THE LATEST STUNNERS IN SOUND INNOVATION SPAN SLEEK HI-FI WEARABLES, TECH-FORWARD TURNTABLES, AND A GROUNDBREAKING BLUETOOTH SPEAKER IN THE SHAPE OF…A TEDDY BEAR?!

BY AMANDA MCCOY

PRO-JECT AUTOMAT A2 TURNTABLE

Convenience is often the enemy of quality, but Pro-Ject’s latest is here to challenge that measure. The newest soldier in the brand’s lineup of high-tech automatic turntables, the A2 ensures you’ll never leave your needle spinning again, nor will you experience subpar sound. The automatics work mechanically; once the user presses start, the tone arm automatically moves to the lead-in groove, then gently returns home upon the record’s completion. When the record is playing, the automatics are taken out of the equation so as not to interfere with sound quality. Bonus: its matte black finish makes for quite the dapper facade. $1,499

SONY HT-AX7 SPEAKER

A top-end surround sound home theater system is a crucial component of any audiophile’s repertoire, though they do tend to be stationary. This portable setup grants users the power to easily create booming, 360 spatial sound in any room; take it from the den to the bedroom to an overnight at the Ritz. Compact yet powerful, the modular design features three separate parts. Simply place the speakers in different corners of the room to create a sound field effect. $500

BEATS STUDIO PRO HEADPHONES

Dre’s prodigal Beats have amassed legendary status in the wireless headphone biz since the line’s launch in 2008, and the recently debuted 4th-gen Studio Pro wear ables promise to refine a classic. Inside the sleek, lightweight over-the-ear design, new custom 40mm drivers claim to optimize airflow and minimize distortion, boasting enhanced clarity along with a tighter base. Additional improvements include better adaptive noise canceling, 27% better voice clarity, and an updated Beats chip that supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. Forty-hour battery life. $350

BRIONVEGA BLACK EDITION TOTEM STEREO SYSTEM

First designed in 1971 by Italian legend Mario Bellini, this thoughtful reedition celebrates the beauty of simple forms. Like the original, the cubist shape unfolds to reveal the iconic Totem design, though the minimalist structure packs serious Hi-Fi prowess: a Pro-Ject turntable in the central unit, an AM/FM/DAB+ radio, and a 125W + 125W self-limited amplifier that feeds a pair of loudspeakers, reflex woofer, mid woofer, and tweeter. A stunning interpretation of an icon, the next-gen Totem is the ultimate jackpot for collectors. $21,000

TIVOLI MODEL ONE GEN. 2 DIGITAL RADIO

Blending an old-school, mid-century aesthetic with today’s tech, this vintage-vibing digital radio is fully wireless, so listeners can stream their top tunes over WiFi via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chrome cast, or even tune into FM radio to party like it’s 1999. The handsome shell is handmade from genuine wood, while the speaker grill is swathed in Danish fabric. $349

BEARBRICK AUDIO 400% BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

In a collaboration between audio powerbrand Rinaro Isodynamics and toy giant Medicom, meet the first Be@rbrick to boast sound (the teddy-shaped toy has been around since the early aughts). The speaker was given the power to sing through four custom-engineered, head-mounted speakers (a pair of 20mm tweeters and two 40mm woofers) that offer sweeping, 360-degree sound. Topping out at 11 inches in height, the sonic toy is iOS and Android compatible and features six hours of battery life. $499

ASTELL&KERN AK UW100MKII WIRELESS EARPHONES

Underneath their stealthy fighter jet aesthetic, these badass ear buds boast truly outstanding Hi-Fi sound quality especially for a wireless form thanks to a built-in 32-bit DAC that teams with full-range Knowles balanced armature drivers. Since active noise cancellation tends to temper sound quality, Astell & Kern opted for a passive approach that reduces outside noise while maintaining true-to-source sound. Batteries last for 9.5 hours on their own, with 29 total hours of life with the charging case. $280