Panasonic RP-SPF01-K Active Speakers - Limited Edition

Panasonic announced today a limited edition of their RP-SPF01 active speakers kits.

This special edition, limited to 100 units features a black finish and a strong brushed aluminium enclosure of 6mm thickness.
A built-in stereo amplifier supplies the 2 speakers up to 5W each and the RP-SPF01 also uses a couple of 30mm full-range titanium drivers for a pure sound quality.

The compact cabinet will fit perfectly on a desk with only 62(W)x160(H)x96 mm(D) for approximately 0.7Kg and the speakers cord length is quite enough with 1.5m.

Panasonic RP-SPF01 will be ready to ship in Japan on November 12th for about $250.

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Scythe SDA-1000 Stereo Digital Amplifier

Scythe, the well known brand from the computer world for its cooling solutions and accessories has announced the SDA-1000, a stereo digital amplifier for computer use for about $60.

The SDA-1000 can be installed in any of the 5.25 inch bay of your computer case and connected to the internal power supply. It can be also powered directly from the AC line via the include AC adapter as a stand alone amplifier. The amplifier gets a chip from Yamaha which delivers a maximum output of 2x10W and a SNR of 103 dB. The rear connections get the minimum with only an analog stereo input and of course the speakers output.

Besides power and mute switch, the aluminium front panel has an headphone output and it comes in 2 colors, silver and black.

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Creative GigaWorks HD50 - 2.0-channel Desktop Speaker System

Creative a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced the GigaWorks HD50, a new 2.0 stereo speaker system.

Amazingly compact, this stylish speakers pack incredible power and performance from the all-new Creative High Definition Drivers (CHDD). The HD50 features titanium super tweeters with ultra high-frequency capability for smooth and soothing playback while Creative high-definition drivers of a mere two-inch diameter encompass high-excursion capability to deliver outstanding bass in a small footprint. Also an highly efficient and powerful Class-D amplifiers that are separately dedicated and matched to the tweeters and drivers also give improved headroom and loudness.

Creative's GigaWorks HD50 speaker system will be available worldwide this December for about $149.90.

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Creative introduces PCIe version of the X-Fi Sound Blaster Xtreme Audio

"We are excited to introduce the first PCI Express Sound Blaster for the desktop PC, continuing our legacy as the de facto audio standard for PC digital entertainment", said Steve Erickson, Vice President of Audio for Creative.

According to the company the PCI Express version of the Sound Blaster Xtreme Audio still offers the same features as the PCI model such as the X-Fi Crystalizer, the X-Fi CMSS-3D function, the headphone surround effects and all the game audio libraries (EAX ADVANCED HD).

The Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio will be available in end November in Singapore at a suggested retail price of $69.99.

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Axiom Audio new Audiobyte Computer Speaker System

Axiom Audio is introducing on the market the Audiobyte speaker system that you can connect to your computer to enjoy your favorite tunes or connect the speakers and 55W /channel amplifier to your iPod dock.

These high-end computer speakers come with a stand-alone amp and two satellite speakers cranking 55 watts each. These satellites load a 1" titanium dome tweeter and an 3" aluminum cone type woofer. And if you really want to cheese-off your co-workers, you can go for the optional subwoofer ($179) which hides inside a 6.5" woofer and a passive radiator.

Other features of the system are a frequency response range of 100Hz - 20kHz, an impedance of 8 ohms and an USB plug to power and play almost all iPods.

The Audiobyte stereo system is available in eight flavors via the Axiom's website:
- Standard Charcoal: $349.00
- Standard Black: $349.00
- Standard White: $349.00
- Standard Silver: $349.00
- Synthetic High Gloss Cherry: $399.00
- Synthetic High Gloss Burled Walnut: $399.00
- Real Wood Burled Walnut Brown: $559.00
- Real Wood Burled Walnut Cherry: $559.00

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Astro Gaming A40 new 5.1 Dolby Digital Headphones

The Astro A40 audio system combines crystal-clear voice communication with pinpoint-accurate 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround.

Sold as a complete kit with the headset and its matching mixer, the $249 package lets you mix 5.1-channel game audio and communications audio independently. The daisy-chainable Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Headphone compatible processor/mixer enables some interesting features, like private communication channels for in-person Xbox 360 teams, and outboard surround processing from a PC. You can also connect your MP3 player through the mixer itself with the included cable.

The headset features a detachable uni-directional noise-canceling adjustable boom mic and removable custom-made faceplates. Each is also available separately: the A40 headset is $199, while the mixer is $129, and it's all available on the 17th.

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Saitek launches the Cyborg 5.1 Headset

Saitek announced its new Cyborg 5.1 headset, a Surround Sound headset designed to enhance the realism of PC games and improve gaming performance.

The Cyborg 5.1 headset has an integrated USB sound card which delivers true 5.1 Surround Sound without the need to install a PC 5.1 card. Six sonic drivers on each side of the headset ensure true channel separation for crisp, directional sound. This precise audio tells the gamer where every shot comes from, giving them a significant performance advantage. Like the rest of the Cyborg range, it features unique styling with satin black finish and "distinctive Cyborg" logo which illuminates when 5.1 sound is selected. The headset comes with detachable noise-cancelling boom microphone which, as well as making the headset ideal for gaming and for VoIP communication.

For $79.95 the Cyborg 5.1 headset also includes a 3.5mm jack for use with MP3/CD/Handheld devices (in stereo).

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CES 2008 - Logitech Z Cinéma 2.1-Channel Computer Audio System

Tech Digest got its hands on the exclusive 2.1 speakers kit from Logitech which will be normally unveiled in the following days at the CES. The Logitech Z Cinéma contains two bass-reflex satellite speakers (each containing a three-inch laser-tuned driver), a subwoofer (with an eight-inch high-excursion driver) and complete control pod (aka, remote control).

According to Logitech, this 2.1-channel system is perfect for any PC or Mac with at least a six-channel sound card, and contains SRS TruSurround HD, which will give you a surround sound effects with only two satellites. Out at the end of January, the system is priced at £249.99.

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Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 VX

Creative Japan announced the Sound Blaster 5.1 VX (SB-5.1-VX), this entry-level sound card offers the 5.1-channel support, Line-In and Mic-In inputs as well as front, rear, center and subwoofer speaker outputs. The 5.1 VX is compatible EAX and CMSS technologies and works with Windows XP and Vista, and this low-profile card connects to your computer via a PCI slot.

The Creative's Sound Blaster 5.1 VX should be available this month for an unknown price.

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Sennheiser PC 350 Gaming Headset

The new Sennheiser PC 350 is a closed type, circumaural PC headset for gamers. It features a superior passive attenuation (up to 32 dB) of ambient noise with its large size and comfortable ear cups designed for long gaming sessions along with a large microphone to cancel out outside noise. The PC 350 is equipped with volume control and microphone mute function. Also for easy transport the headset is collapsible and connects to any sound card. Sennheiser's PC 350 is available for purchase immediately and is priced at £149.99.

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Onkyo APX-2 HD Audio Computer

Onkyo and SOTEC partnered up on the new APX-2 HD-audio computer with built-in amplifier. The APX-2 comes preinstalled with Windows Vista Home Premium and equipped by a Core 2 Duo T5500 @ 1.66GHz, 1GB of RAM and 500GB of hard drive storage capacity puts inside a "Super Floating HDD unit" to reduce operation noise and vibration (up to -22dB). The built-in stereo digital amplifier can deliver 2x 100W RMS of power into 4Ω.

Also Onkyo bypassed Vista's volume mixer function and installed PDAP (Pure Direct Audio Path) in order to prevent HD Audio loss along with hardware 24-Bit 192kHz D/A converters (PCM1792).

The Onkyo APX-2 will be available in Japan on February 29th at a MSRP of 250,000 yen.

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Sony SRS-ZX1 Multimedia Speakers

The Sony's SRS-ZX1 speakers will finally reached the rest of the world this April. Released in October 2007 in Japan, these multimedia speakers made in aluminum feature a unique duct design called "Mobius" that reduces the wind noise to deliver deceptively large, crisp sound from speakers so small, according to Sony. The SRS-ZX1 delivers 2x 20W and includes a digital signal processor which shifts bass sounds in the inaudible frequency range to the audible range, resulting in an enriched bass sound.

Price is $400, that's maybe a bit expensive for stereo computer speakers only.

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Audioengine W1 Wireless Audio Transmitter

The Audioengine W1 is a wireless audio adapter that lets you transfer music wirelessly from any audio device or computer to any powered speakers or receivers. The adapter provides a lossless audio transmission in a full 48KHz PCM digital stereo support over Wifi (802.11) within a range of up to 30m.

The AW1 system consists of 2 parts powered by USB, the transmitter which plugs into the headphone/line-out jack on your computer or digital audio player and the receiver which plugs into the input on your powered speakers or stereo receiver.

The Audioengine W1 wireless adapter is available for immediate delivery at an MSRP of $149.

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Logicool aka Logitech Launches the LS11 & LS21 Computer Speakers

On April 18th, Logicool (aka Logitech) will launch new computer speaker systems including the LS11, a basic 2.0-channel stereo speaker kit and the LS21 (pictured), which adds a subwoofer. Both models employ the same satellite speakers with 50mm fullrange drivers self-powered by a 1.5W per channel amplifier and the subwoofer includes in the LS21 utilizes a 95mm woofer. Also the LS21 model includes a wired remote with volume control, power switch and a headphone output.

Prices are about $40 for the LS21 and $20 the LS11, respectively.

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Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 USB External Sound Card

Creative unveiled in Japan the new Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 external sound card delivering true 5.1-channel surround sound via a single USB connection. The model, SB-SR51-XFI, will feature Creative's X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D Surround technology as well as Dolby Digital/DTS decoding with pass-through 24-bit/96kHz outputs. There will also be Directsound, EAX and Open AL API support.

It will be available during the second week of May for a price expected to be less than $90.

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NuForce Icon Desktop Audio Amplifier

NuForce unveiled the Icon its newest amplifier featuring 12W per-channel output (26Hz-50kHz @ 4ohm load), a 3.5-mm stereo input for connecting an iPod or other digital audio players, a USB cable for operation with a PC or Mac, and standard RCA inputs. There is also an amplified headphone output for the headphones enthusiasts and a USB D/A converter (32-48kHz, 16-bit) bring together into a convenient pocket sized format.

The NuForce Icon will be available for sale at Amazon.com for $249.

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Auzentech Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 Cinema Sound Card

Auzentech has announced the launch of the world's first Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect logo certified sound card for PC, called Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 Cinema. This PCI sound card is equipped with a C-Media CMI8770 chipset, swappable OPAMPS, 7.-channel output with gold-plated connectors as well as analog and digital optical outputs.

The Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 Cinema will be available next month for about $100.

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Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional & Champion Series of Sound Cards

Creative has introduced a couple of new PCI Express sound cards, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series. What a short product name, must be easy to remember...

Anyway, the cheapest model, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series, priced at $149, features 7.1-channel output, EAX 5.0 support, Dolby Digital Live encoding with digital optical I/O, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES decoding, X-Fi Crystalizer technology, X-Fi CMSS-3D technology, to create virtual surround sound through speakers or headphones in games or music. The Champion Series is priced at $199 and comes with an additional I/O panel that can fit either a 3 ½" or 5 ¼" drive bay.

Both models are THX and Vista certified and will be available worldwide this month.

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Asus ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 - First HDMI 1.3 Compliant Sound Card

Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card and its expansion card

ASUS has recently announced the world´s first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card, the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.

The sound card is Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certified to take full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio high-fidelity sounds at 24bit, 96-192Khz through HDMI v1.3a. The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is equipped with a proprietary AV200 audio processor coupled with a 24-bit DAC (TI Burr-Brown PCM1796) and 24-bit ADC (Cirrus-Logic CS5381), providing 120dB SNR and 0.0004% low distortion.

The Xonar HDAV1.3 also comes with the well renowned DS3D GX 2.0 API, which revives EAX 5.0 and 3D gaming audio in Vista. In addition to the this card, the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe packs the HDAV H6 surround channel expansion card which offers swappable opamps on each channel and 8x RCA outputs.

The basic model will go for $89 while the Deluxe model will go for over $100.

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Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 Sound Card has native HDMI Support

After the Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 announced last month, Auzentech has unveiled its PCI-Express sound card with native HDMI 1.3 output and HDCP support. The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI 1.3 port.

The sound card has been designed around the latest Creative PCI Express X-Fi audio processor and supports Dolby Digital, DTS as well as EAX 5.0 audio. The release of the Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 is planned for Sept. of 2008, but pricing is still unknown.

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