Why You Can Trust CNET Best wireless speakers and audio for grads
Whether you're looking for a portable wireless speaker or something a little more hi-fi, these are the best audio gifts for grads in 2019.
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From Bluetooth speakers to headphones to hi-fi, the gift of music is one of the greatest ones of all. But where do you start? Bluetooth speakers are a great gift and their portability makes them highly flexible. If your grad is looking for something a bit more permanent then maybe a new turntable will help kickstart a lifetime of music collecting and appreciation.
Read more: Best portable mini Bluetooth speakers of 2019 | Best Sonos speakers from $100 and up
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Pocketable Bluetooth speakers don't usually sound all that great, but the UE Wonderboom is the exception. For its size, the affordable and durable UE Wonderboom is one of the fullest sounding mini Bluetooth speakers you can buy.
The Sonos One is the first Sonos speaker to have Amazon's Alexa voice assistant built into it. The Wi-Fi speaker also includes Apple AirPlay 2 support and soon Google Assistant as well.
As with earlier Sonos speakers, you can add other Sonos speakers to create a multiroom audio system or a stereo pair.
It's worth noting that there are two generations of this speaker but the differences are slight and you can save money by getting the Gen 1 version.
The waterproof Bose SoundLink Micro is a pocket-size Bluetooth speaker able to produce richer and louder sound than competing micro wireless speakers. It may be pricier than other models, but its build and sound quality more than justify the difference.
The Sonos One may be a great speaker but if your grad needs something that can rock a party then they'll need that something to have more oomph. The JBL Link 300 is that speaker. It has plenty of low-end kick and also offers the Google voice assistant so they can queue up their next song.
The vinyl craze is catching on but owning limited-edition, colored records is only part of the story. Your grad needs something to play them on. The Pro-Ject Primary offers easy setup and excellent performance for under $250.
A television is only half the story if you're setting up a dorm room -- you'll also need a sound system. The Vizio SB3621n-e8 offers a subwoofer as well as Bluetooth connectivity, and it sounds a lot better than the price would have you believe.
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