PCR’s guide to speaker docks, speakers and headphones

Consumers want their music on the go and sounding at its best. PCR takes a look at some of the market’s latest audio accessories.

VIBE SLICK ZIP BLU
SRP: £19.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Midwich
THEY SAY: VIBE Slick Headphones offer a new take on in-ear audio taking functionality and practicality to the next level with a fully- functional zip design and tough hybrid alloy ABS housing, which is strong but lightweight. Three different size rubber ear buds are supplied to ensure a perfect fit and the eight-millimetre driver is a great all-rounder making it perfect for pop, rock, R&B and dance.
SPECS: 8mm driver unit, 93dB sensitivity, 16Ohm impedance, 20Hz – 20kHz frequency range, 10mW max power.

ASUS TRAVELITE WIRELESS HEADPHONES
SRP: £43.71
DISTRIBUTOR: Spire Technology
THEY SAY: Spoil your ears with a hugely wide frequency range and deep bass. Wireless and rechargeable, the Travelite HS-1000W headset is the perfect companion for listening to music and cranking up the volume as loud as you want it.
SPECS: 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response, 40mm driver diameter, integrated noise-cancelling microphone, foldable design, eight hour battery life.

SPEEDLINK GRAVITY WAVE 2.1 SUBWOOFER SYSTEM
SRP: £49.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Meroncourt
THEY SAY: The 2.1 sound system boasts first-class stereo sound with high-level accuracy, making it perfect for multimedia content and games on the PC. The powerful bass reflex subwoofer housed in a rugged wooden cabinet and large-capacity satellite speakers will acoustically and visually enhance your desktop.
SPECS: Active 2.1 speaker system, 37 RMS output, large-capacity satellite speakers, included desktop remote.

EDIFIER SOUND TO GO PLUS
SRP: £39.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Micro-P
THEY SAY: Edifier Sound To Go PLUS takes portability to a new level as an all-in-one micro speaker with a re-chargeable lithium battery and remarkable sound. Encased in an elegant brushed aluminium chassis, the Sound To Go PLUS features a two-channel stereo with two full range 1.25-inch drivers on each channel.
SPECS: RMS 2 x 1W total power output, 20Hz – 20KHz frequency response, re-chargeable lithium battery, ten hours of battery life.

ARCTIC SOUND S111 SPEAKERS
SRP: £7.79
DISTRIBUTOR: Entatech
THEY SAY: The Arctic Sound S111 is a set of compact, dice-shaped portable speakers with a 3.5-millimeter stereo jack to connect to almost any laptop, MP3 player or mobile phone. Powered by USB, the S111 speakers can be powered by a laptop without additional cables and can be used as a replacement of the often-mediocre built-in speakers in laptops.
SPECS: 50Hz – 25 kHz frequency response, four-ohm impedance, 2 x 2W output power, 3.5mm stereo jack, compact and portable frame.

MULTIMEDIA STEREO HEADSET
SRP: £14.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Group Gear
THEY SAY: A high performance PC headset designed for ultimate comfort during long listening periods. Features a generously padded headframe & earpads which are fixed to a pivot joint creating a secure fit & helping to cancel out any background noise.
SPECS: 20Hz – 20kHz frequency range, 50mw power input, 105dB sensitivity, 32–ohm impedance, in-line microphone.

KRATOR NESO4 USB MINIMALIST SPEAKERS
SRP: £32.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Gem Distribution
THEY SAY: With a stylish three-piece design, the Neso4 is the perfect addition to any contemporary styled room. In addition to the attractive design, the Neso4 also boasts a powerful yet clear sound made possible by its use of advanced sound alignment technology.
SPECS: 12W RMS power output, 50Hz – 18kHz frequency response, volume controller, USB connectivity.

PIONEER WIRELESS BLUETOOTH CABINET SPEAKER SYSTEM
SRP: £99
DISTRIBUTOR: Midwich
THEY SAY: Made from genuine wood, and powered by 30W speakers, the XW-BTS3-K with integrated iPod/iPhone dock is a great choice for a compact stylish audio solution. The cabinet speaker system uses Bluetooth connectivity to play music wirelessly from Bluetooth- enabled devices.
SPECS: 15W x 15W full range speakers, 65Hz – 20kHz frequency response, remote control, one-button Bluetooth pairing, 3.5mm AUX-in port.

TDK WIRELESS HEADPHONES
SRP: £69.99
DISTRIBUTOR: CMS Distribution, Gem Distribution
THEY SAY: Move without the limitations of a cord and still get the high fidelity, stereo sound you expect. Perfect for in-home use with Hi-Fi systems as well as mobile devices, simply plug the transmitter into your audio device and sync it with the headphones.
SPECS: 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response, 30mW max power output, 32-ohm impedance, ultra-low power consumption, 3.5mm headphone jack.

TDK LIFE ON RECORD BOOMBOX
SRP: £299.99
DISTRIBUTOR: CMS Distribution
THEY SAY: A dedicated, high excursion 6-inch subwoofer driver and two 6-inch coaxial drivers deliver a full range of sound with a bold, retro look. An innovative equalizer gives your music a visual heartbeat for all to see, while touch-sensitive buttons give you simple and intuitive control.
SPECS: Six-inch subwoofer, 35W power output, USB connectivity, 3.5mm auxiliary ports, iPod/iPhone compatible.

SPEEDLINK BAZZ HEADSET
SRP: £27.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Meroncourt
THEY SAY: Enjoy the comfort and gutsy sound of a large set of stereo headphones – and the flexibility of a headset which also performs impressively while on the move.
SPECS: Integrated in-line mic, large circumaural ear cushions, padded headband, lightweight, 1.1m cable.

SANDBERG BLUETOOTH AUDIO LINK
SRP: £21.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Entatech
THEY SAY: With the Sandberg Bluetooth Audio Link you can wirelessly connect your mobile phone, PC or other audio device with built-in Bluetooth to an amplifier. The Audio Link simply connects to an AUX input on the amplifier and then wirelessly receives the music signal via Bluetooth.
SPECS: A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth profile, ten-metre operating distance, up to 12 hours battery life, rechargeable lithium battery, 3.5mm MiniJack input.

STREAMPORT UNIVERSAL
SRP: £59.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Entatech, Westcoast
THEY SAY: The StreamPort Universal enables you to stream music, podcasts and internet radio from any Bluetooth A2DP-compatible device (including many Apple, Android and Windows players) to your existing sound system, such as Hi-Fis, docks and sound bars.
SPECS: Bluetooth 4.0, range of up to 10m, compatibility with most sounds systems, smartphones and tablet PCs, DAC and aptX audio codec, LED status indicator.

AUDIO TECHNICA QUIETPOINT ACTIVE-NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
SRP: £279
DISTRIBUTOR: Audio Technica
THEY SAY: Audio-Technica’s ATH- ANC9 QuietPoint headphones use proprietary active noise-cancelling technology to provide a comfortable listening environment in areas with high ambient noise, delivering noise cancellation of up to 95 per cent.
SPECS: Active noise cancelling, 100dB sensitivity, 100-ohm impedance, rechargeable lithium battery, 35 hours of battery life.

EDIFIER PRISMA BLUETOOTH
SRP: £109.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Micro-P
THEY SAY: The Prisma Bluetooth features a built-in Bluetooth receiver that can sync with any Bluetooth enabled device to wirelessly stream music up to 30 feet. The Prisma is also equipped with two auxiliary input ports for maximum flexibility and a remote control, which features a headphone-out port that creates a personal audio experience for users.
SPECS: RMS 2 x 9W total power output, 190Hz – 20kHz frequency response, Bluetooth enabled, wired remote controller.

AUDIO TECHNICA SOLID BASS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
SRP: £129
DISTRIBUTOR: Audio Technica
THEY SAY: Hear the depth of bass you’ve been missing in your music. The ATH-WS70 Solid-Bass headphones deliver incredibly full and textured bass, along with the astonishing clarity and fidelity for which Audio-Technica is renowned.
SPECS: 10Hz – 25kHz frequency response, 1,000 mW input power, 47-ohm impedance.

LOGITECH SURROUND SOUND SPEAKER Z506
SRP: £79.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Spire Technology
THEY SAY: Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506 – for when you want to be moved by big 5.1 surround sound from your music, movies and games. Multiple inputs let you configure your system the way you want to by connecting your PC, iPod, DVD player and more.
SPECS: 3D surround sound speakers, integrated amplifiers, 75W RMS, 150W peak power, 45Hz – 20kHz frequency response.

WAVEMASTER MOODY SPEAKERS
SRP: £59.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Eurosimm
THEY SAY: Powerful 2.1 speaker system that packs 65-watt output power for connecting your TV, PC/Mac, iPod/iPad or any additional music source. This speaker system combines powerful audio reproduction with a compact and stylish design.
SPECS: 2 x 7cm satellite speakers, 16.5cm subwoofer, 65W RMS output, 150Hz – 20kHz frequency response, cable remote, 3.5mm input jack.

STEELSERIES FLUX IN-EAR PRO HEADPHONES
SRP: £119.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Gem Distribution
THEY SAY: Featuring balanced armature driver technology, the Flux In-ear Pro headset is the most accurate headset SteelSeries has ever produced. Experience a new dimension in your favourite games, music and movies, thanks to the highly detailed soundscape of the finely tuned balanced armature drivers.
SPECS: 15Hz – 22kHz frequency response, 26-ohm impedance, 105dB sensitivity, in-ear design, incorporated microphone.

WAE ANDROID SPEAKER
SRP: tbc
DISTRIBUTOR: Entatech, Gem Distribution
THEY SAY: This WAE speaker has been specifically designed for Android users, boasting a fun and trendy design that is both modern and ergonomic. Bluetooth technology ensures incredible sound quality within a ten-metre range.
SPECS: Dedicated Android application, Bluetooth 3.0, ten-metre range, 80Hz – 20kHz frequency response, 12 hours of battery life.

SANDBERG BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
SRP: £43.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Entatech
THEY SAY: The Sandberg Pocket Bluetooth Speaker connects wirelessly to a Bluetooth device such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. Despite its incredibly small size, the speaker delivers an impressive audio performance.
SPECS: 3W total power output, 100Hz – 20kHz frequency response, Bluetooth connectivity, eight hours battery life, ten metre operating distance.

SAMSUNG 2.1 WIRELESS AUDIO DOCK
SRP: £295
DISTRIBUTOR: Midwich
THEY SAY: As the world’s first dual docking system, users can enjoy their music from various smart devices such as the Samsung’s Galaxy range and Apple’s iPhone, iPod and iPad. This flexibility simplifies your audio set-up and also saves you the hassle of having to buy various audio systems that match your particular smart devices.
SPECS: 2.1 channel, 40W total power output, built-in woofer, wireless LAN connectivity, micro-USB and USB 2.0 ports.

BENCH RYTHM HEADPHONES
SRP: £39.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Meroncourt
THEY SAY: If you are looking for stylish over-the-head headphones, then the Bench Rhythm are the perfect choice. Built with a closed cup design to amplify bass and cut ambient background noise, offering an intimate audio experience.
SPECS: 40mm driver unit, 32-ohm impedance, foldable frame, closed cub design, 3.5mm stereo input jack.

LOGITECH WIRELESS USB SPEAKER Z515
SRP: £89.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Spire Technology
THEY SAY: This wireless, rechargeable Bluetooth speaker gives you rich, full stereo sound from your tablet – no strings attached. Plug- and-play Bluetooth wireless lets you stream your music from anywhere in the room, up to 50 feet away from your tablet.
SPECS: 2.0 speakers, 105Hz – 20kHz frequency range, ten-ohm impedance, 75dB SNR, ten hour battery life.

VEHO MIMI WIRELESS SPEAKER 2 X 4.5W + 9W SUBWOOFER
SRP: £199.95
DISTRIBUTOR: Westcoast
THEY SAY: The MIMI wireless speaker system allows you to quickly and easily stream music around your home via WiFi using the plug-and-play USB transmitting dongle and supplied satellite speakers and subwoofer. Users are able to stream from their smartphone, tablet, PC or laptop.
SPECS: Two 2.5-inch satellite speakers and four-inch subwoofer unit, four- ohm impedance, stereo 2.1 output, 18W output power, 80Hz – 18kHz frequency response.

WAVEMASTER MX3+ SPEAKERS
SRP: £39.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Eurosimm
THEY SAY: This 2.1 speaker system connects to your TV, PC/Mac, iPod/iPad or any additional music source. The system offers dynamic, high-quality stereo reproduction and powerful bass with three separate integrated amplifier modules.
SPECS: 2 x 7cm satellite speakers, 13cm subwoofer, 50W RMS output, 150Hz – 20kHz frequency response, cable remote, 3.5mm input jack.

ZOOKA WIRELESS SPEAKER
SRP: £79.99
DISTRIBUTOR: MIcro-P
THEY SAY: The Zooka Wireless Speaker, which packs a powerful, high quality audio experience into a sleek and sexy form, is a slim line silicone Bluetooth speaker that slides onto the top of your gadget, whether it be a laptop or tablet, and gives you HD Audio Sound with A2DP Streaming.
SPECS: A2DP Bluetooth streaming, ultra-portable, HD audio, built-in microphone, up to eight hours battery life, micro-USB charging port.

XTREME MAC SOMA TRAVEL SPEAKER DOCK
SRP: £34.99
DISTRIBUTOR: Gem Distribution
THEY SAY: Enjoy music anytime/anywhere with XtremeMac’s Soma Travel. Just dock and play your iPod, iPhone or iPad for surprisingly big stereo sound in a small portable speaker dock. AC adapter or batteries are not required; the docked device powers the speaker.
SPECS: Dock-and-play technology, USB 2.0 connectivity, compact design, easy access controls, iPod compatible.

CONTACTS
AUDIO TECHNICA: 0113 277 1441
CMS DISTRIBUTION: 01423 704 700
ENTATECH: 0333 101 1000
EUROSIMM: 01706 360 000
GEM DISTRIBUTION: 01279 822 822
GROUP GEAR: 0121 503 0666
MERONCOURT: 01462 680060
MICRO-P: 01282 776 776
MIDWICH: 01379 649 200
SPIRE TECHNOLOGY: 01202 828 444
WESTCOAST: 0118 912 6000