Hasta La Gadget!

There are bargain headphones, and there are luxury headphones. The Ultrasone Edition 8 Palladium is definitely luxury. Based on the design of the company’s Edition 8 headphones, the outer earcups of this version are adorned with palladium, a rare metal that increases durability and limits tarnishing. The earcups are also embossed with a high-tech ceramic inlay. Each Edition 8 headphone is stamped with its own serial number and comes in a sleek leather bag.

As for components, the Edition 8 Palladium uses Ultrasone’s latest S-Logic Plus technology for what it describes as “an impartial acoustic feeling that affords the listener the utmost spacious tonal perception.” So how much can the demanding audiophile expect to pay for this? They list for $1699, which is quite a bit more than my last pair or earbuds cost. Look for them at the Edition 8 site or with high-end audio dealers.

iLuv’s Tatz series of headphones and earphones offer the trendy good looks and bright colors of tattoos, without the years of regret of having one permanently inscribed on your body.

The company is offering three different Tatz series — each with three headphones and four earphones. The Impressionz series is mostly red and promises to get you noticed. The Broken Heartz series is pink and is meant for rocker girls. Finally, the Scarz series in black is more for tough and cool boys.

Look for them starting in late January. Headphones will be priced around $79.99 to $89.99, while the earphones will be around $39.99 to $49.99.

Don’t just hear your music, feel your music. That’s the message from Technocel, which just announced the Ear Vibe ear buds. This is the first stereo headset that vibrates to the beat of the music. When songs hit low-frequency bass, these vibrate, adding a whole new dimension to your songs. It seems a little scary, right? I’d like to try them out, but I’d want to have some aspirin nearby, just in case.

More than headphones, the Ear Vibe also includes a microphone for making hands-free calls. It’s compatible with most mobile phones that play music, and works with all MP3 players including the iPod. Look for the Ear Vibe January 15 for a reasonable $29.99.

We’re probably not alone here when we say that we have a penchant for European minimalism, and the latest out of the audiophiles at Geneva Labs certainly doesn’t disappoint. With five different models (the Models S, M, L, XL, and XXL), the firm has put together arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing audio lineups on the market today. From the incredibly sleek rounded edges, to the hidden LED display behind the speaker grates, the attention to detail is second to none. We’re also crazy about the touch sensitive control panel on the Model S, which can control your iPod’s menus from the panel or from the bundled remote control. Alright, now that we’ve successfully whet your appetite, check out some hardcore audiophile erotica in the gallery below.

Geneva Labs CES lineup: you might have to hide your wallet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Dedicated followers of PCMag’s gaming coverage will recognize LumiSource as the maker of the BoomChairs: soft, comfy, floor rockers with built-in speakers that blow away the tiny tweeters mounted in your TV. Still, for all the BoomChair’s charms, you are still pretty much sitting on the floor. That makes it tricky to use with PC games. Also, whenever I have suggested putting one of these in my living room, my girlfriend has nixed the idea. At CES this year, though, the company is showing three new chairs that just might pass the girlfriend test.
 
The Admiral (Price TBA)
PC gamers can now belly up to their desktops with the Admiral. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary 30-by-32-by-43-inch office chair, complete with wheels and an adjustable headrest, tilt and tension control. But the Admiral also includes two 2-way speakers along with adjustable volume, so you can augment your desktop gaming experience.

Chance it will pass the girlfriend test: Excellent. “Just an office chair, sweetie.”
 
SkyLounger ($299)
The SkyLounger is still a floor-based model, but with a new design that should be a little more acceptable to your domestic partner. The 35-by-26.5-by-40-inch chair features chrome rails that lift you slightly off the floor. It has two 2-way speakers and a 4-inch subwoofer.

Chance it will pass the girlfriend test: Pretty good. “I bought it from Design Within Reach, honey.”
 
Stealth ($189)
Finally, the company is releasing the Stealth, basically a traditional boom chair with a little elevation and reinforced padded arrests. The speaker system is the same 3-inch 2-way speakers and a 4-inch subwoofer found on older models. The elevation is a good thing, but it does make it look a little like Captain Kirk’s chair on the Enterprise.

Chance it will pass the girlfriend test: Not likely. “But darling, you said you liked the last movie.”