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Harman Kardon's Esquire Bluetooth speaker doubles as a conference system, fits in a briefcase
Business professionals who've dreamt of having a portable conference system and Bluetooth speaker combo have just had their wish granted. Harman Kardon's aluminum and leather-clad Esquire portable speaker features two drivers, a bass port and noise-cancelling conference microphones. Placing the unit upright adjusts its mics for one person, while laying it flat works best for multiple people. The design is relatively clean, but you'll find physical buttons at its side for power, playback, mute, volume and Bluetooth pairing (NFC-pairing is also an option). An internal battery keeps it juiced for up to ten hours and its wall charger has three USB ports to handle your smartphone and extra gizmos. The Esquire will be available for your business travels later this year in white, black and "camel." Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Sony introduces new wireless speaker and noise-canceling headphones
With the launch of its new flagship phone, the Xperia Z1 (and a slew of other products), Sony has had its hands full at IFA. But the day is still young, and there are accessories yet to be launched, like a new Bluetooth wireless speaker and a set of premium noise-canceling headphones. The "splash-proof" speaker comes with five color choices and One-Touch listening, allowing users to pair it with NFC-capable devices. Additionally, three models of the MDR-10R headphones will be available this fall: standard, noise-canceling and Bluetooth. Interested parties can grab the speaker for $130 when it launches tomorrow, but you'll have to wait until October to get your paws on the headphones, which will retail for $200 for the basic version and $270 for the noise-canceling variety. The Bluetooth, NFC-ready headset will hit shelves in November with a sticker price of $250. To learn more, you can check out the product pages (linked below) or the press releases after the break. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
ECOXGEAR ECOROX: Rugged dunkable Bluetooth speaker
We see a lot of water-resistant equipment around the TUAW Labs, but it's not often that a fully IPX7 waterproof speaker makes an appearance. ECOXGEAR has introduced a sweet little waterproof Bluetooth speaker called the ECOROX (US$129.99 MSRP) that you can take anywhere. Design Like most of ECOXGEAR's accessories, the ECOROX is made to take life's little drops and falls and shrug them off. The case is encased in a thick dark grey rubber shell, with metal grilles on the top and front that come in red, orange, and black. How waterproof is the ECOROX? Well, it exceeds the IPX7 standards for water immersion (up to 1 meter) and shock resistance. You probably won't have to test the immersion standards, because the ECOROX floats. Sure, toss it into the hot tub and it'll swim like a rubber duck. A rubber door on the back covers up an AUX input port and a micro-USB charging port. ECOXGEAR includes a carabiner so that you can hang the ECOROX from a belt loop or backpack, and there's also a USB to micro-USB cable for connecting to an AC adapter (not included) or computer. On the bottom of the ECOROX you'll find a screw mount, which works with an optional ($9.99) bike mount and several other mounting accessories. The top includes a row of buttons; one for power, a Bluetooth pairing button, volume up/down, fast-forward/reverse, and hang up. Yes, you can use the ECOROX for those all important backyard conference calls. Like I mentioned, this thing is small. ECOROX measures 2.5" x 5.3" x 3", and weighs just 11 ounces. Pop it into the bottom of a backpack or beach bag, and you're ready to roll. ECOXGEAR says it takes about two and a half hours to charge the ECOROX, and that charge can power the device for up to 10 hours. Functionality So, what can we test on a floating waterproof Bluetooth speaker? Right off hand, I'd say the perfect test would be to drop it into a sink full of water while it's playing a podcast: Pairing is incredibly simple. Press the Bluetooth button on top of the ECOROX, a light flashes blue, tap the name of the speaker on the iOS device, you're done. Volume-wise, the ECOROX does incredibly well. There's a top mounted bass radiator to really kick the bass, and the twin 6 watt stereo speakers do a decent job with the rest of the sound spectrum. It's surprising that a small speaker like this can pump out as much noise as it does! I wasn't particularly happy with the call quality when I used the ECOROX when I tested it as a speaker phone, but it wasn't any worse than most other Bluetooth speakers I've tested. Conclusion This little speaker is built to take a beating and a dunking, and it will come back for more. It has more sound that some larger speakers I've tested, Bluetooth pairing is done in seconds, the controls are easy to use and accessible, and it comes with some interesting mounting options. If I could give a TUAW Editor's Choice award (there is no such thing ... yet), I wouldn't hesitate to give it to the ECOXGEAR ECOROX. Pros Waterproof. Like drop it into the hot tub, squirt it with a garden hose, plunk it in the lake waterproof. And it floats! Rugged design, fun size, bright colors on two of the models Well thought-out controls that are easy to use Fast one-button pairing Incredible volume and sound quality for such a small speaker, although sound quality suffers a bit until you shake the water out of the speakers... Case is very easy to grip, also comes with a carabiner for attaching to belt or backpack Cons As with many Bluetooth speakers TUAW has tested, the sound quality of phone calls isn't perfect Who is it for? The outdoor enthusiast who wants a compact Bluetooth speaker that can survive the worst possible conditions
SYNC by 50 wireless speaker hits SMS Audio's store with $200 price tag
SMS Audio, the brainchild of Curtis "50 cent" Jackson, may be known for its pricey headphones, but the company is broadening its horizons with its first portable speaker, which you can now purchase for the not-so-humble price of $200. The SYNC by 50 wireless speaker boasts Bluetooth functionality, NFC capability and omni-directional sound due to its rounded design. Additionally, the SYNC comes equipped with 50mm tuned drivers, a 3.5mm headphone jack and five EQ settings to fiddle with. If you've always had your heart set on a Fiddy-branded speaker, you can find it in "shadow black" (as opposed to plain ol' black) on SMS Audio's website, linked below. For more info, check out the full press release after the break.
Deck Bluetooth speaker by SOL Republic and Motorola offers 300-foot range, fits in a pocket
Remember that SOL Republic Bluetooth speaker that made a sneak appearance at Verizon's Droid event? Well, it's actually official now and the company wants to ensure its first foray into audio outside headphones is a success. Dubbed the Deck, the speaker is the result of a team-up between SOL and Motorola, with SOL providing its audio know-how and Motorola handling the wireless connectivity bit. The $200 speaker features a flat design that might fit into a pants pocket. Vertically positioned drivers and a side-facing port provide 360-degree sound, and an outdoor mode boosts the highs and cuts the lows if you need to fill open areas with sound. Additionally, deck boasts a usable range of 300 feet, a sprawling distance compared to the the usual 30-foot line-of-sight limit you'll encounter on devices like the Beats Pill and Jawbone Jambox. Its Heist setting lets up to five devices connect without needing to enable a pairing mode and, like the name suggests, any user can steal the speaker by hitting play on their device. Rounding things out, you can expect roughly 10 hours of battery life, water-resistance (via a sonically-transparent bag), speakerphone functionality and a 3.5mm input / output. Interested? It costs $200 and is up for pre-order today in yellow, blue, red and "gunmetal." Shipments are expected to begin before August is over. In the meantime, you can join us after the break for our initial impressions. %Gallery-195167%
Insert Coin: Beacon Audio Blazar Bluetooth speaker brings back Play 360 memories (hands-on)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. We called Beacon Audio's Phoenix "our new favorite portable speaker" just over a year ago. Today, the company's taking to Kickstarter to fund the production of its followup: the Blazar. The speaker features a grown-up design wrapped in aluminum (the Phoenix was plastic), with a softball-sized, cube-esque design. The slightly bulky shape allows for 12 hours of battery life, aside from promising big and clean multi-directional sound thanks to two 50mm drivers and a 65mm bass radiator. Beacon's also loaded the speaker with a microphone, NFC and a dual pairing mode for completely wire-free stereo sound between two units -- like Nokia's Play 360. On top you'll find rubber playback controls, while one side of the unit houses a microUSB input, 3.5mm input and output jacks, power switch and a pairing / mode button. Early-bird pledges of $99 dollars will be available for the first 198 units (split between silver and graphite), followed by an additional 600 priced at $124. Beacon's counting on its artist collaboration editions, however, offering three more colors (500 pieces each) at $134 with Neon Trees, AWOLNATION and Halestorm. If you're up for the risk, Beacon plans to ship all orders by December 1st. Join us past the break for some impressions with pre-release units.%Gallery-194431%
Braven launches 855s, a $300 rugged competitor to the Big Jambox
Watch out, Jawbone; looks like Braven's continuing its assault against the Big Jambox by releasing another comparable Bluetooth speaker... but this time, it can get wet and take some bruises. Similar to its predecessor, the 850, model 855s is a 20W speaker encased in aluminum and can charge smartphones, tablets and cameras. It even has the same dimensions (10 x 4 inches) and can play tunes for up to 20 hours, or so the company claims. The new speaker costs $300, just like the 850, so choosing between the two depends on whether you want a rugged version or not. As a nice touch, you can pair the 855s with its predecessor for true stereo sound; just be sure to remember which one doesn't like water if you go that route.
Logitech's new Z600 Bluetooth speakers cost $150, let you connect up to three devices at once
A simple, virtual stroll through the internet would easily convey that Bluetooth speakers aren't the hot item they once were. Still, who would complain about having a vast amount of options to choose from? The latest set comes by way of Logitech with the Z600, a pair of Bluetooth 2.0 sound blasters capable of being connected to up to three devices simultaneously -- the company says it's as easy as pressing pause on one and play on another to switch between them. The Z600's sleek looks are complemented by three undisclosed drivers in each speaker and touch volume controls; there are also a couple of alternatives to Bluetooth as well, including a 3.5mm audio jack and USB transceiver. Logitech will be putting these on shelves across the US and Europe next month for $149.99, but if you're interested you can pre-order them now from the source below.
ECOXGEAR announces the ECOROX BT speaker: Floating into an Apple Store near you
Doesn't it seem that once Bluetooth speaker manufacturers figured out how to make a good-sounding speaker that could play for hours on a single battery charge, they'd just wait for some new technology to come out? Obviously, the engineers at ECOXGEAR decided that they'd try to do something completely different, as they've just announced the ECOROX Bluetooth Speaker (US$129.99), which is not only waterproof, but floats! This is the first Bluetooth speaker that a PR person has told me to go throw into a river, so I may take him up on it. The ECOROX is IPX7 waterproof and fully submersible in water. Inside the rugged box is a set of six-watt stereo speakers that can pump out sound for up to 10 hours. The 11-ounce ECOROX can be mounted on bike handlebars via a 1/4-inch camera mount (not included) or hung from a backpack using the included carabiner. It looks like the ECOROX will be the perfect rugged Bluetooth speaker for the hot tub, as it can join in on the frothy fun! The ECOROX will be available in Apple Stores soon in orange, red and black versions.
iLuv releases $200 MobiAria Bluetooth speaker with one-touch NFC setup
We first caught a glimpse of iLuv's MobiAria at this year's CES, where it played second fiddle to the company's Qi-certified wireless charger. Now front and center, the Bluetooth speaker is finally available from the company's website (and select retailers) for $199.99. Like many of the speakers we've seen lately, the MobiAria builds in NFC technology to pair compatible devices with a simple tap. Other features include a 3.5mm jack for plugging in your device the old way, as well as a USB charging dock so your phone doesn't tragically run out of juice while playing your favorite tune.
Cambridge Audio intros Minx Go Bluetooth speaker with 18-hour battery life
Cambridge Audio has been known for its high-end audio systems and audiophile speakers for quite some time, and recently the company entered the world of Bluetooth speakers with the addition of the Minx Air range (US$449.00 - $599.00). Since those speakers might be a bit on the spendy side for many Apple device owners, Cambridge Audio today announced the much more affordable and portable Minx Go Portable Wireless Speaker ($149.00). Available in black or white, the Minx Go includes five speakers and a bass radiator to blast out sound. That sound is practically guaranteed to be crisp and impressive, since the Minx Go also has an advanced Digital Sound Processor (DSP) and Digital/Analog Converter (DAC) to coax the details out of every recording. Unlike most Bluetooth speakers, the Minx Go can be cranked up to full volume without any sound distortion. The best part of the Minx Go? You're going to be able to listen to 18 hours of music between charges. TUAW will have a full review of this product soon; in the meantime, enjoy the video below.
Bose unveils SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker, QuietComfort 20 noise-cancelling in-ears (ears-on)
Nestled near an entrance inside Grand Central Terminal, Bose just unveiled its latest two portable audio creations: The SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker (A2DP) and QuietComfort 20 noise-cancelling in-ears. Measuring in at 2 x 7 x 2 inches (slightly larger than palm-sized), the aluminum-wrapped SoundLink Mini is slightly larger and heavier than a JawBone Jambox. Like its bigger brethren, the Mini has dual-opposing passive bass radiators and a two custom neodymium drivers for mids and highs. Bose claims these new drivers will output twice the volume of other, similar speakers. While the unit will bust out the jams for seven hours, it sadly uses a proprietary charging dock. Thankfully, however, the Li-Ion battery is user replaceable. All the controls rest as a strip of silicone buttons on the top, while the side features a 3.5mm input jack. We're digging the look of the naked metal, though, rubber covers and a nylon carry pouch will be on offer for protection. The unit's audio quality was very pleasing, without any notable harshness. We noted an acceptable level of bass on the lowest notes of dubstep tracks and there wasn't too much distortion when cranked up. Join us past the break for more info on the in-ears, as well as all the pricing and availability details for both items. %Gallery-190314%
IRL: iPod Classic and the WhoSounds TARDIS Bluetooth Speaker
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It wasn't our intention to run a nostalgia-themed IRL on Memorial Day, but here we are. After the break, Dan Cooper relives his fascination with the TARDIS time machine, and Brian swears he doesn't care if you laugh at him for using an ancient iPod.
Klipsch's Music Center KMC 3 Bluetooth speaker costs $400, will be available in June
Klipsch is known for offering everything from well-designed headphones to home theater systems, but the audio-focused outfit has been staying away from producing relatively portable Bluetooth speakers. That all changed back at this year's CES when Klipsch outed the KMC 3 as part of its Music Center lineup, which we're now finding out will be priced at $400 (or $399.99, to be precise) when it hits store shelves this coming June. In return for your hard-earned cash, Klipsch's first Bluetooth-equipped soundbox (apt-X and AAC) will give you a 2.1 assortment that's loaded with 2-inch, full-range drivers, a zippy 5.25-inch subwoofer and a battery capable of running up to 26 hours -- this, according to the company, makes for a system "perfectly designed for powerful, accurate sound reproductions." Don't mind the hefty price tag? Then make the source link below your next stop if you're interested in snagging one of these.
Big Jambox 2.0 update brings extended battery life, new AAC support for iOS 6.1
If you thought $300 was a lot of money to drop on the Big Jambox, Jawbone has just released an update that might make that amount a little easier to swallow. The 2.0 software for the large Bluetooth speaker brings new AAC support for iOS 6.1 that promises better audio streams with fewer interruptions, two more hours of battery life when streaming from a iOS 6.1 device, synced volume control, a mode that silences all voice prompts and tones, improved LED response time and last but not least, support for the PS Vita. Simply head over to Jawbone's MyTalk website, plug in your Big Jambox via USB and follow the instructions on how to make your big booming speaker even better.
IK Multimedia iLoud and iLoud Mini hands-on (video)
IK Multimedia got a jump start on NAMM with the announcement of its iLoud speaker duo just before the proper start of the show. Today, we swung by the company's booth to take a closer look and spend a few minutes with the Bluetooth-wielding wireless duo. The first thing that we noticed was the build quality. Both the iLoud and iLoud Mini sport a soft-touch rubber-esque coating on the top and bottom that we've seen in other Bluetooth audio units. The pair also has an adequate amount of heft without being overbearing when added to the weight of an already packed rucksack. In terms of the Mini, a single volume control rests on the right side, both USB port (for charging) and aux inputs reside around to the left and the power button is at home up top. For us, the real star of the show here is the regular iLoud. In addition to the same wireless capabilities as the smaller sibling, this unit packs a 1/4-inch input that houses the outfit's iRig circuitry. Essentially, one of IK Mulitmedia's adapters is crammed right into the speaker. Said jack along with controls for power, gain and Bluetooth pairing hit the backside in addition to an auxiliary port for connecting a handset or tablet via cable. The volume knob is around front on this beefier model, encircled in a glowing red light. One of the main selling points is the advertised studio-grade sound quality -- especially in the 40W iLoud -- which we were unfortunately unable to confirm due to the overly noisy show floor here in Anaheim. Jump down through the gallery to take a gander at the pair that is set to arrive in Q2 for $300 and $200 respectively.
Scosche intros BoomBottle, thinks you'll prefer sound over water during bike rides
Looks like Braven's BRV-1 ruggedized Bluetooth speaker just got some competition out of CES. Scosche has unveiled its BoomBottle speaker, which is indeed similar in form to your average water bottle -- perfect if you don't actually use that H2O holder on your bike or bag. This IPX4-rated "splash-proof" system lasts about 10 hours per charge, pumping out sound through two 40mm drivers and a passive bass unit. The BoomBottle is covered in rubber and TPU to handle light impacts, and houses a 3.5mm input if you don't want to stream over Bluetooth. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can also read about it and the also announced RH1060 "reference-grade" Bluetooth headphones in the press release after the break.
Zagg Origin is two speakers in one (video)
Here's a cool little surprise from the Pepcom floor: the Zagg Origin is a two-in-one speaker system. The smaller of the two fits in the palm of your hand, communicating with your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth. It's got some physical buttons on top and an auxiliary port, power button and mini-USB slot on its rear. It also vibrates like crazy when it plays. Drop into the larger dock desktop speaker and the music starts playing through that via the aforementioned vibes. Pretty cool, really. It's gonna run you around $250 when it launches in roughly seven weeks. Watch video of the origin in action after the break.
iLuv unveils the Aud 5: a Lightning speaker dock with Bluetooth connectivity for non-Apple wares
Lightning speaker docks have started popping up on the regular and now iLuv is looking to join the party. The outfit has outed the Aud 5, a speaker dock that connects to the latest iPhone and iPod while sporting both Bluetooth and 3.5mm aux connections for the rest of your gadget arsenal. Touch controls get cozy up top for track adjustments and "high power amplification" for the sound output. While pricing details haven't been released, we do know that you'll have to wait until May to snag one.
iLuv outs three more Bluetooth speakers, NFC and Qi-certified wireless charging join the fray
Looking for wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity in your next speaker dock? If so, iLuv's most recent CES announcement may be of interest. The MobiRock is the company's first Bluetooth unit to sport Qi-certified wireless charging pad for re-juicing sans wires while blasting the latest Big Boi album. That's not all. The unit also features NFC capabilities as well. iLuv also outed the MobiAria: a speaker that streams wirelessly via Bluetooth with NFC lending a hand for easy pairing. A USB charging port and a 3.5mm aux jack for connecting the old fashioned way are also along for the ride. Finally, the Syren is the third member for the trio that sports NFC wares. Touting a rechargeable battery, built-in mic and auxiliary port, the device offers 360-degree sound blasts for those afternoon excursions. The MobiAria will be available in May, while the MobiRock and Syran are slated for a June arrival despite pricing info for the entire lot remaining elusive. For a look at all three, hit the gallery below to take a gander in the order of original mention. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
