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Best gifts under $500 for dads (photos)

Willing to spend a reasonable amount of dough on Dad this year. Here's a look at some top tech picks that cost less than $500.

David Carnoy
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
David Carnoy
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1 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Audioengine 5+ multimedia speakers

An CNET Editors' Choice winner, Audioengine's 5+ powered speakers deliver big sound and audiophile-grade performance. Add any audio source (PC, iPod, phone) and you're good to go.
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2 of 9 Bose

Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones

Yes, they're on the pricey side at $299, but we haven't met a dad who wouldn't mind getting a pair as a gift.
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3 of 9

HP Pavilion dm1z

The HP Pavilion dm1z is far more powerful than a Netbook, with a long battery life and a compact size, and an AMD processor perfect for streaming videos on the go. It's also, at under $500, incredibly budget-friendly.
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4 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Geneva Sound System Model XS

This stylish portable Bluetooth speaker with built-in FM radio has a fold-up design and makes for an excellent travel companion.
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5 of 9 Sonos

Sonos Play:3

You won't be able to get a multiroom Sonos setup for $500, but you get Dad a Sonos starter set with the Sonos Play:3.
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6 of 9 Bose

Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker

The Bose SoundLink Wireless delivers best-in-class performance for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It comes in a standard ($299.95) and LX version ($349.99).
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7 of 9

Logitech Harmony One universal remote

The Harmony One has been on the market a while but continues to be an excellent universal remote that's easily programmable and doesn't cost too much.
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8 of 9 Sarah Tew CNET

JBL OnBeat Xtreme

Though it's pricey, this iPad/iPhone speaker system offers excellent sound, plus Bluetooth wireless streaming capabilities.
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9 of 9 Sarah Tew CNET

Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player

An CNET Editors' Choice, we consider the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 the best value in Blu-ray players today.

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