You’ve almost got everything ready for your pool party. Guests may start pouring in any second, but you along with your usually reliable electrician are still struggling to plug in speakers on the outside deck.
Between juggling wires and extension cords, heavy music systems are now considered an unnecessary headache. Nowadays, its all about the new-age range of portable speakers – they’re practical, Bluetooth-enabled, and deliver excellent sound-quality. So, be it a terrace party, beach holiday or a barbecue; you can easily play your favorite playlist from your phone/MP3 with uncompromising sound. Say hello to a whole new world of portable speakers:
1. Bose Sound-link Mini
Price: INR 17,000 (approx)
Bose known for its unrivaled sound quality consistently manages to stay on top of every list. These speakers hold no exception to that rule. They weigh close to 700gm and hence are an extremely practical buy. Considering its size and sound, these speakers are the unworldly best in its category. A must have for music lovers who love to jet set. The price may lighten your wallet, but then again, its quality and durability will not let you complain.
2. JBL Pulse
Price: INR 12,000 (approx)
JBL Pulse stands out in the category of portable speakers for one single reason: its super fancy Light Show Impressions. The fascinating LED lights wrap the speakers neatly and respond to the beats of the music being played. This attention-grabbing detail somehow manages to avoid looking cheap and promises to liven up your party. Its battery backup is really good and it also comes with a portable charger. The speakers are relatively heavier than the bose, so you might think twice before taking it outside with you.
3. Creative D-200
Price: INR 8000 (approx)
This one is the best option if you’re looking to invest in a low-budget set. Like the rest, it is light and portable, but the Creative D-200 also has surprisingly very good sound quality. That’s the upside, on the down low – the battery backup may not last for more than three hours. So, if you’re planning a camping trip, don’t bother being weighed down by these speakers.
4. Sony SRS-BT M8
Price: INR 5500 (approx)
Sony SRS-BT M8 comes with a handle on top, which makes it easy to carry around everywhere. Another feature Sony has included in these speakers is the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. For owners of NFC-enabled smartphones, it’ll help you avoid the hassle of connecting via Bluetooth. You simple need to tap your phone onto the NFC button located on the handle and you’ll be connected in the matter of seconds. The useful handbag shape and its relatively low price makes it a smart buy.
5. Skullcandy Ringer 2XL
Price: INR 1100 (approx)
The smallest and cheapest portable speaker available in market right now. Ringer is one of those products that looks good, but may not deliver the best quality. Considering its low price, buy them only for personal use – it’ll help you amplify music in your room. The sound quality is not up to the mark and its Bluetooth connection disconnects itself repeatedly.
Wow talk about launching big, Philips today at an event held in Delhi, launched 13 new products ranging from Home Theatre Systems, GoGEAR MP3/MP4 players, Docking Speakers and new range of Headphones.
According to ADA Ratnam, President, Consumer Lifestyle, Philips India:
[quote]Innovation backed by deep consumer insights lies at the heart of all Philips products. The new range of products is a reflection of our commitment to delivering authentic and vivid sound experience combined with cutting edge technology and contemporary design to address the ever-evolving entertainment needs of the Indian consumer.”[/quote]
Created keeping India in Mind the full range of products from Philips have been either designed or tweaked to work with the Indian conditions, where headphones are break and sweat proof, and dust resistant and Home theatres have been designed keeping the high bass requirements of the Indian consumers.
Home Theatre Systems:
HTS2511 and HTS2512:
Compact speakers with Dolby Digital surround sound
300W RMS
Playback DVD, VCD, CD or a USB device.
HTS2511 and HTS2512 are priced at INR 9890.
HTS3533, HTS3532SL and HTS3532BL:
Surround sound and DVD video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI for near-HD images
EasyLink feature to control all HDMI CEC devices via a single remote.
The HTS3533, HTS3532 (SL and BL) are priced at INR 12890 and INR 10890 respectively.
HTS6543 and HTS6553:
3D angled speakers
DVD, VCD, CD and USB devices
HDMI for high definition movies
EasyLink feature to control all HDMI CEC devices via a single remote.
HTS6543 and HTS6553 are priced at INR 20990 and INR 23990 respectively.
GoGEAR:
SoundDot Mp3
GoGEAR SoundDot MP3 Player
This 2GB music player is a very compact and portable accessory, which can be worn around the neck or on a sleeve very lighweight and very budget friendly, available in a series of colors.
The GoGEAR SoundDot is priced at INR 1599.
SA060 Mp3
GoGEAR SA060 MP4 Player:
A touchscreen Media player for a good price, features include :
FLAC & APE lossless codec support
3.2” HVGA color display
Touch-screen control
Kinetic scrolling
Text reader to view text files
4/8GB internal memory
GoGear SA 060 (4GB) is priced at INR 5999.
Docking Speakers:
The most Interesting products to us were the docking speakers launched today, starting with the most impressive :
DS9800W Fidelio Sphere
AirPlay stream songs directly from iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and also iTunes
SoundSphere technology
natural, deeper and wider sound impression.
DS9800W is priced at INR 65990.
AJ3270D
AJ7030D
AS111
AS111 – Android Docking
Plays and charges your Android powered phone
Auto-synchronizes its clock with your device
Songbird so you can sync music between your phone and PC, and a free app for even more functions.
AS111 is priced at INR 5999.
AJ3270D: for iDevices
iPod/iPhone
Compact clock
Plays and charges the latest iPod/iPhone models
Protective cases compatible
Wake up to the radio or a buzzer.
AJ3270D is priced at INR 3999.
AJ7030D: for iDevices
iPod/iPhone or FM
Smart dock lets you charge your devices
Protective casing compatible
Dual alarm to wake you and your partner at different time
AJ7030D is priced at INR 6490.
Headphones:
The all new range of Philips O’Neil headphones has been launched in India, including the extra tough Stretch
Stretch:
40mm drivers
Dynamic bass
Universal mic
Cable stretch relief
Tangle free cable & reinforced connectors
Noise isolating super soft ear cushions.
SHO 9560 is priced at INR 4499 and SHO 9565 is priced at INR 4999.
Bend:
Dynamic 30mm drivers
flexible headband
cable stress relief prevents breakage
tangle-free cable with reinforced connector
SHO 4200 is priced at INR 3499 & SHO 4205 with mic is priced at INR 3999.
Images
AJ3270D
AJ7030D
AS111
[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]
PHILIPS PUMPS UP ITS LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT PORTFOLIO WITH NEW, INNOVATIVE RANGE OF PRODUCTS
Launches a new range of Home Theatre Systems, GoGEAR MP3/MP4 players, Docking Speakers and Headphones
New Delhi, India:: Driven by innovation and an obsession with capturing sound in its purest form, Philips, India’s leading lifestyle brand, today expanded its Lifestyle Entertainment portfolio with the launch of a range of state-of-the-art entertainment solutions – Home Theatre Systems, GoGear MP3/MP4 players, Docking Speakers and Headphones – designed to deliver a superior entertainment experience.
Unveiling the new range of products, ADA Ratnam, President, Consumer Lifestyle, Philips India, said, “Innovation backed by deep consumer insights lies at the heart of all Philips products. The new range of products is a reflection of our commitment to delivering authentic and vivid sound experience combined with cutting edge technology and contemporary design to address the ever-evolving entertainment needs of the Indian consumer.”
Created specially for India with the Indian consumers’ unique entertainment needs in mind, the new range offers innovations like a customized user interface in the Home Theatre Systems reflecting the local cultural preferences – Cinemaa setting for movies,Sangeet for music and Cricket for sports. Focusing heavily on sound innovation and high-end technological expertise, Philips brings new propositions like 3D angled speakers to disperse sound evenly around the room for a truly immersive experience and technological advancements like FullsoundTM – to bring your MP3 music to life; SafeSound – for maximum music enjoyment without hearing damage and Philips Songbird – to discover, play and sync your music, among others for a richer on-the-go entertainment experience. Catering to the changing entertainment desires of today’s consumer, Philips also brings to you the toughest set of O’Neil headphones designed to provide users with pure listening pleasure. The SoundSphere technology of the amazing Docking Speakers, equipped with AirPlay, allows users to indulge in the experience of natural, deeper and wider sound impression with direct access to music from their iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.
All the products in the new range will be available at all leading retail stores across the country starting August, 2012.
Home Theatre Systems:
The new Philips Home Theatre Systems are designed to disperse powerful sound evenly around the room to bring cinema right into your home. With a customized user interface and better bass and thump to match, this new range promises a truly blockbuster home entertainment experience.
Customized on-screen display: Adjusted User Interface naming to fit cultural differences
Customized sound settings: More Bass for a better movie and sports experience
Customized subwoofers: 23% bigger subwoofer for better thump
HTS2511 and HTS2512: These compact speakers with Dolby Digital surround sound are designed to pump up your home entertainment experience. Their 300W RMS power delivers great sound for your movies and music which can be played from almost any source, be it a DVD, VCD, CD or a USB device.
The HTS2511 and HTS2512 are priced at INR 9890.
HTS3533, HTS3532SL and HTS3532BL: These powerful compact speakers are designed to upgrade your home entertainment experience with exposed speakers drivers offering powerful surround sound and DVD video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI for near-HD images. It also comes with an EasyLink feature to control all HDMI CEC devices via a single remote.
The HTS3533, HTS3532 (SL and BL) are priced at INR 12890 and INR 10890 respectively.
HTS6543 and HTS6553: These classy compact speakers allow you to bring the power of cinema to your home and drive your home entertainment experience even further. Their 3D angled speakers disperse sound evenly around the room for an enhanced sound experience. These can be played using any source – DVD, VCD, CD and USB devices and HDMI for high definition movies – and include an EasyLink feature to control all HDMI CEC devices via a single remote.
The HTS6543 and HTS6553 are priced at INR 20990 and INR 23990 respectively.
GoGEAR:
Philips GoGEAR MP3/MP4 players come bundled with innovative features to ensure a superior on-the-go entertainment experience:
FullsoundTM: To bring your MP3 music to life
SafeSound: For maximum music enjoyment without hearing damage
Surround for movies: To put you in the middle of the action
Philips Songbird: To discover, play and sync your music
LikeMusic: For playlists of songs that sound great together
GoGEAR SoundDot MP3 Player: SoundDot is a small, colourful and fashion-like accessory. It’s a simple device which is comfortable to wear especially for everyday activities like walking, exercising, or even cleaning the house. It comes with a built-in clip for convenient and hands-free use and Fastcharge – a quick 6-minute charge for 60 minutes of play to get you going while on the move.
The GoGEAR SoundDot is priced at INR 1599.
GoGEAR SA060 MP4 Player: SA060 offers the superior sound experience and makes you enjoy all the multimedia you can pack in. With SA060, you get the FLAC & APE lossless codec support for precise sound quality, 3.2” HVGA color display for superb video enjoyment, Touch-screen control for smooth and intuitive navigation, Kinetic scrolling for quick and intuitive library browsing, Text reader to view text files and a 4/8GB internal memory to stuff in all that you need to enhance and share your multimedia experience.
The GoGear SA 060 (4GB) is priced at INR 5999.
Docking Speakers:
Whether you’re looking for a sleek wireless speaker packed with features or just a simple way to listen to your iPod or iPhone music out loud, the new range of Philips docking speakers is all you need.
DS9800W: The stylish Philips DS9800W comes equipped with AirPlay which enables you to stream songs directly from iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and also iTunes. Its SoundSphere technology gives you a chance to experience the natural, deeper and wider sound impression.
The DS9800W is priced at INR 65990.
AS111 – Android Docking: Now you can gear up to get great sound as this speaker plays and charges your Android powered phone and auto-synchronizes its clock with your device. It comes packaged with Songbird so you can sync music between your phone and PC, and a free app for even more functions.
The AS111 is priced at INR 5999.
AJ3270D: This docking station helps you enjoy the pleasure of starting your day right – with favorite music from your iPod/iPhone. This compact clock plays and charges the latest iPod/iPhone models, even with protective cases on. If you prefer, you can even wake up to the radio or a buzzer.
The AJ3270D is priced at INR 3999.
AJ7030D: Be prepared to rise and shine to favorite tunes from your iPod/iPhone or FM with the dashing Philips Clock radio that will brighten up your room – and mornings. Its smart dock lets you charge your devices without the need to remove its protective casing and comes with a dual alarm to wake you and your partner at different times.
The AJ7030D is priced at INR 6490.
DS1150: The compact Philips DS1150 docking speaker delivers full and rich sound and automatically synchronizes with your iPhone/ iPod’s clock settings. You can also enjoy an adjustable night light and the convenience of charging a second mobile device.
The DS1150 is priced at INR 5999.
Headphones:
Philips O’Neil: The all new range of Philips O’Neil headphones is the toughest set of headphones in the market, designed to suit different consumer needs.
Bend: Philips O’Neil Bend provides powerful sound with Dynamic 30mm drivers delivering deep and dynamic bass. The flexible headband provides enhanced durability. The cable stress relief prevents breakage, and the tough tangle-free cable with reinforced connectors provides enhanced strength.
SHO 4200 is priced at INR 3499 & SHO 4205 with mic is priced at INR 3999.
Stretch: Philips O’Neil Stretch comes powered with 40mm drivers, dynamic bass, universal mic, cable stretch relief to prevent breakage and tough- tangle free cable & reinforced connectors. It also offers deluxe noise isolating super soft ear cushions.
SHO 9560 is priced at INR 4499 and SHO 9565 is priced at INR 4999.
Ed Hardy earphones and Headphones are the only way to get the right sounding INK. The new “Stereo” range includes Skull and Bones for the over-ears ($66) or Rs. 3500/-, while your in-ears get some Tiger power ($29) Rs. 1750/-. The in-ears also feature a microphone for on Smartphone calls. They are available now from an Ed-Hardy Store near you!
The HTC Sensation XE has been a low baller in India, especially because it was launched soon after the Sensation, added only minor improvements that made major differences. Here is our review.
Build Quality
The Sensation XE, just like is predecessor, is built in a unibody fashion, with a sold structure and aluminum back panel with rubber edges. The front of the device has an outward curved gorilla glass which is shatter and scratch resistant. The HTC Sensation XE is superbly built and will last a lifetime by designers who took everything into perspective from the aesthetics to the functionality and the intelligent placement of the buttons – which by the way are extremely tactile and responsive.
Specs
There is no questioning the latest hardware in the Sensation XE, the latest dual core processors a very high resolution screen, functional 8 megapixel camera with full HD video at 1080p not to forget the added Beats by Dre audio.
DESIGN
The Sensation XE is still the Range Rover that the original sensation was, you can infact say this is a higher end model, especially because it does not add any changes to aesthetics except the obvious beats branding and the red accents.
PHONE AND MESSAGING
Just like the original Sensation we got superior audio in and out during calls. The network performance was excellent and sustained throughout our test period. 3G and WCDMA performance excelled in the Sensation XE. The XE also continues the standard that the Sensation set as being the best in phone networks on our list of devices. Over all impressive.
The touchscreen on the device is same as the original Sensation, allowing 4 point interaction, what that means is that you can have 4 simultaneous inputs. What it also means is that you can use the onboard keyboard as fast as you can move your thumbs. This allows for really fast messaging and the keyboard has nice and large keys considering that the Sense keyboard is one of the most coveted Android keyboards yet.
Beats Audio + Multimedia
The Sensation XE not only features a Beats audio processing engine but also has one of the best included earphones/headphones with a smartphone. The iBeats come with a uniquely distinctive carry pouch and also have online microphone and remote for audio control. While you can’t compare the quality of audio to high end standalone headphones, these uniquely stand out far above normally included ones. Offering good, deep bass and excellent vocals. The device also instantly detects the iBeats, once plugged in, and activates the beats audio profile.
The screen is a brilliant qHD Screen with a native resolution of 540 x 960 px, large enough to put any phone to shame, not considering of course the Galaxy Note and likes. The screen is also no Amoled or Super-Amoled display so don’t expect it to be as vivid. But watching movies, reading text and playing games is great on this device. The Beats audio improves the overall multimedia experience a lot, making movies, music and just plain old videos sound better.
The camera is an 8MP snapper the same from the Sensation, it captures stunning pictures and great full HD video. The camera app comes with a lot of features in the standard HTC style, which allows for a lot of tweaks to be made by the photographer at hand. On the front is a lowly VGA camera which offers decent VOIP capabilities and no video calling.
BATTERY LIFE
Values
2G
3G
WiFi
Talk Time
unto 9.5 Hours
5 hours
–
Standby time
48 Hours
30 hours
7 Days
Web Browsing
8-9 hours
5 hours
5 Hours
Video Streaming
4.5 Hours
3 Hours
4 Hours
Music Streaming
15 hours
10 hours
14 hours
In certain cases we saw improvement in the battery management on the Sensation XE compared to that of the HTC Sensation.
Conclusion
Although not a major improvement over the Sensation, in terms of looks and performance, the little add-on definitely make a big difference. The processor bump to 1.5GHz improves overall device performance and does not affect battery life. The beats audio improves the overall experience of the device and the earphone make an excellent add on. The device is robust, well made and is built to impress, a definite up above the competition.
[xrr rating=4.5/5 label=”We Rate The Sensation : ” imageset=shiny_yellow_star display_as=fraction_stars]
The HTC Sensation XE is the first phone in India with the Beats Audio integration with HTC. The device is a standard HTC Sensation on heavy steroids. Watch our video below and stay tuned for the full review and comparison with industry standards.
The device is an easy way for the company to revive the dying sales of their flagship phones from companies like Samsung.
The Complete Spec List Includes :
Price
Rs. 35,500/-
CPU Processing Speed
1.5 GHz, dual core
Storage
Total storage : 4 GB
Available storage : up to 1 GB
RAM : 768 MB
Connectors
3.5 mm stereo audio jack
micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection
(Special cable required for HDMI connection.)
Sensors
Gyro sensor
G-Sensor
Digital compass
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Multimedia
Gallery, Music, and FM Radio
Beats Audio™
DLNA for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to your TV or computer
The highly awaited sequel of the HTC Sensation, the HTC Sensation XE is all set to launch in the UK on the 7th of October 2011. It seems like the company is eager to push out its revamped device to the users/consumers, just before the next Apple device can launch.
Sources close to iGyaan have told us that the company plans a launch of the devices in Europe including UK and Asia including India in the first ten days of October 2011. The revamped handset boasts a bunch of improvements over the original Sensation including a faster processor.
Price for the UK remains at £410 (£492 inc. VAT) and the device is expected to HIt India at the 32,500/- Rupees price mark with a significant decrease to 28,500/- within 15-20 days of launch. The box of the Sensation XE will come bundled with urBeats in-ear headphones from Monster Cable (part of Beats by Dre)
The Complete Spec List Includes :
CPU Processing Speed
1.5 GHz, dual core
Storage
Total storage : 4 GB
Available storage : up to 1 GB
RAM : 768 MB
Connectors
3.5 mm stereo audio jack
micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection
(Special cable required for HDMI connection.)
Sensors
Gyro sensor
G-Sensor
Digital compass
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Multimedia
Gallery, Music, and FM Radio
Beats Audio™
DLNA for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to your TV or computer
HTC has finally intro’d the long rumored HTC Sensation XE, the new smartphone will have a revamped 1.5 GHz processor and beats audio. Now the unit itself essentially is the same with a qHD display (540 X 960) resolution and boasts a larger 1730mAh battery.
This Special edition unit will come with a set of Beats by DRE Headphones and 8/16GB microSD cards and a remote control that allows audio track management. The Sensation XE is slated to launch in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East sometime this month. So you can expect the device to hit our Review labs sooner than later.
[toggle title_open=”PRESS RELEASE” title_closed=”PRESS RELEASE” hide=”no” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]HTC AND BEATS INTRODUCE NEW HTC SENSATION XE™, THE FIRST PHONE WITH INTEGRATED BEATS AUDIO™
New 1.5 GHz dual core processor and longer battery life extend the HTC Sensation XE’s sophistication and overall experience.
TAOYUAN, TAIWAN – September 14, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile devices, today unveiled the new HTC Sensation XE – the first in a new line of HTC smartphones to feature Beats Audio technology to deliver studio quality audio. Taking HTC’s flagship handset to a new level of high fidelity audio, the HTC Sensation XE offers consumers the ultimate multimedia experience, setting a new standard for audio quality in the mobile market. In addition, the HTC Sensation XE boosts performance and battery life even further with the addition of a blazing fast 1.5GHz dual core processor and an extended battery that enables you to listen, watch, speak and browse for even longer.
“Audio is a crucial part of any consumer’s mobile experience and we are continually pushing the audio boundaries to encompass not only improved voice but music, movies and games,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of global sales and marketing, HTC Corporation. “The HTC Sensation XE offers a truly incredible experience that demonstrates our commitment to place consumers at the center of their mobile worlds.”
The ultimate audio experience
The HTC Sensation XE is the first handset to offer a Beats Audio experience – a combination of software & hardware that allows you to hear music the way the artist intended. When used with the exclusive Beats by Dr. Dre in-ear headphones, the handset automatically switches to the bespoke Beats by Dr. Dre sound profile, delivering audio tracks tuned specifically for the headphones.
Whether you are using any of the many music services available in the Android market you will notice fuller bass and crisper vocals and a new level of clarity and range offering audio the way the artist intended it to be heard.
Beats Headphones
The HTC Sensation XE also ships with a microSD card (8GB/16GB) allowing you to carry thousands of songs. The exclusive Beats by Dr. Dre in-ear headphones feature a remote control, allowing you to pause, play or skip through tracks and answer/end calls while the phone is in your pocket.
Availability
HTC Sensation XE will be available across EMEA and Asia Pacific from late September[/toggle]
