Samsung is shutting down its standalone Samsung Sound app, which launched on Android and iOS only months ago for setting up and controlling its soundbars and Wi-Fi speakers. A notice in the app's latest update tells users it will be merged into SmartThings, and that they can keep their existing settings by registering their sound device there. Samsung says Samsung Sound will keep working until March 31, 2027, after which SmartThings becomes the only option.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-01
Universal Studios Hollywood has agreed to build another sound barrier around its new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster after residents of the nearby Toluca Lake neighborhood complained about riders' screams. At a meeting with over 350 attendees, park executives also agreed the ride will not operate between 8AM and 9AM for the rest of the year. The ride, which opened September 16th, already includes noise-reduction measures such as an existing sound barrier and cars designed to turn away from homes during loud moments.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-01
A New York Times blind listening test compared traditional multi-speaker surround sound systems against soundbars, including Dolby Atmos-enabled models. Participants reported clearer dialogue and a stronger sense of immersion with discrete surround speakers, though most said they would still choose a soundbar due to space constraints and installation friction.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-27
A home audio guide explains that front left, right and center speakers should sit at seated ear height rather than being mounted high above listeners. It notes that forward-firing, high-frequency speakers lose clarity in dialogue, cymbals and positional effects when aimed over people's heads, while subwoofers and upward-firing speakers designed to bounce sound off ceilings are exempt from this rule.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-26
Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, its first audio chip with micro-power Wi-Fi 6E built directly into the silicon, allowing earbuds to connect to home networks without a separate Wi-Fi chip. The company says the chip is 30 percent smaller, uses up to 40 percent less power, and doubles AI processing versus its predecessor. Qualcomm has named HP, Bose, and Cleer as partners, including camera-equipped earbuds with Cleer.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-24
Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a chip aimed at powering next-generation earbuds, headphones and audio glasses with on-device AI. The company says it doubles the AI processing capability of its predecessor, the Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform, and supports features like real-time translation and sound amplification for hearing-impaired users. The chip also includes aptX Lossless audio support, Qualcomm's XPAN wireless technology, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-24
Qualcomm introduced its Sound Elite platform built around a new S3 chip small enough to fit inside earbuds, allowing them to stream Wi-Fi lossless audio without needing a paired phone nearby. The design lets users leave their phone in another room while still receiving uninterrupted high-quality sound.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-23
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 chip at its Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii, designed to power a new generation of 'hearables' including earbuds, headphones, audio glasses and other multimodal wearables. The chip is meant to enable features like adaptive sound processing, real-time translation, AI note-taking and combined audio-visual interactions in devices with cameras.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-23
Apple's tvOS 27.2 beta 2 now lets users pair four HomePods—two sets of two—wirelessly through the Home app to serve as surround speakers for Apple TV 4K, according to FlatpanelsHD. The feature currently works with Atmos and surround audio from video content, but lacks the ability to assign specific speaker roles like front and rear, and menu or game audio still only plays through the front pair.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-23
The guide explains connecting an Xbox to a TV's eARC/ARC HDMI port to enable surround sound, recommending HDMI 2.1 support for 4K/120fps gaming alongside audio. Users then adjust settings under Settings > General > Volume and audio output, selecting 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed audio, or Bitstream if bandwidth is limited, and can install the Dolby Access app for Dolby Atmos support.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
Sound engineer Anthony Grimani explains that room acoustics, not expensive equipment, are usually the biggest factor hurting home theater sound quality. Hard surfaces like bare walls and tile floors reflect sound waves, causing echo and muddled audio, but simple additions like rugs, curtains and framed art can absorb those reflections. He also outlines proper speaker placement and angling for both 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-20
Many Netflix viewers experience inconsistent audio quality, with dialogue sometimes sounding distant or garbled on certain shows while others play fine. The root cause isn't a weak internet connection or poor TV speakers, but a mismatch between the audio format Netflix streams and the playback device's capabilities. Netflix says the fix typically involves a quick settings adjustment rather than new equipment or a support call.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-20
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