JBL OnBeat Xtreme. One Wild Looking Docking Station & Loudspeaker with a $500 Price Tag.

The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ is among the most versatile, capable and powerful loudspeaker docks JBL engineering has ever produced. It’s a complete high performance audio system that docks with most Apple iOS devices – including iPad tablets – and pairs with virtually any Bluetooth®-enabled computer or smartphone for high-quality wireless playback of your music library, Internet radio streaming or speakerphone functionality.




An ingenious rotating connector firmly docks your iPad, iPod or iPhone device, and lets you position iPad, iPod and iPhone screens in portrait or landscape orientation for the best video display.




The JBL OnBeat Xtreme features JBL Ridge tweeters and JBL Atlas™ woofers with computer-optimized DSP equalization, which create a dynamic, lifelike 360-degree soundstage. An RF remote puts you in full control of system functions and music navigation from anywhere in even large rooms, and an AC power supply keeps your iOS devices charged when docked. With an optional composite cable, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme can even send video content on to your TV for the whole crowd to enjoy together. The JBL OnBeat Xtreme does it all, and does it with the industry-leading performance you expect of JBL products.





The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ docking station frees you from wires – and its RF remote puts you in full control from anywhere nearby. The JBL OnBeat Xtreme dock is compatible with your computer and iPad, iPod and iPhone devices, guaranteeing spectacular wireless playback of your music library. And with an optional composite cable, it can send video to your TV for all your friends to enjoy.






Features
Docks with iPod, iPhone and iPad devices (Compatible iPhone/iPod models iPad Wi-Fi®+3G, iPad 2, iPad Wi-Fi, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS,iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod touch 2G, iPod touch, iPod 5G,iPod nano 5G, iPod nano 4G, iPod nano 3G, iPod nano 2G, iPod nano, iPod classic)

The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ high-performance docking station was designed to accommodate an iPod, iPhone or iPad. All three devices can wirelessly play back your music library with professional sound no matter which device you own.

High-quality Bluetooth® wireless music streaming

With the JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock, you can stream wirelessly through your Bluetooth® device, allowing your audio sources to deliver high-performance studio sound.

Dock your iPod, iPhone or iPad device in portrait or landscape orientation.



You use the iPod, iPhone and iPad landscape mode for the highest-quality video display. The high-performance JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock has an ingenious rotating connector that lets you position the screen in landscape orientation.

JBL® Ridge tweeters and Atlas™ woofers offer computer-optimized DSP equalization

JBL® Ridge tweeters and Atlas™ woofers with computer-optimized DSP equalization deliver impressive frequency response (47Hz to 22kHz) and minimal distortion, even at high output levels. You’ll hear your favorite music with an accuracy and detail you wouldn’t have thought possible from a system this small.

High power output

The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock delivers 30 watts of amplification to each of its four transducers for crystal-clear high-output sound.

Hands-free calling with Bluetooth® phones

The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock has a built-in microphone so you can make or receive calls on any Bluetooth® phone. Your music will pause for the call and resume when you hang up.

Composite output to display video content on TV (cable not included)

With an optional composite cable, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock can send video to your TV for all your friends to enjoy.

RF remote control navigates from up to 30 feet (9 meters) in any direction

Using the included JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ RF remote control, you can navigate your iPad, iPod and iPhone menus, iTunes songs, playlists, photos and videos. You can easily change tracks, system settings and more, from up to 30 feet (9 meters) in any direction.

AC power supply charges iOS devices when they’re docked

When plugged into AC power, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock will charge your iOS devices without a computer connection, even when the system itself is off.

Lightweight and compact enough to fit virtually anywhere

The JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock is compact enough to fit just about anywhere you and your friends get together. If music matters to you, you need to hear it the way it was meant to be heard, whenever and wherever you listen. The JBL OnBeat Xtreme dock will make it happen.

Dynamic JBL® Weave design

With its exclusive JBL® Weave design, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ loudspeaker dock looks as good as it sounds. The dynamic, one-of-a-kind design makes the JBL OnBeat Xtreme dock a stylish addition to your listening space.

What's in the box:

• (1) JBL OnBeat Xtreme speaker dock
• (1) AC power cord
• (1) remote control
• (1) iPod/iPhone adapter clip
• (1) iPad adapter clip
• (1) Owner's Manual

$499.95
buy it here

New Beolit 12, A Portable Wireless Speaker with AirPlay for your iPhone from Bang & Olufsen.

above: A still from the Beolit 12 commercial plays up the picnic basket-like shape.



The first product from Bang & Olufsen's new brand, B&O Play, has been chosen as the "Coolest New Speakers" by Gizmodo at the 2012 CES (Consumer Electronics Show).



With a full-grain leather strap, a solid aluminum grill, illuminated controls, 120 watts of output, a built-in power supply, and an 8 hour rechargeable battery, the Beolit 12 is a portable wireless speaker that features Apple’s AirPlay technology.






Designed by Cecilie Manz for B&O, it comes in four different colors and is said to arrive in Bang & Olufsen showrooms and select Apple stores later this month with a starting price of $800.



The television commercial promoting the new product plays off on its portable picnic basket like shape with an urban high fashion Little Red Riding Hood:



The press release:
Bang & Olufsen, the global provider of luxury, integrated audio-video solutions and services, and B&O PLAY, the company’s new brand focused on a more playful and portable product portfolio, are announcing its first product, the Beolit 12 portable music system. Beolit 12 will defy industry standards with its cutting-edge sound quality, flexible application and distinct, compact design.

Designed by Danish designer, Cecilie Manz, Beolit 12 follows a design language that is a direct reflection of its use: convenient, robust and casual. Beolit 12 follows the success of the BeoSound 8 sound system for iPad/iPod/iPhone docking, with a combination of excellent sound performance, distinct design and craftsmanship, and portable wireless operation.



“With its unsurpassed sound performance and striking design, we believe Beolit 12 will resonate with both Bang & Olufsen enthusiasts and now a new and wider customer demographic, due to its convenience, price point and fashion-forward style” states Tue Mantoni, CEO Bang & Olufsen. “We believe it bridges a gap in the market by delivering a high quality listening experience and still having the convenience of playing music from ones portable digital device or smart phone.”

Beolit 12 features Apple’s AirPlay technology. It allows you to play music wirelessly from your iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC when connected to your wireless network. It is designed to be portable and has a built-in power supply and a rechargeable battery. The power cord packs neatly away inside the system when not in use. The rechargeable battery has the capacity to charge an iPhone or other connected device and play back music for up to 8 hours at normal sound levels.

“By combining Bang & Olufsen’s 86 years of experience in sound and acoustic technology and advances with the latest wireless technology, Beolit 12 allows the user to play pristine music from their digital devices,” states Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President B&O PLAY. “We have packaged all of this technology in a compact solution and wrapped it in a beautiful hand-assembled aluminium casing which can be moved around freely with no cables by simply grabbing the leather-strap.”

Beolit 12 is a tribute to Bang & Olufsen’s ever-popular transistor Beolit radios from the 1960’s, and similar to its early predecessors, it presents a compact form, yet a robust sound reproduction. Also, despite its relatively small size, the Beolit 12 offers a best in class portable sound experience. Its 120 Watts digital Class D power amplifier system individually drives two 2” tweeters and a 4” woofer to deliver powerful, accurate sound performance that comfortably fills a middle sized room. The sound system is designed and tuned by the same sound engineers that delivered the award winning BeoLab 5 loudspeakers from Bang & Olufsen.

Attention to detail has always been a Bang & Olufsen signature competency, and this is reiterated under the B&O PLAY brand. Material choice and craftsmanship are no exceptions here: An Italian full-grain leather carrying strap is diagonally mounted for stability when the unit is carried, and the solid aluminium loudspeaker grille wraps smoothly around the unit, making the loudspeaker fabric visible behind the grille to allow for different discrete colour options. The top of the unit, with its volume, power and network controls has a non-slip rubber insert, so you can safely place your mobile device here while charging or playing.

The Beolit 12 represents the company’s move into a new range of products designed specifically for a new generation of mobile, digital, quality-conscious customers. With a recommended consumer price of EUR 699 in Europe and $799 in the USA, the Beolit 12 is the most affordable sound system from Bang & Olufsen in many years, and therefore the company believes its sales volume will surpass the ever-popular BeoSound 8 figures.

Beolit 12 will begin to arrive in Bang & Olufsen showrooms, Bang & Olufsen Online Store and Apple Stores (including Apple Online Store) late January 2012 in the dark grey option. Additional colors will include yellow, blue, and light grey, and those will arrive in showrooms this Spring 2012.




all images and info courtesy of Bang & Olufsen

Specs:
•Class D digital amplifier with a total of 120 watts.
• 2.1 stereo system with: 2 x 2” tweeter and 1 x 4” woofer
• Dimensions W x H x D: 23 x 15 x 18.8 (cm)
• Weight: 2.8 (kg)
• Colours: Yellow, dark grey, blue, grey

Learn more about it here

A Chip Off The Ol' Giant Skull Speaker. New MinuSkull Speakers by Kuntzel+Deygas.

above: The 2010 Grateful Vanity accoustic sculpture and a 2011 walnut miniskull speaker by Kuntzel+Deygas

above: artists Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Olivie (Kuntzel +Deygas) with their new minuskulls

These cool new 50 watt portable speakers, the miniskulls, designed by Kuntzel+Degas were inspired by their unusual and striking oversized accoustic sculpture, Grateful Vanity.


above: Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Olivie (Kuntzel +Deygas) stand in front of their accoustic sculpture, Grateful Vanity



The new tabletop version, handmade in France, comes in walnut wood or lacquered piano black or lacquered piano white. Not only are they scary looking, but the prices are equally frightening at €1600 for the walnut and €1750 for the black or white- not including shipping.




MinuSkull can be connected to any source of sound (Ipod, mp3, computer,etc). The better the source the more you can enjoy MinuSkull’s high-quality sound.



Technical components inside the skull consist of two broadband Fostex Fe-83 speakers with a membrane made out banana leaf pulp (the eyes). A mini subwoofer for a large and natural restitution. They chose a tailor-made speaker (made in France), which lies underneath the skull. A tailor-made Mosfet amplifier that allows a transparent and dynamic quality of listening without using an additional amplifier.



MinuSkull is expandable : this speaker can be used alone or as a duet in order to improve the stereo effect. Using 5 MinuSkulls creates the basis of a Home Cinema Sound System (a subwoofer should be added in this case).




In the designers' words "MinuSkull is a mini loudspeaker made for a high-quality sound experience at home. Its extraordinary Hi-Fi system creates a perfect sound, and most of all, to our own standards, it has a soul."

specs:
WIDTH 9.25 Inches HEIGHT 10.63 Inches, DEPTH 5.91 Inches
WEIGHT : 11 lb
BANDWIDTH : 60 TO 20,000 HERTZ
AMPLIFIER: 50 WATTS
CABLE POWER : 220 VOLTS
Connection : 2 Cinch RCA stereo entries
all images and information courtesy of Kuntzel+Deygas and Minuskull.

buy them here

Sound You Can See. Transparent Speakers From People People of Stockholm.

A well established definition of sustainability is to satisfy the needs of people, planet and profit. This speaker design by Stockholm design group People People tries to accomplish exactly that.



The transparent design lets the speaker blend in to any living room out there. The size can be big enough to offer a good sound quality, yet the speaker takes little visible space. The box is transparent, but the sound creating components are clearly emphasized.




The speakers come with a small rechargeable WiFi antenna that plugs into any headphone socket. It can plug in to any computer, music player or smart phone out there. It will also work for old stereos or vinyl equipment. The aim is to set the music free regardless where it’s stored.



The speaker is then assembled at home, IKEA style. This also means that the components that breaks first (the rubber ring and the speaker cone) can be easily replaced, keeping the product away from any landfill.



Being big is good for sound quality, but not so good for shipping. Any other speaker will ship a lot of air around the globe before ending up in your living room. This speaker ships in a small, flat package that goes in through your mailbox. The glass sheets making up the box is being ordered through the glass repair shop closest to every single customer. In that way the speaker reduces shipping with up to 90%, and supports local handicraft in one go. A very economical and ecological solution.


all information and images courtesy of people people

The speaker is still under development, and not available for purchase yet. If you are interested you can drop a mail to speaker@peoplepeople.se and we will keep you posted on the progress.

People People

Lighting? Speakers? Try Both. Sensai Wood Designs Light Up A Room With Sound.

A beautiful new collection of lighting that function as wireless bluetooth loudspeakers for the home. The Sensai wood collection designed by Decoma consists of a suspension light, a floor lamp, a table lamp and a wall sconce in dark and blonde woods that conceal omnidirectional speakers.

Suspension lamp/speakers:



Table lamp/speaker:




A view of the underside:


Wall sconce light/speaker:




Floor lamp/speaker:


Listen to the radio or music wirelessly through the discreetly concealed speakers within the contemporary lighting. The bulbs are available in white, red, green or blue bulbs and have three dimmer levels.

The Sensai collection will be distributed through FDV group in their Alt Lucialternative Line.