A first audio setup should solve the problems you actually have. Most people need something for the commute, something for the kitchen or the beach, and maybe a way to play records or stream to a stereo. The picks below come from our catalog, with one product per job. For each one we cover who it suits and what its weak points will cost you in daily use.
Over-Ear Headphones for Travel and Long Days
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is our top over-ear pick, sitting in the $$$ tier. Its main strength is top-tier adaptive noise cancelling, which matters most on planes, trains and in open offices. It is comfortable enough to wear all day, and the app plus multipoint support means it can stay connected to your laptop and phone at the same time.
The cons are real but manageable. The build feels plasticky for what you pay, so treat it with a bit of care in a bag and use the case. The tuning is also not the most "audiophile" option, which means people who want a strictly neutral sound for critical listening may want to look elsewhere. For a first pair that you will wear on a commute every day, comfort and noise cancelling matter more than tuning purity, and this is the one to buy.
Wireless Earbuds for Pockets and the Gym
If over-ears are too bulky for your routine, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the earbud equivalent, also in the $$$ tier. It offers the best true-wireless noise cancelling in our catalog, rich and detailed sound, and LDAC support for hi-res playback from phones that support it.
The price is premium, so buy these instead of the headphones rather than alongside them unless you really need both. The bigger day-to-day risk is fit. Some ears find these fussy, and an earbud that does not seal properly loses both bass and noise cancelling. Buy from a retailer with a reasonable return policy and try every included tip size before you decide. Choose these over the WH-1000XM6 if portability matters more to you than all-day comfort.
A Portable Speaker for Shared Listening
The JBL Charge 6 is our best overall portable speaker, in the $$ tier. It produces punchy, room-filling sound, runs for around 24 hours, and can charge your phone as a powerbank. Its IP68 rating means it can handle dust and water, so it is a sensible choice for the beach, the garden or a camping trip.
There are two costs to know about. It is heavier than rival speakers, which you will notice when it rides in a backpack all day. It also has no microphone, so you cannot use it for speakerphone calls. If you want a speaker for music and nothing else, neither con should stop you.
A Streaming Hub for Your Home Stereo
The WiiM Ultra is our best streaming hub, in the $$ tier. It supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, so almost any phone or music service can send audio to it. It has phono, line, optical and HDMI ARC inputs, which lets it connect a turntable, a TV and other sources in one place. A 3.5 inch touchscreen handles basic control.
The most important con is that it has no amplifier built in. It cannot drive passive speakers on its own, so you need powered speakers or a separate amplifier, and neither appears in this guide. Budget for that before you buy. The app also handles most of the setup, so expect to spend your first session on your phone rather than on the touchscreen. Choose this if you already own speakers or an amplifier and want one box to bring streaming, TV sound and a record player together.
A Turntable for Records
The Fluance RT81 is our best value turntable, in the $$ tier. It includes a built-in switchable preamp and ships with an AT95E cartridge, so it is ready to play out of the box. It also looks far pricier than it is, which matters if it will sit on display in a living room.
It is belt-drive, so it is not suitable for DJ use or scratching. Its feet and isolation are basic, which means you should place it on a solid surface away from your speakers to limit vibration and footfall problems. The switchable preamp pairs well with the WiiM Ultra: turn the RT81's preamp off and use the WiiM's phono input, or leave it on and use a line input.
An Audio Interface for Recording
If you plan to record vocals, a guitar or a podcast, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is our best overall interface, in the $$ tier. Its preamps are clean and quiet, Auto Gain helps beginners set levels without clipping, and Air mode is available for extra brightness. A large plugin bundle comes with it.
It has only 2 inputs and 2 outputs, which is fine for one or two sources but not enough to record a full band. The USB-C cable can be fussy on some PCs, so if the interface drops out or is not detected, try a different cable or port before assuming a fault.
Where to Start
Begin with the item you will use every day, which for most people is the headphones or the earbuds, and add the speaker or home gear later. If you choose the WiiM Ultra, confirm you have powered speakers or an amplifier before checkout, because without one it will not make any sound.