It might not surprise you that there are a lot of passionate listeners working right here at Audible headquarters. And as varied as our tastes for audio content are (we have some serious connoisseurs in everything from grim dark fantasy, to psychological thriller, to historical biography), the way we consume that content is often even more varied.
So we asked our staffers about their favorite audio accessories that help them make the most of their listening time. From high-end wireless headphones, to convenient smart home devices, to adorable Bluetooth speakers in miniature, if you're looking for gift recommendations for your favorite literary audiophile, we've got you covered.
Sony Headphones
"Our open office can get pretty loud, so I was looking for some headphones that would block out some noise and sound great, and the Sony MDRV6 fit the bill. Make no mistake, these headphones don't actively cancel noise or make any other grand promises. But at roughly $70 a pop, I don't think you can beat their value for over-ear headphones. I've had them for six months now and they don't look a day old. They are even widely used in recording studios because, unlike most headphones these days, they play music and audiobooks exactly as they've been recorded, without added bass or warmth."
—Michael, Merchandising, currently listening to Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection
Amazon Echo & Alexa Devices
"Alexa gets a lot of love as someone (yes, I've come to regard her as a real entity; humor me) who can tell you the weather, turn on your lights, and serve up a half-decent joke. But those are mere amuse-bouches to what I regard as the main course served up by Amazon's voice-controlled technology. For me, Alexa is a reliable audiobook and audio show companion during life's more mundane tasks: making my kid's lunch while bathed in the dulcet tones of Audible's best narrators transforms a chore into a delight."
—Courtney, Content Discovery, currently listening to Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
AVWOO Mini Acorn Speaker
"My favorite speaker is the AVWOO Mini Acorn Speaker—it's wireless and impossibly cute. Added benefit of this one: you can put it in an empty (dry—as in clean) martini glass and fill the whole room with sound. What better metaphor for the personal growth benefits of listening than an acorn in your pocket?"
—Christina, Editorial Projects, currently listening to The Secrets She Keeps
Bose SoundSport
"I've been using these headphones for a few years now. They produce a crisp, clear sound for both music and audiobook narration, but above all, I love these little things because THEY. STAY. PUT. From lifting weights, to running, to sprinting to catch the train, they remain comfortably secure with silicone tips so soft that I honestly forget I'm even wearing headphones. So they're unlikely to pop off and disappear or break, which is a plus, especially if you're prone to shoving them carelessly into your pocket or gym bag, instead of in their case, like me. When I'm active (particularly during dreaded cardio), listening to a great book or playlist is a must to keep me motivated—and with these earbuds, I don't have to worry about missing a beat."
—Sam, Merchandising, currently listening to Far from the Tree
All-new Kindle Oasis
"Over my many years working at Audible, listening to has become an integral part of my daily routine. Recently I've been loving using the my new Kindle Oasis—Amazon's newest E-reader—which I can now use to access my entire library including all of my Audible books (and move easily from reading to listening when I want or need to). And it's going to be awesome for my upcoming vacations because it's waterproof—perfect whether braving a snowstorm or chilling poolside. And because it's Bluetooth-enabled I can stash it in my bag while listening wire-free. It's honestly the best gift I've given myself in a while. "
—Monica, Social Media, currently listening to We're Going to Need More Wine
Fire TV
"I recently decided to cut the cord and cancel my cable subscription. This was a bit challenging for me, an extroverted homebody who lives alone and detests silence. I ended up purchasing a Fire TV, and I could not be happier. In addition to watching my favorite TV shows, my entire Audible library is available for listening on the Fire TV. Because of the convenience, I'm listening to audiobooks more than ever, while cooking, cleaning, getting ready...it's great, and it even syncs with my other devices when I'm on the go!"
—Heather, Product Marketing, currently listening to The Blue Zones of Happiness
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
"I've had my Beats for over a year now, and while they're undeniably pricey at $219 a pair, I'd spend the money again tomorrow. They sync to all my devices—including my work computer—and whether I'm listening to music to stay on task or listening to an audiobook while wandering around the house doing chores, the convenience of going wireless cannot be overstated. You can pause, play, skip, and control the volume with buttons on the left ear, which makes me feel like I'm piloting a rose-gold spacecraft.
P.S. I also have a pair of Powerbeats3 Wireless In-Ear Headphones ($129) that I wear exclusively at the gym because the on-ear situation is too sweaty. Absolutely do not tell my mom."
—Amanda, Audible Canada, currently listening to The Power
Kenu Car Mount - Audible Edition
"I drive to and from work every day, and listen the entire time—typically at 1.5x speed—so this car mount (plus my phone in car mode) has become an essential part of my daily commute. When I'm on the road, it makes listening on my phone safe and easy. Plus, these cute and practicable little devices make great stocking stuffers for all the Audible fans in your life."
—Frank, Finance, currently listening to Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Omaker Nature
"It's an open secret among my colleagues that I listen in the shower. It might seem strange to some, but that's where I do some of my best thinking. And because I often find myself in the middle of an absolutely unputdownable book, it was obvious (to me at least) that I needed a way to set up some waterproof listening. Enter this amazing speaker. Not only is it waterproof (it hangs right off the shower caddy), but the sound quality is clear and loud enough to hear over running water, even when listening to a book that's thoughtful, dense, or muted in tone."
—Emily, Content Discovery, currently listening to The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Audible Gift Membership
Sometimes the best gift for an audiobook lover is their next set of listens on you. Whether your audiophile is an Audible veteran or new to our service, check out the Audible Gift Membership page for some great gift ideas.
