DesktopSpeakers
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JBL's newest Jembe desktop speakers are Bluetooth-enabled, now on sale for $99
The Jembe wired speakers have been out on the market since late last year, but now JBL's finally introducing a wireless variant of these sleek desktop noisemakers. Aside from being Bluetooth-friendly at last, the pair's retaining its "stylish weave design" and adding a Harman TrueStream sound technology that wasn't found on the lesser-priced, cabled Jembe set -- this, naturally, while still utilizing a 3.5mm headphone jack as the main input source. JBL's pricing the new Jembe speakers at $99 in the US and £70 (about $110) for UK folks, with the company set to be taking orders as we speak. For that, however, you'll have to virtually land on either of the links below -- otherwise you can always go with those eccentric (and rather intimidating) Edifier Spinnakers.
First stereo iPad dock available from iLuv
iLuv, makers of numerous accessories for Apple devices, have released their first stereo speaker dock system specifically designed for the iPad -- the iMM747. Built to accommodate your iPad's rather large stature, with a flexible docking structure that adjusts to fit your iPad, you'll be able to listen to your music, use your apps and watch your favorite TV shows and movies with "orchestral tri-component sound in a speaker dock." With separate drivers for treble, mid-range and bass, Howard Kim, the Sr. Marketing Manager at iLuv, says you'll "fill any room in the house with superb audio." The iMM747 charges your iPad "ultra fast," and syncs your iPad to iTunes while your iPad is still in the dock, too (using a sync cable). The iMM747 is also compatible with the iPhone / iPod touch as well as just about every other iPod under the sun. And for your old CD player, the iMM747 comes with an auxiliary line input for any device with a 3.5mm output socket. Being that there's not much in the way of iPad speaker docks, if you're in the market for one, the iMM747 looks like it's worth checking out. Available in early October, the unit is priced at US$149.99 from the iLuv website. [via IPADMODO]
Antec wants to rockus with its new soundscience 2.1 '3D' speakers
Yesterday it was Corsair, today it's the turn of Antec to step into the world of PC audio components. Best known for building cases and power supplies, the company's aiming to make a splash in this unexplored pool with its all-new soundscience brand and first product, the rockus 3D|2.1 speakers. We're guessing capital letters weren't high on the priority list here, with Antec instead opting to focus on delivering "immersive 3D soundscapes," the supposed aural equivalent of three-dimensional visuals. Beyond the marketing exaggerations, you'll find anodized aluminum satellite speakers, both digital and analog input options, and that cute little control pod for adjusting volume and toggling between stereo and Antec's proprietary 3Dsst mode. This rockus 2.1 set certainly looks stylish enough, but the asking price of $250 makes us think we'll probably have to make do without one this fall.
Bowers & Wilkins P5 and MM-1 available exclusively at Apple stores this week, we go ears-on
Been waiting on those Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 desktop speakers or P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones that were announced back in November? On the off chance that you haven't gone and bought some Bose QuietComforts or Computer MusicMonitors in the meantime, both of the B&W products are finally available this week exclusively at Apple stores. We can't tell you what to do with your money -- though hopefully you've put some aside for your taxes -- but if you are in the market for top of the line noise-canceling isolating headphones the $299.95 P5s could be what you've been dreaming of. We were kindly lent a pair of the iPhone-compatible P5s and haven't taken the things off since we ripped open the box; made of New Zealand sheep leather and memory foam the ear pads could be the most comfortable things we've ever put on, not to mention the passive-noise isolating wipes out just the right amount of NYC Subway noise. Seriously, we're actually looking forward to taking a long airplane ride just to fall asleep with the glorious feeling leather on our ears. The $499.95 MM-1 hi-fi desktop speakers seems like a tougher sell to us, but if you are looking for a set with 1-inch Nautilus aluminum tweeters that sound incredibly full they are worth a try, or at least running out to an Apple store to test drive. Both will be available exclusively from Apple for the next month with B&W planning to open up distribution to other retailers shortly after. Sorry, we still have those P5s on, did you say something? %Gallery-89021%
X-mini Max II looks like a trash can, pumps out the jams
If you've ever thought to yourself, "I could use a pair of tiny, tinny, and aesthetically-impaired portable speakers for my laptop or PMP," this is your lucky day. X-Mini, known for pushing sound through something that looks like a cross between alien hardware and a donut, is back on the scene with the Max II. A stunning departure from the usual fare, this thing ditches the wagon wheel in favor of something that one of Dark Helmet's minions might wear in Spaceballs. Apparently, the new design also features a bigger driver meaning, you guessed it, "twice the bass." We didn't have the heart to point out that two times bupkis is still bupkis. We're not sure when this 2.5W sonic wonder will be released in the US, but we'll be keepin' our eyes peeled.
The portable, rollable X-mini II speaker gets a refresh
The kids over at CNET have got their hands on the new X-mini II portable speaker for laptops, PMPs, and the like -- and they've been gracious enough to give us the lowdown. The speaker is an update to the X-mini, incrementally larger than its predecessor and packing a 40mm driver. Powered by a rechargeable battery, this bad boy can be juiced up via mini-USB cable (included) and boasts a pretty impressive eleven hours of run time before it needs to be recharged. And if that weren't enough, several of these guys can be daisy chained together -- so if you should find yourself in your dorm room with nothing to amuse yourself but your iPhone, an acoustic guitar, and some Dave Matthews Band MP3s, you can string up a half dozen or so of these things and have an old fashioned grape jam. Look for the speaker sometime in March, with a probable MSRP of $29.
Sony announces four new desktop speakers and a choir of angels rejoice
Sony has announced that it will be manufacturing and selling at least four more products, contradicting rumors that the company has "packed it in," because "we have enough money, don't you think?" The four new desktop speaker systems will find their homes in the SRS line, consisting of the SRS-M50 (the 5W travel speakers that we first saw last week), the SRS-Z50 (a two piece system featuring a 38mm Neodymium driver unit and "rich bass reproduction"), the SRS-D25 (a 25W three piece set featuring a stylish "hatbox" subwoofer) and the crème de la crème, the SRS-Z100, whose 25W speakers boast "enhanced bass response" and "detailed and crisp high frequencies." Capping off this stunning news, the speakers will be available in a number of stylish colors, including "urban black," "luxury pink," and "blazing red." But not so fast! Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date
