Hi-tech Frontier

IO-Data CPSPK/BT Bluetooth Stereo Speaker IO-Data announced the CPSPK/BT Bluetooth stereo speaker. The device can be connected to any Bluetooth-enabled audio source such as cellphones, laptops, MIDs. The speaker supports Bluetooth 2.1+EDR with A2DP profile and AVRCP 1.0, HFP 1.5, HSP 1.1 profiles, which means it can also serve as a hands-free system. The IO-Data CPSPK/BT works with also iPhone with OS 3.0. It offers also line-in input. It’s built-in battery provides up to 10 hours of playtime.

Boston Acoustics Soundware XS 5.1 Surround Speaker System Boston Acoustics announced the new Soundware XS 5.1 Surround Speaker System that includes small and stylish speakers. The Soundware XS 5.1 features five ultra-compact SoundWare XS satellites that are the smallest loudspeakers from the company, and a compact subwoofer. Each SoundWare XS satellite measures less than 4-inch and ia equipped with a 2½-inch (65mm) woofer and a ½-inch (13mm) tweeter. There is also a 8-inch compact powered subwoofer that has a 100-watt (250-watt Peak) amplifier and 8-inch (200mm) driver. The SoundWare XS 5.1 system will be available in July 2009 in both black and white for $499.

Bag End's IDS12-I subwoofer -- small but mighty Bag End is one of those brands that's fairly well known in pro circles, but almost unheard of by general consumers. The no-frills enclosures would definitely be a hard sell in most domiciles -- unless you live in the Bat Cave or something -- but the bass performance is nothing to sneeze at. The latest IDS12-I mates a 12-inch INFRA cone to a 220-Watt onboard amp to deliver flat response all the way down to 18Hz. Pretty impressive for a little 15x18x15-inch box, and more than enough to rock the Shire, eh? Just make sure you've got XLR cabling or at least an adapter -- balanced inputs only need apply.

Expressionist PLUS Compact Speaker System from Altec Lansing The Expressionist Plus is a compact speaker system that is able to perform incredibly great with MP3 players and computers providing deep, powerful and rich sound. The main objective of this product is to offer enhanced music experience as well as boost the visor of your home interior. The 2” satellites are precisely engineered in a stylish manner and adjustable characteristics that can deliver distinct full-spectrum pure sound. Besides, the 5.25” desktop subwoofer will fill your place with deep bass, while saving a considerable amount of space. The ideal place to tuck the small subwoofer is under your desk to get the maximum output. Setting up this speaker system is simple.

OMNI Futuristic Sound Speaker Concept Will Enhance Your Music Experience The unique design of OMNI sound speaker concept will let you always be inside a sound stage, even when you are moving around your living room. With the world renowned brand name ALTEC LANSING, this omni-directional speaker will let you experience the completeness of sound. This heavily constructed futuristic speaker system has less structure vibrations and advanced sound quality. The system incorporates one woofer, one mid-range speaker and tweeter on the top, and all these components are separated from each other through using a ceramic plate. OMNI will not only offer you enhanced music experience, also the décor of the interior of your house will become more alluring.

Edifier iF500 iPod/iPhone Speaker My eyes usually glaze over when I come across yet another iPod/iPhone speaker dock, but there’s just something about the iF500 from Edifier that managed to pique my curiosity, and I think it might have something to do with the massive bulbous speaker clearly designed to mock subtlety. The iF500 supports various models of the iPod and iPhone via a built-in dock, but an aux input also allows you to connect anything featuring an audio output like cellphones or other MP3 players that clearly aren’t worth mentioning by name. A “5 driver speaker system incorporates unique vibration and resonance control technolories coupled with low frequency porting and mid-range tuned cavities for smoother cleaner audio” and it also comes with the company’s patented EIDC or ‘Electrical Intelligent Distortion Control’ system if inane acronyms are an important feature for you. But if looks or sound quality aren’t enough to convince you to drop $249 on the iF500, keep in mind...

iPhone OS 3.0 Bluetooth Speakers These cubic mini speakers comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 hours. The wireless Bluetooth technology allows you to stream the music from your iPhone or iPod. The E-blue Bluetooth Speaker drive unit is made of Titanium. It features fantastic bass, mid-range and high audio output. The E-blue Bluetooth Speaker for iPhone 3GS is available over at USB Brando for $68.

Small Sound Blaster X_Fi Speaker When I play the game in my laptop, I found that the sound that produced by my laptop is too embarrassed to hear. It weak and lame I say. So, I try to add some more speakers to get the real effect that I want. But, what I get? I just waste my money for the same best quality that I have been discovered by using this product. When I search the internet to get the perfect sound gadget for my PC and notebook, I found Sound Blaster X_Fi Go! This product will give me satisfaction to play my favorite game and listening mp3. With the X-Fi audio technology, all the sound that came from my notebook and PC become more realistic, clearer, and more vibrant for the MP3 music. This product also has 1 GB data storage inside. But, there also one of the factors that I like from this website, which is the plug and play uses. I just connected to the USB port of my notebook or PC, and get the real quality of sound. ##CONTINUE## So, if you want to have great experience with y...

Monkey USB Speakers If you don’t like the soft touch of the Plush Monkey USB Speakers, here’s an alternative that might suit you better. Or, use them together with the Monkey USB Webcam with Pen Holder. Features: Recharged by USB Built-in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery Simple, just plug-in, no driver install LED indicator Apply to any audio devices with 3.5mm audio jack, e.g. PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod, PDA, MP3 player … etc. Speaker output: 2W Dimension: 61mm dia. x 53mm tall Weight: 40g The Ape Head USB Speaker is available from the USB Geek website for $10. There are two colors to choose from: yellow and orange.

Buffalo OTOKORO Mini iPod Speaker Is Kind Of All Over The Place It seems like Buffalo decided to cast a big net when they designed this miniature iPod speaker, in order to appeal to as many users as possible. First, there’s the iPod users who think that everyone else wants to hear what they’re listening to. The OTOKORO speaker connects to your iPod (iPod Nano 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Gen. / iPod 4th, 5th Gen. / iPod Classic 80/120/160GB / iPod Mini 1st, 2nd Gen. / iPod Touch 2nd Gen) via the dock connector which not only allows you to blare your tunes, but also control the volume via a set of + and - buttons. (Even though the iPod’s own volume controls should still work fine.) ##CONTINUE## Also, I guess since the speaker is cube-shaped and has a couple of round buttons, Buffalo figured they could go the whole nine yards and make it look like a single die, appealing to the problem gamblers. And finally, instead of leaving a single dot on one side, they replaced it with a heart graphic, which ...

Atlantic Technology turns loose three new speaker systems, plus four subs Talk about a lineup refresh, Atlantic Technology has pumped out three new speaker systems and thrown in a new set of subwoofers for good measure. The 1400, 2400, and 4400 systems each consist of two-way bookshelf-type speakers for L/R duties, a two-way mid-tweet-mid center channel, and a pair of surrounds that is switchable between bipole and dipole radiation. Oh, and don't forget you can add the recently-announced 1400 SR-z speakers for front-channel height effects. When bookshelf speakers are pressed into home theater duty, you just know a subwoofer can't be far behind -- in this case new SB-series powered subs. The updated 642e joins the 224, 334, and 444 SB subs all pack long-throw woofers into sealed boxes for the boom. Prices range from $1,680 to $3,800 for the systems.

X-mini Max II looks like a trash can, pumps out the jams If you've ever thought to yourself, "I could use a pair of tiny, tinny, and aesthetically-impaired portable speakers for my laptop or PMP," this is your lucky day. X-Mini, known for pushing sound through something that looks like a cross between alien hardware and a donut, is back on the scene with the Max II. A stunning departure from the usual fare, this thing ditches the wagon wheel in favor of something that one of Dark Helmet's minions might wear in Spaceballs. Apparently, the new design also features a bigger driver meaning, you guessed it, "twice the bass." We didn't have the heart to point out that two times bupkis is still bupkis. We're not sure when this 2.5W sonic wonder will be released in the US, but we'll be keepin' our eyes peeled.

Cube 2.1 Wireless Speakers The total number of sound enthusiasts is increasing everyday all over the world and speaker manufacturers are always trying to offer something unique and powerful to attain their customer base. Professional Sound Reproduction is a 2.1 sound system featuring two wireless 360º speakers and a sub-woofer that can be positioned anywhere to enhance the surround sound perception. CUBE 2.1 includes a powerful dock where MP3 players, TV or a computer can be connected with a USB interface. Easy transportation of this speaker is a remarkable feature which allows a user to carry it with its simple four step foldable handles.

Atlantic Technology 1400 SR-z speakers No strangers to switchable bipole/dipole speakers, Atlantic Technology has jumped into the Dolby ProLogic IIz fray with the 1400 SR-z speakers. If the inclusion of a 'z' right in the name isn't enough to tell you that these will work with the Dolby wizardry to make your ceiling disappear, then the compact form factor will at least get you thinking about the idea. The pair of 3.5-inch drivers in each speaker are switchable between bipole and dipole dispersion, however, which should make these a fine choice for just about any surround speaker location. Look for them in the last half of May with an MSRP of $425 per pair, which sounds a little pricey to us for channels that don't need much bandwidth, but imagine what these might do with the overblown "stadium" surround mode on your receiver.

Kenwood SP0001 speakers look crazy? Kenwood's about to unleash some really crazy speakers upon the world... if you live in Japan anyway. The bad-looking dudes have 10-watt, 2 channel speakers with 6-centimeter woofers and 2.5-centimeter tweeters, which isn't exactly super powerful, granted -- but they are transparent. Oh, and they have some awesome LED effects, as well. We're not sure exactly when they'll be available, but they're going to run you ¥100,000 (about $1,000) when they are.

Xzeit Puppy USB Speaker: What a cutie~ I am going to introduce a new dual USB speaker to you -- Xzeit Puppy USB Speaker. I am sure that the cute dog shape attracts you. It just costs you $ 22.00.

Aperion Audio new Bravus 8A Subwoofer into a sub-$1000 speaker system Aperion Audio just took the wraps off its new budget-priced Bravus 8A subwoofer, a $319 model featuring a ported 8-inch aluminum cone backed by a 100-Watt amplifier and a adjustable (40 - 160Hz) crossover that promises to deliver quality bass for your bucks. That's a tough price point for standalone subs, but luckily Aperion has another way to get the new model into living rooms -- incorporating it into the Intimus 4B Harmony SA 5.1-channel speaker system. Take one Bravus 8A (in either cherry or gloss black), mix in four Intimus 4B satellite speakers and top it all off with a 4C center channel, put it on the menu for $999 and let people take a taste test in their own home. Sounds good to us, so let us know if you take the plunge.

JBL rolls out new ScreenArray speakers If you personally own a cineplex, or just a really big home theater, you've no doubt discovered that filling large spaces with high SPLs takes a lot of power. Conventional "cones in a box" just aren't very efficient, which is why so many large venues use horn-loaded drivers; and it's also where JBL's new ScreenArray series of digital cinema loudspeakers fit in. The 4732, 3732, 3731, 4722 and 3722 models each feature the new 3-inch high-frequency compression driver that's also been goosed to blast through perforated screens with the treble intact, and they're also all available in amplified and passive flavors. Our local theater isn't exactly rolling in cash right now for this kind of purchase, but then again, there's nothing crappy sound coming from a blown driver to make us blacklist a theater once and for all.

Samsung new HT-WS1 soundbar In addition to that new AS730 HTIB, Samsung's kicking around a new soundbar audio system, which packages a 260W 2.1 setup (capable of virtual 5.1) with a sizable wireless subwoofer for the passable price of $350. The HT-WS1 is fairly diminutive as far as soundbars go, and is wall mountable if you're into that. The bar is styled in Samsung's "Touch of Color" grey and red to match your Samsung TV (you do have a Samsung TV, don't you?), and the whole kit will be available in April.

Jamo launches 18 in-wall speakers across its Custom 400- and 600-series lineups If you're trying to stay on top of the ever-increasing number of speakers used in the latest surround audio schemes -- Dolby ProLogic IIz moves the count to 9-channels plus a sub (or two) -- in-wall speakers start to look really attractive. Jamo has rolled out its 400- and 600-series Custom speakers for those running out of room, and with 18 SKUs spread out over in-wall and in-ceiling options, there's bound to be a few that fit your needs. All speakers get Jamo's Decoupled Tweeter Technology, Hard Conical Cones and WaveGuide technologies; and magnetic paintable grilles will help keep things looking tidy. Spring for the 600-series, and you'll also get treated to silk dome tweeters. Pricing spans a relatively affordable range of $299 to $899.