Gear4 has been known to unleash a few unorthodox speaker systems, but the forthcoming Duo is particularly impressive -- in finding a way to somehow differentiate itself in the expansive pool of alternatives, that is. At first glance, it doesn't appear to differ much from every other one out there, but give that front panel a tug, and off comes a portable speaker system with its own rechargeable batteries, auxiliary port and power supply. When you arrive back, just reattach the magnetically-held panel and listen as the bass kicks in without missing a beat. Apparently the unit is set to go on sale on June 1st for £150 ($290), though we haven't heard if it'll ever arrive on US soil.

Remember that 2.1-channel speaker system you saw from Razer, what, two years ago? No, wait -- that was this year. All kidding aside, the Mako is finally getting ready to ship to US customers (and parts of Europe in the future), but Engadget HD managed to round up a set before it even has a chance to grace store shelves. Ready to see if this three piece is fit for you? Grab your specs and hit the read link below.

If you thought LG had milked the Chocolate for all it was worth, you've got another thing comin'. That thing would be the HT972TR HTIB, which includes five satellite speakers, a 225-watt subwoofer, 1,000 total watts of amplification and a DVD player that handles 1080p upscaling as well as DivX. Moreover, the system boasts HDMI, DTS support, an AM / FM tuner and a USB port for loading up portable media. Not a lot of details beyond that just yet, but do yourself a favor and check out two more delicious shots waiting after the jump.

[Via Electronista, images courtesy of Le Journal du Geek]

There's iPod sound systems, and then there's Bluetooth streaming music stations, but GEAR4 is looking to meld both worlds together with its new HouseParty Blu. The multifaceted speaker station allows dock-connecting iPods to flank the top and recharge its battery while cranking out the jams, and moreover, it doesn't shun the elegant A2DP audio streaming capabilities of your BT-enabled music phone in the process. As with most portable sound systems, this one also includes a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary input for every other music source in the world, and specs wise, you'll find a pair of stereo drivers, 30-watts of amplification, touch-sensitive backlit buttons, and a wireless remote. So if you've been keeping an eye for a noise maker that would natively play nice with your Pod and mobile, you can snap up GEAR4's latest for a reasonable £79.99 ($159) right now.

Although it has been quite some time since Blaupunkt made any substantial noise in the CE biz, the audio outfit is back in full force with the forthcoming Velocity 2Go lineup. The flashy (albeit ill-favored) boombox sports a carry-handle design for those throwback moments of atop-the-shoulder sidewalk strutting, and also features a car-docking solution with the bundled straps or QuickOut mounting kit. Specs wise, the unit operates on rechargeable AA cells, touts a "die-cast aluminum" enclosure, and sports 3.5-millimeter / RCA input jacks to play nice with just about any external audio source in the book. Dubbed the "world's first mobile active speaker system," the device also rocks a built-in active subwoofer to fill in the lows, and while the Velocity2Go 5 (£249.99; $499) will get things rockin' with 80-watts of RMS power, the Velocity2Go 6 (£299.99; $599) purportedly ups the volume by four decibels in case you can tell the difference. Click on through for a shot of the rear.

[Via CNET]

It's no secret that the folks at Parrot have a love for all things Bluetooth and, if this latest product of theirs in any indication, it seems that they're far from running out of gadgets to spread their affection to. Set to be released sometime in the second quarter of this year, the so-called Parrot Boombox will wirelessly snag music off your Bluetooth-equipped cellphone or MP3 player and pump 'em out at a relatively hefty 60W, with the usual Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR mojo (including AD2P and AVRCP) ensuring as little loss in quality as possibile. Parrot's also seen fit to include an RCA input for those that haven't gone completely wireless. While the "boombox" is intended mainly for use with mobile devices, the unit itself is anything but, measuring approximately 17 x 7 x 8.8 inches and tipping the scales at over 12 pounds. Look for this one to set you back 229 Euros , or just under $300. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Generation MP3]

While Takara's no stranger to offering up unusual (albeit very tempting) goods, the firm is now pumping out one of the most unique (and trust us, that's saying something) iPod docks to ever hit shelves. Not too long after seeing a life-sized Gundam construction, our cartoonish fantasies are becoming ever more realized, as now we have the ability to pre-order the Optimus Prime Convoy iPod docking bay. As expected, the machine is coated in white, touts a (presumably weak) stereo speaker system, and even rocks a questionable "licensed by Apple" claim, but we'd be surprised if these guys have paid their 10-percent yet. Regardless, this guy transforms from big rig (pictured after the jump) to terrorizer in seconds flat, and can wheel your iPod around while blasting tunes from the trailer when not conquering villages and eliciting smiles. So if you need no more introduction, you can reserve one of these for yourself for $144, but we'd highly recommend the $2 upgrade for "collector's grade," whatever that means.

[Via Plastic Bamboo]

While the Zune didn't make a huge presence at CES, DAP accessory makers were out in full force nonetheless, and ClicZune did a commendable job in scouring the floors for Zune-capable speakers and docking stations. Although Apple's gem definitely has a commanding lead in the iPod speaker system market, devices designed for the Zune are slowly catching up, and CES unveiled a trio of speaker apparatuses for those who prefer Microsoft's PMP. Hitting the low-end is eForCity's INSTEN, which rocks a black or white color scheme (sorry, brown fans), dual two-watt drivers, USB connectivity, and can be powered via four AA cells. Although MSRP on this little guy is closer to $40, smart shoppers can snag it for around $10, so don't expect any audiophile-approved tones to be emitted from this. Next up is the Memorex MzW101, which is a wireless docking base station that beams out the Zune's audio to a variety of WiFi-enabled speakers, including the waterproof MzW210 speaker as well as the forthcoming MzW220 indoor and MzW240 outdoor wireless satellites. Closing it out is JBL's dome-shaped system (pictured after the break), which features a slide-out Zune dock, video out port, USB connectivity, and the ability to get juiced by four AA batteries. Unfortunately, details are scant when it comes to pricing and future release dates, but fret not, as this is likely just the beginning of the onslaught to come.

[Thanks, Mike]
Read - eForCity's INSTEN
Read - Memorex lineup
Read - JBL's dome-shaped system

It seems that iHome, Altec Lansing, and Acoustic Research aren't the only folks busting out new iPod accessories, as DLO is strutting its stuff too with a new iBoom Travel as well as revamped versions of the TransDock and HomeDock Deluxe. The miniaturized version of the iBoom ($89.99) combines a clock radio with a portable, AA / AC-powered boombox, which comes in white or graphite colors, boasts the usual sleep / alarm functions, and sports an iPod cradle and LCD screen to boot. The TransDock features an "enhanced mounting arm," video-out for use with in-car displays, top and side mounted antennas, and removable faceplates as well. Additionally, you can connect other DAPs via the aux in jack, and the USB pass-through allows other random USB gadgetry to be charged while it's in use. Lastly, the refreshed HomeDock Deluxe ($149.99) didn't change much in the design department, but did add on-screen album art on a dedicated "Now Playing" screen, a dozen new color themes and screen savers, and a feature that enables "on the fly" playlist creation. The iBoom Travel and HomeDock Deluxe are currently for sale directly through DLO, while the updated TransDock is still waiting for its own release date.

It seems that Logitech has exhausted its efforts on DAP-centric speaker docks (not really), as its latest creation is a 2.1 PC speaker system that just so happens to double as a docking station for your PDA, DAP, PMP, or other PC-connecting gizmo. Sporting an all black motif, the system features twin 5-watt stereo speakers, a 15-watt subwoofer, headphone jack, "convenient volume and power controls," and a stowaway device cradle that allows you to sync up your gadgetry with your PC while it recharges. The package also includes a standard 3.5-millimeter stereo cable, "cradle trays" for your iPod, iPod video, iPod nano, and Microsoft Zune, and when the dock becomes too much hassle for what it's worth, you can simply disconnect it without interfering with the speakers. Slated to hit retail outlets in the US in April, Europeans can look for these come May, and while we doubt audiophiles even read this far, you budget-minded folk should enjoy the fairly reasonable $49.99 pricetag.

We all know by now that Hello Kitty goes everywhere and gets everything she pleases, and when that sassy feline demands an iPod speaker dock that doubles as an alarm clock, well, she gets it. The KT4560 Hello Kitty Stereo Clock Radio handles more multitasking than most non-cute devices of its stature, and aside from eliciting countless grins from the pink and sparkly paint job, it also acts as an iPod docking station for dock-connecting units, channels video / pictures from video iPods onto your TV, sports the ability to wake you with tunes from your 'Pod, and there's even an aux input for those "other DAPs." As expected, the LCD-faced clock also features an AM/FM radio, alarm functions, rotatable volume control, oh-so-loveable snooze button, and an iPod-totin' cat atop the device. While we're not sure how much you'll end up laying down for this multifaceted gizmo, we can't help but give props to the practicality.

[Via Chip Chick]

Now that the nanos have gone rainbow, it's only fitting that we see some color-matched accessories to show off your DAP. Intempo's IDS-01b iPod Speakers & Dock comes in metallic silver, green, blue, and pink (sorry, RED owners), and touts all the typical niceties (and drawbacks) you'd expect in a ho hum iPod speaker dock. The unit boasts dual six-watt drivers, functionality with "all" dock connecting iPods, an aux input for your other DAPs / PMPs, and a USB cable to sync up your 'Pod with the nearby Mac or PC. Unfortunately, the device doesn't sport any sort of battery powered option, so you're stuck sans sound if you deviate too far from an extension cord, and we don't imagine those shiny Neodymium drivers delivering any sort of award-winning audio quality either. Regardless, Intempo's latest can be picked up now across the pond for £34.99 ($69).

[Via ShinyShiny]

Just in case you weren't digging the stereotypical "Made for iPod" speaker systems cluttering up the shelves out there, Maxell is busting out an uber-slim, tubular-styled setup to decorate your dorm room wall or compliment your table of choice. While it's probably not as cool as the blown-away guy, the MXSP-1000 is a 23.4-inch long speaker system designed to conveniently hold and charge your dock connector-equipped iPod and pump out the jams through its dual 4.8-watt speakers. The unit comes in silver, black, and the ever-trendy white flavor, but at least Maxell was kind enough to toss in a 3.5-millimeter aux in jack to utilize other musical sources when your 'Pod's not around. Aside from sporting playback controls and a nifty dock lid, you can pick up the optional wireless remote for controlling your playlists from afar, but you won't be picking this up in North America anytime soon it seems. Regardless, the MXSP-1000 can be snapped up in a week or so if you're venturing through Japan.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

Still jamming out with your original iPod nano? If you haven't already picked up PodGear's PocketParty, and still need a portable speaker solution for times when tossing that boombox over your left shoulder isn't exact suitable, iHome's iMH1B has you covered. The portable speaker completely encloses your first-generation iPod nano, and adds a set of stereo speakers as well as a questionably elegant stand-up case to your DAP. Touting "SRS TruBass" technology, "easy access" to controls, and a water-resistant carry case, the only thing that's missing is support for Apple's latest selection of nanos. Nevertheless, the iHM1B is available now for $29.99.

[Via Crave]

If you're looking for something a bit beefier-looking than Apple's own much-maligned iPod Hi-Fi, Logitech may have just the speaker system for you. At $299, their just announced AudioStation (pictured above) isn't all that much cheaper than the Hi-Fi, but it does look to stack up pretty well against it, with two 1-inch dome tweeters, a pair of 4-inch woofers, and a total power output of 80W. For the audiophiles out there, it also promises a maximum sound pressure level of 110dB, and a frequency response of 36Hz to 23kHz plus/minus 3dB. Specs the rest of us can understand include an AM/FM radio, built-in LCD that displays a clock or radio info, a standard 3.5mm input, and an S-Video output for iPods with video, as well as a 16-button remote. Look for it to drop this October, along with a portable version, the AudioStation Express (pictured after the break), which is much more Hi-Fi-inspired design-wise, although quite a bit less capable in the audio department -- it's set to retail for $129.99.

Read - Logitech AudioStation
Read - Logitech AudioStation Express

[Via PC Mag]