iHome’s announced its new iH69 and iH70i speakers. The new speakers are designed to allowing users to dock, charge, play and sync iPods directly to their computer.

The “all-in-one” speakers feature high-fidelity Reson8â„¢ speaker chambers and a sync switch, with the iH70 model boasting higher wattage and a full function remote control.

The iHome iH69 and iH70 cost $99.99 and $129.99 respectively.

Look on this AS-IP300 iPod dock station from Kenwood. Dimensions are a good, 380×157x221mm at 1 kg (1.2) for this iPod dock equipped with a couple 1.9W speakers. The price is set at 95€.

Named the Xpod, this device is extension of external Xmod Wireless - these two are using X-Fi chips to produce clear and higher-quality audio from a compressed source, and offering streaming the sound to different components in the house as well. We have seen this concept live and we have to admit that we were impressed with the difference in sound quality and the range of streaming.

Altec Lansing has anounced a new speaker dock exclusively for the Sansa MP3 Players. The Altec Lansing iM510 can be teamed with the SanDisk Sansa e200 and c200 series.

The new speaker dock complements the black Sansa series perfectly and has been engineered to produce room filling sound. It can also be teamed up with the optional BB2001 subwoofer for additional bass and synchs and charges dockable SanDisk Sansa e200 and c200 MP3 players. No word on pricing or availability has been given.

Are you iPod maniac? Good news for you and your iPod: Adonis Furniture has announced a new video gaming chair with built-in iPod dock and speaker system. The iRocker features: speakers, universal iPod dock, 10-watt amp, remote control, multi-position reclining back, Base Tube (optional), audio inputs, and master volume dial with LED indicator light. The iRocker will cost from $100 to $600 and comes in six colors.

The vacuum valve is back, revived for the iPod era in the i-Steroid amp and 2.1 speaker combo.
Distributor offering two versions: one black, other white, though the black model’s red trim makes it more suitable, perhaps, for the U2 iPod than the regular midnight-hued model. There are three types of i-Steroid, offering either 28W RMS output or 50W. The 28W model comes in two forms one with and the other without an FM tuner. All three ship with a universal iPod dock and a pair of remote controls: one for the iPod, the other for the i-Steroid.

The i-Steroid line is available now, prices range from around ?130 to ?200.

LOGITECH has added to its growing portfolio of mobile music products by introducing two new headphones designed for the fast-growing MP3 market - Wireless Headphones and Curve Headphones for MP3.

“People use their MP3 players in a variety of situations and they need stereo headphones that include features to enhance their music in different environments,” said general manager of Logitech Australia, Marco Manera.

“Logitech has created a line of products that give people the power of choice when it comes to phones for mobile music players. The Wireless Headphones for MP3 remove the hassle of tangled cords and unleash people from their music players.

“The Curve Headphones provide features for active users and those who want to make a fashion statement with their headphones. Both provide superior audio quality, comfort and fit.”

Wireless Headphones for MP3

The Wireless Headphones for MP3 give new meaning to ‘mobile music’. With 10m of wireless range, people can leave their music player on the kitchen counter while they roam around the home, or put it away in a backpack if they’re on the go, without missing a beat.

The integrated controls on the side of the headphones allow adjustment of the volume – without touching the music player. They feature advanced Bluetooth 1.2 wireless technology, which includes adaptive frequency hopping for interference-free, crystal-clear digital audio.

The Wireless Headphones work with any MP3 or CD player and connect instantly by plugging the adapter into a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

They feature 40mm full-range neodymium drivers that deliver rich audio and enhanced bass performance, along with rechargeable batteries which can play up to eight hours of music per charge.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones for MP3 have a comfortable, behind-the-head design and are made of lightweight, durable material.

Curve Headphones for MP3

Designed for the active mobile music enthusiast, whether it’s at the gym, mountain biking or rock climbing, these headphones will stand up to the terrain. The Curve Headphones are crafted from translucent polycarbonate material, making them water resistant, lightweight and extremely durable.

ferret.com.au

Logitech has introduced the Wireless Music System for iPod, which lets users wirelessly connect their iPod or MP3 player to a stereo or speaker system, share their digital music and control the music using their player as a remote control.

“The goal with this product is to make it easy for portable music player owners to share their music collections through their high-quality home-entertainment speakers,” said Logitech’s Ray Weikel.

The System is a two-piece, plug-and-play solution: a music transmitter connects to any portable music player’s standard headphone port and a music receiver plugs into a home stereo receiver or multimedia speakers through an RCA port or a 3.5 mm jack.

The music transmitter sends audio streams directly to the receiver at a range of up to 10 meters (33 feet).

Logitech plans to have the Wireless Music System for iPod available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in October. The suggested retail price is $149.99 in the U.S.

synthtopia.com

Gadget store Fancylogic sent as the Box2s Music Station portable MP3 Player stereo speakers for a quick review.

The Music Station has a folding design making it a small package to transport. Folded the speakers measure 110×60x60mm. Via the audio miniplug cable any mp3 or other music source can be connected. As you can see in the photos below most MP3 players can be put in the place in the middle of the speakers. The drawer is adjustable in depth to accommodate different players.

The portable speakers can either be powered with 4 AAA batteries or via DC 6V plug. The Music Station speakers come with a USB to DC cable to power the speakers via the USB port of a PC or notebook.

The sound quality is good, not overwhelming but definitely usable. The output power is high enough to start a party. Verdict: It is not a Bose SoundDock, but then it is way cheaper and also works with any MP3 player. There are tons of low-cost portable speakers out there and this is one of them.
The Music Station speakers sell for $42.50 (batteries not included).

It’s holiday time and if you’re one of the lucky ones to own an iPod, then Belkin has the way for you to take your tunes on the road with you.

Here’s where an iPod really shines - not that it doesn’t shine otherwise. If you’ve ever wondered whether it was worth it to buy a device with 20, 30, 40, 60 Gb or storage capacity Belkin’s TuneCast II, TuneDock and Auto Kit will provide the answer.

On a long drive or an extended camping trip you can fully utilize the storage capacity of your iPod and listen to your tunes or an audio book through your FM radio. You’ll never have to worry about recharging the iPod because Belkin’s Auto Kit takes care of that - just plug it into the cigarette lighter or power dock in your vehicle.

The TuneDock is a device used to mount your precious iPod securely in the cup holder of your vehicle. Several different sizes of cups are available and you can screw the holder into whichever one fits your vehicle’s cup holder. The sucker built in to the TuneDock holds your iPod solidly in place so you won’t have to worry about the device rattling around the car. There’s a little tab on the top of the sucker that you tug to release the iPod - you’ll have fun getting the iPod off the TuneDock without releasing the pressure by pulling the tab - the iPod is VERY well secured in place. The TuneDock costs under $40CAD and is widely available.

The Belkin Auto Kit keeps your iPod fully charged so you won’t have to worry about running the batteries down - crucial if you want to listen to the DaVinci Code on audio book. I wouldn’t go anywhere without this charger - for under $60CAD you too can get one of these chargers.

The key to the whole system (other than your iPod of course) is the TuneCast II from Belkin. The TuneCast II is the most expensive piece of the Belkin travel hardware I tested at about $70CAD, but you won’t hear a thing without it. The TuneCast II uses two AAA batteries for power and it is the device that lets you play whatever is on your iPod through your FM radio. The sound you’ll get through your radio isn’t as good as the sound you’ll get though earphones or headphones, but who cares? You’re able to play your music or listen to a book through your car stereo with more than just acceptable quality. You set the FM frequency on your FM radio and then set the same frequency on the TuneCast II and you’re in business – it’s pretty well that simple to use.

PROS: Being able to get even more use out of an iPod. On long drives you can listen to your music or books when radio reception is poor .

CONS: You need an iPod. There is a fair amount of equipment involved when you buy all three parts , so you might need a bit of extra room in the front of your car .

canada.com