music

How to hook up a subwoofer to a stereo system

Subwoofers are used in most home theater systems, but subs can also radically improve the sound of stereo systems -- and not just the ones with small speakers. Subs can provide a foundation to the sound that few speakers can muster on their own. So adding a sub is not just about adding more and deeper bass; rather, a properly integrated subwoofer can improve the overall sound of the system.

Subwoofer connection to a two-channel system differs from the methods used in home theaters. AV receivers feature bass management to direct the low bass frequencies to the sub and the … Read more

Music Wizard 1.35 Review

An application that allows the user to download music for free is an incredibly valuable tool for any music lover, as there are only a few of these available on the market. Music Wizard allows the user to search for music and download it, just like Napster did over a decade ago. While its user interface is not the most feature-filled or most beautifully designed, the app works well.

Music Wizard requires no registration or extra advanced settings during the installation. It quickly opens and doesn't lag or stall. It is fast and functional. The user interface consists of … Read more

GOM Media Player 2.1.50 Review

GOM Media Player for Windows handles most of the more common video formats, including MP4, AVI, MKV, and more. It comes with a sleeker, more media center-focused design and packs plenty of codecs under the hood to play just about any media format you throw at it.

The initial installation is standard, like any other Windows product: accept a couple terms, set a destination folder, and choose to opt in or out of an offer from AVG. After installation completes, GOM will guide you through an optional setup process to optimize initial use based on sound and monitor setup.

You'… Read more

Twitter launching music discovery app

CNET Update tweets to the beat:

Twitter is launching a new music service that will suggest songs to listen to based on accounts you follow or artists that are trending. As the world waits for the official launch, Ryan Seacrest seems to be enjoying it.

Android users can experience Chat Heads on the Facebook Messenger app, rather than download the Facebook Home interface.

Also in this tech roundup, I bring you the highlights from the DigitalFocus technology showcase, which includes the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, the Linkase Wi-Fi signal booster for smartphones, the new Duracell Powermat iPhone 5 wireless charging … Read more

Twitter's music site goes live, kinda

Twitter's new music site went live this morning.

Well, almost. Users can currently log in with their usual Twitter credentials, but there are no features as of yet.

According to AllThingsD, only a select few will get access to the service over the coming days, with Twitter planning a more extensive rollout after that.

Reports that the service was set to go live began circulating last night, and were fueled earlier in the week by celebrity Ryan Seacrest, who bragged about having access to it in a series of tweets.

Twitter yesterday confirmed that it had purchased music discovery … Read more

Music Maker Lite 1.3 Review

Every now and then an app is released that is clearly going to be a big hit with children, while simultaneously finding a way to grate on the nerves of the parents who are brave enough to download it. Music Maker Lite comes dangerously close to being such an app, providing just enough features to make a whole lot of noise, but not nearly enough to do anything productive with those sounds.

When you start the app, Music Maker Lite shows one option -- start playing. Playing the game consists of tapping one of many instruments. After tapping an instrument, … Read more

Twitter will reportedly launch music app this weekend

Twitter is rumored to be preparing for the launch this weekend of its much rumored Twitter Music app.

The microblogging service plans to launch its standalone music app tomorrow, sources familiar with the matter tell AllThingsD. Still other sources say the app will launch during this weekend's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, but not necessarily tomorrow.

CNET has contacted Twitter for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

The report comes on the heels of Twitter confirming that it has purchased music discovery service We Are Hunted. CNET reported in March that Twitter … Read more

Twitter confirms acquisition of music service We Are Hunted

We Are Hunted announced today that it has been acquired by Twitter, confirming a CNET report that the music discovery service was already being integrated with the microblogging site's music products.

In a tweet, Twitter also confirmed the acquisition.

Welcome to Twitter! "@wearehunted: We want to share some news with you. We Are Hunted has joined Twitter. wearehunted.com"

— Twitter Comms (@twittercomms) April 11, 2013

As a result, Wearehunted.com will shut down and user accounts will be closed, a note on the music site's home page explained.

"While we are shutting down wearehunted.com, … Read more

Does it still make sense to buy music?

About a year ago I asked readers if it still made sense to buy CDs, what with DRM all but dead and MP3 albums typically selling for less than their disc-based counterparts.

The response was incredible, with some pretty passionate defense of the seemingly antiquated CD. For some users, it's all about sound quality. For others, it's about the security of owning physical media.

Lately I've been wondering if it makes sense to own music at all. Make no mistake: I grew up accumulating LP and 45 records (a crate of which I recently donated to charity), … Read more

Get an XtremeMac Bluetooth audio receiver for $9.99

In my kitchen there's a big ol' Fluance speaker dock. It's great except for one thing: no Bluetooth. If I want to listen to music, I have to dock my iPhone. And if I want to change apps or playlists, I have to go over to the thing and interact (awkwardly) with the screen while it's docked.

That's why I've always been a fan of Bluetooth speakers, which let me kick back and enjoy my tunes while keeping my phone close at hand. Thankfully, now I can retrofit my Fluance.

For a limited time, and … Read more