Four Gifts for Audio Lovers
By Mike Agerbo
December 08, 2015
Product Discovery
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We all have one of these people on our holiday shopping list: the audio connoisseur who knows everything there is to know about music and enjoying music. Even if you don’t know much about music and audio, you can find a gift that any audio lover would be thrilled to receive. Here are a few ideas to get you started on the right track:
Those of us who don’t thrive on listening to music often think that choosing between headphones and earbuds is a matter of personal choice. However, both serve an important purpose: headphones offer a comfortable way to enjoy superior sound quality while earbuds offer portability and convenience.
Headphones are a great gift for audio lovers who want to enjoy high quality sound while working, playing video games, or relaxing. They offer superior sound quality, especially when it comes to bass tones. They also offer comfort and better ambient noise blocking, thanks to their cushioned ear cups. However, headphones aren’t the perfect choice for every situation. They can be bulky to carry around and can get pretty hot and sweaty.
If you’re shopping for an audio lover who is always on the move or likes to enjoy their music during a workout, you might be better off going with a pair of high quality earbuds. Earbuds are compact and easy to throw in a purse, school bag, or even pocket. The absence of cushioned earcups and headband make earbuds a better choice for workout. While earbuds are a great choice from a portability standpoint, they don’t offer the same sound quality and ambient noise filtering that headphones do.
Because earbuds and headphones serve different purposes, true audio lovers typically prefer to have a set of each so find out what the person you’re shopping for already has and go from there. If you decide to go with a pair of headphones, I recommend the Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling or the Beats by Dre Studio headphones. When it comes to earbuds, I recommend the Beats by Dr. Dre urBeats In-Ear or Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear earphones.
Bluetooth speakers offer a portable and flexible audio solution because they’re often compact and work with a range of devices, from phones to laptops. These speakers make a great gift for someone who likes to move their music from room to room, take it outdoors, or stream it wirelessly from their phone, laptop, or tablet. Again, the portability of these devices often means that they can’t achieve the same volume and bass tones as larger speakers but there are a couple of gems in this category that are worth looking into: the Sony SRSX5B Portable and the Bose SoundLink Mini II.
Home speaker systems offer superior sound quality and control for those who don’t need the portability of Bluetooth speakers. They can be installed in one room or every room of the house. They also offer the flexibility to add on speakers over time. If you’re shopping for someone who is interested in installing a new home speaker system, you can get them started on the right foot with something like the Bose SoundTouch 20 Series III Wireless Music System.
Though record players are an older technology that has long been replaced, they’re making a big comeback. Many audio lovers prefer the sound of records and enjoy their retro look. It’s also a lot of fun to collect records, especially when you get into hunting for the rarer vintage ones. If you’re shopping for an audio lover who is interested in starting a record collection, a turntable is the perfect gift. These devices come with a variety of options, including multiple speeds and USB capabilities that give them the ability to play MP3s as well as records.
Headphones or Earbuds
Those of us who don’t thrive on listening to music often think that choosing between headphones and earbuds is a matter of personal choice. However, both serve an important purpose: headphones offer a comfortable way to enjoy superior sound quality while earbuds offer portability and convenience.
Headphones are a great gift for audio lovers who want to enjoy high quality sound while working, playing video games, or relaxing. They offer superior sound quality, especially when it comes to bass tones. They also offer comfort and better ambient noise blocking, thanks to their cushioned ear cups. However, headphones aren’t the perfect choice for every situation. They can be bulky to carry around and can get pretty hot and sweaty.
If you’re shopping for an audio lover who is always on the move or likes to enjoy their music during a workout, you might be better off going with a pair of high quality earbuds. Earbuds are compact and easy to throw in a purse, school bag, or even pocket. The absence of cushioned earcups and headband make earbuds a better choice for workout. While earbuds are a great choice from a portability standpoint, they don’t offer the same sound quality and ambient noise filtering that headphones do.
Because earbuds and headphones serve different purposes, true audio lovers typically prefer to have a set of each so find out what the person you’re shopping for already has and go from there. If you decide to go with a pair of headphones, I recommend the Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling or the Beats by Dre Studio headphones. When it comes to earbuds, I recommend the Beats by Dr. Dre urBeats In-Ear or Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear earphones.
Bluetooth Speakers
Bluetooth speakers offer a portable and flexible audio solution because they’re often compact and work with a range of devices, from phones to laptops. These speakers make a great gift for someone who likes to move their music from room to room, take it outdoors, or stream it wirelessly from their phone, laptop, or tablet. Again, the portability of these devices often means that they can’t achieve the same volume and bass tones as larger speakers but there are a couple of gems in this category that are worth looking into: the Sony SRSX5B Portable and the Bose SoundLink Mini II.
Home Speaker Systems
Home speaker systems offer superior sound quality and control for those who don’t need the portability of Bluetooth speakers. They can be installed in one room or every room of the house. They also offer the flexibility to add on speakers over time. If you’re shopping for someone who is interested in installing a new home speaker system, you can get them started on the right foot with something like the Bose SoundTouch 20 Series III Wireless Music System.
Turntables
Though record players are an older technology that has long been replaced, they’re making a big comeback. Many audio lovers prefer the sound of records and enjoy their retro look. It’s also a lot of fun to collect records, especially when you get into hunting for the rarer vintage ones. If you’re shopping for an audio lover who is interested in starting a record collection, a turntable is the perfect gift. These devices come with a variety of options, including multiple speeds and USB capabilities that give them the ability to play MP3s as well as records.