As physical media makes a comeback, we've been tracking some of our favorite external CD/DVD writers. And while most do exactly that, this external drive from Suidek does...well, I won't say everything, but it does a lot.
Alongside playing and burning CDs and DVDs, as you'd expect, it also has six other ports - notably, an M.2 NVMe interface with 10Gbps transfer rates. There's also two USB-A 2.0 and a single USB-C port, and SD and microSD card slots. So, it goes well beyond a device to creating and playing traditional physical media.
• Best for: Collectors, archivists and laptop owners who want a disc drive that also reads cards and SSDs.
External CD/DVD Drive: was $49.99 now $44.99 The drive reads CDs at 24x and DVDs at 8x and burns full-size discs at the same speeds, while 80mm discs are read-only. The 7-in-1 design adds an M.2 NVMe slot, SD and microSD readers, a USB-C port and two USB-A ports, all running at USB 2.0 speeds. It works with Windows, macOS and Linux devices. View Deal
Why we recommend it
This is an easy way to rip a shelf of CDs and DVDs or burn a backup disc without a built-in drive. The M.2 NVMe slot and SD readers are what set it apart from plain optical drives, so it can also double as a card reader or a bare-drive enclosure. It has a 4.2-star average across more than 1,400 Amazon ratings.
Price Context & Historical Value
At $44.99, this is $5 (10%) off the $49.99 list price, so the saving is small. Plain external DVD drives on Amazon are cheaper, so you're paying for the card readers and the M.2 slot. The lowest price I've seen this CD/DVD writer fall to is $40, typically around sales seasons like Prime Day and Black Friday. So, a fair deal - I wouldn't recommend paying full price, as it often has a discount like this.
Should you buy it?
✅ Buy the Suidek 7-in-1 external CD/DVD drive with M.2 NVMe slot if...
You want to rip or burn CDs and DVDs and also need an SD card reader or an M.2 NVMe slot in one device.
❌ Skip the Suidek 7-in-1 external CD/DVD drive with M.2 NVMe slot if...
You need Blu-ray support, fast file transfers, since all the ports are USB 2.0, or only want to play discs, since plain drives cost less.
More CD/DVD writer deals
External USB Slim DVD-RW Drive: $29.99 The Dell DW316 is a lightweight and slim 14mm external USB DVD writer, with CD and DVD reading and writing, USB power, and plug-and-play operation. The CyberLink Media Suite 12 software is included free.View Deal
Zendrive Black External DVD Burner: $44.99 This 13mm external DVD writer supports 8x DVD and 24x CD speeds, M-DISC archival media, USB-A and USB-C connections, Windows and Mac compatibility, Disc Encryption II, and Nero BackItUp software.View Deal
External DVD Drive: $19.99 This DVD writer keeps things simple with a slim 13mm body and built-in USB-A and USB-C cables. USB 3.0 support delivers steady speeds, with up to 24x CD and 8x DVD read and write performance across multiple operating systems.View Deal
External DVD Drive: was $47.99 now $41.75 The Alxum model adds extra flexibility with three USB ports, SD and microSD slots, and support for a 2.5-inch SATA drive. It handles 24x CD and 8x DVD speeds, while also allowing file transfers between discs, cards, and connected storage devices.View Deal
Nvidia claims that for each gigawatt an AI data center uses, only 70% is used for AI work
Inefficiencies include cooling and power distribution, failures, and restarts
While a chip shortage was considered to be the main bottleneck to AI data center capacity, it is now a facility’s connection to the grid
AI data centers are inefficient, says Nvidia, with various physical and systems issues contributing to power use beyond AI processing. This opinion, shared by data center builder Vertiv at its recent annual EMEA event, underpins future development steps, in which it plans to assemble sustainable facilities.
Vertiv and Nvidia have been collaborating since early 2026 on co-designing the next generation of data centers, with Vertiv providing power and infrastructure management for Nvidia’s GPUs.
With a maximum of 70% of electricity drawn from the grid used for AI processing, the remaining 30% represents inefficiencies that optimized data center designs for the future should reduce.
That's not efficient
Although the various inefficiencies affecting AI data centers may not come as a surprise, the scale of them might. According to Nvidia – via its Vice President of Supercomputing, AI Cloud Infrastructure, and AI/HPC for EMEA Rod Evans – that 30% consists of infrastructure and system issues.
For a one-gigawatt data center, 20% is lost through cooling, power distribution, and conversion. A further 10% is lost to incorrectly configured racks, as well as failures and restarts.
Evans says that “You sign a contract for 100 megawatts, but you never actually get that. With a bit of luck, you’ll get 93 megawatts, and at certain times of the day, even less.”
Nvidia believes some of the 30% (which can be as high as 40%) can be recovered. Evans notes that “A data center is actually designed for peak load and outages, not for what it typically uses.” This means that unused capacity can be tapped, and power and cooling can be revised to find the optimum configurations.
Bottlenecks of power
Rod Evans states that Nvidia and Vertiv are planning data centers that are more efficient and sustainable. “Together, we want to build sustainable AI data centers where the focus isn’t on using as much power as possible, but on getting the most out of every watt.”
One of the most significant details from the press conference is the challenge posed to AI data centers not by a shortage of chips, but by a lack of power. Bottlenecks are resulting in underpowered data centers, with some waiting for several years to receive the power to match their capacity.
This can be impacted by location. Vertiv’s EMEA president Paul Ryan explained that while you can get power in some locations but no permit. “In another, the permit is granted quickly, but there’s no power. And sometimes you have both, but the location is so remote that you can barely get the equipment there.”
The US exported 7,592 military drones, narrowly ahead of Iran's 6,800
Iran overtook America in 2025 after US deliveries dropped to 402
Russia received 99% of Iran's exported drones, mostly Shahed-136 attack systems
The United States exported the most military drones between 2022 and 2025, narrowly beating Iran, which ranked second worldwide during the period.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) records 7,592 American exports against 6,800 Iranian deliveries, while Germany ranked a distant third with 1,000 exports.
Together, the US and Iran accounted for 86% of global exports, with Ukraine receiving 95% of American shipments while Russia got 99% of Iran’s deliveries, most of which were Shahed-136 one-way attack drones.
Iran overtakes the US as exports shift
Although Washington maintained the lead across most of the period, annual figures changed significantly in 2025, when Iranian deliveries exceeded American shipments.
Iran exported 2,002 drones that year, compared with 402 delivered by the United States.
The decline of American shipments is due to the suspension of military assistance to Ukraine, which had received most US exports during the preceding years.
Subsequent American deliveries were directed mainly toward Taiwan, marking a change in the destinations receiving these systems.
The figures cover military drones weighing at least 150 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 331 pounds, including loitering munitions and one-way attack aircraft.
Small first-person-view drones and commercial models were excluded, meaning the figures do not capture every type of unmanned aircraft supplied internationally.
One-way attack platforms accounted for 97% of recorded exports, indicating that expendable systems dominated the shipments measured by SIPRI during the period.
Their prevalence also explains why the figures should not be interpreted as a comprehensive count of military drones worldwide.
Poland and others trail the leading exporters
In addition to the top exporters, within the same period, Poland exported 690 drones to take fourth place whileTurkey occupied fifth place with 381 exports, despite supplying customers across a considerably wider international network.
Ankara delivered drones to 28 countries, including Pakistan, Kuwait and Romania, which belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Its Bayraktar TB2 accounted for 58% of worldwide exports of reusable drones, distinguishing Turkey’s position within that category.
The Czech Republic, Sweden and the next seven countries in the rankings collectively exported just 89 drones, considerably fewer than Germany or Poland.
Their combined deliveries also fell far below Turkey’s total, despite the latter ranking behind both European countries in overall export numbers.
The figures therefore distinguish the country’s leading total military drone shipments from those supplying particular categories of aircraft.
However, SIPRI’s weight threshold and exclusion of smaller commercial and first-person-view models limit comparisons with estimates covering the entire unmanned aircraft market.
The latest Google Play Services update brings four upgrades to Google Wallet
The biggest of these is the ability to scan and store receipts
It also adds an in-app message center, improved merchant names, and a smoother payment process
If you have an Android phone then you’re probably already using Google Wallet, and with the latest Google Play Services update it’s getting slightly better in four ways.
As spotted by Android Police, the October Google Play Services update (v26.40) is rolling out now, and it — among other things — brings the ability to scan receipts into Google Wallet, so you’ll be able to save and view them in the wallet interface.
Additionally, this update improves merchant names in transaction notifications. Google hasn’t specified how they’re improved, but presumably this is aimed at providing more clarity about who or what you’ve sent money to.
More messages and fewer payment screens
(Image credit: Google)
The update also adds an in-app message center to Google Wallet, and while it’s not clear what kind of messages you might receive, we can imagine they might for example tell you about updates to the service — such as the ones we’re writing about here.
Finally, if you use Google Pay through Chrome for Android, the update lets you now “skip the Payment Request UI when you provide merchants with your name, email, and phone number.” That presumably makes for a faster, smoother payment process.
So while none of these upgrades are individually massive, combined they should make for a notable difference to your Google Pay experience.
The update will roll out automatically, so if you’re not seeing these changes yet, you likely will do soon. But to check what version of Google Play Services you have, you can head to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services, and you should see the version number at the bottom of this screen.
If your internet plan or devices have outgrown your old router, TP-Link's Archer BE670 Wi-Fi 7 model has on a good discount right now with all the features I recommend.
• Best for: Multi-gig or fiber households and home offices that want a fast tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router with room to grow.
• Why it matters: There are several reasons why I like this router deal. Notably, it's a tri-band model, so you get the full feature-set of a Wi-Fi 7, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands with MLO support for seamless roaming. With six antennae, it covers up to 2,600 sq. ft. for up to 128 devices. And the 10Gbps WAN/LAN port means the router won't be the bottleneck if you have or plan an upgrade to a multi-gig internet plan.
BE670 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Router: was $299.99 now $249.99 The BE670 is a BE12000 tri-band router with speeds up to 5,765 Mbps on 6 GHz, 5,765 Mbps on 5 GHz, and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. It adds 320MHz channels and Multi-Link Operation, plus one 10Gbps WAN/LAN port, one 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, three 1Gbps LAN ports, a USB 3.0 port, EasyMesh support, and HomeShield security. TP-Link says it supports up to 128 devices, and Amazon sells and ships it.View Deal
Why we recommend it
For me, the port layout sets it apart at this price: a 10Gbps port and a 2.5Gbps port sit alongside Wi-Fi 7, so it should keep up with fiber plans and fast wired devices as you upgrade. Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with Multi-Link Operation also lets compatible phones and laptops use more than one band at once, though your devices need Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 to benefit for the fastest speeds.
Price Context & Historical Value
At $249.99, this is $50 (17%) off Amazon's $299.99 list price. According to CamelCamelCamel, that's almost the lowest price new since March - although Keepa suggests it dropped to $230 in June. So, it's about what I'd expect to pay for a Wi-Fi 7 router outside of a sales event like Prime Day or Black Friday.
Should you buy it?
✅ Buy the TP-Link Archer BE670 Wi-Fi 7 router if... you have a multi-gig internet plan or lots of wired gear, and you want a Wi-Fi 7 router with a 10Gbps port.
❌ Skip the TP-Link Archer BE670 Wi-Fi 7 router if... you only have a gigabit plan and a handful of devices, since cheaper Wi-Fi 7 routers will do, or you want a tested pick, since we haven't tested the BE670 ourselves and it has only 125 Amazon ratings so far.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is one of the stand-out audio products I've reviewed in 2026. In many ways, it defies belief. Despite being pretty small for a traditional party speaker, it produces almighty audio, with the sort of bass you’d expect from a model twice its size. And, what’s more, it's pretty affordable.
Sony has made a bunch of changes to its new ULT range, and they appear to have paid off. Perhaps the highest-profile change is the shift towards newly developed rounded woofers, marking a departure from the almost rectangular X-Balanced woofer units seen on previous ULT models. The tech giant told me that this was in an effort to maximize deep bass — something that’s crucial for a party environment. And this, in my view, was a great choice.
As with all of the best Bluetooth speakers in this size-class, the ULT Tower 5 plates up incredibly powerful yet regimented low-end output. When tuning into Everytime by Jesse Maas, the house track’s pumping deep bass was replicated to an excellent standard — it was agile and rhythmic, while also remaining driven and meaty. And this never came at the expense of other sounds in the frequency range, with electronic elements and vocals in the mid-range given plenty of room to breathe, and higher-pitched drums cutting through with precision.
(Image credit: Future)
Here, I was using the 'ULT 2' EQ mode, which delivers a powerful yet rounded performance. With ULT 1 mode, deep bass is prioritized, and I found this to be ideal for outdoor environments. For instance, when I tuned into First Summer by H.K., I was mesmerized by the richness and rippling power of the low-end, which was undeterred by wind noise, cars driving past, and other ambient sounds. This mode will also work brilliantly for large open indoor spaces, but is ill-suited to the acoustics of smaller rooms. It’s worth flagging that the ULT Tower 5 has a maximum power output of 300W, so it can also get super loud, no matter where you are.
Other energetic tracks, such as What We Got by Midas Field and Marijn Jansen, also sounded impeccable on the ULT Tower 5. The speaker showed off its impressive handling of dynamics with impactful bass drops, produced textured vocals in the build-up, and even created a wide, expansive soundstage for this speaker's size, with the angled tweeters conjuring up an impressive sense of space. However, the ULT Tower 5 does lack the 360 sound that its larger siblings have due to the lack of rear-facing drivers, and I definitely felt like audio wasn't anywhere near as full-sounding when listening from the side or back of the speaker.
This is a party-first speaker, of course, but there is a Flat EQ mode if you want to listen to more stripped-back tracks, and it works well — especially if you want to enjoy resonant and detailed vocal performances. This does take a lot of weight out from the low-end, though, so it's a bit more situational than the ULT 1 and 2 options. There’s also a Live mode, which is intended to create a more realistic replication of live recordings, or a 10-band custom equalizer if you want to make more granular changes — the ULT Tower 5 is incredibly versatile.
(Image credit: Future)
I mainly streamed over Bluetooth when testing, and had Sony’s very own LDAC codec active, which enables higher-res listening if your device supports it — something that a lot of party speakers skip on. However, you can connect to the speaker in so many other ways. There’s a USB-A port if you want to listen to tunes from a USB drive, there’s USB-C, XLR, and even RCA if you want to hook up a DJ controller or turntable. The audio quality and connectivity options available mean that this model is well-suited to casual or even professional use.
There’s also a port that lets you plug in a mic for some karaoke, if that’s your thing. The speaker has built-in effects for karaoke, like a voice changer, echo, and the like. There’s also a party pad for playing sound effects, drum sounds, robotic noises… you name it.
If you have multiple ULT Towers, there’s also the option to link them up with Party Chain. I tried pairing the ULT Tower 5 with the Tower 7, and all it took was a simple button press on each model. It was quick, easy, and produced an even more mighty sound. When I went to a demo for Sony’s new ULT range, I even got to hear ten ULT Towers daisy chained together, which opened up devastatingly powerful sound.
A lot of the functions I’ve described, like EQ tweaking, the party pad, switching connectivity method, and more, are available through the Sony Sound Connect app. While a lot of rival apps have a tendency to be buggy or awkward to navigate, Sony’s control app was phenomenally easy to use, rich in features, and reliable at all times. It also has options like Sound Field Optimization, which automatically detects external noise and adjusts sound accordingly, as well as power conservation and light customization settings.
Let’s talk about the lights, actually, because they’re a big part of this model’s aesthetic. They look fantastic in my opinion — sure, they’re RGB, not the classy stage-style lights of a model like the Marshall Bromley 750 — but they’re still tasteful and flashy. You can customize the pattern and color of the lights in the Sound Connect app or via physical controls, and these can even synchronize to the rhythm of your tunes for a truly immersive experience.
More generally, the build quality of the ULT Tower 5 is strong. Yes, it’s pretty hefty, and doesn’t have a pull-out handle for traveling over longer distances, but it’s nowhere near as cumbersome as its larger sibling, the ULT Tower 7. Its plastic exterior looks surprisingly premium, its rounded appearance is sleek, and even the ULT icon has some appeal — it can be twisted to adjust volume, or pressed to switch EQ mode.
As the speaker is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, it’s also equipped with IPX4 waterproofing. This means that it can survive multi-directional water splashes without issue. Sure, this is fairly standard for a party speaker like this and by no means ground-breaking, but it should be enough to keep the speaker alive if you spill some water on it or if there’s some light rain.
How about battery life? Well, the Sony ULT Tower 5 provides up to 20 hours of playback with its lights turned off, which is good for a model of this size and power. It’s more than a rival like the JBL PartyBox 130 too, which can deliver up to 16 hours. If you need to squeeze a bit more life out of the ULT Tower 5, there’s also a Stamina mode, which gives you extended battery life at the expense of lighting and ULT Power Sound. Still, if you want the full experience, you can still use the ULT Tower 5 while it's connected to the mains, and juicing it back up doesn’t take all too long — you can get about 100 minutes of playback from just a 10 minute charge.
The big question, then, is the Sony ULT Tower 5 worth the money? My answer: absolutely. This model comes in at $449.99 / £349 / AU$549, and for a speaker of this size and power, with so many features and an eye-catching design, I think you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck. When you consider that a far smaller Bluetooth speaker like the JBL Xtreme 5 is just $50 / £20 less than that, the value on offer here is striking.
I’ve tested party speakers that can rival the ULT Tower 5, like the Marshall Bromley 450 for instance. And while that model sounds spectacular and looks even better than the ULT Tower 5, it does come in at about $350 / £200 / AU$500 more. So, if you want a party speaker with great sound and features at an enticing price, then the Sony ULT Tower 5 gets a full recommendation from me.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony ULT Tower 5 review: price & release date
Priced at $449.99 / £349 / AU$549
Released in September 2026
The Sony ULT Tower 5 was released in September 2026 alongside two sibling models, the larger Sony ULT Tower 7, and the gigantic Sony ULT Max. It’s priced at $449.99 / £349 / AU$549, which is a seriously tempting price for a speaker with so much power and such advanced features.
For reference, that’s only about $50 / £20 more than the JBL Xtreme 5 would cost you, which is a far smaller, less meaty model. It’s also in a very similar ballpark to a rival like the JBL PartBox 130, and considerably cheaper than premium alternatives like the Marshall Bromley 450.
Sony ULT Tower 5 review: specs
Weight
28lbs / 12.7kg
Dimensions
14.1 x 21 x 11 inches / 358 x 534 x 280mm
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3, RCA, XLR (in and out), USB-A, USB-C, mic input (6.3mm)
Battery life
20 hours
Speaker drivers
1x 230mm woofer, 2x 60mm tweeters
Waterproofing
IPX4
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Sony ULT Tower 5?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Features
Swathe of connectivity methods, broad EQ options, customizable lighting, LDAC for higher-res listening.
5/5
Performance
Excellent bass for the speaker’s size, clean mids and tight highs, lacks 360 sound of larger models.
4.5/5
Design
Striking look with appealing and dynamic lighting, well-built, IPX4 waterproofing is decent but nothing special.
4.5/5
Value
A simply stellar price for the power and quality on offer.
5/5
Buy it if…
You want an all-in one party solution The ULT Tower 5 feels like the definitive, affordable party speaker. It has a wide range of connectivity options, meaning it's good for casual listening, DJing, karaoke… you name it. This model has it all.
You’re looking for a speaker with a striking look I love the look of the Sony ULT Tower 5 — it’s striking, with bold, customizable lighting, a very solid standard of build, and an appealing, curved design. If you want a speaker that stands out, this is a solid choice.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re looking for 360-degree audio Due to the lack of rear-facing drivers, the Sony ULT Tower 5 is unable to whip up top-tier audio from all angles — it only sounds at its best when facing the listener. If you want more convincing 360-degree sound, it's worth checking out the larger ULT Tower 7 or Max models, or going for a speaker like the Marshall Bromley 450, which sounds great no matter where you’re standing.
You need top-tier waterproofing While IPX4 is the standard rating for a party speaker of this ilk, it’s by no means anything special. It should get you through some light spills or rain, but I’ve tested similar rivals that go up to IP55, which protects against dust ingress and low-pressure water jets.
Sony ULT Tower 5 review: also consider
Sony ULT Tower 5
JBL PartyBox 130
Marshall Bromley 450
Price
$449.99 / £349 / AU$549
$449.99 / £349.99 / AU$595
$799.99 / £549.99 / AU$1,079
Weight
28lbs / 12.7kg
24.8lbs / 11.3kg
26.9lbs / 12.2kg
Dimensions
14.1 x 21 x 11 inches / 358 x 534 x 280mm
11.7 x 22.6 x 11.9 inches / 29.8 x 57.5 x 30.3mm
19.4 x 14.2 x 10.3 inches / 492 x 359.9 x 260.9mm
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3, RCA, XLR (in and out), USB-A, USB-C, mic input (6.3mm)
Bluetooth 6.0, 3.5mm (in and out), optical, USB-C, 2x mic inputs (6.3mm)
JBL PartyBox 130 JBL is extremely dominant in this segment of the speaker market and it’s not hard to see why. They produce flashy party speakers with impactful bass output, eye-catching lights, and a huge array of connectivity options. And the JBL PartyBox 130 is no exception. It doesn’t quite offer as much battery life as the ULT Tower 5, but it does provide dual woofers, karaoke functionality, and the same IPX4 waterproofing.
Marshall Bromley 450 OK, this one’s considerably pricier than the ULT Tower 5, but it earns its price in a number of ways. First of all, it has a considerably more fleshed-out driver configuration than Sony’s speaker, with dual subwoofers and four full range units (plus a couple of passive radiators). It also has a seriously luxurious look with a stunning faux-leather exterior, stage light-inspired LEDs, and eye-catching golden details. And that battery life… So yes, you get what you pay for with the Bromley 450, but it can’t compete with the sheer affordability of its Sony rival. Read my full Marshall Bromley 450 review.
How I tested the Sony ULT Tower 5
(Image credit: Future)
Tested in our music testing space at Future Labs and outdoors
Mainly streamed tunes over Tidal
Tried Party Chain functionality alongside ULT Tower 7
I spent countless hours listening to music on the Sony ULT Tower 5, which I tested indoors at our music testing room at Future Labs, as well as outdoors in the office parking lot. This enabled me to test the fidelity of audio in a quiet and controlled space as well as a busy, noisy environment.
For the most part, I connected to the ULT Tower 5 over Bluetooth and played tracks via Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, which supports LDAC. To begin with, I sifted through the TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to hours worth of tunes from my personal library, including a lot of bass-heavy bangers. On top of this, I tried pairing the ULT Tower with the Sony ULT Tower 7 to test out the Party Chain function.
More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from premium wireless headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion to Dolby Atmos soundbars, like the JBL Bar 1300MK2. Of course, I’ve also tested a huge array of Bluetooth speakers as well, including party-ready models like the LG xboom Stage 301 and the Marshall Bromley 750.
49ers vs Seahawks kick-off: Sun, Oct 11 at 4.25pm ET / 9.25pm BST / 7.25am AEDT (Mon)
The 49ers vs Seahawks is the game of Week 5 and arguably the game of the 2026 NFL season so far. Not only are they fierce NFC West rivals, but San Francisco are the league's joint-second top-scorers, while Seattle have conceded fewer yards and passing yards than anyone else.
Simply put, if there's a defense that can stifle the 49ers' red-hot Brock Purdy-led offense it's the Seahawks', and if there's an offense that break through Seattle's vaunted lines it's San Fran's.
And then there are the coaches. Kyle Shanahan and Mike Macdonald took no time to forge a mutual aversion, and it's the Seahawks coach who's just about had the upper hand. He was on the losing end of their first encounter two years ago, but the Hawks have since held the Niners to fewer than 11 points per game across four meetings.
And Seattle's two most recent victories over San Francisco were as important as they were emphatic. With the NFC's No.1 seed on the line, they crushed them 13-3 in January, before knocking them out of the playoffs off the back of a 41-6 pasting.
Purdy is yet to be sacked this season, but Leonard Williams and Ernest Jones IV will be throwing everything at him at Lumen Field this Sunday.
Read on as we explain how to watch 49ers vs Seahawks for free.
Can you watch 49ers vs Seahawks for free?
Yes. 49ers vs Seahawks is being shown on free-to-air Channel 5 and 5 in the UK, and on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Play in Ireland.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch 49ers vs Seahawks for free as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch 49ers vs Seahawks live streams
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual streaming services. One of our favorites is IPVanish – it does everything and comes with up to 83% off.
Get IPVanish and stream 49ers vs Seahawks from anywhere.View Deal
How to watch 49ers vs Seahawks live streams in the US
In the US, the 49ers vs Seahawks game is being shown on Fox and Fox One.
Fox One starts at $19.99/month or $99/year after a 3-day free trial.
Fox is carried by several OTT streaming platforms, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream and the Fubo Sports + News plan, each of which offers new customers a free trial and provides near-comprehensive coverage of the NFL this season.
Sling TV's $19.99/month Select plan also include access to the Fox One app, while its $45.99/month Blue plan carries Fox.
Outside of the US?IPVanish can unblock your stream from anywhere in the world.
How to watch 49ers vs Seahawks live streams in the UK
In the UK, 49ers vs Seahawks is free-to-air on Channel 5, with live streaming available via the 5 platform.
If you're traveling outside of the UK, you can make use of IPVanish to access that free 49ers vs Seahawks coverage.
It's also available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Football.
Sky Sports packages start at £35/month, with £24/month pricing available to existing Sky customers. You can also tune in via a NOW Sports membership that carries the Sky Sports channels.
How to watch 49ers vs Seahawks live streams in Australia
In Australia, the 49ers vs Seahawks game is being shown on ESPN via Foxtel, with live streaming available via Kayo Sports.
Kayo Sports subscriptions start at AU$30 per month after a 7-day free trial, as detailed above. Equally, you can get your first month for AU$1.
It's also available to stream live on NFL Game Pass on DAZN, which is showing every remaining game, including the Super Bowl.
Prices start at AU$149 for the season if you pay upfront, rising to AU$34.99/month if you commit to 12 months, and AU$33.99/week on a rolling basis.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like IPVanish to watch the action as if you were back home.
How to watch 49ers vs Seahawks live streams in Canada
(Image credit: Other)
The 49ers vs Seahawks game is available to watch on DAZN in Canada.
DAZN, which is showing every 2026 NFL fixture, starts at CA$24.99/month.
It's also being shown on CTV, which is available for free if you have a TV antenna or cable. CTV requires your TV provider login details, but is also available via pay-TV streaming platform Crave.
If you're out of Canada but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
What is the 49ers vs Seahawks start time?
The scheduled 49ers vs Seahawks kick-off time on Sunday, October 11 is 1.25pm PT local time in Seattle, which is 4.25pm ET / 9.25pm BST.
That's 7.25am AEDT on Monday, October 12 in Australia.
What is the 49ers vs Seahawks head-to-head?
The 49ers and Seahawks have faced off on 57 previous occasions, San Francisco winning 24 of those games and Seattle 33.
Can I watch 49ers vs Seahawks on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters, like 5, have streaming platforms that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NFL news and plays on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@NFL), Instagram (@NFL), TikTok (@NFL) and YouTube (@NFL).
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The EliteBook X G2i is deceptively lightweight due to the magnesium alloy that’s been used to make the outer casing, and as I’ve seen before with this material when it’s used in laptops, whilst the material itself is exceptionally strong, there is quite a bit of flex to it, which could be mistaken for a cheaper design.
However, the aesthetics back up the premium pricing of this business-focused laptop, and with its 14-inch screen and weight that comes in just below a kilo, it’s the perfect partner for anyone who travels frequently and needs a high-powered laptop to keep up with all their business dealings.
Inside is the latest Intel Core Ultra X7 358H CPU, which is coupled with Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics, and of course there’s also an integrated NPU to enhance all the AI potential from Copilot and other applications.
This laptop is obviously business-focused. However, that B390 GPU packs in some serious power, and whilst it isn’t gaming-focused, if you do want some downtime on a business trip, then this is very capable of playing some of the latest games. Whilst you might have to dial down some of the graphics, you’ll still get decent gameplay backed up with pretty decent audio.
Checking over the body, there’s a select choice of inputs, including the full-size HDMI, so when you arrive at your destination you can plug into larger monitors or displays, including projectors for presentations. There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports that offer up to 40Gbps, so you can plug in larger external drives to expand on the relatively small 1TB internal SSD. On the right-hand side, there are two more ports: standard USB-A and a slower USB Type-C 3.2.
As I ran through the tests, first of all starting off with Microsoft Office, this laptop kept pace with opening Word documents, editing and updating spreadsheets, and creating PowerPoint presentations, and this was all well within the capabilities of this powerful laptop. What was especially relevant here was that 3K-resolution screen, which just gives you that extra bit of real estate so that, when it comes to laying out your work, you’re not struggling to see palettes or the presentation at full size.
As I swapped over to some creative applications, starting in Lightroom then progressing onto Photoshop, again the speed of this laptop really stood out. It handled Photoshop without issue, and Lightroom rendered libraries quickly. As I then progressed onto CapCut and then Premiere Pro for video editing. Whilst I did need to plug in an external SSD to boost the storage, the machine itself was more than capable of handling short 4K edits without missing a frame.
The only time the machine did start to show limitations was as I swapped over to playing games, and whilst it was capable of running Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Hogwarts Legacy, as I started to crank up the graphics, I could start to see the frame rates struggle and the fans kick in. However, that said, using the standard settings set through the installation for these games, the gameplay was exceptionally good.
The power of this small machine is reflected in the price, and this is by no means cheap, especially when you consider it only has a 1TB hard drive and 32GB of RAM. When you go up to the next level, the price does dramatically increase.
However, I'd rate this as one of the best business laptops for those looking for a machine that goes well beyond everyday work. Yes, it supplies far more power than most people will require, but the balance of ability and cost is exceptionally well considered, and when you take into account just how powerful it is and just how lightweight, if you travel frequently, then this is a great option.
At present, the HP EliteBook X G2i is available for £2,445.59 including VAT, and in the US, a similar configuration to the one that I’ve looked at here retails for around US$3,599. The laptop is widely available either directly through the HP website or through most major retailers, both on the high street and online.
Value: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
HP EliteBook X G2i: Specs
CPU: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 16 cores/16 threads, up to 4.8GHz Graphics: Intel Arc B390 integrated GPU RAM: 32GB LPDDR5x-9600 onboard Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Display: 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz, 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3 Left Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 40Gbps, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio combo Right Ports: USB-C 10Gbps, USB-A 5Gbps, nano security-lock slot Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE211 (2x2), Bluetooth 6 Audio: Poly Studio, four stereo speakers, dual microphones with AI noise reduction Camera: 5MP IR AI camera with privacy shutter
HP EliteBook X G2i: Design
When it comes to design, the EliteBook X G2i is incredibly understated. It’s finished in a dark blue, which HP has called Atmospheric Blue, which does give it a premium look, although when you first pick up the laptop, the lightweight build and the slight flex that you get with all-magnesium-alloy cases are slightly in contrast to what you expect.
However, having spent a couple of weeks fully testing the EliteBook X G2i and carrying it in my backpack, I’ve been impressed by both its durability and its lightweight design, which is far lighter than my usual MacBook Pro M1 Max, yet the power is easily equal to what the Mac is capable of.
Through the test, I planned a small video edit and PowerPoint presentations to create, and having to create these on the move seemed like a perfect time to put the laptop to the test. A couple of points that I noticed as I headed out the door were that the 1 TB SSD, which is fine for PowerPoint and most business-focused productivity, is still relatively small.
As I needed to also edit a video shot on the DJI OSMO Pocket 4P, I packed a Thunderbolt 4 portable SSD just to expand on the internal storage. This is where this laptop and its design really start to come into their own. The power is more than adequate for most productivity, but with that CPU and GPU combo, it’s also an ideal option for light to midweight creative applications such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The only downside is that 1 TB SSD is rather limited. However, with those two USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports on the side of the machine, I was able to connect a larger Thunderbolt 4 SSD to expand the storage, and this is a far cheaper option than opting for the larger-capacity internal SSD when speccing out the machine. The other point that I really like is that the HDMI on the side is full-sized, so when I arrived at the office or was ready for a lecture, I was able to plug the laptop directly into the existing system without the need for any adapters.
While the laptop is small and lightweight and packs in plenty of power, the one thing that impressed me more than anything else about the laptop was the quality of the keyboard. This is one of the best typing keyboards that I have ever come across on a laptop. The actuation of the keys is precise, and it has just a feeling of absolute quality. The keyboard layout is also well thought out, and whilst the cursor keys in the bottom right are half-sized, it’s just a pleasure to use.
When it comes to design, rather than aesthetics, it has a high-quality premium look, and whilst when you pick it up it is lightweight due to the magnesium casing, which does offer a little bit of flex, it is ultimately also extremely robust, just reinforcing its price point and intended use as a high-powered business machine to be used anywhere.
Design: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
HP EliteBook X G2i: Features
The feature set of this business-focused laptop is impressive, with an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H at the heart of the machine. This offers 16 cores and 16 threads and a boost up to 4.8GHz, which is more than enough for any corporate work but is also good for creative use as well as a bit of light to moderate gaming. Graphics are supplied by an integrated Intel Arc B390 GPU.
This is one up from many that we see in this level and type of laptop, which does give everything a little bit more potential. My review sample was equipped with 32GB of LPDDR5X onboard RAM. This means that it’s soldered to the motherboard and can’t be upgraded, but this is plenty for most productivity and even for light to midweight creative image and video use, although you are starting to hit the limits with video editing, and 64GB is generally the preferred amount.
When it comes to storage capacity, there’s a 1 TB NVMe SSD. This is a decent balance considering the cost of the machine, and if you do need more for video or just to store data, then you can pick up a relatively large and fast portable SSD that can be plugged into the ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 ports on the side.
As I’ve seen with a lot of mini PCs and laptops recently, there’s also an integrated NPU, and this is the Intel AI Boost NPU that provides up to 50 TOPS of performance and essentially helps Copilot and Adobe applications run locally without requiring online services for their AI features. If you’re thinking of running a local LLM then you can, but at 32GB RAM the potential is limited.
Impressively, when it comes to connectivity, there’s Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so they're the current generations for both wireless connectivity options. When it comes to more traditional wired connectivity, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which really show the premium level of this machine, and these support up to 40Gbps, ideal if you need to do some video editing.
But video and creative content aside, if you have large documents that you need to transfer to the machine or from one portable drive to another, then again that 40Gbps connection will be extremely welcome. Those ports also enable USB charging and DisplayPort 2.1. On the other side of the machine, there’s a further 10Gbps USB-C connection and a USB-A port for older devices if you need to connect them. This is really great to see on this level of machine, especially with its business focus.
Most importantly for business use is the fact that it offers HDMI 2.1, so if you need to connect up to a monitor, display or projector, then the full-size HDMI is pretty standard, so you shouldn’t need any other adapters. Essentially, you’ve got two different forms of connecting to displays: Thunderbolt 4 or the more standard HDMI.
The internal speakers for the laptop are also a bit of a surprise, and they offer really good audio clarity, both when listening back to meeting presentations and for playing games and listening to music. I also found that these were good, clear and loud for video conference calls, and those I was speaking to were able to hear me nice and clearly.
One of the big features of this new HP laptop is the HP business security suite, and as you start up, you get access to the full suite and its features, which include HP Admin, Sure Click, Sure Recover, Sure Sense and Tamper Lock. These all need to be set up by yourself or your IT team, but to have them all featured here just shows once again the focus on security and business of this laptop.
Features: 4.5 / 5
HP EliteBook X G2i: Performance
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmark scores
CrystalDiskMark Read: 3,470.97 MB/s CrystalDiskMark Write: 3,475.15 MB/s Geekbench 7 CPU Multi: 16,654 Geekbench 7 CPU Single: 2,106 Geekbench 7 GPU: 56,062 PCMark Overall: 7,522 Cinebench 2026 CPU Multi: 3,407 Cinebench 2026 CPU Single: 411 Fire Strike Overall: 13,767 Fire Strike Graphics: 17,305 Fire Strike Physics: 25,084 Fire Strike Combined: 4,289 Time Spy Overall: 6,918 Time Spy Graphics: 6,425 Time Spy CPU: 12,241 Wild Life Overall: 46,556 Steel Nomad Overall: 1,638 Sky Diver: Not recorded Windows Experience Overall: 8.9 Procyon: 1,667
Getting started with the HP EliteBook was all straightforward enough, and as I lifted it from the box, the first thing that struck me was just how lightweight this laptop is. With its magnesium-alloy casing, it had a nice, premium feel. There is a little bit of flex on the top of the machine, which you often get with these lightweight metals. That can be a bit deceptive, since you would normally associate that with cheaper units. However, through the two weeks of solid testing of this laptop, it was very obvious just how durable it is despite that slight flex.
Once the laptop is powered on, I ran through the usual Windows 11 Pro setup, which should take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the options that you select. It also enables Windows Hello, so you can open and access the laptop using your face rather than needing to type in a password. It’s then a case of setting up any applications that you want, and HP has included its security suite here as well, which prompts you at various stages to complete the setup.
The HP security suite essentially offers lots of different features, including malware threat protection, credential protection, a secure browser, OS resiliency, application persistence and other features. You do need to activate it and register, but for the first year it all seems to be free.
As I started out the test, loading Microsoft Office to check out productivity, and as the Windows Experience score of 8.9 highlighted, this laptop just takes all Windows applications in its stride. Opening up Word, PowerPoint and Excel, running all three and quickly switching between each was as fast as any laptop.
But what really stood out here was that 3K-resolution screen, which just gives you far greater real estate for all the panels, and whilst everything is obviously a little bit smaller on screen, you can see an awful lot. There’s really good, high-quality clarity to the visuals.
A quick run of Geekbench 6 and 7 highlighted just how fast the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is, and really, for all productivity, this machine is right at the top of what you would need. This was once again reinforced by the PCMark score.
As I progressed from productivity to creative applications and looked at Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, again the speed of the processor and GPU working together provided a great balance.
The extra resolution that the screen offers over the lower-resolution screens that you often see on this size of laptop really does make a difference, especially in Photoshop, where navigating panels was just that much easier. Opening multiple images open shot on the Canon EOS R5 C, the clarity of the images was exceptionally good, and I was impressed with the overall colour accuracy of the monitor.
The other point here was that, as I opened up Adobe Bridge to view the thumbnails of the images shot, the machine was able to render the thumbnails quickly. Whilst there was still some render time, it kept up with the pace of the scrolling, and there was no point where I had to wait for minutes for those thumbnails to appear.
Opening up palettes, layers and working on images with enhancements was absolutely no challenge to the CPU or GPU, and even when I utilised Generative Expand on a couple of images to take them from 16:9 to 21:9 aspect ratio, the machine was able to process those locally, and the results were exceptionally good.
My only point through editing was the lack of SSD space for images. However, that Thunderbolt port on the side, with a portable SSD connected, expanded the storage easily and cheaply. This storage was again utilised for video editing, as there’s just not enough space on that internal SSD to store much.
But with the Thunderbolt 4 connection offering 40Gbps, Premiere Pro was able to access the drive with speed for both media and caching, and short five-minute video edits were completed with absolute ease, including transitions and rendering.
The one surprise here was that the performance of the internal SSD was far slower than I expected, with read and write speeds around the 3,500MB/s mark, which, considering the premium price tag and the positioning of this laptop, was slower than I had expected, with most laptops these days offering at least 5,000 to 6,000MB/s.
However, for general productivity this speed is more than sufficient, and even for image editing and most video it will keep up with the speed. It’s only when multiple files are being accessed or transferred that you will start to see a slight slowdown.
To finish off the test, I loaded up Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and was pleased to see that, firstly, it loaded without issue, and the gameplay was pretty solid, with smooth motion and graphics, although some of the more advanced effects were turned down. Likewise, Hogwarts Legacy was equally impressive on speed, and again, whilst some of the effects were turned down, the overall quality of the animation and gameplay was superb.
This is a business-focused laptop, and that’s obvious from the aesthetics, design and weight, coming in at less than a kilo, which makes it a perfect option for travel. Whilst many lightweight laptops sit in the premium bracket they can also be underpowered, however, here the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H packs in far more power than much larger laptops, and from productivity to creative work and even gaming, this laptop was more than powerful enough to run them all.
The other point that really impressed me was the fact that there’s a good selection of ports, with Thunderbolt 4 being supplied over the usual USB4 Type-C, and full-size HDMI and a standard USB Type-A, which enable plenty of flexibility for connectivity wherever you are.
However, surprisingly, the feature that really stood out to me beyond anything else was the quality of the keyboard. It felt much nicer to type on and higher quality than I’ve seen on far more expensive laptops, and the typing experience was fluid and swift. For me, when you look at the price, specifications, and quality of the screen and keyboard, that makes this laptop an exceptionally good option for business.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
HP EliteBook X G2i: Final verdict
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
This ultralight 14-inch business laptop is powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra X7 358H processor and backed by Arc B390 graphics. Wow, this laptop is ultra-light. The performance has been levelled up, as there is plenty of power beyond simple office tasks, and whilst it’s perfect for all productivity, its abilities will also stretch to some relatively midweight creative use, including editing video and dealing with the latest AI tasks.
The EliteBook X G2i does sit at the premium end of the laptop range, especially when you consider that it just has 32GB of RAM and a one-terabyte internal SSD. However, the lightweight design is backed by some serious processing and graphics potential. When it comes to pure productivity, there are few other laptops at this price that can match it on power.
There are things that are limited, such as that upper limit of RAM and the storage capacity, and whilst the storage can be boosted due to the fact that it features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, the RAM will be a bit of a limitation if you are looking for a laptop that not only enables you to use all the Microsoft Office applications at the top of their performance but is also a very capable 4K video-editing machine.
Whilst it is able to edit 4K video with relative ease, the internal SSD is a limitation, as is the 32GB of RAM. However, for the lightweight use intended, it will be more than sufficient.
Essentially, what you have here is a very powerful laptop that matches the power that you would usually expect from something a lot larger and heavier, which makes this an ideal option for anybody who travels frequently and needs a powerful laptop that they can always carry with them.
Some of my early worries about the robustness of the build due to some slight flex in the casing were gradually dispelled, and it proved that the magnesium material was robust and strong after lasting out the test as I carried it around in my backpack for a couple of weeks. However, I would’ve preferred, for a laptop at this price, for that top casing just to be a little more rigid.
When you look at competitors at this end of the market, and at this price, the HP EliteBook X G2i is exceptionally well priced. But what gives it the edge is not the power but the keyboard, which I can say is one of the nicest keyboards that I’ve ever used.
Should I buy the HP EliteBook X G2i?
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Value
this is a business-focused laptop, and for its high-powered CPU and GPU, you are paying a premium.
3.5
Design
exceptionally light and slim, perfect for travel, but there is some flex in the casing
4
Features
well-balanced set of features for general use; however, for creative use I’d probably opt for the 64GB version.
4.5
Performance
all-round excellent performance from the CPU, GPU and NPU for both productivity and creative use.
4.5
Overall
if you need a robust, powerful, lightweight laptop for travel, then this is an exceptional option.
4
Buy it if...
Travel is essential
At just under a kilogram, the EliteBook is seriously lightweight, and packing in powerful components, it’s a great option for travel.
Graphics actually matter
The Intel Arc B390 graphics are exceptionally good and proved very capable for both creative use in Photoshop and Premiere Pro, as well as some 3D modelling and rendering within Blender.
Don't buy it if...
Value comes first
This is a business-focused machine, and with that focus come certain features and components that all command premium prices. You can get cheaper machines with just as powerful components for a lesser price.
Gaming is a priority
While the Arc B390 GPU is impressive for general and creative use, if you’re into gaming, then you are going to want a GPU with a little more power.
A couple of years on from the launch of the Sabre-R standmounting speaker, Ruark Audio is revisiting another of its Greatest Passive Loudspeaker Hits — and this Talisman-R is the result.
It’s a compact and unassuming design at first glance, but get up close and that sloping ‘double baffle’ design makes for an interesting point of visual difference and harks back to 1990’s original Talisman design. It has solid acoustic benefits, too. As has long been established Ruark Audio behavior, the Talisman-R is carefully constructed and beautifully finished, with some nice details that elevate the look.
This is a small and discreet cabinet fitted with a 27mm tweeter and a 170mm mid/bass driver, an array bolstered by a front-facing bass reflex port. As such you shouldn’t expect the largest sonic presentation this sort of money can buy, but in every other respect the Talisman-R alternates between ‘very good’ and ‘really very good indeed’. Its powers of organization and control are excellent, it is alert to even the finest details in a recording, it has a respectable amount of dynamic headroom available, and it expresses rhythms with real confidence and positivity. It’s nicely balanced where tonality is concerned, is very even when it comes to frequency response, and is never less than entertaining in its fundamental attitude.
Unless you’re trying to make an entirely different visual statement, and/or unless you’re trying to fill a large space with sound, there’s really no reason not to seek out the Ruark Audio Talisman-R and give it a good listen. A contender for the best stereo speakers on the market with good reason.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Price & release date
Launched June, 2026
Priced $2,399 / £1,499 / AU$3,299
The Ruark Audio Talisman-R floorstanding loudspeakers are on sale now, and in the United States they sell for $2,399 per pair. In the United Kingdom the going rate is £1,499, while in Australia they will set you back AU$3,299.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Features
27mm silk dome tweeter, 170mm natural fiber mid/bass driver
Forward-facing bass reflex port
35Hz - 20kHz frequency response
Like any sensible pair of passive loudspeakers, the Ruark Audio Talisman-R aren’t exactly overburdened with features. Those features that are present, though, are entirely fit for purpose.
Behind the magnetically attached grille there’s a 27mm silk dome tweeter driven by a neodymium motor arrangement. Beneath here (but still towards the top of the baffle) there’s a 170mm mid/bass natural fiber cone backed by a long-throw motor. And below this there’s a bass-reflex port, the forward-facing nature of which should theoretically make the Talisman-R a little more forgiving of room position than if it were at the rear of the cabinet.
Crossover is sensibly positioned at 2.2kHz, and the other numbers connected with the Ruark Audio are similarly encouraging. A nominal impedance of 6 ohms and sensitivity of 87dB/W suggests the Talisman-R are not all that difficult to drive (Ruark Audio recommends amplification power of somewhere between 75 and 200W), and the claimed frequency response is 35Hz - 20kHz.
Features score: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Sound quality
Controlled and organized (but also more fun than this might suggest)
Articulate and revealing, especially through the midrange
Not quite the out-and-out scale of some rivals
You’re no doubt aware that this sort of money spent with other loudspeaker brands will buy you bigger, more physically imposing designs with a higher driver-count and greater visual drama than the Talisman-R offers. But as I’m sure you’re also aware, it’s not what you’ve got but what you do with it that counts — and the sonic output of this small cabinet, with its unremarkable complement of drivers, is straightforwardly impressive.
The speakers are certainly an appreciably larger, more spacious listen than their appearance might suggest. Play America! by Bill Callahan and the soundstage they create is properly organized and extremely carefully focused. The ability to position a voice in the center of the stage, project it slightly without making it sound estranged from the rest of the action, and have it emanate from well above the top of the cabinets themselves is a talent that never gets old. The Talisman-R may not have the outright scale of some larger alternatives, but the coherence of the soundstage goes a very long way towards making up for it.
The positive, direct nature of the Ruark Audio attitude is very agreeable, too. Tonality is clean and consistent from the bottom of the frequency range to the top, and this goes a long way towards facilitating this level of clarity, but this sonic personality goes beyond tonal neutrality. It’s not about the amount of detail the speakers reveal, either — although their powers of detail retrieval are significant, both where the broad strokes and the more minor, more transient stuff is concerned. The candid, upfront quality of reproduction here also leans heavily on the midrange eloquence available. The articulate and revealing way the Talisman-R has with voices means everything in a vocal performance, from technique and tone to character and attitude, is made fully available.
The careful neutrality the speakers exhibit also means the overall presentation is quite tightly unified and ‘together’. There’s a sensation of singularity to the way these speakers present music that gives more than a hint of the idea of ‘performance’. Crossover between the drivers is imperceptible, the inputs of the bass reflex port are subtle and well-managed, ensuring the idea of coherent timing, that all of the frequency information is reaching your ears at the same time, is strong.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Frequency response itself is smooth and convincing. No area of the frequency range is overstated and no area is underplayed, even as the speakers give the midrange a little nudge towards the front of the stage. And its seems nigh-on impossible to fluster the Talsiman-R with the music you want to listen to — even an element-heavy and/or complex recording like If You Want Me by Cisco Cisco is properly organized on that gratifyingly well-defined soundstage, and the speakers give due weighting to the spaces and silences on the stage just as readily as they do to the actual occurrences.
Low frequencies are nicely shaped, equally nicely controlled, and the combination of punch and attack means there’s plenty of momentum available for those recordings that require it. Detail of tone and texture is readily available, there’s plenty of variation in the way the Ruark Audio presents bass sounds, and attack and decay is beautifully judged and naturalistic.
There’s ample dynamic headroom available for when the going gets particularly rowdy or intense. The Ruark Audio can track big shifts in volume and attack without sounding stressed or altering their sonic characteristics in any meaningful way. They’re generally untroubled by high volumes, either — there’s no suggestion of shoutiness or two-dimensionality to their presentation even if you listen at properly antisocial levels.
Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Design
840 x 210 x 255mm (HxWxD)
Choice of two finishes
‘Double baffle’ has sound acoustic principles
It doesn’t do to get carried away when it comes to the design of floorstanding loudspeakers — seldom does any good come of it. The Talisman-R, though, have enough about them where design is concerned to count as ‘interesting’ while stopping well short of ‘weird’.
At 840 x 210 x 255mm (HxWxD), each speaker is usefully compact and, at 17.6kg, no kind of burden to get into position. Those dimensions, though, don’t tell the whole story.
Seen from the dead ahead, the speakers seem to lean back just a little on their plinths. View them in profile, though, and it becomes apparent that they feature an extruded front baffle that is a little larger than the main body of the cabinet and that means the overall design is mildly trapezoid (just as the original Talisman was). In fact, the Ruark Audio feature a ‘double baffle’ arrangement that’s intended to minimize resonance and the transfer of vibrational energy from the drivers into the cabinet. So, not for the first time where this company is concerned, solid acoustic principles have had a pleasant knock-on effect where industrial design is concerned.
The standard of build and finish is, as we’ve all come to expect from Ruark Audio, basically impeccable. The satin charcoal finish of my review sample is smooth and almost tactile (an alternative finish, with a fused walnut baffle in front of the satin charcoal cabinet, is also available), the magnetically attached grilles sit neatly inside the baffle edges, and there’s a small design flourish at the bottom of the front panel in the shape of some trademark walnut slats and a little badge carrying the company logo. At a part of the market when too many rivals indulge in rather shouty looks, the Talisman-R are a model of visual discretion and understatement.
Design score: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Usability & setup
Bi-wire speaker cable terminals
Forward-facing bass reflex port helps with positioning
Silicone feet or floor spikes are available
As far as ‘usability’ is concerned, well, these are passive loudspeakers so there’s really not a great deal to it. Ruark Audio recommends ensuring the speakers are somewhere between 1.5m and 2.5m apart (bear in mind you will, ideally, be further from them when you’re listening than they are from each other), 20-30cm from rear and side walls, and toed in just a little towards your listening position. Each speaker has bi-wire cable terminals that can accept banana plugs, spade connections or bare wire — they’re linked when you take them from the box, so if you intend to bi-wire don’t forget to take the links off.
When they are unblocked the Talisman-R are fitted with low-profile silicone feet for use with hard floors. There are floor spikes in the packaging, too, which are ideal if your speakers are going to be on a carpeted floor.
As with almost every loudspeaker, it’s just a question of putting some hours on them before you make a judgement on the way the Talisman-R sound. A period of running in before a speaker is ready to reveal everything it’s capable of is far from unusual, and it’s the case here.
Usability & setup score: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Value
If you’re going to judge your $2,399 floorstanding speakers by the amount of space they occupy or by the number of drivers they feature, nothing about the Ruark Audio Talisman-R is going to convince you of the value for money they represent.
But if you value discretion, build quality and, above all, sound quality — and you’re not trying to fill an especially large space with music — then there’s an awful lot of bang for your buck here.
Value score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Should I buy the Ruark Audio Talisman-R Luxe?
Ruark Audio Talisman-R scorecard
Attribute
Notes
Score
Features
Not extensive, but entirely fit for purpose
5 / 5
Sound quality
Controlled and organized, while impressively revealing in the midrange
4.5 / 5
Design
Two finishes, with an impeccable standard of build
5 / 5
Setup & usability
Silicone feet or floor spikes available; multiple cable terminations
5 / 5
Value
Excellent all around, if you're not trying to fill a big room with music
4.5 / 5
Buy them if…
‘Compact’ and ‘discreet’ sound like just the ticket The Talisman-R mostly draws attention for its sound.
You admire craftsmanship The standard of build and finish on display here is unarguable.
You have the electronics to do them justice These speakers are not too picky, but obviously their partnering kit should be up to the job.
Don’t buy them if…
You have a big room to fill with sound The Talsiman-R are multi-talented, but outright scale is not one of their strengths.
You equate ‘quantity’ with ‘quality’ Similarly priced alternatives offer more than one tweeter and one mid/bass driver.
Ruark Audio Talisman-R review: Also consider
At either side of the asking price for a pair of Talisman-R you’ll find very worthwhile models from very credible brands.
The Q Acoustics 5050 are now available at around the $1,300 mark, and they represent excellent value for money where sound is concerned — they make a much more assertive visual statement than the Ruark Audio, too.
Go to the other end of the scale, consider spending $2,500, and the PMC Prodigy 5 can be yours. In their own way they’re just as visually unassuming as the Talisman-R, and in their own way they’re just as sonically accomplished.
How I tested the Ruark Audio Talisman-R
I used QED GA XT speaker cable to connect the Talisman-R to a Cambridge Edge W power amplifier.
The amp gets its signal from an Eversolo DAC-Z10 which is being fed by a Ruark Apollo CD player and an Arcam ST25 network streamer (both via digital optical) and a Technics SL-1300G with Goldring 1022 cartridge via a Chord Huei phono stage.
This way I’m able to listen to lots of content stored in various formats.
