Indianapolis
– Klipsch plans fall availability in the U.S. of its first AirPlay-enabled
tabletop speaker system and an expanded headphone selection, which includes the
brand’s first headphone series targeted exclusively to A/V specialty stores.
The
products will be displayed for the first time at this week’s IFA show in
Berlin.
In
releasing more details about its long-awaited AirPlay speaker, the company
priced the
at a suggested $549.
Klipsch also revealed that the thin speaker system is not only Apple AirPlay
compatible but also streams music via Wi-Fi network from handheld Android
devices equipped with third-party DLNA-capable music-player apps. As an
AirPlay-compatible speaker, the G-17 Air streams music from a home’s Wi-Fi
network, from handheld Apple iOS 4.2 devices and from a PC’s iTunes
application. When streaming music from iTunes, consumers can control song
selection by using their Apple handheld device as a Wi-Fi remote.
The
6-inch by 16.9-inch by 3.5-inch speaker, which is also wall-mountable, is a
biamplified two-way stereo speaker system with two ported 2.5-inch woofers and
two 0.75-inch tweeters, which are loaded in square Tractrix Horns. Total amplification of 60 watts delivers output of
102dB in a typical room, the company said. Frequency response is rated at 57Hz to 23kHz ± 3dB, but usable
bass is said to go down to 47Hz.
The
speaker comes in high-gloss piano-black enclosure with a front that curves on
both sides and dark-tint tempered-glass base. The speaker also features a USB
port to charge handheld USB-connected Apple devices and play their music. A
3.5mm analog input connects to other portable devices to play back their music.
An
included remote controls the G-17’s volume, mute and power functions and track
selection of USB-connected and AirPlay-connected Apple devices.
In expanding its headphone
selection, the company is launching the $349-suggested
Mode M40 noise-cancelling headphones
, $99.99
headphones designed to control Android phones and music players,
and the first Reference series of headphones, which will be the brand’s first
headphone series distributed only to specialty-A/V dealers.
The over-ear Mode M40 is the company’s first active
noise-cancelling headphone pair and is promoted as the company’s most
fashion-forward headphones to date. It features high-grade leather cups
and uses the same durable materials used in high-end eyewear. It also comes
with cloth cables. Active noise cancellation lasts up to 45 hours on a single
battery, and the headphones continue to function as regular headphones without
battery power.
The in-ear Image S4A headphones for Android devices enable complete music-playback
and call control when connected to an Android device, including a tablet,
loaded with a free Klipsch Control App. The headphone’s single-button remote
lets users play, pause and skip music tracks, answer and end incoming calls,
and conduct a voice search. It features the same look and feel of the current Image
S4. The S4A app is compatible with devices running the Android 2.1 OS and
higher versions.
In launching its
specialist-oriented Reference line, Klipsch is borrowing the name of its
high-end Reference home speakers and putting the label on the $99.99 in-ear Reference
S4, $119 in-ear Reference S4i, and $179 on-ear Reference One. All feature the
Reference home speakers’ copper color treatments and modified voicing that
emulates Reference home speaker voicing. The S4i and Reference One feature
Apple iPod/iPhone playlist and call controls via in-line three-button remote.
