8 Cool New Gadgets to Keep on Your Radar

The FiiO K15 is a versatile DAC and headphone amplifier designed to be the central hub of your desktop audio setup. It features a flagship-worthy dual-DAC setup and boasts a powerful amplifier that is capable of driving a wide variety of headphones. It also has a dedicated preamp mode and supports streaming via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The brand describes the K15 as full-system desktop DAC/amp for audiophiles.

The Headphones 1 are Nothing’s first-ever pair of wireless over-ear headphones. They have a similar striking design with transparent elements as the brand’s smartphones and wireless earbuds. And, most interestingly, Nothing partnered with KEF, the British hi-fi maker, to ensure that the headphones sound great. Additionally, the Headphones have active noise-cancellation and transparency modes. And they promise up to 35 hours of battery with ANC turned on.

Orange Amps, the iconic British amplifier manufacturer, has released its first-ever turntable. The O Turntable is a high-quality belt-drive turntable with a built-in phono preamplifier. It features premium components, headlined by Orange’s own custom moving-magnet cartridge. It has a minimalist design with a glossy white finish. It also comes with a slipmat that bears the company’s “Voice of the World” crest.

The Maxell MXCP-P100 is an affordable portable cassette tape player with modern conveniences. It supports wired and wireless headphones, the latter thanks to built-in Bluetooth. And there’s no need to swap batteries as it has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Unlike other more expensive options, the MXCP-P100 only supports audio playback — it doesn’t have any recording capabilities. Technically a Japan exclusive, you can stag one of these on eBay for around $130.

Nothing’s Phone 3 is the company’s first true flagship smartphone. It maintains the standout transparent design of its predecessors, but it’s built with more premium materials, features an upgraded processor (Snapdragon 8S Gen 4), and has a flagship-worthy triple-camera system on its back. One significant change from Nothing’s other smartphones is that, instead of a Glyph interface (an array of customizable light strips on its back), the Phone 3 features a small circular LED display in the top-right corner of its back, which it calls the Glyph Matrix. This can show little images or emojis to give you an idea of what kind of notification you’ve received without having to flip the phone over. Also, unlike Nothing’s most recent smartphones, the Phone 3 will actually be available for purchase in the US.

The Ikarao Break X1 is a beast of a portable speaker and karaoke machine. It features three drivers, including two 2.6-inch tweeters and one 6.5-inch subwoofer, and delivers 460 watts of power. But what’s most interesting is on the inside. The top of the speaker flips open to reveal a 13.3-inch tablet display, which can rotate 180 degrees, running an Android operating system and displaying song lyrics and music videos. Hidden inside are also two super-cardioid microphones for your aforementioned karaoke sessions. (Note, Ikarao makes two smaller versions of this speaker, the Break X2 and Shell 1, for those looking for a more budget-friendly option.)

Topping’s DX5 II is a second-generation version of the DX5, released in 2022. Like the original, the DX5 II can function as a standalone DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier, but it’s been upgraded inside and out. It features a significantly more premium build, a larger volume dial, and an all-new 2-inch color screen that allows you to switch between nine different backgrounds, which can display playback information or even VU-style meters. It also features upgraded DACs and a superior headphone amplifier. Available in three different color options: black, silver or white.

The Marshall Middleton II is an updated version of its 2023-released Middleton, and the company is calling it its most powerful portable speaker to date. It has a near-identical compact design to its predecessor, but the second-gen speaker boasts a longer-lasting battery (now rated at over 30 hours) and better and more immersive audio. It also has a built-in microphone to give it speakerphone functionality. Other features include a durable IP67-rated body and USB-C power output, so you can use it to charge your smartphone. It’s available in two colors: cream or black.