ArcaMax

DENVER — The Trump administration, in its ongoing push to boost fossil fuels, issued an emergency order Tuesday to keep an aging coal-fired power plant in Craig, Colorado, operating even though it was scheduled to be retired this week.

The move was criticized by Colorado environmentalists, who said it will cost utility ratepayers and harm ...Read more

Q. I have a very economical setup for streaming music. It uses a WiiM Ultra Streamer and 100-watt WiiM amplifier, playing over Klipsch 600M bookshelf speakers with a 10-inch Klipsch subwoofer. I’m 70, so most of what I listen to is from my era, namely '60s/'70s rock and a lot of dead vocalists like Frank Sinatra. I always stream at the highest...Read more

Q. I have a Cambridge Audio Evo 150 amplifier, matching Cambridge Evo CD player and a Technics SL-1200GR turntable with Vessel cartridge and a separate phono preamp. I have been using Emotiva Airmotiv tower speakers and while I have been satisfied, I am ready to bring the speakers up to the level of the rest of the system. I have the wife's buy-...Read more

Muzen OTR Retro FM Radio/Bluetooth speaker: The Muzen OTR was very popular last year and a new wood finish and a notable deal make it newsworthy again, especially around the holiday season. There is nothing else like it, and everything it does, it does extremely well.

The Muzen OTR is a small Bluetooth speaker with uncommonly good sound for its...Read more

This week I have two excellent home audio deals and more on the Wolfbox blower/dusters, one of the most popular products I covered this year.

Soundbar specials: The ZVOX AV855 was a huge hit for its hi-fi sound and AccuVoice dialogue enhancement, which makes voices easier to hear and understand. The AV855 was later joined by the AV835, a ...Read more

Q. We purchased an RF skin-tightening machine three years ago based on your articles. Do you know how long these machines last or, in other words, do they lose their effectiveness over a certain period of time?

—R.K., Minneapolis

A. For those who are unfamiliar, RF skin-tightening machines use radio-frequency energy to heat up the skin under...Read more

High-end Lutris Monte-Carlo Cordless Lamp: True to its name, the Monte-Carlo lamp was designed in the Principality of Monaco and is an extremely high-quality furnishing, the kind of luxury product you associate with manufacturers like Herman Miller. The beautiful styling bridges art deco and mid-century modern design and the lamp casts a soft, ...Read more

Earphones and headphones featured this week: If you are looking for yourself or as a gift, here are some great options just in time for the holidays!

EarFun Air Pro 4+ earphones only $65.99: The EarFun Air Pro 4+ earphones have recently received overwhelmingly positive reviews from tech and audio websites and are becoming widely known as the ...Read more

Q. I have a question regarding your home electricity backup system.

Noting that your Briggs & Stratton QuietPower Q6500 Inverter Generator is not CARB compliant, I am guessing you don't live in California. I do, and would welcome other recommendations.

—R.S., Gilroy, California

A. You are correct that I do not live in California, though I ...Read more

Cool car mount charger: After my positive experience with the Lisen power bank I did some more digging into their product line and discovered another product that could be a sleeper hit. It combines a wireless MagSafe charger, a car phone mount and thoughtful innovation into one great accessory.

The Lisen Qi2.2 25W MagSafe Car Mount Charger ...Read more

Q. I have a pair of Polk Atrium 5 outdoor speakers that I'm going to be using on the large deck behind my house, where I have an outdoor kitchen and dining area where I frequently entertain. I will be using the speakers to play music saved on my phone and to stream satellite radio from the app. It's a big area so I will need some power to drive ...Read more

Q. Earlier this year you wrote about a rechargeable battery-powered jump starter for cars and trucks. I did not get one then, but thought I would look for one before winter hits as that is when I would be most likely to need it. Have you used it much and do you still recommend it?

—T.B., Milwaukee

A. The product I reviewed and recommended is...Read more