It’s bold, but Hercules is targeting their next set of speakers, the XPS Diamond 2.0 Kit, at the female demo, hoping that their “glam” design appeals to their womanly sensibilities.

We have to admit that the design is somewhat eye catching – a black lacquered finish with a see through base – but the lack of a subwoofer and a mere 3.5-inch speaker diameter, we’re gonna guess that the amplitude and sound quality are just s0-so.  Fortunately, they cost just $34.99 and receive power and audio via USB, making the whole setup process a snap.  Included is a velvet carrying case and a in-line wired remote control.

The Hercules XPS Diamond 2.0 speakers go on sale this May.

Hercules, the digital audio specialist, expands its successful XPS multimedia speaker line with their latest jewel of a creation; the XPS DIAMOND 2.0 USB Speakers. Designed with female users in mind, these speakers bring elegant style and glamour to the music listening experience. Featuring two mini- satellites for PC, Mac® or netbooks, the new Hercules XPS DIAMOND 2.0 USB speaker kit has been designed for women who want to add a touch of “glam” to their computer, and who are looking for a compact, chic and original accessory that lets them get the most out of their music and videos – simply, and wherever they might be.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
When it comes to appealing to a female audience, nothing inspires quite like a diamond.
The satellites’ unique and exceptional
black lacquered finish and elegant, see-through base will captivate lovers of all things that sparkle and shine.
The fully USB connection (both the power supply and audio signals are carried via the kit’s single USB cable) and a wired miniature remote for volume control make these speakers perfect for those looking for an audio solution that’s easy to connect and to use anytime.
The satellites’ compact measurements – just 3.5” in diameter – and the included stylish black velvet carrying pouch (featuring separate compartments) add yet another dimension to this speaker set’s charm, allowing users to easily take their XPS DIAMOND kit with them anywhere, together with their laptop or netbook.
And last but not least: despite its small size, users can rest assured that the XPS DIAMOND 2.0 USB system delivers clarity and quality of sound for music, videos and other applications.
The perfect give to give or receive, they’re just like a set of real diamonds: once you have them, you’ll never want to let them go.
The Hercules XPS DIAMOND 2.0 USB speaker kit will be available in May 2011, at a suggested retail price of $39.99 SRP.
Check out the complete range of Hercules multimedia speakers at

It’s that time again. GadgetReview has teamed up with Hercules to give away one of their DualPix HD720p webcams.  This webcam provides a wide-angle auto focus lens, automatic image reconfiguration and includes a software suite that lets you share music, videos and photos while chatting.

We’re giving away one of these. To enter you must be a US resident and submit a comment below with an email address (so we can contact you). Don’t put your email address in the comment, just register it with the comment in the appropriate field. We’ll choose one winner at random.

The comments are moderated so please be patient and enter only one. If you want a double entry follow us on Twitter and tweet “@gadgetreview #hercules”.

This contest ends 11/29/2010

Looks like Hercules have expanded their line of speakers today with the announcement of the XPS 2.0 35 USB and the XPS 5.1 Slim.  The XPS 2.0 35 USB’s seem like a cool choice for traveling and come withe their own carrying case for on the go type styles.  The XPS 5.1 Slim’s pretty much add extra speakers to their XPS 2.1 Slim’s and a connecting center speaker to make a very affordable 5.1 surround system.

Both systems are set to arrive in June and are priced at $20 for the USB’s and $100 for the 5.1 system.  Having liked my experience with Hercules products in the past, I’m eager to give these a try.

NEW YORK, NY – (April 29, 2010) – Hercules, the digital audio specialist, expands its successful XPS multimedia speaker line with the new XPS 2.0 35 USB, 2.0 USB-powered speakers for on-the-go listening and the XPS 5.1 70 Slim. Created with the same slim design as their popular XPS 2.1 Slim Speaker line, the XPS 5.1 70 Slim features five ultra-slim satellite speakers and a wooden-made subwoofer for the full surround sound experience. The XPS 2.0 35 USB set will be available in June 2010 for the SRP $19.99/£19.99 and the XPS 5.1 70 Slim will also be available at the end of June 2010 for the SRP $99.99/£89.99.

The Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim Speaker System is an affordable and attractive way to outfit your computer.  Not perfect across a variety of scenarios, the Slim 40′s do their best to compete with the onslaught of similar products.

Comparable to the Hercules XPS 2.1 50′s, the Slim 40′s attempt to be the aesthetically pleasing version but the result is that they don’t sound as good as their bulkier older brother.  Resembling those orange directional waving sticks you see at airports, the Slim 40′s are lightweight and all black.  They take up very little space on your desktop and are just shorter than than my 17″ MacBook Pro screen.

The Sub woofer is of typical fashion and design with an adjustable bass knob on the front, making it easy to control provided that you don’t have it tucked away too deep.  Construction and build are nothing special, but as long as you take care of them they should hold up just fine.

Detached from the speakers and sub woofer is a separate control module that handles master volume as well as the headphone input and line in jacks.  The device is too lightweight and its stance is often dictated by the two wires protruding out the back.  There is a bright blue LED that denotes constant power and there is no on/off switch(besides the one on the back of the sub).  Not all that cool for the budding conservationist.

Describing the sound would differ depending on the scenario in which it was used.  It sounded great through my computer gushing balanced response over the varying bit rates of my MP3 collection.  TV usage sounded dull and muddied while lacking volume.  Also line-in through my iPod Touch and 80Gb Classic was void of party raging decibel blasts.  It sounded decent at normal listing levels but it was out of its league when trying to compete with extraneous noise.

Coming from a 6.1 set-up when using my Xbox 360 I was not impressed with the Slim 40′s performance.  They just paled in comparison to louder systems.  They sounded fair with my PSP but only when it was convenient to where I was “portable” gaming.

My overall thoughts are that Hercules XPS 2.1 Slim 40 Speaker System is best used with your laptop or PC set-up but not a whole lot more.  Then again, it’s minimal price tag should make it much more enticing for those not looking to break their wallet on an entry level speaker system.  There are too many wires for the clutter loathing, and I liked the design of the volume knob better on the XPS 50, but that’s nothing that should deter you from checking out the Slim 40.  The XPS 50 sounded better in almost every scenario I tested it in especially when it came loudness so I figure that the selling point of the Slim 40′s will be their more alluring finish.

With appealing visual flair, a great price, and a robust PC/Mac sound, the Slim 40′s should do well by anyone seeking an additional sound system to compliment their set-up.  Having now reviewed two Hercules products, I can easily recommend them with their fantastic quality per cost ratio.

Pros:

• Positively slim and attractive
• Lightweight and affordable
• Sounds great connected to a PC/Mac

Cons:

• Not so nice across varied scenarios (TV, iPod, Gaming)
• No convenient on/off switch
• Too many wires

Buy the Hercules XPS 2.1 Slim 40 Speaker System here for $42!

Being slim is literally all the rage these days.  I just posted my review of the Hercules 2.1 50 Speaker System to high praise and now the company is debuting a sleeker and more futuristic slim version.

This new multimedia speaker line claims to be among the slimmest satellite  speakers available and is compatible with PC’s, gaming consoles, TV’s, and CD/DVD players. Hercules is set to release the XPS 2.1 40 ($60) and the XPS 2.o 40 ($35) in early November 2009.

NEW YORK, NY – (Sept 29, 2009) – Hercules, a specialist in IT devices and accessories expands its successful XPS branded multimedia speaker line with the new XPS 2.0 40 Slim and XPS 2.1 40 Slim Speakers. This modern system delivers sound clarity and style with a black lacquer finish.  Among current speakers on the market, the XPS 2.0 40 Slim also offers the slimmest design available. This aesthetic achievement is combined with a genuine technical advance that very few other 2.0 satellites have, a slim appearance with clear and pure sound.  For those who enjoy a greater output power and maximum bass response, the Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim speakers featuring two satellites with a powerful subwoofer is the perfect match. Ideal for a contemporary home and just in time for the holiday gift giving season, the XPS 2.0 40 Slim will be available for the SRP of $34.99 and the XPS 2.140 Slim will be available for SRP $59.99 in early November 2009.

Hercules XPS 2.0 40 Slim

Finally, an ultra-slim speaker solution that matches the trend of slim PCs, the new XPS 2.0 40 ultra slim speakers bring harmony to your home and to your ears. Less than 2 1/2” wide and 9 1/2” tall, the XPS 2.0 40 Slim blends in with your interior décor elegantly and subtly providing you with more work space and less clutter. The speaker fabric used and striking black lacquer finish highlighted by a touch of aluminum color give a “Techno Deco” look matching the latest trends in computer designs. Hercules has specifically adapted their technology so that the slender shape of the XPS 2.040 Slim is integrated with perfectly clear sound previously achieved only through bulkier sound systems. The speakers are also magnetically shielded so as not to disturb anything in its surrounding environment.  Designed with a high-quality speaker grille fabric, they offer a total power of 5 watts RMS, 10 watts at peak.

Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim

Combining elegance with quality, the XPS 2.1 40 Slim model includes two magnetically shielded satellites with the same refined and ethereal design.  Its subwoofer, crafted entirely of wood, ensures a powerful bass presence. The subwoofer also features an extremely fine-grained finish, inspired by high-end audio system subwoofers. With 32 watts RMS (8 watts per satellite + 16 watts for the subwoofer), the XPS 2.140 delivers homogeneous, perfectly balanced sound, for a truly great listening experience, whether listening to music or watching movies on a computer.

The Hercules XPS 2.0 40 Slim and XPS 2.1 40 Slim both come with a mini wired remote control, featuring a volume control knob, headphone jack and a handy line in input, allowing users to directly connect an MP3 player. Both are compatible with PC, Netbooks, Mac®, MP3 players, CD/DVD players, TV sets and game consoles.

Hercules really wants your video chats to go down in 720p HD quality.  Today, the company announced the Dualpix HD720p webcam.  It’s not exactly a ground breaking device, but at a price point of $59.99 its a relatively affordable webcam given its feature set.

While I can’t sit here and boast about any revolutionary specs, it does feature a two axes rotation that should enable you to find a suitable angle, a built-in mic, some sort of proprietary software that will automatically adjust the picture according to your relative angle to the camera and a “highly secure attachment system” built specifically for laptops.   The Hercules Dualpix HD720p will go on sale this September at all major retailers.

Full release after the ‘leap’

Hercules Unveils New Era of Mini Webcams Featuring Ultra-Mobility and High Definition

Hercules Dualpix HD720p for Notebooks Offers High Definition Resolution with Multiple Positioning Options

NEW YORK, NY – (August 27, 2009) – Hercules, a specialist in IT devices including multimedia speaker sets, webcams, DJing solutions and consumer-friendly WiFi products, debuts a new era of mini webcams for notebooks with the Hercules Dualpix HD720p. This ultra-mobile high definition webcam solution brings 720p of high definition resolution to the mobile user generation. Whether serving in the military, a student studying abroad or a parent away from home, this new breed of webcam will help you stay connected starting in early September 2009 for the SRP $59.99 at Buy.com, NewEgg.com, Dell.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

The Hercules Dualpix HD720p has the capability of rotating on two axes for the best angle, capturing pictures and angles unachievable by earlier models of webcams. No matter how far away from home you are, with the wide-angle auto focus lens, exceptional image quality even in low-light conditions and a built-in microphone, you will feel like you are home with your loved one. At the start of each chat session the Dualpix HD720p will automatically rotate the picture angle and detect your position, further angle adjustment during the chat session can be achieved by using the software.

Specifically designed for laptop PC’s,  the Dualpix HD720p features a new, highly secure attachment system that allows you to travel safely and move your computer around as needed without the webcam coming loose. The two rotational axes allow vertical or horizontal placement on the top or the sides of the screen and the wide-angle lens shows the room behind for the perfect video capture. It also features the Hercules Xtra Controller Pro software suite which enables users to share photos, videos and live music tracks during the conversation, thus eliminating the need to send these files prior to the virtual meeting.

Product Specifications Include:
•    1 megapixel CMOS sensor (1280 x800 pixels) for perfect image quality, even in low-light conditions
•    5 Megapixels photo resolution (interpolated mode)
•    HD720p (1280x720pixels) video resolution with up to 30 frames per second for perfect flowing 16/9 HD videos, ensuring the most realistic images ever
•    Wide angle autofocus lens with 3x zoom
•    High-quality built-in microphone
•    USB 2.0 Video Class (UVC) interface for high-speed transfers and ultra-simple driver free installation
•    Compatible with videoconferencing applications including Windows Live™ Messenger and MSN® Messenger Skype®, Aol Instant Messanger® and Yahoo!® Messenger
•    Compatible with Windows® XP, Vista 32/64 bit and Windows® 7
•    Dimensions: 28 x 55.4 x 62mm

Discover the complete Hercules webcam range at www.hercules.com

About Guillemot Corporation:
Guillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and accessories. The Group offers a diverse range of products under its Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently represented in 11 countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Hong-Kong, Romania and Italy, and distributes its products in over 30 countries worldwide. The group’s mission is to design high-performance and user-friendly products to improve the satisfaction of users of interactive digital entertainment solutions.  www.guillemot.com

The Hercules i-XPS 120 Portable iPod Outdoor Speaker might be one of many in a long line of Apple iPod accessories, but at least it will protect your player from the pool or beach side elements.  A water tight door keeps it dry while a set of exterior buttons lets you control what is playing without having to remove it from the dock.  It’s also shock proof in case your drunk friend stumbles over it and runs off 4x C batteries, AC plug or car adapter.  Yours for $99.95.

[via Gizmag]

Read

It’s a struggle to find a pair of stylish computer speakers that sound good.  If Hercules’ holds true to their claim ‘of great sound’ then the quest is over.  Total power output for the XPS system is 32 watts – 8 watts per speaker and 16 watts for the sub – and the magnetically shielded satellites are finished in a shiny, black piano lacquer.  There’s the usual headphone jack out, plus a line in on the right satellite.

Available in December at Amazon and other major retailers for $70.