DREAMGEAR Audio Box
September 2, 2009 by Technorati Search for: mp3 players · Leave a Comment
Kingston Technology Receives 1333MHz DDR3 Memory Validation for Upcoming Core i5 Platform from Intel
July 16, 2009 by Technorati Search for: mp3 players · Leave a Comment
KEF Picoforte 1 Speaker Dock System for iPod Black
May 24, 2009 by Mp3 Players Review · Leave a Comment
KEF Picoforte 1 Speaker Dock System for iPod Black
The New KEF Picoforte 1 Digital Component Audio System including the KEF 1001 speakers delivers big sound from the smallest package. KEF has 45 innovative years of award winning high-end loudspeaker design, and it all goes into the new KEF Picoforte 1 iPod docking station. The result is a compact component audio system with a no-compromise sound output for the way we live today. Simply dock and play to fill the room with vibrant, detailed sound that will revolutionize the way you experience your iPod. The iPod charges as it plays, so you enjoy music without interruption. Its sleek, slender design fits almost any room’s dcor. And the included remote lets you control the iPod system from across the room. Furthermore, KEF Uni-Q “sit anywhere” technology means that you can enjoy the same rich stereo image wherever you sit. The compact and flexible Picoforte is designed to be simple to set up, while having the flexibility to adapt to your personal environment. The system is supplied with a more than generous supply of speaker cable, so that speakers can be positioned as far apart as you desire. The optional subwoofer connection means that bass lovers have their dreams answered, and the S-Video connection means that you can use a TV screen to display song titles (in a range of supported languages) or even play movies (where supported). Compatible with the following models: iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G; iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great Sound and Looks – Outclasses almost everything else at its price point
Every product is good at a certain price. At its $400 list, the PicoForte 1 was not a great value, but at anything below $200, it’s a steal. KEF (Kent Engineering and Foundry) is an old-line, British manufacturer of some well respected and expensive high end speakers. In fact, I own a pair of floor standing KEF104/2, which were made in the mid 80’s and are still considered by audiophiles to be one of the best speakers ever produced. So I was intrigued to see KEF offering the PicoForte 1 for the iPod. At the current price, I was willing to try out this product despite the fact that, as of this writing, there isn’t even a single review on it.
The PicoForte 1 arrived quickly from Vanns via Amazon. The unit was very well packaged, with its two metal speakers protected inside cloth bags and everything well laid out in a styrofoam case. If you are considering this for a gift, the packaging and unboxing really does make for a good presentation. From the get-go, this units reeks of quality. What differentiates it from most other sub $500 systems is the material – no cheap plastic – just metal. It is heavier and has a considerably nicer appearance than most other iPod speaker units I have seen. Though the PicoForte 1 is small, the sound is surprisingly full and clear. The small, heavy, solid-metal speaker cabinets have unremovable metal grills and can play loud enough to fill a small to medium sized room. The sound quality is also a step above most units of this size. The mids and treble can be described as clear, sweet and precise, unlike the muddy and often bloated and fatiguing sound typical of almost any speaker crying out from a plastic enclosure. Bass extension from the 3 inch driver is definitely limited, but still clear as far as it goes. There is both a sonic and a physical integrity that is rarely found in units of this size and price. The PicoForte 1 trounces the Bose Soundock/Soundock two in sound-quality, price, and fit and finish, but trails it badly in number of Amazon reviews – the Soundock having hundreds, while this will be the PicoForte’s first. Bose SoundDock digital music system for iPod (White) I can also compare the PicoForte 1 to the highly rated Logitec Pure-Fi Anywhere Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere Compact Speakers for iPod (Black) (2006 model) which I own and use for travel as it can run on batteries. The all-plastic Purefi unit sounds good and can fill a hotel room with sound and is very good for spoken audio podcasts and acceptable for music. The KEF outclasses this unit sonically, but of course the KEF is not a portable. If your music listening absolutely requires volume and a lot of bass, then the JBL 2.1 Creature (and newer versions of this system) is one that I both own and can recommend. JBL – Spot 2.1 Speaker System I bought the JBL Creature from Amazon for about $40 (!) and it has hundreds of Amazon reviews from satisfied users. For deep bass and room filling volume, the JBL is hard to beat. But it does not have the same sonic integrity that the Picoforte 1 has.
In my opinion, the PicoForte is best employed as a bedside, near-field iPod music system because it delivers high quality sound, even at low volumes, and its small speakers offer versatility in placement. Using the small, credit card style remote with its 18, bubble-type buttons works fairly well, but takes a little getting used to, especially in the dark. It allows you to operate almost all of the iPod’s functions, however, navigation is slower and definitely more cumbersome than using the iPod directly. From considerable personal experience, I have discovered that the remote can be easily misplaced. I am now in the habit of parking it in a space directly in front of the amp unit after each use. BTW, I can confirm that the new iPod classic version 6 works well with the PicoForte, however, I have not tried any of its video out functions. I can state with certainty that my 6G iPod classic both charges and functions via the remote just as well as my earlier iPods do. I also have a 4G and 5G iPod and all work well with the PicoForte. The benefit of getting sound from the iPod’s line out dock is that you bypass the noisy amplifier/headphone circuitry and tap into a signal earlier in the signal path which is more pristine. The PicoForte 1 has a class D amplifier that puts out 35 watts per stereo channel which is very good, considering the small size of this unit. At the very lowest sound levels the amp emits a clearly audible hiss in the background. Fortunately, as you increase the volume, the hiss increases only slightly – you won’t be able to hear it at all with music at a moderate volume.
Now a few words about my setup. While this unit will certainly deliver very listenable background music while you are going about your routine in your kitchen or den, the PicoForte really excels in near-field listening positions. If you set this unit up in the headboard of your bed, you may be in for a real treat. Place the speakers several inches away from your ears, making sure the tweeters are at ear level. If you can imagine a sort of headphone set up, but using these little speakers instead of ear-cups, you will be on the right track. With the speakers on either side of your head, about 6 to 12 inches away from each ear, pointing directly at your earholes, you can get some truly amazing imaging and take full advantage of the systems excellent sonic clarity. Listening to classical or acoustic jazz in this position, lying on my back, head on my pillow, and speakers towed in and close to each ear, the sound is almost magical. Similar to a headphone experience, some music images inside my head, however the soundstage is huge; far exceeding what even the best headphones can do. I can clearly hear the air and space in the room where the music was recorded. The reverberations and echos in recordings stand out, which really brings the music to life in a 3D sort of way. In normal listening circumstances, you are only getting maybe 25% of the sound directly radiating from the speaker cones – the remaining 75% of the sound is reflected to your ears off the walls, floor and furniture causing all sorts of degradation in sound. This is the problem that near-field listening overcomes. Near-field listening is used in recording studios so that the engineer can hear exactly what is going on in a mix without the interference from colorations created by the room. The PicoFortes are especially good for near-field listening because the speaker has the tweeter embedded in the center of the woofer cone. KEF calls this Uni-Q . This avoids sonic confusion from having sound emanating from two positions as is the case with most speakers that have a separate woofer and tweeter. For near field listening, having the sound emanate from the same point is a real advantage.
KEF also makes a higher priced PicoForte 3, with upgraded speakers featuring a similar Uni-Q driver. The PicoForte 1’s amplifier unit looks to be exactly the same as KEF’s more up-market model. The Picoforte 3 (rated at the same 35 watts per channel as the PicoForte 1) lists for $600 but is discounted only to $500 (as of this writing). [[ASIN:B000VT0LZ4 KEF PicoForte 3 Black iPod Docking Speaker System The Picoforte 1 appears to be the genuine bargain. At this price you are getting something that I suspect will likely last longer, sound better and look better than any other similar option I know of. And you can introduce yourself to a smidgen of what the audiophile experience is about.
I will close with a tip; always rip your music at the highest bit rate you can – Apple lossless being the best. MP3s ripped at 128 bits can sound pretty awful on a good system. Currently, there is some advantage in having small file sizes so that you can squeeze more music on your iPod. But remember that hard drives and RAM are doubling in size every year. Several years from now you will be glad you opted for high quality sound instead of efficiency of size, which will have no utility. One more tip. The stock speaker wire that comes with the PicoForte is long and thin. I believe I improved the sound quality maybe 5 to 10% by replacing it with a much shorter, much thicker gage of wire that I bought from an audio shop for about $15.
iArmbands Microsoft Zune ArmBand Arm Band fits Zune30 1G Zune80 2G and Zune120 3G
April 29, 2009 by Mp3 Players Review · Leave a Comment
iArmbands Microsoft Zune ArmBand Arm Band fits Zune30 1G Zune80 2G and Zune120 3G
BLACK neoprene armband made just for the MICROSOFT ZUNE30, ZUNE80, AND NEW ZUNE 120! Brand new, never worn, still in the plastic package!! These great armbands fit arms from 7.5 to 15 inches and have a clear window to protect your screen. Great cutout for controlling the click wheel. Easily control the play/pause/back button through the protective neoprene! Pocket dimensions: H – 4.5″, W – 2.5″, D – .7″
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great for running, biking, working out!
These neoprene zune armbands are great for working out, running, biking, etc.
The armband is water resistant and holds 30 and 80 gb zunes well!
Great armband!
3 Stars So Far so good
Controls are not easily accessible but holds zune securely, so far it works for me.
3 Stars Great product, with one small hitch
Got the product rather fast, which was great and it’s a good quality armband and the zune fits right in there. The problem I ran into is it doesn’t quite fit around my arms. The length is a little too short if you have bigger arms, which is unfortunate because other that that it would of worked great!
5 Stars The best value armband for Microsoft Zune
Very good material, nice fit, great price!! Overall this armband is one of the best Microsoft Zune armbands out there. I will never pay $30 + for an armband again. Do yourself a favor and buy this for your Microsoft Zune.
5 Stars Great value!
I am a runner and needed something to keep my bulky zune in place while working out. This product is great! The Zune does not flop around and sits firmly in place mile after mile. The neoprene does not irritate the skin when sweating and the velcro enclosure ensures that the piece stays where it should. Great armband, great value!