Why your next pair of headphones will look very different - and your speakers, too

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• In 2026, the open-ear earbud market is expected to become even more crowded with increased competition.
• More brands will enter the modular home theater system market.
• Spatial audio will continue to be a highly sought-after feature in consumer audio products.

CES 2026 may be over, but the personal audio and home entertainment products showcased on the show floor have provided a clearer picture of the trends to expect in these industries throughout the year. 

As headphones, earbuds, speakers, and soundbars reach the peak of their core functionalities, companies are redefining the boundaries of their products to encourage consumers to upgrade. 

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