Mark Levinson -- heard of him? Probably not unless you're an up-market, audio consumer or Lexus driver with optional Mark Levinson sound system installed. Now he's teamed up with LG on this, "The Rhapsody in Music Phone." Known less hyperbolically as the LG-LB3300. The slider features an LED-lit touch-wheel for gettin' disco, 1GB of built-in memory (expandable with another 4GB), 2-inch LCD, 2 megapixel camera, a terrestrial DMB television tuner for Korea, and Bluetooth A2DP stereo audio with the ability to stream to two listeners in parallel. We hear it makes phone calls too. Of course, there's only so much tweaking an audio wizard can do with compressed MP3 files sent over a compressed Bluetooth audio stream. As such, we'll have to give these a listen before jumping onto the hype-wagon.
Update: Video posted after the break. Warning: freaky begins at 55 seconds.
[Via
Chosun]
posted Dec 7th 2007 4:21AM
It should appear outside Korea first. The hardest part, if you ask me.
Phones like this are why I'm glad Verizon's opening up. If they won't carry it, we can bring it in on our own.
Here's more "detailed" information on the "Mark Levinson Phone":
http://review.cetizen.com/LG-SH210/view/1/1491/rview/5/4974/review
http://www.tagstory.com/video/video_post.aspx?media_id=V000128096
Looks like a winner!
I heard that its sound quality is higher than much of the mp3 players. Similar to CDPs, I guess. M.L. also contributed making the wired bundle earbuds, so if you hear uncompressed music through the bundle or anything better than that, it would be pretty good, I think. And I hear it will be released in Korea very soon.
Does that circle thing on the front look like an electric razor to anyone else (ala Philishave et al)? Would be rather handy though...
The Mark Lev system used by Lexus is nothing more than re-hashed, re-brandified Harmon Karmon hardware. I had an LS430 and at best it was merely acceptable.
"Mark Levinson" automotive is just another marketing arm of Harmon International, which also owns the JBL and Infinity brands.
This doesn't hold a candle to the Bang and Olufsen MP3 player.
Apparently Mark has jumped the shark...
I kinda like it. LG has been doing some good phones recently. I love my Voyager. It's about time I start to get excited about the phone choices for Verizon.
Mark Levinson used to one thing: amps. They did them extremely well. Now they are just another brand that is stamped on anything and everything.
this thing looks exactly like my LG Chocolate (the new ones, vx8550)....they just janged the speakerphone button (bottom left) to a music button. the UI, the scroll wheel, the keyboard....everything.
LG, have some creativity, will ya?
Oh, so sweet! I'll take two....both of the lovely Korean models. However, they can keep that crappy handset.
I'm not buying the design (or lack thereof). I do think it's innovative for folks to be able to shave while talking though. So that's a great step forward.
I wanna know:
Gsm or not GSM?
CDMA
Am I the only one who REALLY doesn't like this slider fad? Even the Chocolate just doesn't cut it for me! To me, it's too awkward to type using the keypad and that play button recessed in the wheel is way too awkward. Slick design, but doesn't make me envious.
I've always wanted to know how popular the terrestrial television actually is.
i love this phone if they did a little moddling and made it look nicer they could have gone far with this. my faveriot is the screen in side og the wheel and how it goes to the image of what you are doing
Mark Levinson the man, and Mark Levinson the company have separated a while ago. Mark Levin the man, is now behind the company Red Rose Music. Whereas Mark Levinson the company, is owned by Harmon (which also has been sold recently to a Private Equity group)... The article makes no indication as to whether it is referring to the man or the company.
I now much prefer the company Mark Levinson over the Man, who has rebranded a bunch of China-made components under the Red Rose Music label for many yrs and sold to ignorant US customers with a serious premium.
Its the man in this article.
100% agreed on preferring the company to the man (though that may not be saying much given my dealings with the man). Also, for all intents and purposes, you can kiss Red Rose goodbye, he has moved on for greener pastures with LG.
Since 1997, my goal has been to make outstanding audio products at more reasonable cost. I am sorry you have been mislead. RRM products have been compared to the most expensive U.S. and European made audio equipment and have been chosen as the best.
Red Rose Music introduced the first true partnership between an experienced no-compromise American audio team and a fine Chinese audio team. Many companies use sources in China but hide the fact. Our customers are thrilled with Red Rose Music products. RRM products are hard to find on the used market because everyone keeps them. This cannot be said for most expensive audio products.
With LG, we are able to go much further. Combining the best engineering and build quality with the power of LG's global infrastructure is a unique development in audio history. You will soon be hearing more about this.
Does it somehow integrate with the Rhapsody music service?
I appreciate the interest in Rhapsody and my relationship with LG. Several points:
1. The most important aspect of Rhapsody is its astonishing sound quality. The specially designed earpphones and optimized electronics give the impression of listening to extremely high quality speakers, not a typical portable MP3 device. Most of the comments on this blog are from people who have never listened to Rhapsody. I suggest you listen, especially with some decent recordings, and then comment. For those who want to overcome the sonic limitations of PCM digital audio and MP3 in particular, and get the maximum sonic quality, go to www.burwenbobcat.com and buy the software.
2. I have nothing to do with Harman or its Lexus car sound systems. I never have. In 1980, mname was virtually stolen as a tradename and later sold to Harman. Harman never makes this clear, so many people think that I am involved with them.
3. LG is really serious about making high quality audio products. You will be amazed by what is coming very soon. For the first time, people can have outstanding quality of sound and construction for a very affordable price. This is part of the vision of LG's new CEO, Yong Nam. I have no doubt that LG will make the music lover's dream come true: amazing, natural sound for an afforable price in all kinds audio products - music systems, HTS, portable devices, etc.
4. The audio team at LG is dedicated to quality and passionate about music. Working with me and my associates, LG will make a great contribution to the music and HTS world.
5. I want to thank the great Korean vocal stars who appeared on stage with me at the event. They are wonderful musicians, and sincerely interested in better audio quality. It was my honor and privilege to be with them.
What dealings are you referring to?
I can back Mark up on this. I have first hand experience with the new LG products, and they sound insanely good for the price point. Simply put, nothing can compete. Finally we have a true high end designer behind a giant asian company with deep pockets. Look out high end audio, Mark has teamed up with LG. People are tired of getting swindled.