CES 2006 Profile: Altec Lansing

By Digital Trends Staff Updated October 25, 2009

Speaker manufacturer Altec Lansing brought several new interesting products to CES 2006 which they expect will bring another positive year to their bottom line. These new products are focused mainly on speaker systems for portable audio devices, with a headphone announcement thrown in as well for good measure.

Standing at the front of the line for Altec Lansing’s 2006 line up is the inMotion iM9 ($199.95). Made to be taken into the outdoors, this portable speaker system for dockable iPods is made with shock resistant, rubberized elements. Features include built-in splash resistance, a rugged backpack style carry bag, an advanced Class D amplifier with MaxxBass technology and a recharging option for your iPod.

Those wanting to add a little boom to their inMotion speakers might be interested in Altec Lansing’s new BB2001 ($49.95) stand alone, AC powered subwoofer. It has a contemporary design and is equipped with a blue power indicator light. Compatible withs select inMotion systems, the BB2001 plugs into the sub out port.

Laptop users weren’t left out in the cold at CES 2006 as Altec Lansing announced the stylish XT2 ($149.95) portable speakers. They are USB powered and talk back enabled, meaning there is a built-in microphone for Internet communications. Features include an auxiliary input jack, built-in controls, pivoting stands and two 28mm full-range micro drivers.

Owners of XM Satellite Radio’s Plug-n-Play receivers (Delphi Roady XT and Audiovox Xpress) also got a home docking system with external subwoofer in the form of the new XM4021. This model is configurable, allowing users to stack or separate the satellite unit and subwoofer.

Finally, Altec Lansing’s new headphones are the 900MHz wireless AHP612 ($149.95). This leatherette ear pads design offers up high performance 40mm neodymium audio drivers, passive noise reduction and can wirelessly receive audio up to 150 feet from the base station. Rechargeable when placed on the station, battery life is reported to be at around eight hours. The AHP612 sports dual RCA plugs and comes with a 3.5mm Y-adapter cable.

Topics

Speakers

Digital Trends Staff

Digital Trends has a simple mission: to help readers easily understand how tech affects the way they live. We are your…

Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?