Written by: Porkchop
Published on: 2025-04-20
So, your friend is almost as obsessed with audio dramas as me? If you were wondering what to get them this year, I’ve got you. Here’s six gifts, in no particular order, for your audiophile buddy! A couple disclaimers first: I’m obviously not sponsored so I won’t be giving any specific brand recommendations or where to buy. Because most of these products are electronics, I also recommend buying used/refurbished instead of new products. Save the earth, save the world!
- MP3
- You need something reliable to play your audio dramas. This is true whether you’re on the go or chilling at home. Why not laptops/phones? You will need those for other things such as work or gaming and audio dramas can take up a lot of space over time. MP3s have also advanced far beyond what you remember. Many aren’t much different than smartphones and can hold micro SD cards. I recommend seeking out a basic MP3 so that files can be stored in a large micro SD and listened to on the go without losing battery quickly. It will also probably last longer.
- IEM (in ear monitors)
- I don’t claim to be an expert on IEMs but as a self-proclaimed audiophile, I do think they have better value at every price point compared to headphones. IEMs are known to seal in sound much better than headphones-> lower volume-> less likely to cause ear damage. Because most IEM options are wired, they also tend to provide better-quality audio. Some people, like myself, have difficulty finding earbuds that fit their ears. Thankfully, IEMs are much more customizable but you can also buy replacement tips for cheap if you’re still concerned about fit. You can find out more from the actual experts at: https://www.inearmonitor.org/. I say all of this but I actually prefer headphones myself.
- Headphones
- If you are going the headphone route, I recommend wireless headphones with active noise canceling (ANC). Still, make sure the headphones come with an audio cable for audiophiles though. This just makes the experience that much more comfortable. ANC creates a seemingly silent (not really) listening experience which is nice for audio drama fans who want to get fully immersed. However, you do need to read reviews on leaking sound. This can cause some unfortunate situations for spicy audio drama fans. Truly, the only reason to pick headphones over IEMs is personal preference and availability.
- External drive/Micro SD cards
- As someone who frequently has to move files around because of space, just get the terabyte option. They will be unbelievably thankful. Bonus points if the external drive/micro SD card comes with some kind of backup software!
- External CD drive
- Most laptops/PCs don’t have CD drives included anymore which makes this a necessity for audio drama fans that prefer physical CDs. They are fairly cheap and portable. Also, most external CD drives are plug-and-play so not difficult to use. If you want to go further, I recommend getting the Blu-ray version. These are MUCH more expensive but I’m guessing you also like other Japanese media. You’ll need that Blu-ray player eventually.
- Bookshelf
- I have personally heard so many stories of drama CDs sitting in a box in someone’s closet. YOU can prevent this by getting a bookshelf. I want to see more people proudly displaying their drama CDs the same way anime and manga fans do. This is by far the largest object on this list so make sure your friend (or you) has enough space
I hope this was helpful for anyone looking to buy a gift soon. I wrote this with xmas in mind but I’m kind of late so now it’s just a normal gift guide.