Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins just unveiled a smaller version of the award winning Zeppelin iPod docking station, the new Zeppelin Mini iPod speaker system. But don't let its size fool you – this system puts out amazing sound for such a small package.

Features include a docking arm that rotates 90 degrees, USB connectivity, and the ability to stream music direct from your PC or Mac via USB. The USB connection also lets you sync your iPod or iPhone with your computer.

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini will be available in October 2009 for $399.

iLive recently unveiled a new line of Bar Speakers which let you listen to your iPod, AM/FM radio, TV or DVD through the compact bar speaker system, while your iPod is charging.

The iLive iT319B Bar Speaker with Dock For iPod & DVD Player was designed as an all-in-one home audio system. The iLive iT319B measures 32-inches in length and is a 3.1 channel speaker system with built-in subwoofer featuring SRS TruSurround XT for a simulated 5.1 effect. With this system, you can connect your iPod and watch videos and photos on your TV, play your music library or simply charge your iPod. And, the built-in HDMI DVD upconverts to 1080p. The Bar Speaker System can either stand alone or be mounted on a wall. The iLive iT319B Bar Speaker with Dock for iPod & DVD Player is shipping now with an MSRP of $199.99.Read more

SpeakerCraft just unveiled a new line of outdoor rock speakers – Ruckus. Replacing the Rox series, the new Ruckus line has major upgrades in sound and appearance.

The Ruckus series is available in granite and sandstone finishes and will easily blend into any landscape. Featuring a durable U.V. and weather-resistant lacquer coating on top of a reinforced, color-matched polyresin enclosure, you will get years of outdoor music enjoyment. Even if the outer coating is chipped, the material underneath is the same color and will keep its rock-like look.

Ruckus is available in five, six or eight-inch versions with a standard coaxial driver, as well as a dual tweeter model that plays both stereo channels from a single speaker. If added bass is wanted, SpeakerCraft also announced a subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier – the Sub Ruckus.

The Ruckus 5 ($225 ea.), Ruckus 6 ($275 ea.) and Ruckus 8 ($450 ea.) will ship this month. The Sub and Dual Tweeter models will be available six weeks later. Pricing for the Ruckus Sub (including the dedicated amp) is $999 ea., the Ruckus DT (Dual Tweeter) will be available for $350 each.

Listening to music with headphones is usually a private affair, but what if you want to share your tunes with your friends? iHome has the solution with their new iHMP5 2-in-1 Stereo Speaker/Headphone System. These new over-the-ear headphones feature an inline pre-amp that when activated, turn the headphones into a stereo speaker for everyone to hear.

The iHMP5 has a lightweight, adjustable headband and 360-degree padding on the ear-cups for noise isolation. However, for those times when you want to share your music, simply turn on the battery powered amplifier and the stereo sound is there for everyone.

The iHome iHMP5 comes in three colors and is currently available at The Apple Online Store and on ihomeaudio.com for $69.99.

iHome just announced that their new Studio Series speaker system for the iPod/iPhone is now available -- the iP1. The iP1 is different from your standard iPod speaker system – it features Bongiovi Acoustics' Digital Power Station (DPS) technology: a processor that scans your recorded material and compensates for any deficiencies across the audio frequency spectrum, restoring it to the sound that was originally intended to be heard.

Listen to the iP1 Speaker System for iPod/iPhone's 100 watts of sound through custom designed 4" woofers and 1" silk dome tweeters. The iPl comes with a remote control, component video outputs, and is available now at Apple, Best Buy and iHomeAudio.com for $299.

The Digital Group Audio Livespeakr is a portable speaker system for your iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, iPod Touch 2G and iPod Classic. This device boasts a unique "super cradle" that locks in and protects your device, then can rotate to work both portrait and landscape modes.

Portability

You can't carry this in your pocket, but it does come with its own little bag. And, it's small enough to throw in a tote and head down to the beach with. The Livespeakr's dimensions are 160mm long, 22mm high and 60mm wide.

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The heart of the Orb speaker system is its baseball sized, spherical satellite speaker, Mod1. Thanks to certain rare Earth magnets, the Mod1 is able to produce amazingly loud sound. The Orbs are handmade by metalwork artisans, are round and measure only about 4 3/16 inches in diameter. The Orb speaker line is easily upgradable, too. Each Orb can be upgraded for a simple and easy transition from entry level speakers to top-tier speakers. Finishes include: Metallic Black Gloss and Pearl White Gloss; and Hand-Polished Steel, Hand-Antiqued Copper and Hand-Antiqued Bronze.

Orb also offers 2 high-quality subwoofers, the Super Eight and the Uber Ten. If you need a complete system, Orb even offers a combination of receivers and DVD players.Read more

MartinLogan, one of the most respected names in audio, has just started shipping its new advanced thin film center channel speaker, the Encore TF. This handcrafted speaker can be hung either on the wall or off, and is designed to serve as a high performance center channel for your home entertainment system.

The Encore TF is very adaptable, as well. It will work equally well mounted horizontally or vertically in front-channel and surround setups. The Encore TF is built of the finest air core coils and polyester with low dissipation electrolytic capacitors. The built-in crossover is precision-tuned to preserve even the most subtle sonic nuances while blasting full dynamics. Read more