This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear rounding up the most notable releases of 2022. For more stories like this, click here.
2022 was a pretty momentous year for audio gear. There were tons of new headphones, earbuds, turntables, soundbars, speakers and hi-fi year, ranging from true audiophile to budget-friendly.
Below, you'll find the best and coolest audio products that were announced this year.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the company's newest flagship noise-canceling headphones and the successor to the 2020-released Sony WH-1000XM4. The new models have been redesigned with a more lightweight body and wider earcups. They have more powerful active noise-cancellation and improved microphones for call clarity. They also have a new fast charging ability. The downside? At $400, they're pretty pricey.
Read our review of the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Price: $400
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Sonos Ray
The Sonos Ray is the company's new entry-level soundbar. It costs $279, which is $180 less expensive than Sonos's other budget-friendly soundbar, the Beam (Gen 2), but it comes with some key tradeoffs. It connects to your TV via optical (instead of HDMI) and doesn't support Dolby Atmos; Sonos's pitch is that it's a good fit for people with older TVs that only have an optical connection. The Ray also lacks a microphone for smart voice controls.
Read our review of the Sonos Ray.
Price: $279
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KEF LS60 Wireless
The KEF LS60 Wireless is the company's first pair of active floorstanding speakers. They work very similarly to the company's LS50 Wireless II music system (which is our pick for the best active speaker system), so you can stream music in a myriad of different ways. But the LS60 Wireless also borrow acoustics technologies from KEF's super high-end Blade and Reference lines of speakers. Effectively, it's an all-in-one system made for super audio enthusiasts.
Price: $7,000/pair
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Master & Dynamic MW75
Master & Dynamic announced its newest flagship noise-canceling headphones, the MW75, which are the direct successor to the 2019-released MW65 — and they're a big change. They have a new design, a ton of improved features (including adaptive noise-cancellation and support for a companion app) and a hefty new $599 price tag. They are one of the most expensive pairs of noise-canceling headphones out there, yes — but they are also one of the highest-quality and most beautiful.
Price: $599
Read our review of the Master & Dynamic MW75, here.
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KEF LSX II
KEF's LSX has been one of our favorite affordable all-in-one speaker systems for years. Now the sequel is finally here. The LSX sports the W2 wireless platform found in the premium LS50 line, but not the first generation LSX speakers. The new model comes at a price bump, running $1,400 to the original LSX list price of $1,100.
Read our review of the KEF LSX II, here.
Price: $1,400
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Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 2)
Apple released the second-generation models of its AirPods Pro. The new wireless earbuds look pretty similar to their predecessors and cost exactly the same — $249 — but Apple has given them a more advanced H2 chipset, superior audio and twice as powerful active-noise cancellation. There are new capacitive touch controls on each earbud that allows you to adjust volume (a first for an AirPod). They have a more durable case that can wirelessly charge on a Qi charger, MagSafe charger or (most excitingly) an Apple Watch puck. They will ship with an additional size ear tip that's "extra small." And the case has a built-in loop that you can attach a small lanyard that Apple will sell separately.
Read our review of the AirPods Pro 2, here.
Price: $249
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Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are noise-canceling headphones and the follow-up to the company's 2019-released PX7. Despite looking similar, the new models have been slimmed down to make them lighter and more comfortable. Their sound quality and active noise-cancelation have been vastly upgraded. And they are B&W's first pair of over-ear headphones that allow you to tweak their EQ settings (via a companion app). You can buy them in three different finishes: black, blue or light gray.
Price: $399
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Bowers & Wilkins PX8
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 are the company's flagship noise-canceling headphones and, at $699, they are the most expensive pair you can buy (other expensive competitors are Apple's $549 AirPods Max and the Master & Dynamic $599 MW75.) The new headphones are essentially a higher-end model of the B&W's recently released PX7 S2 ($399), with superior drivers and made of more luxury materials. They are available in two finishes: black or tan.
Price: $699
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Teenage Engineering PO-80 Record Factory
Teenage Engineering is well-known for its creative gadgets and its latest one is no different. The PO-80 Record Factory is a unique kind of turnable because it is capable of both cutting and then playing a vinyl record. That's right, you can connect it to an audio device (via a 3.5mm jack) and make a vinyl record. These are tiny 5.0-inch vinyl records, granted, so don't expect to record an entire album (although there is an adapter for making 7.0-inch records). The PO-80 Record Factory is powered by USB and has its own built-in speakers; you can also hook it up to an external speaker via a 3.5mm connection.
Price: $149
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Victrola Stream Carbon
The Victrola Stream Carbon is the first turntable that works natively with an existing Sonos speaker system. It's a collaboration between Victrola and Sonos and, after you set it up, it'll appear in the Sonos app just like any other Sonos component; from there, you just group it with your other Sonos speakers are — boom — you're rocking out to vinyl. There's no extra components needed. In addition to working perfectly with Sonos, it's also just a really gorgeous and high-end turntable.
Price: $799
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Devialet Mania
The Devialet Mania is the French hi-fi company's first portable speaker. It supports both Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect) and Bluetooth streaming, and comes with Amazon's Alexa baked right in so you can control it with your voice. It's a true 360-degree speaker, but Devialet integrated it with ASC (Active Stereo Calibration) technology so it can automatically adjust its sound depending on where you have it; when placed in the center of a room it'll play true 360-degree stereo audio, but when placed against a wall it adjusts to a more front-firing sound (Devialet says the latter creates a more expansive and powerful soundstage).
Price: $790
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Audio-Technica Sound Burger (2022 Version)
Audio-Technica announced that it's reviving its iconic portable turntable, the Sound Burger, from the '80s — but the 2022 version will be updated with modern conveniences, like Bluetooth connectivity, a lithium-ion battery and support for USB-C charging. It's able to play records at 33 rpm and 45 rpm speeds. It still lacks a built-in speaker, so you'll want to pair it over Bluetooth to a speaker(s) or pair of headphones; it has a 3.5mm jack for hooking up to wired headphones or an analog system, too. Only a limited number of these modern classics will be released.
Price: $199
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Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus
Sennheiser's original Ambeo soundbar is one of the best and most expensive Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy; released in 2019, it's a standalone 5.1.4 soundbar with 13 dedicated drivers. The company announced a smaller version of that exact soundbar this year. The new Ambeo Plus soundbar packs nine total drivers (two are up-firing to create a truly immersive experience) and comes in at $1,000 cheaper.
Price: $1,500
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Sony LinkBuds
The Sony LinkBuds are wireless earbuds with an innovative design: there's a physical hole to let outside sounds in. The idea is that it's like an always-on transparency mode, so you can hear your music while also the world around you. Additionally, the LinkBuds are among the smallest wireless earbuds you can buy. They're available in either white or black.
Price: $178
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Sony LinkBuds S
The Sony LinkBuds S are the company's newest wireless earbuds and they are designed to fill the mid-range gap between its entry-level LinkBuds ($178) and its flagship WF-1000XM4 ($280). Despite their name, however, the LinkBuds S share a lot more in common with Sony's high-end buds than the basic model. The have noise-canceling and transparency modes, and they support Sony's high-resolution (LDAC) audio files. A downside? They lack wireless charging.
Price: $200
Read our review of the Sony LinkBuds S here.
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Bluesound Powernode Edge
Bluesound has announced a smaller, less powerful and more affordable version of its Powernode wireless streaming amplifier. The Powernode "Edge" works much the same way as its larger sibling; it connects to a pair of passive loudspeakers and allows you stream to them via a range of wireless options: Bluetooth aptX, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Roon Ready. It also supports a number of wired connections, including HDMI eArc for a TV. The difference is that the Edge can deliver 40-watts per channel (compared to the Powernode's 80-watts), and thus is better equipped for smaller loudspeakers.
Price: $649
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Sonus Faber Omnia
Sonus Faber, an Italian high-end audio company, announced its newest all-in-one wireless speaker: the Omnia. It's essentially a newer and more affordable of the company's $10,000 SF16 that was released in 2016. The Omnia has a similar shape and wood-and-aluminum design as the SF16, but it's smaller, less powerful (490 watts vs 1,400 watts) and lacks SF16's fantasy motorized arms (aka wings) that widen the sound stage. The good news is that at $2,000, the Omnia is quite a bit more affordable. Plus, it packs a lot more wired and wireless connectivity options so you can listen to music basically however you want.
Price: $2,000
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Marantz Model 40n
Marantz released a new integrated amplifier, the Model 40n, that's designed to drive high-end loudspeakers — it can deliver 70-watts per channel at 8 ohms — and be the central hub of your new-age hi-fi system. The Model 40n supports most a wide variety of connectivities, both wireless (including Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect and Bluetooth) and analog (HDMI ARC, phono, optical and coaxial).
Price: $2,500
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KEF Mu7
KEF announced its first pair of wireless headphones with active noise-cancellation — the Mu7 — and at $400, they're designed and priced to compete with other flagship noise-canceling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Mu7 sport custom 40mm drivers and support for aptX HD for high-end sound. They get their unique industrial design (made out of aluminum) thanks to partnership with Ross Lovegrove, who has helped KEF design a number of its super expensive loudspeakers. Available in two different shades of grey: silver or charcoal.
Price: $400
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Pro-Ject E1 Turntable
The Austrian hi-fi maker has introduced a new entry-level turntables, named E1, which stays true to the company's ethos of using high-quality components. Each model has a true sub-platter design, a solid MDF plinth and comes with the Ortofon OM5e cartridge (which costs roughly $70 on its own). Pro-Ject will offer the E1 turntable in three different configurations: one bare bones (E1, $349), one with a built-in phono preamp (E1 Phono SB, $399) and one with a Bluetooth audio transmitter (E1 BT, $499).
Price: $349+
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Beyerdynamic Xelento
Beyerdynamic announced second-generation models of its Xelento Remote (pictured, $999) and Xelento Wireless ($1,199), which are wired and wireless (neckband-style) in-ear headphones, respectively. And they don't come cheap. The two models pack the same 11mm dynamic drivers, gold-plated connectors and silver-plated cables. The Xelento Wireless support Bluetooth 5.2 and promise 14 hours of playtime.
Price: $999 (Remote); $1,199 (Wireless)
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose announced the second-generation models of its noise-canceling wireless earbuds. Compared to the 2020-released QuietComfort Earbuds, the new models have a completely new design that's noticeably smaller, plus Bose has drastically improved the noise-cancellation and transparency modes; in fact, Bose claims that these have the "world's best noise cancellation" of any true wireless earbuds.
Price: $300
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JBL Bar 1000
The JBL Bar 1000 is a unique Dolby Atmos soundbar mainly because it has battery-powered side speakers that are designed to be detached — yes, detached —from the soundbar and used as rear-channel speakers. These are upward-firing rear-channel speakers, too, meaning they can create an even more immersive Dolby Atmos experience. In total, the JBL Bar 1000 is a 7.1.4-channel home theater system that's packaged as a single soundbar. Pretty cool.
Price: $1,149
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Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3
The Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 is the company's third-generation line of 700 series loudspeakers. The line includes a total of eight loudspeakers — including three floor-standing speakers, three stand-mounted speakers and two center-channel speakers — and they all borrow technologies of the company's high-end line of 800 Series Diamond speakers, but deliver them in a slightly more accessible package.
Price: $1,500 (center-channel) — $7,000 (floor-standing)
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Devialet Dione
The French hi-fi company released its first-ever soundbar, the Dione, and it's a monster. It's designed as an all-in-one 5.1.2-channel system, complete with 17 drivers (including two up-firing for Atmos), and packs a Death Star-looking "orb" in its center that — which is an active speaker — that can rotate and shoot audio in a more central direction. It's one of the most premium Dolby Atmos soundbars out there.
Price: $2,400
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Sonos Sub Mini
The Sub Mini is a smaller and more affordable version of Sonos's existing Sub; it costs $429 and weighs 14 pounds, while the larger Sub costs $749 and weighs just over 36 pounds. The Sub Mini works much the same way as the Sub, adding bass to a Sonos home theater or speaker system, but it's specifically designed to be paired with Sonos's smaller soundbars and speakers, like the Beam (Gen 2), Ray or a stereo pair of Ones. The only downside is that you can only pair one Sub Mini with a Sonos soundbar, unlike the Sub which you can pair two with Sonos's flagship soundbar, the Arc.
Read our review of the Sonos Sub Mini, here.
Price: $429
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Marantz CD 60
Marantz is showing love to the true audiophiles who still adore the warm and rich sound of CDs. The company's newest CD player blends a modern look with advanced circuitry, and it's designed to integrate well with the other high-end components in your hi-fi system. It addition to playing CDs, it has a USB-A port (located on its front panel) that allows it to play of a vast array of digital files( including MP3, WMA, AAC and WAV, FLAC) from a connected USB storage device. Marantz is advertising it as the perfect partner for its Model 40n integrated amplifier, which it announced earlier this year.
Price: $999
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UE Drops
Ultimate Ears's second pair of wireless earbuds, the UE Drops, are significantly higher-end than the company's 2020-released UE Fits. Like before, the UE Drops are custom molded to your ears to they provide a very secure fit. But the new wireless earbuds promise far superior sound quality thanks to their 9.2mm drivers (which are more on par with the company's line of IEMs). And they have more premium features, such as a transparency mode (but no active noise-cancellation) and a wireless charging case.
Price: $449
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