If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): audiophile

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Limited Edition Luxury Headphones in Classic and Carbon, The Aëdle VK-1

Aëdle is a Paris-based audio startup specializing in the manufacturing of high-end headphones. To launch the company they are offering limited quantities of their VK-1(Valkyrie) Headphones Classic Edition (400 units) & Carbon Edition (100 units) available for pre-order to be shipped in February. Introduced to the public at this year's CES Las Vegas, they must have received great feedback because these are already sold out! But they do plan on having more for future availability around April of this year.

Combining latest audio technologies with traditional craftmanship, the VK-1 embed high-performance titanium-neodymium transducers in a minimalistic designed body entirely made of noble materials. Each of the VK-1 aluminum parts are sculpted one by one in a virgin aluminium ingot. Handsewn genuine lambskin leather for headband and cushions.

Designed in Paris. Assembled in Brittany, France.

VK-1 CLASSIC EDITION:

ABOUT:
VK-1 Classic Edition combine minimalistic and refined design with high-definition custom made titanium transducers. 400 units available for first batch. Shipping in February 2013.

PRICE:
EU Customers: 300 EUR tax included
Non EU Customers: 250 EUR / 325 USD tax excluded

IN THE BOX:
•3.5 mm Aramid fiber coated detachable cable + Microphone
•Additional 3.5 mm Audio Cable
•Aedle Serial Number Metal Card
•Travel Pouch
•Airline adapter + 6.5 mm adapter
•Booklet

VK-1 CARBON LIMITED EDITION

ABOUT:
Black lambskin leather and pure black matte anodization make up the VK-1 Carbon Limited Edition. 100 units only will be made for the first batch. Shipping in February 2013.

PRICE :
EU Customers: 330 EUR tax included
Non EU Customers: 275 EUR / 360 USD tax excluded
More information about Shipping & Taxes in our FAQ Section.

IN THE BOX:
•3.5 mm Aramid fiber coated detachable cable + Microphone
•Additional 3.5 mm Audio Cable
•Aedle Serial Number Metal Card
•Travel Pouch
•Airline adapter + 6.5 mm adapter
•Booklet

Discover the story behind Aëdle in this video below which highlights and introduces their first model, the Aëdle VK-1:

More details and info can be found at their site.

BeoSound 8. A Colorful & Cool Docking Station For iPhone, iPod and iPad.

BeoSound 8 is a new product from high-end audio favorite Bang & Olufsen. A powerful, essential speaker dock that unfolds your digital music collection taking the experience to a completely new level, conveniently and seamlessly. The BeoSound 8 defies industry standards as it features a distinct two dimensional design, bold form, and a superior sound quality due to its custom-made conical speakers and high-performance amplifiers.

It is also one of the few docking stations on the market that is directly compatible with the iPad, without having to utilize any extra wires or adapters, ensuring a clean, minimalist design.

BeoSound 8 (text from B&O):

Think of a room, any room. A bedroom, guest room, or open-plan kitchen? In a summerhouse, chic apartment, or family home? Now just add BeoSound 8 to fill up your room with Bang & Olufsen sound and style. If you keep your music on an iPad, iPhone, iPod or computer, you are all set to discover the iconic style and breathtaking sound quality that has made Bang & Olufsen one of the most sought-after names in home audio.

Move BeoSound 8 from room to room or hang it on a wall. All you need is a power outlet, your music player of choice, and a desire for real sound quality. Secure your iPad, iPhone, or iPod firmly in the adjustable holder and prepare for a surprise. The sleek speaker design gives little clue about the fidelity and depth of the sound that is about to come your way.

The conical shape of the speakers on BeoSound 8 has two functions. Design-wise, the shapes ‘disappear’ to create an unobtrusive impression from most viewing angles and make placement easier. In terms of audio quality, they eliminate standing waves by avoiding parallel surfaces. It may sound very technical, but you’ll find that the proof is in the experience.

Playing music from your own phone, computer, or media player gives you the advantage of a familiar navigation environment. In addition, you can now download an app version of the sleek and stylish BeoPlayer for your docked iPad, iPhone, or iPod. You can also adjust sound levels and skip tracks quickly and conveniently on BeoSound 8 itself. Music on a docked or USB linked device can be controlled via the dedicated round remote control or of course your existing Beo4 or Beo5 remote controls if you already own other Bang & Olufsen equipment.

To match your personal taste and the room you place it in, BeoSound 8 comes in either black or white with aluminium details and matching power cord. When you feel the need to add a splash of colour to the room, the list of options includes six fabric speaker covers in lavender blue, purple, green, yellow, black and white.

BeoSound 8
Price: $999
Dimensions: 26" x 9.4" x 6.5"
Weight: 9.35 lbs

Buy it here

High Color High Gloss High Performance Turntables from Rega

Rega Research Ltd. is a high-end audio equipment manufacturer based in the UK. Founded in 1973, the company's name was formed of the initials of its two founders (RElph & GAndy). Historically Rega are best known for the Rega Planar turntable, but in recent years the company has diversified into a range of other hi-fi products.

They have just released their P3-24 turntable in several fun high gloss lacquered colors.

available colors:

The p3-24 received WHAT HI-FI? product of the year in 2007 and WHAT HI-FI? product of the year in 2008.

You can purchase the above Rega turntables here

or the above special color versions of their P1 turntable for Free City here

A little Rega history:

Roy and a partner registered "Rega" (Tony RElph, Roy GAndy). In 1973 and for a couple of years Roy stayed at ford and made turntables in the evening, helped by his partners: mum (who agreed to help out for two weeks and stayed for fifteen years!) and a succession of lads. The first turntables were sold through Cosmocord in the UK and a year later under the Rega name in West Germany, Denmark and France.

In 1975 the Planar 2 was developed and quickly took its place in the market as the finest budget turntable. In June 1977 HI-FI News and Record Review announced the Planar 3 saying 'The complete unit is worth a look'! Rega's usual blaze of non-publicity.

By 1980 Rega employed thirteen staff, exported to twelve countries, had twenty UK dealers.

A new factory was built in 1992 on the Temple Farm Industrial Estate in Southend-on-Sea under Roy's design and guidance to house the production of loudspeakers and amplifiers and to ensure room for further developments.

Since this time, Rega has introduced a whole new electronic equipment range together with an exciting new range of loudspeakers. It has been very difficult to improve on products like the original Planet CD player and Ela loudspeaker but we feel we have achieved this. You can find elsewhere on this website all the information you require on these exciting new products, many of which are already receiving critical acclaim in the worlds hi-fi press. A plethora of other new products are imminent or well into the design and development stage, including more loudspeakers and electronic products. The company now employs fifty-five people and continues to grow.

Rega website

Into cool turntables?

Then feast your eyes on Montegiro's Luxury Turntables here.

Montegiro Luxury Turn Tables: A Reason To Keep All That Vinyl

Just because you like your music 'Old School' doesn't mean the equipment has to harken back to the seventies and eighties. With the four technologically advanced, aesthetically pleasing modern designed turntables from montegiro, you can listen to music from decades ago without sacrificing a modern sense of style.

The Legno:

A new generation of turntables for the new generation of vinyl lovers. Organic shapes, rounded edges, natural materials: the legno model exudes a harmonious look that reflects its full, sonorous yet delicate sound. The legno skilfully combines wood and high-grade steel to produce an ideal sound. Available in white or bamboo:

The chassis takes advantage of wood’s stabilising qualities combined with its resonance damping properties. The four adjustable high-grade steel feet are decoupled by embedded o-rings (innovative rubber composite), as is the extremely precise, specially treated synchronous motor, which is driven by an outboard high-end motor controller designed for highest demands.

The integral 10,5’’ tonearm (modified for montegiro) and the Benz cartridge provide – even at the entry level – the typical montegiro sound. The legno builds its power upon the fundamental musicality common to all montegiro turntables. The tight bass provides the perfect foundation for the development of a smooth mid-range and stratospheric highs.

The Vivo:

The cubistic, tinted acrylic chassis is available in several colors. The armboard for the 10,5’’ tonearm (specially optimized by montegiro) is also made from acrylic as is the platter mat atop the high-quality steel platter. Design integrity plus perfect finish in the manufacturer’s best tradition provide for a tremendously aesthetic ensemble.

As with all four montegiro models, the vivo is equipped with a special high-end, decoupled synchronous motor. An external high-end motor generator provides for the correct drive of all models and meets the highest playback demands.

The Mondo:

The rectangular chassis is milled from a single piece of special steel. Powerful bass with ideal weight provides a perfect foundation for the mid-range and well articulated heights.

The armboard, made from acrylic, is embedded into the chassis and integrates itself perfectly. The steel and acrylic topped platter produces an extremely low resonance combination. The steel feet rest upon precious special steel plates embedded with acrylic which are additionally optimized by a montegiro innovation.

The specially treated, freestanding synchronous motor, decoupled within the chassis, is controlled by an external high-end motor generator. It provides the correct drive for all models and helps produce superior dynamics and timing. In addition to a Graham Engineering Phantom B-44 tonearm, the basic configuration includes the montegiro MG1 – a state of the art titanium bodied pickup system.

The Lusso:

The lusso is built upon alternate layers of aluminum and black acrylic, including the upside -down cone for the aluminum platter fitted with an acrylic platter. The lusso is driven by a newly developed, extremely precise high-end synchronous motor suspended within one of the cones. The cones, connected to each other, embrace height-adjustable feet that serve for perfect set-up. Even the carbon tonearm, mounted on a cone, demonstrates attention to detail and style.

Sonically, the lusso carries you into a perfect world of sound:
Between precise, crystalline highs, and weighty bass is a generous, softly melting midrange that helps produce an ideal, musically balanced turntable. Both the base version of the lusso with three cones and the top-of-the-line model with four cones and two tonearms provide the perfect symbiosis of technique and design. The basic configuration consists of a 10’’ carbon arm from Da Vinci (model Nobile), and the MG1 from the montegiro family, a state-of-the-art pickup-system from titanium. The top-of-the-line model with four cones includes a 9" SME, model 5009 tonearm. Other armboards are available upon request.

Montegiro

Contact info:
Dattenberg GmbH
Zum Ludwigstal 10-12 · 45527 Hattingen | Germany
Tel.: 0 23 24/ 93 32-0 · Fax: 0 23 24/ 93 32-33

Speaker Manufacturers Turn Up The Volume On Design. 20 Of The Wildest Speakers.

above: The Muon Speakers by Ross Lovegrove for KEF

When I grew up, in the seventies, you basically had few choices when it came to speakers. The average consumer deliberated between JBL or Kenwood while the audiophile went for Cambridge Soundworks, Harman Kardon or Bang & Olufsen. Besides wattage output, your biggest deciding factor was whether or not you wanted wood paneled speakers or all black.

Well, boy has that changed. Speakers are no longer even called "speakers". Now they are 'loudspeakers' or 'sound systems' or even referred to as 'audio output devices.' Made from stainless steel, glass, acrylic, ceramic and more, speakers of every shape and size are popping up. Whether they are floor standing, shelf-sitting, or wall mounted, there's no shortage of unusual designs from which to choose.

Technologically, they are far superior than decades ago. And rather than bog down this blog with technical specs, let me simply share with you some of the designs. Some beautiful, some ....butt ugly. And give you links to the manufacturers so you can drool over the details on your own time.

Let's start with one of the most blogged about speakers (myself included) that were an expected hit at this year's CES.

above: The KEF Muon speakers by Ross Lovegrove; Read all about them here.

Loiminchay (a company known for making high end writing instruments- aka 'pens') Audio has emerged with new line of wood high end audio speakers, named after famous painters:

See more here.

Also unveiled at this years' CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Davone Audio's Rithm Speakers:

above: The new Rithm Loudpeakers, clearly influenced by classic danish design, in various woods.
Learn more about them here: Davone audio.

I just love Ferguson-Hill's Horn loudspeaker and bass unit:

See their range of products here.

Goldman's Logos Speaker System have the ultra hi-tech look:

above: Goldmund's Logos range :the Logos1 monitor and the Logos2 active subwoofer.

Cabasse's Baltic Evoltion speakers come in either pearl and wenge wood or wild cherry wood with black pearl:

See Cabasse's full line of products here.

Duevel's planet series below- also available in many colors- has received plenty of press:

above: See the full line of Duevel products here.

The new Klipsch Palladium P-39F Floorstander:

See more Klipsch speakers here.

The Nucleus® Reference AV Loudspeaker from Anthony Gallo Acoustics:

above: available in black, white, stainless or grey
Visit Anthony Gallo Acoustics here.

Waterfall Audio makes stunning glass speakers in many shapes and sizes:

See the above model and more glass speakers here.

Avantgarde Acoustic´s horn loudspeaker systems:

Check them all out here: Avante Garde Accoustic

German Physiks:

above: Just some of the various speakers by German Physiks

The Purity- a hybrid electrostatic loudpeaker from Martin Logan:

above: Martin Logan's Purity loudpeaker in cherry.

Gepetto (A hungarian design firm) has just released their new AiR1, a state of the art high end electrostatic loudspeaker: