Gallery: 16 Gifts Every Audio Freak Will Love
01music-freak-02
If you've ever tried recommending a new band to a music nerd, then you know the feeling of true shame. There's no way you can match their exquisite taste in tunes. Even worse is when you try to buy them audio gear like a set of headphones or a record player — all the terminology, all the jargon, the amplitude, the ohms, the wow and flutter. Truthfully, we're actually pretty easy to please. We love listening to music. Give us something that lets us to do that in a new way, and we'll spend hours re-devouring all of our favorite songs. Then you can go back to watching football or whatever normal people do for fun. Here's a selection of gifts for the music geek in your life that are guaranteed to pass the audio-snob smell test.
Barry Goyette02audioengine
Audioengine A2+ Speakers ------------------------ These new [A2+ speakers from Audioengine](http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Powered-Speaker-Systems/A2-plus-B-Powered-Desktop-Speakers) work great on a desktop or in a home office. They're powered (one of them plugs directly into the wall) so they don't require an external amplifier. All you need is a tiny amount of desk space — each speaker's footprint is smaller than a CD jewel case — and a computer with an open USB port. Yes, they hook up via USB. That's because they have a digital-to-analog converter inside them — a microchip that converts the 1s and 0s coming out of the computer into sweet audio signals as cleanly and accurately as possible. So these speakers will sound *way* better than Bluetooth speakers or the kind that just plug into the headphone jack. There are many different speakers you can buy with a DAC inside them, but these Audioengine A2+ speakers are really some of the best. They sound absolutely fantastic, especially for a pair this small. At $250, the price is quite reasonable. And the minimal, austere design is beautiful. They come in black or white. *Image: Audioengine*
03Replacement Ear Pad Foam Cushions
Replacement Ear Pad Foam Cushions --------------------------------- Many headphones are built to last decades. Those ear pads are another story — especially the cheap foam variety. Giving your beloved audio freak some replacement ear pads can help them rediscover a pair of long-forgotten headphones and bring them back into rotation. Best of all, you can deliver all that pleasure for around $20. You'll have to do some snooping in their headphone stash to see which pairs of pads need replacing, but here's a tip. The headphones made by [Grado](http://www.gradolabs.com/) are extremely popular in audiophile circles. Chances are the audiophile in your life owns at least one pair. They're also notorious for having some of the cheapest, most dreadful foam ear pads in the industry. So upgrade those cheapo foam discs with a set of replacement pads from Sennheiser. They're durable and comfortable, they come in a few different varieties, and they fit Grados (along with several other brands) perfectly. Black is always safe, though we prefer the retro-styled bright yellow ones. The photo above shows the [Sennheiser HD414 pads](http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Cushions-Sennheiser-SRI-Series-headphones/dp/B002B4OEZ0) ($13) on a set of Grado SR-60s and RS1s. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
04nocs-orange
Nocs NS2 Speakers ----------------- Go into an Apple store, and you'll see dozens of fancy AirPlay speakers or phone docks you can buy that are shaped like spaceships and crafted from exotic materials. Those are cool to look at, but few of them sound better than these more traditional speakers from the Swedish company Nocs. The [Nocs NS2 speakers](http://nocs.se/products/ns2-air-monitors) use Apple's AirPlay technology to wirelessly stream music to anywhere in the home. You plug them into the wall to give them power, but all the music is delivered wirelessly. AirPlay speakers aren't known for being cheap, and at $450, these are no exception. But you get a lot for your money here: 80 watts of supremely crisp and rich sound, all without wires. They'd make a great gift for somebody who already has an AirPlay setup in their home (different AirPlay speakers can work together) or somebody with a bunch of other Apple gear — iPads, iPhones, Macs, or an Apple TV. They also look better on a bookshelf than one of those spaceship-shaped speakers. But hey, if you want something that stands out a little, the Nocs come in bright colors like yellow and orange in addition to the more conservative black, white and gray. *Image: Nocs*
05woo-headphone-stand
Woo Audio Aluminum Headphone Stand ---------------------------------- We spend a fortune on our headphones. And though we gain much pleasure from listening to them, we also love to show them off. A [headphone stand from Woo Audio](http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wahps2.html) does exactly that, and with style. Of course, hanging them all tidy-like reduces wear on the cables, headband, and ear pads. The best gift is the $80 dual stand that lets us keep two pairs of headphones within reach at all times. This is key, because *everyone* knows you want open-backs for Andrés Segovia and closed-backs for Jimmy Page. *Image: Woo Audio*
Photographer:Marco Wu06nuforce
NuForce NE-650M Earphones ------------------------- The $45 [NE-650M in-ear headphones](https://www.nuforce.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=650&Itemid=2554) from NuForce are a great budget pick. Any audio lover can appreciate an excellent pair of earphones they don't have to fuss over. These can just be coiled up and shoved in a pocket instead of packed away neatly in a case (yes, we do that). Take them jogging, get them sweaty, they'll be fine. And just like all the other NuForce stuff we've tested over the years, these buds sound truly excellent. They outperform just about every other pair of in-ears in the $30 to $50 range. *Image: NuForce, Inc.*
07audiotechnica
Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 Headphones ----------------------------------- If you'd really like to get your loved one a nice pair of headphones for the office, or to use in any sort of DJing or music production, this is the pair to get. [Audio-Technica's ATH-M50](http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/headphones/0edf909675b1be4d/index.html) are basically the Cadillac of headphones. They're large, but they're comfortable enough to wear all day, and they sound they produce is widely considered to be the benchmark of headphone performance. These are "studio monitor" headphones, which means they are designed to reproduce music as accurately as possible, and exactly as the people who recorded it intended. Go into any serious recording or mastering studio, and you'll see a pair of ATH-M50s in use or at the ready. They don't have the brash personality of Beats by Dre or other big, over-the-ear headphones that have been souped up to deliver bone-crunching bass. Rather, they're discreet, pleasant and civilized. They're the long-time favorite headphone of many a music lover for the very simple reason that they sound amazing. They are bulky, so they aren't great for commuters or for air travel. But for somebody who works a desk job, or one who enjoys seated listening sessions, they're perfection. Pick up a pair for around $130 online. *Image: Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.*
08vmoda
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Headphones --------------------------------- Looking for something more portable, or at least a little more stylish? Try these: V-Moda's over-the-ear [Crossfade M-100](http://v-moda.com/crossfade-m-100/) headphones. They've been winning raves from all the headphone-geek websites, and with good reason. We've been taking turns testing them here at WIRED, and we're all very impressed. They cost about $300, and they're remarkably well-constructed, with lots of metal and leather, cloth-wrapped cables that detach, and a foldable design that slips into a small molded case. They're great for commuting, walking around, or taking on plane trips. Oh, and the sound? Truly awesome. Powerful and crystal clear. V-Moda is run by Val Kolton, a famous techno DJ, so the company's headphones all have that cyberpunk-raver vibe going on. But it's not just techno that sounds good in the Crossfade M-100s. Everything sounds good. And they're LOUD! *Image: V-MODA*
09on1
Thinksound On1 Headphones ------------------------- Here's another pair of high-quality portable headphones that are a perfect fit for any treehugging music-lovers in your life: [Thinksound's On1 monitor series](http://store.thinksound.com/product/on1-monitor-series-natural-suggested-retail-299-99). The earpieces are made from solid wood, and like all of Thinksound's products, the headphones are made in ecologically responsible facilities and from sustainable materials. That's all warm and fuzzy, but it doesn't change the fact that these headphones also sound really great. Like the Audio-Technicas, these are considered "studio monitor" headphones, so they sound accurate and crisp, but with very well-represented bass. What's most surprising is how compact and light they are. The cloth-wrapped cable detaches from the right ear cup, and the headphones fold up and slide into a nice cotton bag, so they make good travel companions. And even though they rest on your ears instead of going all the way around them (like the V-Modas or the ATH-M50s), they still manage to block out most external annoyances. The website lists them for $300, but you can find them for a little less if you shop around. *Image: Thinksound*
10UE Boom Bluetooth Speaker
UE Boom Bluetooth Speaker ------------------------- True music nuts have tunes playing all the time — in the shower, in the kitchen, drinking beer on the roof, hanging in the park, chilling in the hotel room. For these people, a portable, battery-powered Bluetooth speaker is a must. Our favorite take-it-anywhere speaker is the [UE Boom](http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/boom). Pair it with a smartphone or laptop, and you can stream any audio to it from up to 30 feet away. It sounds phenomenal, it gets loud enough to rock a party, and at roughly the size of a tallboy beer can, it's super-portable. Also, the battery routinely lasts 14 or 15 hours, which is a long time for one of these Bluetooth speakers. It's made by Logitech Ultimate Ears, a company with a very long history of producing rock-solid wireless accessories, so there's no doubt the UE Boom is $200 well-spent. Buy one for your audio freak. Or just for yourself. An essential piece of mobile audio gear. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
11PLAY1
Sonos Play:1 Speaker -------------------- If your friend has already decked out his or her house with wireless speakers, there's a good chance they've chosen a Sonos system. It's a favorite among people who like wireless options and who have a larger house or apartment. If there's already a Sonos system in place, pick up one of these: the company's new [Play:1 speaker](http://www.sonos.com/introducing/play1). It's small — about the size of a quart container of yogurt — and it will seamlessly integrate into any existing Sonos system. The size makes it perfect for adding to a smaller room, or a previously un-Sonos-ified area of the house. Anyone who already has the company's gear scattered throughout their home will love this. It's only $200 and it will make them immeasurably happy. You can never have too many speakers! *Image: Sonos, Inc.*
12topping
Topping TP30 Amplifier ---------------------- Here's a gift for the vintage gear collector. Most audio nuts, especially those over the age of 30, love old speakers from the 1970s and '80s. In fact, we hoard them. We scoop them up at yard sales, flea markets, and off of eBay. You have to hook them up to an amp to use them, and good amps are getting hard to come by, so these groovy speakers often just sit in the basement, unused. If the stereo geek on your list has some vintage speakers aching for some action, get them this amp. The [Topping TP30](http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP30-Digital-Amplifier-USB-DAC/dp/B005D7SKWK) is a teeny tiny digital amplifier, roughly the size of a box of macaroni and cheese. It has speaker connectors in the back, so you can hook it up to just about any pair of speakers, old or new. You can plug in any audio source, like a tape deck or a record player. But it also has a USB port, so you can hook it up to a computer. It even has a headphone jack, so it can double as a killer headphone amp. You see where we're going with this: It's a versatile, flexible little sound-making machine. Buy one for your audiophile and they will find *some* way to put it to use that will make them grin with pride. Expect to pay about $90 online. *Image: Topping, Inc*
13rega-turntable
Rega RP1 Turntable ------------------ Got a friend who's vinyl-curious? Maybe they've already started a healthy LP collection and they're just in need of an upgrade? The [Rega RP1 turntable](http://www.rega.co.uk/html/RP1.htm) is a beautiful and well-appointed turntable that would send any vinyl junkie over the moon with delight. It costs $445, which seems expensive — you'll see a lot of options under $150 if you shop around. But the Rega is a huge step up from those bargain buys. It's a record player that even the most serious vinyl snobs would approve of. It's also one of those pieces of equipment that makes all of your records sound better. So if you buy this for your record-spinning loved one, expect them to disappear into their headphones for the next few weeks. Maybe buy them some cans of soup as well, eh? *Image: Rega Research Limited*
14RCA Vinyl Record Care System
RCA Vinyl Record Care System ---------------------------- Look at those records — they're filthy! Don't you know what all that dust and muck does to the playback fidelity, never mind the stylus? Of course you do, which is why you always brush off your LPs with a [Discwasher](http://www.amazon.com/RCA-RD-1006-Discwasher-Record-System/dp/B000KMZKTO) before you drop the needle into the groove. Oh, you say you don't *have* a Discwasher? Well, you do now. (This lesson has been brought to you by the U.S. $20 bill.) *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
15Etymotic ETY-Plugs
Etymotic ETY-Plugs ------------------ Spending $300 on a pair of earplugs probably sounds like total crazy sauce to you. That's OK, you're normal. And maybe you're also not rich. But you still want to do something nice for your live-music-loving friend, and you don't want them to lose their hearing. So get them a few of these: [Etymotic's Ety-Plugs](http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y), totally solid earplugs that cost $12 a pair. Same concept as the fancy electronic kind, just way, *way* cheaper and without the tiny microphones and speakers inside. They offer up to -20 dB of noise reduction, which is enough to keep your loved one from sustaining any real hearing damage at live concerts. And while they aren't the highest fidelity, live music still sounds surprisingly good while you're wearing them. They are certainly miles better than those hunks of bright orange foam you shove into your ears on airplane trips. Sensible, comfortable, and cheap, they're easy to replace if they get lost. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
