Best Accessories: Audio and Visual

 

audio_visualMany people simply aren't satisfied with the quality or fit of the earbuds that ship with their iOS device. Fortunately, there are some great third party options. You can find custom-fit earphones that cost well over $1,000 to reasonably priced solutions under $100. Wired and wireless headphones and earphones are available, with and without microphones. You can also add a pair of portable stereo speakers.

Some of the coolest accessories are those that extend the viewing experience of iOS devices. You can give great on-the-spot presentations with a pocket projector or get a big screen experience on an airplane with a sunglass style display.

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Earphones

Ear Buds

WooDees

Woodees ($49.99, woodees.com) Much music is created with instruments made from natural wood from a finely-tuned Steinway piano or Stradivarius violin to classic Fender Stratocaster guitars. So, it is only "natural" to create quality earphones from wood. The construction is excellent and the sound is amazing!

KlipschX10iKlipsch X10i ($349.00, klipsch.com) Has superior sound and comfort. It comes with five different sizes of ear gels.

Etymotic hf2 ($155.00, etymotic.com) These headphones are designed for excellent sound quality and include volume controls and a call/music button.

Klipsch-S4i1

Klipsch S4i ($99, klipsch.com) This headset has good sound, external volume controls, and a call/music button. Comes with three sizes of silicon eartips.

Earpollution Earbud Plugz ($19.99, ifrogz.com) One of the best offerings for under $20, the Earbud Plugz uses noise-isolating earbuds.

Headphones

Beats-Solo-White

Beats Solo ($199.95, beatsbydre.com) Designed for today's active lifestyles, these headphones deliver sound so real, you'll be amazed it's all coming from something so compact and portable.

Phoenix Chino ($60, aerial7.com) Compact yet incredibly powerful, this mid-sized headphone delivers massive sound typically only found in larger DJ headphones.

Urbanears Plattan ($60, urbanears.com) A full- size headphone allowing for rich, secluded sound. You can fold it down to the size of your fist for maximum mobility. Plattan also comes with a "zound plug" on the earcap, allowing for a friend to plug in and enjoy your music.

Bose-SoundDock-II

Speakers

Bose SoundDock II (299, bose.com) comes with the excellent sound quality you've come to expect from Bose. Unlike the original SoundDock, the Series II charges both your iPod and iPhone.

Livespeakr ($69.99, livespeakr.com) is an ultra-portable, multi-functional speaker system specifically designed for the iPhone. The cradle rotates to work with your device in both portrait and landscape mode, is small enough to fit in your pocket, and the internal rechargeable battery lasts up to 16 hours on a single charge.

inMotion-Max

iMT702 inMotion Max ($199.95, alteclansing.com) Twin, full-spectrum speakers gives you the accurate sound reproduction and warm acoustics you crave. XDB technology supplies the deep bass without a subwoofer. And ESS sound-widening technology expands the sound to fit any room. What's more, when a call comes in, the music cuts out so you can comfortably take the call.

Visual Accessories

Vuzix-Wrap-920

Vuzix Wrap 920 ($349.95, vuzix.com) gives the experience of a virtual 67-inch screen as seen from 10 feet. It displays crystal clear 2D and 3D video.

Optoma_Pico_PK_1011

Pico PK101 Pocket Projector ($199.95, optomausa.com) projects images and videos on any surface with vivid 1000:1 contrast ratio.

Issue: 
NovDec2010_BuyersGuide
Department/Section: 
Accessories
TOC Weight: 
112