JVC Unwraps New iPod Stereos

JVC has announced four new "Made for iPod" home and portable audio systems designed to let iPod fans pump their tunes through real air.

Electronics maker JVC has rolled out four new audio systems designed for either portable or home/desktop use, all touting “Made for iPod” branding, but which can also be used with other audio players with a little cabling and clumsiness. JVC’s new line includes two desktop systems and two portable units.

Desktop units first: the NX-PS1 consists of four boxes: a center unit, two matching satellite speakers, and a nine-inch cube containing a powered subwoofer. The NX-PS1 offers JVC’s USB Host functionality, which enables users to play WMA and MP3 files from non-iPod audio players and flash memory drives, and a USB Audio function which enables the unit to act as an audio output device for a Windows or Mac OS X system. Naturally, the NX-PS1 sports an iPod dock connector which charges the iPod while in use, and provides playback control Also on board: an aux input for connecting any other audio device, a clock/timer, a way to set wake-up volume, bass and treble EQ (with four presets), headphone jack, and a black and white display area with black speaker grills, and a remote control. The speakers are 10 watts apiece; the subwoofer is a 6-inch driver with a 30-watt amp. Expect to see the NX-PS1 this month for a suggested price of $249.95.

Next up, the UX-EP25, a low-profile system with an iPod Dock connector, plus the USB Host and USB Audio capabilities found in the NX-PS1 (above). However, the UX-EP25 is just a few inches tall; offers an AM/FM tuner, aux input, clock, sleep timer, remote control, and headphone jack; nd putes music with a 7.5-watts-per-channel amp. Expect the UX-EP25 this month for a suggested price of $199.95.

Looking for something more portable? The RA-P10 aims to take over the slot in your life currently occupied by a clock radio, and features an iPod dock, AM/FM tuner, a four-watt-per-channel amp, and can run off either AC power or six AA batteries. The RA-P10 features an alarm clock, room thermometer, aux input, remote control, and a blue blacklit display. The RA-P10 will ship in October with a suggested price of $129.95.

Finally the RC-EZ38 is an old school boombox, offering a digital AM/FM tuner, a clock/timer, headphone jack, remote, iPod dock, USB Host capabilities (to play WMA and MP3 tunes off USB storage devices), and support for title and ID3 tag information on its built-in backlit display. But, just so you don’t have to go broke buying all-new tunes to play, the RC-EZ38 sports both a CD player and a cassette deck, so you can play your parents’ original mix tapes in all their warbly glory. Want one? Look for the RC-EZ28 in stores right now for $99.95.