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Your notebook’s built-in speakers might be fine when you’re by yourself, but can they do the job when you want to share a song with friends? And what if you’re watching a streaming television show–can the sound reach you when you sit back a few feet?

The answer is to choose speakers that are just as portable as your computer. Hercules is introducing the XPS 2.0 35 USB speakers, which get all the power they need from a USB port, so there’s no electrical cord. They even come with a padded carrying case for when you’re on the go.

Look for them in June for a list price of $19.99. Hercules will also introduce in June the XPS 5.1 70 Slim, a set of four speakers and one sub-woofer, for $99.99 list.

Denon sells a lot of headphones. At the company’s press event, where it celebrated 100 years of operation, an executive said Denon’s $1,000 pair of headphones was so popular that it was always on backorder.

If I worked at Denon, I’d be suggesting we make a $2,000 pair of headphones, but the company is offering plenty of more affordable models. This summer it will launch six more pairs, bringing the total number in the line to 14.

New models will include the AH-NC800 (a noise-canceling model that will list for $349 in August), the over-ear AH-D1100 (listing for $199 in September), the AH-D510R (listing for $99 in August), the AH-D310R (available in August for a $69 list price), the in-ear AH-C560R (shown here; listing for $99 in June), and the in-ear AH-C260R (available in June for a low list price of $49). Central features for the line include iPhone/iPod compatibility and the company’s already excellent comfort fit.

Not only does the Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset System look completely amazing (especially if you’re in middle school), but it also offers an advantage–an unfair advantage–the Psyko higher-ups say, when gaming: it provides full immersion 3D audio that allows you to precisely identify movements around you. It uses five speakers placed around the headband to channel sound to the ear in a natural way. The bridge contains front left, center, front right, rear left, and rear right speakers, as well as a subwoofer in each ear cup. That’s seven speakers total.

The secret is that the speakers aren’t positioned right at your ear, but are set farther back. Sound is carried through wave guides to pass over the front and back of both ears, giving a more natural sound. The microphone is removable and the ear cups are open so you can hear conversation in the room. These list for $299.99 and can be found at NewEgg.com, among other stores.

The 3.1 channel HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 soundbars a) don’t require special glasses to use and b) look fairly flat to us, but — along with the 1,000 watt HT-SF470 5.1 surround system — but the magic is in their HDMI repeaters (three inputs, one output) capable of 3D and standby passthrough just like Sony’s latest higher end equipment. The 400 watt HT-CT350 steps it up by shipping with a mounting bracket that affixes it to bottom of select 40-inch (and up) 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, while the 340 watt HT-CT150 attaches to select 32-inch sets. You’ll also find LPCM support via HDMI and BRAVIA Sync compatibility, and if you’re drinking the Kool-Aid, you can find the 40-inch CT350 on sale next month for $400, the 32-inch CT150 retailing for around $300 and the 5.1 SF470 hitting shops in June for $550.

Continue reading Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system

Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We heard that Jays was gearing up to ship a baker’s half-dozen of new headphones this year, and we’ve got to say — the t-Jays ain’t a bad way to get things rolling. Designed with a “warm and wide soundstage,” these ‘buds boast an angled sound chamber optimized for delivering deep bass, and Jays proclaims that these might be the best earphones yet for extended listening sessions. They can be worn over the ear or straight in, and the cord has been designed to sit closer to the body in order to reduce burden placed on the ear. As with some of the outfit’s other offerings, these too will ship in One, Two or Three flavors — each will boast the same speaker size, but the frequency response and amount of bundled extras increases with each level. They’ll be lookin’ to take on Sleek Audio’s SA1 and Klipsch’s Image S4 when they land in May for $79, $89 and $99 in order of mention.

[Thanks, Tommy]

Continue reading Jays aims for long-term comfort with stylish t-Jays earbuds

Jays aims for long-term comfort with stylish t-Jays earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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