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Audio giant Rode acquires rival Mackie to expand its focus on creators
Audio leader Rode just acquired rival Mackie, creating something of an audio device powerhouse. This should be a boon to both companies as they attempt to dominate the streaming space amid rivals like Corsair’s Elgato.
The best computer speakers
By Daniel Varghese and John Higgins This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to computer speakers. If you listen to music, watch movies, or play games through your desktop or laptop computer, you could use a good set of computer speakers. Our favorite pair is the Mackie CR4BT set, which sounds great and is simple to set up and use. Plus, these speakers won't take up too much space on your desk and they pair easily with your mobile devices via Bluetooth. We recommend the Mackie CR4BT computer speakers because they deliver a full, balanced sound, whether you're listening to bass-heavy rap music, ambient soundscapes, or conference calls. Intuitive design choices—like placing the volume wheel on the front and allowing either the left or right speaker to connect to the power source—make this system easy to set up and use throughout your day. Though the speakers are a bit larger than others we tested, they're still small enough that they won't take over your desktop. We aren't crazy about the neon green accents on the speaker's face, though; we would prefer different color options. If you're willing to compromise a bit on sound quality and connection options to save money, consider the Mackie CR3 set. It has most of the same convenient features and design elements as the Mackie CR4BT but in a smaller form with a smaller woofer—which means the speakers can't play quite as loud or as deep as the CR4BT. The CR3 also lacks Bluetooth, so it doesn't connect as easily to your mobile devices. Still, these are by far the best-sounding computer speakers we've tested in this price range and a significant upgrade for anyone who has been using their computer's built-in speakers. For the music lover who demands better audio quality—and is willing to pay more to get it—the Audioengine HD3 set is the closest thing we've found to a perfect set of computer speakers. It has substantially better sound quality and a smaller, more elegant design than the Mackie CR4BT. Plus the HD3 has a more comprehensive connection panel, with both analog and USB inputs and a subwoofer output for people who want to add a subwoofer. Bluetooth with aptX HD is also built in. However, the HD3 costs twice as much as the CR4BT. If you watch a lot of movies or play cinematic video games at your desk, you might prefer a computer speaker system that includes a subwoofer to reproduce deep bass notes. Of all of the 2.1-channel systems we tested, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX set had the best sound quality, about as full and balanced as the Mackie CR4BT but with more potential bass response. Dialogue and acoustic instruments sounded clear and crisp, and the subwoofer effectively filled in the low end. The speakers have a very small on-desk footprint and sport a subdued but stylish design, but the connection options are limited.
Nissan's zero-emission ice cream truck uses recycled EV batteries
For some, chasing the neighborhood ice cream truck is a favorite summer tradition. But many ice cream trucks have diesel engines, and older models keep those engines running to power the freezers. That means you get a hefty side of CO2 emissions with your cone. Nissan thinks it can change that. To celebrate the UK's Clean Air Day, Nissan unveiled a zero-emission ice cream van concept, called "Sky to Scoop."
EVE Online film 'Clear Skies' wins at Machinima Filmfest 2008
It seems like it wasn't so long ago when Massively reviewed the EVE Online machinima "Clear Skies", an imaginative blend of EVE's backstory with Half-Life 2 character models and sets. We recently mentioned that Clear Skies had been nominated for consideration at the Machinima Filmfest 2008, but have gotten word that it won a Mackie award for Best Long Format film this past weekend. Massively got a hold of Clear Skies creator Ian Chisholm today, who shared with us his reaction to having won the Mackie award. He quipped, "I was sort of wondering if they had made a mistake -- it's really nice to get that sort of recognition when all I set out to do was have some fun with my friends and have a creative outlet." But more than anything, Chisholm is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response he's gotten from the EVE community itself. "I never set out to do any of this, so it's completely organic... it's just a fantastic thing to be able to do, to reach out and make all these thousands of people's day go with a bit of a smile when they watch the film" he said.
Guitar Hero gets branded up
Activision has announced a whole slew of brands will be supporting the upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour, from amps right on down to guitar strings. It's nothing new to us, considering the company did the same thing for previous Guitar Hero games, but the list for World Tour is kind of massive. It goes: Ampeg Audio-Technica EMG Pickups Ernie Ball Evans Drumheads Guitar Center Krank Amplification Mackie Marshall Orange County Drum & Percussion Pork Pie Percussion Regal Tip Sabian cymbals Vox Zildjian drumsticks Of course, with Rock Band tapping Fender for their guitar needs, and Gibson suing everyone on the planet, we wonder why Activision hasn't found another suitable Guitar manufacturer to feature in their game. May we suggest Ibanez? They make some nice guitars!%Gallery-23491%[Via Joystiq]
