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Product: Kicker iK500 iPod Speaker System
Price and Availability: Currently available and retailing for $299.99
Rating: 9/10
Pros: Simple, easy to set up and use
Cons: Docked iPod sits a little “off”
Overall: Solid sound with a great overall look

While we were able to review the iK500, which is made for the iPod, Kicker also offers the ZK500 for the Microsoft Zune, which also retails for $299.99.

The iK500, after first getting it out of the box has a nice look to it. Keep reading for the rest of the review…

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With the growing popularity of mobile phones as music devices, it is but logical that mobile phone accessory manufactures would think of coming out with speakers that could deliver high-quality sound from mobile phones to external speakers. Logitech is one of these manufacturers with its new speaker system that works with mobile phones. To make it even more interesting, Logitech made its mobile speaker system, called the Pure-Fi, work wirelessly.

The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system works with mobile phones that are Bluetooth enabled. Using the Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) profile, music stored in the users phone can be streamed directly to the Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system, and it will work up to about 32 feet. The Pure-Fi speakers also promise to give articulate bass and smooth treble sounds with its 2-inch high-excursion drivers and dual 2-inch pressure drivers.

In addition to being a high quality mobile speakers, the Pure-Fi can also be used as a wireless speakerphone, thanks to its two built-in mics which pick up vocal nuances and monitor and block unwanted background noise. Users can also call-answer and call-end easily with the use of controls located on the top of the speakers.

The Logitech Pure-Fi speaker system comes with a protective case which also fits charging cables. For music on PCs, iPod and other MP3 player, Pure-Fi can either be paired to an audio source via Bluetooth or through a built-in 3.5mm audio jack.

And now for the pricing, the Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system retails for $149.99 and will hit US and European stores sometime in June.

Via [Far East Gizmos]

While we are taking some time getting our full thoughts down, we wanted to show off the pics of the latest gadget to make its way into the Gadgetell headquarters. Its the Kicker iK500 iPod speaker system. While we have the iK500 which is made exclusively for the iPod, Kicker also has the zKick ZK500 for the Microsoft Zune.

Aside from the obvious difference that one is made for the Zune and the other for the iPod, they both offer the same features. The systems both ship with a remote control that offers a full range of options, and have two 5-inch woofers, two 3/4-inch tweeters, one 6-inch square reflex subwoofer that are powered by a 40-watt stereo amplifier. In addition they both have a 1/8-inch stereo aux-in jack and stereo RCA out. They both measure in at 8.5 x 19.2 x 8.4-inches and weigh 9.2-pounds.

The iK500 includes eight dock inserts that will allow for just about any iPod to fit snugly in place, and the ZK500 comes with three inserts to fit the various available Zune players. The iK500 and ZK500 both retail for $299.99 and are currently available. During our (so far brief) testing the system sounded great and worked well with a variety of iPods, to include the nano, Shuffle and even the iPhone, while in airplane mode. Be sure to check back for our full review and in the mean time enjoy the pics…

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The iMono Cubes are a cool looking set of speakers that are made of wood and feature a neat blue LED glow from the bottoms. These speakers are powered by a USB port and will work with just about any device with a 3.5mm jack to include a PC, Mac, Zune or iPod.

They measure in at 2.67-inches x 2.0-inches x 2.87-inches, offer a 30Hz~18KHz frequency response and a “high quality sound” with a 0.6W + 0.6W power output. They are available in either white or black and retail for just $25.00 from USB Geek.

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This ultra-compact, go-anywhere portable speaker system has a built-in iPod dock and FM tuner. It runs on 6 AA batteries and includes an AC power supply for added flexibility. It’s also a clock radio alternative that features a built-in alarm clock with snooze function, a date display and if that doesn’t seem different enough from every other iPod speaker, this one has a room temperature display.

Read [PC World] Read [JVC]

Ben Q’s Bluetooth speaker weighs in at just 9.5 ounces and measures 1.6 inches thick. I’m unsure of what kind of amplification you’re bound to get on that tiny thing. Yet it promisies that it’s:

Separate bass- and stereo-upgrading features give you extra fine sound quality, which you’ll especially appreciate if you are using the speaker to facilitate a conference call.

However the wireless (due to bluetooth) and compact capabilities may be worth it for some.

Via [MobileMag]

Product: Logitech mm28 Portable Speaker
Price: $59.99
Rating: Average - 6.5/10.0
Pros: Portable, small, sleek design, sound can be heard from 360 degrees, good for bringing on trips.
Cons: Bass distorts when volume is high,
Overall: A great choice for its portability and sound balance.  Not the highest performing speaker, but what do you expect from such a convenient device?

Design - 8.5 - The Logitech mm28 Portable Speaker is creatively designed and in a sense, doesn’t even look like a speaker.  If you asked someone that didn’t know what it was what it is, they may say, “a container” or “a little tool box.” Once you get it cranking however, it becomes very clear what it is.  The flat, 1.24 inch thick speaker doesn’t have any speaker-like qualities that you’re used to.  Instead of having a woofer with foam around it, and a little tweeter showing, it’s all under the plastic face.  The speaker’s lid conveniently flips back and turns into the stand.  This is a space-saver and prevents it from getting damaged when you pack it for a trip.  The cord to plug into your music player or computer is sharply hidden on the back of the device in a curved groove.  See the picture below.

If you’re looking for a futuristic speaker, you should get your hands on the Logitech mm28. Continue reading our review of the features, and performance.

Features - 7 - The Logitech speaker can be plugged into any of your existing MP3 players, radios, CD players, or even your computer via its 1/8 inch headphone plug.  Built with NXT technology, the speaker is able to maintain such a sleek, snazzy look.  The device can be powered by either plugging it into the wall or by using 4, AA batteries.  This makes it very useful for that camping trip or backyard BBQ you’re ready to have this summer.

Performance - 5 - The Logitech mm28 is far from the best speaker I’ve heard.  When I plugged my iPod into it with fully charged AA batteries and pumped up the volume, the bass distorted a good amount.  I don’t recommend this device for entertaining guests in a loud environment, but if you’re indoors and listening to easy-listening music, it will fit the chore quite well.

Editors Note: The categories were weighted in the following manner to reflect the importance of some features over others. Design 30%, Features 30%, and Performance 40%.

PC World ranked the top 26 products of the first quarter, ending in April, of 2006. All products on the list were given at minimum a 4.5/5 rating by the editors. Here are the top 10, check out the article to see the rest of the list and read the reviews. Drumroll please:

1. Desktop: Dell Dimension E310


2. Desktop: Apple iMac Intel Core Duo


3. Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X60s


4. Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad T60


5. Laptop: Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi


6. LCD: Gateway FPD2185W


7. LCD: Samsung SyncMaster 204T


8. DVD Burner: Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1


9. Hard Drive: Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition


10. MP3 Player: Creative Zen MicroPhoto

The remainder of the list rounded out with speakers, routers, accessories, software, a webcam, and some games.

Read [PC Mag]

Logitech’s mm28 Portable Speaker employs NXT flat-panel technology comprising an entire front surface that serves as a stereo speaker producing rich tones and a lush bass.  Designed to deliver excellent audio in a compact package, the mm28 is just 1.24” thick and features plug-and-play operation permitting simple connection to MP3 players, CD players, DVD players, laptop computers and other devices with a standard headphone jack output. The unit includes protective cover and integrated cable management for easy, clutter-free storage.

NXT’s patented flat-surface speaker technologies represent the most significant advance in loudspeaker technology since the conical piston speaker was invented more than 80 years ago.  NXT-enabled speaker products represent the next generation of speaker design.