2012 Holiday Headphone Gift Guide from Dinny FitzPatrck

... from Dinny FitzPatrick

Logitech UE Mobile Boombox ($99)
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The BlueTooth speaker category is a crowded space, but Logitech UE nailed it with the Mobile Boombox. Punchy sound, rugged construction, and ease-of-use add up to make one of those products you don't remember how you lived without. I've been watching lots of movies on my iPad/MacBook recently, and this little speaker makes that experience much better. Plus, the device is simple enough that my young son can pair it to my (who are we kidding? His) iPad in the back of the car and then rock out. That's pure win for long drives, and a gift for kids and parents alike.

Manufacturer's product page.

AudioQuest DragonFly ($249)
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An almost impossibly neat little package for so much DAC tech goodness. The DragonFly's design simplicity belies its functionality. Use it as a sweet headphone DAC/amp or take advantage of the fixed line out capability and use it as a standalone USB DAC in your big rig. The sound quality is good enough that it is suitable for both. Just make sure the recipient doesn't think it's just another thumb drive!

Manufacturer's product page.

Grado 1/4" to 1/8" Adapter ($14.95)
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You can buy these adapters as straight-through plugs, but it often makes for a very clumsy situation at the headphone jack. Adapters like Grado's, with a bit of cable for strain relief, make a lot more sense. You can get this style of adapter for less with a no-name brand, but what fun is that? Build quality on this cable is solid--your lucky gift recipient will have it for years. Until someone "accidentally" grabs it at a local meet.

Manufacturer's product page.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Comments

Excellent recommendations!

Submitted by ultrabike on November 24, 2012 - 2:55pm.

Excellent recommendations! Liked Nate's B&K multimeter recommendation and will be considering it. Really digging the Horns of the Hollidays and Amber Rubarth .

Great recommendations

Submitted by mosshorn on November 24, 2012 - 7:56pm.

Great job, everyone. Especially on the RE262, which is now only $99 (this is an absolutely crazy steal). Even though I just bought some top-tier universals, I'll probably get another pair of RE-262's. They are just THAT nice. I'll also probably be picking up those albums, they seem really nice.

In other news, I keep seeing that Leckerton combo keep popping up. Everyone, quit trying to hurt my innocent wallet! D:

The Leckerton UHA-6S is an

Submitted by ultrabike on November 24, 2012 - 9:24pm.

The Leckerton UHA-6S is an outstanding DAC/Amp with the right I/O and form factor.

Oh man, getting a bird call.

Submitted by dcpoor on November 26, 2012 - 11:19am.

Oh man, getting a bird call. Thanks Tyll.

Good call.

Submitted by Tyll Hertsens on November 26, 2012 - 1:04pm.

(I crack myself up sometimes.)

DT250-250ohm

Submitted by clovernine on November 30, 2012 - 2:55pm.

Hi Tyll,

I read your website a lot, and I seen that you promised a review of the Beyerdynamic DT250 250ohm, I'm really waiting for this.... I need a new pair of can for my job (I'm a 22years old new mixing engeneer). Please when did you plan to post the review ?

I don't have a lot of money so I can't afford to make a mistake by choosing the "wrong headphones". Here my toughts :

- HD600 (pricey but the closest to my needs, I wan't them to be little bit more revvealing in the Highs)

- DT880 Pro (I like them a LOT but I would love a lil bit of tamed high, cause I will wear them for very long periods of time)

- DT250 250ohm (Heard it could be my match, like a HD600 but more reveling in the high frequencies)--> if you already tested them can you give me an insight ? Please.

That would be a great help to begin my career (I need your help because I really trust your reviews... still, I don't know why lol

THANK YOU

RE-262 Discontinued

Submitted by Guitarist9273 on December 16, 2012 - 11:09pm.

It'll be difficult to get the RE-262 IEMs after this year since HiFiMan recently discontinued them.

...BUMMER!

That's...

Submitted by ljokerl on December 18, 2012 - 12:54pm.

a darn shame. They are bringing out two new models so there's hope for a worthy replacement, albeit at a higher price point. Some things are just too good to last...

"Horns for the Holidays"

Submitted by deckeda on December 26, 2012 - 1:26pm.

HDTracks has this release regularly for less -- $12 -- if you can do without the CD. It's the only place I know of selling a lossless downloadable copy, and not mentioned anywhere. (It's not a hi res copy however.)