Back to School Gift Ideas

Those lazy, hazy days of summer are almost over, which can only mean one thing: It’s back to school time! Here are some great gift ideas for students.

Audio

TW-E5B True Wireless Earbuds

Whether it’s for replaying classroom lectures or listening to music while studying, Yamaha TW-E5B True Wireless earbuds are ideal, offering next-level sound with extraordinary realism, detail and clarity. Stable wireless connectivity and up to 30 hours of battery life means they’ll go almost anywhere, plus they’re water- and sweat-resistant, so they can even be worn during sports activities and in all kinds of weather conditions. A unique Ambient Sound feature lets you choose when you need to be aware of your surroundings, along with Listening Care intelligent equalization for full-range sound at low listening volumes. The TW-E5B also delivers crystal-clear phone calls thanks to its advanced mic design and Qualcomm^® cVc (Clear Voice Capture) technology.

SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar

At just over 23″ in length, the Yamaha SR-C20A compact sound bar can fit anywhere, from a dorm room desk to a gaming station — it can be wall-mounted too. Yet it makes no compromises when it comes to audio fidelity, and is packed with features such as virtual surround sound and a built-in dialog enhancer — even a built-in subwoofer for those all-important rumbles that make movies and games come to life. The SR-C20A has built-in Bluetooth^®, so in addition to adding great sound to any TV, it can also be used for streaming music and podcasts. And with the use of the free Yamaha Sound Bar Remote app, it can be turned on or off from a smartphone or tablet — you can even switch content or change sound modes.

NX-50 Computer Speaker

Every student needs speakers for their computer, but this is not just your ordinary small powered speaker system! The Yamaha NX-50 employs a unique cabinet shape and front-ported design that delivers exceptional frequency response and crystal-clear sound. It’s the perfect companion for any PC or Mac^®, as well as for iPad^®, iPhone^® and Android™ devices. Dual mini-jack inputs with auto-mix allow them to play two sound sources at once, and an auto standby feature eliminates the need to turn the system on and off. Convenient front-panel volume control and headphone jacks makes it super-easy to connect NX-50s to the audio source of your choice — they can even be used as TV speakers, saving all-important space in the dorm room.

Keyboards

YPT-255AD Portable Keyboard

The Yamaha YPT-255AD portable electronic keyboard is ideal for aspiring musicians and music students. It comes packed full of great sounds and features, including onboard lessons that allow you to easily learn to play the 100 preset songs. 385 instrument Voices include lifelike pianos, guitars, drums and orchestral instruments, and 100 real-time Style backing tracks allow you to experiment and create your own music. What’s more, a handy auxiliary line input turns the YPT-255AD into a speaker system for your smart device so you can play along to your favorite songs or just listen while you study.

SHS-500 Sonogenic Keytar

Pretty much every music student wants to be a rock star! The 37-key Yamaha SHS-500 Sonogenic Keytar allows keyboardists at all levels of skill to rock out as if they’re guitar heros. Its mini keys mean that even the youngest users can play it with ease, and a unique JAM mode lets you focus on the rhythms while the instrument automatically supplies you with all the right notes. An auxiliary input, USB port, Bluetooth MIDI and wireless iOS connectivity allows you to play your favorite music through the Sonogenic’s built-in speakers, plus there’s a standard 1/8″ headphone output for personal listening as well as professional grade line outputs for connecting to an external amplifier or PA system.

EZ-300AD Beginner’s Keyboard with Lighted Keys

The Yamaha EZ-300AD is the perfect keyboard for first-time players, yet it’s loaded with advanced features such as a lighted 61-key, touch-sensitive keyboard that makes it easy to get started and have fun practicing and playing the songs you love — even if you don’t read music. Built-in Lesson functions allow you to work on the right and left-hand parts separately or break the song up into separate sections for repeated practice. There are 202 built-in Songs that includes popular hits, and you can add even more of your favorites simply by connecting your computer. There are also 622 built-in instrument sounds that include special “Live” Voices, which feature actual recorded samples from a grand piano, strings and brass, along with 205 auto-accompaniment Styles that enable the EZ-300AD to add full backing tracks to your live performances and rehearsals.

Guitars

URBAN Guitar by Yamaha

Both Keith Urban and Yamaha share a passion for empowering people to play music and maximizing the sheer joy of playing. The result of their unique collaboration can be found in the URBAN Guitar by Yamaha. This quality acoustic guitar and interactive lessons package comes loaded with features that make it perfect for anyone looking for a new and fun experience. The included lesson app is cutting edge, providing real-time feedback on fingering, accuracy and timing, with curated step-by-step instruction from Keith Urban himself so you can start playing right out of the box. The concert size guitar is designed with Keith’s input, with a cutaway body that allows you to play high notes that are usually a challenge to reach in standard acoustic guitars. There’s also a slim neck so you can form chords effortlessly, a matte neck finish for faster hand movement, and low string tension that makes playing easier. (Playing is no fun when your fingers hurt!) Even the strings themselves are specially selected for their playability, without compromising the guitar’s warm, rich tone. And when you’re ready to start learning in earnest, just dive into the app lessons to start playing 14 classic and new songs with Keith as your guide, encouraging you every step of the way.

AXE PACK

Whether student or a pro, one fact holds true: Guitarists can never have enough accessories! The Yamaha AXE PACK is designed to equip you with all the essentials required to maximize your playing time and enjoyment. This common-sense kit includes an A-frame stand to hold electric and acoustic guitars — even ukuleles — as well as a nylon strap, a string winder, a polishing cloth and a Yamaha GCT-1 clip-on tuner for guitar and bass (ukulele too), plus a supply of picks.

Ready to learn more about these great products? Check out our online store.