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Give Dad the gift of escapism with these headphones and portable audio devices
The most cherished present a dad can receive is the gift of silence. Since you can't wrap that in paper, here's a list of our favorite headphones and portable audio devices as consolation.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
Dads deserve great headphones, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s deliver rich, defined sound for less than $200. We highly recommend them, particularly for dads that prefer full-size cans.
Aiaiai TMA-1
The Aiaiai TMA-1's name takes inspiration from "2001: A Space Odyssey," which may be your dad's favorite movie from his youth. These $200 headphones cut a stripped-down physical profile with no joints to weaken their structural durabilit, and their solid construction is backed by a detailed headstage that makes them an excellent candidate for dads shopping for a stylish headset and neutral tonality for mixing music.
V-Moda Crossfade M-100
If your dad considers himself a versatile audiophile or a DJ that needs rugged headphones that don't compromise on fidelity, the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 is a worthwhile purchase.
Monster iSport Immersion
The Monster iSport Immersion in-ear headphones rank among the best wired sports headphones we've ever tested, and they're a perfect fit for any father bitten by the fitness bug.
Jaybird Gear BlueBuds X
The Jaybird Gear BlueBuds X are an excellent gift idea for dads looking for a perfect fit in a small, lightweight wireless sports earbud.
Logitech UE Mobile Boombox
The Logitech UE Mobile Boombox is a thoughtfully designed mobile Bluetooth speaker that earns significant improvements over earlier designs. If your dad loves singing in the shower, this makes a great accessory for a bathroom soundtrack, too!
HiFiMan HE-400
Yes, they're really $400, and yes, they're totally worth the money. Though their price tag might exceed the reach of audiophile dads on a budget, the HE-400s are the best-sounding full-size, home headphones for those willing to make the investment.
Sennheiser HD 598
A staple in the audiophile community, your dad will love the HD 598 for their classic Sennheiser look with the sound to justify the price. This model has more detail and higher resolution than previous version, making it the most accurate-sounding headphone on the market from this company.
Parrot Zik
Parrot's Zik headphones are about the fanciest and most high-tech Bluetooth headphones you can buy Dad for Father's Day. You'll have to pay a good chunk of change ($400) for the privilege of owning them, but these are truly the Porsche of Bluetooth wireless headphones.
JBL Flip Bluetooth speaker
The JBL Flip portable Bluetooth Speaker sounds great for the money and is a solid value at just $99.99. Poised for action vertically or horizontally, it also doubles as a speakerphone for group conferencing with coworkers or catching up with Dad's family back at home.
Monster Inspiration
While Beats headphones typically catch the eye of a more youthful crowd, the Monster Inspiration headphones' tight aural profile and muted design seems to inspire a more mature professional, perfect for the hip dad.
Sennheiser RS 180
Couch potato dads (and the rest of the family too!) will love the Sennheiser wireless home-theater headphones, whose sonic fidelity nearly matches the company's top-of-the-line headphones at half the price.
Harman Kardon NC noise-canceling headphones
The Harman Kardon NC noise-canceling headphones are a hit for audiophiles that don't want to sacrifice sound quality for active noise cancellation. This model arguably sounds slightly better than the Bose QC 15 and Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9, and they make a thoughtful gift for dads on the go who want to escape the noise of subways, airlines, and everywhere else.
Bose QuietComfort 3
The Bose label has become a staple among noise-canceling headphones, and the QuietComfort 3s continue the company's dedication to space-saving, comfortable headphones that use active-powered technology to block ambient noise.
Tivoli Audio Pal BT
AM/FM radios aren't dead, and the Tivoli Pal BT proves it. Get your dad into its retro design, wireless audio connectivity, and the same excellent performance as a radio and a wired speaker.
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