Mobile reviews

LG’s Tone Free HBS-FN7 are its most premium true wireless yet, packing more features on top of the usual goodies. A household name in TVs, white goods and smartphones, LG has gradually muscled its way into the wireless earbud market with its Tone Free series. Taking influence from Apple’s AirPods , these long-stemmed earbuds take advantage of LG’s partnership with British audio brand, Meridian. I was super-impressed by the Tone Free HBS-FN6 – which, as affordable alternatives to Apple and Bose earbuds , sounded great. With the HBS-FN7, LG attempts to build upon what it’s established with previous Tone Free headphones, with a slight price hike reflecting the addition of active noise cancellation and several upgrades over the FN6. So, is it enough to make a favourable case for the FN7 earbuds? LG Tone Free FN7 design – Almost identical to the FN6, but with a few key changes The new touch pad makes input recognition more accurate A second LED light has been added to the case ...

The Lindy BNX-100XT are headphones for those who would really like the Sony WH-1000XM4 , but can’t afford them. They look good, offer respectable active noise cancellation and fair sound quality for £100. However, there’s a massive gulf between how the Lindy BNX-100XT sound with active noise cancellation on and off. Bass is a bloated, soggy mess without ANC. Thankfully, they perform better with it switched on. But turning it on introduces another sound issue. Nevertheless, the Lindy BNX-100XT are still a solid choice if you want a pair of good-looking full-size headphones for less than £100. Lindy BNX-100XT design – They don’t look out place next to more expensive headphones Lindy has made affordable alternatives to the most popular headphones of the day for the best part of a decade. And its models usually hang around for a while. However, the Lindy BNX-100XT are an update to the BNX-100 released in 2020. This new pair has USB-C charging, and Lindy claims they use a new driver...

The Klipsch T5 II are true wireless earphones, a more expensive sequel to the Klipsch T5 reviewed in 2020. They cost £185, putting them in direct competition with some of the very best true wireless earphones around , including the much-loved Sony WF-1000XM3 . The Klipsch T5 II have a few notable highlights, including an unusually close focus on the mid-range and excellent low bass and sub-bass. However, they lack the one feature that the majority will want, active noise cancellation, and are surprisingly prone to sibilance given these are otherwise slightly darker-sounding earphones. Klipsch T5 II design and comfort – Plasticky, but they offer a solid fit The most striking part of the Klipsch T5 II design isn’t the earphones themselves, but the case in which you put them in. Just like the Klipsch T5, the charging case has a shell finished in brushed aluminium, with a flick-up lid that makes it feel like a Zippo lighter. This case is larger and heavier than most, but there’s cha...

A couple of years after the release of the Melomania 1 true wireless earbuds, Cambridge Audio is back with the Melomania Touch. Rather than a retread of the original Melomania (which, if you weren’t already aware, means a love of music and isn’t a reference to melanomas), the Melomania Touch come with a new design and more features for just a slight increase in the RRP. We gave the Melomania 1 five stars back in 2019 , calling them “talented beyond their price”. Are we about to see a repeat? Read on for our initial impressions… Related: Best wireless earbuds Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch design – An all-new look It’s all change for the Melomania Touch in terms of design. The bullet shape of the Melomania 1 is gone, replaced by a more conventional look, but one that’s far more stylish and distinctive than other earbuds around the Touch’s price point. For one, these earbuds carry a beautifully sculpted look. I’d describe them as more teardrop shaped than the more conventional “e...