There are a handful of obvious trends this holiday season in the audio gadgets markets. Everything in the headphones and speaker department, etc., is in high demand — and competition is fierce as companies look to design just the right device in just the right size for the best customer fit. And, finally, we’re seeing the last of cords in the audio gadgets biz.
So, this guide offers a goodly amount of potential high tech gifts. Some play back your favorite music. Some will help you record some yourself. Most exist safely in the world of Bluetooth.
Also: 2016 Home Gadgets Gift Guide | 8 Ideas for Comfort, Security
We start off with the Blue Microphone Raspberry. Another in the companies now well-established line of top shelf consumer mikes, the Raspberry is one of Blue’s most compact models. The mobile condenser microphone is good to go for voice and instruments for voice and instruments, employing 24-bit sound directly to a PC, Mac, iPhone or iPad. The Raspberry also puts to use Blue’s new Internal Acoustic Diffuser design to simulate professional studio mikes.
You can put your ear to the ground for the rest of these audio gadgets in the gallery below.
2016 Audio Gadgets Gift Guide
Competition between headphone and speaker makers is fierce, and you can benefit from the battle with items from this audio gadgets gift guide.
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Soundcast VG1
The Soundcast VG1 is waterproof and built like a little, music-playing tank. Fully Bluetooth compatible and Siri capable, the VG1 can double up as a speaker phone, too. Finally, they'll link up with each other and produce multi-speaker stereo playback.
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Marley Nesta
New from the House of Marley, the Marley Nesta in-ear headphones are built for toughness and quality sound. A three button control also controls your devices audio remotely.
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Arctis 5 Gaming Headset
Devoted exclusively to video game play, the Arctis 5 Gaming Headset are lightweight and comfortable for longer play sessions. The built-in microphone is unobtrusively tucked inside the ear cup for clear sound quality. It also offers DTS Headphone:X 7.1 Surround Sound — a rare advantage for a gaming headset.
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1 Voice Bluetooth Headphones Beanie
The 1 Voice Bluetooth Headphones Beanie is a perfect gift for this year's big winter holiday festivities. A warm cap, it covers your years with speaker bluetooth headphones so you can take your music over the river and through the woods to grandma's house on a sleigh, or some such mix of song lyrics.
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V-Moda Forza Metallo
V-Moda has always been about eye-catching, unique visual designs and good sound for stylish music lovers. The V-Moda Forza Metallo adds the advantage of military-grade toughness in small, comfortable, in-ear phones.
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Scosche BoomBottle H2O
The original BoomBottle was a creative idea — making a Bluetooth speaker that could fit in the water bottle holder on any bike. The Scosche BoomBottle H2O keeps up on the outdoor, sporty theme by offering a very tough, impact resistant and waterproof speaker waiting for duty around the pool or on the beach.
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Phiaton BT 460
While offering good sound quality and a comfortable fit, the real cool feature for these Phiaton BT 460 headphones is the touch and slide panel on the side of the ear pieces. A simple glide of the finger controls volume through touchscreen tech.
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Braven 405
We return to Braven for its 405 models, a much more compact and less expensive Bluetooth option. Easily transportable, the speaker also boasts 24-hour playback capability on one charge.
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Phiaton BT 110
Designed for sports use, the Phiaton BT 110 Bluetooth, in-ear headphones offer unique styling. They're water resistant, allowing outdoor sports use. But, keep in mind that doesn't read "waterproof," so hold off on the underwater music.
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Braven XXL
The big Braven XXL isn't screwing around. As its name would indicate, it's huge for a Bluetooth unit and beefed up with protection for outdoor use. And the onboard rechargeable battery will play back for more than 12 hours while also charging smartphones or tablets.
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Livv Headphones
A new player in the urban headphone market, these Bluetooth Livv Headphones offer the rare wireless, over-ear experience. Their unique overhead band keeps them in place — allowing for a full range of movement.
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Logitech Artemis Spectrum Gaming Headset
Easily portable between gaming systems and PCs for all-purpose gaming use, the Logitech Artemis Spectrum Gaming Headset offers either 7.1 Dolby or DTS Surround Sound.
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Defintive Technology W7
Visually simple on the outside, the Definitive Technology W7 offers four 1-inch aluminum dome tweeters and dual bass radiators. A four-inch mid/bass driver produces bass impact and dynamic range. Finally, the W7 adds its signature DTS Play-Fi Technology – the system allowing the mixing and matching of speakers around the needs of your house or apartment.
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Master Dynamic MH40
We finish uptown, showing off some real class with the Master Dynamic MH40. An over-ear model from the up-market audio designer, these MH40s do use traditional cables, but everything on these big, solidly built phones is stainless steel and leather. And, the sound is perfection.
