LEICA X1 DIGITAL CAMERA
Leica of Germany makes the finest — and most expensive — cameras designed for travel rather than studio photography. But with the price of a new Leica from £5,000 upwards, they are not a serious consideration for any but the most avid photographer. This long awaited miniature Leica, costing from £1,395, looks a lot like the company's first ever model, the 1925 Leica 1. But the Leica X1 is much more than just a retro gimmick. It's an incredibly sophisticated digital model, but at the same time as easy to use as the simplest compact. leica-camera.co.uk
ROTH CHARLiE SPEAKERS
Most of us listen to most of our music these days in digital form, much of it on MP3 player headphones — but an increasing amount using a laptop's internal speakers, with their thin, tinny squeakiness. Emerging British gadgeteer Roth Audio's elegant new CHARLiE desktop speaker systems take digital music and make it sound 15+ watts per channel big. The CHARLiE 2.0 has two speakers, the 2.1 adds a subwoofer. Both can work wirelessly. Costs £199 to £299. rothaudio.co.uk
B&W P5 HEADPHONES
British hifi doyens Bowers & Wilkins have been 45 years in the loudspeaker business before coming up with their first headphones. And their P5 was well worth the wait for B&W fans. It's designed as a headphone for people on the move using MP3 players. B&W have steered clear of noise cancellation for these stylish headphones — some people find it produces an odd sensation of pressure — and rely instead on sealed New Zealand sheep leather ear pads, which shut out noise without making you feel weird. Costs £249. bowers-wilkins.com
GENEVASOUND S iPOD DOCK
Swiss manufacturer Geneva seems almost to have applied the standards of watchmaking to this beautiful new iPod dock. The GenevaSound S is a glossy cuboid equally suited to a desktop, bookshelf, kitchen worktop or bedside table. It looks best mounted on its monopod aluminium stand. The sound is pleasing and clear. The iPod dock is motorised, popping up as required and invisible when not. An old-fashioned red LED clock is also hidden behind the metal front grille. £295. genevalab.co.uk
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