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By “Eee”, we don’t mean that this new Asus SP-BT23 Bluetooth speaker was made for the Eee PC. Of course it wouldn’t work with the Eee PC, be it the 701 or 901 models, simply because this is a wireless Bluetooth speaker. But if you are one of those tech geeks who managed to install a Bluetooth receiver in their Eee PC or if you are waiting for the Eee PC 1000 which fully supports Bluetooth connectivity, then this speaker would work with those Eee PCs.

So, why are we calling this baby the Eee speaker by the way? Because talking about its design, the SP-BT23 is stylishly designed in white and compact size which makes it, easy to carry, easy to share and has an excellent audio quality. OK, we would have to admit that the last E didn’t come out to well. But hey, this speaker should be capable of giving out excellent sound even while on the go thanks to its 2W power and a frequency response of 150Hz ~ 20KHz. In addition, the SP-BT23 speaker measures only 6.69 x 4.86 x 2.13-inches and weighs just 14.11-ounces. So, that takes care of the portability concerns.

As the SP-BT23 was just launched during Computex, Asus has not released pricing information or release date yet.

Read [Asus]

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]

Asus joins the multimedia notebook race with its new M50. Touting the M50 as a personal entertainment center, Asus has included Altec Lansing Speakers and Dolby Home Theater software in the M50’s elegantly designed body. Asus even went further with the M50’s overall look and covered the body with super glossy finish to serve as a tough coat and hopefully offer additional protection from abrasion.

But aside from the external design, what could probably make the M50 click among notebook consumers is its HD Blu-ray capabilities that support HDMI transfer. Making the Asus M50 even more appealing is its innovative interface that is said to be both easy and convenient to control. The M50’s touch pad doubles up as a control deck to control video and music entertainment. With a mere tap of the finger the user can access the controls to play, stop, pause, mute and skip audio and video files.

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Here is a sneak preview of the new $28,000 Lysithea speakers from Eventus Audio, that they will be premiering at CES. The speakers utilize a technology known as Simulated Anechoic Cabinet Construction [SACC] technology which “reduces cabinet vibration and internal reflections to eliminate unwanted cabinet-causing distortions.”

While they may look like a traditional stand mounted system the stand has been replaced with a elegant base that contains a captive low frequency driver.

As for the rest of the specs, here is a sample:

• The crossover, located outside of the cabinet in the back of the loudspeaker, is damp-mounted in order to minimize the deleterious effects of the driver vibrations.
• A ring radiator tweeter and 5-inch carbon fiber cone midrange and mated with a 7.5-inch carbon fiber woofer to produce frequencies from 40Hz to 45kHz.
• Sensitivity is 89dB/W/m, weight is a staggering 99 lbs each, and dimensions are 42” x 12” x 21.5”.

This will be the first time at CES for Eventus Audio USA and they will make their industry debut in Las Vegas, January 7-10, in Suite 29-125 in the Venetian Hotel.

Via [Eventus Audio]

Polk Audio recently created the Polk Audio Design brand, dedicated to consumer products such as MP3 player accessories, radios and audio systems. Their first item out is the Midock10, a portable MP3 audio system, currently sold exclusively through RadioShack for $199. A larger version will be available April 2007, and an HD radio and CD player shelf system (the HDX3) will be available May 2007 in RadioShack for $299.

MiDock10 is a portable iPod music system with dual 3.25-inch high excursion drivers that works with iPod Nanos to the 80GB models thanks to three dock adapters. It ships with a wireless remote and includes a 3.5mm stereo jack for headphones or other audio output. It has side handles and can be connected to a computer - PC or Mac - via USB. The MiDock Studio model is slightly larger and available through additional retailers, just in case you hate RadioShack.

The MiDock10, besides a name that reminds me of Nintendo’s Mii, has a nice boxy look that should fit well on any media shelf, especially since the iPod doesn’t protrude from the top of the system.

Read [Playlist] Product Page [Polk Audio]

Samsung has announced two new Home Theater Systems In A Box, the HT-TXQ120 and HT-TX250.

The HT-TXQ120 (pictured) turns up the volume with a 1000 watt 5.1 speaker system, 9.1 Channel Virtual 360° Surround Sound, a progressive scan 1080i HD upconverting DVD player, HDMI in/out, USB 2.0 for DivX, MP3, WMA, and JPEG listening/viewing, wireless ready, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS audio decoding. It will come in hi-gloss black with a brushed aluminum base in March, 2007.

If 1000 watts are a little too much for your small NYC apt you can still blow the neighbors away with the HT-TX250 Home Theater In A Box System. It features a HDMI output, 5.1 channel speaker system, 600 watt digital amplifier, vertical slot-in DVD player, and the rest of the features from above. It will be available in glossy piano black or pearl white in April 2007.

Designed to house all iPod versions (from the fifth gen iPod to the original mini), the EGO Waterproof Sound Case is a portable boom box with waterproof speakers, sealed base venting ports and dual full-range neodymium drivers. The silicone gasket and snap-locking latch protect your iPod when it takes a dunk. Waterproof controls make it easy to turn the unit on and off, select songs or adjust the volume. Powered by four AA batteries, the Waterproof Sound Case plays music or videos continuously for 30 hours. When the user forgets to turn the unit off, it automatically shuts down after two and a half minutes of inactivity, preserving battery life. 

The EGO Waterproof Sound Case is spill-proof, shatter-proof, waterproof, resistant to sea or pool water corrosion and floats. The EGO Waterproof Sound Case retails for $199.

Read [EGO]

There are plenty of techies who dig the retro scene for their gadgets. You know who you are - dude with the old school telephone ring tone on your $300+ PDA. Acoustic Research (owned by Audiovox) has gone a bit extra retro with their CES 2007 offering, the AR4131 blackVault 2.1 Speaker System, a high-end speaker system with a built-in 30-pin iPod dock and a vacuum tube amplifier. Yep, vacuum tubes. You know, those glowy little glass things you used to need in radios and TVs in the 1950s. It is supposed to help provide a warmer sound quality but at the very least, it ads some visual dynamics to the speaker. The AR4131 also inputs so you can also listen to CD players, PCs or other MP3 players, a subwoofer amplifier (with an installed vacuum tube), a Universal Dock for iPod, two speakers, wire, an auxiliary input cable, remote control, iPod dock seat and - thanks goodness - a spare vacuum tube. The Acoustic Research blackVault 2.1 Speaker System will be available in February for $199.

Here are some performance specs for all you audiophiles:

• Sound-pressure level (SPL): 96 dB at 3 feet


• Frequency response (-3 dB)


• Subwoofer channel: 50 Hz – 160 Hz


• Left/right channels: 100 Hz – 20 kHz


• Signal-to-Noise Radio

• Subwoofer channel: greater than 75 dB


• Left/right channels: greater than 80 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion

• Subwoofer: less than 0.1% at 1 watt


• Left/right channel: less than 0.05% at 1 watt

Left and right channel separation: greater than 50 dB

Impedance: 4 ohms

Site [Acoustic Research/Audiovox]

The Z92 floor standing speaker is the newest addition to BG’s (affordable) Z-Series stereo lineup. The Z92 delivers extended bass with very high SPL capabilities, significantly less distortion and greater accuracy and sonic refinement. Using several innovations, including planar ribbon technology, Z-Series speakers effortlessly and accurately reproduce the quiet, silky sounds of a classical guitar, the hushed whispers of the human voice and the high-impact sound of Hollywood movies.

The new Z92 is a moderately tall, floor-standing model that combines high-resolution transducers in an uncompromising proprietary configuration designed to deliver the highest performance possible. It also perfectly matches BG’s new Z62 Left/Center/Right Loudspeaker, also being introduced at CES.

The Z92 employs two 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofers with rubber surrounds that utilize sophisticated double-gap motor topology, and a Neodymium magnet system. Standing 44.25 inch high, the Z92 is only 7.7 inches wide and 14 inches deep and comes in black ash, cherry, and light maple veneer finishes. These speakers will actually visually and acoustically add to your room.

BG’s Z92 Loudspeaker will be available in February at a suggested price of $2,499 per pair while the Z62 Loudspeaker will be available in February at a suggested price of $999 each.

Read [BG]

Remember the Audioengine speakers that we reviewed then gave away to one of over 1,500 entrants back near the beginning of the year? Well these hot speakers, the A5s, are now available in a glossy black finish (as opposed to the original iPod white).

In case you don’t remember these speakers has built in USB charging (for iPods), dual 1/8″ audio inputs, auxiliary power, airport support, They come with a 30 day trial and all the cables you could want for $349.99. Overall these speakers have been designed from scratch for your iPod and playback of MP3 files, and they do a great job doing just that.

Read [Audioengine]