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Simon Cohen

Simon Cohen

Contributing Editor, A/V
Author/Co-Author of 1979 articles

Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and all manner of related devices and technologies. Whether it's a review of a new Bluetooth speaker or a deep dive into the benefits of hi-res audio, his approach remains the same: speak as plainly as possible so that readers can learn and discover which products are worth buying.

Simon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & English from Western University, which meant he was ill-prepared for a career in either field. Instead, he became a freelance teleprompter operator, with gigs working on commercials, industrial videos, corporate meetings, political speeches, and one very weird TV special with Buffy Sainte-Marie. However, when he discovered the web in 1993, he knew he had found his calling and began a journey that continues to this day.

Along the way, he became the ninth employee at AOL Canada, wrote about technology for Ozy.com, Mobilesyrup, Driving.ca, and VentureBeat, put in 15 years at what was once Canada's biggest website, Sympatico.ca, and appeared as a guest tech expert on international TV and radio programs, including BBC Radio, CTV News Channel, and CBC Radio.

The most common question Simon gets is, "are you related to Leonard Cohen?" The second most common question is "which wireless earbuds are the best?" (Answers: no and, it depends).

Simon in based in Toronto, where he works from a home office with no door, at the top of a set of stairs. It's as bad as you're probably imagining. He lives with three cats, one goldfish, a few dozen snails, and his wife, who wishes his job involved fewer large boxes. Sometimes his two adult children live there as well, but the less said about that, the better.

When he's not writing, he enjoys motorcycles, scuba diving, skiing, and reading sci-fi. He once met Douglas Adams.

Sony WH-1000XM6 with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

How to enable Auracast on Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones

Sony's new flagship headphones can connect to Bluetooth Auracast -- but you have to know how.
Apple AirPods Max using a lossless USB connection to an iPhone 16.

AirPods Max flaw means you might not be listening to lossless audio, but there’s a fix 

In theory, the AirPods Max offer lossless audio when connected via USB-C. In practice, that doesn't always work.
An iPhone 16 playing lossless audio from Apple Music connected to a pair of Focal Bathys MG.

How to experience lossless audio

Lossless audio can sound better than MP3s and Spotify, but only if you know what you need to get it.
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect running on a TCL TV with Z100 speakers.

Dolby’s soundbar alternative arrives this summer on select TCL TVs

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect will finally debut on TCL's 2025 QD-Mini LED TVs.
Sony WH-1000XM6.

Sony WH-1000XM6 review: The best wireless headphones for almost everyone

Sony's best ANC headphones so far are brilliant in almost every way.
Marshall Heston 120.

Marshall’s first soundbar will change how we think about home theater

As the first soundbar with Bluetooth Auracast, it could be a game-changer.
Close up of Sonos logo on a Sonos Arc soundbar.

‘A profound mistake’: Sonos’ CEO talks about its broken app and why it’s been so hard to fix

Tom Conrad tells us about his first 100 days as Sonos CEO, and why he's optimistic the disastrous app launch is finally a closed chapter.
AI-generated image of a person on a subway doing a video call on a phone.

Please, just buy some earbuds

People listening to their phones out loud has become an epidemic. A set of earbuds would help.
Ifi Up Travel.

Ifi’s Up Travel is an audiophile-grade, pocket Bluetooth transmitter

Ifi's Up Travel does double duty as a hi-res transmitter and receiver.
Sony WH-1000XM6.

I spent 48 hours with Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and I don’t want to give them back

Sony's new flagship wireless headphones are better in almost every way.
Sony WH-1000XM6.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 debut with better ANC, a folding hinge, and a higher price

Sony's new noise-canceling headphones officially launch with several nice upgrades.
Qobuz Connect.

Qobuz Connect launches with Denon, Marantz, and more than 50 other hi-fi brands

Qobuz can now control a variety of streaming devices directly from its app.
Wiim Sub Pro.

Wiim debuts the Sub Pro, its first wireless subwoofer

Wiim adds a wireless sub to its multiroom Sonos-alternative ecosystem.
Wiim Amp Ultra.

Wiim’s new Amp Ultra goes above and beyond its amplified streamers

The Wiim Amp Ultra is the company's best streamer and its best amp, in one product.
Wiim Sound.

Exclusive: This is Wiim’s first wireless speaker

Wiim's collision course with Sonos becomes more inevitable with this new addition to its ecosystem.
Rear of Apple TV 4K.

What is HDMI ARC and eARC? Audio Return Channel expertly explained

HDMI ARC and eARC are useful technologies for streamlining your TV and A/V system's cabling, while giving you the best audio possible. Here's how.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Earcup/logo close-up.

Audio gear prices are climbing, but for how long?

The trade war between the U.S. and overseas countries like China no longer poses a theoretical risk of price increases on audio gear — those higher prices are here. Bose told Digital Trends that starting Monday, May 12, it will bump the price of its flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones from $429 to $449, while its […]
Soundcore Liberty 5.

Soundcore Liberty 5 review: Excellent daily driver earbuds

Soundcore ditches a few extras while it doubles down on the basics and the results speak for themselves.
Sennheiser Accentum Open.

Sennheiser’s Accentum Open earbuds look a lot like AirPods

Sennheiser has added a new set of wireless earbuds to its entry-level Accentum sub-brand: the $130 Accentum Open, which will start shipping in June in both black and cream color options. Though Sennheiser is really leaning into that word, “open,” touting the earbuds’ ability to do away with ear fatigue while providing awareness of your […]
Soundcore Liberty 5.

Soundcore Liberty 5 promises better audio and the company’s best ANC so far

Soundcore's latest earbuds lose a few fancy features while they improve on the basics.
Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker.

Sonos and Ikea call it quits on Symfonisk speakers

Sonos and Ikea have decided to end their wireless speaker partnership.
A Sonos Port next to a Yamaha Aventage AVR.

You can now expand your Sonos system with a Yamaha AV receiver

For some Sonos fans, soundbars — even very capable Dolby Atmos soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra — just don’t cut it when it comes to home theater surround sound. They want a fully customizable experience that only an AV receiver (AVR)-based system can deliver. If that’s your point of view, and if you own […]
Ultimate Ears Miniroll.

Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Ultraportable speaker that won’t disappoint on sound

On a pure sound-for-size basis, it doesn't get much better than the UE Miniroll.
Pure Audio Streaming service.

New music service promises better lossless audio than Apple, Amazon, and Tidal

Pure Audio Streaming says it can deliver 5.1 and 7.1.4 hi-res audio in uncompressed, lossless quality.
An LG G5 OLED TV hanging on a wall in a bright living room.

How to mirror your smartphone or tablet on your TV

Casting apps and streaming services to your TV from your phone is cool, but with screen mirroring you can share whatever you see on your device. Here's how.
HDMI 2.1 port.

HDMI 2.1: What it is and why your next TV should have it

HDMI 2.1 is the latest mainstream HDMI standard, but how do you make the most of it, and how does it compare to the newer HDMI 2.2?
A phosphorescent OLED panel.

LG reveals it has made a major leap in OLED technology

LG Display says it has verified the commercialization of blue phosphorescent OLED panels.
A man wearing the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Sony WH-1000XM5 review: Still the best overall headphones

Now three years old, Sony's best headphones are still a force to be reckoned with.
The Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV displaying its home screen on a wooden home theater credenza.

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED updated with interactive art, dual audio

Amazon's best Fire TV model gets a promised upgrade that makes screensavers interactive and helps those with hearing aids.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenDots One.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs. Shokz OpenDots One: Which open-ear clips are right for you?

They're both very good open-ear earbuds, but with big differences in price and performance, you'll need to pay attention to the details before deciding.
Simon Cohen wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review: Style and sound champs

Bose's unusual take on wireless earbud design provides access to music and the world around you.
Shokz OpenDots One.

Shokz OpenDots One review: Comfy clip-on earbuds go big on bass and battery life

With some of the best bass you can get in a set of open-ear earbuds, the Shokz OpenDots One are an intriguing option.
Beats Studio Pro.

Lossless audio is a big upgrade, but the cables kinda suck

More and more headphones now offer lossless USB audio, but the cables feel like an afterthought.

What is Roon? The pricey, powerful Apple iTunes alternative

Roon is a music organization and playback app that will have you wondering why you waited for Apple to kill iTunes. With its unique music-discovery features and the ability to stream audio to any speaker in your home, the only question is whether the app can justify its price.