Audio

Xiaomi has listed its first clip-on earbuds on its global website. The open-ear Xiaomi Clip buds pack 11 mm drivers and support Hi-Res Audio. You get up to 38 hours of playback with the charging case, along with Apple Find My support.

Edifier has launched the Sona Clip as its latest pair of open-ear earbuds with a clip-on design. Boasting support for Hi-Res Wireless Audio, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.1, and a 44-hour battery life, the earbuds will be sold in China for the equivalent of $70.

NTT Sonority has started selling the SonoVo Stick, a compact microphone designed for factories, construction sites and other noisy workplaces. It weighs 29g, offers three recording modes and uses patented voice-processing technology that can isolate speech even in environments exceeding 100dB level noise.

Victor has introduced the EX-D60, an all-in-one stereo system built around a pair of 8.5cm wooden speaker cones. It combines CD playback, Bluetooth with LDAC, FM radio and USB recording, offering several ways to enjoy a music collection without relying on streaming services.

The Maono PD500W AI hybrid microphone promises high-quality audio with phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras thanks to its AI noise reduction and dual wireless/XLR connectivity.

The Gadhouse Eric portable CD player combines retro style with modern tech. It supports standard CDs, HQCDs, and MP3/WMA files on recordable discs, while offering Bluetooth, FM radio, dual 3.5 mm headphone outputs, and anti-skip playback.

Huawei's new FreeBuds SE 5 Max pack up to 80 hours of battery life, 52dB active noise cancellation, LDAC audio and multipoint connectivity into a pair of earbuds costing just ¥8,580 (approximately $56). Launched in Japan on November 6, the budget-friendly model promises premium-style features without the premium price tag. With fast charging and enough advertised endurance to last through several weekends, Huawei is giving both competitors and charging cables something to worry about.

Panasonic has introduced the RB-HJ800 wireless headphones in Japan, promising up to 100 hours of playback with active noise cancellation switched off. The new model combines 40mm drivers, adjustable bass enhancement and a foldable design inspired by traditional Japanese colors. Available in three distinctive finishes, the headphones are listed at ¥14,850 (approximately $94) through Panasonic's Japanese online store.

Audio-Technica's ATH-TWX9MK3 flagship wireless earbuds are making their public debut in Tokyo on 7 November, ahead of a 20 November Japanese release. The new model combines fit-adaptive noise cancellation, 192 kHz/24-bit wireless audio and up to 33 hours of battery life with ANC enabled.

Razer has unveiled the Hammerhead V3 Chroma, a pair of wired USB-C gaming earbuds combining active noise cancellation, dual drivers and customizable RGB lighting. A 90-degree connector makes them particularly suitable for handheld gaming, while wired connectivity eliminates the need to recharge the earbuds.

Apple has put its new touchscreen MacBook Pro in the hands of British musician Labrinth for an almost four-hour livestream showcasing music production in Logic Pro. The demonstration offers a closer look at Logic Pro's touch controls just ahead of the laptop's 6 November release.

JVC Kenwood has introduced the second generation of its Victor ear-cuff wireless earbuds, with a new mode designed to keep music from disturbing nearby people. The HA-NP1T2 also features improved fit, updated sound processing and longer playback per charge. However, the improvements come with a small compromise in total battery life.

Sony is reissuing the headphones that came with the first Walkman after 45 years. The ultralight on-ear headphones aim to impress not only with their retro charm, but also with modern convenience features such as USB-C and an inline remote.

A Japanese art project has created a rather unusual take on the classic Buddha Machine, replacing ambient music with 28 recordings of animals going about their daily lives. Called Anima, the collectible audio gadget features custom artwork and even supports animal welfare initiatives. It's a sound machine for people who find conventional relaxation music a little too predictable.

Motorola has launched a new pair of high-end wireless earbuds. Featuring Bose-tuned ANC and Transparency modes, the Moto Buds 2 Ultra will be available globally in the coming weeks. Motorola is marketing the earbuds as the Moto Buds Ultra 27 in some markets, too.

Steinberg has released Cubase 16 with improved stem separation that can isolate piano and guitar alongside vocals, drums and bass. The update also introduces instrument layering, faster MIDI editing and Yamaha's upgraded Omnivocal singing synthesizer. Producers can now separate more of a recording and even create a vocalist without booking studio time.

Rollme has launched the AuraCam, over-ear wireless headphones with an 8MP camera and electronic image stabilisation, OpenAI-powered recognition and real-time translation, three-tap meeting recording and a 40mm microcrystalline metal diaphragm. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6 and sell in Black and Beige for $89.99 during Rollme’s 11.11 promotion.

The aluminum Kiwi Ears Coda USB-C DAC delivers high-fidelity music decoding to smartphones through 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced headphones. The unit features a web-based sound equalizer to simplify use.

The new Sleep SK1 wireless Bluetooth speaker goes under the pillow to avoid disturbing both the user and their sleep companions when listening to music and alarms. The sleep speaker uses vibration and conduction technology to beam audio.

Xiaomi has listed the Smart Audio Glasses at its online stores in various European countries. Now officially available in this market, the wearable is cheaper than an existing model and should run for around 11 days in standby mode.

A perfect shot is not much use if the audio disappears halfway through. Deity's upgraded PR-2ii pocket recorder introduces cleaner pre-amps, protection against interrupted recordings and a brighter display. With 32-bit float recording, timecode support and over 20 hours of battery life, it aims to make one of filmmaking's less glamorous jobs a little less stressful.

Casio's Casiotone CT-FS1 is a $399.99, 61-key keyboard based on the CT-S1 that uses a companion app and the bundled WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter to shift a player's notes into harmony with a song in real time. It comes in all-black or all-white finishes.

Even old Apple iPods can now be upgraded with the latest Bluetooth standards, as iFi Up Travel Max simply connects to a music player, a car stereo or an in-flight entertainment system via a 3.5 mm plug, and then streams hi-fi music to up to two pairs of headphones.

After launching first in Korea, Samsung has brought its first pair of clip-on earbuds to the US. The Galaxy Buds On cost less than the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and will be available to buy in November.

Soundpeats has launched the CC3 Pro, a new pair of open-ear earbuds combining two different speaker drivers, LDAC audio and wireless charging. Priced at $69.99, they promise better sound without blocking out the world around you, although high-quality audio comes with a significant battery-life trade-off.

Audio-Technica has introduced the ATH-M50xSTS-WL headset, the company's first StreamSet headphone combining the audio quality of its ATH-M50 series headphones with its 20 Series studio-grade microphones. The headphones offer 2.4 GHz wireless and USB-C wired connectivity, adaptive microphone noise reduction, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

The stylish km5 Cp1 CD player with a rechargeable battery, USB-C and Bluetooth becomes a portable sound system with the addition of two brand-new components, as the manufacturer has unveiled a mixer and a speaker in a matching design.

DJs spend countless hours building playlists, setting up cue points and learning their tracks inside out. Now, AlphaTheta and Bitwig want to turn that preparation into something more creative, with an integration that brings familiar DJ libraries straight into music production.

The AirFly line of wireless headphones dongles has gotten a new addition. The new model is called the AirFly View and it has a display and support for Bluetooth Auracast.

OnePlus has entered the growing clip-on earbuds market with the Buds Clip, a pair of open-ear headphones that automatically recognize which ear they're sitting on. Developed in collaboration with Dynaudio, they feature dual drivers, a lightweight nickel-titanium design, and up to 40 hours of battery life with the charging case. The earbuds also support high-resolution wireless audio and promise a comfortable fit without blocking the ear canal.

The Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos soundbar in white is now at its lowest price of the year on Amazon after a 35% discount. The 180-watt Dolby Atmos soundbar delivers powerful surround sound to TV sets using nine speakers, and it can be further expanded with a 500-watt Bose Bass Module 700 subwoofer.

Adam Audio has launched the H715 Reference, its flagship open-back studio headphones featuring 40 mm titanium-plated drivers and a 9 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response for precise audio monitoring. Its Headphone Utility Plug-In enables speaker-like stereo imaging and accurate mix evaluation for music producers and audio engineers.

HiBy has unveiled the RS2 II, a portable digital audio player with a R-2R DAC, quad OPA1622 amps, high-resolution music playback, and the ability to drive balanced and unbalanced wired headphones.

Audio-Technica has unveiled the flagship ATH-AWX7000 wooden headphones made from Kiso cypress and finished with Echizen lacquer. The natural woods help create a detailed, lush sound tuned for a multi-layered soundstage with deep bass.

Nothing is reportedly looking to add a Pro variant to its earbud portfolio. The Nothing Ear (3) Pro is expected to launch soon and come with some key improvements over the Nothing Ear (3).

Electro-Voice's second-generation Evolve speaker systems are now available worldwide, promising more power, smarter wireless controls, and fewer cables to trip over. With three models aimed at DJs, musicians, and event professionals, the lineup looks ready for everything from intimate performances to considerably less intimate dance floors.

On the iPod’s 25th anniversary, Apple Music’s website features a working replica of the first-generation iPod on its 404 page, including a hidden Brick game.

VirtualDJ has added Apple Music integration in its latest update, giving DJs access to another massive streaming catalog directly from their mixing software. The new feature makes finding and playing tracks easier, although restrictions on stem separation and offline playback mean that Apple's music library comes with a few strings attached.

Sony has discontinued its last standalone 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player in Japan, with the UBP-X700/K now listed as permanently out of stock. No successor has been announced, although the company continues to offer dedicated 4K Blu-ray players in international markets.

Music producers know how quickly a project can turn into a jungle of plugins and floating windows. Pine DSP's new Blox Rack combines six effects in a modular interface, with flexible routing, modulation tools and more than 500 presets to keep the creative chaos under control.

Finding the right key for a song is one thing. Knowing what to play next is another. Zplane's Tonic 2 builds on its music analysis tools with playable chords, improved MIDI support and a redesigned interface, giving producers a little help when inspiration runs dry.

Sony’s cheapest planar magnetic PS5 headset yet has a release date and a price that undercuts the Pulse Elite. Something had to give, of course, but the main premium features made the cut.

Start playing music without having to switch on an amplifier or other devices or adjust any settings. That’s exactly what Jamo promises with its new HYG 5. The all-in-one Wi-Fi speaker combines streaming, hi-res audio, and an unusual gesture control system in a living-room-friendly design, priced at $399.

Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV 4K can connect to up to four HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod speakers, up from two on earlier models. Alongside a Surround Sound mode, it offers Whole Room Audio, which the left and right channels to diagonal speaker pairs so stereo stays balanced anywhere in a room.

Serato DJ 5.0 has officially left beta, bringing its improved beatgrids and new mixing tools to the stable release. The bigger surprise is Serato's first DJ app for iPhone and iPad, complete with controller support and desktop library transfers. It's free to try, although the full mobile experience comes at a price.

The Boya Notra Neo transcribes conversations and generates AI-powered summaries. The MagSafe-compatible recorder supports more than 140 languages and comes with 8 GB of storage to record meetings, calls, lectures, and personal voice notes.

The Final Porta offers audio enthusiasts on-ear headphones with an ultralight design. The Bluetooth 5.4 headphones deliver up to eight hours of runtime between charges and use the common SBC and AAC audio codecs for broad compatibility.

Sony is updating its two flagship music players. The top model is designed to deliver first-class sound thanks to a gold-plated copper chassis, but not only is the music player extremely expensive, Sony also limits its output in Europe to just 1.1 mW.

The successor to the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 is official. The brand-new ZX900 promises even better sound, not least because many components have been taken directly from the expensive WM1 series. Modern streaming features are also on board.

YouTube Music is rolling out labels to identify AI-generated songs on its dedicated music streaming platform. Listeners can now check whether their favorite singer is human or just a bunch of clever algorithms. The feature is also expected to reach regular YouTube, where music shares the stage with videos of just about everything else.