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The Most Interesting Hi-Fi and Audio Gear of 2023

Here are some of the most innovative, eye-catching and downright cool audio products released this past year.

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By Tucker Bowe

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This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear, rounding up the most notable releases of 2023. For more stories like this, click here.

Now that 2023 is just about in the books, it’s time to look back on some of the most compelling audio products that were released this past year. From a modular Dolby Atmos soundbar to modern turntables with built-in streaming, a bunch of new flagship noise-canceling headphones to fun portable Bluetooth speakers, here’s what jumps out.

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Sonos Era 300

The Era 300 is a speaker specifically designed to play immersive audio that supports Dolby Atmos. It has a total of six drivers — including one that fires upward — and you can configure two as really immersive rear-channel speakers when paired with a Sonos soundbar.

Learn more about Sonos Era 300 here.

JBL Bar 1300X

The JBL Bar 1300X is the newest and most high-end in JBL’s “Bar” line of soundbars with detachable rear satellite speakers. It’s an 11.1.4-channel system with 21-total drivers (including six upward-firing) and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Learn more about JBL Bar 1300X here.

Goldring E4

The E4 is Goldring’s newest moving magnet cartridge designed for audiophiles on a budget. It’s the same basic design as the rest of Golding’s entry-level (or E-Series) of cartridges, but it has a new stylus that promises even more accurate performance. It also sports a new blue body.

Learn more about Goldring E4 here.

WiiM Pro Plus

The WiiM Pro Plus is the successor to the WiiM Pro that was released earlier this year. The “Plus” does pretty much the same thing — it hooks up to your old audio system and allows you to stream to it in a multitude of ways — but boasts upgraded internals for streaming lossless audio (up to 32-bit/192kHz).

Learn more about WiiM Pro Plus here.

Apple HomePod (2nd Generation)

Apple’s second-generation HomePod is slightly smaller than the original “full-sized” HomePod. It doesn’t have as many drivers, but thanks to increased processing power, it is designed to sound exactly like the original. The kicker is that this new HomePod is $50 cheaper.

Learn more about Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) here.

Sonos Era 100

The Era 100 is a “remastered” and redesigned version of the One speaker. It works much the same, but has an extra tweeter and a larger mid-woofer and can play stereo. It also supports Bluetooth and line-in (via USB-C) connections, so it’s a significantly more versatile speaker, too.

Learn more about Sonos Era 100 here.

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

Amazon’s newest wireless earbuds are also its most affordable. These Echo Buds have been completely redesigned with a stem-shape design (like the original AirPods) and cost less than $50. If you’re looking for the best AirPods knockoffs, these are the ones.

Learn more about Amazon Echo Buds (2023) here.

Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the company’s new flagship noise-canceling wireless earbuds. Compared to their predecessors, the XM5s boast better noise cancellation, better sound and better call clarity. Each earbud is actually 25 percent smaller, so they fit more comfortably in your ears.

Learn more about Sony WF-1000XM5 here.

FiiO R7

The FiiO R7 is for people who take desktop audio really seriously. It’s a high-resolution audio player, streamer and headphone amplifier that’s specifically designed for your desktop setup. It has a touchscreen and 64GB of local storage, and it also supports up to 2TB of storage via microSD card.

Learn more about FiiO R7 here.

Linn Sondek LP12-50

The Sondek LP12-50 is a special-edition turntable designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Linn releasing its iconic Sondek LP12. The most interesting thing about it is that it’s a collaboration effort with LoveFrom, the design firm that Jony Ive founded post-Apple. It’s also pretty limited edition, just 250 units.

Learn more about Linn Sondek LP12-50 here.

Anker Soundcore Space One

The Soundcore Space One is Anker’s newest pair of wireless over-ear headphones with active noise-cancellation. Compared to its predecessor, the Space, the Space Ones have a new design, improved noise-cancellation and longer battery life.

Learn more about Anker Soundcore Space One here.

JBL Spinner BT

The JBL Spinner BT is a belt-driven turntable with a built-in moving-magnet phono preamp. Other than its orange accents, what makes the Spinner BT unique is that it supports Bluetooth aptX HD so you can stream vinyl to your wireless headphones or portable speakers.

Learn more about the JBL Spinner BT here.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultras are the company’s new flagship noise-canceling headphones (they replace the 2019-released Noise-Canceling 700s). They have a new foldable design with plush earcups, improved noise-cancellation and call clarity, and they support spatial audio.

Learn more about Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones here.

Beats Studio Pro

The Studio Pros are the first flagship wireless noise-canceling over-ear headphones that Beats has released in nearly six years. They have a familiar design, but a lot have new custom drivers, more powerful mics and a bunch of new features that make them work well with iPhones.

Learn more about Beats Studio Pro here.

Sonos Move 2

The Move 2 is a new and improved version of Sonos’s 2019-released Move. It’s been updated with stereo sound, double the battery life, a refined look and support for a USB-C line-in. It also comes in a new olive finish (in addition to black or white).

Learn more about Sonos Move 2 here.

WiiM Amp

The WiiM Amp is an all-new streaming amplifier that works very similarly to the Sonos Amp — it can drive your passive speakers (up to four) while adding both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming capabilities as well. The kicker is that the WiiM Amp is less than half the price.

Learn more about WiiM Amp here.

Ultimate Ears Epicboom

The Epicboom is the first truly new portable speaker that Ultimate Ears has released in years. It’s about twice the size (and cost) of the company’s Megaboom 3. And its UE’s first portable speaker to charge via USB-C.

Learn more about Ultimate Ears Epicboom here.

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