Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, where he majored in jazz performance, studying for four years with drummer Billy Hart (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock). As a member of the Digital Trends staff, Parker brings his experience producing, critically listening to, and performing music to the audio/visual team, where he focuses on speaker and headphone reviews and coverage of the music industry at large.
In addition to writing about music and A/V equipment, he continues to perform professionally as a drummer, appearing at internationally renowned festivals like SXSW and Pickathon, as well as popular music discovery platforms like Daytrotter and Seattle’s KEXP radio. Parker is also a freelance beer writer for Portland alt-weekly Willamette Week, where he helps write the annual Oregon Beer Guide -- the best-selling beer publication in the state. An award-winning homebrewer and member of the Portland Brewer’s Collective, he continues to hone his craft with weekly batches, and is currently focusing on using locally grown ingredients and indigenous yeasts.
How to choose and buy an AV receiver
Today's AV receivers are packed with lots of technology: From understanding watt ratings to Wi-Fi, we explain how to buy one that will last you for years.
6 outrageous headphones that will blow your mind — and your savings
Buckle up and join us for a journey into headphone heaven with our drool-worthy guided tour of the best -- and most expensive -- cans currently on the market.
The 15 best movies about music
Want movies that rock in more ways than one? Here are the best movies about music and musicians we could find.
How to use Netflix’s secret category codes to find what you want to watch
If you know the category of film you're looking for on Netflix, this hack will be extremely useful. It lets you use codes to narrow down choices into subgenres.
How to set up HDR gaming on your 4K HDR TV and PlayStation 4 or PS4 Pro
If you're not playing with HDR enabled, you're missing out on some major graphic displays. We'll show you how to get the most out of your 4K TV and PS4 console.
Sony WF-1000XM3 review: Still superb, but no longer unique
Sony’s flagship true wireless earbuds are a true competitor to Apple's AirPods Pro. Now one year old, the WF-1000XM3 are still a force to be reckoned with.
Samsung Galaxy Buds review: surprisingly excellent true wireless buds
With six hours of battery life, an extremely comfortable fit, sweatproofing, and a very palatable price tag, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds represent a great value.
1More Stylish Review: One of the best just got better
1More’s Stylish true wireless earbuds have AirPods-beating battery life, sweatproofing, and an extremely ergonomic design, all for $100 -- an exceptional value.
YouTube Music’s Spotify-esque Discover Mix now widely available
After a few months of experimenting, YouTube Music has officially launched three new personalized playlists including one called Discover Mix that takes aim at those who love Spotify's long-running Discover Weekly. Could this be the killer feature that will convert the masses from Spotify to YouTube Music?
Klipsch T5 True Wireless vs. Apple AirPods: Battle of the buds
You've got some dough to spend on a new pair of wireless earbuds, but you don't know what to buy? Here's our look at two of the best models available right now for under $200 -- Klipsch T5 True Wireless vs. Apple AirPods -- from fit and finish to battery life, and, of course, which pair will make your tunes sound best.
Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 vs. Sony WH-1000XM3: Premium headphones shootout
We pit the latest flagship headphones from Sony and Sennheiser against each other in this head-to-head comparison to help you decide which pair of premium noise-canceling headphones is better for you. Here's how the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 and Sony WH-1000XM3 stack up against each other.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling 700: Over-ears, head-to-head
We pit the Sennheiser Momentum 3 over-ear headphones against the closest competitor from Bose, the Noise Cancelling 700. Which pair has better noise canceling, sound quality, fit, and features? We put them head-to-head in each category to find out. Here are the results.
Bose Noise Cancelling 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM3: Which headphones should you buy?
Sony's WH-1000XM3 were considered the high watermark in noise-canceling headphones when they came out last year, but now Bose is back with a new pair. How do the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 stack up against Sony's? We put them head to head in terms of design, features, noise-canceling, and sound.
AirPods 2 vs. Jabra Elite Active 65t: Which are the better wireless earbuds?
Apple's AirPods are the most popular true wireless headphones out there, but does that mean they are the best? Here is a comparison between the AirPods and Jabra's sporty Elite Active 65t. From battery life to everyday usability, here's how two of the highest-rated true wireless models compete.
From AirPods to Surface Earbuds, why are big tech’s earbuds so ugly?
Distinctive, sure. Pretty? Absolutely not. From Apple's AirPods and Google's Pixel Buds to the brand new Microsoft Surface Earbuds, why does it seem like big tech brands are incapable of creating a pair of true wireless earbuds that are both functional and easy on the eyes?
Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 review: Your ears will love it
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 noise-canceling headphones skirt the line between business and pleasure, offering an intuitive and accessible interface and gorgeous sound for listening both at home and on the go. While their noise-cancelling can't beat the best, it's hard not to fall for these gorgeous cans.
JBL Link Bar soundbar review: The sin of ambition
The JBL link bar is a full media hub in soundbar form, offering viewers and listeners easy access to any of their favorite media with a simple "OK Google." But, at a price of $400, is it worth the premium over other subwoofer-less soundbars to get some streaming apps thrown in?
Klipsch T5 True Wireless review
Klipsch’s new true wireless headphones are a classy, high-end pair of AirPod killers with better battery life, water resistance, and one of the prettiest charging cases you’ll ever see. In our review, we take a look at what makes these brand new headphones contenders for your dollars.
Yamaha YAS-109 soundbar review: Alexa makes a good bar better
Yamaha’s subwoofer-less YAS-109 soundbar brings a noticeable sonic upgrade to smaller rooms, and with great features and Amazon Alexa built-in, it’s one of the most convenient entry-level options on the market. You’ll have a hard time finding a soundbar at this price with more goodies baked in, and its sound is great, too.
Denon’s new premium soundbars target both film buffs and music lovers
Denon's two latest soundbars are aimed at those who want equally great music and video listening experiences, with excellent Dolby decoding, and the ability to use the company's HEOS speakers as surrounds, in case you might want something other than digital surround sound.
House of Marley Liberate Air review
House of Marley’s first ever true wireless headphones offer sustainable materials and have great battery life. With gorgeous bamboo accents, they’re also some of the prettiest headphones you can buy. But even with all that going for them, a few small issues keep them off the top of our shopping list.
Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. Bose SoundSport Free
Bose and Beats have each taken aim at workout enthusiasts with their first true wireless in-ears. Both feature secure, oversized designs and large charging cases. So which company makes the better workout earbuds? We put the Beats Powerbeats Pro and Bose SoundSport Free head-to-head to find out.
Battle of the best workout buds: Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. Jabra Elite Active 65t
Jabra's Elite Active 65t have become some of the most universally acclaimed true wireless headphones on the market since their launch in 2018. From fit to functionality, here's how the new Powerbeats Pro from Apple-owned Beats compete with our favorite wireless workout earbuds.
Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds: Which are better daily in-ears?
Samsung's Galaxy Buds quickly became our favorite wireless earbuds on the market when they came out in early 2019. Now, there's a new player in the wireless in-ear game: Beats, whose Apple-backed Powerbeats Pro promise many of the same great features. Read on to find out which we think are the better pair.
Where do AirPods go when they die? The big problem with tiny earbuds
True wireless headphones are tiny and convenient, but they’re also among the most ephemeral tech products you can buy. With relatively short lifespans and designs that make them exceedingly difficult for disposal or repair, industry leaders like Apple are creating a potential e-waste problem with ever pair they sell.
These ski goggles deliver music using your face bones instead of earbuds
A company called BoneTech has introduced a new pair of ski googles with a very special skill: They can use the bones in your skull to play your favorite music, meaning you don't have to worry about missing vital sounds from the outside world on the slopes, or worry about your earbuds falling out.
Apple’s not-hi-res hi-res music is now called something else because iTunes died
Apple has announced a new name for its old initiative to make songs sound better. The Mastered for iTunes initiative, which has long been acclaimed for providing lossless-sounding audio in a compressed AAC format, is now called Apple Digital Masters, and it's something Apple Music subscribers should enjoy.
JLab Epic Air Sport review
With excellent battery life, great controls, and fantastic dust and water resistance, JLab’s latest workout buds are the new pair to beat, taking everything we like about the Powerbeats Pro but lopping a healthy $100 off the price tag. If you’re looking to break a sweat and never want to worry about losing an earbud, these are the headphones for you.
Bose Noise Cancelling 700 vs. QC35 II: Are Bose’s newest headphones worth it?
The Bose Noise Cancelling 700 are the company's new flagship headphones, but how do they stack up to their older, still-beloved, QC35 II model? We compare both pairs of headphones in terms of features, noise-canceling performance, and sound, helping you decide which is the better buy.
Sony WF-1000XM3 vs. Sennheiser Momentum vs. Klipsch T5 True Wireless headphones
We've been testing three of the most popular premium true wireless earbuds against each other, aiming to find the best. In our comparison of the Sony Wf-1000XM3, Sennheiser Momentum, and Klipsch T5 True Wireless, we compare sound, comfort, and style, helping you decide how to best spend your money.
Vizio SB3621n-G8 2.1 review
With a slim subwoofer, simple connections, and the ability to easily customize your sound, the latest Vizio’s SB3621n-G8 2.1 soundbar is an excellent, affordable way to beef up your TV’s terrible sound, making your favorite films and TV shows grab you, without the need to spend hundreds of dollars.
How Amazon and Google’s streaming feud helped make Roku the streaming king
Amazon and Google are finally playing nice when it comes to streaming, with YouTube now available on Fire TV devices, and Amazon Prime Video available on Chromecast. Here's how remaining agnostic has helped Roku become the maker of the most popular streaming video device manufacturer.
Apple AirPods vs. Sony noise-canceling WF-1000XM3
Are Sony's latest noise-canceling true wireless earbuds -- the WF-1000XM3 -- better than the best-selling Apple AirPods? From sound and comfort to battery live, we put the two pairs of headphones through their paces, determining which is more worthy of your almighty dollars.