about-electronics.eu

Pioneer.eu: Pioneer introduces its new range with, at the top of the line, the flagship models DEH-9300SD and DEH-8300SD. These models will be available from January 2011 at Pioneer car audio dealerships.

You can seamlessly connect your iPod, iPhone, CD, USB device, SD card or portable MP3 player. For those looking to add some extra power, both models offer complete flexibility when it comes to connecting extra amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers.

An SD card slot is discreetly hidden behind their front panels, compatible with SD and SDHC cards, and plays back a host of file formats from SD, including MP3, WMA, WAV and AAC files. A front USB input allows you to easily link USB audio devices.

The DEH-9300SD features a flap-type front panel that flips open at the touch of a button to reveal the CD and SD slots, and flips back once a format is inserted to maintain a clean dashboard look. With its Music Browser function it can automatically read the music from an SD/SDHC memory card or USB device and lists tunes alphabetically by artist, album, song or genre.

iPod Direct Control allows you to connect your iPod straight to the front USB terminal and enjoy superior sound, free from the static of an FM transmitter. As a handy extra, your iPod will charge while connected. A new “App mode” enables listening to music from various iPhone and iPod touch Apps, including games and internet radio (provided the app supports analogue audio output). An improved “Control mode” allows browsing through the songs on your iPod or iPhone with the tuner’s rotary knob.

With iTunes Tagging (currently in the UK only) on the DEH-8300SD, you can tag music to your iPod or iPhone as you listen to FM. When the iPod syncs to a computer, iTunes builds a tagged playlist so you can preview, buy, and download your selected songs.

Audiophiles can be assured of high-quality and pure audio with both units integrating high-grade audio parts such as a first-rate capacitor for the back-up line, a copper screw for PCB, Mecha and Power IC and a top-quality register for the audio line.

Full-dot OEL Displays make searching and selecting tracks from various sources more convenient. OEL technology also allows for wide viewing angles, active 3D visuals and high contrast and brightness, even in sunlight. All functions are managed through the single Rotary Commander or the optional IR remote.

The tuners boast many of the same features found in high-end home receivers including:

- high power output with the celebrated MOSFET 50 x 4 amplifier set-up for powerful sound reproduction
- a 5-band Graphic Equaliser (GEQ) to perfectly match the acoustics of your car
- Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) technology to restore musical detail lost in the creation of compressed music files
- built-in crossovers and flexible audio/video connections utilising three pairs of pre-amp outputs (4-Volts).
 

read more

TechRadar: LG has decided to beat the January tech crowds and give everyone a peek at what it will be showing off at CES 2011.

This week the Korean company announced that it will be offering what it is calling a ‘superior’ range of 3D AV goodies.

First up is the HX996TS home theatre system. Boasting sound that is “as deep and lifelike as any 3D image,” the system includes something called the Vertical 3D Effect Channel, which blasts out sound from the top of the included Tallboy Speakers.

This brings 7.1 sound but without the messy job of putting up brackets in your home to hold the top speakers.

Connected player

LG will also show off the HB906SB Blu-ray player at CES 2011. This is another home cinema system that has 1,100 watts of output and uses LG’s new Digital Signal Processing to iron out the sound waves.

The HX996TS and HB906SB both utilise Wi-Fi, have an iPod dock cradle and USB support.

LG will also be launching the BD690, a network Blu-ray 3D player that boasts Smart TV Technology, access to the LG App Store and Wi-Fi Direct compatibility – which is a first in the market.

The LG BD690 is an update to LG’s current BD390 range.

UK release date and pricing details are to be announced but expect more information when CES 2011 begins 5 January.

read more

Engadget: Congratulations, Panasonic, you’re now the adoptive father of two companies, Sanyo and Panasonic Electric Works. We know, the plan’s been all but confirmed since July, but it’s nice to see the deal go through and all the necessary paperwork signed. Both now-wholly-owned subsidiaries (through a share exchange that commenced today) are scheduled to be de-listed from the Tokyo Stock Exchange on March 29th, 2011, and after that… well, independence was fun while it lasted, eh chaps?

read more

Forget discreet in-ear headphones; for the best sound quality and the biggest style statement you need a decent set of over-ear cans. Whether you want Bluetooth connectivity for wireless listening, surround sound mimicry for gaming, or top-notch noise cancelling, there’s a set of headphones here for you…

Best: Public transport
Blackbox M10
£89
Love: Compact and comfortable. Effective noise cancellation. Warm sound. Stereo adapter
Hate: Noise cancelling causes a slight hiss

Best: Exercise
Jaybird Sportsband 2
£99
Love: Bluetooth. Secure fit. Built-in controls.
Hate: Low output level

Best: Music with bass
Monster Beats Pro by Dr Dre
£350
Love: Strikingly clear and open sound quality
Hate: By far the most expensive cans on test

Best: Gamers
Plantronics Gamescon 777
£80
Love: Good surround sound mimicry
Hate: Bass-heavy when playing music

Best: Statement makers
V-Moda Crossfade LP
£230
Love: Distinctive design. hands-free mic
Hate: Plasticky design. some audio leakage

Best: DJs
Aiaiai TMA-1
£180
Love: Sensitive speakers. punchy bass. rugged, branding-free build
Hate: Laidback treble
 

read more

Pioneer.eu: Pioneer’s popular CDJ-350 player and DJM-350 mixer are about to get even more desirable, with stylish pearl white models set for release at the end of January 2011. Suggested retail price is €650 for the CDJ and €550 for the DJM.

With a pearl white body, gloss finish, and red/white/blue LED display the CDJ-350-W and DJM-350-W offer home DJs the perfect party set-up with a difference.

Like the already released CDJ-350 and DJM-350, the special editions boast many of the features found on our club products, including remix-style looping and rekordbox™ compatibility on the CDJ.

Meanwhile the DJM-350-W introduces recording straight to USB, and two new creative effects: Noise and Short Echo, an all new dubbed out echo which is exclusive to the DJM-350.

Other new features include an isolator equaliser on each channel, and a Track Mark function for seamless mixes without the need for editing software.

read more

Gizmodo: After polling the U.S. a few months ago, Nielsen conducted a worldwide poll to gauge interest in 3DTV displays. SPOILER ALERT: less than 10 percent of those asked said they’ll buy a 3D television in the next year.

Another 15 percent polled said they might buy a 3DTV, but that’s not so promising when over 60 percent said they they definitely won’t buy a 3DTV. And when only narrowed down to North America, just 3 percent of North Americans say they plan to buy a 3D set in the next year. As far as 3D in the home goes, GigaOm is all doom and gloom, declaring 3DTV to be dead on arrival, and it’s tough to disagree. I sure as hell don’t want to deal with the glasses, especially when more than one person is in the room. Someday, when glasses-less displays arrive, maybe we can try this grand 3D experiment again, yeah? [Nielsen via GigaOm]

read more

Newlaunches.com: Panasonic’s Viera range of HDTVs has just a new addition in the G3 series – the TH-L42G3. As usually, Panasonic has crammed the new device with quite a bit of functionality making choce just that much more difficult when you’re in a store. This latest 42-inch LCD HDTV is LED backlit, comes with Speed drive technology 2 that is designed to better control vertical / horizontal high motion videos to reduce blur tilted in all directions. It’s even using IPS technology to provide for better viewing angles. An Auto mode uses a sensor that detects the environment you’re in with respect to lighting conditions and will automatically control brightness, contrast or black levels for optimal viewing. An HD Optimizer adjust settings to enable HD content to be the best it can ever be and also helps with standard definition when you’re watching TV or DVD or playing low res games.

Another handy feature with the G3 series is an SD card slot that allows you slip in a memory card and record stuff from Live TV. There’s even a USB port for connecting a thumb drive or HDD for recording or viewing purposes. The full function remote control comes equipped with a record button as well. Oddly though, at least according to the page’s translation, the content recorded onto the SD cards can only be viewed on a VIERA TV. All possible connections are available with the G3 from HDMI to D4 inputs, Ethernet connectivity and Composite and analogue as well. An energy saving mode should also help you cut back on those large electricity bills for the avid TV watching household. The VIERA TH-L42G3 will be out in Japan by February 18 next year and will have an approximate price of $1789 (US or 150,000 Yen).

read more

Pioneer.eu: Pioneer has introduced its new line-up of Champion Series car subwoofers, combining high power output, clean and punchy bass and sharp new cosmetic design. They use technologies derived from our world record-breaking SPL and Competition-grade models.

New models include the 30 cm TS-W309, TS-W309S4, TS-W309D4 and the 25 cm TS-W259S4 and TS-W259D4, in shops as of mid January 2011. Available in single 4-Ohm and dual 4-Ohm, the subwoofers offer greater installation flexibility.

Each new model features a seamless composite IMPP woofer cone that has been enlarged by 14% to generate greater air movement. Together with an improved magnet structure, air vents in the basket under the spider and holes in the aluminium former that both work to reduce the mechanical resistance, this combination of innovations results in smooth response and clean, solid bass sound.

The subwoofers’ surround is constructed of a sophisticated dual-layer elastic polymer that is much lighter than rubber, decreasing the weight of the moving parts to improve control and speed, whilst guaranteeing high durability.

Additional performance features across the range include:

• Integrated one-sided terminals: to allow for greater flexibility and easy installation, all Champion Series speaker terminals have been placed on one side of the subwoofer rather than both sides like conventional subwoofers.
• Cupper wire voice coil with aluminium former: the aluminium used for the former improves heat radiation which eliminates the need for a heavy voice coil, decreasing its weight by 7%. In addition, the holes in the former reduce distortion.

read more

Engadget: Looking for a bit more integration than your usual iPhone car dock or FM transmitter can provide? Then you might want to consider Oxygen Audio’s new O’Car head unit, which packs a swiveling iPhone dock that’s considerably discreet than some other similar units out there. It’s also, of course, a full-fledged car radio, and it packs a 4x55W amp that Oxygen says delivers “perfect quality sound” to your car’s speakers. If that’s all a bit too much for you, however, Oxygen has also announced the decidedly more standard-looking O’Dock unit that simply mounts on your dash or windshield. Unfortunately, there’s still no word on pricing or availability for either unit, but we’re assuming those details will be made available at CES next month.

read more

T3: iPod/iPhone docks offer high-volume playback of your music library, charging your device at the same time. Most have a remote control but some offer wireless connectivity so you don’t have to leave your Apple docked. They all claim to have audiophile-grade sound but who’s telling the truth? Court is in session…

Best: Overall
Arcam rCube
£500
Love: Smart, timeless design. Superb sound. Eight-hour battery life
Hate: A little expensive. Wi-Fi dongle costs extra
Arman rCube pics I Arcam rCube review I Link: Arcam

Best: Easy Listening
SoundFreaq Sound Platform
£200
Love: Groovy retro styling. Effective Bluetooth connectivity. Useful online app adds iPhone control. Reasonable VFM
Hate: Speakers lack projection and distort
SoundFreaq Sound Platform pics I SoundFreaq SoundPlatform review I Link: SoundFreaq

Best: Rock
TEAC SR-100I Aurb
£240
Love: Powerful audio. Good value. Interesting elliptical design. Useful CD and USB playback
Hate: Some may find the boomy bass a bit much
TEAC SR-100I Aurb Pics I TEAC SR-100I Aurb review I Link: TEAC

Best: Dance
Geneva Sound S
£300
Love: Very cool styling. Powerful, seductive bass
Hate: Not much in the way of extra connectivity
Geneva Sound S pics I Geneva Sound S review I Link: Geneva

Best: Acoustic
B&W Zeppelin Mini
£300
Love: Potent sound from a small dock. USB input
Hate: Lacks the bass warmth to fill a big room
B&W Zeppelin review I Link: B&W

read more

Engadget: Whoa, Nelly! ThinkFlood won’t like this… not one bit. If you’ll recall, the RedEye universal remote dongle was well received, as a simple 3.5mm adapter added IR beaming to Apple’s slate of iDevices. But now, Mashed Pixel has taken the integration one step further, seamlessly embedding an Infrared emitter into a case. Simply pop the Surc around your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, download the (free) accompanying app and start programming. Before long, you’ll be dictating your home entertainment setup sans any external accessories, and heck, you may even improve your phone’s reception all the while. The only downside to this approach compared to ThinkFlood’s is that the iPad is obviously not supported, and once you upgrade to the iPhone 5, your trusty IR case becomes a glorified paperweight. If you’re kosher with that, though, you can get your pre-order in now for $69.95, with initial shipments expected to make their way out in Q1 2011.

read more

iPodNN: Kenwood Japan has launched the CLX-70 iPod and iPhone speaker dock. The designer speaker system incorporates DTS Envelo speakers, which provide a three-dimensional soundstage and are powered by a 30W amp. In addition to the 30- pin dock connector, it also includes a USB port, an SD card slot, and an MP3 compatible CD slot for playing music from a wide range of alternative sources.

The CLX-70 is compatible with the iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4. It is also compatible with the iPod touch, second gen iPod nano and the iPod classic. The Kenwood CLX-70 is available in three colors and will hit the Japanese market this month.

read more