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If guitars, drums, violins, and many other instruments are made of wood, why aren’t most headphones? Wood offers more resonance than plastic or metal, so it makes sense to incorporate them into a listening device so near and dear to our ears. And, with every pair you purchase, LSTN sends the proceeds to charity partners for the deaf, so that one child gets medical attention and a custom fit hearing aid on your behalf. A win/win situation, I believe.
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You might completely dismiss this Tabletop Hifi from Symbol Audio once you learn its price, but if you’re serious about sound (i.e. audio geek) and interior aesthetics then you might just be happy to see the specs and available finishes. Using traditional speaker design, the Tabletop Hifi delivers high quality sound with “two 4 in. high efficiency full range drivers, with titanium cones, set in dampened cabinets, ported for optimum sound and paired with a down firing 5 1/4 in. subwoofer to create deep full bass response.” Enough technical specs to please the discerning, don’t you think? Plus, it’s available in all sorts of cabinet and speaker front finishes.
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Another Bluetooth speaker? Indeed it is, and this one seems sized perfectly for desktop or the out-of-doors. The Wow Speaker wirelessly streams music from any of your Bluetooth devices and charges via a USB cable. While it seems to be available only through one US retailer (Unica Home shipping Jan 2013), there are a few UK sites that seem to have it in stock (Do Shop and, of course, the designer’s site AAREVALO shop).
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Oh, what a tempting, tiny speaker. There’s the choice of hand-crafted Walnut or Bamboo case, and sure, that looks pretty good, but the point of that wood/bamboo is the natural acoustic properties. Also, check out the size: 3″ X 3″ X 3″. Compact. Of course, it has integrated Bluetooth (what speaker nowadays doesn’t?) and it delivers enough sound to fill a decently sized space. Other standout bullet points are its 30′ range and estimated 10+ hours of battery life.

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Warm and fuzzy are words to describe pleasant sounds coming from your speakers, but what if your speakers themselves were so? Copenhagen-based Libratone recently released a series of AirPlay-enabled wireless speakers wrapped in either wool or cashmere. Three sizes are available depending on your room size and portability needs. AirPlay works with all iPads, iPhone 3Gs or newer, iPod touch and Mac/Pc. Fabric covers are available in eight colors.
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Say, do you ever desire a portable, water resistant, wireless boombox that you can attach to your bike or kid’s stroller? If that answer is yes, head on over to Kickstarter where you have the chance to back Outdoor Tech’s Turtle Shell. For $99 you’ll own a Turtle Shell speaker or spend a bit more ($125) and you’ll get the Turtle Claw Mount as well. Thanks to its camera threading, the Turtle Shell attaches to any standard camera accessory so the Claw Mount isn’t necessary, fyi.
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Hrm, I wonder if this Portable Magnetic Speaker actually produces decent sound? It’s tiny at 1.75″ x 1.75″, and has a powerful magnet that can be clipped to clothing or bags to keep it close. The battery (lithium-ion) is rechargeable via the included USB cable. Audiophiles, what do you think?

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Yes, there are a ton of iPhone amplifiers out there. However, this eco-amp is different in that it is made from FSC Certified 100% Post Consumer paper and can be assembled/disassembled as needed. Think of it as an ultra simple and somewhat temporary option for increasing your iPhone’s sound output. You can, of course, also recycle it when its lifespan is complete.

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If you’ve ever found yourself cupping your hand around the iPad’s speaker in order to get a louder or clearer sound, take note of this little ‘ear’ that clips onto the iPad’s corner. Sounds are projected towards you for better hearing and higher frequencies get a bigger boost.

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I’ve had the Card Speaker on my wish list for a while now but I think I’ve found a replacement with the release of this new speaker. The Nixon TPS is a portable speaker system made for media players and notebook computers. The battery charges through USB and is good for 6 hours of jams. Two can be linked together for enhanced stereo separation and volume. Available in silver, green, and black.
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The more stuff made out of recycled paper, the better. So why not speakers? These speakers by Balance Studio are made from recycled paper pulp and use vibration speaker technology to “intensify the sound through the surface on which they stand, as well as through the hollow space inside the doughnut.” Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

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Don’t get too excited, it’s not a modern day earhorn for your less-than-great hearing (though I suppose you could try it out to see if it works), it’s an analog acoustic speaker for the iPhone 4. You know all about acoustic speakers, as we’ve posted several, but this pint sized version seems all the more charming because of its size (and because it looks like an earhorn).

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Can you guess what this is from the photo above? If your guess had anything to do with earbuds, you’re right. AIRbudz is an earbud attachement that allows you to hear ambient noise while you’re listening to music. When you’re out walking or running, certain noises can alert you to potential safety hazards (like bikes, cars, buses) and unfortunately your regular headphones muffle, if not completely silence, those sounds that alert you to danger. The AIRbudz have air channels that let ambient noise in- thus keeping you aware of your surroundings without sacrificing your soundtrack. It’s currently a Kickstarter project, and for $10 or more you’ll get one of the first sets.
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Looking for a different sort of portable speaker? Dominic Odbert (aka Mr. Simo) takes old suitcases and transforms them into portable music speakers. Every BoomCase is constructed in California by hand and is made to produce the best sound possible. The BoomCase will last 9+ hours on a single charge (charger included) and can also be plugged in if you prefer. Pretty fun, aren’t they? A few are shown below, but see more of the selection at Decurate.
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These minimal headphones look very similar to the Ashidavox ST-90, but have been reworked for better sound and comfort. Music to your ears, right?
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