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Harman would like to sell you some $1,000 headphones
Luxury audio brand Mark Levinson announced its first "portable offering:" a $1,000 set of high-end wireless headphones.
Bang & Olufsen's Beolab 28 is a $14,750 pair of connected speakers
Bang & Olufsen's latest high-end wireless speakers are equipped mechanical curtains that move to adjust how the speakers project sound.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 true wireless earbuds review
If it ain't broke, make small tweaks to improve it anyway. That's not quite how the old saying goes, but that's the approach Bang & Olufsen took with its third-generation E8 true wireless earbuds ($350). The best aspects of last year's E8 2.0 are back alongside small improvements to size and battery life. Despite great sound and handy features, there's one glaring omission. And at this price, I expect all bases covered.
Coravin's smart wine opener doesn't remove the cork
If you're not familiar with Coravin, the company makes wine openers that allow you to pour a glass without removing the cork. The devices pierce the cork with a thin needle that doesn't remove any material, so you can have some and then continue to cellar the bottle. So-called Coravin Capsules (similar to CO2 cartridges) filled with Argon gas push the wine out of the bottle and into your glass. At CES 2018, though, the company took its wares to a whole other level with the Model 11.
Master & Dynamic’s concrete speaker is equal parts sound and spectacle
If you're a fan of well-designed headphones that have a unique aesthetic, Master & Dynamic should be at the top of your list. The company has been pairing colored leather and metal accents for years now, creating some of the best looking audio accessories available. Earlier this year, the company ventured into another product category: wireless speakers. In true M&D fashion, it didn't cut corners on design, materials or sound and even opted to make its first model out of concrete. Sure, it's been done before, but concrete speakers are still a novelty. It looks great and, as I discovered after spending several weeks with one, the MA770 is more than capable when it comes to audio quality. But, it's not for everyone.
Technics' SP-10R is its latest high-end throwback turntable
If you thought Technic's SL-1200 reissue was expensive, you haven't seen anything yet. Meet the SP-10R. Technics calls the throwback deck its "most premium turntable ever" and its 7kg (almost 15.5 pounds) brass, rubber and aluminum platter drives that claim home even further. "By optimizing the natural frequency of each ayer, external vibrations are thoroughly suppressed resulting in a beautifully clear and crisp audio experience," a very technically-worded press release says.
Master & Dynamic's new headphones take cues from Bamford watches
It's no secret that Master & Dynamic makes some of the best-looking headphones around these days, and the company routinely enlists other like-minded brands to join them. On heels of a Leica collaboration, M&D teamed up with UK-based Bamford Watch Department to re-imagine its wireless MW60 headphones. While Master & Dynamic's signature metal construction is still here with a matte black finish, it's the details from the luxury watchmaker that offer a new spin on the familiar over-ear headphones.
Mercedes-Maybach concept is a look at the future of luxury cars
Stop us if you've read this before: Mercedes-Benz has another ridiculous concept car. At CES 2015, we got a close look at the F015 Luxury in Motion self-driving concept and now the automaker is back with an all-electric coupe. Officially dubbed the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, the new vehicle is a mix of "sensual purity" and "aerodynamic efficiency" according to Daimler AG design lead Gorden Wagener. Mercedes also notes that the Vision 6 is an equal mix of "hot" with emotional design and "cold" with so-called intelligent details.
Grovemade and Joey Roth team up on wooden desktop speakers
Grovemade has a knack for crafting tech accessories out of wood. For its latest product, the company teamed up with designer Joey Roth on a set of desktop speakers that are made from that natural material. You might remember Roth's ceramic speakers from a few years back, among a collection of other audio and industrial designs. This time around, Roth lent his expertise to Grovemade's Speaker System: a pair of speakers with a horn design and 2-inch drivers that's paired with a 2x25W amplifier. The speakers are made from solid maple and walnut to complete the look of the fully analog audio setup.
SYNEK's wine system makes personalized suggestions
Nearly two years ago, SYNEK launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund its countertop beer system to keep fresh suds available on tap at home. After raising $650,000, it launched successfully and received a warm reception for that product. Now the company is tackling another vice: wine. As you probably guessed, the Somm by SYNEK is also a countertop system that holds 2.25-liter canisters of vino -- that's about three standard-size 750ml bottles worth. Somm, which we'd guess is short for sommelier, adjusts temperature and aeration to fit the wine being poured in an effort to give your a perfect pour every time.
Samsung's de Grisogono Gear S2 isn't made for peasant wrists
Baselworld is going down in Switzerland this week, which means you can expect a ton of smartwatch news. We've already seen a few announcements, and today Samsung revealed a super fancy version of its Gear S2. The company teamed up with jewelry and watchmaker de Grisogono for a "fashion collaboration" limited-edition smartwatch covered in gold and jewels. More specifically, the 41mm device features rose gold, over 100 black and white diamonds and a black galuchat band.
Radio Flyer's Tesla Model S for kids hits the sidewalk in May
Thanks to Radio Flyer, your kid can have their very own Tesla Model S this spring. The toymaker teamed up with Elon Musk & Co. to create a version of the all-electric sedan for younger drivers. The Tesla Model S for Kids (catchy name, for sure) retains its EV roots by packing in Flight Speed lithium-ion battery tech. The feature not only increases range -- er, playtime -- but also makes quick work of the recharging process, which takes as little as three hours. The battery is also removable, so you can keep a spare charged up. In fact, the charging unit itself looks an awful lot like those used for the full-size cars, and it connects to the kids version in a similar fashion.
Grammy awards get built-in cameras for a winner's perspective (update)
The 58th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is set to take place next week, and this year folks watching at home will get a rather unique perspective. The awards themselves, those iconic golden-horned record players, will have cameras built in to their bases. This means that you'll be able to catch views only the trophy would "see," including on-stage shots and more. Footage will be streamed online to Grammy Live, a pre-event feed that starts hours in advance of the show. However, it includes the Grammy Premiere Ceremony where additional awards are handed out. What's more, the producers for live broadcast coverage on CBS will have the option to use Grammycam clips as they see fit.
SYNEK's countertop draft system will soon put growlers on tap
SYNEK's countertop draft beer system is one of many Kickstarter success stories. However, due to alcohol laws in states like North Carolina and Virginia, breweries and retailers couldn't fill the company's cartridges. In those two states (and others), containers must be rigid and hold 64 oz. max. SYNEK's first solution is a bag-like container that holds 128 oz. which meant eager drinkers in a few locales haven't been able to use the device. That's about to change, though, as the company is working on an adapter that will allow you to connect a glass growler to the compact draft system.
Porsche green lights its all-electric Mission E concept
You might have to wait a few years to get behind the wheel of one, but the first all-electric Porsche is happening. The automaker announced that its Mission E, a concept first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, will go into production. Porsche says that it'll invest 700 million euros (around $762 million) at its main site in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to help with the project. Among the renovations are a new paint shop and assembly facility alongside an expansion of the engine shop to build the electric motors and a larger body shop. In total, the company expects Mission E production to create 1,000 new jobs.
Bud Light's connected fridge ensures you never run out of beer
There's no good time to run out of beer. And if it's going to happen, it's usually when you have friends over or your team is in a close game. To ease the frustration of drinking up all of your suds, Bud Light has the Bud-E Fridge. The mini fridge for folks who are #UPFORWHATEVER monitors the number of bottles inside (it holds 78, by the way) and lets you now when they hit the "optimal temperature" for drinking. There's also a display on the outside, so a quick glance at the door lets who know how many beers you have. Those stats are beamed via WiFi to a mobile app on both iOS and Android which will also alert you if the game day supply is too low when your favorite NFL team is getting ready to take the field. It also has a countdown timer so you'll know the exact moment those beers hit the proper temp.
Nissan's concept car is covered in displays for the selfie generation
There's little doubt the cars of the future will be increasingly more high tech. However, if Nissan has anything to do with it, those vehicles could be blanketed in customizable displays, too. The Japanese company revealed its "Teatro for Dayz" (yes, really) concept ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show later this month that covers most of the interior, and some of the exterior, with "a clean canvas" of LED panels. Nissan's goal was to make a car that "share natives" (the selfie generation, in other words) would find appealing. To do that, the automaker designed a vehicle where time spent riding could also be used for "connecting and sharing experiences with friends." And, you know, paying attention to the road.
Amazon's Dash Buttons bring one-push ordering to all Prime members
If you're like me, you probably thought Amazon's Dash Button was an April Fool's joke that arrived a day early. Well, we found out rather quickly that the online retailer was serious about the device and invited select Prime members to give them a shot. If you were left out of the initial push, the one-touch order buttons are now available for anyone with a Prime membership for $5 each. Right now, there are 18 total Dash buttons to choose from that will handle orders of items like laundry detergent, paper towels, food and more with ease.
Master & Dynamic's MH40 headphones sound as good as they look
When it comes to headphone design, the popular brands don't venture too far from the prescribed formula. Circular earcups, leather-like padding and a folding frame have become de rigueur for on-ear and over-ear models. Then there's Master & Dynamic. You may not have heard of the company -- I hadn't until a few weeks ago -- but if you're looking for headphones with some serious style, this is an eye-catching option. For me, looks can only go so far; the cans need to sound great, too. I put the company's $399 MH40 over-ear headphones through their paces for a couple of weeks to find out if the beauty was more than skin-deep.
Pebble's Time Steel smartwatch ships to backers at month's end
While Pebble Time on its way to backers and available for pre-order, the company's metal-clad smartwatch is also scheduled to arrive soon. Via Kickstarter update, Pebble announced that production of the Time Steel is set to begin this week with the goal of shipping the gadgets to backers at the end of the month. It'll take some time to send out all of the units, but even the folks at the end of the line should receive tracking info by the end of August. However, due to limited availability, some backers may receive their metal bands in a separate shipment, rather than both a leather and metal band bundled with the watch itself. What's more, when the Time Steel hits retail, the metal bands will be separate purchase, so plan accordingly.
