Logitech is throwing out another THX certified speaker set. This 2.1 system is called Z623 and delivers 200 watts so it is large enough to sit next to a TV and deliver ample volume, but not so large that it can’t be used at a computer. THX doesn’t hand out their certification to just any speaker. A stringent performance standard must be met in order to qualify, so you can be sure that you’ll get good quality sound. If you’ve ever been to a THX certified theater, you know the kind of sound reproduction that THX demands.
The Logitech Z623 should be easy to connect to any computer, TV, music or video player with RCA and 3.5mm inputs. The Z623 is scheduled to be available in the U.S. and Europe in September for a suggested retail price of $149.99
Sony is soon rolling out 3 new 3D capable home theater solutions on the HT-CT350, HT-CT150 3.1 channel sound bars and HT-SF470 5.1 channel home theater set. [click to continue…]
We all know that most built-in laptop speakers leave a lot to be desired when it comes to audio performance. Logitech is no different and has slung out the Laptop Speaker Z205, a lightweight speaker with a portable clip-on design allowing laptop junkies to rock their favorite tunes in some decent quality. Logitech made the Laptop Speaker Z205 lightweight and small enough to take anywhere a laptop goes. It measures approximately 1.35 inches thick and 2.5 inches tall. To me the coolest thing about the Laptop Speaker Z205 is there is no need for external power. The included USB cable takes care of the power and audio transmission. Logitech even throws in a carrying case to store the Laptop Speaker Z205 in while in transit. The Logitech Laptop Speaker Z205 should be available in the U.S. and Europe for $39.99 beginning in March.
Editors Note: The clip-on mechanism may cause interference with built-in web cams. The fix may be as easy as offsetting the speakers from center slightly. Just be aware before purchasing.
FREMONT, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Laptop and netbook computers are portable and powerful enough to do everything you love such as enjoying music, movies and video calls. But as computers have gotten smaller, audio quality has often been sacrificed. To enhance the audio quality of your favorite tunes and movies, today Logitech (SIX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) announced the Logitech® Laptop Speaker Z205 — a lightweight speaker with an easy-to-attach clip-on design that lets you pump up the volume wherever you take your laptop.
“While people love the portability of their laptop computer, they are often missing out on the immersive listening experience that external speakers provide”
“While people love the portability of their laptop computer, they are often missing out on the immersive listening experience that external speakers provide,” said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s audio business unit. “When designing the Logitech Laptop Speaker Z205, we wanted to help people get better audio while enjoying their favorite shows or music without sacrificing portability. The Laptop Speaker Z205 is tiny enough to toss in your bag, but delivers big sound.”
Whether you use a Mac® or a Windows®-based laptop or a netbook, the Logitech Laptop Speaker Z205 securely attaches to the top of most laptop screens. The Laptop Speaker Z205 is also small — approximately 1.35 inches thick and 2.5 inches tall — which means you’ll always be able to take it with you. And the included carrying case protects your speaker while inside your briefcase or backpack.
Now, when you’re watching your favorite show, listening to Pandora™, or making a video call, you’ll enjoy rich, full stereo sound thanks to two high-performance drivers, a built-in amplifier and an acoustically tuned enclosure. And you can easily adjust the volume as well as turn the speaker on and off using the buttons located on the top of the speaker. The included USB cable is all you need for power and audio — there’s no need for an external power supply — so simply plug the Z205 into your computer and start enjoying your entertainment.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Laptop Speaker Z205 is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe for a suggested retail price of $39.99 (U.S.) beginning in March.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company’s Web site at www.logitech.com.
I was browsing around the Orb website and found that they have a new speaker combo. Orb is marketing this small system as a simple high quality audio solution for iPods, TVs and computers.
This package includes 2 Orb Mod1 or Mod2 speakers and a tiny, audiophile quality amplifier to provide power for your Orbs. Add optional subwoofer for additional performance. Also includes adapters to work with any mini headphone jack or RCA output, so it will work with almost any TV or computer.
Amp Details
Audiophile Class T Amplifier by OPI Audio. Includes a stereo mini input and compatible cable, as well as adapters for stereo RCA input making it easy to connect any TV, iPod, DVD player, cable box or other audio/video component with the provided cables. Speaker wire is all that is need extra. Peak output 15W (plenty for the Orbs). Works with 110V and 220/240V. Orb says this package can be combined with the Apple Airport to stream music wirelessly.
Right now this Orb system with The Mod1 speakers (black or white) will run $299.00 (introductory price) . Tack on $149.00 if you want the Mod2 system (gives you 2 speakers on each side…pic below) and if you want to throw in a subwoofer add on another $299.00 for the Super Eight and $598.00 for the Uber Ten.
Today, Monster has flown out a new ear bud called “Butterfly, ” designed by hip fashion designer Vivienne Tam. These days fashion is no stranger to just about every consumer product in the market. Monster recognizes this fact and is no stranger to the game. Monster brings a full line of earbuds and over-ear headphones for the fashion minded without suffering audio quality.
Monster is thoughtful enough to include multi-sized soft eartips for a comfortable fit and with the built-in ControlTalk remote on Butterfly headphone cable, you get on-cable control of your music, as well as easy, high quality hands-free calling. Enjoy quick-access music playback control, like volume, play/pause and tracking, without having to dig for your digital music player. A list of supported MP3 players and phones can be found at monstercable.com. The list price is set at $199.95. Check B&H Photo for avalability and a full line of Monster headphones. [click to continue…]
During CES 2010 Tom Merrit and Rafe Needleman of CNET sat down with Karlheinz Brandenburg, co-inventor of MP3. Brandenburg is a professor at the Institute for Media Technology at Technical University of Ilmenau and also serves as director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Ilmenau.
MP3 is short for MPEG- 1 Layer 3 and is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Audiophiles often discredit MP3 for compressing and removing audio data found in the original recording.
Interview Discussion: (video is roughly 17 min.)
Origins of MP3 (what was it trying to solve, how was it named, file extension?)
Reasons for success of MP3
Problems with MP3 (pre echo issue with percussive material)
MP3 vs. AAC (“AAC is what MP3 should have been from the beginning”)
How MP3 works (Psychoacoustics, masking, quantization noise)
Audiophiles and MP3s
Best encoding bitrate
Blind testing
Future of MP3… MP3 Surround, MP3 metadata databases
ZVOX just dropped several new sound bar all-in-one speakers in three new flavors, the the ZVOX 575 HSD, $749.99; the ZVOX 550 HSD, $449.99; and the ZVOX 430 HSD, $449.99. The new sound bars offer a variety of input possibilities with optical, coax and analog inputs galore. All three systems use real wood (MDF) cabinets and include built-in powered subwoofers and ZVOX’s PhaseCue virtual surround sound system.
TuneBug is a SurfaceSound device that turns hard surfaces in a speaker by using the surface to pass the sound waves from the device. TuneBug comes in a couple of different flavors. The TuneBug Vibe is a SurfaceSound speaker for desktop or tabletop use (or any other hard surface). All you have to do is plug in you iPod, MP3 player or other audio source and set the TuneBug Vibe down on the surface. There’s also a teaser for third flavor, the TuneBug Quake, on the TuneBug website, but no details yet.
The TuneBug Shake is one of the coolest devices that I saw at CES 2010. The Shake straps onto your bike (or skateboard, or whatever) helmet and uses the helmet as the hard surface to hit with sound waves. The Shake lets you rock while you ride your bike, skateboard, snowboard or whatever, but lets you still keep your ears in tune with your surroundings. [click to continue…]
If you are looking for something unique for that special lady…something that says “I love you,” but you are not quite ready to say it with jewelry the iHeart Jewelry Box Speaker for iPod (and iPhone) may be just the ticket.
The iHeart is made by a Japanese compay called Marubeni Infotec, has 2 small 2w speakers and will be available for purchase next month according to CrunchGear. The demensions are 15.3cm（W）x 14.2cm（D）x 9.85cm（H） or 6in (W) x 5.6in (D) x 3.9in (H) according to the Marubeni Infotec website.
Sony is soon rolling out 3 new 3D capable home theater solutions on the HT-CT350, HT-CT150 3.1 channel sound bars and HT-SF470 5.1 channel home theater set. 
We all know that most built-in laptop speakers leave a lot to be desired when it comes to audio performance. Logitech is no different and has slung out the Laptop Speaker Z205, a lightweight speaker with a portable clip-on design allowing laptop junkies to rock their favorite tunes in some decent quality. Logitech made the Laptop Speaker Z205 lightweight and small enough to take anywhere a laptop goes. It measures approximately 1.35 inches thick and 2.5 inches tall. To me the coolest thing about the Laptop Speaker Z205 is there is no need for external power. The included USB cable takes care of the power and audio transmission. Logitech even throws in a carrying case to store the Laptop Speaker Z205 in while in transit. The Logitech Laptop Speaker Z205 should be available in the U.S. and Europe for $39.99 beginning in March.
I was browsing around the Orb 
If you are looking for something unique for that special lady…something that says “I love you,” but you are not quite ready to say it with jewelry the iHeart Jewelry Box Speaker for iPod (and iPhone) may be just the ticket.
