Pioneer launches slimline AirPlay music tap systems

Unless we get another iHome iW1 story we should see quite a few AirPlay speakers and sound systems hitting the market in October, including a duo slimline wireless AirPlay multi-room systems from Pioneer in the form of the X-SMC3-K and X-SMC5-K.

Both systems are quite featured packed, including of course Apple AirPlay streaming through built in Wi-Fi and LAN connection, DLNA streaming, Internet radio, USB, and it even has a traditional docking station, although it does not support docking of your iPad. You can even enable bluetooth streaming if you want, which requires an additional adapter. The top model Pioneer X-SMC5-K also features DVD player and HDMI output.

At the front of the systems you find a 2.5-inch LCD screen giving you information about tracks, media, sources etc. In terms of performance, both systems feature dual channel digital amplifier that provides up to 2 x 20W RMS power output through dual full range drivers.

Pioneer X-SMC3-K and X-SMC5-K with AirPlay are now available from amongst other Amazon UK and John Lewis online with prices around £190 / £329.



[source: Pioneer via iPodRepublic]

JBL turns OnBeat speaker dock into AirPlay speaker with JBL OnBeat Air

The IFA 2011 in Berlin has been one long AirPlay festival with several new systems and speakers getting announced for release in the coming month or so, including the JBL OnBeat Air speaker dock.

JBL by Harman has already delivered one AirPlay speaker dock to the market with the JBL OnAir Wireless, which has received some luke warm receptions as one of the earlier AirPlay speakers to be released. Now it looks like JBL has taken a look at their already popular iPad speaker dock line-up, and basically added AirPlay functionality to the excisting OnBeat speaker dock, although i'm still waiting on confirmation as to the detailed specification of this new system.

Good news is that the JBL OnBeat Air will still have the same docking facilities as its 1.0 model, and price wise it will be at the more affordable range of the AirPlay speaker market at around £200 when it comes out sometime in October. In fact, it is already being listed at Amazon UK, but without any price or release details.

Altec Lansing inAir 5000 see the light of day

An Apple AirPlay speaker has been in the pipeline for a while now from the legendary audio manufacturer, and today the revealed their Altec Lansing inAir 5000 AirPlay speaker to the world.

Based on the pictures and the information available it looks like Altec Lansing is prepared to take the game directly to both B&W and Philips, delivering what looks like a very stylish and accomplished AirPlay speaker in the inAir 5000.

The lines are smooth and the black finish against the metal trimmings gives it that high-end feel that we are seeing from many of their main competitors as well. Inside the unit Altec has put 3 amps that drive the tweeters, mid-range drivers, and subwoofers. According to Altec Lansing, the whole system is designed to limit any soundwave obstructions and delivered a room filling best in class sound experience. Altec has the experience to potentially pull that off, but we won't know until we get a chance to listen to the system itself.

The Altec Lansing inAir 5000 is available from amongst other Amazon UK and HMV at around £430.

[source: WhatHiFi via iPodRepublic]

Sony SA-NS500 Portable Homeshare with Airplay support

It has been a busy day in the world of Apple AirPlay, with some new announcements from IFA 2011 in Berlin in regards to Philips Fidelio Airplay speakers, and a new arrival in the Loewe Air Speaker. Another established brand that is now joining the AirPlay speaker market is Sony with their Sony SA-NS500 Portable Homeshare speaker.

Sony has for long been delivering some of the best iPod speaker docks in the market, and it is nice to see them embracing Airplay streaming as well with SA-NS500 speaker. The design is different and they have been able to fit in 4 drivers and a subwoofer inside the relative small frame, as well as rechargeable battery that provides up to 5-6 hours of playback time. As well as AirPlay it is also reported to support DLNA streaming for those without Apple AirPlay devices.

Like so many other AirPlay systems it also supports multi-room set up and is designed to deliver a 360-degree sound experience.  According to Thisismynext.com which has had a chance to play around with the prototype, the sound experience it delivers is surprisingly 'full and loud'.

The Sony SA-NS500 Portable Homeshare Airplay speaker is expected out in October with a US price of $399, so likely around the £300-350 mark here in the UK.

Loewe Air Speaker with AirPlay coming in October

German audio brand Loewe has announced the release of their first Apple AirPlay speaker with the minimalistic and stylish Loewe Air Speaker.

As well as packing some good power into the Air Speaker with dual subwoofers, tweeters, and mid-range drivers, totaling 80W (RMS) power output, they have added some color options and customization to the system as well.

The base of the 'box' will be available in black and silver with a strong aluminum finish, whilst the top introduced some colorful replaceable panels that they say will be available in the entire RAL spectrum upon request. It is nice to see that they are incorporating some form of personalization into a system that with its design is already quite adaptable to settings and interior design.

Add in features like multi-room support, USB connection, and AUX-in, and you have a serious contender for the likes of B&W Zeppelin Air and Philips Fidelio Soundsphere DS9800 when the system arrives in October.

Price of the Loewe Air Speaker in the UK will be around £699.

[source: Loewe / WhatHiFi / iPodRepublic]

AQ Audio announces AQ Smart AirPlay speaker November release

UK based AQ Audio has through their website announced their first ever Apple AirPlay speaker in the sub £200 AQ Smart AirPlay speaker, a truly wireless speaker.

With the AQ Smart AirPlay speaker they have delivered one of the most affordable AirPlay speakers announced in the market to date, and it is a portable speaker as well, running off a rechargeable battery supporting up to 10-hours of playback when connected through Apple AirPlay, and 30-hours when in 'holiday' mode (connected using AUX input).

AQ Smart AirPlay speakers feature two built in drivers that are supported by patented ultra efficient digital amplifier, providing a total output power of up to 25W (2 x 13W) RMS. When you have two of the speakers in the same room you also automatically get the option of left/right mode for a better stereo sound experience. There is also multi room support, and ALL ROOM technology that enables sound wave dispersion for a true full room sound.

The AQ Smart AirPlay speaker from AQ Audio will be available in November priced at £199.

[source: AQ Audio]

iHome iW1 arrives at Amazon UK + end of august release date

Just days after the last update on the progress of the iHome iW1 AirPlay speaker, information has come out that iHome plans to release the much awaited (nearly a year) AirPlay speaker on the 31st August.

A quick scan of Amazon UK website shows that the iHome iW1 has arrived, but currently listed as 'out of stock'. I expect that to change in the coming days.




With a price point at around £300 it is amongst the cheaper AirPlay speakers announced to date, but time will tell if it also provides value for money as there are some strong alternatives around the same price class (read Sonos).

Altec Lansing wireless AirPlay speaker announced

Altec Lansing is the latest audio manufacturer to join the AirPlay team as they have announced through their website that an Altec AirPlay speaker is in the pipeline.

According to iPodRepublic.com they have confirmed through their Facebook page as well that the Altec AirPlay speaker will be launched in time for the all important holiday season/Christmas. This means that we could definitely be looking forward to some heavy AirPlay speaker promotions soon as there are already several new AirPlay speakers announced to be released in the coming months. Hopefully we will never see delays like with the iHome iW1 again!

As for the Altec Lansing wireless AirPlay speaker, little information is available on it yet, but their site confirms that it will feature a tri-amp system with two tweeters, two mid-range speakers and a subwoofer, so no run of the mill system.

iHome iW1 video and possible September release date

Nearly a year has passed since iHome first announced their coming iHome iW1 AirPlay speaker as one of the first audio manufacturers to embrace the Apple streaming technology. Finally there are signs that the iW1 might be launched soon, although a release date has not been confirmed yet.

iHome seems to have updated their product page for the iW1 AirPlay speaker and on their Facebook page they are reporting that the email opt-in is coming to an end and an announcement is imminent.

While we wait for the announcement, check out this video of the iHome iW1.

Denon rolls out black Ceol Noir AirPlay mini hifi

One of the first AirPlay enabled audio systems on the market was the Denon CEOL RCD-N7, an all white mini hifi system. Now they are giving the system a facelift through a second color option in the all black Denon Ceol Noir.

With the exception of the color change, which in my personal opinion makes the system look more upscale, it is largely the same system. The Denon Ceol Noir features a CD receiver with 2x65W (RMS) total power output, AirPlay streaming through the built in wifi or ethernet connection, network streaming (DLNA, FLAC, Napster and Last.fm), AM/FM radio, internet radio, and a USB connection for connecting other external audio sources. For those that still like to have the option to dock your iPod or iPhone for charging while listening there is a good old fashioned docking station at the top of the unit as well. A truly versatile system.

You can also choose to match the system with the all black Denon SC-N7 speakers or just use your own favourite speakers.

The Denon Ceol Noir will be available in the UK/Europe in September with an expected retail price of £500. I will be back with more information as soon as it becomes available.

Sounds like September will be a busy month for AirPlay speakers as it is also the time that Libratone Live and Lounge will be released, as well as more of the Philips AirPlay speakers.

[source: iPodRepublic]