A look towards 2023
With the pandemic, many brands understandably held back new product launches. Supply chain issues, rising costs and shipping have also caused delays. Still, I have heard some fantasticsounding, gorgeouslooking and future-thinking speakers, headphones and music players. A special mention particularly for improvements in wireless headphones, with B&W
Px8 (see left), Focal’s exquisite Bathys and Sony’s WH-1000XM5 all pushing the boundaries of just how good streaming can sound, although nothing quite beats Chord’s Mojo 2 DAC.
So more of the same next year? I expect true wireless headphones and one-box systems to still dominate, but with vinyl sales now greater than CDS, I look forward to welcoming more people back to the analogue age, even if their turntables are now streaming to Bluetooth speakers.
Finally – not before time – brands are starting to think more eco-friendly. Sony’s Linkbuds S are the first to be made from recycled plastic water cooler bottles, while Bang & Olufsen’s Cradle to Cradle certification means we can expect more products with replaceable, customisable and upgradeable parts.