At Computex 2024, we discovered in Sharkoon's booth, among many other products, the latest additions to its keyboard portfolio: the Sharkoon SGK50 PBT Wood series. These newly announced mechanical keyboards have one particular thing - they are made of wood (body, baseplate, palm rest). To quote Sharkoon, "they are the world's first wooden mechanical keyboards to be mass-produced," so we can expect decent prices for something that was previously considered a premium, limited-edition product. They do look really nice and we already can see them fit to those who appreciate classic, elegant design with a touch of wood.

The keyboards come in three sizes: a 60% model, the SGK50 S2 PBT Wood; a 75% one, the SGK50 S3 PBT Wood; and the full-size 96% format known as SGK50 S4 PBT Wood. The primary difference lies in their size, as the internal components are the same - based on Sharkoon's SGK50 with Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches and a hot-swap PCB for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Interestingly, each keyboard is unique in appearance, as the base is CNC-milled from a single piece of wood, giving them slight visual differences. We don't have an exact date for when these wooden mechanical keyboards will be available in stores. However, the prices seem to range from €149.9 to €169.9.

Premium personal audio solutions maker Audio-Technica at the 2022 International CES showed off its flagship wireless headphones, the ATH-WB2022. This $2,700 pair of ultra-luxury headphones features wired + wireless dual-use mode, a 9-hour wireless playback ability on a full-charge, and the company's most premium 45 mm drivers. A high-end integrated DAC + OPAMP circuit power the headphones in wireless mode. The ATH-WB2022 is technically a headset, and packs a 10 mm condenser microphone. It's most striking aspect has to be its true-wood chamber design that helps produce more natural sounding notes. Positioned as a 60th Anniversary limited-edition product, the ATH-WB2022 could make it to lifestyle catalogs.

North helps to reimagine the gaming station, introducing natural materials and bespoke details for a case which integrates stylishly into the living space. Merging design and airflow engineering, the case features fine-patterned mesh ventilation and an open front with real walnut or oak panels. The design is complemented by sleek brass or steel details and an integrated tab for easy access to the top of the case.

Developed for an enjoyable building and gaming experience, North offers an intuitive interior layout and generous compatibility. It supports GPUs up to a length of 355 mm, or up to 300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator. For a smooth start, it includes two 140 mm Aspect PWM fans, a USB-C port and drive mounts for up to four 2.5" drives and two 3.5" drives out of the box.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Fractal Design North is now live]

EK, the leading premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, announces new signature CPU water blocks - EK-Quantum Velocity² and EK-Quantum Magnitude Lignum edition. Lignum Line is inspired by Mr. Edvard König's love for woodwork and modern computer technologies and is named after the Latin translation of the word "wood." A perfect symbiosis of the oldest natural building material and contemporary high-end cooling solutions. An unparalleled example of how your PC can reflect your lifestyle. While EK Lignum and its wooden opulence can bring a feeling of comfort and warmth, from the technological standpoint, this symbiosis allows for the best-performing socket-specific water blocks - Velocity² and Magnitude.

Embedded in the Velocity² is a next-generation EK CPU water block cooling engine that is socket-specific. A combination of mounting pressure and cold plate geometry, tailored for the IHS and die layout of each specific CPU platform, is used to achieve low hydraulic flow restriction and high performance. The lathe-turned cold plate is made with precision to cover the IHS effectively and put optimal pressure on the die area.

Apos Audio is an audio retailer based out of California, and got in touch with us to let us know of the Caspian—the brand's first set of headphones. It came about as a collaboration with Soundnews and Kennerton Audio. Using the ~$1000 Kennerton Vali as the base, the Caspian gets a tweaked sound signature and different design while managing to cut down the price by half. It uses a 50 mm dynamic driver, natural oak ear cups, and oval-shaped ergonomic sheepskin ear pads. Pre-orders are now up for those interested, and further information straight from the company is seen past the break. I especially like the "How it's made" page, but that may just be the engineer in me speaking.

Audio-Technica is introducing four new high-performance Hi-Res Audio headphones. The over-ear ATH-AWKT and ATH-AWAS audiophile and over-ear ATH-WP900 portable headphones combine beautifully crafted woods with superb sound quality, and the ATH-IEX1 features an exclusive hybrid multi-driver system for an unmatched in-ear listening experience.

Like all the new wooden headphones, the over-ear ATH-AWKT is handcrafted at our factory based in Tokyo. The ATH-AWKT (SRP: US$1,899.00) features housings made from prized Kokutan (striped ebony) hardwood. Long used for woodwind instruments and pianos, Kokutan is distinguished by its attractive black and brown stripes, and the housings have a hand-applied semi-gloss finish that brings out the wood's natural beauty. In addition, the high density of the Kokutan wood suppresses unwanted resonances to contribute to the headphones' clear, natural sound.