Top-quality high-tech that also looks great...
Text: Gerben Bijpost
Custom made
Audio design brand Bang & Olufsen introduces Atelier, which for the first time gives you the opportunity to create products exactly the way you want them. So no longer are you condemned to the vision of others determining what looks good in your living room, from now on you decide that yourself. Most exclusive form is Atelier Bespoke, where you design a custom-made product in direct collaboration with an Atelier craftsman, incorporating materials or specific colours in a unique creation.
There is also Atelier Catalogue, where you can choose from over 500,000 possible combinations of fabric, wood and aluminium finishes to personalise your product. In both cases, the result is a set of speakers that are exactly what you like not only in sound, but also in design. www.bang-olufsen.com
Bar best
So much was written last year about problems with Sonos' app that you would almost forget that the brand also continues to make really nice products. Like the new Arc Ultra, one of the best -and most beautifully designed- soundbars on the market. The Arc Ultra features Sound Motion, an audio technology of Dutch origin that provides dialogues with unprecedented precision and, very nicely, double the bass output compared to the standard Arc. Sonos calls it the most innovative audio technology ever incorporated into a soundbar. Fact is: you hear the improvements immediately. Added to that is Dolby Atmos in a 9.1.4 configuration, which takes sound to a completely new level: even more detailed, spacious and lifelike than you already knew from the previous Arc.
Thanks to Trueplay technology, now available for both iOS and Android, the Arc Ultra is also perfectly tuned to the acoustics of your room, so you always get the best possible sound - regardless of room size or layout. And a nice thing: Sonos keeps making interesting improvements via software updates.
Like the revamped Speech Amplification feature - with four adjustable levels that let you tailor the clarity of dialogues to specific needs, including a level specifically designed for people with hearing loss. After a long search for the right solution, artificial intelligence (AI) provided the breakthrough for this: it allows Sonos to accurately and consistently recognise dialogues and apply just the right degree of speech extraction, making conversations more noticeable and intelligible. This new feature was developed in collaboration with RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) and further tuned with renowned sound engineer Chris Jenkins. The result: clear dialogues without compromising the full cinematic experience. Cost € 999 www.sonos.com
Gorgeous green
Under the motto 'It's a match', Qlocktwo together with USM Haller -a Swiss furniture brand known for its modular, timeless and functional furniture systems- presents the stylish Earth 45 Colour Edition Olive Green. This limited-time set is available exclusively in the Earth 45 version and can only be ordered until 30 April 2025. The set, comprising the front panel, body, Qable (cord) and stand, perfectly complements the clean aesthetic of USM Haller's design classics. The olive green colour (RAL 6003) gives the special edition a striking yet soothing look, while the black body and cord provide an elegant contrast.
Nice detail is the stand, which provides the design concept with identically coloured base. Price of the set is € 2123. Unfortunately, the USM Haller furniture piece is not included and you will have to buy it separately. www.qlocktwo.com
Hot horizon
Marantz introduces two luxurious wireless speakers, the Horizon and Grand Horizon, designed for listeners who appreciate special looks in addition to top sound. Thoughtfully placed lighting, high-quality materials and of course sublime sound create a sensory experience you can see, feel and hear. Powerful sound is delivered by the patented Marantz RiseTM amplifier technology, good for an output power of 310 W or 370 W (Horizon and Grand Horizon). This powerful core drives a number of high-quality drivers, each equipped with neodymium magnets for the ultimate combination of accuracy, responsiveness and low distortion. You can adjust the clarity, spaciousness and warmth of the sound to your own preference.
As soon as you approach a Horizon, built-in proximity sensors automatically activate the speaker. Marantz AuraControl TM, which uses 100 hidden LEDs and light sensors, ensures a seamless interaction between light and sound. By simply touching the ring around the subwoofer, you can adjust the volume, which is subtly displayed. Costs €3800 / €6000
Great coffee
Italians know how to get the best out of your coffee beans, so we like to choose an Italian machine. Like this new PrimaDonna Aromatic from De'Longhi. Designed and manufactured in Italy, this machine combines elegant looks with fine build quality and several innovative technologies. Thanks to Bean Adapt Technology, for example, it automatically adapts to the specific characteristics of your coffee beans. The right grind and brew settings then ensure that every cup becomes a masterpiece, with exactly the desired intensity. Plus, you can choose from as many as 35 coffee specialities, both hot and cold, a perfect treat for summer.
With LatteCrema Hot & Cool Technology, you will always enjoy perfect milk foam: firm and creamy for hot drinks and silky smooth for iced lattes. The 5" full-touch colour display with intuitive operation and step-by-step guidance makes you an accomplished barista in no time. And if you like your coffee slightly different from others: four customisable user profiles make it easy to save your favourite settings. Costs € 1799
Smart scissors
It is the first scissors of its kind. And the last one you'll ever need. Horl, known for its revolutionary knife sharpeners, thought it was time to reinvent scissors so that they could be easily re-sharpened with the brand's rolling sharpeners. The result is an elegant pair of scissors made of high-quality steel that combines technology with simplicity. Every line, edge and shape has a function. A quick-release spring specially developed by Horl and a bayonet lock provide dynamic pre-tensioning. As a result, the scissors cut precisely and straight from the first to the last millimetre along the entire cutting edge. Sharpening? Take the scissors in both hands and open them.
An audible click indicates that the resistor is loose and the two halves can be separated. Each half has three matched contact surfaces, which keep the scissors at the correct sharpening angle. Just a few strokes with Horl's ceramic sharpening wheel are enough to make it razor-sharp again. Cost €349
Colorful mix
What is the colour of 2025? If it were up to KitchenAid, it would be 'Butter', a soft, buttery yellow colour with a creamy, satin finish. "More than half of consumers associate this colour with beautiful homemade meals. And because this kitchen mixer has played a role in many kitchens for generations -KitchenAid has been making kitchen mixers since 1919 and the iconic design of those days is still recognisable in this appliance-, it goes hand in hand with nostalgic feelings, mostly thinking back to cooking with loved ones," explains Chad Ries, Global Brand Marketing Director.
By the way, KitchenAid introduced kitchen mixers in exciting colours back in 1955, the first brand to do so. Butter is the seventh 'colour of the year'. Prefer a different colour? Then check the site for the full palette. Costs €849. www.kitchenaid.nl
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