Stylish Wireless Tech For Parrot: The Zikmu Speakers by Philippe Starck

Parrot is a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones and is always on the cutting edge of innovation. Recently, they've hired designers to make specific products for their line. The latest of which are the Zikmu; new wireless speakers by well known designer Philippe Starck.



Designed to blend design with cutting-edge technologies, the luxury set of speakers feature a sleek, modern look with an iPod® or iPhone docking station, a broad range of wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® Stereo) and 360° NXT surround sound technology.



'Zikmu' has been designed for compatibility with the entire range of Apple products and music players, including the iPhone. Using the docking station built into one of the speaker columns, listeners can enjoy their favorite music while recharging the player and control it via a smart monolithic remote control.




operable by remote:


overhead view:


Boasting a 100W RMS total power output, consumers can stream music directly from a PC via Wi-Fi or music stored on a mobile phone, PC or Mac® via Bluetooth® stereo (A2DP) wireless technology. The two speakers communicate with each other using Bluetooth technology, eliminating wires, and enabling them to be positioned anywhere in a room, for a true stereo effect.





Above: Philippe Starck with Henri Seydoux of Parrot

The Parrot by Starck speakers also feature innovative NXT technology, changing the face of acoustic design. NXT technology uses an extra-flat membrane to create small-scale vibrations across its entire surface to reproduce the medium and treble frequencies, optimally radiating sound from both sides of the speaker. This 360° immersive sound can be experienced no matter where a user is in relation to the speakers.

The packaging:



The 'Zikmu' Parrot by Starck wireless speakers will be available for Spring 2009 in the US at a suggested retail price of $1,500.


About Parrot

Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free kits on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists. Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 500 people worldwide, generates 86.6% of its sales overseas and stands as a fast-growth company (2007 revenues: 220 million euros, tripled since 2005) listed since 2006 on Euronext, Paris.
Euronext Paris - Eurolist, Compartment B: FR0004038263 - PARRO www.parrot.com

If you're an audiophile or just love cool audio speakers, be sure to see these posts:

Speaker Manufacturers Turn Up The Volume On Design

Wireless Speakers That Go From 0-60 As Fast As You Can Say "Ferrari"

Symbio Design Loudspeakers; Alpha, Beta & EggO

New Speakers From Artist Marka27: The Mini-Gods

Ross Lovegrove is Making Some Noise for KEF

G1 GIYA Loudspeakers From Vivid Audio: Expensive & HUGE

Funky Find of The Week: Axelsson Dragon Speakers

Art? Or Speakers? It's Two, Two Objects in One

It's A Lamp. It's A Speaker. It's The Amplamp By Futuros

It's A Lamp. It's A Speaker. It's The Amplamp By Futuros

Is it a table lamp? Is it an audio speaker? The truth is that the amplamp is a unique combination of both. The amplamp is hand-crafted by Dominic Bromley, one of the UK's most successful lighting and ceramics designers - and the guy behind Scabetti.

what does it look like?
Available in black or white and with your choice of shade.




How does it work?

Amplamp delivers a unique sonic experience that easily compares to the most advanced consumer audio products. The sound combines tightly controlled deep bass with crystal clear presence, accuracy and precision.



By using a unique configuration of Airsound drivers and a transparent NXT panel speaker, the Amplamp is able to create a 360 degree spatial sound with realistic staging. The listener is enveloped in exquisite stereo sound, regardless of wherever they are in the room.



With the shade in place, the unit delivers above 20kHz, which is higher than you can hear - the domain of cats and bats. And at the same time it reaches down to less than 40Hz - lower than the lowest note on a bass guitar. So you really will not miss a thing.


Features include:

• On-board amplifier - 80 watts including sub woofer
• Spatial stereo from one amplamp
• NXT and Airsound technologies
• Optional docking station controls and charges your iPod


An exceptional speaker- The amplamp takes the speaker out of the conventional black box. An active speaker for an iPod, MP3 player or any other sound source, the amplamp uses cutting edge technology to produce a precision, room-filling stereo sound from a single unit.



The listener is enveloped in exquisite stereo sound, regardless of where they are in the room. A powerful, vertical-firing, bass sub woofer adds a depth and richness only found in larger, higher specification, hi-fi systems.




About NXT technology:

NXT's technologies are unique and based on harnessing the natural modes of vibration in a panel to reproduce sound. These technologies are derived from a profound understanding of bending wave physics and its applications to sound generation.

Traditional speakers act like a piston, pumping air with a rigid cone. NXT speakers are different. A transducer is used to excite a carefully designed panel, which vibrates, & converts the mechanical energy into sound pressure waves over the entire surface area. It is the same principle that makes an acoustic guitar or violin make its sound.

An additional characteristic is that the sound volume does not decay over distance like a standard speaker. This allows users to set a volume that is comfortable whilst they are sitting close to the unit while also being sufficient to fill the whole room with sound.

A powerful, vertical-firing, bass sub woofer adds a depth and richness only found in larger, high-specification, hi-fi systems.



About airsound technology:
It works by using small side firing speakers to reproduce spatial information contained within a stereo input signal. The resulting sound is used to interact with & modify the mono sound field generated by a forward facing NXT panel speaker.

Pre-order yours now here. Or call: +44 (0)1249 700 643
Read about Dominic and Frances Bromley of Scabetti here.


Other wild audio speakers worth checking out:

Ross Lovegrove's KEF Muon Speakers

Tons of unusual and amazing audio speakers

The G1 Giya speakers

the wireless Ferrari speakers

Symbio Design's Loud speakers

Artcoustic wall speakers

Mini-Gods speakers from Marka27

Wireless Speakers That Go From 0-60 As Fast As You Can Say "Ferrari"

David Weiner Ventures has licensed the latest Ferrai branded luxury product; home audio speakers called ART.Engine. The wireless speakers house 18 drivers and four 200 watt digital built-in amps and are available in 4 color schemes (made to match ferrari colors, of course). You can transfer music wirelessly to them from your computer or 802.11 wifi enabled devices.







Only 1000 units of these have been made. And at $20,000 a piece, I'm guessing the customer is probably a Ferrari owner, not renter.

Learn a lot more about them or, god forbid, buy them here.

New Speakers From Artist Marka27: The Mini-Gods

the text below is taken directly from their site:

Mini-Gods are the "Givers Of Divine Sound". Since the beginning of time, many civilizations and cultures from various backgrounds throughout the world have used MUSIC as a means of ritual, celebration, healing, and even to declare battle for war. Mini-Gods are a direct representation of ancient and modern pop/street culture fused into one.

The creator of The Mini-Gods, Victor "Marka27" Qui–onez, wanted to bring something new to the table with soul, substance, and an urban edge. Mini-Gods are inspired by African, Asian, South and Central American ancient art and culture.



The long-awaited 16" figure comes with a full range speaker and has an integrated amplifier for increased speaker power -- all the better to bump your music! A lone 9 volt battery will power the speaker and amp. The figure will have a minijack connector (seen on the bottom left-hand side) providing compatibility with any music device with a headphone jack such as an ipod, cd player, boombox, laptop or desktop. Make room for the new gods in town!



MG1 Brazil (above)comes in 4 different color variations.

The Toy Tokyo exclusive "MG1 GOLD GRILLZ" limited to 100 world wide and SURU exclusive "PLATINUM GRILLZ" limited to 100 world wide. Also available in Brazilian colorway limited to 300 and last but not least the Diamond Distribution exclusive "MG1" MIDNIGHT black. white, grey monotone colorway limited to 300.

about the designer:


Marka27 is a prolific artist who is never confined to one medium. His graffiti has been seen in high profile galleries throughout the east and west coast and has been shown along side artists such as Futura, and Sam Flores.

His street murals/ graffiti have been published in several life style magazines and books, most recent "Burning New York" and "Graffiti L.A".

Marka27 made his mark with his original "Audio Canvas" paintings with built in speakers, also his large speaker installations with legendary hiphop icons painted on the speaker boxes. The minigods are the latest manifestation from the restless mind of Marka27.

See all info here.