Back to School, Better Sound: 6 Audio & Entertainment Essentials for Students

Back-to-school shopping usually means laptops, backpacks, notebooks, and everything else you need for the semester. But if music, movies, and gaming are a big part of your downtime, your entertainment setup deserves a spot on that list too.

Whether you're moving into a dorm, upgrading a bedroom desk, starting a vinyl collection, or building a better setup for studying and relaxing, the right gear can make your space a lot more enjoyable.

Here are six back-to-school audio and entertainment upgrades worth considering.

Better Portable Audio: iFi GO link 2 Max

The iFi Audio GO link 2 Max is an easy way to upgrade the sound from a compatible phone, tablet, laptop, or PC without adding a bulky piece of equipment to your backpack.

This compact USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier uses dual ESS Sabre DAC chips, with a dedicated DAC for each channel to help improve separation, clarity, and stereo imaging.

It includes a balanced 4.4mm headphone output along with a 3.5mm S-Balanced output, making it compatible with a wide range of wired headphones. The balanced output can deliver up to 241mW at 32 ohms.

The GO link 2 Max also supports high-resolution playback up to PCM 384kHz and DSD256, while hardware-based volume control is designed to preserve detail as you adjust your listening level.

For students moving between a dorm room, library, coffee shop, and classroom, the GO link 2 Max makes it easy to take a higher-quality wired headphone setup along for the day.

Shop the iFi Audio GO link 2 Max at ListenUp

For Focused Listening: Sennheiser HD 560S

The Sennheiser HD 560S is a strong choice for students who want to spend some serious time listening.

Its open-back design is built around an accurate, spacious presentation, making the HD 560S a good fit for enjoying music as well as more critical listening.

That can make them especially interesting for students getting into recording, mixing, editing, or music production who want headphones designed to reveal more of what's happening in a recording.

Because they're open-back headphones, they allow sound to travel in and out of the earcups. That makes them better suited to a dorm room, bedroom, studio, or quiet workspace than a silent library.

Pair the HD 560S with a portable DAC and headphone amp like the iFi Audio GO link 2 Max and you have a compact headphone setup that can work with a laptop or other compatible USB-C device.

Shop the Sennheiser HD 560S at ListenUp

For Campus and Commuting: Sony WF-1000XM6

Not every study session happens at a desk. Between walking across campus, commuting to class, studying in a coffee shop, and squeezing in some music between lectures, a good pair of wireless earbuds can be one of the most useful things in your backpack.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 combines true wireless convenience with Sony's advanced noise cancelling technology to help reduce distractions wherever the school day takes you.

Sony's HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e adjusts noise cancelling in real time based on your environment, while Auto Ambient Sound Mode lets you stay more aware of what's happening around you when needed.

The earbuds deliver up to 8 hours of playback with noise cancelling on, with another 16 hours available from the charging case for up to 24 hours of total listening. A 5-minute quick charge can also provide up to an hour of playback when you're trying to get out the door.

For higher-quality wireless listening, the WF-1000XM6 supports Hi-Res Audio Wireless with LDAC. An IPX4 rating also adds resistance against sweat and splashes, making them useful beyond the classroom.

Clear call features, a secure ergonomic fit, and easy wireless connectivity make the WF-1000XM6 a versatile option for lectures, study breaks, phone calls, travel, and everyday campus life.

Shop the Sony WF-1000XM6 at ListenUp

Upgrade Your Dorm-Room Desk: Kanto Uki

Dorm desks don't exactly offer unlimited space. Between a laptop, monitor, textbooks, chargers, notebooks, and everything else you need for class, a huge pair of speakers isn't always practical.

The Kanto Uki is designed to bring a complete powered stereo system to a compact desktop.

Uki delivers up to 100 watts of peak power and 50 watts RMS through 3-inch paper cone woofers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters.

USB-C connectivity makes it easy to connect directly to a PC or Mac, while Bluetooth 5.3 lets you quickly switch over to a phone or tablet. An RCA input adds another wired option for compatible sources.

There's also a dedicated subwoofer output with an automatic crossover, giving you the option to add deeper bass later if your space allows.

Because the amplifier is built into the speaker system, you don't need to find room for a separate receiver or integrated amplifier. Connect your source and you're ready to start listening.

Shop Kanto Uki Desktop Speakers at ListenUp

Start a Vinyl Collection: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X

Back to school can also be a good excuse to start collecting some of your favorite albums on vinyl.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X keeps getting started with records simple.

It's a fully automatic belt-drive turntable that plays both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records. Its automatic operation means you don't have to manually position the tonearm every time you want to play an album.

The AT-LP60X also includes a built-in switchable phono preamp, giving you more flexibility when connecting it to powered speakers or another audio system.

That simplicity makes it an approachable first turntable for a dorm room, apartment, or bedroom setup without requiring you to build an entire component system on day one.

Shop the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X at ListenUp

For Movies, Streaming, and Gaming: Samsung M70H 43-Inch Mini LED 4K Smart TV

After classes are done, a dorm room or bedroom can quickly become the place for movie nights, streaming, and gaming.

The Samsung M70H 43-Inch Mini LED 4K Smart TV brings 4K picture quality and smart features to a compact size that makes sense for smaller spaces.

Its Mini LED backlighting is designed to improve brightness and contrast, while the Crystal Processor 4K helps optimize content for improved clarity and color.

The M70H also supports HDR10+ and HLG and runs Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform, giving you direct access to popular streaming services without needing to add a separate streaming device.

With three HDMI ports, WiFi, Bluetooth, and screen mirroring, there are plenty of ways to connect a game console, laptop, or other devices.

Game Mode is also designed to reduce input lag for more responsive casual gaming, making the M70H useful for more than just catching up on shows between classes.

At 43 inches, it's a practical option for a dorm room, bedroom, apartment, or other smaller entertainment space where a massive TV may not make sense.

Shop the Samsung M70H 43-Inch Mini LED 4K Smart TV at ListenUp

Build a Better Back-to-School Setup

A good student entertainment setup doesn't have to be huge or complicated.

The iFi Audio GO link 2 Max can upgrade portable wired-headphone listening, while the Sennheiser HD 560S gives you an open-back option for more focused listening at your desk.

For heading across campus, commuting, or studying somewhere with a little more background noise, the Sony WF-1000XM6 combines wireless convenience with advanced noise cancelling in a compact pair of earbuds.

The Kanto Uki brings powered stereo sound to a compact desk, and the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X gives new vinyl listeners an easy way to start spinning records.

And when it's time to put the books away, the Samsung M70H 43-Inch Mini LED 4K Smart TV adds a compact option for streaming, movies, and casual gaming.

Whether you're moving into your first dorm, setting up a new apartment, or upgrading the room where you'll spend plenty of time this semester, a few carefully chosen products can make the space better for studying, listening, and relaxing.

Find the Right Back-to-School Setup

Need help choosing the right speakers, headphones, turntable, TV, or desktop audio system? Contact ListenUp to speak with an expert or plan a showroom visit.