15
Jul
2011
Akihabaranews: Introduced in September 2010 in white only the RCD-N7, a CD player with integrated Wi-Fi and AirPlay support (more here after the jump) is now also available in Japan in black. Both the White version and Black version are technically identical and comes as well with DLNA 1.5 support and iPod/iPhone support.
This new Black RCD-N7 will be sold in Japan within a few weeks at around 55,000 Yen.
30
Jun
2011
Ubergizmo: The folks over at Soundfreaq are back with a new audio accessory called the SFQ-01W Sound Platform, or just Ghost (it’s actually the same sound platform they’ve been selling all this while, except that it now comes in a stunning white). Designed especially for iOS devices, it features Apple’s proprietary port which will allow users to plug in their iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad into the speaker dock to listen to music while charging it. (more…)
17
Jun
2011
What Hi-fi: Onkyo has announced its new Colibrino mini hi-fi system, complete with CD player, iPod/iPhone dock and DAB+ tuner.
Yours for £280, the CS-245DAB is due out late August/early September and comes with a pair of speakers and a remote control. (more…)
10
Jun
2011
What Hi-fi: Gear4‘s HouseParty Rise alarm dock radio has SmartLink control so you can adjust the volume, change radio stations and select music tracks using a free iPhone/iPod app. (more…)
06
Jun
2011
What Hi-fi: Philips has added two further models to its Fidelio range of iPhone/iPad/iPod speaker docks.
Both are variations of the existing DS9000 model, which remains on sale at £399.
It’s joined by the smaller £299 DS9 (above) and the £399 DS9010 (below) which is the same design as the DS9000, but with an anodised brushed aluminium cabinet. (more…)
05
Apr
2011
Engadget: It ain’t drastically different than Altec’s iDevice speaker docks from earlier in the year, but if you’re looking for a living room peripheral that’ll output video from your iPod touch or iPhone, the outfit’s Octiv 650 is certainly worthy of consideration. Ditching iPad support in favor of a cleaner, more compact design, this particular sound dock features a component / composite output as well as one other trick — support for the free Music Mood app. Put simply, it’ll pipe hallucinogenic visualizations onto your screen, all while cranking out the jams through a pair of three-inch, full-range drivers and a nested 4-inch subwoofer. We’re told that YouTube and Netflix output is a go, and there’s an auxiliary port thrown in for those pals who wander over with the worst-named PMP of all time. Check it next month for a nickle under $200, and start mulling the most important decision of all right now: black… or slate?
23
Mar
2011
Engadget: It doesn’t scream quality (or maybe the legion of professional stock photographers were all on vacation last week), but the June-bound Avi Stylix does have something that the vast majority of me-too iPod / iPhone docking stations do not: an embedded 7-inch LCD. The usual suspects are also here, including a Dock Connector port, twin two-watt speakers, USB port, SD card slot and a bundled remote. The kicker is its ability to stream Netflix, but there’s an obvious catch; you’ll need an iPhone or iPod touch with a live internet connection in order to do so. There’s no actual WiFi module built into the main unit, so you’ll need to rely on your connected device to pull in the content. Still, for $99.99, it might not be a bad bet for your guest room. Or your office desk, since you know you aren’t getting any actual work done.
18
Mar
2011
Gizmag: While LG might be best known for its consumer electronics products, the South Korean conglomerate has plenty of strings to its bow with around 40 subsidiary companies in areas including electronics, telecommunications and chemicals. One such subsidiary is LG Hausys, which is Korea’s biggest building and decorative material company. Its products include a solid surface material called HI-MACS and to demonstrate the “limitless design possibilities” of the material, LG Hausys teamed up with Korean architect Shi-hyung Jeon to create Horn, a hand-made iPod speaker dock featuring the smooth, curved shape from which it gets its name.LG Hausys says its HI-MACS material is the optimum choice for a speaker cabinet due to its non-porous features and to the minimal vibrations that the material generates in contact with the speakers. These properties help drive the vibration of the speaker enclosure with a minimal diffraction of sound that is directed outwards via the Horn’s sweeping curves. Aesthetically, these curves are designed to reflect the line of the sleeve of traditional “Han-bok” and “Beo-seon” Korean clothes.
The unit includes eight three-inch full range drivers providing a frequency range of 47 Hz to 20 KHz with an amplifier output of 2 x 25 W. An iPod or iPhone connects to the speakers via a 30-pin connector on the top surface of the unit, which stands 1,312 mm (51.6 in) tall, 600 mm (23.6 in) wide and 395 mm (15.5 in) deep.
While LG Hausys says the Horn serves up a “stunningly clear, precise listening experience that today’s audiophiles are looking for,” the chance of said audiophiles getting to discover this for themselves seems remote as the Horn is currently just a design concept.
14
Mar
2011
Newlaunches: Once a leader of the sonic world, Philips has tried hard to regain its crown time and again. And while their products have stand the test of time, they really haven’t been up there with the best, with their capabilities. But that hasn’t stopped Philip’s from doing its best – like releasing the all new Harmony 8000 Series Hi-Fi system. The rather chic looking set combines easy operation with multi functions of a DVD/iPod player. The system has a built-in upscaler, full HD 1080p resolution and the new ClariSound speakers, which offers as claimed by Philips “the finest balance between natural sound, detailed precision and bass tightness.” Philips uses a glass fiber woofer cone in these speakers to ensure natural production of voice and instruments.
Designed with a 2x80W RMS Class-D digital amplifier, the 8000 series comes with a CD/DVD player, integrated dock for iPad, iPod and the iPhone and USB port for music playback, giving you the ‘plug in and play’ advantage.
Our only wish now is an equally attractive price package!
24
Nov
2009
NewLaunches: Maxell (Hitachi) has announced the MXSP-D240 iPod dock.
The drum shape emits the sound more efficiently while delivering extra bass.
The 53mm wide speakers are powered by a digital amplifier which delivers an output of 2.5W×2ch and a playback frequency of 60Hz – 20kHz.
The iPod dock connector sits on top of the unit and is compatible with all the fourth generation iPods. Available in black and white the dock will sell for around €73.
17
Nov
2009
iPodNN: Yamaha late yesterday introduced two new mini audio systems built for iPhones and iPods, the MCR-140 and MCR-040. The former is unique in that it can play back music from an iPod wirelessly through Yamaha’s proprietary yAired standard.
The MCR-040 lacks this feature, but both systems otherwise sport a CD player, a front panel USB port, an FM radio and auxiliary audio jack inputs.
Their docks also charge iPods and iPhones and will automatically power the system up when attached. The MCR-140′s wireless transmitter allows full control of the source device.
It’s claimed that yAired has no delays and better quality than audio delivered over the Bluetooth sometimes used for wireless audio systems.
Both systems have two 4-inch, detachable drivers rated at 15W each, though an optional wireless subwoofer kit for the MCR-140 allows for better bass delivery.
It and the MCR-040 are available in orange, dark blue, light blue, white, red, dark green, brown, light gray, dark gray and pink for $400 (€320) and $280 (€187), respectively.
13
Oct
2009
iPodNN: Sanyo has introduced two new products made to work with Apple’s docking iPods and iPhones, with its cube alarm clock radio, the DMP-P1, along with the dual dock music system, the DMP-692.
Both can charge and play the audio content of the connected Apple devices.
Either system has an AM/FM tuner, and users can choose to wake up to a preset station, the music from their Apple device or a buzzer. A sleep and snooze mode is also integrated.
The dual dock can accommodate two iPhones, two docking iPods, or a combination of both. There is also an aux-in port for adding other sources with a headphone jack. The DMP-692 also has a rear-mounted, passive subwoofer and includes a 20-function remote conveniently controls the iPod/iPhone or AM/FM radio.
The DMP-P1 will play and charge one iPod or iPhone, and there is also an aux input. While there is no subwoofer, Sanyo’s BassXpander technology simulates a fuller frequency range.
Either new Sanyo docking system will be available late in October, with the cube alarm clock priced at $40 (€27) while the dual dock music system will cost $90 (€60).