Sony has introduced its first Made for iPod line of audio entertainment system. The CDX-GT620IP Car Stereo is priced at US$160 and is developed with compatibility with the iPod in mind. The CDX-GT620IP is the most advanced model of the GT series.

With its built-in 30-pin connector attached to a 1.5-meter cable (4.9-foot), drivers can simply plug their iPod device directly into the head unit and control their library from the flip-down detachable faceplate or included wireless card remote. The receiver supports Quick BrowZer functionality. It also charges the device and comes with front aux-in and two preouts, as well as black LED display and switchable blue and red key illumination.

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Tags: ipod, Mobile News, Sony, stereo

High-end audio-related product manufacturer, Bang & Olufsen, has unveiled their very first stereo headset in this year’s CES Convention. Named EarSet 3, the headphones could be used with mobile phones and MP3 players and has a built-in microphone. EarSet 3 is also compatible with the Apple iPhone. Bang & Olufsen promises optimal fit as they had shaped the earbuds to the contours of the human ears.

Technical specifications
Designer Anders Hermansen
Dimensions 1.37 x 2.32 x 0.55 in
Weight (one earphone) 0.3 oz
Weight (complete set) 1.09 oz
Finish Aluminium and soft-touch rubber
Cord 3.28 ft
Principle Electro-dynamic speaker
In-ear type (intra concha earphone)
Frequency range 50-20.000 Hz

EarSet 3 will be released on the end of February 2008 with the suggested retail price of USD$250.

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Tags: Headphones, headset, stereo

For outstanding quality and sound for your audio needs, check out the new Motorola EH70 Stereo Headset which is touted to deliver premium design and superb function with a discreet microphone for taking calls.

EH70 Stereo Headset is premium in-ear stereo headset with an acoustic design that delivers rich sound quality with full-range frequency response and low distortion. Outstanding microphone performance helps calls sound great and noise isolation helps minimize background clamor. Replaceable ear tips offer a comfortable in-ear fit and additional sound clarity.

The EH70 headset provides consumers with high-quality sound and powerful microphone performance. Noise-isolation design reduces background noise by greater than 25dB, keeping outside noise in check and making it easier to hear and be heard.

The versatile EH70 can be used with a wide range of MP3 players and mobile devices. The headset works with any MP3 player and mobile phone with a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack.

The EH70 Stereo Headset is expected to become available in Q2 2008.

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Tags: Headphones, headset, Motorola, stereo

Polk Audio’s new product, SurroundBar, is debuting in this year’s CES Convention. SurroundBar is a two-piece DVD theater system consisting of the SurroundBar 360 multichannel loudspeaker and an electronic console which has DVD player, amplifier, AM/FM radio, USB, video and analog inputs. It came about by consumers’ wanting of a “true surround audio and deep bass from a single cabinet.” The product uses Polk’s own Stereo Dimension Array (SDA) technology. Video output is HDMI while the audio is could have a variable bit rate of up to 384kbps. More specs would be found in the Polk Audio web site. All in all, the SurroundBar shows a lot of promise and with a price tag of USD $1,199.95, it had better deliver.

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Tags: Off The Topic, stereo, surround sound

Check out the iPod/iPhone Stereo earphone adaptor available from USB Fever. Everyone knows the iPhone’s stereo headphones are not the best quality ones, so here’s your chance to use your favorite 3.5mm headphones with the iPhone. The adaptor comes with its own 12cm (4.75 inch) cable.

It is compatible with the following devices:

iPhone

iPod touch

iPod Classic

iPod Video, Photo, Nano (various generations)

PDAs and SmartphonesPriced at just US $6.99, buy yours from USB Fever.

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Tags: 3.5mm, Accessories, adaptor, Apple, classic, iPhone, ipod, MP3 Players, Nano, stereo, Touch, video

Out at the FCC, there’s a new Sony Ericsson Bluetooth portable speaker system. The SE MBS-100 lets you enjoy wireless stereo audio from a mobile phone or other Bluetooth-capable device. When you receive or make a call, the speaker is intelligent enough to pause the music and start playing it again after the call has ended. In order to get this to work with your Bluetooth device, it has to support the following Bluetooth profiles:

• A2DP (advanced audio distribution)
• AVRCP (audio/video remote control)

The MBS-100 Bluetooth stereo speaker comes with its own charger. Pairing with your mobile or other device is simple, with the universally secret pass code (0000). It is still a class 2 device, with around 33 feet (10 metres) range.

No word on the pricing or availability yet, but the speakers do add a bit of dash to your otherwise dull desk.

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Tags: a2dp, audio, avrcp, bluetooth, mbs, Portable Devices, Sony Ericsson, Speakers, stereo

At the Nokia World event, the company unveiled two new stylish headsets souped up to serve your music needs. According to Nokia, the Nokia Stereo Headset WH-700 and Nokia Stereo Headset WH-600 provide premium audio quality in different forms.

The Nokia WH-700 (on the right) is designed to fit comfortably in the ear for long hours of wearing, and comes with three different ear cups. It features easy call management and volume control. With its standard 3.5 mm connector, you can use it as a hearing accessory with a variety of devices including Nokia phones.

The Nokia WH-600, on the other hand, features a headband style design. Every other aspect is shared with the WH-700 including the 3.5 mm connector. They will be made available some time in January 2008.

The Nokia Stereo Headset WH-600 will cost €65 while the WH-700 will be available for €50 (excluding taxes).

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Tags: Headphones, Headphones, Nokia, stereo, wh-600, wh-700

Look what was snooping around the FCC’s hallowed halls. The Nokia BH-903 Bluetooth stereo headphone was recently approved, so it should be on its way to the markets soon. An interesting thing about the headset is its built-in FM radio. Why not a satellite radio, you might ask. Anyway, the BH-903 is a class 2 device offering a 10-metre (33 feet) radius and lets you listen to music or receive calls on your mobile phone.

Compliant with Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) specification, the Nokia BH-903 offers the following profiles: Headset (HSP), Hands-free (HFP), Phone Book Access (PBAP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) and Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP). Of course, your mobile device may not support all of them. The controller features a microphone on the back, a mute key on the side and an answer/end key on the front.

Nokia claims that on a full charge, the device offers up to 15 hours of talk time, 250 hours of standby time, 15 hours of music playback and 15 hours of radio. Pair it with your mobile device using the universal secret code , “0000″.

No word on the pricing yet.

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Tags: a2dp, avrcp, bh-903, bluetooth, Cell Phones, handsfree, Headphones, headset, hfp, hsp, Nokia, Nokia, stereo

Parrot announced a slew of Bluetooth devices at the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual show. One of the new devices is a high-performance car stereo with integrated Bluetooth car kit, two are new music kits that support audio streaming and there’s also a hands-free phone solution for people riding a motorcycle. The Parrot RK8200 car stereo is a full-fledged Blutooth car kit boasting AM/FM RDS stereo, internal memory that can store up to 300 MP3 tracks, and support for external memory in the form of an SD card reader.

The RK8200 also comes with an iPod connector, input jack for analog devices and USB port for flash drives. This car kit can stream audio over Bluetooth thanks to its A2DP (advanced audio distribution profile) support. Thanks to automatic phonebook sync, call record maintenance and storage capacity for as many as 8,000 contacts, voice recognition and Parrot TTS (text-to-speech), you won’t ever have to worry about using your phone while driving. The dual microphone system on the RK8200 handles echo cancellation, while the Parrot dynamic choice of best microphone (DCBM) technology helps in noise reduction.

Priced at US $279.99, the Parrot RK8200 Blutooth car kit will hit the stores in Q2 2008. A bit far away. If you want something quicker than that, you can opt for the Parrot PMK 5800, a Bluetooth/FM portable device that runs on your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet. Priced at US $119.99, the PMK 5800 ships in November.

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Tags: a2dp, Auto, bluetooth, car, handsfree, kit, parrot, Portable Devices, stereo

Alltel and Motorola announced that the new MOTOROKR Z6m with XM Radio Mobile is now available to Alltel customers. The Z6m comes in a slider design and is targeted at audiophiles, with an MP3 player and support for external memory up to 2GB. The phone supports the Bluetooth A2DP profile for wirelessly streaming stereo audio, and is equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack. In addition, there’s USB 2.0 compatibility for data sync from your desktop/laptop.

The MP3 player handles MP3, AAC, AAC+ and WMA content. The MOTOKRZR Z6m also features Alltel’s Celltop technology to access/manage/organize your phone info. The XM Radio Mobile cell lets you access 20 channels of streaming XM Radio Mobile for US $7.99/month. The phone has a basic 2 megapixel camera as well.

Priced at US $129.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate, and new 2-year service agreement), the MOTOROKR Z6m phone is now available.

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Tags: 2 mpx, Alltel, Alltel, bluetooth, camera, Cell Phones, motorokr, Motorola, Motorola, stereo, z6m

Remember the new line-up of mobile phones for the 2007 Holiday Season from Verizon? One of those phones is now available. The Verizon Wireless Juke by Samsung is a sleek, swivel-design mobile phone with bundled music player that handles MP3, WMA, AAC and AAC+ files. The phone will be offered in red, teal and navy blue. Featuring a swivel hinge that opens up 180 degrees to reveal a keypad, searching for your music play lists or contacts is convenient on the navigation thumb wheel.

Thanks to stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) support, you can carry your favorite wireless headphones along. The phone comes with a wired stereo headset, and a USB cable for data sync. The Juke is Get-It-Now compatible so you can download games/ringtones/wallpapers and more. It features 2GB internal memory and a camera with night-shot mode.

The display is nothing to write home about, it’s a 128×220 pixel 262k TFT color display. Goodies on the phone include IM, World Clock, Currency Converter, Stop Watch and more.

Priced at US $99.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) and new 2-year service agreement, the Verizon Wireless Juke by Samsung will start selling on October 19, 2007.

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Tags: bluetooth, Cell Phones, Headphones, Phone, Samsung, Samsung, stereo, Verizon, Verizon, wireless juke

According to reports, the Levis phone will be released as early as next month exclusively to Carphone Warehouse. With the popular Levis logo etched onto the back, the phone even features metal screws that resemble the rivets found on Levis jeans. As can be expected, there will also be denim cases available for the phone with the famous red tab intact.

Don’t expect it to be a state-of-the-art mobile phone though. It comes with a 2 megapixel camera, microSD memory card slot and Bluetooth (including A2DP support). There’s an MP3 player on-board the phone.

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Tags: 2 megapixel, bluetooth, Cell Phones, levis phone, MP3 Player, stereo

Plantronics announced a new Bluetooth headset in its Voyager series. The new Plantronics Voyager 855 is a unique mono-to-stereo convertible Bluetooth headset featuring AudioIQ DSP, a noise reduction technology. The Voyager 855 is targeted at Bluetooth mobile phones and offers a convertible design thanks to its detachable stereo cable. This lets you use the voyager either for entertainment in stereo mode or communication in mono mode.

The Voyager 855 also comes with form-fitting earbuds for comfortable, all-day wearing. With its sound-isolating earbuds, you can concentrate on your calls or music without worrying about ambient noise disrupting your experience. Furthermore, in stereo mode, the headset’s AVRCP (remote control) Bluetooth profile gets enabled as well, letting you control your audio playback.

Switching between calls and music is easy with Plantronics’ stereo multipoint technology. AudioIQ is the company’s proprietary adaptive DSP technology that automatically adjusts audio levels to increase clarity.

Priced at US $149.95, the Plantronics Voyager 855 will be available in October 2007.

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Tags: a2dp, avrcp, bluetooth, Headphones, Headphones, mono, Plantronics, stereo, voyager, wireless

Looking for another pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones that support A2DP — the Bluetooth advanced audio distribution profile? Check out BlueAnt’s X5i headset, a portable and handy model that lets you not only enjoy music streamed over Bluetooth but also answer calls from your phone, PDA or compatible computer. Apart from A2DP, the BlueAnt X5i also supports the headset, handsfree and AVRCP (remote control) profiles making a pretty useful one to have around.

The battery on the X5i is removable, and it lasts for up to 12 hours on a full recharge. Another convenience on the device is the ability to charge it either with the included wall charger or by connecting it to your computer’s USB port. It can also store pairing info on 10 Bluetooth devices, so you won’t have to re-pair it with every other gizmo you have in your collection. It is priced at US $89.95.

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Tags: audio, Headphones, headset, quality, Speakers, stereo, wireless, x5i

The Parrot Party, a wireless speaker system for your mobile phone or laptop supporting Bluetooth technology, just gained the approval from the FCC. With this, you can conveniently place speakers in your hall while streaming music from your phone. The Parrot Party is compatible with devices that support the Bluetooth A2DP (advanced audio distribution profile). Packaging includes a carry case, wrist strap, user guide and adapter.

Compact and lightweight - just 620 grams - the wide-band speakers are driven by a class D amplifier. LEDs indicate the status of Bluetooth and audio effects. The Parrot Party has different modes of operation as well: normal, pairing, low power and low battery. Parrot claims a playback time of up to 4 hours on this device.

Sadly, it is a class-2 Bluetooth device, meaning the range is limited to 10 meters or 33 feet. Priced at £79.37 (approx US $159).

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Tags: bluetooth, class 2, MP3 Players, parrot, party, speaker system, stereo, wireless

Otto unveiled the new Digital Gaming Headset, a high-quality, durable and comfortable headset targeted at PC gamers. Allowing the gamer to immerse into the game and hearing every detail as well as communicating clearly with other players, the manufacturer claims exceptional sound and voice quality.

The Digital Gaming Headset features a boom microphone with noise-canceling and voice recognition technology, delivering clear conversations. For extended game play, the ear pads are specially designed. The headset, unfortunately, falls short of being a wireless one and needs a USB connectivity with your PC.

The high-quality Neodymium speakers offer quality bass response. Priced at US $49.95, the Digital Gaming Headset is now available from Otto. Full specs in the extended entry.

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Tags: boom microphone, Headphones, headset, neodymium, pc gamer, stereo