2025 Audiophile-Heaven Awards For Excellence In Music And Technology
This year has likely been the hardest one so far, due to multiple challenges for audiophiles and music lovers in achieving their dreams, with price hikes, tariffs and other events that have challenged our way of listening to music, but with the year drawing to an end, we still managed to find some excellent products throughout the year, with outstanding price performance ratios, exceptional build quality, resulting in investments that actually make sense in this rough economy.
This list and the entire work behind it is not sponsored by anyone and I do it out of passion with no incentive and no other sponsor. I would usually ask for any kind of donation and to use our amazon links, but what I want the most is for you to just explore this list, there are no strings attached, and the only thing I want you to feel is a bit of the joy that this hobby brings me and to cherish music with me. If you want to support us, you can subscribe to our Youtube Channel, Donate, and if you’re looking for music, on Tidal we have an entire playlist of music that I find excellent.
Introduction
First of all, I want to thank you all for being here with me, for supporting me, and for reading audiophile-heaven. While this year has been especially hard for us, and we had to relocate twice within a single year, we still managed to reach new heights and we published over 1000 written reviews in total to this date, and we posted over 650 videos on our youtube channel. We have 11049 subscribers at the moment of posting this article, and our monthly traffic fluctuates between 100.000 visits and 1.000.000 every month.
The most important aspect of this hobby is to have fun, so please, when reading audiophile-heaven, or any other publication, have fun, listen to music, spend time with your loved ones, and live with no regrets.
Don’t forget that music is all about love, art and expressing your emotions. Today’s list is not a buying guide, and instead I just want to award the best products I heard this year, and to share that there have been some outstanding experiences this year, things that really surprised me with their performance and with the overall design, and even price to performance ratio.
We gave up on creating purchase lists with links to purchase products, like Black Friday and Cyber Money purchase links, as we do not support careless spending, and we believe that a good purchase is made once you’re well informed and get what you want, instead of getting lost in chasing sales. Please take the time to explore your options, learn about what you plan to purchase and give yourself time to always enjoy what you already have. This is not a race, it is a journey and an adventure where you’re supposed to discover yourself and have a good time.
Best Stereo HiFi Speakers Of 2025 – Pylon Jasper Monitor 18 Bookshelf Speakers
With a unique sound, warm and yet brilliant in the treble, huge soundstage and impactful presentation, Pylon Audio Jasper Monitor 18 is right now the hottest, best sounding pair of speakers that we have reviewed this year, and although our review exploring the Jasper 23 is still in works, Monitor 18 is fully worth of the tile Speaker Of The Year 2025 here at Audiophile-Heaven.
From my original review – “Reviewing the Pylon Audio Jasper Monitor 18 has been quite an adventure where they’ve taken me out of my comfort zone, expanded my horizons on what a good sound is, and through their musicality, engaging sound and high level of dynamics, rekindled my love for many music styles including Emo, Classical and Symphonic metal. I gave them my attention and they rewarded me many times over, if you have the choice, go for Pylon Audio Jasper 18 Monitors, they will impress and deliver a highly engaging, wide, airy and warm sound with a powerful bass, but also highly musical midrange and refined treble. ” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/pylon-jasper-monitor-18-bookshelf-speakers-review-musica-romantica-forever.html
Best Summit-Fi Open-Back Headphones Of 2025 – HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled
HIFIMAN designed new technologies this year, and their flagship, their crown jewel is the Susvara Unveiled, a welcome upgrade to the original susvara, a pair that has been for years now the most desired pair of headphones in the whole world. The new Unveiled variant brings many sonic improvements, including a more direct, more punchy, more driven sound, far easier to drive design, and even a more engaging signature. If you want an end-game to the audiophile-chase, either Susvara Original or the Unveiled will be your answer.
From my original Review – “There are good headphones, and there are great headphones, and then there’s the new HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, the headphone I could single out as my choice if I had to live with just one pair of headphones. With a really vivid and colorful sound, excellent comfort, and hard to drive, but not too hard design, they are pure perfection and the pair I would recommend to anyone looking for the best headphones in the whole world.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/03/ultimate-flagship-with-boundless-sound-hifiman-susvara-unveiled.html
Best Desktop Tube Amplifier Of 2025 – HIFIMAN GA-10 Tube Headphone Amplifier
Because the tubes are not seen, it is easy to forget that the whole amazing sound of GA-10 comes from tubes, and it is even far more impressive that it can deliver such an amazing performance with a rich, organic sound and a high driving power. While it is around enough for HE1000 Unveiled and other unveiled headphones, it also shines with Dynamic headphones and hybrid ones like Isvarna, making GA-10 a versatile music powerhouse for someone with a relatively easy to drive headphone collection.
From my original Review – “Especially if you have a HIFIMAN Unveiled pair of headphones like HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, or even a pair of HE1000SE, or basically most headphones under the sun, HIFIMAN GA-10 will be one of the best amplifiers if you want to hear real slam, control, a black background and exceptional layering with top notch instrument separation and power delivery.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/goldenwave-x-hifiman-ga-10-tube-headphone-amplifier-deepest-bass-slams-planar-headphones.html
2025 Engineering Achievement Award – Khadas Mind 1 Mini PC
While Audiophiles are skeptical of using a PC or Personal Computer to listen to music, as usually those have a lot of background noise and no components dedicated for an audiophile experience, Khadas rose to make the Mind series of mini computers. I am extremely hopeful that I will get to explore the rest of the series in upcoming articles because the company plans on making a tablet add-on, and Mind 1 as it is, is the most stable, most silent PC ever, both considering the self noise it has, and also considering the actual electronic noise. It is incredibly stable, has zero stutter, and it is there for you both if you need a media center PC, streamer, NAS, and with a promised external GPU, it will be a partner for gaming, and high-resolution video renderer as well. Overall, Mind 1 deserves to be at the top of our list and it is one of the products that I consider to be an engineering achievement, considering the little space it takes, and the performance it provides.
From my original Review – “I did not chose to become a nomadic worker, but housing in Bucharest and rent became insane, and so did the pollution levels, and with us having to move to a more countryside area, I can still squeeze 2-3 hours of extra work, either writing reviews for you or programming Eternal Hour outdoors, so I will happily deliver as this can improve the world. If you want to work outdoors, and need a powerful, smooth running workstation, streaming server, gaming rig, and if you really like the idea of having a workstation in your pocket, this is the first time I can say that a device achieved this feat. ” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/11/khadas-mind-1-portable-workstation-mini-pc-review-expands-your-bounds-deliver-all-the-performance.html
Best Active Wireless Streaming Speakers Of 2025 – FiiO SP5
While last year we had more passive speakers winning the ranks, this time around FiiO decided to enter the game and designed SP5, one of the most powerful, yet small and convenient pairs of speakers available on the market right now. Those have so many options for wireless connectivity, streaming and so much going on that when you mention that they also have Line in and USB DAC functions, with EQ active at all times it just becomes too sweet of a deal to miss. Basically, they don’t really need other equipment to work, so compared to a traditional HIFI pair of bookshelf speakers that requires a DAC, AMP, and other electronics, with SP5 you buy them once and you can use them right away, so the price tag is all that you have to pay.
From my original Review – “FiiO SP5 is brilliant, highly resolving, and one of the most connected pairs of speakers of today. While inherently a bit sensitive to the noise of your power outlet, how much EMi and RFI you have in your room, they can sound excellent with modest files, bluetooth, and you can apply a global EQ to the sound, so you can play a lot with how SP5 sounds like. In fact, one of my favorite things about them is that SP5 has the bass and treble extra control, and they also have individual power inputs, as well as line in ports, so the options are endless, and sound quality is plentiful. If you want a pair of active speakers, FiiO SP5 is currently the best one I can recommend at this price point, having the most solid impact, best resolution and cleanest punch, while being quite a bit ahead of the curve when it comes to connectivity and software support.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/12/fiio-sp5-active-hifi-desktop-bookshelf-speakers-review-leading-lines-of-musica-majestica.html
Best Portable DAC And Headphone AMP – iBasso D17 Atheris R2R + 1 Bit DAC And Tube AMP
iBasso D17 is unique in many ways, including the fact that it has two separate DAC circuits, one that is running in an R2R Mode and one that is 1 Bit or ROHM in design. It also uses a Tube Headphone AMP stage, but it does something magical, different from previous iterations and different from all the other audio companies – it manages to keep this design clean, to give it zero noise despite the tubes used and it all just sounds so powerful and cohesive that it is an instant yes for anyone wanting the ultimate DAC AMP in 2025.
From my original review – “iBasso managed to once gain redefine what you can do portably, this time implementing tube headphone amps, R2R and Special 1Bit DACs inside the same unit, offering a long battery life, strong driving power, all for the price that’s the same as what the older D16 was, but not necessarily replacing it, instead creating something different, uniquely good with D17. I totally love D17 and consider it to be my current favorite go-to DAC AMP that’s portable but powerful enough for all my usual headphones, yet quiet enough for IEMS” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/12/ibasso-d17-atheris-r2r-1-bit-dac-and-tube-amp-review-complete-music-experience-systema-win.html
Best V-Shaped Sounding IEMs Of 2025 – Moritz Enzo
Moritz Enzo is a high-end flagship that I just ended up loving a lot for their sound. While they lack the history and profound technology explanations that other IEMS offer, Enzo is basically the superb performer that Moritz threw at us and which I simply couldn’t take my mind off ever since I first heard them. Many of the DAC AMP reviews written this year have had their impressions taken with the Enzo, a profoundly V-Shaped with a dramatic sound, and although this is one of the rare models that is not available on amazon, I highly recommend checking it out for sonic performance if you’re in the market for a high-end flagship pair of IEMs with a big bass and sharp treble.
From my original Review – “Moritz Enzo will be perfect for you if you’re looking not just for bass or for treble, but for both, if you’re looking for a sweet voicing, high-end resolution, all packaged in a sound that delivers no harshness and no fatiguing elements, it stays fresh and always gives you a WoW effect. I fully recommend it and it is a must hear , must have pair of earphones, and I just hope that Moritz can keep up with the number of orders, I am confident I am not the only one who will speak so highly about them and I won’t be the only one who loves the sound.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/07/v-shaped-perfection-enhanced-moritz-enzo-flagship-iems.html
Most Interesting New Technology Of The Year 2025 – Lily Audio Genesis One
Lily Audio is a new name, but they are here to stay, having developed a whole new driver with a complex approach. As the first headphones to have been developed in 2025 with a new technology, the company deserves both an award for creating a beautiful sound, and also an award for ingenuity. The company needs a bit of help with a kickstarter, but they already produced a working pair of headphones, not just prototype, but actual pre-production sample showcasing that they can produce and deliver to you the actual headphones.
From my original Review – “if you’re looking for a way to enjoy music just a bit more, if you want to digI deeper into why people love electrostatic headphones and electrostatic headphone amplifiers, and if you want to experience a natural, gentle, refined and fatigue-free sound with the perfect midrange, a quick and tight bass, with good impact in the lows, and a bright, airy but relaxed treble, Shangri-La Mini should be at the top of your list, as one of the best combos the world has seen, for a price that usually only gets you a high-end AMP or pair of headphones, but here you get both.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/11/lily-audio-genesis-one-crystal-core-headphones-impedance-and-clarity-beyond-origins.html
Best Casual IEMs Of 2025 – Letshuoer Cadenza 12 2025
Although in theory Cadenza 12 2025 is just an upgrade to the Cadenza 12 that we previously reviewed, those have been so good that I actually have been using the Cadenza 12 2025 almost every single day at the gym, so I have to give them the award of being the best IEMS of the year. Overall, this is the best flagship that I can recommend on a casual basis and the one that I personally use daily, on the go, at the gym, and casually.
From my original Review – “Letshuoer Cadenza 12 2025 is one of the best pairs of earphones that I’ve reviewed this year and I love their sound. Nothing could be more of a statement about their quality, ergonomics and sonic quality than that they are right now my daily IEMS for gym, together with FiiO UTWS5 2025, and as a proof that they are well made, Cadenza 12 2025 resists really well to sweat, wear, and sounds brilliant, having the most enjoyable, dynamic and engaging signature for all music, with a rich and organic sounding midrange. They are not just fully recommended, they are a must hear if you ever visit an audio show, or if you want a really versatile flagship IEM” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/04/richness-and-precision-artisanship-letshuoer-cadenza-12-true-virtuosso-2025-new-version-review.html
Best Closed-Back Headphones Of 2025 – HIFIMAN Isvarna Hybrid Headphones
Closed-Back Headphones have always been a different segment than open-back, and regardless of how innovative the open-back headphones are, there’s always the alternative, the choice of going closed and never wanting to share your music, or hear the ambient noise of your peers. Isvarna is not exactly a standard closed-back pair of headphones and instead it is a semi-open design, or vented design, but they offer a significant enough passive noise isolation that I can consider them to be the top winner in the closed-back headphone category of this year, a top choice for all music lovers to listen and enoy.
From my original Review – “if you’re looking for a unique pair of headphones with a strong, hard v-Shaped sound and with a comfortable fit, semi-open design, you need to hear the HIFIMAN Isvarna, it is excellent for all music styles but thrives on delivering the raw emotional impact of rock, metal, EDM, and most new commercial music. Isvarna is a personal favorite of mine, different and complementary to HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, you have to hear both and own both, Susvara delivers less impact and less punch than Isvarna, so if you have the flagship that’s vocal, you will need to check out the Isvarna” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/09/hifiman-isvarna-hybrid-headphones-review-masterful-blend-of-dynamic-and-planar.html
Best Android Streaming DAP Digital Audio Player Of 2025 – iBasso DX340 Music Player DAP
Every single year iBasso makes something for music lovers and this time around, DX340 continues the legacy of the DX 3XX DAPs, with modular amplifiers, DC power input to serve a higher driving power while in desktop mode, and the complex, efficient Android system, with a versatile open design, where you can install any apps you desire, fast CPU, a high RAM and support for external storage, but also support for streaming apps, including Tidal and basically everything that can run on Android. This is the DAP to get if you want the full Android Audiophile Experience and can afford it.
From my original Review – “if you’re looking for a streaming machine, USB DAC, DAP or digital Audio Player, one of the strongest portable DAPs, fluid Android OS, AMOLED Display, and a True Winner that will give you peace of mind with its highly resolving sound and outstanding impact / precision, I fully recommend checking out iBasso DX340, the mighty DAP that revolutionized the portable music player industry with each step” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/05/one-true-champion-dap-ibasso-dx340-reference-music-player.html
Best Streamer of 2025 – FiiO S15 Music Streamer
There’s a special place for streaming in the heart of every audiophile as everyone wants something exactly like S15 – a full-sized desktop DAC that feels like a huge tablet, but works with streaming, can read SSDs and basically is the most complete, fastest and most complex streamer released to date as a standalone streamer. While S15 is more than a streamer, it is a DAC too, what it does best is stream, and if you’re looking for this kind of experience it is the best I know and can recommend to you.
From my original Review – “FiiO S15 is simply excellent, and if you need a streamer that can do it all, but also have a Preamplifier output with a high-end DAC setup inside, no background noise, but with the ultimate connectivity, being able to even read SSDs, SD Cards, stream apps, including Tidal, and if you want the golden support of FiiO, then S15 should be just the product for you.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/06/balance-between-tech-and-music-fiio-s15-music-streamer.html
Best Speaker Cables of 2025 – Audience AU24SX
I started reviewing without being a huge believer in cables, and in fact I always thought they were in a gray zone. This year this all changed forever when I experienced a couple of effects, first with Ricable XLR interconnect cables, and now with Audience’s AU24SX. This one cable makes such a huge leap in sound quality for my system that although I ordered it too short, I ended up using every single day ever since receiving it. AU24SX has an insanely dynamic, vivid, and clean sound with exceptional clarity and it is what I consider to be the golden standard for a speaker cable now, exactly what you should be looking forward to if you wanted to hear the best I heard this entire year for a speaker cable
From my original Review – “Audience really created something unique sounding, something that drastically enhances the dynamic range, resolution and which gives a system a whole new level of brilliance, and this is an easy to use cable, with a thin, lightweight, and nimble build. In fact, just the way it is not made for looks but for pure sonic performance makes me love it so much and makes it an essential part of my daily listening system” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/audience-au24sx-speaker-cable-review-usa-golden-standard-flagship.html
Best Neutral-Bright-Natural IEMs of 2025 – Unique Melody MEST Jet Black
I decided to split the IEM awards three-way, for each type of flagship. As my review career continues and I gain more experience, I learned that each type of sonic signature actually has a different flagship, because a neutral sounding flagship, regardless how impressive, will not be a top choice for someone who is actively looking for a v-shaped sound, so here we have MEST Jet Black, a neutral-bright-sharp sounding pair of IEMS with exceptional resolution, and what I consider to be the most brilliant tech, but requiring special care, special eartips and a more complex amplification than the other two options, hence the different award for Jet Black.
From my original Review – “Unique Melody made a pair of high-end flagships for everyone, and Unique Melody MEST Jet Black is outstanding, vocal but bassy, balanced but brilliant in the treble, it is so perfectly balanced that I think it would satisfy every single listener, it has a bit of everything in just the right amounts to make music perfect” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/unique-melody-mest-jet-black-iems-review-raven-of-the-forgotten-song.html
Best Non-Android Classic DAP of 2025 – Lotoo PAW GT2
A large number of music lovers are looking for a music experience with no Android, no apps, no fancy features, but the purest, most precise reproduction that is achievable, so here we have from Lotoo, the PAW GT2 DAP! While it is far more limited directly compared to DX340, Lotoo designed a clever way to overcome all limitations, by creating the LTTP or Lotoo Teleport Protocol, a way of transmitting data wirelessly but losslessly. Basically, with the use of an Adapter, you can transmit lossless data from your smartphone or PC computer to PAW GT2 and stream music losslessly, although compared to an all-in-one solution like DX340, you have to consider whether your PC or smartphone is applying oversampling or other algorithms to the sound. At any rate, PAW GT2 is the flagship DAP of the year to get, if you don’t want to go the Android way.
From my original Review – “Lotoo has proven once again that they can still be at the top of the audio game even though they make a DAP less than once per year, as they make only relevant products with long shelf-life. There’s something magic about each and every Lotoo product, and PAW GT2 is one of the most versatile, yet purely made for music DAPs in a long time, it is thick and heavy, but portable, and it feels like having the power of an atomic generator in your pocket, with the delicacy and control of a microscope, yet the feathery musicality of piano, all powering your IEMs and headphones. Lotoo PAW GT2 is a fully recommended purchase and DAP and currently one of my favorite ways of listening to music.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/04/excellence-meets-power-and-musicality-lotoo-paw-gt2-portable-music-player.html
Best Bluetooth Headphones – HIFIMAN Ananda-BT R2R 2025
Ananda-BT R2R 2025 is not just any pair of headphones, it is what I think of as wireless perfection. While not quite as good as the flagships of HIFIMAN, it is a wireless pair of headphones with outstanding build quality, and while part of the Ananda series of headphones, Ananda-BT R2R 2025 sounds more like a well-driven Arya Organic, a magical experience that will not disappoint and will keep you coming back for more, despite having no wires attached. Overall, one of the best I can recommend for a music lover on-the-go or someone who wants to lean back and enjoy their music at home.
From my original Review – “HIFIMAN managed to offer us the best sounding wireless headphone at this moment, especially based on sonics alone. Ananda-BT R2R is the kind of model that you hear once, but never forget, and it is fully recommended if you’re looking for a wireless, Bluetooth Open-Back pair of headphones with outstanding dynamics, clarity and a punchy sound, and if you don’t plan on taking them on a plane trip, because they are wireless, HIFIMAN Ananda-BT R2R is the perfect pair of headphones you can purchase to enjoy both wireless for convenience and wired for precision and quick response.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/01/hifiman-ananda-bt-r2r-neo-supernano-meets-hymalaya-in-the-worlds-best-sounding-wireless-headphones.html
Midrange DAC Headphone AMP Of The Year 2025 – JDS Labs Element IV
If you have a more limited budget but still want to hear an audiophile sound, if you don’t need a balanced output or balanced line out, but want complex EQ settings, filtering and an excellent sound, JDS Labs designed the Element IV to be the top choice for a midrange desktop DAC AMP. The company is known for including some of the most powerful and stable power converters with their products, and with the transparent volume wheel, as well as Type-C USB input and RCA line outs, JDS Labs Element IV is right now the best sounding midrange priced DAC AMP with the most expansive set of features you might dream of.
From my original Review – “JDS Labs Element IV is a testament to the progress of the JDS Labs company, it delivers everything we loved in the Element III, but improved, a better EQ implementation, more revealing, detailed and musical sound, with an improved driving power and lower background noise, all for the excellent 549 USD, being one of the best DAC AMPs you can grab today.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/jds-labs-element-iv-dac-amp-review-transparent-sound-from-the-usa.html
Best High-End DAP – iBasso DX260 MK2
iBasso won quite a couple of awards the previous year as well, especially for their DX260, and while the MK2 variant only changed a bit of the name, the upgrade in sound and usability is significant and if you’re in the market for a high-end DAP, DX260 MK2 is a top choice to look forward to, now and even in the future too. iBasso has long-time support for their products, so even if you got the first edition, you don’t have to worry, as software updates, as well as components will be available for years to come.
From my original Review – “iBasso DX260 mk2 is a full upgrade over the original, it comes for the same price, but has a more organic sound, better musicality, it is perfect, and now DX260 mkii is one of the best DAPs you can purchase at this price point.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/second-variant-wins-it-all-ibasso-dx260-mk2-music-player-dap.html
Best Midrange Headphones – FiiO FT7 Open-Back Headphones
FiiO FT7 is one of the best headphones you can grab in the midrange, it has an exceptional package, outstanding build quality and it is just generally an incredible deal. While I initially planned to award the FT7 an Editor’s Choice award, I realized that there actually isn’t a much better deal available in the midrange right now, and with the comfort, build quality, sonic quality and rich, musically cohesive sound, FT7 is actually at the top of the list for headphones that will sound exceptional, and currently my number once choice for their price and sonic style – a bit mid centric, sweet and rich / laid-back.
From my original review – “FiiO knows how to package and deliver an excellent pair of headphones, and FT7 is what I consider to be a best choice for anyone loving voices, music, rock, metal, jazz, classical, even EDM at times. It is literally one of the best you can grab, a bit smoother and laid-back, but still bearing enough impact and strength to be interesting, vivid and engaging. It is in all truth a headphone you have to try and one of the most recommended choices with this vocal type of signature this year.”- https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/07/drivers-touched-by-midas-fiio-ft7-open-back-planar-headphones.html
Vintage DAC AMP of the Year 2025 – FiiO K17 Retro
FiiO K17 is a vintage-looking DAC AMP with a unique approach to design, as FiiO decided to give it the most vintage look possible, with knobs, wheels and a beautiful case. K17 has a huge headphone driving power, a silent line out with zero noise, and it is right now the DAC AMP that was my main choice for the first half of the year, thanks to its EQ, VU Meters and many features, especially sonic quality that make it a top audio choice. K17 is the most complete DAC AMP Desktop choice and one of the few I could recommend buying if you had to have just one DAC AMP as a mindfully priced end-game choice for your pockets and ears.
From my original Review – “if you had to have just one Desktop DAC / Headphone AMP, right now K17 has the best balance of driving power, technical resolution, beauty, sonic performance and overall enjoyment that I consider it to be perfect, and a unit that you absolutely must hear and consider.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/06/retro-inspiration-modern-performance-fiio-k17-desktop-dac-headphone-amplifier.html
Best High-End Headphone Amplifier – Aune S17 Pro Evo
I remember being unable to give the same high regards to the original Aune S17 Pro because it would overheat a bit, and while that was never a problem for users in colder climates, it would be a bit problematic for those living in hot environments, so today we’re back to Aune, this time with the Evo version having much better heat dispersion, and actually being one of the best sounding headphone amplifiers I’ve heard this year, with an exceptional soundstage, smooth and lush treble, and an organic, intimate and fun midrange. Overall, it is one of the best AMPs you can grab and an exceptional choice for headphones, as well as PREamp, as it has zero self noise and has a beautiful shape.
From my original Review – “Aune S17 PRO Evo is a great amplifier, it does run warm and even hot to the touch, but the internals are kept in check, without the amp reaching dangerous levels. Even better, if you’re looking for a warm, silky, refined, but wide and contrasty sound, Aune S17 PRO Evo will deliver on those with a smile on its display-face.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/03/aune-s17-pro-evo-headphone-amplifier-pre-culmination-of-power-delivery.html
Best Midrange HIFI Speakers – Elipson Heritage XLS7 Vintage Bookshelf Speakers
Elipson XLS7 is a vintage-looking pair of hifi speakers sporting a large mid-bass woofer driver, and a crossover switch, with a front-firing bass port, ideal for smaller spaces. XLS7 has a bright – neutral sound and while they sound excellent, they also look awesome, giving any room a more premium vibe, and showcasing the French mastery of sound by offering listeners an experience that’s fast and accurate, revealing, and classy. Really good for classical and acoustic music, XLS7 has a low price for their design, and makes a top choice for music lovers looking to bring a bit of clarity of the past into their present life.
From my original Review – “Elispon Heritage XLS 7 is not just another pair of speakers that I review, they are a magical vintage pair of speakers with character and personality and if you enjoy a brighter, more open, yet natural and musical in the midrange sound, you will love the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 and the kind of music they will bring in your life.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/06/french-mastery-of-music-elipson-heritage-xls-7-bookshelf-speakers.html
Luxurious Desktop DAC AMP Of the Year 2025 – Luxsin X9
There are two DAC AMPs that can take the title of being the DACAMP of the year, and Luxsin X9 is the modern, HIFI, almost mcintosh looking one, designed by Eversolo and with powerful EQ that you can apply real-time to any signal. Including some of the most beautiful-looking VU Meters and three powerful headphones outputs with zero noise, XLR Line outs, and USB inputs, Luxsin X9 is sitting on my desk right now as I am typing this review, knowing it is going to be a top choice all throughout 2026 as well and that it is part of my daily listening setup and here to stay.
From my original Review – “if you’re looking for complete, XLR Preanmplifier output, RCA line in and line out, VU Meters that look dazzling, balanced and SE headphone outputs, touchscreen operation, and for a sound that is engaging, dynamic, but above everything easy to tweak and squeeze and stretch the performance of your system with, Luxsin X9 is one of the best DAC / Headphone AMPs you can purchase today, being an option that looks as high-end as it sounds, beautiful from case to output.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/luxsin-x9-desktop-dac-amp-review-ultra-style-music.html
Headphone Cable Of The Year 2025 – LavriCables Grand Silver 8 Core Multistrand litz 6N AWG20 Cryo Cable
This year we reviewed less headphone cables and more speaker cables than usual, so it is interesting to see that LavriCables makes it to the top in 2025, and while a similar model of Grand Silver was an Editor’s Choice in 2024, now the thicker variant with more strands actually sounds so dynamic, vivid and engaging that they had to win a full title in our Awards of The Year.
From my original Review – “LavriCables Grand Silver 8 Core offers precision, resolution, revealing ability, transparency, and it sounds excellent, is ergonomic and in my mind it is one of the best cables I could ever recommend you to purchase, especially if you have flagship headphones and want to complete their sound.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/07/bring-out-the-big-boy-lavricables-grand-silver-8-core-multistrand-litz-6n-awg20-cryo-cable.html
CD Player Of The Year 2025 – Shanling EC Zero T Portable CD Player
CD Players are making a huge comeback in 2025, and EC Zero T is a great start in our review ranks with a Dual Tube Design, Balanced Headphone Amplifier, and also a USB DAC function for desktop. With an R2R DAC at the core, EC Zero T is a crowning of many technological advancements Shanling made in 2025, and a great piece of kit to buy if you own CDs and want to enjoy them
From my original Review – “Shanling EC Zero T is perfect for you if you need a high-end CD player, but also if you need a USB DAC AMP and you’ll only rarely be playing CDs, it is a fun time even if you just need a headphone DAC AMP, or a desktop DAC, a good versatile recommendation if you want to experience R2R DACs and Tube headphone AMPs” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/shanling-ec-zero-t-portable-cd-player-review-r2r-spinning-at-your-side.html
Audio Accessory Of The Year 2025 – FiiO UTWS5 2025 Bluetooth Amplifiers for IEMs
FiiO UTWS5 2025 is the main adapter that I’ve been using daily together with Letshuoer Cadenza 12 2025 when going to the gym, to workout, lose weight and keep myself in shape. This pair of adapters will allow you to convert any wired IEM into a wireless one, and although you have to buy separately the MMCX and 2-Pin variants, UTWS5 2025 is an exceptional buy for someone who loves music, and wants to take a high-end audiophile experience to the gym, workout, for an iron man, or just for a brisk walk with no wires.
From my original Review – “if you need a portable listening solution for your IEMS, and if you listen mostly medium and loud, if you workout a lot but want an audiophile delight to take with you at the gym, FiiO UTWS5 2025 is an excellent option for you and should deliver an excellent sonic performance and outstanding build quality, plus a reliable battery life and a crisp, powerful, loud and detailed sound with a very low THD, being a fully recommended purchase.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/02/link-gym-to-audiophile-wonders-fiio-utws5-2025-bluetooth-earphone-dac-amplifier.html
Interconnect Cable Of The Year 2025 – Ricable Invictus XLR Reference RX1
I generally have never been a huge fan of investing too much into cables, but when Ricable came along and when I made some quick comparisons between using your run-of-the-mill standard interconnects between the DAC and Speaker Amplifier, and then using the RX1, I realised that there’s simply no justice to the sound of the Jasper 23 and Jasper Monitor 18 Speakers if I am not using a cable like RX1 in the main listening setup, so today I want to award the RX1 the title of the Interconnect Cable Of The Year 2025.
From my original Review – “I must agree that reviewing cables can still be controversial, but the world is much better than it was years ago, and once you do hear a high-end cable, you understand what the reviews have been talking about, why people go for those and how they can improve your system. Ricable Invictus XLR Reference is a fully recommended interconnect cable for your system, and which I hope will bring a lot of fun to you.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/02/ricable-invictus-xlr-reference-high-end-interconnect-cables-rx1-noise-reduction-on-the-balanced-connector.html
Dongle DAC AMP of The Year 2025 – iBasso Nunchaku Dual Raytheon Digital To Analog Converter and Headphone Amplifier
There are many ways to enjoy music and a portable DAC AMP is the fastest, simplest way of turning a tablet, smartphone or PC computer into a full-fledged audiophile setup, and now with iBasso creating the Nunchaku, you can have a Dual Raytheon Tubes DAC less than the size of a smartphone, and with a Class AB design to bring warmth, richness and power to your headphones. This is my favorite small factor DAC AMP of the year 2025, and the best I ever heard so far for this size.
From my original Review – “iBasso Nunchaku is one of the most advanced dongle DAC AMPs that you can purchase today, having a practical design, a warm and thick sound, strong bass, and a strong tube character in a small form factor with very little microphonic and handling noise, perfect for portable usage, and it also has a Class AB mode if you don’t want the tube warm and wooly sound, and being able to turn into a detailed, crisp and precise sounding DAC AMP.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/03/dual-raytheon-directly-heated-sound-ibasso-nunchaku-tube-dac-headphone-amplifier.html
Tube DAP Of The Year 2025 – Shanling M7T Dual Tube Android DAP
It is best practice to keep the titles of the awards similar between years, but this year some things simply appeared that I couldn’t place anywhere, and with a bit of luck more will appear next year too, so Shanling M7T is here to be the first winner of the DAP With Tubes of the year. While not the only one I’ve reviewed with this style, if you’re looking for a standalone DAP with tubes, with a high-end price, M7T will be it. Tube tech in DAPs has certain advantages and certain disadvantages too, so it will not replace the traditional high-end DAP of the year, but fight alongside it for a different title, as the unique signature it has is richer, but also has a higher distortion, leading to a very different presentation.
From my original Review – “Shanlig made a really interesting, overly capable DAP in their M7T, as it can deliver a sonically beautiful presentation, two sonic modes, tube and transistor, it has a dramatic, dynamic and punchy sound, and a beautiful design. It has everything, and the reliability of shanling quality in its bones, being an excellent choice if you want to experience some extra premium chinese audiophile delights.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/12/shanling-m7t-dual-akm-tube-android-portable-player-enveloped-in-magical-music-and-powered-by-andromachines.html
Editor’s Choice Awards
There are a few products both me and my editor wife loved, but we couldn’t really place in any category as best products. Those deserve to be read about as those are products we do use on a daily basis. The list includes honorable mentions as well as products we simply couldn’t live without, and products that are exceptional but don’t fit any major category that we already had and designed.
HIFIMAN Susvara – The main reason why Susvara is here is that we’ve reviewed it a couple of years late compared to the original release date, and as we had to check out the original to really understand the unveiled, it makes sense that we would review the Susvara original too, but considering how many HIFIMAN headphones won this year, Susvara is not just still relevant, but an active choice as the end-game for more music lovers than any other model in the whole world, with the only real competitor right now being the Susvara Unveiled, also designed by HIFIMAN.
From my original review – “Susvara is a pure reference pair of headphones, it sounds beautiful, it needs a lot of power and it is designed for those who are ready to commit to the last piece of the upgrade cycle, so if you want to hear the best the world currently has to offer, I highly suggest that you give it a go or add it to your shopping list, this is the one pair of headphones that I trust will not disappoint you.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/02/the-master-of-music-hifiman-susvara-planar-magnetic-headphones.html
Saccater Focus and Moment Earplugs – Although most of our reviews will focus on music quality and how to get the best sound, sometimes all your need is silence, and Saccater Focus and Moment are excellent choices for getting a bit of sleep with zero noise. As this year has been one of the hardest ones for us, we had to move multiple times and lost a lot of sleep. The Saccater Focus and Moment helped me and Mary survive by allowing us to sleep even when there was quite a bit of noise outdoors, giving us a chance to rest. This is one of the cheapest, least interesting and common products that I’ve ever reviewed, but it just ends up having been a major life improvement for me and a huge survival tool as I had to navigate through troubled waters of actual noise.
From my original review – “make sure to get the one you need, Focus is more powerful, softer, more comfortable and it is made for sleep, but will not allow for a good sonic reproduction, so not great for concerts, while moment is hard, not great for sleep, but can reduce SPL while still allowing you to enjoy a concert and loud noisy environments while protecting your hearing.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/07/anti-audio-solutions-saccater-focus-and-moment-earplugs-for-noise-reduction.html
Khadas Tea Pro DAC AMP – Khadas designed and pushed just two products this year, the Tea Pro and the Mind 1, yet both win awards, with Tea Pro being a very different product from Mind 1, a portable DAC AMP with magic magnetic lock, especially sweet for smartphone and iPhone users, the perfect choice for a dongle DAC AMP that will be a natural second skin to your phone, not taking away battery, but having its own and improving sound quality without any drawbacks.
From my original review – “Khadas Tea PRO sounds open, holographic and wide, has an excellent resolution for the price paid, and can drive fairly hard headphones while having a long battery life, and it works with all major platforms, iOS, MAC, Windows and Android, so it is a must hear if you’re a cross-platform user and want to use the same DAC AMP for all.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/khadas-tea-pro-dac-amp-review-uniting-android-and-iphone-users-for-music.html
SoftEars RSV-MKII IEMS – This is the first time I review a pair of IEM Earphones from Softears but RSV-MKII is an exceptional choice for those who want a transparent character for their IEMs, a pair that doesn’t color but transmit, doesn’t change but render, as RSV-MK2 will simply allow your music to shine in the character of the recording, mix and master instead of applying their own coloration over those.
From my original review – “Softears is not a misleading name, but the sound is not exactly soft, and there’s enough bass, impact, thunder and punch to keep you engaged, and while electronic music is one of the strengths for RSV-MKII, they are an excellent generalist pair of IEMs that work well with all sources, all music, all volume levels and are a must hear pair for all music lovers, and a fully recommended purchase today in our Audiophile-Heaven Review.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/softears-rsv-mkii-iems-review-modernity-touches-absolute.html
FiiO FT13 – Likely the most colorful looking pair of headphones I reviewed this year, FiiO FT13 Purpleheart is simply brilliant as they have a medium-low price but they come with the thickest, best sounding cable, a transport case, and huge dynamic drivers that give it a wonderful bass, deep sound combined with a v-Shaped tuning that pulls the midrange but strengths the treble, making FT13 endlessly enjoyable.
From my original review – “FiiO FT13 purpleheart is a unique pair of headphones and delivers a bright, detailed but also deep sound, and if you’re looking for this kind of U-Shaped signature, a closed-back pair of headphones, with a modular cable, large earcups, light weight, and a highly resolving, dynamic sound, you will find happiness in a pair of FiiO FT13 headphones and your favorite music.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/10/fiio-ft13-closed-back-dynamic-headphones-purpleheart-music-desire.html
Cayin RU9 Tube DAC AMP – Cayin RU9 is at the cross border of being a portable DAC AMP, a desktop one, a tube one and a traditional one, so much so that it really didn’t fit in any of the categories well enough – yet it is a brilliant piece of equipment, even having won a Hall Of Fame award for its juicy, organic and rich midrange, crisp treble and deep bass, together with the high driving power and super fun design. It is a personal favorite, and I believe in the sound of Cayin, although I am still looking forward for a more high-end product from them to give me an idea of how a true flagship from the company would sound like.
From my original review – “Cayin RU9 has the build quality, sonic performance and reliability to be considered a top of the line flagship DAC AMP, but the midrange price sweetens the deal even further, this is a highly resolving, revealing DAC AMP but with impact, outrageously high driving power, and yet zero noise with IEMS and portable earphones, basic perfection. All in all, Cayin RU9 is the DAC AMP you have to hear to feel complete, and the most likely purchase to make if you need a portable DAC AMP in 2025. ” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/cayin-ru9-portable-tube-dac-headphone-amp-review-electric-enhancement-fascination.html
Moritz Audio Dragon – While Enzo is a daily driver from me, Moritz Dragon is a completely different pair of earphones, with a warm, romantic, big bass, a pleasing richness and sharp and well-defined treble. While focused on a more novel V-Shaped signature, Moritz Dragon is an exceptional performer for those who want a big, powerful sound with excitement and crispness in the tuning. Comfort is also excellent and so is the package, making dragon a top choice for those who are in the midrange segment and looking for an upgrade for their IEMs.
From my original review – “if you’re looking for a pair of earphones with an excellent sound, bright, organic and natural, with a comfortable build, lightweight and with a modular, flexible cable, and if you want it all for a really good price, but still with the high-end boutique quality, Moritz Dragon is an excellent IEM you can grab today and which will bring you lots of fun” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/02/music-from-an-epic-era-moritz-dragon-iems.html
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones – Fosi i5 is one of the smoothest, deepest and warmest sounding pairs of headphones we’ve reviewed this year, and an exceptional performer for those who are looking for a fatigue-free sound. Also very comfortable, large and made with metal in the build, the weight is kept under control so if you’re looking for a lush and smooth performer, i5 will be your best choice and a truly amazing experience for an open-back pair of headphones.
From my original review – “Fosi delivers a completely new tuning, new sound, new product and all for a convenient price point, Fosi i5 being an excellent choice for those who want to step away from the fatiguing more energetic headphones that the market usually offers in the price range, and someone who wants a darker, more lush, richer and more relaxed listening experience. This is the perfect pair of headphones for classical, jazz, cabaret and more mature music styles, and fully recommended for those relishing listening to those styles.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/08/fosi-audio-i5-open-back-planar-magnetic-headphones-review-superlative-warm-fuzz.html
Aune N7 Headphone Amplifier – aune N7 almost cannibalizes the position of S17 Pro Evo, being much cheaper, but almost just as powerful, sounding almost just as good, with a deep, rich, dark and lush signature, but also the same noise-free sound. N7 stays cool and doesn’t seem to have any of the overheating issues that the first edition of S17 had, but it takes far less space on my desk, using a Two-Stage Class A output and Twin JFET input as well as R2R volume control to deliver the incredible sound it has.
From my original review – “Aune N7 is excellent, it is cheaper, and considerably so, compared to Aune’s other amplifiers, has similar power levels, a similar sound, but no overheating issues, it has pre function, no audible noise, and with the power out of the chassis, it is small and dandy. If you’re looking for a thick, chuggy, personal and involved sound, Aune N7 will deliver that with a smile on its face and warmth in its midrange, being a fully recommended purchase today on audiophile-heaven.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/11/aune-n7-headphone-amplifier-stereo-hifi-preamplifier-review-edge-of-musica-prima.html
Erzetich Bacillus II Headphone Amplifier – With a tank-ish build and a rustic design, Bacillus II is powerful, but a specific H-Amp that’s made just to drive headphones, has just a single ended headphone output and just RCA inputs. Although it produces an amazing sound, powerful, warm and rich, in the revealing and high-resolution Erzetich style, it is so specialized from design to inputs to outputs that I feel it deserves a place, but doesn’t serve a usage as wide as the other options in the same price range. It does get bonus points for being handmade in Europe and using state-of-the-art components, resulting in a special silky smooth sound.
From my original review – “if you’re looking for a fairly beefy headphone amplifier from Erzetich, with a beautiful sonic performance, smooth, silky sound, high impact and a strong bass, Erzetich Bacillus II is an excellent option for a more rustic looking AMP with a rustic, organic and romantic sound” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/09/erzetich-bacillus-ii-desktop-headphone-amplifier-review-backbone-of-ages.html
LincPlus Lincstation N1 6-Bay NAS – Most people need a NAS and they don’t even know it. Streaming is the way to go in 2025, and there’s no better way to ensure the quality of the music source rather than using your own collection of ripped CDs playing through a NAS or a Network Attached Storage. While I found that LincStation LincPlus N1 has far more usability than streaming, like sharing files between members of a team, or watching movies without having the main storage HDD in the same room as the projector, it is most certainly a useful tool for any audiophile or audio video media enthusiast and with an SSD-only design, as long as you have a fast ethernet switch, and high-quality cables, you will be able to take advantage of the N1 design and enjoy using it for a long time to come, with no noise but a fast and snappy CPU.
From my original review – “LincStation N1 from LincPlus is basically perfect, no noise, fast processing speeds, enough storage support to be practical, Unraid support and integration is great, you don’t need to be a wizard to use it, having VM support, and excellent reliability. It is a fully recommended purchase if you want to build a NAS that relies on SSDs, and the best alternative to using External HDDs and moving them.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/05/noiseless-streamer-experience-lincplus-lincstation-n1-6-bay-nas.html
Sivga Peng – Sivga Peng is one of the most beautiful and comfortable pairs of earphones with an exceptional high price performance ratio, presenting music in a laid-back, soft and smooth fashion, with a uniquely low distortion, allowing you to listen at high volumes and enjoy their tuning. Peng changes character slightly with volume, becoming more enthusiastic, energetic and V-Shaped, more forward louder, but in general it is still an agreeable pair of headphones with an outstanding price / performance ratio that you need to grab if you enjoy the rustic wooden cups and high-quality cable, plus transport case that Sivga offers with all their headphones.
From my original review – “Sivga Peng is one of the headphones with the highest price / performance ratios, but if you want a relaxed, laid-back and musical sounding pair of headphones that has a smooth texture, but a solid, punchy bass, and which makes music groovy, fun and relaxing, Sivga Peng is one of the headphones I can recommend you the most, it is an absolute unit that I like a lot.” – https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2025/07/music-in-wooden-fibers-sivga-peng-headphones.html
We wish you Happy Holidays, and A Happy New Year!
I hope you’ve been having a blast reading and watching Audiophile-Heaven, and I hope that I’ll see you in the new year as well. The most important thing in this hobby is to enjoy what you already have and to enjoy music!
Have fun, and enjoy life to the fullest. Listen to music, and be happy!
The final and most important award goes to you, for being our reader, for being here with us, and for supporting us in our work! Thank you!
--- Please remember to stay safe, and always have fun while listening to music!---
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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