12 perfect gifts for the music lover in your life
We all have that friend. The music geek.
I know this person exists because I'm that person. My headphones are always on, I'm constantly recommending music to people (and soliciting recommendations), and I always have music on when I'm around.
I can personally attest to the value of every product on this list, and if you know someone who loves music, any of these gifts will be a home run.
From helping make music sound better, to helping someone show off and preserve his or her music collection, these 12 items are a music lover's best friend.
Having trouble figuring out what to get people for the holidays? You can check out all of Insider Picks' 2016 gift guides here.
A turntable
Vinyl is back. If you'd like to ride the wave, you're going to need a turntable.
Until recently there weren't any terrific budget turntable options out there. Cheaper tables would destroy your records, while nicer ones were out of most people's price range. Thankfully, that's no longer a problem thanks to U-Turn.
For my full thoughts, you can check out my review, but as far as I'm concerned, U-Turn's Orbit is the only budget turntable worth considering. It's well constructed, plays records well, and should last you or whoever you're buying it for a lifetime. If records don't sound good on this table, it's another component of your stereo system.
U-Turn Orbit Turntable, $179
Until recently there weren't any terrific budget turntable options out there. Cheaper tables would destroy your records, while nicer ones were out of most people's price range. Thankfully, that's no longer a problem thanks to U-Turn.
For my full thoughts, you can check out my review, but as far as I'm concerned, U-Turn's Orbit is the only budget turntable worth considering. It's well constructed, plays records well, and should last you or whoever you're buying it for a lifetime. If records don't sound good on this table, it's another component of your stereo system.
U-Turn Orbit Turntable, $179
A Vinyl Me, Please subscription
Ok, you have the turntable. What about some records?
Vinyl Me, Please is a monthly subscription service just for record lovers. Here's how it works: Each month, subscribers receive an exclusive pressing of an album, an original art print, cocktail recipe for pairing, and exclusive piece of merch.
An annual subscription costs $23/month (you're charged $284 annually), a three-month subscription costs $25/month (you're charged $75 quarterly), or you can pay $27 each month if you'd prefer to pay month-to-month.
A subscription to Vinyl Me, Please will pepper your collection with exclusive gems, which are sometimes the best part of a record collection.
Get more details here
Vinyl Me, Please is a monthly subscription service just for record lovers. Here's how it works: Each month, subscribers receive an exclusive pressing of an album, an original art print, cocktail recipe for pairing, and exclusive piece of merch.
An annual subscription costs $23/month (you're charged $284 annually), a three-month subscription costs $25/month (you're charged $75 quarterly), or you can pay $27 each month if you'd prefer to pay month-to-month.
A subscription to Vinyl Me, Please will pepper your collection with exclusive gems, which are sometimes the best part of a record collection.
Get more details here
A ticket holder
What if the person on your list already has the vinyls they like, but they don't have a place to hold their ticket stubs?
Sticking them on your wall is one option, but they can get easily damaged by whatever you stick them on with. I used to slip mine into record sleeves, but that's also kind of a lame, inelegant solution. You want people to know you were there.
This shadow box is a cool way to highlight all the shows a person has been to without risking masking tape-related damage. After the show, the ticket goes in with the rest of them, where it can be easily plucked for reminiscence or bragging rights.
Ticket Shadow Box, $28.97
Sticking them on your wall is one option, but they can get easily damaged by whatever you stick them on with. I used to slip mine into record sleeves, but that's also kind of a lame, inelegant solution. You want people to know you were there.
This shadow box is a cool way to highlight all the shows a person has been to without risking masking tape-related damage. After the show, the ticket goes in with the rest of them, where it can be easily plucked for reminiscence or bragging rights.
Ticket Shadow Box, $28.97
A record frame
If the person you're buying for has enough ticket stubs that they need the ticket holder I recommended, they probably have a signed record or two.
Some of my most prized possessions are records I had signed after shows, and the first thing I did was frame them. Nobody wants their signed copy of "1989" ruined by a can of soda or a crease.
Framed records are excellent conversation pieces and can add an extra aesthetic touch to any room.
Americanflat Album Frame, $11.95
Some of my most prized possessions are records I had signed after shows, and the first thing I did was frame them. Nobody wants their signed copy of "1989" ruined by a can of soda or a crease.
Framed records are excellent conversation pieces and can add an extra aesthetic touch to any room.
Americanflat Album Frame, $11.95
Bluetooth headphones
This list has been all analog so far, and while that's one way to enjoy music, it's far from the only way.
Even huge vinyl fans listen to digital music, be it at work, while exercising, doing chores, or running errands. A good pair of Bluetooth headphones can help turn a cumbersome commute into a more manageable one.
For their price, it's hard to beat 1More's over-ear option. They're pretty comfortable, sound very nice — there's a little extra emphasis on treble — and look pretty cool. You can read my full review here, but these headphones have a lot going for them.
1MORE MK801 Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, $49.99
Even huge vinyl fans listen to digital music, be it at work, while exercising, doing chores, or running errands. A good pair of Bluetooth headphones can help turn a cumbersome commute into a more manageable one.
For their price, it's hard to beat 1More's over-ear option. They're pretty comfortable, sound very nice — there's a little extra emphasis on treble — and look pretty cool. You can read my full review here, but these headphones have a lot going for them.
1MORE MK801 Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, $49.99
Earbuds
If you know the person you're buying for prefers earbuds and doesn't mind a wire, get them this pair by Master & Dynamic.
They're a little pricey, but worth it. I haven't heard an earbud yet that matches their clarity, and with four different-sized earbud tips, they'll fit almost any ear.
My favorite part about these headphones (besides their sound) is the fact that they ship with a clip. That might seem like a small thing, but when you walk with earbuds on, gravity is working against you. As you walk, your headphone cable moves and puts pressure on the earbud, which can then pop out. The clip stops this from happening, and it makes a big difference.
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones, $19
They're a little pricey, but worth it. I haven't heard an earbud yet that matches their clarity, and with four different-sized earbud tips, they'll fit almost any ear.
My favorite part about these headphones (besides their sound) is the fact that they ship with a clip. That might seem like a small thing, but when you walk with earbuds on, gravity is working against you. As you walk, your headphone cable moves and puts pressure on the earbud, which can then pop out. The clip stops this from happening, and it makes a big difference.
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones, $19
A nice DAC
This is something only music lovers would appreciate, and most don't know they're missing.
DAC stands for Digital-to-Analog Converter. Every digital device has one, and it's what turns files into actual sound.
The problem is that they're usually part of a bigger system, like a computer or phone, which isn't as good as a standalone DAC. I've been using a DAC from Audioquest called the Dragonfly, and I'm never going back.
Music that I've heard for years sounds better and clearer than ever. Don't be disappointed if the person you give this to can't hear a difference at first; neither did I. Once I got used to listening to music through Dragonfly, I went back to plugging it into a standard headphone jack and was shocked by how crummy the same music files sounded.
Dragonfly Black, $98.75
DAC stands for Digital-to-Analog Converter. Every digital device has one, and it's what turns files into actual sound.
The problem is that they're usually part of a bigger system, like a computer or phone, which isn't as good as a standalone DAC. I've been using a DAC from Audioquest called the Dragonfly, and I'm never going back.
Music that I've heard for years sounds better and clearer than ever. Don't be disappointed if the person you give this to can't hear a difference at first; neither did I. Once I got used to listening to music through Dragonfly, I went back to plugging it into a standard headphone jack and was shocked by how crummy the same music files sounded.
Dragonfly Black, $98.75
A Bluetooth speaker
If the music lover in your life doesn't have a Bluetooth speaker yet, they're in luck.
I've recommended Anker's little speaker a lotsince I started using it early last summer. It's small, durable, and produces excellent sound.
It's the speaker I use every day when I'm cooking or cleaning up my apartment, and I couldn't be happier with its performance.
Anker SoundCore Sport XL, $59.99
I've recommended Anker's little speaker a lotsince I started using it early last summer. It's small, durable, and produces excellent sound.
It's the speaker I use every day when I'm cooking or cleaning up my apartment, and I couldn't be happier with its performance.
Anker SoundCore Sport XL, $59.99
Record sleeves
Back to the analog realm again.
If you know someone with a growing record collection, be the person who helps make sure that collection stays in pristine shape.
Record sleeves might seem like a kind of lackluster gift, but believe me they're an essential part of any record collector's arsenal.
BCW 33 RPM Record Sleeves (100 Count), $11.80
If you know someone with a growing record collection, be the person who helps make sure that collection stays in pristine shape.
Record sleeves might seem like a kind of lackluster gift, but believe me they're an essential part of any record collector's arsenal.
BCW 33 RPM Record Sleeves (100 Count), $11.80
A record brush
Another overlooked record-collecting accessory is the anti-static record brush.
Static and dust build up on records over time and can cause pops and other distortion that take away from the record-listening experience. There's a whole lot of record cleaning products out there, but this is the brush that I recommend people use.
I've used it before and it does a good job, is simple to use, and it will help records last a lifetime.
Audio-Technica Anti-Static Record Brush, $14.85
Their first record
If you know someone is going to get a turntable, but hasn't started their collection yet, you're in an incredible position.
You get to give them their first record. So it should be a good one, right? Amazon has thousands of records available, and with almost every new album coming out on vinyl, there's a lot to pick from.
Because it's so elaborately packaged, I'm going to pick Kanye West's 2010 album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" to represent this category. It's a three-record set that looks, well, beautiful on a shelf.
"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" by Kanye West, $27.99
You get to give them their first record. So it should be a good one, right? Amazon has thousands of records available, and with almost every new album coming out on vinyl, there's a lot to pick from.
Because it's so elaborately packaged, I'm going to pick Kanye West's 2010 album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" to represent this category. It's a three-record set that looks, well, beautiful on a shelf.
"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" by Kanye West, $27.99
Their second record
Ok, I lied. I'm taking some editorial liberty and recommending another album, Courtney Barnett's "Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit."
It has all the catchy hooks, distinctive rhythms, and wonderful, offbeat lyrics that earned it a spot on many "best of" lists last year. For what it's worth, it was my favorite album of the year.
Plus, the version I'm recommending is pressed on pink vinyl, and a portion of the purchase goes to charity. A true win-win.
It has all the catchy hooks, distinctive rhythms, and wonderful, offbeat lyrics that earned it a spot on many "best of" lists last year. For what it's worth, it was my favorite album of the year.
Plus, the version I'm recommending is pressed on pink vinyl, and a portion of the purchase goes to charity. A true win-win.
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