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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini impressions
Bowers & Wilkins isn't a name that's generally associated with "mere mortals." Sure, you'll find B&W gear within palatial mansions and the drool-worthy motorcars, but by and large, these guys stick to the high-end and never bother coming down to the level of the layperson. Thanks to Apple, it seems that even this company couldn't resist the temptation of pumping out its own iPod sound system, with the Zeppelin Mini being the second that it has sold. At $399.99 (MSRP), this one is positioned alongside more pricey options like Bose's SoundDock, JBL's On Stage 400P, Altec Lansing's Mix iMT800, iHome's iP1 and Boston Acoustics' i-DS3. As is typical with B&W gear, the Zeppelin Mini is nothing short of beautiful, but do the acoustics really match the design? Read on for a few of our impressions. %Gallery-80388%
Yamaha introduces four mini audio systems, all with iPod docks
We sure hope you're an iPod owner if you're looking seriously at any one of Yamaha's latest mini audio systems, 'cause every last one of them packs an inbuilt dock front and center. Kicking things off is the MCS-1330, which features 60-watts of amplification, an integrated CD player, two speakers and a few other inputs for non-Appleites. The MCR-330 and MCR-230 only seem to differ in connection type, with both units packing 40 total watts of power and a USB socket. The CRX-430 finishes things off with 50-watts of RMS juice and a built-in CD player. The whole lot should ship by early December and will range in price from around $300 (CRX-430) to $1,233 (MCS-1330).[Via TechDigest]
Sharp debuts all new line of boomboxes at CEDIA
Shortly after Sony pumped out a funky fresh new boombox of its own, along comes Sharp with a stable of its own. The outfit has just unveiled the CD-DK890N and CD-DK891N sound systems, both of which feature iPod compatibility (via an integrated dock), 250-watts of amplification, AM / FM tuners, a five-disc CD changer and X Bass for a little extra bottom end. It's also introducing the 600-watt CD-G14000, the much more minuscule CD-MPX880 and the XL-DK257N / XL-DK227N micro-audio systems. The whole lot is available now with prices ranging from $139.99 o $329.99, and yep, the full release is after the jump.
Sony expands Muteki family with DJ-style LBT-DJ2i XROSS FADE music system
Man, we didn't even know the Muteki moniker was still in existence. Nevertheless, Sony has just added a big, bad member to said congregation with the LBT-DJ2i XROSS FADE. This rather beastly music system packs 450 total watts of power, a CD player, AM / FM tuners, a line-in jack, a pair of 2-way shelf speakers, a dual 7-inch subwoofer enclosure and the ability to convert CDs / radio to MP3 files. And that's just the beginning. Aspiring DJs will also find a bundled cross-fader with monitor cue and a built-in two-channel mixer, and the iPod-lovin' interface ensures that you'll never have to touch your PMPs once they're mounted. There's also a USB recording function to save mix sessions to a USB device in ATRAC MP3 format. Too bad this setup will cost you half a grand when it ships next month. Check the full release after the cut.
Sony's new networked GIGA Juke stereos leaked
It looks like Sony has more than just cameras and digital photo frames up its sleeve these days, as we've just gotten a slew of leaked shots of its upcoming HiFi lineup. A number of the new systems seemed to be geared toward networked audio and video, and HDTV setups, with models like the NAS-S55HDE sporting features like an 80GB hard drive, the ability to act as a "music server," and wireless networking capabilities -- you know, regular GIGA Juke stuff. Check out all the specs after the break, and hit the gallery for a spy-rific view of your high-fidelity future.%Gallery-14943%
Sony launches "Net Juke" hard drive-based stereo systems
Finally, Sony is stepping up the mini-stereo concept nearly into the year 2007 with its latest offerings, the NAS-D55HD, NAS-M75HD, and NAS-M95HD hard drive-based sound machines. The new models offer a number of "digital age" conveniences, like the ability to rip CDs or MDs directly to the hard drive, a nice big LCD screen, two USB ports for connecting to your computer and / or favorite media player, and ethernet jacks for incorporating the stereo into a network. The models come in 80GB or 250GB varieties, with either a "digital amplifier" (the NAS-D55HD) or a "full digital S-Master" amp (NAS-M75HD, NAS-M95HD), and 20- or 26-watts of raw, bone-crushing power per channel. Sony has also introduced the NAS-C5, apparently a wireless "hub," which can connect to the new audio systems (amongst other Sony products) to distribute their playback to varying sets of speakers. The stereos are going to available October 20th and November 10th for ¥60,000 to ¥120,000 ($530-1100), and the NAS-C5 will be available on November 21st for ¥30,000 (or around $260).[Via Gizmodiva]
Yamada stuffs seven-inch LCD into HTV-200XU boombox
Cramming Bluetooth, iPod capabilities, or even entirely too many speakers into a boombox are all fair game, but Yamada's latest rendition manages to include a seven-inch LCD for an all-in-one home threatre for the studio apartment set. Sure, we've seen LCDs big and small within sound systems before, but this media-centric conglomerate actually takes the video side of its duties quite seriously; you'll find support for DVB-T, DivX, DVDs, and MPEG4 movie files, while it even provides for a 5.1 output to cap off the "theater going experience." Additionally, the system purportedly hooks up to your TV if the built-in screen begins to hurt your retinas, rips your CDs, and also plays nice with MP3s, JPEGs, and FM radio when your video collection runs dry. The system itself reportedly packs 30-watts of RMS power, connects to your PC via USB, and will set you back around €220 ($300).[Via CNET]
Pure Digital's DMX-25 DAB mini system handles MP3 / WMA
While it had been a few ticks since Pure Digital gave you DAB listeners out there anything new to chew on, the Euro-based radio maker is back with yet another mini system designed to blast out tunes from the comfort of your living room. Encased in the firm's traditionally simple, classy design, the DMX-25 handles both DAB and FM signals and boasts dual 10-watt amplifiers, 4-inch mid-range drivers, 1.5-inch tweeters, scrollable text, RDS support, an LCD display, CD / MP3 / WMA compatibility, and two 3.5-millimeter line-in jacks for your DAP of choice. Furthermore, users will find the SD card slot and USB port handy for loading up flash-based media, and the wireless remote should keep you planted while scrolling through the stations. Still, all this functionality in such a decorative package won't exactly run you cheap, as you'll be ponying up £129.99 ($254) for this setup when it lands in April. [Via Digital-Lifestyles]
