The Week in Audio: K-Pop Streaming Records, ANC Innovation, and AI's Advance
The final week of September and the start of October saw dynamic shifts in the music and audio industry, driven by two core forces: hardware innovation and a dramatic acceleration in digital content consumption. From new technology boosting wireless earbud call quality to K-Pop artists setting astounding records on streaming platforms, here is a breakdown of the key news you can't afford to miss.
1. New Gear & Hardware: The Evolution of ANC and Party Tech
This week featured notable product developments, particularly in the realm of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and portable speakers.
Analysis: Nothing is shifting the wireless earbud battleground to call quality, not just listening. Meanwhile, JBL is tackling a core pain point for gamers by offering a practical solution to battery life anxiety during long sessions.
2. Music Industry & Streaming: K-Pop and Digital Dominance
The digital consumption market saw streaming platforms solidify their command, while K-Pop artists leveraged that environment to demonstrate powerful global fandom.
- ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) Hits 520M Streams The group surpassed 520 million cumulative streams across all tracks since their debut as of September 27. Their latest album entered four separate Billboard sub-charts for three consecutive weeks, underlining K-Pop's expanding global influence.
- YouTube/Netflix Secure Highest Ever US Streaming Share In June, streaming platforms' share of US TV viewing reached an all-time high of 46.0%, surpassing the combined share of broadcast and cable (41.9%). YouTube (12.8%) and Netflix (8.3%) form a dominant duopoly in the streaming space.
Analysis: Consumers are decisively moving away from traditional viewing toward on-demand streaming, a trend now firmly established in the US market. In music, ZB1's achievement shows that K-Pop artists are effectively using this global shift to digital platforms to amplify their reach.
3. Audio Tech & AI: LG Ventures into AI Audio
We observed a strategic move by a major electronics firm to integrate AI technology with its existing appliance business, targeting the future audio market.
- LG Expands AI Radio/Audio Business LG Electronics is accelerating its entry into the infotainment sector by expanding its audio business with integrated AI capabilities, seeking synergy with its existing home appliance domains. This move strategically positions them to capitalize on the global consumer audio market, projected to grow to $70 billion by 2029.
Analysis: The future of audio is moving beyond simple sound quality to AI-driven interaction and personalized listening experiences. LG's efforts suggest that the convergence of AI technology with smart home ecosystems and audio devices is accelerating.
4. Major Company News: Flagship Tech Race and Market Consolidation
Major global companies focused on enhancing the technological superiority of their flagship models and reinforcing their presence in the audio-visual space.
- Sony (WH-1000XM6): 7x ANC Enhancement The flagship headset, released in June, incorporates the latest QN3 processor and 12 microphones to boost its Noise Canceling performance by 7 times compared to its predecessor. It also supports next-generation Bluetooth technologies like Auracast and LE Audio, setting a new industry standard.
- TCL: Sweeps European Awards for QD-Mini LED TCL secured multiple accolades, including the prestigious European EISA Awards and honors at IFA 2025, for its QD-Mini LED TVs. This reaffirmed its technological prowess in the Mini LED and large-screen display segment.
Analysis: Sony continues to push the boundaries of ANC technology, a critical differentiator in the competitive headphone market. TCL's wins underscore that advanced visual technology, in tandem with audio, is the core of the modern premium AV experience.
TheHeard Analyst Commentary
The audio arms race heading into the final quarter of 2025 is clearly intensifying. From Sony's enhanced ANC to LG's strategic AI venture, we will continue to monitor the evolving strategies of major corporations. TheHeard will keep providing deep market insights.