High-end audio and a luxury lifestyle go together. In fact studies have proven the better something looks, the better it is perceived to sound. Beauty matters in audio, perhaps like Feng Shui design can influence how you feel when you enter a room. Every detail matters, and the very best high-end audio companies know this. They aim to reveal every intricacy from a recording, while delivering a product that looks exquisite inside and out.
Ultimately, these products sit in family rooms, bedrooms, and dedicated listening environments and they must either be the focal point or blend seamlessly into the decor.
With both design and performance in mind, we bring you the ultimate luxury hi-fi gifts to die for, if you’re lucky enough to have friends and family with very deep wallets.
Gryphon Kodo: The Icon
Conceived as The Ultimate Loudspeaker, Gryphon’s Kodo is a celebration of excess in the service of music. Weighing-in at nearly 3,000 pounds and featuring a total of 38 bespoke drivers, Kodo’s four 92” tall towers consume 110 man-hours of skilled hand labor. Each Bass Column includes eight custom-made woofers powered by a 1,000-watt Gryphon Amplifier for bass you’ll feel as well as hear. Finish options are limited only by the owner’s imagination. Starting at $379,000/system, Kodo isn’t for everyone but if you want the best…
$379,999 at gryphon-audio.dk
J.Sikora Turntable
Jeremy Sikora, aka @budget_audiophiler on Instagram has no relation to the high-end Polish turntable manufacturer J. Sikora, but has his eye on the brand’s award-winning Standard Max Turntable “for so many reasons”. The initial “J” is short for Janusz, who was part of Burdjak & Sikora, a producer of superior vacuum-tube amplifiers.
$19,999 at jsikora.eu
BDI LINQ
The LINQ collection by BDI introduces modern design, thoughtful engineering and innovative features that reimagine what luxury bedroom furniture can be. With adjustable bed designs, integrated power-hub features and a wealth of storage, LINQ offers a uniquely functional and impressive bedroom suite that is designed for today’s connected lifestyles
From $1,299 at bdiusa.com/linq
TAD CE1TX
“The TAD CE1TX stand-mount loudspeakers that I recently reviewed are one of a very few products where I can actually say I miss them after having to send them back. They are the most natural sounding speaker I’ve heard while giving up nothing in resolution,” said W. Jennings, eCoustics Sr. Reviewer.
$35,000/pair at technicalaudiodevices.com
StormAudio
“The StormAudio ISP Elite MK3 immersive sound processor offers up to 32-channels of Dolby Atmos processing. As one of the few preamps with support for Dirac Live Acoustic Room Treatment, it just might be the home theater solution that people with open-concept entertainment rooms have been waiting for,” said Ealan Osborne, YouTube HiFi Reviewer.
$18,999 at AV Luxury Group
ATC Active Speakers
“At $24,999/pair, the ATC SCM50ASLT active loudspeakers still represent an amazing value. They’re all the speaker most people will ever need and include built-in amplification. By ATC’s own admission, their larger models will fill bigger spaces and play louder but not sound any better. These active speakers will embarrass many expensive alternatives,” said Tarun, aka A British Audiophile on YouTube.
$24,999/pair at Music Direct
Vintage Sansui
“The Sansui AU-111 integrated amplifier (1965-69) was the brand’s last tube amplifier before jumping into solid state, and the holy grail for many a Sansui collector. Would die a happy man with one of these in the center of my system,” said Eric Pye, eCoustics Vintage Columnist, aka @audioloveyyc on Instagram.
Price: Highest Bidder
DeVore Fidelity O/baby
“Possibly the best loudspeakers for small to medium-sized rooms that I have heard in years. What they do exceptionally well for such a small loudspeaker is deliver presence, texture, and the vibrancy of music — far more convincingly than other speakers in the category,” said Ian White, eCoustics Editor-in-Chief.
$6,695/pair at Aural HiFi
Risa Recliner
Risa is a recliner that doesn’t look like a recliner. It’s available in dozens of fabric colors, as well as fine Italian leathers. Unwind with your music collection in either upright or full recline positions with a push of the seat.
$6,595 at DWR
Sennheiser HE 1
“I’ve never heard the $60,000 Sennheiser electrostatic HE 1 headphone myself but all of my favorite headphone reviewers seem to agree that it’s the GOAT (greatest of all time). Ideally I’d have two sets to listen together with my partner,” said Jake Cheriff, eCoustics Reviewer and Record Producer.
$60,000 at sennheiser-hearing.com
Record Cutting Lathe
“Why wait for the record of your dreams when you can simply cut it yourself in the comfort of your own home? Cutting edge, new record cutting technology (pun intended) from Australian inventor James Sillitoe is stunning on the eyes and ears,” said Mitch Anderson, eCoustics Podcast Producer & Host of Black Circle Radio.
$85,000 at Sillitoe Technology
Which of one these items would you want most? Or let us know what would be your luxury hi-fi or lifestyle item to die for in the comments below.
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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.
