CES presents a treasure trove of new headphones, earphones, speakers, microphones and more audio products every year. More than most other equipment displayed in the Las Vegas desert, audio equipment is often ready to hit store shelves immediately after the show ends. In fact, some of our top picks are already on sale.
This year, PCMag in partnership with CTA and our fellow technology players at CNET, Lifehacker, BakingAND ZDNET to choose the official winners for The Best of the CES Awards. Although audio wasn’t an official category, we couldn’t help but add our favorite headphones from the show to our list of top CES 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 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 has gotten just about everything else right with its ATH-CKS50TW2 noise-canceling headphones. 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 feature that automatically powers them up to save energy when you connect them to each other via embedded magnets (see photo above). As such, the headphones offer an impressive 25 hours of playback per charge with noise cancellation off (15 with 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 box charges wirelessly and via USB-C.
These on-ears feature 9mm high-definition drivers for superior sound and produce a frequency response of 5Hz to 20kHz. Dual MEMS microphones 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 ensures a comfortable and secure fit in the ear for the best passive noise reduction. The headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio and the high-quality LC3 codec, and the AT Connect app allows users to modify the sound with EQ presets and find them if lost. The headphones have an IP55 rating for modest protection against dust, sweat and rain. They are 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 audio into your Bluetooth headphones, JBL has the solution. Our Best of CES winner for headphones, the JBL Tour One M3 headphones ship with a Smart Tx audio transmitter. Similar to what JBL builds into its popular Tour Pro 3 headphones, the Smart Tx can connect to any 3.5mm or USB-C audio source and stream audio to the headphones using a direct, proprietary connection that JBL claims improves call quality and latency. , and stability. This little ball means you can connect an in-flight entertainment system, TV or other audio source that isn’t wireless enabled.
Beyond the transmitter, the headphones are based around new 40mm Mica Dome drivers to deliver a full range of high-quality audio. Four adaptive beamforming microphones help with call clarity, while eight microphones work together to block out unwanted background noise. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, Auracast and DAC-assisted audio via 3.5mm direct and USB-C wired connections. Other features include spatial audio, a powerful app for shaping 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 produced a steady stream of solid products over the past year and kicked off 2025 by releasing the OpenFit 2 true wireless headphones with an open design. The main purpose of open-ear models is to allow you to hear your surroundings while enjoying your favorite audio. The Shokz OpenFit 2 headphones 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 drives bass directly into your ear canals while maintaining clarity at the highest level. Further, Shokz’s DirectPitch 2.0 prevents leakage, so what you hear remains private.
These open-back headphones rely on an over-ear hook design, so they stay in place in your ears as you move. Shokz says its new silicone is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time, while the nickel-titanium inner frame means they stay secure. Physical buttons let you control your music, answer calls and more. The buds provide 11 hours of listening time and the case holds an additional 37 hours of charging. 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 headphones 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 MV7 family of microphones are great for podcasting, recording vocals and instruments, and participating in video calls. The latest entry in 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 output for sending audio to a mixing board or other piece of equipment. The MV7i ditches the XLR in favor of a combo XLR and quarter-inch input. This allows you to set up a microphone or other instrument and mix it directly with the signal from the MV7i. This change will be a boon for podcasts, in particular, as many podcasts involve just two participants sitting next to each other in the same space.
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The MV7i carries over the rest of its functionality from the MV7+, meaning you get an automatic leveler with SmartGate, sound isolation, digital signal processing, a customizable touch LED panel, real-time monitoring, flexible recording modes and popper automated digital Shure cork. 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 big bass and fun LEDs. At CES 2025, Soundcore unveiled the Boom 2 Pro, which opens things up a notch. First, Soundcore nearly doubles the power from the Boom 2’s 80W to the Boom 2 Pro’s 140W. The most significant change is the addition of a second woofer capable of producing 50 W. The woofers are 4.5 inches and the tweeters come in at 0.75 inches each, together producing a frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz. Soundcore says this design produces more effective stereo separation than the older model.
The chassis is just as strong as before. It is IP68 rated for protection against dust and water. It can withstand submersion and floats in water. Soundcore says the outer material is also oil-resistant, so it can repel sunscreen and potato grease in equal measure. The battery lasts up to 20 hours per charge and offers seven hours of listening time on 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. Finally, we like that Soundcore added support for the Bluetooth AAC 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 a lot to read and learn. Be sure to read our CES events page for the best of everything we saw at the show this year.
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About Eric Zeman
Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
