portablespeakers
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Xenics Music Cube speakers disassemble, can't conceal their ugliness
Portable speakers always bring with them a few compromises -- namely, they either aren't very portable or they don't sound very good. Korea's Xenics now looks to have come up with a solution to that first problem, however, with its new Music Cube speakers able to be disassembled in order to take up as little space as possible in your gadget bag. Unfortunately, it seems that you may want to keep 'em in there as often as possible, as the company's choice of designs leaves quite a bit to be desired. There's also the small matter of that other aforementioned problem, as these speakers pack a mere 1W apiece. On the upside, that means they don't need an external power adapter, and we assume they won't set you back too much, although there's still no official word on pricing or availability.
Princeton's PSP-312IPIR2: 2.1ch iPod travel speakers
Not likely to be your ordinary set of tin-can, iPod travel speakers, we bring you this 2.1ch setup from Princeton. Conflictingly dubbed the PSP-312IPIR2 (uh, "PSP" Princeton?), this kit appears capable of delivering what the others miss. Namely, a couple of 3W / 4Ω speakers with dedicated 6W / 4Ω subwoofer which can hopefully deliver a little thump when on the go. The bundle brings that "made for iPod" badge of whoredom and delivers a 3.5-mm jack, universal dock with remote, choice of USB / Firewire connectivity back to your PC / Mac, up to 25 hours of continuos play off 4x AAA batteries batteries, and simulated 3D sound at the touch of a button. Best of all, it folds down flat into a 421-gram / 0.93-pound slab (with remote, no batteries) for fairly easy portability. Available in black or white with plenty of that blue LED action for ¥12,800 or about $108 when they hit Japan later this month. Check that sub and folding transformation after the break.[Via Impress]Update: So, Made for iPod isn't the only badge these are wearing; how 'bout trying on rebadge Princeton since these have been out as the Logic3 i-Station for more than a year. Thanks to our readers for the gentle reminder.
Buffalo's USB powered laptop speakers
If you just gotta have the thump only a, uh, 2 x 0.5 watt pair of USB-powered speakers can deliver then by all means, have at these from Buffalo. Dubbed the BSPL-MU09N/SV in a fit of alphabetical vomit, these bezel-attached speakers bring a 4-ohm impedance, 200Hz~12kHz frequency zone, and 3.5-mm stereo-in for excreting that laptop sound. Yours for ¥4,179 or about $36 starting late September, you know, if you're just feeling silly.[Via Impress]
NB-mate USB hub / speaker / power source / charger
The font of gadget goodness that is Thanko just keeps on giving, with the Japanese manufacturer now trotting out its NB-mate multi-function device to make our lives a little easier. A USB 2.0 hub that doubled as a portable speaker system would have been sweet enough, but Thanko takes things even further, with the NB-mate also able act as a power source for any USB-powered device by popping in couple of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, which themselves can be recharged by plugging the NB-mate into an AC outlet. It's the circle of life, man -- and it'll only cost you fifty bucks.[Via Engadget Japanese]
