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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.

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iPodNN: Sennheiser has teamed with Adidas to release a new Adidas Originals line of headphones. The range includes the HD 25, the HD 220 and the CX 310. The HD 25 is a premium headphone set aimed at DJs, while the HD 220 adopt a street style. The CX 310 are an in-ear type earphone.

The HD 25s are a lightweight 162g design and have a high maximum sound pressure of 120dB making them appropriate for user during DJ gigs. They use neodymium drivers aluminum coils to deliver a frequency response of 16 -22000Hz.

The HD 220s are a mid-range headset that features a closed supraaural design to block out outside noise and include individually adjustable earcups to deliver maximum comfort. They have a sound pressure of 108dB with a frequency response of 19-21000Hz.

The CX 310s are an in-ear design that offer high passive noise reduction. They are aimed at active users on the go and come with three sizes of ear tips. They weigh only 10g and have a sound pressure of 113dB and a frequency range of 19-21000Hz.

All are available now through normal retail channels including Amazon.

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iPodNN: H2O Audio has just introduced new waterproof earbuds with the Flex All Sport Buds. They can be submerged in up to three feet of water without any ill effects. This also makes them ideal for workouts when wearers sweat, and can be rinsed out for reuse later on.

Each ships with three sizes of earplugs to get an ideal fit. The headphones are available in green, pink, black and blue, each of which is priced at $30.

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Engadget: Yamaha’s been the go-to company when it comes to iPod docks that are a notch above average, and the outfit’s latest is no different. It’s a me-too world out there, and somehow the TSX-140 manages to set itself apart by offering an eye-pleasing motif alongside an IntelliAlarm feature. Put simply, the latter allow users to be awoken by music on their iPod, but rather than blasting firmly at 11 when the clock strikes way-too-early, it gradually ups the volume until your brain is alert enough to obliterate the snooze button.

As expected, there’s an iPod docking port on the top as well as a USB port, and you’ll find a pair of 3.5-inch ported bass reflex speakers beneath the Earthy exterior. In addition to the illuminated buttons on the top panel, three front panel controls give access to source, volume, radio presets, alarm clock and equalizer functions, and while Yamaha claims that this guy provides “a gentle, stress-free feeling that makes waking up a pleasure,” we’re guessing it’ll still be a chore doing everything after.

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Gizmag: There’s no denying that the Zeppelin and Mini from Bowers & Wilkins are handsome and powerful ways to dock your iPhone. While the Koostik dock can’t hope to compete in the amplification stakes, there’s something about the simple design and natural wood finish that makes it just as pleasing to the eye – and more than a little cheaper, too.

To project the sound from an iPhone placed in the central cradle to any assembled admirers, the Koostik dock channels the output from the smartphone’s own speakers into left and right hollowed out, hemispherical sound chambers. This is said to acoustically amplify the audio by up to four times, the effect likened to the sonic difference between playing a solid-bodied and a hollow-body guitar acoustically.

The upside to being a completely acoustic delivery system is that there’s no power requirement. That being the case of course, the Koostik dock won’t be able to charge an iPhone while it pumps out the tunes. In fact, there’s no hole cut out for a charger’s cable either, as this would interfere with the channeling of the audio to the sound holes.

The designers do point out that the 8.5 x 3.5 x 2-inch (215.9 x 88.9 x 50.8mm) Koostik dock wasn’t designed to compete with the amplified power of electrified systems (so if you like loud heavy rock then this probably won’t be for you) but “if you like intimate vocals and instrumentals in relaxed settings, Koostik will blow you away (gently of course).”

The wonderfully lo-tech Koostik acoustic iPhone dock is hand-made in six different solid wood combinations – Cherry face and body, Walnut face and body, Cherry face and Walnut body and Walnut face and Cherry body for US$85, with a couple of Birdseye Maple fronted versions being a little more expensive at US$90.

Those at Koostik say that whatever finish you choose, the sound produced should be about the same, so your choice is entirely down to which version you find most aesthetically pleasing.

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iPodNN: Urbanears today brought out its limited-edition Tanto headphones at the Wired Pop Up Store in New York City. The retro styled over-the-ear headphones are assembled with parts of random colors, including the headband, earpads, cord, remote, jack and speaker. An inline remote and microphone are integrated into the cord of the headphones, which ends in a 3.5mm audio jack.

Like the regular Tanto headphones, they sport 40mm handmade drivers with a frequency response of 20-20kHz, a sensitivity of 112dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. Their max input power is 40mW. The multi-colored Tanto headphones cost $45 at the Wired Pop Up Store and online for a limited time, though exactly for how long is unknown.

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Engadget: Looking for more than just a regular standalone iPad dock? Then you might want to consider Xtreamer’s new iXtreamer system, which is an iPad dock that also doubles as a media streamer. Of course, it will also work with iPhones and iPods, and the “dock” is quite capable all by itself as well — it’ll accommodate a 3.5-inch hard drive and up to two USB hard drives, and it’ll support just about any audio or video content you can throw at it, including content stored on your computer or networked hard drive. Interestingly, Xtreamer also notes that it would like to let you use iOS apps on your TV as well, but it says that’s up to Apple to allow — in other words, don’t bet on it. Head on past the break for a video overview, and look for the device to set you back €175, or roughly $235.

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iPodNN: Marshall today finally launched its two inaugural headphone sets with promises of both the outer design as well as their sound. The over-ear Major is designed the most closely to recall Marshall’s amps and uses both the vinyl from its stacks as well as a guitar-like coiled headphone cable. They have an optional quarter-inch plug for amps and stereos and have a collapsible design that folds the ear cups into the headband area.

Each cup has an 0.6-inch moving coil dynamic speaker that can handle a 115dB signal-to-noise ratio and a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. It costs $99.

The Minor caters to in-ear listeners and has a unique shape designed to keep the earpieces in place without having to go to in-canal designs. They also use fabric anti-tangle cords and have an in-line microphone and remote that supports typical iOS (and some other smartphone) features. Although it puts out less power due to its size, the Minor shares similar speakers to the Major and has the same signal-to-noise and frequency range as its larger sibling.

The Minor comes with an adapter to support devices that don’t properly recognize two-way headphone plugs and costs $59, although it’s currently listed as “sold out.”

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iPodNN: Altec Lansing on Tuesday introduced its first iPad dock, the Octiv Stage. The device will charge the iPad and allows it to be positioned either vertically or horizontally thanks to a rotating arm. The arm also lets users tilt the screen for viewing or more comfortable typing.

A wireless remote is included, allowing users to control the music playback from across the room. The two 50mm neodymium speakers are tuned to provide a more center channel-like performance for better dialogue in addition to stereo audio depending on the source. The dock can also accommodate iPods and iPhones. A 3.5mm auxiliary jack supports non-Apple hardware.

The Octiv Stage is now available in stores and online, priced at $150.

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Car Tech/Cnet: Dual Electronics is no stranger to taking risks with oddball gadgets that combine features in interesting ways (just take a look at its XGPS300 car kit/GPS receiver/battery extender for the iPod Touch), so we’d like to say that we weren’t surprised when it revealed a car stereo that rolls in its own iPod dock at the 2010 SEMA Show. In truth, however, we’re still a bit confused by the oddity of it.

The Dual XML8150, as the stereo head unit is called, is a mechless car audio receiver. By omitting the CD transport, Dual was left with a good deal of open space within the chassis of the single-DIN receiver, so the manufacturer decided to build an adjustable iPod cradle into the unit. Folding out from behind the XML8150′s faceplate, the cradle connects to the chassis with a flexible arm and can be pivoted into a portrait or landscape orientation. At the base of the cradle is a 30-pin dock connector that interfaces with any iPhone or iPod (with the exception of the Shuffle), while at the top is a ratcheting arm that expands and collapses to accomodate and hold any iDevice from a Nano to an iPhone with a case.

The arm itself seemed a bit awkward to move into and out of the chassis, but we were only given a brief demo with a loose, unmounted receiver. Perhaps when anchored into a vehicle’s dashboard, the articulating arm will be easier to position.

Once connected, users can control playback directly from the iPod itself, using the Dual receiver to manage volume and send audio to the vehicle’s speakers. The unit also supports Bluetooth wireless connectivity for hands-free calling and A2DP/AVRCP audio streaming. For users who may be connecting an iPod and using a separate, the unit features dedicated buttons on its faceplate for answering and ending calls, as well as PBAP support for syncing phonebook contacts for retrieval via its control knob.

There’s also USB connectivity and an analog-audio input with a pair of front facing ports, as well as an SD card reader, but if you’ve come this far and there’s not an iPod in that cradle, you’re doing it wrong.

The Dual XML8150 is not available just yet, but will be sometime later this month at an MSRP of $149.

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Electronista: Concerned amidst reports that one in five children are suffering hearing loss in part due to unsafe earbud use, Future Sonics — a long-time maker of professional earbuds for on-stage, recording and personal use — has developed the Atrio Special Edition (ASE) earbud line, being introduced at Airport Wireless stores. The headphones use proprietary drivers to reproduce low frequencies (

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iPodNN: Monster has expanded its Beats by Dr. Dre series with new earphones, PowerBeats, that are said to be borne of collaboration with Miami Heat star LeBron James. The earphones feature an adjustable ear hook with a flexible arm designed specifically for sports enthusiasts and athletes. (more…)

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