BMW Loves Great Sound In And Out Of The Car (video)

We recently tweeted about how BMW is using "sonic branding". BMW's every sound is strategically calculated - from the way the door closes, the seat belt clicks, to the rev of the engine. Not to mention, every aspect of their advertising, sound is a key component. There are BMW sound engineers that work solely on providing the best sound a BMW can make for its drivers. This is a really cool video about the sound engineers.

So it only makes sense that the BMW Group DesignworksUSA with Thermaltake have designed a high-end gaming headset which was to widen the Level_10 gamer’s experience. Since "2009, Thermaltake commissioned the design consultancy with a design concept for a series of innovative accessories for pro gamers which should take up and extend the computer design story."

"The Level_10 M Mouse was the first gaming accessory to be launched in 2012. The Level_10 M Headset project marks the third collaboration. The challenge was to translate the Level_10 design language into the headset design. In this way the gamer´s Level_10 experience was to be extended to the physical world through a product that is being directly touched and interacted with during the game."

This is not for your everyday gamer! 

"The official product launch was held in March 2013 at Hanover, Germany in CeBIT 2013 exhibition. As of May 2013, the headset will be available at most major retail stores and online in the US, Europe and Asia.

Available in black and white. Sales price will be around 149.99 US Dollars."

Speaking Oranges

You might have noticed a certain predilection, even a fondness, for orange around these parts. So when we at Toniq intend to announce anything publicly, you can be sure we'll do it through this speaker. Or better yet, through a massive chained grid of these, something covering, say, an area the size of Strawberry Fields (which we would rename for the day of course).

[Via the delightful giz-heads over at Gizmodo]

Walkman Comes Back With A Splash! (video)

Remember Sony Walkman? Well, they are back and making quite a splash with the NWD-W270,their new waterproof MP3 playing headphones. Go swim, row, or just go sweat it out and don't worry anymore about your headphones.

The earlier version of this headphone had a few glitches that they have now refined. This model is thinner, lighter and the volume is better. I love the design and look forward to hearing the sound quality. This is expected to be released in February in Japan, and hopefully roll-out worldwide in the following months. 

(via Sony Japan)

"The Stupid Orchestra" (video)

We spend so much time on the visual appeal of design and the importance of color. What about sound? We often forget how important sound is and that everyday sounds create our day to day orchestra...if you will. So stop and listen, hear what is around you and feel the noise in your life. Michael Petermann did and turned it into a musincal orchestra. 

”The Stupid Orchestra,” an art installation-slash-35-minute noise symphony created out of over 200 small vintage household appliances by German conductor, harpsichordist and composer Michael Petermann. After “auditioning” hundreds of mini machines, Petermann designed his own system to compose the symphony, which he calls the “MIDI-to-Household-Appliance-Interface.”

(via Flavorwire)

Absolut India

Check out the first Absolut experience driven by sound created by SapientNitro India.

ABSOLUT INDIA from SapientNitro India on Vimeo.

EOps x Michael Young x Colette Headphones

I love when technology meets sustainability! These headphones designed by Michael Young for EOps and exclusively sold at Colette in Paris are made of recycled steel, aluminum, and cornstarch bio plastics. Beyond the sustainability factor, the headphones are made to work with Apple products. It also has extra large 50mm Titanium coated HD driver unit with neodymium iron boron magnet which in other words means it will kick your other headphones ass generating some of the most powerful sound in portable headset sound delivery! More cool gadgets for the holiday list!