By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: five gadget gifts for music lovers
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Audio-visual > Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: five gadget gifts for music lovers
Audio-visualMedia

Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: five gadget gifts for music lovers

Aaron Tan
Last updated: December 5, 2014 at 2:23 PM
Aaron Tan Published December 5, 2014
4 Min Read
SHARE

B&W T7

What would the holidays be like without music to get you into the festive mood? We’re not big fans of Christmas songs, but we do love our Coldplay, Bruno Mars and Adele numbers on the holiday playlist. If you are looking for some good audio gear to jazz up your tunes this Christmas, we have some suggestions for you.

Sony Walkman NWZ-ZX1

Who says the Walkman is dead? Discerning music lovers and audiophiles who only listen to high-res tunes will not go wrong with this Sony music player that will take on 24-bit/196KHz audio files encoded in FLAC, Apple Lossless and AIFF formats with ease. With 128 GB of built-in storage, there’s enough room for hundreds or thousands of songs, depending on quality of your music files. We liked its solid build, stylish design and excellent sound quality when we gave it a spin earlier this year. Retailing at S$899, this high-res audio jukebox does not come cheap. But if you’re after a premium music player, this is the one to get.

Fiio X3

If you’re on a tight budget, consider this Fiio player that has been making waves in audio circles for its excellent sound quality at a decent price. The X3’s looks and user interface isn’t as great as the NWZ-X1’s, but for S$279 (from treoo.com) there’s really nothing you should complain about, given its rich organic sound and warm audio qualities. Kudos to Fiio for using the well-regarded Wolfson WM8740 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and AD8397 amplifier that will bring out the best in your favourite tunes.

Plantronics Backbeat Pro

Don’t be fooled by its business-like exterior. Designed in Santa Cruz, California, the S$379 Plantronics Backbeat Pro packs a punch in terms of features and sound quality. For starters, you can pair it with supported Android smartphones using near field communications (NFC) as well as Bluetooth aptX technology designed for streaming audio over the airwaves. Its noise-cancelling feature also lets you tune out your surroundings while you are engrossed in your music – though please be alert when you’re crossing the roads! We also liked the fact that the Backbeat Pro will pause your music when you take the headphones off.

Bluesound Node N100

If you house a large digital music collection on a PC or media server, consider a streaming device like the Bluesound Node N100, which lets you pipe all that music to a Hi-Fi system. It’s ahead of rival devices in the market in that it supports 24-bit, 192Khz tracks, including those encoded in FLAC and AAC formats. It also comes with a built-in DAC, though you can choose to bypass it if you prefer to use your own converter. Best of all, the N100 will also stream music from Spotify and Deezer, among other music streaming services. For S$649, the N100 will be a good addition to any audio system, especially among those who have just ripped a library of old CDs.

Bowers & Wilkins T7 Bluetooth speaker
B&W T7

The S$590 T7 is B&W’s first Bluetooth speaker that has received rave reviews from Hi-Fi experts and consumers alike. Its unique design comprising a honeycomb-patterned frame sets it apart from other portable speakers in the market. But more than just looks, the honeycomb structure apparently helps to reduce vibration and distortion when you’re blasting music. The T7’s twin 50mm drivers belt out high-quality tunes too, whether you’re streaming wirelessly from a smartphone or playing music from any device that’s wired to the speaker via a 3.5mm stereo connector.

You Might Also Like

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini review: Immersive movie audio despite compact size

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: New earbuds sport sleeker design, excellent sound

The best of Taiwanese innovation in cloud, AI, rollable screens and more at Asia Tech x Singapore

Sony HT-S2000 review: compact soundbar offers Dolby Atmos but falls short

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 review: Earphones with premium build and excellent sound

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Aaron Tan December 5, 2014 December 5, 2014
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Previous Article Infor: Amazon partnership is strategic but non-exclusive
Next Article Oppo N3 to cost S$849 in Singapore in January 2015
Leave a comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Playing Starfield on an AMD Radeon RX7800 XT graphics card
Gaming PC September 21, 2023
Starfield review: Slow paced adventures in space
Gaming September 20, 2023
Intel unveils redesigned Core Ultra CPUs, first built on new Intel 4 process
PC September 20, 2023
Keysight study unveils critical challenges in healthcare software testing
Enterprise Software September 14, 2023

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact
Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?