wireless speakers

AktiMate Micro speakers, better than Bluetooth

To be honest, I've never heard a Bluetooth speaker I liked, because better sound was available from wired speakers, like the AktiMate Micro model. They're sold in pairs for $499, so you get true stereo sound, a rarity even with higher-end Bluetooth and most other wireless alternatives like the $600 Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, $600 Bose SoundDock 10, or $399 Sonos Play:5. Those three are perfectly fine for what they are, but wired stereo speakers from Audioengine, Emotiva, and AktiMate sound better, much closer to what I hear from traditional hi-fi speakers. True, they're not … Read more

Parrot jazzes up sleek Philippe Starck speaker

LAS VEGAS--Wireless peripheral maker Parrot is showing off an update to its Philippe Starck-designed Zikmu Solo wireless speaker system. Due sometime this year, the system doesn't differ much aesthetically from the original model introduced back in 2009. The latest version, does, however, offer improved innards, powerful sound, and a lower price point.

The $999 Zikmu Solo has 2x100-watt output and a built-in 1GHz ARM A8 processor that the company says "controls the path of the coil of the bass loudspeaker in real time" to greatly reduce distortion during playback.

The 2.1 stereo audio speaker system features built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC (for quick pairing). Aside from the array of connectivity features, the Zikmu also jives with DLNA for networked streaming and can even connect with another Zikmu (over Wi-Fi) for even more output. A built-in speaker dock at the top of the device works with older iPhones and iPods with a 30-pin power port.… Read more

Get a wireless floor-standing speaker lamp for $129.99

And now for something completely different.

Need a wireless speaker to complete your home-theater surround system? How about a Pandora-friendly speaker for the living room? Maybe you're just tired of sitting in the dark.

Whatever the case, here's a product I didn't even know existed until this morning, but now feel I must have: today only, 1SaleADay has the Soundolier DUO-CP lamp with wireless speaker for $129.99, plus $4.99 for shipping.

The Soundolier has a list price of $379.99, and that's exactly what you'd pay for one at Amazon. Elsewhere I've … Read more

CNET Exclusive: 50 percent off a pocket-size speaker with big sound

Liza Maloy isn't a CNET editor, but she has a pretty fun job: She's the CNET Marketplace associate partnership manager, which means she hunts high and low for tech bargains to bring to the CNET audience. Each week, she blogs about deep discounts she brokers. Whenever she can, she gets discounts on products CNET Editors love.

Always on the hunt for exciting new Exclusive deals, a few weeks back I spent some time at the CEA line shows in New York. There I made friends with the Matrix Audio team and fell for their ONE speaker line. These … Read more

HMDX Jam: $39.99 mini Bluetooth speaker hits stores

Welcome another tiny wireless Bluetooth speaker to the market: the HMDX Jam.

This one distinguishes itself with some creative packaging (the "jam" jar is actually made of hard translucent plastic, not glass) and a low price tag of $39.99.

HMDX Jam will be sold in six "flavors"-- Strawberry, Grape, Blueberry, Blackberry, Apricot, and Apple -- and will be available in several stores, including Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, and more.

Like all Bluetooth speakers, the HMDX Jam connects wirelessly up to 30 feet away and works with all Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets, and laptops/desktops. The rechargeable, lithium-ion battery is rated to deliver up to four hours of wireless play. … Read more

Get a Logitech Wireless Boombox for $109.99 shipped

I love a good Bluetooth speaker -- especially when it comes with a kick-ass bonus.

For a limited time, Amazon has the Logitech Wireless Boombox for $109.99 shipped. And with that you get a $50 Amazon MP3 credit.

Update: Amazon is currently sold out of the Wireless Boombox, though it's still available via CircuitCity for the same price -- just without the $50 credit. Bummer!

The Wireless Boombox sports eight speakers for some reasonably powerful portable audio. And by portable I mean it has a rechargeable battery that Logitech says is good for up to six hours.

Although … Read more

Creative unveils 'new genre' of audio device: Sound BlasterAxx

Not surprisingly here at CNET we get a ton of press releases e-mailed to us announcing new products. Most are fairly bland, but Creative's media pitch for its upcoming Sound BlasterAxx line of speakers is one of the more amped-up ones I've received lately, reading like an ad for a new energy drink. In fact, I think the PR person who wrote it had three Red Bulls before he or she started typing.

Here's a little taste. Careful, it's rich:

Creative Technology Ltd today announced the Sound BlasterAxx, a whole new generation of Sound Blaster and … Read more

Meet the Aperion Aris, a Windows-only wireless speaker

Over the last year we've talked a lot about Apple's AirPlay wireless streaming feature, but haven't said much -- if anything at all -- about the Windows version of AirPlay, Play To.

That's because until now, no company has billed its wireless speaker as a Windows wireless speaker, which is what Aperion Audio is doing with its upcoming $500 Aris Connected Speaker for Windows. Aperion says its giving Microsoft employees a sneak preview of the speaker today and will ship the Aris sometime in mid-June.

Aperion says you simply place the speaker where you want it, … Read more

Crave giveaway: Zona Wireless Surround Speaker System

First off, congrats to Craig S. of Yuba City, Calif., for winning a Zero1.tv VooMote One in last week's giveaway. Looking to turn the volume up to 11? Then you'll want to tune in to this week's giveaway.

We're giving away an Aperion Audio Zona Wireless Surround Speaker System, which consists of two powered speakers and a wireless transmitter for broadcasting audiophile-quality sound throughout your home.

It's a versatile little system. You can use the Zona speakers to blast audio from your computer or mobile music player. Or you can use them as wireless surrounds for your home theater or as a stand-alone stereo system for your office, bedroom, den, or secret hideout. … Read more

Best Bluetooth accessories right now (roundup)

Do you like wires? Neither do we. And thankfully, you don't really need them anymore when you're using a smartphone.

No matter your preference -- iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry -- any decent modern smartphone is equipped with wireless Bluetooth capability. In addition to hands-free calling with headsets and stereo headphones, phones can also be used as wireless music sources for an increasingly large array of Bluetooth speakers -- perfect for listening to MP3s on the phone, or Web-based audio services like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Cloud Player, iTunes Match, or anything else.

As someone who uses Bluetooth gadgets daily, I'd frankly feel lost without my handy assortment of hands-free mobile toys. And I've collected a list of some of CNET's favorites. … Read more