GEAR OF The YEAR 2009
iPODS
Comfort and excellent bass response are worth $200.
Fifth-Gen iPod nano
■ Apple ■
www.Apple.com ■ $149 (8GB), $179 (16GB) ■
4 out of 5 stArs, see pAGe 64
The fifth-gen iPod nano is the first iteration of the nano since the original to not receive a perfect 5-star score from Mac|Life,
but it’s still undoubtedly the iPod of the Year. Its 2.2-inch screen is
the biggest for a nano ever, it plays FM radio—something we’ve
requested for years—and, oh yeah, did you notice that it shoots
video? (Apple might have mentioned something about that in the
commercials, but we just wanted to make sure.)
The video camera interface includes a generous collection of 15
special visual effects, including ones that mimic thermal heat maps,
creepy X-rays, old-timey sepia tones, and trippy motion blurs—just
like when the vampires speed up in True Blood This latest nano
also includes a pedometer function that shows you how many steps
you’ve taken on your latest hike. All in all, the fifth-gen nano has a
cunning array of talents and is our iPod of choice, especially if price
is a consideration.
An honorable mention should go to the third-gen iPod touch, now
at a lower price to bring App Store goodness to more people (cue
the zombies: “One of us! One of us!”) without subjecting them to the
slings and arrows of an AT&T contract.
We’re happy to report
this photo isn’t actual
size—the nano is quite
a bit smaller in real life.
EARBUDS
Future Sonics Atrio
■ future soNIcs ■
www.futuresoNIcs.com ■ $199 ■ receIved 5 out of 5 stArs ANd edItors’ cHoIce AwArd, Jul Y 2009
Two bills for a set of earbuds isn’t exactly an impulse buy, but certain things in
life warrant dropping a bit of extra coin.
World-class computers, fine bourbon, and
audiophile-caliber earbuds all make our short
list of entirely justifiable splurges. Future
Sonics manufactures “in-ear monitors”
for professional musicians, and the Atrio
earbuds reflect that professional pedigree.
They’ve outlasted several other pairs of
comparably priced ’buds, which is no small
feat, considering the daily abuse we put them
through. But it’s really their impressive bass
response—even at low volumes—that kept
us coming back to them during Gear of the
Year deliberations.
True to their roots in performance gear,
the Atrios are comfortable for extended wear,
and their treble is crisp and clean, without
becoming fatiguing after listening for long
periods. We’ve used the Atrios in a wide
range of playback scenarios, from listening
to the latest Kid Cudi record on the train,
to the new Beatles box set at home, all with
stellar results. In fact, we like them so much,
we’ve been tempted to spring for optional
custom-fit sleeves—but that would require a
trip to an audiologist to take molds of our ear
canals. Oh well, the included tips still sound
mighty sweet.
