Power to the iPod and PC
Now more than ever, speaker makers understand that, for many listeners, the audio source component of choice is either a PC or an iPod. Accordingly, manufacturers are offering self-powered speaker systems designed specifically for use with PCs or iPods, but that also cater to high-end sonic tastes. Judging by what I heard at CES, today’s best iPod and PC speakers can achieve impressive results indeed. Let me illustrate this point with products from three manufacturers: Audioengine, NuForce and Focal.

The Audioengine 5s ($350; all speaker and monoblock amplifiers prices in this report are for the pair) are the larger models in the firm’s two-speaker lineup, and they incorporate both rear-mounted inputs as well as a top-mounted mini-jack input that allows iPods or other MP3 players to plug ’n’ play directly through the speakers. The sound is surprisingly warm and refined, reminiscent of that produced by some of the nicer sub-$400/pair passive monitors I’ve heard. As a cool added touch, Audioengine also offers a slick wireless module where a sending unit clips on to the user’s iPod while a receiver module clips on to the speaker, allowing fingertip control of the speakers from across the room.

 

NuForce, perhaps best known for its award-winning Class D amplifiers, demonstrated an intriguing and affordable desktop speaker/amplifier package called the Icon-1 ($399) that includes a tiny, paperback-book-sized Class D integrated amp and a beautiful set of compact, waveguide-loaded mini-monitors based on distinctive 3.5-inch full-range titanium drivers. While bass extension from the tiny Icon-1 speakers is understandably limited, the system’s overall sound is strikingly transparent and dynamically alive. NuForce CEO Jason Lim says the firm hopes to fine-tune the mini-monitors for “a bit deeper bass response� before final release.

 

Finally, one of the most impressive desktop systems I heard at CES (or anywhere else) is the new self-powered 2.1-channel Focal XS system ($750). It not only sounds superb, with the natural warmth and even tonal balance that characterizes bigger Focal speakers, but also offers amazingly solid bass performance. What is more, the little rig is extremely versatile. The XS system features two desktop speakers, a powered under-desk subwoofer, an iPod dock that provides traditional analog inputs, plus–get this–a USB port that feeds a built-in DAC/soundcard. This means you can pull digital audio files directly from your PC, and then let the XS rig’s superior electronics handle the D-to-A conversion workload.

Next: Overachieving Bookshelf Monitors

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