Speakers Review
19 April 2007
Audio enthusiasts with money to burn may wish to purchase a set of very limited edition speakers from manufacturer KEF. The Muon speaker has been designed by Ross Lovegrove, best known for his work on the iMac. His latest project is a little pricer, however, with each set costing £70,000 and only 100 sets to be made in total. Each speaker features four cones in addition to a bass driver to cover the full audible spectrum. The manufacturer adds that the device uses "magic dust" in the form of activated carbon to affect air molecules in a way which allows it to effectively double the volume which can be achieved.
Slightly more affordable, yet capable of delivering a 7.1 surround sound experience, is the Jamo D7PEX system. This comprises a number of smaller products from the manufacturer, such as the D7SUB subwoofer and D7SUR rear speakers. However, the consistent design across the full D7 series means the units can be flexibly combined without appearing as though that is the case. The subwoofer can achieve a peak output of 700 watts, according to Jamo, which suggests that while THX Ultra specifications call for two subs, in this case one may be enough for smaller rooms.
For a more compact audio solution, the Creative Xdock Wireless allows an iPod to be converted into a Hi-Fi in one simple movement. The Xdock is capable of transmitting audio to Creative X-Fi Wireless Receivers, or via a cable to traditional home entertainment systems. In this way, the company advises that DTS surround sound may be achieved. Beyond audio, the device also includes composite and s-video outputs so video and still images may be sent to display equipment from the docked iPod. The wireless functionality is also extended further by the inclusion of a remote control to access many of the iPod's functions.
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Speakers Review
16 March 2007
Altec Lansing has announced the launch of a new iPod speaker system, the iM600. The company advises that the product has a number of advantages over similarly-priced devices, such as a built-in FM radio tuner and "sound field expander" technology to improve the audio signal's room-filling ability at the touch of a button. The speakers are able to provide about 16 watts of power thanks to a rechargeable lithium ion battery, or can be mains powered if desired. A wireless remote control is also included to provide access to speaker functions, switching tracks on the iPod and tuning the FM receiver.
Sony Ericsson has launched add-on speakers for its Walkman mobile phones. The Snap-on Speakers MPS-75 attach to the phone and negate the need for headphones, allowing the owner to play their music out loud instead. The speakers draw their power from the phone itself, so no additional battery or mains supply is required. Meanwhile, the company reminded people who use a Walkman phone that they can stream music wirelessly via bluetooth to compatible devices. The MPS-75 has neodymium speakers and an integrated radio tuner and is colour-coded to match the Walkman phone, Sony stated.
For something a little less mobile, the Nexus C-4.1 Multi-Room Controller provides access to a range of features from up to four rooms in the house. The firm suggests that installation could be made easier as the signal from the control pads may be transmitted via existing speaker wires. The design allows for the main controller to be placed out of sight, with each room requiring a wall-mounted receiver to detect remote control commands. In this way, Nexus argues, the system should not take up any physical space in the rooms where multimedia equipment is to be used.
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| Speakers Review
05 February 2007
Voix claims that its speaker system Voix MPX is "mould breaking" and capable of serving a variety of other household devices including mp3 players, CD and DVD players. The MPX comprises four two-inch speakers, with a 3.5-inch subwoofer delivering bass from the foot of the unit and an iPod dock fitted to the top of the aluminium tower. Stereo sound is possible through the included MPY unit, offering a further four two-inch speakers without the subwoofer and docking port. Couch potatoes may welcome the infra-red remote control for a range of features including volume, bass, treble and a number of iPod functions.
Sony has announced it is to enter the iPod speaker market with its first iPod-only docking station, the CPF-IP001. This triangular unit has two five-watt speakers accompanied by a 15-watt separate subwoofer. A remote control is also supplied, which Sony claims is capable of controlling "everything from song selection to volume", while a line input socket adds support for conventional music devices and other media players. The device is designed to be compact, according to Sony, from the in-line connection of the subwoofer to the 28-millimetre cone size of the twin speakers and 70-millimetre subwoofer.
Harman Kardon is addressing the high-performance end of the speaker market with its Logic 7 decoder system, capable of converting a traditional two-channel stereo signal into seven discrete channels and one bass channel, for a total of eight unique sound signals. With compatible speaker systems, Harman Kardon claims that pans and fades can be recreated on three axes - front to back, side to side and diagonally - while 5.1 systems are still said to benefit from centre-channel enhancement and recreation of the bass signal. Mercedes Benz is offering a bespoke service to fit the system to its new cars in a specially-adapted design for its interiors.
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| Sony unveils SRS-DZ10 speaker system
29 January 2007
Sony has unveiled its new SRS-DZ10 2.1 speaker system for use with personal computers (PCs).
The system has a maximum power output of 32 watts, with bass supplied by a tubular backlit aluminium subwoofer.
Meanwhile, dual connectivity allows for external devices such as mp3 players to connect directly to the speakers with no need to loop through the computer's sound card and without requiring the speakers to be detached from the computer itself.
Headphones may be attached via a "convenient" wired desktop unit, Sony says, which also houses the volume and bass controls as well as the master power switch.
With the aluminium housing being utilised across all components of the system and the blue backlight on the subwoofer, Sony is encouraging its customers to "make a feature" of their speakers.
Andrew Barrow, senior product manager for PC accessories at Sony Europe, said: "The PC speaker and headset market is growing at double-digit rates due to the popularity of internet telephony."
"We are well positioned to achieve a significant increase in our market share in this and the other PC accessory categories," he added.
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| Speakers Review
04 January 2007
Peripherals innovator Logitech has announced its new X-240 speakers are to include a cradle for playing music directly from mp3 players and iPods. With specific support for both iPods and Microsoft Zune, the cradle allows for the usual docking functionality such as synchronising the music library, as well as charging the device's internal battery. Controls mounted on to the cradle allow for direct command of playback functions on the PC or Mac to which it is connected. Meanwhile, the speakers include a down-firing subwoofer, bass equalisation and a "stylish and slim design" with protective metal grilles, according to Logitech.
Affordable speaker producer BG has introduced its Z92 floor-standing model. Designed to complement the Z62 centre channel, the Z92 model is sold in pairs to allow custom surround solutions to be created. Each speaker features two 6.5" aluminium cone woofers in a tall but compact case. At 7.7" wide and 14" deep, the speaker's footprint is small, but its 44.25" height allows it to be used for surround purposes with sufficient clearance for sofas and other furniture. BG says that planar ribbon technology allows the speakers to "accurately reproduce the quiet, silky sounds of a classical guitar".
Jamo has announced its new S 60 Studio series with a range of designs to suit any installation environment or application. Centred on the S 60 CEN, the series is intended to blend together in any combination. For front-channel audio the S 606 is described as "tall and elegant" thanks to its side-firing woofer. This permits it to provide bass from an 8" woofer while having a 7.5" front profile. A slightly more modest variation for bookshelf installation, the S 604 features a 1" tweeter and 6.5" woofer with responses down to 50Hz. Meanwhile, the S 602 features a smaller cabinet and is suggested by Jamo as the ideal option for rear surround channels.
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| Audio Speakers Review
22 November 2006
Retailing at about £130, the Intempo Digital iDS-02 is a well-designed integrated spherical speaker and iPod dock that provides pretty good surround sound, although bass response is a bit limited. Coming with 2 x 7.5 watt stereo speakers plus a 15W subwoofer, the dock has USB and firewire ports located around the back and it boasts six adaptors, which means you can connect it to a range of iPod products. There are playback and search/skip buttons and a tiny remote control means you can wander off into another part of the room. A drawback is that it doesn't have battery capability. Rating: four out of five stars.
A more expensive option is the Jamo i300 speaker dock that retails at around £260. However, this is well worth the money because the sound quality is superb and well-rounded. The i300 basically consists of a dock, a 150W subwoofer and a pair of cube-shaped speakers, all encased in pure white. The dock is compatible with all iPods and can charge the player while it is paying. Two auxiliary inputs are provided to let music enthusiasts hook the dock/speaker to external audio kits. A particular plus point is the remote control which works from any room in the house because it uses radio frequencies instead of the usual infra-red. Rating: five out of five stars.
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| Audio/Home Cinema Speakers Review
19 October 2006
When it comes to getting speakers, no-one really likes to cut corners because there is nothing worse than having a good film or a good track ruined by a rattle or a distorting set. For this reason, consumers will more often than not plump for quality brand names. One of the most respected in the industry is Philips and its 2.1 speaker set, the SPA9300, is a stylish and solid example of why. The product looks good, with two desk-top units finished in stainless steel and a hefty subwoofer that packs a punch. Although the bass unit is not the most stylish of items, it is clearly designed for sound rather than appearance, which is no bad thing being as it will likely be tucked well out of sight under a desk or in a corner somewhere anyway. A simple wiring system means not too much fiddling around with cables and the system, perhaps most importantly, has enough wattage to produce ample sound through a total output of 50W.
Although not quite a household name to rival Philips just yet, Creative is another brand that is positioning itself nicely in the electronics market. With its GigaWorks G550W speakers, the five-piece set makes a great surround-sound option for many PC owners. By definition a five-speaker collection will be more difficult to set up than a three-piece but the lack of colour coding that is becoming industry standard for cables and plug sockets is strangely lacking here. Nevertheless, the set is a meaty one, with a total output of 550W, capable of belting out some deafening sounds. The addition of a wireless kit for the rear speakers in the surround sound set-up is also good and prevents you running cables from one side of the room to the other but still gives you that cinema-sound experience that home entertainment enthusiasts all crave.
Finally, another semi-wireless package is Logitech's Z5450 speaker system. Another five-piece surround sound collection, it features the same wireless connection to the back speakers while still continuing with the traditional cable connections for the front soundstage. It produces a good level of noise for your money and is a safe choice for anyone who is looking to avoid any chance of tripping on those troublesome cables. Some people have said these semi-wireless sets are a halfway house and will soon be outdated but sales of the devices are good and many audiophiles will tell you the rear speakers were always the main problem anyway - and now, with this set, that's solved.
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| Audio and home cinema speakers review
21 September 2006
Two new audio speaker sets designed for use with an iPod have been unveiled by Kensington. The speakers themselves are portable, as you would expect for a set intended to hook up to a portable player, but still provide a good quality audio.
The SX 3000R is the first of the two new sets. Included among its many features is a rather handy addition - that of an FM radio. The speaker itself is similar in looks to its predecessor, the SX2000, and comes with a fully functional remote control so you can use the iPod in a room to give the impression of a fully-blown music stereo, a nice touch with all the docking stations for iPods. For those who have opted for a different MP3 player that is not made by Apple, the speakers are also compatible with pretty much every other audio device going through the 3.5mm input jack at the back. Admittedly, plugging a device in this way does not have the same neatness effect, but it is as practical and gives the same sound output as you get from docking your Pod.
The FX300 Speaker to Go features the added bonus of a nice and tidy carry case in which to store your audio output device. The added bonus of the case? A little pocket perfectly suited to your iPod, or other generic MP3 player, as well as any other handy little items you might need, such as spare batteries or headphones. Controls for volume and power output are also handily placed but alas, a remote control does not come included with this one.
The mini FX300 speaker system packs a bit of punch despite its small size. It takes two AAA batteries, which between them will give you around ten hours of playback and ultimately it is the handy size and ease of transport that will sell this product, and not its high quality or amazing additional features. Pure and simple, it's a handy little device that enables you to share your music tastes with your friends and saves you sharing a set of headphones that make you look like you're attached by a bit of string.
For those looking for speakers of the more powerful variety for home cinema use, Sunfire has launched the Cinema Ribbon Mini 2 (CRM-2) loudspeakers. Despite their power, the speakers are reasonably small and sensitive to boot, boasting a sensitivity rating of 90 decibels. The CRM-2 system is also comes with two 4.5-inch side-firing drivers and a six-inch efficiency ribbon driver. The woofers are also high output, with a capacity of an ear-popping 400 watts. Definitely one for the more demanding owner.
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| Audio speakers Product Review
07 July 2006
Long gone are the times when speakers were only used for your record player. These days, with a whole host of electrical products emitting noise, from laptops and MP3 players to televisions, the need for a variety of speakers has grown. As technological capabilities have grown, so have consumers' needs, with punters demanding louder, clearer and more dynamic sounds when enjoying music or television. Take a look at these three innovative speakers that have recently come on the market.
The Altec Lansing XT2 speakers are designed specifically for use with your computer and require no external power supply or batteries as they run off a USB port. The speakers are only 7.8 inches high and two inches wide, meaning they are not going to take up too much room on your desk. The sound quality across a wide range of music genres is good and makes songs from your computer sound as they should, rather than as though they are coming from tin pan alley. The XT2 adds a number of features on to the XT1 model, including increased power, a built in microphone for voice over IP as well as a new design. The only downside to the system is a slight lack of bass and the price, which at around £65, is a touch too high for the product on offer.
For those looking for their sounds on a far grander scale, the Bose home theatre speakers are worth a look. At around $500 in the US, the Bose Cinemate system does not come cheap, but for movie lovers, it may be worth it. The joy of the system is that it only uses two small speakers and one Acoustimass module to produce the equivalent sound of around five speakers. The Cinemate can be used in conjunction with any television and with minimum set-up involved, the system can be enjoyed within minutes, making sporting events and films seem closer than ever before.
Anyone who has invested in a flat panel television may have encountered the problem of matching the superb picture with equally good sounds. Artison Masterpiece LCR speakers have been designed specifically with the 50 inch or above flat screen TV in mind and come in a variety of colours to match your television. The speakers use DualMono Center Channel technology to give a great sound and can be easily fitted to any wall or flat screen unit using a universal mounting bracket (UMB). The speakers are the top range of three sets of flat panel devices from Artison.
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| Audio speaker Product Review
15 June 2006
Home entertainment systems are all about the audio. You can have the best picture ever seen, but unless you've got some super speakers too you'll be left feeling frustrated. And whether it’s the ultimate in surround sound you're after or something more modest, stylish speaker systems don't have to break the bank. Just take a look at what we've lined up today.
The first speakers to come under our scrutiny are truly tiny, but we all know size isn't everything. Designed for its new mobile Walkman range, Sony Ericsson's MPS-60 portable speakers are easy to pick up and take with you wherever you go. The sound is pretty good too considering the small size of these things, each a miniscule 1.25 x 1.6 x 1.2 inches. With a sober yet stylish grey and white design, sure they're not going to be suitable for throwing a party at home, but for the jet-setting iPod generation they couldn't be more convenient. There are no extras to speak of, and you can't charge your Walkman phone at the same time, but for just over £20 does anybody really care? Not CNET, which gave them 7/10.
Next to sink or swim, it's the Logitech mm28, an unusual portable speaker that emits sound from an ultra-smooth metal sheet using NXT technology. The big selling point of this ingenious device is that the metal panel can produce surround sound. Powered by AC adapter or AA batteries, there is also a phenomenal 45-hour battery life for longer-lasting listening, although the sound quality suffers a bit from the new technology. Bass response could certainly be better, and although there's no distortion to speak of the sound is generally no more than…sound. So CNET gave it 6/10 for being something a little bit different.
Finally today we're heading straight to the top of the range with Apple's new Hi-Fi iPod dock, delivering an awesome 108dB of sound. This one works with any of Apple's iPod varieties, with ten iPod universal dock adapters included in the overall package. It can run on the mains or six batteries, but is more desirable for function than appearance, with a disappointingly boring design. T3 also had a bit of a problem with the £240 price tag, but awarded a favourable four stars nevertheless.
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| Speaker round up (05 May 2006) | |
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