From Posters to Speakers, These Are the Best Back to School Essentials for Music Fans
As summer break draws to a close, the ever-looming reality of school begins to solidify in the not-so-distant future. Much like that sobering feeling that comes from waking up, only to realize it’s Sunday and the weekend is all but over, so too does the start of August feel like every day is just one small step towards school.
While we can’t delay the school year, we can help you or your music-loving grad prepare for the next year. Give those morning walks to class a little more pep with headphones able to block out the noise and survive the rain. Or turn any dorm or studio apartment into a sanctuary with a comfy listening chair, unique posters, and high-quality speakers.
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From wall art that shows off your love of mixtapes, to noise-cancelling headphones and entry-level turntables, we’ve gathered some of the best products that any music fan will enjoy in between classes. With a special focus on students, though anyone can appreciate our list, there is a roundup of our back-to-school essentials for every music lover.
1. Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Amazon
Beats’ Solo3 on-ear headphones give you practically unbeatable all-day listening capabilities. The headphones, which are currently $70 off, supports Siri controls, gets up to 40 hours of battery life per charge, and supports Apple’s Spatial Audio, which means it can create an even more immerse experience for music, movies, and games.
They feature Apple’s W1 chip, which reduces lag when they’re paired with Apple devices, although they can be paired to any phone, tablet, or computer over Bluetooth. Beats’ drivers sound great (we’ve tested several of their headphones), but what sets the Solo3s apart is how it optimizes sound quality for the longest listening sesh possible. If you’re trying to make it through a study sesh, or want a pair of headphones that sound and look great, this is your best bet.
Buy: Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones $129.95
2. Sony LinkBuds S
Sony
Sony updates it’s best-in-class noise-cancellation with its latest LinkBuds S, which are on sale right now for $52 off.
The earbuds’ smart features actually learn from your behavior, and automatically adjust sound settings to provide the right sound for the moment. That means it’ll pump up the noise-cancelling when you’re on public transport, but as soon as you start walking to class, it’ll let in a bit more ambient noise so you can stay aware of your surroundings.
The new Integrated Processor V1 gives you crisp, balanced sound quality so your tunes sound great with or without noise-cancellation. This is a solid pick if you want earbuds that’ll help you stay productive throughout the semester.
3. Rock and Roll Vintage Poster
Redbubble
There’s nothing that sucks more than a blank dorm room wall — Redbubble is an an easy one-stop shop for dorm room decor, since they have thousands of different designs from hundreds of independent artists with essentials to help transform your college living space. Their vintage-inspired art in particular will show off to your roomates that yes, you would’ve gone to Woodstock (the Sixties one, not the Nineties disaster) and yes, you’re ready to turn it up to 11.
If classic rock is what fills up the majority of your Spotify study playlist, then this is the poster for you, with a smooth semi-gloss paper finish that won’t look like you bought it from a bin at the orientation week student fair. It comes in a range of sizes from Small (21.8 x 16.4 inches) to Large (44 x 33.2 inches), so you can easily find somewhere to shove it in on the wall between your roommate’s Pulp Fiction poster and postcards from studying abroad. Wall space a luxury you don’t have? Lucky for you, Redbubble has flexible design options so you can get this retro design as a sticker, mug, tote bag, and more.
4. Big Joe Fuf Bean Bag Chair
Courtesy of Amazon
After a long day of taking notes, working on projects, cramming for tests and taking quizzes, a respite from the academic world is a must. But a scene change and a cold beer won’t always cure the overworked blues. Instead of sitting on a bed or a desk chair to enjoy some relaxing tunes, we opt for a beanbag like this one from Big Joe.
Coming in an array of colors and sizes (though we prefer the Large), the Fuf by Big Joe provides a fluffy oasis to enjoy music, brews or a book when you or your favorite college student needs a break from studies. Paired with some noise cancelling (like the COWIN listed below) the Big Joe Fuf Foam quickly becomes hideaway from the rigors of school.
As an added bonus, the Fuf by Big Joe is also a green product. Using upcycled foam instead of beans, every Big Joe product is made in the USA in a Zero Landfill certified facility.
Buy: Big Joe Fuf Bean Bag Chair $189.89
5. Back In The Days Art Print
Redbubble
Though you could easily pick up one of several generic band posters from Urban Outfitters like the majority of other students rolling into college next month, we found this “Back In the Days” poster from Redbubble made a unique alternative. Over an all white background, this poster sports the iconic look of an old-school mixtape with the label written over in pen, and a washed-out aesthetic that gives an organic look to the piece. To top it all off, the art print can be framed if you want to get a little fancy, but otherwise the gallery-like, lightly textured paper will add extra life and presence to any space.
Hang it above a desk, beanbag or bed to add some color and personality to a dorm and let people know you listened to something other than “Sour” this summer.
6. Crosley Bluetooth Turntable
Amazon
Crosley may have helped popularize affordable, suitcase-style record players, but this turntable bundle proves that stylish turntables don’t have to cost a small fortune. For a record player that comes with serious style and a set of 30-watt bookshelf speakers, this turntable checks all the boxes.
On top of being a great value, this bundle makes for an ideal setup for any student looking to start their vinyl collection. Want to switch to listening to your Spotify playlist? You can play your tunes via Bluetooth straight to the player’s speakers. In short, it’s everything you need to plug and play your records out of the box in a shiny modern package.
Buy: Crosley Bluetooth Turntable $199.90
7. DemerBox Bluetooth Speaker
Courtesy of Amazon
Far from inexpensive, the DemerBox Bluetooth speaker may seem out of place on this list. It is, after all, $300. However steep the price, this speaker is worth it. The DemerBox is waterproof, crush proof and about as rugged as a speaker can be. The shell is made by Pelican (maker of military grade cases) and comes with a plug to allow the entire speaker to be completely waterproof. What’s more, you can actually open the DemerBox and place valuables inside, allowing the speaker to double as a carrying case.
Combined with its powerful sound, impressive battery life (40 hours on a single charge) and near indestructibility, the DemerBox makes sense for a back to school present as it is built to last through whatever life throws its way. Regardless of how many times it’s kicked, dropped in the pool, spilled on or tossed, this speaker will keep working.
Buy: DemerBox Bluetooth Speaker $399.00
8. KAIU Vinyl Record Frame
Courtesy of Amazon
Outside of the mixtape poster mentioned above, a true music lover is going to want to show off their record collection, which is why we love these record frames by KAIU. Available in either a black or natural finish, use these sturdy wooden frames to display some of your favorite LPs and further decorate your walls. Though slightly more expensive than other options, we like these frames by KAIU because they’re a bit sturdier and sport a slightly larger bezel, giving a more elegant look to the frame and record.
And with 67% of reviewers giving these frames a stellar 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we think this is a must-have for anyone headed back to school.
Buy: KAIU Vinyl Record Frame $28.99
9. Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II
Amazon
Though the previous Bluetooth speaker on our list is as indestructible as a Nokia phone, we’re always here to give you some options. We’re also fans of Bose and their high-quality audio gear. Their Bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II warrants that same admiration.
Offering 360-degree sound, a sophisticated and elegant design, a convenient carrying handle, a water resistant IP55 rating, and the ability to use the Revolve+ II as an extension of your speakerphone and Siri/Google Assistant, this Bluetooth speaker makes an excellent parting gift for your kid shipping off to college. While it’s not as rugged as the DemerBox featured above, the Revolve+ II nestles itself well in any dorm room or first apartment to become not just a speaker, but a piece of furniture. With its long list of features and relatively affordable price (half that of the DemerBox) this speaker rates well in both the form and function categories.
Buy: Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II $329.00
10. VNYL Gift Membership
VNYL
Now that you’ve picked out the appropriate poster, purchased the speaker and grabbed the portable turntable, the only thing missing is, well, the music. While Amoeba and Discogs offer options for the adventurous record collectors, it’s easy to help someone get their record collection started with a membership to VNYL.
VNYL will send three new LPs once a month, every month until the subscription is canceled. As a gift, you’re locked into either a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription, but their deep collection makes the service worth a try, and you can cancel at any time. To figure out your musical preferences, VNYL works like a private investigator, using questions on your member profile and/or looking at your Spotify (not required) to find new music that you need to hear. From there, they will send new records each month, including a handwritten note explaining the selections, as well. And with a collection that ranges from Method Man and Phoenix to Outkast, Al Green and Buddy Guy, you can be sure they’ll have something you’ll enjoy.
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