The Best of 2025
THE Best in
Audio Equipment
Honoring manufacturers and designers who create exceptional audio experiences through engineering excellence and innovation.
2025 Edition
The Best Audio Equipment of the Year — 2025 Edition
Manufacturers and designers who create exceptional audio experiences through engineering excellence and innovation.
| Brand |
|---|
Noble Audio (FoKus Apollo) United States Rolling Stone 2025 Audiophile Headphone Award, first headphones with dynamic and planar magnetic drivers |
Final Audio (D8000 DC) Japan Tom's Guide 2025 audiophile headphone winner, effortlessly detailed sound, incredible bass depth |
Focal (Utopia) France #1 audiophile headphones 2025, pinnacle of acoustic engineering, French premium brand since 1979 |
Bowers & Wilkins United Kingdom Audioholics 2025 class-leading noise-canceling headphones, British premium brand since 1966 |
SVS (Ultra Evolution Pinnacle) United States Loudspeakers performing like $20,000 speakers at $5,000/pair, total overall coherence |
DALI Denmark Audioholics 2025 flagship tower speakers, redefining value |
Sennheiser Germany German audio excellence, HD series headphones, professional and consumer audio leader |
Beyerdynamic Germany German headphone manufacturer, DT series, studio monitoring excellence |
Audio-Technica Japan Professional audio equipment, turntables and headphones, Japanese quality |
Sony Japan WH-1000X series noise-canceling leader, consumer electronics audio giant |
Bose United States Noise-canceling pioneer, QuietComfort series, consumer audio innovation |
Apple (AirPods) United States Wireless earbuds market leader, AirPods Max and Pro, ecosystem integration |
HiFiMAN China Planar magnetic headphone leader, affordable high-end audio |
Audeze United States Planar magnetic technology, LCD series, California audiophile brand |
Grado Labs United States Brooklyn-based handcrafted headphones, open-back design specialists |
Meze Audio Romania Romanian high-end headphones, 99 Classics and Empyrean |
Questyle China Current-mode amplification, affordable audiophile DACs and amplifiers |
Shure United States Professional audio standard, in-ear monitors, microphones |
Klipsch United States American speaker manufacturer since 1946, horn-loaded technology |
KEF United Kingdom British speaker innovation, Uni-Q driver array, LS50 series |
JBL United States Harman owned, professional and consumer speakers, studio monitors |
Yamaha Japan Audioholics 2025 bookshelf speaker winner, musical instruments to audio equipment |
Denon Japan A/V receivers and audio equipment, Japanese quality since 1910 |
Marantz Japan High-end audio components, amplifiers and receivers, audiophile brand |
NAD Electronics United Kingdom/Canada High-performance affordable audio, PowerDrive technology |
Cambridge Audio United Kingdom British Hi-Fi, affordable excellence, streaming amplifiers |
Rotel Japan Affordable high-end audio, amplifiers and CD players |
McIntosh Laboratory United States American audio luxury since 1949, blue meters, vacuum tubes |
Mark Levinson United States High-end audio components, Harman luxury brand |
Naim Audio United Kingdom British high-end audio, streaming excellence, Focal group |
Linn Products United Kingdom Scottish high-end audio, LP12 turntable legend |
Rega Research United Kingdom British turntable specialist, affordable high-performance |
Pro-Ject Audio Austria Austrian turntable manufacturer, analog audio revival |
Technics Japan SL-1200 turntable icon, DJ equipment and Hi-Fi |
Chord Electronics United Kingdom British DAC and amplifier excellence, Hugo series |
Benchmark Media United States Professional audio standards, DAC excellence |
RME Audio Germany Professional audio interfaces, German engineering |
Universal Audio United States Apollo interfaces, analog emulation, professional studio gear |
Neumann Germany Studio monitor and microphone standard, KH series |
Genelec Finland Finnish studio monitor excellence, active speaker pioneer |
Adam Audio Germany Studio monitor innovation, ribbon tweeter technology |
Focal Professional France French studio monitors, Shape and Solo series |
Dynaudio Denmark Danish speaker manufacturer, studio and consumer audio |
Wilson Audio United States American ultra-high-end speakers, reference systems |
Magico United States California speaker manufacturer, aluminum enclosures |
Sonus Faber Italy Italian speaker artistry, lute-shaped cabinets, musical sound |
B&O (Bang & Olufsen) Denmark Danish design excellence, luxury audio and video |
Devialet France French audio innovation, Phantom speakers, ADH amplification |
Sonos United States Wireless multi-room audio leader, streaming speaker pioneer |
Marshall United Kingdom Rock and roll heritage, guitar amp styling, lifestyle audio |
Selection Standards
Excellence Criteria
Our industry-specific criteria ensure that only the most deserving receive THE Best distinction in Audio Equipment.
01
Sound quality
02
Build excellence
03
Design innovation
04
User experience
05