Check out the Indiegogo crowd funding campaign for The Core Wireless Sound System. I have not heard it, but all the reports and previews of it have said that it sounds excellent. You can get a separate subwoofer for it if you so desire, but it is said to reproduce good bass without it... at least for most music.
Even with the subwoofer it is still within the price range you posted.
Here is the link:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-core-wireless-speaker-system
I have a very high end system, but I ordered two of these anyway (one for myself and one for my girlfriend) because of the good reports and also because it is very small and battery operated (a charge lasts for 12 hours) and, thus, portable.
I am also very curious about their claim that not only does it throw a very big holographic sound stage but also that the soundstage supposedly remains absolutely stable no matter where you are standing or seated in the room where you are listening to it. Those who have heard it say that this claim is true.
The only problem, in your case might be that you cannot get it by Christmas. But you could print up the webpage and gift wrap it as a homemade ''gift certificate'' so he will know what he will be getting.