So there you are, in your hotel room, surfing the web on your iPad.  You’d like to crank up the tunes and get Will Smith jiggy with it, but that tiny speaker on Apple’s tablet just won’t suffice.  That wouldn’t be the case if you had got yourself the Sound Cover, a case that can boost the volume of your iPad by as much as 300%, or so the manufacture claims.

Unlike other all-in-one devices, which generally shine in one area and suffer in another, the Sound Cover looks legit when it comes to protection, style and audio quality. There are three colors to choose from (red, black and blue) and they’ll even have a Bluetooth wireless version for those that don’t want to resort to plugging in using a 3.5mm headphone cord.  All the ports will be left exposed allowing you to charge your iPad or increase the volume, and for those that are looking to catch a flick or watch a show on Hulu Plus, there is a aluminum kickstand to prop things up.  The NXT stereo speakers of the Sound Cover are powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, which means no pesky AAA batteries to fiddle with.

The Sound Cover is a Kickstarter project.  If you’d like one you’ll need to drop $100, which will net you a $29 discount over the retail version.

Last week I took a look at Altec Lansing’s iMT630 Portable speaker.  And today, to complement that, I’m reviewing the inMotion Air.  And like it’s smaller brother, it too sports a 7 hour battery life, though instead of a 30-pin dock you’ll have the option of connecting to it via Bluetooth or using the included USB stick that plugs into your computer.

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On top of the device are a set of controls allow for pairing your Bluetooth device as well as controlling playback and volume.  Hidden in the back is a handle for carrying the speaker as well as a remote that stores away in a threaded slot.  The remote works well for performing standard iPod controls and changing volume, but keep in mind it won’t work from another room (there is Apple’s iOS Remote for that, provided your streaming music from your computer).

For those who prefer a wired experience there is an AUX input, though the included wireless options are surely enough to satiate even those without the latest smartphone or computer thanks to the included USB stick which provides a wireless range of up to 300 feet.  While I didn’t test the truth of that figure to the maximum, I had no problem streaming music throughout the house and Bluetooth worked very well despite it boasting a much shorter range.  That said, there is a headphone jack output on the USB dongle for adding a second set of speakers, though that hardly seems necessary since you can stream music to two of these at the same time. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a second inMotion Air to test this and since Bluetooth doesn’t support dual streaming, it will have to be done using the included USB adapter for the computer.

For the most part the inMotion Air is just a plastic box.  So fair to say, it is underwhelming from an aesthetic standpoint.  But, it is simple enough that it will blend into just about any scenario, though I’d recommend the Black version since that might be a bit more innocuous than the gray.  Behind the grill are two 3-inch drivers that produce room filling sound.  In fact, I was pretty taken back by the sound quality of the inMotion Air despite being connected to the device over Bluetooth. So suffice to say, the look of the speaker manages expectations and far exceeded mine when it came to its sonic output.  However, it does lack bass kicking sound, but that is largely a reflection of the inMotion Air’s small size, which is just 13.2” (W) x 3.5” (D) x 4.1” (H).  So all together, I was pretty pleased with the sonic capabilities of the inMotion Air.

At the end of the day there are a variety of Bluetooth speakers on the market.  While there is no speaker phone option, as found in the Jambox, the inMotion Air is produces pretty kicking sound for a portable, rechargeable speaker.  Fold in the USB dongle for streaming tunes long distance (up to 300 feet) from your computer and there is hardly a wireless speaker on the market that can compete.  Just take note that it won’t kick out the same sound quality and range as some wired speakers of the same price ($199) and lacks an iOS dock.

Bottom Line: Convenience over sound quality makes this speaker a winner in my book, though it most certainly sonically stands tall despite its small size.

Editor’s Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Great

Pros:

• Portable wirelessly speaker with a 7 hour rechargeable battery
• Built-in remote and USB dongle for wireless music from your computer
• Holds it own sonically despite small size and portability

With Android finally coming into it’s own (ie, owning the smartphone market), the only thing we haven’t seen much of are accessories. 3rd party manufacturers have been wary regarding Android smartphones because of the wide variation. With the iPhone, they know what to expect. That’s finally changing on a larger scale this year, and Philips is jumping in head first with Android docks.

Like the AS111 I tested earlier, the AS351 is an Android dock that connects to the phone through an MicroUSB connector, which swivels 180 degrees and has two supports to help keep the wide variation of Android smartphones in place. I’ve had the AS351 for an extended period, and it has worked excellently with any Android device. I’ve tested around eight different Android devices with it, including several Samsung Galaxy S II phones, the Galaxy Players, the T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q, etc. They all work just fine with this dock.

That’s because today, as I explained with the AS111, Android smartphones don’t currently support audio out through the MicroUSB. All music playback is via Bluetooth, which is far less convenient than the iPhone, but a problem with Android, not the dock. When I met with Philips at CES they assured me that the docks already support audio through USB, so as soon as Google updates Android to support it, Philips will release a firmware update to enable audio via USB.

The AS351 is no clock radio like the AS111, it’s a mini boom box. You may remember the Philips Fidelio DS8550 Speaker Dock I tested last year. The AS351 is its kid cousin. Besides for the size difference (both the physical size and the size of the speakers), the AS351 doesn’t include a single rechargeable battery, instead working on four AA batteries. This helps keep the price down and promote longer battery life per charge, but if you carry around a dock for music without the power cable, you may want to pass on the AS351. It lasted a good 7-10 hours of continuous playback at varying volume levels. Philips rates it for 8 hours, though if you keep the volume low and maintain a short distance between the dock and phone, it’s pretty easy to preserve battery life.

It works with any Bluetooth device, and also has an auxiliary in cable so it can double as computer speakers on the go. I actually brought the AS351 with me to CES because I stayed in a crummy hotel, and the dock impressed not only with long battery life but also it’s ease of use. I used it with and without audio cables, on multiple devices, and as a charging base for two phones (there is a USB port on the back for an additional device to charge).

For a speaker this compact, the sound quality is Excellent. It gets especially loud – loud enough for neighbors two doors down to complain. Audio accuracy is also very good, with only a few low and high notes not hitting their proper pitch and some tinny sounds at much higher volumes and frequencies. As far as my testing showed, the audio quality is superb.

There are two things I wish were different about the AS351. First, it can’t charge devices when the dock isn’t plugged in. This means if your phone is on it’s last leg and you don’t have a power cable, too bad. The power drain on just four AA batteries would be quick, sure, but the option is worth having.

Second is a slight audio fade in and out, which occurs at seemingly random times. If you are streaming music, like through Google Music, sometimes the AS351 will drop into standby mode while the phone buffers the song. This may help conserve battery life, but also has a very noticeable static hiss, followed by that silent void that is quickly obnoxious when listening to music. It breaks the mood, whether the music is acting as white noise or just needs a second to load. We all know how pronounced silence can be, and the AS351 get’s eerily quiet too often.

With the AS351 users can also download the free Fidelio software. Back with the DS8550 I wasn’t too impressed with it, but slight improvements, plus how the software works on Android (as opposed to iOS) do make a few major differences. The biggest is the option to automatically connect to Philips docks immediately after plugging them to the docks. Philips still uses Songbird, which I don’t like because it requires music to be downloaded directly from a computer. Fidelio also now includes a basic equalizer and bass boost, along with the option to set when if and when the software activates. Overall the Fidelio software is far more flexible on Android than on iOS, but it’s also not nearly as clean or as fast.

The other great thing about Fidelio on Android is the use of Alarm clocks. The AS351 may not look like an alarm clock, but with the Fidelio software it can be, and it doesn’t require any extra effort on your part. Just set an alarm through the Fidelio app and don’t shut the program down. The only downside is that the dock must be on (so plugged in, lest we waste the batteries). This means the lights on the four buttons remain on, though they are very dull. The bigger problem will revolve around your phone model, and notifications. As long as any Android device is connected to the dock, all sound will go through the dock. That means emails, calls, texts, and notifications will be amplified. If you’re trying to sleep and a midnight email rolls in, that’s annoying. Some Android handsets have software to set what times notifications play sounds, but most don’t, so it may not be worthwhile to use the AS351 as an alarm clock until Google sorts out it’s power management settings properly.

As far as Android docks go, the Fidelio AS351 is a fine one to own. It’s a great balance of solid audio performance, portability, and price. The AS351′ overall versatility make it an excellent product to own for travelers and home users alike. Whether you need to listen to your tunes in a mangy motel room or the comfort of your bedroom, or even in the car over a broken dash stereo, the AS351 has provided an excellent experience every time. I highly recommend it. It’s a great deal to boot for $130.

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Bottom Line: An excellent Android dock that provides high quality audio, great battery life on replaceable AA’s, and versatility in use.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Good size; not too small for the bedroom, not too big to take on the road
• Great battery life

What’s it gonna take to get everyone board with an iPhone? I ponder this question and then I get a shiver of fear wavering through my body as imagine a hoard of drones wandering the Earth in need of a 30-pin dock to charge their handset. That said, thank god for Android phones, which aren’t excluded from working with Altec Lansing’s portable speaker dock for the iPhone, the iMT630.

This battery powered iMT630 portable speaker is an understated pleasure that no doubt has passed over, or perhaps even under the gaze of a many consumer. It’s too bad, because its sonic abilities and feature set warrants a look by anyone in the market for a portable speaker for their smartphone.

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Hidden on the face of the iMT630 is an ever so small spring loaded 30-pin dock. Push it and it ejects from the speaker’s grill allowing you to dock your iPhone and pump its tunes through the 2-inch neodymium driven speakers. For those of the non-iOS ilk, there is also a 3.5mm headphone jack in the rear, though once plugged you’ll need to hit the input button, switching from iPod to Aux input. That button is further complemented by a volume rocker, power button and LED light to indicate the input of choice. But the feature set isn’t complete until you look to the rear of this battery powered speaker dock. Flipping up the stand automatically powers down the iMT630, which means you won’t waste precious battery life when it’s stowed away. Flip it down and you’ll reveal the magnetically adhered remote, enabling you to pause, play, skip tracks and adjust volume from afar. And while this may seem like a rather benign feature, consider that most portable speaker docks, if any, don’t include a remote control.

The Altec Lansing’s iMT630′s battery is rated for up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge. And while your mileage will of course vary with how much you prefer to crank your tunes, we found it to be on spec. Charging the device to full capacity takes about 3-4 hours and receives its juice via a micro USB slot. Not the universal standard, but close enough in our book.

Sonically the Altec Lansing iMT630 is very capable, especially considering it’s rather diminutive size, which is measures 12.5″ (W) x 1.5″ (D) x 5.125″ (H) and weighs less than 4 pounds. As with most portable speaker docks, bass was a bit tinny, but nothing below a speaker of a similar class and cost. Amplitude wise the iMT630 is impressive and managed to fill my 8×12 bathroom with enough sound to be enjoyed from up 10-feet away.

While docking an iPad is feasible it’s most certainly not intended, but that’s largely a reflection of this speaker docks size and portability; it would block the speakers and perhaps even fall over from the iPad’s weight. When you run out of juice you can plug it in the wall and use it as a speaker and charger for your iPhone, which means it could play well as a bed side companion. That said, I really can’t find anything negative to say about this dock (Bluetooth would be a nice but unnecessary addition), other than its design leaves something to the imagination and if anything shows that you shouldn’t judge a book, or in this case a speaker, by its cover.

Bottom line: Solid sound quality and amplitude for a battery powered speaker with a magnetically stowed remote and accommodations for non-iOS devices (AUX inputs).

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Pros:

• Battery powered speaker with a excellent amplitude for its size
• Hidden magnetic remote
• Chargers your iPhone when plugged in and their is an AUX input

Cons:

• Won’t work with stand flipped up
• Design leaves something to be desired
• Battery life could be better

Here at GadgetReview, we’re no strangers to testing out some crazy portable speakers.  I think just about everyone on staff has worked with at least one, and there’s more and more coming out all the time.  Sometimes you get something that sounds like it’s being played through a cardboard box, but then other times you’re lucky enough to get something in like the iMainGo X.  With larger home theater speakers, you generally get what you pay for in terms of sound quality (ear buds usually follow this model as well, albeit in a different fashion), but the field of ultra-portable speakers is still trying to find its niche so there are times that you can find something that really puts out the sound but doesn’t put a hurt on your wallet.  Such is the case here, with a portable speaker system that pushes out a crazy level of sound for a budget price.

The first this that you’ll notice about the iMainGo X is that it’s fairly large; I’d liken it to the size of an old Sony Walkman.   I don’t count that as a negative, because being so big it really feels solid – just know that you’re not going to be fitting this inside of a pocket very easily.  Really though, when you pick up the iMainGo you can just feel its solid craftsmanship, and you know that there’s very little space in that big box that’s going to waste.  The actual dimensions are 5.7 inches by 3.8 inches by 2.4 inches (length, width, and height respectively), so you can see what I mean about size.

The design of the iMainGo X is fairly minimalistic, which is nice to see.  The majority of the outer casing is black (or pink if you order that color), with a zipper that splits it down the center height-wise.  On one of the main faces is a clear plastic shield, so you can use the touchscreen on your iPod (or Zune presumably, but I don’t have one of those to test it with).  The plastic isn’t anything that’s really going to offer any protection from damage – however it will protect against dust, dirt, and maybe a splash of water while still allowing you to operate your device without opening the case.  On the other face is a silver panel with the two speakers and air ports as well as a smaller silver panels with the power switch and a bunch of inputs on it.

It is these inputs that separates the iMainGo X from previous iterations in the iMainGo product line.  For starters, there are jacks for two headphones.  This is a great feature – especially if you have ever experienced what it is like to drive somewhere with two children in the back seat fighting over who gets to listen to the iPod.  I’ve done it, and I WISH I would have had this then to help save some of my sanity.  Another thing you can do is use the second headphone jack to daisy chain some more iMainGo unit (or any other external speaker you may have) together for massive sound.  The next input is a microphone input, allowing you to turn your iMainGo X into a portable karaoke machine of sorts.  I have also seen pictures of people using that jack to plug an electric guitar into – turning the iMainGo X into a cheap amp of sorts, but I didn’t have a guitar to check that out with.

The last input on the front of the iMainGo X is for the power cord to charge this thing up.  Sporting a 7.4 volt 800mAh Li-Po battery, the iMainGo X has a decent run time of around twelve hours.  I had read complaints that the battery life was only four hours, but apparently that was from an earlier model, because I never experienced a short battery life like that.  I would be tempted to say that the iMainGo X actually had more staying power than some of the other smaller speakers I’ve tested out – but it should seeing as how it is bigger.

The one thing I would really like to see implemented in a future model or hardware revision, would be some controls on the side in case you have your iPhone and not iPod inside of it.  I take my iPhone everywhere and really use it for anything I want to listen to anymore – however with no way to effectively control it from the outside, I would have to leave the case unzipped when I had it in in case anyone called.  Really the only thing you would need to add would be a button that could activate the power button on an iPhone since they already have it so you can use a touchscreen through the back.  It’s a small issue, but one that bothered me throughout my time testing the iMainGo X nonetheless.

The sound output from the iMainGo X is a lot better than you would expect from a portable speaker.  From the ones I’ve tested before I suppose I was just used to a certain level of “loudness” and accepted that portable jobs wouldn’t do much to improve on it; boy was I mistaken.  I took the iMainGo X outside with me while I was testing out some power tools, and I was able to hear everything coming from it with no problem at all, even over a reciprocating saw.  Not only could I hear it, but I could hear it clearly.  Even at fully maxed volume on my iPhone, I noticed only the slightest distortion.

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

The Bottom Line:  The iMainGo X is a great speaker for anyone that is looking for a portable job that can put out the most sound for your buck – be warned though that it is a little bulky.

Pros:

• The sound that the iMainGo X puts out is better and louder than any other portable speaker I’ve tried
• All the inputs on the front mean that the iMainGo X is versatile, and able to be used in a number of situations
• Being able to control an iPod without having to open the case is a big plus

Cons:

• The iMainGo X is way too big to fit in a pocket – you almost have to carry it by the strap
• Unfortunately there’s no easy way to control an iPhone with it unless you open the case up
• Did I mention that it’s big?  Yeah?  O.K., just making sure

You can grab an iMainGo X of your very own Walmart (or any number of other online retailers) for only $56.99

Thanks to Airplay, Apple’s wireless streaming tech, you can now play the contents of  your iOS device on your TV or speakers without having to dock it.  However, a drawback to many Airplay compatible devices is that their location is fixed, which all but reflects the convenience of the tech.  Case in point, if you connect a set of speakers to an Airport Express, those speakers have to remain in a fixed location for them to work; they need to be plugged into a power source.  However, this isn’t the case for the iHome iW1.

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The iHome iW1 is rather unassuming device.  It’s an all black box, that boasts a mesh speaker grill and a set of touchscreen buttons on the top.  Changing the speakers volume is as simple as dragging your finger from left to right, where upon a set of LEDs will light up reflecting the selected amplitude – they also double as a battery status indicator by hitting the associated button on the rear of the device.   Surrounding the volume indicator is a set of media controls for pausing/playing and skipping trackings along with a source button for those of you that decide to plug into the device using the USB port.

To setup the iHome iW1′s Airplay you’ll first need to download their iHome iConnect app to our iOS device.  Next, it’s as simple as plugging in your iOS device into the USB port and following the on screen instructions.  There you’ll be asked to select your home’s WiFi network and punch in your router’s passcode.   While I was able to achieve a connection with my wireless network, it did take a few attempts as the application wouldn’t recognize that it was plugged into the iW1′s USB port.  Fortunately, once I added the iW1 to my home’s network I never had to do it again.  However, I should mention that the first iW1 I received from iHome wouldn’t stay connected to the network, constantly needed to be readded to my home’s network and would intermittently drop the Airplay single. After speaking to some iHome folks at CES, they said this was an Airplay firmware problem, though receiving a second loaner unit seemed to have resolved the majority of these issues, though I still experienced the occasional audio drop out during playback.

Once the iHome iW1 is connected to the network, anyone that has the privelege of leaching off your WiFi will be able to stream tunes from a compatible application.  Now, keep in mind that with Airplay you can stream tunes to the iW1, even when out of earshot since it’s transfered over your home’s WiFi network.  That said, what makes the iW1 so attractive is that you can take it any where you go in your home thanks to its built-in battery.  To charge it you just place it down on the included battery dock, which during my testing I left in my living room where I spend most of my time listening to music and NPR.

From a battery pespective, iHome says that a complete charge takes up to 10 hours, while playback time will vary depending on amplitude, though they spec the speaker at 3.5 hours at full volume and double that at 50% amplitude.  Unfortunately, my battery experience was less than stellar.  Leaving the iHome iW1 turned on, and undocked from the battery charger caused the battery to drain to empty in under 10 hours after less than 1 hour of use.  It would seem that the iW1 doesn’t enter into a standby mode on its own, but I’d expect as much after nonuse for a set amount of time.  So expect to get about 3 hours of use, at most, from the iW1′s battery.

Price aside ($299) the iW1 performs realtively well from a sonic perspective given its size and portability.  That said, the range of the speaker, as in the lows to highs, is rather lack luster and doesn’t boast the same gusto I’ve tested from similarly price docks of a similar feature set (Bluetooth, not Airplay).  Mids are a bit muddled and bass response is on the short end.  The iW1 is capable of achieving a loudness that can fill a small room, but fidelity is lost at higher volumes, which forced me to listen to it at no greater than 85% of max volume.  So suffice to say, this isn’t iHome’s best sounding dock, but again keep in mind the feature set, size and convenience.

Needless to say, the iHome iW1 stands apart from most speakers on the market.  The Airplay feature alone adds siginificant cache to the unassuming speaker, but that unfortunately doesn’t negate what I’d ultimately deem lack luster sound quality compared to other speakers of a similar price.  That said, there aren’t any other speakers on the market that offer this level of convenience, which is the ability to wirelessly stream audio from any iOS device as well as carry the speaker from room to room without the need to plug it in.  If iHome addresses the battery life concerns and improves the audio quality, they’ll have a homerun on their hands and in turn set the bar for Airplay speakers.

Editor’s Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

Good

Bottom line: iHome’s iW1 offers an unprecedented level of convenience thanks to the built-in battery and Airplay. Unfortunately, dismal battery life and lack luster sound don’t make it a top pick.

Pros:

• Airplay for wireless playback
• Built-in battery means you can take it any where you roam (in your home)
• USB input for non-Airplay device playback

For the most part, the home theater debacle has been solved thanks to the advent of the soundbar.  A wide array of companies produce them and offer packages that range from just a soundbar (2-channel), to a soundbar with a subwoofeer (2.1-channel), to a soundbar with a subwoofer that supports a set of wireless rear speakers (5.1-channel).  Toss in a PS3, which has a Blu-ray player and plays back movies and TV shows from a variety of sources, and you’ve pretty much got the home entertainment conundrum solved for under $1,000.   However, this hasn’t stopped the folks at In2Technologies from developing an all-in-one setup designed to take you from “zero to 5.1 Surround Sound in 15 minutes.”

At first blush it appears to be a glorified stand outfitted with a set of speakers.  Peer a bit closer, though, and you’ll notice that it packs in much more: a Blu-ray player; dual 10-inch subwoofers; integrated left, right and center channels; dual down firing 5.25” midbass in the center channel; an iPhone/iPod dock;Ethernet connectivity and support for a set of wireless speakers (they haven’t mentioned how they are powered).  All of this connects to your choice of flat screen via one HDMI 1.4a port.

So will it succeed?  We’re skeptical.  If the price is right, which would have to be in the sub $1000 range.  But the odds of that happening is extremley slim. Perhaps it will boast unparalled sound quality, but that doesn’t negate the design, which isn’t all that slick and looks more like two pieces of wood with an HTPC wedged in between.  That said, we’ll reserve judgement until we can get our hands on one or see a final production model, which we might have missed at CES.

The tablet computer has all but replaced the laptop for many, many people.  Solidifying this notion is iHome with the unveiling of the idM5 at this year’s CES.  What is it?  In short order, a full sized Bluetooth keyboard and speaker system in one.  If you take a closer look you’ll see there are a set of media controls for the iPad (or iPhone or iPod Touch) and a keyboard cover that doubles as a stand to hold your tablet at a comfortable viewing angle.  And last but not least is a USB port for charging up your device, though it won’t support connectivity, just powering up.

We had a chance to get a short hands on with the device.  The keyboard is comfortable and the speakers, which are built into the left and right side of the keyboard, are surprisingly loud.

iHome hasn’t given us a price or launch date, but we expect it to arrive after the start of Q3.

Eton released the newest addition to product line with its Ruckus Solar Bluetooth portable solar-powered sound system that recharges its batteries with sunlight. The portable speaker system allows users to stream music from any Bluetooth-enable device, so you can take it anywhere you go. Given its solar-powered charging capabilities, the Ruckus makes a great outdoor speaker you’ll want to have when summer hits since you’ll never have to plug it in to charge. You won’t be the only one soaking up some rays with this speaker around.

Its 40-inch-square high efficiency monocrystal solar panel can recharge the internal lithium battery from zero to full in about six hours and if no light is available, the new Ruckus Solar Bluetooth portable solar-powered sound system can also be powered and charged via the provided AC adapter. But that’s not all it can do! It comes with an integrated USB that allows you to keep your smartphone (or any other device) fully charged on the go, too.

It’s also equipped with an E Ink display that’s totally readable in direct sunlight, saves battery power and is virtually indestructible (according to Eton). The Rukus also has two full-range speaker drivers, delivering booming lows and crystal-clear highs. Eton will release the Ruckus Solar is a Bluetooth speaker system around April and will cost about $150.

Altec Lansing didn’t just want to focus on creating a wireless AirPlay speaker for OSK and iOS and decided to make a universal WiFi speaker that can be controlled from a number of devices with its new Live 5000  (MN5000) Wi-Fi All-In-One Speaker System. Users can listen to and control all their favorite music from cloud content or home network in any room

It features two three-inch speakers, two silk dome tweeters, and a four-inch sub with a passive radiator, which are all powered by a tri-amp system. Its Gentile convex curve of the speaker was used for maximum audio clarity and prevents sound waves from canceling each other.

All music is instantly accessed via a downloaded app for your iPhone, Android or desktop and sent to a queue for playback, allowing for users to stream an control content from their existing wireless network to any room in the house. And the free app allows anyone in the household to control the system, no matter what device they have. The app also allows users the ability to browse local and online media sources like Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM and more.

The Altec Lansing LIVE 5000 WiFi Speaker will be available early this summer and will carry a price tag of $499.99

SOUL by Ludacris may be known for its premium headphones, but they’re expanding their product line with their newest wireless audiophile device, Party in a Box. With enough sonic power deliver the impact of a full home entertainment system, the Party in a Box system is great for any room of your home, dorm room, office and can even provide powerful audio for outdoor parties.

It’s a sleek, yet powerful wireless entertainment system is completely unique in its class with three different built-in formats, including Apple AirPlay for use with iOS devices, advanced Bluetooth streaming capability and a 5.8GHz two-way transceiver that provides CD-quality wireless listening. The two-way transceiver also allows users to sync together multiple PIAB units or other wireless speakers for an expanded sound system.

With eight speakers, Omni-Directional Hybrid system with dual 6.5-inch subwoofers, two 3-inch midrange speakers and four one inch tweeters, the Party in a Box by SOUL delivers both powerful sound and exceptional balance of deep bass and clear mids and highs. Cased in a sleek black surround with aluminum accents provides an extra design element ’cause a complete sound system also has to look good.

The portable system includes a 12V cigarette lighter adapter and high-capacity rechargeable batteries so you can easily take the party anywhere! For outdoor parties, its auxiliary audio input makes Party in a Box the perfect theater audio system option, which allows you to connect it to additional devices for a larger sound system. There’s no specific word on pricing or availability just yet, but it’s gonna be one hell of a party device when it does drop.

Change up the way you listen to your music with the Philips Fidelio DS3000 iPod and iPhone Speaker dock that’s today’s Deal of the Day over at Amazon. Regularly listed for $79.99, with today’s discounts, you’ll pay only $49.99 PLUS it ships for Free with Super Saver Shipping. You’re saving $30 (38%) off of the original price.

The Philips Fidelio DS3000 iPod and iPhone Speaker dock is a great way to listen to tunes for those obsessed with sound as the neodymium speaker provides optimum bass response and pure balanced audio so your favorite jams sound crisp and clean. For music with a bit more kick the DBB button preserves low tones for deep bass at any volume, while shielding technology blocks any mobile phone interference that might occur when your iPhone is connected to the Fidelio DS3000 speaker dock.

Available in white and silver, the speaker dock also charges your iPod or iPhone while it’s docked, ensuring that your device is always ready to go when you are. It can also easily connect to your Mac or PC via a USB cable, so that you can synchronize your iTunes library with your device upon docking. But it also includes an aux-in port for connection to numerous other electronic devices. Since it operates on either battery or AC power, you can take the Fidelio DS3000 speaker dock wherever you go. There’s even a complementary Fidelio app for iPods and iPhones that lets you control your speaker dock’s acoustic properties, access 7000+ free internet radio stations, share music you are listening to with friends on Facebook and Twitter, set alarms to wake to your favorite music, photo or weather conditions and much more using your iPhone or iPod touch.

Parrot’s new Zikmu Solo by Starck Speaker builds on Parrot’s Zikmu platform to provide a single unit with a unique design that provides powerful, high quality sound that will fill any room. Designed with the help of some of the best audio experts around and designed by Philippe Starck, the Zikmu Solo is a sleek solution for your audio needs. In the new single unit, new speakers were used and the power is now doubled to 100 W RMS (its frequency range is 30 HZ-20 kHZ). The panel and woofer are now combined via exercising very specific control over all the electrodynamic elements and using a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) system and amps.

It features an iPod/iPhone dock up top, while there are SPDIF and Ethernet ports on the bottom. Treble and mid-range sound reproduced from NXT speakers that are located on the top part of the unit, while bass sounds are reproduced from the bottom of the speaker. There’s also built-in WiFi and Bluetooh, which allows it to be controlled by a companion Mac or Windows app if you don’t care for its remote control. There’s no official release date (however it’s said to drop before the end of 2012) or price yet, but the Zikmu Solo will come in either black, red, or white colors.

Bang and Olufsen has provided news to launch its Beolit 12 iPhone Speaker later this month at B&O stores and through the Apple store, which will be released under its B&O Play sub-brand that will focus on high-quality portable audio-video products. As a line geared to the “digital generation,” items will cost lower than Bang and Olufsen’s high-end audio installations, but don’t expect any huge price breaks since the items will still cost a pretty penny.

The Beolit 12 is definitely a premium portable iPhone speaker with a price tag of $799, but its specs will defend its steep price. With a full-grain Italian leather carry strap, the speaker features a sleek, minimalist design with its anodized aluminum speaker grill. It’s going to launch in a grey color scheme, but more colors will become available at a later date. Its top is finished in rubber and is supposed to be non-slip so you can place you iPhone on it with no worries of damage when charging or playing tunes. It’s AirPlay compatible. It measures in at 230 x 150 x 188mm and weighs 2.8kg.

The speaker’s insides feature a 120-Watts class D-power amplifier, two 2-inch full-range tweeters and a 4-inch woofer. Which is more than enough to fill a medium-sized room with your favorite music. It also has an internal battery that’s supposed to provide 8-hours of playback (with wireless switched off) and charge your iPhone (or iPod) via a USB port hidden down the side.

The Beolit 12 is designed to be portable so comes with an internal battery that is said to give you 8-hours of playback (with wireless switched off) and will charge your iPhone (or other device) thanks to a USB port hidden down the side.

Klipsch’s has unveiled three new speakers that are all Apple AirPlay-enabled audio solutions, and the Klipsch Stadium speakers 2.1 tabletop sound solution that features dual 1-inch, horn-loaded tweeters and 3-inch midrange woofers. In addition, these components are combined with dual 5.25-inch, built-in subwoofers to ensure high quality bass output and sound quality. To complement the premier sound quality, the Stadium speakers showcase brushed aluminum cabinetry with soft-touch accents, which perfectly integrate with any size and style living arrangement. The new Stadium Speaker was designed to seamlessly stream high-quality audio directly from any iPod, iPhone or iPad without the need for wires or cables that’s to embedded AirPlay technology within the piece. iTunes can also be streamed form any Mac or PC to the system and it can also charge most 30-pin Apple devices thanks to its USB inputs for direct digital connection. No pricing has been released, but the Klipsch Stadium Speakers will hit retailers this coming Fall.

To a large degree iHome’s success has largely been built upon Apple’s iOS devices.  And it doesn’t look like the company is about to change their strategy any time soon since they just announced plans for a slew of new iPod and iPad ready devices.  Taking the cake, at least so far this year, is the iW4.

Much like the iW1, the iW4 includes Airplay connectivity to wirelessly stream your tunes from any Apple device over your home’s WiFi connection.  You’ll of course need to set it up using their Connect app, which isn’t exactly painless (we’re testing the iW1 right now), but is manageable nonetheless.  But unlike the iW1, the iW4 boasts a dock as well as a form factor that is bedside friendly.  In fact, the iW4 is a bedside companion to the max, boasting dual alarms with a weekday and weekend function. Heck, you can even wake to tunes on your iPad via Airplay, or if you’re a traditionalist you can opt for the swiveling dock which all but ensures that you can see your iOS device’s screen from just about any angle you lay, along with providing power and the best possible audio quality. And if for some reason you don’t want to hassle with adding the iW4 to your home’s network, iHome has included an Ethernet port, though that feature will serve little to no one, with the exception of those living in studio apartments.

Other features include iHome’s patented Reson8 speaker system, which adds more oomph to the audio, 6 FM presets, an adjustable EQ, programmable snooze time, gradual wake and sleep, a USB port for firmware updates, battery backup and an AUX input for all things not iOS.

No word on a release date, but it expect to cost just north of $250.

iW4
AirPlay Wireless Bedside Speaker
System for iPad/iPhone/iPod®

The iW4 is an amazing app-enhanced, AirPlay enabled wireless speaker system alarm clock radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Stream wireless digital audio via AirPlay through your WiFi network. Dual alarms let you wake to separate alarm sources at separate times. Impressive technology and an exceptional audio experi- ence.
FEATURES
• Wake or sleep to iPad, iPhone, iPod, app alarms, or iTunes via AirPlay Start or end your day just the way you want it to sound
• Works with AirPlay wireless audio
Send digital audio wirelessly to iW4 from your iTunes library or iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
• Reson8® speaker chambers
Specially designed sealed speaker enclosures deliver astounding clarity, depth and power
• Pivoting universal dock for iPad, iPod or iPhone charging and music playback
Enjoy your music while keeping your iPad, iPhone or iPod fully charged
• iOS App-enhanced device
Works with iHome Sleep alarm clock, iHome Radio internet radio, and iHome Connect network setup and iHome Set apps
• Dual Alarm with Weekday/weekend alarm settings
2 independent alarms let you wake to any combination of Airplay device,
docked iPhone, iPod, iPad, FM radio, alarm tones, iHome Sleep app or buzzer with alarm settings for full week, work week or weekend with separate wake times/ alarm sources
• Wi-Fi certified
Tested to ensure interoperability and the latest in Wi-Fi compatibility
• Ethernet connectivity
Connect to a local network
• Works with free iHome Connect app
Download the free iHome Connect app for easy network configuration
• FM radio with 6 presets
Tune in and memorize up to 6 favorite FM stations
• Adjustable EQ
Bass, mid range, treble, 3D sound and SRS TruBass sound processing controls let you customize your sound
• Programmable snooze time
Lets you sleep in a little or a lot with snooze time between 1 and 29 minutes
• Gradual Wake and Gradual Sleep
Gently increased/decreased alarm/sleep volume eases waking and sleep, duration can be programmed with the app
GENERAL INFORMATION
Product
Color(s): Black
Dimensions: WHD Inches: 10.80 4.41 7.17 mm: 274 112 182
Weight: 4.62 lbs
Power 100V-240V universal
voltage adapter
Batteries 1 CR2450 for clock backup (included)
Packaging
Type: Five-Color Gift Box
Dimensions: WHD Inches: 15.55 9.06 5.91 mm: 395 230 150
Cube: 0.48 cubic feet 0.014 cubic meters
Weight: 7.04lbs 3.20 kgs
Master Carton
confidential ∙ preliminary
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
• 100V-240V universal voltage AC adaptor • Remote control
• Aux-in jack
• USB port (firmware upgrade)
• Battery Backup
Package contents:
• iW4 System
• 100-240V universal voltage adapter
• Remote control
SDI Technologies Inc.
1299 Main Street
Rahway, NJ 07065 www.ihomeaudio.com
732 574-9000 · Fax 732 574-1631
iPad, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
SRS TruBass is a registered trademark of SRS Labs, Inc. TruBass technology is incorporated under license from SRS Labs, Inc.
©2011 SDI Technologies® All rights reserved
IMPORTANT: All products and packaging include a toll free consumer hotline number (800-288-2792) to provide assistance, answer questions and minimize unnecessary customer returns.
Specifications subject to change without notice to incorporate improvements in design. Printed in USA.
Revised: 12/19/11
Quantity
Dimensions: Inches
mm:
Cube: Weight:
Shipping
Country
40 Ft. Cont. 20 Ft. Cont.
Harm. Code 2011 Duty
iW4 UPC
1
WHD 16.18 10.24 6.54 411 260 166
0.63 cubic feet 0.02 cubic meters
7.85 lbs. 3.57 kg
China
3,167 1,500
0%


While the battle for smartphone supremacy has pretty much concluded with Android and iOS taking the spoils, their is still a fair bit of competition in the portable Bluetooth speaker department.  Adding to the mix today is Soundfreaq, with the introduction of the Sound Kick.

The 1.6-inch thick speaker appears to be limited to Bluetooth connectivity when it comes to streaming audio, boasting a 7 hour battery life between charges.  For those who have trouble planning their smartphone recharges according to their usage will be glad to know that you can jack in a USB cord into it, and draw juice from its battery.  Like all of Sound Freaq’s previous products, they’ve folded in their proprietary UQ3 spatial enhancement sound processing.  For added portability the Sound Kick folds up for travel, and expands with the hopes of increasing sound quality when your ready to jam out – they say this provides a full, balanced sound.

No word on a price, but you can expect the Sound Kick to roll out this Spring.

SOUNDFREAQ “KICKS” OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A PORTABLE, WIRELESS SPEAKER

Unveiling at CES 2012, Soundfreaq’s Upcoming Products Include
The New Sound Kick, and Sound Step Love and Sound Step Ghost Editions

Los Angeles, January 4, 2012 – Soundfreaq today announces its newest products, which include Sound Kick, a mobile wireless speaker. Unveiling during CES 2012, Sound Kick adds portability and power in a compact package to the company’s line of speakers.

Designed for mobility, Sound Kick’s unique XKICK™ speaker chamber closes compactly for travel and then expands open for full sound whenever users are ready to play audio. This technology innovation delivers acoustically balanced audio in a portable package. With a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, Sound Kick allows for up to seven hours of on-the-go listening. Sound Kick can also charge any USB-chargeable device via its USB power port, even when running on its battery to keep smart phones powered — a helpful feature for traveling.

“We develop all of our products from the ground up to meet user needs we see in the market,” said Matthew Paprocki, co-founder and creative director of Soundfreaq. “Bluetooth is a great technology for portable wireless speakers and we’re seeing the market flooded with many options, but there is a trade-off between size and sound quality. As an audio company, we were able to develop a unique expandable sound chamber for Sound Kick that closes compact for travel and then expands to produce full, balanced sound. Combined with our proprietary UQ3 spatial enhancement, Sound Kick strikes the right balance between size and sound and offers more value than any other portable wireless speaker on the market today.”

At CES, Soundfreaq will also be introducing its highly-praised Sound Step Recharge in white and red editions. The new all-white GHOST edition and all-red LOVE edition feature the same Bluetooth capabilities, functionality and impressive sound as the original in a crisp white or bold red design to accent a home or office environment.

With the addition of Sound Kick, Soundfreaq offers the most complete line of Bluetooth speakers on the market along with the critically acclaimed Sound Platform, Sound Step/Sound Step Recharge, and Sound Stack. All Soundfreaq products allow users to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth compatible device including iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android and Blackberry.

Sound Step Recharge GHOST and LOVE products will be available the first quarter 2012 online at www.Soundfreaq.com and in select retail stores.

Available this spring, Sound Kick continues Soundfreaq’s commitment to delivering a versatile, wireless audio entertainment experience, including:

• Impressive Portable Performance – Sound Kick measures just 1.6″ thick for travel. When users are ready to listen, Sound Kick expands open to produce full sound with balanced bass, vocal clarity and UQ3™ spatial enhancement

• Always in Charge – Universal USB power port allows users to charge any USB-chargeable gadget including Blackberry, Android and Apple phones from Sound Kick, even when its running on battery power

• App-solute Entertainment – Sound Kick is the perfect portable speaker for enhancing any entertainment experience on the go — delivering crystal clear audio with any app to enjoy for movies, TV shows, videos, games, and Internet radio, including Pandora, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, TiVo, Spotify and HBO GO

• Everyone Can Connect, Today and Tomorrow – Sound Kick is designed for both today’s and tomorrow’s smart devices using Bluetooth – the portable wireless standard

About Soundfreaq (www.Soundfreaq.com)
Soundfreaq is a global co-op of craftsmen – designers and engineers with deep expertise in consumer electronics and a passion for great sound. By working outside the limitations of a traditional corporate structure, we are able to develop products from the ground up that deliver premium sound for a wireless world.

2012 has officially arrived.  And while that might be a tough pill for some to swallow, it probably won’t be nearly as difficult to gulp down as this over sized iPod Nano pill speaker from Gavio.

The features are pretty skimpy and no, it doesn’t expand or collapse for the sake of storage.  There is however a set of twisting controls found on either end of the pill, allowing you to adjust volume as well as skip tracks forwards or backwards.  Course, keep in mind that your Nano’s screen remains complete exposed, so you’ll be able to pick songs and switch to clock mode for those that place this funky device bedside.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know about the Gavio’s The Pill.  There is no mention of power, speaker size, price or a ship date.

We’re not too prone to exaggeration, but it seems like everyone and their mother has an iPod dock of some sort these days. But nothing will ever compare to BEHRINGER’s iNuke speaker.  The company is using it as a sort of mouthpiece to garner attention to their latest line of speaker products, the EUROSOUND.

While the iNuke may look like your average iPod speaker dock.  Take a closer look.  See how tinsey winsey the docked iPhone (or iPod Touch) is?  Tiny, right?  That’s because this speaker, which has a suggested retail price of $29,999, measures 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall and weighs over 700 pounds. The company plans to unveils at CES 2012, where upon it will pump out over 10,000 Watts of power, and by our estimates should blow back a few wigs and knock off a few socks.

Unfortunately, best we can tell this will never go into production.  That said we’re not really sure who would want one of these.

Bothell, WA – December 7, 2011 – BEHRINGER, award-winning innovator of affordable professional audio and music equipment, is excited to announce the launch of the EUROSOUND consumer electronics brand — concert quality sound at an amazing value. To celebrate the launch of 50 new consumer audio products, BEHRINGER will unveil the iNuke Boom, the loudest iPad®, iPod® and iPhone® dock you’ve ever heard at CES 2012. The $29,999.99 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) monster speaker system measures a whopping 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall, weighs over 700 pounds and pumps out over 10,000 Watts of power.

The EUROSOUND line fully embraces a modern, European design while remaining true to BEHRINGER’s roots in professional audio engineering. Four distinct product lines will be marketed under the EUROSOUND name. The Home line brings a professional, live concert sound from the stage into the comfort of your home. EUROSOUND Live products amplify your sound. EUROSOUND Portable products deliver a mobile audio experience anytime, anywhere, while the Creation line proves you don’t have to be a professional musician to make great music.

The underlying quality in all EUROSOUND products is a commitment to delivering high performance audio at an incredible value, something BEHRINGER has been providing to musicians and audio professionals since the company’s inception more than twenty years ago. The BEHRINGER mantra “Double the Features at Half the Price” will also translate to the EUROSOUND products.

“When I started BEHRINGER 22 years ago my goal was to provide musicians with high quality equipment at an affordable price,” said Uli Behringer, founder and CEO of Music Group LLC. “With the launch of EUROSOUND we are challenging ourselves to share the incredible sound and quality we have worked to so hard to craft over the last two decades with all music and audio enthusiasts.”

Follow BEHRINGER at @BEHRINGER or facebook.com/BEHRINGER for the latest news on the company’s complete line of Eurosound consumer products and all of BEHRINGER’s award-winning pro audio equipment.

There’s nothing quite like a new spin on an old product.  And arriving just in time before the year’s end is Edifier’s Tick Tock clock.

While it may appear to be your old school alarm clock, it’s anything but.  Those would be bells perched up top are in fact 360 degree firing, 1.5-inch full range speakers.  We can’t make any promises in terms of sound quality, but we’re willing to bet that the sound from this 7 watt powered bed side companion produces anything but full and rich audio.  But come on, would you really buy this for that purpose?

In terms of other specs, all versions of the Tick Tock boast an AUX input, meaning you can playback audio from any compatible device, as well as an LCD screen for viewing the time and tuning in a radio station.  There are three models to choose from, which includes a version with a 30-pin dock for your iPhone or iPod Touch, a Bluetooth version for wireless audio playback or one that ships with an SD card slot.  And while all of them sport an AUX and USB input, none of the models sports all two or all three aforementioned features.  In other words, the Dock version doesn’t include Bluetooth and viceversa. A bit weak if you ask us, but perhaps it’s all in the name of cost.

And speaking of which, they start at $69.99.