At the moment, I'm working on an article that shows you how to get better sound for the same price as a Sonos soundbar setup. I've had just one problem in my sonic journey — the price of audio things is feeling pretty dire in the U.S. at the moment.
The speakers I want for the system are $2,800 Stateside, and the amp is $200 more than it would be where I live. Audio gear has never been more expensive, I've realised, and it's even true of the headphones and earbuds that everyone needs for day-to-day listening.
Sony's latest headphones, the WH-1000XM6, cost $50 more than the previous model. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 came with a price hike. The Nothing Headphone 1 are more expensive in the U.S. than just about anywhere else. So how do you solve it? Here are my 5 tips for saving money when buying new audio stuff.
1. Buy the older model
Look, I know how nice it is to get the newest thing from the biggest brands. It comes with an irresistible luster that's almost impossible to ignore, with all those fancy new features and clever design changes. But it's not a good way of saving money, especially with the price hikes that have made themselves known in the most recent flagships.
If you go with the previous model, you'll save buckets while getting flagship features. The WH-1000XM5 might not have the same folding design or fancy magnetic case, but they're about $120 cheaper (on average) than the newer model. That's a massive saving.
Bose is the same. The older first-generation QuietComfort Ultra Headphones can still be found for around $200 less than the second-generation version. That's another massive saving.
Still want flagship cans, but you're reluctant to pay for the XM5? Go and grab some of the even older (and still just as excellent) WH-1000XM4. Those come in upwards of $150 cheaper than the current flagships.
Yes, the XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are some of the best headphones you can buy today — but so are their predecessors, and those savings should be impossible to resist.
2. Go off the beaten track
Having a pair of AirPods hanging out of your ears has become in recent years something of a status symbol — although it's one you don't have to make if you want to save money. Sure, the AirPods Pro 3 and even the AirPods Pro 2 are excellent earbuds, but you can get similar performance if you're willing to go for brands that you might not have heard of before.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are some of our favorite earbuds, offering spectacular battery life, stellar sound and a standout colorful design. We've stacked them up against the AirPods models, and they come out on top when it comes to staying power; 11 hours to the AirPods Pro 3's 8.
The best bit? They cost $70. $70. You could get three pairs of the CMF Buds Pro 2 and have some change left over for a very nice meal out before you've spent the same as Apple's buds.
3. Wait for deals events
It is said that you're never more than a few feet away from a spider, no matter where you are. The same can be said of deals events. No matter where in the year you find yourself, you're almost certainly only a couple of months away from Black Friday or one of the many (many) Prime Day events.
That's good for you — they're the perfect time to get a new pair of headphones, some earbuds, or a new Bluetooth speaker. I've seen prices on even the newest products dip to hitherto unseen depths, making them more affordable than ever.
Apply the two tips above to the deals event and you'll save even more money. Watch out for these events throughout the year to save as much as possible. Or, just keep coming back to Tom's Guide because we'll regularly point out the deals worth your time — and the ones to avoid.
4. Buy second hand
First things first — I wouldn't recommend buying earbuds or headphones second-hand. You'll likely find plenty of unwanted grease and goo all over them, and cleaning them out is a fool's errand. And gross. They might be cheaper, but I'd wager it's not worth it.
Instead, go second-hand for the best Bluetooth speakers and HiFi components. I built an entire HiFi rack during college for the price of a few large pizzas from Domino's, thanks to second-hand stores (and eBay), and I had very few issues over the course of my ownership. I still use the speakers, in fact.
You do have to be careful, however. Only buy from highly rated sellers, or go to your local second-hand store so that you can return it if it's not working (depending on whether the store offers such a service). I'd avoid Craigslist like the plague, for example.
5. Make your old pair last longer
I know that getting something new feels great. Opening the box, the "new thing smell" — it's all wonderful. But if you're trying to save money, you're better off looking after what you've got or troubleshooting issues so that you don't have to spend money on something new.
If your earpads are starting to wear out, don't put the whole headset in the garbage. Go and find some replacements instead, and get another few years on the clock. If your earbuds sound muffled, give them a clean with some cotton buds or a cleaning kit.
And if they still work and you just fancy a change, see if you can find the settings menu in case there's something you're missing. You don't need to have the latest thing, especially if you're looking to spend less.
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