Music lovers are notoriously tough to purchase for. The issue is that there are various several types of music lovers — from quality-audio followers lusting over purist playback by means of audiophile headphones or audio system, to vinyl collectors, to listeners simply trying to stream tunes from a cellular system as conveniently as doable, it may be tough to know precisely what reward will hit the suitable word with people.
Relaxation assured, then, that we’re all music followers on the Tom’s Information workforce, and we’re right here that can assist you make the very best shopping for selections we are able to. So in the event you’re combating reward concepts for the music fan in your life, you’ve come to the suitable place.
In choosing reward concepts for our record beneath, we’ve scoured the market, our opinions and our personal private experiences to attract up a shortlist of the very best audio merchandise for all types of budgets. High quality audio doesn’t typically come low cost, however we’re certain our picks beneath will encourage and aid you make the proper reward selections this vacation season.
Lee Dunkley
As a former editor of the U.Ok.’s Hello-Fi Selection journal, Lee is captivated with all types of audio tech and has been offering sound recommendation to allow customers to make knowledgeable shopping for selections since he joined Which? journal as a product tester within the Nineteen Nineties. Lee covers all issues audio for Tom’s Information, together with headphones, wi-fi audio system and soundbars and loves to attach and share the mindfulness advantages that listening to music in the easiest high quality can carry.
Music streaming
Apple Music subscription
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Whether or not you’re shopping for for a music fan who listens at residence, or somebody who enjoys private listening on-the-go by way of the greatest wi-fi headphones, a subscription to one of many greatest music streaming providers is kind of actually giving them the reward of music. With entry to a library of actually 100 million songs at CD-quality or higher for the very best high quality music streams, Apple Music is the very best worth streaming service proper now.
The Apple Music app is clear and intuitive to make use of by way of iOS cellular and macOS, and the music streaming service is being built-in into extra third-party elements together with Sonos, Xbox (Collection X, S and One), PS5, and Roku, in addition to Android cellular customers. The one slight draw back is that hi-res output will not be supported on Home windows desktops.
The one approach to reward a subscription to Apple Music is to buy an Apple Present Card (opens in new tab). Present card givers can choose any worth from $10 as much as $2,000, and playing cards may be personalised with your personal reward message and both emailed or delivered by publish. In fact, the worth of the reward card may be redeemed on all Apple merchandise from any of its shops. An Apple Music particular person subscription prices $10.99 / month.
Earbuds
Apple AirPods Professional 2
One other nice reward for music lovers favoring Apple’s ecosystem are the AirPods Professional 2, that are designed for iPhone homeowners on the lookout for a extra tailor-made listening expertise. Launched in September on the identical worth as the unique ($249), they’ll already be discovered discounted to $239 by way of some on-line retailers. They’re the top of Apple expertise and take efficiency to the following degree.
Externally, the AirPods Professional 2 look fairly much like the primary technology however battery life has been elevated to supply 6 hours on a single cost from the earbuds and an extra 30 hours from the wi-fi charging case. Not solely are the earbuds IPX4-rated, however now too is the case itself.
With options like personalised spatial audio sound to take heed to a few of the greatest Dolby Atmos sound in any pair of earbuds, and noise cancellation twice as efficient as the unique AirPods Professional, these are among the many greatest we’ve but to check, interval.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Because the greatest noise-canceling earbuds in the marketplace, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are those to purchase for the music lovers who need the very best noise cancelation for listening to music with out interruption. These are a outstanding follow-up that delivers higher sound, nice name high quality and unequalled ANC. Proprietary applied sciences like ActiveSense and CustomTune steadiness sound and noise neutralization extraordinarily nicely.
Bose’s redesign additionally makes these buds much less of an eyesore in comparison with the unique, and solely the excessive worth and mediocre battery life rely in opposition to them. CustomTune robotically calibrates ANC and the sound frequency profile to the distinctive properties of your ear and optimum efficiency that is best for you. The MSRP could also be pitched excessive at $299, however they’ll already be discovered discounted for much less by way of on-line retailers.
Sony WF-C500
These Sony WF-C500 earbuds could not wow you with their seems, however arguably the are the very best wi-fi earbuds below $100 (and so they can usually be discovered discounted for significantly much less). There is no noise canceling, however music sounds punchy with highly effective lows, crisp highs, and natural-sounding mids. Do you have to wish to tweak the sound, there’s the Equalizer characteristic within the Sony Headphones Join app to manually regulate frequencies or choose from 9 presets that prioritize totally different sonic parts, relying on the music style or content material.
The WF-C500 aren’t good, although, with barely impractical controls, and simply 20 hours battery capability from the charging case. Nevertheless, these are trivial complaints when factoring within the degree of sound Sony has managed to engineer into these tiny buds, that means these bargain-priced earbuds actually should not be missed.
Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
The purpose for almost all of music followers proper now could be to dam out the hubbub of their environment and luxuriate listening to their favourite music with out interruptions. As one in every of our favourite headphones of the 12 months, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are an amazing worth energetic noise canceling headphone possibility.
The most recent flagship headphones enhance upon the already nice WH-1000XM4 with higher energetic noise cancellation, name high quality, sound, consolation and connectivity. They’ve helpful contact controls on the earcups, and playback time runs to 30 hours with ANC on (40 with it off), which is healthier than most.
High quality audio followers can delight in one of many best-sounding noise-canceling headphone experiences out there with LDAC assist for the highest-quality Bluetooth streams from suitable playback gadgets. The superb Sony Headphones Management app works with each iOS and Android gadgets and gives helpful customization, and the entire Sony XM5 package deal is among the most eco-friendly headphone designs we’ve come throughout.
Apple AirPods Max
Should you’re on the lookout for among the best presents to present Apple iOS customers, the AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones are the corporate’s solely over-ear possibility. As Apple’s premium headphone design, the record worth of $549 could really feel a bit extravagant for a pair of headphones, however they’ll usually be discovered discounted for significantly much less.
Apple has additionally loaded the AirPods Max with some fairly superior options, like Adaptive EQ and spatial audio. There’s just one degree of energetic noise cancellation out there, but it surely works like a attraction and does an amazing job of blocking out ambient sounds, particularly on the decrease finish of the frequency spectrum. They sound glorious, and the design requirements and construct high quality are so excessive you may guess that any music lover receiving the AirPods Max as a present will likely be very impressed certainly.
The one draw back is that they arrive with a sensible case, which solely affords primary safety. Various and extra strong carry case choices may be present in our greatest AirPods Max instances roundup.
Bluetooth audio system
Anker Soundcore 3 moveable speaker
An important stocking filler, the Anker Soundcore 3 is an incredible little Bluetooth speaker. It prices simply over $50 in black, and can be out there in blue, crimson and silver colours for $56. It’s one of many standout moveable audio system of the 12 months, and made the record as one of many greatest low cost Bluetooth audio system round.
This tiny powerhouse delivers loud, well-balanced sound inside an IPX7-rated design that may survive water and dirt, whereas the strong rubberized outer case takes care of safety from on a regular basis knocks. The speaker lasts as much as a whopping 24 hours, and delivers highly effective sound in any setting. It’s the proper moveable speaker for tossing right into a bag on a street journey, and SharePlay permits a number of Soundcore audio system to be synced for a good greater sound.
Sonos Roam good speaker
As its most inexpensive speaker, the Sonos Roam is the proper introduction to the corporate’s multiroom ecosystem. It is available in 5 colour choices and is among the most versatile moveable audio system round. It’s a linked good speaker at residence, and a strong Bluetooth beast on the street. Battery lasts round 10 hours, and it juices up rapidly by way of USB-C or wi-fi charging, its auto Trueplay characteristic adjusts the sound to fit your environment wherever you’re listening, even outside.
Whenever you return again out of your newest tour, say, the Sonos Roam ought to rejoin your bigger Sonos system by itself. It additionally provides you the choice handy off your present soundtrack to the closest Sonos speaker. Or you can persist with Roam, bringing your voice assistant and streaming providers room-to-room, or so far as your Wi-Fi can attain.
Turntables and vinyl
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB document participant
As among the best inexpensive all-round turntables, this Audio-Technica deck packs an terrible lot in. It seems much like Technics’ iconic SL-1200 turntable with a direct-drive motor for secure playback, stroboscope and pitch management, making it an amazing begin for any budding DJ in addition to vinylistas. A Swiss Military knife of a document participant, it has an built-in switchable phono stage (making it straightforward to fit into techniques of any variety), aptX Bluetooth wi-fi streaming (for uber-convenience) and USB output (for making digital copies of vinyl to a pc).
Though we’ve not reviewed this explicit mannequin on Tom’s Information, we’ve seen it in motion and love the sound it makes. It extracts loads of element, has an easy-going manner with rhythms and places some good emphasis on the midrange (vocalists particularly). It’s the very best turntable decide in order for you just a little little bit of every thing.
Spin-Clear Document Washer MkII
Should you’re on the lookout for an amazing reward for somebody who loves to purchase music on vinyl however hates the pops and crackles that may typically be heard when it’s enjoying, then the Spin-Clear Document Cleaner is a superb selection to wash up their LPs. This guide document cleaner will spruce up any document assortment and take away extraneous sounds attributable to a mixture of floor noise from dust trapped within the document’s groove and static to ship crackle-free outcomes.
The Spin-Clear cleans each side of the document similtaneously you rotate information by means of a pair of brushes in a reservoir of distilled water (not equipped) combined with document care answer. As even new information can endure from disagreeable clicks and crackles as they play, you can embody an LP or two to make the music fan in your life really feel much more particular.
Transportable DAC and Headphone amps
Chord Electronics Mojo 2 headphone amp/DAC
Should you’re purchasing for a music lover that likes to hear on wired headphones, Chord’s Mojo 2 battery-powered headphone amp/DAC is the proper reward. Aimed toward anybody who cares about getting the very best sound doable audio high quality from their playback system and headphones whereas on the transfer, Chord’s Mojo 2 is even higher than the unique and makes essentially the most of hi-res audio streams in addition to bettering the sound of compressed music streams, too.
Though we haven’t but given the DAC a full Tom’s Information assessment, we’ve spent a while with it on our travels to and from the workplace, and is one greatest iPhone audio upgrades we’ve tried. It delivers a three-dimensional soundstage and way more realism than something we’ve heard utilizing the identical pair of headphones linked wirelessly, the Mojo 2 merely lets no matter music you are listening to sing.
Soundbars and subwoofers
Devialet Dione soundbar
Should you’re eager to splash out on the final word soundbar in your TV viewing this vacation season, then it doesn’t get rather more high-end than the Devialet Dione. Correctly costly and strikingly trendy, it’s a full-on 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos affair, designed to ship a surround-sound expertise from a single unit.
We cherished the way in which it dealt with full-on, action-packed Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and gave a dynamic, expansive and nuanced hear. For a soundbar that goes with out the low-frequency reinforcement of a partnering subwoofer, the quantity of bass it’s in a position to produce actually is kind of outstanding, and width and peak soundstage parts are deeply efficient. In case you have deep pockets and want to reward massive this vacation season, the Devialet Dione is prime of the record in our greatest soundbars, and essentially the most elegant Dolby Atmos soundbar answer in the marketplace proper now.
Sonos Sub Mini subwoofer
Including a subwoofer to a house audio setup is among the most rewarding audio upgrades we are able to consider, and the Sub Mini is the proper Sonos add-on. It has a smaller design kind to enrich and combine with Sonos One, Ray soundbar, or Beam soundbar audio system, and is a superb selection in the event you’re trying to make an enormous impression.
As a part of Sonos’ reliably secure ecosystem, the Sonos Solar Mini is remarkably easy to combine with different Sonos networked audio system, and achieves a satisfying increase to music listening with a full vary of frequencies that everybody will likely be in a position respect. Film followers will love the bass depth and increase it brings to TV sound, too.
Music system
Q Acoustics M20 wi-fi music system
The Q Acoustics M20 is a wi-fi music system in a pair of powered bookshelf audio system with nice sound. Accessible in black, white, or wooden wrap finishes, the M20 is actually one powered speaker partnered with a passive speaker that may be positioned both aspect of the TV, a desktop pc, on speaker stands, or on a desk prime. It helps Bluetooth with aptX HD for wi-fi streaming (there’s no Wi-Fi), and there’s a digital optical enter and USB port for wired digital connections. It does have a pair of analog RCA inputs for including a music streamer or CD participant, too.
We have not reviewed this energetic speaker system at Tom’s Information, however we have had loads of expertise with it at residence. The system has room-filling capabilities that belie the scale of the compact stereo audio system. You don’t get format dealing with for the likes of Dolby Atmos soundtracks, however you do get nice stereo TV sound and music playback efficiency that can fulfill audio followers who wish to fill the room with their favourite tunes.
