Whether you’re trying to find a cool gift for an audio enthusiast, or if you’re just trying to get something cool for yourself, it can be tough trying to find gift ideas that aren’t just headphones, speakers or related accessories.
Not sure where to start? We have a few suggestions to get you inspired or possibly be just what you’re looking for! Below is a perfect blend of the top gift ideas for the audio enthusiast.
RECHARGEABLE VINTAGE SUITCASE SPEAKERS
Bluetooth speakers in vintage suitcases, each one a custom piece as no two pieces are alike. Simply plug your phone, iPhone, iPod, computer etc. into the AUX port and play your music for several hours on a single charge. Many cases also include Bluetooth connectivity as well.
There are a few different companies creating these now:
The idea is generally the same although there are some variations between the different companies. For example, Portmaneau will allow you to send them a suitcase which they will convert for you into a portable luggage speaker system. Melbourne Vintage Audio has a greater selection of smaller suitcases to choose from and BOOMCASE has it’s own style and a nice varied selection as well.
An exceptionally cool gift idea that’s sure to impress and be quite a conversation piece as well!
RECORD DRINK COASTERS
A fun gift for all music lovers, that will put a smile on your friends’ faces when they come over to hang out. And as a bonus they’ll protect your table from any hot or cold drinks.
These coasters are made from silicon, so they won’t scratch any surfaces you put these on. If you like this idea but want more options, be sure to check out the HUGE variety of options on Etsy.
STAR WARS EPISODE VII TIE FIGHTER BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Meet the iHome TIE Fighter Bluetooth® Speaker. When you’re not using it, it’s a lovely TIE Fighter on an acrylic stand. When you are using it, it’s a wireless speaker with one-touch connectivity to your Bluetooth device.
It can also play music from devices with a standard 3.5mm audio out jack (if it has a standard headphone jack, you’re good). Or you can take calls from your Bluetooth-paired device on it.
That way, you can look even cooler saying “Yes, sir” or “Look out!”
CURATED COFFEE & VINYL PAIRING
Sign up your loved one for this subscription service, and each month, they’ll receive a new vinyl 7-inch single and a new bag of coffee beans from Slate Coffee Roasters in Seattle.
The records are exclusive releases, come pressed on colored vinyl, and feature tracks recorded just for Turntable Kitchen by indie-pop artists like Ben Gibbard, Lucius, Sloucher, and Goon.
It’s $25 for a one-off, or you can buy a subscription of whatever length you think they might enjoy.
DUST & GROOVES: Adventures in Record Collecting
This is basically a feast for vinyl collectors.
Professional photographer Eilon Paz takes us into the hallowed record rooms of musicians, DJs, producers, dealers and enthusiasts – Questlove Gomez and Gilles Peterson both make the cut – and interviews the inhabitants about their mouth-watering collections.
A very cool look at some dedicated collectors of vinyl. The photography is exceptional.
Prepare for your skin to turn green with envy.
CORK TURNTABLE RECORD SLIPMAT
Cork has long been trusted by vinyl enthusiasts as the preferred material to dampen the transmission of vibrations from the platter to the record, which are then picked up by tonearm and passed on through the speakers. A slipmat will help isolate the record from the hum of a motor and provide a smooth and safe surface to spin your beloved records on.
Cork is also a poor conductor of electricity and can help reduce the pops and clicks of static caused by accumulated dust and lint. These slipmats not only help provide a great listening experience, but they also just look really awesome.
Customizable and Handmade in Texas!
MAGNETIC POETRY KIT
Whether you live for the sound of a symphony or just enjoy the occasional string quartet, you’ll find the words to express your musical appreciation in the Music Lover Kit.
Create a sotto voce sonnet or a few allegro lines to melody and harmony. Add more and more magnetic words until you build your opus to a sweeping crescendo of stirring poetry.
Bravo, maestro! Bravo!
SOUNDWAVE ART
Soundwave art is the process of converting your own sounds (such as your voice) or your favorite music into customizable works of art and jewelry.
There are several different options to check out:
And besides art on canvas, prints or jewelry, you can even have your favorite words or lyrics turned into a 3D art piece for a keyring.
NES INSPIRED BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Show off your love of retro gaming with the NES Cube Speaker, brought to you by 8Bitdo. This speaker features a design that mimics the directional pad on the iconic NES controller. This directional pad is fully functional; for example, you can press the pad left or right to lower or raise the volume, respectively.
This wireless Bluetooth speaker features an eight-hour battery life, ensuring that it won’t go dead during your all-night gaming marathon. The upgradeable firmware ensures that your NES Cube Speaker is always running the latest build available.
MIGHTY SPOTIFY MUSIC PLAYER
Do they want to take music to the gym or on the run, but hate lugging along a bulky smartphone? Mighty is an iPod Shuffle-sized music player that stores your Spotify tracks for offline listening. It has WiFi built in for speedy file transfers and Bluetooth so they can listen wirelessly.
PERSONALIZED MIXTAPE DOORMAT
In its heyday, the mixtape was a musical love letter, specially planned to covertly express hidden crushes, power ballad-worthy connections, and good old fashioned friendship. Welcome guests to your home using the same nostalgic expression with this personalized doormat. While they can’t be furtively slipped through the slots in your cute lab partner’s locker, these time-honored tapes are best used indoors, or wherever your musical taste may land.
“PICK” YOUR FAVORITE GUITAR GLASS
Products are handmade, no two are alike! Rocks glass is embedded with a novelty guitar pick and accommodates a generous ten-ounce pour. A one-of-a-kind addition to his collection of electric and bass guitar picks. Guaranteed to impress!
VINTAGE VINYL BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
You can’t drop the needle on these records, but they’ll play your entire digital music collection in analog-inspired style—a cool way to give your smartphone an audiophile upgrade. There’s also a nod to the nostalgic sweep of horn loudspeakers and gramophones, making it a true celebration of recorded music’s long history, from steel needle Victrolas to the frontiers of streaming audio. Connect any device via Bluetooth® or the back panel auxiliary jack and enjoy the coolest music of all—yours.
Recycled Aluminum Moving Mosaic
Who knew recycled aluminum cans could be a thing of beauty. Creating a mesmerizing pattern, each disc also moves freely, so speaker vibrations or the stirring of air will create whimsical flickers.
MAJOR SCALE MUSICAL WINE GLASSES
Made in Germany, these Musical Wine Glasses have saved many a flagging party. They turn the sophisticated pleasures of wine drinking into an experience that’s musical, memorable, and above all, fun. Just fill our goblet to the desired note, and run your moistened finger around the rim of the glass. Soon, like a bow on the strings of a violin, your finger will cause the glass to vibrate, and a crystal-clear note will sound.
Your guests may applaud children may shriek with glee. Soon everyone will be trying it, and if you have enough glasses, you may be in for a real concerto. These Musical Wine Glasses are a great gift for any musicians, music teachers or lovers of wine and music. Each glass accommodates a full A-major scale, with each note labeled with sandblasted fill lines.
PORTMANTEAU PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Portable bluetooth speaker with West Coast flare. Handmade in Vancouver from reclaimed BC wood.
Called the “Rockit Log,” these speakers are made out of dried out western red cedar, fir, and hemlock logs found in an old logging yard near Pemberton, B.C. Customers have the choice of a dark or clear stain, and its centre speaker, handle, screws, legs, and protruding cone at the back (used to augment sound) are available in an eclectic array of colours.
The result is a completely bespoke circular boom box that celebrates the knots and natural grain of the chosen log. Although a fairly new company, their products have already gained the attention of celebrities like Taylor Swift, DJ Tiesto, and Steve Nash.