Sony at its IFA show presence added a pair of 2.1-channel PC speakers, including what it claims as a first for integrating iPhones and iPods. The 60W SRS-GD50iP has its own dock in the central controller to play audio from any of the dockable Apple devices or just to keep it charged. A toggle button lets users switch between this and the regular sound output from the computer.
As part of its larger CES campaign, Sony has upgraded its iPhone and iPod audio line with several new audio systems. The LBT-ZX99i and LBT-ZX66i (shown) Muteki systems upgrade older models and are geared to playing iPhone or iPod music loud and for gaming thanks to higher-powered speakers and a new Game Sync Mixing mode. As the starter model, the ZX66i still outputs 560W with four hybrid mid-range/subwoofer units and dual tweeters; the ZX99i expands to 720W with larger woofers and tweeters.
Sony on Friday brought iPod audio into relatively new territory on Friday by releasing two new audio systems for larger areas and more social occasions. The S-AIRPLAY is one of the few multi-room iPod audio systems available and beams music from the Apple players to stereo satellites as far as 164 feet away from a central base station, letting owners keep their device in one location. Sony's custom S-Air format supports as many as ten receiving systems at one time and effectively lets one iPod cover an entire house.
