Audio
Toyota employs noise-canceling tech on hybrid
Toyota has taken the principle behind noise-canceling headphones and applied it to its Toyota Crown Hybrid. The company’s ‘Active Noise Control’ system uses three microphones located on the roof of the interior of the car to detect the muffled noise of the engine and then generates antiphase signals from three speakers – two located on the right and left front doors and one rear woofer on the rear shelf – to counter the noise. The system, which was implemented after the car’s engine was found to be noisier than expected, reduces the interior engine noise by about 5 to 8dB, the company said. Read More
A.M.P. – the dancing, mobile, robot boombox
Image Gallery (2 images)
The semi-autonomous robotic boombox the Miuro has a new big brother. Tiger Electronics, a division of Hasbro Inc. has teamed up with Japanese distributor SEGA Toys to introduce the Automated Music Personality (A.M.P), a 2.4 feet (73 cm) tall black robot that can be hooked up to an MP3 player or iPod and bobs its head and dances while red LED lights on its head flash. The A.M.P. pumps out 12 watts of stereo sound through a 5" mid-range speaker and two high output tweeters while more boom can be added to any song with the dedicated bass boost button. The A.M.P. also features two turntable shaped hands that allow users to be the DJ and use A.M.P. as a virtual mixing deck. The touch pad hands serve as a way to layer different sound effects and scratches over the music with the left touch pad used to add music effects and the right touch pad controlling the audio. Read More
Parrot Party portable wireless audio system
Image Gallery (12 images)
Designed as a quality alternative to the often unsatisfying speaker systems in mobile phones, this compact and totally wireless sound audio system offers four hours of playback from Bluetooth devices to a range of 33 feet, as well as a plug-in solution for listening to personal media or CD players while you're out and about. Read More
ProTrack+iPod = handheld digital stereo recorder
Image Gallery (12 images)
Professional audio equipment and studio electronics manufacturer Alesis has announced the forthcoming release of the ProTrack, a handheld digital stereo recorder for iPods. The ProTrack provides direct-to-iPod stereo digital recording to iPod in a portable, handheld form factor. The ProTrack’s design integrates an iPod (Classic or 5th Generation), or iPod nano (2nd or 3rd Generation) into the recorder, with included sleds to securely mount the supported iPod models to the recorder. Read More
JBL Control NOW indoor - outdoor loudspeakers
Image Gallery (2 images)
JBL'sControl NOW loudspeakers offer solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications via a unique curved shape that enables them to be placed virtually anywhere and promises to deliver high sound quality even in less-than-optimal acoustic situations. Read More
Computer speakers integrate iPod dock
Image Gallery (2 images)
iHome's new iH69 and iH70i speakers are designed to save on clutter by allowing users to dock, charge, play and sync iPods directly to their computer. Read More
Bridge II iPod docking station
Image Gallery (2 images)
June 3, 2008 Harman Kardon has announced the successor to its Bridge docking station for iPod. The appropriately titled Bridge II retains the smooth curved line of the original Bridge docking station, connecting the iPod touch, nano and all Click Wheel models to a Harman Kardon Bridge-ready audio/video component and enables expanded capabilities such as audio/video playback from the iPod through a home entertainment system, on-screen menu display, remote control operation and charging. Read More
High-end retro lusso turntable
Image Gallery (3 images)
May 29, 2008 If you’re a die-hard vinyl fan you are going to love the lusso turntable on offer from German company, Montegiro. Its retro good looks might even tempt you to slip on some sixties gear and mix yourself a dry martini while you’re selecting an LP! Read More
Eos digital wireless iPod-based speaker system
Image Gallery (3 images)
May 29, 2008 The benefits of wireless speakers are clear - they do away with the pesky (and costly), need to rip up carpet or tear up walls to run cabling and provide a versatility that enables easy reconfiguration of the set-up whenever the need arises. The latest to cross our desk is the Eos system, which is compatible with any iPod with a docking connector, consists of up to 4 self-contained remote speaker/receivers and a base unit/transmitter and can broadcast over 150 feet, inside and out, upstairs, downstairs, through walls, doors, ceilings. Read More
Pioneer releases BonusView Blu-Ray Disc Player and Elite A/V receiver
Image Gallery (2 images)
May 8, 2008 Pioneer has announced the Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray Disc players and Elite SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH A/V receivers designed to give users that true theater experience in their own homes. The Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc players support next generation high resolution audio and video formats, feature picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform. The new players work in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and new Elite A/V receivers. Read More
Olive's 1000GB OPUS No4 home audio solution
Image Gallery (5 images)
April 30, 2008 Featuring an intuitive touch-screen interface and capable of storing up to 3000 CDs in their original quality, the OPUS No4 is pitched at music lovers who want to spend less time managing their collection, and more time enjoying it. Read More
Orb Audio's handmade, modular speaker system
Image Gallery (3 images)
April 28, 2008 Orb Audio’s line of handmade compact speakers promise to deliver a sound usually reserved for much larger units by using state-of the-art components and high carbon steel housings in a modular and easily upgradeable package.
Aquatic audio: Natalie Coughlin Signature Series iSH2 waterproof headset
Image Gallery (7 images)
April 13, 2008 We've written before about H2O Audio's waterproof iPod accessories that let you pump out some good adrenaline tunes while you push through your swimming workout. Now, as America, China and Australia prepare to do battle for aquatic world supremacy in Beijing, the company has teamed with U.S. backstroke world record holder Natalie Coughlin to produce the iSH2 - an integrated waterproof case and headset for the iPod shuffle that works up to 10 feet (3m) under water. Read More
Tiny MobiBLU Cube MP3 player with full color OLED display
Image Gallery (7 images)
April 7, 2008 The diminutive MobiBLU Cube incorporates MP3, FM radio, voice recording and video playback via a full color OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display... all in a 1.0” x 1.0” x 1.0” footprint. Read More
Infinity unveils new range of premium automotive loudspeakers
Image Gallery (7 images)
April 1, 2008 The new Kappa® loudspeakers from high-performance audio specialist Infinity incorporate several new technologies designed to bring the best of home theater sound to the car. These include reduced impedance to maximize the power available from all amplifiers and head units, plus an in-built distortion-reducing motor that promises clean, crisp bass at all power levels. Read More
CSR's MusiCore1 combines audio processor and Bluetooth on a single chip
Image Gallery (7 images)
CSR has announced MusiCore1, the first fully featured single-chip for mobile phones that includes both a stereo audio processor and Bluetooth capabilities – saving 75% of the cost of an audio processor, and 36mm squared of space. MusiCore1 allows 100 hours of music playback, and can decode MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA and SBC files.
The beat-box backpack
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 26, 2008 In the 80's it was the boombox on the shoulder, could the 21st century be the era of the stereo backpack? Not likely, but this hardshell "Boom Boom Backpack" featured by Yanko Design would be ahead of the pack style-wise if the idea ever caught on. Read More
New iPod dock, amp and speaker range from Scandyna
Image Gallery (9 images)
March 18, 2008 Danish speaker company Scandyna’s ‘v dock’ is an iPod dock with integrated amplifier that is specially designed to complement the iPod Video models. It combines high quality audio with an S-Video connection to play videos from the iPod on a TV or computer. The dome shaped unit includes a 3.5mm mini jack stereo line out for output to a subwoofer as well as a 2x15 watt RMS ClassT active amplifier, remote control and inserts for use with different iPod models. Read More
Acer unveils Aspire 8920G HD home-theater laptop
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 14, 2008 Acer is aiming to bring laptop users closer to the full HDTV experience with its new Aspire Gemstone blue range. The top-of-the-line Aspire 8920G crams in a 1920x1080 resolution, 18.4-inch Full HD LCD screen, six integrated speakers backed by Dolby Home Theater technology, an optional digital TV Tuner and an on-board Blu-Ray disc drive in a striking design that incorporates a blue, black and silver color scheme with interior and exterior lighting effects and a Holographic 3D cover. Read More
Sansa Fuze rounds out SanDisk’s media player product line
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 13, 2008 SanDisk has unveiled the Flash-based Sansa Fuze MP3 player, a well specced entry level unit which joins the pint-sized Sansa Clip and the video-centric Sansa View in Sandisk's media player line. Read More
Logitech to release wireless stereo VoIP headset
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 7, 2008 As the rapid growth of VoIP communications continues (Skype for example, had 276 million user accounts at the end of 2007 and almost 8 million people are shown as online as this article is being written), its no surprise to learn that computer peripheral specialist Logitech has entered the wireless headset market. The Logitech® ClearChat PC is the company’s first wireless stereo headset designed for Internet calling with a PC and uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology and a USB transmitter to deliver a cordless link that's effective at up to a distance of 33 feet (10 meters) from the computer. Read More
Able Planet's Clear Voice VoIP Headset
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 4, 2008 Able Planet has incorporated its active noise canceling technology into a VoIP headset. Read More
Ultra-soft earphone tips promise comfort and clarity
Image Gallery (3 images)
February 5, 2008 Made from a "memory foam" 30 times softer than the silicone rubber used to make most earphone tips, Comply™ pitch their Foam Tips as an affordable and simple solution to customizing earphones and enhancing noise reduction in a market where the "one-size-fits-all" mantra definitely does not apply. Read More
Outlaw LCR loudspeaker optimized for vertical or horizontal placements
Image Gallery (3 images)
February 3, 2008 Outlaw Audio has introduced the Outlaw LCR, a flexible home theater loudspeaker that is the first to include the company's exclusive Main/Center Optimization, (MCO), selectable crossover technology. This allows the speaker's acoustic radiation pattern to be optimized for use as either a left or right front speaker or as a horizontal center channel speaker simply by flipping the MCO switch. Designed and hand-built in the USA to audiophile-grade performance standards, the Outlaw LCR features two long-throw 5-1/4" SEAS woofers flanking a custom designed 1-inch ferrofluid-cooled soft-dome tweeter, giving it improved bass performance and enabling the flexible MCO crossover circuitry. It is this circuitry that enables users to select between two crossover configurations to optimize the speaker's output for either center channel (horizontal) or main channel (vertical) placement. Read More
Retro digital radio: Roberts MP-SOUND 41
Image Gallery (3 images)
January 24, 2008 The UK-based Roberts Radio Company has been producing portable radios since the 1930’s and one of their latest offerings is the MP-SOUND 41 digital radio. With its retro looks you could be forgiven for thinking it’s an old-fashioned analogue radio but with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) capability, Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) technology and the ability to record up to 8 hours of radio onto a SD card, it has nearly everything required for the 21st Century. Read More
Audi R8-based concept delivers a flat 1,000Nm torque spread
Image Gallery (7 images)
January 16, 2008 Audi looks set to create a new class of road-going supercar following the first showing of its R8 TDI Concept at NAIAS this week. Using the V12 6.0-liter bi-turbo TDI engine first seen in the forthcoming Q7 V12 TDI SUV, the 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 with 500 bhp is similar in basic concept to the R10 TDI’s 5.5-litre race engine, and delivers – wait for it - 1,000Nm of torque - between 1,750rpm and 3000 rpm, guaranteeing the effortless delivery of a 4.2-second 0-62mph acceleration time and a top speed in excess of 186mph. The 4WD beauty has a full set of goodies, such as Audi’s magnetic adaptive suspenders, it already meets the proposed EU6 emission limits expected to apply from 2014 and comes with a GPS system that incorporates race circuit information and centrifugal force / boost pressure data when the car is in race mode. Hey guys, you’ve gotta make this one! Read More
Logitech's Squeezebox Duet wireless home audio system
Image Gallery (2 images)
January 15, 2008 Logitech’s Squeezebox Duet network music system integrates home audio by allowing users to access Internet radio, online subscription services and their personal music library, wirelessly, through any speaker system in their house without switching on a computer. Read More
Philips SHB9000 Bluetooth headset
Image Gallery (2 images)
January 10, 2008 A full headset designed to deliver high-end sound quality to audiophiles listening to music via their mobile phone, Philips new SHB9000 Bluetooth headset allows users to seamlessly move between music and incoming calls and uses digital signal processing to filter out background noise and echo and automatically adjust volume in response to outside noise. Read More
JVC's wood cone speakers
Image Gallery (3 images)
January 3, 2008 Now available in a range of audio systems, JVC wood cone speakers deliver acoustic characteristics unavailable with other materials by utilizing the combination of high sound propagation speed and natural vibration attenuation (internal loss) that enable the speakers to naturally reproduce a wide frequency range. While conventional paper cones spread sound at the same speed in all directions, causing unnatural resonant points with limited frequency response, wood cones produce few resonant points because of the grain, so frequency response is improved and sound quality is enhanced. Read More
Arriva's iPod Shuffle headphones
Image Gallery (4 images)
January 2, 2008 While Bluetooth headphones are the hot item for those seeking the convenience of a wireless solution for personal audio players, Arriva have developed a cost-effective, low-tech system for iPod Shuffle users that effectively produce the same result. Using a soft spring design, the Arriva's "wireless" iPod Shuffle stereo headphones support the Shuffle and hold it in place at the back of the head forming a self contained unit and eliminating the need to run wires into a backpack or elsewhere on the body. Read More
S-52 joins Denon’s S series of compact music player
Image Gallery (4 images)
December 19, 2007 Denon has announced the release of the S-52 wireless network CD music system which features the ability to stream audio either via Ethernet or wireless from Internet radio sources, together with other network attached storage devices including computers on the network.
Waterfall Audio's striking glass loudspeakers
Image Gallery (2 images)
December 18, 2007 Waterfall Audio has unveiled two examples of its stunning glass loudspeaker enclosures destined for the American market ahead of the debut of its unique line at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Named after two famous waterfalls in Africa and South America, the Victoria EVO and Iguasçu EVO models consist of slender, hand-crafted glass towers designed to convey the impression of floating speakers with internal “stretched” driver wiring utilized to keep heavy speaker-cabling at floor level and further enhance the clean, elegant impact of the showpiece enclosures. Read More
Meridian/Ferrari collaboration yields versatile, all-in-one home entertainment system
Image Gallery (5 images)
December 14, 2007 Combining the acoustic and electrical engineering smarts of Meridian Audio with the materials and composites technology expertise of Ferrari, the Meridian F80 is an eye-catching, all-in-one portable home entertainment system that delivers high-end sound and exceptional versatility. Its sculptured, high-tech enclosure design with a deep gloss lacquered finish house an FM/AM and DAB radio, CD player, DVD player and 80 watt, 2.1 digital loudspeaker system and yes - it's available in Ferrari's signature red. Read More
Genius BT-03l Bluetooth headset
Image Gallery (4 images)
December 6, 2007 The Genius BT-03l touch Bluetooth headset is the first headset in the world to feature a capacitance touch panel with slide control which allows the volume to be adjusted by simply sliding the bar using the touch sensor. Designed to compliment Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and PDAs, the BT-30l supports A2DP hands free so users can take a call or listen to music which is automatically muted when receiving an incoming call. Read More
Teresonic's Magus compact speakers
Image Gallery (3 images)
November 30, 2007 The new Magus compact loudspeakers from Teresonic combine quality audio and environmental efficiency in a unique casing. The speaker gets the most out of its low wattage, thereby offering power savings without compromising on sound quality.
