Pioneer's new iPod Speakers, the XW-NAS5
Pioneer have launched two new iPod speakers in to the market. Although both speakers have not been blessed with the catchiest of names ( the XW-NAS5 and XW-NAS3), history tells us that they should offer a decent audio epxerince.
As a long standing player in the world of audio devices, Pioneer would seem to be well equipped to offer iPod and iPhone owners a decent range of speakers and docks as it has a long history of audio accomplishments.
Pioneer was founded in 1938 in Japan by Nozomu Matsumoto – a man with a passion for music that he hoped to share with the world through high quality audio speakers. It has since grown to international stature as a manufacturer of audio and video products for use at home, in the car and in business environments.
Both of the new speakers are designed for use in the home (Pioneer describes them as Tabletop speakers) and both offer a 2.1 surround sound system and 60 watt outputs. The manafacturers claim that the sound output of these two new units has been deigned with the ‘western’ ear in mind, which apparently means that we like deep bass with wide, rich sounds across the whole of the sound spectrum.
I won’t got in to all the specs for both speakers, but instead highlight a couple of the extra features they hide unde their stylish (but not not drop dead stylish) designs.
Firstly both units are compatible with Bluetooth devices, so iPhone 3GS, iPod 2G and other owners of bluetooth enabled models will be able to stream music files wirelessly to the XW-NAS5 and the XW-NAS3. Those with out Blutooth capability will not be left out of the music streaming party as Pioneer also offer an accessory called the BT-100 (sold separatley) that will let you join in the fun.
Secondly, the XW-NAS5 (the more expensive of the 2 speakers) offers iPod and iPhone owners a couple more little luxuries in the form of two onboard sound enhancement systems. The Advanced Sound Retriever system enhances and scales up the sound generated by compressed music files. The Auto Level Control also ensures that all the tracks you play, no matter at what level they were originally recorded, come out of your sound system at a consistent level.
For those truly at peace with themselves, the XW-NAS5 iPod speaker also offers an ambient sound generator that will fill the room with relaxing sounds to aid the listener’s relaxation and if your’re not in to that it also has a built-in am/fm radio to keep you entertained.
Alhtough both iPod speakers were announced in Europe at the beginning if September, not pricing information has yet been forthcoming so its hard to compare these models to anything else for the moment.
Pioneer have traditionally got the sound output right on their devices in the past, but iPod and iPhone owners seem to look for a bit more than just good sound, so it will be interesting to see how these two new entrants go in this competitive marketplace.
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