If there’s a bridal shower or wedding in your future, you may be wondering if it makes sense to consider technology and Hi-Fi as a gift for the blushing bride. Women purchase more music than men and have become the primary consumers of headphones and wireless earbuds. Your first instinct might be to check out the couple’s wedding registry and nobody will fault you if Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s is near the top of the list.
The pandemic, however, changed how and where people work and greatly influenced how much time they spend streaming music and movies at home. A young couple building out their first home or apartment together certainly have a desire for products that will enhance their living arrangements.
We have assembled some tried-and-true Hi-Fi components that offer award-winning features and performance and are guaranteed to take the edge off after a long day or help create memories that last a lifetime.
Bower & Wilkins Px8
Bowers & Wilkins has engineered excellence into every Px8, the most advanced headphones they have ever made. Combining class-leading noise cancellation with revolutionary advances in audio technology, their no-compromise design delivers all-new levels of clarity and realism. Hear your music as it was meant to be heard. Hear true.
SVS Prime Wireless Pro
The perfect all-in-one speaker system for any room. Easy to set-up and fun to use with pristine clarity and deep bass, SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers are perfect for streaming music in Hi-res and connect directly to a TV for more immersive sound when binge-watching your favorite shows.
Sivga SV023
Enjoy high resolution sound, a wide soundstage and great separation in Sivga’s flagship open-back wired headphone. Featuring a 50mm dynamic driver with LCP composite diaphragm plated with Beryllium, the award-winning Sivga SV023 deliver controlled bass, warm vocals and natural treble in an elegant walnut wood design.
BDI Align 7473
Sleek and streamlined, the sexy Align console from BDI is a low-profile cabinet that boasts audio-friendly louvered doors to serve as a full-featured TV cabinet or impressive storage credenza. Available in two bases and finish options, the Align in Satin White offers a fresh, elegant solution for audio and media lovers everywhere.
DALI Katch G2
Our favorite portable Bluetooth speaker comes from Denmark. Although it looks like a Bang & Olufsen product, it’s actually from another well known Danish brand; DALI. The Katch G2 is a “shockingly good” wireless speaker that can be used individually or paired up for stereo listening.
Q Acoustics 3050i
These sleek looking floorstanding loudspeakers have earned our 2022 Editors’ Choice Award for Best Loudspeakers under $1,000. The Q Acoustics 3050i are excellent with vocals, deliver strong bass, and can be placed near walls.
Cambridge Audio AXA35
The Cambridge Audio AXA35 Integrated Amplifier is another 2022 Editors’ Choice Winner that will surprise you with its warm tonal balance, swagger, and unbridled presence with all types of music. Plus its built-in phono stage is above average, which makes it convenient to connect a turntable.
Shure MV7
Sound extraordinary when playing games, speaking on Zoom or recording podcasts with Shure’s professional MV7 microphone that connects via USB or XLR inputs. The Limited Edition White Noir mic will only be available while supplies last.
Fluance RT85
With a high mass MDF wood plinth, acrylic platter, 9-inch aluminum tonearm, and pre-installed Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, the Fluance RT85 is a genuine audiophile turntable that delivers speed stability, a dynamic sounding presentation, and a lot of performance for the money.
AirPods Pro
While not our first choice from an audiophile perspective, there’s no denying the convenience and appeal of the latest Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen with active noise cancellation. Tryout their new Spatial Audio feature with Dolby Atmos on Apple Music and let us know what you think in the comments.
Note: Most of these products are available in multiple color options and finishes.
Disclosure: The products listed above are approved by our Editors, but may be requested by our sponsors. When links to buy are provided, we’ll direct you to the lowest price at time of publication. In doing so, eCoustics may earn a small commission from the associated retailer if purchased.
ORT
March 31, 2023 at 6:04 pm
Hmmmm…I am neither blushing nor a bride but…Every one has a big but in their life. Here is mine:
I am a sucker for good looks. The PX8 in tan may well convince me to go from Blue-ish to “Tan-ish”(?). And the Sivg 023 are gorgeous too. Not enough to give me regret for buying the Focal Elegia that are awaiting arrival of the balanced cable (the OEM one is damnably short!) but close. At the risk of being labeled “risque” by the thought police, wood is good and the 023 puts the wood to righteous good looks.
The Fluance RT85 was long a contender for my moolah but…(There’s that big but again!) I recently went toad-wild and bought my self yet another turntable present: The Pro-Ject X2 in Walnut. Awaiting delivery of the missing from the package Sumiko Moonstone and then it shall be a loverly night for a Moonstone, indeed! Van Morrison would surely agree with me. I have Pro-Jects Beatles Singles, ’64 and Sgt. Peppers 50th (Drum Kit) ‘tables too. I am Beatles Enthusiast, albeit a broke one.
Having recently fallen down the stairs in our home (uncoordinated and handicapable make for a very banged up ORT) and in the course of said tumble, I destroyed my Android phone. I really liked it but returned to fApple for reasons of CarPlay and bought an iPhone 14 (256gig) for myself and as much as I do not care for IEMs I may well give the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen a try. The worst that can happen is I wind up giving them to my daughter. She has been a bride and is now a happy wife with two children. A little noise cancellation might make her smile for awhile. I already gave her husband a pair of Bose QC45s.
In the mean time, I shall consider changing from Blueish to Tan-ish and even giving my self (HUMOR ALERT!) some wood…’phones. My thanks are genuine for you having once more stirred to coals of my musical soul Sir Brian of Mitchell.
ORT
Chris Boylan
April 2, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Hey, ORT,
Apparently you like big buts and I cannot lie.
ORT
April 17, 2023 at 6:22 pm
Hello the house! Or in what must pass for the common tongue these days, Whaaaaaaaassssup! UGH!
So hey, Lady Catherine of Lugg, didst thou not notice this article or mayhap accidentally passed it over or just did not useth the searchet function…eth? 😉
Lest you feign broffence be ye assured that mine own tongue is firmly planted in mine own cheek for I have that most elusive of senses, the Sixth Sense (no…not ESP – Humour!).
And Sir Chris of Boylan, stout fellow and well met indeed! Excellent quotation from the superb animated film “Shrek!”
The main meaning of mine meandering missive is to show that yes(!) ecousitcs does indeed cater in the manner of the Mighty Musketeers of days of olde. Exempli gratia: One for all…And all for One! I can hear you say, “Huh?”.
In plain speech. Audio and Video is for all to read about, to write about and to listen, view and dare I say it? ENJOY.
“That which we have in common is not really all that uncommon.- Mother of Don QuixORTe’
“Sigh”…
“My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.”
Don QuixORTe’
Ian White
April 17, 2023 at 6:36 pm
Ditto.
IW