As Cindy L. Van Dover, a marine biologist who has logged hundred of hours in Alvin, puts it:

“Depth is a big deal,” she said. “It’s hard to wax lyrical on the subject because we don’t know what’s there. So we can’t guarantee a discovery. Yet we know that every time we extend our ability to go somewhere, we discover new things about how the planet works, about how life on the planet is adapted.”

Unfortunately and as one might expect, the project's budget has ballooned (titanium alone has had a 5x increase in cost since work began), and researchers are having to get creative to scrape up the necessary funding. So 2015 is now the still somewhat shaky current target date for the bigger, badder sub's first dive. But before then, old Alvin may get some of its successor's new gear (like its titanium crew sphere) until the whole thing comes together. [NY Times]

There was a sudden movement in the bed and another head popped out from beneath the burgundy sateen sheets. It was Shanandra, Lisandra's identical twin sister. 'Hef, you were absolutely sensational,' she murmured lazily, her voice still thick with innuendo. 'Now then, all that action has made me thirsty. And we want to know what you're going to do about it.'"

More Hot Hef action after the jump.

The bed groaned as Hef shifted his weight. 'Not again!' giggled the sisters. There was a pause and Hef jammed the pipe back in. 'What's wrong with again, my little honeybees?' he crooned. 'I know you cats can't get enough of Uncle Hef's love. Now, someone said they were thirsty.' There was a low 'Pop', followed by the smoother sound of a drawer opening. 'Thanks to my Sub-Zero Wolf refrigerated drawers, I have champagne on tap and where do you think I got the ice from eh? Now I don't have to ring for Holmes to bring in the post-coital champagne to refresh the parts that need refreshing after our efforts.'"

Levering off the cork, Hef poured the golden nectar into a flute and handed it to his companions before turning back to the fridge and rummaging inside. 'Ooh,' said Lisandra, perking up again. 'Are you going to drop some strawberries into my drink as well?' Hef looked downcast. 'No, my little Sugarplum,' he said. 'It's my medication. It needs to be refrigerated, and if I don't take it, then my blood pressure goes through the roof.'"

*His mouth, dumbo. Mom not tell you it's bad to smoke? – Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Sub-Zero Wolf]

We've always been big Cerwin Vega fans, enamored of the speakers' punchy sound and high efficiency. In fact, a significant portion of your humble narrator's hearing damage can be attributed to this brand of shimmering and squeaky-clean loudspeaker.

To join this club, you'd better be major-league serious about your subs, though, because the 21-inch CVA-121 goes for $1,999, and its 18-inch CVA-118 sibling follows behind at $1,499. If the past is prologue, both are probably worth it. – Charlie White

21-inch subwoofer from Cerwin Vega [fosfor gadgets]