When Sennheiser says that they have redefined what reference-level audio is all about, you better believe them.
That’s because their new HD 800 headphones, which are the result of Sennheiser’s 60+ years of headphone engineering, utilize their most advanced driver technology ever produced, creating open, circum-aural dynamic stereo headphones that “will form an altogether new height of sonic perspective as you experience a high-fidelity natural hearing experience”.
With a price tag of nearly $1,400, you better believe there’s also going to be plenty of audio mumbo-jumbo involved that you’ll probably never notice when plugging them in to the receiving end of an iPhone.
Premium parts have gone into their production – the transducer is encased by a precision material made of stainless steel; ear pads are made of special high-quality Japanese Alcantara; while the headband and headphone mounting utilizes the most advanced development from the aerospace industry. In terms of connectivity, these headphones utilize specially designed, four-wire, high-performance connections with Teflon insulation.
Plug them into a high dollar audio system however, and the 56mm drivers, vibration reducing stainless steel gauze and silver-plated, low-oxygen copper wires that are shielded from electromagnetic interference will come together to produce a staggering frequency response of 6 to 51,000Hz.
If you simply can’t have anything but the best, than look no further than the Sennheiser HD 800s.
During an Australian vacation, I had a chance to stop by the Cookie Composites shop with a friend that’s an active skydiver so that he could pick up a new lens for his skydive helmet/camera rig.
Seeing this small company that operates on a global scale up close and personal really gave me an appreciation for their hands on approach and handmade quality. Each piece is made with precision and care, and they were happy to show us around even though we showed up at their door essentially unannounced.
In 2006, Cookie Composites decided to reshape their brand, and hired a team of media and advertisement specialists to develop the brand’s new values. During that time, Ricardo Sa Freire was brought on to develop a range of new helmets that would translate those new values into a signature shape for their new products, and he shared that process online.
The ROK helmet is what came out of that process, and it’s a helmet designed for swoop canopy divers and base jumpers, with air intakes in both sides that are used to measure the speed through the sound of the wind.
Since the process behind the end result is no less impressive than what they created, it’s a fantastic read that gives you a glimpse into the world and work of a real designer as he creates a product that is designed to look good, save lives, and function in some of the most extreme environments imaginable.
If you’re looking for a unique fitted hat that combines contemporary urban style and aesthetic with old world craftsmanship and precision, then look no further than 1333 Minna.
1333 Minna is part of the Goorin Brothers hatmakers group, and “is an evolving alliance of artists and designers based in the heart of San Francisco. Each seasonal collection is crafted form fine fabrics adorned with custom patterns and inspired illustrations”.
This spring, the collection is designed by Reyes, Steel, Retna, and The Mac, all members of the world famous seventh letter crew. Each item is designed to challenge the limits of traditional design, while telling the stories of the artists through color, texture, and patterns.
There’s no denying that hats like these take a bold style to pull off right, but if that’s your thing, then 1333 Minna is for you.
