Stock Up on the Real School Supplies

Don't settle for the tinny headphones that come with most music players -- invest in a pair that will fit your specific needs and push your listening experience to the next level.

A loud environment can really take away from a good studying or air-guitar session. Get up close with your music and keep your groove going with over-ear headphones from Audio-Technica. For a more discreet music-listening option, Shure SE215 passive sound-isolating earphones provide full, clear sound while still being small enough to be hidden under any hoodie.

If you're looking for versatile, lightweight headphones with a foldable design and coiled cable, the Sennheiser HD280s offer superior sound quality without sacrificing ease of use. These headphones' deluxe padding and closed-back design not only make long listening sessions easy, but also provide up to 32 dB of ambient noise reduction.

Equally suited for between classes or at a bonfire, these acoustic instruments offer the perfect blend of full, natural sound and portability.

With their lightweight, compact design, travel guitars are affordable without sacrificing quality or tone. Looking to learn a new instrument you can quickly pull out and strum for an impromptu sing-along? Check out our Ukulele Buying Guide.

Does your jam session need some percussion added to the mix? Whether you're playing rock, folk, hip-hop, or just an open-form jam, a cajon can fit right into the mix. This versatile hand drum is capable of producing everything from a deep bass note to a sizzling "slap" from the built in snare strip, and can be effortlessly tuned with an Allen wrench, allowing you to spend less time finding sounds and more time making them.

A party without music is hardly a party. Keep the dance floor thumping till the sun comes up with these portable PAs.

Get the dorm-room party started with a portable speaker with a rechargeable battery, like the Bose S1 Pro Plus. This portable PA system packs plenty of power to pump your favorite party playlist through a 1/8" aux input or via Bluetooth. If you feel like playing along, plug in a mic or instrument with the two XLR-1/4" hybrid inputs and get it sounding right with built-in effects and EQ settings.