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Look, we’ve no beef with Osram Sylvania (nor Artison, for that matter), but calling these MusicLites “a first of its kind” is a bit of a stretch, if not an outright falsity. Klipsch launched essentially the same thing back at CES this year with the LightSpeaker, but hey, we’ve no gripes with a little competition in the space. The aforementioned duo has joined up in order to produce something that should make the art of integrating whole home audio into your own abode a good bit easier, with the MusicLites design combining a 10-watt LED light, a 70mm full-range loudspeaker and a wireless audio receiver. The device can slide into four-, five- or six-inch recessed cans, and we’re told that it’ll provide light output equivalent to a 65-watt reflector bulb. As you’d probably expect, there’s a proprietary 2.4GHz transceiver that works with a variety of sources, some of which include USB, smartphones and PMPs. Each kit will ship with a pair of 3.8″ x 5.3″ modules and a remote that controls light dimming and audio settings, and while mum’s the word on pricing, it’ll be commercially available sometime in the fall.

Continue reading MusicLites shoves a speaker, wireless transmitter and LED light into single canister

MusicLites shoves a speaker, wireless transmitter and LED light into single canister originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 May 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Let’s get this out of the way: at 38mm (1.5 inches) thick, these Mythos XTR-50 speakers are not the “world’s thinnest,” no matter what manufacturer Definitive Technology might have you believe — JVC dropped 31mm satellites onto our secret wishlists just last fall. But unless you live in Japan, the Mythos XTR-50 may be the thinnest speakers you can actually buy. Made completely from aircraft grade aluminum, the enclosure houses six domed drivers and a tweeter, themselves shaped from aluminum, and connected with copper-covered aluminum wire. Why all the aluminum, you ask? The obvious reason is that — in moderation — it’s lighter and stronger than alternative materials, which contributes to these satellites’ luscious curves, but it also means that the entire assembly acts as a giant heatsink. Logical design — who would have believed it. Too bad the units cost $700 each, and you’ll need at least two — if not five — to get the full effect.

Mythos XTR-50 speakers exude aircraft style, remain grounded by price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seriously, who told manufacturers that we’re in love with garish LED status lights?ASUS has strapped a glowing orb of unnecessariness around the volume knob of the Cine5 — an otherwise perfectly acceptable and appreciably diminutive PC soundbar. With an array of speaker drivers integrated into that curvy body, ASUS claims the Cine5 produces realistic multidirectional surround sound, but does admit it’s mostly intended for smaller spaces such as study rooms. The announcement also includes a nod to FPS gamers, with claims that the improved positional audio on offer will benefit both gameplay immersion and accuracy when identifying a sound source, though we reckon the biggest boon will still be the elimination of the extra cables and speakers one usually needs to get one’s surround sound on. Price and availability have not yet been made public, but knowing ASUS both should be in the reasonable range of the market.

ASUS Cine5 is ‘world’s most compact’ five-channel speaker, doesn’t forget the blue LEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh yeah, you’re a party waiting to happen when you’ve got the Samson Expedition XP40iw, the company’s first iPod sound system with a wireless mic. Other portable iPod speakers let you fill the room with your music, but this Expedition also lets you talk or sing over the speaker. It might try your friends’ patience, but you’ll be a star. The XP40iw has a 40 watt speaker, a rechargeable battery (so you don’t have to worry about being near a power outlet), and an iPod dock. It also includes two inputs for additional mics or instruments.

For bigger needs, Samson is also debuting the Expedition XP5101i, a 500 watt system with a detachable 10 channel mixer. It includes an iPod dock, but can’t work wirelessly, as the XP40iw can. Its dual two-way speakers each have 10-inch woofers. The entire unit–two speakers, mixer, and cables–folds together for easy transportation and weights just over 50 pounds. Both models are due out in April. The XP40iw will list for under $300 and the XP510i for under $700.