If you’re looking for a truly portable speaker solution for your iPod, iPhone, mobile phone, or MP3 player, then you should definitely check out the new Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 and Orbit M speakers. These tiny wonders can easily be stored away in your pocket, purse, or backpack and then brought out to provide a 360 degree sound field wherever you’re at. The units also come with an integrated cord storage system that allows you to wrap the cord around the speakers for storage and protection. As for the difference between the Orbit MP3 and Orbit M -  the M includes a 2.5 mm adapter for music-enabled mobile phones.

The Orbit speakers run off of three AAA batteries which provide up to 24 hours of power. You can further customize the Orbit speakers by skinning it with designs provided by Skinit.com. Pre-designed skins can be purchased for $14.95 while custom skins can be created for $19.95.  Here are some pictures of skinned Orbit speakers.

The Orbit MP3 and Orbit M can be purchased for $39.95.

Technorati Tags: Altec Lansing, Orbit MP3, Orbit M, portable speakers, iPod, iPhone, MP3 players

Aside from speaker systems, Altec Lansing is also well known for their docking solutions for the iPod, iPhone, and various other MP3 player vendors.

New for 2009 is the Octiv Air (pictured below) wireless speaker system. The system features an iPod dock that wirelessly connects to a speaker system that can be placed on a table or mounted on a wall. Better yet, this system scales. You can tack on another speaker for left and right channels OR you can add up to seven optional wireless speakers throughout the home. Each speaker comes with two 4 inch full range drivers and two 1 inch silk dome tweeters with a total power output of 80W RMS. The wireless dock communicates over 2.4GHz and has a range of 100 feet. The Octiv Air also features an integrated digital FM radio tuner with six presets, and a wireless remote.

Altec Lansing will offer two models – the M812 which includes one speaker, one remote, and one dock for $399.95 and the M812-2 which comes with two speaker units, two remotes, and one dock for $699.95.

Next up is the Altec Lansing T612 – their first iPhone and iPhone 3G certified speaker system. The T612 (pictured below) features two 3 inch full-range drivers and two 1 inch silk dome tweeters. It’s supposedly immune to mobile phone interference ( you know.. that annoying crackling sound from GSM phones), comes with LED lights for volume, treble, and bass, and features a wireless remote. Oh yes, if a call does come in while you’re listening to music, the T612 will automatically stop the music so you can hear the call. The T612 is available now for pre-order at $199.95.

If you’re looking for a portable speaker/dock solution for the iPhone and iPod, then you’ll want to check out the new inMotion Max. Powered either by AC or batteries, the inMotion Max features:

• Two custom engineered 2 inch full range drivers
• 16 watts of power
• Built-in digital FM radio tuner with four presets
• Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery for up to 5 hours of power
• Wireless remote
• XDB technology
• ESS sound widening technology

The inMotion Max is available for a price of $199.95.

Are you looking for something that sets the right mood in your living room or.. heck.. even your bedroom? If so, that’s where the Moondance Glow comes into play (pictured below). The Moondance Glow provides mood lighting thanks to a multi-color light on the back of the dock. Simply select a color and watch the dock shine light against the backdrop. Other features include:

• Built-in radio with 4 station presets
• Wire antenna
• Alarm – allows you to wake up to iPod, radio, or alarm
• Wireless snooze remote
• Enhanced remote control – controls speaker functions, FM radio, alarm, and playlist/song navigation
• Onboard controls
• Amber LCD with dimmer light
• Aux input

The Moondance Glow is available for $179.95.

Looking for a dock for the nightstand? That’s where the Moondance Home (pictured below) comes into play. This $99.95 device fits nicely on the nightstand and features;

• Dual alarms – allowing you to wake up to iPod, radio, or alarm
• Wireless remote
• compact design
• LCD display with dimmer light
• FM radio
• Onboard controls
• aux input

We have one more product to talk about – but we’ll save it for a separate posting.

Technorati Tags: Altec Lansing, Speaker Docks, iPod speaker docks, iPhone speaker docks, CES 2009

I’ll be honest. I’ve always thought of Altec Lansing products to be functionality solid yet a bit dull when it came to styling. Their 2009 product line however, certainly looks to change all of that. Here’s our review of the latest speaker products to come out from Altec Lansing this year.

First up, we have the Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass speakers. These twin desktop speakers have 4 inch subwoofers built right into the base of each of the units as well as 1.5 inch full range speaker drivers. Other features include built-in controls and an auxiliary input jack. The Expressionist Bass is available now in white or black for $129.95.

Looking for an inexpensive 2.1 channel speaker system for your computer system? Then you’ll be interested in the new BXR1221 (pictured below) which features impressive styling and an even more impressive price of $29.95.

Don’t need the subwoofer? You can go for the BXR1220 which has the two speakers minus the subwoofer for a price of $19.95. The speakers connect to your PC via the USB port.

Here we have another 2.0 speaker system in the form of the Expressionist Classic. The Classic features dual 3 inch full-range speakers, power and volume controls, and an auxiliary input jack. This classy looking speaker system can be yours for $79.95.

Altec Lansing has one other new Expressionist speaker system coming out (not pictured here) called the Expressionist Ultra. The Ultra is a 200 watt 2.1 speaker system with trapezoid shaped speakers and a powerful sub. Expect the system (model MX6021) to be available for a price of $199.95. Ubergizmo has a nice picture up of the Ultra here.

Looking for speakers on the go? Altec Lansing has a new full line of stylish inexpensive earphones called the Muzx Series. 

First up,are the MHP111, MHP116, and MHP126. The MHP116 and MHP126 (pictured left and center below) have crystal designs with SnugFit eartips and will be available for $19.95 each. The MHP111 (pictured right below) feature a CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski jeweled design and has a price of $19.95.

Next up, we have the Muzx 216 (below) noise-isolating earphones which has an MSRP of $29.95.

Finally, we have the natural wood earphones (yes wood) – the Muzx 136. These headphones feature a large acoustic chamber and a SnugFit noise-isolating design. Price for these earphones? $29.95.

Need something with a bit more oomph? Altec Lansing also has a new line of “streetwise earphones” called the BackBeat series. Here’s the product breakdown.

On the high end, there’s the BackBeat Titanium earphones (pictured below) with a price of $79.95. Features include:

• Titanium enhanced micro-speakers
• Noise-isolating earphones
• soft-sided carry case
• For iPod/iPhone and MP3 players

Next up is the BackBeat Plus noise-isolating earphones (pictured below) with a price of $49.95. Features include:

• Neodymium micro-speakers with enhanced bass
• Noise-isolating earphones
• Tangle-free cloth cable
• For iPod/iPhone and MP3 players

Moving down the list is the BackBeat Classic noise-isolating earphones (pictured below) for $29.95. Features include:

• Quality micro-speakers
• Noise-isolating earphones
• Tangle-free cloth cable
• For iPod/iPhone and MP3 players

Need some earphones with a built-in microphone? Check out the new BackBeat Plus Mobile and BackBeat Classic Mobile.

The BackBeat Plus Mobile earphones (pictured below) are noise-isolating earphones priced at $59.95 with features such as:

• Enhanced bass
• Balanced highs and mids
• Discreet inline microphone
• Inline call answer end button
• Reduces background noise
• 6 piece fit kit with multiple silicone ear tips
• Supports iPod, MP3 players, and iPhone

Looking for something a tad bit cheaper? There’s the new BackBeat Classic Mobile for $39.95 which features:

• Discreet inline microphone
• Inline call answer end button
• 6 piece fit kit with multiple silicone ear tips
• Compatible with iPod, iPhone, MP3 players

OK..  so what if you’re looking to cut the cord altogether? Altec Lansing has you covered there too with the BackBeat 906 headphones with built-in microphone for $129.95 (pictured below). These headphones come with a Bluetooth adapter for devices lacking Bluetooth transmitters. Features include:

• Dual-mic AudioIQ technology helps separate voice from background noise
• Hear the outside world with a press of the OpenMic button
• Bass-boost feature

BackBeat 903 lacks the Bluetooth adapter and is priced lower at $99.95.

We have a few more Altec Lansing products to discuss but we’ll save that for the next few posts.

Technorati Tags: Altec Lansing, Expressionist Speakers, Computer Speakers, In-ear earphones, earphones, CES 2009

The folks at Techware Labs have published a review of the Altec Lansing T612 Powered Audio System. The T612 is similar to their inMotion lineup of powered external speakers except this model supports the Apple iPhone. Features of the $199 system include:

• Four full range speakers
• Bass through XdB bass enhancement technology (no subwoofer on the speaker system)
• Built-in dock for the iPhone and the iPod
• Immune to the intermittent noises that come from GSM phones
• Wireless remote
• Wall-mountable design
• MP3 player jack

Here’s the verdict from Techware Labs:

This product is highly recommended to anyone in the market for an iPod/iPhone docking station or anything similar.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Altec Lansing, T612, Apple iPhone, Techware Labs Review