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What Hi-fi: Vita Audio has announced an upgraded version of the R4 all-in-one music system, the R4i.

Boasting a range of internal improvements aimed at boosting audio performance, the R4i replaces the R4 going forward.

The new Vita Audio R4i features an upgraded receiver with greater sensitivity and now a DAB+ tuner alongside traditional FM and DAB.

There have also been tweaks to the audio circuitry and the CD suspension in an effort to improve sound and stability.

Last but not least, Vita Audio has revised the power supply to exceed imminent EU standby regulations.

The R4i still boasts a CD player, iPod dock, FM/DAB/DAB+ tuner and USB and AUX inputs.

The R4i will sell for around £550, while a special edition model finished in sparkling graphite piano lacquer (above) will go on sale in May for £630.

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What Hi-fi: It’s been a busy day for Onkyo. This morning came the news that Onkyo’s new 2011 AV receivers will be Spotify-compatible, starting with the £500 TX-NR609, and this afternoon it unveiled three new stereo hi-fi components.

The line-up comprises: Onkyo TX-8050 network stereo receiver (£400); TX-8030 stereo receiver (£300); and the C-7030 CD player (£200).

The TX-8050 (top) and TX-8030 both have a discrete amplifier design with custom-built circuit boards. They deliver a claimed 130W per channel, and use Onkyo’s WRAT amp technology to “reduce distortion and ensure cleaner and more accurate signal amplification”.

Other highlights include analogue inputs, a universal port for Onkyo-branded peripheral devices such as the UP-DT1 DAB+ tuner and two preouts.

The TX-8050 adds DLNA network functionality to allow owners to stream PC audio and internet radio, plus optical and coaxial digital inputs and a USB socket. The device is also compatible with Onkyo’s Remote App for iPhone/iPod.

As for the C-7030 CD player (above), it has a new high-precision clock to reduce timing errors, a custom-built transformer a 1.6mm thick chassis to minimise vibrations.

All three models will be available in black or silver from April.

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Engadget: This planet we call home needs another iDock about as bad as we need another Charlie Sheen running around aimlessly, but no matter — we’re getting one, and it’s being delivered from JBL. The company has just outed its first-ever iPad speaker dock, the OnBeat. Truth be told, it’s capable of handling iPod touches, iPhones and iPads (no word on the iPad 2), but it’s clearly engineered to hold the largest of the bunch best. Aside from providing joints and jams to those situated in your living room (or basement, if that’s how you roll), it can also pipe Netflix and YouTube content directly to one’s television via a composite video output, and if you’re running around sans an iDevice, the 3.5mm auxiliary jack ensures that any other source will still function just fine. You’ll also be able to charge and sync any docked devices, but you’ll be asked to dole out $149.95 in order to bring one home when it ships next month.

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Gizmodo: For over a year now, Spotify’s been streamable on Sonos systems, but you weren’t able to tinker with playlists on anything but a laptop or phone. Today that changes, with Onkyo home cinema receivers becoming compatible with Spotify Premium accounts, controllable on the TV interface. The TX-NR609 is the first receiver to add the functionality, but Onkyo will be adding more later. Spotify Premium streams in 320kbps, and the album art will be displayed on the telly.

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iPodnn: Pioneer has released a set of in-ear headphones that have active noise-cancelling. The SE-NC31C-k headphones are said to eliminate 90 percent of all external noise and features 14.3mm drivers. The active noise cancellation feature is powered by one AAA battery that can power the device for 120 hours.

When the battery is depleted, users can bypass the feature and use the headphones like a traditional set. The headphones include a 4.6-foot long cord, an in-flight adapter, a battery, a carrying pouch and four differently sized interchangeable ear tips.

The headset is now available, priced at $100.

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What Hi-fi:The latest addition to Loewe‘s Art Series of TVs is the £2395 46 LED model, created in conjunction with Phoenix Design.

It’s the largest screen in the range, and comes with a new optional Mocha finish. Other options are a gloss black or high-tech chrome silver finish.

The 200Hz LCD/LED panel delivers “Art’s best ever picture performance”, Loewe claims, and digital media stored on a home network or USB device can be streamed to the screen using the Loewe MediaHome portal.

In addition, the MediaNet feature provides access to online content on Art TVs fitted with an integrated hard disk.

There’s a selection of mounting optiions for the screen from table stands to wall mounts and floor stands.As for audio, the Art 46 handles Dolby Digital Plus, AC3 and DTS soundtracks. A pair of 2 x 20W speakers are built into the set along with a 40W subwoofer.

Standby power consumption is said to be less than 0.4W.

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Engadget: Oh snap! Look who just ate Apple and Google’s lunch here? Minutes ago, Amazon rolled out its very own music streaming service which is conveniently dubbed the Amazon Cloud Player. Existing Amazon customers in the US can now upload their MP3 purchases to their 5GB cloud space — upgradable to a one-year 20GB plan for free upon purchasing an MP3 album, with additional plans starting at $20 a year — and then start streaming on their computers or Android devices. Oh, and did we mention that this service is free of charge as well? Meanwhile, someone will have some catching up to do, but we have a feeling it won’t take them too long.

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Cool Material: 90% of the time, we’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of warmth and clarity in favor of convenience. Drunken hazes not withstanding, we’re actually talking about music. Vinyl is fantastic and everything, but it’s a huge pain in the ass compared to the convenience of loading up your iPod/Phone/Pad with gigs and gigs of music. However, we also kind of miss the tactile feel associated with things like vinyl, cassettes and even cds (hard to believe even we’re old enough to call cds vintage.). The Stereolizer App for your iPad is the closest thing we’ve seen to a blend of vintage 80′s style cool with modern convenience. For $2, you can turn your iPad into an 80′s stereo with access to over 6,000 Internet radio stations, a “tape recorder” that works exactly like you’d expect it to and more than enough knobs, buttons and dials to amuse you for at least a few meetings.

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Engadget: There’s a ton of gadgetry that goes into speakers, but the notable thing here is that the Pioneer folks have begun using HVT, or Horizontal-Vertical Transforming technology — but more on that in sec. This beauty is engineered to reduce unwanted vibration and preserve bass caliber while outputting 100W of sound. (more…)

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Gizmag: While the sound quality of over-the-ear headphones is generally much better than a set of earbuds, the convenience of using earbuds while on the go can’t be denied. Many earbuds are fairly similar feature-wise, so the deciding factors for most people will usually be sound quality and price. But if you’re the sort that likes to share with friends of questionable personal hygiene, a feature of iSkin’s new earTones earbuds might also enter into the equation – they’re the first to boast Microban antimicrobial protection.

Microban provides antimicrobial protection to a wide range of products, including HVAC systems, cleaning supplies, footwear, deli slicers, paint and toys, and with earTones has now made its way into earbuds. It is embedded on both earbuds as well as the microphone control surfaces to inhibit the growth of odor-, fungus- and stain-causing bacteria on these surfaces. And before you start getting excited about how spic-and-span your ears will be, you should know that Microban won’t actually protect the user by inhibiting the spread of bacteria, but will only protect the earbuds and microphone controls from degradation, stains and odors caused by bacteria.

Another first for the earTones is a flexible earbud feature called “FlexFit” that sees the business end of the earbuds sitting upon a flexible neck that iSkin claims allows the earbuds to be inserted in to the ear more easily and results in greater overall comfort.

Other features include a built-in remote with integrated microphone, choice of colors, optimization for iOS devices and BlackBerry smartphones and the ability to control iTunes when plugged into a late 2009 or later Mac.

The earTones earphones are available from iSkin for US$39.99.

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Gizmodo: Joining the original 7-inch Tab, Samsung’s today added an 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab and a slimmed-down 10.1-inch model that’s been radically altered since we first saw it last month at MWC. And you know what? Both are thinner than the iPad 2. (more…)

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Ubergizmo: Wicked Audio has just announced their latest pair of headphones, the Wicked Helix. First making an appearance at CES 2011, the Helix earphones will feature EarHugger technology that lets you be as active as you wish without worrying about having them drop off during the most unopportune moments. Fitting in comfortably and snugly around your ear, they more or less guarantee an enjoyable listening experience. Featuring a 10mm driver and maximum noise isolation that helps inhibits ambient noise, your earbuds will be able to enjoy pure sound quality. With a gold-plated tip, you ought to receive a psychological boost when it comes to audio quality, and with a 1.2 meter cord for maximum flexibility, you shouldn’t be too worried about your favorite tracks sounding out of sorts. Coming in a trio of bold color combinations that are Blue/Orange, Magenta/Yellow, and Black/White, you can pick them up for $14.99 a pop.

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