Big things come in little packages, right? Well, Orb Audio is out to prove that old adage right with their new Class T amplifier, the Mini-T to go along with their small, but full of sound, handmade Orb speakers.

The Mini-T allows consumers to use high quality home speakers instead of poorly built, questionable sounding computer speakers. By pairing the Mini T with Orb’s award-winning speakers, consumers now have a simple, elegant audio solution that looks as good as it sounds. This is a great way to bring high quality audio to your desktop or TV without large, complicated surround sound receivers.

The Mini-T is based on legendary T-Class amplifier technology, known for its audiophile sound quality and low harmonic distortion (just .04%). Like Orb’s speakers, the Mini-T produces a rich, brilliant soundstage with detailed imaging. Together, the speakers and amp create an immersive listening experience that will not disappoint.

The Mini-T is also small, measuring six inches wide, one and a quarter inches high, and five inches deep. Finished in an attractive charcoal gray, with black gloss front, the Mini T complements any of the six available Orb speaker colors.

The Mini-T can be purchased by itself for $88 USD or can be purchased alongside a matching pair of Orb Audio speakers for $299, for a savings total of $29 off of MSRP. I’m personally digging the hand polished steel enclosure on the speakers.

The Mini-T can accept audio input from many sources including your iPod, iPhone, PC and many other sources.

[ Links: Orb Audio ]

JVC is on a roll at the CES. They’ve introduced three AV Multimedia Receivers for home audio, six new CD Readers via JVC Mobile, five new Arsenal CD and Multimedia Receivers with matching Arsenal Series speakers among a slew of other offerings… but what caught my eye was the Double-DIN Multimedia Car audio JVC has announced at the CES, the KW-AVX830 Mobile Multimedia Solution.

JVC is introducing the KW-AVX830 double-DIN Bluetooth® Wireless Technology multimedia receiver, featuring built-in 7-inch widescreen touch panel monitor, Proximity Sensor, and a detachable face panel. The unit plays audio and video from iPod®/iPhone™ as well as USB devices. Other features include GUI and song information in 10 languages, advanced EQ settings, and various GUI selections. HD Radio® and SAT Radio are also available with optional tuners.

The built-in 7-inch widescreen monitor offers dynamic AV entertainment, while also functioning as a user-friendly touch panel. You can select from 4 GUI (Graphical User Interface) patterns in 12-color variations. GUI and song information are available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, and Russian.

In addition to iPod®/iPhone™, the unit plays MP3/WMA/WAV audio files and JPEG/MPEG1/2 video files from USB flash memory or a digital audio player by USB connection.

It seems to have all of the bells and whistles, Apple iPod and iPhone connectivity, coverflow animations and the ability to play video even via USB. Due out March with an price of $659.95.

[ Links: JVC Mobile ]

Roland Corporation has announced that the BA-330 Portable Digital Portable Amplifier System is now available. Using Roland’s superior battery technology, the BA-330 is the all-in-one portable PA solution for music venues, worship events, conferences, seminars, business meetings, and much more.

The BA-330 has a six input, four-channel configuration, with two channels dedicated for microphones or instruments, and two other channels for standard 1/4″ stereo inputs. Each channel has its own independent tone adjustment and effects switching for built-in effects, such as EQ, reverb, delay and widening. A Stereo Link function allows for a pair of BA-330s to work in tandem to provide an extra-wide stereo spread.

The BA-330 could signal the return of the block party. Well, maybe.

Link to the original article…

Macally has introduced its portable stereo speaker IP-A111 designed for iPod products and other mini-audio players. This thumb-sized speaker supports up to 8 hours of battery life with an AA battery.

Link to the original article…

Altec Lansing expects to release its 2.1-channel stereo speaker system ‘Expressionist Ultra(model: MX6021)’ delivering 200W RMS in Korea market.

The Expressionist Ultra is a distinctively styled and powerful three-piece home speaker system for computers, MP3 players and more. Its boom comes from five digital amplifiers powering five separate drivers. Each speaker driver – the 3-inch midranges, the 1-inch neodymium tweeters and the 6.5-inch long-throw subwoofer – is individually fired and powered.

Link to the original article…

First up is Norman Phartephant [ site here ] which once you read its last name out phonetically, you will know exactly what it does. Just imagine this as the non-iPhone version of the iFart app. Priced at $21.95 it’s definitely a pretty inexpensive way to surprise some co-workers.

Next up is Active Media Products Penguin BLU USB Flash Drive. Seriously… who doesn’t want a USB flash drive that looks like Chilly Willy [ Wikipedia ] but cooler? With prices from $11.95 to $42.95 for a straight USB drive or with a bootable Linux partition on it, it’s definitely cooler than your average USB Flash drive. Tweaktown [ site here ] [ review here ] just reviewed them and they agree… this is one cool animal gadget.

It has one eye, more fur than Chewbacca, and serves no purpose other than create conversation that might end as awkwardly as it started. And I want one. Enter Furilla [ site here ], the oddest non-gadget, perhaps non-animal listed here so far. But priced at $25, it’s worth the addition to your cubicle space.

And the final one… I had to do it. It’s a bird that has wings with speakers in it, that connects via USB to your computer… and it has a camera. Seriously… that’s a level of animal + gadget I wasn’t expecting to find all in one. Uxsight’s 3.0 megapixel camera + bird + speakers gadget [ site here ] is priced at $15.69 and definitely makes my desktop safari complete.

If I missed some, let me know.

BERLIN, Germany (AVING Special Report on ‘IFA 2009′) — SAMSUNG presented its eco-friendly speaker system ‘BiOKELP’ during IFA 2009.

Samsung claims kelp is a perfect material for speakers, because it has a very fast response time and a natural tonal balance. That means you should have decreased noise and distortion when listening to your favourite music or movies. Apparently, the key to bio-kelp’s success is that the density between fibre tissues is quite high, which is supposed to result in better clarity.

I’d personally be worried about getting them wet or the sound degrading over time due to natural fibers being used. But… I’m willing to give them a try!

Link to the original article…

The original Bower & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock – shown above in the back – was perhaps one of the few Apple iPod docks that probably came with a hernia warning in the instructions. It was huge.

So B&W has just released the Zeppelin Mini… which looks just fine as-is; even though it’s still a bit on the big side. But… it’s all the better to pump out your tunes in high-quality my dear!

Zeppelin Mini attains the same high standards in sound quality and design set by Zeppelin, but in a more compact form. It is reduced in size, not in sound, and has amazing volume levels for such a diminutive package. It’s ideal for lounges just like its larger sibling, but it can easily be slotted into a bedroom, kitchen, or student digs.

Key differentiating features include an updated docking arm. On the original this innovative solution worked incredibly well, allowing hassle-free mounting of any iPod, and easy access to Apple’s user-friendly interface. These qualities remain, but the addition of USB connectivity allows Zeppelin Mini to bypass the analogue output stage of any iPod, providing access to the very best digital sound an iPod has to offer.

Thanks Erika for the tip!

[ Bowers & Wilkins ] [ B&W Zeppelin Mini ]

Thanks to the people at Eos Wireless, they sent over an Eos Wireless iPod speaker system and dock for review just in time for Summer.

While other offerings claim to be “wireless”, such as the Marantz IS301, you will still need wires to get the speakers to play some sound. Not the EOS Wireless system where the speakers have built in wireless receivers and amplifiers built into the speaker – just supply a power socket and no other wires.

Mind you, I live on a relative big patch of land (28+ acres in total) and in some areas if I wanted music, I’d have to have concert level speakers (and noise) in order to feed my dogs which are about an acre away. I’m not in the mood to pay for disturbing the peace however I do have power that runs down there next to the dog’s lot since I might have to do work in that area. And despite being rated only for 150 feet, these speakers worked at about an acre (212 ft/~65 m) away. And clearly too, I might add.

However, the Eos Wireless system though is a mixed bag – more good than just “okay”.

The build quality is actually very nice, with thick, black plastic and a very tight fit being the norm and per usual, the finger print magnet black plastic that basically will keep cleaner business going basically forever. The remote control is perhaps the smallest thing I’ve seen in ages. Smaller than a zippo lighter, but still tactile enough to keep me using it in the near future without discomfort.

The sound… this is where it gets good.

If you’re expecting enough boom to shake the change in your pockets loose; it’s not gonna happen. But the sound from these little speakers (5.75 in x 9 in x 5 in) has some of the clearest midrange and treble, even matching in clarity my much more expensive Paradigm speakers that comprise part of my game room stereo. The speakers do include SRS WOW! technology that kills any harshness and mellows out the mids easily. Simply put, you can hear very clearly the vocals, the high hats and cymbals in each and every song you own.

The bass, while not spectacular, it present enough to let you hear songs with enough range to keep you satisfied. Hiphop and jazz fans won’t be overwhelmed with the bass, but at least this does not bottom out as easily as the Mint DS 220 speaker system I had reviewed a while back.

The design of the speakers was hit or miss for me. The look is pretty darn cool complete with the prerequisite blue LED, but the plug portion was troubling for me. Anytime there is a sticker that says “Push down hard” I get scared and think of how I can break things. The cool part is that you can leave the plugs in without having to “push hard” down on them to disengage them and plug them straight into the wall and let them hang there like a towel on a hook. Despite the “push down hard” label, I still liked how the plugs were worked into the back of the speaker.

The controls on the main unit, which has speakers of its own, are simple enough. Ever used an Apple iPod? Then you’ll have no problem whatsoever with this. Serious… it’s that easy. And that’s a very good thing.

Back to the wireless part. I hooked up the base and plugged up a speaker in a different room. On the top of the speaker, there’s a volume/power knob and another push button with a status LED. When there’s a connection, it’ll stay on solid and blink if there’s any disconnection. Pulling the speaker out all of the way to the dog lot in my backyard, plugging it into the power that’s back there and having it sync up easily was surprising yet the audio was still very clear.

And speaking of transmitting wireless tunes, the Eos Wireless system promises to not interfere with wifi, bluetooth and cordless phones. I can also confirm this is entirely true – works great, didn’t interfere with anything my house at all. Phone calls came and went without that annoying interference noise or lose of quality.

All in all, the Eos Wireless System is great for whenever you’re outside and want to add extra speakers without having to bust through some walls or run wires all over for people to trip over and break things. It has a very good sound that’s not entirely devoid of bass and a clarity that would make you and others think that it should cost more than $249. While testing around, I got the attention of my friends that truly enjoyed them and were curious about them as well.

So far, it seems like you can buy them only at their website, but with 3 payment system via Paypal as well as credit cards, there are a few ways to pay for this cool product. Only bad part of this system to me was the unlocking mechanism for the power plugins. I’d really recommend this system for the people that do any kind of entertainment for others while outside. Just don’t get them wet – they’re not waterproof.

If you’re that type of person that wants your tunes outside or in other rooms, then this system is perfect for you. In fact, the Eos Wireless iPod System gets Remove The Labels (RTL) very first 5 out of 5 (A must buy).

[ Eos Wireless ]

Behold the top of the line Victoria EVO:

Waterfall Audio’s glass loudspeakers are individually handcrafted and designed with sophisticated glass-cutting machinery and advanced proprietary driver designs. Waterfall’s creations are high-end, audiophile-grade designs that are as startlingly transparent visually as they are acoustically.

The first models slated for introduction in the U.S. are two of the company’s newest flagship speakers, positioned to attract discriminating dealers and custom-installers with their unique quality and performance profile. The stunning, three-way Victoria EVO, named for one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, the eponymous falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe in Africa; and the two-way Iguasçu EVO is named for the falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina.

Oh, I was drooling until I saw this:

Suggested Retail U.S. Pricing:

Victoria EVO $5,990/pair

Iguasçu EVO $4,390/pair

I’m a few dollars short; definitely for the audiophiles and the like. Seriously though, I just love the idea of glass audio speakers and feel free to send me a pair to review.