XM & Sirius Inch Closer
In a statement on Monday, June 16, 2008 by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin gave the go ahead for the satellite radio giants XM and Sirius to wed. A number of conditions will exist, including a three year price freeze for consumers. Don’t get too excited yet. The four other commissioners still need to give the OK nod, before it’s a done deal.
Some of the good that can come from the merger is smaller subscription packages at a lower price (about half of the current subscription fee), “family friendly” programming excluding the racier stuff like Stern (as if I needed to point that out), and the two providers have agreed to allow any radio equipment manufacturer make satellite radio products.
I know there is a lot of opposition toward the merger out there and arguably for good reason, but my opinion is that if you are against it, then don’t subscribe. Personally, I think consumers will have more options with a merger, at least at this stage. Also, a merger may save one company from a short existence, if not both.
As always please feel free to share your thoughts and say tuned to read more in the coming days as all this merger stuff plays out.
MartinLogan Speakers Available on Amazon
Amazon.com is now offering high-end audio gear from MartinLogan. Amazon is now the only online vendor that is authorized to offer MartinLogan speakers for retail purchases.
Note, you can also get Amazon’s free shipping on many of the pricey speakers, and you might save a buck or two on the absence of sales tax (except for you New Yorkers). It’s good to see Amazon expanding its audio offerings. Amazon’s line of audio gear has steadily increased over the years and, more recently, has began to offer more high end gear.
For over 25 years, MartinLogan’s Kansas-based design and engineering team has refined and perfected electrostatic sound technology. They have built a reputation for providing quality high performance products and outstanding customer support. MartinLogan is known as a world leader in Electrostatic (ESL), Advanced Thin Film (ATF) and subwoofer technology. MartinLogan uses these advanced technologies in a full range of loudspeakers and subwoofers to create exceptional 2-channel and home theater systems that enable you to experience music and movies with amazing detail.
[Amazon]
HD Radio?
So, what is HD Radio? In a nutshell it is your favorite radio station broadcasting digital, CD quality music for free. At least it is some of your favorite stations. There are more than 1600 AM and FM stations broadcasting digitally, with more added all the time. So, how do I get it? All you have to do is purchase a HD Radio equiped reciever and your all set. Well, provided you are in an area where stations are broadcasting digitally. Find out who is broadcasting HD Radio.
How does HD Radio work? It works much like conventional radio. There is a source at one end and a reciever at the other with some key differences. Both analog and digital signals are bundled and sent out together with the digital signal being compressed, which is where it gets the name Hybrid Digital Radio. What’s really cool is that textual data such as song titles, traffic and stock info can be transmitted and displayed on your receiver.
There are a ton of recievers out there for your car or home. There is a variety of affordable options. Some sub-$100 car CD receivers I have found are JVC KD-HDW10 with built in HD Radio turner, Kenwood KDC-MP338, Kenwood KDC-MP238, Sony CDX-GT320, Pioneer DEH2000MP. That said, you will have to buy an HD Radio turner for most car receivers. Typically, you can pick one up for under $100 as well.
For home I like Sony’s XDR-S3HD HD Radio and Polk Audio I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 (with integrated iPod dock). Though the Polk I-Sonic is a bit pricey you get great Polk quality and you can dock your iPod and get crystal clear music over the air waves. If you already have a nice home receiver give the Sony XDRF1HD or Sangean’s HDT-1X a shot.
Oh yeah! If you want a new multi-channel receiver for your home entertainment system, companies like Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo have you covered here as well.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is HD Radio is here to stay. It’s a nice alternative to Satellite radio and the best part is there are no subscription fees to pay. If you need to upgrade your current receiver but you not sure about HD radio or you don’t have any stations in your area yet, go ahead get one that’s HD radio ready. You’ll probably want it later on.
Klipsch Icon W Speakers
Klipsch has just launched sweet new home theater speakers with beautiful wood grain cabinets. Take a gander at the press release from Klipsch along with several images of the new speakers below.
Klipsch® Icon W Series Unites Classic Beauty and Modern Technology
New home theater speakers offer rich wood grain cabinets with all-new horn engineering inside
PRESS RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2008) - To the eye, the new Icon W speakers from Klipsch reflect a more classic approach, featuring furniture-grade wood veneer cabinets available in espresso and cabernet finishes. But to the ear, there is nothing traditional about them. Advancing the company’s proven horn-loaded technology to new levels of sophistication, this home theater series delivers full-bodied sound performances from slimmer enclosures. Read more
Sony HT-IS100 5.1-channel Micro Satellite Home Theater System
Sony’s HT-IS100 micro satellite home theater system delivers great sound while complementing your decor. Heck, the satellites are so small you can hardly see them, but surprisingly deliver rich sound accompanied by the 2 way subwoofer at 100w x 2 that delivers midrange and low end power.
SONY DELIVERS STYLISH SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM FOR HIGH-DEFINITION HOME THEATERS
NEW YORK, June 5, 2008 - Offering a stylish solution for the modern high-definition home theater, Sony today introduced the HT-IS100 BRAVIA® Theatre Micro System. Read more
B&W Zeppelin
If you tired of fooling around with those cheap, mediocre sounding iPod docks, step up to the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin. Your ears will not be disappointed or your eyes for that matter. This sleek piece of art will dock your iPod and not only look great doing it but will deliver beautiful full range sound. With its dedicated 50 watts of power driving the 5 inch woofer all the way down to 47Hz and two 25 watt amplifiers pushing the woven glass-fiber cones and alloy dome tweeters you will get clean, smooth bass and crisp highs all through the volume range.
The Zeppelin is constructed from polished stainless steel, high quality composite, excellent circuitry and high end speakers in a studio style enclosure. Zeppelin enjoys the same quality standards as their ultra high end speakers that sit in world renowned music studios. The Zeppelin even received a CES 2008 Innovations Award.
The Zeppelin has a USB port for software updates insuring future compatibility, S-video and composite connectors allowing video play-through to your TV from video enabled iPods, and an auxiliary input socket to connect items like a CD player or radio. Zeppelin operates on power input from 100v to 240v and will self adjust for use almost anywhere in the world.
At $600 the Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin is no bargain, but if you love your iPod and want it to deliver the best possible sound from a docking station with style and sophistication then you need to look no further.
Reviews
After unboxing and setting it up, which took all of a minute or so, I was definitely not disappointed in the least.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin iPod Speakers are easily the most interesting-looking iPod speakers I’ve ever tested.
We’ve always had a lot of respect for B&W, as they don’t cut corners when it comes to building some really sweet speakers. The Zeppelin continues this tradition and adds a design that benefits sound quality even more than it does the eye.
The Zeppelin is an undeniably great iPod speaker: it looks amazing, and is far better built than most competing models, which are little more than hunks of plastic.
Rather than shy away from the digital music revolution, B&W has embraced it and created a product that brings hi-fi sound to the iPod generation.
Pioneer Premier FH-P800BT Double-DIN CD Receiver
The picture speaks for itself with Pioneer’s top double-din receiver with great looks, a large control wheel and easy to read display. The suggested retail is $350.00, but one can be had for about $250 at sources such as Amazon. On to the highlights…
Features
- Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Hands-free calling;Stream music via your AVRCP and A2DP compatible devices
- Advanced Sound Retriever - Equipped with Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever technology, the FH-P800BT enhances audio reproduction from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod and portable digital players.
- USB Direct Control for iPod and more - With the FH-P800BT’s USB 2.0 port directly connect you iPod, jump drive and other portable music players.
- Satellite and HD Radio Ready - Get clear digital audio through the antenna with XM, Sirius and HD radio
- 7-Way Rotary Commander - File search and access are quick and convenient with the large rotary control.
- Premier Two-Year Warranty
- 3 RCA Hi-Volt preouts
- Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
- Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier
- Supertuner® IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.
Kenwood KDC-BT838U In-dash CD Receiver with Bluetooth
Kenwood has just announced the flagship of there new in-dash CD collection. It’s the KDC-BT838U and it’s loaded with lots of great features like integrated Bluetooth by Parrot and enhanced multi-line display capabilities. Other features include USB Direct Control for portable music devices, interactive illumination effect, and a multi-control wheel that makes finding music fast and easy.
Key Features
- Built-in Bluetooth Interface with AD2P Music Streaming
- USB Direct Connection for best control over music storage devices
- Simple 1-wire Connection to iPod
- Interactive Illumination Effect and Three Lines of Text
- Aux input for portable players like iPod
- Multi-function Control Wheel for easier operation
- 3 - 2.5V RCA pre-outs for system expansion
- Satellite Radio and HD Radio Ready
- Remote control included
Press Release
Long Beach, CA, (May 30, 2008) - Kenwood USA Corporation announced the delivery and immediate availability of the new KDC-BT838U, a premium-level in-dash CD receiver with integrated Bluetooth and enhanced multi-line display capabilities.
“Entry-level integrated Bluetooth solutions have not always met consumer expectations,” said Keith Lehmann, Senior Vice President of Kenwood’s Consumer Electronics Sector. “Consumers demand more from today’s new technologies, and Kenwood’s new KDC-BT838U delivers full Bluetooth functionality, convenience and safety that the higher-end customer requires. By partnering with industry-leader Parrot, Kenwood now delivers the best in Bluetooth as well as the best in audio performance and connectivity.”
The KDC-BT838U is ideal for use with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and capable of supporting streaming wireless audio from another Bluetooth device through A2DP compatibility. A highly visible, three-line full-dot display provides the ability to view address book names and call status as well as full telephone numbers. High-speed USB connectivity allows seamless control and integration of iPod, USB mass storage and many other portable media devices.
The KDC-BT838U is Satellite Radio and HD Radio Ready and is available now.
Weatherproof Floating Wireless Speaker
Need some tunes for the pool this Summer? The Grace Aqua Sounder may be just what your pool needs. The round speaker floats and has a wireless base station for hooking up your iPod or other input device. Here’s the specs on this cool toy:
• Weatherproof floating speaker.
• Speakers comply to International Weather Proofing Standards (Level 1PX7).
• Can go up to nine feet underwater for up to 30 minutes.
• Speaker is equipped with two Ultra Bright LED Mood lights on each side.
• 1x Wireless Stereo Speakers (Each speaker contains 1×3" 5 watt main).
• Audio in 3.5 mm jack on transmitter.
• DC in jack on transmitter.
• Auto on/off on transmitter.
• Up to 150 Foot outside range.
• Up to 6 hours Battery life (depending on volume).
• Add up to 10 extra speakers per transmitter.
• Speaker works great out of the water as well.
• Speaker Power source: 6 x AA Batteries.
• Transmitter Power Source: 4x AA Batteries or included UL AC Wall plug.
• Speaker weighs 1 lb. 11.4oz.
Neiman Marcus sells the kit for $150. You can also get extra speakers if you have a really big pool for about $100 from Amazon .
[via Coolest Gadgets ]
Sony Rolly
The Sony Rolly is a palm-sized, egg-shaped device that rolls and spins like it’s dancing to the music.
“Rolly has the ability to attract your attention as soon as you turn it on,” said Brennan Mullin, vice president of marketing for audio at Sony Electronics. “It’s a tremendous example of what can happen when entertainment and technology merge.” Read more
