Grace Notes

While many companies are producing smart speakers with added features such as built-in video screens, Onkyo is flipping the script and adding a camera and home monitoring features into the VC-FLX ($280).

Cleer’s motto “Be In the Moment” couldn’t be more apparent with a new product lineup that takes advantage of many new technologies emerging lately, including voice activation, heart rate monitors, and ruggedness for today’s active lifestyles. The 2018 lineup includes a series of new headphones, a smart speaker, and a VR headset.

Monster doesn’t really have a stake in the automotive field, unless you take into account Noel Lee’s lineup of custom car builds, including a Bentley, Lamborghini and Ferrari show car. However, with a new collaboration with Volkswagen, the Concept R could become a Monster first: a true production vehicle.

House of Marley is known for using or reusing products that support sustainability while also functioning practically and performing up to a level that would make Bob Marley proud. The new No Bounds XL speaker ($149) uses an array of sustainable materials throughout to create a buoyant and impact-resistant speaker that’s begging to get outdoors.

Audio software experts from Sonarworks just announced a new app that eliminates the inaccurate coloration introduced by most consumer headphones to create a flat, “studio reference” sound from over 100 popular headphones.

Days are shorter, snow is on its way, and temperatures are plummeting. It’s getting cold and we’re all looking for ways to stay warm, without giving up our music. Sound Huggles are wireless Bluetooth headphones that double as comfy earmuffs. Okay, so I live in Florida and I’m still in shorts and flip-flops, but I know some of you are bundling up to head to work on frigid mornings or out for your evening jog. Wouldn’t a pair of toasty-warm, snuggly headphones make your ears happy?

Voice-activated speakers are hitting the market hot and heavy with everyone vying to be the only system you’ll invest in. Amazon is hoping you’ll pick Alexa, and Cortana is hoping to get some traction in the market. Once you’re a Google family, odds are you’ll stay there. To that end, JBL just released a new line of Google Assistant voice-activated speakers, and the LINK 20 is the perfect balance of features, sound quality, and portability. Yup — that’s right — a voice-assistant that’s not only portable, it’s waterproof too so it can go anywhere.