The Boomerang NFC Speaker is a crescent-shaped wireless audio dock that “offers a portable home-theater for your mobile device or tablet”. NFC technology makes pairing simple and the unique “Expansion Sleeve Design” lets it work with numerous devices. Available in two sizes, the large Boomerang ($79.99) has two 6W speakers, while the mini Boomerang ($59.99) has two 4W speakers; both arrive in mid-December.
I have already posted the launch announcement and my first impressions, so it is time to close things out. And I really thought that the best way to do it was to highlight the five things I like best, that have kept iLoud at my side since it arrived. I have included a new hands-on video as well.
Both the sound and the design of the Soundfreaq SoundStep Lightning impressed us. Now Soundfreaq is looking to take the audio market by storm with new colors of their Sound Spot Available in ten new color combinations, the $69 Sound Spot is just 5″ square. Use it at home or on the go, the Sound Spot even charges your phone.
Earlier today I posted about IK Multimedia’s new iLoud Bluetooth speaker system. This is their entry into the portable speaker market, but with a twist – rather than just releasing yet-another Bluetooth speaker, they designed an audio system with musicians in mind. I have had a chance for a first look, and it is awesome. Check out my first-impressions video!
Over the last few years the Bluetooth speaker market has gone from non-existent to absolutely amazing. At GearFest we listened to a number of speakers that were loud, paired easily, and sounded great. Today IK Multimedia released iLoud, another of the cool products revealed at CES. iLoud brings the musician’s sensibilities and needs to the world of Bluetooth speakers. Here are some of the features: Loud and Clear The iLoud speaker is indeed very loud. In fact, it’s 2 to 3 times louder than comparable size speakers — a blasting 40W RMS of power. But iLoud is extremely clear at…
Harman Kardon’s new $299.95 Nova system combines analog and optical inputs along with Bluetooth so it easily works with systems such as Roku, HDTV, Apple TV and pretty much any Bluetooth-enabled device. Compact and unique-looking, the Nova’s 2.5” drivers, 1.25” tweeters and passive radiators pack a punch and make this system more than just a pretty face.
Boston Acoustics has come out with a great midrange Bluetooth speaker system that sits on your table and pumps out quality sound. The MC100 Blue is an attractive tabletop speaker that also has NFC technology built-in for easy pairing with your wireless device. The Boston Acoustics MC100 Blue retails for $149.00 and can be found at many online retailers.
We’ve reviewed numerous Bluetooth speakers over the past few months and many are quite good. Still, we’ve never seen one quite like Melody by Soundcast. Melody is a round speaker with a sun-resistant white plastic shell. It has an integrated handle, Bluetooth connectivity and offers, excellent huge sound. Oh, and did we mention that it’s designed to be used outdoors?
If you’re stuck deciding between whether you want a new laptop or a new iPad, the iHome Type Pro Bluetooth Keyboard Case may make your decision a lot easier. The iHome Type Pro is an iPad case with an attached Bluetooth keyboard that turns the iPad into a clamshell similar to a laptop. The Type Pro retails for $99.99.
The Jabra Solemate remains one of our favorite small, Bluetoooth speakers thanks to its great, rugged design and excellent sound. Jabra added a mini version and now announced the upcoming Jabra Solemate Max. The speaker is a big, rugged and packs two tweeters and two woofers. Coming in Q4 we’ll be going hands-on soon. Until then, here are some details.
The Divoom Bluetune-Bean is a pocket-friendly Bluetooth speakerphone that easily clips to a backpack or purse so you can enjoy your tunes on the go. Bluetooth V3.0 provides crisp and clear sound quality up to 10 meters away. Available in blue, yellow, pink, red, white, or black, the speaker gets up to 8 hours per charge. Just $29.90. Get it!
Have you ever said to yourself, “You know what I need? A portable Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a travel mug that fits right in my cup holder in my car.”? If so, you’re in luck! iCreation’s speeCup is a very convenient, nicely powered speaker that fits your criteria. The speeCup retails for $129.95.
The new UE MINI BOOM is a small speaker with huge sound. It has simple controls, gets up to 10 hours per charge, and offers a 50′ Bluetooth range. Like its big brother the UE Boom, you can wirelessly pair two UE MINI BOOMs via the free iOS or Android UE MINI BOOM app for big, stereo sound. Learn more. We’ll have our full review and audio samples up soon.
The Ultimate Ears UE Boom wants to be the ultimate portable Bluetooth Speaker. With 15 hours of battery life, great 360º sound, a water and stain resistant acoustic skin, NFC connectivity, and the ability to link two UE BOOM speakers to create a stereo pair, at $199.99 it is definitely in the running. Get one. We’ve seen a number of portable Bluetooth speakers shaped like a cylinder. Among them are the impressive JBL Flip and the Scosche Boom Bottle, and both of those speakers stand out in terms of build and audio quality. While pricier than either of these options, the…
SmartWallit is a new gadget that helps you keep track of not only your spending, but also the location of your wallet. This intelligent accessory has many functions, including a spending log, loss prevention, and a way to find your lost phone or wallet. You can order the SmartWallit from Amazon for $60 plus shipping. I was very excited to get my hands on this neat little device and stick it in my wallet. Unfortunately, the SmartWallit was a little bigger than I thought it would be. Like 90% of the guys I know, I stick my wallet in my…
The JBL Spark Wireless Stereo Speaker System is one of the funnest (yeah I know it is not a word) speakers we’ve seen. Offering “legendary JBL sound in a funky, fun shape” it has two high-performance 40 mm JBL drivers and offers wireless Bluetooth streaming from your smartphone or table. Just $129 each! Check it out.
Phiaton has been adding depth to their headphone lineup and their latest, the Phiaton Chord MS 530 Headphones, is set to impress. These headphones offer “incredible sound, active noise-cancellation, the flexibility of wireless Bluetooth and an unrivaled design that stands apart from competitors.” With 18-30 hours of talk and listening time these $349 headphones do it all. Check them out.
speeCup may look like a cup of coffee, but this cup is filled with sound. Available in red, white, or black the $129.95 speeCup is a Siri/S Voice enabled Bluetooth surround sound speaker with gesture control. 8” tall, it has a noise canceling microphone, top mounted controls and up to 20 hours of use per charge. Check it out.
BlueFlame has quite the repertoire of stylish accessories for you mobile needs. One such clever device is their Slingshot wireless, water-resistant speaker. At about $119, this speaker system packs a lot of sound in a small package and can fit into other BlueFlame Slings. Simply pop the speaker unit proper out of one Sling and slip into another. The BlueFlame Slingshot is a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker that permits users to stream audio from a mobile device of choice while also permitting the reception of cell phone calls with its built-in microphone. Boasting increased bass response and improved sound quality…
Tired of boxy wireless speakers that all look the same? Check out the new JBL Spark . These Bluetooth speakers have a unique megaphone shape, a translucent body and a “cool mesh grill”. Just 7″ in diameter and 6.5″ high, each speaker has a 40mm JBL driver. Yes, these $129 speakers aren’t just a pretty face. Check them out.
In addition to the new Solemate mini Jabra just announced an updated Jabra Solemate. The $149.99 speaker features an enriched sound experience, NFC pairing and comes in red, blue, yellow and grey. A new Jabra Sound App will also be available. We’ll have a closer look soon. Check out all of Jabra’s offerings here.