While the question "what is the Matrix?" has been more or less answered, Matrix Audio last week at the 2012 International CTIA Wireless show evoked another question. Namely, "how much sound can put squeeze out of a small package?" The answer: a lot!
The company has introduced a line of small orbs that deliver serious audio. These won't replicate the big sound of a home theater system, but that isn't the point. Instead the company is looking to provide reasonably big sound for mobile devices such an iPhone, iPad, iPod or other tablet, smartphone or digital music player. In other words these are really replacement speakers for the terrible ones built into most tablets, or alternatives to headphones so you can share your music, movie and TV shows with friends and family.
Leading the pack is the NRG, a 3-watt speaker that features an Xcavated bass amplifier, can run for up to 14 hours on a charge and best of all can be connected to additional NRG speakers for a more-the-merrier speaker setup. Each speaker ($30 MSRP) contains an embedded 3.5mm cable making for easy connect to any device with a headphone port.
The Aura ($50 MSRP) takes the concept a step further, offering the same playback time and buddy chain system but adding a Micro SD card slot so music (or other audio files) can be played directly from the small speaker. The Duet ($60) offers twin stereo speakers, and provide 2x3-watts of power - plus these can also be daisy chained to bring yet more sound.
Fittingly Matrix Audio also has a single orb speaker known simply as One ($90 MSRP). This "one" adds Bluetooth connectivity, with a microphone and ability to answer calls. It cuts the cords and works as a speaker for music and voice calls for a smartphone. However, it is not buddy system compatible preferring to go it alone (hence the name).
Later this summer Matrix will roll out the iPro - ironic given that unlike the aforementioned speakers this one features a cube rather than orb design. It is a pocket sized speaker that also offers 3-watts of power, runs for 11 hours and is supposedly "pocket friendly." It features a metal frame that actually is fairly beefy, and provides for even more robust and clear sound than the orb speakers. The iPro will be available soon for around $40 5o $50.
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