Bucket Tech: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX

Bang & Olufsen launches Beoplay HX, a powerful and authentic sound experience with digital ANC, up to 35 hours of play time and elevated comfort, exemplifying Bang & Olufsen’s expertise in sound, design, and craftsmanship.

 “Our dedication to create the best audio products has resulted in Beoplay HX which delivers an immersive and accurate sound experience, ultimate comfort and a refined user interface to meet our customers habits, values and needs. Whether working from home, travelling for business or pleasure, escape from the noise of everyday life and revolutionize your listening experience with our new headphones”, says Bang & Olufsen SVP of Product Management Christoffer Poulsen.

OUTSTANDING SOUND

Beoplay HX offers a powerful listening experience through two custom designed 40mm speaker drivers with neodymium magnets and bass ports which ensures optimal bass performance. Four dedicated microphones create an impressive call quality by utilizing advanced beamforming technology, while the battery optimization ensures up to 35 hours of play time – the equivalent of five working days of listening experience without having to recharge the battery.

Bang & Olufsen’s signature sound is further enhanced due to improved speech delivery and the listening experience is even finer and more immersive thanks to the introduction of the next generation of Digital Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation technology which cancels unwanted noise without compromising on sound quality.  Escape the everyday with Beoplay HX’s enveloping sound that transports the listener to the feeling of being at a concert with the music on full volume. Through Bang & Olufsen’s dedicated app, users can easily change sound profiles, ANC presets, while also accessing the most essential features directly on the refined headphone interface.

ULTIMATE COMFORT

Comfort is essential for wearing headphones and Beoplay HX has been designed with well-being in mind. Lightweight and designed for durability, the ergonomic design ensures that the headphones can be worn all day in total comfort for a broad variety of head sizes. This is due to the revamped headband which has a center-relief zone for long-time wear.

Crafted from authentic materials, the ear cushions are made from soft lambskin and the inner material consists of memory foam that adapts to the shape and curves of the ear for supreme comfort. The upper headband is made from cow hide with a smooth grain, while the lower headband is covered in a knitted fabric. Beoplay HX includes a form-fitting fabric case which protects the headphone and its accessories while on the move.

ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY

To further elevate the headphones, Beoplay HX has been created so that it can reach up to 35 hours of playtime which makes it one of the stand-out options in the market. It offers fast, strong, and stable connectivity through Bluetooth 5.1, Microsoft Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair and Made for iPhone (MFi). The product set-up process is convenient on both Android and Apple-devices, leading to a better and more frictionless interaction. 

ELEVATED CRAFTSMANSHIP

Known for refined Scandinavian design and craftsmanship, Bang & Olufsen have used the best materials for Beoplay HX to create the most luxurious headphones, incorporating soft leather and polished aluminum for aesthetics as well as their ability to enhance comfort, acoustics, and durability. The arm sliders are made of anodised, pearl blasted recycled aluminium with a light brushed detail in the upper part. The disc is crafted from aluminium with a diamond spin finish which is nestled within a polymer-painted recycled plastic structure, creating contrast between the alternating smooth and matte sensations.

Available in Black Anthracite, Sand, and Timber, Beoplay HX has a global three-year warranty upon registration, underlining the quality customers can expect when purchasing Bang & Olufsen headphones

Locally the Beoplay HX is priced at R9,999 and available at all B&O distributors. 

Bucket Tech: Polk Audio Monitor XT & Signature Elite Series

 

If you're into high end sound systems, Polk Audio needs no introduction to you, as they are world renowned in producing high-end speakers at affordable pricing for the purists. Polk Audio are proud to announce two additions to the Polk Audio portfolio: the all new Monitor XT and the updated Signature Elite Series. The Monitor XT provides all listeners an entry point into Polk Audio's 50 years' worth of experience building iconic loudspeakers that deliver clarity, high-output and effortless bass. The Polk Signature Elite Series is the successor of the Signature E Series which has won numerous awards, is highly regarded by industry press, and is loved by thousands of owners.

POLK MONITOR XT SERIES  

The Monitor XT Series is the latest addition to Polk’s Loudspeaker portfolio targeting consumers who want to feel confident that they are making a good purchase decision. The Monitor XT Series offers two floor-standing towers, a slim and a full center channel, two bookshelf speakers, a Dolby Atmos enabled Height Module and a 12’’ Subwoofer. The Series is compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, & Auro 3D. Monitor XT’s Terylene tweeter is Hi-Res Audio certified. With playback up to 40kHz, MXT speakers create high-end energy and spaciousness you’ll not only hear but feel.

Available in Black vinyl finish, includes anti-diffraction grille.

POLK SIGNATURE ELITE SERIES 

Polk's Signature Sound goes Elite, offering music, movie and gaming with room-filling, high-resolution, cinematic sound and effortless base. Signature E has been relaunched in the global Polk portfolio to Signature Elite, this line-up now find's it place in the center of the Polk Speaker portfolio. It was designed with quality, timbre matched Polk components throughout to enable the mix and match models to build a dream home theatre or music listening environment consumers look fore. The Signature Elite Series offers three floor-standing towers, a slim and a full center channel, two bookshelf speakers and one surround speaker.

Available in Black and White finish.

Polk Audio is exclusively available via Homemation 

Bucket Travel: Hotel Sky

Kinda ironic to be talking travel during a time where we cannot travel but here I am, talking about a new hotel group that's about to open it's doors in two of SA's biggest cities. Yes, timing off this isn't the greatest but it could also be to its advantage seeing that many will be itching to get out an about as soon as we can do so and with this new group offering something new an exciting to prospective guests, it just adds that extra intrigue to the would be traveler. Hotel Sky is set to open two new hotel's in South Africa towards the end of the year, one nestled in the heart of SA's financial capital Sandton and the other in Cape Town, opposite the CTICC. 

What makes Hotel Sky different from the rest? Well to start off, their goal is to offer an incredible hotel/ entertainment experience but at an affordable price, with rooms from just R695 per night upon opening! Yes, that is right from just R695, with Hotel Sky Sandton set to open in October this year, you can choose from a Standard Room, Junior Executive Room or an Executive Room with some of the room features being free high-speed uncapped WiFi, Air-conditioning, 43' Live Stream Smart TV, Work Station, Laptop Safe, Hair dryer, Automatic Blackout Blinds as well as a tea and coffee station. 

With COVID set to be here for the foreseeable future, there's still a need to try and get back to some normality in our lives, Hotel Sky have upped the game in booking and checking in by offering app-based booking and check-in, with room access via your phone. With the self service check-in kiosk all this can be done be done digitally via your smart phone! Whats even better, with your mobile key room access you can control the smart TV. Got a lot of luggage? No problem as Hotel Sky have AI powered robots to assist you with it and cart it to your room! 

Apart from accommodation, Hotel Sky offers conference and meeting rooms, with the Sandton Hotel having a 190 seat Auditorium and the Cape Town  Hotel having a luxurious Sky Bar on the 29th floor. Both hotels have world class restaurants, bars, fully equipped gyms, heated swimming pool, indulgent spa's, same-day onsite laundry, as well as back-up generators so you're safe from Eskom should the power go out. 

Hotel Sky Sandton, which is located at 150 West Street boasts 453 rooms, several conference venues and a selection of world-class restaurants and bars and is set to open its doors in October 2020. Hotel Sky Cape Town, located in the City Bowl offering views of the foreshore and Waterfront will offer 540 beautifully designed rooms and suits. Hotel Sky Cape Town will be the ideal destination for both local and international business and leisure travelers, as well as day guests seeking a delicious meal or sun-downer with a view on the bar located on the 29th floor. 

Hotel Sky will have an added sense of safety in place with all the latest regulations regarding the Covid-19 virus, with them taking every precaution to safeguard the health and safety of the guests with stringent hygiene policies. 

For more information or to book your stay, visit www.hotelsky.co.za for more.

SA on Tap 2016

In what is becoming my favourite beer festival to attend, SA on Tap is back in Durbs at the end of the month and personally I cannot wait! Nothing beats a day out with friends or family, basking in the lovely Durban Winter (although it could warm up of late), enjoying some of the best craft beer that the country offers, listening to the sounds of great local talent and eating some gourmet grub. If last years event is anything to go by then you not going to want to miss this years as it features even more variety, more bands and more food!

It is South Africa's biggest Craft Brew festival and it's all going down at Peoples Park in Durban on the 30th of July 2016. Tickets are on sale from their website and people attending are in for a treat. Over a 180 brews, ciders, craft spirits and wines will be available, so if beer aint your thing, there's always alternatives. When booking online you will get a choice of glass, there are three to choose from, the Trumpet, the Bavarian and the Prime. All unique and collectors items. 

All craft beverages are price regulated and are R25.00 for 400ml. Some of the brewers that you can find there are Copperlake, Jack Black, Nottingham Road, Basset, Dragon, Robsons, That Brewing Co, Devils Peak, Standeaven, Devil's Peak. Some of the wine producers are, Anthonij Rupert, The Ground and Brampton. What's drinking without some quality food? you can look forward to some of the best gourmet food stalls at SA on Tap this year, with Sumting Fresh, Vetkoek Cafe, Maddison Bakery, Wicked Waffles, Roti & Chai and many others at the festival this year, 

This is the best that South African brewers have to offer, so whether you are a home brewer keen to learn from experience brewers or just appreciate truly South African brews, this is the place you need to be. There will be plenty of seating and cover all weather, live Super Rugby on screens throughout the festival area and dedicated child minding areas within the festival. Some of the live entertainment includes, Bad Peter, Jaryd Smith, Majozi and Gangs of Ballet. 

Tickets as said before are available online for R125 and you get the option to choose your glass, tickets depending on availability will be sold at the door for R150. Gates open at 10am and the festival ends at 6pm. Tickets include entry to the festival, limited edition unique festival glass, access to the live music, the brew appreciation course tickets are sold seperately. 

Those important bits again:

Date: 30 July 2016

Time: 10:00 till 18:00

Venue: Peoples Park, Durban

Price: R125 for booking online, R150 at the gate
Website: www.saontap.co.za
Twitter: @SAonTAP
Facebook: SAonTAP

Mystic India comes to Durban - Competition

                  

After entertaining audiences around the world with electrifying and mind blowing performances to sold out shows, the much anticipated Mystic India in association with Zee TV makes it way to South African shores, to leave local audiences spell bound with brilliant dancers, breathtaking acrobats, renowned musicians, extravagant sets and stunning visual effects. 

Mystic India has been seen by over half a million people in it's world wide performances and tours. Critics have only spoken of high praise for the show which features a cast of 22 talented performers in a show that takes you through the journey of India and it's dance. This production intertwines a mesmerizing combo: Traditional India meets the urban streets of Mumbai and New York. The audience will be taken through a cultural expose' of the various dance forms through the many states in India, from Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat as well the evolution of Bollywood films via a visual display that fuses dance, theatre and special effects. 

It's like a Bollywood spectacular but live on stage, with 750 lavish costume changes, and a celebratory production which is directed and choreographed by the prominent choreographer and production master, Amit Shah, and produced by US-based AATMA Performing Arts, of which Shah is the founder and creative director.  Shah is no stranger to such productions as he has been known to have a critical eye and creative disposition with his many years of experience in the world of dance, theatre and media as well as working on Bollywood film sets and choregrpahing stage productions with top actor and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra. 

"If you have ever wanted to visit India, this production is your direct flight there. Mystic Indian will blow you all the way to the small villages of India to the fast-paced streets of Mumbai and New York. Audiences will get it all!" - said Shah about Mystic India.

South African audiences can look forward to this spectacular on stage performance that features a female lead of Kruti Shah, an internationally distinguished dancer and choreographer who shot to fame as a Top 10 finalist on the dance reality show, Just Dance. She's trained in modern forms of movement, such as ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, jazz and modern. Kruti also developed an interest in more ancient Indian forms of dance, particularly Bharatnyatam and Kathak. 

This larger than life Bollywood extravaganza will be visiting Durban on the 23rd of April at Durban's ICC and then moves on to Johannesburg for 3 nights at The Teatro Monecasino from the 29th of April till the 1st of May 2016. Tickets range between R185 and R485 and will be available through Computicket and its various retail outlets. Bookings are now open so make sure you get your tickets now! for more information visit their website: www.mysticindiatheshow.com

Competition time! the Bucket in association with Mystic India is giving away a set of double tickets to one lucky reader for the Durban show on the 23rd of April 2016. All you have to do is Tweet me @AMG133 "I want to win with #MysticIndia and #theBucket". Competition closes on the 12th of April and winners will be notified by Twitter.