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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.
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.
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:5, which comes in white and black (or step down to the Play:3, which retails for $100 less).
The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II delivers excellent performance for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It comes in a standard ($299.95) and LX version ($349.99).
For the Dad who's a sports fan and wants to catch his teams on the road, you can't beat the Slingbox 500, which allows you stream your home cable or satellite feed to mobile devices and computers.
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