Nov 02

Sounfreaq’s Sound Stack Bluetooth speaker sports dual subwoofers, $400 pricetag

Posted in: Android, audio, bluetooth, ios, ios 5, Ios5, Music, sound, Today's Chili
Sounfreaq doesn’t release speaker systems often, but it’s safe to expect something spectacularly sexy when it does. Such is exactly the case with its latest audiophile-aimed creation, the Sound Stack wireless speaker. The company is toting this $400 Bluetooth-enabled HiFi rig as a “2.2” speaker system, thanks to its DubSub design — a duo of active subwoofers pump out lowend in an effort to complement its two other “full-range” drivers. Soundfreaq’s also packed this puppy with its UQ3 processing to keep the soundstage wide despite the unit’s size. Better yet, downloading a free Remote App (available on Android and iOS) unlocks the system’s FM radio — perfect for when you’re feeling nostalgic. If that wasn’t enough, the Sound Stack’s also loaded with an iThing dock and a USB input, both of which can be used to re-juice your devices while streaming. If your Gadget Acquisition Syndrome is already kicking in, fret not, the Sound Stack is available for purchase now. You’ll find more details past the break.

Continue reading Sounfreaq’s Sound Stack Bluetooth speaker sports dual subwoofers, $400 pricetag

Sounfreaq’s Sound Stack Bluetooth speaker sports dual subwoofers, $400 pricetag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

Yamaha’s ruggedized PDX-11 iPod speaker dock lets you blast beats beyond your block for $100

Posted in: Apple, audio, iPhone, iphone 4s, ipod, ipod dock, ipod touch, IpodDock, IpodTouch, minipost, Music, rugged, sound, speaker, Today's Chili
If its past offerings have been any indicator, Yamaha’s no stranger to pumping out attractive speaker docks for iDevices. Not surprisingly, the company’s managed to pour that design sense into its latest ruggedized portable system, the PDX-11. This octagonal unit features a 4-inch woofer and a 3/8-inch tweeter that can be powered by six AA-batteries, allowing for up to eight hours of on-the-go sound. Up top, you’ll find a 30-pin connection base for your iPhone or iPod, and there’s also a 3.5mm jack around back to play nice with other PMPs. Notably, the speaker’s metal carry handle and grill should keep it ready for a mild amount of city-slicking abuse — and in a choice of blue, white, green or black, we’d imagine it’ll look extra fresh doing so. To sweeten the deal further, a remote is included for extra control options. If you’re ready to take your tunes to the outdoors, the PDX-11 is available now for a block rockin’ hundred bucks. You’ll find full details at the source link below.

Continue reading Yamaha’s ruggedized PDX-11 iPod speaker dock lets you blast beats beyond your block for $100

Yamaha’s ruggedized PDX-11 iPod speaker dock lets you blast beats beyond your block for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

Logitech’s Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Posted in: audio, bluetooth, hands-on, logitech, MP3, Music, speaker, Today's Chili, Travel, video

$99? For a portable speaker? Yup, that was our reaction too — especially when the Mini Boombox’s larger sibling boasts four times as many drivers (eight instead of two) and costs just $50 extra. But then we gave this more suitcase-friendly version a whirl and discovered that it’s actually loud and balanced enough to do some justice to your tunes while you’re on the move. In fact, it could well make a smarter purchase than those $30 speakers you keep buying in airports and then deliberately losing. It’s available from the end of this month, works with any A2DP Bluetooth-equipped smartphone or tablet and incorporates a mic for handling calls — plus its rechargeable battery is claimed to last up to ten hours. Ears-on video and a quick round of ‘name that tune’ right after the break, along with the full PR.

Gallery: Logitech Mini Boombox hands-on

Continue reading Logitech’s Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Logitech’s Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

Apple brings GarageBand to iPod touch and iPhone users, because rocking out shouldn’t require a tablet

Posted in: app, Apple, application, AppStore, audio, ipad, ipod, ipod touch, IpodTouch, minipost, Music, now available, NowAvailable, Software, Today's Chili

Lookie here — an iPad app just got miniaturized. It’s not too often we see the progress work in reverse, but one of Apple’s flagship iPad programs has just been converted for use on the iPhone and iPod touch. It doesn’t seem as if too much is changing — outside of the shrunken display options, of course. You can still plug your electric guitar into either of Apple’s more bantam iOS devices in order to record through classic amps and stompbox effects, or record your voice or any acoustic sound using the built-in microphone. The app enables users to record and mix up to eight tracks and then share the finished product with friends or send it to your Mac to keep working on it in GarageBand (the “real one”) or Logic Pro. It’ll run new users $4.99, but if you already purchased the iPad build, it’s a free update to get the new ports. Oh, and if you’re curious, the app now runs on iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (third and fourth generation). Tap the iTunes link below to snag your own copy.

Continue reading Apple brings GarageBand to iPod touch and iPhone users, because rocking out shouldn’t require a tablet

Apple brings GarageBand to iPod touch and iPhone users, because rocking out shouldn’t require a tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 29

Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution?

Posted in: AskEngadget, audio, itunes, Music, stream, streaming, Today's Chili, zune

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Katie, who is totally down with the stream. The radio stream. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Rdio, Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody — there are way too many streaming music services out there begging for my money. Which is the one I should spring for? I live in the US, but would love for whatever I choose to work when I travel internationally, if that’s possible. Trying to keep it up under $10 per month, and looking for a large library and nice mobile compatibility. Thanks!”

So, streamers — what’s your go-to service? Tried a few of ’em? Let us know which you prefer, and why, down in comments below.

Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

iHome iW1 AirPlay wireless audio system finally available now, again, sort of

Posted in: airplay, Apple, audio, available, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, minipost, Music, review, sound, speakers, streaming, Today's Chili, Wireless
Remember back to September 26th when iHome’s iW1 AirPlay speaker was supposed to be available? Curiously, the company’s website continually listed the $300 system as “coming soon” (at least the times we checked), leaving iOS and iTunes users yearning for this cable-free audio ware in the proverbial dust. Now, a full month later, iHome has again announced the release of this flagship wireless speaker, even though it’s still out of stock itself. According to the company, a quick trip to an Apple Store, Best Buy or Crutchfield should let you snag one, although, the latter’s site won’t have any until November 3rd. Here’s to hunting — and waiting for the smaller iW2 and iW3 units to get proper release dates. Full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading iHome iW1 AirPlay wireless audio system finally available now, again, sort of

iHome iW1 AirPlay wireless audio system finally available now, again, sort of originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 26

Twelve South BassJump 2 USB Subwoofer now available, further bumps your Mac’s thump (update)

Posted in: Apple, audio, Mac, macbook, sound, speakers, Today's Chili, usb
At a glance, one could confuse Twelve South’s BassJump 2 for a 2011 Mac Mini — don’t be fooled though, this USB subwoofer aims for sound that’s anything but. Much like the original BassJump, this guy’s aimed at aiding MacBook speakers by adding extra low end boost, and employing proprietary software to keep it in all in check. Improving on the original, however, the BassJump 2 pumps out eight extra decibels of volume and comes with “remastered software,” notably featuring iMac and Thunderbolt Display support. If it piques your fancy, the BassJump 2 is now available for about $70 — much like a pair of utilitarian Grado headphones (or similar), but we digress. Full press release past the break.

Update: For clarification, the BassJump 2 is physically identical the first. According to Twelve South, its updated software is the key new feature and can be downloaded for free if you already own a BassJump.

[Thanks, Brendan]

Continue reading Twelve South BassJump 2 USB Subwoofer now available, further bumps your Mac’s thump (update)

Twelve South BassJump 2 USB Subwoofer now available, further bumps your Mac’s thump (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 24

Westone’s 4 R-Series quad-driver IEMs pack Acoustic Symmetry, cost $500

Posted in: audio, earphones, headphones, Music, sound, Today's Chili
Remember those impressive Westone 4 in-ear monitors that came out late last year, priced at a whopping $450? Well, the company’s ready to best itself again — and have audiophiles open their wallets a bit wider — with its new 4 R-Series. This latest set is relatively similar to the 4, still packing Westone’s EPIC cable (now detachable) and four balanced armature drivers, but will set you back an extra fifty bucks in the name of Acoustic Symmetry. Westone claims the ‘phones achieve an “extremely tight tolerance of +/- 2dB between earpieces,“ meaning your sound should be extra consistent from both buds. The 4 R-Series buds are expected to arrive before the year’s out, so in the meantime we’ll just direct you to the PR past the break.

Continue reading Westone’s 4 R-Series quad-driver IEMs pack Acoustic Symmetry, cost $500

Westone’s 4 R-Series quad-driver IEMs pack Acoustic Symmetry, cost $500 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 22

Ask Engadget: best AirPlay speakers for travel?

Posted in: airplay, Apple, AskEngadget, audio, Music, speaker, Today's Chili, Travel

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Christian, who seems to be into the idea of traveling sans wires. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I am looking for some AirPlay-enabled speakers that I can use to travel with. They should support 110 to 240 volt and have WiFi built-in so I don’t have to carry around an AP. Also, it would be cool if this WiFi could connect to the hotel network, if possible. Thanks!”

It’d also be cool if you share any relevant advice down in comments below. Cheers!

Ask Engadget: best AirPlay speakers for travel? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 19

Deezer goes global, streaming music service coming to over 100 new countries

Posted in: audio, Music, streaming, Today's Chili

Many folks here in the good ol’ US of A are familiar with streaming music services like Pandora, Rhapsody and Spotify, but may not be aware that Deezer dishes out tunes to those across the pond. Just last month it launched a mobile service on Orange, France’s largest carrier, and now the company’s looking to gain a far larger geographic footprint. Deezer plans to launch in over 100 more countries in the near future, and is in the process of partnering up with a bunch of other telcos to do it. It’s taking an unusual approach to expansion, going for aurally under served areas instead of joining the fray in the biggest music markets in the US and Japan — Indonesians and Brazilians gotta get down on Friday too, you know. The reason for doing so? Acquiring rights in the US is difficult (and expensive), but global licenses are easier to come by, which lets the Deezer diaspora occur by the dozen. So rejoice music lovers around the world, you’ll soon be able to get your Deezer on.

Deezer goes global, streaming music service coming to over 100 new countries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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