Archive
Blackbox i10 noise-cancelling headphones, Atomic Floyd MiniDart headphones + mic
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f you’re ready to dump your cheap iPod headphones to get some audio quality, here are two – three if you include our reference pair – to consider.
By now everyone knows that iPods – and pretty much every MP3 player – comes with rubbish headphones, whose spec is chosen so that they won’t sound actively awful while not putting too much cost onto the final product. Which means that if you want to enjoy your music you’re usually left to buy some real, proper headphones.
Such are the Blackbox i10 noise-cancelling headphones (£79.99) from Phitek, which are only for the iPhone, iPod (non-shuffle models) or iPad: they attach to the 21-pin socket on the bottom. Unfortunately, it’s Apple products only; they won’t connect to the Samsung Galaxy Tab. These are headphones intended to get the most out of your listening experience, specifically by including noise cancellation.
The principle of noise cancellation is straightforward enough: a microphone on the headphone cable detects the ambient sounds, and feeds its inverse into the signal being delivered to the earpieces. Thereby cancelling out external noise, within the limits of the microphone’s frequency response and the electronics’ capacity to respond to changes.
Alternatively, there are Atomic Floyd’s newest designs, the MiniDarts (Apple Store link, not Amazon so far), also built with iPods and iPhones in mind: it has a straightforward 3.5mm jack but also includes a microphone, activated by a button, which can be used to control playback – pause, play, skip forward one track, skip back to the start. The MiniDarts come with a comely red lead, which should make them stand out if you misplace them.
Read more about noise canceling headphones on www.wireless-speakers.org
Laser-activated nanotube speakers could be invisibly embedded in windows and walls
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It is known that intense sound can be produced by electrically-powered nanotubes stretched into sheets, but researchers from University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) have furthered this principle by arranging sheets of carbon nanotubes into “forests” which produce high-quality sound when struck with lasers. This is an exciting advancement in the field of acoustics since it is thought these forests could be used to form invisible wireless speakers that could be embedded into walls, windows, computer screens, cars – the list is endless.
The acoustic properties of electrically-powered nanotubes have been known for some time. Previous studies have shown that sheets of carbon nanotubes are able to produce sound when heated with alternating electrical current. However, the UT Dallas NanoTech research team has found that striking tones can be generated by vertical arrays of nanotube forests, which visually resemble black velvet. Furthermore, they discovered that high-quality sound can be generated when these forests are excited with laser light that is modulated in the acoustic frequency range.
“Nanotubes assemblies of various types are black and highly conductive,” said Dr Mikhail Kozlov, a research scientist and the study’s lead author. “Their dark, conductive surface can be effectively heated with laser light or electricity to induce variations in the pressure of the air around the nanotubes – which we perceive as sound. It’s called the photo- or thermo-acoustic effect, and it’s the same principle Alexander Graham Bell used to produce sound on the first telephone.”
Read more about home speakers on www.wireless-speakers.org
Untitled
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Jabra caught on to a sweet design with the original Jabra Stone. They announced a revision of the original called the Jabra Stone2 which is slated to launch exclusively for AT&T on November 21st for $129.99. I am not sure why they decided on an AT&T exclusive to limit the market for the headset but who knows what they are thinking.
The new Jabra Stone2 has the same design but adds a new glossy finish along with a voice command system that lets you answer and place calls using only your voice. So you can simply say “call Pizza” and you will be on your way to getting a pizza delivery. The other cool thing is that it will read out to you the name programmed in your phone like voice caller ID. I am not sure if that will work on BlackBerrys but hopefully they found a way around previous restrictions.
You can catch the full feature breakdown after the jump or read more on the Jabra Stone2 product page.
Voice Control
- Make calls using the sound of your voice (For example, “Call Dad”)
- Answer an incoming call by simply saying “Answer”
- Reject a call by saying “Ignore”
Voice Guidance
- Hear the name of an incoming caller through the headset (For example: “Mom Cell” or “David’s Work”), exactly how you have the caller programmed into your phone. If the caller’s number isn’t saved to your phone, the headset will read out the phone number.
- A “Connected” audio alert means the STONE2 is paired with your mobile device
- The STONE2 signals a “Low Battery” audio alert when it needs to be charged. Battery levels also appear on the iPhone® to avoid guessing when the headset battery is running low
- The STONE2 talks users through an easy set-up process of pairing the headset to a mobile or smart phone (including the iPhone)
Read more about bluetooth headsets on wireless-speakers.org
The Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems
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Read more about wireless suround sound speakers on www.wireless-speakers.org
Wireless Outdoor Speakers – How Do They Work?
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You’ve seen wireless remote control cars, wireless phones, and now, wireless outdoor speakers. What is it with wires that manufacturers are simply getting rid of them? Well, wires are a clutter, for one thing. And they tend to break easily too. How many times do you have to throw away a good speaker system just because the wires got broken? Well, these are just some of the reasons why you should get wireless outdoor speakers for yourself.
They may not be technical masterpieces, but they work real well. And even if these devices were made for the great outdoors, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use them indoors at all. When you buy speakers like these, it normally comes with its own transmitter system. That transmitter can be plugged into your audio device. It is known to work with an iPod or any other type of media player, a CD player, or even a television set. When the system is switched on, it would send signals from your main audio device to the wireless outdoor speakers. Keep in mind that the signal would travel into the air. It may seem like magic but it really isn’t.
If you’re interested in having a look at some of the great prices for wireless speakers, then check out Amazon.com
Once associated and working seamlessly, you’ll get great, crystal clear, high quality stereo sound from your speaker. Of course, it all depends upon who made the speakers and how well they crafted it. Now, all you have to find out is the range of the signal and you could make the portable speaker system work for you. Try walking around the house and outside the garden just to see if the signal could reach there. If it does, then you can enjoy loud music everywhere. Your favorite list of songs would play not just in your ears but over the air through the wireless outdoor speakers system that you own. Cool, isn’t it?
Read more about how wireless speakers work on www.wireless-speakers.org
Acoustic Research AR-1 loudspeaker
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Experienced reviewers know that shows are the wrong environments for critical audiophile listening. Convention centers—especially the one at Las Vegas—are huge, cavernous airplane hangers, not the intimate listening rooms reviewers thrive in. Extraneous sounds from subwoofer blasts and the constantly milling crowds leak in to sully the music. Booths set up by manufacturers on the show floor have very thin, flexible walls, and no bass treatment.
So the floor of the Las Vegas Convention center was the last place I expected to hear a pair of loudspeakers produce three-dimensional imaging. But there I was at the 1998 International Consumer Electronics Show, stopped in my tracks by transparent, open sonics from the prototypes of a new floorstanding, three-way, tower loudspeaker with a powered woofer—the Acoustic Research (AR) AR-1, then called the P315HO. My notes from that day: “Although the level of its internally powered woofer was set too high, this speaker had very transparent mids and highs, unusual imaging, and made vocalists sound unusually natural…be sure you get this product for review.”
That night, over dinner, I mentioned the AR-1’s transparency, relatively low price (then intended to be $1999/pair), and unusually high voltage sensitivity of 96dB/2.83V/m—a perfect match for single-ended triode amplifiers. That got Sam Tellig’s immediate attention! Afraid of being scooped, I quickly requested the review assignment, filed a show report, and waited upon the arrival of review samples. These arrived and I started on the review.
At the 1999 Winter CES, this speaker again sounded clear and transparent. But AR had changed the midrange drivers, equalization for the internal amplifier, rear service panel, added a tweeter protector, increased the price from $1999 to $2495, and changed its name to “Hi-Res Series AR-1.” having already finished the review, I hurriedly obtained the Show samples of the new speakers and filed this report.
Read more about acoustic research speaker on www.wireless-speakers.org
Sony’s wireless streaming boombox: the wi-fi hi-fi
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If your PC holds your master music collection, you’ve either got to listen directly to the speakers it’s connected to, or transfer tunes onto a portable device. But what if you just want to head out to the front porch, or spend some time working in the garage? Sony’s got an answer: the VAIO WA1 is a wireless boombox that streams music from your PC to anywhere around the house. The WA1 is compatible with SonicStage, iTunes, Windows Media Player and suitable for Internet radio… And it looks pretty sexy, too.
“When it comes to entertainment content, and specifically music, people are moving quickly to a digital and PC-centric environment,” said Hiro Ishikawa, Senior Product Manager for VAIO at Sony Australia. “The VAIO WA1 offers a tech-savvy, stylish way to listen to your digital music collection, while ensuring you don’t compromise on the sound quality.”
Compatible with ATRAC, MP3, WMA and AAC music formats, the WA1 streams digital music virtually anywhere in the house via an existing wireless home network or a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the included USB wireless network adaptor. The WA1 is compatible with all VAIO and non-VAIO PCs and can be managed with various music applications including SonicStage, iTunes and Windows Media Player.
As well as being able to stream wirelessly from a PC, the WA1 is designed like a modern-day “boombox” and is semi-portable, offering up to four hours of battery life. Integrating 128MB of onboard RAM, the WA1 stores about one CD’s worth of music. Additionally, the WA1 is geared to stream the popular emerging audio technology of Internet radio and has a line-in stereo input for portable audio device connectivity.
Read more about sony wireless speakers on www.wireless-speakers.org
Wireless Computer Speakers
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Wireless computer speakers are another technological advancement conceived to give consumers of electronics one more option in the whole computer peripheral buying experience. Many techno-savvy Americans are addicted to getting the newest, fastest, and in some cases the most colorful electronic equipment, and the more wireless and cordless the devices are, the more they are appreciated by gadget hungry buyers. In most homes where a plethora of appliances, entertainment systems and computer devices are all very much corded and the electrical cords very much visible, wireless devices of any kind have almost become a necessity for safety and aesthetic reasons. As with every other electronic device, multimedia computer speakers come in a wide array of prices, designs and capabilities. While many consumers may think that the more expensive mean differences that can always be heard, the reality is that many consumers, unless they are pure audiophiles, may not be able to tell the difference between mid priced and high priced audio makes and models.
Many issues go into the end result of how pleasing wireless computer speakers can sound. Getting an audio device to just produce low-frequency bass sounds without bass roll off may honestly be the only demand some users may have for buying certain audio devices. Bass roll off is a technical term for capacitors that limit the frequency of the bass to remove the heavy “boom” in the sound. If enough low end is present in the speaker, as judged by the windows rattling, the consumer makes the sale and hurries home to try out the mutimedia computer speakers. There are some advantages to having non corded audio output unites besides the aesthetic appearance of no visible wires with the most obvious being the ability to place the speaker(s) in any configuration that pleases the ear of the user. For example, place the right one on the bookshelf and hide it behind the medical books and the other one on top of the awful looking planter that an aunt gave two years before. The speaker can be hidden from view without any clue where the location is because of the lack of wires and cords, and the freedom to place without drilling and crawling up in the attic just enhances the wireless appeal. Like so many other computer peripherals, many cordless multimedia computer speakers work on IF technology, just like cordless keyboards, mice, microphones, wireless phones and other examples with an IF interface. IF stands for Intermediate Frequency which the FCC allows for the kinds of applications just mentioned. A particular model of IF speaker system that has Bluetooth technology is good for up to five meters from the source. Bluetooth circuitry offers quality sound reproduction and these run on three AAA type batteries each and cost from seventy to one hundred and fifty dollars per device. Not only can these audio devices be hooked up to a computer, but also an mp3 player and cell phone with Bluetooth capability. “No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)Read more about wireless computer speakers on www.wireless-speakers.org
PA Speaker: Buying Guide
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Powered Speakers – So, What’s The Big Deal?
The “Big Deal” with Powered PA speakers comes down to convenience and sound quality. Before the affordable active speaker, sound engineers and gigging musicians had to haul around heavy, bulky amplifiers and accompanying cables and speakers – all of which have been replaced with the active speaker! If you’re not familiar with active PA speakers, the idea is that the power and all connections are simply built into the same cabinet as the speaker. This all-in-one design also takes the heat off of those of us who don’t really know how to marry the right power amp with the right speaker, which can lead to degraded sound quality at best and damaged gear at worst.
Bi-amplification Explained
Bi-amplification is the process of dividing a single audio signal into two frequency ranges, which are then sent to two separate amplifiers that in turn drive separate loudspeakers. An active crossover network is used to divide the audio into frequency ranges that are more suitable for the drivers that will be used to reproduce them. Bi-amping also allows the amplifier(s) to be chosen or designed specifically to match the speakers and enclosures. Bi-amping, tri-amping, and beyond have been used in sound reinforcement systems for years and have become quite common in active studio monitors as well.
Understanding Crossovers
A crossover is a device that divides an audio signal into separate frequency ranges to route to different transducers (speakers, tweeters, horns, etc.) in an audio reproduction system. This is accomplished by running the audio through a set of filters. For example, a 2-way crossover may comprise a lowpass filter that passes a signal with low frequencies to a woofer and a highpass filter to pass frequencies appropriate for the tweeter.
Crossovers can be “passive” or “active” designs. Passive crossovers are usually found inside speaker cabinets along with the speaker components, but can be purchased as outboard equipment also. These often connect to the outside world via a single jack, but sometimes each speaker component also has its own jack in case you want to bypass the passive crossover. Active crossovers are placed before the power stage and route each frequency range to its own power amp and its own transducers. This is where the terms “bi-amp” and “tri-amp” come from.
There are a number of different types of filter configurations used in crossovers and they each produce subtly different results. One of the big variables is how steep the roll-off – or the rate of attenuation – is at the cutoff frequency. Common configurations are 12, 18, or 24dB per octave. Each design has its own strengths and weaknesses, but in general steeper roll-offs are considered better in modern applications.
Read more about speakers buying guide on www.wireless-speakers.org
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