If your PC is pulling double duty as a media center, I can't speak highly enough of the Logitech Z Cinema speaker system. It's a 2.1-channel surround-sound powerhouse that cranks out 180 watts and comes with a sweet media-center remote.
Originally priced at $300, the Logitech Z Cinema is on sale for just $79.99 from TigerDirect. Shipping runs a hefty $22, but that's understandable; these are hefty speakers!
The system consists of a subwoofer that plugs into a USB port and two desk-friendly satellite speakers. On one of the satellites you'll find both headphone and aux-in jacks, the latter for connecting, say, an MP3 player.
I should note that these are new speakers, not refurbs, and they're covered by a two-year warranty from Logitech. (TigerDirect's product page says 12 months, but it very clearly says two years on Logitech's site.)
CNET hasn't reviewed the Z Cinema, but PC Magazine gave it high marks. Surprisingly, the magazine dinged the remote for being complicated, but I find it very comfortable and intuitive. The volume-control wheel in particular is just awesome.
In short, I adore these speakers. They're perfect for a den or bedroom where the PC serves up music, movies, and the like. And I'm wild about the price; you really are getting a $300 speaker system for just over $100 out the door.
Most iPod/iPhone speaker docks come up short in the bass department. If you like your tunes thumpin', I've got just the solution: Buy.com has the Philips Docking Entertainment System DC912 for $79.99 shipped. Normal price? $179.99.
Before I get into the details, I need to point out the big "but." No, it's not, "but there's a rebate." And, no, it's not, "but it's a refurb." (It's new.)
The DC912 is $79.99, but you need to pay with PayPal to get that price. For me that's not an issue: I routinely sell stuff on eBay to fund my PayPal account, which I then use for stuff just like this.
If you don't have an account, the dock will run you $109.99--still a pretty solid deal considering the list price.
So, what's the big deal about the DC912? For starters, check the photo: It's sweet-looking! Love that silvery flat-panel design. You can use the stand or mount the dock on a wall using an included bracket.
Cooler still, it comes with a standalone subwoofer. A wireless subwoofer. Combined with the dock, it churns out a seriously impressive 100 watts of audio power.
The unit also includes a remote, an FM tuner with 20 programmable presets, and an aux jack in case you want to connect a non-iPod player. It can even play MP3s and WMAs stored on USB drives and SD/MMC cards.
As you'll discover in the above video review, CNET didn't love the DC912's audio quality. However, the user reviews on Amazon as well as Buy.com's product page tell a different story: 4.5 stars out of 5 across the board. (Users tend to be less persnickety about audio quality than professional reviewers.)
A note to iPhone owners: You can use DC912, but you'll have to switch to Airplane Mode to avoid interference.
My daughter is about to become the crazy-happy owner of a refurbished 8GB iPod Nano Touch ($179 from the Apple Store). Might just have to spring for one of these to go with it.
Normally $150, this sweet dock can be yours for $60.
(Credit: Altec Lansing)The Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 iPod speaker dock has a list price of $149.95, but until Saturday, you can score one from RadioShack for $59.99 shipped.
That's pretty sweet for a dock with an FM radio, rechargeable battery, and four-star rating from CNET.
One thing straight away: The iM600 is compatible with most iPod models (including the Touch), but not the iPhone. It doesn't charge newer Nanos, either. It does, however, feature a remote, an alarm clock (if your iPod already has one, that is), a stereo input jack for connecting other devices (ah, there's the iPhone compatibility), and a folding design for easy portability.
Speaking of which, the dock's rechargeable battery is rated for seven hours, making it a perfect companion for picnics, the swimming pool, and other outdoor activities.
I already own an older Altec Lansing dock--it sits in the kitchen and gets a ton of use. Here's your chance to score one that's even better than mine, and for a much lower price.
Notebook not included.
(Credit: Logitech)Almost without exception, notebook speakers...what's the word I'm looking for...suck. If you use a notebook as your primary desktop system, you should definitely look into a speaker upgrade. TigerDirect has the Logitech AudioHub notebook speaker system on sale for just $19.99 (plus shipping). How good a deal is that? Just about everyone else sells it for $80 to $100.
The AudioHub delivers 2.1-channel digital sound (meaning it has two satellite speakers and a subwoofer) via a USB interface. It also doubles as a powered, three-port USB hub, a nice benefit for port-strapped notebooks. (Plus, if your notebook is like most, the USB ports are on the side, which makes for a lot of annoying cable clutter. Use the hub and you can keep cables in the rear where they belong.)
The speakers churn out 15 watts of audio goodness--not a ton, but better than you get from most built-in speakers. If you check the product page on Amazon, you'll see that nearly 75 users rated the AudioHub 4.5 stars out of 5. Not too shabby.
I don't love the AudioHub's aesthetic--I actually find it pretty ugly--but if you regularly use your desk-bound notebook for music, movies, games, and the like, this is a crazy-good deal on a speaker upgrade.
(Credit:
JBL)
Don't keep that Brendan Benson collection to yourself. Or that Arcade Fire. Heck, even that John Mayer. Plug a set of portable speakers into your iPod, Zune, Zen, or other MP3 player and let the world (or at least the nearby) jam with you. B&H Photo has the JBL On Tour Portable Speaker System for $29.95, plus a reasonable six bucks (ish) for shipping.
These cool-looking curved speakers (which originally sold for $100) run on AC power or a quartet of AAA batteries--the latter good for up to 24 hours of play time, according to JBL. A protective sliding cover doubles as a stand for the speakers, which point the sound upward--arguably the best way to fill a (smallish) room. An included patch cable lets you connect any audio source that has a 3.5mm jack.
CNET had mostly good things to say about the On Tour, while readers were even more effusive, rating it 8.6 out of 10 on average. So take off the headphones and let your tunes fill the air. (No rap, please.)
(Credit:
Logitech)
Remember the Logitech iPod AudioStation? First it was $50 (after rebate), then $29.99 (after rebate). Now you can scoop one up for a measly $19.99 (after...you know). Shipping will run you around $14, which seems steep given the price of the hardware itself, but your out-the-door total is still pretty low.
The AudioStation (originally $150) is an iPod speaker dock paired with an AM/FM tuner. It includes a wireless remote, an audio input jack (for connecting non-iPod players), and composite and S-Video outputs (for watching iPod videos on a TV). It charges your iPod, of course, and cranks out 80 watts' worth of audio goodness. CNET's very favorable AudioStation review awarded it an 8 out of 10.
This a new unit, not a refurb, and it comes with an impressive 2-year warranty. The rebate deal (PDF) ends June 30.
Logitech's X-540 speaker system surrounds you with sound--for a song.
(Credit: Logitech)If you use your PC for games, music, movies, TV, or anything else involving your ears, nothing beats a set of surround-sound speakers. Buy.com has the Logitech X-540 5.1-channel speaker system on sale for $44.99 shipped (after a $20 mail-in rebate).
The X-540 includes four wall-mountable satellite speakers, a center speaker (which has a clip for attaching to flat-panel monitors), and a subwoofer--all of which combine to pump out 70 watts of audio power. The wired remote includes a headphone jack so you can plug in when the neighbors start complaining.
CNET never officially reviewed the X-540, but users gave it an average score of 8 out of 10. And Buy.com's customers collectively rated it 4.5 stars out of 5. So if you don't mind waiting on a rebate, here's your chance to score a sweet deal on some surround-sound goodness.
(Credit:
Logitech)
Sound familiar? CompUSA.com has the Logitech iPod AudioStation on sale for $29.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. (Plan on about $14 for shipping.) The last time I posted about this product, it was $50 after rebate!
The AudioStation is an iPod speaker dock that also has an AM/FM tuner. It features a wireless remote, an audio input jack (for connecting non-iPod players), and composite and S-Video outputs (for watching iPod videos on a TV). It also charges your iPod, of course, and cranks out 80 watts' worth of audio goodness. CNET's very favorable AudioStation review awarded it an 8 out of 10.
The rebate deal ends March 31, though there's every possibility it'll sell out before then. Trust me: You'll love pumping out your iPod tunes in your kitchen, bedroom, or wherever. This is a helluva speaker dock for 30 bucks.
Update: My apologies. It appears the price is now up to $49.99. Owing to some browser weirdness at my end, I was still showing $29.99. Sorry for the confusion!
(Credit:
SDI Technologies)
Now that you've stocked your iPod with dirt-cheap, DRM-free MP3s (see yesterday's AmazonMP3 post), why not let others enjoy your great taste in music? No, I don't mean file-sharing those MP3s (that's illegal), I mean popping your iPod into a speaker dock and filling the room with your tunes.
Decent docks often run upwards of $100 or more, but Amazon has the SDI OutLoud iH80B iPod speaker dock on sale for $39.99. No rebate, free shipping, new in box--sweet.
The iH80B runs on 8 "C" batteries or AC power; the latter charges your iPod while docked. It includes a remote, three iPod inserts (it's compatible with most models), an AV-out jack for viewing iPod videos on a TV, a line-in jack for connecting other kinds of MP3 players, and even a microphone jack for iPod karaoke. Add an optional second speaker to bring the total output power to 20 watts. (Yeah, the single speaker is a bit weak, but probably fine for smallish rooms.)
(Credit:
Logitech)
My iPod spends more time in its speaker dock than it does anyplace else. The dock resides in the kitchen; the iPod serves up tunes when the Cheapskate clan is cooking, cleaning, eating, and so on. My only regret is that it doesn't have a radio, meaning we can't listen to NPR when the mood strikes.
That's why I'm seriously eyeballing the Logitech AudioStation, an iPod speaker dock that also has an AM/FM tuner. It's packed with other features, too, like a remote, an audio input jack (for connecting non-iPod players), and composite and S-Video outputs (for watching iPod videos on a TV). It also charges your iPod, of course, and cranks out 80 watts' worth of audio goodness.
The AudioStation sold for $300 (!) when CNET first reviewed it (and rated it 8/10), but now you can grab one for a mere $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
Note that TigerDirect won't let you return the item unless it's defective, and even then you can only exchange it for a replacement. On the plus side, it's backed by a 24-month Logitech warranty.
