Marley Adds AirPlay, Bluetooth Speakers

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/30/2012

LAS VEGAS — The House of Marley added to its selection of docking speakers with the International CES launch of its first two portable Bluetooth-only AC/DC speakers, both using what the company called Earthfriendly materials.

The company also modified one of three previously announced iPod/iPhone/iPad-docking speakers to delete the embedded dock and add Apple’s AirPlay technology and stereo Bluetooth in its place.

Among the Bluetooth speakers, Marley showed prototypes of the $249-suggested Block Party and $199-suggested Nomad. Third-quarter availability is targeted.

The $199 Nomad features two active 2.5-inch drivers and two passive 2.5-inch drivers. It also features aux input, a natural fabric covering, recycled-plastic enclosure with bamboo side panels, interchangeable carrying bags and carry strap.

The $249 Block Party steps up power to 20 watts and has two 3.5-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters. It’s also made of recycled plastic and features bamboo baffle.

The company hopes to incorporate rechargeable batteries in both models, a spokesman said. Both lack a USB charging port.

Marley also showed a trio of high-performance tabletop iPod/iPhone/iPad docking speakers shipping in the first quarter following the display of early prototypes at the 2011 CES. All are two-way single-chassis stereo systems.

In the $599-suggested One Foundation, the company replaced the planned Apple dock with Apple’s wireless AirPlay technology and with stereo Bluetooth. That model also features two aux inputs to directly connect portable devices.

One Foundation, now targeted to ship in the fourth quarter, also features 5.25-inch woofers in a ported enclosure, 1-inch aluminum-dome tweeters, DSP, wood finish with aluminum front base, and IR remote.

The $299 Get Up Stand Up, shipping in January, features 4.5-inch woofers, 1-inch tweeters and aux in. The $349 AC/DC Bag Of Rhythm, also shipping in January, features 4.5-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters but with a coaxial driver configuration. It comes in a harvest-green storage bag made of canvas and runs on six D-cell batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack.