Parrot Zik headphones, designed by Philippe Starck
Technology always amazes us more when it actually works, regardless of the big name on the box. But when that big name also turns in a very creditable performance, you get something rather special.
French tech company Parrot is best known for its hands-free devices, not a market segment that gets that much attention. For its first foray into wireless headphones, it turned to fellow compatriot Philippe Starck to inject a little panache into the proceedings.
The result is the Parrot Zik, a chunky piece of industrial design that eschews Starck’s familiar neo-baroque in favour of something rather more technical and functional.
Pair up the headphones with your iPhone or Android device and the result is instant music, controlled by an invisible touch panel on the right headset (for volume) and the left (for skipping through tracks).
Take the Parrot Zik headphones off and the music pauses. Throw in Parrot’s patented noise reduction system - which clicks in and literally blocks out all external noise while isolating speech - and you have a straightforward, simple and fine-sounding piece of kit.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Bang & Olufsen’s Recreated Classics series continues with a CD player revival
Bang & Olufsen’s Beosystem 9000c music system brings the original digital compact disc format back to life and pairs it with the latest in speaker design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A new book highlights the work of Turkish interior designer Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu
‘Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu: Luxury Redefined’, published by Rizzoli, traces the career of leading Istanbul-based designer Zeynep Fadillioglu, the first woman to design a mosque in Turkey
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
London gallery Incubator’s six emerging artists to see in spring 2024
Incubator's spring programme features six artists in consecutive two-week solo shows at the London, Chiltern Street gallery
By Mary Cleary Published