Category Archives: audio

I-Mego unveils new headphones

February 13, 2013audio, cesaudio, headphones, I-MegoAlan

I-Mego was at the recent Consumer Electronics Show to show off a new line of headsets. The company unveiled couple of different models — the Throne and the Ztone.

The Throne is an over-the-ear model that comes in two different colors. That may seem like taste and it is, but not in teh way you may think. The different colors are tuned differently depending of the music you like — they vary from rap to acoustic to rock.

The company also unveiled an in-ear model that won a CES Innovation Award for the tremendous build quality and attention to detail brought to the product. It comes in different sizes to fit your ear. That particular model is called Ztone by the company.

I-Mego also showed off a new prototype, but you will need to watch the video below to see that one.

The Ztone retail for a very reasonable $99 — a bargain for molded in-ear pieces. The Throne ranges from $79 to $129. You can check everything out at I-Mego.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network and Nick DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

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Able Planet’s “health improving” headphones

February 9, 2013audio, cesAblePlanet, audio, hearingAlan

AblePlanet is an audio company that makes a lot of hearing hardware, aids, microphones and more. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the company showed off personal sound amplifiers — which is not, strictly speaking, a hearing aid, but more of a boost to sound that will help in environments where listing can be an issue.

However, the new headphone line was the most interesting thing — the company claims that its headphones allow the customer to listen at a lower decibel rate than standard versions, meaning that the user is saving their hearing, or “improving health”.

You will need to watch the video below to really understand how AblePlanet is making all this happen, but it is really fascinating technology.

Interview by Nick DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

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Nuvo Tech introduces a new wireless home audio system

February 7, 2013audio, ces, Media, Musicaudio, Media, Music, Nuvo TechnologiesAlan

Nuvo Tech is known for high-end, professionally installed home audio systems. Now the company is making a move to become more friendly to the masses with a wireless, consumer-based home audio system to compete with devices like Sonos.

The new setup is not weak either — it can simultaneously stream to up to 16 different locations. To do this, the system uses a dual-WiFi system with antennae. There are two different models of players, depending on the wattage you want. The higher-end version also has bluetooth for streaming content from a phone or tablet. The base station plugs directly into your router.

Prices start at $199 and head up, depending on the setup you want. For more information you can watch the video below and also head over to Nuvo Technologies.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network and by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor

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Zooka Bluetooth Speakers

January 30, 2013audio, Bluetooth, Gear, Information, Special Mediabluetooth, Carbon Audio, speakers, ZookaKL Tech Muse

Anyone who has a tablet, or smart phone knows that their one weakness is their speakers. One solution is to use a speaker dock. The problem with this solution is that it requires an outlet to plug the dock into. This is not very useful if you are in a park or on a beach, the other solution is to use Bluetooth Speakers. This is where the Zooka speakers by Carbon Audio Inc come in. They are Bluetooth speakers made of medical grade silicon. There are no mechanical moving parts and no dock. It slides on to a tablet or top of a notebook. It was designed so it doesn’t hide the iSight camera. There is a kickstand which tucks away into the side and screws into the back. It includes:

Two 30 mm speaker drivers at either end of the Zooka
30ft Bluetooth Range
Rechargeable battery, providing up to 8 hours of playing
Frequency response of 150 to 20,000 Hz

The Zooka is available at Target, Best Buy Amazon and at Carbon Audio Inc. It comes in a variety of colors and is priced at $99.00

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Griffin MicConnect for iOS at CES 2013

January 26, 2013Apple, audio, hifi, iOS, IPAD, iPhone, ipod, podcasting, smartphone, Special Media, tabletApple, audio, Griffin, hi-fi, hifi, IOS, IPAD, iPhone, ipod, microphone, podcasting, XLRAndrew

Jeffrey Powers goes all Pop Idol when he chats to Jackie from Griffin Technology about the newly announced MicConnect, which connects iOS devices to XLR mics with phantom power.

The Griffin MicConnect is a small brick adaptor with an XLR socket (input) on one side for the microphone and a 3.5 mm jack on the other to connect into an iPhone, iPod or iPad. A 3.5 mm socket provides for headphone monitoring of the sound source and for condenser mics, the unit takes two AA batteries to provide phantom power (48V).

(As an aside, I’m not 100% clear if this is iOS only – the 3.5 mm jack looks pretty standard and there’s no reference to special apps being required so if Android is your OS of choice, it might be worth contacting Griffin directly.)

Included in the interview is Griffin’s updated Mic Stand Mount, which is now compatible with all iPad models (not Mini), and unsurprisingly holds an iPad on a mic stand. Jeffrey reckons the MicConnect and the Mount are a great combo for the mobile podcaster. Pricing-wise, both the MicConnect and the Mount are $39.99 but the MicConnect won’t be available until June.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine for the TechPodcast Network.

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Sennheiser is Showing off the New Momentum Black Headphones at CES 2013

January 7, 2013audioCES 2013, headphones, Momentum Black, SennheiserKL Tech Muse

Following on the success of the Momentum headphones, Sennheiser will be introducing the new Momentum Black headphones at CES 2013 The Momentum Black headphones are sleek and stylish. They have a minimal design aesthetic built-in. The headband slider is made of high quality stainless steel. Both the headband and the ear pads are padded with soft black leather of the highest quality. The inside of the ear pads are lined with a red cloth and the red stitching throughout the headphone adds a nice touch.

Sennheiser believes that a beautifully designed product should also sound great. They took what they learned from their highest quality headphones and transferred that knowledge to the Momentum Black. The sound coming from the Momentum Black headphone is clear and full of detail. The Momentum Black is a full size headphones that surround the ears isolating the users from outside distraction and noise. There is an optional detachable cable with a smart remote and microphone. Allowing the user to take and receive calls and control music on any Apple Product.

If you are at CES 2013 you can see all the Sennheiser products at Booth 20500-LVCC South Hall 1.

Armadillo outdoor Bluetooth speaker unveiled

January 7, 2013audio, Bluetooth, cesaudio, bluetooth, ces, speakersAlan

Outdoor Gear announced today a new outdoor speaker, appropriately named the Armadillo. The new speaker works with Bluetooth 4.0 to play your tunes outside without need of worry about the weather conditions.

The company describes the new device as “A larger version of its predecessor, the Turtle Shell®, the Armadillo is a rugged shelled boombox that will allow you to dig into the dirt and experience the outdoor terrain with your favorite tunes via AirPlay or Bluetooth. Ideal for camping and for the home, the Armadillo is shockproof, waterproof, allows for daisy chaining and provides a USB port for charging other devices.”

Details as to release and pricing were left vague with the release being set for “later in 2013” and pricing completely non-existent (the Turtle Shell is $149). While the Armadillo looks good for a backyard party, I don’t see lugging it on a camping and hiking trip as a viable option. Perhaps if you park and stay at a campground then sure, but my son and I hike from place to place and camp, mostly backwoods, and packing light and moving quickly is a priority that these luxuries do not lend themselves to.