Sony Europe introduces two new compact home audio systems – the NAS-Z200iR and the CMT-Z100iR – both of which feature a built-in iPod dock, a slot-loading CD player, a USB port, and PC streaming capabilities. Here’s the low down on the two new compact, minimalistic systems.

NAS-Z200iR:

• DLNA certified
• Wi-Fi networking
• Access your music library on your PC
• Internet Radio support
• Remote control with 3.5 inch LCD color display, friendly user interface, and rechargeable battery
• Integrated CD player with support for audio CD and CD-R/RW discs with MP3 tracks
• USB connectivity for digital music player
• Audio-in port
• AM/FM tuner
• Two independent speaker enclosures rated at 20 watts apiece
• Wall mountable

CMT-Z100iR:

• Available in glossy black or white
• iPod dock
• Integrated CD player
• USB connectivity for digital music player
• AM/FM tuner
• Audio-in port
• Two speakers rated at 20 watts apiece
• Remote control
• Large display which shows the time and selected function
• Wall mountable

The CMT-Z100iR will be available in Europe starting in July while the NAS-Z200iR will be available in mid-September. No word on pricing.

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Sony, CMT-Z100iR, NAS-Z200iR, Audio System, iPod docking station

First up we have the newest addition to the American Red Cross Line by Eton – the Solarlink FR600.

In short, this is the radio to have if you’re going on a camping trip, traveling overseas, or just want to stay informed – in good times or bad. The FR600 features the following:

• AM/FM and Shortwave Radio Reception
• All seven NOAA Weather channels
• Digital Tuner
• Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) for location based weather alerts
• Built-in flashlight
• Flashing red emergency beacon
• Emergency siren

As with many of Eton products, the FR600 is a self powered unit meaning you can use the hand crank or the built-in solar panels to charge up the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack.

In addition, the FR600 can also be used to re-charge that cell phone of yours – making sure you can always contact someone in times of emergency.

The Solarlink FR600 will be available during the first quarter for a price of $80 dollars.

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller than the FR600 with practically the same feature set, there’s the Solarlink FR360.

Here’s a lowdown on the specs:

• AM/FM reception
• All 7 NOAA weather bands
• Alert functionality
• Built-in flashlight
• Flashing red LED emergency light
• Emergency siren
• Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack
• Powered by hand crank or solar panel
• Built-in USB cell phone charging capabilities
• Digital Tuner
• Alarm/clock functionality
• Auxiliary input

The Solarlink FR360 will be available during the first quarter of 2009 for a price of $50 dollars.

For true portability, there’s the new Microlink FR160. This tiny unit is the “ultimate on-the-go preparedness tool” making sure there’s no excuse to never be prepared (which means I might just have to get one of these units).

Features of the FR160 include:

• AM/FM reception
• All 7 NOAA all-hazard weather channels
• Built-in flashlight
• Cell phone charging capability
• Access to FCC and EAS public alert systems
• Powered by hand crank or solar panels

The FR160 will be available in the first quarter of this year for a price of $30 dollars.

Now if you’re a true radio geek, then you’ll want to check out the Eton Grundig Mini 400. This thin, lightweight device is the ideal device for someone who loves listening to the radio no matter where they are in the world.

Features include:

• Weight of just over 3 oz
• AM/FM reception
• Shortwave frequencies from SW1: 5.8-10MHz and SW2: 11.65-18MHz
• Digital display shows frequency, time, sleep time, and symbols for sleep timer and alarm activation
• Telescopic antenna for FM and shortwave reception
• Internal ferrite bar antenna for AM reception

The Grundig Mini 400 will be available this quarter for a price of $30 dollars.

AND finally, we have the new Grundig Traveler II Digital G8. 

Key features of the G8 include the following:

• World time support – provides local and international time
• Clock with alarm
• Digital radio receiver
• Local AM/FM reception and shortwave from 3200KHz to 21950 KHz
• Auto Tuning Storage – automatically scan and store active frequencies into memory

The G8 will be available this quarter for a price of $50 dollars.

Technorati Tags: Eton, Radios, Solarlink FR600, Solarlink FR360, Microlink FR160, Grundig Mini 400, Grundig Traveller II Digital G8, CES 2009

For the sports fanatics out there comes the new Versus Scoreboard. Yes.. this is indeed a boombox crossed with an electronics scoreboard system. Great for use at sporting events, at home with family or friends, or at personal sporting events where you want to show the score as well as offer up a few taunts to opposing friends/team members. The boombox (featuring MP3 playback) comes with a digital scoreboard, a time keeping device, and special audio effects that bring the “feel of the stadium home”.

The full summary of features includes:

• Home and guest score counter
• Period tracker
• Countdown timer and buzzer
• RF remote controller
• A/C and Battery operated
• Customizable faceplates
• USB port for playing MP3s on flash drives
• Analog line-in 3.5 mm jack
• User-controlled crowd noises and taunt effects
• Two 10 watt speakers
• Versus microphone
• Customizable team-specific chants

The Versus Scoreboard will be available this month. You can pre-order it now for $179.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Versus Scoreboard, Boombox

If you’re like me then you probably spent a good deal of time putting together your home theater system and then finding it a good home in a rack of some sort. However, there are many of you who want something like this but don’t want to deal with the aspect of putting everything together – let alone finding a piece of furniture that’s ideal for the entire setup. Enter the GenevaSound Home Theater system – an all-in-one system combining audio components with a beautiful piece of furniture made out of one streamlined sideboard of thick, distortion free, hand-lacquered wood.

The GenevaSound Home Theater consists of the following:

• All-digital 700 watt amplifier
• Seven speakers and 12 inch subwoofer
• CD player
• Radio receiver
• iPod/iPhone dock
• Space for cable box, game console, DVD deck

Your TV set (which is NOT included of course) can be placed either on top of the GenevaSound Home Theater or wall mounted. All this integration comes at a pretty penny – $3999 worth.

[Check it out via BornRich]

Technorati Tags: GenevaSound Home Theater

Other specs to the Swift include:

• Music Player with external memory
• External music buttons
• Dual speaker system with stereo sound
• Supports streaming Web videos
• 1.3 MP Camera with Video
• Chat-style text messaging
• 8GB
• Available in red or blue
• Measures 3.66″ x 1.92″ x 0.79″ and weighs 3 oz

The Swift is available for $49.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and an online discount of $130 (which requires a new 2 yr agreement of course)

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG Swift, Alltel Wireless

Yes folks, what you’re staring at is indeed a retro looking clock radio with an integrated iPod dock. Not surprisingly, the system also charges your Apple iPod when the player is docked..but what is surprising is where you can buy this clock radio dock – at JC Penney’s! Yes.. I know .. you knew that all along didn’t ya? Uh huh. The department store is selling the unit for $79.99 (it was going for $129.99).

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

Technorati Tags: Retro Clock Radio with iPod Dock

Digital Trends has published a review of the Logitech Squeezebox Boom here on their website. Think of the Squeezebox Boom as a boombox with wireless access to your computer and Internet’s digital music content. Features on this player include a 30 watt digital amplifier, the SqueezeNetwork online music service (which provides access to services such as Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius etc), 802.11g wireless support, and support for a wide variety of music formats including MP3, FLAC, WMA, WMA Lossless, AAC, WAV, and AIFF. Here’s what they thought of the portable player.

The Logitech Squeezebox Boom is, to date, the best sounding media streaming system we have tested; you can tell that a lot of time and money was put into the design of this system.

All this doesn’t come cheap though. The MSRP of the Squeezebox Boom is $299.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech Squeezebox Boom, Digital Trends, Review

The CD Clock Radio, ICF-CD3iP, is the first Sony CD clock radio with a hidden dock for the iPod/iPhone and features:

• Listen to iPod/iPhone, CDs, or radio
• Small footprint
• Charges both iPod/iPhone
• Remote Control provides full access to menu of music functions
• Compact vertical floating design which hides the docking station
• Supports CD-R/RW playback
• AM/FM digital tuner
• MSRP of $100 and available later this month

The ZS-S4iP Boombox features:

• Supports iPod/iPhone
• Mega Bass Sound System
• Charges the iPod/iPhone
• Removable cover which allows you to directly control the iPod touch or iPhone
• Wireless remote for full menu control of CD, radio, and music function of iPod/iPhone
• 20 AM and 10 FM radio presets
• MSRP of $100 and available in October

The XDR-S10HDiP HD radio with iTunes Tagging features:

• Compatible with iPhone 3G and iPods
• HD radio with multi-casting support (gives more FM channels, music, news, and sports)
• Supports iTunes Tagging which lets you tag the songs you like on the radio for future downloading to iPod
• Auxiliary input
• 20 AM and FM radio presets
• MSRP of $180 and available this month

The SRS-GU10iP Docking Speaker features:

• Piano black finish
• Supports iPod/iPhone 3G
• Bass sound
• Remote Commander
• Charges both iPod/iPhone
• Auxiliary input
• AC/DC support
• MSRP of $150 and available this month

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ICF-CD3iP, ZS-S4iP, XDR-S10HDiP, SRS-GU10iP

Here’s what you need to know about the Pure-Fi Express Plus offering:

• First to offer omnidirectional acoustics which transmits sound evenly in all directions
• Runs on AC or battery power
• Integrated handle for portability
• Wireless remote control with up to 30 foot range
• Remote has volume, play, pause, fast forward, rewind, shuffle, and repeat controls

Here’s what you need to know about the new Pure-Fi Anytime system:

• Motion-sensing backlight makes it easy to set the alarm without waking up anyone. The alarm clock’s controls light up when you wave your hand over the speakers and the buttons automatically dim when you’re done with it
• Wave your hand over the speakers to activate snooze
• Easy to read display
• Recessed dock prevents accidental knock-overs of iPod or iPhone
• Digital AM/FM radio

Both speaker docks will be available in October of 2008 with suggested prices of $99.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech, Pure-Fi Express Plus, Pure-Fi Anytime, Speaker Dock, iPod, iPhone

Sony introduced their all-new S-AIRPLAY system today – a new wireless, multi-room audio system featuring Sony’s S-Air technology and designed for iPod users. With the S-AIRPLAY, audio is wirelessly transmitted from the system’s main docking station in one room to various other rooms throughout the home via separate plugged-in S-AIR wireless speakers. This means you won’t have to bring your iPod from room to room – just keep the iPod docked to the main system and listen to the music wirelessly transmitted to the remote rooms. The S-AIRPLAY has a range of up to 164 feet and makes listening to your iPod in multiple rooms a breeze.

The S-AIRPLAY comes with a single docking station and two S-AIr wireless speakers. The system supports up to 10 speakers simultaneously. Features of the S-AIRPLAY include:

• AM/FM tuner
• Dual source feature allows listeners in one room to listen to the iPod while other listeners in another room can listen to the radio
• Docking station includes composite A/V outputs
• Charges iPod while docked

The S-Air wireless speakers can act as simple remote controls for the iPod and include sleep timers and an alarm clock function.

The S-AIRPLAY (model AIR-SA20PK) will be available in September for a price of around $400. Each additional S-Air speaker will go for around $130 direct.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony S-AIRPLAY multi-room wireless speakers, Apple iPod

Features of the SoundDock Series II include:

• New auxiliary input that allows other audio devices to connect
• Dock and charge the iPod or iPhone
• Included infrared remote control to control basic iPod and iPhone functions including playlist navigation
• Design updated to resemble the Bose SoundDock Portable digital music system
• Measures 6 5/8 x 12 x 6 1/2 inches

The SoundDock Series II will work with the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G as well as most iPods. The system will be available in Gloss Black for $299 starting in early September.

Technorati Tags: Bose, SoundDock Series II digital music system, iPhone

Yes.. the Zune market finally gets a clock radio accessory folks. iHome has announced the ZN9 Dual-Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for the Zune (works for both the 80GB Zune as well as the 8GB flash Zune). It’s somewhat sad to think that this is the first ever clock radio device for the Zune – considering how long the player has been out on the market. But hey – better late than never right? 

Features of the ZN9 include letting owners gradually wake or sleep to music from the Zune, or via the radio or buzzer, separate weekly and weekend alarm times, an extra large backlit LCD display (for all you visually challenged folks out there – that includes me!), and Reson8 speaker chambers.

You can purchase the ZN9 now for a price of $99.99.

[Check it out via ZuneSphere]

Technorati Tags: ZN9 Dual-Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for Zune

Here’s the newly introduced Logitech Squeezebox Duet network music system which allows consumers to listen to their digital music collection from anywhere in the home – as long as they are within reach of their network (wired or via wireless connectivity). The Squeezebox Duet has two parts – the Squeezebox Duet Controller and the Squeezebox Duet Receiver.

The Logitech Squeezebox Duet Controller features a beautiful 2.4 inch full color LCD display which helps user navigate their entire digital music collection. A single controller can control multiple Squeezebox Duet receivers around the home. The controller comes with a convenient scroll wheel, a graphical menu-ing system, and intuitive buttons. You can access your personal music collection, Internet radio stations, and online music subscription services all via the Duet Controller. The controller allows you to search music by artist, albums, playlists, genres, and various other categories. You’ll also be able to see album cover art on the full color display and be able to customize the screen with your own wallpaper.

The Logitech Squeezebox Duet Receiver is a compact wireless receiver which easily fits in any room in the home – whether it’s the living room, bedroom, den, or the kitch. It features 802.11g wireless communications which means you won’t need to run an Ethernet cable around the entire house. You can easily run multiple receivers around the home to play separate tracks around the house or you can even synchronize the songs being played back on all the receivers at the same time.

Other features include:

• Support for a wide variety of digital music files including uncompressed and lossless formats
• Connect to SqueezeNetworks – Logitech’s always-on Internet radio and music aggregation service
• Supports Windows NT, 2000, XP, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, Solaris

Specs include the following:

• High fidelity 24 bit Burr-Brown DAC
• Two dedicated linear power regulators for DAC and line-out stages
• Signal to noise ratio – over 100 dB
• Supports Apple Lossless, FLAC, WMA Lossless, AIGG, WAV, PCM, MP3, AAC, OGG, MP2, MusePack, WMA file formats
• Optical and coax digital connections
• Dedicated high precision crystal oscillators
• 802.11g wireless with support for WPA Personal, WPA2-AES, and 64/128bit WEP encryption
• 100 Mbps Ethernet

The Logitech Squeezebox Duet is certainly a cost effective way to add music accessibility and playback throughout the home. The Squeezebox Duet is due out this month for an MSRP of $399.99. If you want to add additional receivers, they will cost $149.99. A standalone controller will cost you $299.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech, Squeezebox Duet, CES 2008

Denon announced two new S-Series Networked Audio Systems called the S-52 and the S-32. Both systems feature Wi-Fi connectivity and allows consumers a convenient and easy way to enjoy music from other networked devices and directly from the Rhapsody digital music service. With the S-32 and S-52, consumers can listen to unlimited music from Rhapsody, exclusive content from MTV, VH1, and CMT, and professionally programmed Rhapsody Channels thanks to support for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking.

Common features to both the S-32 and the S-52 include the following:

• Built-in iPod dock for easy drop-in functionality
• Powerful bass response thanks to Audyssey Bass-XT and Dynamic EQ software
• Ability to stream music wirelessly from Internet Radio sources and other network attached storage devices as well as PC or Macs on the network
• Supports MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and FLAC formats
• Multi-function scroll wheel on the top of the unit for easy control of long lists of artists, albums, or playlists stored on the iPod or sourced from Internet Radio stations.

In addition, the S-52 features:

• Built-in HD Radio tuner with multicasting functionality
• Slot loading CD player with support for MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and FLAC
• XM Satellite Radio ready via mini-tuner and optional subscription
• USB port allowing users to connect USB mass storage devices including flash drives, MP3 players, or USB hard drives

The S-32 and S-52 come with a 30 day, no credit card required, free trial subscription to Rhapsody. Following this, if you want Rhapsody, you’ll need to subscribe at a rate of $12.99 per month.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Denon, Networked Audio Systems, S-32, S-52

Speakers:

• Best Desktop iPod Speakers: Logitech Pure-Fi Elite / AudioStation
• Best Portable iPod Speakers: Altec Lansing inMotion iM600
• Best Value iPod Speakers: Logitech AudioStation Express
• Best Computer Speakers: Acoustic Energy Aego M

Headphones:

• Best In-Ear Canal Headphones: Ultimate Ears triple-fi 10 Pro
• Best All-Purpose Headphones: V-Moda Vibe / Vibe Duo
• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7

Accessories and Cases:

• Best iPod Shuffle Accessory: Incipio IncipioBud
• Best iPod Accessory: SendStation Dock Extender
• Best Third-Generation iPod nano Case: SwitchEasy Biscuit
• Best Second-Generation iPod nano Case: iSkin Duo for 2G iPod nano

Special Plays:

• Special Play for Technology, Design, and Performance: B&W Zeppelin
• Special Play for Technology, Design, and Performance: Harman Kardon Go+Play
• Special Play for Technology, Design, and Performance: Chestnut Hill Sound George
• Special Play for Technology, Design, and Performance: Griffin Technology Evolve

You can read the complete article here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Macworld. playlistmag, Plays of the Year, 2007

If you’re into retro-designs, then you might be interested in the Tanget Audio Quattro Internet radio device. The Quattro is the first Internet capable audio device for the Tangent Audio product line and features the following:

• Wireless Internet Radio support
• Supports more than 6500 Internet radio channels
• Plug and play
• My Station Feature
• Alarm clock/snooze function
• Supports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
• Supports WEP or WPA1 (TKIP) security
• File format support includes Real Audio, MP3, Windows Media Streams, OGG, AAC< WAV, AIFF
• 5 watts RMS
• 3 inch full range drivers
• 80Hz – 20kHz frequency range
• Auxiliary 3.5 mm input
• Measures 310 x 111 x 145 mm

[Check it out via eHomeUpgrade]

Technorati Tags: Tangent Audio, Tangent Quattro, Internet Radio

Let’s file this under “Yet Another iPod Speaker System/Boombox” shall we? This time it’s Macally’s turn with their new TunePro Flat Panel stereo speaker system with charger and AM/FM alarm clock radio for iPod. Phew.. that was a long title there. So what makes this one unique among all the rest of the systems out there? Well the TunePro box features NXT’s innovative flat panel loudspeaker technology which means the system SHOULD be slim. Notice I said it SHOULD be slim. If you take a look at the product shot, the iPod dock appears to stick out quite a bit from the rest of the system – negating some of usefulness of the slim form factor. Oh well.. you can’t have it all eh?

OK.. so let’s go over the main features shall we?

• NXT flat panel loudspeaker technology coupled with SRS WOW technology
• Front mirror screen and a Clock display behind
• Designed for all Apple iPod devices with 30-pin dock connector, including 1st and 2nd generation iPod nano, 4th and 5th generation iPod, iPod Photo, and iPod Mini
• Dock, listen to and charge iPod simultaneously
• Dual independent Alarm settings with Snooze
• Wake to your favorite tune in iPod, Radio or Buzzer
• Gradual volume increase to Alarm
• Sleep timer function
• Easy to set up and use
• Supports 12/24 Hour time format
• Five AM and five FM Radio memory channels
• Additional Line-in jack for other portable audio devices
• Three display dimmer levels
• Slim profile and small footprint design
• Universal well dock, three iPod inserts included

So if you want an NXT enabled speaker system/AM/FM clock radio for the iPod, then consider the macally box. You can purchase it now for $129.99.

[Check it out via Digital Trends]

Technorati Tags: Macally, TunePro, Flat Panel stereo speaker with charger, and AM/FM alarm clock radio for iPod

The Sony ICF-C1iP clock radio is designed to work with most iPod models and will also accommodate the standard iPod adapter although it doesn’t need it to work with the iPod. The radio has an adjustable backstop mechanism to ensure that the iPod fits snugly and securely within the clock’s dock. The ICF-C1iP comes with a wireless remote control which provides full access to the iPod’s menu system as well as the radio’s tuning and volume functions. Other features include:

• Charge the iPod while docked to the ICF-C1iP
• Full function alarm clock – wake up to the iPod, radio, or the buzzer
• Display time according to time zones
• Automatic daylight savings time adjustment
• Adjustable brightness control

Now if you want a portable boombox instead of a home clock radio, check out the new Sony ZS-S2iP. It works with most Apple iPod models and also charges the iPod when the player is docked. Features of the ZS-S2iP include:

• Digital AM/FM tuner
• Integrated CD player with support for CD-R/RW playback
• Wireless remote control with full iPod menu access
• Retractable dock tray
• Auxiliary input
• Supports AC/DC
• Incorporates Sony Mega Bass Sound System

Both the ICF-C1iP and the ZS-S2iP will be available in August for approximately $100.

[Check  it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony ICF-C1iP, Sony ZS-S2iP, Alarm Clock, Boombox, Apple iPod