8 Cool New Gadgets to Keep on Your Radar

The Mu-so Hekla is a high-end wireless speaker that can also double as a Dolby Atmos soundbar — it’s essentially a bigger and better version of Naim’s Mu-so 2. It packs 15 total drivers — seven on the front, two on each side, and four up-firing drivers on the top — that are powered by 15 amplifiers. According to the brand, the Mu-so Hekla “sets the benchmark for all-in-one systems, delivering true high-fidelity performance with effortless simplicity, whether for music or home cinema.”

The Fokus Prestige Encore is the American hi-fi brand’s premium set of wireless earbuds. Each earbud is made of solid wood and packs four drivers inside: an 8mm dynamic driver, two balanced armature drivers, and a 6mm planar magnetic driver. Together, the pair promises to deliver high-resolution audio over Bluetooth (thanks to support for aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LDAC). And they support active noise-cancellation and transparency modes.

The Beosound Premiere is the company’s midrange Dolby Atmos soundbar. Designed more or less as a piece of art, it features a three-dimensional design that, unlike most traditional soundbars, is meant to showcase its unique driver array rather than hide it. The soundbar has been decked out with 10 custom-engineered, individually amplified drivers that fire sound in all directions: front, sides, and upwards. In total, the soundbar packs 580 watts of power. It supports the brand’s latest Wide Stage Technology, which uses advanced signal processing to deliver a wider and more immersive sound than you’d expect from an all-in-one soundbar.

Insta360’s X4 Air is a 360-degree action camera that is essentially a more affordable version of the company’s flagship X5. It’s notably smaller and lighter — in fact, at 165 grams, it’s Insta360’s lightest ever 360-degree action camera. Yet it’s still capable of capturing excellent 360-degree videos (up to 8K at 30 fps). The main trade-offs are its photo-capture capabilities (maxing out at 29-megapixel stills) and battery life, promising up to 88 minutes of runtime.

A decade after releasing the 99 Classics — a gorgeous pair of closed-back headphones with genuine walnut earcups, zinc hardware accents and earpads and a headband made out of vegan leather — Meze Audio has introduced second-generation models. They don’t mess too much with what were already excellent and beautifully crafted audiophile headphones, but the next-gen models have refined drivers, more comfortable earpads and are compatible with a wider range of detachable cables. They also ship with a USB-C DAC/amp dongle, so you can use them with your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Teac’s NT 507T is a network streaming transport that adds Wi-Fi streaming to your traditional hi-fi system. It has the same footprint and semi-floating design as the brand’s other Reference 500 series components, and thus is designed to be paired with them. Importantly, the NT 507T outputs digital audio only via USB, so it needs to be paired with a specialized external DAC; Teac recommends pairing it with its UD-507 ($2,100), which is also part of its Reference 500 series, but it’ll work with other USB-equipped DACs from other brands.

Technics has introduced “Master Edition” versions of its SL-1200G and SL-1210G turntables, giving each updated tech and an elevated look. The main upgrade is that each has been integrated with its ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive) motor control system, which it had more recently featured in its higher-end SL-1200GR2 and SL-1300G turntables; this promises to drastically reduce motor vibrations and improve rotational accuracy. Additionally, each has been equipped with a new “Multi-stage Silent” power supply, like the one used in its reference-grade turntable, the $27,000 SL-1000R.  

Leica’s full-frame, mirrorless SL3 camera has already made quite the impact in the photography world. Praised for its combination of classic craftsmanship with modern technology – especially its 60-megapixel sensor with Triple Resolution Technology – it’s a worthy successor to the beloved SL2. This version takes it to the next level, however, by giving it an exterior that’s far more durable, capable, and tough. The grip is made from Aramid, an extremely robust woven fiber, and the OD green finish is scratch-resistant. This is a camera designed to perform (and survive) just about anywhere.