Arlington Heights, Ill. – Bang
& Olufsen entered the iPod/iPhone-docking speaker market at the very high
end with a $999 model that also docks with iPads.
Other docking speaker systems at the high end
include an iPad-docking SpeakerCraft system with CD player and FM tuner, a $599
model from Bowers & Wilkins, and a $599 model from Bose. The latter two
lack CD and tuner.
B&O’s BeoSound 8 becomes available this
month in Bang & Olufsen stores.
The one-piece tabletop system features aluminum
chassis, included remote and choice of six grille colors. One version will
feature a white back panel, and the other will feature a black back panel.
The system has a dock on top with a back
bracket to prop up a docked device. A three-position switch optimizes audio
performance for wall mounting, corner placement on a flat surface, and
freestanding placement on a flat surface. The system’s cone-shaped speakers
feature circular grilles that face forward and enclosures that taper back to a
smaller diameter. The system’s frequency response is said to be 38Hz to
24,000Hz.
Other features include a USB connection and an
auxiliary line input, which is used to connect other audio devices or an
AirPort Express, which streams music wirelessly from a networked PC or Mac.
The company will also offer a free app with
Internet radio access and alarm clock functions for the iPod Touch, iPhone and
iPad. An upgraded app due in December at $19.99 will expand the number of
Internet radio stations to more than 10,000, add a comprehensive
music library browser, and have an alarm clock that delivers the chime of the
company’s BeoTime alarm clock.
