It's that time of year again — when I sit back, take stock of all the things that I've been lucky enough to test, and do my best to work out what devices really took the prize for me.
It's a very, very difficult job this year. There was a surprise new entry into the best headphones, some top-notch earbud releases, and a whole host of great speakers and other devices. But which were my favorites? Here are the five devices that have stuck with me this year.
1. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
I'll start with my absolute favorite thing to put you out of your misery. The best audio thing that I tested this year were the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, our new pick for the best headphones that you can buy today.
They unseated the venerable Sony option, and as a result, I think they're a much better buy than the WH-1000XM6. They're more comfortable, sound much better, and feature a more premium design than Sony's headphones.
Why do I like them so much? It's the way that they sound. They tickle a primordial part of my brain that loves high-quality sound, giving me just the right amount of bass and some top-quality highs. I love these headphones, and I'd wager that anyone else looking to get some new headphones now will too.
2. Meridian Ellipse
As much as testing cheap stuff is fun and shows that you don't have to spend buckets to get good sound, it's sometimes nice to try something that just goes all out in price and sound quality. The Meridian Ellipse is one of those devices this year, costing a pretty penny and sounding monumental.
It's a super detailed sound experience, although its small frame doesn't adequately show how big the audio it produces is. It easily filled a large room with rich, velvety sound, making guests stop talking and listen to the music playing.
Yes, it costs $3,000, but I can't hold that against it when it looks and sounds as good as it does. It's one of the coolest things to land on my test bench in 2025, and I'll remember (and miss it) as long as I live.
3. Cambridge Melomania P100 SE
As a part of a massive rebrand, Cambridge Audio became Cambridge — and updated its headphones to match. The P100 SE take an already excellent pair of headphones and make them even better with attention to comfort, sound and features.
They're more comfortable than the old model thanks to a completely new foam in the earcups and the headband, and it makes them a whole lot nicer to wear for long periods. The sound is more dynamic and engaging, and brings some extra bass depth. The ANC is slightly better as well.
The battery life remains the same — but that's no problem. They last for 60 hours with ANC on, twice that of the more expensive competition. I love these headphones, and they earned a permanent place on my desk once I'd finished testing them.
4. Noble Fokus Amadeus
I am not immune to loving audio stuff that looks as nice as it sounds. Especially when they look as lovely as the crimson Noble Fokus Amadeus with their red shells and colorful accents. Thankfully, they also happen to sound pretty spectacular as well.
They're more expensive than the AirPods Pro 3, but my goodness, do you get a superior audio experience. More detail, more depth. There's far more sonic prowess on display here, along with a widened soundstage.
One of the best things though is the AudioDo sound personalization. It works well, measuring your hearing ability to make sure that you can hear the buds at their best. I love these little guys — and everything else that Noble produces.
5. Marshall Kilburn III
The Killburn III might just be my favorite Bluetooth speaker, like, ever. I mean, just look at it — it's a retro throwback that actually works, and then pumps out some seriously good sound that'll wow even the most hardened Bluetooth nay-sayer. It's one of the very few things I've ever given a 5 star review.
It sounds great, and then wows with 50 hours of battery that really does keep the party going for days. I don't call things "The best ever" without reason, and I truly believe the Kilburn III is the best of the best.
Sending it back to Marshall hurt, but I won't stop recommending it anyone, like ever. Buy one. Buy one now.
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