I’ve been following Creative for so long I feel like they’re old friends to me. I’ve been impressed over the years with their MP3 player line but they, like so many audio manufacturers, have seen the writing on the wall and the future isn’t in making the MP3 players – it’s in making the stuff that works with MP3 players.
To wit: here we present the Zii Sound D5 and D200 Bluetooth speakers. I also saw the D100, a $69 entry-level set for the younger crowd, but those aren’t shipping for another month.
The D5, at $299.99 is my absolute favorite. Clad in black plastic and chrome accents, this kit has a surprise – a fully portable iPod/iPad dock that turns your device into a remote control.
You can either connect your device via Bluetooth – A2DP is ideal here – and run the audio through that way or you can connect to the included Bluetooth dongle that actually docks into the speakers when not portable. The sound quality is excellent and can really fill a room. We’ll run it for a few days and I’ll report back.
The D200 is a $99 model that is Bluetooth only. It also has an Aux-In and the audio quality is pretty good for a standard dock. It’s great for an office environment, for example, where you don’t want to dock and forget your phone.
The D5 is available now and the D100 and D200 will be available soon.
Creative Ushers in a New Era of Pure Wireless Music Listening with a Full Range of Wireless Speaker Systems
Experience the Future of Pure Music Today with Wireless Speaker Systems That Work with All Compatible Stereo Bluetooth Portable DevicesMILPITAS, CALIFORNIA – 13 April 2010 – Creative Technology Ltd. today announced the release of a full range of wireless high performance speaker systems comprising the award-winning ZiiSoundTM D5 and Creative InspireTM S2 Wireless, as well as the Creative D200 and Creative D100. This new range of speaker systems offers wireless solutions to suit different lifestyles and defines how people will enjoy music from their portable devices from now on.
The state-of-the-art speaker systems work with any compatible stereo Bluetooth device
– from mobile phones, portable media players to the iPhone, the iPod†, the iPad, netbooks, notebooks and just about every Bluetooth A2DP enabled device.Incorporating award-winning high quality wireless audio technology and speaker architecture tuned by Creative’s world class audio specialists for the best wireless audio performance possible, each speaker system is engineered to deliver the purest wireless audio in its class.
“Say good-bye to docking speakers because they are going to become a thing of the past. With the emergence of so many wireless capable mobile devices in 2010, Creative is now set to usher in a new era in pure music listening where you can enjoy music with your favourite mobile device through our range of wireless speakers,” said Joseph Liow, Vice President for Personal Digital Entertainment Products at Creative.
“This means that users are now free from the limitation of physically connecting or docking their mobile devices to their speakers to enjoy high quality music without wires – a new era in pure music listening has arrived!”Listening to pure music wirelessly through a speaker system has never been easier, with 3 different ways to pair devices:
1. Connect the iPhone, the iPod† and the iPad with the iPod Transmitter (included with the ZiiSound D5 speaker system)
2. Connect via a USB Bluetooth Transmitter attached to the netboook or notebook (included with the Creative Inspire S2 Wireless speaker system)
3. Connect via the built-in Bluetooth feature on the mobile deviceThe ZiiSound D5 speaker system comes bundled with relevant accessories to connect to just about any Bluetooth device for the purest wireless music experience:
1. An iPod Transmitter to connect the iPhone, the iPod† and the iPad
2. An additional USB Transmitter for notebooks and netbooks during the initial launch promotion period at www.creative.com/shopCreative Pure Wireless Speaker Systems
ZiiSound D5 – Flagship One-Piece Wireless Speaker System
At the heart of Creative’s wireless speaker system line-up is the flagship ZiiSound D5 – the personification of pure wireless audio. This elegant speaker system with a contemporary look that complements any modern interior décor, is a recent winner of the prestigious German-based “red dot award: product design 2010” in the Audio Category for its outstanding design quality and product innovation selected by an international panel of top-class experts.
Incorporating award-winning Bluetooth technology*, apt-X audio codec and speaker architecture tuned for the best wireless audio performance possible, this state-of-the-art speaker system works with any compatible stereo Bluetooth device to deliver the most compelling wireless audio experience.
• Seamless wireless music streaming with any compatible stereo Bluetooth mobile phone, portable media player, netbook, notebook and just about every Bluetooth A2DP enabled device
• Works with the iPhone, the iPod† and the iPad when used with the bundled detachable iPod Transmitter
• apt-X — high performance low latency audio codec for superior stereo Bluetooth audio
• Built with premium components
• Full-frame monocoque exoskeleton for maximum rigidity
• In-house acoustics tuning and modelling ensures striking accuracy, detail and atmosphere, setting new benchmarks in one-piece speaker system design
• High performance drivers and digital amplifiers for balanced and dynamic audio clarity
• Integrated AUX-In for connecting to other audio devices
• Charges the iPhone and the iPod† while dockedCreative Inspire S2 Wireless – Award-Winning 2.1 Wireless Speaker System
The Creative Inspire S2 Wireless speaker system, winner of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group Best of CES Award 2010, exemplifies the best in the evolution of Bluetooth technology. Enjoy crystal clear audio from its two compact yet high-performance satellite speakers and the highly efficient Creative DIRECT-THROW subwoofer, which delivers dynamic mid-bass – bringing music to life instantly!
• Plug and play wireless audio with any USB notebook or PC (No software drivers required)
• Seamless wireless streaming from any compatible stereo Bluetooth notebook or mobile device
• apt-X — high performance low latency audio codec for superior stereo Bluetooth audio
• Creative DIRECT-THROW subwoofer delivers dynamic mid-bass users can feel
• Large slot type rear port tube for improved air flow
• Digital volume control with Headphone-Out for private listening and AUX-In for connecting to MP3 playersCreative D200 – One-Piece Best-in-Class Wireless Speaker System
The Creative D200, while sharing the same sonic soul as the flagship ZiiSound D5, offers similar excellent audio performance at a more competitive price. World class standard in audio tuning enables it to deliver exceptional audiophile-like smoothness in audio quality.
•Simplistic design and efficient amplifiers and precision drivers encased in a highly braced single shell chassis for a distortion-free soothing playback
• Bluetooth interoperability** allows fuss free wireless connection for music enjoyment with stereo Bluetooth compatible devices such as mobile phones, netbooks, and other mobile devices
• apt-X — high performance low latency audio codec for superior stereo Bluetooth audio
• Integrated AUX-In for connecting to other audio devicesCreative D100 – Wireless Boombox
The high-efficiency drivers encased in the rear ported enclosure allow the Creative D100 to deliver desired levels of loudness and impactful bass. This versatile and portable speaker system will be an instant hit and the best choice for an affordable wireless boombox.
• Plays high quality wireless audio and controls** music with the iPhone, netbooks and other compatible Bluetooth mobile devices
• Integrated AUX-In for connecting to other audio devices
• The Creative D100 is powered by mains power supply or 4 widely available AA batteries. It is truly portable, keeping the music going wherever users go
• Choice of vibrant colours to suit different lifestyles
Pricing and Availability
The Creative wireless speaker systems range will be available at the online store at creative.com/shop in US.• The ZiiSound D5 is currently available at the suggested retail price of US$299.99.
• The USB Transmitter (BT-D1) worth US$39.99 will be bundled free of charge with the ZiiSound D5 speaker system during the initial launch promotion period from 13 April 2010 while stocks last.
• Both the USB Transmitter (BT-D1) and the iPod Transmitter (BT-D5) are also currently available for purchase as individual accessories at the suggested retail price of US$39.99 each.
• The Creative Inspire S2 Wireless is currently available at the suggested retail price of US$129.99.
• The Creative D200 and Creative D100 will be available from end June 2010 onwards at the suggested retail prices of US$99.99 and US$69.99 respectively.For in-store availability, please refer to local authorised dealers.
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