New compact high performance two-way monitor

Bowers & Wilkins’ Prestige Monitor 1 (or PM-1) is a stylish monitor for audiopiles. The PM-1 features a new Carbon Braced Tweeter high frequency driver, which features an aluminum dome that has been strategically stiffened with a ring made of filament-wound Ultra High Modulus Pitch based carbon fiber. This construction technique pushes the breakup frequency of an aluminum dome up to 40kHz. Of course, these wavelengths are well above the limits of human hearing, but as with the 800 Series Diamond tweeters, the design provides a marked reduction in distortion at audible frequencies below 20kHz, and results in what is said to be a sweet-sounding non-Diamond tweeter.

Like the 800 Series Diamond tweeter, the drive unit also uses the same new surround material that gives wider dispersion at higher frequencies. This wider dispersion preserves the harmonic structure of instruments and voices and enables the listener to pinpoint the position of the performer with greater accuracy and stability. The cabinet itself has been called "a work of art."

The PM-1 is available in a Mocha Gloss finish with an optional matching stand. Suggested retail is $2,800 per pair. Stands are $550 per pair. It will be available in late June 2011.

About Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is Britain’s leading exporter of loudspeakers, and is also the number-one imported brand in North America. Since 1966, B&W’s “Quest for Perfection” has resulted in a succession of technical loudspeaker innovations that have satisfied the world’s most demanding listeners. B&W’s rave reviews and universal acceptance as the monitor for classical music recordings have helped B&W become the dominant premium loudspeaker company throughout the world.

2 new air purifiers for home or office

The stylish cylindrically shaped silver and black mesh Blueair Model 103 air purifier is designed for small rooms (150 square feet; 14 square meters; or smaller), such as bedrooms, playrooms and home offices. The new model use HEPAQuiet air purifying technology that is said to deliver more clean air at a faster rate with less noise than any other comparably rated air purifier on the market.

The company's new ZON personal air purifier stands less than 8 in (20 cm) tall and weighs just 1.5 lbs (6.8 kg). with the filter included.

Colonial-style furnishings with modern touches

The new Reede’s Landing collection of traditional 18th century Colonial-style furniture from Aspen Home includes special “ahhh-factors.” The self-closing drawers on the bedroom Chest and Dresser help keep things tidy during a mad morning dash.

In the family room, keeping the video game accessories in order is a snap with the Gamer Cocktail Table. It has storage areas for video game accessories like guitars, controllers and extra games. The Reede’s Landing entertainment consoles are tall and skinny, only 22” deep, and will hold a flat screen TV, video components and gaming gear while saving on precious floor space. Add the Chair Side Recycler Table with storage area and a magazine/newspaper-recycling bin along with a Console Table that opens up to be a writing desk perfect for laptops and other office accessories.


The new Desk Chest not only has convenient clothing storage drawers but it’s also TV adaptable and has “ahhh-some” pull-out desk compartments for working. More handy storage can be found in the two roomy full-extension footboard drawers in the collection’s Sleigh and Panel Beds.

The new Reede’s Landing Home Office workstations have the “ahhh-factors” designed for working with today’s high-tech gadgets. The work surfaces are ergonomically correct 26” high for comfortably working with laptops, keyboards and the latest iPads. They have raised back and side panels to visually manage your desktop and completely hide all of those ugly charging “bricks.” Plus, it has a StoreCharge area for storing and charging up to six electronic devices, three utility storage drawers for organizing office accessories along with locking file drawers and an all-in-one printer drawer.

Aspenhome is distributed by Furniture Values International and headquartered in Phoenix.

Desktop personal heater


Vornado has added three new colors to its VH101 Personal Vortex Heater, a desktop product. In addition to the original black, the colors are an airy grayish-white called “Birch,” a complex red called “Cinnamon” and a medium-purple hue named “Fig”  (see photos, below).



The VH101 is designed to circulate heat specifically around one's personal space – making it suitable for desktop, tabletop or under desk heating applications. The heater has two heat settings-375 and 750 Watts. The cool-touch case that doesn’t get hot even after extended operation; a tip-over switch immediately cuts the heat and fan if the heater tips.

The VH101 is backed by a three-year limited warranty. 

Birch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon

Fig

Dining room collection with a Spanish flair

The Bolero collection from Universal Furniture finds its design inspiration in Spain. Carving is minimal in this generously scaled collection, the company states. Gadrooning frames patterns formed by flowing cherry, maple and walnut marquetry. (Gadrooning, according to Wikipedia, is "a decorative motif consisting of convex curves in a series. In furniture and other interior accessories, the term applies to an ornamental carved band of tapered, curving and alternating concave and convex sections, usually diverging obliquely either side of a central point, often with rounded ends vaguely reminiscent of flower petals."
Other materials in the Bolero collection include leather (tooled and untooled) and decorative metals. The company introduced the line at the October 2010 High Point furniture market. (Click photos for a larger view.)

Bedroom and living room furniture

At the October 2010 High Point Furniture Market, Universal Furniture's Pennsylvania House brand introduced its R&R collection. The furniture is made primarily from poplar, which has a lightly distressed khaki finish. Details include louver and beadboard, round wood knobs, touches of wicker and octagonal posts with ball finials.

Platform bed, home entertainment furniture

Loft 102 for the Home debuts its first bedroom collection, called Avalon, at the Las Vegas Market this month. The platform bed has a low-profile headboard with angled sides. The bed is supported by antique black iron style legs. To maximize functional space one can add up to four caster mounted storage drawers underneath the bed. The drawers offer the versatility of being oriented to open from the sides or foot of the bed.
Bedside table options include an open side table with a single shelf and a two-drawer nightstand with a wood profile handle.  In the top drawer of the nightstand is a tray the fits the company’s proprietary SmartLight remote control device.
Avalon’s home office and home entertainment introductions (below), including a writing desk, TV consoles and storage tower-bookcases.

Movable art hides the television

The Eclipse Art Lift from Media Decor holds artwork, then, at the touch of a button, moves out of the way to reveal the television. Lifts can also be used to conceal wine racks, in-wall safes and more. The company makes a mirror, too.

More than 500 frame styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary, and more than 2,500 works of art are available.

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Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.