Check out these great new offerings from the latest in personal audio, home audio, headphones and more. Take our word for it when we say that whatever your audio style these new releases will help make your new year complete.
Pandora, Rhapsody, Groove Shark and internet radio from across the globe are represented here as well, and if you want to get the full experience from your downloaded movies, music videos and the like take advantage of the component video out port and put your iPod's contents on the big screen-HD of course. The musicBox has an upgrade to include Peachtree's amazing ds4.5 speakers to round out the experience and trust us-you want them. Not only is the sound quality amazing, they have the same throwback design and rounded edges you'll find on the musicBox and that kind of continuity is key if you want your music source to look as good as it sounds.
Intuitive as well as brilliantly made, the musicBox knows your late night Alanis habit is getting on your neighbor's nerves and mutes its speakers when headphones are plugged in. That's icing on the proverbial cake, if you ask us, and not only does the radio take care of little things like that, it'll still run those digital tunes through its tube preamplifiers so you're not sacrificing volume for quality. A table radio that does all that? We'll take it and run!
All product images courtesy of respective companies.
Peachtree Audio musicBox Table Radio
Ok, let's be honest: we spend an inordinate amount of time on our computers these days. And while keeping our iTunes pumping usually keeps us pumped, sometimes the wimpy sound out of laptop and desktop speakers makes us long for a way to make our music sound rich and full without digging out the old CD player. Peachtree Audio has come to the rescue, and whether you're a home office worker or a cubical bound corporate big shot you'll appreciate the kick-start your day will get with music you love sounding the way you remember.
How will this feat be accomplished, you ask? Like the best things, with a dash of retro styling and the absolute best in new technology: a table radio with audiophile tendencies. It's called the musicBox, and it is going to blow your mind. The difference here is the PURE DIGITAL iPod dock-it's built right in to the top of your new radio and passes all the digital information your iPod reads your tunes with on to the musicBox where an internal DAC (Digital to Analog Converter, donchaknow) produces sound rich enough to rival any high-end CD player. Vacuum tube preamplifier circuitry and power amplifiers seal the deal: this table radio is so much more than you expected.
http://signalpathint.com | Price: $699; $799 with speaker upgrade
JBL On Stage IV
When you're looking for the highest in audio quality but don't want to sacrifice style, JBL always comes through. With this dock, your iPod or iPhone gets to rest on a platform of noise with a twist: the base is molded to fold across itself making your MP3 player look like the king of the castle. The On Stage IV isn't just pretty though; it's an incredibly portable and incredibly powerful stereo complete with four JBL Odyssey full-range transducers, an IR remote and the ability to go completely off grid with six AAA batteries for hours of outdoor tunes. If you choose to stay plugged in, though, the On Stage IV will charge your device up so you're not draining your resources while you're blasting your tunes.
www.jbl.com | Price: $149.95
JBL On Stage Micro III
The On Stage IV is pretty, alright, but if you need all the good looks in a super-small package the On Stage Micro III is the way to go. With the same pretty base as it's larger cousin the Micro cuts it down to battery operated power and two transducers but beefs up its sound with a digital amplifier to fill (almost) any room with JBL quality sound. This little beauty weighs in at less than a pound so it can truly go anywhere you want to take it. Use a USB cable to connect to your device and keep it charged and take advantage of the IR remote to navigate your library without leaving your seat.
www.jbl.com | Price: $99.95
Gear4-SoundOrb Aurora
Anglophiles, worry not--we've always got something in the works for you! The Gear 4 SoundOrb Aurora is less of an iPod or iPhone dock and more of a wireless speaker system; it's ambient light filled subwoofer and video output attest to that. Nicely designed with a compact grace to both pieces of the set, this dock has a lot of bells and whistles that complement its original functions instead of masking them, like the audio input from, say, your TV. The included remote control and color changing light effects are extra bonuses! Also, the system is wireless but for the power supply, and UK and EU adaptors are included.
www.gear4.com | Price: $400
Gear4-Explorer SP
If you really want to get your Brit on but need a slightly more portable solution for your home music situation the Explorer SP with its 3D sound technology will cover you ceiling to floor. Don't underestimate this little device: though it can be carried in a travel pouch and run on a two hour fast charge for eight hours of playback this is no wimpy dock. It has the aforementioned 3D sound for increased width and depth, extended frequency response for bigger and better sound across the range and a Bass port for full rich sound inside the small package. Oh, and that deep, rich bass is going to sound a heck of a lot better when you think of the money you've saved over other portable docks!
www.gear4.com | Price: $160.00
vModa
With killer styling and a range of color options, we're surprised you haven't bought these headphones yet! The Crossfade 'phones deliver on multiple levels though of course the wicked details like the diamond shaped ear cups and chrome (or colored, depending on your preference) accents all over are noticed first! Developed over the course of years with input from DJs, musicians and producers alike the styling is just the beginning: they're incredibly comfortable and not only do they sound great with your jams pumping you can switch with the touch of a button to make and receive phone calls. Patent pending 50mm Dual-Diaphragm High-Definition Drivers mimic the power of several larger drivers, delivering you the vibrant sound quality you need without the need for extra batteries or the weight of other headphones. Gold plated plugs and memory foam cups and bands complete this incredible package--we especially love the Nero and Phantom Chrome models.
www.v-moda.com/| Price: $199.99
Able Planet
The best headphones on earth can fall short if they let ambient noise intrude on your listening experience: these AblePlanet TRUE FIDELITY Active Noise Canceling Headphones with LINX AUDIO technology will make sure that is a fate that doesn't befall you even in the hustle and the bustle of big cities. Twenty six major awards are the only pedigree you'll need as far as vetting these, but we'll sing some praises in print anyhow, just to drive the point home! In line volume control means you can relax and listen at safe levels without fumbling for controls on your device, active noise cancellation removes the annoyances interfering with your music, and an adjustable headband keeps all that technology strapped comfortable to your cranium. Responsive across all frequencies, these guys even come with the first AAA battery, an airplane adaptor and a home stereo adaptor.
www.ableplanet.com | Price: $149.99
ZAGG
Designed for ease, comfort and efficiency, the ZAGG audio smartbuds are a dream for folks who want their technology to sit down, hush up and do its job. Black on black, equipped with noise cancellation microphone, in line volume control and a system called "Hanging Tight" to keep your earbuds around your neck--and out of the way--even when they're not in use. Great sound, angled jacks and earbuds with multiple sizes for different fits, and a premium length cord coated with invisibleSHIELD protectant might set you back a pretty penny, but ZAGG's selling them for a song.
www.zagg.com/audio/smart-buds.php | Price: $49.99
iFrogz
iFrogz Ear Pollution series comes back better with each new incarnation, and these CS40s are no exception. A premium of colors means that no matter what you're listening to you'll be doing it with your own personal style on display, and a responsive 40 MM driver ensures dynamic sound and smooth, velvety undertones whether you're jamming to Liz Weezy's jail release or the Three Tenor's greatest hits. By the way, the "CS" stands for Comfort Series, and these 'phones won't disappoint on that front: lightweight and ergonomically designed with AeroFoam ear cushions the CS40s will look great without dragging you down. Feeling brave? Pick 'em up in the Marine/Orange combination.
http://ifrogz.com/product/EP-CS40 | Price: $39.99
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Apple 2011
Apple is approximately 20% of the Nasdaq index and therefore is the market, so as the indices of the US markets move, so does Apple. This could be a vicious circle or virtuous circle depending on your point of view, but no matter how much circularity there is in a boom or a bubble it can't hope to keep things going indefinitely. But the first law of investing is: "don't fight the tape" and Apple's progress is fantastically strong. While the value of the company is huge, the P/E, a measure of value as a ratio of profits, is almost reasonable at 22. That is to say Apple's share price is mighty but so are its profits. At $335 Apple is still 20% away from overtaking Exxon as the top dog of US industry so you can imagine there is still further upside.
Apple 400?
With the market in a strong bull phase and the Apple magic still strong, a bear like me needs to stay in the woods until further notice, grumbling that it will all come to a sticky end soon enough. Will we see $400 a share? With the current market running hot and Apple in new high territory and the darling of the market, only a fool would bet against it. However that is not a reason to bet on it either.
Apple Market Report
Everyone's taking a tilt at Apple. If it's not a never-ending stream of iPhone clones, it's a wave of iPad look-a-likes. You'd have thought that would be enough to pull Apple's stock price down. Not a bit of it. Apple's stock has made a very strong move towards new highs after a nasty dip which would have shaken the resolve of even the bravest investor.
Since late August the stock has shot up 15%. The overall market has done pretty well and the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which Apple is part of, has done even better. Yet even still Apple has flown up even further with little apparent resistance.
Apple is still leagues ahead of its competition and it could simply be that now the market has had a look at the me-too emulators they are re-assured of Apple supremacy for quite some time. However, Apple's valuation remains lofty and for now - at least - it is trading in the $240-$280 price channel it's been stuck in for six months. Can it break out and head into the $300-$400 range? The strength of its recent rally suggests yes, its medium-term channel of trading says no. The way I look at it is Apple has gone up 500% in the last five years; it's unlikely to go up 50% from here, ever. As such, a long-term investor doesn't really need to even look. Within 10 or 20%, this is the highest Apple is ever going to get. Do you have the answer? Tell us on Twitter!
We Did It!
Apple finally did it. It is now more valuable than Microsoft. To stubborn old realists this seems wrong, but to an army of Apple fans and the veteran legions of Apple believers this seems very right.
It may just be the case that the recent stock market correction, which has seen the market "fall out of bed", is the cause of this victory. Apple just hasn't fallen as far as Microsoft in the stock market rout.
Apple's Risen
However nothing takes away from the fact that, long left for dead, Apple has risen and crawled hand over hand from the edge of going out of business to becoming the second largest company listed on Wall Street.
This promotion to number two position of most valued company on Wall Street is remarkable and kind of historic. I promised myself to short Apple when this happened but I will hold off because the market will rally for a week or two and shorting anything will be a bad idea.
Apple Bullish?
For Bulls it's been a hard grinding year. The post credit crunch rally started in March 2009 and since May 2010 the stock markets have gone into a bear market which has seen a nasty correction.
This correction has marked the limit of Apple's stellar share price rise.
Following this, Apple's stock has performed unpredictably, suffering little crashes and enjoying little booms, while stuck in a range.
I have maintained for some time that it is hard to imagine Apple going up much more as it's already the second most valuable stock in America; and it seems plain silly for Apple to turn into the most valuable business in the USA - however amazing the company. For now the market agrees.
So the $300 billion dollar question is: what can Apple do next to propel it above $300 a share?
Know the answer? Tweet us!
