Gift Guides

Christmas Gift Guides – The Sound of Music

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Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

What would Christmas be without music? A scene featuring families huddled around the radio may now be confined to period dramas, but listening to the latest tunes – and inevitably Slade – will never get old.

Whether you’re hosting a party, travelling over the festive season or just need to get your fix of The Pogues – you know no-one can avoid that song – it all comes down to what speaker you have. You’re not only looking for crisp sound quality, but something stylish, connected and portable – so you can take the party wherever you go. The great news is our guide features six stunning devices capable of delivering for both Christmas and beyond!

 

PARROT ZIKMU SOLO

This multi-source, wireless stereo speaker tower, designed by Philippe Starck reinvents how we listen to music. The Zikmu Solo virtually recreates a stereo music system on a single speaker and with a total power of 100W. It offers a universal compatibility by providing a wide range of connectivity options and an application dedicated to Smartphones enables it to adjust the audio settings of the speaker depending on its environment. With Zikmu Solo, Parrot enriches the Zikmu range with a single speaker, becoming unique, powerful, and timeless.

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS DEVICE

Unique, sophisticated and immersive, the Parrot Zikmu Solo is a force to reckon with! Easy to set up, once your device is plugged in you soon see why Parrot are such a respected brand, with it producing a rich sound that really travels. Working both as a Bluetooth speaker and docking station, the sound quality is good on both but significantly better with the latter. A great addition is the inclusion of Wi-Fi, which allows you to stream music from your computer, making this an incredibly versatile and flexible option.

RRP £699 PRODUCT INFO PARROT WHERE TO BUY PARROT TWITTER @parrot

 

YE!! SOUND GEAR

It’s time to unplug your ears and unleash the music in every corner with the colourful Ye!! Sound Gear BTS900 from FBG – Funky Brilliant Gadgets. With its Subwoofer and two speakers, this amazing speaker delivers crystal clear audio. The instant Bluetooth connection means you can enjoy wireless music without moving around. Other features include an ergonomic handle for easy portability, a built-in Lithium rechargeable battery which plays up to 5 hours and a micro USB port for audio input and charging.

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS DEVICE

Another portable device you can take anywhere, the Ye!! Sound Gear manages to punch above its weight without the usual added costs. Unique and stylish, their ability to merge fashion and mobile without sacrificing is seriously impressive. An affordable gadget, the ergonomic handle is a great touch, transforming it into a practical and contemporary boom box perfect for any situation. The fact that there’s nothing else quite like it out there, makes this a great find!

RRP £59.95 PRODUCT INFO FBG WHERE TO BUY AMAZON 

 

DIVOOM VOOMBOX TRAVEL

The Voombox Travel is a palm sized, portable, water resistant, shockproof Bluetooth speaker designed specifically for outdoor lovers. Whilst music lovers can wirelessly stream audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device, it also includes a built-in microphone to let users make and take hands free calls. 

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS DEVICE

Finding the right speaker for outdoors can be challenge, but luckily that is no longer the case with the Divoom Voombox Travel. As its name indicates, it’s intended to take with you on the go and its small size makes it perfect for such a task. A great alternative to larger and chunkier models, it’s ideal for those looking for good reliable speakers without wanting to break the bank. It sounds good on a variety of surfaces, meaning you’ll always get a cool sound in a variety of locations. The fact it can fit in your pocket is the icing on the cake.

RRP £49.99 PRODUCT INFO DIVOOM WHERE TO BUY DIVOOM TWITTER @divoom

 

BRAVEN BRV-X

BRAVEN, designer and manufacturer of the world’s most talented speakers, is dedicated to delivering stunning audio. The ultra-rugged and IPX7 waterproof certified BRV-X portable Bluetooth speaker is the perfect companion for any adventure. The award-winning BRV-X booms in any environment for over 12 hours of continuous playtime and also features a built-in power bank for charging smartphones, cameras, and other mobile devices. 

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SPEAKER

Mobile and practical, the Braven BRV-X is sleek and performs a number of great functions. It’s impressive in relation to its size, producing a crisp and powerful sound despite its diminutive stature. Aesthetically, it’s the speaker equivalent to the Batmobile; we reckon it could take quite a beating and will last you for some time. The extra little features such as its Bluetooth connectivity and a power bank for charging various devices reveal the intelligent thought that’s gone into designing the BRV-X. It’s even waterproof, what more do you want?

RRP £199.99 PRODUCT INFO BRAVEN WHERE TO BUY BRAVEN TWITTER @bravenproducts

 

SUPERTOOTH DISCO 4

Prepare your ears for an unprecedented experience. The D4 features a Bass Reflex system that will enhance bass when you stream your favourite music to the D4. The D4 was designed to be used on the go as it combines compact dimensions, lightweight, and a strap to carry it easily. No wires, and up to 12 hours of battery life, this small speaker is perfect for outdoors use.

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS DEVICE

Supertooth never fail to impress and with their latest offering, it’s even harder to not to love them. Delivering on both its lightweight design and sound quality, the D4 is a stylish and effective speaker that you can rely on. Better suited for small gatherings than large parties, it’s nevertheless capable of filling a room with clear sound. Its affordability makes it that much more appealing, as it’s fantastic value for money. A cool add-on is its built-in NFC-tech, which allows you to connect your smartphone simply by placing your music play over the back of the D4.

RRP £49.99 PRODUCT INFO SUPER WHERE TO BUY SUPER TWITTER @SUPERTOOTH_KITS

 

BEATS PILL

Beats Pill portable speaker brings the party with you, wherever you go. The Beats Pill is lightweight, portable, and completely wireless. Change tracks from your phone or take a call with the Beats Pill’s built-in microphone. New features include the ability to amplify or stereo your music and accessory charging. Small enough to fit in your hand, the Beats Pill surprises with its powerful, signature sound.

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SPEAKER

Powerful for its size, the Beats Pill is a reliable and effective Bluetooth speaker that always does the job. Whilst it is comparatively more expensive than most speakers of this range, it comes with brand quality that’s hard to come by. A great design which is becoming a staple mark of the Beats brand, modest with a twinge of the iconic. The designers clearly took mobile functionality into account when designing it, making the Pill easy to handle and considerably less rigid. Sound-wise, it offers great performance and always delivers, sure to liven up any party.

RRP £169.95 PRODUCT INFO BEATS BY DRE WHERE TO BUY APPLE TWITTER @beatsbydreUK