The gear we're lusting after this month
THE GEAR WE’RE LUSTING AFTER
1 XGIMI Horizon Pro $1,099 From us.xgimi.com
>>> This surprisingly affordable compact projector throws a full–fat 4K HDR picture up to 300 inches in size. It’s based on the True 4K pixel shifting system which uses a non–4K image sensor to create the 8.3 million distinct pixels required for a 4K picture. Brightness is 2200 ANSI lumens with an LED light source rated at 30,000 hours. There’s also a neat AI image– sensing system which autofocuses and auto keystone corrects the picture. The 8.2 x 8.7 x 5.5in body has an aluminium frame with a 16W Harman Kardon speaker system, Bluetooth-enabled for wireless music streaming. Apps are available via the Android TV 10 OS which uses Google Assistant voice control, or hook it up straight to your TV streamer of choice.
2 Linn Klimax DSM Around $40,000 From linn.co.uk
>>> Just wow. Wow to the looks of Linn’s Klimax DSM, which absolutely maintains the company’s reputation for high-end uniqueness and irrepressible class with its machined aluminium frame, the mirrorhidden display, and the cut glass dial floating on a brass bearing with 100 indicator lights shining through. Wow to the quality of the internals, all designed to be completely isolated from room vibrations and, indeed, between the digital, analogue, and digital power stages. And wow to Linn’s DAC innovation, abandoning third–party chips for the first time in order to debut its own Organik architecture, based around an FPGA processor, a discrete converter, and Linn’s ultra–precise in–house circuit board layout tech. The Klimax DSM is a premium music streamer, ready for 24–bit 384khz and DSD256 transport.
3 LG SP11RA Soundbar $TBC From lg.com
>>> LG’s soundbar and TV departments are drawing closer with its 2021 range, which universally supports the company’s AI Sound Pro feature. This makes for easy switching between sources, and shares the TV’s sound modes and audio processing capabilities with the soundbars for optimal output. There’s a host of new models, each carrying hi–res certification, tuning by Meridian Audio, and both Dolby Atmos and DTX:X compatibility. The premier entry is the SP11RA. It’s a booming 770W 7.1.4 channel setup, including up–firing speakers in its rear satellites for huge 3D audio, and 4K passthrough with Dolby Vision support.
4 Master & Dynamic MW08 True Wireless $299 From masterdynamic.com
>>> We can see the MW08’s ceramic– coated earpieces becoming a new in–ear style icon, particularly in their blue spin. The fact that those angular cases coddle a set of serious 11mm beryllium drivers means they sound superb, too. And then there’s the tech package, which includes Bluetooth 5.2 with subtle external aluminium antennas, a six–mic array for wind–reduced talk, and sound–tweaking smarts including customizable EQ and both two modes of ANC and two modes of transparency. You should get around 12 hours’ play time before the MW08s need to hit the striking charging case, or ten hours with ANC.
5LG UltraWide 34WN780 $596.99 From lg.com
>>> The LG Ergo concept first showed up on a pair of UltraFine displays last year, and it has obviously gone down well: LG has brought it to a pair of its UltraGear series of gaming monitors and this, the 21:9 UltraWide 34WN780. The Ergo system replaces the traditional monitor stand with an arm that bolts onto the back of your desk, offering you the chance to reclaim a bunch of tabletop space and position the screen at a precise height and distance. The actual monitor part isn’t half bad either, with HDR10 and FreeSync support, 99% of the sRGB color gamut covered, a 3440 x 1440 resolution and a price which, while not outrageously cheap, is on the more affordable end of extra–wide screens.