Best of CES 2025: The Audio Gear That Matters

The halls of CES never disappoint when it comes to audio gear, and 2025 kicked it up another notch. After wading through endless booths, dodging enthusiastic marketing pitches, and spending way too much time testing everything we could get our hands on, we’ve narrowed down the standouts. No hype, no fluff – just the gear that genuinely impressed us. Here’s what made the cut.

Earfun Air Pro 4+

EarFun continues to punch above its price point with the Air Pro 4+. The standout here is the built-in AI translation that actually works—letting you have real conversations across 40 languages without pulling out your phone. The hybrid driver setup brings clean highs and punchy bass that rival buds twice the price, while the noise canceling is no joke at 50dB. Throw in Snapdragon Sound, 54-hour battery life, and public audio sharing through Auracast, and you’ve got some seriously capable buds that won’t break the bank.

Eclipsa Audio

Samsung and Google’s Eclipsa Audio made our jaws drop at CES. We tested it across genres – from orchestral pieces that placed every instrument precisely in space, to electronic tracks with energetic sound movement, and the depth and precision rivaled Dolby Atmos at every turn. What really got us excited was its open-source nature – no licensing fees means we could see this tech everywhere soon. Sure, it’s Samsung-only for now, but with YouTube creators getting access this year and heavy hitters like Amazon and Apple backing the format, Eclipsa could shake up how we experience spatial audio.

Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi

Creative’s Aurvana Ace Mimi earbuds make xMEMS drivers accessible without breaking the bank. The dual-driver setup delivers pristine highs and punchy bass that embarrasses buds twice the price. But the real magic is in the Mimi sound personalization – it runs your ears through a quick hearing test and tweaks the sound to match your personal hearing profile. Throw in solid battery life, multipoint pairing, and wireless charging, and you’ve got a serious contender aton the product's website.

Shokz OpenMeet

Shokz breaks into the office scene with bone conduction tech in their OpenMeet UC headset. The standout features are unmatched comfort (even with glasses) and a killer noise canceling mic that cuts through office chaos. At$249.95 at Amazon, you’re paying for crystal-clear calls and all-day wearability – though the open-ear design means you’ll still hear your coworker’s coffee slurps. For remote workers who hate sweaty ears and want to stay tuned to their surroundings, it’s worth a look.

Jlab Epic Lux headphones

JLab’s Epic Lux Lab Edition headphones mark their first dive into adaptive ANC at a compelling $200 price point. The 32mm drivers promise premium sound, while head-tracking spatial audio adds some future-proofing to the mix. Battery life is a monster at 60+ hours with ANC on – double what most competitors offer. While they’re just hitting preorders, the specs suggest JLab’s ready to play with the big boys in the premium headphone space.

Anker Soundcore Rave 3

Soundcore’s Rave 3S takes karaoke to the next level with AI vocal removal that actually works. The 200W speaker brings enough power to fill a decent-sized room, while the included wireless mics and beat-synced lights turn any space into an instant party spot. Throw in 12-hour battery life and IPX4 splashproofing, and at $349, you’ve got a compelling package for karaoke enthusiasts hitting stores this March.

Shure MV7i

Shure’s MV7i takes their popular MV7+ USB mic and adds some serious recording flexibility. The built-in interface lets you plug in a second XLR mic or instrument – perfect for podcast interviews or quick song demos. With 60dB of gain, phantom power, and Shure’s reliable audio quality, it’s a smart all-in-one solution for creators at $349.

OneOdio Studio Max 1

OneOdio’s Studio Max 1 headphones take a bold swing at wireless DJ performance with their 20ms latency Rapid WiLL+ tech. Co-branded with DJ Arianna, they’re flexible enough to handle both wireless and wired DJ setups, plus regular Bluetooth listening with LDAC support. The 120-hour battery life means you won’t run dry mid-set while keeping traditional wired connections as a backup, making them a practical choice for DJs ready to cut the cord.

Wrapping up

While CES is often filled with far-fetched concepts that never see the light of day, this year’s audio lineup feels refreshingly real and ready for prime time. From EarFun’s translation-capable buds and Creative’s personalized sound to Shokz’s office-ready bone conduction and JLab’s adaptive ANC, we’re seeing meaningful innovation at prices that won’t destroy your wallet. Throw in a karaoke speaker that actually removes vocals, Shure’s clever hybrid mic, and Samsung’s game-changing spatial audio format, and 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for our ears. Consider us hyped for what’s next.

Want more CES audio coverage? Head over to our YouTube channel for quick looks at other cool gear that caught our eye on the show floor.