Gifts for Music Lovers

Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs

Most avid music listeners appreciate the convenience of streaming music from their smartphones. That said, the lack of a headphone jack on many current devices leaves something to be desired. That’s why the audio absolutist in your life will smile from ear to ear when you present them with the iFi GO link. Not only does this nifty headphone amp allow them to use their favorite set of headphones with any USB-C-equipped playback device, but — thanks to its advanced onboard DAC — it also delivers cleaner, richer sound than most built-in headphone outputs. With the iFi GO link, your favorite music maven will experience seamless audio enjoyment across a wide range of listening scenarios whether they’re on the road, at their desk, or on the couch.

Any avid music enthusiast who is searching for a high-performance Bluetooth speaker that tackles entertainment and communication with equal assurance will think you’re a genius if you give them the Audio-Technica AT-SP65XBT. Featuring intuitive touch controls and a built-in microphone, it’s perfect for music, calls, and more. Dual 3-inch drivers deliver clear, high-quality audio while a passive radiator enhances the low end with rich, room-filling bass. Moreover, with up to 12 hours of continuous playback on a full charge, your favorite tune junky can enjoy music, podcasts, movies, and more all day long after just a quick 3-hour recharge. And if Bluetooth isn’t available, no worries — the integrated audio input ensures compatibility with nearly any playback device.

Does your favorite music buff find joy diving deep into the vinyl bin at your local record store? If so, then they’ll get serious mileage out of the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. This stellar turntable delivers serious value, boasting a high-quality DC servo direct-drive motor with three speeds: 33, 45, and 78 rpm. It also includes a selectable pitch lock and adjustable pitch to ensure precise playback control. On top of that, built-in USB connectivity makes digitizing a vinyl collection a piece of cake. Last (but certainly not least), the AT-LP120XUSB features a built-in switchable phono preamp, enabling direct connection to any listening setup!

You’ll find very few die-hard music geeks that don’t appreciate mammoth sound with subterranean bass. And being able to take it everywhere you go is certainly a big plus. That’s what makes the JBL Boombox 4 such a perfect gift. This hefty yet eminently portable Bluetooth speaker delivers a bold, high-fidelity sound with extremely low distortion — even when you crank up the volume (which is impressive in and of itself). Furthermore, the JBL Portable app provides seamless access to device pairing and EQ customization, letting discerning listeners fine-tune their sound with ease. Plus, with up to 34 hours of continuous playback from a long-lasting battery, even extra-long playlists won’t miss a beat. To top it off, the Boombox 4 is built tough enough to take anywhere.

If you’re looking for the ideal gift for someone who captures the karaoke crown every time they hit the stage on open-mic night, then few will suit them better than the Ikarao Break X1. A veritable karaoke party in a box, the Break X1 delivers an immersive multimedia experience with 800 red-hot watts of output, vibrant reactive LED lights, robust wireless connectivity, crystal-clear hi-fi audio, and a pair of professional-grade Bluetooth microphones. A vivid full-color HD touchscreen provides even more portable party power, making it a breeze to browse audio from both wired and wireless sources while displaying real-time lyrics. Beyond that, the Break X1 supports wireless multi-speaker setups with a robust range of up to 164 feet, more than enough to impress even the most demanding of aspiring jukebox heroes.

Sure, you can listen to your music on a smartphone, but — according to many audio die-hards — doing so is for heathens. That’s why gifting them the Sony NW-ZX707 is a surefire way to put you at the top of their favorite persons list. Engineered by the same folks who started the Walkman revolution in the 1980s, this cutting-edge portable digital media player delivers glorious, high-fidelity playback on the go. The NW-ZX707 leverages the Google Play app store, ready to rev up any music lover’s at-home and on-the-go listening via Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, SoundCloud, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, YouTube Music, and Tidal — all accessible using a vibrant touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Meanwhile, extensive format support maximizes the sound quality of any music library. Finally, generous onboard storage and versatile connectivity options make the NW-ZX707 a preferred portable listening option for serious audio enthusiasts.

Despite what some hi-fi adherents claim, you can listen to high-performance audio using a smartphone. That said, doing so requires a serious sonic upgrade and an equally serious set of cans. That’s where Sweetwater’s iFi GO blu/Sennheiser HD 600 bundle comes in. Pairing the portable power of the iFi GO blu DAC/headphone amp with the legendary clarity of the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones, this premium combo delivers uncompromising sound from a portable, pocket-size package. Equipped with a premium DAC, rock-solid Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 10 hours of battery life, the iFi GO blu delivers low-latency, high-resolution wireless playback with zero loss of detail. Moreover, iFi’s XBass analog correction system restores the low-end presence often lost in portable setups. Paired with the Sennheiser HD 600 open-back headphones, this bundle becomes a reference-grade listening system. Renowned among audio aficionados, the HD 600 features open metal-mesh earcups for natural, transparent sound; computer-optimized magnet systems to minimize distortion; and ultra-light aluminum voice coils for fast, accurate transient response. Together, the GO blu and HD 600 offer top-grade listening for anyone who demands pristine audio — anytime, anywhere.

If the audio enthusiast on your list is the type of person who won’t commit to a conversation until they’ve confirmed the frequency response of your voice, then you need to wow them with a truly next-level gift. Luckily, we have exactly that in the Focal Bathys MG. These wireless headphones deliver sublimely immersive, high-fidelity audio wrapped in an elegant, closed-back, Bluetooth-enabled design. When your favorite hi-fi hipster puts these cans on, they’ll be enveloped in a rich, uninterrupted sonic landscape with advanced active noise cancellation that delivers true acoustic isolation. Moreover, they’re engineered for all-day comfort, melding their audiophile-grade sound with an ergonomic, travel-ready build. The Bathys MG also features fast USB-C charging, providing up to 30 hours of playback with noise canceling enabled, and includes Focal’s Clear Voice Capture microphone for seamless voice assistant use. And, of course, if they prefer a wired connection, then the Bathys MG will do that, too.

Does the waveform whisperer on your list still cherish their CD collection? The Marantz CD 50n is the perfect gift for the uncompromising compact-disc connoisseur in your life. Equipped with a cutting-edge digital-to-analog converter and expertly tuned digital filters, the CD 50n brings out every nuance in high-resolution recordings, no matter the source. Whether streaming audio over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or spinning CDs, it delivers an exceptional listening experience. Furthermore, the CD 50n also serves as a high-performance digital preamp, offering seamless integration with myriad digital sources. And true to Marantz tradition, it’s built with premium components, from its solid, elegantly designed chassis to its powerful custom toroidal transformer, ensuring stable power delivery and consistent sonic excellence. The only problem with gifting the Marantz CD 50n is that you probably won’t see your favorite CD devotee for a while — they’ll be too busy enjoying their favorite tunes the way they were meant to be heard!