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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Altec Lansing sure came out fighting today, with it not only debuting a brand new logo, but a bundle of new speakers and iPod docks that sport the new branding. The most stand-out, by far, are the Expressionist Bass speakers pictured above, which are a full ten inches high and include built-in 4-inch subwoofers and two 1.5-inch drivers apiece. Look for them to set you back $130 when they’re released next month in both black and white versions. On the slightly less intimidating front, Altec Lansing has the $40 Orbit MP3 iM237 single-speaker unit, which runs on three AAA batteries, and a pair of new inMotion iPod speaker systems: the inMotion Moondance GLOW and the inMotion MAX, the former of which even includes a special “snooze remote.” Look for those to run you $200 and $180, respectively — pics after the break.

Continue reading Altec Lansing rolls out new look, speakers aplenty

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Pioneer didn’t bring a whole lot of firepower to this year’s CEDIA (though it did toss in 16 new speaker models), but the star of its show was definitely the über-expensive Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player. Thankfully, the company had a couple of units setup for photographing, one of which was dissected within a glass case. Needless to say, we snapped images from each, giving you a rare look at what makes this thing worth $2,199. As with most of its Elite components (HDTVs notwithstanding), this unit was also on the chunky side, but it’s still a beauty in our eyes. The gallery awaits your attention.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony’s BDV-IT1000 HTIB was outed late last month, but that’s not stopping the powerhouse from making it official alongside the BDV-IS1000 today at CEDIA. As you likely know, these two are Sony′s first offerings in the burgeoning Blu-ray HTIB market, as both packages come bundled with an elusive BD-Live-capable deck (the BDP-S350, we presume?) along with integrated support for the firm’s S-AIR technology. Each set packs a pair of HDMI inputs, XMB menu navigation, 5.1-channel surround sound, Digital Media Port (for hooking up your PMP), BRAVIA Sync and even an IR repeater on the IT1000ES. The aforesaid BDV-IT1000ES ($1,999) includes oh-so-slim drivers (pictured after the jump), while the $1,000 BDV-IS1000 includes the same “golf ball-sized″ speaks as the HT-IS100. Both sets are shipping next month, or so says the release waiting after the break.

Continue reading Sony’s BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-I󊸘 HTIB systems do Blu-ray

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

The appearance of Blu-ray HTIB systems under a number of brands is an encouraging sign that the format is at least trying to move into the mainstream living room, and now JVC’s thrown its hat into the ring with the 2.1-channel NX-BD3. Of course, simply pulling bits off of Blu-ray discs isn’t enough entertainment value these days, so the system also sports DLNA support, a 200-Watt powered sub and a 4×55-Watt amplifier (leaving you two channels to grow into). At £799 ($1,465) for a 2.1-channel setup, you might expect to get the latest and greatest in Blu-ray tech, but Profile 2.0, DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD didn’t make the cut — let’s hope some sort of “market adjustment” happens between the time this appears next month and when it crosses the pond.

[Via Electronista]

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Original post by Steven Kim

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Not a lot here that you can’t already make out for yourself, but we’ll give ya the down low, anyway. The Crystal USB Desktop Speakers are powered via USB 2.0 and only pack 1-watt per channel, yet somehow, they’re touted as “audiophile” grade. The product description rambles on in embarrassing fashion about just how amazing these things will sound, but seriously, we’d just be happy with the decently cool looks (yes, we’re being generous here) and relatively low $39.99 price tag.

[Via Random Good Stuff]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Home Entertainment

For those of you (we know, pretty much everyone in existence) who already picked up a set of Pink Pig PC speakers a few years back, you can carry on with your daily routine. For everyone else that owns an iPod, hold it right there. Speakal is delivering the iPod docking iPig, a unique speaker system that packs five total drivers (including a 4-inch subwoofer), adjustable bass controls, 360-degree sound distribution and a very debatable design. You’ll also find a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack for hooking up every other source, and the bundled remote makes it easy to switch tracks and such from your sofa. The only problem? That $139.99 price tag. Check the full release after the jump.

Continue reading Speakal’s iPig speaker system rolls in the mud with your iPod

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Okay, so you could argue that most any speaker system would appreciate some TLC, but Genius’ latest really adores it. The SP-T1200 2.0 Touch Speaker System comes with a black-onyx finish and enables owners to rely on a touch screen to control function, volume, bass or treble. When touched, the panel lights up to visually show that contact has been made, and while these promise 30-watts of skull-rattling sound, we wouldn’t count on audiophile type results. Grab ‘em now if you wish for $99.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio

What? Pigbuds a little too raunchy for you? If so, maybe the Aygo editions will suit your style. Quite honestly, we have absolutely no idea where these automotive-inspired speakers / earbuds can even be purchased, but those head over heels for their commuter car will surely do whatever it takes to find out.

[Thanks, Tom]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wireless

There′s no dearth of Bluetooth-based wireless speakers out there, but Logitech put a nice bit of polish to this new Pure-Fi Mobile set, which is always appreciated. The A2DP stereo manages 12 hours of battery off of rechargeable batteries, and can work as a speakerphone with its built-in noise canceling mic. You can charge it up via USB or a wall jack, and there’s of course an aux-in jack when you’re not feeling in the wireless mood. Expect this one to hit Europe and the States in June for $150.

[Via Electronista]

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Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Personally, we can only imagine what a $300,000 speaker setup sounds like. But you — we know you’re eager to pick up the Epilogue Speaker System (previous edition shown) and rub it in the faces of everyone else, right? Regardless of whether you answered that truthfully or not, Goldmund (those same cats who actually had the nerve to create a $17,000 Blu-ray player) has introduced the latest version of the aforesaid system, which will now be built specifically for integration into the Goldmund Media Room. Pretty though they may be, we have a sneaking suspicion you won’t be getting much bang for your buck with these — but then again, what do our virgin ears know, anyway?

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio

We’ve seen some far-out portable speakers, but Targus is keeping it simple with the upcoming Portable Speaker Book. The folding speakers feature NXT flat-panel Balanced Radiator drivers, and can be powered by either four AAs or USB power. We’ve no word on pricing, but we wouldn’t expect to break the bank when these hit the UK sometime this summer.

[Via Randomly Accessed]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Ever had the itch to construct a surround sound system of your very own? Do you have an embarrassingly large stockpile of four- to five-liter wine jugs? If you answered yes to both of the aforementioned inquiries (and you’re at least halfway sober), Carlo Rossi has just the thing for you. Apparently, it felt the need to dish out DIY instructions for converting a number of its Sangria containers into a 6.1-channel surround system, and as with most projects, we’d also recommend you not take this one on while under the influence — ironic though that may be. Ready to get started? Put down (or pick up?) the brown bag and hit the links below.

[Via UberReview]
Read - The Sangria Surround Sound System [PDF]
Read - Carlo Rossi’s JugSimple

 

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: CES, HDTV, Wireless

We already knew Panasonic was linked in with WirelessHD, but the outfit is choosing CES to come out in the open and trumpet its development of a transmission system. Apparently, it partnered up with SiBEAM to dish out a system that will enable “HD video transmission in uncompressed format,” and while Panny gloats quite heavily about the use of a 60GHz band, it’s really not all that surprising. ‘Course, it seems we’ve got awhile before this stuff hits en masse (in actual products), but at least we’ve got yet another corporation on board, right?

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: CES, Handhelds

OQO demonstrated the first UMPC with embedded Sprint XOHM WiMAX here at CES today and while not earth shattering — as WiMAX isn’t a brand spanking new baby — it’s nice to see the tech trickle into more portable devices. Of course, don’t expect to be able to pop out and pick up an OQO model 02 with WiMAX in the near as the press fluff only states it may be available in specific markets at some point in the future — apparently they’re big on vague. Well done OQO and Sprint, have at it.

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Original post by Sean Cooper

Filed under: CES, Home Entertainment

It was but a few days ago that Harman Kardon brought a trio of new Home Theater in a Box systems to the table, but Samsung’s out to make that offering look like child’s play. There’s a lot to digest in this one, so we′ll wait no more — first off, let’s pore over the April-bound HT-X810 ($699):

• 2.1-channel self-contained home theater speaker system
• Wall-mountable home theater sound bar with piano black design
• Integrated progressive-scan, 1080p upconverting DVD player
• 280-watt, 2.1-channel simulated surround sound with wireless subwoofer
• HDMI-CEC
• USB 2.0 port for connecting cameras, PMPs, etc.
• Bluetooth 2.1 for wireless integration with BT-enabled devices

Trust us, you haven′t even seen the half of this one. Click on through for lots, lots more.

Continue reading Samsung goes wild with bevy of new HTIB systems

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Original post by Darren Murph