CES presents a treasure trove of new earphones, headphones, speakers, mics, and more audio products each year. More than most other gadgets shown off in the Las Vegas desert, audio gear is often ready to hit store shelves shortly after the show winds down. In fact, several of our top picks are already for sale.
This year, PCMag partnered with the CTA and our tech teammates at , Lifehacker, Mashable, and ZDNET to pick the official winners for the Best of CES Awards. Though audio wasn’t an official category, we couldn’t help but add our favorite pair of headphones from the show to our own list of CES top picks.
But why stop at just one pair of headphones? Whether you like to listen to music or record it yourself, read on for all of our favorite audio gear from the show.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
(Credit: Audio-Technica)
OK, so the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but Audio-Technica got nearly everything else right with its ATH-CKS50TW2 noise-cancelling earphones. The magnetic design sets them apart from the crowd. Like most in-ear models, these buds come in a charging case and fit individually in each ear. However, they include a magnetic switch function that automatically powers them down to conserve power when you connect them with one another via the embedded magnets (see the photo above). As such, the earphones deliver an impressive 25 hours of playback per charge with noise cancellation off (15 with it on), with an additional 40 hours in the charging case. Audio-Technica claims a five-minute charge gives them 90 minutes of playback, and the case charges wirelessly and via USB-C.
These in-ears have 9mm high-definition drivers for superior sound and produce a frequency response of 5Hz to 20kHz. Dual MEMS mics and audio beamforming manage active noise cancellation (ANC) and call quality for near-silent listening and crystal-clear conversations. A hybrid hard and soft silicone material makes for a comfortable and secure in-ear fit for the best passive noise reduction. The headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio and the high-quality LC3 codec, and the A-T Connect app allows users to tweak the sound with EQ presets and find them if they get lost. The headphones carry an IP55 rating for modest protection against dust, sweat, and rain. They’re on sale now for $149.
JBL Tour One M3
(Credit: JBL)
If you’ve found yourself staring at a 3.5mm headphone jack and wondering how you’re going to get the audio to your Bluetooth headphones, JBL has the solution. Our Best of CES winner for headphones, JBL’s Tour One M3 headphones ship with a Smart Tx audio transmitter. Similar to the one JBL builds into its popular Tour Pro 3 earphones, the Smart Tx can connect to any 3.5mm or USB-C audio source and transmit the audio to the headphones using a direct, proprietary connection that JBL claims improves call quality, latency, and stability. This little puck means you can plug into an inflight entertainment system, TV, or other audio source that’s not wirelessly enabled.
Beyond the transmitter, the headphones are based around new 40mm Mica Dome drivers to deliver a full range of high-quality audio. Four mics with adaptive beamforming assist with call clarity, while eight mics work together to block unwanted background noise. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, Auracast, and DAC-assisted audio via direct 3.5mm and USB-C wired connections. Other features include spatial audio, a powerful app for shaping the sound and personalizing your experience, and up to 70 hours of continuous playback. The headphones go on sale in April for $399.95.
Shokz OpenFit 2
(Credit: Shokz)
Shokz has been producing a steady stream of solid products over the last year, and it kicked off 2025 by releasing the OpenFit 2 true wireless earphones with an open design. The primary purpose of open-ear designs is to allow you to hear your surroundings while enjoying your favorite audio. The Shokz OpenFit 2 earphones use two independent drivers to process low- and high-frequency signals and push them to your ears in a way that delivers immersive sound that doesn’t drown out the environment. Shokz says its new OpenBass 2.0 algorithm directs bass directly into your ear canals while maintaining clarity in the high end. Further, Shokz’s DirectPitch 2.0 prevents leakage, so what you listen to remains private.
These open earphones rely on an over-ear hook design, so they stay in place on your ears as you move around. Shokz says its new silicone is more comfortable to wear over long periods of time, while the internal nickel-titanium frame means they sit securely. Physical buttons allow you to control your music, answer calls, and more. The buds deliver 11 hours of listening time, and the case holds an additional 37 hours of charge. A 10-minute charge provides two hours of playtime. They have an IP55 rating, dual microphones for call clarity, and an app for adjusting their behavior. The Shokz Openfit 2 earphones are on sale now for $179.95 and come in beige or black. We’ll have a full review of them soon.
Shure MV7i
(Credit: Shure)
Shure’s family of MV7 mics are great for podcasting, recording vocals and instruments, and participating in video calls. The latest entry into the family, the MV7i, makes it easier to record from two sources at once. The MV7i is built around the capable MV7+ but swaps out the rear connectors for added functionality. The MV7+ includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring, a USB-C port for digital audio and power, and an XLR out for sending audio to a mixing board or other piece of equipment. The MV7i drops the XLR out in favor of a combined XLR and quarter-inch input. This allows you to patch in another mic or instrument and mix it directly with the signal from the MV7i. This change-up will be a boon to podcasters, in particular, as many podcasts include just two participants sitting near one another in the same space.
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The MV7i carries over the rest of its functionality from the MV7+, which means you get an automatic leveler with SmartGate, voice isolation, digital signal processing, a customizable LED touch panel, real-time monitoring, flexible recording modes, and Shure’s automated digital popper stopper. The Shure MV7i is available now for $349.
Soundcore Boom 2 Pro
(Credit: Soundcore)
Last year’s Soundcore Boom 2 was a solid Bluetooth speaker thanks to its huge bass and entertaining LEDs. At CES 2025, Soundcore revealed the Boom 2 Pro, which kicks things up a notch. First, Soundcore nearly doubles the wattage from 80W of the Boom 2 to 140W in the Boom 2 Pro. The most significant change is the addition of a second woofer capable of producing 50W. The woofers measure 4.5 inches, and the tweeters come in at 0.75 inches each, producing a frequency range together of 40Hz to 20kHz. Soundcore says this design produces more effective stereo separation than the older model.
The chassis is just as hard-core as before. It’s rated IP68 for protection against dust and water. It can handle immersion and floats in water. Soundcore says the outer material is oil-resistant, too, so it can ward off sunscreen and potato chip grease in equal measure. The battery lasts as long as 20 hours per charge and delivers seven hours of listening with a 30-minute charge. It goes without saying that the Boom 2 Pro can produce a dynamic RGB light show to light up your backyard in sync with your favorite party tunes. Last, we like that Soundcore added support for the AAC Bluetooth codec, which makes it a better option for iPhone users. The Soundcore Boom 2 Pro will be available in April for $249.
Beyond Audio at CES
CES 2025 is over, but there’s still plenty to read about and learn. Be sure to read through our CES event page, where you’ll find the best of everything we saw at the show this year.
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About Eric Zeman
Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
