The 9 Most Interesting New Audio Gear Picks We Saw This August

New audio gear is getting harder to sort by category alone. Calling something a pair of earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, or a turntable tells you what it is, but it does not always explain why you might choose it over the dozens of alternatives already available.

That’s especially clear from the audio products we’ve covered at The Gadgeteer this August. Some are experimenting with how you wear your music, while others add functions that have little to do with traditional audio specifications. We’ve seen a speaker become a phone stand, premium earbuds with batteries you can replace, gaming speakers designed as a headset alternative, and a portable JBL speaker that seems equally interested in lighting your room.

None of these nine products stands out simply by having the longest feature list. What makes them interesting is the particular listener, room, activity, or use case each one seems built around.

1. Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Magnetic Edition: one less accessory on your desk

Xiaomi’s Bluetooth Speaker Magnetic Edition is interesting because it combines two simple desk accessories: a tiny Bluetooth speaker and a phone stand.

It attaches magnetically to a smartphone, props it at a viewing angle, and handles audio through a 1.5-inch 3W full-range driver. Reported specs also include Bluetooth 6.0, a 650mAh battery, RGB lighting, and a Hall-effect sensor that detects magnetic attachment. It appeared through Xiaomi Youpin in China with a suggested retail price of 199 yuan.

The real test is not volume, but execution. It could be handy for videos, calls, or following instructions hands-free, but we still need independent evidence on case compatibility, desk stability, and whether the audio upgrade justifies carrying another gadget.

Buyer fit: This is worth watching if your phone frequently ends up leaning against whatever object happens to be nearby. Buyers outside China should wait for confirmed international availability.

Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Magnetic Edition
Price: 199 yuan
Where to Buy: Xiaomi Youpin

2. SOUNDPEATS UU2: trying to make clip-on audio less conspicuous

Clip-on earbuds make sense if you want music without blocking your ear canal. The SOUNDPEATS UU2 tries to make that open-ear formula feel less like a compromise.

Also known as the POP Clip2 on its packaging and Bluetooth device list, the UU2 uses a 12mm dual-magnet dynamic driver with a PVD-coated diaphragm, DynamicEQ, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0, and physical controls. SOUNDPEATS also claims up to 42 hours of total battery life and adds a Privacy Mode designed to reduce sound leakage.

That last feature is the one to watch. Open designs make leakage difficult to control, so the real question is how much quieter the UU2 sounds to someone nearby. Bass also needs the same caution: driver specs and processing do not tell us how satisfying the result will be.

Buyer fit: The UU2 should appeal most to walkers, office users, commuters, and anyone who finds conventional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable. If your priority is shutting out an airplane cabin or noisy train, an open design remains the wrong tool.

SOUNDPEATS UU2
Price: $49.99
Where to Buy: Amazon

3. Kanto OBI3G2: a beginner turntable with fewer dead ends

The Kanto OBI3G2 is built for first-time vinyl buyers who want an easy start without hitting a dead end later.

At $249.99 in the US, this second-generation belt-drive turntable includes Bluetooth 5.3, a selectable phono preamp, an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, cue-activated start, and auto-stop. It also adds an adjustable counterweight, anti-skate control, a motor speed sensor, and ±10% pitch adjustment.

That mix keeps the first setup simple while leaving room to learn proper tonearm adjustment later. Kanto says the speed sensor improves playback consistency, but the bigger practical benefit is flexibility at an entry-level price.

Buyer fit: The OBI3G2 suits someone who wants an approachable first serious turntable without buying a model they’ll quickly feel they’ve outgrown. Buyers specifically looking for fully automatic tonearm operation should consider something else.

Kanto OBI3G2
Price: $249.99
Where to Buy: Amazon

4. Sony PULSE Elevate: moving PlayStation audio onto the desk

Sony’s PULSE Elevate brings the PlayStation audio ecosystem to desktop speakers.

Sony announced PULSE Elevate in 2025. This August, it confirmed September 1 preorders and a November 12, 2026 launch.

Each speaker has a planar magnetic driver and dedicated woofer, with PlayStation Link handling Sony’s low-latency wireless connection. The speakers work with PS5, PC, Mac, PlayStation Portal, and Bluetooth devices, and the integrated mic includes AI-powered noise rejection for voice chat.

Sony says the setup is designed for detailed positional audio and stronger bass. Those are still official claims, so real-world sound quality and accuracy need independent testing.

Buyer fit: These speakers are aimed squarely at desk-based PS5 and PC players who don’t want headphones on for every gaming session. A headset will still be the more considerate option if you’re sharing the room with someone else.

Sony PULSE Elevate
Price: $219.99
Where to Buy: PlayStation Direct

5. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5: thinking beyond the first year of ownership

Sennheiser’s MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 stands out for a reason that matters after the first year: replaceable batteries.

Both the earbuds and charging case have user-replaceable cells, giving owners of a $299.95 product a way to extend its life instead of replacing otherwise functional earbuds when battery capacity fades.

The rest is familiar premium-earbud territory: Bluetooth 6.0, adaptive noise cancellation, aptX Lossless, Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking, and support for audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. Sennheiser rates battery life at up to 12 hours per charge and 40 hours total with the case.

Those figures still need independent testing. The longer-term question is whether replacement batteries remain easy to buy at a sensible price.

Buyer fit: The MTW5 stands out for premium-earbud buyers who would rather maintain an expensive product than replace the entire thing because one consumable component has aged.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5
Price: $299.95
Where to Buy: Sennheiser

6. CMF Buds Neo: another sign that budget earbuds are catching up

The CMF Buds Neo show how much budget earbuds now try to include for very little money.

They launched in India at ₹1,999, roughly $20, with up to 35dB adaptive ANC, 12.4mm drivers, Bluetooth 6.0, app customization, dual-device connectivity, and spatial audio.

The battery claims need context. CMF rates them for up to 11 hours per charge and 52 hours total with ANC off; with ANC on, that falls to eight and 30 hours. The 35dB ANC figure is also a maximum spec, not proof of how well they handle real-world noise.

Still, the trend is clear: features that once felt premium are quickly becoming normal in cheap wireless earbuds.

Buyer fit: These are most compelling for students, commuters, and other price-conscious buyers who want plenty of functionality. People shopping primarily for excellent ANC or refined sound should resist assuming that an ambitious feature sheet erases the difference between budget and premium earbuds.

CMF Buds Neo
Price: ₹1,999
Where to Buy: Flipkart

7. Shokz OpenRun Air 2 and OpenFit Air 2: same destination, different routes

The OpenRun Air 2 and OpenFit Air 2 show how broad open-ear audio has become. Both cost $129.95 and leave your ear canals uncovered, but they target different routines.

The OpenRun Air 2 uses bone conduction and a connected neckband. It weighs a claimed 26.4 grams in Standard size, carries an IP67 rating, and offers up to 10 hours of manufacturer-rated battery life. The connected design also makes sense for runners who do not want to manage two separate earbuds.

The OpenFit Air 2 is closer to a true wireless ear-hook design. Its 7.2-gram earbuds use air-conduction speakers, with Shokz claiming up to eight hours from the earbuds and 36 hours with the case. It is IP55 rated and supports Bluetooth 6.1 and multipoint.

Shokz uses names like PremiumPitch 3.0, Bassphere, OpenBass 2.0, and DirectPitch for its audio and leakage-control tech. The simpler point is that both designs prioritize awareness over isolation.

Buyer fit: The OpenRun Air 2 is the more natural choice for dedicated running and outdoor training. The OpenFit Air 2 fits more easily into a mixture of commuting, work, calls, and exercise where separate true wireless earbuds are more convenient.

Shokz OpenRun Air 2 / OpenFit Air 2
Price: From $119.95
Where to Buy: Amazon

8. Marshall Hendrix Editions: familiar hardware becomes the collectible

With the Major V Hendrix Edition and Emberton III Hendrix Edition, Marshall isn’t asking buyers to believe a new finish somehow produces better audio. These are existing products transformed by Jimi Hendrix-inspired artwork, which makes their appeal unusually easy to understand.

The $159.99 Major V Hendrix Edition offers more than 100 hours of claimed wireless playback, wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, a 3.5mm connection, and Marshall’s customizable M-button.

The $179.99 Emberton III Hendrix Edition puts the visual treatment on a portable speaker instead. Marshall claims more than 32 hours of playback, while its IP67 dust and water resistance gives it more obvious outdoor credentials.

That shifts the buying decision away from specifications. Someone who already likes the Major V or Emberton III may see the Hendrix treatment as the reason to choose this particular version. Someone indifferent to the artwork isn’t getting a hidden performance advantage by choosing the special edition.

Buyer fit: The Major V is the pick for Hendrix fans who prefer on-ear headphones and value extremely long claimed battery life. The Emberton III makes more sense if you want the design on something portable and weather resistant. Everyone else should compare prices with the standard models.

Marshall Major V Hendrix Edition / Emberton III Hendrix Edition
Price: $159.99 / $179.99
Where to Buy: Marshall

9. JBL Pulse 6: when half the appeal isn’t audio

The JBL Pulse 6 costs $329.95, which puts its elaborate lighting system at the center of the buying decision. Treat the lights as an unwanted extra and it is difficult to make sense of the price. Want a device that handles both music and ambient lighting, and the proposition becomes more interesting.

JBL surrounds the speaker with a 360-degree light show and adds an illuminated carrying handle, additional ambient lighting functions, IP68 protection, Auracast, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C lossless audio, and a bedside-lamp function. Audio comes from a 30W RMS woofer and 10W RMS tweeter, with JBL claiming up to 12 hours of battery life.

JBL also says AI Sound Boost helps deliver greater output with less distortion alongside deeper bass and fuller sound. Those performance claims need listening tests, but there’s no ambiguity about what you’re paying for. The Pulse 6 is designed to occupy the space between portable audio and decorative lighting rather than competing on speaker performance alone.

Buyer fit: Consider the Pulse 6 if you genuinely want the light show and ambient functions alongside your music. If the lights would stay switched off most of the time, your $329.95 will probably go further with a speaker built around a different set of priorities.

JBL Pulse 6
Price: $329.95
Where to Buy: JBL

Which of these nine audio products should you watch?

Together, these products show audio hardware moving in several directions at once. CMF is pushing premium-style features into lower price tiers. Sennheiser is making longevity part of the premium pitch. SOUNDPEATS and Shokz are refining open-ear listening, while Sony is moving more of its gaming-audio ecosystem beyond the headset.

The others are harder to group, which is part of the appeal. Kanto gives new vinyl listeners more control without making setup intimidating. Xiaomi combines two small phone accessories. Marshall turns familiar hardware into collectibles, and JBL blurs the line between portable speaker and ambient lighting.

That new audio gear variety makes a straight ranking less useful. Someone eyeing the CMF Buds Neo is not cross-shopping a $330 illuminated JBL speaker, and a runner considering the OpenRun Air 2 probably is not comparing it with a turntable.

August’s audio launches are more useful as a snapshot of where the category is changing. Better sound still matters, but convenience, repairability, wearability, connectivity, design, and what a device does when the music stops now matter too.