Best in Show CES 2025: Here are the Audio/Video Products That Impressed Us Most

What is CES?

CES, formerly known as “Consumer Electronics Show,” is a trade show held annually in Las Vegas in early January. It’s a sprawling affair inhabiting all available space in the Las Vegas Convention Center, with satellite exhibits and events, both official and unofficial, spreading to various venues up and down the length of the Las Vegas Strip. In 2025, CES had over 141,000 attendees – including more than 6,000 members of the media – hailing from over 150 countries.

CES has evolved over the years. The show used to focus on Consumer Electronics gear, such as televisions, speakers, amplifiers and all of the various pieces of consumer technology designed to entertain, educate and enrich our lives, whether at home, while out and about or on the road.

Now, with the headlines dominated by AI, smart homes, automotive technology, wearables, health tech and all manner of gadgets, it’s getting harder to find great audio/video products and components at the show. But find them we did as eCoustics editors descended upon Las Vegas to identify the coolest, best performing, most ground-breaking products in a number of different categories related to TVs, projectors, soundbars, speakers and more. After careful consideration, we are excited to present the winners of this year’s “Best in Show” awards from eCoustics.

Best in Show Winners – Video Products

---

Coolest TV: LG Signature OLED T Transparent 4K OLED TV ($59,999)

First shown at CES 2024, LG’s transparent OLED TV, which many thought was a mere concept piece, is being brought into production in 2025. With an integrated stand, the 77-inch OLED panel can be used to watch movies, news or TV shows while still enjoying the view out the window behind the TV.

When you want to really enjoy that pristine OLED image, a single button click on the remote raises a black panel behind the OLED panel turning the screen into a more traditional OLED TV with all the detail, contrast and color saturation we’ve come to expect from an LG OLED TV.

The set comes with LG’s WebOS smart streaming platform on board, with access to all the most popular streaming apps and smart home integration. At a hair under $60,000, it’s not for those with limited budgets, but if you want to feel like you’re living in the future, this is the way.

Learn more about the 77-inch LG Signature OLED T Transparent TV

Best Improvement to LCD TV Technology: RGB MiniLED backlighting (Hisense/Samsung)

There are many names for an LCD TV. Depending on what sort of lighting and color reproduction technology is used, it could be called an LED/LCD TV (or an “LED” TV), or it could go by different names or acronyms such as QLED (Quantum Light Emitting Diode), QNED (Quantum Nanocell Emitting Diode), or MiniLED TV (for LCD TVs that have massive arrays of tiny lighting zones for better performance).

All LCD TVs use an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel to reproduce a black and white image. This panel is normally lit from behind using a single color backlight system (typically white or blue) which is combined with either a color filter or a quantum dot layer to create colors.

This year at CES, both Samsung and Hisense introduced a new type of MiniLED backlighting system. Instead of using a white or blue backlight, these new prototype TVs use an RGB (red green blue) backlighting system. Here each lighting element has three component sub-pixels, one for each primary color. Combining these colors in varying quantities allows these sets to reproduce a wider color gamut than we typically see on LED/LCD TVs.

Hisense showed this off in a prototype 116-inch TV, whilst Samsung showed theirs in a prototype 98-inch TV. Confusingly, Samsung called theirs a “MicroLED TV” which normally means something entirely different. MicroLED TVs typically use individual LED lighting elements for each pixel, similar to the way OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs work. But Samsung’s “MicroLED TV” at CES 2025 was actually a MiniLED TV, just with smaller lighting zones than we typically see on a MiniLED TV.

Pricing of both the Hisense and Samsung RGB MiniLED/LCD TVs was not available as it’s not yet clear whether these TVs will be offered in production.

Most Improved TV: Samsung S95F OLED TV with New Anti-Glare Screen

Samsung took consumers, TV reviewers and tech journalists by surprise last year with a new anti-glare screen coating designed to minimize those annoying reflections that we normally see on most TV screens. Rather than reflect room lights directly back at the viewer, Samsung’s S95D OLED (2024 model) used an anti-glare coating that would diffuse any ambient light like lamps, overhead lights or sunlight. The goal was to make room lights less distracting when watching TV in a bright room.

Reactions to this screen were a bit mixed as some felt that the diffusion of light across the screen raised the perceived black levels, which led to decreased contrast and detail. Of course, the solution was simple: if you don’t like it, turn off the room lights, or draw the curtains. But Samsung took this feedback to heart and delivered a new, improved version of its anti-glare screen coating at CES 2025.

We got to check out the new S95F TV in its 65-inch QD-OLED version and its 83-inch WRGB OLED version and found that the 2025 implementation of the anti-glare coating was dramatically better than its 2024 version. In their innovation suite at CES, Samsung compared the S95F directly to the S95D in a brightly lit room. We also shone a flashlight directly on both screens. And while the new screen didn’t completely absorb the light, it reduced it considerably without causing excessive scattering of light across the screen surface. We’re looking forward to checking this out soon under different lighting conditions and with a variety of different content.

Watch our video on YouTube from Samsung First Look at CES 2025

Best TV Overall: LG G5 OLED TV

LG has long been the most active supporter of OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) televisions. In fact, for many years they were the only OLED game in town. But when Samsung Display got into the OLED panel business with their QD-OLED panel, LG had to step up their game in order to remain competitive. In 2025, LG has improved the full screen brightness of their G series OLED panel by a reported 40% compared to last year’s G4 and they have done so without using the MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology found on last year’s G4 OLED TVs.

LG attributes this improvement to a new “four stack” OLED panel with “Brightness Booster Ultimate” processing on board. We were not able to see any G4 to G5 comparisons at the show, however what we did see was encouraging. The G5 also features a new 165 Hz variable refresh rate for gaming connections as well as support for Dolby Vision gaming (though not at the same time). It includes four HDMI 2.1 ports with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.

We checked out the G5 OLED TV with a variety of content in LG’s private suite at CES and found that it offered a bright, punchy image with all the deep black level goodness we’ve come to expect in their high-end OLED TVs. We’re looking forward to seeing this one head to head against this year’s other top OLED contenders from Samsung and Panasonic (and perhaps Sony, though we have no news on a new OLED model from Sony yet).

Best XL (Extra Large) TV: TCL QM7 115-inch TV

TCL burst onto the US TV market just a few short years ago, but they’ve built themselves up to #2 market share (second only to Samsung) and #1 in the extra large (85 inches and over) TV market. They’ve done that by offering great-looking TVs like the QM8 series at affordable prices. Their 65-inch QM851G earned our Editors’ Choice award for best overall value.

In 2025, TCL continues to step up their extra large TV game, offering the popular QM7 series in a huge 115-inch screen size. We checked this out at CES 2025 and found that it offered a high quality image with rich colors and excellent contrast in a size that dwarfs most competitors. This will join the company’s existing 115-inch QM891G TV, which currently sells for around $20,000. Pricing on the new 115-inch QM7 model hasn’t been announced yet, but we expect it will be significantly less expensive than the QM8 with only a nominal drop-off in picture performance.

Watch our video on YouTube from CES 2025 with TCL Product Evangelist, Bruce Walker.

Best Art TV: Samsung The Frame Pro

Samsung’s The Frame earned our Editors’ Choice pick in 2024 for best Art TV. These are TVs that are designed to look like artwork. They feature a matte screen finish and built-in art library which allows them to pass as actual paintings or photographs when not in active use as a TV. At CES 2025, Samsung unveiled the Frame Pro. This includes a new MiniLED backlighting system which allows the Frame TV to approach Samsung’s traditional MiniLED/LCD TVs in brightness, contrast and overall picture quality while maintaining the styling and matte screen that style-conscious consumers love. Apparently the Frame Pro does not use a full array MiniLED backlight (so it won’t benefit from local dimming technology), but its improvements in brightness and contrast were pretty obvious in a direct comparison between the 2024 and 2025 model year Frame TVs.

The Frame Pro also includes Samsung’s new wireless Zero Connect box which allows all of the source components (e.g., media player, gaming console or UHD Blu-ray Player) to be hidden away in a closet without the need to run any A/V wiring to the TV itself. All the Frame Pro requires is a power plug, which can easily be recessed into the wall behind the TV. Having spoken to custom installers at CES, this wireless connection option will greatly simplify customer installations and will actually make the Frame TV much more DIY-friendly. Pricing and availability for the Frame Pro has not yet been announced.

Best UST Projector: Hisense L9Q TriChroma Laser TV

The Hisense L9Q ultra short-throw projector is the first “L Series” projector with variable focus (can work with any screen size up to 150 inches). While its predecessor, the L9H only came bundled with a specific screen, the L9Q can be used with any screen of the users’ choice from 100 to 150 inches diagonally. Bundles will be offered with 100, 110, 120, 136 and 150 inch screens, but users can also use the L9Q with their existing projection screen or buy a custom screen from a company that specializes in that technology.

From the specifications, Hisense has not only improved the brightness and contrast ratio over its predecessor (L9H), but it also surpasses the PX3-PRO which just won the UST Projector Showdown. While the PX-3 Pro tops out at 3,000 Lumens, the L9Q is rated at 5,000 lumens of peak brightness which allows this UST projector to create a punchy and dynamic image, even in a bright room.

At CES 2025, the L9Q demonstrated its high brightness capabilities and striking contrast on a high gain screen, It approached the image quality of a flat panel TV in its vibrancy and contrast. No word yet on pricing or availability.

Learn more about the Hisense L9Q

Best Lifestyle Projector: Valerion VisionMaster Max ($3,999)

We usually don’t get that excited about lifestyle projectors, because they often trade image quality for portability. However, Valerion really caught us off guard when we entered their movie theater room with a massive 200+ inch screen producing bright, colorful images. It was powered by one little projector — the VisionMaster Max.

In addition to a dynamic iris and “Enhanced Black Level” processing, the VisionMaster Max features two features we rarely see on a lifestyle projector: optical lens shift and optical zoom. With these features, you can place the VisionMaster Max virtually anywhere: on a coffee table, on the floor, or even mounted on the ceiling. You’ll get a bright, detailed geometrically accurate image – up to 300 inches in size – without having to resort to resolution-robbing keystone controls.

Don’t let its size and sleek design fool you: the Valerion VisionMaster Max is a must see.

Watch our VisionMaster Max video on YouTube with Wen, Valerion’s Marketing Director

Find Out More About the VisionMaster Max

Most Innovative Projection Screen: XGIMI Ascend

UST (Ultra Short-Throw) projectors answer the question, “How do I make my TV disappear when I’m not using it?” Sometimes interior designers (or our partners) prefer a minimalist aesthetic where technology does not dominate our living spaces. And while TVs are approaching – even exceeding – the size of a small movie screen, it’s difficult to hide a 100-inch TV when it takes up most of a living room wall. A UST projector provides similarly huge viewing sizes (up to 150 inches or more) but does so from a small elegantly styled component.

While you can project a UST onto a plain white wall, this can lead to a washed out viewing image, and it also prevents you from hanging any artwork on said wall. Also, the small speakers built-into most UST projectors tend to be less impressive than the vibrant, colorful huge screen image these projectors create.

At CES 2025, UST maker XGIMI showed off a unique solution to this issue: a motorized projection screen called “Ascend” which disappears into its base when not in use. But what sets Ascend apart from traditional motorized screens is that the base that holds the screen doubles as a powerful soundbar, capable of matching the picture quality of the projector with equally impressive sound.

XGIMI showed off the Ascend screen at the Renaissance Hotel at CES 2025, using their Aura 2 UST projector which features a hybrid laser/LED lighting system. We found that it offered a nice expansive soundstage as well as a great-looking image, even with the drapes open, thanks to the Ascend’s built-in Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen. XGIMI includes a “fireplace mode” (name subject to change), which can display a smaller strip of screen when listening to music or setting the mood. The screen can be closed entirely and still used as a Bluetooth speaker when listening to music.

The XGIMI Ascend is expected to begin shipping later this year. Pricing has not yet been determined.

Best in Show Winners – Audio Products

---

Best New Surround Sound Format: Eclipsa Audio

Watch your back, Dolby Atmos: Google’s Eclipsa Audio is coming for you. A partnership of organizations including Google, Samsung, Arm, and the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) just announced an open source alternative to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround sound. It’s called Eclipsa Audio and it’s based on the open-source audio standard IAMF (Immersive Audio Model and Formats). THX also announced that they had joined the AOM to assist in developing the new format and THX reps were present at the launch event. They provided an all new Eclipsa-encoded updated version of the iconic “Deep Note” trailer to help roll out the new format.

In an apparent attempt to offer height-enabled immersive surround sound without having to pay license fees to Dolby or Xperi/DTS, Google and its partners unveiled the new format using existing TVs and soundbars from Samsung, TCL and LG. Reps from the member companies explained that TVs and other devices can decode this new immersive sound format using existing hardware, with just a software update to the source device. And because the TV or source is decoding the format to multi-channel PCM sound, most existing soundbars and receivers should be able to play back content in the new format as long as the soundbar or receiver is connected to the TV using HDMI with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel).

The group demonstrated Eclipsa Audio using the YouTube app on existing 2024 model-year TVs with software updates. The immersive audio tracks were played back using existing surround-enabled soundbar systems such as the TCL Q85H 7.1.4-channel soundbar and the LG S95TR 9.1.5-channel soundbar. Demo videos of K-Pop bands and the Deep Note trailer sounded suitably immersive, with sound coming from all around and above us in the hotel suite used for the demo.

The format is going to get a huge boost right out of the gates as it will soon be available on YouTube where no other immersive surround format is supported. With no license fees for encoding or decoding, we may see other streaming services and studios adopt the format in the future.

Best New TV Audio Technology: DTS Clear Dialogue

“Turn up the TV. I can’t hear what they’re saying!” (immediately followed by) “It’s Too Loud!” Sound familiar? It should. The inability to clearly hear dialog is the number one complaint of TV viewers about the sound. And while there have been many attempts to solve the problem, DTS may have finally found a suitable solution: DTS Clear Dialogue.

Rather than turning the midrange frequencies associated with the human voice up, as many basic “dialog boost” systems do, DTS Clear Dialogue uses advanced AI-based audio processing in real time to identify the dialog information in any content and turns the rest of the sound down so that the important voice information is more easily audible. This allows the viewer to hear dialog or sports commentary clearly without having to crank up the overall volume.

We saw and heard the technology demonstrated on sports content (a bike race) and the processing really made the commentator track stand out while minimizing distracting crowd noise. On movie content, the effect was similar with clear dialog standing out from the background noises and soundtrack. With the processing cranked all the way up, the effect was a bit unsettling as it removed too much of the supporting sound effects and music, but the effect can be adjusted via a slider so find just the right blend of dialog intelligibility and supporting sound.

DTS is working with TV OEMs for a prospective launch in the near future. No specific brands or TV models have been announced yet.

Best Automotive Sound System: Mercedes Benz E Class with IMAX Enhanced DTS:X Sound

How do you improve one of the best sounding automotive audio systems, which already includes rich, immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound? Just add movies in IMAX Enhanced format with DTS:X surround sound, that’s how. And this is exactly what Mercedes has done with their newly enhanced infotainment system which will be available in this year’s Mercedes E-Class.

Thanks to a new in-car streaming app from Sony Pictures Entertainment called “RideVu,” Mercedes customers will be able to choose from a selection of IMAX Enhanced movie titles which feature the expanded IMAX theatrical aspect ratio and DTS:X theatrical sound.

Of course, enjoying this content would probably be a bit distracting for the driver so the movies can only be viewed by passengers while the car is in motion. While in park, everyone can enjoy these films in their expanded aspect ratio and rich 5.1.4-channel immersive DTS:X surround sound.

Select Mercedes infotainment systems with the latest generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) already support Dolby Atmos immersive surround from music services but this Summer, with RideVu and IMAX Enhanced DTS:X surround sound, the E-Class cabin will be transformed into a miniature movie theater with a big picture and even bigger sound. This marks the first time that IMAX soundtracks will be available in vehicles using DTS:X immersive surround.

We got to hear a demonstration of this new system at CES 2025 and were blown away by the sound. There were many excellent-sounding automotive systems at this year’s show, including the Klipsch systems in the Infiniti QX80 and Dodge RAM and a prototype Denon/DIRAC sound system in a Tesla Model Y. But the Mercedes system stood out for its clarity, spatial definition and sheer immersiveness.

Best Wireless Speakers: Focal Diva Utopia ($39,999)

Hand-crafted in France, Focal offers the best looking and best sounding pair of wireless floorstanding loudspeakers we’ve seen (and heard). Although you pay a rather steep premium for the privilege of ownership, the Focal Diva Utopia deliver signature Focal/Naim sound without unsightly racks of components, interconnects or speaker cables. Simply place and plug each speaker into power, step through a guided calibration process, and start streaming.

We’ve heard the Focal Diva Utopia both at Capital Audiofest and again in the Venetian Hotel as part of CES and both times it impressed us with its articulation, three dimensional imaging and solid bass performance.

Learn more about the Focal Diva Utopia

Best Concept Soundbar: Dynaudio Opus One ($20,000)

Although Dynaudio has been making audiophile loudspeakers for 48 years, they’ve never made a soundbar. The Danish manufacturer held nothing back in their attempt to prove what a single speaker bar is capable of in an acoustically compatible room. The Dynaudio Opus One is a 73-inch wide soundbar packed with 24 drivers and 1,500 watts of power — all hidden behind a motorized wood slat front panel.

It not only looks modern, but conceals an entire hi-fi or home theater system in one box designed to fit perfectly below 83-inch or 85-inch TVs. In our demonstration the Opus One was able to create a convincing immersive sound bubble no matter where we were sitting in the room and without the need for rear or overhead speakers. Unfortunately, the product has not been finalized yet, but it is expected to launch in 2025 for around $20,000.

Best Floorstanding Speakers: SVS Ultra Revolution Pinnacle ($4,999)

SVS demonstrated their flagship 5.2.2 home theater system at CES 2025, which included a pair of Ultra Evolution Pinnacle floorstanding speakers as the mains, with Ultra Evolution Center, Bookshelf and Elevation speakers, and a pair of PB17-Ultra subwoofers.

Although the entire Dolby Atmos system was astounding, the audiophiles with us in the room narrowed their focus to the Pinnacle Towers on their own, perhaps in an effort to see where they tripped up. Yet, no matter what stereo track was played, the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers had no problem handling difficult passages from classical to rock to folk to EDM. What caught our attention was natural sounding vocals with pinpoint imaging and rather surprising amounts of deep bass, even when the PB-17 subs had been disconnected and the towers were left to reproduce the lowest bass notes on their own.

Learn more about SVS Ultra Evolution Prime Pinnacle

Best Soundbar: Canvas HiFi ($3,800)

The Canvas may look like a soundbar, but it’s actually all-in-one integrated hi-fi system for music and movies. Although it’s technically not a Dolby Atmos soundbar, it will deliver the widest and most spacious sound of any single speaker bar that we’ve heard to date. In the sweet spot, 180-degree sound is no problem for the Canvas. You are virtually guaranteed to hear sounds where no speaker exists. Simply amazing!

In addition to sound, Canvas is also an integrated TV stand which fits TVs from 55 to 85-inches. Interchangeable panels match the various TV widths to complete a custom flush look so the whole system is completely hidden whether on the floor or wall-mounted.

Watch our video on YouTube from CES 2025 with Canvas HiFi CEO, Laust Nielsen

Best Hi-Fi Separates: Onkyo Icon Series P-80 ($1,999) & M-80 ($1,999)

Although the parent company of Onkyo has been purchased by Gentex, Onkyo’s re-brand initiative is in full swing. The legendary Japanese electronics manufacturer has introduced a new line of separates — the first in nearly 15 years. The new Onkyo Icon Series includes the P-80 Network Stereo Preamplifier and the M-80 Power Amplifier offering 150-watts per channel and cool VU meters. At $1,999 each, the combo was demonstrated with Klipsch Forte IV Speakers ($4,999/pair) which delivered exceptional energy and lifelike vocals. Truly an end-game system for many, and one that we would be quite happy with for endless hours of 2-channel music listening..

Best Wireless Headphones: Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 ($399)

The iconic studio headphone manufacturer brings professional sound quality into a new wireless over-ear headphone that use the same transducers from Beyerdynamic’s pro line-up. The new AVENTHO 300 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones offer all the conveniences of everyday listening with touch controls on the earcups, companion app for customizations, and head tracking for Dolby Atmos spatial audio tracks. Our initial tests revealed a lot of similarities to the pro line with excellent clarity and detail, even over standard Bluetooth connections.

Learn more about Beyerdynamic’s new products from CES 2025.

Best True Wireless Earbuds: Technics EAH-AZ100 ($299)

While the Technics AZ100 true wireless earbuds were only officially unveiled at CES 2025, I’ve had a review sample of them for several weeks. Though I was a fan of their predecessor, the AZ80s, the new AZ100s best their older brothers in every measure: better noise cancellation, better dynamics, better, more extended bass response.

This little pair of true wireless in-ear earphones will give the top ‘phones from Sony, Apple, Sennheiser and Bose a run for their money. At the sweet spot of $299.99/pair and available in black or silver anodized aluminum, we expect the AZ100s will help the high-end Japanese HiFi brand makes in-roads to more (and younger) music lovers world wide.

Watch our video on YouTube from Panasonic’s product launch at CES 2025.

Read our full hands-on review of the Technics EAH-AZ100

Best Desktop Speakers: Creative Pebble Nova ($279)

Creative makes a lot of inexpensive desktop speakers and headphones, but the Pebble Nova is their top-of-the-line desktop speaker pair which caught us by surprise. It resembles a miniature Death Star but its lively sound offers not a hint of the “dark side.”

The Pebble Nova features a coaxial driver configuration angled at 45-degrees so all sounds hit your ears at the same time. Ideal for desktop placement, the Pebble Nova can be connected directly to a PC or other source device via USB-C or wirelessly via Bluetooth, but will sound best when paired with Creative’s SoundBlaster X5 Hi-res external dual DAC USB sound card. Impressively clean sounding without the bloated bass typically associated with competing models, these stylish speakers will be sure to grace the desktops and tabletops of music lovers looking for a different kind of aesthetic.

Learn more or buy for $279.99 at Creative.com

Best Outdoor Speakers: Victrola Zen Solar-Powered Speaker ($199)

The Victrola name harkens back to the very earliest days of recorded music, predating even vinyl records with wax cylinders and hard rubber discs. Fading into obscurity the brand devolved into cheap (and cheaply made) combo record/tape players whose only call back to the Victrola legacy was a retro look. Recently the brand has been revived with higher quality gear that brings back the brand’s quest for musical enjoyment for everyone.

At this year’s CES, Victrola showed off a pair of truly wireless outdoor speakers: The Victrola Zen. The Zen connects to your phone or tablet with wireless Bluetooth and the speaker’s internal batteries are powered by the sun. You won’t need to run speaker wire or power line underground, though it does help if you have occasional sunny days to store up some charge.

Place them anywhere in your backyard, patio or garden, and connect as many as you want thanks to Auracast functionality available on devices with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher. The Victrola Zen speakers are literally rock speakers that rock, and it’s hard to imagine an outdoor landscape speaker that’s simpler to setup. Just pair with Bluetooth and start listening. Look for the Victrola Zen to become available spring 2025 for $199 each.

The Bottom Line

While CES has evolved over the years, diverging from its original mission of showcasing consumer electronics gear, there are still plenty of innovative and exciting audio and video products to be found in the booths and halls and suites of one of the world’s largest trade shows. It will be interesting to see which of these innovative products make it into production and how they fare in an increasingly competitive landscape. Congratulations to all of our “Best in Show” winners and we’re already looking forward to next year.

---

Related Reading:

• View all coverage from CES 2025
• View our latest Editors’ Choice Awards