Our Top Gear Awards for 2024 has arrived and represents the audio gear that we reviewed and gave the highest scores for this calendar year.
This is our 14th year for our Annual Awards so if you want to look back and check out what we thought were the best from the last five years you can click below.
- 2023 Top Gear Awards
- 2022 Top Gear Awards
- 2021 Top Gear Awards
- 2020 Top Gear Awards
- 2019 Top Gear Awards
2024 Awards Process
Our Top Gear Awards are based on our scoring system for the calendar year so the gear with the highest overall score in 2024 wins.
Where there is a tie for the top score, then all gear with that score are deemed winners, so some categories may have more than one winner.
As in previous years, we know our writers have their personal favorites so once again we have given them free rein to let us know what products float their boat for 2024, regardless of the score, in our “Editor’s ” and Writer’s Choice” 2024 awards.
Note, this is a 2-page feature with portable gear and headphones on page 1. Desktop gear plus the Editor and Writers’ picks for the Top Gear 2024 Awards are on Page 2.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Open Headphones
The HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is for many, an end-game experience. At $8000 this is where the audiophile train will stop for many hard-core audiophiles.
Its supremely detailed and spacious-sounding presentation has very few if any competitors which might go some way to justifying the investment.
The HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is for many, an end-game experience. At $8000 this is where the audiophile train will stop for many hard-core audiophiles.
Its supremely detailed and spacious-sounding presentation has very few if any competitors which might go some way to justifying the investment. The only friendly shadow on its shoulder is from the original Susvara. Its lower price tag, tuning, and safer grill finish still make it a viable alternative.
Of course, the elephant in the room is the understandable caution from handling headphones with drivers as exposed as this. The inclusion of the magnetic veil back panels alleviates some of the concerns when not in use but during use please handle them with extreme care.
If you can, then you have a killer set of planar headphones, one of the best in the business. I ranked the original no 1 since 2017 and so have our readers. Honestly, I see no reason to change that perspective in 2024 with the new king, the Susvara Unveiled.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Closed Headphones
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is as close to closed-back planar audio nirvana as you can get right now.
It is more spacious sounding than any regular closed-back planar combined with a dynamic tuning that provides a lot of 'joy' for everyday listening.
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is as close to closed-back planar audio nirvana as you can get in 2024 and I include the Stealth in that statement given the price difference.
It is more spacious sounding than any regular closed-back planar combined with a dynamic tuning that provides a lot of ‘joy’ for everyday listening. It’s a lively sound but importantly one that sounds quite different from the smoother more natural tone of the Stealth.
There will be fans of both sound signatures and perhaps those who will want to own both. So, my finishing thoughts are aimed squarely at the AEON 2 Noire owners who are looking for the next step up.
The E3 is the more natural choice for your next upgrade. It will not cost the ends of the earth nor require a ‘nuclear plant’ to drive it either.
It is also sleeker-looking and as comfortable on the head as you can expect from a folding DCA creation. Importantly, it’s a headphone that I feel sure James Hetfield will also thank you for using.
The ZMF Headphones Caldera is a very easy recommendation to make if someone is after a set of open-sounding high-end closed-back planar headphones.
It retains the ’emotional cues’ of its sibling Caldera open-back edition but with additional weight and smoothness to the tonal coloration. Most importantly, it stages impressively wide and deep.
Perhaps not as complex in its layering or as tightly controlled and airy sounding as the open-back version but then again it’s a trait that open-backs should excel in all things being equal.
This is for those who want a bit more body, more weight in the lows, and that key strength of any closed-back, the improved levels of passive isolation.
All of the above is wrapped in ZMF Headphone’s signature gorgeous wood-finished cups which look as striking as always, perhaps more so now with the unique ‘Caldera Delta’ shaping.
You can be the one to decide if that new form factor enhances the exterior or not but don’t let it distract you from that fantastic and emotive performance on the inside.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Wireless Headphones
There are some truly exceptional wireless headphones on the market in 2024. The B&W Px8 has a luxurious look, feel, and sound quality with excellent ANC technology. But it also has a darker signature when compared back-to-back with the Apollo.
It isn’t until you listen to both side-by-side that you realize how good the level of detail retrieval is on the FoKus Apollo.
It does have a bit less bass weight when not using the app but that slightly lifted upper midrange makes for a wonderful extension in the layering in comparison and a clarity that is hard to beat in this segment.
The Noble FoKus Apollo is aimed at top-tier wireless headphone makers and has earned its place among them. It is an excellent-sounding set of wireless and wired ANC-capable headphones and can easily share playtime with known competitors in the top-tier wireless headphone market.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Universal IEM
The PMG Audio Apx to my ears is probably the most technically capable high-end in-ear monitor I have heard to date. It not only projects a huge soundstage but also a complex and resolving one reinforced by some incredible dynamic range if paired with an equally capable source.
It looks great with the unique amber materials, and its small size fits great in the ear, especially with the silicone tips making it an IEM you could wear for hours without physical fatigue.
There will also be some that will quibble over the coloration in the highs. Especially, if like me, you enjoy the silicone tips and clean dynamic sources. Give it time to calm down, use some PMEQ, or switch to the foams if you must.
The highs of the Apx are the only potential weakness of an otherwise spectacular and memorable in-ear tour de force.
If it were not for the original Apx, I would be calling the Apx SE the best high-end universal monitor for 2024. What we have here is the best choice of monitors for 2024.
I could roll out the “why not get both” girl meme but deep enough pockets for both are rare, especially for limited-run batches that sell out so quickly.
If you are in a very lucky position of being able to choose then the Apx SE is the safer bet. It’s a smoother and more powerful sound signature you can listen to for hours on almost any DAP or dongle without fatigue.
The fantastic detail is there and the huge soundstage is there also; it is just not as complex sounding as the original. There will be fans of both and after listening to each I can see why.
Overall, the PMG Audio Apx Se is the Yin to the original’s Yang. It brings a more ‘modern’ but equally outstanding high-end monitor sound to the table. If you get a chance to hear it, even just for a few minutes, it’s a memorable experience.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Digital Audio Player
I am both surprised and impressed with the performance of the HiBy R8 II DAP.
The quality of the performance is exciting, engaging, and highly resolving. It has a lot more drive and energy with tested pairings compared to the original R8 and a vocal presence and midrange openness that might tick more boxes than the RS8's equivalent.
I am both surprised and impressed with the performance of the HiBy R8 II DAP. With its lower price point than the flagship RS8, I was expecting something slightly scaled down but in fact, I think we might have gotten something even more ambitious.
The quality of the performance is exciting, engaging, and highly resolving. It has a lot more drive and energy with tested pairings compared to the original R8 and a vocal presence and midrange openness that might tick more boxes than the RS8’s equivalent.
It also looks great with a 2024-friendly screen. The new Alcantara wrap might not be for everyone but at least in red it looks innovative and very different to what’s out there.
With all that going on you can easily take for granted that like its predecessors it’s built on a solid software platform with an excellent engine and plenty of RAM to keep it moving nice and quick for modern user needs.
HiBy Website | Zeppelin & Co Website | Musicteck USA Website
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Portable DAC/Amp
The iBasso D16 Taipan is an outstanding return to form for one of the original pioneers of the portable DAC/amplifier market with its beautifully textured analog tuning and flexibility for a wide range of modern IEMs and headphones.
In some ways, I hope the company takes the new PWM-DAC approach and tries to work it into their DAPs and dongles if possible. It is the kind of inviting natural-sounding sound signature I was hoping iBasso would someday try as opposed to another delta-sigma offering.
They have been on top of the discrete amplification game for some years now so pulling the DAC design in-house gives them a massive amount of control to create almost any type of sound or performance they want.
For IEM lovers the D16 is a truly excellent performer and at least for 2024, it is one of the class leaders in terms of just how good a portable amp/DAC can or should sound.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Portable Amplifier
The iBasso PB5 Osprey is a beautifully smooth, weighty and fulsome sounding portable tube amplifier. It has plenty of power to drive demanding headphones such as the Caldera or the HEDDphone Two and can deftly handle IEMs with ease at the same time.
It’s probably my favorite portable amplifier I have had the pleasure to hear in 2024.
This is a mature analog-tuned offering, mating perfectly with the D16 1BIT DAC. Combined with the DX320 MAX Ti, I would consider it iBasso’s unofficial high-end desktop stack.
If you are heavily invested into the iBasso ecosystem I would call this the missing link for demanding headphone users. It sounds nothing like the vast majority of the company’s more neutrally-tuned gear, which is an excellent highlight in its own right.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Dongle DAC
The iBasso DC-Elite is a monster of a dongle DAC with a detailed, clean, and highly dynamic performance that I would not be surprised to hear out of higher-end DAPs. It’s a great pairing for equally capable IEMs at almost any price point.
Moderately priced DAPs should be nervously looking over their shoulders because if ever there was an answer to why the budget DAP market is less appealing then the DC-Elite firmly answers it.
Yes, it’s a big dongle, and for those looking for LCD screens, there is nothing here to excite your eyes. And for those who need warm, relaxed, or analog performances there are other excellent options on the market. It is also not the final word in pure grunt.
What the DC-Elite brings to the table is a high degree of transparency and excellent clarity making it one of my go-to choices in 2024 for technically very capable IEMs to reach their potential without spending a fortune on a high-end DAP.
I considered the original iFi Audio GOLD bar the top dog among the dongle DAC I have reviewed to date but 2024’s iFi Audio GO bar Kensei is even better and is my new favorite dongle DAC.
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei dongle DAC is a great purchase if your budget allows it, especially if you’re looking for a sound-quality first device within this segment.
iFi Audio is going to have to implement the K2HD feature on everything they release from now on. It makes a considerable difference in taking the Kensei version to a new sonic level.
It’s pricey and a bit heavy, but it will satisfy most ardent audiophiles. Sonically, it beats every dongle DAC I currently have on my shelf.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Wireless Streamer
The FiiO BTR17 is a formidable and versatile dongle DAC that can fill many audio needs and is a step above its predecessor sonically.
Performance-wise it beats its counterpart by incorporating an improved list of internal components consisting of an upgraded DAC and amplification section.
The aptX Lossless codec hasn’t taken off and I don’t consider it mainstream yet but it’s good to know that the FiiO BTR17 has that feature built-in which also makes this flagship model future-proof.
Once again, releasing the BTR17 allowed FiiO to regain the 2024 pole position in this genre and the best part is that FiiO made it happen without a price hike to boot which is rare in a world of constant price hikes.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best True Wireless System
The final ZE8000 MK2 TWS exemplifies the virtues of Japanese product design by refining its existing design and setting higher standards instead of solely pursuing flashy appearances or gimmicks.
The improvements are notable, particularly the improved practical noise reduction and DSP features. The subtle and delicate touches on the design add an artistic and refreshing element to its aesthetics.
The ZE8000 MK2 delivers excellent performance across a wide range of genres and seamlessly integrates with Android and iOS devices, catering to individuals who frequently switch between different sources.
While the maximum 5-hour listening session duration may be a consideration, it remains one of the most versatile choices in 2024 with a top-tier performance in this category.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Cable
Effect Audio Code 24 and 24C Limited are some serious power plays for the middle ground of high-performance cables without the super high prices to go along with them.
Also, there is no denying that they are beautifully crafted and can look gorgeous with color-coordinated IEMs.
Effect Audio Code 24 is a serious power play for the middle ground of high-performance cables without the super high prices to go along with them.
Granted, the weight and size will put off those who value a discreet and lightweight aftermarket cable but there is no denying that it is beautifully crafted and can look gorgeous with color-coordinated IEMs.
However, all that would be for nothing if Code 24 didn’t have a pleasing effect on those IEM’s performance and this is where this cable genuinely surprised me.
I am not sure how EA is squeezing in such large gauge cables for these new more competitive prices in 2024 but I encourage them to continue with this metallurgical origami magic. This is a clear step up in quality over many of their similarly priced older cables.
Effect Audio Website | Musicteck USA Website
Click on page 2 below for our Desktop, Editor and Writer’s choice awards.
