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Audio

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Wooden Radios

Singgih Kartono chooses wood for his radios not just based on aesthetics but on his appreciation of wood's simplicity and organic vitality. The Magno radio combines the most current mp3 player compatible electronics with sustainably grown woods.

Magno Wooden Radios. Via Swissmiss.

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Hand-crafted sound system for iPod

This looks like a real space saver for those of us worried about clutter in our work and home spaces. The Vers 2x is one of the first compact sound systems for iPod which is priced within my meagre monetary means [$149.00US] and doesn't look like it belongs in the Bed Supper Club. Sorry Apple but this looks better than your effort. The Vers 2x is made with hand-crafted cherry veneer - displacing 80% of what would have been plastic - and requires over a week to build. Obviously you need more than a great cabinet to create wonderful sounding speakers and to this end this system uses a clean class D amplifier driving 2 3" 15 watt speakers which feature a dual port design for richer bass. This Vers 2x includes a 14 function remote with 25' range, compatibility with most iPods, and a 3.5mm stereo input which allows compatibility with other mp3 players.
More information here. Purchase it here. More pictures after the jump.

Continue reading »

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iPod DIY Recycling Speaker

Feel good about recycling some plastic and build yourself the iPod Recycling Speaker. It's not going to replace your larger set but it's likely just fine for podcasts and the like. The dimensions of this DIY speaker allow it to fit the packaging for the Pod Nano (1st & 2nd Gen.) and the iPod Shuffle (2nd & 3rd Gen.). Simply just place the speaker panel on top of the open box, and plug it into the iPod and play. No power source required.$40.00 at AudioCubes.com

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iPod Touch apps

Forgetting for a moment that I really have no pressing need for an iPod touch I feel that I finally have a replacement for the Palm Pilot that has been collecting dust since shortly after the day I bought it. Syncing with my Mac was hardly possible and was a hack at best. With the addition of the mail, notes, weather, and map apps. this magical little device has just been put on my shopping list - albeit as an expensive toy not a tool. An absolute gem of a device for traveling. I won't mind paying the extra $20 at all.

Previously.

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iriver spin

The iriver spin looks promising - attractive. They seem to be marketing the use of mechanical (aka analogue) controls as "warm". Good spin. Unfortunately the "cold" finish of the form doesn't support the hype.

The iriver spin does all you would expect from a media player (photos, music, 30 fps video) plus adds recording capability, FM tuner, and a Dictionary. The Spinn will come in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB versions and features a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD Screen.

Press release

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MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth Headset

Love the 'old radio' design inspiration.

Motorola's first headset to use CrystalTalk™ 2-microphone technology to cancel outside noise. Breakthrough speaker design with multiple ear cushion options for a personal fit and seal.

MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth Headset - Motorola

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Shure Music Phone Adapter

The Shure Music Phone Adapter "converts your Shure earphones into a stereo mobile headset for music phones, allowing you to switch easily between music and calls.Low-profile VoicePort microphone. Tuned to enhance intelligibility regardless of background noise ... uses VoicePort technology to provide superior sound quality and ensure that you hear conversations clearly even in noisy environments. Control button that offers enhanced functionality and convenience by enabling you to easily send and end calls--without touching your phone". Works with Apple iPhone and Motorola RAZR V3i. Link.

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Porto iPod music system

Porto is a portabel and rechargable music system with universal docking for all iPods with dock connector. With FM RDS tuner and wide possibilities to connect to computer and other mp3 players. With a simple user experience without unnecessary features Porto is pure joy to handle.

With Audio Pro´s deep roots in hifi sound and long acoustical experience, Porto delivers astonishing sound quality and bass. And it delivers its sound with true stereo sound from a single unit! Porto is incorporating the swedish stereo sound technology from EmbracingSound (TM).

I think it looks odd but the leather is a ice touch. More info. here.

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Ferguson Hill Mini Speaker system

I'm moving to a new office next week which ditches the calming blue of my current walls to a stark all around white. The walls, floors, and ceilings are so sparkling it's like being in an Intel clean room ad. A hint of music is a good addition to any set-up so it's nice to take a moment to dream that I could afford to have the FH007 Mini Speaker system as my audio set-up instead of the boomy Logitech set-up I have now. "Not only does the system sound fantastic and look stunning, but because of the transparent design, it creates the allusion of space thereby preventing your room or desk top from looking cluttered". The system includes two transparent horn speakers, two transparent bass speakers, and an integrated amplifier designed for direct connection to a computer or media player. £499. Via Uncrate.

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Eton Retro AM/FM Radio

I love the classic styling of this am/fm radio from Eton Corporation. Retro design but with all the modern features you would need in a product like this. "... boasts impressive sound quality via a 3" full range speaker. Includes backlit LCD display, audio line output and auxiliary input for use with MP3 players, as well as full AM/FM tuning. Comes with remote control". The Sound 100 AM/FM Radio is available for $180.00US.

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LaCie FireWire Speakers

Browsing LaCie's site for a looking for a new hard drive I happened to see these beautiful speakers designed by Neil Poulton. Apparently these speakers are the first to use Firewire and perhaps as a result they don't require an AC adapter, resulting in better portability and less cable clutter. From LaCie:

The LaCie FireWire Speakers combine Neil Poulton’s stunning industrial design with superb digital audio technology. With a frequency response of 90Hz-20kHz, they deliver powerful, vibrant sound for your music, movies and games. Easily connect them to your computer (laptop or desktop) or MP3 player* with the built-in FireWire cable. FireWire provides superior digital audio as well as line power -- no need for batteries or an AC adapter. Compact, portable, and stylish, the LaCie FireWire Speakers give a whole new meaning to plug and play.

They will be shipping in April and will cost about $99.00US. LaCie's product page.

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The Amazing Wii Loop Machine

Very cool. Somewhat similar to our desired outcome in the now old smenms project. The Wii Loop Machine is a "a system for using the wireless Wii remote to sync, control, and manipulate loops in real time". Might be worth buying a Wii just for this.

Wii Loop Machine. Via tuaw.

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Yamaha HS50M Powered Speaker

I have been spending a great deal of time lately setting up an environment where I can listen to music while I work. While most of my time has been spent setting up a mp3 jukebox I have been experimenting with how to make my boomy logitech system into something more palatable to my ears. They sound ok but I am missing my usual headphone set-up already. I can't hear anything with my headphones on and that has been a problem. One of the problems I notice with the logictech (don't laugh, some of these computer speakers sound alright) is that they add quite a lot of colour to the sound. The separation I am getting isn't so hot either. I've seen good reference monitors in Taipei and I think these Yamaha HS 50m, like my Yorkville's I left behind in Canada will be a definite improvement. Add the HS10W subwoofer and you have an amazing office system on the cheap (almost cheap). From Yamaha:

The HS Series is a two-way, internally powered speaker system designed to provide affordable, high quality reference monitoring for all types of recording and multimedia applications - home studios, computer-based music production, gaming systems, keyboards rigs and personal computer systems. All products are sold and packaged individually, making it easy to build flexible monitor setups and 5.1 systems.

The 70-watt HS50M (5" cone and 0.75" dome tweeter) is housed in a bass reflex-type cabinet and reproduces surprisingly tight low end and smooth, high frequency response to beyond 20kHz. Inputs include a balanced XLR and 1/4-in. phone jack. In addition to master level controls, each speaker has trim switches that allow you to custom-tailor low, mid and high frequency response for different applications.

$199.99US each plus $499.00US for the subwoofer.

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Music Cocoon MC4 Amp

Roth Audio has recently released an amp and dock for iPod toting uncompressed audiofiles and people who like me like the look of old tubes glowing across the room. Roth Audio's Music Cocoon MC4 is a vacuum tube amplifier with a built-in iPod dock which they claim adds a real warmth and dimension to your music. I believe them. Though it has nothing to do with the iPod I'm also having some luck with SRS iWOW as a means to add a bit of life to the limited soundstage that my office speakers have.

The Music Cocoon MC4 features include power output of 13 watts (x2), speaker output with short circuit protection, volume control, iPod charging and an included remote control. The device also has 3.5mm and rca jacks on the back for connecting other devices.

Music Cocoon MC4

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