Transparent Speaker Is Transparent

People People, a unique Swedish startup, is planning on bringing its new home audio system into your living room without clogging up your view of things. As the name implies, People People's Transparent Speaker is a speaker system designed with a see-thru glass housing giving you the opportunity to enjoy the inner workings and the environment behind it. Inside, the Transparent Speaker features high-end hardware like a 6.5-inch subwoofer with an amplifier, two 3-inch full range drivers and a machined aluminum control panel complete with treble, bass and volume adjustment knobs. The Transparent Speaker is Swedish design and simplicity as its finest.

While you can plug in your audio source via two standard 1/8" and 3.5mm auxiliary inputs, there's also a USB port for hooking up a Bluetooth dongle if you'd like to go wireless. There's even a special slot that can house an Apple Airport Express for superior AirPlay music streaming over a WiFi network. People People's minimalist Transparent Speaker will come in either a complete and fully assembled package for $490, as well as in a do-it-yourself kit which you will need to put together yourself Ikea style, for $360. You'll also need to supply your own glass panels to make up the speaker housing which is kind of a deal breaker unless you're into the whole DIY thing. The Transparent Speaker can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter.

Matrix Audio Qube Speaker, Most Pocketable Yet

Portable speakers are getting smaller, more portable each day. Matrix Audio's Qube is one of those ultra-portable and pocketable speakers said to offer impressive room-filling sound and passive vibrating bass. Despite looking like it is made from aluminum, the description notes that the Qube has an aluminum coating. We're not so sure what that exactly means, but suffice to say it's made out of plastic with a metallic finish. The Qube isn't a wireless Bluetooth speaker nor does it offer stereo sound, however, it does make up for that with its 8 hour battery life and $50 price tag. The Qube features a 3.5mm audio input, it weighs 78 grams and it comes in three colors starting today.

Bowers & Wilkins Announces Their Newest Airplay Speakers

Say hello to the new additions of Bowers And Wilkins' dedicated AirPlay speakers lineup. The A7 and A5 feature a sleek and minimalistic design that will sit quietly and discretly while it's off, and be the highlight of the room once you have it on. It's Hi Fi Audiophile quality audio will satisfy just about everybody's ears, just as we'd expect from Bowers and Wilkins. 

The A7 features 2 one-inch aluminum tweeters, 2 three-inch mid range drivers, and a thumping 6-inch subwoofer in its enclosure to cover the entire audio spectrum. It is specifically designed to cooperate with your Apple devices through AirPlay but is also capable of USB streaming if you choose. The A5 packs similar features but in a smaller package. 

The A7 will drop you down $800 and the A5 will be a little more modest $500 come October. 

Marshall Hanwell Speaker Makes Its Debut

 

You can't talk about guitar amps without mentioning Marshall. The iconic white on black Marshall amp is making its way into the home audio lifestyle. Marshall Headphones in partner with Marshall Amplification have announced of the Hanwell, the company's first home speaker designed after Marshall's iconic classic concert amps. The Hanwell will feature retro golden colored analog volume, bass and treble knob adjustments and switches with a pair of long-throw woofers and a set of dual hi-fi tweeters housed in a black vinyl wrapped wooden cabinet.

Marshall's Hanwell hi-fi speaker will include a coiled audio cable and will go on sale in November for an undisclosed amount.

Vers 1Q Palm-Sized Wireless Portable Speaker

Vers has been around for a while now handcrafting speakers with bamboo and wood enclosures. Vers' new 1Q is a beautifully designed, wireless Bluetooth portable speaker that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can connect to any audio device. Vers' 1Q is only 3" in diameter and shaped in a polished and rounded off cube shape, similar to that of NuForce's aluminum Cube speaker. The 1Q's powerful and custom tuned 2" driver along with a handcrafted solid wood cabinet promise room filling, warm natural sound.

The 1Q has a 30-foot wireless range, and features a rechargeable battery for 10-hours of battery life, USB charger, 3.5mm input and also has a built-in auto switching capability to convert from mono to stereo audio when two units are linked to create a micro stereo. The 1Q comes in Walnut wood, Bamboo as well as in a limited edition red Beech wood. It'll retail for $120 when it starts shipping this Fall. You can pre-order a 1Q speaker right now starting at $95 over at Kickstarter.

Edifier Releases Their Unique Spinnaker Speakers

Global leading audio designer Edifer has recently introduced their flagship Bluetooth speaker systems that take on a very odd and innovative shape. Inspired by the sails normally found on sailboats, Edifier has taken the concept and transformed it into something much more. Designed for optimal sound, the Spinnaker directs sound towards the listener for a high quality experience. Coming in at a respectable 16.5" tall, these speakers are equipped for crystal clear audio. With forward facing tweeters, mid-range drivers, and a downwards facing bass driver, these two speakers will constantly pummel you with powerful sound. 

With the help from its sail-like shape, the Spinnaker delivers lifelike and accurate sound quality that isn't muffled and distorted by enclosure vibrations. Featuring Bluetooth technology, you can enjoy your tunes without the bothersome cables and cords. If you were to choose to, there are also additional auxillary as well as optical inputs to fit anybody's home theatre needs. Combined with tri-amp technology for improved power and dynamics, the Spinnaker is willing to offer it all.

The Edifier Spinnaker is available in both black and burgandy colors for $350 on their website. 

NuForce Cube Portable Speaker Serves Up Headphone Amp With USB DAC

NuForce has released its Cube, an all-in-one audiophile worthy portable speaker with a powerful built-in headphone amp and USB DAC. NuForce's 2-inch tall, aluminum enclosed cubic speaker isn't wireless, but offers wired connections for superior sound quality and versatile configurations. The Cube works as a standalone portable speaker with its built-in rechargeable 8-hour battery and can be connected using a 3.5mm stereo cable, connect to a computer via USB and act as a headphone amplifier capable of driving power hungry headphones with clean, high quality audio.

NuForce's Cube may look like a puny speaker, but with a precisely optimized  amplifier chip and tuned speaker driver, NuForce claims it'll blow away low quality portable speakers. The Cube speaker includes a carrying pouch, USB and 3.5mm cables and is available now in silver, red, black and blue for $119.