Spar delivers a very interesting take on the portable iPad/iPod speaker with their ZEPHYR wireless speaker. The ZEPHYR even acts as a speaker phone when calls come in. A clean design reminiscent of other bluetooth speakers on the market, but with more functionality.

Revo modified their G2 heritage radio to include a special button allowing listeners to stream Monocle radio programming live. The Monocle 24 Revo Radio allows listeners to tun into a variety of streaming internet radio as well as FM and DAB broadcasts. The radio includes connections for the iPhone, iPod, or any line in device. It comes finished in a special Monocle aluminum and walnut cabinet veneer. A nice Christmas or holiday gift for Monocle fanatics. Available now in the Monocle Shop.

Germany’s Beyerdynamic is an in-house favorite (see previous coverage) for travel and home use. Their T50p Tesla is another well priced heaphone that will satisfy a listener looking for a set of headphones for both various uses, but they are widely known for their quality as a portable. The T50p Tesla silver base model comes in at an easy $190. It should be on your radar if you are in the market for a proper audio experience with a very simple design aesthetic.

The Beyerdynamic T50p Tesla is the headphone for that user who would never consider Beats by Dre based on their design. Simply put, the finish on the Tesla is beautiful, clean, and sonically superior.

Even more impressive is the T50p “Manufaktur” edition, which allows users to fully customize the look of the headphones from band to pads, in beautiful leather finished. Available on Beyer Dynamic’s online shop, the Manufaktur even allows you to choose the color of the stainless steel on the band. Ostirch is there as well in the leathers. The price does jump significantly with the T50p “Manufaktur:” expect to pay around $400 for the benefit of salmon skin on your cushions.

More look after the click.

In the $20,000 category of “cinema cameras” come the latest from Canon. Their EOS C300 is well up there but fills in that gap of endless love for DSLR style cinema video – you know the kind.  The stats on this monster are worth a look. The gain to the film maker is a the ability to have cinema quality “frames” while harnessing your collection of Canon lenses. That is a win for those who have already invested into the camera side of the Canon business and are looking to make a forward leap into moving pictures. GP blazed this one…

More look after the click.

Hells yes. Silent film fans looking to make their own using simple tech should look no further than the new Lomography Lomokino Super 35 camera. You literally load in the film and crank the box to capture your moments. But plan ahead: a single roll will only hold around 50-60 seconds of video. “Lumiere enthusiasts can grab one now for $80, or opt for both the LomoKino and the LomoKinoScope, bundled together for $100.”

More photos of the Lomokino after the click.

Here’s the truth: using the headphone jack on your  iPod, iPhone or iTouch for a stereo system connection is not ideal for getting the best sound. That headphone jack was made for headphones, not for sending audio to your stereo system. When you think about the good money you spend on buying that ultimate hi-fi setup, it seems a crying shame to not give your iPod the best output it can. Peachtree Audio makes the iDAC: a true digital to analog converter that provides the very best way to play music out of your iPod through your stereo. The top of the unit features a built in iPhone, iPod dock and countless connections on the rear to get you up and running.

But it does not stop there. The Peachtree Audio iDAC also acts as a converter to output directly from your computer as well using a USB connection. I use a similar DAC now for sending music to my stereo and it is a strong improvement in sound. This device is of course for the hi-fi aficionado (ie: geeks like me) and does not come cheap. The Peachtree Audio iDAC runs around $1000. Money well spent, truly.

Having missed these when they were first released is almost embarrassing to this writer. The Davone Ray Loudspeakers may be some of the most beautiful works of sound art we have seen. The Danish made speakers are ridiculously beautiful and from the noted reviews on them, sound as beautiful. The pair will set you back around $7500. Everything is right about this set: the stands are made from tubular steel, the veneer is perfect. I’m trying to find a place locally to demo them now…

Note: You will need proper components to drive these. If you plan on paying $7,500 for the speakers, double that for your components purchase.

More looks after the click.

Earbuds are easily the most commuter and travel friendly form of headphones on the market today. Just about every mobile device in the world ships with a pair or earbuds. The ubiquitous white iPod/iPhone variants may be the most noticeable and recognized.

It would seem that earbuds are considered disposable forms of headphones, mainly due to their price point. They are plugged into ears, yanked out, wrapped up and stowed away into pockets and bags. For many, this is fine as they serve a purpose: plug and play music. After a while, they will eventually begin to fail. The decision then is what pair of headphones to replace them with.

For those that take this opportunity to step up their headphone and audio game, the door opens up to a new world of musical clarity without hurting your wallet, by moving into in-ear headphones like the Etymotic HF-5.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

Read and see our full review of the Etymotic HF-5 in-ear headphone after the click.

Another one from our friends at the CH: You’ll note today that Apple lifted their media embargo on the new iPhone 4s.  Most reviews are positive with focus in on the speed and power of the new phone. But to all those sitting on the iPhone 4 (including this writer), you still have one of the most powerful devices out there for mobility and communication… but you should buy a case.

Yes, I have dropped my iPhone and shattered that fragile glass screen. Yes, Applecare did me right by offering that un-official one-time courtesy replacement. And yes, the Apple Genius rep left me with one very important message: “buy a case.” Problem is I hate most cases, except maybe this leather sleeve from Slovenia’s Calypso. Their made from Italian leather and form fit to slip the iPhone 4 and 4s nicely into place. They’re priced at US$133, which is well less than the normal price for day the LV or Goyard varieties.

More look after the click.

It is pretty clear that the appreciation and love for the tube amp “sound” is stronger today than it has been over the past decade. There is a good reason of course: the sound of tubes bring a warmth and wide sound not common from today’s chip based amps. That warmth does not usually come easy though. While price is usually the deterrent, finding replacement tubes (they do burn out) may not have been as easy. Lucky for us that supply chain has also adjusted with the increased awareness.

McIntosh, one of the remaining true heritage hi-fi equipment producers in the United States, celebrates 50 years in the tube amplification game with an upgraded take on the MC275 tube amp. The “anniversary” edition is a helluva an all-inclusive amp. The classic MC275 tube amp sports multiple inputs, a solid LED display, an a power management unit that shuts down the amp when one of the tube burns out. Add in some gold plating and the McIntosh MC275 50th Anniversary Tube Amplifier is a stunner at $6500 and comes in  a special edition box with commemorative book.