The Sony Ericsson Media Speaker Stand MS430 is so small you might just miss it. But don't. The stylized and sleek portable speaker stand is little enough to fit in your pocket, but produces sound big enough to please.
Made of aluminum, the cylindrical MS430 has no cords. No charger. Just put in the three included AAA batteries. Plug your phone into its 3.5mm connector. And let the MS430 entertain you. Watch movies, videos or listen to music anywhere your heart desires.
Size: 110.25 x 31.0mm 4.3 x 1.2 inches
Not yet available in the online Sony store, you can buy it from Expansys at the link below: Buy it here.
BeoSound 8 is a new product from high-end audio favorite Bang & Olufsen. A powerful, essential speaker dock that unfolds your digital music collection taking the experience to a completely new level, conveniently and seamlessly. The BeoSound 8 defies industry standards as it features a distinct two dimensional design, bold form, and a superior sound quality due to its custom-made conical speakers and high-performance amplifiers.
It is also one of the few docking stations on the market that is directly compatible with the iPad, without having to utilize any extra wires or adapters, ensuring a clean, minimalist design.
BeoSound 8 (text from B&O):
Think of a room, any room. A bedroom, guest room, or open-plan kitchen? In a summerhouse, chic apartment, or family home? Now just add BeoSound 8 to fill up your room with Bang & Olufsen sound and style. If you keep your music on an iPad, iPhone, iPod or computer, you are all set to discover the iconic style and breathtaking sound quality that has made Bang & Olufsen one of the most sought-after names in home audio.
Move BeoSound 8 from room to room or hang it on a wall. All you need is a power outlet, your music player of choice, and a desire for real sound quality. Secure your iPad, iPhone, or iPod firmly in the adjustable holder and prepare for a surprise. The sleek speaker design gives little clue about the fidelity and depth of the sound that is about to come your way.
The conical shape of the speakers on BeoSound 8 has two functions. Design-wise, the shapes ‘disappear’ to create an unobtrusive impression from most viewing angles and make placement easier. In terms of audio quality, they eliminate standing waves by avoiding parallel surfaces. It may sound very technical, but you’ll find that the proof is in the experience.
Playing music from your own phone, computer, or media player gives you the advantage of a familiar navigation environment. In addition, you can now download an app version of the sleek and stylish BeoPlayer for your docked iPad, iPhone, or iPod. You can also adjust sound levels and skip tracks quickly and conveniently on BeoSound 8 itself. Music on a docked or USB linked device can be controlled via the dedicated round remote control or of course your existing Beo4 or Beo5 remote controls if you already own other Bang & Olufsen equipment.
To match your personal taste and the room you place it in, BeoSound 8 comes in either black or white with aluminium details and matching power cord. When you feel the need to add a splash of colour to the room, the list of options includes six fabric speaker covers in lavender blue, purple, green, yellow, black and white.
BeoSound 8 Price: $999 Dimensions: 26" x 9.4" x 6.5" Weight: 9.35 lbs Buy it here
Dominic, aka Mr. SiMo, is a self-proclaimed "audio-nut" who had the interesting idea to turn vintage hard-sided suitcases into self-powered boom boxes, making music portable in a retro fashion. He takes wood and leather vintage suitcases (which he prefers to thin or plastic cases because the acoustic sound quality is better) and adds speakers and more.
Prices Start at $250 for a plug-in only case and at $300 for a battery/plug-in case.
Options include: •iPod – iPhone/USB Charger: $15 •Double Battery Capacity: $45 •Solar Power Charger: $65 •Wireless Audio Playback: $100 (must have Bluetooth compatible device)
The Self Powered, Portable Suitcase Stereo system works with your iPod/iPhone or any device with a headphone jack. The cases will last several hours on a single charge (the charger is built in). In addition to running on batteries, The BoomCase can also be plugged in when the party goes inside. To save on weight, you can opt for a plug-in only version.
Many of the BoomCases shown in this post have already been sold, but Mr. SiMo has a slew of vintage hard sided luggage in various shapes, sizes and colors, just waiting to be turned into BoomCases for you.
all images and info courtesy of Mr. Simo special shout out to Erica Mayer for turning me onto these!
Davone Audio of Denmark has just finished designing and producing their second luxurious set of high-end loudpeakers. Following Rithm, their new set of speakers is housed in a bowed walnut wood veneer and set atop metal legs. Similar in color, design and style to the iconic lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames, the speakers are named "Ray" an obvious nod to the designers of the famous chair.
The iconic Eames Lounge chair and ottoman: making the bowed veneers for the housing of the equipment: detailed shots of the Ray Speakers:
The first set of finished speakers have just been sent to New York to appear as a prop in an upcoming major motion picture that will be released in 2011.
Purported to cost $6,000 a pair, no specs on the speakers have yet to be published, nor are they yet available.
Below is their first set of loudspeakers, the Rithm: Davone audio
Parrot is a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones and is always on the cutting edge of innovation. Recently, they've hired designers to make specific products for their line. The latest of which are the Zikmu; new wireless speakers by well known designer Philippe Starck.
Designed to blend design with cutting-edge technologies, the luxury set of speakers feature a sleek, modern look with an iPod® or iPhone docking station, a broad range of wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® Stereo) and 360° NXT surround sound technology.
'Zikmu' has been designed for compatibility with the entire range of Apple products and music players, including the iPhone. Using the docking station built into one of the speaker columns, listeners can enjoy their favorite music while recharging the player and control it via a smart monolithic remote control.
operable by remote: overhead view:
Boasting a 100W RMS total power output, consumers can stream music directly from a PC via Wi-Fi or music stored on a mobile phone, PC or Mac® via Bluetooth® stereo (A2DP) wireless technology. The two speakers communicate with each other using Bluetooth technology, eliminating wires, and enabling them to be positioned anywhere in a room, for a true stereo effect.
Above: Philippe Starck with Henri Seydoux of Parrot
The Parrot by Starck speakers also feature innovative NXT technology, changing the face of acoustic design. NXT technology uses an extra-flat membrane to create small-scale vibrations across its entire surface to reproduce the medium and treble frequencies, optimally radiating sound from both sides of the speaker. This 360° immersive sound can be experienced no matter where a user is in relation to the speakers.
The packaging:
The 'Zikmu' Parrot by Starck wireless speakers will be available for Spring 2009 in the US at a suggested retail price of $1,500.
About Parrot Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free kits on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists. Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 500 people worldwide, generates 86.6% of its sales overseas and stands as a fast-growth company (2007 revenues: 220 million euros, tripled since 2005) listed since 2006 on Euronext, Paris. Euronext Paris - Eurolist, Compartment B: FR0004038263 - PARRO www.parrot.com
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Is it a table lamp? Is it an audio speaker? The truth is that the amplamp is a unique combination of both. The amplamp is hand-crafted by Dominic Bromley, one of the UK's most successful lighting and ceramics designers - and the guy behind Scabetti.
what does it look like? Available in black or white and with your choice of shade. How does it work?
Amplamp delivers a unique sonic experience that easily compares to the most advanced consumer audio products. The sound combines tightly controlled deep bass with crystal clear presence, accuracy and precision.
By using a unique configuration of Airsound drivers and a transparent NXT panel speaker, the Amplamp is able to create a 360 degree spatial sound with realistic staging. The listener is enveloped in exquisite stereo sound, regardless of wherever they are in the room.
With the shade in place, the unit delivers above 20kHz, which is higher than you can hear - the domain of cats and bats. And at the same time it reaches down to less than 40Hz - lower than the lowest note on a bass guitar. So you really will not miss a thing.
Features include:
• On-board amplifier - 80 watts including sub woofer • Spatial stereo from one amplamp • NXT and Airsound technologies • Optional docking station controls and charges your iPod
An exceptional speaker- The amplamp takes the speaker out of the conventional black box. An active speaker for an iPod, MP3 player or any other sound source, the amplamp uses cutting edge technology to produce a precision, room-filling stereo sound from a single unit.
The listener is enveloped in exquisite stereo sound, regardless of where they are in the room. A powerful, vertical-firing, bass sub woofer adds a depth and richness only found in larger, higher specification, hi-fi systems.
About NXT technology:
NXT's technologies are unique and based on harnessing the natural modes of vibration in a panel to reproduce sound. These technologies are derived from a profound understanding of bending wave physics and its applications to sound generation.
Traditional speakers act like a piston, pumping air with a rigid cone. NXT speakers are different. A transducer is used to excite a carefully designed panel, which vibrates, & converts the mechanical energy into sound pressure waves over the entire surface area. It is the same principle that makes an acoustic guitar or violin make its sound.
An additional characteristic is that the sound volume does not decay over distance like a standard speaker. This allows users to set a volume that is comfortable whilst they are sitting close to the unit while also being sufficient to fill the whole room with sound.
A powerful, vertical-firing, bass sub woofer adds a depth and richness only found in larger, high-specification, hi-fi systems.
About airsound technology: It works by using small side firing speakers to reproduce spatial information contained within a stereo input signal. The resulting sound is used to interact with & modify the mono sound field generated by a forward facing NXT panel speaker. Pre-order yours now here. Or call: +44 (0)1249 700 643 Read about Dominic and Frances Bromley of Scabetti here.
