Tech2

I had no intention of seeing Titanic in 3D. This wasn’t a “Hmmm, should I” type decision. At no point was the option of going to a theater and seeing this movie in faux-3D a valid option in my brain. It was up there with “run marathon,” “time travel,” and “read Twilight” on the list of things I know I will never do.

Well, last night I saw it — James Cameron’s retrofitted 3D masterpiece. And you know what, I expected to hate it. . . and didn’t. As someone who reviews 3D crap — sorry “stuff” — for a living, here’s my take.

"Style your hair for best sound." Already done, V-MODA. Already done.

Located on a wraparound removable sticker on the left earcup, this statement is my first introduction to the new Crossfade M-80 headphones. I'll forgive them for being baldists.

The right earcup sticker: "Red for right side." You'd think a simple "R" would suffice, but such banal lettering would presumably foul the stylish design.

With the vPulse in-ear monitor, Velodyne managed a trick most other headphone brands haven't-it created a big-bass headphone that didn't sound dull. Now the company has launched two over-ear models: the $399 vTrue, a large, audiophile-oriented model, and the $299 vFree, a relatively compact headphone equipped with Bluetooth wireless. S&V's Michael Berk reviewed the vTrue, while I'm taking on the vFree.

Only after these questions are positively answered do I then I allow myself to get excited over how pretty they are. Rarely am I able to reach that glorious final stage. To be frank: most tech that focuses on form ends up lacking in function (I’m looking at you, Beats). But every once in a while, my inner geek gets her day, and today it’s thanks to the British company RHA’s 750i. Now, knowing the substance is there, just look at them. Sigh...Sexy, no?

It’s called the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, and if you’ve never heard of it, allow me a few minutes to recommend it, and why the TV show will probably be great.

As I said in Monday’s coverage of headphones and Wednesday’s coverage of speakers, Denver’s Rocky Mountain Audio Fest is the biggest, most exciting, and most important of the regional hi-fi shows that have sprung up all over the U.S. and Canada.