http://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:05:00 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/emp-tek-vt-40.2The EMP VT-40.2 hybrid tube amplifier and 41-SE/B Beryllium cone speaker system was truly a delight to review. Its ability to transform your PC desktop into a high end audiophile rig on a shoestring budget is without peer. The 41-SE/B speakers alone are worth the full price of admission of this system. The EMP sound continually seduces me to work longer at my desktop PC which is good for Audioholics but not so good when I am late to dinner. With my love of food equaling that of audio, that speaks volumes for just how good this system is. Considering their very liberal return policy, FREE 30 day home trial program and FREE shipping I can’t say anything else other than “hearty appetite” as this is the meal your PC has been waiting for you to feed it. Once you dine on this system, you won’t settle for fast food or crappy mediocre sound again. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/emp-tek-vt-40.2Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/altec-lansing-expressionist-plusThe Altec Lansing expressionist PLUS speakers are beautiful to look at. When it comes to desktop multimedia speakers I have to admit that I'm a sucker for good looks and put that as a high priority when selecting a pair of speakers. This 2.1 systems comes with a 5.25" subwoofer, whose diminutive size still allowed it to push quite a bit of audio and create a well-rounded sound that was, overall, very pleasing to both the eyes and ears.Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:58:04 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/altec-lansing-expressionist-plusLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/logitech-360-degree-speaker-systemsLogitech may just be one of the first speakers many people buy. Why? Because they are attached to their computer. The name is practically synonymous with computer peripherals and control devices. The three new speaker system offerings are the Z320, Z523, and the Z520. The claim to fame with these new speakers is an open back design which is supposed to provide a 360 degree sound experience. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/logitech-360-degree-speaker-systemsLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/krk-rokit-powered-6-10sWhile KRK may not be a well known name in the world of home theater, they do have a reputation in the studio market. One of the dangers of getting involved in home theater and high fidelity is that you become incapable (or at least unwilling) to tolerate poor sound - even in your office. I was extremely impressed with the overall performance of the KRK Systems Rokit 6's. Unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed with the system as a whole.Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:30:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/krk-rokit-powered-6-10sLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/altec-lansing-expressionist-plus-fx3021Marketing drivel aside, the Expressionist PLUS system looks to be a very interesting "add on" speaker system for your next desktop purchase. At only $99, no one is expecting the moon here. The looks alone will sell a lot of systems. Altec Lansing historically has made very decent speaker systems. TheExpressionist PLUS should prove to be no different.Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:25:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/altec-lansing-expressionist-plus-fx3021Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-mcr-730-230Yamaha introduced two new micro component systems that focus on new technologies and lifestyle design elements. The new MCR-730 ($499.95 MSRP) includes an integrated DVD player and full HD 1080p support for a complete audio/video solution, while the MCR-230 ($349.95 MSRP) is a sophisticated audio system complete with a built-in iPod dock, USB input, and a high-quality CD player. Each system includes a pair of high-quality two-way speakers that provide excellent bass through a low-height, large depth cabinet design.Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-mcr-730-230Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/samsung-ht-bd8200-blu-rayThe Samsung HT-BD8200 is a home theater sound bar equipped with a Blu-ray player and wireless subwoofer. This might be the best match I've seen for flat panel TVs in a long time. It's impressive since it features a fully integrated Blu-ray player with Full HD 1080p playback and a virtual 5.1-channel surround sound for a lifelike audio presence. And a wireless subwoofer! It is only 2.6 inches deep and accented with Samsung's Touch of Color design, for a classy, yet cutting-edge look. The included wireless subwoofer means that you can get fuller bass without having to worry about running cables from the sound bar to a corner of the room. It lets you maintain a clean and contemporary look.Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:31:17 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/samsung-ht-bd8200-blu-rayLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/zvox-z-base-550-surroundIn this digital age we live in, sometimes we get locked into the "more-is-better" mode. How many formats can it decode, how many different inputs/outputs does it have, exactly how big is the birds nest of cables coming out of the back of the unit? Actually - that mode works most of the time, but thing is, sometimes you just need to shut up and listen before you pass judgment on it. If you are an old school guy (read - your VCR was always blinking 12:00) the Z-Base 550 does a decent job of creating surround effects by ignoring all the digital data available on a disk and manipulating the analog signal to reproduce what the digital signal contains.Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/zvox-z-base-550-surroundLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/ipod-portable-docking-speaker-systems-roundupI constantly have people asking me about speakers for their iPods. It seems everyone has an iPod these days, even those of us who prefer to listen to full-fidelity music on our big systems. And the reality is, more often than not we are in the kitchen, at the office, or traveling - which means we need a more portable audio solution. Is it any wonder the iPod is such a success? I decided to do a roundup of portable docking speaker systems for the iPod, to get a better idea of what the latest offerings are from several manufacturers. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:36:46 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/ipod-portable-docking-speaker-systems-roundupLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/cedia-lifestyle-choicesLifestyle products are always one of my favorite categories at CEDIA each year. Here you will find everything from the ridiculous to the genius. The 2008 Expo proved this to be true with an array of interesting products on the show floor. Need a tube amp docking station for your iPod? You have more than one choice. How about a flat panel display with a built-in iPod dock? Saw that too. What about a combo charger/speakers/dock for your nifty new iPhone? Oh yeah, it's out there. Keep reading for a few more things I found during my first two days at the 2008 CEDIA Expo.Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:48:33 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/cedia-lifestyle-choicesLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/eos-wireless-multi-roomThe Eos Digital Wireless Multi-Room Audio System stands for simplicity and reliability at a cheaper cost. IntelliTouch wants to offer consumers a product that is easy on the wallet and easy to set up. The Eos Wireless System is the product they believe will fulfill all of those goals. Of course you can find a bigger, better, more expensive hamburger and of course there may be bigger, fancier sound systems out there, but for the cost and consistency, IntelliTouch does not want to be beat.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:55:37 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/eos-wireless-multi-roomLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/edifier-e3350The impossible; that's what motivates me. In fact, isn't that what motivates all of humanity? The first astronaut in space, an electric powered car, the telephone, the atomic bomb. There are so many examples of people achieving what was once thought the impossible. Our personal impossible achievements may not be on the same level as the printing press, but still the impossible is what drives us. When reviewing the E3350 system by Edifier, I wondered if they set out to achieve the impossible. Did they ask themselves, "Can we make a sound system that is both an audio and visual piece of entertainment? Can our sound system also be its own art collection?" I believe that these questions drove the design of the E3350.Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:05:24 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/edifier-e3350Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/sierra-sound-in-studio-5-0To call the Sierra Sound iN Studio 5.0 speaker system an iPod speaker system would be to miss the point entirely. This is a very well-built, great looking pair of bookshelf speakers that happen to be powered, and also have a built-in iPod dock on top. After living with these speakers in variety of locations around my home and office for several weeks, I found plenty to write about.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:16:19 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/sierra-sound-in-studio-5-0Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/creative-gigaworks-t40The Creative GigaWorks T40 speaker system is a great solution for people looking for an upgrade to the lousy stock speakers that came with their PC. With a street price of around $125 in many places, the GigaWorks T40 speakers deliver great sound without taking up too much space on your desktop. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:37:54 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/creative-gigaworks-t40Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/vestalife-ladybug-ipod-systemSometimes you just cover a product because it looks cool. iPod speakers and docking systems are a dime a dozen these days, but that only seems to drive manufacturers to come out with more and more outrageous and creative designs. Vestalife debuted a new Ladybug-inspired iPod speaker and docking system that shares the same name. The Ladybug has speakers which fold out in an arc - just like the wings of a ladybug (at least how I think they do). The system includes a universal iPod dock that even supports the iPhone and iTouch. When connected to AC, the system will also charge the docked iPod.Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/vestalife-ladybug-ipod-systemLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/polk-audio-surroundbar360-dvd-theaterPolk Audio showed off the $1,199.95 SurroundBar360 DVD Theater: a two-piece surround sound system that includes a single SurroundBar 360 multichannel loudspeaker (44½" W x 4 7/8" D x 4 1/8" H) and a separate, compact electronics console (16½" W x 11½" D x 3 3/16" H) that contains an integrated DVD/CD player, SDA signal-processing amplifier, AM/FM radio, and a host of digital, analog, USB, and video inputs.Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/polk-audio-surroundbar360-dvd-theaterLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/melodywing-wireless-speaker-technologyThis is one of our few "technology" reviews that we get to do from time to time. We love it since it nets us a sneak peek at upcoming technologies even before they are polished and placed within a manufacturer's final packaging. The MelodyWing wireless speaker system from SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.) being reviewed here is a dual-band system that can be utilized for driving surround speakers or even a second audio zone without the need for running wires. All that is required is power - and that is a lot easier to locate than running cables. The MelodyWing is a different product that is built with a touch more robustness and which also came with two receivers so each could be discretely paired with its own loudspeaker.Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:52:37 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/melodywing-wireless-speaker-technologyLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/mstation-2-1-stereo-towerIt's hard to feel luke-warm about the iPod. You either hate it or love it. The hundreds of iPod-centric devices and gadgets which have hit the market in the past several years since the debut of the device has seen to that. I've seen many iPod speaker systems in my time, but none have had the sheer presence of the mStation. Far from catering to the unimposing and diminished size of the iPod, the 2.1 Stereo Tower presents itself as a domineering system that can still manage to hide itself away in a corner or against a wall without taking up too much space.Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/mstation-2-1-stereo-towerLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/bowers-wilkins-zeppelinB&W's Zeppelin speaker system for iPod looks more like a piece of modern art than a set of speakers. Then again, it looks more like a black and chrome version of the Hindenburg than modern art. So aside from being aptly named, how does it sound? Priced at $599, B&W calls it "audiophile grade" and "stunning." I for one was ready for this thing to land at my house so I could find out for myself.Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/bowers-wilkins-zeppelinLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/rocketfish-wireless-rear-speaker-kitWireless speakers are the prize – the nirvana of a futuristic home theater system. Rocketfish isn't the first on the market with a product that promises to do away with the hassle of having it run wires from the front of the room to the back, but with a price point under $100 and a presence in big box stores like Best Buy it has the face-time to make some people really take a chance and use this method for finally achieving surround sound. Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:27:48 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/rocketfish-wireless-rear-speaker-kitLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/griffin-amplifi-2-1-speaker-system-reviewFor the last twenty years, I have been a career musician. It hasn't always been pretty, but it has been pretty fun. Part of my job is to acquire and figure out a lot of different types of musical gear. I've read my share of manuals, mastered many a menu, and wrestled with the buttons, switches and inputs on everything from high-end recording gear to stomp box guitar pedals. So when I was given the opportunity to check out Griffin's "one-knobbed wonder," the Amplifi, I was stoked. Just one knob? Sounds like a bit of heaven! Griffin continues to put easy to use, value-priced gear into the marketplace and this piece is no exception as it goes up against competition like the Bose SoundDock and the Altec Lansing IM7. Lets see how it does.Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:31:22 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/griffin-amplifi-2-1-speaker-system-reviewLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-nx-u10When I first spied the NX-U10 USB powered speaker system at CES, I was pretty impressed. A portable speaker system that can be powered by the wall, batteries, OR USB? That's a pretty nifty idea. The NX-U10 may not be the ultimate in high fidelity playback but it has a lot going for it - the portability is outstanding, the aesthetics are fantastic, and the performance is above my expectations. For the person on the go that wants a break from headphones or just wants to share their music with someone else, the NX-U10 fits the bill nicely.Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-nx-u10Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/boston-acoustics-rk6t2Getting great sound outdoors without being obtrusive is not always an easy task. When Boston Acoustics announced their new line of Voyager Rock speakers, it piqued my interest. Reviewing the Boston Acoustics RK6T2 rock speakers was a refreshing experience. These speakers rocked both figuratively and literally in every conceivable way an end user would expect them to. Not only did they exceed my expectations from an aesthetic standpoint, but their fidelity and linearity simply blew me away. The RK6T2’s are a versatile, high value product that will dress up your patio, porch or other outdoor function area with unprecedented sound quality that will be a hit at your gatherings and the envy of your neighbors. Boston Acoustics truly sets the benchmark for others to follow in this speaker genre. Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:22:56 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/boston-acoustics-rk6t2Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/soundolier-duo-wirelessIn our experience, wireless hasn't been done right yet and we were hoping that Soundolier would be the first. Soundolier has obviously worked very hard to ensure a stable and strong wireless connection. I would have no problem recommending these speakers to anyone that has décor issues (as long as you don't turn them up too loud) or is just looking for a nondescript way to get background music into a room without the hassles of wires. They are an expensive solution for sure but the ease of setup and the rock solid wireless connection may make that extra money seem well spent. Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/soundolier-duo-wirelessLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/mondo-mint-music-systemThe Mondo Mint system is both a lifestyle music product, USB audio device AND a wireless iPod system. Now, it's not every system that allows you to drop your iPod into a local OR remote charging station and have either location play it through the same set of speakers. And just TRY to find something that can play audio via USB from your PC as well... The Mondo closely resembles a double-wide Apple Mini, with the same color motif and rounded corners. It's a nice look and the machine will fit in well with an AppleTV should you decide to go that route.Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:45:39 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/mondo-mint-music-systemLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/planterspeakers-terra-cotta-8-20-by-madison-feilding-incOutdoor speakers usually take the shape of rocks… and often sound about as good. Well, not all of us HAVE a lot of rocks in their backyards, so sticking a rock-shaped speaker out there would be as bad as installing an all-weather speaker. The PlanterSpeakers Terra Cotta 8.20 by Madison Fielding looks like a large planter (because it is). Your wife can stick a plant in it, water that plant, and you never have to worry about your speaker. It can rain, snow, salty waves can spritz it… still, no worries. All weather? You bet. Multipurpose? Absolutely. Inexpensive? Well…Thu, 31 May 2007 11:41:40 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/planterspeakers-terra-cotta-8-20-by-madison-feilding-incLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/ego-waterproof-sound-case-for-ipodsI first encountered the EGO Waterproof Sound Case at CES in Las Vegas. I was actually trying to figure out where I was in the massive convention center when Ron Lien, the marketing manager of Atlantic asked if I would like to see their new products. The display that really caught my eye was an iPod speaker soundcase in a sealed bowl with water spraying over it.Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:15:13 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/ego-waterproof-sound-case-for-ipodsLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/klipsch-igroove-hg-speaker-system-reviewI first saw the Klipsch iGroove HG at an Apple Store a few months ago. From across the store, in a sea of iPod speaker systems there was this curvy black beauty standing out like a diamond in the rough. Before I even heard it, I wanted one. But how would it sound?Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:25:05 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/klipsch-igroove-hg-speaker-system-reviewLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/gini-itube-iconec-ipod-tube-speaker-systemWhen Audioholics called me a few months ago and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a tube based desktop speaker system, I immediately said yes. Who wouldn't be intrigued by such an idea? A digital iPod combined with an old-school vacuum tube based audio system. This could be great or it could be a joke, but it sounded like fun either way.Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:25:05 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/gini-itube-iconec-ipod-tube-speaker-systemLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-nx-u10-usb-speaker-videoThe Yamaha NX-U10 USB speaker is a multi-faced speaker that can be powered in almost any way imaginable... except for fuel cell or solar. OK, so it takes USB power, batteries and even AC - but it's still a cool option for getting sound that bests the often underwhelming sound quality of most laptops. With its lightweight styling and surprisingly loud output levels, the NX-U10 will make for a portable speaker solution that won't take up much room and fits nicely into your laptop case.Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/yamaha-nx-u10-usb-speaker-videoLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5As a reviewer, one gets a chance to see, hear and play with a variety of equipment - some good and some not so good. Every now and then a product comes into your hands that takes you by surprise. The Audioengine 5 is one of those. Let’s face the facts; in the world of MP3 players and portable music systems, most of them leave a lot to be desired. This is not true of the Audioengine A5. Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5Lifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/monitor-audio-i-deckConsumer gadgets come and go but few have much of a lasting impression. Then there are those few that do. Like the Sony Walkman before it, the Apple iPod has achieved iconic status in our pop culture. Every student both young and old wants an iPod. Both of my children and my wife have one along with myself. We are a 4-iPod family. Forget just any MP3 player, they are a distant second and likely to remain there for some time. When something achieves the status level of the iPod, it creates a ripple effect in the aftermarket accessory marketplace. From FM transmitters to arm bands there is a plethora of merchandise one can go broke on after you have purchased your iPod. One such category is that of amplified speakers and docking stations. There are many to choose from, and like anything else, there are good ones and then there is junk. One of these that fall into the “good ones” category is the i-deck from Monitor Audio. Read on to get the details.Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/monitor-audio-i-deckLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakers