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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.
Also: These 8 audio products at CES 2026 were so impressive, I had to listen twice
From all of the products I saw at CES 2026, three major trends stood out to me the most: open-ear earbuds will continue to be a significant investment for consumer audio companies, home entertainment companies are embracing the art of modular home theaters, and spatial audio is everywhere. Let's dissect.
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