Audio

Apple unveiled the updated and upgraded AirPods Pro 3 at its September 9 event. They come with a few improved features, some of which, unfortunately, will not work unless you have the latest iPhone.

LG has launched the Xboom Buds Lite and Buds Plus earbuds tuned by musician will.i.am, with graphene-coated drivers and adaptive EQ for optimal sound quality. The Plus charging case can be used as a Bluetooth transmitter for non-wireless audio sources.

Huawei's next open-ear wireless buds were touted to be more comfortable to wear in their last leak; now, their latest tip might help explain why that is said. The FreeClip 2 peripherals are also predicted to come in three colors and to launch alongside Huawei's upcoming premium smartwatch.

Spotify is improving significantly for users without a paid subscription. It is now finally possible to select songs without having to pay monthly. Creating playlists, custom playlist covers and song lyrics are now also available without a subscription.

The Xiaomi Sound Party was officially introduced in June 2025, and now the wireless speaker is available to purchase. This new Bluetooth speaker goes for €129.99 in the EU and is available globally via AliExpress at $108.33.

The Hisense S5120Q, a slim 5.1.2 channel soundbar, has been unveiled. Shown at a recent event, this model supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and comes with a new mode for gaming. It is accompanied by a wireless subwoofer, and users will be able to manage the speaker through an app.

The Sharp HT-SBW320 2.1ch Ultra-slim Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer will shortly be released in Europe. This model delivers an up to 360W output with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. Plus, the slim soundbar is a certified Roku TV Ready device, which should make it easier to pair.

The Beoplay Portal Xbox headset offers audiophile sound and Dolby Atmos capabilities, but years of connection issues with the Xbox Series X/S render it unreliable.

Xiaomi has revealed when it will be launching its latest pair of open wireless earbuds globally. Rebranded as the OpenWear Stereo Pro, the earbuds will be joining other devices next week, like the Redmi Pad 2 Pro and the Xiaomi 15T series, during a packed event.

SPR AVS is debuting with the Apple iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, and Vision Pro, delivering lossless, low-latency wireless audio. The new protocol should work alongside Bluetooth for next-gen features.

Upgraded audio is coming to the next generation of high-end smartphones, according to a new leak. The upcoming devices' integrated speakers might also come with the logos of famous names in the industry to underpin their new "enhanced" performance. These new niche flagships might come courtesy of Android brands such as Redmi and iQoo.

Anker has listed the new soundcore AeroFit 2 AI Assistant wireless earbuds at a retailer in Europe. They support voice commands and live translations, and the assistant can also answer questions. Already available to pre-order in one colorway, the product has a similar design to its predecessor.

Spotify’s engineering manager opened up in a Reddit AMA, explaining the lossless audio launch’s technical challenges, rollout logic, in-app quality indicators, and user-driven design for Premium subscribers.

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are down to their lowest price yet, with Woot offering them for just $110, a huge drop from their usual $250. The buds come equipped with a dual-driver setup, and their ANC performance rivals the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro.

Nothing's next-generation flagship earbuds feature a completely redesigned housing, which, like the charging case, is partially made of metal. The manufacturer has now unveiled the new design a few days ahead of the launch.

Live translations require iPhone models that support Apple Intelligence. This means only those who are using the fairly newer phones will be able to make use of this advanced feature.

Yamaha has introduced two premium over-ear headphones—the open-back YH-4000 with planar magnetic Orthodynamic drivers and magnesium frame, and the closed-back YH-C3000 with Armodynamic drivers and beech wood earcups.

After years of teasing, Spotify has finally added lossless music streaming support on its platform. It will be part of the Premium plan and top out at 24-bit / 44.1 kHz FLAC.

CheckMag What kind of music app doesn’t let you listen to music? Apple Music on Windows, that's what. Since its port to Windows in 2023, users face constant audio dropouts, broken volume controls, and sync failures, turning what should be a smooth experience into a frustrating mess.

Apple has officially shown off the AirPods Pro 3. They come with a heart rate sensor, longer battery life and IP57 water and dust resistance. The earbuds can be purchased on September 19.

The Fuxi H8 Pro are headphones that promise a high level of comfort and are also said to be well-suited for video gamers. They have a built-in microphone with noise cancellation and a supposedly low latency.

The Onkyo TRHPA-KIT01 DIY headphone amplifier kit, available in Japan for ¥44,000 (~$300), features patented ultra-low distortion tech and modular components for audio hobbyists. The kit will be offered made-to-order through October 3, 2025.

Nothing Ear (3) TWS earbuds will launch on September 18 and will likely come in black and white colors. The company has teased the upcoming earbuds and they follow the typical transparent design language the brand is known for.

Apple is expected to soon unveil brand-new Powerbeats Fit earbuds, which will apparently feature a number of significant upgrades, including a smaller charging case and longer battery life. A reliable source has now revealed the price, key specs and launch date.

A gadget that connects to plants and produces music: Pocket Scion generates sounds based on biofeedback. The instrument is now available and is designed to be used by beginners without any musical knowledge.

Loewe and Jacob & Co. have debuted the €99,000 Noir Rainbow and €119,000 Ice Diamond headphones, blending high-end audio tech with hand-set gemstones and diamonds. Featuring 50 mm drivers, ANC, AI assistant, and up to 65-hour runtimes, these bejeweled collectibles redefine luxury music enjoyment.

The Zoom H6studio Handy Recorder delivers six-track, 32-bit float audio capture with swappable XY mics, phantom-powered XLR inputs, and advanced limiters for distortion-free recording. Designed for musicians and filmmakers, it offers up to 6.5 hours of continuous record time.

Beyerdynamic has announced three mid-range audio devices—the Aventho 200, Amiron 200, and Amiron Zero—each tailored for distinct listening needs from audiophile-grade playback to sporty and lightweight designs. All models feature Bluetooth connectivity, noise-cancelling mics, and Q4 2025 availability.

Teile Elektronik’s K1 headphones, crafted by DJ Rampa, are said to deliver club-ready sound and a secure fit for professional DJs. They feature 40 mm drivers, with wired analog and USB-C connectivity.

The Galaxy Buds 3 may not be as popular as their Pro sibling, but they’re a great pick if you prefer an open-fit design without silicone tips. Right now, you can grab them at a massive 58% off—and they even come with Samsung’s official 2-year warranty.

Jade Audio has launched the Jiezi USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier, blending an Eastern-inspired design with Hi-Res Audio support, offering PCM 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD playback. It comes in 3.5 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced models.

The 2nd-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra arrives with improvements over the previous generation. From a refined design to new features and longer battery life, Bose's new headphones are the latest entry in the premium headphones segment.

TCL has announced a new technical partnership set to benefit its next-gen augmented-reality (AR) glasses at IFA 2025. The world's first RayNeo wearables with Audio by Bang & Olufsen are projected to launch worldwide by the fourth quarter of the year, but might be seen earlier than that in certain regions.

The Redmi Desktop Speaker 2 Pro is now available for crowdfunding on the Xiaomi Youpin store. It's an affordable speaker with a four-driver setup, a metal grille design, and three connection modes, including wireless playback through Bluetooth.

1More's latest offer might be one for those who want to try open-ear audio, yet would also like a new pair of conventional wireless headphones to fall back on just in case. The brand's latest Fit SE Open Earbuds S20 can now be ordered with the SonoFlow Pro for an attractive combined price. Alternatively, the headphones have attractive discounts as a standalone product right now.

Timekettle W4 is a new translation tool in the form of earbuds that aims to significantly simplify life when traveling or in professional contexts such as meetings. The devices are said to have a translation accuracy of 98%, with a delay of just 0.2 seconds.

Baseus has unveiled the Inspire series of headphones and earphones with Dolby Audio technology and Sound by Bose tuning. All come with AI-powered noise reduction for clearer calls with less background noise.

Belkin has announced new budget-friendly earbuds at IFA 2025. The new lineup includes the SoundForm Anywhere, ActiveFit, Rhythm ANC, and a wired option with ANC. All earbuds will be released later this month for only $34.99.

Huawei has released the FreeBuds 7i, an affordable pair of wireless earbuds that undercut the AirPods 4 on price while surpassing Apple's earbuds in various areas. With multi-device connectivity support as well as Bluetooth 5.4 and L2HC 2.0, the Huawei FreeBuds 7i also offer a 10-band EQ and ANC.

Wearers of the Fuiigo 1.1 wearable speaker supposedly can enjoy immersive sound with deep bass similar to a home theater system without disturbing their neighbors, making it ideal for apartment use.

Samsung has announced two new so-called Sound Towers, which are massive Bluetooth speakers with an output of up to 240 watts and 18 hours of battery life. Thanks to RGB lighting, the Sound Towers are designed to leave an impression at parties.

Blackpink’s Jennie has teamed up with Beats by Dre once again, this time on a chic Ruby Red edition of the Solo 4 headphones. The headphones are inspired by her debut solo album Ruby and will be available starting September 5.

The award-winning Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL has been released in Europe. Currently available with up to 25% off, this device offers white and colored lighting effects that can sync to the music played through the integrated speaker. It can be remotely controlled via the brand’s app or with voice commands, and it also supports Matter.

Marshall has expanded its home theater lineup with the compact Heston 60 soundbar and Sub 200 subwoofer, bringing Dolby Atmos, DTS-X audio, and wireless streaming to smaller spaces.

JBL has just unveiled the Grip, a $100 portable speaker roughly the size and shape of a tall beer can, built to withstand dust, drops, and dunks. It also features a neat built-in light to add ambience to your music.

Apple's next-generation flagship earbuds are expected to feature two new sensors, instead of "just" a heart rate sensor like the Powerbeats Pro 2. However, recent rumors suggest that not all of the new features will be available at launch.

The soundcore C50i open-ear earbuds appear to have been leaked. Also known as model D1101, they are said to offer a live translation function, with support for 100 different languages. Other listed features include support for Bluetooth 6.1 and Multipoint connections, and up to eight hours of runtime on a single charge.

Fresh ’n Rebel’s Clam Ace 2 over‑ear headphones debut with Adaptive Hybrid ANC, personalized tuning via My Sound and Audiodo, multipoint Bluetooth, on‑ear detection, and 100+ hours of battery for ~$117.

The iFi Go Pod Max transforms wired IEMs into high-fidelity wireless devices with Bluetooth 5.4, adaptive impedance matching, and support for premium codecs including aptX Lossless and LDAC. Priced at $599, it features K2HD audio upscaling, UV sterilization, and up to 35 hours of runtime with its charging case.

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 Ultra earbuds feature patented planar drivers and AI-powered noise cancellation, delivering Hi-Res LDAC audio over Bluetooth 6.0 with ultra-low gaming latency. Users can share favorite EQ settings through the smartphone app.