iPod Dock

The latest in gadget news has to do with JVC's new tabletop home theater sound system, the NX-BX3 for iPods and iPhones. It's JVC's first 2x30W sound system for iPod and iPhone, and is designed to replace your actual nightstand!

Available in both black and white, the NX-BX3 has a weight of 20kg for a size of 500x300x110mm and offers all the features that can be found in other iPhone/iPod speaker docks. It sports an FM tuner and SRS StudioSound HD for around $400.

The next time you buy an iPod dock, ask yourself this important question: can I put a lamp on it? It can hold glasses or a flower vase on its top -- really, the sky's the limit (plus some general weight restrictions) when it comes to the things you can place on top of it.

The dock arrives in Japan this month, and will follow in the US this summer.Read more

NAD Electronics received a Christmas present of their own this holiday season! The company's NAD VISO 1 wireless music system was selected for a 2011 Good Design International Award in the electronics category.

NAD's VISO 1 is a high-end wireless sound system developed for those who demand the best in sound. Priced at $700, the music system works with virtually any device that is Bluetooth-enabled: iPod, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, along with any smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Featuring NAD's highest-end Direct Digital DAC/amplifier technology (the same used in their $6000 Masters Series M2 DAC/Amplifier), digital music sounds better than you could ever imagine. Digital Direct Amplifier technology bypasses the analog circuits of the iPod (or other device) to deliver excellent sound on a pure digital platform.Read more

Onkyo has a new compact home music system for iPod and iPhone users – the CS-345 CD Mini System. Perfect for a bedroom, office, dorm room or anywhere else you want crisp, room-filling sound, the system is packed with everything you need - two loudspeakers, a CD player, FM/AM radio, and a built-in dock for your iPod or iPhone.

The CS-345's digital power amplifier drives not one, but a pair of two-way loudspeakers, with each speaker boasting a separate dome tweeter. The 4-inch woofer is housed in a bass-reflex enclosure, delivering impressive bass for a system this size. But it doesn't stop there. The system's power amplifier also features ActiveBass Control, which automatically adjusts bass depending on the volume, while Super Bass adds gravity to the music.

As far as compatibility is concerned, the CS-345's built-in dock supports iPod classic, iPod touch (Gen1-4), iPod nano (Gen2-6), and iPhone, iPhone 3G/3GS/4. A video output jack is also included, so you can connect your iPod/iPhone to your TV and view videos located on your iPod on your big screen TV. The CD player supports CD, MP3 CD, CD-R, and CD-RW, and the system's stereo input jacks allow for playback from Android devices and other electronics. A subwoofer output and a front-panel headphone jack are also included.Read more

A brand new gadget with incredible sound is now available for all your wireless needs, whether it's for your laptop, iPhone or iPad! The JBL OnBeat Air ($249.95; available now) uses Apple's Airplay wireless technology, so no matter where you are in your home, you can stream music from an iTunes collection or Internet radio station. This versatile music player features digital sound processing equalization with dual Phoenix full-range transducers to produce a room-filling soundscape, and includes an adaptable docking station to fit an iPad, iPhone or iPod in portrait or landscape mode.

AirPlay makes it easy to tap into your iTunes library wirelessly through the OnBeat Air. How do you free the music on your computer? Just open iTunes, select the JBL system in the AirPlay menu and start streaming to the OnBeat Air. Or you can pull your iPhone out of your pocket, select the OnBeat and play tunes stored on your phone. Watch a movie with your iPad on your lap and the OnBeat Air delivering the finely detailed soundtrack.

And you're not just limited to music files. The OnBeat Air can play Internet radio stations that you access through iTunes, or audio from apps on your AirPlay-connected device — including music services like PANDORA Internet radio, Spotify, and Rhapsody.Read more

SoundFreaq just announced the successor to their SFQ-1 iPhone dock. It's called the Sound Stack, a speaker that accepts wireless audio streams from any Bluetooth-compatible device. It also has the company's DubSub technology on board for superior bass.

"After two years in development, we're extremely proud of the acoustic bar that Sound Stack sets. It delivers power with detail, bringing instruments and voices closer to the listener than on any home system we’ve heard," said Matthew Paprocki, Soundfreaq’s co-founder and creative director. "Throughout our testing, enthusiasts and artists alike have commented that they 'can see the music being played.' Combined with our industry-leading feature set and value, it's a no-compromise product."

Soundfreaq says that this is the company's largest speaker to date, featuring engineered Kevlar-reinforced drivers, a tuned triple-ported housing, and proprietary UQ3 spatial sound enhancement. It's also got the aforementioned DubSub, which is a 2.2 speaker configuration that pairs two full-range drivers with two active subwoofers.Read more

Sony recently debuted its new RDP-X500iP speaker dock for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Sporting a wide, tall shape and a front-mounted dock, the RDP-X500iP features Magnetic Fluid Speakers for increased clarity, a built-in subwoofer, dual passive radiators for added bass response, Clear Phase digital signal processing, an auxiliary input, and an included remote control.

This speaker dock from Sony has a lot of features to make the music stored on your iOS device sound its best. Sony's RDP-X500iP Premium Speaker Dock uses S-MASTER digital amplification that gets you closer to the music with high-performance audio output. Sony's Clear Phase™ linear phase correction circuitry ensures reduced distortion and increased sound presence, making your music crisp and clear. And the speakers use damperless Magnetic Fluid that delivers higher sound pressure with less distortion than traditional speakers. Read more

The iHome iA91 App-Enhanced Dual Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod with AM/FM Presets packs a host of new features into a more nightstand friendly design

iHome just announced the new iA91 Alarm clock. It's an app-enhanced dual alarm clock that's designed specifically for Apple's iPhone and iPod. It has AM/FM presets, and full app-enhanced functionality for use with the free iHome+Sleep App and iHome+Radio.

The iA91 can charge, play and help you wake to iPhone/iPod custom playlists or AM/FM radio. It includes a remote, time sync, and twin passive subwoofers for enhanced bass response.

I played with one a couple of days ago, and the bass sounds like "Bose Wave"-like sound, all for a fraction of the cost at $99. Trebles are crisp and snappy, and the App-integrated functionality is a very cool feature that will have you playing around with this thing for hours. It has dual alarms, 7-5-2 alarm settings, programmable snooze, gradual wake and even a sleep volume setting.Read more

Harman Kardon just released a new iPhone/iPod dock, The Bridge IIIP. Developed as an accessory to the company's "bridge-ready" A/V receivers, the device plays music and video from your iPhone (or iPod), directly through Harman Kardon music systems.

The Bridge IIIP was made to work with iPhone 4, but is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone and most iPod devices. Once connected, it works seamlessly with your system remote control for navigation and for playing your favorite music and video. It features easy-to-read on-screen navigation messages on the front panel of your Bridge IIIP receiver and also doubles as a charger when your iPhone/iPod is docked.

Harman Kardon The Bridge IIIP is currently compatible with the following AVR models: AVR 1650, 2650 and 3650 and is available now for just $129.

Harman on Monday announced a new speaker dock, the JBL On Air Wireless AirPlay. Thanks to built-in AirPlay technology, you can wirelessly play all the music in your house from your computer's Wi-Fi home network, along with your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. (AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 4.2 or later.)

A full color screen displays album artwork and song information as its being played and a remote control is included, allowing you to pause and play music, as well as go to the next and previous tracks. The speaker also features a iPod/iPhone dock, so you can charge your device or play music when you're not streaming content via AirPlay. The device also includes an FM radio tuner with RDS and 10 station presets and a clock with dual alarms.Read more

Chosen as one of our "Great Gifts for Kids" in December, Speakal just announced that its Apple-certified speaker dock, the Cool iPig, is now available at Amazon.com. Following in the hoof steps of the iPig, the Cool iPig sports a unique design with chrome accented sunglasses, perked ears, and 4 piggy hooves.

The Cool iPig features an industry-first advanced motion detection technology that allows you to control volume, skip tracks, play/pause your music simply by waving your hand in front of sensors around the ears, sides and nose. It has 23 W of total sound power with a built in 15W subwoofer with bass reflex technology. Chocked full of options for media playback, the Cool iPig is iPhone and iPod certified and features a 3.5mm input allowing connection to virtually any music source. A remote control is also included.Read more