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Favorite Audio Equipment (Headphones, Speakers, and Record Player)

Posted by Jason Tate

When it comes to audio equipment my recommendation has always been to do your research, know what you’re looking for, know your budget, and then try and go test things out before making a purchase. People like different sounds in their music and I don’t think there’s a tried and true “best” out there for anyone. Some people prefer a more natural and accurate sound in their headphones, others actively are searching for a heavier bass sound. Only you will know which you prefer and how a specific set of headphones will sit on your ears and feel after a few hours of listening.

This list is what I consider my favorite audio equipment. This is based off of my personal judgment of sound accuracy, comfort, and relative price. I do not have the budget for or buy “audiophile” level audio equipment, but I do try and find what sounds the best to me, for the best price. If you’re looking for an in-depth review of a bunch of headphones in all price ranges, I recommend reading Steve Guttenberg and Marco Arment’s reviews. There are also recommendations at The Wirecutter and various internet forums that are far more in-depth.

I also recommend searching out what you find to be most comfortable and best suited for your environment. Think about if you need something super portable, wireless, on the ear, over the ear, and if open or closed is right for you. Try on different sets of headphones and see how they sit on your head and how they feel. If you’re going to invest in a pair of headphones, they should be something you love to wear. You can spend a lot of money on audio equipment and the above reviews are great for looking for something in the upper price range. However, for my recommendations I’m really searching for that sweet spot between comfort, price, and sound.

My Favorite Wireless Headphones

Apple’s AirPods have become one of my favorite products ever invented. I use the AirPods Pro every single day for everything from listening to music, to listening to podcasts, to talking on video calls. The convenience to sound quality is unmatched. They are one of a handful of products in my life that if something happened to them I would replace them immediately.

My Favorite Corded Headphones

I use the Beyerdynamic DT 770s whenever I want to listen to something privately, and I’m not using my AirPods. This is most often when doing any audio editing, or when I’m trying to hear a specific detail in a song. They’re comfortable and sound great.

My Favorite Corded Earbuds

These feel extremely outdated at this point. Wireless earbuds, like the AirPods, were game-changers for me and I would not go back. However, I’ll leave it up in case anyone is interested. It’s a cheap and simple earbud that gets the job done and sounds shockingly good for the price point.

My Favorite Record Player

When I’m asked what turntable I recommend, it’s the Audio-Technica LP120. It’s what I currently own, and have for years, and I’m not in the market for anything else. I think it sounds great, looks sharp, and is very solid piece of audio equipment. It’s was once The Wirecutter’s pick but they have others they recommend now that may be worth taking a look at.

My Favorite Speakers

My favorite computer speakers are the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX. I’ve used them for years now, I’ll probably use them until they give up the ghost. For around the house, I’ve chosen to go with a Sonos system because I prioritize not just sound quality but the ease of use to just have my music play everywhere and always be in sync.

Sonos Era 300
Of the Sonos speakers I own, this is by far my favorite sounding of the bunch. Rich sound, good highs and lows, and powerful. If I was recommending just one Sonos speaker, it would be this one.

Sonos Era 100
Impressive complimentary speakers. When paired with the Era 300 these can dramatically fill a room.

Sonos Five
This was the first Sonos product I ever purchased and am still very happy with it. I continue to use it as our main living room speaker. However, I think the Era 300’s sound better, and are smaller, and are slightly cheaper.

Sonos Sub
This is the best sounding subwoofer I’ve ever owned. Vivid, clean, sound that fills the room without overshadowing the music or television dialog.

Sonos Arc Soundbar
I wasn’t a fan of soundbars until I used this one. It’s the combination of the soundbar with the sub and additional speakers that make the room work for me. I don’t think I would recommend it on its own, but the soundbar/sub combo (and get yourself some rear speakers that you put into full mode when listening to music) is very satisfying.

UPDATE • Feb 26, 2025

Archive

Here are former picks from this list that I’ve retired and/or no longer use.