(Credit:
iHome)
We don't associate the iHome brand with "premium" audio and cutting-edge design, but the folks there are giving it their best shot with the 100-watt iP1, which has a new look for the company known for its budget iPod audio systems.
The first thing you notice about the iP1 is that it has a very distinct, industrial look. It's all black with translucent, dark tinted plastic on the front supporting two rather deep cylindrical speakers (they extend a little more than 6 inches out the back). Weighing 8 pounds, the system has some heft to it, but you can easily move it around the room, though it's a little awkward to carry.
The iP1 has a set of "custom-designed" 4-inch woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters that are powered by Bongiovi Acoustics' proprietary Digital Power Station processor. In terms of connectivity, there's a standard audio input to connect other audio sources along with a component AV output and a remote control. It also works with iPhones; it's GSM shielded, so you can dock the iPhone without having to toggle it to airplane mode.
We could lament the lack of a built-in alarm clock or radio on the iP1. However, all iPods have built-in clocks with alarms that will rouse you out of bed in the morning--just be sure to leave the iP1's speakers turned on. Likewise, the iPod Touch and the iPhone have plenty of live streaming audio options available, and the fifth-generation iPod Nano has a built-in FM radio--so the dearth of a radio on the iP1 isn't such a big deal.
So, does the iP1 sound as good as it looks?
iHome iStand Notebook Media Bundle for Mac.
(Credit: iHome)We've reviewed a few iHome computer speakers in the past, but the company is now making a bigger move into the computer accessories market after signing a licensing agreement with LifeWorks Technology Group.
The new line is expected to launch "this summer," and we've highlighted a couple interesting looking products, the iStand Notebook Media Bundle with an integrated iPod/iPhone dock ($299.99) and the iConnect Media Keyboard ($149.99). The Mac version of each is colored silver and white, while the Windows version is black. iHome-branded mice, headsets, and Webcams are also in the works.
For more info check out life-works.com.
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iHome iConnect Media Keyboard for PC.
(Credit: iHome)
The Studio Series iP1 will go on sale in July with a list price of $300.
(Credit: iHome)We review a lot of iHome products on CNET and until now the brand has had more of budget slant to it. But this summer, with the introduction of its new iP1 Studio Series model, iHome is setting its sights a little higher.
We got an early look at the iP1 at an iHome event and it's definitely got an appealing and distinctive industrial design (iHome refers to the smoked acrylic surrounding the speakers as "museum quality"--we didn't now such a term existed for describing smoked acrylic). As far as the key specs go, the iP1 uses a "100 watt class D biamplified architecture with Bongiovi sound processing through twin 4-inch woofers and matched 1-inch dome tweeters." It's also got GSM shielding for iPhone use and a video-out port for watching iPod/iPhone video on a TV. However, there's no radio or alarm features.
The man behind the special sound processing is Tony Bongiovi, a music producer, second cousin of Jon Bon Jovi, and founder of the renowned Power Station recording studio where the event took place. The iP1 is equipped with Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station, an active digital signal processor that the company says makes your MP3s sound better and maximizes the performance of the iP1.
Here's how iHome describes the feature:
When activated, "DPS constantly scans the program material and compensates for any deficiencies across the audio frequency spectrum. The result is a restoration of once-missing harmonics, brightness, clarity and presence. It also delivers a deeper, more resonant bass and miraculously extends audio bandwidth without adding peak output to the signal."
What we heard from the iP1 at the event seemed very decent for a compact system in this price range, which made us eager to pit it against some competing models in our labs to see how it stacks up. Hopefully, we'll have a review up shortly before its release in July.
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iHome)
With the lights on, we can say the iH15 ($59.99) is kinda cute, but not terribly exciting to look at. A 5.25-inch cube with some curves and a milky opaque plastic finish, it's got a bit of that '70s throwback thing going for it. Three small speakers adorn three of its four sides (one is a "passive subwoofer"). And just four buttons--one for power, two for volume, and one for toggling the color--run across the top of the unit right in front of the iPod dock. You get a 3.5mm line-in jack for other MP3 players or audio devices, but that's it--no radio, no alarm, no remote control.
Clearly the value added here is the iH15's chameleon-like quality in the dark. Touch that "color" button and you give this iHome a new aura; you can choose between seven colors or have it cycle through all the colors in a "rainbow" mode with a short pause between changes.
Does it sound any good?
Acoustic Research shows off Internet Radios with recording functionality
The Acoustic Research ARIR600i Internet Radio has an iPod dock, too.
While Internet Radios have been popular in Europe for a while, 2008 was the first year the products really gained some traction in the U.S. market. Acoustic Research showed off two new Internet Radios, the ARIR200 and the ARIR600i, which offer some unique features like the ability to record Internet Radio streams to their internal memories and access ...
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
On Sale Now: $92.00 - $129.99
View the latest prices for Acoustic Research ARIR200 Internet Radio
On Sale Now: $199.99
View the latest prices for Acoustic Research ARIR600i Internet Radio
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iHome)
More companies are making tiny, portable speakers that plug into the headphone jack of your iPod, iPhone, music player, or laptop so you can enjoy your music while you're on the road. Like Altec Lansing's Orbit MP3 iM237, which is shaped like a hockey puck, the $50 iHome iHM77 also makes a design statement with its mushroom-like collapsible speakers that attach magnetically to each other and morph into a capsule that slips into a carrying pouch. That part we liked. But the sound didn't exactly wow us.
Donald and Jasmine discuss a new PVP from Cowon with an attractive price point.
Plus, Sonos inadvertently lowers the entry price point for its excellent in-home audio networking system--for those who already own iPhones or the iPod Touch. We interview Sonos co-founder Tom Cullen to get all the details.
Also this week: cute multimedia speakers, an overpriced in-car charger dock, and Jasmine's favorite music gadgets.
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One of the most punishing strikes against Microsoft's Zune MP3 player is that it's just not fun to shop for. iPod owners can drive themselves into the poorhouse buying up "Made for iPod" speaker docks, video goggles, workout accessories, voice recorders, and at least a few gazillion cases. For Zune owners, I was able to round up six worthy accessories. That's right--six!
The motivation behind this Zune accessory round-up is iHome's latest ZN9 clock radio, which landed on my desk last week and impressed me with its solid design and extensive features. With so few competitors in the Zune accessory space, I have to hand it to iHome for giving Zune owners a cool product that isn't just a quick and dirty iPod clock rehash. For their effort, I've put the ZN9 at the top of my Zune accessory list.
Are you curious to know what the other five Zune accessories on the list are? Read my complete list of worthwhile accessories for the Zune. We also shot a little overview video of our top four Zune accesories, shown here on the left.
(Credit:
Amazon)
If there's one thing iHome specializes in, it's figuring out how to fit an iPod in any space.
Various docks have done everything from rotate to combine with lamps and speakers to save space wherever possible. And where does one build when real estate is scarce? Up, of course.
The "Spacesaver Alarm Clock" curves backward in a yoga-like position apparently to make as much surface area accessible while maintaining a minimal footprint. It also has LEDs on the sides and adjustable brightness so you can use it as a nightlight.
(Credit:
iHome)
The wildfire popularity of the iPod has given rise to many accessory businesses and other cottage industries, many of which are explicitly marketed for Apple's media player even when they'll work with others. Which, by the way, is exactly what makes this next item so distinctive: Not only is it aimed at a non-iPod product, but it's made specifically for the lowly Zune.
iHome's ZN9 is being touted as "the world's first clock radio for the Zune," as Gizmodo points out. Given the limited popularity of Microsoft's media player, it's either a gutsy or misguided move, but it's a risk iHome is well equipped to handle: Its bets are already hedged with far more products that cater to the rival iPod.
In fact, we're not even sure what makes this clock dock specific to the Zune; so many of its features are similar to those of other products made for the iPod, including dual alarms, backlit LCDs, and different times for the weekdays and weekends. But if you're simply the type who likes to go against the grain, this may be right for you.
