Rockstar Games has announced Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album, a 34-track record made in collaboration with Atlantic Records and set to release alongside the game on November 19. Six songs are already streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, including tracks from Travis Scott, Yung Lean, Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, and Keith Richards, with the rest of the lineup still under wraps. The album will also get a physical release with three tiers. A CD version runs $19.98, a standard vinyl edition with magenta and blue splatter discs costs $49.98, and a limited-edition vinyl with liquid-filled discs tops out at $124.98.

That last option interestingly costs more than the game's own $100 Ultimate Edition, and it comes with exclusive artwork alongside colorway variants sold through retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Urban Outfitters. Pre-orders for the album are open now, with physical copies shipping from November 20, a day after GTA 6 itself launches. Rockstar has leaned on music tie-ins before, but a full commercial album alongside a mainline GTA release is new territory. The pricing on the top-tier vinyl certainly suggests Rockstar is treating this as a genuine collector's item rather than just a marketing freebie.

Who am I? What do I feel, and how can I express myself? Questions like these are increasingly on people's minds, and they often find the answer in music. beyerdynamic addresses this topic with the AVENTHO Y, a new pair of wireless over-ear headphones that allow users to explore their personal "why." The new model comes in four expressive colors, each symbolizing a different emotional state.

Users stay in the flow
Whether the AVENTHO Y is used at home or on the go, for creative projects, work, or streaming and entertainment - thanks to Multipoint Bluetooth 6.0, users can seamlessly switch between different devices without losing their flow. The battery life of up to 90 hours (without ANC) makes the AVENTHO Y a particularly convenient and reliable companion. Thanks to the advanced fast-charging feature, the headphones only need to be charged for five minutes to provide another six hours of use.

JBL today introduced JBL Cove, a whole-home Wi-Fi audio system designed to make multi-room music listening simple. The new range includes three wireless speakers that can operate individually, as stereo pairs, or as part of a connected home audio system controlled through the JBL One app. JBL Cove combines room-filling JBL sound, Dolby Atmos support on select models and flexible room-by-room listening without requiring users to constantly regroup or reset speakers.

Fill every room with powerful JBL sound
The JBL Cove series features three Wi-Fi speakers designed to transform your space into an immersive listening experience.

• JBL Cove M1 - compact design for effortless everyday listening
• JBL Cove P1 - portable with battery-powered convenience and immersive Dolby Atmos sound
• JBL Cove X1 - flagship performance featuring four tweeters and dual woofers for powerful room-filling audio with Dolby Atmos

Leading headphone maker Skullcandy, and renowned audio pioneer THX Ltd., today announced an extension of their partnership to deliver the ultimate immersive entertainment audio when enjoying movies, music, or gaming on the go. The upcoming headphones are made for everyone and integrate THX Spatial Audio, a flexible, next-generation positional audio solution that delivers pinpoint listening accuracy using real-time onboard processing.

At the heart of Crusher 720 is Skullcandy's patented adjustable Crusher Bass technology—the one-of-a-kind sensory bass experience that lets listeners feel every beat, not just hear it. With an adjustable bass wheel, users can customize the intensity from subtle rumble to full-body sensation, creating a listening experience unlike any other. Paired with THX Spatial Audio, Crusher 720 surrounds listeners with immersive, three-dimensional sound for entertainment that hits on every level.

Fosi Audio has announced the launch of the new C3 Gaming Sound Card, the first card in the company's esports lineup. Now available on various shopping platforms, the C3 combines StepSense gaming audio, Hi-fi-grade circuitry, and intuitive desktop controls to help competitive players hear more, react faster, and communicate more clearly during gameplay.

StepSense Audio Enhancement for Competitive FPS Gaming Developed specifically for FPS gamers, the C3 uses Fosi Audio's proprietary StepSense positional audio enhancement technology to analyze in-game audio in real time and intelligently enhance critical footstep frequencies without overpowering explosions, gunfire, or environmental effects. Unlike traditional EQ-based gaming sound cards that boost entire frequency ranges indiscriminately, the StepSense technology selectively enhances key positional audio cues while preserving the overall game mix for improved situational awareness and reduced listening fatigue.

Audiophiles get ready!! Muse Hi-fi is gearing up to release a brand new innovative product, the Muse Hi-fi Muse 300. This is going to be the world's first desktop DAC/AMP with its own operating system. Muse Hi-fi has developed an in-house operating system strictly designed for fluidity and responsiveness, with seamless capabilities, leaving behind the laggy interfaces usually found in such devices. The Muse Hi-fi Muse 300 is coming soon to elevate your desk space with its vivid UI and brand-new playback capabilities.

World's First Desktop DAC/AMP with A Dedicated Operating System—Muse OS
The Muse Hi-fi team members are music lovers first. Compared to a decade ago, today's streaming platforms are highly mature and music formats are incredibly rich. Although streaming audio quality is not quite on par with local DSD files, it is more than sufficient for the vast majority of listeners. However, there is a clear gap in the market: existing music players are mostly developed based on Android systems, but there is no operating system specifically designed for DAC/headphone amplifier devices. A DAC/amp can directly connect to streaming platforms on a phone, eliminating the tedious process of downloading various versions of audio files. This can significantly expand the number of ordinary users in the Hi-fi market.

With the HD 480 PRO, Sennheiser today launches its top-of-the-range closed-back headphones for studio and live environments. Designed with the utmost care and precision, they eliminate the two most-cited pain points of closed-back headphones by delivering a tight, accurate bass reproduction and ensuring supreme comfort for audio professionals tasked with recording, tracking, or monitoring in the studio, in live audio environments or on the move.

Delivering where other closed-backs fail
With closed-back headphones, a good reproduction of the low-end is usually difficult to achieve. "This is where the HD 480 PRO excel. Compared to other closed-back headphones, they are a lot tighter on the bass, their low-end is super-accurate and realistic," notes Jimmy R. Landry, Category Market Manager, Music Industry at Sennheiser.

RedOctane, a relatively new game studio started by rhythm game veterans with the mission to "to bring rhythm gaming back with more power, more precision, and a deeper connection than ever before," has officially announced its first game, Stage Tour, which is slated to release on Steam and begin alpha testing in "summer 2026," or sometime around June or July. Console support is also planned, but there have been no concrete announcements of specific platforms or release dates. Stage Tour will feature instrument designs from Gibson—specifically the Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer brands—with whom the studio says it has a multi-year partnership to license and feature designs.

Stage Tour follows the typical note highway rhythm game style that was popularized by games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The game studio says that Stage Tour is being developed as a "love letter to rhythm gaming," and that it is meant to "feel familiar and authentic," while also evolving the genre in what it calls "the right way," by using modern technology. The announcement itself doesn't make mention of custom peripherals beyond calling out plastic instruments, but there is a FAQ page that confirms that players will be able to buy the game bundled with a Gibson Kramer guitar controller, which has been a popular design in the rhythm game space—it's unclear if the Kramer's hardware will be updated for the game's launch. RedOctane is also actively recruiting for music to add to the game, although it has not revealed what music will feature in Stage Tour, aside from a mention of a "variety of music around the Rock and Metal genres."

With Heddon, music flows freely throughout the home. The hub streams music via Wi-Fi and uses Auracast to broadcast audio across multiple Marshall home speakers, allowing listeners to move from room to room without interruption. By adding a record player to the setup, Heddon also bridges analogue and digital listening, bringing the warmth and richness of vinyl into a connected, multi-speaker environment.

Heddon supports leading streaming services including Spotify Connect, TIDAL, AirPlay and Google Cast, delivering music simultaneously to Acton III, Stanmore III and Woburn III Bluetooth speakers. Heddon also allows a selected older-generation Marshall speakers to be connected via RCA output, extending their life while opening them up to new technology.

We wanted to give you a quick update on the estimated shipping schedule for our upcoming CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller. Over the past few weeks, we've run into some inbound component delays with our manufacturing partner—largely due to ongoing uncertainty around international tariffs and broader supply chain challenges. As a result, we're making a slight adjustment to our estimated shipping windows to finalize production and better navigate the current logistics environment.

While we've taken steps to mitigate the impact of tariffs, a portion of these costs must be passed on. All U.S. pre-orders placed before June 1 will be honored at their original price. International pricing remains unchanged at this time. All pre-orders placed before June 1 on crkd.gg—U.S. and international—will also receive a complimentary CRKD Gradient Guitar Strap and Collector's Pin.

CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck and NEO S collectible controllers, has announced the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition, a licensed, special edition NEO S controller, designed for use with Fortnite Festival and other rhythm-based games. Compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TVs, the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is a one-off drop that features artwork inspired by the LINKIN PARK Instruments in Fortnite Festival and the recent launch of two brand new Fortnite Festival Jam Tracks including the band's new single "Up From The Bottom" off of the upcoming Deluxe Edition album From Zero, out May 16, 2025 via Warner Records.

Available for pre-order today, the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is expected to ship in May of this year. The NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is the second NEO S controller in CRKD's Festival range, bringing gamers closer to the music they love and transforming the Fortnite Festival experience thanks to the unique Festival Attachment (included), which replicates the frets found on a real guitar, providing a more authentic and immersive experience.

Take center stage and own the spotlight with the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller! Two exclusive editions are now available for pre-order—the LP Black Tribal Encore Edition and the LP Blueberry Burst Pro Edition. Both guitars feature the legendary Gibson Les Paul shape, reimagined as a game controller. Whether you're rocking out in Fortnite Festival, reliving classic Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, or shredding in community favorites like YARG or Clone Hero, we've redefined a legend with modern innovations built for today's rhythm gamers. From the team that developed the iconic hardware for Guitar Hero and DJ Hero, this release continues the revival of rhythm gaming like never before—bringing the band back together for a whole new era!

SHARED FEATURES
Both the LP Black Tribal Encore Edition and LP Blueberry Burst Pro Edition share advanced features with key differences in fret button and strum bar design. The Pro Edition features mechanical fret buttons (instead of standard fret buttons) and a Hall Effect Strum Bar with Haptic Feedback (instead of a mechanical strum bar). The Encore Edition includes standard fret buttons and a mechanical strum bar.

Get ready to add Rockbeasts, the narrative band-management RPG, to your most anticipated albums of 2025. Welcome to a world that puts you in the shoes of a manager in the age of MTV, rock anthems, and bad haircuts. Featuring the iconic Iggy Pop, with a story written by Jakub Szamałek (senior writer of The Witcher 3, Principal Writer of Cyberpunk 2077, and upcoming The Blood of Dawnwalker), prepare for a tragicomic tale of the highs and lows of an up-and-coming band in the 90s.

As the manager of "one of the most controversial bands" of the era, you'll help a group of rising stars as they navigate the highs and lows of the music industry in pursuit of fame and fortune. Along the way, you'll meet a colorful cast of anthropomorphic animals, some inspired by real world rock legends. Pick the venue, prep the set and make sure it all goes according to plan. Pull it off and the band might just finally take those first steps to fame and glory. Sure, this one was in a grimy basement, but even the rock legends had to start somewhere, right?

HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the reveal of Nexus 2.0, the ultimate software solution for monitoring and controlling the desktop experience. Thanks to feedback from its community of hardware enthusiasts, HYTE aims to significantly upgrade its flagship software to enhance functionality and personalization, add user-friendly features that offer full control over performance and aesthetics, and upgrade the user interface with a fresh, modern design.

OpenRGB SDK Integration & Universal Fan Control
As part of their mission to crafting a cohesive digital ecosystem, HYTE is teaming up with OpenRGB to integrate their SDK into Nexus 2.0, enabling control and synchronization of RGB lighting across over 1,800 third-party devices. The Universal Fan Control uses PWM headers on the motherboard to enable intelligent system-wide cooling across a single surface, transforming any PC into a harmonious part of any aesthetic gaming setup.

Taiko Audio, a Dutch high-end audio manufacturer, has unveiled what might be the most over-engineered music server ever created—the Extreme Server. With a starting price of €28,000 (US$29,600), this meticulously crafted device embodies either the pinnacle of audio engineering or the epitome of audiophile excess. The Extreme's most distinctive feature is its unique dual-processor architecture, using two Intel Xeon Scalable 10-core CPUs. This unusual configuration isn't just for show—Taiko claims it solves a specific audiophile dilemma: the impact of Roon's music management interface on sound quality. By dedicating two processors to Roon and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 interface, they've made Roon's processing "virtually inaudible", addressing a concern most music listeners probably never knew existed.

Perhaps the most striking technical achievement is the server's cooling system, or rather, its complete absence of conventional cooling. Taiko designed a custom 240 W passive cooling solution with absolutely no fans or moving parts. The company machined the CPU interface to a mind-boggling precision of 5 microns (0.005 mm) and opted for solid copper heat sinks instead of aluminium, claiming this will extend component life by 4 to 12 years. The attention to detail extends to the memory configuration, where Taiko takes an unconventional approach. The server uses twelve 4 GB custom-made industrial memory modules, each factory pre-selected with components matched to within 1% tolerance. According to Taiko, this reduces the refresh rate burst current by almost 50% and allows for lower operating temperatures. The PSU that powers the PC is a custom 400 W linear power supply, an in-house development designed specifically for the Extreme's unique needs. It combines premium Mundorf and Duelund capacitors for sonic neutrality, Lundahl chokes selected by ear, and extensive vibrational damping using Panzerholz (a compressed wood composite) for durability, low temperature operation, longevity, and exceptional sound quality.

SCUF Gaming, creator of the high-performance gaming controller category, has announced a collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold to celebrate the band's new album, "Life Is But A Dream..." Together, they've created new limited-edition SCUF Instinct Pro and SCUF Reflex FPS controller bundles decked out with the album's instantly recognizable imagery and artwork from renowned artist Wes Lang.

To commemorate "Life Is But A Dream…", Avenged Sevenfold has partnered with SCUF Gaming to drop a pair of exclusive controller bundles. Each jam-packed bundle comes with your choice of a SCUF Instinct Pro or SCUF Reflex FPS controller, an exclusive signed Avenged Sevenfold seven-inch vinyl record, a certificate of authenticity, and passionately crafted packaging, all clad in the band's iconic sepia-toned ink-sketch Wes Lang-painted album artwork. Now, hardcore Avenged Sevenfold fans can rock out in style as they play on a uniquely designed controller that's unmistakably A7X.

Rocksmith+ has announced a new partnership with Warner Music Group, to bring even more popular artists to the music-learning service, such as Linkin Park, The Cure, Sepultura, Twisted Sister, and more. "Rocksmith+ has always been about empowering people to learn guitar with their favorite songs," said Jay Cohen, Vice President of Executive Publishing at Ubisoft. "For beginners, guitar players, and music fans this is a great step forward. The large library of songs for learners and players to pick up and play on Rocksmith+ continues to expand every month.

This new partnership with Warner Music Group will help bring both new and established artists to a new and growing audience. We appreciate the progressive approach of our colleagues at WMG, and we look forward to everything we will do together to deliver on the promise of a new music distribution model for all those who make music and the people who love to jam along to it."

Beats today announces Beats Studio Pro, the next generation of Beats' iconic, bestselling over-ear headphone. With all-new and improved interior components, Studio Pro offers next-level audio fidelity, fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, UltraPlush leather cushions, up to 40 hours of battery life, Lossless Audio via USB-C3 and enhanced call performance.

Beats Studio Pro is available to order starting today in four premium colors, Black, Deep Brown, Navy and Sandstone, for $349.99 (US) from apple.com. Starting tomorrow, Studio Pro will be on-shelf at Apple Store locations and authorized resellers in its beautiful new packaging that was designed with the environment in mind.

M-Audio today introduced M-Game, livestreaming audio interfaces and software designed specifically for gaming and content creation. M-Game provides premium quality streaming, elevated performance, and entertainment for any audience. M-Audio's legendary contribution to music performance and audio production is distinguished by a history of sophisticated engineering with an emphasis on versatility and usability. Drawing on our expertise with audio interfaces, and in partnership with our gaming experts, we are proud to debut M-Game.

Powered by M-Audio, the new M-Game livestreaming audio interfaces, RGB Dual and Solo, and M-Game software provide an all-in-one simple solution that delivers unique and innovative features for seamless set-up and customization. Unlike other audio interfaces, M-Game delivers first-of-its-kind dual PC USB connection and the ability to add images to effects and samples allowing for a seamless setup of a livestream.

Sony Electronics Inc. today introduced two new premium music players, the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2, raising the bar to new heights in high-resolution audio listening, to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles. Designed to immerse the listener in sublime, nuanced sound, the NW-WM1ZM2 has been fine-tuned from years of audio mastery and crafted from the very best materials. This new addition sets a new benchmark for Sony's award-winning signature series, offering an exquisite listening experience in an ultra-premium design.

The NW-WM1AM2 allows music lovers to completely lose themselves in high-quality audio with a richer, smoother and more expansive sound field compared to its predecessor. Both music players let the user download and stream from endless catalogues of music with Wi-Fi compatibility, taking the listening enjoyment to the next level.

I know what you are thinking—this isn't the typical news content we see on TechPowerUp. Yes, we do cover audio products with plenty of reviews here, including Audeze planar magnetic headphones. When Audeze mentioned there's a whole different thing coming up, and that it involves carbon nanotubes (CNTs), I was quite intrigued. Some of you may have picked it up by now, but all the neat toys I have access to and used in several reviews come because I am a research scientist by profession, with a specialization in carbon nanomaterials including CNTs. So this news post is about my attempt to help explain why the Audeze technology is such a big deal. This is not a review of the actual devices and neither is it a sponsored post, or even solicited by Audeze. It is purely me geeking out about a fairly novel use of CNTs in the audio world, especially when there have been CNT coatings on a few dynamic drivers before but barely put to the potential capable until now.

See, the whole reason the Audeze CRBN (Carbon, get it?) even came about is because an indirect research colleague of mine, Prof. Mark Cohen from the University of California, Los Angeles as well as his startup company SMRT Image, saw a need for a more calming influence for patients undergoing fMRI imaging, as well as better means for the technicians to communicate with said patients while they are inside an operating MRI machine. If you have ever been inside one, you would know that thing gets real loud with magnetic coils rapidly going around and clacking noises galore. Audeze is also based in California, and multiple years of research led to the development of the Audeze CRBN—starting off for medical applications and then coming out also as a high-end retail headphones experience based on the knowledge and IP gained in the process. Read past the break for more on the science and tech, if this is of interest to you!

For years, MacBooks have been the de facto standard for digital DJ setups. Apple's recent product iterations, however, have left much to be desired in terms of professional connectivity - using industry standard DJ equipment with a MacBook requires the purchase of expensive and impractical adapters or hubs. XMG responds to the DJ community's growing demand for a functional, reliable alternative by releasing the DJ 15 - the first ever laptop designed, optimised and tested specifically to meet the needs of professional DJs. Weighing in at a mere 1.6 kg, this machine features a 15" non-glare Full HD IPS display and a wide array of standard ports. An entirely bloatware-free Windows 10 Pro installation, perfectly tuned to the DJ 15's hardware components, ensures ultra-low, stable DPC latency out of the box, even running off battery with WiFi and Bluetooth activated. On top of that, XMG offers unique and highly specialised support - by DJs, for DJs.

Envision Peripherals Inc. (EPI), the Brand license partner for Philips Audio in North America, announces today the latest addition to the Philips audio line with the Philips Wireless over-ear noise cancelling headphone (TAPH805BK). The headphones are now available on Amazon, competitively pricedat $199.99 USD. Ideal for at Home, in the Office, or on-the-go, the new Philips (TAPH805BK) headphones provide users with an unparalleled listening experience.

Music or Silence
Eliminate outside noise through a press of a button with Active Noise Canceling mode or flip to Awareness Mode to stay in tune with your surroundings. Users can control volume by swiping up or down on the ear-housing touch control panel. Activate or deactivate Active Noise Canceling or engage in Awareness Mode with a simple press. While carrying out a call over Bluetooth, its built-in mic with echo cancellation keeps sound crystal clear.

Today we're starting to roll out the official release of the update to Xbox LIVE subscribers around the world. To ensure a stable release, this will be a gradual deployment across subscribers and regions over the course of the next week. Our initial deployment will reach approximately three million consoles worldwide, with additional users being updated over the course of a couple weeks. Don't panic if you don't see an immediate update, just keep checking back in.

Koss Corporation, the U.S.- based creator of the world's first SP3 Stereophone in 1958, has unveiled STRIVA, a revolutionary new headphone and in-ear monitor system with Wi-Fi technology that receives music directly from the Internet without wires.

"54 years ago my father revolutionized personal listening with the first Koss SP3 stereophone," Michael J. Koss, President and CEO said. "Today, thanks to the Internet, the revolution is in the air. Now all of your favorite music can be streamed directly from the Internet to our new headphones and in-ear monitors without wires using Koss STRIVA technology."