Audio and speaker trends worth your money

Audio gear changes fast, and most of what gets called a "trend" is just marketing. Here's what's actually worth paying attention to if you're setting up sound at home, throwing a party, or learning to DJ. Three shifts have genuinely changed what you get for your money, and we'll point you at the gear that delivers on each one.

Portable Bluetooth speakers got loud enough to run a party

For years, "portable" meant a small speaker that sounded fine on a desk and disappeared the moment you took it outside. That's over. Battery-powered PA speakers now put out real volume, run all day on a charge, and connect over Bluetooth in seconds, so you can cover a backyard, a pool deck, or a small venue without dragging cables or a power outlet around.

If you want one speaker that handles a cookout, a small wedding, or band practice, the AS-10TOGO is the easy pick.

AS-10TOGO portable Bluetooth PA speaker

This is a 10-inch battery speaker built to leave the house. You charge it, pair your phone, and it keeps going long enough to outlast most parties. The trolley handle and wheels mean you carry it once and roll it the rest of the way.

40W peak power and a 10-inch woofer
6 to 10 hours of battery on a charge
Bluetooth pairing for phones, tablets, and laptops
$149.95

Want a smaller or bigger version? The same line runs from 8-inch up to 15-inch, so you can match the speaker to the size of the room. Browse the full lineup in portable Bluetooth speakers.

Wireless headphones and earbuds finally sound the way you want

The honest knock on Bluetooth used to be that it sounded worse than a wired pair. Newer Bluetooth versions closed most of that gap, and battery life jumped at the same time. You can now grab a wireless pair for everyday listening without feeling like you settled, whether you want earbuds for the gym or full over-ear cans for the couch.

If you want earbuds you can lose track of and not stress about, start with the GEBX-100.

GEBX-100 true wireless earbuds

Small, cable-free, and cheap enough to be your daily pair for calls, walks, and workouts. They run the latest Bluetooth, so pairing is quick and the connection holds.

Bluetooth 5.4 for a quick, stable connection
Dual 13mm drivers
3 to 4 hours of playback per charge, more from the case
$19.95

If you'd rather have over-ear headphones for longer sessions, the GBTX-500 covers that.

GBTX-500 wireless over-ear headphones

Full-size cans that sit over your ears and stay comfortable for long stretches. Good for working, listening, and winding down without anything in your pocket plugged in.

Bluetooth 5.0
40mm drivers
About 7 hours of battery per charge
$29.95

Want to compare more pairs side by side? Have a look through our DJ headphones.

DJ gear that doesn't need a laptop

The biggest shift for new DJs isn't a new app, it's hardware you can play without one. Standalone players and controllers now hold your music on a USB drive and run on their own, so you can practice and perform without a laptop on the table or software to wrestle with. It's a faster way to learn and one less thing to break mid-set.

If you're starting out and want one box that does everything, look at the GMX.

GMX standalone media player and DJ controller

Load your tracks on a USB drive, plug in, and mix. It works on its own with no computer needed, and the touch-sensitive jog wheels feel close to gear that costs a lot more. A solid first deck that won't box you in as you improve.

2-channel standalone media player and controller
Plays straight from USB, no laptop required
Touch-sensitive jog wheels
Built-in 24-bit audio interface
$399.95

Not sure where to start? Our full DJ equipment range covers players, mixers, and controllers for every level.

Not sure what fits?

If you tell us the room, the crowd, and your budget, we'll point you at the right gear and skip what you don't need. We've been a family-owned audio company since 1974, and we'd rather sell you the speaker that actually fits your setup than the most expensive one on the page. Reach out anytime.