Audiophiles are hard to buy for: they already have opinions about everything. The good news is that some of the most appreciated gifts are small and cheap – a dongle that improves the sound from a phone, a pair of well-tuned wired earphones, or a streamer that brings an old hi-fi back to life. This guide covers nine gifts from about €20 to around €400, with prices checked for Europe where we could find them.
Many of these products are sold mainly online and prices move around a lot, so we show a price only where we found a reliable figure. Black Week starts around 20 November, and audio gear is often discounted – see our Black Friday headphones guide.
Our picks at a glance
- Best stocking fillerFiiO KA11
- Best budget IEMMoondrop Chu II
- Best wired earbudsSennheiser IE 200
- Best first open-backSennheiser HD 560S
- Best planar under €300Hifiman Sundara
- Best for mixingSennheiser HD 600
- Best desktop DAC/ampFiiO K11 R2R
- Best streamer upgradeWiiM Pro Plus
- Best with USBAudio-Technica AT-LP5x
Prices are approximate and change often. Ad
1. FiiO KA11 – best stocking filler
Most phones no longer have a headphone jack, and laptop headphone outputs are often noisy. A dongle DAC fixes both. The FiiO KA11 plugs into USB-C (or Lightning, in a separate version) and gives wired headphones a cleaner, stronger signal. Android Central called it “the best way to upgrade your phone audio” at its US launch price of $29.
It has a 3.5 mm output only, so it won’t suit people with balanced cables, and it can’t drive the hardest headphones. As a small gift, it’s hard to beat.
FiiO KA11
A tiny USB dongle DAC and headphone amp that plugs into a phone or laptop and gives wired headphones a cleaner, stronger signal than most built-in headphone outputs – or a headphone jack where there is none.
- Type
- USB dongle DAC/amp
- Connection
- USB-C (Lightning version available)
- Output
- 3.5 mm
- Resolution
- Up to 32-bit/384 kHz
Pros
- Very cheap way to add a good headphone output to a phone
- Pocket-size
- Highly rated by Android Central and Headfonia
Cons
- Single-ended 3.5 mm only, no balanced output
- Not enough power for the hardest-to-drive headphones
2. Moondrop Chu II – best budget wired earphones
Chinese “Chi-Fi” brands have changed what cheap earphones can sound like. The Moondrop Chu II costs about $23 in the US and around €32 in the EU, with a single dynamic driver, metal shells and a detachable cable. It’s a fun gift for someone who’s curious about wired sound but doesn’t want to spend much.
The standard version has no microphone, and getting a good fit can take some experimenting with ear tips.
Moondrop Chu II
A cheap wired in-ear monitor with a single dynamic driver and a detachable cable – a popular first step into 'Chi-Fi' IEMs and an easy gift for anyone curious about wired sound.
- Type
- Wired in-ear monitor
- Driver
- Single dynamic driver
- Cable
- Detachable
- Plug
- 3.5 mm
Pros
- Remarkable sound for the price, according to reviewers
- Detachable cable
- Metal shells
Cons
- No microphone on the standard version
- Fit takes some experimenting with ear tips
3. Sennheiser IE 200 – best wired earbuds from a big brand
If you’d rather buy from a familiar name, the Sennheiser IE 200 is the brand’s most affordable audiophile in-ear. It has a single dynamic driver and a detachable cable, and it was reviewed by hifi.de and kopfhoerer.de. It’s a step up in build and tuning from budget earphones and a good gift for commuters who still prefer a cable.
Sennheiser IE 200
Sennheiser's most affordable audiophile in-ear headphones: a single dynamic driver, a detachable cable and two fit options that let you adjust the bass. hifi.de and kopfhoerer.de both reviewed it.
- Type
- Wired in-ear
- Driver
- Single dynamic driver
- Cable
- Detachable
- Plug
- 3.5 mm
Pros
- Clean, balanced sound from a big-name brand
- Detachable cable
- Comfortable, lightweight shells
Cons
- No microphone or remote
- Cable is a little thin
4. Sennheiser HD 560S – best first open-back headphones
Open-back headphones sound more spacious than closed ones, which is why audiophiles love them. The HD 560S is the classic first pair: neutral, detailed and light enough for long listening sessions. It’s often discounted – What Hi-Fi has reported it at £89 in the UK – and in early November 2026 it costs about €136–145 in Germany and the Netherlands.
Being open-back, it leaks sound and lets noise in, so it’s for home use only.
Sennheiser HD 560S
An open-back headphone with a neutral, analytical tuning and a wide soundstage. It's the classic 'first serious headphone' and is often discounted: What Hi-Fi has reported it at £89 in the UK.
- Type
- Open-back over-ear
- Impedance
- 120 Ω
- Cable
- Detachable
- Plug
- 6.35 mm (3.5 mm adapter)
Pros
- Accurate, detailed sound
- Wide stereo image
- Light and comfortable for long sessions
Cons
- Open-back: leaks sound and lets noise in
- Bass is lean for some tastes
5. Hifiman Sundara – best planar magnetic headphones under €300
Planar magnetic drivers are known for fast, detailed sound, and the Hifiman Sundara is one of the most recommended ways to try them without spending a fortune. It’s often discounted, so check the price on the day. It sounds best with a dedicated headphone amplifier such as the FiiO K11 below.
Hifiman Sundara
An open-back planar magnetic headphone that is widely recommended as one of the best value 'step-up' headphones, with fast, detailed sound.
- Type
- Open-back over-ear
- Driver
- Planar magnetic
- Cable
- Detachable
- Plug
- 3.5 mm
Pros
- Planar detail and speed at a mid-range price
- Detachable cable
- Often discounted
Cons
- Open-back: not for commuting
- Benefits from a dedicated headphone amp
6. Sennheiser HD 600 – the reference classic
The HD 600 has been a reference headphone for studios and audiophiles for decades. If the person you’re buying for doesn’t already own one, it’s a gift they’ll keep for years. It’s open-back and benefits from a decent amplifier. More options in our best headphones guide.
Sennheiser HD 600
An open-back reference headphone known for a flat, revealing sound that exposes problems in a mix.
- Design
- Open-back, over-ear
- Impedance
- 300 Ω
- Cable
- Detachable
- Best with
- Headphone amp or good interface
Pros
- Neutral, revealing sound
- Excellent for mix decisions
- Replaceable parts
Cons
- Needs a decent amp
- Leaks sound — not for recording
- Bass is accurate rather than punchy
7. FiiO K11 R2R – best desktop DAC and amp
A desktop DAC/amp turns a computer into a serious headphone system. The FiiO K11 R2R uses a resistor-ladder (R2R) DAC, has 6.35 mm and balanced 4.4 mm outputs, and offers plenty of power for full-size headphones like the Sundara or HD 600. It was reviewed by TechPowerUp, Headfonics and eCoustics, and it launched at around $150–170 in the US and costs from about €180 in Europe (billiger.de).
FiiO K11 R2R
A compact desktop DAC and headphone amplifier with an R2R (resistor ladder) DAC, balanced 4.4 mm output and plenty of power for full-size headphones. TechPowerUp, Headfonics and eCoustics have reviewed it.
- Type
- Desktop DAC + headphone amp
- DAC
- R2R
- Headphone outputs
- 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced
- Inputs
- USB, optical, coaxial
- Line out
- RCA
- Power
- Up to 1,300 mW (4.4 mm balanced, 32 Ω)
Pros
- Enough power for most full-size headphones
- Balanced output
- Can also feed powered speakers
Cons
- Needs desk space and a power supply
- Not portable
8. WiiM Pro Plus – best streamer for an existing hi-fi
Lots of people have a good amplifier and speakers but no easy way to stream to them. The WiiM Pro Plus adds Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Google Cast and multiroom, and connects by analogue or digital cables. What Hi-Fi gave it five stars and has reported £50 discounts in previous sales.
WiiM Pro Plus
A small network streamer that adds Wi-Fi streaming, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and multiroom to an existing hi-fi amplifier or powered speakers. What Hi-Fi gave it five stars.
- Type
- Network music streamer
- Streaming
- AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
- Outputs
- Analogue RCA, optical, coaxial
- App
- WiiM Home (multiroom)
Pros
- Brings old hi-fi into the streaming age
- Five stars from What Hi-Fi
- Excellent app
Cons
- Needs an amplifier or powered speakers
- No built-in display
9. Audio-Technica AT-LP5x – best turntable gift
For a vinyl lover, a good turntable is the ultimate gift. The AT-LP5x is a direct-drive deck with a built-in phono stage and USB output, and we found it at €417.56 at Galaxus in early November 2026. It needs an amplifier and speakers, or powered speakers with a line input. See our best turntables guide for more.
Audio-Technica AT-LP5x
A direct-drive deck with a built-in phono stage and USB output for ripping records to your computer — What Hi-Fi's best USB turntable.
- Drive
- Direct, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Cartridge
- AT-VM95E moving magnet
- Connections
- Built-in phono stage, USB
Pros
- Plug straight into powered speakers
- USB rips to WAV
- Composed, robust sound
Cons
- Purist rivals sound better outright
How to choose
Find out what they already use
The best audiophile gift fits into an existing setup. Check whether they listen mostly on a phone (a dongle or IEMs), at a desk (open-back headphones and a DAC/amp) or in the living room (a streamer or turntable).
Open-back or closed-back?
Open-back headphones sound more natural but leak sound. They’re for quiet rooms at home, not for trains or offices.
Does it need an amplifier?
Some headphones, especially planar magnetic models like the Sundara, sound better with a dedicated amplifier. A dongle or desktop DAC/amp makes a good companion gift.
Buying in the EU
Many Chi-Fi products are sold through marketplace sellers. Buy from a seller that ships from within the EU or UK to avoid customs charges, and remember the 2-year EU legal guarantee applies to the seller you buy from.
Hi-res streaming
Good gear deserves good sources. Services such as Qobuz offer hi-res streaming in Europe – check current prices before gifting a subscription.
How we choose
We don’t test products hands-on. Picks are based on expert reviews and measurements from outlets including What Hi-Fi, Android Central, Headfonia, Chifiwire, TechPowerUp, Headfonics, eCoustics, hifi.de and kopfhoerer.de, plus retailer listings and deal reports. See how we research.
FAQ
What is a good cheap gift for an audiophile?
A dongle DAC like the FiiO KA11 or a pair of well-tuned wired earphones like the Moondrop Chu II. Both cost little and make a noticeable difference.
Do audiophiles still use wired headphones?
Yes. Wired headphones avoid Bluetooth compression and are still the choice of most audiophiles for serious listening at home.
Is a DAC worth it?
For phones without a headphone jack or computers with noisy outputs, yes. A cheap dongle DAC is the easiest upgrade.
What are good open-back headphones for a beginner?
The Sennheiser HD 560S is the classic first open-back. The Hifiman Sundara and Sennheiser HD 600 are step-up options.
