Gear of the Year Winners 2025: Audio
Posted on Oct 27, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
We reveal the worthy winners in our ninth annual celebration of top-tier moviemaking audio
No matter how good your images are, audiences won’t forgive poor sound. The Gear of the Year Awards 2025 show just how much filmmakers value reliable, great-sounding audio tools, from classic broadcast mics to cutting-edge wireless systems. Here’s why the winners earned their place.
1. Recorder/Adapter
Zoom H6essential
Building on the success of the original H6, the H6essential streamlines usability while keeping the modularity and versatility that made it famous. Swappable capsules, four XLR inputs, intuitive touchscreen control and rock-solid recording quality made it a no-brainer for filmmakers and podcasters. With 32-bit float recording guaranteeing distortion-free capture, it’s the recorder many consider their go-to.
2. XLR Microphone
Sennheiser MKH 416
Some legends never fade, and the Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic is one of them. Decades after its launch, it remains the industry standard for location sound, renowned for its tight pickup pattern, rich tone and rugged reliability. Filmmakers trust it because it simply delivers, whether mounted on a boom, camera or used in a studio. Its continued dominance proves that some designs are timeless.
3. DSLR Microphone
Sennheiser MKE 400
For mirrorless shooters, portability and ease of use matter just as much as audio quality. The MKE 400 hits the sweet spot, with broadcast-worthy sound in a compact form factor. Headphone monitoring, built-in wind protection and a rugged design make it ideal for vloggers, content creators and run-and-gun filmmakers who need on-camera audio without fuss. It’s also very compact and stealthy.
4. Wireless Microphone
Rode Wireless Go Gen 3
Rode’s Wireless Go revolutionised compact wireless systems, and the third-generation version refines the formula further. With longer range, better battery life and more flexible recording options, it has become the wireless kit filmmakers want to carry everywhere. Its ease of use – clip on, turn on and record – combined with solid audio performance makes it the standout wireless system of the year.
Editor’s choice
Tascam Portacapture X8
Tascam’s Portacapture X8 recorder won praise for its high-quality preamps, large touchscreen interface and app-like workflow. It’s the kind of device that bridges pro audio performance with ease of use, making it particularly appealing for solo shooters or small crews who don’t want to fight with complex menus on-set.
Hollyland Lark M2
Hollyland has quickly established itself as a strong contender in wireless audio, and the Lark M2 shows precisely why. Tiny, lightweight transmitters with big performance make it popular among mobile filmmakers and content creators, proving that innovation isn’t limited to the more established brands.
Audio-Technica BP4029
The BP4029 stereo shotgun may be more of a niche choice, but it stands out for its capabilities and versatility. While many shotgun mics are used close up for dialogue, the lightweight Audio-Technica is ideal to use on a camera for recording distant sounds thanks to excellent off-axis noise rejection. It excels at picking up natural ambience without distortion.
This article was first published in the November/December 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
