32 Delightful Gift Ideas for Music Lovers and Audiophiles

• 

  Photograph: Ryan Waniata

  The Perfect Bluetooth Speaker

  Ultimate Ears Boom 4

  The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Bluetooth speaker because of its smooth and detailed sound and 360-degree listening profile. You'll enjoy bold, full-frequency sound and excellent wireless range no matter where you place this speaker, and IP67 dust and water resistance means that it will take a licking and keep on ticking. We tested it by dropping it, floating it in water, and generally treating it like hot garbage, and it came out no worse for wear. Fifteen hours per charge at medium volume means that it has more than enough juice to make it through the day.

• Photograph: Amazon

  An Ultimate Ears Alternative

  Tribit StormBox 2

  If the Ultimate Ears model above is a bit too expensive, you can get virtually the same experience from this more affordable Tribit model (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has the same full 360-degree sound and nearly the same detail as the UE speaker it is clearly designed to imitate. An IPX7 rating makes it a bit less durable, but we've been able to get it wet and bang it around in normal use without issues. If you just need a decent go-anywhere speaker for your loved one, this is a great choice.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Solid-State Earbuds

  Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+

  These earbuds from Soundpeats earned a rare 10/10, WIRED Recommends badge on recent review because of how fantastic they sound for the money. At under $100, the xMEMs solid-state driver earbuds offer some of the most lifelike sound quality I've ever heard from any earbuds. They also have basically every feature you'd want from a pair of buds, from noise canceling and an IPX4 water resistance rating to an AirPods Pro-beating eight hours of battery life with noise canceling enabled. Take that, Cupertino.

• Photograph: Massdrop

  Beloved Headphones

  Sennheiser HD6XX

  Sennheiser's HD650 headphones are legendary in audio circles, and for good reason. The open-backed design lets in the sound of the outside world, but that openness creates one of the widest, most balanced soundstages we've ever heard from a pair of headphones. It sounds like your favorite band is set up right in front of you.

  This special-edition version of the HD650 comes in partnership with Drop, with one serious benefit (besides the special blue-black color): They're way cheaper. Where the normal HD650 retail for north of $300, these can be had for just $200, which is a screaming deal for some of the best headphones you can buy for under $1,000. They're also super comfortable, making them a top choice for extended listening sessions.

• Photograph: Sony

  Open Earbuds

  Sony Linkbuds Open

  Runners, cyclists, and folks who wander around busy urban areas often don't want to plug their ears fully, and I don't blame them. It's super hard to tell whether a car is coming, or even to hear things like car horns and bike bells, when you have your ears plugged with typical buds. That's where these open earbuds from Sony come in. Now in their second generation (7/10, WIRED Recommends), the Linkbuds Open do an excellent job of ensuring that you never are caught off guard with what's happening outside your music, thanks to large holes in the middle of each bud. Sound quality is decent, and they even have multi-point connection so that you can easily pair and use them with a phone and laptop at the same time.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Headphone Safety

  Headphone Stand

  The best way to make sure headphones last a long time is to keep them somewhere safe, and that's why we like this cheap headphone stand. With simple metal construction and rounded hangers for two pairs of over-ears, it's a great place to admire your listening options, and to keep them safe when they're not on your noggin.

• Photograph: EarPeace

  Protect Your Ears

  NPR Music x Earpeace Pro

  NPR collaborated with Earpeace to make these easy-to-carry earplugs that don't make music sound worse, they just bring down the volume. That's super important, especially in environments like concerts where the sound can easily cause hearing damage. This isn't the most fun gift, but those who go to shows a lot will actually love them—there's nothing worse than having to put in normal foam earplugs when it's too loud and hurting your ears, only to lose all the fidelity. If these are good enough for NPR critic Bob Boilen to attend thousands of shows in, they're good enough for you!

• Photograph: Loop

  Volume Adjustable Earplugs

  Loop Switch 2

  There is nothing worse than being caught out at a show without proper hearing protection, only to have your ears ring the entire next day. Hearing damage is no joke, and tinnitus and other physical issues from listening to music too loud should be avoided at all costs. Enter these awesome adjustable earplugs from Loop, which let you choose how much sound you want to let into the buds.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Cheap Surround Sound

  Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE (SV510M-0806)

  Cinematic sound doesn't have to cost a lot. This wired 5.1 soundbar system from Vizio (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will elevate your tinny TV speakers to the next level, with a wireless subwoofer and two surround speakers that create a more immersive listening experience than you'll find from stand-alone bars in this price range. The only downside is that you have to wire the surround speakers to the subwoofer with included cables. It's a small price to pay for … well … such a small price to pay for a 5.1 system.

• Photograph: Audio Technica 

  For New Vinyl Nerds

  Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

  This Bluetooth-enabled turntable isn't the highest-fidelity of the bunch, but it is excellent for those just starting a vinyl collection. I like that it has a headphone jack on the front for silent bedroom listening, and it also has Bluetooth onboard, which makes it a perfect gift for anyone who already has a speaker lying around. Sure, it's not analog end-to-end if you're using Bluetooth, but half the fun of listening to vinyl isn't the fidelity, it's watching the records spin and playing with the liner notes!

• Photograph: U-Turn

  An Upgraded Deck

  U-Turn Orbit Theory

  WIRED reviewer and audio expert Ryan Waniata says that this upgraded turntable (9/10, WIRED Recommends) changed the way that he heard his favorite vinyl. It has excellent build quality and components, a stylish design, and some of the best isolation feet we've used in a mid-tier turntable like this. We like the physical speed switch, which lets you pick between 33 rpm and 45 rpm records, and we also like that it comes with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge right out of the box—something we sometimes recommend folks upgrade to.

• Photograph: Cambridge Audio

  For Better-Sounding Vinyl

  Cambridge Audio Alva Solo

  Most entry-level turntables come with built-in phono preamps, which take the signal from the stylus and bolster it to the “line level” your amp or powered speakers expect from those red and white RCA input cables. Adding an external phono preamp like this one from Cambridge Audio is a great way to raise the overall fidelity. If your friend, family member, or loved one has been getting into audio, this can be a really useful upgrade; my parents got me one for my birthday a few years back, and it's been a big and awesome change on my own system.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Protect the Investment

  Invest In Vinyl Inner Record Sleeves (50)

  They might not seem like a glamorous gift, but there are very few vinyl enthusiasts who wouldn't joyously accept record sleeves as a gift. Think of them like the socks of the record world; you're always misplacing them, and you never—ever—can have enough.

• Photograph: Koeppel Design

  Now Playing

  Koeppel Design The LP Block

  One of the most annoying things about most “now playing” stands—where you put your record sleeve while the plastic is spinning—is that they are too damn skinny. This one from Koeppel Design solves that problem, with space for up to 10 records or a couple of box sets. 

• Photograph: Amazon

  About That Bass

  DJGearIX Record Weight

  A nice quality record weight can add tightness and punch to the bass response of any record player, adding mass and securing the records to the surface of the platter. We like this cheap option from DJGearIX, which has a soft felt bottom that keeps it from scratching the labels on our favorite discs.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Clean Your Records!

  Happybuy Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L

  This ultrasonic record cleaner is the best way I've found to clean my vinyl collection. Other solutions just don't work. Spinning records with a brush and cleaner doesn't actually get into the grooves, and vacuums sucking solution from the grooves are a pain. The ultrasonic method is simple and allows you to just shake the grooves clean while they're in a nice warm bath.

  You place the records on a spinning dowel (it can fit about eight records at a time) and leave them there for 30 minutes while the machine whirrs. Set them on the included drying rack while you clean the next eight, and repeat until your collection is sparkling clean. It works hilariously well for how simple it sounds.

  Pro tip: You can make your own cleaning solution by using distilled water, a splash of cleaner, a surfactant, and a touch of isopropyl alcohol.

• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

  Bose QuietComfort Ultra

  Flagship noise-canceling headphones are always in a battle for supremacy, and this year's champ is Bose (9/10, WIRED Recommends). While we still love top options from Sony and Apple, this pair offers the best reduction of noise that I've ever heard in a pair of headphones. You'll find yourself terrified of your pets, if they're the types that sneak up for some love.

  Sound quality is very high, as is microphone quality, making these the best option for businesspeople who have to take meetings on the go (or people forced back into open-floorplan office spaces).

• Photograph: ATS

  Improve the Sound of a Room

  ATS Acoustic Panels

  A great pair of speakers can get lost in a poorly treated room. So while acoustic panels might seem like the least sexy accessory in the audio world, they make a world of difference when it comes to the sound of any space. We like these affordable panels from ATS, which can absorb broad-frequency sound, making them ideal for taming overly reflective rooms to create more tonal balance. Don't worry about audio enthusiasts thinking you're weird for buying them some panels, either—almost everyone can use an extra panel or two somewhere.

• Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

  Best Headphones for Apple Stans

  Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)

  They're spendy, but Apple's AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are among the best-sounding wireless headphones I've ever heard, and they're downright awesome with Apple devices. The metal-shelled over-ears remain comfortable courtesy of a bouncy mesh headband, and they come with arguably the greatest volume knob in the history of headphones on the top of the right ear cup. Noise canceling and onboard microphones are also second to none, which makes these some of the best headphones for both work and play.

  We also really like AirPods Pro 2 ($190), which recently came out with a software update that makes them usable as both hearing aids and earplugs. I love how quickly they pair with my iOS devices, and the noise canceling remains very solid, even years on.

• Photograph: Google

  AirPods Pro for Android

  Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

  Apple's AirPods Pro are ubiquitous among folks who use iPhones for good reason: They just work, and they work well. For anyone who is looking for the same ease of use, the best I've tried are Google's own Pixel Buds Pro 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). They instantly pair with any Android phone, and they offer the same excellent mics, great noise canceling, and high-tier sound quality you'd expect from comparable Apple Buds. There are some great features that actually make them better than AirPods in many cases, like how easily these tiny buds fit in smaller ears, as well as the fact that they have nearly double the AirPods' four-hour battery life.

• Photograph: Koss

  For the Gram

  Koss Porta Pro

  The legendary Koss Porta Pro on-ears have a classic ’80s design that’ll make you feel like you're heading to the premiere of Blade Runner with your Walkman playing the Doobie Brothers. Oh, and they sound oddly great too—there's a reason Koss has been making them, relatively unchanged, for decades.

• Photograph: Focal

  Best Speakers Under $1,000

  Focal Theva No. 1

  The Focal Theva No. 1 were WIRED reviewer Ryan Waniata's favorite bookshelf speakers of 2023, and that was before they took a price dip below a grand. They sound smooth and buttery, with a warm low end and plenty of detail up high. They pair perfectly with any modern amp, but we especially liked them with the Naim Uniti Atom below, though the combination is incredibly pricey. We also love their smart and stylish design; very classic and French.

• Photograph: Joseph Shin

  Easy Listening

  Audioengine HD6 Wireless Speakers

  We recommend these every year because they're just that great. Audioengine's amazing-sounding HD6 bookshelf speakers can play streaming audio from a phone or tablet, or your loved one can plug their favorite turntable or high-res digital player directly into the back. Versatile, well designed, and damn gorgeous, they're our favorite do-anything wireless stereo speakers for less than $1,000. They also make fantastic computer speakers.

• Photograph: KEF

  Streaming Perfection

  KEF LS50 Wireless II

  KEF's LS50 Wireless II speakers (8/10, WIRED Recommends) look nearly identical to the previous version we know and love, but they come with improved amplification, better internal baffling, and even better colors. The company's famed Uni-Q drivers (in which the tweeter sits inside the woofer of the dual-driver speakers, making them look like a pair of gorgeous musical cyclopses) are immersive to listen to even at off-angles. They play anything and everything, thanks to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and an HDMI eARC port for TVs and projectors.

• Photograph: Technics

  KEF Alternatives

  Technics SC-CX700

  Coaxial drivers, where the high-range tweeters sit inside the midrange drivers, look cooler and have better phase (read: more cohesive sound in more places) than more average-looking models. Though the KEF model above is still my go-to high-end pick, these excellent speakers from Technics (8/10, WIRED Recommends) look and sound excellent, and (finally) provide buyers with a reasonable alternative. If you're buying for someone who hates having the same hi-fi gear as everyone else, as audiophiles tend to, that makes these powered Class-D speakers from Technics a great choice. They have balanced and insightful sound, and HDMI ARC, Optical, USB-C, Phono, and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you'll be able to use them with essentially any tool in your audio (or even video) arsenal.

• Photograph: Ryan Waniata

  Better Than a Soundbar

  Klipsch The Sevens

  If you've been watching TV and listening to music in your living room through a soundbar, you can give yourself (and your loved one) a massive audio upgrade with these gorgeous powered Klipsch speakers (8/10, WIRED Recommends).

  They have an HDMI connection that allows you to connect them to your TV, and other inputs let you connect any streaming devices or record players (it has a built-in phone preamp!) you have one. That makes them a perfect solution for living rooms that are for both music and movies.

• A Cute Travel Speaker

  Sony SRS-XB100

  The little Sony SRS-XB100 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a cumbersome Japanese product name, but a gorgeous real-word physique. We like the grippy exterior and cool colors, as well as the fact that it has Google Fast Pair for quickly connecting to Android phones. It has IP67 weatherproofing, which makes it perfect for throwing in the water or sand, and it has 16 hours of battery life for when you're out and about all day.

• Photograph: Naim Audio

  For Streaming Supremacy

  Naim Audio Uniti Atom

  You'll have to really love someone (and have a very high income) to spend this kind of money, but the bookshelf-ready Atom can play hi-res digital audio files from any source on your Wi-Fi network. If your loved one already has other Naim hardware in their home, the Atom will connect to those systems for a big, multiroom audio party. But even on its own, it sounds absolutely incredible, with a pristine-sounding 40-watt amp that will drive whatever amazing speakers they already own. It even puts the album art on the full-color front display when streaming—a classy touch.

  We have also tried and love the headphone amp version (8/10, WIRED Recommends), if you have a smaller space and don't want to power speakers.

• Photograph: Ableton

  A Portable Sampler

  Ableton Move

  If they're into listening to music, there is a decent chance they're into making it. The Ableton Move (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a perfect gift that lets them take their show on the road. There are over 1500 presets in the sampler-based instrument, which collects with popular DJ software Ableton Live for exporting your tunes. It even has a built-in speaker and microphone, and can be used as a MIDI controller for Live when they're in their normal home studio situation. Be sure to check out our guide to the best DAWs for more information on home recording.

• Photograph: Fender

  Rock Outside

  Fender Mustang Micro

  This little USB-C amp dongle from the folks at Fender contains numerous presets and effects, and it plugs right into your guitar, bass, or keyboard to give you a full amp effect in a tiny package. I bring it with me on road trips when I want to play my electric guitar but don't have room in the car for an amp. The sounds are pretty solid, and those familiar with Fender-style amps (most guitarists) will easily find something usable for their style of playing.

  This year Fender launched a higher-tier model with a built-in display called the Mustang Micro Plus ($130). I like the new version a lot, mostly because it has a very usable built-in tuner. Otherwise it sounds virtually the same as the original model, with a similarly great variety of amps and effects. If you need an onboard tuner, go with the nicer model. Otherwise, there really isn't a need for a screen.

• Photograph: Amazon

  Sing Along

  Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Mic

  My wife bought this Bluetooth-enabled microphone last year, and it's been bringing a ton of joy to our tiny house. You can pair your phone, and the mic has built-in reverb and delay to make you sound like the stars you're imitating. The speaker is baked into the handle, and it's loud for its size. Enjoy your karaoke night!

• Photograph: Christopher Null

  Rechargeable Hearing Aids

  Sony CRE-C20 Hearing Aids

  Have a friend who wants to enjoy their music again? These Sony hearing aids (8/10, WIRED Recommends) feature recharageble batteries instead of normal hearing aid batteries, which makes them one of our favorite off-the-shelf models. They have amazing sound, and they vanish really well into your ear canals due to a small and ergonomic design. There are six present hearing settings which are preconfigued to work with the most common Audiograms, helping folks with all types of hearing loss get their mojo back. The only downside is that you can't use these for listening to media, as they don't use Bluetooth to operate.

Parker Hall is a senior editor of product reviews at WIRED. He focuses on audiovisual and entertainment products. Hall is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz percussion. After hours, he remains a professional musician in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Read More