New Technology Reviews!.: audio

Subaru delivers SiriusXM for 2012 models

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<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-90935" height="64" mce_src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6/siriussubaru.jpg" src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6/siriussubaru.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="sirius-subaru" width="300" />If you are a music lover, then surely you would know that getting the right kind of tracks playing in the background while you drive will greatly enhance the journey’s experience, including making it feel as though that 10-hour road trip is shorter than imagined. Well, good news for fans of SiriusXM – Subaru will be offering satellite radio from SiriusXM for all 2012 models, starting with the Legacy and Outback Limited models, followed by 2012 Impreza and Forester models that will sport an all-new factory navigation system to boot.</div>
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Subaru delivers SiriusXM for 2012 models

If you are a music lover, then surely you would know that getting the right kind of tracks playing in the background while you drive wil...

HTC Bass aka HTC Runnymede leaks on video

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<img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="205" mce_src="http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7904/shoththags.png" src="http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7904/shoththags.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="shoththags" width="312" />It’s someone in the UK that gets the credit (or the blame?) here, folks, for a video that shows off the soon to be revealed (or revealed again, if you count the multiple leaks across the internet) HTC Runnymede aka HTC Bass. You should know that this is going to be one of the first HTC devices to work with Dr. Dre’s Beats audio integration, one we expect to come packed with branding galore, a gigantic 4.7-inch display, and a lovely white front and back. Have a look at this video and let us know what you think.</div>
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It was all the way back in August that we first saw the HTC Runnymede appear, not two days later seeing what appeared very much to be the HTC Runnymede 2 – a second before there was a first. We saw it again halfway through the month and got a full specs sheet the day after that. It was if we were DRINKING the mede and getting fully drunk on it. Next we saw that the Runnymede was going to be called the HTC Bass and that was basically the last we heard of it.</div>
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Now we’ve got a video!</div>
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And notice the following – it’s got a vodafone UK carrier name on it, which means it’ll likely come out over the sea before dropping here in the states. Also note that it’s got the big Beats logo on the back which means that Chris Davies description of Beats integration on the Sensation XE will likely be true here as well:</div>
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The big change, beyond the CPU, is the audio. Beats Audio has had three main parts to play in the Sensation XE: the bundled headphones, the DSP and the audio profiles. Gone is the janky, throwaway hands-free kit you’d normally find packed in a new cellphone box, replaced by a tangle-free rubberized Beats set in eye-catching red, with an in-line remote – for answering calls as well as controlling media playback – and comfortable earbuds with a selection of three different sized tips. They’re a welcome change from what would normally be included, certainly, with plenty of bass and solid mids and trebles.</div>
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All that sound pretty alright to you?</div>
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HTC Bass aka HTC Runnymede leaks on video

It’s someone in the UK that gets the credit (or the blame?) here, folks, for a video that shows off the soon to be revealed (or revealed...

Pioneer launches four new Blu-ray home cinema systems

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Pioneer GB has revealed four new Blu-ray home cinema systems, with the two higher-specced 'regular' systems coming with iOS and Wi-Fi support.</div>
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The new home cinema systems come in 'basic' and 'regular' flavours, with all four main systems including up to 1100-watt power output, with a de facto 5.1 speaker setup.</div>
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They also support 3D Blu-Ray disc playback, HDMI with Audio Return Channel (ARC) for audio output from your TV, web online streaming and DLNA connectivity. In addition, there are mini-jack and USB connectors for linking up your MP3 player.</div>
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Both the regular and basics series come in two different speaker configurations - with satellites in either "tall" freestanding or "compact" wall-mountable varieties.</div>
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Big woofer</h4>
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The regular series, known as the BCS-717 with floorstanding speakers and the BCS-313 with compact speakers, adds iPod and iPhone compatibility via a cradle, WiFi connectivity, and an ultra-slim subwoofer.</div>
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In the basics series, the BCS-414 ships with floorstanding speakers, and the BCS-212 comes with compact speakers. In both of these the subwoofer is replaced with a fatter variety, and the Apple and WiFi connectivity is dropped.</div>
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The array of formats supported by all systems include DivX HD, MKV, JPEG, PNG, WMA, MP3 and AAC. They'll also rip your CD collection (if you still have one) to USB.</div>
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Connections to external devices such as games consoles and PCs are handled by two HDMI ports.</div>
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The systems are available now, starting at £299 for the most basic system, and stretching up to £499 for the "regular" system with floorstanding speakers.</div>
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Pioneer launches four new Blu-ray home cinema systems

Pioneer GB has revealed four new Blu-ray home cinema systems, with the two higher-specced 'regular' systems coming with iOS an...

Review: Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 4-85

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="150" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Bang%20and%20Olufsen%20BeoVision%204-85/B%20and%20O%20BeoVision%201-200-200.jpg" width="200" /></p><br/>It's no surprise that Bang & Olufsen's first 3D TV also happens to be one of the most expensive sets ever produced.<br/><br/>More likely to be found on a yacht or luxury custom installation than the average living room, the BeoVision 4-85 boasts an 85-inch plasma screen, a host of features and a price that would make Croesus himself blush.<br/><br/>The display is the same as that behind Panasonic's TH-85VX200, so its pedigree isn't in doubt. Amazingly, though, the 4-85 is about to become the smallest TV in the BeoVision range, with the non-3D 65-inch version being phased out and a whopping 103-inch version (BeoVision 4-103) waiting in the wings.<br/><br/>The latter, with its motorised stand, will cost you – deep breath – close to £100,000. If you decide to wall-mount it, the price comes down to a trifling £82,000.<br/><br/>For now, this 85-incher is the only plasma sold by Bang & Olufsen, the rest of its range being mostly LED-backlit LCD TVs that are as delectably designed as they are expensive. At the entry level – if such a thing exists within B&O's money-no-object ethos – is the BeoVision 8-40.<br/><br/>A snip at £4,500, this 40-inch TV has a full HD resolution, 200Hz and a surround sound decoder, plus a soundbar-style speaker system.<br/><br/>Next up is the BeoVision 10 range, all of which have a curiously square aspect, thanks to the three-way speakers slung under the displays.<br/><br/>The variations comprise the 32-inch BeoVision 10-32 (£4,500), 40-inch BeoVision 10-40 (£7,000) and 46-inch BeoVision 10-46 (£8,500), with only the smaller version unable to cope with surround sound. All have 200Hz, full HD and an anti-glare screen covering that's also seen on this 85-incher (it works, too; switch-off the TV and reflections are only faint).<br/><br/>Finally, aside from this 3D monster, is the BeoVision 7 range, which comprises the BeoVision 7-40 (£11,000) and BeoVision 10-55 (£16,000). The smaller is LCD, the larger LED-lit, yet both have perhaps the greatest feature of all; built-in Blu-ray. It's not 3D, sadly (it soon will be), but is designed quite brilliantly. Press Eject and a Blu-ray disc (or DVD) silently slips out, supported by a slim column.<br/><br/>All Bang & Olufsen TVs – and especially the BeoVision 4-85 – are programmable. An engineer asks you exactly what other products you have – say, a Sky+HD box and a Sony Blu-ray player – and the controls for those are integrated into the remote control.<br/><br/>However, if you change your components around, an engineer does have to pay another visit to reconfigure the remote.<br/><br/>It's the kind of personal service you'd expect if paying this much cash, though the charges keep on coming. You can't just barge into a Bang & Olufsen store and purchase the BeoVision 4-85, though. A site survey must be carried out first, largely to make sure the TV will fit through your doorway, and be supported by your walls or floor.<br/><br/>The site visit costs £300, though it's refundable if you decide to buy a BeoVision 4-85. The final charge is for delivery, which, as you can imagine, requires some pretty specialist lifting equipment; say goodbye to between £4,000 and £10,000. The main reason for that is the BeoVision 4-85's clever floor stand that weighs a whopping 500kg.<br/><br/>Whereas most TV stands rotate and wriggle, this one elevates. It's largely a show-off feature and not aimed specifically at improving the viewing angle or picture, but it's still addictive; switch the TV on from the remote and it rises to attention, revealing the BeoLab 10 speaker (also part of that 500kg bulk) as it does so.<br/><br/>This feature can be customised to exact proportions, with the TV leaning back or turning slightly. Does a TV need to have one position when switched-off, and another when turned on? No, not really – though arguably that's more important with an 85-inch TV, which is likely to become the focal point of any room, however large.<br/><br/>When it's switched-off, the BeoVision 4 retracts down to the floor – just an inch or two above, in fact – and from down there it doesn't dominate quite so much.<br/><br/>No sooner has the TV lifted into position than the TV comes to life – no coincidence – in typical B&O style; a pair of digital curtains part on the screen to reveal a live TV channel.<br/><br/><img alt="BeoVision 4-85" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Bang%20and%20Olufsen%20BeoVision%204-85/B%20and%20O%20BeoVision%202-420-90.jpg" width="420" /><br/><br/>At this price the BeoVision 4-85 isn't going to sell in the thousands, which is great news if you're in the market for it, since you can pretty much have it completely customised. Your first choice is between six colours (black, silver, red, blue, golden or gunmetal); the sample we reviewed was finished in snazzy brushed silver.<br/><br/>There's no Freeview HD tuner on board the BeoVision 4-85. If you balk and splutter at that, you're very probably not in Bang & Olufsen's universe. Any situation where the BeoVision 4-85 could be used is also one where a Sky or Virgin box is going to be in place – if only for the plethora of high-definition TV channels – so we're not unduly worried about the lack of DVB-T2. Despite that, we're told it will soon be in place.<br/><br/>In some ways the BeoVision 4-85 is all about cutting out features considered pointless, picture settings being first on the list. It's a strange stance in some ways, because high-end punters should be the fussiest, but Bang & Olufsen has removed virtually all opportunities to tweak the image. Yes, there are some very basic drop-down menus to change contrast, brightness and colour alongside a Game mode, but that is it; everything else is performed automatically by the BeoVision 4-85's ... wait for it … robotic pop-out camera.<br/><br/>Has Bang & Olufsen gone cuckoo? The set arrives perfectly calibrated for its surroundings – B&O is very confident about that, and doesn't want it jeopardised by the customer (heaven forbid) – so the job of the robot arm is to keep things that way.<br/><br/>Partly because plasmas are dynamic, colours can take on a slight yellowing hue the more they're used, so every 90-100 hours of use a five-inch camera pops-up from the top of the display, drops down in front of the screen, and measures the saturations and contrast (from a colour spectrum and a greyscale shown onscreen). It then resets to its original parameters, and adjusts the colour temperature to steer away from yellow and the camera dives back in, cuckoo-clock style.<br/><br/>The whole process (called Automatic Colour management, which can be done manually at any point) takes about 20 seconds, during which time the IR receiver is also measuring the ambient light in the room, and adjusting the brightness accordingly.<br/><br/>It's all a very subtle and silent process, and as we'll see, does a great job, though home cinema aficionados might take umbrage at the apparently dismissive stance towards users making their own tweaks. We presume this stance is largely to stop customers requesting call-outs every time someone messes with the settings.<br/><br/>Aside from magical moving mechanisms, the BeoVision 4-85 is also a 3DTV. It employs the Active 3D system used by (for now) the majority of manufacturers and brands, though that's absolutely no surprise; this is a high-end, and huge, plasma that is ideal for Active 3D.<br/><br/>In and outputs are, again, up to each buyer; on the back of the sample we saw was strapped a BeoSystem 3 surround sound processor that built-in DVI, four HDMI, component video, three electrical digital audio and, remarkably, three Scarts. Also back there were some line ins and outs, analogue and digital RF and an RF modulator.<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="BeoVision 4-85" class="aligncenter" height="142" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Bang%20and%20Olufsen%20BeoVision%204-85/B%20and%20O%20BeoVision%203-420-90.jpg" width="252" /></p><br/>Paired with a reference-level Oppo BDP-95EU Blu-ray player, the BeoVision 4-85 pumps out some seriously great 3D pictures.<br/><br/>Perhaps it's just the size of the screen that creates such enveloping intensity (not that we sat directly underneath it), but a run-through of <em>Avatar</em> delivered some of the most convincing 3D pictures we've seen.<br/><br/>Heavy on contrast and with a searing brightness (at least, for a 3D screen), the BeoVision 4-85 deciphered with intrinsic depth and startling detail the scene where the floating flowers settle on Jake. The way the screen picks out pricks of bright light in otherwise inky black areas of the image is brilliant. In the dog attack scene, it all moves a touch too fast for the BeoVision 4-85; there's a suggestion of crosstalk, though it's mostly a problem with judder.<br/><br/>Colour is sublime, as it is in 2D mode. There's a huge drop in contrast with those 3D specs dumped, though it's still enough to impress when compared to mainstream plasmas. On 2D mode there simply isn't any motion blur at all, which is why plasma is best for monster screens (though the 3D specs do introduce some).<br/><br/>Sky channels look better than Freeview, which is blighted by softness and fizzing around moving objects. That's no surprise on a screen this big, and the good work done in contrast and colour is retained. Overall, the BeoVision 4-85 is a top-drawer screen for 3D and 2D, while for standard definition it does a decent job at cleaning it up, considering its size.<br/><br/>It would be remiss not to point out that 3D material is best viewed on Active 3D screens in as near to blackout as possible – and the BeoVision4-85 is no different.<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="BeoVision 4-85" class="aligncenter" height="142" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Bang%20and%20Olufsen%20BeoVision%204-85/B%20and%20O%20BeoVision%204-420-90.jpg" width="252" /><br/></strong></p><br/><strong>Sound</strong><br/><br/>If the picture relies largely on the Panasonic plasma panel it's hosted on, the sound is all Bang & Olufsen's work. The BeoLab 10 speaker that sits below the screen is a mono driver – but acts as a centre channel in a surround sound set-up, which is virtually the law if you're spending this much.<br/><br/>In our review the BeoVision 4-85 was paired with two BeoLab 5 speakers (£3,600 per pair) and two surround sound modules, the BeoLab 3 (£2,700 per pair). The sound is crystal clear and powerful, as it should be at this end of the market.<br/><br/>In fact, with the sharp and well-weighted vocals, pitch-perfect bass levels (no external subwoofer is needed) and overwhelmingly effective surround effects, we'd argue that the audio brings the movie to life just as much – if not more – than the 3D effects onscreen.<br/><br/><strong>Value</strong><br/><br/>If you want one of the best screens on the planet, it will cost you. There is the small matter of price to contented with though – Panasonic's TH-85VX200 costs a 'mere' £42,000, so where's the BeoVision 4-85's extra £24,000 going? On the robot arm, perhaps? The motorised stand?<br/><br/>The look of the BeoVision 4-85 is a lot more sculpted, and the way it integrates into a home automation system – and, more importantly, a speaker array – is impressive. Other than that, the money seems to get you a screen that delivers a consistent picture performance that refuses to bend to your will.<br/><br/>For those after a top-notch, fuss-free 85-inch screen with huge wow-factor, the BeoVision 4-85 is first class – but the only real reason for any TV to cost £66,000 is that a production line simply doesn't exist; it's custom-built, and that is what determines the price.<br/><br/><strong>Ease of use</strong><br/><br/>There are two remote controls to pick from. The  default option is a Beo4, a long, slender and pleasingly weighty  product that takes some getting used to. It's thoroughly effective,  though a tad slow at communicating with an IR receiver that protrudes  from the BeoVision 4-85's top right-hand corner. The Beo6, which has  been in the Bang & Olufsen arsenal for quite some time, costs £230.<br/><br/>Those  that want a more up-to-the-minute touchscreen remote are also catered  for by the Beo6. It's a strange looking thing, with a small colour OLED  screen sitting atop what looks like part of a model aircraft's fuselage.  It's nicely weighted and comfy to hold, but best of all channel logos  can be programmed to appear on the touchscreen.<br/><br/>At £600 it adds  further to the increasingly stratospheric bill (it comes free with the  BeoVision 4 and BeoVision 7 products, so why not this top-of-the-range  TV?).<br/><br/>The remote really comes into its own when controlling  external equipment; we managed to control the internal workings of a  Sky+HD box with no problem, perusing the EPG and setting-up recordings.<br/><br/>Both  remotes are capable of mastering a home automation system if paired  with a MasterLink Gateway so, for example, you can use it in conjunction  with a Lutron lighting system; press 'movie' on either Bang &  Olufsen remote and the Blu-ray kicks-in as the lights dim. It also works  with Crestron and AMX systems, so for the wealthy it can control  security systems, ventilation, curtains, a burglar alarm – even your  electronic pool cover.<br/><br/>The TV's user interface doesn't make such a  splash, though it is complete simplicity defined. While other brands  struggle to introduce polished graphics and colourful, responsive menus,  here a different attitude has been taken. There is a bare-bones (and  attractive, despite being just white text on a black background)  interface that cuts in menus and choices from the left-hand side, but  usually the remote can be used to directly choose the source.<br/><br/>Those  wanting to control TV, or even entire zones of their automated house,  with a smartphone can do so with the free – and highly polished – BeoLink app on iPhone or Android.<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="BeoVision 4-85" class="aligncenter" height="142" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Bang%20and%20Olufsen%20BeoVision%204-85/B%20and%20O%20BeoVision%202-420-90.jpg" width="252" /></p><br/>Although it's always been a pricey brand, the last four or five years has seen the Danish brand issue TVs that haven't been sufficiently different to mass-market propositions to get anyone very excited.<br/>That all changes with the BeoVision 4-85.<br/><br/><strong>We liked:</strong><br/><br/>Contrast, colour and sheer detail are the picture highlights, but this TV goes way beyond its great 3D and 2D work. The robotic camera, home automation options and speaker opportunities are excellent, as is the touchscreen remote and iPhone app, while the motorised stand does nothing to lower our expectations. The choice of plasma when LED-backlighting is so well marketed is a shrewd, if risky move – and absolutely pivotal to its success.<br/><br/><strong>We disliked:</strong><br/><br/>The constant piling-on of costs – for the remote, surround sound decoder, speakers, stand and even delivery charges – might begin to annoy even those with vast resources. We're also rather surprised there's no online dimension whatsoever, while the lack of a Beo6 touchscreen remote as a default, included option is a shame.<br/><br/><strong>Final verdict:</strong><br/><br/>Incredibly expensive and aimed at money-no-object types, the BeoVision 4-85 sees a return to form. Bang & Olufsen's engineers have sensibly built the swish user experience around a cutting-edge plasma panel that excels with all sources.

Review: Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 4-85

It's no surprise that Bang & Olufsen's first 3D TV also happens to be one of the most expensive sets ever produced. More likely ...

Review: Monitor Audio Apex

<P align=center><img src="http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3919/hcc190monitor02200200.jpg"></P> <br /><P>Most people wouldn't expect to pay over £2K for a compact speaker system, but then Monitor Audio's Apex is anything but average. </P><br /><P>It's a slice of pure audio luxury, with each speaker housed in a precision-engineered enclosure and furnished with some of the best driver tech Monitor Audio has to offer. </P><br /><P>The system on test here includes four A10 speakers, which handle front and rear-channel duties and stand just 250mm high. They retail for £275 each, and that's before you've even added the bespoke stands at £250 per pair. They're joined by the A40 centre and AW12 subwoofer, £425 and £900 respectively.</P><br /><P>Pricey they may be, but they're worth it. Build quality is brilliant. The inert die-cast aluminium enclosures are robust and weighty, while the use of a metallic black lacquer finish, brush effect metal side trims and curved cabinets epitomise cutting-edge chic. Magnetic grilles leave no visible fixings – the icing on an already sumptuous cake.</P><br /><P>Inside the A10s a 1-inch C-CAM gold dome tweeter handles high frequencies up to and beyond 35kHz. Like the Silver RX range, the drivers are attached to the enclosure using a single through bolt fixing, which eliminates a possible source of distortion and acts as a brace to resist unwanted vibration. </P><br /><P>There's more clever tech inside the floor stands. Plonk the A10s on top and there's no need to connect up the cables as they're internally wired with built-in connecting forks. </P><br /><P>The A40 centre features the same technology and mind-boggling build quality as the A10s, but adds an extra mid/bass driver – the two flank the gold-dome tweeter in the middle. The A40 can be mounted on the tabletop using the supplied feet or on the wall with the attached brackets. Once in position it can be tilted up to 22.5° to suit the angle and position of your screen. </P><br /><P>The B. A. Baracus of this particular A-Team is the AW12 subwoofer, supplying a considerable 500W of muscle from its 12in long-throw C-CAM driver. Exclusive to the Apex system, this bass-monger is every bit as classy as the speakers, thanks to the spangled black lacquer finish and gorgeous metal side trims, but be warned – it's a lot heavier than its compact dimensions might suggest. </P><br /><P>The sub's volume and EQ controls are helpfully located on top – a godsend if it's tucked in a hard-to reach spot. There's a couple of buttons for two different EQ modes – the standard EQ1 setting offers the best overall balance for music and movies, while the movie-centric EQ 2 mode boosts output by an extra 4dB at 21Hz for added punch. </P><br /><P>On the back is a crossover dial, which goes from 40Hz up to 120Hz, but the low-pass filter switch will bypass this if you'd rather control it with your receiver. Phase control and line in/out sockets complete the lineup.</P><br /><P><STRONG>In action </STRONG></P><br /><P>The Apex offers a masterful performance with movie material. Right across the soundstage there's an astonishing amount of detail, unearthing sonic minutiae you might not have noticed before – even with movies you know like the back of your hand.</P><br /><P>I've seen The Dark Knight's monumental Batpod chase scene countless times, but this system suddenly had me noticing subtle noises and nuances in the surround design that slip under the radar on lesser compact systems. Engines sound extra raspy, while weapons load and fire with extra snap, crackle and pop. </P><br /><P>This level of insight and dexterity isn't entirely surprising at over £2K, but that doesn't make the Apex's talents any less incredible. It's also astonishingly powerful. I was expecting fireworks, but what I got was Bonfire Night and Bastille Day rolled into one. </P><br /><P>Herculean doesn't even begin to describe the low-end might afforded by the AW-12 – it's thick, punchy and tighter than a public sector budget. If you can remain seated when The Joker blasts his bazooka you're probably dead, but even when you decommission the sub there's still a healthy dose of bass in the mix thanks to the terrific bottom-end extension of the A10s and A40. </P><br /><P>What's more, high-frequencies are smooth as silk, speech couldn't be clearer if the actors were in the room and the rear soundstage is willfully expansive. </P><br /><P>And with music, this system nailed the emotion and energy of any recording I threw at it. Clean, full-bodied vocals, metronomic timing and wonderful detail reproduction make for a spine-tingling listen and reveal it to be a fantastic all-rounder. </P><br /><P>These speakers may be small, but their sound certainly isn't; if you have this sort of money to spend, you'll be hard pressed to find a better compact system.</P>

Review: Monitor Audio Apex

Most people wouldn't expect to pay over £2K for a compact speaker system, but then Monitor Audio's Apex is anything but average. It...

Sanyo Eneloop Pedal Juice battery pack preview

<div><img alt="" border="1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-main.jpg" vspace="4" /></div><br />
It's Christmas Day, which probably means that at least one toy that you received (or gave) won't be fully functional until Monday. Why? Batteries. It's an age-old problem, that "batteries not included" thing, and it's one of the reasons we've fell so in love with Sanyo's Eneloop line. Without question, the Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries are amongst the best and most reliable that money can buy, so whenever another Eneloop product pops out, it obviously catches our eye. Sanyo's branching out pretty severely with its latest device, and being that at least 3.5 members of the Engadget staff have strummed a six-string once or twice, we had to take a closer look at the Pedal Juice when given the chance. For those that missed last month's introduction, this pedal-sized block of energy is designed to provide 9V power to six or seven effects pedals, miniature amplifiers or electric drum pads (amongst other musical doodads). So, does this thing live up the the Eneloop reputation? Find out after the break. <br />
<div><b>Gallery: Sanyo Eneloop Pedal Juice unboxing and hands-on</b><br />
<img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-2330_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-2331_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-2332_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-2333_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/12/sanyo-pedal-power-2334_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /></div><h6></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/25/sanyo-eneloop-pedal-juice-battery-pack-preview/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>

Sanyo Eneloop Pedal Juice battery pack preview

It's Christmas Day, which probably means that at least one toy that you received (or gave) won't be fully functional until Monday. ...

iLuv iMM-747 Audio Cube: Review and video

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/iluvipadidontlikeit.jpg" vspace="8" /><a href="http://i-luv.com/">iLuv</a> has been making iPod and iPhone speaker docks for a while, and now the company has come to the table with a new product that extends docking to the newest member of the Apple family -- the iPad.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.i-luv.com/product_detail.asp?idx=1545&keyword=Hi-Fidelity%20Speaker%20Dock%20for%20iPad,%20iPhone,%20and%20iPod&category_cd=C002&cat_lev=1">iLuv iMM-747 Audio Cube</a> features two cube-shaped speakers (hence the name) and a central dock that can be moved around to accommodate most iPods and iPhones. There's also enough space between the speakers to place an iPad, making the Audio Cube useful for those who want to pump tunes out of their iPad. While the Audio Cube does its job as a speaker dock quite well -- watch the video on the second page for a demonstration of how loud this thing can really get -- it falls short in a few areas.<br />
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First, the pricing is ridiculous on this model. Suggested retail is $149.99, although the Audio Cube is generally discounted by online retailers down to about $100. Even at at discounted price, there are many other iPad speaker docks for much less, including the SMK-Link PadDock 10 that can be purchased online for around $90.<br />
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Why am I bringing up the PadDock 10? For one very good reason, and another reason why I'm not too happy with the iLuv Audio Cube: at least the PadDock 10 holds the iPad in both portrait and landscape orientations. If you want to watch a movie with your iPad docked on the Audio Cube, you're going to be watching it with the video squeezed into the portrait orientation. On the other hand, you can also dock iPhones and iPods to the Audio Cube, something that would be awkward on the PadDock.<br />
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The Audio Cube also seems to be cheaply made, a contradiction when you consider the pricing. As an example, that $90 PadDock 10 has a solid aluminum base, while the Audio Cube is plastic. Black plastic for the speakers and stand, and a "faux aluminum" plastic strap that joins the two speakers.<br />
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If you get an iPad for Christmas and you're looking around for speaker docks, definitely see if you can do a hands-on demo of one at a local retailer. If I had just looked at the Audio Cube online, I would have been impressed. Seeing it in person was a bit of a letdown, so in the words of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer_Scrooge">Ebenezer Scrooge</a> -- "Bah, humbug!" <br />
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I did a short video for Wednesday's TUAW TV Live show demonstrating the Audio Cube. It's on the next page, and you can see for yourself how the device looks and sounds.<br />
<h6></h6><a href="http://www.i-luv.com/product_detail.asp?idx=1545&keyword=Hi-Fidelity%20Speaker%20Dock%20for%20iPad,%20iPhone,%20and%20iPod&category_cd=C002&cat_lev=1">Source</a>

iLuv iMM-747 Audio Cube: Review and video

iLuv has been making iPod and iPhone speaker docks for a while, and now the company has come to the table with a new product that extends d...

Ambiscience creates Music for Users, an homage to Tron

<img align="right" alt="ambiscience music for users app" border="1" hspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/m4userssmall2323.jpg" vspace="8" />The <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-for-users-ambiscience/id399078950?mt=8">AmbiScience Music for Users app</a> has been on the store long before the movie was released this month, but watching the movie over the weekend reminded me of it. <a href="http://www.teslasoftware.com/">Tesla Software, makers of the AmbiScience apps</a> create several audio entrainment products for inducing sleep, giving you more energy, etc. They all work about the same, and each features an interesting line up of electronic music to zone out on. But the Music for Users version is now my favorite, with songs such as Cycle Chase 010 and Aboard the Solar Sail clearly tying into the hype around <a href="http://disney.go.com/tron/">Tron: Legacy</a>.<br />
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These types of apps work off the <a href="http://www.quietmindcafe.com/audio-entraiment.html">concept of audio entrainment</a> but this component is optional. You are first prompted to choose a selection of music, then you can add audio entrainment options for energy, focus or sleep (these noises are frequency-based hums designed to stimulate parts of your brain). You can adjust the mix between the entrainment sounds and the music, and save presets. Plus, there's a sleep timer. It's quite simple to use. While there is research behind audio-visual entrainment, I have found these are just as effective as <a href="http://www.pzizz.com/">pzizz</a> or even Naturespace. In other words, it's another noise generation app that'll help put you to sleep if you need one. Does it help with focus or energy? In my limited testing I can say "maybe." Your results may vary. The music, luckily, is pretty good!<br />
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For US$0.99 this is a fun and potentially useful app for your iPhone or iPod touch (the app runs on iPad as well but isn't native). If you want a sound generator and you love Tron, it's an easy recommendation.<br />
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<div><div><b>Gallery: Music for Users AmbiScience</b><br />
<img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/m4users01_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/m4users02_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/m4users03_thumbnail.jpg" title="" /></div></div><br />
<h6></h6><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-for-users-ambiscience/id399078950?mt=8">Source</a>

Ambiscience creates Music for Users, an homage to Tron

The AmbiScience Music for Users app has been on the store long before the movie was released this month, but watching the movie over the we...

Review: Icon Audio CDX1

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/Hi-Fi%20Choice/HFC%20341/HFC341.ikon.cdx1_main-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>We've seen plenty of CD players with valves, but we haven't seen any that look as though they're giving a valve amp a piggyback. Icon Audio makes a large range of glass-powered amplifiers. It has also been responsible for a number of CD players in the past, but none that were this hardcore. </P><br /><P>And that's why the output stage on the CDX1 has its own hard-wired chassis and valve power supply. In fact, the CDX1's designer David Shaw wanted to make a proper output stage, rather than the usual addition of small triodes to a regular transistor circuit. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Best valve ever</STRONG></P><br /><P>The separation of digital and analogue sections is pretty comprehensive in this player, Shaw has designed an output stage in the style of an amplifier rather than a source, which explains why it's so obvious on the machine.</P><br /><P>It has a choke-regulated power supply with valve regulation, courtesy of the brightly glowing 0A3, providing the HT voltage and absorbing RF noise. The smaller EZ80 is a valve rectifier and provides a slow start warm-up for the big 6SN7 output devices. Avoiding what's described as 'cathode stripping' has a very positive effect on valve life. </P><br /><P>The 6SN7 is described by Icon as 'probably the best sounding hi-fi valve ever' which is a controversial statement in the context of more fashionable valves like the 300B. But David Shaw is very keen on this device and uses it to drive big 845 triodes in the company's most aspirational power amplifier, the MB 845 MkII. </P><br /><P>The actual valves supplied with this Signature version of the player are Shuguang Treasure Series CV-181Zs which are a rather more expensive equivalent of the 6SN7. The two black lumps that flank the glassware are transformers, one is a choke regulator which supplies the rectifier and the other is the mains transformer. </P><br /><P>The player itself is an off-the-shelf Chinese machine, with a Philips mechanism that was chosen because David wanted something that was devoid of surface-mount circuit boards and because it's solidly built. </P><br /><P>The steel casework is indeed heavier gauge than usual, which must help when it comes to supporting the transformers on its top. Being solid also helps keep resonance under control, which is always a good thing. </P><br /><P><img alt="Ikon cdx1" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/Hi-Fi%20Choice/HFC%20341/HFC341.ikon.cdx1_tech-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The DAC is an AK4394, a 24-bit/192kHz upsampling type. </P><br /><P>The CDX1 actually has three sets of outputs on its rear end, one marked 'valve output' and another two in RCA phono and XLR forms just marked 'output'. The latter it turns out connects to the standard transistor output stage, so for obvious reasons you are encouraged to use the pair of RCAs hooked up to the glowing parts. </P><br /><P>The digital side of the player can be accessed via a pair of inputs for coaxial and optical connections, while digital output is only available via an optical TOSLINK connector, but if you want something to use as a CD transport there are numerous more affordable options on the market. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The glass war </STRONG></P><br /><P>The CDX1's build quality is not as slick as some at the price, but neither is it crude. In fact, with the copper plate under the valves and the signature plate it looks rather good. </P><br /><P>The front panel is anodised, aluminium and is cleanly designed, while the lump of amplification on the back marks the player as something out of the ordinary. The remote is an off-the-shelf type, but that's usually the case and it's attractive enough with an aluminium facing and rubberised finish. </P><br /><P>What's more, it has direct-track access and that most important of all keys: eject. We also like the way that the digital inputs can be selected via a toggle switch on the front. </P><br /><P><img alt="Icon cdx1 rear" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/Hi-Fi%20Choice/HFC%20341/HFC341.ikon.cdx1_connect-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The David Shaw Signature version of the CDX1 costs £350 more than its standard brother, for which you get the aforementioned Shuguang premium valves and Jensen copper foil in paper capacitors, huge handmade devices that are claimed to have a very positive effect on the end result. </P><br /><P>There are a few tube-powered CD players available in this price range but none have fared terribly well in our tests. The Audio Analogue Rossini VT 2.0 (£1,200), Prima Luna Prologue 8 (£1,500) and Shanling CD2000 (£1,000) all failed to garner recommendation. </P><br /><P>The hybrid players that we have liked from Copland, Consonance and Ayon are all rather more expensive. The Icon is closer to the latter two in terms of sound, but has more features by way of its digital inputs and beefier output tubes. </P><br /><P>While size is clearly not a major issue it does, in Icon's opinion, make for a longer lifespan, which is reassuring. </P><br /><P><STRONG>It's no fool </STRONG></P><br /><P>The CDX1's sound has many classic valve qualities; it is relaxed, smooth and spacious with some emphasis on the midrange, but not quite the bass extension of solid-state players.</P><br /><P>Its own solid-state output has more bass power, but a considerably less vivacious presentation. There is no shortage of life in the valve output's sound and with transistor amplification and evenly balanced speakers, this makes for a vital and entertaining result. A result that varies quite considerably with recordings, with one seeming a little overly laid back and the next coming through with remarkably clarity. </P><br /><P>It likes a good recording, that's for sure and isn't fooled by studio trickery, inasmuch as the less manipulated discs sound cleaner and more open than those that have been engineered to sound pure and open in-the-box (that box being a computer running Pro-Tools or similar). </P><br /><P>So Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden's <EM>Jasmine</EM> is totally effortless, yet solid and real, sounding totally in-room through a suitably capable system. </P><br /><P>While valves do not measure all that well in signal-to-noise terms, they manage to present a subjectively more dynamic result than their 'quieter' solid-state brethren. This was immediately apparent with a fine recording of Schubert lieder, where the dynamic range of the voice required a bit of gain riding, so that we weren't pinned to the back wall. </P><br /><P>Simpler material like this works better than full orchestral extravaganzas, where the strings can harden up a little when things let rip, but there's no denying the drama of a piece like Beethoven's 7th in the Icon's hands. The bass may not be weighty, but it is very articulate and you can easily follow bass lines. </P><br /><P>Some get distinctly cleaner in these circumstances and there's a strong argument for this balance in terms of musicality. There's no shortfall in drive or tautness and you can enjoy the timbre of instruments and voices without trying.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Music vibes</STRONG></P><br /><P>This player brings a degree of humanity to CD that is quite uncommon, particularly at this price. It does emphasise the midband a little and this means you can understand lyrics easily. </P><br /><P>This transparency, combined with a fluid and relaxed presentation, makes for great listening. It's very easy to relax and tune in to the music. It's not a soft or cozy player and give it something chunky (like Wyclef Jean's <EM>Thug Angels</EM>), turn the wick up and the place will start jumping. </P><br /><P>The CDX1 has a remarkable balance of sound, build and features at the price and makes much of the competition seem just a little bit dull.</P>

Review: Icon Audio CDX1

We've seen plenty of CD players with valves, but we haven't seen any that look as though they're giving a valve amp a piggyback....

NOX Audio Scout headset review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkAJ_wX8eTFVo4cO-xkrG8aGz9eOb9Ezg0xIS5oI0GPRX0erZMAovzB7rxS8HxU95WXD_o0ek1_vzbhZ7mnt5Oy7Y6Ad60Zkwbm28cjQ-L7hnV_x2qFc5hdsoDi3-uK6NFlZhR_G76FY/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-05_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkAJ_wX8eTFVo4cO-xkrG8aGz9eOb9Ezg0xIS5oI0GPRX0erZMAovzB7rxS8HxU95WXD_o0ek1_vzbhZ7mnt5Oy7Y6Ad60Zkwbm28cjQ-L7hnV_x2qFc5hdsoDi3-uK6NFlZhR_G76FY/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-05_thumbnail.jpg" style="height: 74px; width: 75px;" width="162" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkcfGHv0Laz7D3GgO0VIa5aXeLCH0xgzLngo943fIIcyCJO3vCyNxQw51G2yQfwiegooq8gukuvrM1F-hTS5-9_CoDhgkQMX5UOV4SOieQjUxoAh5MEt548KM9c_MbhlYlSq6_yBLuAk/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-01_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Earbuds: love 'em or hate 'em it's hard to argue with their eminent practicality if you're the sort who finds him or herself going from point A to point B on a regular basis. They fit comfortably in a pocket, don't screw up your 'do and, if you get a decent pair, offer some surprisingly good sound. The $80 Scout headset from NOX Audio promises to do all that and act as a hands-free microphone for your phone. Plus it has a cable that looks so much like an al dente piece of linguini we couldn't resist trying it. How does it taste in a white clam sauce and, more importantly, how does it act as a headset? Read on to find out.<br />
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<b>Gallery: NOX Audio Scout headset</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LJ3b6nSd7pn67z9ppHtp0ENDh0STqXwKRV2WizrhAZbpQolrZxCadlnnwgfsnUTqv7Eg9i-6-PHcWuvw-ByjKFXZ6T9UlhA_W2fl7mgKOAtVjY2zJFtQqnznDUpf7xiuRjUg0MzFuKI/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-02_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LJ3b6nSd7pn67z9ppHtp0ENDh0STqXwKRV2WizrhAZbpQolrZxCadlnnwgfsnUTqv7Eg9i-6-PHcWuvw-ByjKFXZ6T9UlhA_W2fl7mgKOAtVjY2zJFtQqnznDUpf7xiuRjUg0MzFuKI/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-02_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7P78MQj28giWdOLJ28VtdoyWV2xQ043S-h82b8HPGscR30y5nkg0OGz_YaSTrrYAx-WHGPb2cT7NLnQ3hwzoqCKyaSWdfOBzdDOPSRQBUEUPQZLER9cfmVy37HCKUlKk9W4x5Wqgo0Wg/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-03_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7P78MQj28giWdOLJ28VtdoyWV2xQ043S-h82b8HPGscR30y5nkg0OGz_YaSTrrYAx-WHGPb2cT7NLnQ3hwzoqCKyaSWdfOBzdDOPSRQBUEUPQZLER9cfmVy37HCKUlKk9W4x5Wqgo0Wg/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-03_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEpHFozcs79qPNehp1r2EFMYfKW0NbZAmBb5yrqpwtOc9CC4R6BEV9kCg3t4tHXb9MpbRp_aisZ-7uFvz1LnR6WPNMHjq0-M9yVhE6D9deKrB3g2GprSCODtfh-gYRFVZs7Io4AqBsR8/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-04_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEpHFozcs79qPNehp1r2EFMYfKW0NbZAmBb5yrqpwtOc9CC4R6BEV9kCg3t4tHXb9MpbRp_aisZ-7uFvz1LnR6WPNMHjq0-M9yVhE6D9deKrB3g2GprSCODtfh-gYRFVZs7Io4AqBsR8/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-04_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkcfGHv0Laz7D3GgO0VIa5aXeLCH0xgzLngo943fIIcyCJO3vCyNxQw51G2yQfwiegooq8gukuvrM1F-hTS5-9_CoDhgkQMX5UOV4SOieQjUxoAh5MEt548KM9c_MbhlYlSq6_yBLuAk/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-01_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkcfGHv0Laz7D3GgO0VIa5aXeLCH0xgzLngo943fIIcyCJO3vCyNxQw51G2yQfwiegooq8gukuvrM1F-hTS5-9_CoDhgkQMX5UOV4SOieQjUxoAh5MEt548KM9c_MbhlYlSq6_yBLuAk/s1600/scout-2010-12-17-800-01_thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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NOX Audio Scout headset review

Earbuds: love 'em or hate 'em it's hard to argue with their eminent practicality if you're the sort who finds him or herself...

Pure i-20 iPod dock offers quality audio and video sharing

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Pure i-20 iPod dock offers quality audio and video sharing

Pure has announced a new iPod dock – the Pure i-20 – which takes the pain out of linking up your iPod to your audio setup. This is because i...