More gadgets of 2024

Standout devices redefined performance, design and innovation.

- Arthur Goldstuck

Huawei FreeClip

The Huawei FreeClip literally redefines the wireless earbuds category, with a clip-on, open-ear design, prioritizing comfort and style. Weighing a few grams, it eliminates ear fatigue and the blocked-ear sensation common with in-ear buds. The C-bridge design features an "acoustic ball" for audio and a "comfort bean" for support.

It includes adaptive noise cancellation, intuitive touch controls and high-definition sound drivers with good call quality. However, the open-ear design makes it less suitable for noisy environments.

Price: R3 999.

HEADPHONES

Winner: Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace headphones mark Sonos' entry into the personal audio market, combining luxurious design with high-quality audio performance.

Crafted with premium materials like soft memory foam and durable metal, they prioritize comfort and style.

Features include active noise cancellation, adaptive EQ and support for high-resolution and spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos, ensuring crisp highs, detailed mids, and deep bass.

Price: R12 999.

Runner up: Sony ULT Wear

The Sony ULT Wear headphones cater to bass enthusiasts, delivering a pulse-pounding audio experience reminiscent of live music concerts.

Engineered with two ULT audio modes, they emphasize deep, resonant bass (ULT1) and energetic rhythms (ULT2).

Price: R4 999.

Winner: Sony ULT tower 10

The Sony ULT Tower 10 is a powerful party speaker designed to deliver an immersive, concert-like experience, particularly at high volumes.

Featuring two ULT Power Sound modes for deep and massive bass, it produces clear, vibrant sound with advanced audio configurations, like a seven-band equalizer and Sound Field Optimization. The device integrates RGB flashing lights that sync to music, enhancing the party atmosphere.