Audio Chronicle's Black Friday 2025 Buyer's Guide
We tested, compared, and curated — the only six audio deals worth your attention this Black Friday.
This Black Friday, musicians and audio enthusiasts have genuine opportunities to upgrade their rigs without compromise. After years of inflated prices and gimmicky bundles, 2025’s lineup delivers meaningful discounts on gear that earns its place in a professional setup — including one standout piece that’s redefining what “affordable monitoring” really means.
Our team sifted through hundreds of discounts to highlight six essentials that offer the strongest return on investment this year. Each one was selected for its ability to improve sound quality, streamline your setup, and hold up to long-term use.
Whether you’re building your first setup or refining a well-loved studio, these deals unlock professional results at consumer prices. And if you’ve been waiting for the perfect reason to take your monitoring seriously, this year’s top pick makes that decision easier than ever.
1. Soundbrenner Wave In-Ear Monitors — The Best Black Friday Deal of 2025
The Must-Have Monitoring Upgrade
Price: $93 (down from $179)
For musicians who rely on accurate, portable monitoring, the Soundbrenner Wave has quietly become the go-to recommendation. At $93 this Black Friday, it’s easily one of the most compelling pro-audio deals of the year.
Wave’s 10mm dynamic drivers deliver a full 20Hz–20kHz response with a neutral, uncolored character — the kind of honest playback that lets you judge tone, balance, and dynamics with confidence. Its 36dB of passive isolation creates a dependable seal whether you’re on a loud stage or working in a less-than-ideal room. Each set comes with six pairs of ear tips (silicone and foam), a detachable braided 2-pin cable, a 3.5mm to 1/4’’ adapter, and a hard case for travel.
Why It Takes the #1 Spot
Neutral reference sound: Hear your mix as it truly is — no boosted lows, scooped mids, or artificial sparkle.
Reliable build quality: Detachable 2-pin cable, gold-plated connectors, and thoughtful materials designed for daily use.
Comfort that holds up: At just 26g with an ergonomic, low-profile fit, Wave stays comfortable through long rehearsals or editing sessions.
Easy compatibility: Works with any standard 3.5mm output — mixers, interfaces, keyboards, headphone amps, and mobile devices with an adapter.
Independent reviewers often point to the Wave as a small anomaly in the IEM world — a monitor that delivers the clarity, balance, and isolation typically associated with models far above its price bracket. Whether you’re dialing in a vocal on stage, mixing in an untreated bedroom studio, or just trying to hear your instrument without distraction, Wave offers consistency that’s hard to match at any budget.
Perfect for: Live performers refining their monitor mix, producers working in imperfect acoustic spaces, musicians needing accurate references on the go, or anyone who wants to hear their playing with real precision.
The Runner-Ups: Still Great, Just Not Quite Wave-Level
2. ADAM Audio T5V Studio Monitors
Mixing Reference: Where Your Monitoring Really Happens
Price: $240/single
If the Wave IEMs are your portable monitoring solution, the ADAM Audio T5V are your mixing foundation. These 5-inch nearfield monitors have become the gold standard for home studios that refuse to compromise on accuracy.
The T5V combines ADAM's 5-inch polypropylene woofer with their legendary U-ART ribbon tweeter (used in their flagship monitors) to deliver a frequency range of 45Hz-25kHz with exceptional clarity and detail. The 70W Class D amplification provides clean, powerful output without audible distortion[6]. What sets them apart is their ability to produce mixes that translate across different playback systems — stereos, earbuds, cars, clubs.
What Makes Them Special:
U-ART ribbon tweeter: Extended high-frequency response that traditional dome tweeters simply can't achieve
Precision waveguide: Creates an accurate stereo image with a wide sweet spot for more forgiving positioning
DSP-controlled crossover: Ensures seamless integration between woofer and tweeter for coherent sound
Room correction: Built-in DSP allows adjustment for your specific room acoustics
The T5V excel at the task monitors exist to perform: telling you the truth about your mix. Harsh frequencies that other monitors hide become obvious. Muddy bass that other monitors exaggerate becomes clear. This ruthless accuracy is exactly what you want when mixing.
Perfect for: Home studio producers serious about mixing quality, mix engineers working in smaller spaces, content creators who need accurate playback for music and dialogue.
3. Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII MIDI Controller
Production Control: Hands-On Workflow That Matters
Price: $599
The KeyLab 61 MkII transforms your DAW from a visual workspace into a tactile instrument. This isn't just a keyboard with knobs — it's a complete production hub designed by musicians for musicians.
With 61 semi-weighted keys featuring aftertouch, the KeyLab delivers expressive performance that budget controllers can't touch. The keyboard action balances piano-style weight with synth-style responsiveness, making it equally comfortable for chord voicings and fast melodic runs. Sixteen RGB performance pads in a 4×4 grid provide intuitive finger-drumming and clip triggering.
The Workflow Difference:
9 faders + 9 encoders: Essential control for orchestral programming, mixing, and sound design
Semi-weighted keys: Performance-ready action that doesn't exhaust your hands
Analog Lab software: 6,500+ premium presets from legendary synths and keyboards included
Auto-mapping: Works seamlessly with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, and more
Premium build: Feels like an instrument, not a toy
The difference between using a MIDI controller and a quality keyboard is the difference between having a tool and having an instrument. The KeyLab's dedicated transport controls and LCD screen mean you work faster, make better decisions, and stay in the creative flow without constantly reaching for your mouse.
Perfect for: Studio producers who want tactile control, composers working with virtual instruments, live performers who need reliable MIDI control.
4. Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone
Vocal Recording: The Microphone That Works Everywhere
Price: $439
The Shure SM7B has been used on countless professional records — from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to modern podcasts and YouTube content. It's the microphone that sounds great in almost any situation.
Unlike condenser microphones that pick up every room reflection and ambient noise, the SM7B's dynamic design focuses on what's directly in front of it. This makes it exceptional for home studios operating in less-than-ideal acoustic environments. The cardioid pickup pattern effectively rejects off-axis sound, and the built-in pop filter reduces plosives without external accessories.
Why Professionals Choose It:
Smooth, flat frequency response: Natural vocal reproduction without harshness or coloration
Superior noise rejection: Cardioid pattern focused on eliminating room noise
Versatile applications: Equally at home on vocals, guitar amps, kick drums, and podcasting
Legendary reliability: The same microphone design has been trusted for decades
Requires good preamp: Plan for 60dB+ of clean gain (modern interfaces handle this easily)
The SM7B does require a decent preamp with plenty of gain, but modern audio interfaces deliver that with ease. If you want a complete vocal chain with integrated preamp, the new SM7dB exists — but the original SM7B remains the industry standard.
Perfect for: Vocalists recording at home, podcasters who need broadcast quality, anyone recording in less-than-perfect acoustic environments.
5. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Audio Interface
Recording Gateway: Where Your Sound Enters the Computer
Price: $219
The Scarlett 2i2 represents the gold standard for home recording interfaces. This fourth-generation model reflects years of refinement, delivering professional recording quality with foolproof operation.
At its core, the 2i2 features Focusrite's renowned mic preamps with switchable Air mode — a feature that adds presence and clarity inspired by Focusrite's legendary ISA console preamps. The improvement in transparency and detail over previous generations is immediately audible. High-quality preamps matter because they're part of your signal chain on every recording.
Essential Specifications:
2 mic/line inputs, 2 outputs: Clean, dedicated signal paths
High-quality preamps with Air mode: Adds presence inspired by Focusrite's classic consoles
24-bit/192kHz conversion: Professional-grade audio resolution
USB-C connectivity: Fast, reliable connection with sufficient bus power
Rock-solid drivers: Works flawlessly across Mac and PC
Software bundle: Generous plug-in and DAW inclusions
The Scarlett 2i2 is proof that the recording quality bottleneck in most home studios isn't the interface — it's the room acoustics, microphone technique, and monitoring quality. This interface will never be the weak link in your signal chain.
Perfect for: Anyone getting serious about recording, podcasters who need reliable quality, musicians who value simplicity and reliability.
6. Elektron Digitakt II
Beat Production: The Sampler That Defines Modern Electronic Music
Price: $1,149
For electronic music producers and beatmakers, the Digitakt II represents the evolution of one of the most beloved samplers ever created. Elektron doubled down on what made the original great while addressing every limitation.
The Digitakt II's 16 audio tracks (doubled from the original's 8) open entirely new creative possibilities. You can now build complete arrangements, layer textures, and experiment with sound design without constantly bouncing or making compromises. The stereo sample playback massively enhances percussive possibilities.
The Creative Upgrade:
16 audio tracks: Complete arrangements without bouncing
Stereo sample playback: Essential for complex percussion sound design
Advanced filters: Additional comb and EQ options for deep sound shaping
Enhanced LFOs: Extra LFO per track keeps beats moving and evolving
Euclidean sequencing: Adds polyrhythmic flavor to your workflow
Deep automation: Parameter locks on every setting for detailed performance
Rugged construction: Built for the studio and the stage
The Digitakt II excels at both traditional beat-making and experimental sound design. Its ability to simultaneously sequence internal samples while controlling external gear via MIDI makes it the hub of many electronic setups.
Perfect for: Electronic music producers, beatmakers who work with samples, live performers who need a reliable sequencer and sound source.
Black Friday 2025 Roundup
Where to Start: If you're unsure where to begin, the Soundbrenner Wave at $93 is the single best investment a musician can make this Black Friday. Accurate monitoring improves every other decision you make about your sound and performance.
This Black Friday, upgrade with confidence. These six products represent the best value the musician and audio space has to offer this season.
(HINT: We’ve heard that Soundbrenner gives an extra 5% discount throughout this Black Friday season through their exclusive newsletter - make sure to sign up to get the Wave for the ridiculously low price of $89.)
Peter McIntyre
23 hours ago
Digitakt is so expensive…
Mia
2 days ago
Wave for $93 sounds like a steal. I’m tempted!
Sam
3 days ago
Already own the SM7B! Best value mic in the game
Marvin Cavanaugh
1 day ago
I hear you, Sam. It's a staple in my home studio. While it's not the most exciting piece of gear, paired with Wave IEMs it's a combo that forms the backbone of everything I do.
Ryan
3 days ago
Soundbrenner Wave for stage… does it survive sweat? I’m drenched after every set
Zoe
2 days ago
Soundbrenner Wave holds up fine with sweat for me. No problems after a few sweaty gigs, but I’m not a total waterfall up there
