UPstage 360 is a premium hi-res smart speaker that wants to envelop you in its 360-degree soundstage

Smart speakers are everywhere, but UPstage 360 ($329) – shipping in July – wants to upstage its rivals with a pitch to audiophiles, Echo Dot owners, and anyone who fancies a bit of sound therapy. For audiophiles, there’s a listening ‘zone’ rather than a sweet spot, a 40Hz–40kHz ultra-wide frequency range, and eight drivers – including two 3in woofers. You can plop a Dot into the circular hole at the top of the unit, or connect devices by Bluetooth or aux-in. As for therapy, you get built-in sounds for chilling out, such as babbling brooks, crystal chimes, and ‘harmonious chanting’. And should anyone give you gip while you’re getting your meditation on, you can make things quiet again by beaning them with the UPstage Pro, making fuller use of its solid, grabbable handle and sturdy metal case.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.