X

The Audiophiliac's totally awesome $100+ holiday gift guide (pictures)

It's that time of year, so the Audiophiliac rounded up some gift ideas for music lovers and audiophiles.

Steve Guttenberg
Ex-movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has also worked as a high-end audio salesman, and as a record producer. Steve currently reviews audio products for CNET and works as a freelance writer for Stereophile.
Steve Guttenberg
_DSC8518_610x277.jpg
1 of 10 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Lepai LP7498E stereo integrated amplifier ($130)

The LP7498E amplifier is a little thing, just 4.5x8.4x1.6 inches. It's rated at 160 watts per channel for 4-ohm speakers, and 100 watts per for 8 ohm speakers. The LP7498E is a Class D design, so it never gets more than barely warm to the touch. The black chassis and laser engraved metal faceplate won't win any beauty contests, but it's attractive.
_DSC1215.jpg
2 of 10 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

U-Turn Orbit Basic turntable ($179)

Audiophile turntable prices have been stuck at the $400 price mark for ages, but with the Orbit Basic you can discover the glories of vinyl sound for $179 and the price includes an Audio Technica phono cartridge.
front_large_610x219.jpg
3 of 10 Onkyo

Onkyo TX-8020 stereo receiver ($200)

If you listen to more music than watch movies a stereo receiver might be a better option than an AV receiver. For one thing, it's much easier to use, you'll never have to navigate setup menus (it doesn't have any), and it sounds great for the money. The TX-8020 has a built-in phono preamp, and that's a big plus if you already have, or plan on buying, a turntable.
carnoy_white_speakers_audioengine06_610x436.jpg
4 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Audioengine 2+ speakers ($249/pair)

The newly revised A2+ adds an onboard USB digital converter and upgraded connectors, but the basic Audioengine A2 sound is unchanged, and still pretty amazing.
asgard2.jpg
5 of 10

Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amplifier ($249)

This refresh of the original Asgard amp not only sounds sweet with headphones, it has preamplifier output jacks, so it can either drive powered desktop speakers, like the Audioengines, or a power amp for a hi-fi system.
105651.jpg
6 of 10 MonoPrice

MonoPrice 10565 satellite/subwoofer home theater speaker package ($249)

The 10565 has an effortless sound, and handles the demands of action movies played at fairly loud levels with ease. The sound with two-channel music is also exceptional, and that's not always the case with budget sub/sat systems with tiny speakers. The 10565 takes it all in stride.
t51p_liegend_1_610x397.jpg
7 of 10 Beyerdynamic

Beyerdynamic T 51 P headphones ($289)

Made in Germany, these lightweight on-ear headphones are comfy enough to wear for hours at a time, sound big and spacious, and have beautifully defined bass and clear treble.
LSR305-xlarge.jpg
8 of 10 JBL

JBL LSR305 monitor speakers ($398/pair)

JBL's big, but not too big, desktop monitors deliver state-of-the-art stereo soundstage and seriously potent bass. The LSR305 sets a new standard for sound quality in its price class. Sweetwater sells the LSR305s for $240 a pair.
Speakerbar_Landing-Page_banner_4.jpg
9 of 10 Pioneer

Pioneer SP-SB23W sound bar speaker ($400)

We didn't have to compare the SP-SB23W with other sound bars to know it was special, as the sound was unusually "quick" and clear. Still, we had doubts that the tiny wireless subwoofer would deliver adequate home theater muscle, but the little guy delivered!
_DSC8898_610x759.jpg
10 of 10 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Marshall Hanwell 'iPod' speaker ($800)

The Hanwell sounds like a Bluetooth speaker on steroids. This 100-watt beast sports a pair of 6-inch woofers and dome tweeters, and the solid, 23-pound cabinet looks like a mini Marshall guitar amp! Priced at a hefty $800, the Hanwell is more expensive than most BT speakers, but the its sound crushes the competition. Yup, size matters. Amazon sells it for $600.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos