LaCie’s Sound2 PC speakers look good… real good

LaCie isn’t exactly the first name that comes to mind when you think “sound,” but it’s definitely near the top in the design department. Neil Poulton, the same fellow responsible for designing the outfit’s line of sleek, sexy hard drives, has placed his touch on the speakers you see above. The simplistic Sound2 setup boasts 30 total watts of peak power, and all it requires to function is a free USB port, an open AC outlet and an Earthling kind enough to connect it all. If you just know these would look sound great on your desk, get ready to fork out $99.99 for the privilege.

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LaCie’s Sound2 PC speakers look good… real good originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaCie Speakers Deliver Great Sound, Minimalist Design

LaCieSound2.jpg

It’s easy to imagine LaCie’s new Sound2 speakers finding a home with designers, architects, or anyone who appreciates sleek, minimalist design. But while looks are the first thing you’ll notice, the Sound2 have much more going for them. A collaboration between LaCie and audio engineering company Cabasse, this pair offers a 30W output, frequency response of 80Hz-20kHz, a Class D Digital Amplifier, and magnetic shielding.

The Sound2 are plug-and-play, so they can be used instantly with any computer or with a portable media player such as an iPod. They’re USB-powered, although they also include a wall plug for when you need some extra amplification. They also include built-in USB cables. You can pick them up at LaCie.com for only $99, although this hot new release is already on back order.

Sound2 Speakers Look Like Giant Desktop Earbuds

speakers2-lacie

Lacie’s new Sound2 Speakers are neat in two ways. First, they can hook up to a computer via USB as well as the usual line-in jack, and second, they look like a giant pair of earbuds.

The pedigree is also good, with the internals designed by high-end French speaker company Cabasse, and we like the loud-enough 30 Watt output and the fact that these are real, big speakers rather than the ubiquitous subwoofer and satellite setup normally targeted at computer users.

But what will sell these speakers is of course the looks, and those earbud-like cases will sit great on your desk next to a notebook. There’s even a hide-away external power supply to keep the desktop clear. We’ll have to hear them in person to make a choice, of course, but right now these are looking like a good candidate for the new speakers in Gadget Lab’s Spanish office (aka my bedroom). $100.

Product page [Lacie. Thanks, Kim!]


Artcoustic vomits bling allover its Crystal line of wall-mounted speakers

It’s a bit hard to tell if Artcoustic’s latest wall-mounted, ultrathin loudspeakers, the Crystal line, are incredibly horrid or insanely awesome. There’s no denying that high-end loving audiophiles are enticed by the brand — but the Crystal line? Well, let’s just say that adding a bunch of Swarovskis to any product won’t necessarily make it better. Regardless, these bad boys are customizable and if you’re into ostentation, they probably belong in your apartment. There’s also a matching iPod dock available, and it’ll run you about $3700 to get one, speaker included.

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Artcoustic vomits bling allover its Crystal line of wall-mounted speakers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KEF lands its wireless HTB2SE-W subwoofer

KEF HTB2SE-W subwoofer

Don’t get us wrong — we love subwoofers — but honestly we’ve been pretty satisfied with the formula that combines a driver, strong box and large amplifier into a more or less (we prefer less) inconspicuous cube. Changing the physical design always looks kind of strange, even when the results are great. Horses for courses, however, as KEF has introduced its HTB2SE-W subwoofer that has us thinking of one George Jetson. That impression is only enhanced by the wireless connection (hey, it was futuristic a few years ago) that promises “CD-quality sound,” which is probably more than sufficient for even lossless LFE tracks. If you don’t like the flying saucer look, simply put the HTB2SE-W on its side — the 10-inch driver and 250-Watt amp promise to deliver bass so non-directional that you won’t be able to tell the difference. Available next month for $1,200 — head below the fold for one more pic if you’re not sure if this is the look for you.

Continue reading KEF lands its wireless HTB2SE-W subwoofer

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KEF lands its wireless HTB2SE-W subwoofer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Emo Labs’ invisible speakers visibly demonstrated

Emo Labs is out on a crusade to unify audio and video into one cohesive, delectable whole. If you’ll recall, the company’s Edge Motion invisible speaker tech relies on implanting a clear membrane atop display panels, which is then vibrated by piezoelectric actuators to generate stereo audio. We’ve grabbed a couple of vids of it in action to whet your appetite, and while there’s still no word on when, plans are afoot to embed the technology into LCDs, laptops, mobiles and even handheld gaming devices. Dance past the break to hear, and maybe even see, for yourself.

[Via eCoustics]

Continue reading Video: Emo Labs’ invisible speakers visibly demonstrated

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Video: Emo Labs’ invisible speakers visibly demonstrated originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yamaha neoHD Review: Receiver Redefined? Almost.

For decades, receiver innovation has been stuck in tar, an anonymous group of large black boxes with way too many buttons. Now, the neoHD hopes to re-imagine what the receiver can be.

The NeoHD may support 5.1 surround sound, but it dubs itself a “media connector,” not a receiver. That’s because the model I tested, the YMC-700 ($800), includes ethernet, Wi-Fi and USB drive support. The other big NeoHD revolution is supposed to be its Logitech Harmony-like interface. And the kicker? It’s all managed by the most minimal remote you’ll find in the home theater world.

What’s Really Different with the neoHD?

• graphic-driven interface
• tiny remote
• about half the size of your average receiver
• removes audio modes like Theater, Live, Sports, etc
• gladly supports 2.1 virtual surround or 5.1
• streams web-based radio, network audio
• IR repeaters can control other devices through onscreen remote

Watch, Listen and Play

Every receiver I’ve ever seen is driven by Inputs. You know, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Component 3. But when you load the NeoHD, you see Watch, Listen and Play. Like a Harmony, the interface is purpose-driven, not device-driven.
Of course you plug in the PS3 through HDMI just like any other receiver, but going through guided setup, the system asks what you want to do with this device. And if it happens that you use it to watch movies, listen to music and play games, guess what? The PS3 will propagate in a submenu under each of those shiny icons.
Herein lies my main problem. I always knew that I wanted to listen to music from my PS3. That was a complete thought. But using the NeoHD’s menus, I need to say, listen to music. Then I need to sort through a list including a slew of other devices. And if I own an Xbox 360, which I do, I need to recall whether the PS3 is Game Console 1 or Game Console 2. (Technically this is the Play menu – I ended up turning off music for both my consoles after encountering the issue.)

I see the intent for a simple UI. But how is this system easier than before? Even the grandma stereotype will be just as lost in this second menu, filled with inputs, as she would be a normal receiver.

Wouldn’t it be better for the main menu just to show an icon of a PS3, an Xbox 360, my satellite dish and whatever else I had around?
To make matters worse, this lack of formal inputs means there’s no input button on the remote. I haven’t been able to find a way to change inputs other than hitting a back button, a la webpage, to slowly back my way to the main screen. The neoHD hopes to replace your universal remote altogether, controlling your TV and cable box through IR blasters. But how can I expect it to replace every remote in the house when it can’t adequately replace itself?

Connectedness

Let’s call the system halfway there.
I found that the neoHD can just as easily play FM as it can stream music from its large library of internet radio stations. But even when streaming music from my Mac (which requires TwonkyMedia Server, bundled free) there’s no way to pause or stop your music, even using a button that brings up onscreen controls. Why can I loop a track but not pause it?

It was also a great disappointment when I realized that the iPod and Bluetooth functions both require external adapters to work. The USB port won’t even charge your iPod.

But the biggest issue that many Giz readers may have is that the neoHD can’t stream video of any sort, nor can it load video from USB. In this regard, the you can’t justify a neoHD purchase knowing that it could replace an Apple TV, Roku, Xbox…you know, anything you use to watch those torrents on the big screen, let alone web content.

Music streaming works, and updating the NeoHD’s firmware couldn’t be easier (it’s basically one button in the settings menu). But ultimately, the AV networking aspects are a bit of a tease without both the A and the V arriving in full force.

Sound

Oh right, this thing drives speakers, doesn’t it? I tested the YMC-700 with 2.1 speakers found bundled with the cheaper, Wi-Fi-less YMC-500. So we’re talking two small front speakers and a subwoofer setup through an automated microphone tone test.
Watching Hero on Blu-ray, the water droplets panned sporadically through the front half of my living room with distinct, round plops, before the clash of swords sliced through atmosphere. The faux surround fills your ears completely, but it only captures the front 150 degrees of your perspective (at least in my living room). Still, I was pleased with the quality. Honestly, voices and shows over DirecTV have never sounded so good, and I use the impressive ZVOX 550 on a daily basis. Not bad.

It’s the Thought that Counts

I know this will sound condescending, but I mean it sincerely. While the neoHD has a flawed UI and limited media support for a media connector, at least Yamaha is trying something new.

There are good ideas here. I’ve never had such an easy time setting up components in any large AV system. And it is inherently easier to manage something like networked audio through your receiver than both your receiver AND your Xbox AND your TV.

But if you’ve already networked your home theater and just want an easy way to add surround sound, you might be better off going with a lower end receiver and a really nice remote. [Yamaha]

Super easy setup


Solid 2.1 performance


Simplified interface often just slows you down


No video codec support whatsoever


Component to HDMI conversion was blurry

Yamaha’s PSG-01S is the speakerphone version of a mullet

Following in ASUS’ hot sweaty footsteps today comes Yamaha with a pair of Skype-certified USB speakerphones. The PSG-01S ‘SoundGadget’ (pictured) aspires to be everything to everyone, by automagically switching between an all-party speaker mode and dressed-up speakerphone duty, depending on its vertical orientation. The PJP-25URS, on the other hand, seems pretty well identical to its predecessor, the PJP-25UR, but for its support for Vista (and presumably Windows 7) machines. That means you still get a crazy twelve mic array and those fetching swing-out mic arms that corporate types must be simply in love with, given the distinct lack of changes. Both are powered via the USB connector, sport dedicated Skype controls, echo cancellation, and noise reduction, and are expected in Europe and the US this month.

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Yamaha’s PSG-01S is the speakerphone version of a mullet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hard drives quit their day job to pursue new life as a speaker system

We know what you’re thinking, why would you ever turn two decent hard disk drives into tinny speakers when it’s much more logical to use them as storage and buying cheap speakers instead… but if you’re the kind of mad scientist who likes to see doohickeys function outside their intended use, or have friends who’d be really impressed or amused, you might want to consider recreating this classy speaker set complete with transparent glass case and the requisite blue lights. All the instructions lie beyond the read link, and if you’re not quite convinced, we think the video after the break is likely to change your opinion for the better.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading Hard drives quit their day job to pursue new life as a speaker system

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Hard drives quit their day job to pursue new life as a speaker system originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altec Lansing’s InMotion Classic has good looks, bad price

There’s a certain low-profile shindig going on today, and in its honor we thought we’d show off a new accessory you might need for your brand new something or other. Altec Lansing has updated its InMotion line of iPod / iPhone docks with the Classic, which takes the iM600, washes off most of the ugly, slaps on a multifunctional handle, and asks for the same $149 MSRP. An auxiliary input, FM tuner and rechargeable battery make it decently versatile, while the remote and the “cubby hole” for its storage score cuteness points aplenty. Unfortunately for Altec, the “cute” price range doesn’t quite extend to the heights of its asking price, so it’ll be down to sound quality to deliver the final verdict.

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Altec Lansing’s InMotion Classic has good looks, bad price originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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