News Archive
Wed 21 June 2006
Audiophile multi-room from Naim
Yesterday Naim Audio launched NaimNet into the custom installation market at the London trade Expo.
This new multi-room audio system plonks itself at the high-end attacking the multi-room market from a high fidelity angle. Based on a home network CAT5E wiring infrastructure NaimNet delivers genuine CD quality by sending digital audio that’s a bit-for-bit copy of the CD across the network to any room without any degradation. The system also integrates control signals to be distributed digitally around the house allowing easy system integration with AV, heating, lighting and security systems.
The NaimNet system is scaleable and can accommodate up to 1.8 million rooms but is not ‘plug and play’ which is fair enough as it is a custom install system and controlling the beast is done through wall panels, PDAs, Tablets, a PC or a stand alone control interface (like the one in the piccy).
Naim have also foccused their attention on keeping your music collection safe and have thus all four of the new NaimNet servers include Naim Secure Music Storage.
Wed 21 June 2006
High Tech ‘Transformer’ Steam Shower
Admittedly more transformer like the back seats in a people carrier rather than the autobots and decepticons although, this new Duravit steam shower cabin has LED-enabled chromatherapy and aromatherapy, built-in sound, control via a touch-display interface and remote control. On the cleaning side there are various shower heads and water hoses and adjustable massage nozzles and backrests. But the best thing about the ‘multifunktionsdusche’ is that you can fold the two seats down to make a 170 cm bench for some serious horizontal relaxation. I’ll leave it to you to decide if all that amount of self-indulgence is worth 17,864 euros.
Tue 20 June 2006
Grundig Cordless Speaker: works good, looks rubbish
Sunshine = pool time. Why not roll out the Grundig PSW 5000 Cordless Speaker, it has 360 degree surround sound, is plastic and shielded so is waterproof and is compatible with modern gadgets like the iPod? (It’s really ugly that’s why not!) For €129 I could see this as a good value product if you frequent an outdoor pool regularly, having said that what’s wrong with a ghetto blaster and not getting it wet, it’s not as if you have to put the system on the waters edge to hear it?!
Tue 20 June 2006
Why not hide your lovely subwoofer in this Pirate chest?!
Generally, I love the look of speakers but for those of you who have interiors which are speaker-unfriendly or have partners who aren’t as enthusiastic as you are about your new 5.1 surround, maybe this is for you. Audiovox’s Home Décor range is a line of fake books, planters, chests, planters etc. all designed to hide your technology in plain sight but not mess with the audio quality. The covers cost between £20-35, with the subwoofer chests at around £55. Hop over to their site to see what other tasteful concealment solutions they have, for a giggle.
For more on concealement read: High-Tech Magic
