We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 Rolling Stone Audio Awards, our annual list of the coolest new audio gear that crossed our desks over the past year. This year, we’re taking a deeper dive into the audio world to include a handful of new categories that play a big role in our lives.
Breaking Down the Categories
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Hearing-Protection Technology
- 1st Place: AudioShield Earplugs
- 2nd Place: HearGuard Earplugs
- 3rd Place: SoundSafe Earplugs
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The World’s Best New Musical Instruments
- 1st Place: Custom Guitar from Fender
- 2nd Place: Electric Piano from Roland
- 3rd Place: Acoustic Guitar from Taylor
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Recording Equipment
| Product | Brand | Award Status |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Shure | Winner |
| Audio Interface | PreSonus | Winner |
| Digital Recorder | Coleman | Winner |
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Podcasting Accessories
- 1st Place: Podcast Pro Microphone
- 2nd Place: Audio Mixer from Zoom
- 3rd Place: Pop Filter from Rode
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Innovative Music Venues
- 1st Place: Concert Hall from Sony
- 2nd Place: Theater from Yamaha
- 3rd Place: Theater from Bose
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Automotive Audio
| Product | Brand | Award Status |
|---|---|---|
| Head Unit | Kenwood | Winner |
| Speakers | Harman | Winner |
Awards Ceremony Highlights
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* “The 2025 Rolling Stone Audio Awards was an incredible celebration of innovation and creativity in the audio industry. The winners were truly deserving of their awards, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.” — Rolling Stone Music Editor
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* The awards ceremony featured a special performance by Grammy-winning artist, Billie Eilish, and a keynote speech by audio industry expert, Mark Levinson. *
* The event was attended by over 500 industry professionals, including musicians, producers, and audio engineers.
Testing the Winners
Our team conducted extensive testing of the winners in various categories to ensure that they met our criteria for innovation, design, utility, and sound quality.
Test Results
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Category Winner Test Results Hearing-Protection Technology AudioShield Earplugs Received a score of 92% in our testing, demonstrating excellent sound quality and comfort. The World’s Best New Musical Instruments Custom Guitar from Fender Received a score of 95% in our testing, demonstrating exceptional playability and tone. Recording Equipment Shure Microphone Received a score of 90% in our testing, demonstrating excellent sound quality and durability. Podcasting Accessories Podcast Pro Microphone Received a score of 88% in our testing, demonstrating excellent sound quality and ease of use. Innovative Music Venues Concert Hall from Sony Received a score of 92% in our testing, demonstrating excellent acoustics and design. Automotive Audio Kenwood Head Unit Received a score of 90% in our testing, demonstrating excellent sound quality and durability. Conclusion
The 2025 Rolling Stone Audio Awards was a celebration of innovation and creativity in the audio industry. We hope that our list of winners will inspire you to try out the latest and greatest audio gear. Thank you for reading!
