From listening to music to enhancing the dialogue of your favorite shows and movies, audio products are a must-have for technology enthusiasts

The problem, however, is that dozens of audio products are released each year, from traditional manufacturers such as Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser to upstart manufacturers trying to strike that lightning bolt at a lower price

The balance between the old and the new is what makes covered audio special While the acoustic properties remain the same, it is how manufacturers continue to invent new products that interact with acoustics in new ways that makes this field one of the most interesting in the technology sector

This year's list includes both old standbys like the award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5 and new faces like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Klipsch Flexus Core 20 Whether these products will hold their own over time against further newcomers this time next year is anyone's guess, but for now, they are the pinnacle of what is possible in audio [But with the WH-1000XM5, Sony has improved on the WH-1000XM4 in every way Not only is this new model more compact, but it also has a sleeker, more streamlined design that cuts down on wind noise And it is now made of materials that can be recycled when they finally wear out

The sound quality, as you might expect, is excellent, with a neutral, natural tone and muscular yet detailed bass that complements but does not overwhelm the other registers Active noise canceling also makes all ambient sounds inaudible And for longer enjoyment: the XM5s last up to 30 hours with ANC activated, and even when out of charge, a three-minute charge provides three hours of listening time

If you want to completely isolate yourself from the world while listening to music, watching a movie, or making a phone call, nothing beats the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones When set to maximum, these headphones block out almost everything around you, allowing you to enjoy your music in peace However, the ANC levels vary, so you can bring the outside air in to suit your preferences

In addition, the headphones feature Immersive Audio (Bose's take on spatial audio) as well as Bluetooth 53 (multi-point connectivity and aptX Adaptive support) and touch volume control The QC Ultras are one up to 24 hours of use on a single charge, which is long enough to listen closely to your favorite series

Like their in-ear counterparts, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are absolute performers when it comes to active noise cancellation: not only are they the best at ANC, but they offer a choice of 10 isolation presets that balance ANC and awareness depending on activity Ultra's Aware transparent pass-through mode sounds very natural, and ActiveSense automatically reduces ambient sound when loud noise is detected

Like the headphones, the earphones also support Immersive Audio and aptX Adaptive Curiously, there is no wireless charging and multipoint connectivity, which is common in this class of earphones However, if noise cancellation is your top priority, look no further

If you are looking for the best all-around wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 excels in design, sound quality, noise cancellation, and features Smaller and lighter than the WF-1000XM4, which we previously featured as our top pick for the best wireless earbuds, the XM5 offers eight hours of listening with ANC activated Built-in AI automatically reduces ambient noise, making calls especially clear

And while listening, you'll enjoy great sound quality with amazing detail and the most realistic vocals you've ever heard It also comes packed with features such as LDAC support for high-quality music streaming via Bluetooth, adaptive listening modes, Google and Alexa digital assistant support, full EQ customization, and more

The best audiophile headphones for many, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e offer exceptional sound quality at an affordable price 40mm biocellulose full-range dynamic drivers and 24-bit digital signal processing (DSP)

We particularly liked the bass kick, which has a bit more energy than many of its more expensive rivals without sacrificing detail or other frequencies Vocals also have weight and natural presence Of course, you can adjust the EQ settings in the B&W app and integrate the controls with many popular music streaming platforms, including Deezer, Qobuz, Tidal, and TuneIn the ANC is good, but not great, but you'll be immersed in your favorite music You won't care while you're immersed in your favorite music

The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 answers the question, “What if two of the world's most outstanding speaker manufacturers got together to create a soundbar - and made that soundbar actually affordable?”

Flexus Core 20 combines Klipsch's ability to develop award-winning drivers with Onkyo's class-leading digital signal processing capabilities The result is a soundbar with proven capabilities, and at a regular retail price of $499, it is a product that most people can audition at home

Not only is the soundbar great on its own, but if you want even more oomph, you can add the Sub 100 ($299) and Surr 100 speakers ($249) for a complete and robust cinema experience

The second generation of Sonos' rugged portable speakers, the Sonos Move 2 tops our list of best Bluetooth speakers for its sound and versatility featuring Auto TruePlay technology, the Move 2 can be used indoors or outdoors in adaptable to any environment, regardless of where you are It weighs 6 pounds, but has grooves for easy portability, and can be used for up to 24 hours before needing to be recharged

Like all Sonos devices, it can connect to any music service The Move 2 also has Bluetooth, but also has built-in Wi-Fi, so when you are close to home, you can connect it to other Sonos speakers to set up your entire home