Nikko to pair R2D2 projector with Tie Fighter speakers

So it seems pretty obvious when you think about it: if you're gonna go out and spend $1000+ on a projector / DVD player / iPod dock shaped like R2D2 from those Star Wars movies, you can't really hook it up to just any old speakers, now can you? Sure, some nice tower speakers from Energy or Boston Acoustics would sound pretty great, but if you want your home theater to have that authentic Jedi feel to it, it would seem that something more thematic / tacky is in order. Well, projector (and matching R2 Skype webcam) manufacturer Nikko has apparently come to this realization as well, and probably due to the unexpected popularity of its products tucked into a corner of South Hall at CES, has come up with a 2.1 speaker system shaped like a pair of Tie-Fighters. Scheduled to launch at CeBIT, not much is known about this unique setup other than the fact that bass comes courtesy of a dedicated subwoofer emblazoned with the classic Star Wars logo. Check out a few different angles in the gallery below, and stay tuned as we attempt to once again track down Nikko's booth for more in-depth coverage of what will likely be the sleeper hit of this year's show.

Gallery: Nikko to pair R2D2 projector with Tie Fighter speakers

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[Matt B @ Mar 14th 2007 10:24AM]

So Nikko has turned to the dark side?

If you read the fine print:

All proceeds go to the building of the next death star.

[aaron @ Mar 14th 2007 10:30AM]

NOt to nitpick, but those are tie interceptors or Tie advanced, not tie fighters....tie fighters have octagonal wings that are flat, while the interceptor wings curve in. You can not tell from the pics if its an interceptor or an advanced. The advanced has a flat piece behind the ball cockpit, while the interceptor is just a ball cockpit and the wings.

Anyway, yes i am a starwars freak.

[phantom42 @ Mar 14th 2007 10:36AM]

those are tie-advanced, not interceptors. interceptors have the extended pointed tips.

[aaron @ Mar 14th 2007 10:38AM]

ohhh good call. Its official, those are Tie Advanced!!! :)

[csnoke @ Mar 14th 2007 10:39AM]

Where's the light saber remote control?

[narco @ Mar 14th 2007 10:40AM]

Whether it's the Tie interceptor or Tie advanced, any Tie version emits a sound that still gives me chills to this day. I really hope they sell these and the R2D2 projector separately -- I could use some new computer speakers.

Fishes,
narco.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 14th 2007 10:41AM]

You can also hang regular ties on them.

[Yaktastic @ Mar 14th 2007 10:49AM]

This would go great with the gigantic Death Star Subwoofer that was on e-bay a few years ago. (http://www.boingboing.net/2005/07/19/death_star_subwoofer.html)

[andy @ Mar 14th 2007 10:54AM]

I'm just wondering why in the world you would make this system and not make the sub out of the Death Star, millenium falcon, or imperial walker.

btw, the remote should be the speeder bike thingy.

[orangelmo @ Mar 14th 2007 11:13AM]

If they do a 5.1 setup they should use Vader's TIE advance (center channel) with TIE fighters on the sides (left and right)like the formation on the Death Star trench run. Obviously, Death Star sub as people before me already suggested

[andy @ Mar 14th 2007 11:34AM]

@orangelmo



oooooh, and then they could make the surrouds imperial walkers (use the legs for stands).


I'm really thinking that in this full on configuration though, the projector should be the millenium falcon, ceiling mounted of course.

Of course I see the whole r2d2 projecting the message thing, but the falcon keeps with the whole theme. Besides, if you have R2D2, where's c3po? If you have to keep R2D2, then make him a component rack with partially opaque rounded glass doors.

[Anders @ Mar 14th 2007 3:51PM]

Ironically enough, the current TIE they've got in their speaker setup IS the exact same one that Darth Vader uses in Episode 4.

If anything, I'd push for a Tie Defender as the centre channel, with either Tie Interceptors or Tie Avengers (TF Fans, anyone?) for the corners.

[SpiderJ @ Mar 14th 2007 12:08PM]

You guys need to get out more...

[Rick Lyon @ Mar 14th 2007 12:20PM]

I've entered another dimension here I think....

[Alvin @ Mar 14th 2007 12:43PM]

yeah! But is it THX certified :)

[ph @ Mar 14th 2007 12:54PM]

Star Wars fans are crazy *shakes head*


*Goes off to watch Star Wars for the 57th time*

[sane @ Mar 14th 2007 3:30PM]

DUde, you've ONLY watched it 57 times?

[FrankTheCrank @ Mar 14th 2007 1:49PM]

George Lucas has these in every room of his mansion.

Yeah, right!

George just can't seem to make enough money. What's next? Toilet paper? I can't wait for Star Wars toilet paper, hopefully they'll offer a Jar Jar Binks roll. Star Wars is a license to print money.

[PDubNYC @ Mar 14th 2007 2:23PM]

@FrankTheCrank
and these people above can't seem to stop giving him their money. No offense meant, but good god, SIX comments so far on what model Tie fighter these things represent. I mean I LOVED Star Wars as a kid, but I have to admit I am a little bit scared in here.

Not hurting me one bit, so carry on, but always remember, sunshine is your friend (unless you are albino)

[Andrew Paul Baisden @ Mar 14th 2007 2:22PM]

where is the projecter?

[Steven Belz @ Mar 14th 2007 3:37PM]

Ooooh... Things just keep getting better... I want to see someone hack the R2D2 mailbox previewed this weekend (http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/09/usps-goes-postal-with-r2d2-mailboxes/) on engadget into a media rack...

[mert @ Mar 14th 2007 4:52PM]

Ttese are TIE/Advanced X1 prototype fighters, the exact one piloted by Darth Vader himself during the attack on the first death star. They were considered too costly by the Imperial Navy for widespread deployment but the project spawned two different fighters; the TIE/Interceptor to replace the aging TIE/ln fighters of the navy and later the TIE/Advanced (which featured shields and hyperdrive as in the X1) for the elite squadrons

[Dave @ Mar 14th 2007 7:14PM]

And also TIE = "Twin Ion Engine", so should be capitalized..

[JGE @ Mar 20th 2007 5:44PM]

C'mon, they should've at least put the subwoofer inside of a Deathstar-like enclosure. If you're going to do it, do it up right. Other than that, it looks pretty sweet. I guess that's one way to justify overcharging for sub-par audio/video gear. Slap the StarWars license on it.