13
Jan
2012
iPodNN: Among numerous TV, tablet, and gaming releases, Sony also announced three new X-Series speaker docks that are fully compatible with the iPad. The XA700iP, XF300iP, and X200iP all feature Bluetooth integration, while the XA700iP and XF300iP add Apple’s AirPlay wireless streaming technology. (more…)
13
Jan
2012
iPodNN: This week at CES, Monster unveiled its new lineup of headphones that look to improve both audio quality and aesthetics. New products include the Inspiration, iSport, Diesel Vektr, Diamond Tears, and the Earth, Wind & Fire-backed Gratitude. In most cases, Monster is taking them relatively upscale compared to more utilitarian audio. (more…)
23
Sep
2011
Electronista: Harman, the maker of Harman/Kardon and JBL audio equipment, has launched a compact stereo music system aimed at mobile audiophiles. (more…)
16
Sep
2011
Electronista: Sony tackled its home audio in multiple directions Wednesday, starting with two iOS speaker docks. The RDP-X500iP is its first intended for iPad owners and has a pyramid-like design that can fit any iOS device or iPod in its dock without blocking the speaker. (more…)
27
Jan
2011
iPodNN: Sony Japan has introduced over-ear headphones that features the largest drivers so far available — 70mm, or 2.75 inches in diameter — called the MDR-XB1000, aimed at fans of music with deep bass and boasting an incredible 2-30,000Hz frequency range. The company also brought out two different lines of earbud-style headphones available in a range of colors and called the MDR-XB41EX and MDR-XB21EX, also with extra bass response. The new models will be released in Japan on February 10th, and hopefully appear in the US and other countries shortly afterward.
The MDR-XB1000′s incredibly low frequency range — topping even the XB700′s 3Hz bottom end — is well beyond the range of human hearing, but helps to add punch to bass notes, the company says. The drivers are padded with elastic polyurethane foam “cans” to isolate the sound, resulting in a top sound pressure of 106 decibels with a 24Ω impedance.
The MDR-XB41EX in-ear headphones feature a 13.5mm (.53 inch) driver, while the MDR-XB21EX uses a 9mm (.35 inch) driver, but both deliver sound pressure of over 100 decibels with a 16Ω impedance. Top sound pressure reaches 105 dB for the 41s and 103 db for the 21s. The 41s use an angled design to allow the driver to be larger than normal as well as act as an isolating “umbrella” that partially covers the ear canal, allowing for more focus on the sound, where the 21s are more conventionally-designed earbuds with a smaller driver. Both come in various colors, including black, blue and red, along with some multi-color combinations.
Retail price for the large MBR-XB1000 headphones in Japan translates to approximately $377, while the MDR-XB41EX sells for around $75 and the MDR-XB21EX costs $45.
26
Nov
2010
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.
19
Nov
2010
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.”
19
Nov
2010
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.
12
Nov
2010
iPodNN: iHome today explained some of the workings of its upcoming AirPlay speaker. Now called the iW1, the audio system will primarily stream from an iTunes computer to the speaker and should mostly use an iOS 4.2 device as a remote, although the feature should theoretically allow direct-from-device streaming. The hardware will allow a Sonos-like multi-room audio system with the option of piping audio to every iW1 on the local network or just individual units.
Most other details are refinements of what was teased after the iW1 was first shown in September. Audio quality should be a focus with both class-D amplifiers as well as Bongiovi Acoustics tuning for the pairs of tweeters and woofers. A row of capacitive touch buttons on top will provide basic physical controls, and iPhone or iPod owners will have the option of charging directly from a USB port on the back.
iHome hasn’t yet given an estimated battery life for the lithium-ion pack in the iW1 other than “hours,” but it did mention that the speaker will support the native iOS app for setting up and delivering firmware updates.
Release dates, prices and other launch details still aren’t known for the wireless audio system, though its release hinges on iOS 4.2′s posting, which could come by Friday.
12
Nov
2010
iPodNN: As part of the same launch that brought the Ziio tablets, Creative today put out both a sequel to its Zen Touch MP3 player and a new set of Bluetooth headphones. The Zen Touch 2 is a rare Android-based MP3 player and outputs Bluetooth audio with the same apt-X compression as the Ziios, theoretically supplying lossless wireless sound over Bluetooth. Equally unique is the option of GPS in some models that lets them use stand-alone GPS apps without having to use a cellular connection.
All versions of the new Zen Touch have a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and a two-megapixel camera. They carry microSDHC slots to add to the built-in storage and have their own RCA video out for viewing on a TV. The plain version without GPS comes in 8GB and 16GB capacities at the equivalent prices of $217 and $248 in Singapore; GPS is only available with an 8GB model and costs $232.
The WP-300 headphones can recognize apt-X but are platform-independent and should work with iPads, iPods and other devices that can send out stereo Bluetooth audio. It can charge up from USB and has its own physical controls on an ear cup to skip through tracks. Creative hopes to charge $116 for a pair.
Both the Zen Touch 2 and the WP-300 should be available in Singapore by the end of the year, although they should get an international launch not long afterwards.
29
Oct
2010
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 (
15
Oct
2010
Electronista: Cobra Electronics, well-known for their long-standing line of radar, laser and speed-trap detection devices, are launching the iRadar Detection System, which combines a state-of-the-art radar/laser detector with an app for the iPhone, which uses Bluetooth to connect and control the detector, enabling users to hear, log and view alerts for various threats.
The software uses the iPhone’s built-in GPS capabilities to show motorists their speed and compass heading as well as tap into a larger database of known hazards. The iPhone display of the app also notifies drivers of past alert locations, their car battery voltage and lets them flag new locations as well as set the audio level of alerts.
The hardware detector picks up all radar and laser guns in a 360-degree radius, and sports its own speaker which escalates volume relative to the distance of the threat. It can function as a standalone detector when not paired with the iPhone app, but can be more easily controlled from the iPhone, including setting which notifications will be audible and at what volume.
The app includes Cobra’s camera and driving hazard database, which can warn drivers of red light camera locations, speed traps and known dangerous intersections. The database is updated daily by Cobra.
The iRadar Detection System retails for $170 and is available now. The iRadar app is free from the App Store.