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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.
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.
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.
Felt Pulse and Rewind Bluetooth speakers hands-on
We've been seeing Bluetooth speaker after Bluetooth speaker debut as of late, but Felt Audio's $99 rechargeable Pulse is one of the smallest of its kind. It supports Bluetooth for up to 40 feet, and it pairs with enabled devices in about three seconds. Battery life is rated for about eight hours, and the speaker recharges via micro-USB. The controls are intuitive: you can manage calls and change the device's volume via buttons on the side. A clip on the back can be used as a stand for propping the device up during conf calls and the like. Felt also showed off its larger Rewind speaker (also for $99), which adds more functionality in the form of built-in earbuds that retract up to three feet. When we cranked up some tunes on an iPhone, the 9.2mm drivers cranked out enough noise to be heard over the raucous CES showroom floor. Both the Pulse and Rewind can attach to optional cases -- currently only available for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. Both speakers will be available in April, though pre-orders begin in March. Get a closer look in our hands-on gallery. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
Grace Digital ECOXBT Speaker System: Light, rugged, waterproof
Over the years TUAW has published a number of reviews of iOS-compatible speaker systems, but they're usually made for indoor use and wouldn't hold up to being splashed with water or knocked off of a deck. Now Grace Digital, as part of their ECOXGEAR line, has introduced the ECOXBT Bluetooth speaker system (US$129.99) that takes ruggedness to a new level. Read on for a review, and be sure to enter our giveaway. Design As befits a ruggedized speaker system, the ECOXBT has a good solid feeling to it. While it feels like it could put up with some misuse, it's not heavy -- the device actually weighs just 24.2 ounces. It's easy to carry, either with the curved "handles" that are built into both ends, or with an included lanyard. Those handles are made of a black plastic material with a good grippy feel to them, and the actual body of the device comes in black, red, or orange. %Gallery-170350% Charging the device is done through a generic USB power brick connected through a mini-USB plug, and a charge should last about 10 hours. The charge door is covered by a gasketed seal; there's a small nylon strap attached that is used to pull off the door, and it takes a good pull to open this door. The seal is part of what keeps the ECOXBT waterproof. What exactly does Grace Digital mean by waterproof? Well, it means that the ECOXBT can float and can be placed into water, but they do not recommend submerging it. I'm taking that as meaning that if you have the ECOXBT on the side of a hot tub and it falls in, it will probably survive the mishap. The ECOXBT can be used with just about any Bluetooth device including your favorite iOS toy or Mac. When using it with an iPhone, you can use the built-in mic (which features advanced noise cancellation) to turn the ECOXBT into a speaker phone. Functionality All of the controls for the ECOXBT are on the top of the unit. Upon powering up the device, pressing the pairing button quickly displays the ECOXGEAR device name in the list of Bluetooth devices. I have to admit that the pairing process was faster than I've seen on most Bluetooth speaker systems. Speaker volume is surprisingly loud for such a small speaker device. The sound quality is acceptably good for outdoor use, which is pretty much where you'd expect to use a rugged and waterproof speaker. While the ECOXBT sound tends to be a bit too "hard" and "cold" for my personal tastes, I have to admit that some music ("Gangnam Style", for example) sounded perfect on the device. As good as the ECOXBT is as a speaker, it's not that great as a speakerphone. Yes, it does answer with a single tap on a phone button when your iPhone is paired with the speaker, but it just sounds muffled. This has been the case with other speakers as well, so it's something that comes with the territory. The recipient of a phone call I made told me that my voice sounded muffled and that the higher ranges were clipped; on my end, the other caller just sounded like she was talking into a pillow. Conclusion For a waterproof and shockproof speaker system in a compact design, the ECOXBT does a very good job and provides remarkably nice sound quality. It will also work for those phone calls coming in while you're sitting beside the pool working on your tan, but don't expect to get the quality that you expect from your Polycom phone in the office. Pros Fun, easy-to-carry design with two grip handles molded into the sides Waterproof and shockproof Fast Bluetooth pairing Great volume and sound quality from a compact speaker system Fast charging and good (10 hour estimated) battery life Cons Speakerphone sounds a bit muffled Battery pack is not user-replaceable Who is it for? Anyone who enjoys listening to music outdoors or in locations where a Bluetooth speaker might get wet. Giveaway Our review is done, so now it's your chance to win an ECOXBT from TUAW and ECOXGEAR. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, as well as residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 9, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a ECOXGEAR ECOXBT Bluetooth Speaker System valued at $129.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker spotted at FCC and HMV: take one and call Dr. Dre in the morning
The Beats by Dr. Dre badge has usually been attached to headphones and the occasional laptop or smartphone. We've never really seen it attached to dedicated speakers, however, and that's where both an FCC filing and a sighting at UK retailer HMV's online store raise a few eyebrows. The House that Dre Built appears on the edge of launching the Beats Pill, a Bluetooth wireless speaker with four drivers and a shape that more than explains the medicinal name. While we don't know just how much of that signature Beats thump we'll get, we do know from the FCC that the Pill can serve as a speakerphone, carries an aux-in jack and will last for a typical 8.5 hours on its USB-rechargeable lithium-ion battery. There's also signs of a red version of Beats' Mixr headphones coming at the same time. HMV has publicly scoured its pages of any trace of a ship date or price for the Pill, but cached copies point to a £170 ($276) price and a release around September 28th -- not necessarily trustworthy figures, but they may be in the ballpark. Our only question is whether or not we'll get a dose of the Pill in the US. [Thanks, Germaine]
Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt
If Proficient Audio's new MaxTV MT2 speaker box is anything to go by, the company obviously isn't enamored with the latest slew of slim, elegant soundbars. As the picture shows, it's designed to act as a platform for your TV and can support up to 160 pounds -- enough for even the biggest of flatscreens. The hard, no-grille design shows off the box's two 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch mid-range speakers and two 5.25-inch, down-facing subs. Four internal 20-watt, two-channel digital amps take care of the power, and with two of those dedicated to the woofers, we'd expect some serious neighbor-waking bass. It's not just for your TV either, as the built-in Bluetooth supports audio streaming from any of your favorite gadgets. The soundbar-on-steroids is shipping now for 599 bones, and if that sounds a little steep, Proficient Audio assures you that "once someone hears the difference MaxTV makes, they will buy it." Update: We've been informed the unit has a detachable grille (pictured below the fold) which is held in place by samarium-cobalt magnets to ensure no unwanted vibration.
JBL freshens its portable speakers with Micro II, Bluetooth-toting Flip and Micro Wireless
JBL has been on a wireless speaker kick lately -- it might as well throw some truly portable models into the equation. Accordingly, two of the three speakers it's shipping today, the Flip and Micro Wireless, sport Bluetooth audio and a 5-hour battery to cut the cord. The Flip (seen above) is the multi-talented athlete of the bunch: its design can work either upright or on its side to stuff into small spaces, and a built-in mic provides speakerphone duties. The Micro Wireless' puck shape isn't as clever, but it fits a standard 3.5mm input jack and space to clip to a carabiner or lanyard. Both these and the Micro Wireless' strictly wired counterpart, the Micro II, have a bass port to improve the low-end frequencies that are so often missing in this class of speaker. Prices may be the real incentives here: the Flip is the most expensive of the trio at $99, while the Micro Wireless and Micro II are even lighter on the wallet at respective $59 and $39 price points.
Jabra Solemate Bluetooth speaker hands-on, soles off
Hey, it's a shoe-themed Bluetooth speaker -- because, hey, why not, right? Jabra announced the punnily named Solemate yesterday, and we happened to run into one on the floor of this year's IFA. It's a small, solid little speaker with a hearty rubber sole that sits on the bottom, protecting the device from shocks and the like. The heel actually peels off, so you can replace it with different colors. Jabra had a slew of brightly colored options aside from the basic black and white, though apparently those won't be widely available at launch. The pairing process is quite easy -- just flip the Bluetooth button on the side of the device and a glowing blue light will turn on -- not only that, but a friendly device will walk you through the process. Find the speaker on your device's drop down menu and you're good to go. As for the sound, it's surprisingly loud (120dB, to be exact). We walked off the show floor for a second to demo it, but it turned out we didn't need to. Oh, and when you're using a non-Bluetooth device, there's a wired connection that lives on the bottom of the sole that you can pull out. All in all, it's a really solid and nicely built speaker -- and for its $200 asking price, we'd certainly hope so. The speaker has big volume buttons on the top and a carrying loop on its side. It also comes with a small black bag, which it can actually play through without dampening the sound too much. It'll hit the US on September 2nd, but you can pre-order it now, if you're eager.%Gallery-163896%
Nokia and JBL's PlayUp NFC-equipped Bluetooth speaker wants to pair up with your Lumia
Nokia may have partnered with Monster for its last batch of Lumia-focused audio wares, but now JBL is also in on the deal. Say hello to first product from Nokia and JBL, the successor to the Play 360 portable speaker, dubbed PlayUp. The noiseybox is packed with Bluetooth and NFC, and as for the design, it's made to complement "current and future Lumia smartphones." Like the Play 360, the PlayUp is a cylindrical, top-shooting speaker with physical volume controls, a large power button near the bottom and a 3.5mm jack for plugging in PMPs. The PlayUp weighs 760g and it measures in at 118 x 118 x 128mm -- a fair bit chunkier that the 360 (110 x 110 x 124mm and 514g). Despite the heft, the PlayUp's battery is rated for 10 hours of use, which is disappointingly just under half of the 360's replaceable cell. Charging gets handled via micro-USB and -- thankfully -- a wall adapter is included. Naturally, the notable change is JBL's baked-in audio expertise. The unit can pump out a healthy 89dB of volume (aided by a bass port), which isn't shabby, but still shy of the ear-ringing 120dB the $99 UE Mobile BoomBox can produce. There's no word on whether tow units can pair wireless stereo like its elder, or what version of Bluetooth is packed inside, but we'll be sure to let you know once we find out. Nokia also plans to release an app for the device to allow for remote control. Given that Nokia has knack for consistency across its products, it's likely that the white, black, cyan and bright yellow color choices will match up with the WP 8-loaded Lumias at their September 5th unveiling. The PlayUp will be available for €149 (about $186) before the year is out, which includes a travel pouch and a 3.5mm audio cable. In the meantime, hit the source link for more details.
Jabra's $200 Solemate portable Bluetooth speaker wants to kick the Jambox aside
If you looked at the photo above thinking Dr. Martens got into the portable speaker game, you're not so far off. Jabra's taken its Bluetooth headset know-how and blended it with a footwear-inspired design to create its first portable speaker, the $200 Solemate. At first glance the shoe theme does seem a bit silly, but don't let that fool you as this Bluetooth 3.0 speaker packs some notable specs -- especially pitted against the Jawbone Jambox. Available in black or white, the features rubberized casing that's shock- and water-resistant, and can be supplemented with an included waterproof soundbag (similar to the Braven 625). Taking it a step further, the unit actually has a "heel tab" for carrying purposes and a replaceable sole, which also serves as a storage point for a handy 3.5mm cable. %Gallery-163767% Moving on to its less quirky features, at the front you'll find a duo of acoustic tweeters separated by a subwoofer with a passive bass radiator on the back -- all together they pump out up to a whopping 120dB of volume. On top are two volume buttons, along with a multifunction button for commanding calls and enabling its Voice Guidance feature. Lastly, the right side houses two indicator lights (battery and Bluetooth), a power and pairing switch, a 3.5mm jack and a micro-USB input for charging and direct digital audio connection. According to Jabra the unit is "about the size and weight of a water bottle," and you can expect to get around eight to ten hours of use per charge. We'll be giving you our in-depth impressions of the speaker before long, however, the Solemate will be up for pre-order today at the likes of Best Buy and Amazon, and set to release on September 2nd if you're already interested. Check out the press release after the break for more details in the meantime.
CUBEDGE EDGE.sound Bluetooth speakers coming September 1
A lot of nice Bluetooth speakers that work with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac have been making their way through the TUAW labs recently, and one of the more intriguing designs I've seen so far belongs to the CUBEDGE EDGE.sound. This new US$149.00 speaker is available for pre-order now and is expected to ship by September 1, 2012. The EDGE.sound features 10 hours of battery life, which can be extended via a soon-to-be-available attachable solar panel. With a low environmental impact in mind, the EDGE.sound uses no brominated flame retardants, contains no PVCs, and is made mostly of recyclable aluminum. Many of the speakers we've tested have featured a built-in "speakerphone" capability; the EDGE.sound does as well, but after looking at the specs it appears that the company is paying more attention to the quality of the microphone on this device. Of course, testing is the only way to be sure. Still, the EDGE.sound is a nice looking device and I look forward to reviewing it for you in the future. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Antec SP1 portable Bluetooth speaker stops by the FCC
The last Antec product that blipped on our radar was many moons ago, but it looks as though the company is having a second stab at audio hardware in its latest filing with the FCC. The documents reveal a new Bluetooth speaker going by the handle SP1 and assuming more of a Braven form factor, as opposed to the pocket-sized trend. Antec's Rockus 3D|2.1 speakers were aimed at the higher end of the market, but we would be tempted to bet that the SP1's focus is a little broader. We've struggled to dig up any more detail on the speaker, like launch plans or pricing, but did stumble upon a particularly glamorous advert, which you'll find after the break.
Meet the Vers 1Q: the wooden, portable Bluetooth speaker gets Kickstarted, ships this November
If you're in the market for a battery-powered speaker and are willing to splurge a bit, then you'd be wise to check out the 1Q from Vers. The diminutive, 3-inch cube-shaped music system is said to provide some impressive tunes all by its lonesome, but it can also be paired with another 1Q to provide true stereo sound. Also, thanks to a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth connectivity, the little guy is sure to work with any number of devices. Naturally, much of the 1Q's allure is due to its hand-crafted wooden enclosure, which is available in walnut and bamboo varieties. The Vers 1Q has eight days left in its Kickstarter funding phase, but it's not like the project will need your help across the finish line: it's already surpassed the goal nine times over. Fortunately for you, this provides an opportunity to snag a 1Q for just $95; when it hits the market in November, the speaker will retail for $120. For even more details, be sure to hit up the PR after the break.
Edifier Spinnaker Bluetooth Speaker System: Striking appearance, amazing sound
Edifier is an international manufacturer of a number of electronics accessories, including iPhone/iPod docks like the Tick Tock Dock. While I was less than impressed with the sound and design of that retro alarm clock dock, Edifier's e30 Spinnaker Bluetooth Speaker System (US$349.99) looks like it's going to be a winner for the company. Let's take a look at these visually striking (and great-sounding) speakers. Design The first thing that hits you when you see the Spinnaker speakers is the design, which is unique amongst Bluetooth speaker systems. These gently curving cones look either like rhinoceros horns or fully deployed spinnakers on a sailboat. Available in black or burgundy, the speakers stand about 16 inches tall. %Gallery-161887% Each Spinnaker includes three amplifiers pushing a 10 W tweeter, a 10 W 2-3/4" midrange speaker and a 25 W 4" downward-firing bass speaker. The Spinnaker set includes a small dome-shaped Bluetooth remote -- and what I mean by that is that it's a manual remote that communicates with the Spinnaker via Bluetooth. You turn it clockwise to turn up the volume, just like a volume knob, and the bottom glows red to let you know that it's communicating with the speakers. The control also works to skip to the next or previous track, mute and unmute playback, and adjust the volume. The remote is rechargeable via an included USB to micro-USB cable. Not only can you bump your tunes to the Spinnaker speakers over Bluetooth, but the speakers also include an AUX input and an optical audio input (cables included) for connectivity to gaming consoles and multimedia systems. For extra bass, there's a separate subwoofer output. The two speakers are tied together via a proprietary cable, and there's a 5 V power brick that supplies juice to the active speaker. Functionality As with all speaker and headphone reviews, it's important realize that sound reproduction methods and the sounds perceived by the reviewer are very subjective, so your results may vary from mine. I found the sound quality to be excellent, as one would expect with three separate amplifiers and three decently sized drivers per speaker. If you use the speakers next to a Mac (the Edifier site shows one Spinnaker on either side of an iMac, for instance), expect to be blown away by the volume and clarity of the Spinnaker system. One interesting note: when I played music from my iMac (late 2009), the sound quality was often choppy. Playing the same tunes from a late 2010 MacBook Air, iPhone 4S or third-generation iPad resulted in amazing sound quality and additional volume. My guess is that it's the Bluetooth 4 capabilities of the newer Mac, the iPhone and the iPad that work so well with the speakers. So that's a warning to potential purchasers -- pairing with a fairly new Apple product will get you best sound quality over Bluetooth. Conclusion If you want more than the plain box shape on a good-sounding Bluetooth speaker system, then you'll definitely want to take a look at the Edifier Spinnaker. The speakers look great and the sound is hard to beat. Audiophiles with recent Bluetooth devices who want to beam tunes to these speakers will be quite happy. Pros Great sound quality and volume for a Bluetooth speaker system Very striking design that is definitely out of the ordinary AUX and optical audio input make Spinnaker speakers usable with other devices Price is reasonable for an audiophile product The hemispherical remote is a brilliant idea for setting the max volume level of the speakers, then using the volume control of the device (iPhone, Mac) to control the relative level. Cons Price is high for mass market Who is it for? Audiophiles who want a pair of Bluetooth speakers that make a statement, both in terms of their sound quality and design.
iShower is ready to get wet: water-resistant Bluetooth speaker now shipping for $100
Move over, Pantene, because you may need to make room for a new addition to showers across the globe. That's because the iShower, a water-resistant music system for use as you get squeaky clean, is now shipping for $100. Despite its name, the iShower should have no trouble playing the compatibility game, thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity with support for up to five paired devices. What's more, you won't need to bust out the tools to install the iShower, as the mounting system's built-in adhesive lets you pretend to be a handyman without doing any real work -- the unit can also be hung over the shower head if you're wary of sticky residue. The music system runs on three AA batteries and provides up to 15 hours of sudsy listening time, and there's even a built-in clock, for those unfortunate mornings when you need to cut the rock operas short. To see the system in action, just hop the break for a demonstration of the iShower from the company's CEO.
Edifier's Spinnaker Bluetooth speaker system promises not to hurt you, sells for $350
Despite what you might be thinking, what you're seeing above isn't a pair of sleek and very polished viking horns -- instead, you're gawking at an eccentric set of Bluetooth speakers. Adequately dubbed "Spinnaker," the rig measures in at a whopping 16.5 inches in height, and Edifier says the uncommon figure is specifically designed to "project sound toward the listener with front facing tweeters and mid-range drivers." The Spinnaker's compatible with nearly every Bluetooth-equipped (2.1+ EDR) device you may have laying around, but you'll have to shell out a mighty $350 if you're planning on adding these beasts to your sound setup. In any case, Edifier's got 'em up for grabs now on its website, where you'll also find the rest of the audio spec sheet along with some additional press shots.
iHome's iP76 3-foot tall LED Color Changing Speaker Tower dock now available
All music should be accompanied by a light show. And, if said light show comes in the form of a three-foot tall self-contained iPod dock, all the better. iHome's iP76 LED Color Changing Speaker Tower is not just a catchy name any more, it's now a product you can actually purchase for $199. The unnecessarily tall iDevice dock is loaded with color changing LEDs that pulse, fade and blink in coordination with your tunes and you can even connect other media sources via Bluetooth. You can pick up the GlowTunes dock now direct from iHome or at unnamed "retailers nationwide." Check out the PR and video after the break.
JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL is known for its portable speakers, but an FCC filing has revealed that it's willing to make speakers that are almost inconspicuous. The Soundfly BT would represent your everyday Bluetooth speaker save for the very uncommon ability to optionally plug directly into a wall outlet, skipping the power cord. Shades of the previous-generation AirPort Express, anyone? There's not much mystery in other areas, but the 20W stereo output is unusually powerful for something small enough to hang off of a hotel room's power port. Between the manual and live photos, about the only riddles left are the Soundfly BT's official release date and price.
Hot Qmadix accessories for your summer fun
We started yesterday with a giveaway of three Just Mobile products; now the summer holiday fun continues with a review and giveaway of some great new products from Qmadix. Qmadix iharmonix Q-i-sound Stereo Bluetooth Speakers I'll start my review of these portable Bluetooth speakers with a negative comment -- could Qmadix have come up with a shorter name? I'm just going to call these Q-i-sound speakers (US$149.95) for the rest of the review. As seasoned TUAW readers know, we've reviewed a number of Bluetooth speakers from a variety of vendors lately. Many companies are going rectangular speakers make of a variety of materials and usually dropped into one case. The Q-i-sound Stereo Bluetooth Speakers have a totally unique design: the speakers are not only separate for optimum stereo sound, but there's no cable connecting the two. That means you can put the speakers anywhere up to 15 feet apart to get the best possible sound. The two speakers have a weak magnetic latch that holds them together into an egg shape. That "egg" fits into an included zippered case. Charging is done from an included folding AC adapter or by connecting to a USB port, with an included USB to two-ended DC connector cable. Qmadix says full charging takes about takes about 4.5 hours; that charge is good for about 8 hours of continuous play time. As you would expect from most contemporary Bluetooth speakers, the Q-i-sound speakers include a full-duplex microphone (in the left speaker) for conference calling and dialing with Siri. The speakers are lightweight -- only 4 ounces each -- and the compact size makes for a perfect traveling companion. How was the sound quality? Like most Bluetooth speakers I've used, the Q-i-sound speakers lacked a good bass sound. However, the sound reproduction on the high end wasn't all that good either. Conference call sound quality was poor -- yes, you could have a conference call, but the folks on the other end will most likely complain that the call sounds "tinny" or "clipped". At the price, I'd honestly expect much better sound quality. For the same $149.95, you can get the BRAVEN 600 speakers and at least be able to enjoy your music. The Logitech Mini Boombox ($99.99) even sounded better. Still, if you want totally wireless Bluetooth speakers with great separation, the Q-i-sound speakers are about your best bet. Qmadix iharmonix Qi-7 Mobile Earphones The next product from Qmadix is a pair of their iharmonix Qi-7 mobile earphones ($79.99), which come with a noise canceling microphone with a control button. Designed as a replacement for the ubiquitous white headset you get with your iPhone, the Qi-7s take things up a notch with a gold plated audio jack, a leather storage case and pouch, one pair of double flanged silicone ear gels and three pairs of standard silicone ear gels in small, medium, and large sizes. How do they sound? Well, when it comes to earphones, we don't test 'em if we're going to give them away (for sanitary reasons). I'll leave the testing to the winner of the earphones in our giveaway. Qmadix Smudge-Free Device Cleaning Kit Here's a Qmadix product that I use and love! The Smudge-Free Device Cleaning Kit ($14.99) provides a 3 ounce (perfect for travel) can of cleaning foam along with two anti-microbial microfiber cloths treated with Duraban. I've cleaned everything from my iMac screen to the tiny screen of an iPod nano with the kit, and it works really well. The foam tends to reduce the streakiness that you'll find with some liquid sprays, and the two 10" x 10" cleaning cloths (one high density for polishing, one regular density for cleaning) can be washed up to 50 times and still retain their antimicrobial properties. You can also order replacement cans of the cleaning foam for $9.99. Does it do a better job of cleaning screens than the tried and true iKlear solution? In my personal opinion, it does, and it's also less expensive than the iKlear kit. Qmadix Tempered Tech-Armor This is another product that I'm not going to test, as I'd prefer to give away the Tempered Tech-Armor kits ($39.99) for iPhone 4 / 4S to TUAW readers. That being said, I think that the concept is absolutely cool. These are not your run-of-the-mill cheap plastic screen protectors. Instead, they're made of .3 mm thick tempered glass that is completely shatter- and scratch-proof. The kit also includes a film overlay for the back of the iPhone, as well as home button stickers to protect the iPhone's navel. In case you need to remove the Tempered Tech-Armor at any point, don't worry -- you can remove it, wash it, and re-apply it up to 60 times. Giveaway As part of this week of giveaways from TUAW, five readers will win one of the products listed above. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before July 5, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Five winners will be selected and will receive one of the following items: Qmadix iharmonix Q-i-sound Stereo Bluetooth Speakers valued at $149.99, Qmadix Tempered Tech-Armor for iPhone 4/4S (black or white) valued at $39.99, Qmadix iharmonix Qi-7 Extreme-Performance Mobile Earphones with Noise Canceling Microphone valued at $79.99, or a Qmadix Smudge-Free Device Cleaning Kit valued at $14.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
