Derek Malcolm
Former Contributing Editor, A/V
Author/Co-Author of 316 articles
Derek Malcolm is a contributing editor and evergreen lead for the A/V and Home Theater section of Digital Trends. Derek joined the DT team in 2020, spending his days wrangling the movie and TV streaming guides before getting the chance to nurture his obsession with the latest audio/video gear. A former musician and practicing vinyl nerd, his passion for sound can be found in his writing, whether it’s a guide to the best speakers and turntables, or a review of a party speaker that’ll blow your roof off.
Derek studied journalism at Toronto’s Humber College, graduating in 1999. He started his career writing about music, movies, and TV, back when people still read things on paper, working at such magazines as TV Guide and celebrity mag Hello! Canada. Derek counts Matt Damon, Britney Spears, and Coldplay among his favorite interviews.
From 2006 to 2018 Derek was the editor-in-chief of Canadian tech and entertainment magazine Connected, where he steered the publication through the invention of the iPhone and the rise of streaming to the demise of BlackBerry and the print industry.
One of two Canucks on the Digital Trends A/V team, Derek is based in Toronto where he lives with his wife, daughter, two cats, and his prized vintage Marantz stereo receivers.
When Derek isn’t cussing at the labyrinthine setup menus of the latest projectors, he can be found at home listening to records or counting the days to ski season.
You can find Derek on Threads and sharing his vinyl exploits on Instagram.
Best soundbars of 2025: tested and reviewed by our tech experts
A soundbar can make a big difference for your TV-watching, especially when it comes to dialogue clarity. Here are 12 of the best soundbars you can buy in 2025.
How to master your equalizer settings for the perfect sound
EQ is so much more than the Rock preset in your Spotify app. If you want better sound, we're here to show you how to adjust it for the best experience.
What is Disney+? Plans, price, and everything else you should know
Get ready to indulge in all things Disney, Pixar, and Marvel with a Disney Plus subscription! Here’s everything you need to know about the streaming platform.
The 9 best subwoofers of 2025 for every budget and use
Get ready to bring the thump and rumble to your favorite movies and music! Here’s a roundup of all the best subwoofers you can buy in 2025.
The best QLED TVs for 2025, after testing more than 20 models
If you’re looking for the brightest picture possible, your new TV should be a QLED. Here are a few leading sets with quantum dots operating behind the scenes.
Ready to buy your first turntable? Read these 4 tips before you shop
Thinking of getting into vinyl, but don't know where to start with buying your first turntable? We're here to help.
Best stereo receivers and integrated amplifiers for 2025
Getting ready for a dive into hi-fi? Check our list of the best stereo receivers and integrated amplifiers, including models from Cambridge, Marantz, Wiim, and more.
The most common Roku problems and how to fix them
Have a Roku or Roku Streaming Stick 4K that's giving you problems? We explain how to fix the most common Roku issues in minutes — no tech support needed.
Are AirPods waterproof? Everything you need to know
Apple has quite a few different AirPod models these days, and not all of them can stand getting wet. Here's how waterproof all AirPods are and what that means.
Best Bluetooth turntables of 2025: wireless record players tested by us
You don't need expensive component gear to listen to vinyl. You can connect to your favorite wireless speaker with a Bluetooth turntable. These are our favorites.
How much is Apple Music, and how can you get it for free?
Apple Music costs $10.99 for an Individual plan, and $16.99 for a Family Plan. You can also get Apple Music for free by signing up for a Verizon plan.
How to buy over-the-counter hearing aids
After years in the making, over-the-counter hearing aids are now available for purchase without a prescription: Here's what to you need to know.
Best over-the-counter hearing aids for 2025
OTC hearing aids provide hearing solutions at a fraction of the price compared to prescription versions. Here are the best on the market from top brands.
Anker’s new Nebula X1 projector brings big wireless sound to backyard movie night
The new Nebula X1 outdoor projector aims to elevate backyard movie nights with easy AI-driven setup and innovative wireless speakers.
My 5 go-to tracks for reviewing and testing speakers
I test speakers for a living, and I use a set of go-to songs to put them through their paces. These are my top 5!
Best Bluetooth speakers for 2025, as tested and reviewed by our experts
Choosing a Bluetooth speaker can be a tough task, which is why we've put together this roundup to shine a light on all the best speakers for 2025.
How to connect a turntable to a Sonos system
If you have a Sonos system that you want to start playing vinyl records through, we're going to show you how to connect a turntable to it.
The best speakers for 2025: great hi-fi options for music and more
From critical music listening to furniture-shaking home theater, a great pair of speakers can make all the difference. We found the top picks on the market.
Audio-Technica’s floating Hotaru turntable is $10,000 worth of glowing coolness
Audio-Technica has announced the limited-run, $10,000 Hotaru turntable that features a glowing, magnetically-floating platter.
How to choose a soundbar: size, subwoofers, surround sound, and more
Built-in TV speakers suck, so naturally, you want to get a soundbar. How do you choose one? We cover the features and jargon you should know before you buy.
Got vinyl, will travel: Toshiba’s new Bluetooth record player lets you do just that
If you're looking for a way to play your vinyl records on the go, Toshiba has announced the AX-RP10, a portable Bluetooth turntable.
JLab unveils two new stem-style ANC earbuds and its first open-ear model
JLab has unveiled two new pairs of budget ANC wireless earbuds, the GO Pods ANC and JBuds Pods ANC, as well as its first open-ear earphones, the Epic Open Sport.
The best kids headphones of 2025: for fun, safety, and sound
Loaded with color, braced for impact, and packed with parental features like volume limiting, here's our roundup of the best headphones available for kids.
Sony’s ULT Power Sound range gets three new big-bass Bluetooth speakers
Sony today announced three new Bluetooth speakers is its ULT Power Sound speaker lineup, the Field 3, Field 5, and Tower 9 party speaker.
Rotel’s DX-5 might be the compact and connected stereo amplifier you’re looking for
Rotel's new sleek and compact DX-5 stereo integrated amplifier features HDMI ARC, Bluetooth aptX HD and audiophile sound.
Spinning into Record Store Day: Our team’s 4 must-visit record shops
To celebrate Record Store Day 2025, Digital Trends' AV staff share their favorite local record shops.
Audio-Technica celebrates Record Store Day with a gold edition of its best-selling turntable
To celebrate Record Store Day 2025 this weekend, Audio-Technica's made an exclusive gold edition of its best-selling AT-LP60XBT turntable.
Campfire Audio is bringing wired back with its new high-res USB-C Axion earphones
Campfire Audio's new Axion earphones deliver superior hi-res audio with its USB-C connectivity and built-in DAC.
I haven’t been to Record Store Day in ages, but here’s why I’m going this year
I've had a love-hate relationship with Record Store Day, but this year I'm inspired to jump back in. Here's why.
What is Record Store Day? All you need to know for vinyl’s big event
Record Store Days (there are two!) are the best days of the year for vinyl record collectors. Here's what it is and all you need to know to get the most out if it.
The 11 best TVs of 2025, tested and reviewed by our experts
The best TVs of 2025 are brought to you by noteworthy brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and TCL. Here are all our favorite sets for the year so far.
This small Spotify change made my streaming so much better
A white noise playlist I sleep with has been wreaking havoc on my Spotify algorithm for year, so I finally got to the bottom of it and trained it. You can, too.
How to download music from SoundCloud on desktop and mobile
Downloading music from SoundCloud is one big perk of the platform, and there’s a few different ways to get these offline tracks onto your devices.
Pro-Ject’s record flattener looks like a waffle iron, will rehab warped vinyl
Pro-Ject Audio wants to help vinyl collectors rehabilitate their warped vinyl records with the Flatten It.