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Orbitsound announces SB60 airSOUND Base 5-speaker system for your TV
British audio company, Orbitsound, has been gunning for the spot just under your TV for a while. It's newest device, the SB60 airSOUND Base, is the latest contender for this front-room real estate. The one-box solution measures 60cm x 30cm x 8cm, and squeezes in two front-facing speakers, another pair of "side-firing" ones (to add width,) plus a subwoofer for... well, you know. There's an optical connection for the TV audio, or a 3.5mm jack if you want to pipe anything else through it. The airSOUND Base's all black finish will likely match most of the sets you'd want place on top, though there is a changeable silver grille if this is more to your taste. Orbitsound claims it's particularly suitable for 32- to 42-inch screens, but can handle many others right unto 55". The SB60 airSOUND Base goes on sale in the UK today for £299.
Orbitsound announces M9 and M12 soundbars with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless subwoofer
UK-based audio outfit Orbitsound has just announced a new bluetooth-enabled range of soundbars. You may remember the British firm for its T14, T12 -- or more recently -- T9 offerings, but the latest line-up cuts the cable, opening up a host of new audio sources. So, it's out with the old 30-pin dock, but there's still optical, AUX, video out, RCA and 3.5mm jack connections if you prefer to keep things physically connected. It's not just the sound source that's on the loose either, as the companion active subwoofer uses a bespoke low-latency 2.4GHz connection (claimed to be 0.01 seconds delay) too -- no more hiding wires around the back. Other new features include a new digital amplifier, a Bluetooth remote, and a settings memory to remember your source, volume and EQ levels for next time. Not enough? How about a "grab" feature that instantly starts playing the last media from a paired phone or tabled? The firm's proprietary spatial sound? That, of course, remains present. There are two models to choose from, the M9 for smaller TVs, and the M12 for the bigger set in your front room. Expect to pay £299 (about $450) and £399 (about $600) respectively when they launch in March. UK retailer John Lewis will be getting them first, but online orders and "select" independent retailers should follow.
Orbitsound announces T9 iPhone-friendly soundbar, we go ears on
You may remember seeing Orbitsound's T12 iPod dock / soundbar pop up in our summer buyer's guide. Today, the firm's just unveiled the latest in its product family: the Orbitsound T9. As you'll see, it's a very similar deal, but with an obvious difference -- its size. At 300mm (about 12") across, it's almost exactly half the length of its bigger brother (605mm) -- but not everything is a straight cut down the middle. Power-wise, this diminutive dock has a power output of 140W RMS (split 80 on the subwoofer, 35 on the front speakers and 25 on the sides,) and carries the same in- and output options. That means optical, line (phono and 3.5mm) and an iDevice connector going in, and a composite video (for piping those movies on your iPhone to your telly) in the other direction. The included subwoofer helps the device perform the dual roles of iPod dock, and TV soundbar. It's launching in mid-July in UK retailers, and internationally online for £200 / $249. Luckily, we managed to get our hands on one of the first production models, and took it for a spin, so boogie on past the break for our impressions.%Gallery-158189%
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: docks
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. So, you've got a new fancy-pants smartphone and filled it up with pictures, movies and music. That's great for when you're on the train and all, but sometimes you'll want to share your music with the world (whether they like it or not) and this is where docks come in. If you've done even the quickest of web searches for one, you'll have no-doubt been dazzled by the sheer amount of choices. They literally come in all shapes and sizes, and with prices to match. Good thing we made this summer buyer's guide to help you make your mind up then. Follow us past the break as we sort out our selections.
Orbitsound T14 soundbar debuts at CES, will take its sweet time getting to market (hands-on)
You'll be forgiven for being a little misty on who exactly Orbitsound is -- the British company has only sold its T12 soundbar in the domestic market -- but today it's reminding everyone of its presence with a brand new product for CES-goers in the T14 you see above. The company's patented "spatial stereo" sound is still the big selling point, promising a revolutionary aural experience that eliminates the need to occupy the traditional sweet spot for enjoying stereo sound. That's achieved via six 2.5-inch drivers and a studio-class amp that "senses" surrounding acoustic conditions and calibrates output for best results. A bold claim, to be sure, but you'd expect no less for something that will cost $600 when it becomes Orbitsound's first global launch later this year. Wireless technology is also put to good use, with the T14 communicating through the air with its accompanying subwoofer and wireless iPod / iPhone dock. We'll be tracking one down while here in Vegas and trying to figure out just how spaced out its sound really is. %Gallery-112590%
Orbitsound shows off T12 stereo soundbar / subwoofer combo
If you're tight on space and scared off by the psychoacoustic trickery done by virtual surround tech in TVs and surroundbars, maybe Orbitsound's T12 soundbar / subwoofer combo will appeal to you. While it looks like a traditional surroundbar, this unit is all about creating a wide stereo image, sans rear effects. Packed in the bar are eight drivers that do the stereo magic courtesy of airSound technology and 50-Watts of power. Combined with the external, but wired subwoofer, the company claims a "substantially flat" response from 20-Hz to 25-kHz. It reminds us of Boston Acoustic's TVee Two, but wired. Processing of the two stereo inputs can set to "off," "stereo," and "extra wide" courtesy a three-way switch. And of course, there's a dock to welcome your iPod when it ventures away from the warm tube glow of Orbitsound's T6. Our advice -- if you're into stereo, get yourself two small bookshelf speakers and a receiver; if HT is your thing, go for a HTIB or surroundbar.
Orbitsound rolls out tube-based T6 iPod dock
It's far from the first dock of its kind, but those that just can't get enough of that warm vacuum tube sound now have a new option to consider courtesy of Orbitsound, which is set to roll out its new T6 iPod dock. This one apparently combines those tried and true tubes with Orbitsound's trademark single-speaker AirSOUND technology, which the company boldly proclaims is nothing short of "life changing." So as not to let anyone out of that not at all overstated experience, the dock also comes equipped with standard 3.5 mm inputs and outputs in addition to an iPod dock to accommodate your various devices, as well as a video output and, of course, a remote control. No word on a price, but you can look for this one to start shipping sometime next month.[Via Gadget Lab]
