Turn up the tunes and dial down the prices for the holidays.
By
Brandt Ranj
|
Published Nov 16, 2023 12:55 PM EST
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
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It’s no secret that Black Friday is a great time to get great deals on speakers and headphones, but it’s surprising how many deals you can get in the week before. You can save hundreds on audiophile components, headphones both big and small, and everything in between.
Want to get wrapped up in your favorite playlists, not tangled in cords? Grab a pair of powered, connected speakers by British high-end hi-fi audio products designer KEF. The KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers are some of our personal favorites when it comes to WiFi HiFi, even at full price. So at $1,999.99 (down from $2,799.99), they are an even bigger recommendation. Got less space and cash? The KEF LSX II compact connected speaker system is among the best pound-for-pound self-amplified pairs available to bring unrestricted listening to constricted quarters, fits perfectly on either side of your workstation, and is only $999.99 (typically $1,399.99). No matter which you pick, you’ll get a wide sweet spot and plentiful connectivity.
No budget for wireless all-in-ones? No problem
When it comes to enjoying more audio and less wires, Bluetooth speakers have become a must-have accessory. And if you haven’t picked one up (or need a personal upgrade or sure-to-please gift) you’re in luck. JBL’s Flip 6 is on sale, and the pocket-friendly speaker is available at a wallet-friendly price of $89.95 (down from $129.95). The speaker can play music for up to 12 hours, be linked with another Flip 6 for true stereo sound, and be completely submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes without being damaged. A better bass-bumping, budget-busting stocking stuffer cannot be found.
Finally building the home theater? Go big or go home
Whether you’re going stereo, 3.1, or building a 5.1 surround sound system, KEF’s Q350 Bookshelf Speakers deserve a spot in your home theater setup. The 14.1-inch tall speakers are a little big for bookshelf speakers, but the extra space is there to accommodate a 6.5-inch unified woofer and 1-inch vented aluminum dome tweeter. This two-driver system allows the speakers to cover the 64Hz – 28kHz frequency range. These speakers are passive, which means you’ll need an AV receiver or two-channel power amp to power them. And if you want to add high-resolution streaming capabilities to an existing amp, consider the Bluesound NODE, which works with iOS, Android, Mac, or PC to give you access to any imaginable streaming service, Internet radio stations, or your own digital music server. Plus, it can be part of a multiroom audio system if you own other BluOS components, and it has a headphone jack for private listening—all of which you can enjoy for only $449 right now (usually $599).
Want to treat yourself to the audio upgrade of a lifetime?
Listen, after a tough year, we all need a slice of la dolce vita, and you can create a personal audio oasis with Focals’ Celestee headphones. Normally $990, you can save $200 by shopping now. The closed-back over-ear headphones have 40mm aluminum/magnesium drivers, a frequency response range of 5Hz – 23kHz, and only .1% audio distortion at 1kHz. The headphones’ body is made from leather, copper, and aluminum, so it looks and feels totally luxe. You’ll need a computer with a high-impedance headphone jack, like a MacBook Pro, or a dedicated DAC, but the extra equipment will only serve to enhance the audio experience. The Celestee headphones are undoubtedly better than any headphones you’re using now and will help you experience your music the way it was meant to be heard. If you’re going big this holiday season, don’t miss out. And if you are looking to take some of that high-end sound with you, the Focal Batheys are some of our favorite Bluetooth headphones and are currently only $629.10 (previously $699).
Need an inexpensive pair of noise-cancelling headphones?
Want to take your listening on the go without having to forego a higher-resolution connection? If you’ve got an Android phone or digital audio player that supports the LDAC codec, check out the 1More SonoFlow. These over-ear ANC headphones are $64 after a discount and Amazon coupon, down from $100. The headphones can last up to 70 hours per charge (pending your preferred volume level and noise-cancellation preferences), LDAC supports up to 990kbps from a complementary source, and they have 12 EQ settings, so you can find the exact sound you want and cut out all the environmental distractions you don’t.
Other great audio deals for your eyes and ears:
Tivoli Audio Model One Bluetooth AM/FM Radio, $159.99 (Was $170.99)
Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Generation 2, $279.99 (Was $349.99)
KEF Q150B, $349.99 (Was $550)
JBL Pulse 5, $149.95 (Was $249.95)
JBL PartyBox, $199.95 (Was $349.95)
JBL Xtreme 3, $229.95 (Was $379.95)
JBL PartyBox 110, $249.95 (Was $399.95)
JBL Partybox 310, $399.95 (Was $549.95)
JBL PartyBox 710, $599.95 (Was $799.95)
Focal Clear Mg, $1,199 (Was $1,499)
Focal Utopia, $3,999 (Was $4,999)
1MORE Fit Open Earbuds S50, $113.99 (Was $149.99)
1MORE Fit SE S30, $55.99 (Was $69.99)
1MORE Penta Driver Wired in-Ear Headphones, $144.49 (Was $169.99)
1MORE SonoFlow SE, $49.49 (Was $54.99)
1MORE Aero Wireless Earbuds, $59.49 (was $84.99)
1MORE PistonBuds Pro, $34.99 (Was $49.99)
1MORE Omthing AirFree Buds, $24.89 (Was $29.99)
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