Hasta La Gadget!

So you want a portable Bluetooth speaker, but you’re worried that it won’t survive your party-driven lifestyle. What to do? You may want to consider Logitech’s new Ultimate Ears Mini Boom, which can take a moderate amount of abuse thanks to its metal frame and rubber housing. Like the full-size Boom, the Mini Boom can still operate in pairs (through Android and iOS apps) and lasts for a healthy 10 hours per charge. It will also power up through micro-USB in the event that you’re nowhere near a wall outlet. Logitech expects to ship the Mini Boom this month in a variety of flashy colors for $100.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Ultimate Ears

A part of all its audio announcements during IFA, Harman’s showing off new multimedia speakers. The $499 Onyx leads the pack with a leather-wrapped standing circular design, compatibility with Airplay and DLNA, Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) with NFC paring and a six-hour rechargeable battery. A duo of three-inch woofers and 3/4-inch tweeters are housed in its enclosure, all of which are independently powered for a total peak output of 60-watts RMS. The speaker also uses Harman’s DSP and packs dual passive bass radiators for optimal lowend response. A stainless steel handle makes it easy to carry between rooms and there’s a 3.5mm input to ensure your jams never stop pumping if wireless connectivity is an issue. Expect it to be available later in the year.

Aside from that centerpiece, two new speakers are coming out of the JBL division. Getting less serious, the $130 Spark is an indoor Bluetooth speaker with a quirky transparent design that’s shaped like a megaphone. The unit needs to plug into a wall for power, but features stereo output via two 40mm drivers, an inline controller on its fabric cable and a hook if you want to mount it to a wall. Lastly, the brand’s $59 Pebbles are a coupled pair of USB-powered desktop speakers. The enclosures can stand vertically or horizontally and pack dual 50mm drivers aided by DSP. An auxiliary input is also onboard for your mp3 player, as is a cable management system for when you need to pack ’em up. Both the Spark and Pebbles will be available in a range of colors when they eventually hit shelves. Press releases for all the speakers mentioned are viewable after the break. %Gallery-slideshow79641%

Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Harman Kardon, JBL

SMS Audio, the brainchild of Curtis “50 cent” Jackson, may be known for its pricey headphones, but the company is broadening its horizons with its first portable speaker, which you can now purchase for the not-so-humble price of $200. The SYNC by 50 wireless speaker boasts Bluetooth functionality, NFC capability and omni-directional sound due to its rounded design. Additionally, the SYNC comes equipped with 50mm tuned drivers, a 3.5mm headphone jack and five EQ settings to fiddle with. If you’ve always had your heart set on a Fiddy-branded speaker, you can find it in “shadow black” (as opposed to plain ol’ black) on SMS Audio’s website, linked below. For more info, check out the full press release after the break.

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

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Source: SMS Audio

It’s been a while since we’ve looked at enhanced PA speakers, and one of the last big hitters in the category was a little ostentatious. Samson’s new Expedition Express keeps things a little lower-key. The one-piece system will take both Bluetooth audio as well as quarter-inch and XLR instrument inputs, but it’s subtle enough to feel at home at both the beach and the boardroom. It’s also more portable than others — the small, 10-pound box should be easier to shlep around and lasts a reasonable eight hours on its rechargeable battery. The Expedition Express won’t be cheap when it ships this month for $200, and it certainly won’t make up for our ham-fisted guitar skills. It might, however, be a solid choice for a backyard party soundtrack.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Samson

Scosche promised a soundtrack to our biking and hiking when it unveiled the BoomBottle back in January; conveniently, it’s shipping the Bluetooth speaker right as the spring thaw lets us give the peripheral a proper workout. The outdoorsy among us can now spend $150 to get a dust- and splashproof stereo system that fits into a bike’s water bottle holder, or on a backpack through a carabiner, and plays for 10 hours on a charge. We’ll have to wait, though, if we want a dash of color while we bombard other travelers with our taste in music. Gray versions are available now or very shortly at Scosche’s site and Walmart, but more season-appropriate blue, green, pink and yellow hues will only sell through Scosche in May.

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Scosche