Music
January 10, 2008 A full headset designed to deliver high-end sound quality to audiophiles listening to music via their mobile phone, Philips new SHB9000 Bluetooth headset allows users to seamlessly move between music and incoming calls and uses digital signal processing to filter out background noise and echo and automatically adjust volume in response to outside noise. Read More
U2 in first ever 3D concert beamed live to a cinema near you
Everyone is probably aware of the early attempts at 3D on the cinema screen using the flimsy cardboard goggles with the red and blue plastic lenses for each eye. This, while being a valid execution of the stereoscopic principle that is necessary to create the illusion of three-dimensional perspective, was in practice a monochromatic, uncomfortable and generally disappointing viewing experience. But the technology is now being dragged into the 21st century as Irish supergroup U2 follow film-maker James Cameron’s lead in embracing state-of-the-art digital 3D technology, with plans for a concert to be filmed live in 3D and then streamed in real time to digital cinemas around the world. Read More
December 11, 2007 Carbon fiber is somewhat of a wonder-material in the auto industry, where its light weight and excellent strength makes it an ideal choice for body panels and the like. The same properties theoretically make it a great material to build acoustic guitars from as well – and that's exactly what Blackbird have done. The Blackbird Rider uses the strength and resonance of carbon fiber to result in an acoustic guitar 30% smaller, tougher and much lighter than a wooden one, but with a comparably large sound and resonance. And while carbon fiber may not offer the tone and 'soul' of a beautiful piece of wood, the Rider will surely find a market among traveling musos who'll appreciate how hardy and portable it is. Read More
December 6, 2007 The Genius BT-03l touch Bluetooth headset is the first headset in the world to feature a capacitance touch panel with slide control which allows the volume to be adjusted by simply sliding the bar using the touch sensor. Designed to compliment Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and PDAs, the BT-30l supports A2DP hands free so users can take a call or listen to music which is automatically muted when receiving an incoming call. Read More
November 30, 2007 Clarion has released their latest in-car multimedia unit, the VRX578RUSB, which offers navigation and control of a range of audio and multimedia functions through a fully motorized 7” touch panel control that glides effortlessly upon command from its single DIN housing. An optional iPod control and built-in Bluetooth connectivity enables listening to music and streaming voice calls via a mobile phone and the unit also supports DVD R/DVD RW, CD R/CD RW, MP3, WMA and AAC file playback, as well being an Official DivX Certified product capable of playing all versions of DivX video including DivX 6. Read More
Bowers & Wilkins Spiral Diffuser tube offers enhanced car audio
November 28, 2007 Sound and speaker specialist Bowers & Wilkins has developed a new Spiral Diffuser tube that will help vehicle manufacturers increase sound system performance within the limited package restrictions offered by the in-car speaker format. The diffuser is designed to remove unwanted sound resonance in vehicle interiors by replicating a technique used in home sound system set ups. Read More
November 15, 2007 Mobile phones and personal media players are all about entertainment, communications and increasingly, fashion – and any good fashion statement needs fashionable accessories. Designed with assistance from Apple, V-MODA’s noise isolating Vibe Duo headset takes this approach seriously with high-definition sound and a discrete microphone rolled into a slick all-metal design. Read More
October 19, 2007 Standing at nearly seven feet tall, the spectacular MUON loudspeaker is the product of a collaboration between the engineering team at KEF and leading industrial designer Ross Lovegrove. The MUON recently made its debut in the U.S. and just 100 pairs are to be made available in ten select cities world-wide, but audiophiles will have to dig deep to snare a set of these extraordinary speakers with the price tag set at US$140,000 per pair. Read More
October 9, 2007 When automotive designers create car interiors, acoustics are not the number one priority. From glass to carpets and seat coverings, cars contain many materials that obstruct and degrade audio quality - add to this the uneven positioning of speakers in relation to the listener and you have a recipe for less than ideal listening environment. No correction system has been able to overcome them but Alpine Electronics claim that its new IMPRINT technology has the ability to solve these problems and optimize sound reproduction to fit the specific vehicle. Read More
