Gadget Awards 2023: Audio

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Amplify the soundtrack of your life with hearing aid earbuds, a slim soundbar, and more.

Use these speakers to immerse yourself in the fullest sounding audio from low tones to rich highs. There’s a variety of devices from sound bars to discrete hearing aid earbuds that double as a set of wireless headphones. And for content creators we included our favorite microphone ideal for recording voiceovers and livestreaming.

The Beats Studio Buds + add welcome improvements to a product we’ve sworn by since 2021. In a manner befitting their “plus” label, the true wireless earphones treated us to superior sound, stronger noise cancellation, and longer battery life than the standard Beats Studio Buds. And thankfully, these upgrades will cost you only $20 more. Believe it or not, the Beats Studio + also offer Google integration (think Android and Chrome OS) that’s on par with their Apple connectivity. Just like with iCloud, the earphones will instantly link to all compatible devices that use the same Google account.

Designed for content creators like streamers and podcasters, this cardioid condenser USB microphone delivers studio-quality sound. It features a 24-bit 192 kHz sampling rate and three levels of noise reduction, resulting in a crystal-clear, full audio capture. This natural sound comes in handy for everyday tasks like voice recordings or video calls for work. The microphone’s touch-sensitive mute switch, built-in headphone jack with in-line volume adjustment, and personal mix control let you optimize performance quickly. Universal USB-Type C connectivity makes it easy to use across devices. In addition to its extensive features, the AT2020USB-XP ships with a clip-on pop filter, custom desk stand, and USB-C to USB-A cable in the box.

The Soundcore Motion X600 portable Bluetooth speaker sets a new standard for audio quality in this crowded product category. Its multi-driver audio setup produces a sonic experience that’s the best in its class, topping similarly priced big-name rivals from Sony, Bose, and JBL. In addition, the X600 treats you to immersive spatial sound and high-resolution audio for a true audiophile-grade experience in wireless and wired modes. The design of the Motion X600 is as striking as its sound—the waterproof gadget stands out by rocking a distinctive mesh grille, an upward-firing audio driver, backlit buttons, and a sleek metal handle.

The Polk S4 remains the best soundbar and subwoofer combo for most setups. It offers true Dolby Atmos surround sound, powerful bass, and a sleek body at a relatively low price. It produces sound that rivals competitors that cost twice as much, and it can fill even the largest living rooms. It’s not as smart as a Sonos or Bose system, which allow for AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming protocols. But that’s not a problem if you have streaming service apps on your TV or media device.

Jabra’s Enhance Plus look like standard wireless earbuds, but double as medical-grade hearing aids. Four speech-enhancing microphones are embedded throughout the buds to listen to your voice and surroundings. Beyond crisp audio quality for music and calls, the Enhance improves speech clarity in conversations and reduces unwanted background noise. The Jabra app makes it easy to pair the earbuds as well as tailor audio specifically to your level of hearing loss. Test tones are played at different frequencies to customize your listening profile. With just a tap, you can switch between Adaptive (automatic switching), Focus (directly in front of you in noisy environments), and Surround (ambient sound) listening modes, depending on your situation or hearing needs. And with 12 hours of battery life (35 paired with the charging case), they easily survive beyond a full workday.

These wireless headphones feature flat, padded speakers in a thin headband that slips over your ears. This makes them ideal for relaxing and falling asleep to your favorite sounds. Unlike a typical set of earbuds, SleepPhones are made from a mesh-like woven fabric that ventilates heat and is soft to the touch. These strike a balance of comfort with high-performance audio. But unlike some of the more affordable options, the Effortless model lasts over three nights of use and supports wireless induction charging so you can drop them onto the charger instead of fishing out a separate charging cable every other day.

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