If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): new loudspeakers

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Design That Speaks Volumes. Tiny Speakers With Huge Sound.

I get many requests for paid reviews and posts and turn them all down to maintain the integrity of the blog. Sometimes I find nice little packages for me in the mail, clearly from someone hoping to be added to the hip list. More often than not, the products aren't up to snuff.

But these warranted a mention. The line of speakers from Singapore Based XM-I are not only wonderfully designed (The x-mini even received the prestigious 2008 Red Dot Design Award) but they really work, and are priced right.

They've also received rave reviews from those in the know, so you can be assured from audiophiles far more respected than myself.

Check these out.

The Original X-mini:

The X-mini is the World's first pocketsize speaker with a built-in bass support and rechargeable battery. It strikes the perfect balance of pocketsize portability with uncompromising sound quality.

Pioneering a patented technology which enables an extendable vacuum to mimic the resonance of a sub-woofer, the X-mini is also equipped with high-fidelity speakers to ensure smooth delivery of the mid-highs. The in-built rechargeable batteries would also translate to zero cost on disposable batteries and increased daily convenience.

The X-mini II:

The X-mini™ II introduces a larger 40mm driver to project richer and fuller sounds resulting in superior end-user experience from its innovative capsule design. Not only does the new design deliver unsurpassed audio quality, it now performs even longer. Three times the capacity of its predecessor, the new X-mini™ II comes with a new built-in high capacity rechargeable battery capable of sustained output for 11 hours of nonstop audio pleasure.

A most distinctive feature is the all new system that enables you to connect one X-mini™ II to another, capable of forming an almost endless “daisy chain” of self-powered, bass-enhanced portable speaker system.

Finally to eliminate cumbersome audio cables dangling from the speaker, the connecting audio cable can be tucked neatly into the base for a cleaner and sleeker look.

The X-Mini Max (capsule version):

The X-mini Max (Second generation):

Thanks to Alexander Yap for the red X-mini Max II photos

•Pocketsize Portability
Small enough to carry around. Connected at the bottom by two magnetic base for hassle free storage and portability on a daily basis.

•Bass Xpansion System
Pioneering a patented technology, an expandable vacuum which mimics the resonance of a subwoofer

•In-Built Rechargeable Batteries
The in-built rechargeable batteries will translate to zero cost on disposable batteries and increased daily convenience

And keep an eye out for their latest edition, The X-mini Happy:

all images courtesy of X-mini and XM-I.

Shop for all the cool X-mini speakers here.

above: IM-X CEO Ryan Lee, photo courtesy of BusinessWeek

CEO Ryan Lee's speakers have made him one of Asia's Best Young Enterpreneurs, see the BusinessWeek article here.

If you are into loudspeakers, don't miss this post all about some of the most unusually designed speakers on the market:

Speaker Manufacturers Turn Up The Volume On Design

Speaker Manufacturers Turn Up The Volume On Design. 20 Of The Wildest Speakers.

above: The Muon Speakers by Ross Lovegrove for KEF

When I grew up, in the seventies, you basically had few choices when it came to speakers. The average consumer deliberated between JBL or Kenwood while the audiophile went for Cambridge Soundworks, Harman Kardon or Bang & Olufsen. Besides wattage output, your biggest deciding factor was whether or not you wanted wood paneled speakers or all black.

Well, boy has that changed. Speakers are no longer even called "speakers". Now they are 'loudspeakers' or 'sound systems' or even referred to as 'audio output devices.' Made from stainless steel, glass, acrylic, ceramic and more, speakers of every shape and size are popping up. Whether they are floor standing, shelf-sitting, or wall mounted, there's no shortage of unusual designs from which to choose.

Technologically, they are far superior than decades ago. And rather than bog down this blog with technical specs, let me simply share with you some of the designs. Some beautiful, some ....butt ugly. And give you links to the manufacturers so you can drool over the details on your own time.

Let's start with one of the most blogged about speakers (myself included) that were an expected hit at this year's CES.

above: The KEF Muon speakers by Ross Lovegrove; Read all about them here.

Loiminchay (a company known for making high end writing instruments- aka 'pens') Audio has emerged with new line of wood high end audio speakers, named after famous painters:

See more here.

Also unveiled at this years' CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Davone Audio's Rithm Speakers:

above: The new Rithm Loudpeakers, clearly influenced by classic danish design, in various woods.
Learn more about them here: Davone audio.

I just love Ferguson-Hill's Horn loudspeaker and bass unit:

See their range of products here.

Goldman's Logos Speaker System have the ultra hi-tech look:

above: Goldmund's Logos range :the Logos1 monitor and the Logos2 active subwoofer.

Cabasse's Baltic Evoltion speakers come in either pearl and wenge wood or wild cherry wood with black pearl:

See Cabasse's full line of products here.

Duevel's planet series below- also available in many colors- has received plenty of press:

above: See the full line of Duevel products here.

The new Klipsch Palladium P-39F Floorstander:

See more Klipsch speakers here.

The Nucleus® Reference AV Loudspeaker from Anthony Gallo Acoustics:

above: available in black, white, stainless or grey
Visit Anthony Gallo Acoustics here.

Waterfall Audio makes stunning glass speakers in many shapes and sizes:

See the above model and more glass speakers here.

Avantgarde Acoustic´s horn loudspeaker systems:

Check them all out here: Avante Garde Accoustic

German Physiks:

above: Just some of the various speakers by German Physiks

The Purity- a hybrid electrostatic loudpeaker from Martin Logan:

above: Martin Logan's Purity loudpeaker in cherry.

Gepetto (A hungarian design firm) has just released their new AiR1, a state of the art high end electrostatic loudspeaker: