Elite Traveler September-October 2016

DISCOVER

elite traveler SEPT/OCT 2016 48

We love... Hasselblad X1D All that Hasselblad history and heritage, not to mention its technical brilliance, in a gorgeous compact camera. It’s a great way to celebrate the company’s 75th birthday. $10,000, hasselblad.com

Technology

TAKE THREE/// BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES

Wireless technology is fast improving in the world of headphones, and style comes as standard…

PARROT ZIK 3 The original, Philippe

ROAM ROPES Created by a technician behind the Beats headphone phenomenon, Roam Ropes attempt to position headphones as “wearable tech,” with a built-in graphic equalizer (controlled by an app) allowing users to tune and tweak sounds. The idea is users wear the Ropes all day, plugging in the ear buds to listen to music or to answer a phone call. Sound is bright and detailed (sometimes veering towards the over-fussy), with different settings not making a huge difference to the signature sound. $199, roamwith.com BEOPLAY H5 “Wires removed. Inspiration added” is the claim from legendary audio maker Bang & Olufsen. It has enjoyed huge success with its headphones. This latest offering seeks to strip things back to the bare bones, allowing users to drive things as much from their cell phones as their headphones. An app allows you to select preset sounds or customize to your taste. The idea is to wear them all day around your neck, and this being a B&O product, things are compact and discreet. The whole package is a design delight. $250, beoplay.com Starck-designed Parrot Zik set an early marker for high-quality Bluetooth headphones. Here, the third generation raises the bar. Things are now controlled by an app, which allows users to select a preferred sound and degree of noise cancellation. Compared to others tested, the over-the-ear approach allows for a richer and more balanced sound. Everything from listening to music to taking calls is effortless, and in airplane mode (not wireless) they’ll go for 18 hours. $399.99, us.store.parrot.com

WHALETONE PIANO Inspired by the curved shape of a whale, theWhaletone Grand Hybrid is an update on the classic concert grand piano. The musical instruments sector hasn’t been a hotbed of rapid technological development, which is perhaps why the Whaletone stands out. Or maybe it’s those sinuous curves, or the fact that each piano is a one-off, made bespoke to the customer’s requirements. Inside is a bunch of clever MIDI sound processors, amplifiers and five class-leading speakers from Danish firm Scan-Speak. With a professionally weighted keyboard and a vast array of different sounds and effects, the Whaletone is suitable for your main reception room at home or a concert hall. $98,000, whaletone.com

Words: Richard Cree