The earbuds, headphones and speakers that rocked CES 2025
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 has been filled with several spectacles from different companies across industries.
As expected, major players in the audio industry, such as JBL and JLab, along with many other companies all unveiled a variety of audio tech products from smart speakers to AI-powered headphones, showcasing new advancements in sound quality, smart features, and user convenience.
Here, we've highlighted some of the best audio tech products revealed so far.
EarFun Air Pro 4+
The EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds feature AI-powered real-time language translation, a capability claimed to be beneficial for travelers or those needing to communicate across language barriers. The company also states that the earbuds offer high-quality audio through the use of Balanced Armature and BassSurge™ 10mm drivers, which are designed to provide a mix of strong bass and clear treble.
Additionally, the earbuds are said to include aptX Lossless technology for improved audio quality and QuietSmart™ 3.0 noise cancellation, which the company claims can block up to 50dB of background noise. With up to 54 hours of battery life, fast wireless charging, and multi-device connection, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ aims to deliver a versatile audio solution.
These earbuds are expected to be available for $99.99 starting in May 2025 on Myearfun and Amazon.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Audio-Technica claims its ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds offer 25 hours of battery life with active noise cancelling (ANC) off, or 15 hours with ANC on. The charging case provides an additional 40 hours of battery life (or 25 hours with ANC enabled).
A unique feature of these earbuds is the Magnetic Switch Technology, which automatically turns the earbuds off when they are snapped together, preventing battery drain while not in use. The earbuds also include hybrid ANC, 9mm drivers, multipoint pairing, and Qi wireless charging. With an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, they are promoted as being suitable for active lifestyles.
These earbuds are available for $149, with a beige colour option expected to be released soon.
JBL Tour One M3
The JBL Tour One M3 headphones feature the Smart Tx transmitter, which, according to the company, allows users to connect to sources such as inflight entertainment and analogue devices. The transmitter also includes a touchscreen for managing playback, volume, EQ settings, and utilizing Auracast, a feature claimed to allow broadcasting audio to multiple devices.
The company highlights 40mm Mica Dome drivers for high-resolution sound and Spatial 360 tech for an immersive audio experience. Personi-Fi 3.0 is said to offer personalized sound settings, and True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 is claimed to adjust to external noise in real-time.
The Tour One M3 headphones are expected to offer up to 70 hours of battery life with quick charging. A SmartTalk tool is said to pause music when it detects the user's voice. These headphones will be available starting April 13 for $399.95 in Black, Blue, and Mocha.
JLab Epic Lab Lux Edition with 90-Hour Battery Life
The JLab Epic Lab Lux Edition headphones are claimed by the company to offer 90 hours of playback time and effective adaptive noise cancellation that reduces up to 42dB of external noise. The headphones are also equipped with 32mm drivers, spatial audio with head-tracking, and plush ear pads for comfort.
The design features a slim metal headband and touch controls on the right ear cup. The headphones support wireless charging via a magnetic puck, which can also charge other devices, albeit at a slower speed, according to JLab. They are also said to support USB-C charging for faster recharging.
These headphones are available for pre-order at $199.99, with shipping expected next month.
Klipsch Music City Party Speakers
Klipsch has introduced three new Music City Party Speakers: Vegas, Miami, and New York. These speakers use horn-loaded technology for high-efficiency sound with low distortion, and they are claimed to be ideal for outdoor parties.
The Vegas model is said to produce 95dB output with 8 hours of battery life, while the Miami offers 105dB output and 18 hours of battery life. The flagship New York model delivers 110dB output and 12 hours of battery life. All models feature an IPX4 splashproof rating, making them suitable for outdoor use.
Additional features include Ultra Bass mode and the ability to link multiple speakers for synchronized audio. The Vegas is priced at $299, the Miami at $549, and the New York at $699. Pre-orders began on January 7, 2025.
Onkyo Creator Series Powered Speakers
Onkyo’s Creator Series-powered speakers are targeted at content creators, musicians, and podcasters. The company claims these speakers combine studio-quality sound with portability, offering dual active drivers, advanced DSP, and dynamic bass enhancement for clear and immersive audio.
The speakers are designed to support Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, and high-resolution audio formats. The company also highlights AI-powered noise cancellation and real-time monitoring features that could help creators optimize their audio.
The Creator Series is expected to be available later this year, with pricing and specific release details to be announced closer to launch.
Conclusion
CES 2025 has unveiled a diverse range of audio and wearable tech products, each designed to elevate users' sound experiences with promises of richer audio quality and longer listening times.
These innovations all make bold claims so as these products make their way into the market, it will be exciting to see if they truly live up to the expectations and the hype surrounding them.