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Only Sony could make this TV remote and speaker hybrid
We love Sony's penchant for crazy products like the P clamshell Android tablet, and who can forget the Rolly music player slash robotic, LED flashing... thing? Judging by a new speaker, the company still has a whimsical side despite falling profits. The SRS-LSR100 pairs a TV remote with a wireless speaker, which receives a 2.4GHz signal from dongle attached to your TV or stereo. The idea is to bring the TV sound closer to you, whether you're in the living room, exercise room or kitchen. And since you're there, why not have a channel-changer?
With this rugged speaker, sound takes a backseat to accessories
It takes a lot to get me excited about a Bluetooth speaker these days. Although subpar sound quality plagued early devices, newer models offer both good looks and solid audio. Even so, most of the current offerings are same-y; unremarkable. Now, a company called Braven has found a way to evolve the Bluetooth speaker even further, with a large selection of rugged wireless speakers. The BRV-PRO was unveiled earlier this year at CES, and while it certainly looks the part of a weatherproof speaker, it's the optional accessories that make it most compelling -- everything from a solar charging panel to a mount for your action camera. As you can imagine, though, those extras add up quickly. I spent some time with the $150 speaker and the various extras to find out if Braven's latest is worth it.
At last, Amazon's voice-guided speaker buys things for you
You'd think that an internet shopping giant like Amazon would have baked purchasing into its voice-controlled Echo speaker at the very start, but nope -- the best you could do until now was add items to a shopping list. At long last, though, that hands-free shopping feature is here. So long as you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can tell the Echo to re-order items you've purchased in the past. You can't buy whatever you like as a result, but the speaker will offer an alternative (or at worst, put something on your shopping list) if it doesn't find what you were looking for. Suffice it to say that this could save you a lot of clicks if Amazon is your one-stop supply shop.
Marshall's Kilburn speaker packs even more guitar amp aesthetics
If you like your portable audio gear to match your guitar rig, Marshall's new Bluetooth speaker fits the bill. The Kilburn not only handles music-playing duties via the aforementioned wireless connection, but its design resembles one of the company's guitar amps. From the speaker grill to the outer shell, gold-accented controls and guitar strap handle, the device looks just like a miniature version of what you'd see on stage. Sure, Marshall's been selling speakers for a while now, but this is its first portable option. Inside, a 4-inch woofer, a pair of 0.75-inch tweeters and three amps (two 5W and one 15W) handle those playlists for up to 20 hours before needing a charge. It won't arrive until next month, but when it does, the Kilburn will set you back $300.
Amazon's Echo wireless speaker will soon run custom apps
Amazon's voice-savvy Echo speaker is only handy for a few tasks right now, but it's about to become much more flexible. The online giant is now taking sign-ups for a beta developer kit that will let people create apps for the gadget. There aren't many details as to what coders can do with the Echo, but it won't be surprising if they'll let you ask new questions, play games or take control of apps on your mobile devices. Just be patient if you aren't a programmer -- there's no mention of when a regular developer kit will be available, and it'll likely take a while after that before you're using speaker-friendly software.
Sonos and Blue Note Records team up for a limited edition Play:1 (update)
Sonos released its $199 Play:1 speaker well over a year ago, and in that time, the company has been keen on improving the software experience for its audio gadgets. Tweaking that Controller app isn't all it was working on, though, and it turns out, a limited edition release was getting its fresh coat of paint... literally. More on that in a bit, but for now, meet the Sonos Blue Note Play:1: a collaboration with Blue Note Records that celebrates the heritage of the label's jazz roots alongside the audio company's focus on quality sound across genres. New colors are something we see from speaker and headphone brands on the regular, and until now, Sonos kept things black and white. Why, you ask? Well, the company viewed its line of wireless-audio tech as accent pieces as well as devices for listening to tunes all over your home. This meant neutral colors that blend in rather than stand out were a must.
Amazon's Echo lets you control iTunes, Pandora and Spotify with your voice
If you accepted an invitation to buy Amazon's Echo speaker, you've noticed that the device didn't have a vast musical vocabulary at first -- you could tell it to play iHeartRadio or Prime Music tunes, and that's about it. You'll have a better time of things from now on, though. Amazon is rolling out an update that lets you use your voice to steer iTunes, Pandora radio or Spotify on your mobile device. It's not super-sophisticated, but you no longer have to reach for your phone just to skip tracks. And in case millions more songs won't keep you entertained, there's also a "Simon says" command that you can use to prank people (or simply tell them something) from across the home. We'd argue that the biggest upgrade to the Echo would be getting to buy one, but these new features will do in a pinch.
Sonos update makes it easier to play music in any room
Sonos' big controller app update from last year was a case of two steps forward and one step back. It was slicker and made it easier to find music, but playing music got harder -- among other issues, it required extra effort to send tunes to speakers around your home. Kinda defeats the point of multi-room audio, don't you think? At last, though, it looks like Sonos is ready to tackle some of those biggest hiccups. An upcoming version 5.3 update (not shown here) will put an always available room menu at the top of every screen, so it should take less time to deliver a radio stream to the living room or a podcast to your kitchen.
Tubecore wants you to hack and mod its beautiful, modular speaker
Let's be honest: Wireless speakers are a dime a dozen. The options are seemingly endless, and new ones arrive on an almost daily basis. Companies have begun to push the boundaries of design as of late, making options that are an aesthetic step above the larger outfits. Tubecore's Duo certainly does that, but it's also so much more.
Sony's SRS-X7 and SRS-X5 wireless speakers ship today starting at $200
If you're still looking for the ideal wireless speaker, Sony is adding two more options to the fray with the arrival of its SRS-X7 and SRS-X5. The audio gadgets pack Bluetooth streaming with AAC and aptX support, ClearAudio+, one-touch listening, aux input, subwoofers with dual passive radiators, USB gadget charging and a relatively minimal design. With 32W of power and six hours of playback, the SRS-X7 (shown above) wields WiFi support -- should you prefer the DLNA or AirPlay route. For the SRS-X5 (pictured after the break) is concerned, there's 20W of power, three color options and eight hours of easy listening; however, the wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth here. Both units start shipping today, with the SRS-X7 priced at $300 and the SRS-X5 set at $200. Anxious to nab one, or see the full spec sheet? Consult the source links below to do just that.
Harman adds the Infinity One to its wireless speaker fold, partners with Linkin Park to get one step closer
The hordes of wireless speakers are guaranteed to be on display at CES. Harman's Infinity brand has its first entry in to the group with the One. Announced today, the unit claims portable hi-fi sound with the aforementioned wireless capability and rechargeable battery that touts up to 10 hours of run time before needing a power outlet. There's no word on pricing or availability at this point, but the gadget's press release did reveal another bit of info: The company has signed on Linkin Park as brand ambassadors for Infinity. For the next five years, the band's involvement will extend beyond advertising to collaboration in production design. In the end, the newly formed team should have some co-branded audio wares to show as they've got plenty of time to crank 'em out.
IK Multimedia ships iLoud wireless Bluetooth speaker for musicians with $300 price tag
We first got our mitts on IK Multimedia's iLoud wireless speaker (above left) back at NAMM in January and now you can do that same. If you're in need of a refresher, the Bluetooth unit houses a 1/4-inch input with the outfit's iRig circuitry, power and gain controls, an aux input and front-mounted volume knob inside a black soft-touch shell. You'll have to dish out $300 to score the 40W of sound and, unfortunately, there's no mention of when we'll see the smaller less expensive iLoud mini (above right) that should ring up for $200 when it arrives.
Jabra adds Solemate Max to its lineup of rugged, wireless speakers
We've already met two speakers from Jabra's sneaker-inspired Solemate lineup, and today a third is joining the fray. The just-announced Solemate Max sports two tweeters, two woofers and a battery rated for up to 14 hours -- all specs that place it above the Solemate and Solemate Mini in terms of high-end features. Naturally, you can stream your tunes wirelessly via Bluetooth and NFC, though there's also a cable on board for wired playback. In addition to boasting one more woofer than the original Solemate, the Max has a significantly larger footprint (11.9 vs. 6.8 inches long), though it's still plenty portable. Jabra hasn't mentioned an MSRP yet, but it says the Max will be available later (read: Q4) this year.
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!
B&O Play previews A9 Nordic Sky edition wireless speakers (eyes-on)
Not to leave its $2,699 A9 wireless speaker stuck with solid colors for the fall and winter, B&O Play's added some limited editions inspired by the natural color palette of Scandinavia. Dubbed the Nordic Sky editions, the three variants previewed for Copenhagen Fashion Week represent dawn, twilight and dusk. The pastel gradient grilles aim to keep the summer night's visual influence alive through the colder seasons, as B&O explains it. The units still feature the same 480-watt (x5) 2.1 stereo output, with DLNA and AirPlay to keep the music flowing. The Nordic Sky editions will retail for the same $2,699 price as the standard versions, while current A9 owners can also purchase each color kit (three wooden legs and a grille cloth) for $259 a pop. There's no exact arrival date yet, but B&O says to expect them on its shelves in September. No doubt these pieces scream opulence, but they're a visual treat in person. Full press release after the break. %Gallery-195483%
HP Wireless Portable Speaker with NFC spotted in regulatory paperwork
HP will soon have an NFC-enabled Bluetooth speaker to go along with its NFC-enabled mouse, not that we reckon the two will ever have much to say to each other. The manufacturer's Wireless Portable Speaker (model no. S9500) has just been revealed in an FCC filing, where it managed to pass inspection without giving away a great deal of information beyond its physical styling (more retro than HP's current wireless speaker) and the name of the engineer who signed the test report ("Apple," confusingly). Beyond that, we know this speaker would have to pair manually with a Slate 7, since that tablet lacks NFC. Also, the Quick Setup Guide says "First Edition: June 2013", which suggests an official launch could be just around the corner -- potentially alongside other unknown, NFC-enabled products from HP.
Parrot's Zikmu Solo speaker goes Duo, two make a pair over WiFi
It was only last October when we took a close look at Parrot's new Zikmu Solo (as well as chatting up CEO Henri Seydoux, pictured above), so we were a bit surprised when the company made an announcement for the same Bluetooth speaker at CES. You see, while the original Starck-designed Zikmu was sold in a pair, the slightly smaller Zikmu Solo -- powered by a 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor no less -- was designed with small rooms in mind and is therefore sold singly. However, at some point this year, Parrot will offer a "Duo" option that lets you hook up two Zikmu Solos over WiFi to form a 2 x 100W RMS stereo system, which is conveniently twice as powerful as the Zikmu. Obviously nothing has changed in terms of audio input methods and sources for the high-end Zikmu Solo: iPhone, iPod, PC, Mac, WiFi, Bluetooth mobile phone, Ethernet and more. So, how about a discount when we buy two then, Parrot? $999 times two is quite a lot (insert wink here). Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
iLuv outs Bluetooth speaker trio: Mo'Beats HD, MobiCup and MobiOut
Now that Bluetooth speakers are all the rage, iLuv is looking to add to its lineup of said offerings just before the official start of CES. First, the Mo'Beats HD wireless unit features SRS WOW tech and a 3.5mm aux jack for wired streaming. The gadget also touts a space that will cradle that handset or slate while The Black Keys are blasting. Next, the Bluetooth-wielding MobiCup is designed to get cozy in that beach chair this summer with 360-degree speakers, built-in microphone, top-mounted controls and splash-resistant buttons to keep things dry (to a certain extent, of course). Last but not least, the MobiOut (pictured above) is also splash-resistant and sports a built-in mic, but this unit boasts Jump-start tech that will offer a quick charge in a pinch and deeper bass tones alongside high-fidelity sound. The MobiCup is priced at $59.99 and the MobiOut at $129.99, however there's no pricing info on the Mo'Beats HD just yet. While the former two speakers will arrive later this month, the latter is scheduled for May. For a look at the entire lot in order of mention, consult the gallery below. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Soundmatters unveils foxLv2 aptX Bluetooth speaker with $199 price tag
Soundmatter's just debuted its latest entrant into the portable Bluetooth speaker arena: the foxLv2 aptX. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the foxLv2 aptX keeps the same form factor while predictably adding aptX support, which promises CD-quality audio in addition to improved sound and picture sync for games and video. A built-in mic for noise cancellation during speakerphone use, a rechargeable battery and audio output from 80Hz to 20kH also make a return. Those yearning to pick up the refreshed hardware can already do so for $199. Hit the jump for the full spec rundown.
Parrot Zikmu Solo reaches US in November, makes a tower of wireless sound yours for $999
Parrot has taken some time trotting out the Zikmu Solo speaker since we first saw it at CES, but those enamored with very vertical audio can rest easy now that the unit has a North American release schedule. Both Canada and the US can buy the Philippe Starck-crafted speaker in November, when it will cost $999 for Americans in its black and white guises (sorry, no red for now). While that's a lot to pay for a 100W speaker, Parrot is counting on the unique acoustic design, a conventional iOS dock and a mix of Bluetooth, NFC and WiFi to tempt people away from the land of horizontal sound. It's undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to make a speaker dock the focus of a room -- and that's part of the point, isn't it?
