Consumer Electronics Daily News

DX Greatly Appreciates MOCREO MOSOUND MINI Bluetooth Speakers

The variety of wireless mini speakers that are flooding the market today is countless. However, not every unit is worthwhile when considering ones which ensure both quality and a fair price. If you are scouting for a speaker that also combines the power of microphone and wireless connectivity along with facilitating easy portability then choose wireless mini Bluetooth speakers only. One single unit can give you great features and performance.

DX is happy that one of the most highly appreciated mini speakers - MOCREO™ MOSOUND MINI Bluetooth Speaker is now available on the DX website. MOCREO MOSOUND MINI Bluetooth Speaker is versatile and practical. It is designed to provide users with multipurpose features and smooth portability. With the compact mini speaker device enabled with Bluetooth, you can connect any of your favorite devices to listen to your choice of music.

MOCREO MOSOUND MINI Bluetooth Speakers can be connected to any device to stream your favorite music even from a distance of nearly 30 feet. Due to this, you don't have to bother about the tangle of wires or speaker dock system. This means you don't have to confine yourself within a limited physical boundary to listen to your choice of music. Good sound and clutter-free experience is a guarantee.

With this tiny MOSOUND MINI Speaker, you can simply keep your device in your pocket and roam freely without having to worry about the position of the speaker. Your speaker will be sitting on a desktop while you are in some other room or place. Not only this, but both audio and video files can be played through wireless connectivity with this unit.

MOCREO MOSOUND MINI Bluetooth Speakers also feature a built-in microphone, enabling you to listen and answer your calls hands-free. It lasts 6 hours with the built-in battery, and it can be easily charged with a USB cable.

Westone Wins Digital Trends 'Best Of CES 2014' Award for the All New Signature W60 Earphones

Westone's W60 was awarded Digital Trends 'Best Of CES 2014' Award in the headphone category. The new Signature W-Series W60 was chosen as the best out of five other nominees in the headphone category to claim the top spot. 

"We are thrilled that our Westone W60s won the coveted "Best Headphones" in the Digital Trends 2014 Best of CES awards," said John Lowrey, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The W60s represent an entirely new apex in the in-ear headphone space, and we were confident that the sound offered with six armature drivers would be a show stopper. It's a huge honor to be recognized in the competitive high-end headphone category as the best of the best." 

About Award Winning W60:

The Signature W-Series features Westone's proprietary balanced armature drivers and advanced crossover designs. The W60 features 6 balanced armature drivers and multistage crossover designs that yield sonic purity that is unrivaled in universal monitors at any price level. The six driver products are firsts for Westone in universal earphones.

The new signature series feature the first ever W60 models and offer unmatched performance for music lovers and audiophiles. Combining a state-of-the-art design with elite performance drivers and crossovers for audio lovers, the new Signature W-Series is designed to continue the award winning success and acclaim of the Westone lineup while adding state of the art audio performance combined with superior design for improved comfort and fit.

The W-Series is supplied two replaceable cables, the EPIC cable for easy replacement or custom cable selection as well as an Apple MFi cable with 3-button controls and integrated microphone. An Android control cable is available as an accessory. The new connector is compatible with all the new Westone cables including the ADV reflective cable and the new UM Pro cable. The EPIC replaceable cable is constructed of high-flex, ultra-low resistance tensile wire, reinforced with a special aramid fiber, and braided for ultimate durability, acoustic transparency, and isolation from mechanical cable noise. The new audiophile connector makes this cable solution conveniently user-removable, upgradeable and replaceable.   

The W-Series features interchangeable anodized aluminum faceplates (red, blue and charcoal included), straight EPIC replaceable cable, replaceable MFi cable and MIC, Executive Monitor Vault, weather resistant travel case, and five sizes of patented STAR™ and True-Fit™ Tips. With Westone True-Fit™ technology, Westone combines 50+ years experience with in-ear applications that has yielded a low-profile, lightweight, universal earpiece which delivers maximum comfort and in-ear coupling for dynamic music listening.

High-end Audio Seen at the Venetian

LG TONE ULTRA With JBL Signature Sound Now Available Across National Retail Channels

Today LG Electronics USA announced the availability of its newest premium wireless stereo headset – LG TONE ULTRA™ with JBL® Signature Sound – through national retail channels including Amazon, AT&T, BestBuy, and Verizon Wireless.

Designed for on-the-go convenience and compatible with Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, LG TONE ULTRA with JBL Signature Sound delivers a premium sound experience that is perfect for everyday wear at home, outdoors or at the office. Its sleek, ergonomic design makes it well-suited for everyday use.

Capitalizing on the design heritage of the original LG TONE™ and LG TONE PLUS™ wireless headsets, the LG TONE ULTRA features the same award-winning, 3D NeckBehind™ design. The LG TONE's unique form factor secured LG a 2013 RedDot Design Award and 2012 International Design Excellence Awards finalist honors. 

Collaborating with the Embedded Audio team at audio industry leader Harman International, LG TONE ULTRA combines LG TONE design and technology with JBL Signature Sound, generating purer, more accurate extended bass. This makes LG TONE ULTRA a great complement to LG flagship smartphones such as the LG G2, which features expanded audio capabilities.

LG TONE ULTRA is equipped with Ambient Noise Cancellation (ANC) that reduces background sounds for a superb acoustic experience in varying environments and employs echo cancellation technologies that help eliminate echoes, smooth voice distortion, and improve overall voice quality. Coupled with HD Voice and aptX®, LG TONE ULTRA gives users outstanding music sound quality and crystal-clear voice calls in one, hands-free device.

Providing users with a stylish device that offers up to 10 hours of talk and 10 hours of music time, the wireless stereo headset is mobile phone compatible and Google™ Voice Actions enabled, making voice commands the new way to look up a friend, check the weather or get updates on the big game. Other LG TONE ULTRA key features for business professionals and mobile users on-the-go include:

• A2DP Voice Compatible
• Text to Speech
• Voice Activated Dialing
• VoLTE (Voice over LTE)
• Auto-Reconnect
• Advanced Multipoint
• Audible Pairing Assistance
• Vibrating Call Alert
• Audible Battery Status Alert
• Bass Boost
• Google Voice Actions Integrations

Key Specifications:

• Bluetooth Specification: version 3.0
• Supported Bluetooth Profiles: Headset (HSP), Hands-Free (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP)
• Talk Time: up to 10 hours
• Music Listening Time: up to 10 hours
• Standby Time: up to 20 days
• Charging Time: less than two hours
• Dimensions: 5.34" (W) X 6.30" (L) X 0.55" (H)
• Weight: 1.06 ounce

Pricing and Availability: 
LG TONE ULTRA (HBS-800) with JBL Signature Sound is available for an MSRP of $129.00 and can be found in AT&T stores and online at www.att.com; Verizon Wireless Online at www.verizonwireless.com; Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. For specific pricing and availability information, please visit www.lg.com.

NYNE Announces Speakers to be Showcased at CES

NYNE will unveil its next generation of speakers at CES 2014. The new lineup consists of four portable Bluetooth speakers designed to make life more enjoyable by letting consumers take their music with them and share it anytime, anywhere. The 2014 line will be showcased at CES in Central Hall Booth #11626.

"We are excited to show our redesigned portable Bluetooth speakers at CES," said Arman Arami, President of NYNE. "With improved features such as near field communication (NFC), built-in charging banks and built-in microphones, as well as new color combinations, each speaker is stylish and functional for a variety of lifestyle applications. This next generation of products continue our tradition of providing customers with audiophile quality sound at affordable prices, backed by a one-year warranty."

NYNE Bass - The Outdoor Performer

Featuring 20 watts of output power, the NYNE Bass is the largest speaker, yet remains portable with a hidden carrying handle. With Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, a 3.5mm aux-in port, built-in microphone, built-in USB charging, and 10 hours of playtime, the Bass is perfect for campers, tailgaters, beach goers and outdoor parties. In addition, the Bass comes with an international AC adapter with four international plugs for traveling.

NYNE TT - The Travel Companion

Light, easy to transport with a carrying case with shoulder strap, and an included international AC adapter with four international plugs, the NYNE TT is the perfect companion for travelers. The TT is packed with 16 watts of powerful sound and features Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, a 3.5 mm aux-in port, built-in microphone, built-in USB charging and 10 hours of playtime.

NYNE Cruiser - The Sports Buddy

Designed for your next ride, the NYNE Cruiser comes with handlebar clips that can mount on to your bike, exercise machine, or even your baby stroller. With Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, a 3.5mm aux-in port, built-in microphone, built-in USB charging, 10 hours of playtime, and 10 watts of output power, the Cruiser livens up any ride.

NYNE Mini - The Anywhere Accessory

Small and affordable with a carrying case with spring loaded hook, the NYNE Mini portable speaker is designed for tweens and teens and features Bluetooth 2.1, a 3.5mm aux-in port, built-in microphone and 5 watts of power. Users can express their personal style by choosing from five different color combinations.

The new NYNE series will be available in Q1 2014 for prices ranging from $49.95 to $149.95.

Lepow Goes Retro with the Mod Speaker

Lepow International, a mobile device accessories company focused on creative designs and ideas, will introduce its throwback-named, ultra-modern designed Bluetooth speaker, the Mod, at 2014 International CES. It is inspired by record players from the 1960s and incorporates today's latest technology such as Bluetooth 4.0, 360-degree surround sound and four sound modes. The unit will be showcased at the Lepow CES booth, 50015, located in the iLounge Pavilion in LVH.

"The Mod's advanced-sound technology, combined with its bold intrinsic structure, is created for music lovers who desire an escape from the usual speakers," stated Jacky Fan, Lepow CEO. "Its vintage design reflects record players that were the primary source for music during the Mod era. Its impressive sound quality is a testament that this speaker was definitely engineered for today's selective audiophile."

The new Lepow Mod's modern look is enhanced by its metal construction. It features four sound modes - normal, rock, classic, and vocals - that provide the perfect tone for whatever is playing, touch controls for volume and play, a built-in lithium battery that provides up to eight hours of play time, 360-degree audio distribution, and a USB port and cable to charge the speaker. It has a transmission distance of up to 30 feet. The unit measures 9.5 inches by 4 inches by 5.5 inches.

In addition to being a wireless music player for smartphones and tablets, the Mod also acts as a hands-free speakerphone with its built-in microphone, and an external USB charger for mobile devices with its built-in 6000mAh battery.

In the mid-1960s, Mod was a youth subculture, predominately in Great Britain, but spread to other parts of the world as well. Its primary focus was on fashion and music, and had its roots in stylish young men of the time, who were called modernists, because they listened to modern jazz. The culture was known for its preference for fashion - often Italian tailor-made suits, music, and scooters. Mods were well known for their all-night dancing at clubs.

Availability

The Lepow Mod Bluetooth speaker will be available in a variety of stylish colors in late first quarter 2014. All Lepow products are available online at http://lepowglobal.com/official-webstore

Revolutionary New Streaming Technology Delivers Super High-Resolution Audio Wirelessly

AURALiC introduces its pioneering audiophile quality wireless whole-house music solution at this year’s CES in Las Vegas: AURALiC Lightning Streaming, a breakthrough high-resolution streaming solution.

The Lightning is based on AURALiC's proprietary Tesla hardware platform. The new platform includes a quad-core ARM Coretex-A9 processor running at 1GHz, 2GB DDR3 onboard Memory, and dual-band 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi infrastructure. The brand-new Telsa platform enables a 25,000 MIPS calculating capability compared to 1,000 MIPS for AURALiC's previous platform, named Sanctuary.

Lightning Fast

Lightning, the speedy, versatile lynchpin of the new system, showcases several industry firsts. It’s the first streaming solution based on dual-band 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi, among the world’s fastest, with a maximum speed of 1300 Mbps. As a result, Lightning is also the first system able to stream Direct Stream Digital (DSD), double-rate DSD and Digital eXtreme Definition (DXD) wirelessly.

In addition, Lightning is the first streaming solution that allows digital audio signals to output though a USB host port to DACs, like AURALiC’s VEGA Digital Audio Processor. The USB output does PCM in sampling rates from 44.1 to 384 KHz at 16-, 24- and 32-bit resolutions. It also supports DSD, Double-Rate DSD and DXD at 2.8224 and 5.6448 MHz rates, as well as a vast spectrum of audio formats, including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WV and WMA.

Powerful Functions

Lightning is based on the OpenHome structure, adopted by the U.K. streaming manufacturer Linn. Compared to the legacy standards of the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Lightning supports several more-advanced functions, such as on-device playlist that allow control software to turn off during play, the gapless playback, and complete supporting of multi-room, multiple control points.

Lightning also supports Songcast, a music distribution service that allows users to map computer’s sound to any Lightning-equipped system and to map sound between different Lightning systems in the house.

Easy to Use

AURALiC’s Lightning App can control all Lighting-powered hardware. The Lightning App allows you to browse your music library on your network-attached storage (NAS), to control the playback, and to set the hardware settings. The Lightning App also comes with built-in radio services, such as Spotify.

The Lightning App will be available on several platforms, such as Apple iOS, Android, Windows PC, Mac OS X and even Linux. The Lightning Streaming solution is compatible with other digital streaming control programs, such as Kinsky and BubbleDS. It is also backwards compatible with legacy UPnP and DLNA standards hardware and software.

ARIES — A DAC Bridge that Endows DACs with Streaming Functions

ARIES, the first product in the Lightning family, serves as a bridge between music on network storage and DACs, enabling DACs to stream music quickly and superbly via Wi-Fi in virtually any format, including DSD, double-rate DSD and DXD. ARIES includes a switchable USB host output; digital AES/EBU, coaxial and Toslink connections driven by AURALiC's patented ActiveUSB technology; and an extremely accurate Femto Master Clock.

ARIES will be available in May 2014 at suggested prices starting at $999 (MSRP).

Microlab to Present Low-Cost Compact Speaker System at CES

Microlab, a manufacturer  of portable and Hi-Fi speaker systems for the digital home and office, and a CES 2012 Innovations Award Winner, announced today the FC10 Triangle Speaker System, a low-cost powerful compact home and office stereo system, featuring two speakers, DSP Technology (Digital Signal Processing), a built-in amplifier, tweeter and woofer, and a unique modern white triangle shape for better design and sound. 

Priced at only $77, the FC10 Triangle Speaker System provides high performance compact stereo speakers with a big 30 watt sound for the home or office.  Easily connecting to PCs, tablets, phones, and other devices with a compact size of just 3” x 6.5” x 6” x 6.5”, the FC10 Triangle Speaker System is elegantly designed to fit on a desk or tabletop with a side panel for quick access to controls.

Advanced DSP Technology, Powerful State-of-the-Art Amplifier, High-Quality Tweeter & Woofer

The FC10 Triangle Speaker features advanced DSP technology for analog to digital sound processing with minimum distortion and maximum precision; a powerful built-in amplifier using state-of-the-art digital processing for dynamic power; and high-quality tweeter and woofer drivers for the best full range sound.  In addition, it features a bass reflex tunnel in each cabinet for strong low frequency sound with 30 Watt output power (power distribution: 2 x 15 Watt), a frequency range of 80 Hz - 20 kHz, with a metal grill front panel and rubber sides for an unprecedented vocal and depth in bass.

Microlab FC10 Triangle Speaker System Features:
• Two high performance compact stereo speakers with big sound.
• Advanced DSP Technology for high fidelity sound production with minimum distortion and maximum precision.
• Unique stylish modern triangle design for better stereo sound effect with two triangle-shaped speakers with metal grill front panel and rubber side covers.
• Stylish white color and design fits home and office.
• Powerful amplifier uses state-of-the art digital processing for dynamic power.
• Quality tweeter and woofer drivers.
• Bass reflex tunnel in each cabinet to produce strong low frequency sound.
• Easily connecting to PCs, tablets, phones, and other devices.
• Side Panel easy access and control.
• Compact size with dimensions: 3" x 6.5" x 6" x 6.5"
• Weight: 4.41 pounds
• Output Power: 30 Watt RMS.
• Power distribution: 2 x 15W RMS.
• Harmonic distortion:< 0.5 percent 1W 1kHz.
• Frequency range: 80Hz - 20kHz.
• Signal/noise ratio: >65dB.
• Separation: >45dB.
• Speakers: Tweeter drive type: 0.5", rated power: 5W, 8 ohm, full range driver type: 2.25", full range driver rated power: 15W, 8 ohm.
• Power input: DC.
• Interfaces: Proprietary plug (output), 3.5 mm stereo (input)

STREAMZ Introduces World's First Smart Streaming Headphones

STREAMZ^™, a Mozaex^® spin-off company, announced today it has released the world's first smart streaming headphones called STREAMZ^™. STREAMZ are breakthrough headphones that allow you to play music and audio from multiple sources, including onboard stored music, streaming online radio, streamed phone music, plus audio from your TV, movie, and game player.

The company will be demonstrating STREAMZ and its BLUWAVS 7.1 HDMI Surround headphones during  2014 International CES, held in Las Vegas from January 7–10, booth #54009 (inside the iLounge of the LVH Hall).

STREAMZ Headphones Offer Simplicity and Value with Multi-Device Playback

With its built in Android processor, WIFI, Bluetooth, and storage, STREAMZ simplifies and enhances the entertainment experience when enjoying streaming or stored music, movies, games and TV shows.

"When it comes to entertainment there is only one thing more valuable than free, and that is simplicity," said STREAMZ CEO Douglas Kihm. "You no longer need to bother with a separate player since it's all built inside. Many people don't want the hassle of carrying, connecting, and draining the battery of their phone or music player. STREAMZ replaces multiple headphones so that you can enjoy all of your entertainment from any device with one simple-to-use pair of headphones."

First Headphones to Incorporate Both Auto Detect WIFI and Bluetooth  

STREAMZ makes listening to any source of music and audio fast and easy.  STREAMZ incorporates both Smart WIFI and Bluetooth interfaces that auto detect and connect to your WIFI internet hotspot, a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, or with an optional module your Bluetooth enabled AVR receiver.

Built-In Music Player, HIFI DAC, and Two-Way Speakers Deliver Unmatched Sound Quality  

STREAMZ are based on patent-pending smart headphone technology that uniquely delivers higher fidelity music and audio than traditional headphones. STREAMZ are the first headphones to incorporate a music player, a 48 kHz/16 bit CD quality digital analog converter (DAC) plus individual 3 Watt vibration drivers and 160 mWatt dynamic amplifiers.

With its built-in DAC and AMP, STREAMZ delivers CD quality sound with optimum dynamic range, equalization, and amplification, which results in incomparable clarity and fidelity. The two vibration speakers uniquely deliver high power and low frequency range audio that you can literally feel.

Since most phones and mobile music players have sub-par quality DACs and amps, they are unable to play true FLAC, ALAC, and WAV CD quality music without adding cumbersome external components.  To address this problem, the company built the finest quality audio components inside the headphones.  

Unique High Powered Vibration Speakers Reduce Headphone Pressure and Discomfort

Traditional headphones require an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your head and ears to achieve optimum sound quality.  STREAMZ's vibration speakers achieve the same or better sound quality than traditional headphones with little or no head pressure being applied, which results in exceptional comfort. 

The four speakers are arranged as bi-amped, two-way speakers with two vibration speakers, and two 50mm dynamic speakers. STREAMZ has soft over the ear leather cushions with collapsible frames and are designed for active, mobile use.        

STREAMZ Patent Pending Technology Addresses a Unique Fast Growing Premium Niche Market

STREAMZ addresses an un-served market in the "premium" ($100+ USD) headphone niche, where people want simpler "in-line play controls" to listen to their music, wherever they are and from any device. 

The market for headphones continues to experience high growth, especially in the premium sector. Global headphone sales in 2013 were $7B (USD) with a growth of 20 percent per year. According to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, "U.S. sales of premium stereo headphones ($100+) grew 25 percent in units in Q1 2013 year-over-year, accounting for 95 percent of the revenue growth for the total headphone market."

According to NPD , "more than one-in-three premium buyers cited in-line play controls as 'extremely' or 'very' important in their decision to buy…".  As Ben Arnold, Director of Industry Analysis at NPD explains, "Consumers are looking for ways to get the best audio experience no matter where they are or what device they are using."   Continued Arnold, "In fact, features designed to enable easier mobile playback are impacting premium headphone purchase decisions more heavily."

STREAMZ meets these needs with the ultimate in simplicity, in-line controls, device compatibility and quality.

An SDK and a Kickstarter STREAMZ for App Developers Will Soon be Announced

"STREAMZ is 30 years in the making since founding my first company in 1983," explained Kihm.  "We are all visionaries of sorts here at STREAMZ, with a passion to invent and share something amazing with consumers and other developers who share in our desire to design products that will make people's life simpler and more entertaining. To that end we plan to release a STREAMZ App Software Developers Kit (SDK) on Kickstarter along with a specially priced development model of STREAMZ. We anticipate that the SDK will spur the development of dozens if not hundreds of new STREAMZ Smart Headphone Apps, including voice activated Apps and interactive social and informational Apps."

North American Pricing and Specifications (Contact STREAMZ for International pricing):

STREAMZ Headphones – $549 MSRP USD

Android 1.6 Ghz dual core processor, WIFI 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 4GB upgradeable to 36GB with a micro SD RAM card, two vibration and two dynamic speakers, 48kHz/16 bit DAC, 2-channel 3 Watt amplifier and 2-channel 160 mWatt amplifier, microphone input jack, rechargeable battery, and adapter.  

Availability – STREAMZ Headphones are shipping March 2014.   

New Version of Popular MP3 Converter Software Available on CNET

 Multimedia, developer of several of the most highly rated, free conversion tools online, has released an upgraded version of its MP3 Converter, one of the most downloaded converters on CNET. The new version of MP3 Converter, available on CNET now, converts files at a significantly faster rate, features a more user friendly GUI and has custom bitrate options that let users choose the exact quality of their output file. The free MP3 Converter software is one the fastest and easiest to use audio converters online.

The new free MP3 Converter, which previously only converted audio files, now has the ability to covert video files to audio as well. MP3 Converter currently supports the following formats: MP3, WAV, OGG, AAC, WMA, M4A, FLV, AVI, MPG and MP4. MP3 Converter supports single file conversions, batch conversions, importing from zip files, and has the ability to add all files from a single folder all at once. With this feature, users can import audio/video files that need to be converted from a zip file without having to extract them first, by simply selecting "file" then "add zip" and pointing to the zip file. The conversion tool will add the supported files from the zip into its file conversion queue automatically.

MP3 Converter's new custom bitrate option lets users specifically choose the quality of their files rather than just selecting from the preset high, medium or low options. And, its audio tag editor lets users pick a file and edit the audio tag if needed before the conversions.

"Don't let the simple name fool you. MP3 Converter's conversions are always the fastest, and the outputted multimedia files are always of the highest quality," said a spokesperson for the developer of MP3 Converter. A CNET reviewer echoed this of the free audio converter, writing, "Works flawlessly, fast conversion process, also good quality output files."