From budget IEM gems to full-size favorites, here’s what 2025 has brought us so far.
2025 has already been a busy year for headphones and IEMs. From budget-friendly IEMs to ultra-high-end flagships, there’s been something for everyone.
But not every headphone that comes out is worth the hype. Here are 14 of the most talked-about releases so far, with a closer look at what they bring to the table.
1. FiiO FT7
- Connection: Wired
- Type: Over-ear, open-back
- Driver Type(s): 106 mm planar magnetic
- Impedance: 25 Ω
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
The FT7 is FiiO’s attempt to bring serious planar magnetic performance into the midrange category, and it mostly succeeds. They use a 106mm driver with a dual-sided magnetic array (18 neodymium magnets in total) and a diaphragm that’s coated in both gold and silver. That might sound like overkill, but the results aren’t bad.
The treble can get a bit sharp depending on your setup, but the mids come through clearly, and the bass has enough punch without the usual mushiness some planars suffer from.
You also get two pad options: lambskin and suede. Most listeners lean toward the suede since the lambskin pads tend to push the upper mids a bit too much around 1kHz. Still, it’s a nice touch to include both.
Build-wise, the FT7 are helped a lot by their carbon fiber structure. They aren’t super light, but they don’t feel like bricks either.
In short, they won’t dethrone the flagships. But, they don’t really need to as they offer a genuinely balanced experience that competes with headphones well above its price if you’ve got the gear to match.
Where to buy
2. Dan Clark Audio Noire XO
- Connection: Wired
- Type: Over-ear, open-back
- Driver Type(s): Planar magnetic with AMTS
- Impedance: ≈ 13 Ω nominal
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
The Noire XO are Dan Clark Audio’s latest open-backs, and while the name might suggest they’re just a spin on the Noire X, that’s not the case. These are closer in spirit to a full follow-up to the AEON 2 Open, but with better tuning, updated drivers, and a clearer sense of purpose.
The biggest change is the inclusion of AMTS (Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System). It’s the same tech found in DCA’s flagship models, and it does a great job smoothing out treble peaks, which was one of the weak spots in older AEON models.
Overall, they sound clean, with tight bass, mids that don’t get lost, and treble that’s present but easy on the ears.
Comfort is also a win. You get soft Alcantara pads and DCA’s familiar suspension-style headband. And, the headphones fold up for storage too, just like earlier AEONs.
One minor downside, however, is that while they’re easy to drive, they still respond better with a capable source. Plugging them straight into a phone isn’t ideal.
Where to buy
3. Audeze LCD-S20
- Connection: Wired (detachable dual 3.5 mm)
- Type: Over-ear, closed-back
- Driver Type(s): 90 mm planar magnetic with SLAM
- Impedance: 18 Ω
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
The LCD-S20 are the most affordable way into Audeze’s LCD lineup since the LCD-1, but they don’t feel like a watered-down version. In fact, they borrow some serious tech from Audeze’s higher-end models.
You get the Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ diaphragm and Fluxor™ magnet array from the MM-100, along with a closed-back design and a new SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology. This first showed up in the CRBN2 electrostatic headphones, and helps shape the airflow inside the cups to give the bass more control and depth.
Thanks to this, there’s real punch below 100Hz, and it stays tight.
The sound is darker than the MM-100, but still detailed. And, sure, you won’t get the same airiness as an open-back. But the spatial cues are still good for a closed design. Isolation is decent, too, which makes these handy for tracking or listening in shared spaces.
Comfort-wise, they’re solid but not weightless and you’ll feel them after a few hours. That said, the headband does a good job of distributing the load, and the new magnetic pads are soft and easy to swap.
You won’t be able to run a balanced cable without an adapter or custom option, though.
Where to buy
4. HiFiMAN Isvarna
- Connection: Wired
- Type: Over-ear, semi-closed
- Driver Type(s): Hybrid planar magnetic + dynamic driver
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 60 kHz
HiFiMAN doesn’t release hybrids often, so when they do, it gets attention. The Isvarna take a different approach than their typical full-planar models. These combine a planar magnetic driver for mids and highs with a dynamic woofer that kicks in below 300Hz (kind of like a built-in subwoofer).
As a result, the mids and highs are clear, fast, and snappy, while the bass has actual slam, more than most planars even try to offer.
But the ‘hybrid’ part isn’t on the drivers alone. Instead of going fully closed-back, the Isvarna go semi-closed, which helps keep things sounding more open while still controlling leakage.
Plus, they’re built like a tank, with full metal cups and a premium finish.
Where to buy
5. Noble Audio Agis II
- Connection: Wired (0.78 mm 2-pin detachable cable)
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): Hybrid 8-driver (2× Sonion BA ultra-low, 2× Knowles BA low-mid, 2× Bone conduction, 2× Sonion BA high/ultra-high)
- Impedance: < 35 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Revealed at CanJam Singapore 2025 as “the spiritual successor to the Noble Spartacus,” the Agis II are Noble Audio’s latest answer for listeners chasing both detail and immersion.
You’re getting eight drivers here, including two bone conductors that add subtle but noticeable texture and depth, especially in the lower mids, that you can actually feel. That alone already makes them more interesting than your average hybrid setup.
The tuning leans rich and full without going overboard. There’s solid bass presence, mids that keep vocals front and center, and a top end that has sparkle but doesn’t get harsh. So, if you’re used to IEMs that sound too clean or too sharp, the Agis II land in a more musical zone without sacrificing clarity.
They also look the part, with a layered shell design and polished faceplates. And the included cable is a good one: it’s an 8-core OCC with swappable tips for 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm connections. No adapters needed.
Where to buy
6. Ice Lab Spectrumica
- Connection: Wired
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): 8-driver quadbrid (1× ceramic dynamic, 1× coil-based bone conduction, 4× Sonion BA, 2× Sonion EST)
- Impedance: 7 Ω (with DRC)
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
Ice Lab isn’t a huge name yet, but the Spectrumica have managed to stand out this year, mostly because they throw nearly every type of driver tech into one shell. Ceramic dynamic for punch, bone conduction for feel, balanced armatures for the mids, and ESTs for air up top.
Surprisingly, everything blends together quite well. The sound is warm but well-organized, with good weight in the mid-bass and treble that stays clean without being too bright.
They’re also surprisingly comfortable for something this complex. The shell is large, but the fit works for most ears.
That said, they’re not exactly understated. The look is bold and a bit flashy, depending on which faceplate version you get.
Where to buy
7. Alpha & Omega Fulgrim
- Connection: Wired
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): Tribrid 11-driver (1× dynamic, 6× BA, 4× EST)
The Fulgrim represent the extreme end of 2025’s boutique IEM market. From the name to the price tag to the sound tuning, everything about these screams “not for everyone.”
For one, there’s an 11-driver tribrid setup inside, including a tactile driver that adds a bit of bass you can literally feel. That low end isn’t just deep, though. It hits hard, fast, and punchy.
But the rest of the tuning doesn’t get lost. The mids stay forward enough to keep vocals clear, and the treble holds its ground without getting sharp. Yet, they’re not neutral by any stretch.
The stainless steel shells also give them a premium weight and feel.
Where to buy
8. Sennheiser HD 550
- Connection: Wired
- Type: Over-ear, open-back
- Driver Type: 38mm dynamic
- Impedance: 150Ω
- Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 39.5 kHz
Sennheiser’s HD 550 aren’t a direct replacement for the HD 600 or 650, but they do feel like a modern take on that lineage. They technically borrow from both and add a few changes that make them more approachable for today’s listeners.
Compared to the HD 600, the HD 550 have tighter bass, a cleaner treble, and a midrange that’s a little drier. These are aimed at people who want the HD series sound but with a bit more snap in the bass and less of the old-school veil.
They’re not ultra forgiving, though, so if your setup leans bright, they might come off a little flat.
Where to buy
9. Dan Clark Audio E3
- Connection: Wired
- Type: Over-ear, closed-back
- Driver Type(s): 5th-generation V-Planar planar magnetic
- Impedance: 27 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Released March 2025 as DCA’s latest reference-class model, the E3 are Dan Clark Audio’s latest crack at closing the gap between open and closed-back sound. And for the most part, they do a solid job.
They don’t quite reach the airy openness of an AEON 2 Open, but for closed headphones, the staging feels wider than you’d expect.
They use Dan Clark’s signature planar drivers with V-Planar tech and the AMTS system. And, it pays off.
The E3 are easy to listen to. The bass is tight and controlled, the mids are clear without sounding clinical, and the treble has just enough shine to keep things interesting.
Comfort hasn’t been sacrificed either. Like other DCA models, they use a floating headband and thick pads to spread out the weight. They’re not the lightest, but they don’t press down hard, even over long sessions.
Where to buy
10. Noble Audio Shogun
- Connection: Wired
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): 13-driver quadbrid (1× 10 mm dynamic, 6× BA, 4× EST, 2× bone conduction)
- Impedance: 23 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
The Shogun are Noble Audio’s new flagship IEMs, and they’re not exactly subtle about it. With 13 drivers packed into each shell, they go all-in on tech. That includes bone conduction units for extra texture, ESTs for sparkle up top, and a 10mm dynamic driver to keep the bass grounded.
Tuning-wise, they go for a full-bodied sound. There’s deep sub-bass that doesn’t get boomy, mids that sound forward without being too thick, and a treble range that stays open without crossing into harsh territory.
You get the kind of balance that’s more about presence and weight than clinical accuracy.
They made a splash at CanJam Singapore, and some have called them one of Noble’s most “complete” IEMs yet.
The design also leans hard into the theme, with a shell inspired by samurai armor and a 4.4mm plug that looks like a katana hilt. It’s flashy, but in a fun way, and it’s clearly aimed at collectors who want something that looks… different.
Where to buy
11. Campfire Audio Axion
- Connection: Wired
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): Full-range silicon dynamic driver
- Impedance: 15.3 Ω
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
The Axion take a different approach from most of Campfire Audio’s lineup. Instead of stacking multiple drivers, they use a single full-range silicon dynamic driver, and for some listeners, that’s exactly the appeal.
The sound is clean and balanced, with good clarity across the range. There’s even decent width to the soundstage for a single driver, and the Axion avoid the upper-mid harshness that some small IEMs struggle with.
You won’t get deep sub-bass rumble or super-sharp treble detail, but for everyday listening, they feel consistent and easygoing.
Visually, Axion also stand out with their bullet-style acrylic housings. They’re transparent, light, and have a minimal look that’s both modern and practical. Comfort is solid, too, with no awkward pressure points or odd fit quirks.
Where to buy
12. Campfire Audio Alien Brain
- Connection: Wired
- Type: In-ear monitor
- Driver Type(s): Hybrid 5-driver (1× 10 mm dual-magnet dynamic, 2× mid-frequency BA, 2× high-frequency BA)
- Impedance: 7.8 Ω
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
The Alien Brain might have a wild name, but it’s actually one of Campfire’s more balanced releases this year. It’s a 5-driver hybrid that aims for a sound that’s fun without being overcooked.
Bass is the main focus here as the 10mm dynamic driver gives it real punch, especially in the mid-bass. But the mids and highs hold their own, with smooth vocals and treble that’s energetic but not sharp.
When it comes to the design, the shells are made of stainless steel with an iridescent finish, so they definitely stand out. Fit is snug but not aggressive, and they come with a USB-C DAC cable, which is a great bonus if you’re using a phone or laptop without a headphone jack.
Where to buy
13. Sony WH-1000XM6
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth 5.3) + wired (3.5 mm)
- Type: Over-ear, closed-back with ANC
- Driver Type(s): 30 mm dynamic
- Impedance: 48 Ω (active wired) / 16 Ω (passive wired)
- Frequency Response: 4 Hz – 40 kHz
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are back with better ANC, better comfort, and a sound that finally leans more neutral.
On the surface, they look a lot like the XM5. But, the upgrades underneath are real, especially with the new QN3 chip, which improves noise cancelling and call quality noticeably.
The sound has also taken a step forward. The bass is still punchy but less bloated than older models. Mids are more balanced now, and treble has more clarity without the sharpness that turned some people off the XM4 and XM5.
You also get a surprisingly wide soundstage for a wireless pair of ANC headphones, especially in wired mode.
It’s still not on the level of high-end wired headphones, but it’s clear, detailed, and more than enough for travel or casual sessions.
Aside from that, comfort has also improved with a slightly wider headband and earcups that seal better.
Where to buy
14. Focal Bathys MG
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth 5.2) + USB-C & 3.5 mm jack
- Type: Over-ear, closed-back with ANC
- Driver Type(s): 40 mm magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome drivers
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 22 kHz
The Bathys MG are Focal’s follow-up to their original wireless flagship, this time using magnesium drivers inspired by the Clear MG. The idea is simple: take audiophile-grade driver tech and pack it into something wireless, portable, and noise-canceling… and it mostly works.
These sound cleaner and more detailed than the first Bathys. The bass is tight and not overdone, mids are smooth and open, and the treble has more sparkle than before without getting harsh.
In short, compared to typical wireless ANC headphones, the Bathys MG are more refined and natural-sounding.
The DAC mode is the star feature, though. Plug them into a laptop or phone with the included cable, and you get a more spacious, dynamic sound that competes with wired-only headphones in the $500+ range.
ANC is also solid, though not class-leading like Bose or Sony.