Product: Gradient 5.0
Price: $1995.00 pair
Rating: Recommend*

As I perused the many suites of audiophile speakers at this year's CES, I was determined to find compact speakers that achieved clean design with superb sound - often a tall order at an audiophile show where form often suffers at the hands of function. Luckily, I found Gradient speakers of Finland being demonstrated at a separate Hi-Fi show in the Flamingo Casino. Once I heard the Gradient 5.0, it was clear that further listening was a must. More

A slew of new audio devices were unveiled at CES, joining an already crowded wireless audio market -- with just about every manufacturer showcasing their take on an Airplay or Bluetooth component. I did spot something a bit different though at the RCA booth -- something more versatile and perhaps more useful. Using magnetic coupling, RCA Soundflow speaker docks were able to broadcast sound from your smartphone without wires and without pairing. You simply place any device on top of the stand and enjoy the amplified music almost magically. More

Roaming the seemingly endless maze of suites of audio gear at CES inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas was a challenge, but I managed to uncover a few enticing audiophile speakers (like the Dynaudio Xeo 5 above), sound docks, and even a DAC that eliminate audio cables. These devices use AirPlay, Bluetooth, or in some cases a proprietary network with even greater control of audio fidelity. Here are 4 wireless audio devices that will get your music into more rooms without the cable clutter straight from the show to your screen...
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These white/wood speakers from Finnish maker Gradient/model 5 sounded full and detailed with a clean Scandinavian look. More

Wharfedale speakers had this model in the Jade series on display. More

2013 seems to be off to a great start with the color of the year being a personal favorite – emerald. If you're like me and slightly addicted to this shade of green, then this is the roundup for you – with tech cases and devices in this lovely color and other amazing shades of green. Kermit was wrong, it's rather easy being green. More

LG's CM3330 three way speaker looks like an understated and undersized sound bar, but the 40W system is actually designed to work with smartphones and tablets as a wireless audio solution via Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay. Love FLAC audio files? The CM3330 can play that too (via USB port)! More

Product: bēm Outlet Speaker
Price: $99.99
Rating: Weak Recommend*

Oakland rapper Too Short once professed to "get in where you fit in", an appropriate sentiment for bēm Wireless' Outlet Speaker, a juice box sized wireless audio speaker designed to bring music or speakerphone capabilities anywhere there's an outlet to plug into. Under a couch, at your desk, in the kitchen, and anywhere you can find a free outlet to plug in, the speaker joins an ever growing category of secondary portable wireless audio devices aiming to complement smartphones and tablets... More

Products: House Of Marley Chant (Bluetooth speaker), and the Rise Up headphones
Price: $59.99, $159.99 (coming soon)
Rating: Strong Recommend*

This week I had a chance to take a look at (and have a listen to) a unique line of audio accessories from the Bob Marley branded House of Marley. I must admit, I'm not much of a reggae fan, let alone a fan of Bob Marley. That said, it just so happens I am a huge audiophile, so headphones and audio gear in general is definitely something I take seriously. More

Obviously, not everyone has access to a laser cutting machine. But if you do happen to have access like Damon, a School of Visual Art's MFA Product of Design program student in New York, he's shared a way to make a wholly personalized speaker system with your very own profile... More