These days most folks want their speakers to be heard and not seen. Bose was one of the first companies to capitalize on this trend many years ago. For those of us who don't really want Bose due to let's say, compromised low end, we're starting to see a greater selection of speakers that don't disappear, but at least look nice next to our high-end TV.
The Shadow 25 from Monitor Audio is only 4 inches deep and is designed to be used as front, rear, and center channel. With sensitivity of 84 to 87db it should put out a respectable amount of sound paired with a quality amp or receiver, and look nice doing so.
There are times when you just want good sounding music in your kitchen or bedroom. You don't need super hi fi or stereo, you just want music that sounds good and works easily.
On sale now for $139 with free shipping see link at bottom of page for this special deal
In the past you'd be relegated to cheap clock radios that got squanky reception and had similar sound. With the advent of Network music players that deliver Internet radio reception is no longer a problem but decent sound and ease of use are still a concern.
The Logitech Squeezebox Network radio Radio to the rescue.
This is not a new product, it's been around for a few years now. The key is Logitech keeps making it better with software updates.
Setup
Setting up the Squeezebox is so easy it's almost silly. With a smallish 2.5" screen it walks you through the setup in a few steps. The only problem I ran into is FIOS gives you a 5 digit ascii code for your WEP as opposed to a 10 digit hex code, so I had to go online and use a ascii to hex converter to get a WEP code the unit would accept. (64 bit encryption). Once you register your account you're almost there.
The unit uses Apps that are downloaded and installed on the unit. You pick Pandora, Slacker or about a dozen others including Internet radio station networks and Facebook. If you have an account these you can set them up and off you go.
Online control. It's highly recommended that you log on to www.mysqueezebox.com and search for your device. You can use the online interface to install apps which is quicker than doing so through the device.
Using the Squeezebox Radio
This device is very intuitive and easy to use. It is mix between a clock radio and a car radio. For instance if you have a station playing you can simply push and hold one of the six preset buttons for 3 seconds and it instantly gives you a shortcut to that station, just like your car radio.
The scroll wheel interface is also easy to use to change and select stations, but setting it up via the online interface is easier. You can also control the unit from your iPhone, iTouch or Android phone with their free app. No matter which interface you use the device is quick to respond. With the app you could put the unit out of the way up on a shelf and never have to actually touch it.
Sound & Features
This is a small unit, suitable for a counter or nightstand. Given its size it has remarkable sound quality. It is also a mono (not stereo) device. Considering most iPod docks have speakers so close together stereo is not really missed. The unit has reasonable bass response that actually goes satisfyingly deep. Your not going to feel the bass but there is enough there for a kitchen or bedroom.
The bright color screen shows station and song information when available and is easily readable from a few feet away.
Multiple Squeezeboxes.
Another cool feature is you can have multiple Squeezeboxes throughout the house and control them with one app on you phone. This make these units a poor mans Sonos at less than half the cost.
Overall I'd have to say this is a great solution for those who want an easy way to listen to Internet music without a lot of fuss and technology getting in the way. Highly recommended.
Bluetooth speakers are all the rage, and why shouldn't they be. Everyone hates wires. Speaker docks are nice to be able to charge your iPod, iPhone or Android device but then it's not in your pocket. And for Android devices you have such a small choice of docks it's difficult to find one you will like.
Two Solutions for wireless speakers
Bluetooth and Apple's AirPlay are to great ways to get your music wirelessly to speakers in your house. AirPlay will only work from Apple devices so if you have an Android device or a Zune, you're pretty much going to have to use a Bluetooth speaker.
The Creative D200 Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Speaker
There are lots of Bluetooth speakers to choose from on the market today and some sound remarkably good! Today I picked up a Creative D200 Bluetooth speaker to review, so let's get going.
Unboxing.
The unit comes nicely packed along with a very short manual and a power cord.
Unpacked you can see the unit is pretty small. The regular sized sharpie gives you some sense of the size of the unit. It's high gloss black with only 3 buttons on top. The power adapter is normal sized but still large.
The Back
of the unit has a power button, input for the power cord and a jack for plugging in an external speaker. There is also a bass port to help enhance the bass output of this small speaker.
The Top
of the unit has the Bluetooth paring button and the volume up and down buttons
It would have been nicer if the power button were on the top but it's not a deal breaker.
Size Quality and Finish
Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 4.9 x 5.1 inches ; 4.6 pounds
Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
The D200 looks very nice and is relatively small. You won't be ashamed to have this on a table or counter. It has some heft and feels quite solid.
Sound and Performance
In the end the gadgetry is nice but how does it sound? Wonderful. Very smooth vocals and mids with decent highs. Despite it's size this speaker gives a very nice bass performance. Because of the port on the back you can play with location to increase or decrease the bass response, but overall it's very pleasing. The D200 gets loud enough to fill a 20 X 15 room with no problem and does so with remarkable stereo separation. (all factors considered)
Hooking the D200 up was no problem. I enabled Bluetooth on my iPhone, held down the button on the unit and within seconds my phone had found the unit and was ready to start playing music. You can do this with multiple devices. My Android phone worked just as well.
I was able to roam at least 30 feet from the speaker and still play music with no problem. If I moved further than 35 feet however it did drop out.
Overall this is a very nice sounding wireless speaker I can easily recommend for a kitchen, bedroom or other location where you need music without wires.
These days most folks want their speakers to be heard and not seen. Bose was one of the first companies to capitalize on this trend many years ago. For those of us who don't really want Bose due to let's say, compromised low end, we're starting to see a greater selection of speakers that don't disappear, but at least look nice next to our high-end TV.
