Franc Analog Tele-Phonographer

The Franc Analog Tele-Phonographer is for you gentlemen, who prefer a touch of nostalgia in your home audio without sacrificing the everyday quality that you’ve come to expect from the world of digital. This piece from artist Christopher Locke is as rare as they come, so you’d better venture over via the buy link and reach out to him before someone else gets it.

The device allows you to charge your iPhone 4, 4S, and 5, and also works with an iPad or iPad Mini. The music receives a nice boost from the old-timey setup, and you will have a conversation piece that any friend with an appreciation for retro will envy.

$500-$1,000, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on May 15th, 2013

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$625 BUY

Braven BRV-1

The Braven BRV-1 may still not be needed for quite some time — especially for those of us who are still dealing with 35-degree weather in May — but once the weather does finally commit to acting like it’s supposed to, you’ll want to bring this along to your outdoor recreational activities. It’s a quite handsome device that’ll fit in your hand, but it brings big power and function to make up for what it lacks in size.

With a rubber housing to protect the components from the elements, you can listen to around 12 hours of music via Bluetooth device or through the auxiliary jack. If your phone or camera has about had it, you can also use it as a charging station for a little pick-me-up.

$100-$250, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on May 3rd, 2013

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$180 BUY

iHome Wireless iBT16

The gang at iHome make some pretty compelling and affordable home audio products, and the iHome Wireless iBT16 is no exception. These colorful speakers allow you to stream digital audio from a wireless source thanks to the Bluetooth connection, compatible with any iPhone, iPad, Android, or Blackberry device (among others).

The line-in and -out jacks also enable you to expand your listening options ensuring great sound no matter where the music is coming from. But guys, if you’re going to pick up one of these, don’t let the ladies know there is a pink option. Can’t believe I’m about to say this, but it’s super-cute, and she won’t let you have the manly colors if she sees it.

$25-$50, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on May 2nd, 2013

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$50 BUY

Mobile Blastmaster

The Mobile Blastmaster is a rolling stereo that works perfectly for backyard barbecues and tailgating. It comes on a stainless steel chassis and four 10-inch-diameter tires that make for the ultimate ATV — rain, snow, sleet, or hail. You name it. Making it even easier to lug around is the integrated wagon handle that ensures you move this 217-pound behemoth around with no problems.

As far as sound quality goes, you’ll get 2,000 watts of power with eight PA-quality Piezo horn tweeters, two mid-range speakers, and a 12-inch dual-voice coil subwoofer with dedicated crossover, playing over any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or MP3 player from 30 feet. On board, you get a CD player, AM/FM radio, 3.5mm input for multiple play options, and a USB port. And what would it all mean without a remote control and dedicated amps. Other features: flagpole mount for displaying your team colors, drink holders, radio antenna, and bottle opener.

$2,500-$5,000, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on April 19th, 2013

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$4000 BUY

Vamp Speaker Solution

Do you have a bunch of old speakers laying around unused? (Even if you only have the one, this is for you.) What you may not know about those classic speakers is that they are still every bit as effective as they always have been. They just need a new way of communicating with technology, and with the Vamp Speaker Solution, they’ve found it. A small unit that fits in the palm of your hand allows you to channel music via Bluetooth technology to these classic speakers for an optimum level of performance.

You won’t even need the cords any more! And since classic speakers are part of musical history, you won’t have to sacrifice the design of your room. If anything, Vamp adds to it. Comes in three distinct colors, all of which look awesome on older technologies.

$50-$100, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on April 4th, 2013

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$53 BUY

Bose Solo TV Sound System

Hate the idea of rigging up a bunch of speakers all over the room for optimum sound? Bose has you covered, or rather the room covered, with its Bose Solo TV Sound System that fits neatly underneath your flat-screen television and is easily operable thanks to a simple remote design. Just a few buttons does it all.

Using speaker array technology the company is famous for, Bose manages to disperse even sound throughout the room. It also features digital signal processing allowing you to manipulate the effects, music and dialogue with ease. Just plug in to the wall, connect to your TV, and voila, you’re ready to get more out of your movies and shows.

$250-$500, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on March 16th, 2013

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$399 BUY

Arctic Sound S111 Ultra Portable Speaker System

Kids today will never know the joy of growing up with a set of speakers that take up an entire room. Some might even say “luckily.” If you’re one of them, then you’ll probably get a kick out of the Arctic Sound S111 Ultra Portable Speaker System. These speakers are small and barely crack a pound in weight. Powered completely by USB, these can be used anywhere you please.

Hook them into a notebook or a portable charger and you can even play it free from the wall sockets. Great travel accessories for when you’re stuck at Mom and Dad’s and all they’ve got is a crappy mono speaker system that you have to strain to hear.

Home Audio, Under $25

By Aric Mitchell on March 4th, 2013

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$15 BUY

Audiowood Barky Turntable

Listening to vinyl records is a truly groovy experience even in the 21st Century. As vinyl ambassador Mr. Jack White himself has said, “There’s no romance in a mouse click.” Now with the Audiowood Barky Turntable you can get back to spinning those crackly platters from yesteryear and leave the mouse clicks to all the younger whippersnappers.

About 10 to 15 of these babies go out each year. They boast a superior turntable crafted from solid ash round. You’ll also get a Rega parts kit, a 24-volt power supply, heavy glass platter and a Rega RB303 tonearm. Now all you’ve gotta do is get yourself to Hastings or whoever else sells vinyls in your neighborhood and pick up some vinyl!

$1,000-$2,500, Entertainment, Gear, Home Audio, Music

By Aric Mitchell on February 24th, 2013

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$1500 BUY

JD Sound Portable DJ

Audio equipment – particularly audio mixing equipment – has come a heck of a long way since the days of disco and 80s Rock. The latest advancement seeks to do for sound mixing what the iPod did for music collections: shrink the size, improve the performance, and ensure you can do more with less.

The JD Sound Portable DJ puts you in the position of coming up with the ultimate party mix with a device that fits between your fingers and is easy to use. With touchscreen displays, six selectors, headphone jacks, USB connectivity and much, much more, this is your chance to turn your garage rock band into a studio-sounding sensation. (Or you can just get really fancy with that next house party.)

Gear, Home Audio

By Aric Mitchell on February 15th, 2013

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$TBA BUY

Soul Party in a Box

The Party in a Box from Soul Electronics is a simple way to bring eight-speaker sound to your room without having to resort to all the fancy – and discouraging, if you’re not good with electronics – wiring. You really don’t need to know much or be considered an “audiophile” to get the most out of this. Included in the package is an omnidirectional hybrid system that features side-firing 6.5-inch subwoofers, 3-inch midrange speakers, dual front-firing 1.5-inch midrange drivers, and some 1-inch tweeters.

You can also stream music and control the Party from your Bluetooth device, which means no getting up to adjust volume or change a track. You can even dock video-enabled Apple devices on board and enjoy HD with high-quality audio for a true mini-theater experience.

$1,000-$2,500, $500-$1,000, Entertainment, Gear, Home Audio, Music

By Aric Mitchell on January 31st, 2013

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$1000 BUY

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