Speakers

There are lots of options for enjoying outdoor audio whatever the weather, including TDK's Wireless Weatherproof Speaker, the Eco Terra Boombox and Braven's Bluetooth speakers. If you're looking for a permanent speaker installation, though, high-end audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) says its new AM-1 Architectural Monitors are a little different from standard wall-mounted, weatherproof loudspeakers.  Read More

For optimal sound from a home theater system, a true surround sound set of speakers is the way to go, but for many people they are impractical. That's where soundbars come into play. They offer a simulated surround sound experience, without all the wires and speakers. SONOS, the company best known for its Zoneplayer line, is getting into the soundbar game with its new 9-speaker PLAYBAR.  Read More

The new Braven BRV-1 speaker is designed to be to speakers what armored military vehicles are to trucks. An acronym for "Battle Ready Vehicle," the BRV-1 is equipped for all kinds of adventures.  Read More

Florida's SOUL Electronics, probably best known for its SOUL by Ludicras premium headphones, has announced the immediate availability of its Party in a box P910 boombox. Originally launched way back at CES 2012, the multi-speaker wireless music streamer features a built-in iPhone/iPod/iPad dock, has an FM radio, both USB and aux inputs, and can also be used as an instrument and vocal amp, a karaoke machine and PA system. It also sports twin analog VU meters, so that party guests can see exactly how much sonic oomph this baby is pumping out.  Read More

IK Multimedia has announced two new portable speakers that combine live instrument and music playback in packages that fit in your backpack but, according to the company, are “2-3 times louder than comparable sized speakers.” The series is made up of the 40W RMS iLoud and its slightly smaller sibling, the 15W RMS iLoud MINI. Both models are powered by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries and support Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music from handheld devices as well as a stereo 1/8" mini-jack input and a 1/4” guitar/bass input.  Read More

Being able to wander from room to room throughout the house and enjoy one continuous streamed audio experience can, unfortunately, be a very expensive luxury indeed. Happily, the UK's Pure is getting ready to launch a new range of wireless speakers that promise quality audio at a much more attractive price point than similar multiroom systems offered by the likes of Sonos. The first of the new Jongo series to hit the market will be the S340B portable speaker, followed by the A140B hi-fi adapter and the T640B stereo speaker.  Read More

If you wanted to watch a movie ten years ago, your choices were simple: drive to the movie theatre, or watch it at home on TV. How things have changed. Mobile devices have added second and third screens for us to enjoy the latest blockbusters. Belkin wants to make one of those smaller screens more like the big screen – by injecting the iPad with enhanced home theater audio.  Read More

Soundmatters has pulled the curtain back on a new diminutive wireless soundbar ahead of CES in Las Vegas next week. The foxL DASH 7 pocket-portable Bluetooth soundbar speaker system and noise-canceling speakerphone holds the promise of true high-fidelity sound in a package that – at just 0.7-inches (18 mm) tall and tipping the scales at just 7.1 ounces (201 g) – won't take up much room in the gadget bag at all.  Read More

Like the just-released Hanwell from Marshall, the BlackBox speaker system from BassNation Audio has the look of a guitar amp but delivers its quality audio amplification payload for a fraction of the price. Any device sporting either a 3.5-mm jack or RCA phono outputs can be used as an audio source (TVs, games consoles, smartphones and music players, for example), and multiple units can be stacked on top of each other for increased volume ... and some extra points in the cool department.  Read More