The audio world is constantly evolving, but even with the latest advancements, there's always room for improvement. This article outlines a 2025 audio wishlist, highlighting key areas ripe for innovation and addressing persistent shortcomings in various audio product categories. From in-ear monitors struggling to achieve balanced bass response to the limitations of current true wireless technology, we explore the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers.We delve into the need for better-engineered closed-back headphones, more affordable high-quality open-back options, and the demand for more accessible cardioid speakers. Furthermore, we examine the need for wireless noise-canceling headphones that prioritize sound quality over features, and discuss the potential for more user-friendly and affordable digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and headphone amplifiers (AMPs). Finally, we address the critical need for standardization in headphone measurement techniques, paving the way for more reliable and objective product evaluations.
Pros And Cons
- Good isolation.
- Darker background reduces noise.
- FD1 and 7506 models are mentioned positively.
- Many are too heavy.
- Tuning is sometimes lacking.
- Mechanical designs can be inconsistent across different heads.
- Lack of budget-friendly, high-quality options.
- New meta tuning offers a balanced mid-range and treble response.
- Sounds natural and detailed.
- Bass response often inaccurate in many IEMs.
- Many lack interchangeable batteries.
- Allows for maximizing sound quality through EQ.
- Offers greater sound quality control for users than relying solely on software.
- Some models include batteries that will eventually need replacing.
- Some models have EQ apps for tuning.
- Most lack interchangeable batteries, requiring replacement when the battery dies.
- None currently beat Apple Airpods Pro 2 in sound quality.
Read more: Top 5 Best Bluetooth Speakers 2025: Ultimate Guide & Reviews
In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Improvements
The audio landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, yet there's room for improvement. One area ripe for advancement is the in-ear monitor (IEM) market. Specifically, many IEMs struggle to balance bass response, often falling short of a truly natural and detailed sound.
The 'new meta' tuning, introduced last year, successfully provides a balanced mid-range and treble response. However, the bass frequently lags behind, clinging to older paradigms. A crucial improvement for 2025 would be IEMs that master this aspect, delivering a well-integrated sub-bass without overwhelming other frequencies.
Ideally, a smoothly sloping bass response would complement the detailed mids and treble. This will result in a more natural sound without the harshness often heard in IEMs that overemphasize the bass. This would align with current trends while finally delivering a truly refined listening experience.
True Wireless IEM Evolution
Beyond tuning improvements, the true wireless IEM market needs innovation. Currently, most true wireless IEMs suffer from a significant drawback: non-replaceable batteries. Once the battery dies, the entire device becomes unusable.
The ideal solution would be true wireless IEMs featuring replaceable or interchangeable batteries, extending their lifespan and reducing e-waste. This simple change greatly increases the product's longevity and user satisfaction.
Furthermore, a true wireless IEM that outperforms the Apple AirPods Pro 2 in sound quality is lacking. A high-quality, sports-oriented, or gym-suitable true wireless IEM that prioritizes sound is a significant gap in the market.
Closed-Back Headphones: Refinement and Affordability
Closed-back headphones are improving, but several areas remain underdeveloped. Many still lack ideal voicing, are too heavy, and inconsistent in their performance across different head shapes.
Improvements in these three key areas would drastically enhance the user experience. Better isolation, a darker background noise reduction, and lighter weight are crucial factors.
Furthermore, the market needs more affordable, high-quality closed-back headphones to compete with current top-tier offerings. This would make excellent sound quality accessible to a wider audience.
Open-Back Headphones: Innovation at All Price Points
Open-back headphones, while mature, still leave room for innovation. The high-end market often prioritizes price over groundbreaking improvements. There's potential for truly game-changing designs, especially at affordable price points.
Even modest improvements in weight and ergonomics would enhance the listening experience. The current high-end market needs more experimental and innovative designs, rather than simply focusing on high prices.
For the budget-conscious consumer, an open-back headphone that rivals the hugely popular 6xx model is needed. The 6xx is excellent, but more affordable competitors are essential to make high-quality audio more accessible.
Speakers: The Need for Affordable Cardioid Options
The speaker industry, while mature, needs a more affordable cardioid option. Cardioid speakers offer superior performance in most rooms due to their controlled dispersion patterns, which minimizes reflections.
Currently, high-quality cardioid speakers are prohibitively expensive. Making a well-measuring cardioid speaker at a more accessible price point would greatly benefit consumers.
This would revolutionize speaker setups in various environments, from home listening to professional studios, enhancing sound quality and improving the overall listening experience.
Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Quality Over Hype
The wireless noise-cancelling headphone market is saturated with products that prioritize features over sound quality. Many of these headphones have poor frequency response, despite boasting advanced technologies.
The key improvement needed is to prioritize accurate frequency response. Even excellent noise cancellation is wasted if the sound reproduction is poor. A well-tuned headphone with good active noise cancellation would be a significant advancement.
Essentially, the industry needs to focus on the fundamentals. Creating a wireless noise-cancelling headphone with sound quality comparable to high-end wired models would be a game-changer.
DAC/AMPs with Integrated EQ
Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and headphone amplifiers (AMPs) have seen the emergence of units with built-in EQ functionalities. This offers a level of customization that greatly improves sound quality, and more options are needed in the market.
The integrated EQ is highly advantageous as it allows for precise control over sound, tailored to the listener's preferences. This functionality enhances sound beyond what the base audio offers, which is not something currently available everywhere.
For those who appreciate tuning flexibility, devices like the JDS Element 4, with their EQ capabilities, represent a welcome development. The convenience of on-board EQ dramatically improves sound customization beyond what typical DAC/AMPs offer.
Measurement Fixtures: Affordability and Consistency
Accurate headphone measurement is hampered by the high cost and inconsistency of existing measurement fixtures. Cloned rigs, while more accessible, often suffer from significant variations in measurements.
The lack of standardization makes it difficult to compare results across different rigs, hindering objective evaluations. A more affordable and consistent measurement fixture would significantly improve data reliability.
Additionally, exploring headphone to target (HPTF) variation across a broader range of equipment and testing would yield more valuable data, providing a much more complete and useful overview of audio products.
Conclusion: A Wish for the Future of Audio
2025 holds promise for audio innovation. However, several key areas require attention. These include improvements in IEM bass response, advancements in true wireless technology, better closed-back design and affordability, and more innovation in open-back headphones.
Additionally, the market needs more affordable cardioid speakers, higher-quality wireless noise-cancelling headphones, and more accessible, consistent measurement equipment. DACs/AMPs with integrated EQ are also key for improved audio personalization.
Ultimately, the future of audio lies in prioritizing sound quality, accessibility, and sustainability. Through greater innovation and collaboration, these wishes can be realized, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers alike.