JBL and Apple Take the Lead: What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 Announce Winners in Wireless Speaker Category, Sonos Ousted
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024: JBL and Apple Take the Lead
Source: What Hi-Fi?
Overview of the Awards
The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 highlighted shifts in the wireless speaker market, with JBL and Apple dominating various categories, while Sonos has been notably usurped.
Top Winners
- JBL Charge 5: Awarded for the fourth consecutive year, praised for its rugged design and outstanding sound quality.
- JBL Xtreme 4: Emerging victor in the higher price category, delivering impressive dynamic sound and great build quality.
- Apple HomePod 2: Recognized for its refined sound and build, continues to be a top choice among mains-powered speakers.
- Apple HomePod Mini: Lauded for its solid sound in a compact form factor.
- Audio Pro C20: Surpassed the Sonos Era 300, noted for its versatile connectivity and excellent sound performance.
- Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation: Continues its reign with its sixth consecutive award, known for its premium streaming features and high-quality sound.
Key Highlights
This year’s awards reflect a growing competition in the wireless speaker segment, where innovation and quality play a crucial role. Highlights include:
- JBL's success in both portable categories demonstrates the brand's stronghold in rugged, high-quality audio.
- Apple's dual wins reinforce its reputation for delivering exceptional audio experience in smart speakers.
- The shift away from Sonos suggests a need for the brand to innovate and regain its competitive edge.
Conclusion
The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 encapsulate not only shifts in consumer preferences but also set a benchmark for excellence in wireless audio technology. Consumers can expect a wave of high-quality options as brands continue to push the envelope in sound design and functionality.
