, benq.com…

BERN MACON 2.0 The Bern Macon 2.0 is perfect for urban cyclists who don’t want to be thought of as MAMILs. A lighter weight means it’s aerodynamic enough not to hold you back when you’re trying to reach that green light. From $150, bernhelmets.com CHROME STORM SALUTE COMMUTE JACKET This stretch 2.5 layer fully taped rain shell works on and off the bike! Reflective details on back, arm and wrists for visibility. Zippered interior phone pocket and back cargo pocket to haul your stuff safely, even without a bag. $250, chromeindustries.com RAPHA SMALL TRAVEL BACKPACK This 15-litre backpack is compact and lightweight. The main compartment has a zipped mesh pocket to keep kit separate from paperwork, another for storing shoes and a padded 13-inch laptop sleeve. $230, rapha.cc…

A few issues ago Guru was grilled by a reader on Bluetooth latency. One benevolent (or perhaps furious) audio brand took your favourite uncle’s ramblings as an opportunity to thrust a suitable product into his hands: the Tronsmart Onyx Prime True Wireless Earbuds are compatible with the aptX Adaptive codec, meaning they can go hi-res, low-latency, or everything in between. Surprisingly good? Absolutely, for the price, you get a richer sound than you might expect, with dual hybrid drivers essentially calling your ear drums out for a fight. ‘Made for audiophiles’ though, Tronsmart? Wind it in: while the Onyx Primes are indeed adept at wrangling low-latency audio, audio experts are going to sniff at the custard-thick bass layer. Guru quite enjoyed its bombast, but you may not. To encourage his…

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA TT V2 Making other record players look rather drab and basic by comparison, the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 exudes quality even before you’ve put needle to vinyl. As well as everything you’d expect, the turntable gives you aptX HD Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in phono stage (plus the option to use your own), and an improved tonearm. $3,499, cambridgeaudio.com NOVETO N1 INVISIBLE HEADPHONES How do a pair of invisible headphones work, you might ask? The Noveto N1 sits in front of you like a miniature soundbar, using what’s known as beamforming technology to create a binaural audio experience not unlike wearing a pair of headphones, but without the physical earbuds. We’re very much looking forward to giving them a try. US$800, noveto.com ASUS ROG FLOW Z13 The…

The best active noise-cancelling earbuds for you will depend very much on the kind of listening you prefer and where you’re going to do it. If sound quality is paramount then a pair with Bluetooth aptX HD will make the most of your audio, while long distance travellers will need earbuds that won’t die halfway through a flight. If you’re all-in on Apple hardware then Apple’s own products offer the best integration; if you’re navigating urban areas then transparency mode will help prevent you walking in front of a bus. Sadly none of the earbuds here can cancel buskers playing Ed Sheeran songs, but we live in hope. FANTASTIC FOR iPHONE AIRPODS PRO Apple’s AirPods Pro offer superb iPhone integration and seamless switching between all your Apple devices – so…

1 HYPERX CLOUD MIX These are designed first and foremost for gaming. However, gaming headphones typically enjoy minimal lag – and thanks to their support for the AptX Low Latency system, the Cloud Mixes are no different. What’s more, their use of dual chamber drivers to deliver a wider, more clearly defined dynamic range makes their sound better suited to movie soundtracks than your average gaming headset. Plus you can detach the gaming mic for clutter free movie nights. $258, hyperxgaming.com 2 AVANTREE ARIA PRO The Aria Pros carry that all important Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX Low Latency support and, provided you avoid their oddly distracting active noise cancelling, they produce an immersive, balanced, large and film-friendly sound stage. What’s really great, though, is how comfortable they are during movie…

The intense rivalry between smartphone manufacturers means that last year’s flagships become this year’s mid-range phones: for less than $800 you can get your hands on a new phone with the same cameras, displays and batteries as the most expensive smartphones of a year or two ago. Of course there are some compromises – if you’re getting a cutting-edge camera you’re probably not getting the biggest possible battery; if the screen’s brilliant the processor might not be as fast as this year’s flagships – but these phones are all very compelling devices with excellent features, lots of great apps and performance that punches way above their price tag. AFFORDABLE APPLE iPHONE SE The iPhone SE looks like an iPhone 8 and has the same 4.7-inch Retina display, but it’s considerably…

On paper, the Bose SoundLink Flex has everything it needs to compete with the best Bluetooth speakers: decent battery life, rugged and durable construction, decent technical specification and a trustworthy brand’s heritage behind it. But can it knock the Bang & Olufsen A1 2nd Gen and the Sonos Roam off their perch? The SoundLink Flex is a reasonably compact 20x9x5cm and weighs a very manageable 600g. It has an extremely sturdy fabric strap at one end of its chassis, too, which means it can happily hang off a hook or a bag. And the materials used mean the Flex has an IP67 rating against dust and moisture ingress. In fact, the SoundLink Flex will float quite happily in water. As far as usability goes, the Flex is properly, well, flexible.…

There are three certainties in life. Death, taxes, and Razer following every hardware generation with a new and ever more powerful laptop. And the Blade 15 Advanced is a laptop with enough performance to power through long into the future – it’s a satisfying and silky smooth machine. The outward design is not a radical departure from Blades past. Indeed it’s all-but identical to the 2019 spin, beyond the addition of a couple of extra ports. That’s not a bad thing. The Blade 15 design is, and we say this without too much hyperbole, pretty much perfect: it’s solid, clean, has just the right level of glitz via Razer’s Chroma-lit keyboard, and affords itself plenty of airflow without cutting down on the cool factor. Inside, the Razer Blade 15 is…

After relative silence in the second half of 2021, Garmin entered 2022 with a boom: the US-based company announced not one, not two but four new smartwatches in a span of just a couple of weeks. Two of them are the long-anticipated Fenix 7 and the new-and-improved Epix. The Garmin Fenix 7 (from $1,999, garmin.com) is likely to become hugely popular. The watch introduces the Power Sapphire glass that combines the now-improved solar harvesting ring around the watch face with a sapphire lens for added protection. With the added touchscreen functionality and built-in flashlight (7X model only), the Fenix 7 will be on the top of every outdoorsy person’s Christmas list. What happened if you added an AMOLED screen on the Fenix 6? You’d get a watch that looks something…

DON’T LOOK UP Many critics say it’s rubbish, but Guru quite enjoyed the silliness of this star-studded Adam McKay Netflix comedy propagandathon. Eyes on the skies, folks. TETR.IO GaGu has struggled to do much this month, not only because of his usual laziness, but because he has rekindled his love of legally distinct free-to-play Tetris-adjacent games. A•Z This album of masterful nu-disco keyboard-slinging and track-chopping tunes from Applzaft has only one track with over 1,000 plays. Ridiculous. Get it in your ears.…

With things getting back to something approaching normality and the good weather hopefully on its way, we’re all starting to do the things we haven’t been doing for such a long time. We’re pounding pavements, going back to the gym, commuting or exploring by bus, tube or train and maybe even travelling by aeroplane to faraway destinations. And all of those things have a soundtrack: traffic, people, engines and other potential irritants. If you’d rather listen to your podcast than the person puffing away on the machine next to you, or hear your favourite music without a rumbling engine accompanying it, active noise cancelling earbuds can make your world sound a lot less stressful. Noise-cancelling earbuds are a must-have unless you only listen to music or podcasts at home, and…

WHARFEDALE DX-2 Wharfedale has a proud tradition over many years of proving that bagging a good surround sound speaker system doesn’t have to cost the earth. The latest and quite possibly greatest example of this is the brand’s DX-2 system which produces punchy, deftly balanced, dynamic and surprisingly bass-rich sound from a small but well-built combination of four smart bookshelf speakers, a healthy-sized subwoofer and a dedicated centre channel. $1,355, wharfedale.com LOGITECH Z906 SYSTEM And now for something completely different. For starters, the Z906 package is the only system here that ships with a multi-channel amplifier. A 500W amp, in fact, with support for six compatible sources via a variety of audio connectors. Next, while it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, its sound has earned quality certification from the independent THX…

STEAM DECK Let’s be honest, the Steam Deck is the dream console. A Switch-style handheld from Valve with the power to play triple-A games, dock with your TV as a gaming PC, and let you use analogue sticks or plug in a keyboard and mouse. It’s a little weighty at 669g – okay, a lot weighty, as the Switch is 297g – but the Steam Deck has a 7-inch touch screen and comes in three different sizes, with the top two models having an SSD. All you need to do is sign in and play. If you’ve spent the last decade amassing a bigger Steam library than is possible to play in a lifetime, this will happily help you make a dent. Australian availability is expected towards late Q2 this…

Smaller, smarter projectors are gaining popularity but your options can be limited when looking for one. Fortunately, the Xgimi Elfin has blown that wide open. It’s clear that the company has put everything it has learned into crafting the ideal one. The Xgimi Elfin isn’t something you can simply toss in your purse or small backpack, unlike the Xgimi MoGo Pro+. However, at 192 x 194 x 48mm, it will take up just as much space as a 13-inch Ultrabook. Better yet, at 900g, it will feel much less of a burden than something like a MacBook Air or a Dell XPS 13. So, if you’re used to carrying your laptop everywhere, you’ll have no concerns transporting this. While it does keep things travel-friendly, it’s also very stable. The biggest…

GIGABYTE AORUS 15G If a 30-series graphics card is a must but you can’t justify nearly $5k on a gaming laptop, the Aorus 15G is ideal. Its crisp 240Hz panel is a beaut, while its 10th-gen Intel i7 processor still gives it plenty of poke. $1,999, gigabyte.com MSI GS66 STEALTH The Stealth may only be configurable up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and a 10th-gen i7 CPU but you have the option of a 4K screen – or a lush 300Hz FHD panel instead. And it’s much cheaper. From $3,600, msi.com…