Chasing the holy grail of audio? Start here.
EISA, or the Expert Imaging and Sound Association, has just released its latest awards, celebrating the best audio equipment of 2024-2025.
These awards are more than just industry prizes. They’re the result of a meticulous selection process that audio fans ook forward to each year.
The Hi-Fi Expert Group, made up of nearly 20 top hi-fi magazines, brings years of shared experience. Each product is reviewed and nominated before a secret ballot determines the final choice. So, only the best and most well-made audio products win for their great performance and new ideas.
Here are the winning headphones, DAC, and amp for 2024-2025.
Austrian Audio The Composer: High-End Headphones Winner
Claiming the crown in the high-end headphones category is Austrian Audio’s The Composer.
With a price tag of $2,699, these aren’t for the faint of heart – or wallet. But for those willing to spend that much, The Composer promise an amazing listening experience.
Central to these headphones lie the custom 49mm Hi-X drivers, with a diamond-like carbon-coated diaphragm.
The result? Sound that EISA calls “musical, dynamic and detailed,” which is good for both studio use and personal listening.
But The Composer isn’t just about audio quality. Austrian Audio has crafted these headphones with the picky audiophile in mind.
The light metal frame and smart mesh headband make them comfortable for long listening sessions. And, the earcups can be adjusted and tilted, and are held on by magnets so they’re easy to replace – a nice touch that shows the product will last.
Speaking of longevity, The Composer’s fully serviceable design and use of nonproprietary Banana Jack connectors also show Austrian Audio’s commitment to creating a product that’s built to last. It’s refreshing to see a high-end audio company prioritizing repairability in an age of planned obsolescence.
Plus, this attention to detail extends to the accessories as well. The Composer comes in a luxury case and a comprehensive set of cables suitable for various setups.
DALI IO-12: Premium Wireless Headphones Winner
For those who want high-quality sound but can’t always use a desktop setup, DALI’s IO-12 are the top choice, at least according to EISA. These wireless headphones promise to bring DALI’s famous speaker know-how to a portable design, all for $1,300.
The IO-12 use 50mm drivers with DALI’s special SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) tech – usually only found in their best speakers. This tech transfer results in what EISA calls “fine details, a lavish midrange and impressive bass.”
Of course, these headphones are also equipped with features you’d expect with premium wireless headphones. This includes:
- Three “Audiophile Active Noise Cancellation (AANC)” modes let you choose how much outside noise to block.
- Dual sound modes (‘Hi-Fi’ and ‘Bass’) suit different listening preferences or genres.
- 16 – 24 bit audio at sample rates up to 96 kHz support, so your hi-res audio collection gets the treatment it deserves, even on the go.
iFi Audio’s Double Win: GO Bar Kensei and iDSD Diablo 2
iFi Audio has long been popular with portable audio fans. But this year, they’ve really outdone themselves as they secure two EISA awards.
First, there’s the winner in the Compact DAC category: GO Bar Kensei.
This pocket-sized USB DAC and headphone amp combo uses JVCKenwood’s K2HD processing, which aims to bring back the natural sound of digital recordings.
And, based on our review, the GO Bar Kensei “makes most dongles look like toys,” both in terms of build quality and sonic performance.
Don’t be fooled by its small size – the Kensei is powerful enough to work with many headphones and IEMs.
It can handle frequencies from 20 Hz to 45 kHz (-3dB) and output up to 477mW balanced at 32Ω, all in a 65g package. Plus, iFi’s signature sound features– XBass, XSpace, and IEMatch – are all there, so users can adjust their listening experience.
Complementing the Kensei is the iDSD Diablo 2, EISA’s choice for best headphone amplifier.
Building on its older version, the Diablo 2 adds Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless support and a special mode for MEMS earphones.
The Diablo 2’s different power settings, including “Turbo” and “Nitro” modes, work with even the most demanding headphones. Yet, the high power might be too much for very sensitive IEMs – a small issue in an otherwise great package.
All in all, in our reviewer’s time with the Diablo 2, he found it to be “the closest I’ve heard to the Holy Grail ‘desktop sound in a portable format,’” with a vivid sound signature that brings recordings to life.