JBL Spark Bluetooth speaker uncovered at the FCC with wall mounting, retro looks

Posted on 24/05/2013 by Jon Fingas

JBL is known for its love of exotic speaker designs, but a new FCC approval suggests it's about to turn back the clock for its next look. An unannounced Spark Bluetooth speaker appearing at the US agency wouldn't look out of place at the top of a gramophone -- albeit one draped in red plastic. It could also be part of the decor, as a manual in the filing suggests there's support for mounting brackets. While the FCC filing doesn't give away any launch details for the Spark, the 13W of total power hints that we won't be paying a lot for our semi-retro audio.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: FCC

Samson Expedition Express PA does Bluetooth and XLR, ships this month for $200

Posted on 09/05/2013 by Jon Fingas

It's been a while since we've looked at enhanced PA speakers, and one of the last big hitters in the category was a little ostentatious. Samson's new Expedition Express keeps things a little lower-key. The one-piece system will take both Bluetooth audio as well as quarter-inch and XLR instrument inputs, but it's subtle enough to feel at home at both the beach and the boardroom. It's also more portable than others -- the small, 10-pound box should be easier to shlep around and lasts a reasonable eight hours on its rechargeable battery. The Expedition Express won't be cheap when it ships this month for $200, and it certainly won't make up for our ham-fisted guitar skills. It might, however, be a solid choice for a backyard party soundtrack.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Samson

Creative T3150 delivers stealthy, 2.1-channel Bluetooth audio on the cheap

Posted on 11/04/2013 by Jon Fingas

Bluetooth speakers still tend to revolve around portable designs, but there's been a gradual shift toward traditional-looking speakers that just happen to have short-range wireless as an option. Creative's T3150 is proof positive: while it's an entry-level, 2.1-channel PC speaker on the outside, it stuffs in stereo Bluetooth audio to handle mobile devices in a pinch. Mind you, that's not the only thing Creative is stealthy about. Although the company is willing to say that the T3150 has an Image Focusing Plate to widen the listening sweet spot, there's no mention of the power output; we've reached out for more detail. At prices of £60 and €70 (around $100) for the planned May launch, though, we'd expect a modest amount of wireless audio power.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Creative

Scosche BoomBottle ships for $150, just in time to serenade fellow cyclists (video)

Posted on 10/04/2013 by Jon Fingas

Scosche promised a soundtrack to our biking and hiking when it unveiled the BoomBottle back in January; conveniently, it's shipping the Bluetooth speaker right as the spring thaw lets us give the peripheral a proper workout. The outdoorsy among us can now spend $150 to get a dust- and splashproof stereo system that fits into a bike's water bottle holder, or on a backpack through a carabiner, and plays for 10 hours on a charge. We'll have to wait, though, if we want a dash of color while we bombard other travelers with our taste in music. Gray versions are available now or very shortly at Scosche's site and Walmart, but more season-appropriate blue, green, pink and yellow hues will only sell through Scosche in May.

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Scosche

Libratone speakers get an Android app to call their own

Posted on 28/02/2013 by Jon Fingas

Libratone's speaker line hasn't been convenient at all for mobile users who don't swing the iOS way -- not unless they've got a very long audio cable. The audio designer hasn't quite achieved the Holy Grail of full wireless control for other platforms, but its new Android app provides the next best thing. The release lets Android 2.3 and beyond set up Live, Lounge and Zipp speakers on the WiFi network, and it can tune their sounds to match a physical space or musical tastes. There's still a distance to go when the speaker needs an aux-in connection just to change the volume. Still, we'll take a free app if it saves us a few walks across the living room.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile

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Source: Google Play

IK Multimedia iLoud and iLoud Mini hands-on (video)

Posted on 25/01/2013 by Billy Steele

IK Multimedia got a jump start on NAMM with the announcement of its iLoud speaker duo just before the proper start of the show. Today, we swung by the company's booth to take a closer look and spend a few minutes with the Bluetooth-wielding wireless duo. The first thing that we noticed was the build quality. Both the iLoud and iLoud Mini sport a soft-touch rubber-esque coating on the top and bottom that we've seen in other Bluetooth audio units. The pair also has an adequate amount of heft without being overbearing when added to the weight of an already packed rucksack. In terms of the Mini, a single volume control rests on the right side, both USB port (for charging) and aux inputs reside around to the left and the power button is at home up top.

For us, the real star of the show here is the regular iLoud. In addition to the same wireless capabilities as the smaller sibling, this unit packs a 1/4-inch input that houses the outfit's iRig circuitry. Essentially, one of IK Mulitmedia's adapters is crammed right into the speaker. Said jack along with controls for power, gain and Bluetooth pairing hit the backside in addition to an auxiliary port for connecting a handset or tablet via cable. The volume knob is around front on this beefier model, encircled in a glowing red light. One of the main selling points is the advertised studio-grade sound quality -- especially in the 40W iLoud -- which we were unfortunately unable to confirm due to the overly noisy show floor here in Anaheim. Jump down through the gallery to take a gander at the pair that is set to arrive in Q2 for $300 and $200 respectively.

Gallery: IK Multimedia iLoud and iLoud Mini hands-on

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

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IK Multimedia outs iLoud and iLoud Mini speakers, supplies mobile jam sessions

Posted on 23/01/2013 by Billy Steele

If you've been looking for a wireless speaker that is capable of outfitting your music gear, IK Multimedia is looking to oblige with it's latest offerings. The company has announced the iLoud and iLoud Mini Bluetooth speakers ahead of the official start of NAMM 2013. In addition to that wireless connectivity, the duo sports rechargeable batteries for supplying jams on-the-go and a 1/8-inch jack for connecting those trusty peripherals the good ol' fashioned way. Boasting big volume in rather small frames, the larger unit touts 40W RMS of power and the smaller clocks in at 12W RMS. The larger of the two units, the iLoud, tacks on a full-sized 1/4-inch jack complete with iRig circuitry for connecting that axe should you feel the need offer up your best Stevie Ray Vaughan. While both are set to arrive sometime in Q2 of 2013, the iLoud will sport a $299.99 (€239.99) price tag and the iLoud Mini is set to dock wallets for $199.99 (€159.99).

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IK Multimedia Announces iLoud, the First Portable Speakers Designed for Musicians
The range of portable speakers that sound like studio monitors

January 23, 2013 - IK Multimedia is proud to announce iLoud(R), the first portable stereo speakers designed for musicians. IK leveraged its 16 years of pro-audio engineering expertise, and its experience as the leading developer of mobile music-creation apps and accessories, to design battery-operated speakers that combine superior power, pristine frequency response and amazing low-end in an ultra-portable form factor that make them the perfect alternative to studio speakers for music creation and composition on the go.

The iLoud line consists of two models, iLoud and iLoud MINI, both of which provide musicians with sonic accuracy that's on par with professional studio monitors, making it possible, for the first time, to compose, record, and mix from a mobile speaker system.

Dynamic Duo
Despite their diminutive size, both iLoud speakers are indeed very loud. In fact, they're 2 to 3 times louder than comparable size speakers. The iLoud model offers a blasting 40W RMS of power, and it's little brother, iLoud MINI, a robust 12W RMS.

Both iLoud models provide highly accurate reproduction of a wide range of musical styles from rock, hip-hop and electronic dance music, to more nuanced and sonically demanding genres like classical and acoustic. The speakers are equipped with onboard DSP, for maintaining accuracy and efficiency at all volume levels, and high-quality, custom-designed neodymium loudspeakers. iLoud is equipped with a bi-amped 4-driver array, and iLoud MINI with a pair of full-range speakers. The enclosures feature bass-reflex and passive radiators construction, which helps create their superior bass response, with tilted profile for perfect listening position.

Plug and Play Convenience
iLoud also offers the possibility to connect a guitar, bass or dynamic microphone directly to the speaker and process the sound with a multitude of real-time effects apps. Featuring the same circuitry as IK's iRig - the most popular mobile interface of all time - the input allows users to plug in an instrument and access AmpliTube or other audio apps on their mobile device for practicing, performing and recording. The input also accommodates dynamic microphones, making it possible to run an app such as IK's VocaLive for realtime vocal effects and recording.

Ultra-Portability
In addition to their impressive response, volume, and features, the iLoud speakers are surprisingly small, exceptionally portable, and can be used everywhere. iLoud MINI, the smaller of the two, is only about the width and height of an iPad mini while iLoud has the size of an iPad. Only 6cm / 2.3" thick, either model can easily fit in a laptop bag or backpack. Both iLoud and iLoud MINI are also equipped with a high-performance Li-Ion rechargeable battery with smart power-management features that reduce its power consumption, making possible to go long periods without recharging, an important factor for mobile users.

Wired and Wireless
Both iLoud models support Bluetooth operation, which adds even more to their mobility. Users can stream music to them from any compatible mobile device such as an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad for casual listening. For sound sources like MP3 players that don't have Bluetooth capabilities, the iLoud speakers each have a stereo 1/8" mini-jack input for connecting line-level devices such as home stereos, DJ gear, mixers, MP3 players, and more.

Pricing and Availability
iLoud will be priced $299.99 / €239.99 and iLoud MINI $199.99 / €159.99 (excluding taxes) and they will be available in the second quarter of 2013 from the IK network of music and electronic retailers around the world.

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

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Source: IK Multimedia

Philips showcases its 2013 Fiedelio audio lineup at CES, we go eyes-on

Posted on 07/01/2013 by Joe Pollicino

Philips isn't showing off anything too groundbreaking at CES in the in the audio department, but it looks to be a solid offering all-around nonetheless. Whether you're eyeing the likes of a new soundbar for your home theater system or portable wireless speaker, the company should have you covered with latest Fidelio offerings -- and of course that's not all. We've got a quick breakdown of all the goods being shown off after the break, along with an eyes-on galleries so you can get up-close look for yourself. As always, you'll find the full press releases below it all for more info.

Continue reading Philips showcases its 2013 Fiedelio audio lineup at CES, we go eyes-on

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, HD

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JBL SoundFly Air ships, delivers AirPlay to your wall socket for $199

Posted on 02/11/2012 by Jon Fingas

JBL's SoundFly lineup is one of the rarer breeds of wireless speaker we've come across: it's much like an earlier AirPort Express made solely for audio, designed to be as unintrusive as possible while it kicks out the jams. Those who find that stealthy sound appealing will be glad to hear that the more advanced of the two SoundFly speakers, the SoundFly Air, is now shipping. The 20W box will play audio streamed from any AirPlay-capable device on the same WiFi network while it sits demurely on a wall outlet. JBL is counting on a few tricks to set itself apart from the rest of the similarly Apple-oriented pack, such as linking up to four of the speakers for whole-home audio and offering an iOS app to tailor the output to the room. About the only reservation is a $199 shipping price for something that isn't as portable or universal as a Jawbone Jambox, but that may be the price to pay for a speaker that can offer longer range and syncing while it very nearly blends into the furniture.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video

JBL SoundFly Air ships, delivers AirPlay to your wall socket for $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TDK preps its first weatherproof speaker, we go hands-on

Posted on 20/09/2012 by Dana Wollman

Back at IFA we spent most of our time handling new tablets and Win 8 devices, but, given that the show has grown into something of a mini-CES, there was news in almost every product category, portable audio included. TDK announced a trio of speakers that week, and though we didn't get hands-on in Berlin, we got a second chance tonight at a New York City press event. In particular, the company is showing off its first ruggedized product, the Wireless Weatherproof Speaker. As you can see in those photos down there, it has all the stylings of a run-of-the-mill portable speaker, except it also happens to be IP64-certified against the elements. When TDK talks about its durability, it talks about liters of dousage, so a splash on your next beach vacation shouldn't be an issue.

As for audio, it has two speakers up front, a subwoofer and two passive radiators 'round back. TDK declined to clarify the wattage, but we'll say this: the little guy is powerful enough that we could hear it over the din at Pepcom, a local press event. And, TDK had a larger, more powerful speaker playing nearby, and we still had no problem hearing the song coming from the weatherproof model. Granted, then, this was hardly the best scenario to evaluate audio quality, but we did sense that the treble was a bit trapped compared to the bass, which came through loud and clear. Lastly, there's a rechargeable battery inside, which TDK rates for up to six hours of runtime. It'll go on sale in late October for $250, but in the meantime help yourself to some first-hand shots below.

Gallery: TDK Wireless Weatherproof Speaker hands-on