BeoSound 8. A Colorful & Cool Docking Station For iPhone, iPod and iPad.

BeoSound 8 is a new product from high-end audio favorite Bang & Olufsen. A powerful, essential speaker dock that unfolds your digital music collection taking the experience to a completely new level, conveniently and seamlessly. The BeoSound 8 defies industry standards as it features a distinct two dimensional design, bold form, and a superior sound quality due to its custom-made conical speakers and high-performance amplifiers.




It is also one of the few docking stations on the market that is directly compatible with the iPad, without having to utilize any extra wires or adapters, ensuring a clean, minimalist design.





BeoSound 8 (text from B&O):


Think of a room, any room. A bedroom, guest room, or open-plan kitchen? In a summerhouse, chic apartment, or family home? Now just add BeoSound 8 to fill up your room with Bang & Olufsen sound and style. If you keep your music on an iPad, iPhone, iPod or computer, you are all set to discover the iconic style and breathtaking sound quality that has made Bang & Olufsen one of the most sought-after names in home audio.



Move BeoSound 8 from room to room or hang it on a wall. All you need is a power outlet, your music player of choice, and a desire for real sound quality. Secure your iPad, iPhone, or iPod firmly in the adjustable holder and prepare for a surprise. The sleek speaker design gives little clue about the fidelity and depth of the sound that is about to come your way.



The conical shape of the speakers on BeoSound 8 has two functions. Design-wise, the shapes ‘disappear’ to create an unobtrusive impression from most viewing angles and make placement easier. In terms of audio quality, they eliminate standing waves by avoiding parallel surfaces. It may sound very technical, but you’ll find that the proof is in the experience.

Playing music from your own phone, computer, or media player gives you the advantage of a familiar navigation environment. In addition, you can now download an app version of the sleek and stylish BeoPlayer for your docked iPad, iPhone, or iPod. You can also adjust sound levels and skip tracks quickly and conveniently on BeoSound 8 itself. Music on a docked or USB linked device can be controlled via the dedicated round remote control or of course your existing Beo4 or Beo5 remote controls if you already own other Bang & Olufsen equipment.

To match your personal taste and the room you place it in, BeoSound 8 comes in either black or white with aluminium details and matching power cord. When you feel the need to add a splash of colour to the room, the list of options includes six fabric speaker covers in lavender blue, purple, green, yellow, black and white.

BeoSound 8
Price: $999
Dimensions: 26" x 9.4" x 6.5"
Weight: 9.35 lbs

Buy it here

BoomCases Will Have You Rocking Retro-Style.

Dominic, aka Mr. SiMo, is a self-proclaimed "audio-nut" who had the interesting idea to turn vintage hard-sided suitcases into self-powered boom boxes, making music portable in a retro fashion. He takes wood and leather vintage suitcases (which he prefers to thin or plastic cases because the acoustic sound quality is better) and adds speakers and more.




Prices Start at $250 for a plug-in only case and at $300 for a battery/plug-in case.

Options include:
•iPod – iPhone/USB Charger: $15
•Double Battery Capacity: $45
•Solar Power Charger: $65
•Wireless Audio Playback: $100 (must have Bluetooth compatible device)




The Self Powered, Portable Suitcase Stereo system works with your iPod/iPhone or any device with a headphone jack. The cases will last several hours on a single charge (the charger is built in). In addition to running on batteries, The BoomCase can also be plugged in when the party goes inside. To save on weight, you can opt for a plug-in only version.

Many of the BoomCases shown in this post have already been sold, but Mr. SiMo has a slew of vintage hard sided luggage in various shapes, sizes and colors, just waiting to be turned into BoomCases for you.









all images and info courtesy of Mr. Simo
special shout out to Erica Mayer for turning me onto these!

Get your own cool BoomCase here.

Davone Audio's Newest Speakers, Ray, Are An Homage To The Eames Lounge

Davone Audio of Denmark has just finished designing and producing their second luxurious set of high-end loudpeakers. Following Rithm, their new set of speakers is housed in a bowed walnut wood veneer and set atop metal legs. Similar in color, design and style to the iconic lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames, the speakers are named "Ray" an obvious nod to the designers of the famous chair.


The iconic Eames Lounge chair and ottoman:

making the bowed veneers for the housing of the equipment:

detailed shots of the Ray Speakers:




The first set of finished speakers have just been sent to New York to appear as a prop in an upcoming major motion picture that will be released in 2011.

Purported to cost $6,000 a pair, no specs on the speakers have yet to be published, nor are they yet available.

Below is their first set of loudspeakers, the Rithm:

Davone audio

KEF's Muon Speakers now available in the US!

Hot off the presses..(seriously, this news just came across the wire).

Now hear this: Those groovy KEF speakers designed by Ross Lovegrove that I blogged about last April are now available in the US.

So, make some noise.
See the press release here

New Speakers From Artist Marka27: The Mini-Gods

the text below is taken directly from their site:

Mini-Gods are the "Givers Of Divine Sound". Since the beginning of time, many civilizations and cultures from various backgrounds throughout the world have used MUSIC as a means of ritual, celebration, healing, and even to declare battle for war. Mini-Gods are a direct representation of ancient and modern pop/street culture fused into one.

The creator of The Mini-Gods, Victor "Marka27" Qui–onez, wanted to bring something new to the table with soul, substance, and an urban edge. Mini-Gods are inspired by African, Asian, South and Central American ancient art and culture.



The long-awaited 16" figure comes with a full range speaker and has an integrated amplifier for increased speaker power -- all the better to bump your music! A lone 9 volt battery will power the speaker and amp. The figure will have a minijack connector (seen on the bottom left-hand side) providing compatibility with any music device with a headphone jack such as an ipod, cd player, boombox, laptop or desktop. Make room for the new gods in town!



MG1 Brazil (above)comes in 4 different color variations.

The Toy Tokyo exclusive "MG1 GOLD GRILLZ" limited to 100 world wide and SURU exclusive "PLATINUM GRILLZ" limited to 100 world wide. Also available in Brazilian colorway limited to 300 and last but not least the Diamond Distribution exclusive "MG1" MIDNIGHT black. white, grey monotone colorway limited to 300.

about the designer:


Marka27 is a prolific artist who is never confined to one medium. His graffiti has been seen in high profile galleries throughout the east and west coast and has been shown along side artists such as Futura, and Sam Flores.

His street murals/ graffiti have been published in several life style magazines and books, most recent "Burning New York" and "Graffiti L.A".

Marka27 made his mark with his original "Audio Canvas" paintings with built in speakers, also his large speaker installations with legendary hiphop icons painted on the speaker boxes. The minigods are the latest manifestation from the restless mind of Marka27.

See all info here.

Art? Or Speakers? It's Two, Two Objects in One

Artcoustic is a brilliant idea. Why have ugly speakers (wall-mounted or otherwise) when they can double as wall art?

Artcoustic has a range of speakers, all of which can be 'hidden' by several different art options...including your own.

With a gallery from various artists as well as stock imagery from Getty Images, there's no end to the styles. They even provide a link and template to design your own.

Here are just a few images of plasma tvs and stereo's with artcoustic speakers on the wall.







ARTCOUSTIC GALLERY

Artcoustic hand-picks artists from around the world and invites them to create exclusive artworks for the Artcoustic Artist Portfolio. The Artcoustic Artist Portfolio is available for viewing at all specialist Artcoustic dealers. Each artwork/design is produced as a digital print and hand made into a screen.

You may submit your own artwork or photography that can be applied to your Artcoustic speakers, download a PDF submission guide by clicking here.

Below are a few available artists images for your speakers.
They have a very large selection and I'm only showing a few, so be sure to check them out yourself at www.artcoustic.com

Max Malandrino:


Michael Banks:


Kristian Hornsleth:


Ole Kortzau:


Sim Canetty-Clarke:



Take a look at a pdf of their product range here.