The latest design in bluetooth headset devices features a modern textured surface in a contoured chassis. The Nuvos Zini is comfortable to wear, and fashionable yet offers a crystal clear sound and excellent transmission. The Zini also features a no-button one piece top casing that adds to the simplicity and ease of use, while maintaining its elegant design.

There are currently three colors being offered: Black, Silver and Champagne. Each comes with a standard USB cable charger that can be plugged on any device that transmits USB power. Charging is quick, easy while consuming low energy. The Zini also comes in an attractive gift box to compliment it’s classy design.

Features

• Ultra-slim, modern and elegant design
• Lightweight contoured chassis and comfortable to wear
• Easy to use no-button one piece top casing
• Quick charging while consuming little power through included USB charging cable
• Available in Classic Black, Pewter Silver, and Champagne colors

The X-Mini Max II Capsule Speaker could almost fit in a pocket, if not for its egglike shape. When the two modules are connected for transport (called “capsule mode”), the unit measures just 4 inches long and 2.5 inches around at its widest point. A relatively strong magnet keeps them in this position, but when you want to listen to music, you simply pull the modules apart and set them upright. A twist of the tops pops them out accordion-style for maximum bass. Around the base of each speaker you’ll find a power switch, an aux-in jack, a Mini-USB port, and an indicator light. The LED glows red during charging and blue when the modules are powered on.

Connecting an MP3 player or other audio source to the X-Mini Max II is a simple matter of attaching the included four-way cable. This rather messy setup includes two Mini-USB attachments, a 3.5mm straight plug, and a standard USB male connector. The USB male cable attaches to the computer for charging purposes, while the rest are used for enjoying audio through the speakers. X-Mini also offers an optional accessory called the Buddy-Jack, which lets you create a virtually endless daisy chain of Max II modules.

The look and presentation of both the X-mini II and MAX II were above our expectation when they turned up at our doorstep. We rarely use the word cool for describing gadgets in our review, but the two speakers are certainly worthy of this description. The reason for that is because of the excellent build quality, the matte rubber material used on its overlying external surface, and did we mention how sturdy and durable it feels? For a company that is relatively new, we believe XMI has done a brilliant job in launching such quality products from the very start. If you were to not know of its brand and just base on looking at its build quality, we would not be able to differentiate it from the likes of Logitech, Creative and Microsoft products. Except one thing though, these companies just mentioned rarely launch products with designs as fun and as innovative as this.

As you may be aware from the pictures, the X-mini MAX II consists of two speakers out of the box. The clever design in this is that they stick together due to the magnets in place at its bottom end, this obviously prevents you from losing the other one but also makes it less messy, afterall these speakers are meant to be portable and carried around.

The Expedition 510i (XP510i) is an all-in-one portable PA system that offers outstanding power and convenience. The pro-level performance of the XP510i begins with a pair of dual 2-way speakers with 10-inch woofers, complemented by a 1-inch titanium tweeter in a 60° x 90° horn. These speakers will provide dynamic low-end qualities and broad dispersion in any performance space.

The XP510i features an internal 500 watt Class D powered mixer equipped with seven total mic/line and stereo inputs, phantom power, an integrated iPod dock, and ten studio-quality 24-bit digital effects to shape a customized sound for each and every performance. In addition, the speakers, mixer, and integrated 1 3/8-inch speaker stand mounts can be transported as a single compact bundle that weighs just over 50 pounds.

Thanks to its clever design and comprehensive feature set, the XP510i Portable PA offers an ideal solution for a variety of PA applications. Musical Performance

Though the XP510i was designed for providing quality sound reinforcement in musical settings, the dynamic range of musical settings that can benefit from the system’s features is unparalleled. Whether you’re a singer/songwriter gigging in a small coffee shop, a full band practicing in a medium-sized rehearsal space, or a DJ entertaining 500 people at a large club, the XP510i will ensure your sound is well suited for your space. In addition, the system’s speaker enclosures lend themselves perfectly to a variety of musical performances when being used as floor monitors. Professional Presentation.

In addition to all students, teachers and professors utilizing the XP510i in some of the same circumstances as business professionals (presentations, audio playback), the system possesses some functions unique to music education. The unit is ideal for directing large instrumental ensembles. The XP510i will help conductors keep even their percussionists on task. Thanks to it’s integrated iPod dock, soloists and small ensembles can practice along with recorded accompaniment. Also, the XP510i’s audio playback abilities make the analysis of recorded music easier, as well as a more interactive listening and educational experience.

MSRP: $949 USD; Street, $699.

Specs:

• Dual 2-way speaker enclosures, powered mixer with built-in 500 watt (2 x 250) Class D amplifier
• Packs up into a single portable unit that weighs just over 50 pounds
• 10-channel mixer with built-in iPod dock, four mic/line inputs, three stereo inputs and phantom power
• Custom 10-inch woofers in 2-way vented enclosures with
• 1-inch high frequency driver
• Ten studio-quality 24-bit digital effects
• Integrated 1-3/8-inch speaker stand mounts
• Enclosures tilt back for use as floor monitors
• Cables included

The kit consists of the main unit housing the different audio aspects, two satellite speakers along with leads and a small remote control unit.  The main unit, measuring 180 x 120 x 309mm and weighing 3.6kg, features a coloured faceplate with then extends in two strips along its top.  The two speakers are designed to lay flat a surface, rather than the usual upright stance, with measurements of 122 x 118 x 287mm and a weight of 1.4kg.  Again there is a colour faceplate but this time there is a circular cut out area for the speaker grill.

The front of the main unit has a 125 x 20mm display panel mounted just above the CD tray that has its own dedicated eject button.  Taking up a central position beneath the CD tray is a large volume knob.  To the left of this knob are the power button, USB port and sockets for attaching headphones and an external device such as an MP3 player.  Buttons for selecting the input source, stop and play/pause are arranged to the right of the volume control.  The iPod dock, supplying charging and playing functionality, is situated on top of the box.  Mains power, flexible indoor FM/DAB antenna and quick release speaker lead connections are all located at the rear of the unit.

njoy All Your Favorite Music
The MCR-040 puts your favorite music sources within easy reach. It’s got a CD player, an FM radio, USB and mini jack inputs for portable audio devices, and a dock on top for an iPod, which you can control with the handy card-sized remote control. The iPod and USB device charge both while in use and in standby mode. What’s more, it has both a clock timer and a sleep timer.

Perfectly Matched Amp and Speakers
Both the amp and speakers are designed for high efficiency and performance, so the sound is bigger and better than you expect from components of this size. They were also planned and carefully tested for best audio integration.

Advanced YST Technology Delivers Big Bass Sound
Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology (YST) is a major reason for the high performance of Yamaha speakers, and is especially suited for small speakers. The CD receiver and speakers work together, using negative impedance drive to produce small low-frequency signals, which are enhanced to large outputs by precisely designed speaker cabinet and port. The result is powerful, accurate bass that seems to be coming from a much larger speaker.

Features

• CD Player
• FM Radio
• Made for iPod
• USB port
• Mini jack input
• Advanced YST (Yamaha Active Servo Technology)
• CD Text Display
• Remote control
• Clock timer, sleep timer
• 2 4 in detachable 15 W speakers

Color Options

• MCR-040OR (Orange)
• MCR-040LBU (Light Blue)
• MCR-040WH (White)
• MCR-040RE (Red)
• MCR-040LG (Light Gray)
• MCR-040PI (Pink)
• MCR-040GN (Dark Green)
• MCR-040DBU (Dark Blue)
• MCR-040BR (Brown)
• MCR-040DG (Dark Gray)

The hollow-sounding speaker enclosure is made from matte plastic with a cloth in front to hide the drivers. The two buttons to control the volume and a Bluetooth mode switch are located on the front this time. But unlike its dearer cousin, these sound tacky and feel cheap to the touch. On the rear are the bass port, 3.5mm port, power socket and a traditional cost-saving slider power switch.

Pairing is identical to the D200′s procedure of pressing and holding down the Bluetooth button on the speaker until a beep is heard and the LED starts flashing. The LED stays green if it’s running on an analog connection, but turns blue to show the speaker is actively connected to a device.

Having batteries makes the D100 unique compared with the rest of the range. With four AA-size cells installed, the D100 becomes a truly wireless speaker. We took it along on many of our outdoor endeavors (a picnic at the beach actually) just for the sake of testing Creative’s claim of 20 hours of wireless Bluetooth-connected playback. Here’s a point to note: Most mobile phones and MP3 players will not last that long when Bluetooth-ed and playing music at the same time.

The cylindrical shape of the Creative D100 is physically larger than the Logitech Z515, but it actually weighs just 2.2 pounds so you can easily move it around your house or stuff it in a picnic basket to add tunes to your outing. Creative offers it in blue, pink, green, or black to accommodate a variety of palettes, but we wish that it came with a protective case like the one included with the Logitech Z515.

The design is very straightforward, with Bluetooth and volume controls spread across a small strip of plastic on the front of the device, and an on/off switch, auxiliary-in port, and the power port rounding out the rear. On the bottom of the speaker, you’ll find four rubber feet to prevent the D100 from slipping across a tabletop as well as a battery cover that slides off to reveal a compartment for the four AA alkaline batteries you need to power the device on the go. Unlike the Z515, the D100 doesn’t come with a built-in rechargeable battery (which accounts for the lower price tag), but Creative rates the battery at up to 25 hours of music play.