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SoundGuys' favorite audio products of 2023

The year is almost over, so what were our favorite products?
By

Published onDecember 29, 2023

It’s the end of another year, and it’s time to look back at 2023’s high points. If you’re looking for rock-solid products to pick up to get the new year started right, our staff has a few suggestions. These products may not be our top scorers, but they’re worthy of special mention enough that they merit their own article. Read on to see a few of our favorite things.

The Shure SM7dB is the most important microphone of the year

Professional microphones don’t often see big refreshes, but we saw a really important one in 2023: the Shure SM7dB. A successor to the popular Shure SM7b (but with a preamp built-in), Jasper had this to say about the mic:

Many audio interfaces don’t have enough preamp gain for the original (SM7b), or do — but introduce noise. A lot of people use the SM7b already, so we know that one is virtually the standard for podcasters. Is it expensive for a dynamic mic? Yes, but it sounds good, and should be less of a hassle.

As noted in David Carr’s review, this product takes one of the previous market-leading mics and adds functionality to prevent a novice buyer from needing additional equipment. That’s a significant way to reduce the barrier to entry into the high-quality voice mic world, and should take the amateur (and professional) podcasting scene by storm in the coming year. In production, any links to the chain you can cut out mean less opportunity for failure, and cutting out a separate preamp for your mic is significant.

Shure SM7dB
Shure SM7dB
Shure SM7dB
MSRP: $499.00

Snapdragon Sound makes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones futureproof

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.

Chris isn’t generally a fan of mass-market products, but with the advent of Snapdragon Sound, things will be changing over the next few years when it comes to personal audio. Even a curmudgeon like him will admit that wireless audio is overcoming its weaknesses, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are among the first headphones to do so. Chris had more to say:

Snapdragon Sound is going to become more important as time goes on for headphones, providing the first real competitor to LDAC. Over time the platform is going to be more and more important for Android users who want higher-quality wireless listening. So if you want headphones that will get better over time as you upgrade your phone, it’s a no-brainer: pick one of the only two products on the market that support aptX Lossless.

The headphones aren’t without their foibles, but with excellent ANC, decent sound quality, and good battery life, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are an easy win.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
SoundGuys Editor's Choice
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Great battery life • Advanced audio experience
MSRP: $429.00
Quality and comfort noise canceling headphones
Going ultra with their ANC headphone experience, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise cancelling headphones offer up to 24 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit, Spatial Audio support, and powerful ANC.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless made top-flight ANC headphones much more affordable

In late 2023, Sennheiser made waves with its ACCENTUM Wireless headphones: a set of active noise cancelers that were priced below competitors, but with comparable performance to higher-end models. Though these headphones aren’t perfect for everyone, we wager that they’ll make even the picker people in your life happy. Heck, Adam Birney uses them quite often in his day-to-day life:

I think honestly the (headphones) I’ve used most at the office are the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless. The sound quality is great, and I am sensitive to the pressure that the strong isolation on things like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra create, so the ANC is adequate enough for me. Very light and comfortable and given the price.

We’re big supporters of the idea that not all headphones are right for everyone, and the Sennheiser ACCENTUM are an excellent alternative for those looking for ANC on a budget. There’s very little in the way of downsides, and it’s good to know that sometimes you really can have it all.

Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless
Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless
SG recommended
Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless
Comfortable • Impressive battery life • Effective ANC
MSRP: $179.95
An affordable set of ANC headphones with excellent sound quality.
The Sennheiser Accentum Wireless headphones are a great choice for immersive, comfortable, and extended listening experiences. With up to 50 hours of battery life, they offer high-definition sound and effective ANC. These headphones deliver comfort and audio quality, making them a fantastic choice for both at-home enjoyment and on-the-go use.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active are our favorite earbuds of the year

A hand holds the Jabra Elite 8 Active from a birdseye view showing the open case.
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
The Jabra Elite 8 Active is a great set of all-around earbuds.

Jabra is well-known for its commitment to earbuds and headsets, so it’s no surprise that its latest set of Elite Active earbuds had a lot to like. Chase, in particular, found them to be the most appealing earphones to him this year. He explains:

Jabra Elite 8 Active (are the) best all-around earbuds and best workout earbuds. (They’re) extremely durable, good sound with EQ, good noise canceling, good battery life, for $100 less than the flagship competitors.

The testing bears this out in our review, as the earbuds scored well in sound quality, battery life, and ANC. AirPods may get a lot of headlines, but you should take the Jabra Elite 8 Active for a spin if you get the chance.

Jabra Elite 8 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active
SG recommended
Jabra Elite 8 Active
ShakeGrip coating keeps the buds in place • IP68 (earbuds) IP54 (case) • Battery life
MSRP: $199.99
See price at Amazon
Jabra Elite 8
See price at Jabra
Jabra Elite 8

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds are affordable, surprisingly good

A close up of the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC with the case and buds out on a table.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have everything most people look for in wireless earbuds.

Our video star Harley has seen his fair share of products pass through the office — more than anyone else on the team. He had one standout to praise for people who may not be as nerdy as the rest of us.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds really surprised me this year, and I mean that in a good way! These earbuds offer A LOT of features, including good fit, good ANC performance, LDAC support, and great app support — all for less than $100. It’s a great AirPods alternative that will play nice on both Android and iOS, and I’d recommend it for anyone looking for great earbuds without having to sell an arm or a leg.

So there you have it: if you’re looking for earbuds, but don’t want to spend much money, you want to check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
SG recommended
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Price ANC • Battery life • LDAC, AAC, SBC codecs
MSRP: $99.99
These are definitely a contender for some of the best affordable noise canceling earbuds based on performance and value. With an IPX4 rating, long battery life, and good ANC, these are worth a go. You might not want to go for a run with them, but otherwise they're decent.

The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is our favorite portable speaker

The Motion 300 laying flat

Though it’s a very recent release, our staff has had a lot of fun with the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. In particular, David Carr has been using it on his adventures outside. He had this to say about it:

As an avid camper, it’s my ideal outdoor Bluetooth speaker. The Motion 300 is built like a tank, waterproof, and designed to sound great wherever you place it around camp. The Soundcore app is also handy. You can access the customizable graphic EQ to really fine tune your settings if you like to tweak. At $79, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s durable and versatile with great sound.

Just be aware that we like this speaker primarily for its portability and unexpectedly good performance — not because it will replace your studio monitors or anything. Still, sometimes you just need that cheap speaker, and this is a great option.

Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Hi-Res sound • SmartTune technology • Powerful bass
MSRP: $79.99
A portable speaker designed for great sound in the great outdoors.
The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a budget-friendly audio adventure companion. Featuring an IPX7 protection rating and decent sound in a durable compact package, you don't have to think twice before tossing this speaker into your backpack or gear bin for a weekend getaway.

The gaming headset of the year is the Audeze Maxwell

The contents of the Audeze Maxwell's packaging.
Christian Thomas / SoundGuys
You get a lot of headset with the Maxwell, and a lot of little parts.

If you want a gaming headset that can do it all, the Audeze Maxwell was our favorite this year. Released shortly before Audeze was purchased by Sony, the Maxwell represents some seriously cool audio tech in a package that really does cram in every feature a gamer could want. Chris had this to say in the review:

Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws … The battery life is excellent, the sound is a cut above, and the features are about as future-proof as you’ll find. Under the hood, the Audeze Maxwell has everything necessary to satisfy the pickiest person out there.

Just be aware that this gaming headset is not only pricy at $299-329, but it’s also quite hefty. You’re not going to be taking this out and about with you, so don’t entertain any notions of leaving the computer with them for any extended period of time.

Audeze Maxwell
Audeze Maxwell
SoundGuys Editor's Choice
Audeze Maxwell
Sound quality • App • Connection options
MSRP: $299.99

These are just our favorites from 2023, but there’s plenty more to look through in our reviews and best lists. Even if your favorite product didn’t make our list, you should still share with your friends and family! Good audio is universal.

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