A musical Christmas wish list
If you love music (and who doesn’t?), you’re probably easy to shop for around the holidays.
You like all the latest gadgets, the best headphones, the biggest-baddest box sets, fully loaded iTunes cards, Spotify-subscription renewal, on and on.
Christmas is less than two weeks away. Print out a copy of this page and discreetly slip on your loved one’s nightstand and maybe they’ll get the hint. Who wouldn’t want one (or all!) of these?:
Sony CMTSBT100 Micro Music System with Bluetooth and NFC ($198) – Did you ditch your stereo system a long time ago, got stuck in the cloud and want to get back into the real game? Here’s a nicely compact AM/FM/CD1 music system to get you started all over again. You can listen to your music wirelessly using Bluetooth with one-touch NFC; it packs 50 watts RMS power and has dual 2-way bass reflex speakers.
Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Stereo Turntable with AM/FM Stereo Radio ($44.49) – All those vinyl LPs collecting dust in your garage, c’mon, play them again. If you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on high-end gear, this is suitable and reasonably priced. With the 3.5mm headphone jack, you can plug any speakers into it.
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntable ($399) – Maybe you’re willing to spend a little more for a quality player. This one not only has a 8.6-inch carbon tonearm and an increased (and weightier) platter size, it comes in a killer shade of red. Check out the other colors.
Audioengine 5+ Speakers ($400) – Now that you’re almost fully reconnected with the stereo-system experience, complete it with these. The highlights: built-in power amplifiers, 50 watt per channel RMS, compatible with any computer, custom Kevlar woofers and silk tweeters, remote control, available in white, black and bamboo. Now you’re ready to rock out.
A-Audio Lyric On-Ear Headphones ($199) – Tune out the kids and the barking dog with these babies. It has comfortable foam padding to help reduce noise, plus custom 40mm drivers, chrome and gold plating, and stainless steel. Solid stuff.
Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones ($200) – With its foldable design, you can take these in and out of your coat pocket or backpack with ease. It’s not for sweaty workouts (sorry, fitness fans); it’s more for the casual listener. Comes in black, blue, red and gray.
Monster iSport Freedom Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones ($250) – Yes, headphones are expensive, but if you like quality sound and design and you’re a sporty person, these are ideal for your workouts.
Beats Solo 2.0 On-Ear Headphones ($200) – Don’t let the hipsters win … these are a sleek, slick, lightweight and comfortable. Offered in black, red, white, blue, pink and gray.
Outdoor Tech OT3200-B Tuis Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones ($148) / JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones ($164) – For workouts, here are a surefire pair … one over-ear and the other earbuds. These Bluetooth-enabled devices will keep your hands free from those annoying wires; , external controls allow you to adjust volume, change tracks, play/pause and take phone calls.
Soen Transit High Performance Wireless Speaker ($169) – If Bose speakers are too pricy for you, here’s a sweet alternative. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and a built-in mic for hands-free calls.
Sporteer Armband ($15-$25) – Tuck your iPhone 4 or 5 away in this pocket armband; it also has room for a credit card, cash or ID. Be safe out there!
About the Author
Gerry Galipault Gerry Galipault debuted Pause & Play online in October 1997. Since then, it has become the definitive place for CD-release dates — with a worldwide audience.
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