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Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins deliciously gorgeous MM-1 computer speakers
By Paul Ridden
13:27 November 19, 2009 PST
The makers of the award-winning Zeppelin ipod dock will shortly release some true hi-fi quality computer speakers which break away from reliance on the output capabilities of a system soundcard and connect via high speed USB instead. Boasting a frequency range of -6dB at 57Hz and 22kHz, outputting audio at 4 times 18W and incorporating music studio technology, the fully active MM-1 system could be just what audiophile deskbound digital music junkies have been waiting for. Read More
The Wall of Sound: the world's most powerful iPod dock unleashed
By Paul Ridden
02:51 November 5, 2009 PST
In a world where miniaturization rules the roost, it's refreshing to see some things getting bigger and bigger. Just last week we featured Regen's enormous ReVerb iPod dock which stands tall and slim at 35 inches (90cm). Now from Sweden comes the colossal 37.5 x 49 x 12 inch (95cm x 125cm x 30cm) "Wall of Sound", which can boom out 125 Watts of ground-shaking, tube-driven audio from its 28 speakers. Read More
ReVerb's 3-foot tall, solar powered iPod dock
By Paul Ridden
19:09 October 29, 2009 PDT
Of the myriad of iPod docking stations available, the ReVerb iPod dock from Regen looks set to tower above the rest - literally. At just over 35 inches (90cm) in height, this dock is not going to fit on your bedside cabinet. It will kick out an equivalent of a room-filling 60 watts, includes a backlit LCD display and features an integrated photovoltaic panel to draw energy from the sun. Read More
The ultra-thin JVC SP-FT home theater – only 31mm thick
By Jeff Salton
20:23 October 14, 2009 PDT
Just when you thought your room wasn’t big enough for a home theater, JVC has come to the rescue with its ultra-slim amplifier and speakers, designed to sit perfectly alongside or underneath your ultra-slim 50-inch TV or projector screen. The SP-FT model from JVC is a pair of 31mm thin satellite speakers and matching amplifier which pump out an adequate 80W total output over four independent channels and support Dolby Digital, DTS and AAC formats. Read More
Green Power's sliding speaker solution for iPod
By Paul Lester
14:41 October 12, 2009 PDT
Though most multimedia phones tend to have external speakers for, albeit meagerly, pumping out tunes for other people’s benefit, they tend to be less common on MP3 players as companies prioritize slim and pocket-friendly designs. The most notable "hybrid" to take a chance in this market is Samsung’s K5, which offers a clever slide-out design to keep things relatively compact while allowing for the widest possible stereo image. This approach has now been aped by Korean company Green Power as a solution for the iPod. Read More
Fraunhofer slims down its ultra flat loudspeakers to less than one inch
By Jeff Salton
18:20 September 24, 2009 PDT
It seems the world has become obsessed with ‘skinny’ – watch your diet, exercise more and aspire to be ‘model thin’. But skinny isn't always better when it comes to speakers – good sound reproduction needs room to vibrate. However, at IFA, Fraunhofer scientists (in cooperation with Sennheiser electronic) presented a completely new concept for ultra-flat loudspeakers that still deliver full sound reproduction. What’s more, these speakers can be integrated inconspicuously on walls or in furniture because they're only 24mm thick (0.94-inch). Read More
Altec Lansing's 200W Expressionist Ultra MX6021 computer speaker system
By Jeff Salton
19:29 September 7, 2009 PDT
Some people like their PC gaming experiences big. They spend big money on big games, big monitors and big gaming accessories but suffer from SSS (small sound syndrome). Well, listen up! Altec Lansing has released the Expressionist™ Ultra (MX6021), a distinctively styled and powerful three-piece home speaker system for computers, MP3 players and more that delivers 200W RMS. And with this quality of sound, it won’t be just the gamers taking advantage of all that power. Consumers who keep their music on their PC will greatly benefit from these speakers. Read More
Altec Lansing’s Orbit USB 360° sound portable speaker packs a punch
By Darren Quick
18:13 September 6, 2009 PDT
Laptop speakers generally aren’t the most impressive sound reproduction devices going around so travelers either have to put up with poor sound quality, rely on a set of headphones, or pack a set of (often not so) portable speakers. Altec Lansing appears to have overcome this annoyance by unveiling its Orbit USB ultra portable speaker at IFA 2009 this week. Read More
Sony makes some noise - S Series Walkman with built-in speakers
By Mick Webb
22:14 August 27, 2009 PDT
Sony has announced the latest update of its enduring stalwart, the Walkman, with some additions to their range of portable music players. Rather than just providing music for one, the S-Series includes built-in speakers to share the sound, while the new E-Series offers a stylish entry-level option. Read More
Cabasse La Sphere: US$176,000 speaker system is a giant feat of audio engineering
By Loz Blain
21:45 August 17, 2009 PDT
French company Cabasse has redefined the notion of high-end loudspeakers with the creation of a speaker system that costs almost as much as a base model 2009 Ferrari F430. But for your UK£108,000 (US$176,000), you're buying a monumental engineering achievement - the world's only four-way, point source speaker system (more about that after the jump). This audio perfectionist's dream required a spherical enclosure - which means you also have to accept the fact that two giant, ugly eyeballs on sticks will be watching you enjoy some of the best audio reproduction, sound staging and stereo imaging the world has ever experienced. Read More
K-box turns anything flat into a giant speaker
18:57 July 21, 2009 PDT
As personal music players like the iPod become ubiquitous, there’s another developing trend that’s even more insidious: the desire to share that music with everyone else. Miini speakers are flooding the market at the moment, but a new product called the Kerchoonz K-box promises to make even more noise. A compact, mobile-phone sized device, the K-box turns any flat surface – wall, table, window, ceiling – into a giant speaker. Read More
Bose announces SoundLink wireless music system
By Darren Quick
18:21 July 20, 2009 PDT
The digitization of music has seen many people’s music collections move from the CD rack to the hard drive. Although the computer is a great place to store music, it can limit the listening experience thanks to the less than stellar speakers that are often tied to it. Bose has unveiled its new designed for people who want to listen to music stored on their computer, but don’t necessarily want to be at their computer to enjoy it - the SoundLink wireless music system. Read More
Logitech unveils four new 360-Degree Sound multimedia speaker systems
By Darren Quick
01:34 July 16, 2009 PDT
Logitech has announced four new multimedia speaker systems featuring omnidirectional acoustics for a wider sound sweet spot. Unlike standard PC speakers that use forward-firing drivers, the four new Logitech multimedia speaker systems feature 360-Degree Sound courtesy of the forward and backwards facing drivers found in each satellite. Logitech claims this allows sound to be transmitted more consistently over a wider space to provide better sound when you drag yourself away from the desk. Read More
KEF Concept Blade loudspeaker reveals its cutting edge
By Tim LeFevre
19:09 May 24, 2009 PDT
Three years of exhaustive research, testing and experimentation has resulted in the KEF Concept Blade loudspeaker. In particular, the loudspeaker showcases KEF’s cutting-edge capabilities and commitment to furthering innovative design. Read More
QPD Motorized Speakers help find the right angle
By Tim LeFevre
19:40 April 28, 2009 PDT
The majority of the “effects” you get from your surround speakers are quite directional, so ensuring that in-built speakers are pointing the right way is an important part of nailing your home theater set-up. Entering a relatively new area of the market is QPD Speakers with its range of motorized in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. These units use an adjustable design that caters for 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 degree angles, allowing tweeters to fire directly towards the listening area rather than straight down or across. Read More
Improved technology and design in new Elios speaker line
By Darren Quick
01:12 April 27, 2009 PDT
As any home cinema buff will tell you, a good picture is only half of the equation when it comes to a truly superior home theater experience. The other half is of course good sound, an area that unfortunately often takes a back seat when it comes to setting up a first rate home cinema. The new Elios line of speakers from ELAN Home Systems boasts some new technology aimed at those who recognize the need for good sound reproduction as well as new designs that make the installation of the speakers into a wall or ceiling a much simpler task. Read More
Lotus’ patented Active Noise Control technologies poised to make motoring more comfortable
By Darren Quick
17:52 April 18, 2009 PDT
Although the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles are well known, their near silent operation when running off batteries does pose a danger to pedestrians who are used to the rumble of an engine to alert them to oncoming vehicles. Active Noise Control technologies from Lotus Engineering address this problem by projecting engine sounds externally to improve pedestrian safety, while also employing noise-canceling technology internally to reduce unwanted cabin noise. Read More
Engineers develop cheap flexible loudspeaker that's only 0.25mm thick
By Paul Best
22:32 April 6, 2009 PDT
A loudspeaker that’s so flat and flexible it can be tacked to a wall just like a picture? That’s precisely what engineers at Warwick Audio Technologies in the UK have cooked up. The speaker – dubbed the Flat Flexible Loudspeaker (FFL) for obvious reasons – is less than 0.25mm and thin enough to be concealed inside office ceiling tiles, cars or printed with a design and attached to any flat surface, like a wall. Read More
Parrot announces sleek Philippe Starck designed wireless speaker system
21:25 December 21, 2008 PST
Renowned and prolific French Designer Philippe Starck has added to his diverse portfolio in a collaboration with wireless specialist Parrot. The result is the 'Zikmu', an iPod ready wireless speaker system that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability with 360° NXT surround sound in a design that's a fusion of modern minimalist lines and 70's bell-bottom fashion - it certainly works for us. Read More
iPhone speaker-dock caters for landscape viewing
By Emily Clark
22:14 December 9, 2008 PST
One of the issues with many iPhone and iPod speaker docks is inability to view pictures or watch video in landscape view without straining your neck. The i-Station25 is the second design from Logic3 that's aimed at solving this problem, but rather than allowing the media player itself to be rotated this unit solves this problem with accelerometer technology that enables users to simply turn the whole thing sideways with out diminishing the sound output quality. Read More
Roberts digital kitchen radio
By Emily Clark
03:27 December 8, 2008 PST
This digital Kitchen Radio from ROBERTS fits neatly under the kitchen cupboards and offers a range of features, including - yes - an egg-timer, making it a nifty cooking companion. The space-saving design means the radio won’t encroach on your much needed counter space when cooking up a storm. Read More
ZVOX Z-Base 550: big sound, small package
15:35 November 25, 2008 PST
Running with the theory that bigger isn't always better, ZVOX has crammed a complete home theater sound system into a compact cabinet measuring 28" wide x 14.5” deep x 3 3/8” high that doubles as a minimalist base platform for stand-mounted flat panel TVs. Within this small footprint the Z-Base 550 incorporates five 2" full-range speakers, a 5.25" powered subwoofer, 60W amplifier and virtual surround circuitry with only one connection required to the TV for a simple set-up. Read More
How to set up your surround speakers
By Tim LeFevre
03:45 November 11, 2008 PST
The world of home theater seems ever changing. New formats, new innovations and cheaper prices have made an altogether bigger audio-visual experience more accessible for everyone. Two channel systems have been common place in our lounge rooms for decades now, but you might need a few more tricks in your arsenal to get the best out of the latest multi-speaker systems. Tim LeFevre investigates. Read More
Onkyo upgrades THX Certified Home Theater Package
By Darren Quick
21:48 October 30, 2008 PDT
The new Onkyo HT-S9100THX combines a home theater receiver with a 7.1-channel home theater speaker system, all of which were designed to conform to THX's Integrated System Plus certification protocols. It also boasts1080p capable HDMI v.1.3 connectivity, Faroudja DCDi video upscaling, Audyssey 2EQ and Dynamic EQ, and complete decoding for the latest high resolution audio formats. The system also includes the new THX Loudness Plus technology which compensates for the tonal and spatial shifts that occur when the volume level is reduced below the reference levels. Read More
Edifier S200V premium desktop speaker system
By Darren Quick
00:56 October 27, 2008 PDT
In part created by renowned loudspeaker designer Phil Jones, the S2000V from Canadian based audio specialist Edifier International boasts a total power output of 80 Watts RMS with a newly developed 5.5” subwoofer with HSCC (high strength cotton composite) cone designed to deliver impressive bass and mid range performance. Read More
william
- November 26, 2009 @ 19:45 UTC
