It looks like Ubiquiti is coming for Sonos with its PoE Audio Port, a $199 device that closely resembles the $499 Sonos Port, and $599 PowerAmp. Sonos is going up-market with the Amp Multi.
Sonos has had a rough patch, but I’m pretty ride or die for them, and some of my favorite people are there: Tom Conrad, the CEO, Hugo Barra on the board, and Mike Tatum in CorpDev (he’s the guy who got me to drop out of college and join CNET back in 2004!).
The only time I don’t do Sonos in a home is for the amazing audio experience of Syng Alpha. The triphonic thing can be really magical. (Analog/vinyl is still Shindo Laboratories, but that’s just for special occasions.)
For headphones right now, it’s either some custom Airpods Pro 3 or the Sennheiser HDB 630 (Hat tip: Pud, who is also making some crazy headphones).
On the go, I love pairing two Logitech Megaboom 4s.
Have you ever tried Audio-Technica headphones? I’m currently rocking a new M40x (I rarely need Bluetooth so went with corded for now) but I know A-T makes sets that do Bluetooth (at least an M50x variant).
In 2019 I got a ATH-M50XGM that I love and I think is one of the best quality for dollar pairs you can get. Haven’t tried their Bluetooth or more recent stuff.
My new favorite headphones are the Soundcore Liberty Pro 5 Max. They block sound as well as my over-the-ear headphones, and they have a beautiful screen interface on the case. The translation feature is pretty darn good, too.
I’ve been using their sleep headphones for a couple of years now, and find them amazing for noisy environments.