Category: General

Located 26 miles south of Cancún, the Mandarin occupies a one-mile-long, 150-yard-wide sliver of land that stretches from the region’s main highway to the Caribbean Sea. Reflecting pools line a thatch-roofed pavilion at the front of the property, where guests board golf carts for a ride through the jungle, past a cenote (a freshwater sinkhole), and along canals to their rooms.

The St. Regis Singapore is the first major luxury hotel to be built in this tiny island nation in 10 years.

The Snell Acoustics Illusion reference tower loudspeaker represents the crowning achievement of Dr. Joseph D’Appolito, one of the world’s most famous and respected speaker designers. Evidence of D’Appolito’s international acclaim can be found right on the front of the speaker itself—its arrangement of two midrange drivers flanking a single tweeter has for decades been referred to as a “D’Appolito array.” The ,000-per-pair speaker features what Snell calls “continuously variable cabinet geometry,” a curved shape that not only lends the speaker elegant, almost organic lines, but also reduces unwanted resonances inside the speaker cabinet. Each Illusion is individually calibrated to a tolerance of plus or minus .5 decibels, a manufacturing consistency achieved only in the world’s finest speakers. Snell offers the Illusion in a standard finish of high-gloss black under multiple coats of hand-rubbed lacquer. However, the company is known for its willingness to create custom wood veneer or painted finishes to suit any need. (978.538.6262, www.snellacoustics.com)

—Brent Butterworth

Even some of the world’s finest hotel suites offer nothing more for the music lover than a mere clock radio. The Soundmatters Foxl portable audio system ensures that you enjoy high-quality sound regardless of what your hotel chooses to furnish. Small enough to fit in most clutch purses, yet loud enough to fill the average hotel room with sound, the 9 Foxl incorporates a digital amplifier and high-quality speaker drivers with powerful neodymium magnets. A diminutive woofer panel on the back delivers amazingly potent bass for its size. The Foxl connects easily to any device with a standard mini headphone jack, such as an iPod, MP3 player, computers, and many cell phones. A 9 Bluetooth version is also available. An included AC adapter provides power and charges the unit’s internal battery. We have demonstrated the Foxl for perhaps 50 people; its sound quality always impresses and sometimes even astounds. (800.698.7662, www.soundmatters.com)

—Brent Butterworth

Even some of the world’s finest hotel suites offer nothing more for the music lover than a mere clock radio. The Soundmatters Foxl portable audio system ensures that you enjoy high-quality sound regardless of what your hotel chooses to furnish. Small enough to fit in most clutch purses, yet loud enough to fill the average hotel room with sound, the 9 Foxl incorporates a digital amplifier and high-quality speaker drivers with powerful neodymium magnets. A diminutive woofer panel on the back delivers amazingly potent bass for its size. The Foxl connects easily to any device with a standard mini headphone jack, such as an iPod, MP3 player, computers, and many cell phones. A 9 Bluetooth version is also available. An included AC adapter provides power and charges the unit’s internal battery. We have demonstrated the Foxl for perhaps 50 people; its sound quality always impresses and sometimes even astounds. (800.698.7662, www.soundmatters.com)

—Brent Butterworth

Through the use of metal construction, advanced machining, and high-quality parts, Newport Audio has created one of the world’s most refined and capable in-wall speakers. The G85REC’s 5mm-thick aluminum faceplate provides a solid base for the speaker’s substantial 8[1/2]-inch woofer.

Many audiophiles consider amplifiers based on the antiquated vacuum tube to be sonically superior to transistor-based amplifier. And of course, there can be no denying the tube’s basic retro appeal.

Exploring the world of high-end audio may seem daunting to those without technological savoir-faire, but the S-300i makes it easy. Simply connect a few sources (like a CD player and radio tuner) and a pair of quality speakers, and you have an unintimidating yet fantastic-sounding audio system.

There is no easier way to get better sound from your iPod than ordering the hf5. This in-ear headphone sounds dramatically and obviously better than the iPod’s stock headphones, delivering immensely greater detail, much more satisfying bass, and effective isolation from environmental noise.

This audio system combines the timeless aesthetics and craftsmanship of a Steinway grand piano with the digital wizardry of renowned audio designer Peter Lyngdorf. Two seven-foot-tall speakers, each powered by 400 watts of digital amplification, source sound from a pedestal-mounted CD player and other audio sources.