This is literally breaking news that is going to send ripples around the Luxury world – Philippe Starck has designed a pair of high end headphones.
The design is typically elegant and simple and definitely Starck.
The technology behind the Starck Zik headphones is anything but simple. ZIK has powerful DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms that recreate the contours of the music in full. This is the “Parrot Concert Hall” effect: the music is in front of you, like at a concert!
This unique music and Bluetooth phone headset is equipped with an active noise cancelling system, the ZIK is sound insulating and guarantees the purest sound experience, whether you are listening to music or making calls.
As with all Parrot products, ZIK is compatible with all mobile phone brands and accepts a large number of music sources: connecting via a cable jack; transferring audio files using Bluetooth A2DP stereo, or using contactless NFC technology (a first for any headset allowing listeners sync and pair portable music players by touch - in much the same way an Oyster or Contactless card works).
The headphones also feature a touch panel on the earpiece for the first time, meaning listeners can simply swipe the panel to control the music. Swipe the panel vertically to set the volume, or swipe it horizontally to skip music forward/rewind.
Oh Man, these are the absolute business! Very nice…Technologically advanced and they look so very good too. Parrot and Starck do it yet again.
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, is set to reveal the Starck Zik headphones at the CES Las Vegas 2012.
Availability: coming in 2012
Price: TBA
At Lussorian, we are long admirers of Atomic Floyd. Each model has consistently our performed rivals in the same price bracket.
Now, with the release of SuperDarts, suddenly Atomic Floyd are competing with the highest price bracket headphones, yet are on sale for £199.00.
I was lucky enough to review the Atomic Floyd MiniDarts nearly a year ago and they remain my headphone of choice.
Until now….
The SuperDarts are different from other Atomic Floyd products due to dual drivers, meaning that there are four speakers inside instead of the standard two found in most other earphones. I wanted to see just what a difference the dual drivers made….
I listened to one of my favourite tunes with the MiniDarts and then played the same song back using the SuperDarts.
OMG!
Where the MiniDarts give you crystal clear sound with a good bass, the SuperDarts take it up a few levels. The sound is complete.
This is 3D sound. Your ears get a treatment that they haven’t before encountered. Twangs and beats come at you from everywhere. Your head fills with sound. It is a beautiful thing.
I then went through a few different albums, picking out some beauties to try on the SuperDarts, in fact, I became a little obsessed. It was a little like discovering an extra dimension to your favourite song. Layers of sound and low frequency notes that might normally get missed.
Atomic Floyd have delivered the Best Headphones Of 2011, no doubt. The fact that they look as good as they sound is 1) a mean feat and 2) no surprise. This is Atomic Floyd, they just do things better!
Using titanium, steel, Kevlar and gold, the SuperDarts are a superior choice, perfect for any serious music lover.
The SuperDarts come with a new inline stainless steel remote/mic which provides full control of playback and volume, and seamless switching between music and chat (with full iPhone and iPad compatibility).
Atomic Floyd were already there, but with the release of the best headphones of 2011, their mantra of ‘unstoppable performance meets breathtaking design’ has been met 100%.
Available exclusively from Atomic Floyd and Apple Store.
The Zeppelin speaker from Bowers & Wilkins was always a market leader. Now they have released the finest Zeppelin yet, the Zeppelin Air.
It has to be contender for World’s best iPod speaker.
This offers performance, flexible functionality and super good looks.
At £499.99, it’s not going to dent the bank balance too much either. The iPod speaker has received universal praise since its release and is considered the best in class premium iPod speaker.
The Zeppelin Air is the first premium iPod dock to feature new Apple AirPlay® wireless streaming technology. AirPlay allows music to be streamed wirelessly from a computer to the Zeppelin Air.
Everything from track selection to volume levels is controlled from either your PC or Mac, or via an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
With dramatically improved sonic performance from updated drive units, five corresponding dedicated audiophile amplifiers specially designed by Bowers & Wilkins, and featuring radically improved bass, the Zeppelin Air redefines wireless sound at home, providing a truly room-filling experience.
And while Zeppelin’s iconic shape has been retained, the Zeppelin Air offers the ultimate in Bowers & Wilkins design and functionality, making this my ‘World’s best iPod speaker’.
Zikmu by Philippe Starck are truly amazing wireless speakers.
Looks and performance seem to be trying to out do each other. I am still not sure which is the stronger.
Let’s start with the aesthetics….It’s Phillippe Starck, for goodness sake!
Typically minimalistic style in a variety of colours - arctic white, classic black, pearl grey & sorbet lime. A beautiful and a unique object, something that is functional and yet very nice to look at. And No, It most certainly doesn’t resemble a Vuvuzela…..
Performance wise, state-of-the-art technology has been employed to compliment the appearance. Software updates have been made available and Zikmu will continue to offer free updates to really enhance the power of these speakers.
The speakers give a 360° immersive sound, a perfect and crystal clear sound image, thanks to the NXT technology and a very specific control of all electrodynamic elements via a system of DSP processing and amplifiers.
You can listen to your music from today’s digital devices:
- iPod®/iPhone™ via a dedicated docking station
- PC, with audio streaming via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Mac computers and Bluetooth mobile phones, with audio streaming via Bluetooth® Stereo (A2DP)
Furthermore, a RCA line-in enables Parrot Zikmu to be connected to TV screen for a Home Cinema sound effect.
These highly desireable and ultra performing wireless stereo speakers by Starck, that do not look like Vuvuzela’s, are available now at £1.000 inc. VAT.
Integrated Entertainment Systems Limited have released the best TV stand I have ever seen. The Quantum and Opus mi-hub stands are packed with all the technology you could ever want, or need.
Lurking behind my antiquated wooden cabinet / stand there lies something very frightening. A mass clutter of cables that somehow inter-twine with each other (How does that happen?) and cause me all sorts of grief.
The two different mi-hub models are crammed with functionality. Both units which can hold up to a 60” screen, boast a built in 1080p HDMI upscaling DVD player, iPod dock, radio, clock and a set of speakers that deliver cinema quality sound. Channeling all your audio / visual hardware through one platform is a great idea and adds so much benefit.
This is basically a plug and play dock, for your satellite and games consoles. The built in DVD player and speakers helps to do away with a significant amount of cabling. Prices start from £399.99
Looks wise, the Quantum model is a beast. Just based on these looks, you know that this stand will improve your viewing pleasure. It doesn’t have a “wow” factor, more of a “shock” factor. It looks immense.
Specs wise, it is immense -
• HD up scaling DVD Player also compatible with: CD/ DVD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/WMA/VCD/JPEG/DIVX/MPEG4
• Supports USB and CARD audio playing and picture viewing
• Pll radio function, AM/FM can pre-store 40 channels
• Docking station compatible with most iPods and iPhones
• 3.5mm auxiliary audio inlet for MP3, phone etc
• Built-in Dolby digital AC-3 surround sound decoder
• Composite video, S-video, Y,Cb,Cr video Output
• Digital coaxial, HDMI, Scart, Optical audio output
• Multi-lingual OSD settings
• Various EQ mode selections
• Karaoke function with two microphone ports
• Standby clock setting function
• VFD Multi-function display
• Intelligent upgrade, parental control and automatic screen protection function
• Full function infrared remote control
• 2.1+1 track power output
As the guys behind mi-hub say, every home should have one.
