Category — Audio Equipment

Looks like digital voice recorders, right along with HD camcorders, are moving to hybrid storage systems for file handling.  This Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo voice recorder gives you the option to store files on a built in 32MB flash memory, or Duo media cards.

The voice recorder also includes voice to print software, and is compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking.  Built-in microphones, and voice-operated recording for eliminating memory-guzzling pauses, are also included on this unit. The Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo voice recorder is available at Abt for $249. [Read more →]

If you’ve ever heard the great quality of Bose speakers, you can understand the desire to capture that same sound when it comes to iPod accessories.  Looks like Bose is marketing their iPod gear pretty heavily for the Holidays.  I spotted several ads just this weekend.

The Bose SoundDock Portable Music System includes a dock with Bose’s waveguide technology speakers, in ear headphones, a remote control, and carrying case.  The speakers are made from neodymium, and volume controls are hidden on the side of the unit.  Ramping volume control gradually turns up sound when unit is powered up.

If you don’t want the entire package, you can also purchase each component separately.  The Bose portable system is available at Frontgate.

Both XM and Sirius satellite radios are available in hand held versions that look a lot like two-way radios.  But, until recently, I didn’t realize that some hand held satellite radios also include MP3 storage. So, now you can have access to satellite radio, and your personal music library on one gadget.

The Sirius MP3 radio above is the Sirius SL2PK1.  In addition to pulling in regular Sirius stations, this radio will pick up Sirius Internet radio via any WiFi connection.  As far as MP3 storage, there’s a 2GB internal memory, and a micro SD card slot for expansion. The Sirius Stiletto portable radio is available at Radio Shack for $329.99.

Here’s a similar XM satellite radio with MP3 storage options.  The XM MP3 radio is expandable for up to 8 GB of MP3 storage.  The radio plays WMA files, and comes with a remote control and USB port for scheduling recordings on your computer.  I found the Pioneer XMp3 satellite radio at Crutchfield for $249.99.

Are you guilty of talking on your cell phone while driving?  Not a good idea.  According to the experts, driving while talking on a cell phone makes it harder for you to maintain steady control of your vehicle, and increases your likelihood of an accident.

If you’ve recently been pulled over for using your cell phone (without a headset) while driving, you might be interested in this deal from Headsets.Com.  They’re giving away free Bluetooth headsets, specifically the Plantronics Discover 925, to anyone who can provide proof of a receiving a citation after July 1, 2008.  Limited quantities (just over 700) available.  Here are the details on the free cell phone headset offer.

Even if you haven’t received a ticket for gabbing on the freeway, you might want to consider a Bluetooth headset for keeping your hands free while driving.  The Motorola H375 cell phone headset is available at Hello Direct for $39.99.

Quick, grab some eye protection, it’s the world’s most expensive MP3 player, and it’s encrusted with more than 400 diamonds (over 4 carats). Over the last couple years, Thomas Heyerdahl, a Norwegian jeweler, has produced a handful of these glitzy gadgets, some of which have been auctioned for charity. When it comes to MP3 players, this golden Apple accessory is a bit out of budget for most: $40,000+!

Heyerdahl also likes to put the Midas touch on cell phones. He received some attention last year for his similarly blinged-out Nokia 8800 cell phone.

You know, if you can’t afford the $40K iDiamond MP3 player, perhaps you could spring for the diamond earbuds to go with your Nano? Comparitively speaking, they’re a bargain, and available separately, for just over $6,000. Here’s the iDiamond video.

First, let me say that I understand the convenience of Bluetooth headsets for those who have to be on the phone all the time, and the added safety of not fumbling around with a cell phone in the car. I get that. But is there anyone else out there who thinks that these things are just plain goofy looking-especially when they’re worn as a “look how important I am” accessory?

I’ve ran into people at the grocery store, at my son’s football games, and at restaurants, wearing Bluetooth headsets who clearly dig having a cool looking gadget hanging from their face. I have a name for the Bluetooth accessorizing crowd - “Spaceman Spiff” (the fearless, outer space-gallivanting alter-ego of Calvin from Calvin & Hobbes).

As I near the end of my rant, let me recap. Bluetooth headsets certainly are a wonder of modern technology, and I totally get the use for them. But when you walk around looking like your headset is wearing you, rather than the other way around…something’s gotta give. And as for wearing one while consuming a meal at a restaurant….don’t EVEN get me started.

Apparently, gaming chairs have come a long way since the glorified beanbags of a few years back. Although they used to be just an ergonomically convenient place play video games and sit close to the TV, now some gaming chairs are no-holds-barred wireless playgrounds for gadget lovers. And, they’re not just for video games…many of them will work with MP3 players and DVD players in addition to video game consoles.

The gaming chair above, the Pyramat PM450WR, is a wireless and rechargeable sound rocking chair. With a 50-Watt, 5-inch subwoofer, the Pyramat chair is equipped with enough sound capabilities to send the vibrations of your game or movie right through you. There’s also a headphone jack, RCA multi-player audio outputs, RCA inputs, and bass control. The wireless sound is transmitted from up to 20 feet away.

The Pyramat gaming chair is compatible with Playstation, X-Box, GameCube, PSP, all iPods, most DVD players, computers, TVs, and stereo systems. I found it at Boy’s Stuff, a British e-store, for the equivalent of $389.

Wait!! Don’t throw out those stacks of old cassette tapes just yet. Seems that dusty Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation tape from 1989 (what were you thinking?) might still be good for something.

This cassette tape to MP3 converter plugs into your personal computer or laptop to convert all those cassettes into files you can use on your MP3 player, or other MP3 playing gadgets like cell phones or PDAs.

Tape2PC, made by ION, comes with Audacity software for Mac and PC, and MixMeister for converting cassette tapes directly to iTunes. Here’s a thought- once you have your cassette files on your computer, you could easily burn them to CDs.

Tape2PC comes with a USB cable, stereo RCA cable, and software. I found it at Same Day Music for $140.

I know that iPod alarm clocks and iPod speaker docks have been around for awhile, but the cool, much less klunky, design of this one really caught my eye. It’s the CTA SoundPod alarm clock. At only 3.9 inches wide, 3.9 inches deep, and just over 6 inches high, this iPod alarm clock won’t take up too much room on your headboard or night stand.

The CTA iPod alarm clock has a 2.1 speaker system, and it works with iPod Nano or any other iPod with a dock connector. Although getting up early is never any fun, you can choose your iPod tunes, FM radio, or an electronic beep to roust you. There’s also a remote control and a port for hooking up other MP3 players or sound devices. I found the CTA SoundPod iPod alarm clock for just over 50 bucks.

Bet you thought you’d never have another use for those stacks of vinyl record albums collecting dust in your attic. Turns out you might just want to drag them out again thanks to this new gadget. The USB turntable above allows you to convert your vinyl into MP3 files for playing on your iPod, your computer, or other MP3 player.

The USB output turntable includes an integrated stereo phono cartridge, and the necessary software- Cakewalk Pyro 5, which includes options for sound restoration. This USB record player is made by Audio-Technica, and it works with 33 and 45 RPM records.

I found the Audio-Technica USB Output Turntable at Amazon for $93.00 plus shipping.