According to a Tom's Hardware roundup, CD sales in the U.S. are up 58.6% this year, and a wave of new CD players is capitalizing on the comeback. The article covers models that range from a $89 arcade-style unit with RGB lighting to a $290 six-disc changer, all offering something the original Discman era didn't: modern connectivity and design.
Among the highlights are the FiiO DM13, a portable player with dual CS43198 DACs, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 7-8 hour battery, and the Fosi Audio DISC Nano, a $99 player smaller than a CD with a magnetic back for attaching to a fridge. Other options include a transparent 'Neonyellow' portable from KM5, a floating-disc design from CoolGeek, and an Onkyo carousel changer for those who prefer not to swap discs constantly.
The author, who owns two of the players, notes some quirks: Bluetooth pairing on the FiiO is 'kinda clunky,' and the Fosi Nano's battery lasts only about two hours. The article also cautions that some budget no-name players have questionable sound output. Still, the variety shows that the CD format is finding new life with features like RGB lighting, transparent shells, and Bluetooth, even if some are more gimmick than necessity.