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Soundboks 2 is the massive Bluetooth boombox to rule them all
In February 2016, a new kind of Bluetooth speaker arrived on Kickstarter and easily met its goal. It was called Soundboks, a massive portable battery-powered unit that was built to rock a party and survive the experience with its metal grille and roadie case-style edges. A few months ago, the Soundboks 2 was launched with a series of improvements, including an audio boost up to 122 dB. This speaker has a rock-solid build and owes its beefy output to two 10-inch woofers, a soft dome tweeter and three amplifiers with boost converters to help maximize sound and efficiency. This thing is a monster, but in a good way and I just had to try it out. It's definitely a powerful sound system, but it doesn't come cheap at $899. This speaker wasn't made for everyone, though. It's eminently useful for things like street side busking, flashmob parties, mobile DJing and beach bonfire bashes, while it may be overkill for listening to NPR podcasts in the kitchen. Modern-day Radio Raheems will enjoy the freshly redesigned LiFePO4 battery, which is rated for about eight hours on a charge at full volume and 40 (or more) hours if you're keeping it chill.
B&O's $40k speakers look surprisingly normal
Bang & Olufsen (B&O) has announced its latest aural offering, the BeoLab 50, which is available for an eye-watering $39,170 (£22,930) per pair. It's billed as the company's first 'loudspeaker', although this is simply the term B&O use to describe any speaker that's larger than its usual fare, such as the BeoSound 1 or BeoLab 3.
JBL intros OnBeat iPad / iPhone / iPod speaker dock, prices it at $150
This planet we call home needs another iDock about as bad as we need another Charlie Sheen running around aimlessly, but no matter -- we're getting one, and it's being delivered from JBL. The company has just outed its first-ever iPad speaker dock, the OnBeat. Truth be told, it's capable of handling iPod touches, iPhones and iPads (no word on the iPad 2), but it's clearly engineered to hold the largest of the bunch best. Aside from providing joints and jams to those situated in your living room (or basement, if that's how you roll), it can also pipe Netflix and YouTube content directly to one's television via a composite video output, and if you're running around sans an iDevice, the 3.5mm auxiliary jack ensures that any other source will still function just fine. You'll also be able to charge and sync any docked devices, but you'll be asked to dole out $149.95 in order to bring one home when it ships next month.
Video: Emo Labs' invisible speakers visibly demonstrated
Emo Labs is out on a crusade to unify audio and video into one cohesive, delectable whole. If you'll recall, the company's Edge Motion invisible speaker tech relies on implanting a clear membrane atop display panels, which is then vibrated by piezoelectric actuators to generate stereo audio. We've grabbed a couple of vids of it in action to whet your appetite, and while there's still no word on when, plans are afoot to embed the technology into LCDs, laptops, mobiles and even handheld gaming devices. Dance past the break to hear, and maybe even see, for yourself. [Via eCoustics]
ZVOX intros 430, 440 soundbars and 525, 575 soundbases
The limitations of typical crappy built-in TV speakers just can't be overstated, and with the current "thin is the new black" trend in TVs, things aren't likely to get better. ZVOX has introduced two soundbars and two soundbases to its lineup of all-in-one speaker systems that are pretty much guaranteed to make you wonder why you ever put up with your TV's craptastic sound. The 430 ($450) and 440 ($550) soundbars each come in at only 5-inches deep and 5.5-inches high, but pack a trio of 3.25-inch cones along with a 4-inch woofer for the bass. Flanking the speaker/TV stand Z-Base 550 we liked so much are the slightly smaller, $400 Z-Base 525 and the 35-Hertz-reaching, $800 IncrediBase 575 (pictured). Yes, that kind of money could get you a whole HTIB setup -- along with the wires and boxes that shoppers considering an all-in-one are looking to avoid. Hit the links for details. Read - ZVOX 430, 440 soundbars [Warning - PDF link] Read - Z-Base 525 soundbase [Warning - PDF link] Read - IncrediBase 575 soundbase [Warning - PDF link]
Passivists rejoice, Audioengine P4 bookshelf speakers now on sale
We gave the sound quality Audioengine packed into its powered A2 speakers big thumbs up, but because there's different strokes for different folks, the company has added the more conventional P4 passive speaker to its virtual shelves. Whether you want to use a "spare" receiver, don't want to pay for an onboard amp, or think you can match up a system better than Audioengine's engineers, the P4 might be for you. No blow-molded plastic here, these $249/pair two-ways weigh in at 6-pounds each and have a 4-inch kevlar mid/woofer and a 0.75-inch silk tweeter. The price is right between Audioengine's powered A2 and A5 speakers, but we suspect the performance is closer to the bigger A5s. Available in black, white or bamboo, and with threaded inserts on the back and bottom, you could sprinkle these throughout the homestead. Full PR after the break.
Yamaha Japan spills details on its NS-700 speaker lineup
Although Amazon has had pages up for the new Yamaha NS-700 speaker series for a while now, Yamaha Japan has come clean with some details on the various models due for shipment in early September. If you thought Yammie just did soundbars, HTIBs and lamps, take a look. Non-parallel cabinet sides are used throughout the range, as is the black finish to match -- of course -- your Yamaha grand piano. You can hit the read link for the full machine-translated PR, but the NS-F700 floorstander is catching our eye with a 6.5-inch A-PMD (advanced polymer injected mica diaphragm) woofer, 5-inch PMD mid and 1.125-inch aluminum tweet; all together promising a 45Hz - 50kHz response. Sounds good, and you should be able to round out your system with the NS-B750 or NS-B700 bookshelves, NS-C700 center channel, and the NS-SW700 that didn't make Japanese press release but managed to sneak into the family photo.
Wisdom Audio packs a new SCS subwoofer in its CEDIA baggage
Wisdom Audio is going to use CEDIA to debut its new Sage Series SCS "suitcase" subwoofer. Despite the fact that the press release shreds any secrecy, it sounds like something right out of Connery-era Q's lab -- the little beast packs a 300-Watt amp and dual 5x7.5-inch woofers into a modest 37x22x6-inch package that can crank out 22Hz bass. How was it that Bond took his martinis again? Don't be fooled by the "suitcase" nickname, take the 300-Watt amp as a clue that this design isn't about portable audio. Rather, the svelte (by subwoofer standards) profile and selectable porting of the SCS will allow integrators to put the sub into creative places when it ships later this year for $4,000.
SVSound adds STS-01 tower to S Series lineup
We've heard some pretty positive things about SVSound in our day, so it's definitely a pleasure to see the outfit introducing something new for home theater junkies with the STS-01. The so-called "slim tower" joins the growing S Series family, bringing along a 7-inch wide enclosure that packs a ClearSilk F2 ferrofluid-cooled tweeter and four newly enhanced soft-dome 6-inch poly-cone woofers. The company asserts that the masterfully refined crossover system and stellar imaging will satisfy even the most demanding ears, and you can find out yourself when these ship this summer for $849 per pair (make that $749 per pair if you get in early!).[Thanks, Sean]
Paradigm's SUB 12 and SUB 15 subwoofers promise to dive deep, make a big splash
Replacing the well-regarded Servo-15 and Seismic 12 subwoofers, Paradigm has brought in the SUB 12 and SUB 15 to bring joy to your HT room. Borrowing some tech from the positively scary Signature SUB 25, the two new models are able to do away with the servo feedback-control while posting better performance across the "three Ls" -- louder, lower-frequency and lower-distortion. How does extension to 12-Hz on the SUB 15 and 16-Hz for the SUB 12 sound to you? Yeah, we thought so. Still, those last few hertz cost some money -- $1,999 and $2,799 for the Sub 12 and SUB 15, respectively. Still, few things in your HT will put a stupid grin on your face like bass you feel in your gut. Check the press release after the break and alert the neighbors before you pick one up.
NBS Cables delivers speakers for the rich, geometrically inclined
Oh sure, those space-age speakers are cute and all, but it's the sharp points and long lines that set apart the true modernists. NBS Cables has a full line of high-end speakers within the E. V. A. and Butterfly crews, mostly shaped like pyramids and rectangles. A whole setup will run you around $200,000, though we're sure NBS would be happy to sell separates if you need to take things one at a time. You know, just in case you haven't won the lottery within the last decade or so.[Via CNET]
Pioneer blares architectural loudspeakers at CES
Just in case 16 new speaker models at CEDIA weren't enough, Pioneer is using the spotlight at CES to showcase its high-performance architectural speaker line. All told, there are a half dozen new models in the family, all of which utilize the company's CST driver technology in order to expand the sweet spot. Each speaker houses a titanium tweeter, woven aramid fiber woofer and cast aluminum chassis, not to mention individual treble and bass controls for fine(r) tuning. There's no mention of prices nor release dates, but those that have to ask in regards to MSRP probably shouldn't bother. Per usual, full release is past the break.%Gallery-40562%
Polk SurroundBar SDA IHT gets reviewed, lives up to its name
It sure didn't take long for Polk's SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater (IHT) to find its way into the hands of the review crew at Gaming Nexus, and it sounds like it lived up to the billing. The "instant" bit certainly came through, as the kit was set up inside of five minutes; as far as "home theater," the virtual surround did a good job of putting at least the "sweet spot" listener in a soundfield that was convincing. The 2.4GHz wireless subwoofer connection held up just fine, and the boom from the little box was satisfactory. All said, it sounds like a candidate for the short list if you're shopping all-in-one speaker systems.
Polk adds some oomph to its SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater
Getting bass out of a soundbar that conveys proper theater impact is asking for a bit much, so Polk Audio has wisely chosen to add a standalone subwoofer and name the package the SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater (IHT). Of course, soundbar shoppers are likely concerned about stringing wires across the living room floor, ceiling, or what have you, so Polk has added a wireless connection between the SurroundBar and the 6.5-inch subwoofer. Nice and tidy, and it'll ship this month for a buck under $600 $500.
8-foot XL Horn Speakers pay homage to phonographs everywhere
There's no shortage of wacky speakers out there, but the custom built SPECIMEN XL Horn Speakers are probably among the most radical that we've had the pleasure of seeing. Designed specifically for musician Andrew Bird, these guys stand eight feet tall and are reportedly "extraordinarily efficient with an alarming bass response." Oddly enough, the phonograph-styled drivers are said to be "ideal for PA applications," and judging by the video hosted up after the break, they've been used quite delightfully in concert. Too bad these weren't around for our senior proms.[Thanks, Adhemar]
Jamo releases A 804 on-wall speaker
Everyone has jumped onboard with hanging their TV on the wall, so the same should hold for speakers, right? At least that's what Jamo is hoping for with the release of its A 804 on-wall speaker, a svelte (by conventional speaker standards) 3.9-inch thick model suitable for LCR (and even surround) duties with a 3-way configuration anchored by dual 4.5-inch woofers. Generating any reasonable bass from those woofers in such a small enclosure is tough, but Jamo has tuned the woofer ports to get the bass response down to 70Hz. Looks count, too, and the 27.6 x 6.3 x 3.9-inch size combined with a high gloss black finish should blend nicely with that TV. Available next month at $449 each, but you can peep the PR after the break.
Cuckoo clock loudspeaker kicks out the jams, you out of bed
And you thought The Shining cuckoo clock was terrifying -- imagine waking up to this. Designed by French artist Stephane Vigny, the loudspeaker clock does exactly what you'd expect it to. When the time comes, the doors flip open, the bottom woofer extends out and a cacophonic emission of sound is heard as you angrily wake from your slumber. We can't imagine that outstretched woofer surviving too many mornings of you waking on the wrong side of the bed.[Via MAKE]
$168,000 Harion speaker set crafted from heat-resistant glass, fairy dust
We're pretty sharp on the fairy dust market, and while it no doubt goes for a premium in certain parts of the world, there's still a serious surcharge being added in here for transparency. Japan's own Hario is catering yet again to the affluent among us with its Harion speaker set, which boasts a subwoofer, two mid-range drivers and a pair of acrylic tweeters -- all encased in heat-resistant glass. Of course, the company is no stranger to pumping out exclusive glass-based kit and charging a wad for it, as this particular package will run customers a staggering 16 million yen, or just north of $168,000. Oh, but if you and ten others dial in right now, they can be produced and sold for just 10 million yen each ($105,030). Economies of scale, now that's good stuff.[Via Gearlog]
Speaker buying guide points out the top seven in each class
We can't say we've personally listened to each set of speakers recommended by Sound & Vision in its mammoth speaker buyer's guide, but the well traveled author makes a good case for believing in him. If you've been toying with the idea of picking up a new multi-channel and / or stereo setup, this is a fantastic way to get straight to the short list. You'll find the top seven speakers / systems in four major categories -- 5.1, compact, subwoofer and two-channel -- covering different price points to fit your budget. No spoilers here -- dig into the read link and have a listen, er, look.
Carbon nanotubes could be used in film-like flat speakers
Seriously, is there anything carbon nanotubes can't do? We've got shock absorbers, flexible displays, atypically small eating utensils and now, film-like speakers. For times when NXT flat drivers simply aren't thin enough, a team of Chinese researchers have reportedly found a way to create sound from a thin sheet of carbon nanotubes. The film, which could be stretched and placed on PMPs, HDTVs or even clothing, can generate sound when "zapped with a varying electric current." Great, the perfect recipe for a new wave of Milli Vanilli copycats. A video of the tech can be seen after the jump.[Via Physorg]
