bltd

The more stuff made out of recycled paper, the better. So why not speakers? These speakers by Balance Studio are made from recycled paper pulp and use vibration speaker technology to “intensify the sound through the surface on which they stand, as well as through the hollow space inside the doughnut.” Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

(more…)

Don’t get too excited, it’s not a modern day earhorn for your less-than-great hearing (though I suppose you could try it out to see if it works), it’s an analog acoustic speaker for the iPhone 4. You know all about acoustic speakers, as we’ve posted several, but this pint sized version seems all the more charming because of its size (and because it looks like an earhorn).

(more…)

Can you guess what this is from the photo above? If your guess had anything to do with earbuds, you’re right. AIRbudz is an earbud attachement that allows you to hear ambient noise while you’re listening to music. When you’re out walking or running, certain noises can alert you to potential safety hazards (like bikes, cars, buses) and unfortunately your regular headphones muffle, if not completely silence, those sounds that alert you to danger. The AIRbudz have air channels that let ambient noise in- thus keeping you aware of your surroundings without sacrificing your soundtrack. It’s currently a Kickstarter project, and for $10 or more you’ll get one of the first sets.
(more…)

Looking for a different sort of portable speaker? Dominic Odbert (aka Mr. Simo) takes old suitcases and transforms them into portable music speakers. Every BoomCase is constructed in California by hand and is made to produce the best sound possible. The BoomCase will last 9+ hours on a single charge (charger included) and can also be plugged in if you prefer. Pretty fun, aren’t they? A few are shown below, but see more of the selection at Decurate.
(more…)

These minimal headphones look very similar to the Ashidavox ST-90, but have been reworked for better sound and comfort. Music to your ears, right?
(more…)

This portable wooden speaker requires no batteries or power source and works with pretty much any gadget you own (mp3 players, iPods, phones, laptops, etc.). Nice to see a simple wooden speaker option for the desktop or for outdoor activities (don’t take that to mean it’s waterproof though).

Support BLTD by buying here: Speakr Box, $79.00 from gnr8.biz

Add another headphone organizer to your list of considerations, because this one is super small and seems to do the job nicely. It slides onto your earphone jack and provides a place to clip in the cord after wrapping the earbuds around your device. If you’d like to see more, visit Budtrap’s site for more details.

There’s also a slight discount if you buy in bundles or packs… fyi.

(more…)

From our archives (originally posted April 9, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

Weird name for a company, but certainly a cool looking and hopefully good sounding speaker for your mp3 player. I’m impressed that it doesn’t require a power source but still has a switch to control loudness. This is a Japan exclusive product, available only through AudioCubes.

Material: Aluminum with leather strap
Color: yellow, blue, silver.
Dimensions: W73 x H76 x D32 mm

(more…)

You in the market for a bluetooth speaker? This one is a tiny bit larger than 6”³ long and weighs less than a pound. Frequency range of 60Hz-20kHz with an output level of 85dB @0.5m… also has 3.5mm audio. Available for pre-order.

(more…)

Hmm, is this perhaps a viable option for a portable speaker? Sound quality reviews, anyone?

No bigger than a credit card and as thick as a blister pack of chewing gum, the Card Speaker puts most every mp3 accessory to shame with its good looks and crisp fidelity. Designed by IDEA International, this little speaker is ideally suited for trips to the park, the beach, or anywhere you�d like to share a little music on the fly. It comes in either black or silver, with a mirror-polished back, and includes a protective carrying case, a 3.5 mm connection plug, and a USB battery charge cable. The speaker has an operating time of approximately five hours on a two-hour charge

Black or Silver.

While these might not be the most masculine-looking set of headphones, they do appear super light and comfortable and won’t fall out like standard iPod earbuds when you’re exercising, which you do no less than three times a week, right? Plus, the bead-like earpiece would all but disappear, and androgyny is in style nowadays, trust me.

Orange or Pink.
Packaging: Foil/Clear giftbag
Earphones ball diameter: 0.5″

Not sure about the quality on these, but the accordion design might be handy if you need portable speakers.

USB or battery powered accordion style folding amplified speaker. For computers media players, video games, and more. The accordion-style design creates a large resonance chamber and makes the sound richer than most other small speakers.

2 AAA batteries required for battery power.
4.5″ H x 3.4″ W x 1.5″ D

My-oh-my, take a look at these knit headphones. I wonder if they would keep your ears warm too? I think they just made my day.

Premium headphones from skate, surf and snowboard headwear company, Neff, offering a superlative bass-boosted audio experience all while looking stylish with a knit outer. Fully adjustable headband; large and small adapter set included. Imported. Spot clean.

It really makes my day when something currently only available on an undecipherable Japanese site suddenly shows up on a US or UK site. It’s a wonderful little thing that makes the world seem entirely less complicated. So, shall I present to you the Music Balloon? Some of you might have seen this on the other blogs a while back, but now (if you don’t read Japanese) you can buy it from a UK shop.

It’s not really a balloon, it’s a plug in speaker for your iPod / MP3 player.
Simply plug in and play.
This sponge foam speaker reminds us of 80’s TV presenter microphones and will happily sit on a desk or hanging out of a pocket while you play your tunes or check the latest podcasts.
Now you can cycle without headphones, irritate people on the bus and tube and share new music with friends without untangling headphone wires.

£38.00, Buy it here.

Sure, they’ll take up extra room in your carry on, but they’ll look and sound a whole lot cooler than the free ones that come in a plastic bag.

“The Premium is a smooth looking headphone in perfect musical harmony – full, rich sound, coupled with imaculate clarity, depth and warmth. The Premiums will bring you perfect auditory balance. Their versatility and comfort makes them ideal for a long plane ride or short daily commute.”

Green or Yellow.