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Übergizmo: While the specifications of the next TV you purchase are certainly important, the color might be something you were considering too. The bad news is that many manufacturers seem to think that we should be content with our TVs being black. The folks over at ColorWare have different opinions of course, and instead of coloring your usual BlackBerry or MacBook, the company is now offering to tweak the color scheme of your TV too. The company is more than happy to provide a custom quote on the TV of your choice, but we don’t expect it to come cheap.

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Yes, the iPad 3G (the one with GPS) is out and despite its size there are people considering using it as an in-car navigation system. While we’re just a few days into using the iPad 3G with GPS and few developers have had time to adjust, we can report how some of the various navigation applications function on the iPad. Most of these applications are iPhone apps, running on the iPad.
GPS Performance
First, let’s talk about performance of the GPS chip itself. So far I’ve been very impressed. The GPS in the iPad gets a position fix faster than my iPhone 3G, and doesn’t drop the fix nearly as often. The accuracy looks very good. From what I’ve seen so far the GPS performance in the iPad is better than the iPhone 3G.

What follows are not “reviews” of these apps– we’ve already done that in most cases. Rather just a few short notes about any idiosyncrasies or issues specifically related to running the current iPhone apps on the iPad.
App “Zoom”
Since all of the apps mentioned are not compiled for both iPhone and iPad, they all either run in the tiny window at original resolution, or “2x” zoomed where they show some pixelation. Text looks particularly bad when zoomed, however the graphics on the apps were not horrendous.
TeleNav

I didn’t have any significant issues with the TeleNav app, aka “AT&T Navigator”. Unlike the other apps tested TeleNav doesn’t include on-board mapping so be sure you’re on the unlimited data plan if you go this route as it won’t take many miles of driving to suck down 250MB of data.



Navigon

The Navigon appalso didn’t experience any significant issues. With on-board maps you won’t chug down a ton of data (things like traffic and Google search excluded will use data).


TomTom

The one app I tried that I did have issues with was the TomTom App. It complained when I launched the app that it wasn’t connected to a GPS, and then continued to flash “Connect to GPS” in the title bar. Ironically, it could track my current position as I drove along, however it would not update my route progress. For example I created a route and it would show the highlighted route, but it wouldn’t show me the distance to the next turn nor provide any voice guidance. All it did was draw the route on the map. In all fairness, these apps were not designed for the iPad but it is interesting that this particular app choked while others didn’t. I imagine this will be addressed.


Magellan The one app I tried that I did have issues with was the . It complained when I launched the app that it wasn’t connected to a GPS, and then continued to flash “Connect to GPS” in the title bar. Ironically, it could track my current position as I drove along, however it would not update my route progress. For example I created a route and it would show the highlighted route, but it wouldn’t show me the distance to the next turn nor provide any voice guidance. All it did was draw the route on the map. In all fairness, these apps but it is interesting that this particular app choked while others didn’t. I imagine this will be addressed.
The Magellan iPhone app has on-board maps just like the Navigon and TomTom apps have. The app worked well in my limited test, similar to the Navigon app.The Magellan iPhone app has on-board maps just like the Navigon and TomTom apps have. The app worked well in my limited test, similar to the Navigon app.

CoPilot
A tiny note that CoPilot does have an “HD” version of their app out specifically designed for the iPad. I haven’t included it here for two reasons. First, because it is designed for the iPad it doesn’t fit in the same class as these apps and should be evaluated separately. Second in my testing of their iPhone app I’ve found their map data to be so bad that it was practically unusable for navigation in the three states I’ve used it in.
Scosche Mount
So how are you going to mount the thing? With the Scosche in-vehicle iPad mount of course!

The Magellan iPhone app has on-board maps just like the Navigon and TomTom apps have. The app worked well in my limited test, similar to the Navigon app.A tiny note that CoPilot does have an “HD” version of their app out specifically designed for the iPad. I haven’t included it here for two reasons. First, because it is designed for the iPad it doesn’t fit in the same class as these apps and should be evaluated separately. Second in my testing of their iPhone app I’ve found their map data to be so bad that it was practically unusable for navigation in the three states I’ve used it in.Scosche MountSo how are you going to mount the thing? With the Scosche in-vehicle iPad mount of course!
http://www.youtube.com/v/5SkltRqOF5k&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1″>

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We’re just on the bullet train heading back to Narita airport, so finally have time to publish the full details of the Spring 2010 products Yamaha has been showing us at its HQ in Japan over the last few days.

Home cinema amplifiers

As mentioned in our original (and exclusive) news story, Yamaha’s tackling the affordable end of the market with its first 2010 receivers, and is also making a big effort to make them less fiddly and frightening than other products of this type.

For example, each receiver has a set of shortcut buttons on the front panel (pictured above) and simplified connection arrangements on the back (see below for the RX-V367).

These aren’t low-tech receivers, though, as each has advanced features like automatic speaker calibration and 3D-compatible HDMI connections.

RX-V367
Price – £200
Available – Imminently
Finish – black (above) / titanium (below)

RX-V367 spec overview:

5.1
100W per channel RMS
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI repeater (4in/1out)
SCENE buttons for quick access to sources and saved settings
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner

RX-V467

Price – £300
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black / titanium (pictured above)

Key Specs:

5.1
105W per channel RMS
HD audio decoding
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI with Audio Return Channel (4in/1out)
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner
Optional Bluetooth receiver – YBA-10
Optional iPod/iPhone dock YDS-12

RX-V567
Price – £400
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black (pictured above)/ titanium

7.1
90W per channel RMS
HD audio decoding
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amping
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI with Audio Return Channel (4in/1out)
Video upscaling to 1080p
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner
Optional Bluetooth receiver – YBA-10
Optional iPod/iPhone dock YDS-12

Home cinema speakers

To complement these bargain-priced amps, Yamaha is also launching a very affordable 5.1 speaker package – the NS-P285. This is likely to be made available bundled with the RX-V367 as well as on its own.

NS-P285
Price – £180
Available – from late June
Finish – semi-gloss black

5.1 (four identical satellites, dedicated centre, subwoofer)
Compact, wall-mountable design
Impedance – 6 ohms
Satellite power handling – 80W
Satellite sensitivity – 81dB
Centre power handling – 100W
Centre sensitivity – 84dB
Subwoofer power – 100W dynamic, 50W RMS
Subwoofer driver – 16cm
Advanced YSP for ‘awesome deep bass’

Desktop Audio (DTA)

Yamaha is aiming to build on the success of its PDX players from last year with a new micro system and bedside unit. Styling is paramount, with a wide range of colours available, but high tech goodies like wireless, AirWired connections for iPods and iPhones also feature.
MCR-040
Price – £220
Available – Imminently
Finish – 10 colours available – including white (pictured above), blue, green, orange, pink, red, turquoise, brown and black

iPod/CD/USB and DAB/FM
15W per channel
Wide choice of colours
Detachable stereo speakers
YST technology for improved bass and stereo imaging

MCR-140
Price – £275
Available – late May / early June
Finish – 10 colours available (Green finish pictured above)

As MCR-040, but with AirWired dock for iPod and iPhone. This is a new version of Yamaha’s proprietary wireless technology, which allows for uncompressed, latency-free transmission of music when an Apple player is connected to the wireless dongle.

TSX-80
Price – £200
Available – late May / early June
Finish – light blue (pictured below) / ivory / purple (pictured above)

Key specs:
2.1
16W total power
iPod/iPhone dock with radio and alarm
Touch Smart controls illuminate buttons relating to the source or menu you’re using
LED clock shines through coloured front panel
IntelliAlarm gradually fades music in to avoid sudden wake-up

Outdoor speakers

It’s nearly BBQ time, and Yamaha wants to make sure you can listen to your music while you cremate your steaks. Hence the introduction of three pairs of stereo speakers that can be mounted anywhere, are aesthetically designed to blend in, and are weather resistant.


NS-AW392
Price – £150
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black (pictured above), white
Key specs:
Drivers – 13cm waterproof woofer and 1.9cm tweeter
Nominal power – 40W
Maximum power – 120W
Sensitivity – 86dB
Impedance – 6 ohms
Weight – 1.8kg

NS-AW592
Price – £200
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black, white (pictured above)
Key specs:
Drivers – 16cm waterproof woofer and 2.5cm tweeter
Nominal power – 50W
Maximum power – 150W
Sensitivity – 88dB
Impedance – 6 ohms
Weight – 2.4kg

And that’s it for now. We’ve seen – and heard – plenty more Yamaha products still to come in 2010. Watch this space for news updates, plus reviews of the kit above from next month onwards.

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Marantz has unveiled its hi-fi and home cinema product launches for 2010.  

Highlights include media-streaming support, advanced iPod connectivity (10 products across the range can take a direct digital feed from iPods/iPhones), plus 3D-ready Blu-ray players and receivers.

Here are pictures, specs and UK prices for the full line-up.

Hi-fi: Cut-price Pearls
Marantz’s KI Pearl pairing won many fans when it was released last year, and now there’s a ‘Lite’ version of the SACD player/amp combo for those who couldn’t afford the premium Pearls.

The Lites have distinctive side-cheek styling that hark back to Marantz designs of the past, but couple this with thoroughly modern features including advanced iPod connectivity and the ability of the player to be used as a DAC for a range of digital sources.

Key specs, SA-KI Pearl LIte SACD player (pictured above):

• SACD, CD, CD-RW, MP3, WMA disc playback
• XYRON disc loader
• 24-bit DAC mode: coax, optical and USB Type B PC connection inputs
• Toroidal transformer
• iPod USB input with SPDIF digital output support
• HDAM-SA2
• Customised components

Key specs, PM-KI Pearl LIte amplifier (pictured above)

• 70W per channel into 8ohms, 100W per channel into 4ohms
• TTC: Tri-Tone Control (Bass, Mid, Treble)
• Full Discrete Current Feedback amplifier circuit
• Double-shielded toroidal transformer
• Copper-plated chassis
• HDAM-SA3
• Customised components
• Marantz custom speaker terminals

Price – £999 each
Availability – August

Hi-fi: New budget pairing

Slotting underneath the Award-winning CD6003 and PM6003 CD player/amp pairing will be the new CD5004 (pictured above) and PM5004.

Key specs, CD5004 CD player:

• CD, CD-RW, MP3, WMA disc playback
• HDAM-SA2 circuitry
• CS4392 Audio DAC
• Audio EX(clusive)
• Pitch Control

Price – £219.90
Available – August

Key specs, PM5004 stereo amplifier (pictured above):

• 40W per channel into 8ohms (55W per channel into 4 ohms)
• Current Feedback amplifier circuit
• HDAM-SA3 Technology
• Customised components
• Speaker A/B
• MM phono stage
• Binding-post type speaker terminals

Price – £249.90
Available – August

Hi-fi – Step-up stereo amp

Also new in two-channel is the PM7004 stereo amplifier (pictured above), which is designed to offer excellent musical performance in a box that’s easy to integrate into a wider AV set-up. So, alongside the re-introduction of Marantz’s Tri-Tone Control, you have a clear connectivity path to use the amp in conjunction with an home cinema receiver.

Key specs:

• 70W per channel into 8 ohms; 100W per channel into 4 ohms
• Full Discrete Current Feedback amplifier
• TTC: Tri-Tone Control (Bass, Mid, Treble)
• HDAM-SA3 technology
• High current supply circuit layout
• Preout and poweramp direct input
• Phono Equalizer amplifier

Price – £549.90
Available – August

Hi-fi – Any stream will do
Next up is Marantz’s new network audio player – the NA7004, complete with support for a host of digital formats, advanced iPod connectivity, and the ability to be used as a DAC. Oh, and it’s a DAB/internet radio, too.

Key specs:

• DNLA 1.5 support
• WAV. FLAC, MP3, AAC, WMA, MPEG-4 support
• DAB/DAB+/FM RDS tuner
• Internet radio/Napster/v.tuner support
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• iPod Touch/iPhone web control
• M-XPort (can be used with optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• CS4392 DAC
• DAC mode – 3 digital inputs: coax; optical; USB Type B direct PC connection
• Direct symmetric circuit architecture with HDAM2

Price – £699.90
Available – October

AV: 3D in a slim chassis

Slotting in above its existing NR1501 slimline receiver – which gets a price-cut to £350 from 1st July – is the new Marantz NR1601 (pictured above). Upgraded features include 3D Ready spec, enhanced connectivity and HDMI pass-through in standby – so you don’t have to turn on the receiver if you just want to, for example, catch up with the news headlines.

Key specs:

• 7x 50W per channel RMS
• Dolby True HD, DTS HD, Dolby ProLogic IIZ
• 4 HDMI inputs; 1 HDMI output
• 3D Ready – HDMI 1.4a; audio return channel
• HDMI pass-through in standby
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• I/P converter and video conversion
• M-Xport (can be used with optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• M-DAX2
• Audyssey MultEQ
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume & EQ

Price – £499.90
Available – July

AV – Three new full-size receivers

Marantz has a trio of new receivers on the way, all 3D Ready and with a range of enhanced connectivity. Of particular note is the new flagship network-receiver model, the SR7005 – new styling as well as a new price point for Marantz.

Key specs, SR5005 (pictured above):

• 7x100W RMS
• DTS HD, Dolby True HD, Dolby ProLogic IIz
• 4 HDMI inputs, 1 output
• 3D Ready – HDMI 1.4a; audio return channel
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and EQ
• M-Xport (can be used with optional RX1010 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• M-DAX2
• Learning remote control

Price – £699.90
Available – August

Key specs, SR6005 (pictured above):

• 7x110W RMS
• DTS HD, Dolby True HD, Dolby ProLogic IIz
• 6 HDMI inputs, 1 output
• 3D Ready – HDMI 1.4a; audio return channel
• Anchor Bay ABT2015 Video Scaling
• New graphical user interface
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and EQ
• M-Xport (can be used with optional RX1010 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• M-DAX2
• Remote control with LCD screen

Price – £899.90
Availability – September

Key specs, SR7005 (pictured above):

• 7x125W RMS
• DTS HD, Dolby True HD, Dolby ProLogic IIz
• 6 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs
• 3D Ready – HDMI 1.4a; audio return channel
• Anchor Bay ABT2015 Video Scaling
• DNLA 1.5 support
• Internet radio/vTuner/Napster etc support
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• Audyssey DSX
• M-Xport (can be used with optional RX1010 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• MM phono stage
• Current Feedback with Marantz HDAM

Price – £1399.90
Available – August

AV – Pre/power amp options

The minimalist styling of the SR7005 – and its network capabilities – is also evident on Marantz’s new 7.2-channel AV pre-amp/processor, the AV7005 (pictured above), and the matching MM7055 5-channel power amp and MM7025 two-channel power amp.

Key specs, AV7005:

• DTS HD, Dolby True HD, Dolby ProLogic IIz
• 6 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs
• 3D Ready – HDMI 1.4a; audio return channel
• DNLA 1.5 support
• Internet radio/vTuner/Napster etc support
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• Audyssey DSX and MultEQ XT
• M-Xport (can be used with optional RX1010 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• MM phono stage
• Current Feedback with Marantz HDAM
• 7.2 channel XLR pre-out

Price – £1699.90
Available – October

Key specs, MM7055:

• 5×140 Watts
• Current feedback circuitry
• Power meter
• XLR inputs
• DC Trigger and Marantz Remote Bus

Price – £1099.90
Available – September

Key specs, MM7025:

• 2×140 Watts
• Current feedback circuitry
• XLR inputs
• DC Trigger and Marantz Remote Bus

Price – £729.90
Available – September

AV – Universal Blu-ray players ready for 3D

Building on the success of its high-end universal disc players, Marantz is introducing two new sub-£1000 models, each with 3D-Ready status (with the enabling firmware upgrade due before Christmas) and media-streaming support.

Key specs, UD5005 (pictured above):

• Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and DVD-Audio playback
• 3D Ready; HDMI 1.4a
• DNLA 1.5 support
• ELNA capacitors in output stage for best sound quality
• USB  input – BD Live storage or media playback
• Stereo output option with multichannel downmix

Price – £449.90
Avaiable – July

Key specs, UD7005 (pictured above)

• Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and DVD-Audio playback
• 3D Ready; HDMI 1.4a
• 32-bit audio DAC with 7.1 channel analogue out
• Anchor Bay ABT2015 10-bit video processing
• 12-bit Analog Devices video DAC
• DNLA 1.5 support
• ELNA capacitors in output stage for best sound quality
• USB  input – BD Live storage or media playback

Price – £799.90
Available – August

Systems: Blu-ray in a box

As we reported from the Munich High-End Show last month, one of Marantz’s big releases this summer will be the M-ER803 Blu-ray receiver (pictured above).
This sleek black box – designed to sit neatly under a flatscreen TV – is a 2.1 Blu-ray system ideal for rooms (or relationships!) where multiple boxes are a no-go.

Key specs:

• Blu-ray playback (Full HD 1080p/24fps HDMI output)
• 70W per channel
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• M-XPort (can be used with optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio module)
• New graphical user interface
• Rear USB for memory stick/hard-disk media or BD Live storage

Price – £899.90
Available – August

Systems: Streaming micro

The five-star M-CR502 DAB microsystem is succeeded by the new Marantz M-CR603 CD/DAB/network receiver (pictured above), which adds streaming capabilities and the digital iPod interface.

Key specs:

• CD playback
• 60Wx2 channels into 6 ohms
• DAB/DAB+/FM/AM RDS stereo tuner
• Internet radio, Napster and vTuner support
• USB input with iPod digital interface
• DLNA 1.5
• Ethernet connection
• Bi-amplifier operation
• M X-Port (can be used with optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio module)

Price – £499.90
Available – September

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Philips has launched the awesome new Fidelio series of docks. There are a total of five such docks for the iPhone that bring about an aesthetic feel to the way you listen to your music. Among the more elaborate versions is the DS9000 speaker dock that provides with good clarity of playback, a couch-like design to cradle your iPhone and a very rich build. The DS8500 is made to look good with or without an iPhone attached to it, this it achieves with the help of a chic design and sleekness. The SBD7500 is bolder and takes on a more macho look. It maintains the richness and brings about a ‘truly-portable’ design. The DS3000 and the DS1100 complete the line.

The DS9000 ($500), DS8500 ($200), SBD7500 ($100), DS3000 ($80) and the DS1100 ($70) will all be available in the App Store.

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Says Bose: “The Unify™ intelligent integration system is the exclusive Bose technology that makes it easier than ever to bring premium surround-sound to your Blu-ray™ Disc player, gaming console, satellite and cable boxes, iPhone/iPod – just about any, and every, digital home entertainment source. Easy to follow on-screen messages guide you through the entire set up process – showing you exactly what to do every step of the way. The Unify™ system can sense whether you’ve made a correct or incorrect connection, and put you right should you go wrong.” Read more…

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The Guardian: Orbitsound, the British audio company created by sound engineer and one-time session musician Ted Fletcher, will today unveil a new range of gadgets using its innovative spatial stereo technology that are likely to have audiophiles drooling.

Orbitsound’s T4 Radiopod Alongside the T12 – a new version of its “soundbar”, which sold out within a few months of being made available in John Lewis last year, amid widespread critical acclaim – Orbitsound is releasing a new gadget: a Wi-Fi-enabled digital radio and iPod dock, called the T4 Radiopod.

Both gadgets make use of the company’s airSOUND system, Fletcher’s patented technology that produces clarity and depth of sound wherever the gadget is positioned.

With a traditional stereo system there is a “sweet spot” a certain distance from the speakers in which the listener will experience perfect sound. Orbitsound maintains that its products produce fantastic stereo “spatial” sound with depth and clarity wherever the system is positioned, creating a so-called “infinite sweet spot”. The technology was developed by Fletcher in 2004, but the first devices were not unveiled until the Consumer Electronics Show in 2008.

Fletcher’s experience of the audio industry stretches back to the early 1960s, when he worked with music producer Joe Meek – whose most famous hit was Telstar by The Tornados – first as a session artist and then as a sound technician. He went on to set up his own sound mixer manufacturing company in 1969, called Alice, and his kit was soon in demand by the likes of Jethro Tull, the Eagles and the Who. He went on to sell Alice and set up an audio compression business, whose most popular line of stereo compression equipment Fletcher named after Meek. It was snapped up by PMI Audio Group seven years ago.

The original backing for Orbitsound came from John Cameron and Harvinder Hungin, two City financiers who were behind the 2004 multi-billion pound buyout of property group Chelsfield. They are both executive directors of Orbitsound. The company, meanwhile, recently finalised a fresh investment round and an overdraft with a major international bank, in order to fund its expansion.

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T3: Samsung and Sony beware; the other big S in TVs is coming for the 3D crown. A new big-player entered the 3D TV market earlier this week as the Japanese electronics giant Sharp unveiled its inaugural line of LCD Aquos Quattron 3D TVs.

Sharp, who bucked the 3D trend earlier this year by instead unveiling its fourth colour (yellow) technology, has now entered the extra dimensional market with a range of four 3D TVs set to challenge the current 3D competitors, Samsung and Sony.

Sharp’s range will include 40, 46, 52 and 56-inch models that, thanks to the inclusion of Sharp’s LED backlight technology, are a staggering skinny 3.9mm thick.

Setting its new LV range of Quattron 3D TVs apart from those 3D models already on the market, Sharp are promoting its line as the world’s first four primary-colour 3D displays, adding yellow to the traditional red, green and blue for more brightly defined images.

Again setting itself apart from the competition and whilst Samsung are raving about their 2D to 3D image conversion, Sharp has flipped things on its head, boasting about its 3D to 2D conversion capabilities, presumably for when you want to get back to the good ol’ days.

Paired with AN-3DG10 glasses, expected to cost around £75 each, the 3D Quattron range has been launched alongside the arrival of the Aquos BD-HDW700 and BD-HDW730 3D Blu-ray players, both of which will lead double lives as hard-disk recorders capable of keeping hold of up to 2TB of data.

A UK release date for Sharp’s 3D range has yet to be announced but if we are honest, we can’t see the four-coloured 3D sets rocking up anytime soon.

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Übergizmo: Headphones don’t have to be boring and unexciting, and Sony certainly understands this as the company has announced its new PIIQ line of headphones that claim to merge quality sound with high style. Aimed at artists, skaters, street culture and folks who genuinely want something different, this line of headphones are available in five distinctive styles and price points, which include the Marqii, Giiq, Triqii, Qlasp and Exhale. The press release describes these headphones as:

Marqii – ($99.99) Build quality. Cush feel. Supreme sound. Slider stay-power—inspired by snowboard lock, fasten it tight to fit your crown. Flat detachable cord to prevent tangle and quick unplug.

Giiq – ($49.99) Hi-Fi without the heft. Flex motion cups and slick-skinned cord doesn’t crimp your style. Neodymium, the strongest permanent magnet known to humankind, delivers a crystal clear, robust sound.

Triqii – ($29.99) Wears like a favorite deck or pair. Scar-resist skin stays neat through thick and thin. With big bass boost and super sound clarity.

Qlasp – ($24.99) Lobe linger is a good thing. Crystal clear, in-ear sound. Clips on and hangs tough through all your tricks, flips and whatever.

Exhale – ($14.99) Big beat bluster in a bud body with a secret, sound-boosting motif. Only the masq knows…

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Gizmodo: Panasonic isn’t taking no for an answer on this 3DTV business. To make the prospect of switching over a little more appealing, they’re rolling out the SC-ZT2: a fully wireless home theater audio system designed specifically for Full HD 3D.

The SC-ZT2 promises 7.1-channel sound from just two speakers, each of which houses four tweeters and a long-stroke woofer. More important, though: 3DTV owners have a wireless sound system of their very own now. That is, if you’re willing to cough up an extra $1000 after you already sprang for that fancy television and glasses.

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Electronista: Sonos today refreshed the ZonePlayer S5 to add a black color. The new model adds to the existing white and mostly helps for those whose home theater systems or living rooms wouldn’t match the original. Functionally, the system is the same as before and includes both an Ethernet connection and an internal Sonos wireless receiver with a high-powered 2.1-channel speaker system.

The system still costs $399 and should be available today. To use it wirelessly needs a $99 ZoneBridge to share the connection from a home router. Most input requires a computer, iPhone, iPod touch or Sonos Controller, though the desktop and iPhone apps are free.
 

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Born Rich: No doubt that the celebrations during the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be confined to the stadiums, but here’s the Acoustic Immersion Pod to make you feel as if you’re at the venue. Equipped with an acoustically optimized chamber, providing an enveloping audio experience with its robust six-speaker surround sound system, the Acoustic Immersion Pod creates a personal sound environment. Providing a frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz, the Pod has the interior lined with closed-cell acoustic foam that deflects, disperses and absorbs sound waves. So, join the celebrations with this creative, flexible and tailor-made hospitality. Priced at $3000, this pod comes in red shell with red foam or in black with gray foam.
 

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