WANT

TO KNOW WHAT GRADE YOUR BRAND WOULD GET?

amp GmbH (HQ)
Sandstr. 33
80335 Munich
Germany

Sea Containers

18 Upper Ground

London

SE1 9PD
United Kingdom

amp Sound Branding Inc.
3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York

NY 10007

Copyright © 2026 amp GmbH, All rights reserved.

MUNICH | BERLIN | NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | LONDON | SINGAPORE | MILAN | DUBAI

Black Man
Woman

In the past, the best audio brands report has included a running list of the top sonic branding strategies in the market today. This year, to change this up and make a stronger comment about the overall state of sonic branding, we decided to grade each brand strategy with a letter from A to D, according to their sonic strategy in comparison to their competitors over the last 12 months. 

To achieve a more rigorous and comparative analysis, the 2026 best audio brands report implemented a multi-faceted grading methodology focusing on four core criteria. 

METHODOLOGY

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

MISC.

We also considered activations, Sonic ID in other content, artist collabs, sponsorships, POS sound, and audible touchpoints.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

STAGNATION OR WEAKNESS (-)

Brands that rely on recycled stock tracks, show inconsistent sonic branding, or have been quiet in recent campaigns get a "minus". A "minus" doesn't mean they're failing, it signals they're slipping compared to peers who are innovating.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

RECENT EFFORTS (+)

Brands that have launched strong new campaigns in the past 6-12 months, showing innovation in music use, deserve a "plus". Examples: adopting a sonic logo, commissioning original compositions, or running cross-platform campaigns (TV + TikTok + YouTube) with consistent audio identity.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

METRICS

Use of proprietary sound elements (e.g., unique instruments, vocal signature), absence of generic or trend-following sounds, and market recall scores from amp research studies.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

SONIC IDENTITY

This criterion assesses how unique a brand's sonic identity is within its competitive landscape, and how easily consumers can attribute the sound to the brand without visual cues.

Letter Grade System

GRADE A

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

More

GRADE

A+

A+

A+

A

A

SECTOR

Financial Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Electronics

SUBSECTOR

Payment & Fintech

Energy

Insurance

Components & Technology

Computers & Mobile

GRADE B

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

GRADE

B+

B+

B+

B+

B+

B

B

B

B

B

SECTOR

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Business Services

Business Services

Industrial

Healthcare

SUBSECTOR

Energy

Banking

Premium & Luxury

Energy

Insurance

Premium & Luxury

Consulting

Consulting

Energy

Pharmaceutical

GRADE C

BRANDS

More

GRADE

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

SECTOR

Financial Services

Travel & Transportation

Financial Services

Food Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Industrial

CPG

CPG

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Insurance

Aviation

Banking

Fast Food

Energy

Insurance

Manufacturing

Alcohol

Food

Food

GRADE D

BRANDS

More

GRADE

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

SECTOR

Electronics

Retail

CPG

Technology

Electronics

Technology

Financial Services

Financial Services

Technology

Technology

Technology

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Consumer Electronics

E-Commerce

Beverages

Software

Consumer Electronics

Software

Insurance

Insurance

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Food

WANT

TO KNOW WHAT GRADE YOUR BRAND WOULD GET?

amp GmbH (HQ)
Sandstr. 33
80335 Munich
Germany

Sea Containers

18 Upper Ground

London

SE1 9PD
United Kingdom

amp Sound Branding Inc.
3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York

NY 10007

Copyright © 2026 amp GmbH, All rights reserved.

MUNICH | BERLIN | NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | LONDON | SINGAPORE | MILAN | DUBAI

Black Man
Woman

In the past, the best audio brands report has included a running list of the top sonic branding strategies in the market today. This year, to change this up and make a stronger comment about the overall state of sonic branding, we decided to grade each brand strategy with a letter from A to D, according to their sonic strategy in comparison to their competitors over the last 12 months. 

To achieve a more rigorous and comparative analysis, the 2026 best audio brands report implemented a multi-faceted grading methodology focusing on four core criteria. 

METHODOLOGY

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

MISC.

We also considered activations, Sonic ID in other content, artist collabs, sponsorships, POS sound, and audible touchpoints.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

STAGNATION OR WEAKNESS (-)

Brands that rely on recycled stock tracks, show inconsistent sonic branding, or have been quiet in recent campaigns get a "minus". A "minus" doesn't mean they're failing, it signals they're slipping compared to peers who are innovating.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

RECENT EFFORTS (+)

Brands that have launched strong new campaigns in the past 6-12 months, showing innovation in music use, deserve a "plus". Examples: adopting a sonic logo, commissioning original compositions, or running cross-platform campaigns (TV + TikTok + YouTube) with consistent audio identity.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

METRICS

Use of proprietary sound elements (e.g., unique instruments, vocal signature), absence of generic or trend-following sounds, and market recall scores from amp research studies.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

SONIC IDENTITY

This criterion assesses how unique a brand's sonic identity is within its competitive landscape, and how easily consumers can attribute the sound to the brand without visual cues.

Letter Grade System

GRADE A

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

More

GRADE

A+

A+

A+

A

A

SECTOR

Financial Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Electronics

SUBSECTOR

Payment & Fintech

Energy

Insurance

Components & Technology

Computers & Mobile

GRADE B

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

GRADE

B+

B+

B+

B+

B+

B

B

B

B

B

SECTOR

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Business Services

Business Services

Industrial

Healthcare

SUBSECTOR

Energy

Banking

Premium & Luxury

Energy

Insurance

Premium & Luxury

Consulting

Consulting

Energy

Pharmaceutical

GRADE C

BRANDS

More

GRADE

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

SECTOR

Financial Services

Travel & Transportation

Financial Services

Food Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Industrial

CPG

CPG

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Insurance

Aviation

Banking

Fast Food

Energy

Insurance

Manufacturing

Alcohol

Food

Food

GRADE D

BRANDS

More

GRADE

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

SECTOR

Electronics

Retail

CPG

Technology

Electronics

Technology

Financial Services

Financial Services

Technology

Technology

Technology

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Consumer Electronics

E-Commerce

Beverages

Software

Consumer Electronics

Software

Insurance

Insurance

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Food

WANT

TO KNOW WHAT GRADE YOUR BRAND WOULD GET?

amp GmbH (HQ)
Sandstr. 33
80335 Munich
Germany

Sea Containers

18 Upper Ground

London

SE1 9PD
United Kingdom

amp Sound Branding Inc.
3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York

NY 10007

Copyright © 2026 amp GmbH, All rights reserved.

MUNICH | BERLIN | NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | LONDON | SINGAPORE | MILAN | DUBAI

Black Man
Woman

In the past, the best audio brands report has included a running list of the top sonic branding strategies in the market today. This year, to change this up and make a stronger comment about the overall state of sonic branding, we decided to grade each brand strategy with a letter from A to D, according to their sonic strategy in comparison to their competitors over the last 12 months. 

To achieve a more rigorous and comparative analysis, the 2026 best audio brands report implemented a multi-faceted grading methodology focusing on four core criteria. 

METHODOLOGY

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

MISC.

We also considered activations, Sonic ID in other content, artist collabs, sponsorships, POS sound, and audible touchpoints.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

STAGNATION OR WEAKNESS (-)

Brands that rely on recycled stock tracks, show inconsistent sonic branding, or have been quiet in recent campaigns get a "minus". A "minus" doesn't mean they're failing, it signals they're slipping compared to peers who are innovating.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

RECENT EFFORTS (+)

Brands that have launched strong new campaigns in the past 6-12 months, showing innovation in music use, deserve a "plus". Examples: adopting a sonic logo, commissioning original compositions, or running cross-platform campaigns (TV + TikTok + YouTube) with consistent audio identity.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

METRICS

Use of proprietary sound elements (e.g., unique instruments, vocal signature), absence of generic or trend-following sounds, and market recall scores from amp research studies.

Abstract glitch art with pink and black elements

SONIC IDENTITY

This criterion assesses how unique a brand's sonic identity is within its competitive landscape, and how easily consumers can attribute the sound to the brand without visual cues.

Letter Grade System

GRADE A

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

More

GRADE

A+

A+

A+

A

A

SECTOR

Financial Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Electronics

SUBSECTOR

Payment & Fintech

Energy

Insurance

Components & Technology

Computers & Mobile

GRADE B

BRANDS

More

More

More

More

GRADE

B+

B+

B+

B+

B+

B

B

B

B

B

SECTOR

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Industrial

Financial Services

Automotive

Business Services

Business Services

Industrial

Healthcare

SUBSECTOR

Energy

Banking

Premium & Luxury

Energy

Insurance

Premium & Luxury

Consulting

Consulting

Energy

Pharmaceutical

GRADE C

BRANDS

More

GRADE

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

C+

SECTOR

Financial Services

Travel & Transportation

Financial Services

Food Services

Industrial

Financial Services

Industrial

CPG

CPG

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Insurance

Aviation

Banking

Fast Food

Energy

Insurance

Manufacturing

Alcohol

Food

Food

GRADE D

BRANDS

More

GRADE

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

SECTOR

Electronics

Retail

CPG

Technology

Electronics

Technology

Financial Services

Financial Services

Technology

Technology

Technology

CPG

SUBSECTOR

Consumer Electronics

E-Commerce

Beverages

Software

Consumer Electronics

Software

Insurance

Insurance

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Telecommunication

Food