ENTERTAINMENT Outdoor Living
For those seeking to upgrade their head-fi this summer, the French audio artisans at Focal are pinning their hopes on the Bathys MG, a high-end, over-ear headphone designed for uncompromising audiophiles who want the best, whether they’re working from home, travelling abroad, or soaking up the rays in the garden. Driving the MG is Focal’s new magnesium
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driver, delivering natural, lifelike sound with remarkable clarity. The headphones offer three ANC modes (Silent, Soft, and Transparent), for optimal listening in every environment. Battery life is strong - 30 hours wireless, and 42 in USB- DAC mode. A 15-minute charge gives five extra hours when you’re in a pinch. The USB-DAC mode supports audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. With a warm Chestnut colour scheme, glowing logo, and premium build, audiophiles and luxury shoppers alike should love the blend of beautiful design, studio-grade sound, and tech-savvy features. The headphones sell for £1199. When it comes to performance and versatility, JBL’s Tour One over-ears are an easy recommendation. The latest iteration, the MK3, also comes with a JBL SMART Tx audio transmitter.
The JBL SMART Tx is a small, touch screen
wireless transmitter, enabling audio from any USB-C or analogue source, such as an inflight entertainment system, to be wirelessly transmitted to the headphones. A direct proprietary connection between the transmitter and the headphones guarantees low latency. The audio transmitter also offers access to the headphones’ features, offering users control over music playback, as well as the ability to
April 2025
ertonline.co.uk
broadcast any audio source to an unlimited number of Auracast enabled devices. Users can also personalise the sound, using JBL Personi-Fi 3.0 in the JBL Headphones app. The headphones support high-res audio over Bluetooth, and advanced True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0, courtesy of an advanced 8-microphone array. The headphones also boast JBL Spatial 360 audio, with integrated head tracking, and up to 70 hours of playback. They sell for £380, but retailers should note that there’s also a SKU where the JBL Tour ONE M3 are sold without the JBL SMART TX case. The market for outdoor party speakers continues to boom (literally), and JBL has two
new additions to its PartyBox line this summer, the £700 JBL PartyBox 520 and £300 Encore 2. The PartyBox 520 (available June) is the most powerful battery-powered speaker in the series to date. It features AI Sound Boost, a 15-hour battery, and replaceable power packs for non- stop play. The rugged trolley design and IPX4 splash proof build mean it’s equally at home on a rooftop or sand dune. If buyers are looking for something more compact, the Encore 2 should fit the bill. It sports wireless karaoke mics, offers dynamic LED lighting effects, and a fast-charging battery. Expect these to be popular with families and weekend warriors looking for all-in-one entertainment.
Of course, outdoor tech isn’t just for downtime. Cambridge-based Majority hopes to win over the workforce with its Landbeach Portable Bluetooth Water-Resistant Worksite DAB+ radio. It offers DAB/DAB+ and FM radio, 40 preset slots, Bluetooth 5.0 streaming, and a USB-C charging port. Add to that a 28-hour battery life, AUX input, headphone jack, and a water- resistant, worksite-hardened design, and you’ve got a compelling product that blends utility with entertainment. This rough-and-ready radio slls for £70, and is just as happy at a garden party or muddy festival. Given the average British summer, that’s probably no bad thing.
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