Monster Beats Solo HD vs. Bowers & Wilkins P5

I am a huge fan of my Monster Beats Solo HD by Dr. Dre. You might have noticed that already. I love the design, the colors, the thick cables and—of course—the phat sound. Although the quality is really crappy (I had to fix my headband and ear pads with (double-sided) duct tape), I never thought I would ditch 'em. Till that moment Bowers & Wilkins asked me if I would like to give their P5 headphones a shot.

To be honest: The conservative design of the P5 is not my cup of tea. Maybe I am not old enough for Bowers & Wilkins' restrained and classical design. But the quality of their luxury materials is unbelievably high. Ok, as I pull off the cables of my Monster Beats minimum three times a day (when the cable gets caught by door handles, for example), I will see how often I can do that with the P5.

Bowers & Wilkins gave me a pair of their headphones to play with them on my flight to Detroit. So I had enough time to compare them with my Monster Beats. The sound of the P5 is incredible. Once you get "used" to it. To explain it with an example: You probably know what it is like when you switch between snapping photos in a camera program mode and shooting raws. At that moment you shoot your first raws, your images looks pale, kinda washed out and somehow boring. But they are looking natural. No hotted up eye candy.

In comparison with switching your camera settings it is the same when you compare Monster Beats with Bowers & Wilkins P5. At the first moment the P5 may sound too soft. But it will not take long and you will not miss the typical "American" sound of Monster Beats any longer. But you will love the pure sound of Bowers & Wilkins. 

Will I send them back to Bowers & Wilkins? No siree. I will case-mod 'em!

NAIAS 2012: Detroit Out Of Focus

I just had to borrow thess beautiful photos from Dylan Culhane my travelling companion Kai Petermann just posted on his brand-new site "For Love And Glory". They are just gorgeous. Please make sure you do not only pay Dylan Culhane a visit, but also Kai's main site stilsucht.de. Kai is by far one of the best truffle pigs I know out there, and if you want to know what is hot and fresh – just follow him. In this regard, Kai, you make me blush. Thanks for your opening "For Love And Glory"-article!

While Kai has been in Detroit with Ford, I was invited by Mercedes-Benz – as a guest of their tradtional New Year's Reception and to be present at the unveiling of their new generation Mercedes-Benz SL. As soon as my Aperture has navigated me through my pictures, I will post some details. 

Needless to say the SL is a beauty, isn't it?

Continental Extreme: Chromjuwelen En Route Travelogue

You may still remember our last Chromjuwelen En Route tour called "Continental Extreme". And if you do so, you probably wonder what happened to us and our self-attempt with the 1964 Imperial Crown. And why you have never heard any time later about that project. Here is the simple answer: It took us donkey's years to sight our material. And to understand what happened. In Los Angeles, in Las Vegas, in Dubai.

3000 photos and several hard drives filled with video material later we get a breath of an idea: WE HAD A BLAST! We just published our (German) travelogue, including a selection of 332 photos ("Los Angeles, Las Vegas (SEMA 2011)", "Dubai (Dubai Motor Show)"). So is time to get lost. Our Chromjuwelen En Route Road Movie will follow in January. 

At this point we would like to thank once again some guys for their help:

• Klaus Rasch (race-dezert.com): Thanks for helping us buying and overhauling the Mopar! And thanks for feeling like home every time we are in LA.

• Mike Musto (mrangryinc.com, ridelust.com): Dude. This has been the fourth time (!) I was trying to ride your #§%#* Winged Warrior. And I failed again. It must be jinxed. But you know what? I will keep on trying. Hell Yeah.

• Frederik Faidhi (select-nano.ae): If you will ever be in Deutschland ... can you help us polishing our Imperial Crown? Just kidding. Thanks for your open sesame!

• Phil McGovern (crankandpiston.com): Damn. We have to come back. And not only for the reason we have to do this dune thing with you guys.

Mates – we take a bow.

Mission: Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol, BMW Munich

"Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol (Phantom Protkoll)" just had it's European premiere in Munich, at the BMW Welt. Accompanied by Tom Cruise aka Ethan Hunt, Paula Patton, und Simon Pegg I had the privilege to enjoy massive explosions, fabulous car chases and tons of sci-fi gadgets.

Usually we meet a lot of brand officials at events like these – but it seemed BMW, our host, followed the movie motto "Ghost Protocol" at that evening. Well – if anybody @BMW reads this: Thank you for the invitation!

Jo Fischer: Calendar 2012

We are not the biggest fans of "calendars". But there are always some exceptions. Like this one. This one is a MUST HAVE — regardless of whether you hang it to your wall or use it as a "coffee table calendar". The point is: there will not be a better opportunity to get 13 Jo Fischer photographs for a special rate of EUR 39,-.

When Jo Fischer and Jörg Heikhaus aka Heliumcowboy Artspace asked us to "fuel" Jo's Calendar we did not have to think twice. Jo has shot a ton of breathtaking photos for us — Agnostic Front, VW Berlin, Ken Block, Jesse James, B.J. Baldwin — so it is a matter of honor for us to support him.

Head over to Heliumcowboy Artspace to place your order. 

Chromjuwelen Brand Ambassadorship extended by Continental

Holy cow! Our Chromjuwelen Brand Ambassadorship just has been extended for another year by Continental. If you don't fear a German article, follow this link.

We could not be prouder. That's awesome!

Busted!

Yeop, we've finally met our soulmates from Crank & Piston in person (... as you can undoubtedly see). They are doing an amazing job — head over to their awesome site an get lost!

* Note to self: Send an invoice to Monster Headphones for product placement ...