droolicious : speakers

Gloomy Bear Gets Loud

SunnyChanel — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:30:00 GMT

The Gloomy Bear is …let’s say…an acquired taste. Yes, this pink plush doll looks cute and cuddly but the dripping blood on its long nails tells a whole different story. This cult character from Japan has been popular with the edgy set for quite a while and now the Gloomy Bear is getting’ loud.

This new incarnation of the bear features speakers in his feet. Yup, nine inches of plush portable speaker action. The bear is available here for $26.99 (pre order available now). He may be a wee but gory for the nursery, but maybe you could invest in a little pair of bear gloves to cover up the evidence of his bloody past.

CES 2009: Pyro Army Chair From Pyramat

Chris Ford — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Here's a new gaming chair from Pyramat that I thought was pretty cool - the Pyro Army Chair. Like some of the other Pyramat chairs it has four speakers (two at the top, two at the bottom) and a big subwoofer. It's called "Army I suppose because of the camouflage patterns and has loads of pockets for whatever your son (most likely) wants to put in them.

What I liked the most about this version though is that it can be linked up to other Pyramat chairs - up to eight in total - so more than one person can enjoy the video game, movie, or whatever other audio source you have plugged into it. Each chair will have to have it's own separate power, but the audio plugs just into the first chair, and is distributed to the other chairs from the first.

The Pyro Army Chair should be available in four to six months an should retail for around $129.

CES 2009: Vibe By X Rocker - A Vibrating Stage For Rocking Rock Band

Chris Ford — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Judging by the number of booths at CES with something Rock Band or Guitar Hero related, you'd think that everyone was pretending to be a rock star at home. We've seen some cool video game chairs, but this thing gets my vote for most unique Rock Band accessory. The Vibe by X Rocker isn't a chair, but a vibrating Rock Band stage for you to dream your dreams on.

Basically what you're doing is standing on a big speaker - actually three speakers. It's got stereo sound and a giant subwoofer with also some sync lighting thrown in for effect. But the cool part about it is the massive vibration you feel when you're playing the game. It's definitely not for all night gaming sessions, but if you and your kids are Rock Band obsessed it's something you should definitely check out.

Vibe from X Rocker will retail for around $99 and should be available in Q2 of 2009.

CES 2009: Parrot By Starck - Wireless Speaker System

Chris Ford — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:30:00 GMT

Parrot by Starck isn't for kids or even families really (at least not families with a normal budget). But the modern design and Starck name is making me add it to the long list of cool stuff at CES 2009. What you're looking at is basically the most expensive iPod docking station I've ever seen, with a few bells and whistles thrown in too.

Parrot by Starck are two wireless speakers that work together via bluetooth, and they show up on your wireless network. What this means is that you can play music from your computer, iPod or any other source on your home network. In fact, the only cord to these speakers is a power cord. I have to admit they did sound pretty great, but what you're paying for obviously is the look and the Starck name.

Parrot by Starck, $1500 (for the pair) and should be available in the US in April.

CES 2009: iHome iHM77 Portable Mini Speakers

Chris Ford — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT

These little speakers from iHome may be small, but the sound they produce is pretty big. The iHM77 are the perfect little portable speakers for a laptop or for an iPod or IPhone that you or your kids don't want to plug headphones into. They are rechargeable, collapse into a capsule (pictured on the right) when you're not using them, and will cost you $49.99.

Check them out at iHomeAudio.com

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Ritmo Prenatal Audio Belt

Chris Ford — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:27:00 GMT

This one is way outside the "normal" baby products at ABC, but that's what makes it fun. The quickest way I can describe it is the Ritmo are headphones for your baby, while your baby is still in utero.

The RItmo is a belt with four small speakers (that pop out for easy belt cleaning) that you put around your pregnant belly. The speakers are placed in the four places your baby (in theory) should be. There's also a small amplifier that you plug your iPod or other personal music device into. Then the music you're listening to can be the same music your baby is listening to. I've seen other "womb sound" music devices before, but never one so elaborate.

The Ritmo should be available January of 2009 and will cost around $99. Check it out at nuvo-group.com.