Gizmodo Australia » speakers

Tiny Wooden Speakers For All iPods Make Me Hungry

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:40:00 +0000

You know I need breakfast ASAP when I read maple and cherry and the only thing I can think about is syrup, pancakes and pie. And a giant coffee, please. Unfortunately, these wooden speakers for all iPods are not edible.

Fortunately, there’s a nice cafe near my house. For those of you interested in these Buffalo wooden speakers, however, you should know that they work without batteries. That’s convenient, although you shouldn’t expect boombox thump. [Buffalo via Akihabar]

BassJump Brings MacBooks A Bit Of Bump

Mark Wilson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:09:11 +0000

BassJump is, quite simply, a dedicated subwoofer to compliment your MacBook – in both aesthetics and sound.

Rather than merely plugging in through USB, the BassJump uses proprietary software to remix all audio coming out of your laptop, essentially treating those tinny integrated speakers as tweeters while the BassJump handles the lows.

I can’t believe that this solution works better than simply plugging in a whole new 2.1 speaker system, but I must admit, the Mac Mini styling coaxes my fanboyism to at least give the idea a shot. $US80 and available now. [BassJump]

That’s A Big USB Panda Speaker Alright

Sean Fallon — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:40:00 +0000

As the name plainly states, this is a big USB panda speaker. Unlike his tiny iPanda cousin, this guy doesn’t look all that happy. Maybe that’s because he is an eyeless, disembodied head.

At any rate, the Panda head can connect to any computer via USB, or directly to your MP3 player via a 3.5mm audio plug. Rotating the Panda’s ears controls volume and bass. [Gadget4all via Geekalerts via Technabob]

An Alarm Clock The Size Of Your Bed

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:45:56 +0000

This is exactly what I need: A bed with integrated alarm clock, so I can check the time by passing my fingers over it. OK, not true: What I need is a hammock on a beach and no clocks whatsoever.

But if I’m forced to use it, I won’t complain. Designed by Florian Schärfer, the Melted Clock bed has integrated speakers, touch-sensitive buttons to snooze and control playback, and a haptic, touch-sensitive alarm clock. Not a bad concept.

Still, the hammock and cocktails sound a lot better. [Yanko Design via Unplggd]

Accordion Folding Speakers

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 +0000

These portable USB Folding Speakers are great. According to the manufacturer, the accordion mechanism creates a chamber that makes them sound richer than similar speakers.

Too bad they can only play German folk music and tangos. [Santa Fe via Likecool]

The Spica Water Speaker Makes Listening To Music Uncomfortable

Sean Fallon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:20:00 +0000

When was the last time a song made you want to pee? Well, there is a first time for everything, and your first bladder-rocking beat may come courtesy of the Spica water speaker.

As Unplgged noted, it’s kind of like “an audio version of a lava lamp”, which seems like a good way to describe a speaker that utilises light and water. It’s only a concept at the moment, but I like the visual approach to music. [Yuki Yamamoto via Designboom via MocoLoco via Unplgged]

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin MM-1 USB Speakers

Mark Wilson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:51:06 +0000

We have no actual specs on these Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin MM-1 USB speakers, but if the high-end computer speakers sound nearly as good as they look, we’re in for a treat. Arriving January 2010. [Ecoustics via Engadget]

The Philco Signal Tracer iPod Dock

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:20:00 +0000

I don’t have a clue what a Philco Dynamic Tester is or what it did back in 1946. Quite frankly, I don’t care. I want to believe it was used to carry the navigational computers inside Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles.

I also don’t care because it just looks perfect as an iPod dock, using a “10-watt solid-state amplifier and a high quality Blaupunkt … coaxial loudspeaker with a massive ceramic magnet”. [Pete Verrando via Retrothing]

New Sharp Soundbar Offers 3.1 Audio

Nick Broughall — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:46 +0000

I thought soundbars were supposed to create a virtual sense of surround sound. But apparently Sharp’s new HT-SB400 is happy enough playing the front three speakers, offering 3.1 sound in a thin, wall mountable audio solution.

For $369, you get dual audio inputs, a 3.5mm jack for MP3s and a touch panel on the front for controls. It probably doesn’t compete with the high end soundbars from Yamaha in terms of performance, but for $369, what do you expect? It does look nice though…

[Sharp]

Sony Giving Away Guitar Hero 5 With MU.TE.KI Purchases

Nick Broughall — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:30 +0000

If you’ve been eyeballing Sony’s massive MU.TE.KI surround sound system, now’s as good a time as any to pick it up… Until December 31, they’ll throw in a Guitar Hero 5 guitar pack for the console of your choice via redemption.

While it’s not the biggest value add-on we’ve ever seen, I imagine there’d be something pretty special about playing along to Muse’s Plug In Baby at full volume through these monsters.

You’ll need to pay $25 for shipping and handling, but otherwise the game is free. Check out Sony’s MU.TE.KI page for all the details…

[Sony]