CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Sure, you could ask a tiny Arctic being to make all your Christmas presents out of wood… but don’t you think they’re busy enough? And whether you’re after ideas for loved ones or compiling your own wishlist, you might find that, when it comes to tech-based products, consulting the annual Stuff Gift Guide yields better results. Well, have you ever seen an elf use a soldering iron?
SHURE AONIC 50 GEN 2
We were fans of the first-gen Aonic 50s, and now Shure is back with a new version including spatial audio, improved active noise-cancellation and a much-improved 45hrs of battery life. There’s also wide codec support including high-quality LDAC, SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive… and if you do like cables from time to time, there’s still a headphone port. The spatial audio settings have some presets to try out, while there are custom EQ settings in the ShurePlus Play app that will let you fine-tune every aspect of the sound. Oh, and the app will save settings to the headphones themselves so you can get the same experience with different source devices. £349 / shure.com
An inspiring starter keyboard for those beginning their musical journey, or simply a solid backup for veterans, the E-X10 is acompact yet capable number loaded with quality acoustic piano sounds. Touch-sensitive keys mimic the actions of its analogue cousins, while an aux input and the option for battery power throw some additional flexibility into the mix. £179 / roland.com
Long renowned for producing some of the best bang-for-buck headphones, Soundmagic has earned a real cult following. The P60BT over-ears continue the tradition, with great ANC and 40mm drivers. £130 / soundmagic headphones.com
One for dedicated guitar tinkerers, Fender’s tidy neopreneanti-slip mat, coupled with apadded neck cradle, provides asafe and easy way to tweak and repair beloved instruments in comfort and safety. Go for the tweed option. £67 / fender.com
The Cmpsr is perfect for someone whose home studio already has it all. Compatible with all MIDI software and hardware, it’s a simple plug-and-play device that offers a unique and fun way to create and interact with created beats. The secret sauce lies in its gamer-style joystick, which has velocity-sensitive powers to let users manipulate tracks like a magical tune wizard. £299 / digitmusic.co.uk
Sony’s latest iteration of its award-winning buds are some of the best wireless in-ears money can currently buy. With exceptional sound, top-notch noise-cancellation and the brand’s best ever call quality, they promise the world and deliver. £259/sony.co.uk
MUSIC LOVER
They’ve got a carefully curated festive playlist, and all they really want for Christmas is something from this bunch
The Pro Plus will turn any stereo into astreaming machine, gracin
