Must-Have Music Gear for Summer
1/11UrbanEars’ Plattan in Lavender, $60.
We see UrbanEars’ Plattans all over New York City-and for good reason. Besides having a clear sound, the ’phones are full-size but incredibly lightweight. (Plus, they fold up, which makes them easier to transport.) They ably block out outside noise-proven when we tried them out in the office and almost missed a few calls because we didn’t hear the phone ringing. We’re in love with the lavender version, which are spring-y, girly and chic.
2/11Trivoli SongBook Radio, $199.
The SongBook is perfect for any day at the beach. Powered by rechargeable AA batteries, the device is iPod compatible, features an AM/FM radio and the rubberized case makes it weather-resistant. The backlit LCD and battery status indicator makes the SongBook super-functional and the bright colors just make it cool!
3/11Philips Fidelio SBD7500, $99.99.
Usa.philips.com and the Apple store
Teen Vogue’s own Shiona is such a big fan of the Fidelio that she has one in the office and one at home! The Fidelio is a compact and portable way to play music from an iPhone or iPod.
4/11Crosley Keepsake Record Player, $129.95.
Crosley is known for its quality turntables and the Keepsake is no exception. With a retro suitcase-style design, the record player is portable and features a USB port as well the ability to covert vinyl to CDs in minutes.
5/11Gummy Bears Earbuds, $9.99.
Not only do these ear buds look good enough to eat - but they’re scented like gummies as well. The Gummy Bear buds are compatible with iPod, iPhone and MP3 players.
6/11NixonThe Wire Mic, $60.
We love Nixon’s Wire series. The buds come with three silicone ear tips (so you can customize your fit), have an iPhone-compatible microphone and arrive with a molded travel case for easy portability. The Wire Mic is available in 10 colors.
7/11Audiobot Speaker, $16.
Are we suckers for person-shaped speakers that wear hats? Yes. (It probably has something to do with all those Monkees reruns that were on TV when we were younger.) This portable, beanie-wearing bot connects with mp3 players, smart phones and iPods.
8/11JH|5 in-ear-monitors, $399.
Ready to take your listening to the next level? Go pro with JH Audio’s JH|5 in-ear-monitors. The custom-mold ear buds are crafted based on your own personal molds (which you get by visiting an audiologist) and are used by professional musicians like Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys. They’re available in over 50 custom colors and can be ordered with personalized design.
9/11Coco MIMOBOT flash drive, $24.95.
Flash drives are essential for transferring MP3, video and photo files between computers. Our latest pick is Mimoco’s Coco (by FriendsWithYou) drive, which can be ordered in 4, 8, and 16GB sizes.
10/11Aweditorium iPad app, free.
Is an App "gear"? We think it is, especially when it’s as functional as Aweditorium. Aweditorium combines streaming music, interviews, photos and fun-facts into one seamless experience. Open the program and touch any photo on the opening menu to pull up a random band’s profile. While one of the artist’s songs play, facts about them pop up on your screen. If the group you’re listening to isn’t your thing, you can swipe left or right to sample a different artist. The App is a great way to discover new music or learn more about musicians you already love.
11/11Hello Kitty Rhinestone Dice Speaker, $19.99.
When you need a small speaker on the go, Hello Kitty’s Rhinestone Dice portable speaker key chain gets the job done. The internal battery can be charged via USB from your computer or laptop and will last up to four hours.
