5 New Audio Picks, From a $59 Speaker to a $499 Turntable

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October’s audio lineup covers a CD player with Bluetooth, speakers from $59, a $499 turntable, 40-gram wireless headphones, and open-ear earbuds. Fosi’s DISC Nano brings CDs into a wireless setup, while Cambridge Audio’s Spira pairs its turntable with a built-in phono stage and Bluetooth transmitter.

For portable listening, CMF’s speakers carry IP68 dust- and water-resistance ratings, Final’s Porta weighs about 40 grams, and Soundpeats’ CC3 Pro clips around the ear instead of sitting inside it. The choice comes down to your music collection, existing gear, and how you prefer to listen.

1. Fosi Audio DISC Nano: A Compact CD Player With Bluetooth

CD collections remain useful, but finding a convenient way to play them has become difficult. Most laptops no longer include optical drives, and traditional CD players often need additional equipment to work with wireless headphones or speakers.

The Fosi Audio DISC Nano offers a compact alternative measuring 102 × 102 × 29mm and weighing approximately 210 grams. It plays standard audio CDs and supports Bluetooth transmission alongside wired audio connections.

Price: $99.99
Where to Buy: Fosi Audio

Its partially exposed disc design sets it apart from conventional portable players. A snap-lock mechanism secures the CD during playback, although the exposed section must remain clear of accidental contact.

A Cirrus Logic CS43198 digital-to-analog converter handles audio conversion. The player includes 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs, with the 3.5mm connection also supporting optical digital output for compatible equipment.

Bluetooth transmission allows music to reach compatible wireless headphones or speakers. Supported Bluetooth codecs have not been clearly specified, so buyers requiring a particular format should confirm compatibility.

The DISC Nano also features magnetic mounting for suitable MagSafe-compatible stands. This is a mounting feature rather than wireless charging. Its 800mAh battery recharges through USB-C. Fosi does not list an official battery-life rating. Some owners report roughly two hours of playback, so battery endurance is worth considering before buying.

Priced at $99.99, the DISC Nano is best suited to shorter listening sessions at a desk or bedside table. Its compact construction and modern connections make it relevant to listeners who want to keep using their CD collections.

Read our Fosi Audio DISC Nano coverage

2. CMF Speaker S and Speaker M: Affordable Bluetooth Speakers in Two Sizes

Portable Bluetooth speakers are convenient, but their size affects what manufacturers can fit inside. Smaller models are easier to carry, while larger enclosures accommodate more substantial drivers and potentially higher output.

The Speaker S has a regular price of $59, while the Speaker M is listed at $109. Check current pricing before buying, as promotions may lower those prices.

The Speaker S weighs 334 grams and uses a 45mm full-range driver rated at 10W RMS, supported by two passive radiators. Its compact dimensions make it suitable for desks, bedrooms, and travel.

Price: $59
Where to Buy: Amazon,CMF

The larger Speaker M weighs 602 grams and combines a 25W woofer with a 10W tweeter for 35W RMS of rated output. Its additional hardware provides greater potential for volume and bass, although acoustic performance depends on tuning, placement, and the listening environment.

Both speakers support Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C audio, multipoint connectivity, and IP68 dust and water resistance. Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours under specified testing conditions, with actual endurance depending on volume and settings.

Removable front panels provide customization options, while the Nothing X app offers equalizer controls. CMF has also released design files for owners interested in creating compatible 3D-printed components.

The Speaker S makes sense for buyers who prioritize portability and affordability. The Speaker M costs $50 more but provides higher rated output for larger rooms and gatherings.

Price: $109
Where to Buy: Amazon, CMF

Read our CMF Speaker S and Speaker M coverage

3. Cambridge Audio Spira: A $499 Turntable That Simplifies Vinyl Setup

Starting a vinyl collection can involve more equipment than expected. Some turntables require a separate phono preamplifier, cartridge installation, and additional setup before they can connect to speakers.

The Cambridge Audio Spira addresses several of those requirements with a preinstalled Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, integrated phono preamplifier, and Bluetooth transmitter.

Priced at $499, this belt-drive turntable can connect to compatible powered speakers or an amplifier through its RCA outputs. Bluetooth transmission provides another option for sending music to compatible wireless speakers or headphones.

The Spira includes a 1.8kg steel platter, adjustable tracking force, and anti-skate controls. Electronic speed selection supports 33⅓ and 45 RPM records, while the removable headshell makes future cartridge changes easier.

Price: $499
Where to Buy: Amazon

Its integrated phono stage can also be bypassed when using an external preamplifier. This allows owners to change components without replacing the turntable itself.

The Spira remains manually operated, requiring users to position the tonearm and return it after playback. Speakers are not included, so buyers without compatible audio equipment must account for that additional expense.

For listeners beginning a vinyl collection, the Spira offers a straightforward setup without eliminating the adjustments and connections needed for future upgrades.

Read our Cambridge Audio Spira coverage

4. Final Porta: Retro Wireless Headphones Weighing Just 40 Grams

Wireless headphones have gained more features, but larger batteries, padded headbands, and substantial earcups also add weight. For listeners who find conventional over-ear models uncomfortable, lighter construction may be more useful than additional processing features.

The Final Porta weighs approximately 40 grams and uses a thin Air Wire support instead of a conventional padded headband. Its appearance recalls lightweight headphones from the portable cassette-player era.

The Porta includes Bluetooth 5.4, SBC and AAC codec support, USB-C charging, and IPX4 splash resistance. Battery life is rated at up to eight hours, with charging taking approximately 90 minutes.

Price: 12,800 yen (About $80)
Where to Buy: Final

There is no active noise cancellation. Its on-ear construction also provides less physical coverage than conventional over-ear headphones, making it less appropriate for listeners who need substantial isolation in noisy environments.

The ear pads are replaceable, with separately sold replacements planned for 2027. Pricing and long-term availability have not been confirmed.

The Porta launched in Japan at ¥12,800, approximately $80 at the time of announcement. Official US pricing and availability remain unconfirmed.

For people who dislike bulky headphones but prefer not to wear earbuds, the Porta offers an alternative focused on low weight and straightforward wireless listening.

Read our Final Porta coverage

5. Soundpeats CC3 Pro: Dual-Driver Open-Ear Earbuds for $70

Conventional earbuds are not comfortable for everyone, particularly people who dislike silicone ear tips or want to hear activity around them. Open-ear designs address those concerns but introduce challenges with bass reproduction and background noise.

The Soundpeats CC3 Pro uses a clip-on design with two drivers in each earbud. A 12mm dynamic driver handles lower frequencies, while a 9mm ceramic piezoelectric driver handles higher-frequency reproduction.

Price: $69.99
Where to Buy: Amazon

This arrangement is intended to improve frequency coverage, although driver count alone does not establish sound quality. Acoustic tuning, speaker positioning, and the absence of an ear-canal seal all influence the result.

Each earbud weighs approximately 5.5 grams and uses a flexible clip to position the speaker near the ear canal. The design allows surrounding sounds to remain audible without relying on an electronic transparency mode.

The CC3 Pro supports Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC, physical controls, wireless charging, and IPX6 water resistance.

Soundpeats rates battery life at up to 10 hours per charge and 44 hours with the charging case under specified AAC testing conditions. Enabling LDAC reduces battery endurance and disables multipoint, spatial audio, and game mode.

Launched in the United States at $69.99, the CC3 Pro is suited to listeners who prefer keeping their ear canals unobstructed. Buyers who need active noise cancellation or stronger isolation from outside noise should consider conventional in-ear alternatives.

Read our Soundpeats CC3 Pro coverage

Which New Audio Gadget Should You Buy?

The Fosi Audio DISC Nano and Cambridge Audio Spira are intended for people who want to enjoy physical music collections, although the Spira requires a larger budget and compatible speakers. The CMF Speaker S and Speaker M are more practical for portable listening, with the choice determined by size, rated output, and price.

The Final Porta is worth considering for listeners who want lightweight on-ear headphones, provided official availability expands beyond Japan. The Soundpeats CC3 Pro suits those who prefer open-ear listening and are willing to accept reduced noise isolation.

These products address different needs rather than competing directly. The best choice depends on the music formats you use, the equipment you already own, and whether portability, comfort, or connectivity takes priority.

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