Okay, so there are about a gazillion iPod speaker docks out there these days. And to be honest, most of them aren’t worth your time or money. Sure they allow easy playback of your iPod’s music over speakers, but most are ugly (or poor knock offs of other designs) and they rarely sound good. Of course there are exceptions. B&W’s Zeppelin is one good example of a great dock. Its styling isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s a great looker, and definitely a great sounder. Unfortunately that’ll set you back $600! Enter the Vestalife Lady bug.

Continue reading Cute as a bug, and sounds great to boot: Vestalife Ladybug

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Portable Audio — Santi @ 9:04 am

If you’re anything like me, you love the MagSafe power ports on the MacBook laptops as much for the cool factor as the lowered chance of pulling the laptop off the table when you trip over the cord in the middle of the night. Now you can have this same cool factor on stage, where the chances of violent cord removal are somewhat higher to boot. As a bonus, they remove the popping noises you get while unplugging from a live amp, and the connectors are gorgeous. The Belkin Breakfree releases in September 2008.

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Max @ 9:04 am

While its profile reminds me of something I might see in a hair salon back in the 70s, this zeppelin shaped desk ornament is actually a speaker designed specifically for iPod use. I know football shapes are cool and all, but I’m not sure I’m onboard with this shape and it’s popularity with iPod speakers (B&W Zeppelin). It’s hard to tell from the pictures if this new unit has a nice classy glossy feel, or a cheap plasticy glossy feel. At $349.99, one would hope that it’s the former. One would also hope that this speaker can give out some decent sound. With two 44mm drivers and 5W per channel, I bet this baby can get pretty loud. However, the speaker shape and orientation is something I’ve never encountered before. I’m assuming from the price (dangerous–I know not the most reliable source), that it is capable of at least tolerable sound reproduction, but I’d really love to hear one for myself to confirm this.

If you’ve got the cash, and want something that most guests will likely confuse for a desk lamp, you can swing by Audio Cubes to pick up the Maxell MXSP-4000.TD Time Domain Speaker for $349.99.

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Portable Audio — Santi @ 9:12 am

Okay, I know what you’re saying. Cinder blocks as furniture are for starving students and heavy beer-drinking guys that never grew up. Well, I’m not going to argue with that. But with a little extra preparation, I think that you can make some pretty nifty, and very functional items for home: Let me present my cinder block speaker stands.

Continue reading DIY: cinder block speaker stands

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Reviews | Guides — Santi @ 1:39 am

Siegfried Linkwitz may be one of the most important names to loudspeaker designs ever. His theory and approach to speaker design is quite literally out of the box. His creations include the Audio Artistry Beethoven and the Orion and his influence is obvious on speakers like the Jamo R909 and Legacy Audio’s Whisper.

Continue reading Linkwitz Lectures about Loudspeakers in Living rooms!

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Santi @ 3:24 pm

wow
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

Continue reading Plasma Speaker!!!!!!

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Santi @ 10:35 pm

That’s right. Monster Cable sucks. Let’s try to not get into the highly heated debate of whether or not cables and interconnects in your A/V system can really make a difference, and talk about why Monster Cable sucks as a company.

Continue reading Monster Cable Sucks

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Santi @ 8:28 am

I’ve always been intrigued by records. Something about them always seemed so mystical. I didn’t really grow up with records. Sure, I vaguely remember getting a little record from McDonald’s (not sure if it was in the happy meal or what) and making my mom play it over and over, but for the most part my introduction into the world of recorded music started with cassette tapes.

Continue reading How to get started in vinyl (records that is)

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Reviews | Guides — Santi @ 9:57 am

Are you seriously gonna tell me that you don’t want one after seeing a picture? I mean, I know some of you are looking at it and you don’t even know what it is, and yet you still want one!

Continue reading Lars & Ivan Hybrid tube Amplifier with iPod Dock :)

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Santi @ 8:42 pm

But I wonder how they sound? I mean, wow, I think they look gorgeous. I just love how sparse and simple looking they are, and I must say I am intrigued by the use of “eco-friendly materials”. However, I must say I’m a bit skeptical. I found this speaker at a blog called BornRich.org via gizmodo. First I was a little put off by a blog called BornRich, and I became more skeptical of the product as their blog post sounded like marketing material directly from the manufacturer than an honest opinion.

Continue reading Gradient Helsinki 1.5 Louspeakers look very nice …

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio — Santi @ 8:32 pm