The Unmonday 4.3L - Independent Ceramic Airplay Speaker is one of the most unique speaker solutions I've seen. Built with a hexagonal porcelain enclosure, this speaker boasts 10 hours of battery life, AirPlay compatibility and expandability. That last one is what this thing really brings to the table that's different. The 4.3L can be set up in Mono, Stereo, or Dolby Surround…
The Evoke Flow Portable Internet and FM Radio brings the stand-alone FM radio in to the 21st century. In addition to supporting the old over-the-air channels, the Evoke Flow hooks to the Internet, playing streams from thousands of Internet radio stations, podcast networks and news outlets. Want to play music from your computer over Wi-Fi? No problem. With an aux-in jack, hooking…
The Libratone Zipp is a wireless sound system wrapped in changeable Italian wool. With AirPlay built-in, wireless streaming from iOS is seamless. Speaker covers are sold separately with eight vivid colors to choose from. The speaker plays up to 8 hours wired or up to 4 hours wirelessly per charge. With a patented "FullRoom" technology, the $449 speaker is built to give…
If you're looking for a nice set of headphones with clean sound that are comfortable to wear for hours at a time, check out the Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones. I picked up a set on Amazon earlier this year, and simply love them. They are dynamic, closed-ear headphones meaning they won't bleed sound out around the over-ear cups. They are light-weight and…
If you want music outside by the pool (or the fire pit, this time of year), moisture is always a worry. The Turtle Shell Wireless Boom Box is a water-proof, battery-powered speaker system designed for use outdoors. With on-board Bluetooth and a 3.5mm input, you can use just about anything to play music through the system, and with 10 hours of battery…
We've talked about the tape-to-iPhone converter, but if your music is too cool for tape, there's a option for transferring music from LP, too. The iLP Digital Conversion Turntable is a $100 accessory for your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Simply play your tunes with the ION Audio EZ app launched and boom — you've got MP3 versions of your favorite vinyl-based tracks.…
White earbuds have been a cultural icon for a decade now. While they used to lead to devices like the iPod mini, these days, they're usually connected to an iPhone. As prevalent as they are, the design of Apple's earbuds hasn't been universally praised. With the company's new "EarPods," Apple's trying to change that. Apple touts that its Industrial Design team tested…
The Bose MIE2i Mobile Headset brings the company's well-known audio gear to the iPhone with all of the modern niceties, including built-in mic and controls, just like Apple's headphones. The headphones come with Bose's "StayHear" technology that is designed to give greater in-ear stability during walking and exercising. The tips come in three different sizes to ensure the best fit.
If you're a child of the 80s and 90s, you know some of the best music in the world was put out on cassette. Sadly, as times have changed, not everything that was on tape is available digitally. There are lots of ways to get audio from tape to a file, but this might be the most clever. The new Cassette To…
The Jawbone JAMBOX is a portable Bluetooth speaker designed to make listening to audio from iOS devices easy (and stylish). It's got 10 hours of battery life, a Bluetooth range of up to 33 feet and a built-in microphone for calls. The new "JAMBOX THE REMIX" takes the $199 speaker and adds nearly-endless customization options. With 13 options for the grille and…
This is the original leather guitar pick, made with Shell Cordovan, which is one of the most rare leathers in the world, taking 6-7 months to produce just 2 square feet of the material. Cordovan picks last longer than traditional leather picks, and sound more like a traditional plastic pick, just a tad warmer. The material will form to your grip, making…
While Shawn's Blue Yeti USB Microphone was my rig of choice for almost a year, I recently upgraded to the Rode Podcaster and have been very impressed so far with the microphone. With a 28mm dynamic capsule, the Rode captures broadcast-ready sound to your Mac or PC over USB. The dynamic microphone's built-in headphone amp means you're getting the audio as quickly…
If you want great sound on the go, and don't want to haul your Soundsticks around, the Philips ShoqBox SB7200 is the way to go. The Bluetooth portable speaker is shock and splash-proof, so its great for use in the backyard or on a hike. The built-in ring can be used to clip the speaker to a bag or belt for easy…
Harman Kardon's Soundsticks have been around since most of Apple's hardware matched the sound system's transparent plastic hardware. The third generation features 40 watts of power, a 3.5mm stereo connection and touch volume controls. I had the second-generation speakers in college, and they got me through many long hours of homework. The unique looks and good sound always led people to comment…
With integrated Bluetooth v2.1, the Vers 1Q is a speaker built in to a 3" wood cube with a 30’ range and estimated 10+ hours of battery life. The speaker itself is mono, but when used with a second 1Q, transforms into a 13-watt, stereo sound system. The Kickstarter campaign has been successful, with the team behind the 1Q blowing past their…
Sennheiser is world-renown for their quality in sound equipment. They make great headphones, in-ear monitors, and earbuds. And these iPhone-friendly earbuds which feature the in-line microphone and sound-isolating rubber tips are currently on a fire sale at Amazon. Now's a great time to get professional-grade ear buds for what a pair of the stock white Apple replacements would cost.
The Jawbone Jambox is a Bluetooth speaker rig that packs a surprising amount of punch. When I first turned mine on I was shocked at the clarity and fullness that such a small speaker box could produce. It connects to any device that has Bluetooth (such as your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, etc...) and can pump the jams for over 8 hours.…