Bluesound Node Nano

WiFi HiFi Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Gifts for Home Entertainment

Updated on December 7, 2024

A great gift for a family, especially your own, is something that everyone can enjoy. This will likely fall into the entertainment realm. What family doesn’t gather everyone in the living room, after all, to watch a movie, favourite TV show, play games, watch home videos, or listen to music? Here we have compiled a list of some great home entertainment gifts to make the experience even better.

Marantz Horizon Wireless Speaker

Marantz Horizon

There’s a caveat here: this speaker isn’t shipping until mid-January. But it will be worth the wait if you let that special someone know what’s coming. The Marantz Horizon wireless speaker isn’t just a speaker, it’s also a stylish statement piece. The circular speaker can fill an entire room with full-range sound. You’ll get 310W output through a 6.5-inch subwoofer, a pair of one-inch silk-dome tweeters, and three full-range drive units. Built around Marantz’s HEOS wireless music platform, you can tap into supported streaming services like Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and Tidal, with more services to follow. Apple AirPlay2 and Bluetooth are also included, along with analog, optical, and even HDMI inputs. You can also access music from locally connected USB-C music drives. Onboard Dolby decoding ensures compatibility with Dolby Atmos supplied via HDMI. As a HEOS speaker, you can connect it with other HEOS-enabled products, customize the listening experience, and more. With Marantz AuraControl, the speaker lights up as soon as you approach, while you can touch the illuminated ring to adjust volume. It comes in Midnight Sky, Moon Ray, or Marantz Champagne finishes with a colour-matched natural marble base. Alternatively, there are optional American walnut tripod floor stands or wall brackets for other mounting options. It’s $4,500 or you can step up to the bigger sister Marantz Grand Horizon for $7,500.

Technics SC-CX700 Wireless Speaker System

Technics SC-CX700

As the company’s first wireless speaker system, the Technics SC-CX700 is designed for those who love both music and stylish design. Available in Charcoal Black, Silky Gray, or Terracotta Brown, the wireless speaker system is made from a suede material that looks elegant while also serving to dampen unwanted sound reflections. It’s easy to set-up as a standalone Wi-Fi streaming speaker since you get both an amplifier and speaker in the active speaker design. You can also use it in place of a soundbar thanks to the HDMI Arc input. Space Tune optimizes audio performance and spatial acoustics, regardless of placement making it ideal for both large homes and small apartments. It comes with an infrared remote and works with the new Technics Audio Center (TAC) app for both iOS and Android for personalizing sound and navigating set up. There’s also Google Chromecast built in with access to streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, and internet radio. Use the built-in phono equalizer to connect a Technics turntable for vinyl playback as well. It’s available this month selling for US$3,000.

Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker

Bose SoundLink

The compact yet powerful Bose SoundLink Home Speaker delivers premium sound in a sleek design. Along with connecting to sources wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, it has a USB-C audio input to play from a laptop or any other music source via wired collection. Link two SoundLink Home speakers together to create a stereo experience using the speakers as left and right channels. The speaker can run for up to nine hours per charge and takes four hours to fully recharge. Since it has a built-in mic, you can also use it as a speakerphone and access your connected device’s respective voice assistant. It comes finished in an anodized aluminum chassis with fabric grille and a built-in stand. Measuring 8.5″ wide, 4.4″ high, and 2.3″ deep and weighing 1.93 pounds, it comes in Light Silver or Cool Grey for $259.

Bluesound Node Nano Hi-Res Wireless Music Streamer

Bluesound Node Nano

As a slim and compact entry-level streamer, the Bluesound Node Nano will be a great fit in any living or music room. Built using an ESS SABRE DAC, it makes it simple to connect stereo or audio systems to music streaming. Compact and modern in design, it’s unobtrusive so you can fit it virtually anywhere without feeling like it’s an eyesore. Powered by BluOS, it natively supports popular music streaming services like Amazon Music, Pandora, Qobuz, SiriusXM, Tidal, and others; and also features Apple AirPlay2, aptx Adaptive Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Equipped with analogue and digital outputs for RCA, Coax, optical, and USB, it’s an affordable entry into the space that would make a fantastic gift. Distributed in Canada by Lenbrook, it sells for $399. Check our David Susilo’s detailed review.

JBL Modern Audio (MA) AV Receiver and Stage 2 Loudspeakers

JBL Modern Audio

A great pairing for home entertainment is a JBL Modern Audio (MA) AV receiver and Stage 2 loudspeakers. They are crafted to blend seamlessly into modern home interiors and are simple to install, connect, and upgrade. They were purposefully designed as a simple, turnkey system. Using the EZ Set EQ mobile app, calibrate the system to match your space in minutes, while the Wi-Fi-enabled AVRs feature “Works with SmartThings” integration, allowing you to create automated routines that control other IOT devices with a simple button press. The system is compatible with a wide variety of audio platforms using Apple AirPlay or Chromecast, Bluetooth pairing, or streaming from Spotify. Start with a basic two-channel system or build a high-end home theatre setup featuring 8K HDMI video, Dolby Atmos immersive sound and DTS:X.

There’s the 60W JBL MA310 5.2-channel 4K AV receiver ($600), 75W JBL MA510 5.2-channel 8K AV receiver ($850), 110W/125W MA710/MA7100HP 7.2-channel 8K AV receiver ($1,200-$1,800), or the 140W JBL MA9100HP, with either 5.2, 7.2, or 9.2 channels, Dolby Audio and DTS or Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, low noise Class D amplification, and broad compatibility ($2,400).

Combine this with a selection of JBL Stage 2 loudspeakers, including: the 260F floor-standing models ($700 ea.); 280F floor-standing models ($850 ea.); 240B bookshelf models with separate floor stands $430/pr.); 250B bookshelf models with separate floor stands ($570/ pr.); 245C centre channel speaker ($570 ea.); 240H Dolby Atmos enabled height module ($430/pr.); the 200P subwoofer ($700 ea.); and 220P subwoofer ($850 ea.). JBL products are distributed exclusively in Canada by Erikson Consumer.

Monitor Audio Gold Series 6G Series Speakers

Monitor Audio Gold 6G speakers

Upgrade the living room sound system with the Monitor Audio Gold Series 6G Series speakers. There are six in the line, each boasting a new metal cone technology in the form of Hexagonal Diaphragm Technology (HDT). All the Gold Series 6G’s cabinets form a rigid structure, thus allowing the drivers to perform to their optimum capabilities. It begins with the Gold 500 6G, which is $9,400/pr. followed by the smaller and slimmer Gold 300 6G ($6,999/pr.). The Gold 100 6G ($5,199/pr.) is a three-way, stand-mount speaker capable of deep extended bass, lifelike midrange, and clear high frequencies. As a compact, high-fidelity bookshelf speaker, the Gold 50 6G ($2,999/pr.) has discreet proportions, plus the ability to partner it with the ST-2 speaker stand, offering flexible placement options. The Gold On-Wall 6G ($1,799 ea.) employs a slim profile for use as a rear and side channel AV speaker, or wall mounting as front LCR (left-centre-right). The Gold C250 6G ($2,999 ea.) is a compact three-way centre-channel speaker. Mix and match for the proper set-up to fit your space. All speakers come in high-gloss black, satin white, and, for the first time, a man-made ebony veneer finish.

Skyworth 4K QLED Canvas Art TV

Skyworth Canvas Art TV

A stunning TV that showcases movies and shows in all their 4K glory when you’re watching and works of art like a painting on the wall when you aren’t, the Skyworth 4K QLED Canvas Art TV is a sight to behold and will impress your family. One of the standout features is its all-in-one “flush mount” design without an external connection box, ensuring a clean, stylish aesthetic. The ultra-thin (29mm) display’s design includes all the interconnectivity options at the back of the TV, with ample room for unobtrusive cabling. The stylish 1/8-inch ultra-slim bezel blends with any home décor to complete the aesthetic. The custom-sized wood grain frame attaches to the TV’s ultra-slim bezel (optional custom-colour painted bezels will also be available). It has a matte screen with anti-glare technology that helps eliminate light reflection. For connectivity, there are three HDMI inputs (one with ARC), Auto Brightness and Colour Adjustment, Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos. The remote control allows you to go directly to Art Mode without toggling through a home page or settings for added convenience. Once in this mode, choose from more than 100 pre-loaded pieces of artwork, or upload your own via Google. It’s available in 55- (55C1) and 65-inch (65C1) models priced at $1,499 and $1,999, respectively in Canada.

Google TV Streamer

Google TV Streamer

For something affordable, consider the Google TV Streamer, which replaces old Chromecast devices. It connects to a TV and works the same way, providing access to streaming services, but also functions as a smart home hub for Google and Matter connected devices. It’s a great gift for a cottage or cabin where you can turn any TV into a smart one (with an available Wi-Fi connection) and leverage this for remote control of smart lights, music, thermostat, and more. Call up the Google Home panel on the big screen for easy control. With Google AI, get recommendations for what to watch next, build playlists, and get summaries, reviews, and season breakdowns of popular shows. Leverage the ambient mode to display works of art on the TV when it isn’t playing something. Use your voice to pull up favourite memories from Google Photos or create unique and personalized screensaver art with generative AI. Voice commands can dictate what you want to see, or have Google provide a guided experience. It’s a fast and intuitive way to access and navigate content on the big screen. It comes in Porcelain or Hazel with a redesigned voice remote for $129.

Sonos Ace Headphones And Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar

Sonos Ace with Beam

These two are a match made in entertainment heaven. With the Sonos Ace headphones, one of the stand-out features is called TV Audio Swap, as I noted in my review of the headphones. Once the headphones and the soundbar are paired, use the content key on the earcup or select the option in the Sonos app to instantly swap audio from the soundbar to the headphones, and vice versa. This might be late at night once the rest of the family goes to bed and you want to finish the action movie you’re watching. Or maybe it’s while your spouse or kids are in the same room and one person wants to watch TV while the others are enjoying quieter activities, like reading or doing homework.

Sonos Arc Ultra

The latest soundbar in the line, which works with this feature, is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which adds the brand’s new transducer technology called Sound Motion to deliver double the bass along with a spatial audio experience and advanced speech enhancement. It can be easily set up with an HDMI eARC connection and controlled via a compatible TV remote, the Sonos app, Sonos Voice, or Amazon Alexa. There are also touch controls in a ledge behind the soundbar to prevent visual distraction. Additionally, the soundbar includes Bluetooth line-in. Go all out and add the Sonos Sub 4 to the equation, which can stand upright, lay on its side, or tuck under the couch. Pair two subwoofers for maximum bass. The Sonos Ace headphones are $599, the Sonos Arc Ultra is $1,299 and the Sonos Sub 4 is $999, so together, the whole package will cost under $3,000. You can also space things out: start with the Sonos Arc Ultra for Christmas and add to the system as new occasions arise.

Rotel A8 Integrated Amplifier

Rotel A8 integrated amplifier

The Rotel A8 integrated amplifier delivers 40 watts of output power into 4 ohm speakers. The three RCA inputs and Moving Magnet Phono stage ensure compatibility with your favourite analog sources and spinning classic vinyl. The front panel bass, treble, and balance controls allow personal, hands-on tuning of the audio. The included IR remote control provides seamless operation of power on/off, volume level, and source selection. For private listening, a 1/8” headphone jack is included. Rear panel five-way speaker binding posts allow installation flexibility. It comes in black or silver for $669.

Furrion Aurora Full Sun Pro Series 4K LED Outdoor TV

Furrion outdoor TV

Take the entertainment outside with a fabulous outdoor TV like the Furrion Aurora Full Sun Pro Series 4K LED outdoor TV. Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes, it offers 2,500 nits of brightness so you can watch even in direct sun. With 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR10+, the Full Sun Pro Series TV has an IP-66 rating for protection against the elements and reliable performance even in extreme weather conditions. Optical Bonding technology eliminates air gaps for improved visibility, impact absorption, and prevention of moisture formation, ensuring long-term screen durability. The TV has an XtremeShield IK-09 impact resistant screen, low haze anti-scratch coating, and industrial heat sinks that allow for operation in extreme temperatures and direct sun. The operating range is -24° to 140°F and the backlight is rated for up to 40,000 hours, so it can operate 24/7. It has three HDMI ports, including one ARC, two USB 5V/1A ports, optical, and RJ45. The smart platform is powered by webOS Hub, and it comes equipped with a RangeXtend Wi-Fi boosting antenna and two-year warranty. Pricing starts at US$8,000, so start saving now.

JBL Boombox 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Boombox 3

Designed like a traditional boombox with a high-tech modern technology spin, the JBL Boombox 3 is a powerhouse of a portable speaker in a smaller package than you’ll find with most other big party speakers. It boasts a three-way speaker system with racetrack-shaped subwoofer, two mid-range drivers, and a pair of tweeters. It can run for up to 24 hours per charge and thanks to the IP67 rating for water- and dust-resistance, you can easily take it outside or even to the beach or park. Read my review for more details about this powerful portable speaker, which is available for $600 in black or camo, distributed in Canada through Erikson Consumer. It’s a great gift for the family that loves to go camping, enjoy time by the pool, or play beach volleyball in the park; or with teens who love to shut the door and enjoy their fav tunes.

Kanto Audio REN Active Speaker

Kanto Audio REN

They’re finally here! You can grab a pair of Kanto Audio REN speakers, introduced at CES 2024 earlier this year, in time for Christmas, for a cool $700/pr. A 100W active speaker with HDMI ARC, it also includes Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, optical inputs supporting 24-bit/96kHz, remote control, analogue RCA line-in, and a dedicated sub-out. This speaker marks the first time Kanto Audio has integrated an HDMI ARC connection into one of its products, allowing for high-quality connection to a TV, controlled via the included IR remote. You can also continue to connect to sources wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.3 as well or use the USB-C or optical inputs. With the USB-C connector, plug the speaker into devices like a PC or Mac, digital audio player, or even iPhone 16 and various Android mobile devices. With the RCA line-in and 3.5mm mini jack, meanwhile, connect to traditional analogue audio sources like record players with a built-in phono stage or even that old tape deck or boombox you have lying around. The dedicated sub-out, meanwhile, has a select crossover so you can easily integrate the speaker with a powered subwoofer; ideally a model like Kanto’s own SUB8. The powerful active speaker is ideal for listening to all types of content, including music, movies, video games, and more. Kanto Audio promises “clear highs, detailed midrange, and impressively powerful bass” with the REN speakers. It’s available in Black, White, Cream, Green, Brown, and Orange, the Kanto Audio REN speaker through Gemsen.

Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel Smart AV Receiver

Onkyo TX-RZ30

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2 channel AV receiver features Dirac Live, Dolby Atmos, THX certification, and IMAX Enhanced. It;s a 9.2-channel, 100 watt-per-channel Smart AV receiver that delivers immersive sound for movies and TV, music, and gaming experiences . It features Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dirac Live Room Correction, Dolby Atmos 3D Sound, THX Certification, IMAX Enhanced, Klipsch Optimize Mode, and more, along with Class A/B amplification, HDMI 2.1a, 8K/4K Ultra HD resolution, and 40Gbps transfer speeds, with fast refresh to keep up with the newest gaming consoles. Enjoy content from all the most popular streaming apps through all channels, advanced music streaming and connectivity, and compatibility with Google Assistant and Siri. With Google Cast built-in, there’s AirPlay2, Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, and Tunein support as well. Leverage the Bluetooth transmitter with aptX HD for sharing audio to Bluetooth headphones. With the Sonos port, high-quality sound can be distributed through your Sonos wireless network. Get it for US$1,199.

Disney+ Subscription

The group in Agatha All Along looking at something, stunned.
(L-R): Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), Teen (Joe Locke), Mrs. Hart/Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp), and Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) in Marvel Television’s AGATHA ALL ALONG, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2024 MARVEL.

Even though pricing for a Disney+ Premium subscription, which affords access to 4K content, up to four simultaneous streams, and immersive audio support, just went up by a dollar to $15.99/mo., it’s still totally worth it. The streaming service has a nice mix of content for both kids and adults. Think shows like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building (both offered through Hulu in the U.S.) to Marvel series like Agatha All Along and Star Wars ones like Ahsoka. Plus, there’s the entire Disney and Pixar vaults, National Geographic shows, and more. Perfect for queuing up on Christmas Day, there are classic holiday movies as well, like Home Alone. Plus, you can watch classics like The Simpsons and new shows like Abbott Elementary. It’s plenty of bang for the buck, and at under $200 for the year, with savings if you lock in for the entire 12 months, it’s a solid gift you can renew every year to keep it going.