Speakers and headphones for the discerning ear

If music is food for your life, we list some snazzy gadgets you could consider for some true listening pleasure

Marshall Stanmore

If you are a rock devotee, you’ve  surely heard of Marshall, the famed guitar amp maker. The Stanmore, Marshall’s offering for those who listen to and not make music, is reminiscent of guitar amps of the 1970s with analogue controls, a retro style power switch and even the supplied coiled line-in cable.

The speaker is cased in leather with a cloth speaker grille with the Mashall badge, retro push-button switches and a 3.5-mm line-in.

I connected my Moto E over Bluetooth and switched on Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train”. The riffs were enjoyable but something was missing. I cranked the bass and treble buttons to full and the riffs started sounding familiar. That is the way to listen to these speakers.

Next, I switched to an iPod using the line-in cable and played a track from The Star Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix. There was just one word on my lips: nirvana.  

The Stanmore, unfortunately, isn’t portable. Also, for this price, I've heard better. But if its nostalgia and a warm sound
you’re after and listen to a lot of pop, this one won’t disappoint.    

Price: Rs 35,000
Where: The Gallery on MG, Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Delhi

B&W P3

Mention Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) and the first image that pops in mind is of its iconic Zeppelin speakers. The P3s, however, are is a pair of earphones, and equally good-looking.

Open the clamshell box the P3s come folded in and you see the white twisted wire and foam contraption with aluminium cups bearing the B&W logo. Classy!  

The P3s come with two cables, one made for Apple devices and the other for the rest. I connect it to my iPod and put on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. The sound’s neutral — not too heavy on bass, just true to the source of the sound. Perfect, but wait; my bobbing head has dislodged the P3s! While this is a hazard, one must say they’re comfortable to wear over extended periods.

I switch to Glenn Gold’s recording of Bach’s  Goldberg Variations. The tonal quality is just right with an element of depth — just like in a concert. But “burn in” these cans for the best results. And don’t crank up the volume as there’s some sound leakage. I’ll buy these as I love neutral output, but if you’re a headbanger, stay away.

Price: Rs 17,295  onwards (on Amazon)

House of Marley Get Together

Take the party out of the “house” with these speakers. Made of wood and covered with a proprietary material called REWIND, this Bluetooth speaker is hefty at 2.7 kg. You can connect via Bluetooth, aux or USB (the port can also charge devices). I connected a phone over Bluetooth and put on Bruce Springteen’s “Glory Days”. I was floored by the richness of the vocals, though the bass isn’t loud. But it makes up for that in clarity over lows, mids and bass. The speaker does lack in connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Airplay or NFC but charges whenever connected to the mains and lasts for about eight hours on a full charge.

Price: Rs 19,990