Digital Summer Special: High-tech audio systems

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Several of the companies exhibiting at Digital Summer had some interesting audio technology on show.

There’s been plenty of talk about creating virtual surround sound from a pair of stereo speakers, but not so much (that I’ve heard of) about creating a wide stereo sound space from one speaker unit. Audio Pro, Geneva, and Orbitsound are all pushing technology that does just that. It sounds great, too.

Read on for five great home audio products, and please don’t let the iPod integration put you off…

Voyage Barbecue Grid sports many features, including iPod integration

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Surely proving that there’s nothing you can’t stick an iPod dock on to, the Voyage Barbecue Grid — albeit a prototype design — offers some fairly luxurious al fresco dining.

Designed to allow everyone to enjoy sitting around a barbecue, getting enveloped in smoke and watching the food turn black, the table features integrated chairs, a dishwasher, refrigerator — and that inevitable iPod dock…

The $25,000 ITC One entertainment home warehouse adds Blu-ray support

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It’s unlikely many of you are in the market for an ITC One, what with the gigantic SE2 Labs home entertainment solution costing about as much as a small Korean family hatchback.

The ITC One’s around the size of two PC cases, and already contains an Xbox 360, Wii, HD PVR, surround sound amp and processor, plus an iPod dock because every new electrical product launched

The KLIPSCH iGroove SXT – an iPod dock with top-quality sounds for a change

klipsch-igroove-sxt.jpgOK, it’s time to report on something I’m totally out of my depth on. Sound quality. I can just about tell the difference between stereo and mono if I pay attention and put my ears between the speakers, so can’t really say if “exclusive horn-loaded tweeter technology” is a good thing to have or not.

The iGroove also has “a true two-way, stereo sound system that employs dual long-
throw 6.4cm/2.5in woofers in a ported enclosure” which, again, might be market-leading or…

Philips launch seven-strong range of audio docking stations. Yes, they work with iPods

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Philips has gone into dock overload mode, as it prepares to launch seven docks that will provide “an extensive choice of how and when to connect and listen to devices”. Woot!

The range includes the compact AJ300D (pictured above) which is ideal for use in the bedroom (or anywhere you might fall asleep) as it features a dual wake-up alarm, in-built radio tuner, and iPod and Go Gear dock connection. It has five speakers using Philips’ wOOx technology that promises deep and powerful bass reproduction. Price £69.99.

Next up, the DCM230 has both an iPod / Go Gear dock, and USB Direct function that allows any other portable music player to be connected via USB. The two speakers each deliver 15W of power. Price £199.99.