Hasta La Gadget!

It’s difficult to find a good pair of speakers that you can comfortably use for both day-to-day PC use as well as the high quality sound you expect when you’re watching a movie or your favorite TV shows. Usually PC speakers get the job done when you’re gaming or watching some YouTube videos, but when you settle in to watch a movie you want power behind your sound.

That’s where the new Genius SP-HF1800A speakers come in. The new model features a pair of three-way high fidelity wooden speakers that can sound out your home office or your home theater.

The SP-HF1800A includes RCA and 3.5-inch stereo inputs on the back so it fits seamlessly with your PC setup or your home theater system, or can be connected directly to your TV or game console. The front of the speakers have an additional in-line jack that can support audio from your iPod or other music player, or even your mobile phone. If your home office needs an audio upgrade, the SP-HF1800A will be available before the end of the month for $72.99 list price. 

Did you ever look at a boombox and ask yourself “how can I make this look more like a suitcase?” You and what surely must be millions of others have asked this very question. That’s why designer and self-proclaimed audio-nut Mr. Simo created his line of BoomCase speakers made from actual refurbished cases and luggage.

The cases and are self-powered (will hold 7-plus hours of party time) and will hook into any iPod, iPhone or other media device. BoomCases are fully-customizable and can be made from any suitcase, but Simo claims to “shy away” from plastic cases and to work with wood and leather due to the superior audio qualities of the materials.

Prices start at $250.

Adapting to the needs of consumers who want a little bit of a stereo system, but not too much, JVC is expanding its Procision series with the JVC UX-J51. This is a three-piece system with a built-in iPod dock. It also includes an AM/FM tuner, a pair of two-way bass reflex speakers, and USB 2.0 input. Owners can access most of the controls using flush, top-mounted touch keys that are illuminated in blue. The system also comes with a remote.

The system’s left and right channel amplifiers are each rated at 40 watts. The two-way speakers feature a one-inch soft-dome tweeter and a 4.3-inch cone woofer. JVC has built in CONEQ technology to optimize the audio performance, delivering equal power levels across all frequencies. Look for it in October for $399.95.

Upgrading the original Tunebug, a small audio device that turns your bike helmet into a speaker, TuneBug Inc., has released the Tunebug Shake. The Shake works with any kind of helmet–ski, snowboard, skateboard, cycling, or hard had–and sends sound waves through the surface of the helmet. This creates an all-over listening experience and removes the need for earphones or earbuds.

The Tunebug Shake can be connected to iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones, or any other portable music device. It works wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection, or you can use an audio cable. The included rechargeable battery is good for about five hours of playtime, and it charges through the included USB cable. Pick it up for $99.99. 

Hot on the heels of a new Flip Camcorder from Cisco/Pure Digital, Blue Microphones–a company probably best known in many circles for its low-cost podcasting mics–has introduced a new accessory specifically for the device that has become synonymous with the pocket camcorder space.

The Mikey for Flip plugs directly into the bottom FlipPort-enabled Flip cams. The device features two condenser capsules, which provide “professional-quality stereo recording,” according to Blue. The mic has two volume settings (Loud and Automatic), an input for additional mics, and a slot for a tripod.

The mic uses one AAA battery, rather than drawing power directly from the Flip itself. The Mikey will run $69, and Blue will give press a sneak peak at this year’s CES.

The thing looks like it’s about a third the size of the Flip cam itself, so, even with Blue’s claims that the device is lightweight (the battery will certainly add some, but not a lot of weight to the setup), it will ultimately detract from the portability of the Flip–which has always been one of the device’s biggest selling points.

That said, sound quality has long been a concern with the camcorder. If your video requires more than the base sound quality, the Mikey will likely prove a good option.