Luckily for music fans, there are endless choices when it comes to buying gifts for them. Music culture and music technology are changing rapidly and constantly, so there are always new products that can help them pursue their passions.
From high-quality audio and decorative posters to books that dive deep into music…we’ve rounded up our favorite gifts for music lovers and audiophiles.
From casual listeners to avid audiophiles, there’s something for every taste and budget. Read on for our top picks.
The best gifts to buy for music lovers and audiophiles
Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones
Bose is one of the biggest names in music technology, widely known for its range of speakers and headphones with high quality sound. QuietComfort 45 headphones are the perfect companion for any avid music lover, offering noise-canceling sound and long battery life.
Not only does Active Noise Cancellation block out sounds and distractions around you, it lets you focus more closely on the details of the music, where the quieter, less noticeable layers become more apparent. The headphones are also water and sweat resistant, and they work compatible with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant for voice control.
We’ve listed the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones in our selection of the best noise-canceling headphones.
Sony PSHX500 record player
A decent vinyl collection deserves a decent player. The Sony PSHX500 turntable sits between quality and affordability – it’s a worthy turntable that’ll give your records a solid treatment without breaking the bank. The turntable’s audio output is co-engineered by Sony and Philips, delivering impressive spatial audio when paired with an audio system.
The player also has a built-in analog-to-digital converter that lets you record audio directly from vinyl to a digital device (like a thumb drive or laptop). Thanks to the sound engineering involved, this converted audio can be recorded at up to DSD 5.6 MHz quality which is superior to most formats we are used to!
For more turntable options across a range of budgets, check out our list of the best turntables.
Novation LaunchKey Mini MK3
Whether they are music creators or just waiting for the right time to start playing around with music production, this MIDI controller is a great tool to explore. It is a powerful keyboard that allows you to play, create and modify sounds and melodies as you wish.
With audio editing/production software, you can use the Novation LaunchKey Mini MK3 to create full-fledged songs where, with the right plugins, the keyboard can emulate the sounds of other instruments.
Playing Vinyl Wall Mount
For times when an album is playing in full, it’s a nifty way to show what’s playing. This is a wall mount that you can put a vinyl cover on, so “NOW PLAYING” is right under the album cover.
EU BOOM 3
The UE BOOM is one of the most versatile choices for portable speakers. It’s waterproof to IP67, has long battery life and incredibly deep, balanced sound.
One of its coolest features is its ability to sync with any other BOOM speaker, which is perfect for group settings where a single speaker just isn’t enough. Additionally, the new UE BOOM 3 speaker series is now available in a range of vibrant colors, such as the ‘unicorn’ color pictured above.
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator
This pocket synth is a fun way to play around with sounds and see what you can create. They’re compatible with other music gear, so the sounds you create can be used in music production, and the synth itself is completely portable, allowing you to make music on the go.
Genius Musical Playing Cards
This playing card game pays homage to some of the biggest names in music of our time. Music merchandising comes in all shapes and sizes, and now you can even show off your passion for music in the games you play.
Loop Experience High Fidelity Earplugs
Intended for seasoned concert performers and live music enthusiasts, these earplugs are designed to limit damage to your eardrums while preserving the quality of the music you listen to. No one wants to miss any detail, so it’s a surefire way to ensure ears stay protected.
Amazon Echo Studio
Smart speakers are becoming a more commonly used companion for home listening and internet browsing. There’s a whole range of choices, but Amazon’s Echo Studio is designed specifically for music. The smart speaker features a Dolby Atmos audio system with five speakers to provide a room with powerful surround sound.
Amazon’s Echo Studio has been listed in our pick of the best smart speakers.
Music is History by Questlove
Questlove, a key member of the iconic and innovative hip-hop group The Roots, has become a leading figure in the ongoing dialogue around musical culture and its history. His book, Music is history, delves into the last fifty years of music in America, with a particular focus on black identity and pop culture from the perspective of the contemporary music scene.
IQbuds MAX
Among the endless wireless headphone options, the IQbuds MAX stand out as a solid choice for audiophiles. The earphones offer excellent customization: you can perform a clinically validated sound test to customize the optimal audio settings for your ears.
The headphones’ drivers prioritize clarity over bass, ensuring all sounds pass through smoothly without noise loss. They also have a feature that allows you to hear your surroundings in greater detail, which is especially useful for people with different levels of hearing loss.
Read our full review of the IQbuds MAX in our list of the best wireless earbuds.
concrete phone speaker
This concrete phone speaker is a great way to amplify the volume of your phone’s output. It’s an efficient, more energy-efficient alternative to buying a portable speaker, and requires no setup or connection other than inserting your phone.
Panasonic SC-PMX92 Micro hi-fi system
This hi-fi music system from Panasonic is a versatile listening setup. It can play music via CD and Bluetooth from a phone or computer, as well as being able to connect to record players and advanced music systems. There is also a USB port to charge your phone while listening.
This setup would pair beautifully with the Sony PSHX500 turntable listed above, or any other turntable. The two speakers can provide spatial sound with deep clarity in the different tones.
AudioQuest DragonFly DAC
For true audiophiles, a DAC is an indispensable tool. It can convert audio from an analog source (a vinyl record, for example) into a digital format that can be recorded and played at any time.
AudioQuest’s DragonFly is an impressive device to have – packed into a small USB drive is the ability to convert and amplify the quality of your audio. It can help music sound cleaner by using a feature that reduces or eliminates background noise, so only the details you want are visible.
The color of iconic albums
Dorothy produces an exciting range of music-themed gifts, from posters to postcards to playing cards. This poster features some of the most iconic albums in music history, simplified to the distinct colors of their album covers. The visuals include albums from Kate Bush, The Beatles, Kanye West – plus many other household names.
Numark Mixtrack Pro FX
DJing is an immersive way to engage with the music you listen to. A DJ controller like the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX is a solid starting point without spending too much, it works by controlling DJ software on a computer rather than acting as its own mixer.
These turntables from Numark would make a great gift for anyone who likes to be on the speakerphone at parties – it gives them the ability to mix songs more seamlessly and creatively.
Art record covers by Francesco Spampinato
Francesco Spampinato looks at the relationship between music and the visual arts that adorn album covers. Going back as far as the 1950s, the book features some of the most beloved and familiar albums.
12” white vinyl frame
Decorating a wall with vinyl records is one of the oldest ways for a music lover to show off their favorites. This frame can fit all standard 12” vinyl.
1965: The Most Revolutionary Year in Music by Andrew Grant Jackson
1965 was a revolutionary year in music. Many of the genres we love today were born during this time when the world was in a state of rapid change. This revolutionary moment in our history sparked a revolutionary moment in music, and this book traces the movers and shakers who shaped the myriad of styles that have since become iconic. An exciting read for music lovers.
Roberts Revival RD70
With its retro aesthetic and soft pastel tones, it’s a radio that looks as good as it looks. It is a digital radio that also works as a Bluetooth speaker and alarm clock.
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