This is, just simply, pretty cool. In the past headphones were the size of small plates and did a pretty good job of muting the entire outside world. The audio was pretty great but you sweated profusely because of the generous foam padding. And to be quite honest you looked stupid. Through time and some evolution we then ended up at the other extreme, with tiny "earbuds" that nearly vanish in your ear — and you still looked stupid.
Now, we have moved on to “audio fashion wear” that combines the best of all worlds. Copenhagen’s AIAIAI and its design partners at Kilo has come up with the stylish, light-weight Tracks Headphone Series that combines toned-down nostalgic looks with superior sound quality. A leather version of Tracks, in natural and black, is apparently in the works as well.
In another 5-10 years I'll be saying these look stupid on me as well. But for now they have a great style and look to them. They'll set you back 80 bucks but style don't come cheap.
iPod Dock + Speaker + Bed LightNow, we have moved on to “audio fashion wear” that combines the best of all worlds. Copenhagen’s AIAIAI and its design partners at Kilo has come up with the stylish, light-weight Tracks Headphone Series that combines toned-down nostalgic looks with superior sound quality. A leather version of Tracks, in natural and black, is apparently in the works as well.
In another 5-10 years I'll be saying these look stupid on me as well. But for now they have a great style and look to them. They'll set you back 80 bucks but style don't come cheap.
Note that, sadly, this is only in it's conceptual stage. This is the iPod Dock + Speaker + Bed Light. Its a pretty basic idea. Nothing to it really. But it's subtle yet brilliant design makes it desirable. This dock would have hidden speakers in the device's panels, a sleek smooth finish that comes in many colors and a handy night light fixed in the overhead panel above the dock station. Its the perfect device for someone with little space with an eye for great design.
Zikmu
Zikmu are wireless speakers designed by Philippe Starck for Parrot. Standing at 2.5 feet tall, these speakers are an iPhone/iPod docking station with surround sound technology and a range of wireless capabilities. The two speakers, which radiate sound from both sides, can be placed anywhere in a room and work without wires. Speakers can also stream audio from mobile devices such as a PC or a Mac using Bluetooth A2DP or Wi-Fi. They also have remote control and very trendy minimalist look.
Radiofonografo
I am really excited about this though it is way out of my price range. From the Italian brand Brionvega, the 60s and 70s are back, or that at least some of the design sensibilities of the era have new life. The classic, groundbreaking Radiofonografo, divined in 1965 by two of the three Castiglioni brothers, Pier Giacomo and Achille, is making a comeback as RR226. In 1965, the 'musical component robot' was an electronic marvel that in one groovy designed device included a radio, amplifiers and a record player (for both 45s and 33s).
This modernized model also has a CD and DVD player but other than that it is as close as possible to the original. The amplifiers are moveable which makes it possible to create different configurations both for visual and listening pleasure. It was showcased at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April, it may be a while before coming to a store near you. But like so many of the Castiglioni brothers' product marvels, still produced and/or displayed by Zanotta,Flos, Artemide and MoMA, the Radiofonografio is most likely going to stay with us for yet another long period of time.
