Logitech's Desktop 3-Port Hub And 2.1 Stereo Speaker Combo
WHY USB SPEAKERS? COMPACT - PORTABLE - SELF POWERED
Some are BETTER than others: These featured sound suprisingly good!
The best Universal Serial Bus audio based speaker systems can provide quality, pure
digital sound - and be powered with a single USB cable. Eliminate a tangle of
wires, potential battery issues, and power strip clogging transformers if you so desire. Compact and small external travel speakers compatible with Mac or PC slip into a laptops carry-case with room to spare. Enjoy great sound, higher volume levels and wider frequency response which most notebook and desktop computer's built-in speakers can't even begin to match.
LAPTOP TRAVEL SPEAKERS: BIG SOUND THAT'S MOBILE & LIGHTWEIGHT
Altec Lansing advances it's superlative 1-piece ORBIT travel speaker with a new version:The USB Orbit iM237
With Travel Case
- 1-Cable. Self-Powered. Solidly built. High quality speaker driver. USB cable management and flip-out tilt stand underneath. It refines and redefines it's predecessor without the need to futz with batteries.
Small doesn't have to mean wimpy. The original Tritton SoundBite Portable USB Digital Speaker System
(pictured in the sidebar) is the size of a Burger King Whopper. As top-rated reviews attest - kicks out impressively loud sound with well-engineerd sensitive drivers. It's metal speaker grille protected 52mm 'Sub-Woofer' is larger than drivers in the many portable notebook speakers - and you can hear the difference. Dual 28mm high-end drivers let you adjust stereo sound angle, and fold down for safe travel. Its USB 1.1 cable stores neatly in the base. SMART DESIGN from Tritton!
2nd Gen SoundBite:
NEW MODEL Sound Bite Xtreme USB Speaker : MP3 Input + Headphone Output Jack + Volume Control
This best-selling travel speaker now is even better: features a sleek black redesign with side-mounted volume control, stereo MP3 in jack, and headphone jack. Improved tweeters feature a metal grille that now protects the dual high-end drivers. Nice! Prefer shopping at NewEgg.com? Find the SoundBite Xtreme Speaker here.
Creative Labs N-400 Dual - Driver USB Speakers
. Two 2" high-performance full-range drivers and includes travel case. Compact 7"x3"x2" size. Features an on-board control panel, volume up-down, previous-next track, play & pause. A quality audio solution for mobile presentation professionals.
Innovative 2-piece Coagent SP001U MusiCAN travel speakers
. These lock together for travel, then separate for wide stereo field. Thoughtful cable management and speaker grill center strip protectors, as well as a beveled base so that when detached, the speakers sit angled and point at you. Smart speaker enclosure design!
Another single-cable solution that sounds REALLY GOOD: Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers
features a 50mm Active driver - and a 75mm High-Excursion Passive Radiator cone to enhance low-end frequency response: Logitech's specs state down to 70Hz bass response. Although Logitech offers a more compact V10 Series, their sound quality doesn't match the V20.
Likewise, the smarter choice of siblings in Altec Lansing's product line is in a Dual Active Driver Speaker (with Microphone, Aux input jack for iPod, and optional Subwoofer output jack too!) is the Altec Lansing 2-Piece Portable X-T2 Speakers
. Supporting two power options, it outputs 1.5 watts of sound output over USB - but also includes an AC adapter for 4 watt output when external-power is available. Sounds better than it's kid-brother, the slightly cheaper XT1.
3-Way Power Options: USB + Battery + AC
Yamaha's highly-regarded upscale Yamaha NX-U10SL USB Powered Stereo Speaker (Silver)
uses special power-boost circuitry to claim more watts of sound over a 5 volt USB port. It can ALSO run off batteries - or AC power for 10 watts of volume. An 3.5mm audio-in jack for any MP3, iPod or audio source makes these HIGHLY VERSATILE SPEAKERS for any-use, any-where. Yamaha is known for its dual high-quality drivers and impressive portable bass response down past 80hz with its SR passive driver. A slimline design in Silver or Black color options makes this easily fit into a laptop carry case pocket.
Another super-thin, slip it in your laptop pocket speaker is the Sony VAIO Portable Speaker
featuring USB power.
From Roland's Edirol division known for it's Pro Audio Studio equipment - Here's an exceptional pair of separate stereo Edirol MA-1EX L/R Channel speakers 1.5 Watts
which have IMPRESSIVELY LARGE 60mm DRIVERS in a ported bass-reflex enclosure to improve its low-frequency range. Thump! at your Desktop or To-Go. These mini studio monitors feature a headphone headset jack and S/P DIF optical output as well.
SPEAKERS FOR THE ROAD-LESS DESKTOP... GOT POWER?
Tho not in the truly portable category - for those who spend most of your life at your desk, the Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers
which does require AC Power, is the loudest speaker of the bunch - and can clean up and consolidate your desktop considerably. Logitech's AC-powered 2.1 speakers feature a 75mm woofer and dual 50mm drivers that can be extended to wider laptops. External volume control with mute switch, 3-port USB 2.0 hub, and a special riser bracket to mount a webcam. Nice, multi-function combo unit with 15 watts RMS of very highly-rated audio quality and clarity - Low end frequency response goes down well below 40hz for good bass.
FOR MUSICIANS + PODCASTERS: USB AND ANALOG INPUTS
Alesis offers an interesting 10 watt AC powered set: Alesis M1Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair
(also rebranded as the ION Desk Rockers) with 3" Woofers & 1" High-End drivers - featuring multiple USB 2.0, 1/8", 1/4" and RCA stereo inputs for instruments, microphones, MP3, whatever - which feeds back into your computer for CD high-quality digital recording. 10 watts of high-end, mini studio monitor digital audio under $100.
THE BASIC-BLACK SPEAKER BOX
Available in Black or White - for a speaker tower needing only USB power -Yamaha USB Stereo Speaker
is a bit too chunky to throw in a laptop bag. But for the desktop, its an elegant one-cable solution for compact, high-quality enhanced stereo sound.
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL SPEAKERS - WITH iTUNES REMOTE
Logitechs USB 2.0 Speaker System
Logitech continues to innovate with dual Front-Rear facing Active + Passive speaker cones for omni-directional USB powered sound. Whether used with Windows or Apple Macintosh - the remote allows you to launch and control your favorite audio app like iTunes.
PORTABLE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Freedom To Roam - A Growing Market
Compact stereo BlueTooth receiver/transmitter enabled audio speakers can provide cell phone, desktop computer and laptop users with flexible listening options around the house or office. These compact wireless speakers may designed for mobile use, or sitting on a bookshelf ready to Pair. The huge iPhone market is still waiting for Version 3.0 iPhone software to better support BlueTooth A2DP - Advanced Audio Distribution Profile - tho many other cell phones already support this stereo audio standard.
WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS ARRIVING
Improvements in Bluetooth transmission speeds to Version 2.0 + EDR, audio technology using the A2DP Profile designed to transfer 2-channel wire-less stereo audio stream, and Operating System support in Vista/XP and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard are delivering wireless Bluetooth speaker solutions that work - today! It's not just for cell-phone headsets any more. For example, check out: Yamaha's Bluetooth Stereo Speaker Tower
or the Altec-Lansing Soundblade Blue-Tooth A2DP Speaker/Speakerphone
allow you to roam a room or two away in wireless freedom.
MAC USER? Visit these Mac OSX Bluetooth Speaker Systems pages for more specific info and solutions for OSX Leopard, OSX 10.4 Tiger gotcha's and iPhone 3GS Bluetooth audio options
SoundMatters LMB BlueTooth LiOn Powered Portable Speaker
- this admittedly pricey system promises audiophile quality drivers in an ultra-compact form factor.
Artdio Bluetooth 2.1 Stereo
3" woofer, dual 2" drivers give this BT speaker + microphone combo high-watt full range output.
Best-Selling BlueTooth Stereo Speaker From Sony
Runs on 3 AA batteries or A/C power and delivers 6 watts of portable travel Bluetooth audio.
BlueAnt M1 Bluetooh SoundBar
Compatible with any Bluetooth A2DP device, phone, PC or Mac computer -- the BlueAnt's built-in Subwoofer with bass boost enhance button delivers punch in a compact size. Includes AC adapter and car charger and features a 1/8" - 3.5mm audio input jack for iPod or other audio device.
1394 FIREWIRE SPEAKERS? YES!!
LaCie FireWire 1394 Hi-Power Digital Audio Speakers
With more OOOMPH! power in a 6-pin Fire-Wire port than a USB port can provide - (Technically more volts and amps) - This unique 1394 audio based speaker system, with a high-quality pair of drivers can deliver a decidedly louder sound. Check out Lacie's Dual Firewire Speaker
- as an alternative to reduce the load on your USB bus or your clogged hub. With many external drives having dual FireWire ports, these speakers can be daisy-chained to them as well.
CHEAP? LOW-COST BUDGET USB SPEAKER
One Simple Cable - Stereo Sound $12 Free ShippingLogitech's value USB speakers can satisfy your ears and the cheapsake in you.
POD PEOPLE! iPOD Pure-Fi SOUNDBAR 2 GO
Logitech's PURE-FI ANYWHERE 2 Non-USB portable speaker
This speaker does so many things Soooooooo right: A RECHARGEABLE battery/AC powered portable speaker with Universal iPod Dock connector that charges your iPod while you listen + a 3.5mm aux input jack for laptop computer or any MP3 device.. 2" active, 3" passive bass drivers, and a remote control. 10 hour battery life for all-day travel audio. I held this razor-thin soundbar in my hand I was absolutely impressed by it's smooth sound quality and response. On a shelf, at your desktop, or on the road - it's another quality, mature audio product from Logitech. Here's hoping an ANYWHERE Rev 3 version might also support a direct USB connector for audio and charging and iPod sync and it will be a perfect product. 4 out of 5 smart features ain't bad.
