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Win a Bluetone 100 Bluetooth Speaker from Cambridge Audio and TUAW
You may remember my review of Cambridge Audio's Bluetone 100 Bluetooth speaker last month. The Bluetone 100 is a 100-watt true stereo speaker that delivers the best sound I've ever heard out of a Bluetooth speaker, and it earned a four star rating out of four stars possible. Well, thanks to Cambridge Audio and TUAW, you're going to have a chance to win one of these amazing speakers valued at US$299.99. As usual, it's easy to enter our giveaway. Here are the rules: 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 October 27 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100 speaker valued at US$299.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. \Loading...\
Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100: Room-filling, thrilling sound
If the recent glut of Bluetooth speaker reviews on TUAW is any indication, it might be time to change our name to "The Unofficial Bluetooth Speaker Weblog". We've reviewed quite a few low-end Bluetooth speakers, including the surprisingly good $26 Inateck BP2001, but we rarely see speakers at the other end of the spectrum. Today I'm looking at the Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100 (US$299.99), a 100 Watt speaker designed to let you fill any sized room with pure amplified sound. Specifications Dimensions: 13.9 x 7.2 x 4.6 inches (354 x 182 118 mm) Weight: 9 lbs. (4.1 kg) Amplifier power output: 100W Standby power consumption: <0.5W Drive units: 2 x 100mm (4 inch) Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drivers Input voltage: 100V - 240V (50/60Hz), AC cords for all major markets included. Design Unlike a lot of the Bluetooth speakers we review here at TUAW, the Bluetone 100 isn't designed for portable use. It doesn't have an interior battery, and at 9 pounds you're not exactly going to want to drop it into your backpack for a trip to the park. This baby is designed for in-home or in-office use, and that's where it excels. The Bluetone 100 is very attractive, featuring one color - black - and a case that will be at home in any study, office, kitchen or family room. All of the controls are on top of the case; on one side are a power button and volume up/down controls, while on the other are source buttons for Aux, MP3, and Bluetooth. Cambridge Audio used a different kind of Bluetooth into this speaker. Called aptX Bluetooth, it means that it can receive high resolution music streams from devices that support that standard, or use regular Bluetooth from most other devices. Most of the owners of the Bluetone 100 will use Bluetooth to stream music to the speaker, but there are RCA and 3.5mm inputs on the back if you'd prefer to connect some other device to it. The Bluetone 100 uses patented Balanced Mode Radiator speaker drivers (two at 4 inches diameter each) that move both in and out like traditional drivers, and also horizontally. There's a Class D amp pushing power to the drivers, and built-in digital sound processing ensures clean and loud music. Functionality With speakers and headphones, the proof of quality is just how good the sound is to the listener. As usual, I'll throw out my caveat that how my ears discern sound from a particular source is not exactly how your ears are going to hear it. What I may think sounds great, you may think is dull and lifeless. Setup is quick: you just plug in the Bluetone 100 and a tiny LED in the front speaker grill goes from red to flashing blue indicating that it wants to pair with a device. With a tap on the device name in Bluetooth settings, it's paired. Select the Bluetone 100 from AirPlay, and you're ready to go. As you'd expect from Cambridge Audio, the Bluetone 100 provides excellent sound reproduction. There's a bass adjustment on the back of the speaker, so if you want a bit more "thump" with your music, a twist can provide it. Not being dependent on a puny battery pack, the Bluetone can really be cranked up, too - enough to upset cats. While other speakers seem to "stutter" and lose Bluetooth connectivity easily, the Bluetone 100 never dropped a connection at any time during my testing. I wondered if that was attributable to my new iPhone 6 Plus or the Bluetone 100, so I tried from an older device. To pair with the other device - an iPad 3 - all I needed to do was tap the Bluetooth button on the speaker to make it discoverable. It appears that it is all the Bluetone's electronics that are making it so stutter-free, as the old device worked just fine -- even well beyond the usual advertised 33 foot range of Bluetooth. Conclusion Anyone in the market for a high-quality Bluetooth speaker with top-of-the-line sound reproduction should seriously consider the Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100. I found nothing at all to dislike about this speaker, and it's well worth the $300 price tag. After listening to the Bluetone 100, I'm not sure I can ever go back to a portable Bluetooth speaker. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Cambridge Audio releases three new wireless speakers
Cambridge Audio creates speaker products that are usually quite well-received by the press and by users. Last year, the company released the Minx Go and Minx Air 100 speakers, both of which were given a glowing review here on TUAW. Cambridge Audio isn't resting on its laurels; the company today announced the release of three new speakers: The Cambridge Audio Go v2 (US$179.99), Go Radio ($199.99), and the new Bluetone 100 Wireless Speakers ($299.99) all bring the company's commitment to great audio to a new level. The Go v2 adds a built-in battery pack to last year's edition, perfect for topping off your electronics or just getting up to 18 hours of battery life. The device now remembers Bluetooth pairings with up to eight devices for easy handoff and still has the amazing Digital Signal Processing technology of the first version. Go Radio (seen at the top of this post) adds both an FM radio and NFC Bluetooth pairing to the original Minx Go, and also has the big battery of the Go v2. But the best-sounding speakers in the new batch are the Bluetone 100 Wireless Speakers, which combine AirPlay, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, 100 Watt Class-D amplification, and two 4-inch wide-dispersion balanced mode radiators with the Cambridge Audio DSP technology for loud, crisp, and fill sound quality. We'll have a review of the Bluetone 100 Wireless Speakers soon.
Cambridge Audio Minx Go, Minx Air 100 wireless speakers
Cambridge Audio is a name that's associated with great sound quality, and recently the company has taken its expertise in sound reproduction and applied it to creating some of the best wireless speakers for use with our iOS devices. The Minx Go (US$149.00) is a portable Bluetooth speaker that takes great sound wherever you're going, while the Minx Air 100 ($449.00) is a bit larger and handles either AirPlay or Bluetooth input. Minx Go The smallest member of the Cambridge Audio family is no slouch when it comes to making big sound. Minx Go is sized to fit into a backpack or computer bag for trips to the office or beach, and even comes with a little carrying bag. That being said, this is not your usual cheap (or not so cheap) plastic unit with tinny little speakers. It has some heft to it, weighing in at 2 lbs, 6 oz. %Gallery-192663% There's an AC adapter for charging the internal battery, which will last up to 18 hours. A USB port on the back of the Minx Go allows charging of your other favorite devices, although it will reduce the playback time of the speaker. You can also power the Go off of the AC adapter when the battery isn't charged up -- a real advantage if you just can't wait to get a full charge. The design of the unit is nice -- a perforated front grill and black (or white) polycarbonate body sit upon a base with a vibration isolation pad, perfect for reducing "buzz" when you have the speaker cranked up. There's a tiny foot that rotates backwards to help prop up the Minx Go, and three simple buttons on top to turn on power and control volume. Pairing is very simple -- literally just turning on the Minx Go and then making one tap on the iPhone or iPad Bluetooth settings and you're ready for music. The Minx Go's sound reproduction seemed to me to be fairly accurate, although it had a bit too much emphasis on the low end for my liking. Your mileage may vary, of course, depending on your choice of music and where the speaker is physically located. Volume-wise, the Minx Go cranks out an amazing amount of sound! For those parties at the beach or on the back patio, this little speaker can definitely overcome ocean noise or conversation for a ton of musical fun. Minx Air 100 For listening to music in the home or office, the Minx Air 100 is a perfect companion. At 9 lbs 11 oz, it's definitely not made for portability, but works well on a bookshelf or coffee table. There is a small handle recess built into the case so it can be picked up and moved. There's no battery inside; the 100 watts of audio power that blasts from the Minx Air 100 would drain a battery quickly. %Gallery-192664% SInce a Wi-Fi connection must be set up on the Minx Air 100 for AirPlay, setup instructions are included for both a wired (Ethernet) and wireless setup. I chose wireless and followed the simple directions, which involve logging onto the Minx's Wi-Fi network, pulling up a particular IP address in a web browser (I used Safari on an iPad mini), selecting my home Wi-Fi network, and then entering the password. Once the small LED on the back of the device stopped blinking, I knew it was on the home network and ready for AirPlay. And that's where the fun began! The Minx Air 100 produces incredibly good sound regardless of what you're playing. I usually run a range of music from Daft Punk to Debussy on my devices so I can hear what different genres sound like. Remember that "handle" I talked about earlier? It's also a bass port, so the bass really thumps when you want it to. But the beauty of Cambridge Audio's design is that the top end is crisp and clear, not drowned out by the bass. Of course, you can also use Bluetooth to stream music to your Minx Air 100. The device also has 5 preset buttons on the front of the unit for Internet radio stations; you can use the free and optional Minx Air App to set up your Internet radio channels if you don't like the ones that are preset. That same app also controls the volume, bass, and EQ settings of the Minx Air, and can also adjust the auto-shutdown time. The Minx Air is set to shut off after four hours of use, but if you plan on listening to tunes all day at work you might want to adjust that to eight hours or more. You don't need to use your favorite iOS device to control the Minx Air 100, as it also comes with a small remote control. But if you're using your iPhone or iPad to send a playlist to the speaker, why not use it as a remote as well? The looks of the Minx Air 100 are pretty impressive as well. It's like a big brother to the Minx Go, and also comes in either black or white to match your decor. My only minor complaint? The polycarbonate case tends to pick up fingerprints, which are quite noticeable on the black model. That same silicone anti-vibration pad covers the bottom of the speaker, and that's a good thing. When this thing is blasting out tunes at full volume, there's not a speck of distortion or buzzing to be heard. As one of the other TUAW bloggers said, "we all have that one review product we hate to ship back." For me, that's the case with the Minx Air 100. Cambridge Audio has created a solid example of speaker design and manufacturing that really has no competition in the AirPlay speaker market.
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.
Cambridge Audio readying Azur 640R V2 receiver for spring
Here's the perfect receiver to pair up with that Cambridge Audio 640BR Blu-ray player you're eyeing -- the company's own Azur 640R V2 receiver, set for release this spring. Sure, it's only packing three HDMI 1.3b inputs, but what catches our eye is the attention paid to quiet and cool operation thanks to the forced convection heat tunnel -- even when the 7x100-Watt amplifier section is cranking -- and an emphasis on sound quality. Befitting a top-end receiver, support for the lossless Blu-ray audio formats is onboard, and RS232 made it, too. No word on what sort of video processing and setup niceties made it into the mix, but based on the V1 model, we're not expecting much on those fronts. Pricing has not been announced for Cambridge Audio's home market, so maybe it's expecting us Yanks to do initial testing of the $1800 price point. [Via Cybertheater]
Cambridge Audio reveals iPod-lovin' Sonata / Fusion audio systems
Not content with sneaking a dedicated Blu-ray player into CEDIA, Cambridge Audio has just taken the plastic off of two new HiFi systems in Milan. The Sonata, aimed squarely at audio junkies, consists of a 2.1-channel DAB receiver (£299; $547), which offers 40-watts of amplification per channel and your choice of an upscaling 1080p DVD player or a Wolfson-DAC-loaded CD unit for another £179 ($327). The all-in-one Fusion (£300; $549) includes 30-watts per channel, an integrated CD player, DAB / FM tuner, USB port, an SD slot and a customized iPod dock (which is also bundled with the aforementioned Sonata). Both units are slated to hit the UK in silver and black, though the November-bound Fusion will get a jump on the Sonata, which hits in February 2009.
Cambridge Audio's 640BD Blu-ray deck hands-on
Cambridge Audio had a relatively small presence at CEDIA, and admittedly, most of the equipment it brought to Denver was purely audio-related. Thankfully, it did manage to squeeze in its newly announced 640BD Blu-ray player, and for fans of the brand, they'll be head over heels for the design. It's built to match most every other component the company makes, and it only takes a passing glance to see that this BD deck isn't your typical fingerprint magnet. The representative on hand admitted that it should start shipping this January for "under a grand," so 'til then, feel free to flip through the gallery as many as times as you see fit. %Gallery-31228%
Cambridge Audio intros DacMagic upsampling digital-to-analog converter
You've got to love the Brits, don't you? According to Cambridge Audio, this is a "digital to analogue converter," which we can't help but read aloud with a charming accent. At any rate, the same company who just announced its plans to enter the Blu-ray realm is also looking out for its primary crowd: the audiophiles. The October-bound DacMagic upsampling DAC is billed as a relatively affordable way to upgrade any PC, network music device, gaming console, etc. to "truly high-end sound quality." The £199.95 ($353) device boasts a variety of connections including S/PDIF, Toslink and USB along with "Adapted Time Filtering (ATF) upsampling technology developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland which converts 16-24 bit audio data to 24 bit/192kHz." For more technical goop, jump on past the break. %Gallery-31150%
Cambridge Audio dips on in, announces 640BD Blu-ray player for 2009
Sherwood isn't the only little-known company bringing the Blu to CEDIA -- now we've got a boutique manufacturer joining the crowd. Announced today in Denver, Cambridge Audio has revealed that it too will be producing a BD deck in early 2009. The 640BD will be designed to complement the Azur range of AV receivers, and it will boast full HDMI 1.3 output (including bitstream output of all the latest Dolby / DTS tracks), a full set of analog video outputs, Ethernet, S/PDIF, Toslink and a set of separate, dedicated 7.1 / stereo analog outputs. Unfortunately, that's all the details the company has prepared for this year's Expo, but we'll certainly be hearing more as CES time draws near. Per usual, the full release is after the break.
