Hasta La Gadget!

We’d tell you these things are probably too easy to lose, but it probably matters not — after all, you’ve already been suckered into buying one based on how insanely janky / adorable it is. JVC has just introduced the SP-A230 and SP-A1M portable speakers, with the former being shown above. That guy is a bar-styled stereo unit with a pair of 30mm drivers, a brain-melting 160mW x 2 of power and a 3.5mm auxiliary cable for connecting to any ‘ole PMP. The A1M ships with a single 30mm driver and relies on a pair of AAA batteries, compared with a pair of AA batteries necessary on the larger A230. Pricing remains elusive, but you can expect ’em in a variety of colors this November… well, in Japan at least.

JVC introduces SP-A230 and SP-A1M: portable speakers for portable players originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Akihabara News  |  JVC (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

The North versus the South in America. East and West Germany. Quebec revolting against English-speaking Canada. Sirius and XM. History’s chock full of broken spirits, hurt feelings and splintered memories, but the latter of these mentioned touches our heart the most. We mean, just look at this new boombox — the Sirius XM Sound Dock has somehow managed to put differences and demographics aside in a mighty effort of reuniting two satellite radio companies that once wished death and destruction upon one another. Expected to ship later in 2010 for $129, it’s the first docking speaker station that’s compatible with both XM and Sirius ‘Dock and Play‘ tuners released over the past three years. If you’re nowhere near an AC outlet, it’ll also operate with an eight-pack of ‘C’ cell batteries, and there’s an auxiliary input and headphone output for added flexibility. Frankly, the release of this fellow reinstates our hope that world peace can indeed be achieved… so long as we take it one radio at a time.

Sirius XM Sound Dock unites a fractured past, accepts tuners from both Sirius and XM originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  TWICE, Orbitcast  | Email this | Comments

Pioneer has long been a friend of DJs, producers, and audiophiles alike, turning out lines of audio products that can make club DJs and at-home listeners equally happy with the audio quality they get for the money. If you have the money to spare, the new Pioneer S-DJ05 and S-DJ08 speaker systems can put out impressive sound. Both series will be available in January 2011, but you can reserve a pair of the S-DJ05 speakers for $899 or the D-DJ08 speakers for $1199.

The DJ05 5-inch speakers and DJ08 8-inch speakers are both active reference speakers and are aimed at DJs and music producers looking for sound worthy of a music studio. Both models allow you to control speaker settings from a single external controller that’s included with the package, and have a built-in linear equalizer that you can manage from that controller.

The new speakers also allow you to easily switch among the four built-in audio terminals so you can quickly toggle between computers and your DJ equipment, or additional mixers and amps connected to them without the need for a sub-mixer. The speakers even feature a built-in LED display that will show you the active source and the EQ status.

We’ve seen speaker systems that use flat surfaces as a diaphragm before, but Franklin’s Roadie might be the first modular to splash down in the new millennium. It’s a three part system (if you want it to be), consisting of the EVS-2000, EVS-3000 and EVS-4000. In order of mention, you’ve got a base model that accepts sources via a 3.5mm input jack, a rechargeable battery with SD card slot, and a bonus tweeter / equalizer. It ain’t much good in your hand, but slap it on a table (or any other flat surface, like a floor) and the tunes start to boom. Or become marginally more audible, anyway. The trio should go on sale soon for $99.99 as a bundle, while the 2000 and 3000 can be picked up by themselves for $49.99 / $79.99, respectively.

Continue reading Franklin Roadie modular music system needs a table to boom

Franklin Roadie modular music system needs a table to boom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Franklin  | Email this | Comments

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.