Our High Gear Awards for 2024 has arrived and represents the audio gear that we reviewed and gave the very best scores for this calendar yr.
That is our 14th yr for our Annual Awards so if you wish to look again and take a look at what we thought have been the very best from the final 5 years you’ll be able to click on under.
2024 Awards Course of
Our High Gear Awards are based mostly on our scoring system for the calendar yr so the gear with the very best total rating in 2024 wins.
The place there’s a tie for the highest rating, then all gear with that rating are deemed winners, so some classes could have a couple of winner.
As in earlier years, we all know our writers have their private favorites so as soon as once more now we have given them free rein to tell us what merchandise float their boat for 2024, whatever the rating, in our “Editor’s ” and Author’s Alternative” 2024 awards.
Word, it is a 2-page function with transportable gear and headphones on web page 1. Desktop gear plus the Editor and Writers’ picks for the High Gear 2024 Awards are on Web page 2.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Open Headphones
The HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is for a lot of, an end-game expertise. At $8000 that is the place the audiophile practice will cease for a lot of hard-core audiophiles.
Its supremely detailed and spacious-sounding presentation has only a few if any opponents which could go some method to justifying the funding.
Professionals
Breathtaking decision and dynamic vary
Improved midrange response in comparison with the unique Susvara
Glorious consolation ranges
Cons
Excessive threat of injury if not dealt with rigorously
Barely weak magnets on the cup covers
The HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is for a lot of, an end-game expertise. At $8000 that is the place the audiophile practice will cease for a lot of hard-core audiophiles.
Its supremely detailed and spacious-sounding presentation has only a few if any opponents which could go some method to justifying the funding. The one pleasant shadow on its shoulder is from the unique Susvara. Its lower cost tag, tuning, and safer grill end nonetheless make it a viable various.
In fact, the elephant within the room is the comprehensible warning from dealing with headphones with drivers as uncovered as this. The inclusion of the magnetic veil again panels alleviates a number of the issues when not in use however throughout use please deal with them with excessive care.
In the event you can, then you may have a killer set of planar headphones, probably the greatest within the enterprise. I ranked the unique no 1 since 2017 and so have our readers. Truthfully, I see no cause to vary that perspective in 2024 with the brand new king, the Susvara Unveiled.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Closed Headphones
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is as near closed-back planar audio nirvana as you will get proper now.
It’s extra spacious sounding than any common closed-back planar mixed with a dynamic tuning that gives loads of ‘pleasure’ for on a regular basis listening.
Professionals
Full of life and impactful tuning
Very open sounding for a closed-back
Glorious consolation ranges
Cons
Much less delicate than some closed-back opponents
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is as near closed-back planar audio nirvana as you will get in 2024 and I embody the Stealth in that assertion given the value distinction.
It’s extra spacious sounding than any common closed-back planar mixed with a dynamic tuning that gives loads of ‘pleasure’ for on a regular basis listening. It’s a vigorous sound however importantly one which sounds fairly completely different from the smoother extra pure tone of the Stealth.
There might be followers of each sound signatures and maybe those that will need to personal each. So, my ending ideas are aimed squarely on the AEON 2 Noire homeowners who’re searching for the subsequent step up.
The E3 is the extra pure alternative on your subsequent improve. It won’t price the ends of the earth nor require a ‘nuclear plant’ to drive it both.
It is usually sleeker-looking and as snug on the pinnacle as you’ll be able to count on from a folding DCA creation. Importantly, it’s a headphone that I really feel positive James Hetfield may even thanks for utilizing.
The ZMF Headphones Caldera is a very simple suggestion to make if somebody is after a set of high-end closed-back planar headphones. These headphones are for individuals who have examined the open again model and desire a bit extra physique, extra weight within the lows, and that key energy of any closed-back, the improved ranges of passive isolation.
Professionals
Enhanced low-end physique over the open model
Stunning wooden grain alternative
Lot of pads decisions, numerous sound signatures.
Cons
Cup form is exclusive and a few will find it irresistible and a few not
Increased impedance tube amps could come throughout as muddy
The ZMF Headphones Caldera is a very simple suggestion to make if somebody is after a set of open-sounding high-end closed-back planar headphones.
It retains the ’emotional cues’ of its sibling Caldera open-back version however with further weight and smoothness to the tonal coloration. Most significantly, it phases impressively large and deep.
Maybe not as complicated in its layering or as tightly managed and ethereal sounding because the open-back model however then once more it’s a trait that open-backs ought to excel in all issues being equal.
That is for individuals who desire a bit extra physique, extra weight within the lows, and that key energy of any closed-back, the improved ranges of passive isolation.
The entire above is wrapped in ZMF Headphone’s signature attractive wood-finished cups which look as hanging as all the time, maybe extra so now with the distinctive ‘Caldera Delta’ shaping.
You may be the one to resolve if that new type issue enhances the outside or not however don’t let it distract you from that unbelievable and emotive efficiency on the within.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Wi-fi Headphones
The Noble FoKus Apollo is aimed toward top-tier wi-fi headphone makers and has earned its place amongst them. It’s an excellent-sounding set of wi-fi and wired ANC-capable headphones.
Professionals
TOTL wi-fi headphones sound high quality.
Midrange gives glorious vocal remedy.
EQ settings are completely different sufficient to fulfill most wants.
Cons
Bass can develop into a bit boomy on full ANC.
Controls took longer to get used to than competing fashions.
There are some actually distinctive wi-fi headphones available on the market in 2024. The B&W Px8 has an opulent look, really feel, and sound high quality with glorious ANC know-how. But it surely additionally has a darker signature when put next back-to-back with the Apollo.
It isn’t till you take heed to each side-by-side that you just understand how good the extent of element retrieval is on the FoKus Apollo.
It does have a bit much less bass weight when not utilizing the app however that barely lifted higher midrange makes for an exquisite extension within the layering compared and a readability that’s onerous to beat on this section.
The Noble FoKus Apollo is aimed toward top-tier wi-fi headphone makers and has earned its place amongst them. It’s an excellent-sounding set of wi-fi and wired ANC-capable headphones and might simply share playtime with identified opponents within the top-tier wi-fi headphone market.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Common IEM
The PMG Audio Apx to my ears might be essentially the most technically succesful high-end in-ear monitor I’ve heard to this point. It not solely tasks an enormous soundstage but in addition a posh and resolving one bolstered by some unbelievable dynamic vary if paired with an equally succesful supply.
Professionals
World Class imaging & seperation
Attractive, open sounding midrange
Distinctive amber supplies
Cons
Initially, a steely higher treble
Underwhelming packaging
The PMG Audio Apx to my ears might be essentially the most technically succesful high-end in-ear monitor I’ve heard to this point. It not solely tasks an enormous soundstage but in addition a posh and resolving one bolstered by some unbelievable dynamic vary if paired with an equally succesful supply.
It appears nice with the distinctive amber supplies, and its small measurement suits nice within the ear, particularly with the silicone ideas making it an IEM you could possibly put on for hours with out bodily fatigue.
There may even be some that may quibble over the coloration within the highs. Particularly, if like me, you benefit from the silicone ideas and clear dynamic sources. Give it time to settle down, use some PMEQ, or change to the foams in case you should.
The highs of the Apx are the one potential weak point of an in any other case spectacular and memorable in-ear tour de pressure.
General, the PMG Audio Apx Se is the Yin to the unique’s Yang. It brings a extra ‘fashionable’ however equally excellent high-end monitor sound to the desk. In the event you get an opportunity to listen to it, even only for a couple of minutes, it is a memorable expertise.
Professionals
Smoother extra agreeable tuning.
Upgraded packaging.
Superior inventory cable over the unique.
Cons
Barely much less immersive soundstage in comparison with the unique.
If it weren’t for the unique Apx, I might be calling the Apx SE the very best high-end common monitor for 2024. What now we have right here is the only option of displays for 2024.
I may roll out the “why not get each” lady meme however deep sufficient pockets for each are uncommon, particularly for limited-run batches that promote out so shortly.
In case you are in a really fortunate place of having the ability to select then the Apx SE is the safer wager. It’s a smoother and extra highly effective sound signature you’ll be able to take heed to for hours on virtually any DAP or dongle with out fatigue.
The unbelievable element is there and the large soundstage is there additionally; it’s simply not as complicated sounding as the unique. There might be followers of each and after listening to every I can see why.
General, the PMG Audio Apx Se is the Yin to the unique’s Yang. It brings a extra ‘fashionable’ however equally excellent high-end monitor sound to the desk. In the event you get an opportunity to listen to it, even only for a couple of minutes, it’s a memorable expertise.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Digital Audio Participant
I’m each shocked and impressed with the efficiency of the HiBy R8 II DAP.
The standard of the efficiency is thrilling, participating, and extremely resolving. It has much more drive and vitality with examined pairings in comparison with the unique R8 and a vocal presence and midrange openness which may tick extra bins than the RS8’s equal.
Professionals
Extremely black background
Attractive Alcantara design theme
Quick and responsive interface
Cons
Curious alternative to not go together with Android 13
Good however not nice output energy
I’m each shocked and impressed with the efficiency of the HiBy R8 II DAP. With its lower cost level than the flagship RS8, I used to be anticipating one thing barely scaled down however in reality, I believe we’d have gotten one thing much more formidable.
The standard of the efficiency is thrilling, participating, and extremely resolving. It has much more drive and vitality with examined pairings in comparison with the unique R8 and a vocal presence and midrange openness which may tick extra bins than the RS8’s equal.
It additionally appears nice with a 2024-friendly display screen. The brand new Alcantara wrap may not be for everybody however no less than in purple it appears progressive and really completely different to what’s on the market.
With all that happening you’ll be able to simply take with no consideration that like its predecessors it’s constructed on a stable software program platform with a wonderful engine and loads of RAM to maintain it transferring good and fast for contemporary consumer wants.
HiBy Website | Zeppelin & Co Website | Musicteck USA Website
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Transportable DAC/Amp
The iBasso D16 Taipan is an excellent return to type for one of many authentic pioneers of the transportable DAC/amplifier market with its superbly textured analog tuning and adaptability for a variety of recent IEMs and headphones.
Professionals
Stunning analog tuning.
Holographic imaging
Granular quantity management
Cons
Lacks energy for demanding headphones.
Show panel a bit fundamental.
The iBasso D16 Taipan is an excellent return to type for one of many authentic pioneers of the transportable DAC/amplifier market with its superbly textured analog tuning and adaptability for a variety of recent IEMs and headphones.
In some methods, I hope the corporate takes the brand new PWM-DAC strategy and tries to work it into their DAPs and dongles if doable. It’s the type of inviting natural-sounding sound signature I hoped iBasso would sometime strive versus one other delta-sigma providing.
They’ve been on prime of the discrete amplification recreation for some years now so pulling the DAC design in-house offers them a large quantity of management to create virtually any kind of sound or efficiency they need.
For IEM lovers the D16 is a really glorious performer and no less than for 2024, it is among the class leaders when it comes to simply how good a transportable amp/DAC can or ought to sound.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Transportable Amplifier
The iBasso PB5 Osprey is a superbly easy, weighty and fulsome sounding transportable tube amplifier. It has loads of energy to drive demanding headphones and might deftly deal with IEMs with ease on the identical time. Its most likely my favourite transportable amplifier I’ve had the pleasure to assessment shortly.
Professionals
Glorious dynamic vary
Clear output energy
Pairs splendidly effectively with the D16 Taipan DAC output
Cons
No single-ended enter.
Plain field design.
The iBasso PB5 Osprey is a superbly easy, weighty and fulsome sounding transportable tube amplifier. It has loads of energy to drive demanding headphones such because the Caldera or the HEDDphone Two and might deftly deal with IEMs with ease on the identical time.
It’s most likely my favourite transportable amplifier I’ve had the pleasure to listen to in 2024.
It is a mature analog-tuned providing, mating completely with the D16 1BIT DAC. Mixed with the DX320 MAX Ti, I might take into account it iBasso’s unofficial high-end desktop stack.
In case you are closely invested into the iBasso ecosystem I might name this the lacking hyperlink for demanding headphone customers. It sounds nothing just like the overwhelming majority of the corporate’s extra neutrally-tuned gear, which is a wonderful spotlight in its personal proper.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Dongle DAC
The iBasso DC-Elite is a monster of a dongle DAC with an in depth, clear, and extremely dynamic efficiency that I might not be shocked to listen to out of higher-end DAPs. It is an ideal pairing for equally succesful IEMs at virtually any worth level.
Professionals
Impressively holographic soundstage
Glorious dynamic vary
Excellent channel balancing at decrease quantity ranges.
Cons
Bodily entry to quantity dial a bit restricted.
High quality of efficiency may differ relying on the cellphone you utilize.
The iBasso DC-Elite is a monster of a dongle DAC with an in depth, clear, and extremely dynamic efficiency that I might not be shocked to listen to out of higher-end DAPs. It’s an ideal pairing for equally succesful IEMs at virtually any worth level.
Reasonably priced DAPs ought to be nervously trying over their shoulders as a result of if ever there was a solution to why the finances DAP market is much less interesting then the DC-Elite firmly solutions it.
Sure, it’s a giant dongle, and for these searching for LCD screens, there’s nothing right here to excite your eyes. And for individuals who want heat, relaxed, or analog performances there are different glorious choices available on the market. It is usually not the ultimate phrase in pure grunt.
What the DC-Elite brings to the desk is a excessive diploma of transparency and glorious readability making it considered one of my go-to decisions in 2024 for technically very succesful IEMs to succeed in their potential with out spending a fortune on a high-end DAP.
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei dongle DAC is a superb buy in case your finances permits, particularly in case you’re searching for a sound high quality first machine inside this section. Sonically, it beats each dongle DAC I at the moment have on my shelf.
Professionals
A number of unique sound-tuning options
K2HD Efficiency
Sturdy output energy for a dongle
Cons
Can get fairly heat throughout use
Can drain a cell phone battery shortly
I thought of the unique iFi Audio GOLD bar the highest canine among the many dongle DAC I’ve reviewed to this point however 2024’s iFi Audio GO bar Kensei is even higher and is my new favourite dongle DAC.
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei dongle DAC is a superb buy in case your finances permits it, particularly in case you’re searching for a sound-quality first machine inside this section.
iFi Audio goes to need to implement the K2HD function on every part they launch any more. It makes a substantial distinction in taking the Kensei model to a brand new sonic degree.
It’s expensive and a bit heavy, however it’ll fulfill most ardent audiophiles. Sonically, it beats each dongle DAC I at the moment have on my shelf.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Wi-fi Streamer
The FiiO BTR17 is a formidable and versatile dongle DAC that may fill many audio wants and is a step above its predecessor sonically. Efficiency-wise it beats its counterpart by incorporating an improved listing of inside elements consisting of an upgraded DAC and amplification part.
Professionals
Extremely versatile wi-fi machine.
Formidable efficiency from DAC and amplification sections.
Wire vary of codecs.
Cons
aptX Lossless appropriate gear shortage.
Exhausting-to-see button identifiers.
The FiiO BTR17 is a formidable and versatile dongle DAC that may fill many audio wants and is a step above its predecessor sonically.
Efficiency-wise it beats its counterpart by incorporating an improved listing of inside elements consisting of an upgraded DAC and amplification part.
The aptX Lossless codec hasn’t taken off and I don’t take into account it mainstream but nevertheless it’s good to know that the FiiO BTR17 has that function built-in which additionally makes this flagship mannequin future-proof.
As soon as once more, releasing the BTR17 allowed FiiO to regain the 2024 pole place on this style and the very best half is that FiiO made it occur with out a worth hike as well which is uncommon in a world of fixed worth hikes.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest True Wi-fi System
The ultimate ZE8000 MK2 True Wi-fi System delivers a wonderful wi-fi and sonic efficiency throughout a variety of genres with improved sensible noise discount and DSP options over the unique model from final yr.
Professionals
Versatile ANC modes
Distinctive match
Purposeful DSP implementation
Cons
Massive cradle to hold
Restricted battery time
The ultimate ZE8000 MK2 TWS exemplifies the virtues of Japanese product design by refining its current design and setting greater requirements as an alternative of solely pursuing flashy appearances or gimmicks.
The enhancements are notable, significantly the improved sensible noise discount and DSP options. The refined and delicate touches on the design add an inventive and refreshing ingredient to its aesthetics.
The ZE8000 MK2 delivers glorious efficiency throughout a variety of genres and seamlessly integrates with Android and iOS units, catering to people who incessantly change between completely different sources.
Whereas the utmost 5-hour listening session period could also be a consideration, it stays one of the crucial versatile decisions in 2024 with a top-tier efficiency on this class.
High Gear 2024 Awards – Finest Cable
Impact Audio Code 24 and 24C Restricted are some critical energy performs for the center floor of high-performance cables with out the tremendous excessive costs to go together with them.
Additionally, there isn’t a denying that they’re superbly crafted and might look attractive with color-coordinated IEMs.
Professionals
Highly effective and vigorous efficiency from Code 24
Clean and luxurious vocal supply from Code 24C Restricted
Attractive Aesthetics on each cables
Cons
Each are pretty cumbersome cables
Code 24C Restricted has much less treble sparkle
Impact Audio Code 24 is a critical energy play for the center floor of high-performance cables with out the tremendous excessive costs to go together with them.
Granted, the load and measurement will postpone those that worth a discreet and light-weight aftermarket cable however there isn’t a denying that it’s superbly crafted and might look attractive with color-coordinated IEMs.
Nevertheless, all that will be for nothing if Code 24 didn’t have a delightful impact on these IEM’s efficiency and that is the place this cable genuinely shocked me.
I’m not positive how EA is squeezing in such massive gauge cables for these new extra aggressive costs in 2024 however I encourage them to proceed with this metallurgical origami magic. It is a clear step up in high quality over lots of their equally priced older cables.
Effect Audio Website | Musicteck USA Website
Click on page 2 below for our Desktop, Editor and Writer’s choice awards.
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