New homeowners (and renters) will appreciate new TV, audio, and home theater components to enhance their entertainment space. As with choosing gifts and tech gadgets, new products in these areas are launched regularly, and when you gift items, you balance what you think they want, with what will be a practical and useful item that can be enjoyed for years – or until the next big technology comes along.
We’ve got some expert advice to help you choose, as well as some suggestions.
Soundbars
People moving to a larger space will want to get something more powerful, and with a wireless subwoofer to add bass, says Carl Prouty, a technologist at Abt Electronic in Glenview, IL. “If they’re moving to a smaller space, consider something that doesn’t include a separate subwoofer, as that could take up floor space they don’t have,” he tells us.
When people move into a condo or apartment, Prouty says you may also want to consider something without a subwoofer, as some of them are loud enough to shake a downstairs neighbor’s ceiling floor or the floor of an upstairs neighbor. “A key feature to look for would be an HDMI connection, as this is currently the most popular way to connect a TV to a soundbar.”
Bluetooth is also useful because it lets you stream music from your phone, tablet, or computer to the speaker, and WiFi is another feature to look for. “Some brands, like Bose, offer soundbars that you can integrate into a complete home audio system over Wi-Fi so you don’t need to run wires everywhere if you want sound throughout your house.” , explains Prouty.
Televisions
Space is once again a major factor to consider when deciding what screen size to consider for your giveaway. Prouty says you’ll also need to keep in mind how it’s installed. “If the object is hanging on the wall, size tends to be less of a factor; however, if it is installed on an entertainment stand, you will need to ensure that the TV stand will fit on top of the stand.
Home theaters
You can get a home theater with just one speaker or with an A/V receiver. “The safest bet is to buy a system that comes with a receiver, because it will have the essential main components,” says Prouty. If the new owner already has a receiver, he notes that a set of speakers can be a good way to improve his sound, but cautions that it’s not always a one-size-fits-all solution. “You’ll also want to consider the additional work involved in setting up a home theater system,” says Prouty. “Most will require wires, which are not usually included with the set, to be run from the receiver to the speakers, which can make installation a little trickier. “It’s much easier to install a soundbar than a full set of speakers in most cases.”
Here are some of the TV/audio/home theater items to consider for housewarming gifts:
TCL 55-inch Q-Class 4K QLED HDR Smart TV
Neither too big nor too small, the TCL 55-inch Q-Class 4K QLED HDR Smart TV, is the perfect size for most people – and it also comes in 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch versions. Quantum dot technology and 4K UHD resolution produce bright, vivid, lifelike images with over 200 local dimming zones. The TV has Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, as well as a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a voice remote and works with Alexa.
Polk Audio Magnifi Mini AX
A powerful sound bar that doesn’t take up much space, the Polk Audio Magnifi Mini AX It may only be 15 inches wide, but it delivers cinematic Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound. The 3D soundstage, clear dialogues and deep bass make the soundbar also ideal for music streaming. The subwoofer can be installed 30 feet from the soundbar and has bass adjustment. The soundbar includes HEMI, eARC, optical and 3.5mm inputs.
Victrola Hi-Res Carbon turntable
Vinyl records are making a comeback — in fact, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl sales have increased for the past 16 years in a row. Friendliness Victrola Hi-Res Carbon turntable connects wirelessly (to speakers or headphones) using the built-in aptX adaptive Bluetooth connectivity, but it can also provide a wired connection using the switchable preamp and RCA outputs. Quality materials, including the carbon fiber tonearm, adjustable counterweight and cartridge, combine to produce an impressive sound.
Bose Smart Ultra soundbar
THE Bose Smart Ultra soundbar can connect to other Bose speakers and headphones and connect via WiFi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Apple Airplay. The surround sound system includes both Dolby Atmos and Bose True Space (which can separate sounds) and an AI dialog mode, for immersive experiences. The soundbar is also easy to set up: just plug it in and play. The Bose Music app can be used to set up the soundbar, choose a voice assistant, and also control the TV instead of using the included remote. Bose also makes a Steal the Thunder Home Theater Sound Systemwhich includes a soundboard, bass module and a pair of surround speakers.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
An alternative to television is to watch movies on XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector, which offers 4K resolution for incredibly sharp images in sizes ranging from 40 inches to 200 inches. The projector is bright with 1,500 ISO lumens and features autofocus and auto keystone correction. Built-in speakers with DTS HD and Dolby Audio deliver home theater surround sound. The projector has an Android TV 10.0 operating system and Google Play Store is integrated for access to over 5,000 apps including Showtime, HBO and YouTube. Additionally, Google Assistant offers voice control.
U-Turn Audio Orbit Basic Turntable
A great entry-level record player is the U-Turn Audio Orbit Basic Turntable, easy to set up and play. It features a seamless silicone drive belt with a low noise AC synchronous motor and manual speed control (33 to 45 rpm). The turntable features a one-piece magnesium tonearm and Audio-Technica cartridge. It is available with or without a built-in preamp. Color choices are numerous and include black, white, red, blue, green, oak and walnut.
Klipsch R-50M bookshelf speakers
If gift recipients are short on space, the Klipsch R-50M bookshelf speakers don’t take up much space, but look and sound great wherever they are placed. However, the exterior dimensions of the horn have been increased to provide even more immersive sound, whether watching movies or listening to music. Additionally, the linear travel suspension of the aluminum tweeters delivers clear, detailed sound and eliminates distortion. Additionally, the MDF cabinet is made of wood-grain textured vinyl that resists scratches.
VMP (Vinyl me, please)
Vinyl fans will also enjoy the new music, and VMP (Vinyl me, please) has a club record of the month and also an online record. The company sells music to everyone, but club members get discounts and early access. The music ranges from rock and country to soul and hip-hop. Some of the people available on the website include Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Fiona Apple, Dolly Parton, Stone Temple Pilots and Fleetwood Mac.
OnePlus open smartphone
To stream content from smartphone to speakers and TV, your new landlord or tenant may need a powerful new phone. THE OnePlus open smartphone uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of read-only memory. It supports Wi-Fi-7 and dual 5G for fast and stable connections. The smartphone also has a 48 MP Sony Lytia stacked pixel primary camera and a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus. There are also two automatic cameras (20MP and 32MP) on the cover screen. The camera is available in Voyager Black and Emerald Dush.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Headphones
If you’re not sure which item would work best, you can’t go wrong with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Headphones (or another type of noise-canceling headphones). With a battery life of 30 hours, the headphones provide more than a day of listening time and can also be used to accept phone calls. They’re comfortable, too, with luxurious, plush foam earcups, plus an adjustable headband to find the best fit. Active noise cancellation blocks unwanted sounds, and the Bowers & Wilkins music app can be used for voice assistant support and direct streaming.