This article was taken from the December 2014 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
G-Lab Block
Polish designer Mateusz Glówka's BLOCK amplifier depends on careful fine-tuning to allow its simple components to produce high-quality sound. Parts that produce electromagnetic interference, such as power transformers, are enclosed in individual compartments, far from all audio lines, and the soundboard swings up on hinges, allowing easy access to clean the internal electronics. £3,293 glabdefi.com
Roland HS-5 Session Mixer
With space for up to five musicians to jam together, listening in via headphones, the HS-5 session mixer gives each individual hands-on control of their own mix. Players have access to vocal and reverb effects alongside Roland's proprietary COSM software, providing the same effect as playing through an amp. Tracks can be exported via USB or sent direct to computer, and each player's mix settings can be memorised for easy set-up next time you assemble for a group rehearsal. £479 roland.com
Flexson Vinylplay
Mixing the tangible pleasure of vinyl with the wireless magic of streaming, this digital turntable lets you play records in hi-fi sound through speakers all around the house. Designed by Flexson, accessory makers for the popular SONOS brand of wireless audio systems, the VinylPlay can also produce high-quality digital rips of your precious record collection. £330 flexson.com
Denon Ceol Carino
The 90s mini-system is back -- with a plug-and-play design for the digital age. The CEOL Carino uses a 50W amp to drive a pair of cube speakers (each with a retractable 1.5-metre cable); a virtual sub-woofer brings the bass. The touch-sensitive OLED display controls volume and inputs -- choose between a USB port for computers and wireless pairing. £299 denon.co.uk
Anne Kyyro Quinn Tulip Wall Panel
This beautiful floral wall panel from Anne Kyyrö Quinn is carefully engineered to deliver outstanding absorption of ambient noise. Each is handmade from ecologically sound 100 per cent wool felt. Designs can be tailored to specific environments, from boardrooms to home cinemas, and they come in a range of colours.
£950 per m2 anne kyyroquinn.com
Chinon Bellami HD-1
On the outside, this improbably compact 8mm movie maker has a resolutely retro aesthetic. Under the die-cast shell it's an altogether more digital affair, with its 0.85cm 2.1MP MOS sensor, electronic image-stabilisation and up to 30fps HD video capture.
Inspired by Chinon's 70s Super 8 cine cameras, it has retained their signature pistol-grip and eschews a conventional record button for a fast-action trigger-release system. ¥89,250 chinon.jp
Creative Sound Blaster Roar
With two amplifiers and five speaker drivers this Bluetooth speaker is designed to perform impeccably across all frequency ranges and at any volume. An integrated active subwoofer combines with proprietary TeraBass technology to accentuate bass response during quiet listening, and when it's time to crank up the noise levels, the ROAR button instantly boosts loudness, depth and spaciousness for a powerful listening experience. £129.99 creative.com
Casio Exilim EX-FR10
Casio's photographic sub brand has never been short on eccentric applications of image capture and its latest, dubbed the "split camera", is no different. A rugged new take on the action-cam concept it comprises two parts -- a lens and monitor screen -- that communicate via Bluetooth up to ten metres apart or slot together to operate as a more conventional photographic device. The 14MP sensor has an aperture of f/2.8 along with contrast detection AF and full HD movie capture. ¥50,000 casio-intl.com
Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector
Able to turn any vertical surface into a 373cm 4K movie theatre, Sony's ultra-short throw projector is a plug-and-play system using an SXRD laser light source that reaches peak brightness much quicker than conventional projector lamps. Concealed in a vented, low-lying aluminium, woodand steel cabinet that sits just 18cm from the wall, it is sandwiched between a passive 80W two-way speaker system and has sufficient internal shelf space for all your home-cinema separates. $50,000 sony.com
Samsung Bendable UHD TV
Settling the curved screen debate once and for all is this 267cm UHD TV that conveniently bends to order, the transition from flat to concave taking a mere seven seconds courtesy of its motorised, multilayered rear panel. At the front, the ultrawide screen display has an aspect ratio of 21:9, comparable to the current cinematic standard of 2.39:1, and it also benefits from UHD dimming and upscaling to enhance pixel sharpness and overall contrast, even on regular HD content. Around $200,000 samsung.com
Mipow Smart LED Light Bulb
Smart light bulbs have learned some new tricks -- besides the usual LEDs, this one also houses a small Bluetooth-enabled 3W speaker. By downloading the free PLAYBULB app, you can stream music wirelessly from your phone or tablet, program a ceiling-mounted wake-up call and adjust the volume. £60 mipow.com
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
