New Gear: Earthquake Sound Revamps MiniMe Sub and iQuake Speaker Dock
Applying lessons learned in the car audio arena, Earthquake Sound has been delivering high-powered, high-quality products in the active deskop stereo and 2.1 market for a suprisingly long time. The iQuake-52 powered speaker pair has been given an overhaul this year, with a beefier output transformer and a range of bright colors; unchanged are the carbon-fiber 5.25-inch woofers, 1--inch silk dome tweeters and 100 watts per side of power.
An integral dock supports and charges all past and present iPhones and iPods; it's a recessed dock so an iPad can't be supported directly, though it will play and charge via a dock extender cable if you're so inclined. An S-video output port is provided for watching video content; a USB through port lets you listen to your iOS device while you're syncing. If you're not Apple-inclined, RCA and 1/8" inputs let you use the device of your choice - or, as the company suggests you can use the provided rear-panel power outlet to attach an Airport Express and convert the iQuake into an AirPlay speaker pair. Rounding out the feature set is a convenient onboard volume pot, a remote, and a subwoofer out.
And on that note, getting a refresh is the MiniMe compact subwoofer (the 8-inch P8 version of which is designed to pair nicely with the iQuake-52 in a 2.1 system, but can certainly fill your other compact sub needs). Beyond the 8-inch/320 watt version, 10-inch/450 watt P10 and 12-inch/600 watt P12 MiniMes are also available. The MiniMes couple an active driver with a passive radiator (Earthquake has patented the design, known as "SLAPS") in what the company calls a two-driver system; the power comes from a Class D amplifier, newly updated for the current production run. A new piano white finish is available, though only for the smaller P8 - the P10 and P12 are only available in basic black.
A slectable signal-sensing circuit automatically turns on the MiniMe and puts it into stand-by; there's an onboard volume control, a 0-180-degree phase shift adjustment, and a variable cutoff frequency control from 50 Hz on up to 160 Hz. RCA inputs can be run in LFE or Sub modes, high level speaker inputs and outputs are also provided.
The iQuake will set you back $475/pair in black or white, $499 in pink, red or silver. The MiniMe P8 is available in black for $849.00 or piano white lacquer for $949.00; the MiniMe P10 is $1,099.00; and the MiniMe P12 costs $1,399.00.
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