Write a commentThis isn’t a gift guide. OK, it’s kinda a gift guide. Recently I received an email from a reader who was spoiled by choice. They had a reasonable budget but couldn’t decide what to get. Fair enough—there are a lot of options out there. I figured, given the time of year, that a sort of gift-guide-related post might help point people like them in a specific direction. Maybe it’s a gift for yourself, or a gift for someone who’s interested in a style of headphones with which you’re not particularly familiar.
This list is a mix of things I’ve reviewed that are still current. So not specifically “new in 2024” but more like “available in 2024.” There are also a few items I didn’t review on this site, but did elsewhere. So everything on this list is something I’ve tested, or extensively used, and liked. If that seems obvious, keep in mind that the vast majority of holiday gift guides are written by people who have never tested the products they’re recommending.
Anyway, here are some products I’ve liked that would make great gifts for yourself or someone you like.
HiFiMan Sundara headphones and Schiit Magni Unity amplifier
In 2024 I listened to this combo more than any other. It became a sort of de facto reference. They sounded great together, the headphones were comfortable to wear, and I’d revert to them between reviews.
From my review of the Sundara headphones: “I think it’s the Sundaras’ lack of any serious vices that endeared them to me. They delivered a well-balanced, open sound. Add to that how comfortable they are, and it’s easy to understand why I was reaching for these over other options in my cluttered office.”
The Sundaras ($229, all prices in USD) are a little power hungry, but the Magni ($119) has plenty of power. From my review: “The Magni gave the Sundaras enough power to retain their lovely, wide-open sound, even at high volumes.” And “I really liked the Magni. It’s small but sounds big. It’s inexpensive but performs expensively. It’s unobtrusive and, quite simply, does what it claims.”
There are better-sounding headphones and more elaborate amps, but this combo is a great entry into the audiophile realm.
Digital audio players
I reviewed the Shanling M0s ($89.99) and HiBy R4xEvangelion ($319.99) for CNET. The former (not shown) is a great budget option for someone who wants something tiny for tunes on the go. The R4xEvangelion is a special edition of the R4 that has some fantastic branding from the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime. It also sounds great and works great, better than the Sony NW-A306, though the R4 is far larger and heavier.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro gaming headset
I don’t review many gaming headsets, though I probably should, given how often I use them. Like many people my age, a large percentage of my social activity is “gaming with the boys.” The value of a comfortable headset with a good mike is huge. A colleague gave me the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset. I didn’t review it because it was a bit old, but it’s worth a mention here since it’s still available. There are two versions: Xbox and PC/PlayStation.
The Arctis Nova Pro headset has a little console called GameDAC that connects to your PC/Xbox/PS via USB or 3.5mm analog. Mine is the wired version, which connects to the GameDAC via a standard TRRS cable. The GameDAC has a screen (who cares?) and a big volume knob (awesome). The headphones have 40mm drivers, and they’re light, comfortable, and decent-sounding, and they have a retractable mike with a windscreen. After many hours of use, I have no complaints. The headset is under $200, which seems reasonable. The much-hyped planar magnetic Audeze Maxwell headset might sound better, though I haven’t heard it. It’s also $100 more expensive, and at 490gm, it’s over 50 percent heavier than the Arctis.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299) came out in 2023, but they’re still fantastic. If you travel, or are gifting to someone who does, get these. They’re super comfortable, have incredible noise canceling, and are the ultimate travel companion. They’re also cheaper than they were when they first came out, so that’s a bonus.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Unexpectedly, Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds (also $299) are my second-most-used pair of BT ’phones. I wear them when out and about getting my steps in, around the house, and pretty much anywhere I want something comfortable when blocking out the world isn’t desired or safe. Their design is weird. They clip onto your earlobe like a fake earring. Somehow that works incredibly well. They’re also, surprisingly, my favorite-sounding Bose earphones.
Surround sound test “disc”
In case you missed it, I recently wrote about the Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album ($25). It’s a collaboration between audio producer extraordinaire David Chesky and SoundStage! Solo alum Brent Butterworth. As the name suggests, the main purpose of the disc is to offer tests that let you determine how well spatial audio works with your headphones in/on your ears. Because everyone’s ears and head are different, how we hear spatial audio varies a lot, even with the same headphones/earphones. In addition to these tests, there are also high-frequency test tones, low-bass tests, and music tracks with impressive spatial sound. You don’t need special gear. It will work on any headphones or earphones.
From my review: “More than anything, I found this album quite eye-opening. I’ve written about spatial audio for years and have come away unimpressed from most of my reviews of the technology. Part of it is that the marketing focuses too much on the gimmicky hardware aspect, where “head tracking” keeps sound focused on one place when you move your head. Easy to demo, hard to find useful. That’s the problem with such a broad term like “spatial audio,” because it also encompasses audio that this album so impressively shows off. Audio that’s specifically encoded for spatial sounds, which can work well . . . sometimes. That’s what was so interesting, how much your own ears and gear affect the effect. It’s just two speakers, remember, right on (or in) your ears. So all of this height stuff is particularly clever, at least when it’s done right. Hearing it done right, in both an analytical and practical way, is definitely the beauty of this test album.”
. . . Geoffrey Morrison
