The Best Headphones, Speakers and Hi-Fi Gear of 2024 (So Far)
Your one-stop shop for the coolest and most interesting audio gear of the year.
ByTucker Bowe
Published
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It’s 2024 and the landscape for hi-fi and audio gear is more diverse than ever. Every week it seems like a zillion new wireless earbuds, noise-canceling headphones and portable Bluetooth speakers get announced. Vinyl is back in the mainstream and both heritage and new-age audio companies are getting into the mix, releasing modern turntables and hi-fi components (such amplifiers, preamps, DACs and more). And today’s speakers are more versatile than ever, capable of playing audio from your smartphone, your home audio system or your TV.
Basically, it’s the Wild West out there — and keeping track of it all can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Below, you’ll find a running list of all the coolest and most interesting hi-fi and audio gear that’s been released this year so far.
The Q Acoustics 5050s are the largest and most expensive speakers in the company’s mid-range 5000 series. They feature a 1-inch tweeter that rests between the two 6-inch woofers (C3 Continuous Curved Cone). The cabinets features Point-2-Point (P2P) internal bracing to minimize vibrations, and they are available in a number of different wood finishes.
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is an affordable portable DAC/amp for iPhone or Android smartphones. It features dual CS43131 DACs, has 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone jacks, and supports lossless audio up to 32-bit/384kHz.
The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is a new-and-improved version of the Austrian hi-fi company’s original Juke Box E. Like its predecessor, the Juke Box E1 is an integrated turntable — you just need to add your own passive speakers — but it comes with a number of upgraded components, including a new tonearm, platter, motor and electronic speed change.
The Audioengine D1P is a portable 32-bit DAC/amp — a more versatile version of the company’s D1 desktop amp. It also has an output switch that lets you toggle quickly between your headphones and speakers. The D1P connects to your device via USB-C and is compatible with iPhone and Android smartphones as well as Mac and Windows laptops.
The McIntosh C55 is a high-end solid-state preamplifier and the successor to the company’s C53. It features an eight-band analog equalizer so audiophiles can fine-tune their sound better to their liking. It shares a variety of features with its vacuum tube brethren, the McIntosh C2800, including a Processor Loop, 16 audio inputs and three sets of stereo-balanced and unbalanced outputs. It’s compatible with the McIntosh Connect app.
The McIntosh C2800 is a high-end vacuum tube preamplifier. It has four vacuum tubes that create a warmer sound compared to the company’s solid-state alternative, the McIntosh C55. Like the McIntosh C55, the C2800 features a Processor Loop, 16 audio inputs and three sets of stereo-balanced and unbalanced outputs. It’s compatible with the McIntosh Connect app.
The FiiO M23 is a relatively affordable portable hi-fi player that sports dual DACs (AK4191EQ and AK4499EX) and support for lossless audio up to 24-bit/384kHz and PCM/DSD256. It has built-in Bluetooth and supports LDAC, so you can stream higher-res audio to wireless headphones. Maybe most uniquely, it can connect it to your computer via USB and you can use it as a desktop amp.
Released in early 2024, the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T is the company’s flagship (and most expensive) digital audio player. It’s essentially a new-and-improved version of the popular A&ultima SP3000, but the “T” features vacuum tubes and supports a Tube Amp Mode for those who want a warmer sound.
The Skullcandy EcoBuds are the company’s most eco-friendly wireless earbuds to date. They’re made mostly out of recycled plastics, but they also lack a case with a lithium-ion battery. To charge them, you connect the case’s built-in USB-C cable to your smartphone, laptop or wall adapter.
The MoveMic is Shure’s first compact microphone system, and it’s mainly designed for content creators. There are two different configurations, the single-channel MoveMic One ($249) and the dual-channel MoveMic Two ($349). Maybe the neatest thing about them is that, though you can purchase a receiver (sold separately), you can also wirelessly connect the mics directly to your smartphone.
The Lenco L-3810 is a direct-drive turntable for aspiring DJs. It looks quite similar to the revered Technics SL1200 and has similar components (including start-and-stop control, an anti-skating mechanism and an aluminum platter). It allows you to digitize your records, too. The big difference is that the Lenco L-3810 costs less than $500.
The KEF KC92 is the company’s new flagship subwoofer. It has two 9-inch force-canceling drivers that are designed to deliver powerful bass — 1,000 watts of power (500 watts per channel) — with virtually no distortion. You can adjust a variety of settings on the back to suit your preferences and the sub’s room placement.
In addition to the KC92, KEF also announced four “Kube MIE” subwoofers that are a little less powerful but more affordable. There’s the Kube 15 (with a 15-inch driver), the Kube 12 (12-inch driver), Kube 10 (10-inch driver) and Kube 8 (8-inch driver). All are integrated with Music Integrity Engine (MIE), the company’s proprietary DSP for making sure all its speakers and components work best with each other.
The REN are the Canadian hi-fi company’s bookshelf-sized active loudspeakers that can put out up to 100 watts per channel. They are packed with numerous wired and wireless (including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) streaming capabilities — and even support HDMI ARC so you can connect them to your TV as a soundbar alternative.
Naim’s Unit Nova is a gorgeous streaming amplifier that’s been around for a couple years. The Power Edition (PE) version is basically the same thing, but 3x as powerful — capable of driving 150 watts per channel — and designed to drive high-end loudspeakers situated in large rooms.
The Q Acoustics M40 are powered “micro tower” speakers — a middle ground between bookshelf-sized and floorstanding speakers. They have a number of wired connections so you can connect them to a turntable, music streamer or even TV. They also have built-in Bluetooth for easy streaming.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the most high-end of these open-ear wireless earbuds with a clip on design. They work with Bose’s companion app, allowing you to tweak various settings, and they’re integrated with proprietary “OpenAudio” technology that prevents sound leakage. Available in nine different finishes.
The Sony Pulse Elite is the company’s most premium wireless headset specifically designed for the PS5 — it’s essentially a fancier version of the Pulse 3D. It has a new look, improved battery life and comfier earbuds. Most importantly, the Elite packs planar magnetic drivers for higher-res sound.
The CXN100 is the successor to the British hi-fi maker’s award-winning CXN V2 music streamer. The CXN100 looks nearly identical — same big volume knob and 4.75-inch display — but has an improved DAC and more integrated streaming capabilities.
The KEF LSX II LT is a more affordable version of the fantastic LSX II active speaker system. The LTs have most of the same wireless and wired capabilities. The big difference is that the power supply is built into the primary LT speaker and thus the two speakers need to be tethered to each other at all times. That’s a welcome tradeoff considering these new speakers are $400 cheaper.
The Dirtywave M8 Model:02 is a new version of the beloved-but-constantly-sold-out Model:01. This “tracker”-style digital synthesizer can compose songs with 8 separate tracks and samples of unlimited length, sweetening the deal with a new all-metal case and built-in microphone. Both models have the same Teensy 4.1 microchip inside — and both benefit from future firmware updates.
The Yamaha ZG02 is the company’s newest audio mixer that’s designed for gamers and streamers. It’s more compact and affordable than similar soundboards. Plus its integrated USB-C port makes it easy to use with gaming consoles; it’s compatible with Mac and Windows as well.
The Momentum Sports are sport-focused wireless earbuds with flagship-level sound and features, but they also pack integrated sensors for monitoring heart rate and body temperature. They’re also compatible with most of today’s popular training apps including Apple, Garmin, Strava, Peloton and Polar.
Samsung’s Music Frame is a wireless speaker that you hang on your wall and it disguises itself as a framed piece of artwork. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming. If you have a Samsung TV or soundbar, you can configure it as a surround sound speaker, as well. Samsung will sell a variety of different prints for it. No price has been revealed.
The FiiO R9 is an upgraded version of last year’s GP100-winning R7. Like its predecessor, the R9 is an all-in-one desktop hi-fi solution, but it packs a new Qualcomm Bluetooth chip, improved twin DACs (now ESS Labs 9030PRO) and a twice-as-powerful amplifier. It also adds an HDMI ARC port in case you want to connect it to a TV.
The Kanto Ora 4 are new powered computer speakers — they’re essentially slightly bigger versions of the company’s acclaimed Oras. They work exactly the same, connecting to your computer via USB-C and also supporting built-in Bluetooth (for streaming from your smartphone), but have a larger woofer, more power output and cost $50 more.
The Yamaha Seqtrak is an all-in-one portable music-making device — it’s a synth, drum machine and sampler that has a built-in battery, speaker and microphone. It supports both wired and wireless connections, works with a companion app (for further customization) and has fun retro design that looks straight out of the ’80s.
Focal’s Aria Evo X series of loudspeakers are the next-generation of its decade-old Aria 900 series. The new speakers has been integrated with a number of flagship technologies, including the TNF tweeter or Flax cone, and each model has an updated look and finish. The prices range from $999 (center) to $5,998 (floorstanding/pair).
Audio Pro’s C20 is a minimalist wireless speaker that can just about do it all. It supports Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect) and Bluetooth streaming. It has an HDMI ARC input so you can use it as a miniature soundbar for your TV, and it has a built-in MM phono stage for connecting a turntable.
The Sony SRS-XV500 is the company’s newest portable party speaker. It looks similar to Sony’s SRS-XV800 and flagship SRS-XV900 speakers and has many of the same features, including customizable lighting and a karaoke mode. The difference is that the SRS-XV500 is the smallest and most affordable of Sony’s portable party speakers.
The Victrola Stream Sapphire is the company’s most high-end turntable to date and, like the Stream Carbon, it works natively with Sonos. This new model is has more premium components and more wireless streaming capabilities; in addition to Sonos, it supports Roon and UPnP, and is capable of streaming lossless FLAC audio files (up to 24-bit/48kHz).
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7s are the company’s new midrange noise-canceling wireless earbuds. They have the same 5.8mm drivers as the company’s flagship ATH-TWX9s ($299), but are considerably cheaper — just don’t expect their noise-canceling to be as good. One notable upgrade is that these new earbuds support LDAC streaming (up to 24-bit/96kHz).
The Samsung HW-Q990D is the company’s new flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar system and successor to the much-lauded HW-Q990C. Like before, it’s an 11.1.4-channel system (with 22 total drivers) that connects wirelessly to a compatible Samsung TV. The big upgrade is that it now has a built-in HDMI 2.1 port, making it much better for connecting next-gen consoles or 4K streamers. No price has yet been announced.
Sonos introduced a new ceiling speaker to its architectural series that it collaborates with Sonance on. The new speaker, the Sonos 8″ In-Ceiling Speaker, is essentially a better and more expensive version of the existing 6″ In-Ceiling Speaker. It’ll be available in the spring.
The Buds 3 are the company”s newest wireless earbuds. They lack the “Pro” name of OnePlus’s higher-end wireless earbuds, but the Buds 3 do have active noise-cancellation and they cost just under $100.
Q Acoustics
Hidizs
Pro-Ject
Audioengine
McIntosh
McIntosh
FiiO
Astell&Kern
Skullcandy
Shure
Lenco
KEF
KEF
Kanto Audio
Naim
Q Acoustics
Bose
Cambridge
KEF
Dirtywave
Yamaha
Sennheiser
Samsung
FiiO
Kanto
Yamaha
Focal
Audio Pro
Sony
Victrola
Audio Technica
Samsung
Sonos
OnePlus
