Audio Knockouts
MacTribe's Audio Spotlight provides heavy combinations and skillful counterpuching for all of your sound needs.
GenAudio AstoundStereo Expander
Recently celebrating over 10 million downloads, AstoundStereo Expander is a new software application that takes any audio on your Mac and basically expands it to a virtual dimension. Once your audio is processed through the software, you’ll hear a richer complexity to the music keeping the integrity to the original sound file. Once you’re addicted to this incredible sound-expander, you can connect your headphone jack of your Mac to any input in your home stereo. Boasting a "4D sound experience" this software is available for $19.95 or a 30-day trial from their website!www.astoundstereo.com/
ZAGG Zbuds
If you’re looking for a great iPhone earbuds, ZAGG prides themselves as having the best with Z.buds. For $79.99, this headset is available in black, red, yellow, and pink. A noise-cancelling microphone is built right into the cord and users can wear their Z.buds either as normal or around their neck. Control is key with their in-line volume control and a built-in music control for the iPhone. The earbuds come with a variety of earbud adaptors for optimal comfort, and if you don’t like them, there’s a 45-day money- back guarantee (although you’ll probably like them!). www.zagg.com/
Logic3’s i-Station Rotate
The fact that we can watch TV shows, YouTube, and movies on our iPhone’s is great. However, I want to be able to really enjoy my viewing with high-quality sound and with the ability to keep my iPhone in its horizontal viewing state comfortably. My prayers have been answered with the i-Station Rotate from Logic3. According to Logic3, this is “the first iPhone-compatible speaker to feature a built-in rotating dock mechanism”. Not only can you rotate your iPhone or iPod Touch for all of your media viewing pleasures, but you can also listen to music from any Apple iPod (except the shuffle) while recharging your device. The i-Station Rotate is small for delivering so much sound and is easy to transport. There is also a built-in video output that allows users to connect their videos to a TV. For $129.00 enjoy movies from your iPhone in the best way possible!
www.amazon.com
Future Sonics Atrio
Future Sonics claims that their Atrio earphones “outperform any similar product at any price.” That’s quite a statement, but for being the earphones chosen by many of today’s top professional performers, it’s justified. The universal-fit monitors are pricey at $199, but it pays to have the best. Available in four different colors, this in-ear headset operates on mg5pro studio-grade drivers and its TrueTimbre natural frequency response. They pride themselves on delivering huge sounds at safe lower volumes.www.futuresonics.com/
Aliph Jawbone
Jawbone’s Bluetooth Headset is the leader in noise-cancelling listening devices because of their patented NoiseAssassin. This technology separates speech from other noise giving users a clear conversation when in use. The newest Jawbone is smaller and sleeker than ever, available in a variety of colors including “Babbling Blue” and “Rambling Rose”. The headset is available for $129.99 and comes with several earbuds and earloops as well as a wall charger and USB cable.
http://us.jawbone.com/
Etymotic Research etyBLU
Etymotic’s etyBLU Dual-Mode Noise-Isolating Headset is superior when it comes to Bluetooth talking capabilities. For $129, this headset comes with two microphones, one internal and one noise cancelling, giving users crystal-clear sound quality and feedback. Users can wear the earpiece by itself or with the BLUmaxx Quick-Connect Mic. The device also comfortably accommodates any user with an included earloop and assorted eartips. Users can talk for up to 7 hours on the etyBLU, functioning up to 30 feet away from its respective cell phone.
www.etymotic.com
H2O Audio Waterproof Headphones
Not many companies have tackled the challenge of underwater music listening. H2O Audio’s Surge Bass Amplified Waterproof Headphones not only function up to 12 feet underwater, their sound quality rivals that of great above water headphones! Available for $59.99, these earbuds isolate sound due to their acoustically engineered design. Functioning like typical water earplugs, the Surge Bass Headphones come with five different sizes to ensure a watertight seal for every ear. www.h2oaudio.com
TOP RANKED CONTENDERS!
iharmonix
iharmonix earphones are known for producing distinct bass tones without the cost of distorting mid to high tones resulting in listening perfection no matter what volume you have your music turned to. In addition to their great sound quality, these ear buds are priced well below their competitors ranging from the XS e-Series at $14.95 to the Platinum Series at $59.95. For the best available, the Platinum i-Series has an inline microphone compatible with the iPhone and iPhone 3G while offering the same superior iharmonix sound quality. The Platinum ev-Series likewise has the great sound components along with allowing the option of volume control.www.iharmonix.com
iFrogz
iFrogz is a brand that is known for their funky, fresh approach to the tech world. All of their products are user-friendly, especially “Ear Pollution NervePipes”, an over-the-ear hi-fi headphone that can be customized to your liking! Six different component pieces can be chosen in a wide variety of colors and designs. The possibilities are endless to design your unique headphones! The price is really unique too at only $34.99, with an additional 20% right now on their website! www.ifrogz.com
eFIZZ by EWOO
If you want an iPod player that’s really going to impress your friends, then perhaps you should invest in the eFizz by EWOO. Compatible with all iPods (excluding Shuffle) and iPhones, this Hi-Fi 2.1 stereo system delivers 70 WRMS of sound and a radio system powered on 2.4 GHz! The included remote will display cover art and the docking station itself has a 1.8-in LCD screen. Don’t be scared of the eFizz, as it does look intimidating, appearing like a mountain of speaker to which your iPod is its king perched on top. Epic looks and sound do come at a price, for $399.00 the eFizz will leave your expecting greatness and delivering just that.www.ewoo.com
Cygnett Grooveneo
Do you need some extra time on your hands? Cygnett’s GrooveNeo looks seemingly like a beautiful clock with a large display when an iPod isn’t being docked. All of the controls are on concealed on top of the clock and the unit transforms into an impressive stereo once an iPod/iPhone is attached. The GrooveNeo comes with a remote that controls its 40 levels of volume as well as your iPod playlists. Available for $89.99 get a visually appealing clock with the benefits of a great iPod player.www.cygnett.com
AUDIO KNOCKOUTS ROUND TWO
Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass
Altec Lansing’s new “Expressionist Bass FX3022” computer speaker system maintains the motto of “all the bass in half the space”. This slogan derives from the fact that there is a subwoofer built right in to the bottom of each speaker, unlike the usual separate subwoofer component in most speaker systems. The pair of speaker’s retail at $129.95 and feature volume control buttons as well as an auxiliary outlet for connecting your DVD, CD, or MP3 players. Because of the bass dominate sound, these speaker’s are perfect for gaming and movie watching delivering great audio performance in a sleek and sexy look offered in either black or white.www.alteclansing.com
Soundmatters foxL
Everyone is on the go these days. Fitting our tech products into this lifestyle can be tricky, as we don’t ever want to compromise quality for compactness. Soundmatters, however, has managed to produce a palm-sized audiophile music system that can easily be taken anywhere with the “foxL”. Either plug it in or listen for up to 5 hours from its Lithium-ion BassBattery, which is rechargeable. The basic model runs for $199, but for $249, the foxLmb will stream your music wirelessly and allow hands-free conference calling with its Bluetooth technology. This hi-fi system will accommodate any iPod, laptop, game system, and TV making it a must-have.www.soundmatters.com/
JBL Duet
JBL’s “Duet” two-channel multimedia speakers not only look great on any desk but more importantly they deliver great sound. Using what JBL calls “Tangential Strain Relief” these speakers produce extra bass with lower distortion with advanced midrange and high-frequency levels. These self-powered speakers can be used for both computers and other media players and are great for gaming. Sold for $49.95 these high-quality speakers are an affordable option without any slack in their performance.www.jbl.com
Macally TunePro
With so many iPod players on the market, it’s hard to know which one is right for you. If looks are important to you, that’s exactly what sets macally’s TunePro apart from the rest. As a rectangular mirror screen with a Clock display embedded in its upper right corner, your iPod will be docking in style. Not only is the player stunning enough on its own, but it also doubles as an AM/FM alarm clock and an overall great iPod player. For $99.99 see why the TunePro’s design and capabilities are triumphant.www.macally.com
LiveSpeakR
The LiveSpeakR differs from other portable iPod/iPhone players in its design and functionality. Users connect their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPod Classic to the “4-in-1 ‘Super’ cradle”, and once clicked into place, your player is protected and can be rotated for different viewing capabilities. Everything was thought of with this player, especially when a call comes in on the iPhone the speakers become the audio from the phone. The LiveSpeakR is listed for $129.99, but is currently on sale for $99.99!www.livespeakr.com/
Tivoli Audio iSongBook
If you’re looking for a truly high-end portable iPod player, then Tivoli Audio’s “iSongBook” it is. Don’t be scared of its price of $399.99, it is certainly justified with amazing features like a detachable speaker that allows for right & left hearing, a remote that controls both the unit and your iPod’s playlists, and a cool little flip-down iPod dock that stays concealed when transporting. Available in black and white, the iSongBook is also an AM/FM radio and an alarm clock, both with optional presets. Impressive to say the least.www.tivoliaudio.com/
WATCH FOR THE REMATCH
Boxing Images by Mark Hunt
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iPad Costs
iSuppli Corp., which generally waits until it can actually get the new Apple product to estimate its production cost, has decided to forgo hands on examination in the case of the iPad. They have--from just looking at it, it's amazing--decided the base model only costs $219.35 for Apple to produce. According to AppleInsider the base model won't make Apple anywhere near as much profit as the 32 GB model with 3G wireless priced at $729...that one reportedly costs only $287.15 to produce.
That's some profit! No wonder Apple execs have said they'd stay nimble on pricing! With demand for the iPad under scrutiny and this week's news that the "Take Picture" hint was removed from the Address Book app in the iPad simulator even we are starting to wonder if it's not worth waiting for the 2nd generation.
Trust us, it's painful to say.
Google Challenges the Internet
"Think Big" indeed. This time, Google is setting its sights on the very way we transmit information and asking people from around the country to nominate their city or state to be included in an ultra-high speed open internet network of Google's building. Set to include anywhere from 50,000 to 500,000 people, this network will boast 1GB per second fiber optic connections that Google reps are hoping will bolster developer creativity, test new ways to build the infrastructure and challenge internet service providers to band together to create a better internet instead of shunning change to maintain their bottom lines.
This is huge news, and we hope our city is on the receiving end of the new interwebs...here's the official Google Blog if you want to read it all in detail or submit your community.
Dogs on Twitter
From the country that's given us karate and karaoke comes the newest iPhone app: that's right, Japan's Index Corp. has announced the release of "Bowlingual," the dog emotion translator. Latest in a long line of technological advances, this app (to be released this summer) analyzes Fido's bark and puts it into one of six categories, like "needy." Or "happy." Then it adds a caption based on the emotion and allows you to snap a photo of your pooch in its current mood; as if that weren't enough it can modify that photo to enlarge your pet's eyes...oh...so cute.
Seriously, the app is set to sell for $5 and will post your pet's barks to Twitter. Silly? Yes. Fun? Probably!!
Will you let your dog speak his mind? Tell us here.
