So remember that iPom from Speakal ? Well we mentioned it in August and now its ready to bloom in your home. Nothing has really changed all that much from our initial coverage of it except for the colors of the plants on the red version of the iPom. There will be three different units available in red, green, and white and each totally adorable and requires no green thumb. The iPom will retail for $99.99

The system is comprised of 5 speakers powered by 5 dedicated digital amps. Sonos claims that the system can provide the same audio experience like that of the B & W Zeppelin ipod speaker dock, but the Sonos S5 should not be confused with an iPod Dock. However, the device is designed to work seamlessly with the iPhone using the Sonos Controller app that lets you control the S5 wirelessly. I got try out the app and operate the S5 in person. The app’s interface is excellent, it lets you easily navigate through your iTunes collection streaming from your PC, as well as navigate through music playing on Last.fm, Napster, Pandora, Rhapsody and Sirius. Another great feature of the S5 is that you can buy up to 5 of them to place throughout your house, and you’ll be able to control all of them using a single iPod running the free Sonos Controller app. The app also lets you specify which track is playing in which room, or you could have the same track playing in multiple rooms while totally playing in sync with one another. I set “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga to play simultaneously in two rooms using the app, and I was impressed by how the music played back seamless and totally in sync with one another.

However, even if you don’t have an iPod or iPhone, the Sonos S5 will still give you access to all of these streaming music services like Pandora – and it will also still stream music from your PC. Overall, we like the direction that Sonos is heading. The original multi-room Sonos systems are still leading the pack at what they do, but there is a need for more simple to use devices that make it easy to bring these great streaming services in to your living room, or any other room for that matter.  Even a tech-head like myself can appreciate the S5’s simplicity. The Zoneplayer S5 will retail for $399 and will be available to purchase on November 3rd.

1. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
2. Mr. Roboto- Styx
3. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time) – Elton John
4. Virtual Insanity- Jamiroquai
5. Video Killed The Radio Star- The Buggles
6. Electric Avenue- Eddy Grant
7. Man On The Moon – REM
8. Spiderwebs – No Doubt
9. Mr. Telephone Man – New Edition
10. Take A Look Around-Limp Bizkit
11. Millennium – Robbie Williams
12. Star Wars Cantina – Richard Cheese
13. Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas
14. Back In Time (2006 Digital Remaster)- Huey Lewis and the News
15. Cell Phone- Jack in the Pulpit

The new Mark Levinson N˚500H power amplifiers (above) are audio beasts. I sat in a meeting room and listened to them power audio through a set of speakers. Between the Harman speakers and the Mark Levinson N˚500H power amplifiers, it felt as if you were sitting in a concert hall – minus the annoying crowd. I especially appreciated that the bass produced by the system wasn’t body jarring the way so many high-end systems are.  Also, you’ll notice that the Mark Levinson N˚500H’s design is especially unique. It screams metro-sexual audiophile with money to burn. It also kind of resembles a high-end desktop tower. I think men will love to use this system as a show piece in their living room and women will want to hide it.

The new circuitry design used in the N˚500H Series amplifiers is the key to their amazing performance. CFA design uses a circuit topology that emphasizes current-mode operation, which is inherently much faster than more conventional voltage-mode operation. With CFAs, amplifier gain may be controlled independently of bandwidth, a major advantage over conventional VFA topologies. By embracing new technology with Mark Levinson’s traditional passion for excellence, the N˚500H Series amplifiers combine truly impressive output capabilities with Mark Levinson’s characteristically high power efficiency. Other features of the N˚500H Series include reliable high power in four different channel configurations that provide ideal solutions for any type of system, independent power supply components for each channel to maximize isolation and improve imaging, isolated chassis and signal grounds that minimize noise and optimize sonic detail even at lower listening levels, and balanced and single-ended inputs. Furthermore, custom home systems integrators will appreciate the N˚500H Series’ Ethernet and 12-Volt trigger control capability, allowing for easier integration into home networks.

There are four amplifier models in the N˚500H Series all offering different numbers of channels. The N˚531H (300 Watts) = 1 channel, the N˚532H (600 Watts) = 2 channels and the N˚533H (900 watts) = 3 channels. They all feature extremely low Total Harmonic distortion (<0.5%) excellent signal-to-noise ration, and frequency response from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. The N˚535H is rated for 1,000 Watts and offers five balanced XLR inputs per channel, five unbalanced RCA inputs per channel, and five pairs of loudspeaker outputs with banana-plug sockets per channel. All N˚500H Series amplifiers feature an Ethernet 10Base-T port, a 3.5mm mono mini-plug trigger input, a 3.5mm mono mini-plug trigger output, and a 3-pin IEC standard power connector.

Being touted as future proof, Harman has also announced the Lexicon BD-30 Blu-Ray player with support for just about everything including BD-Live, BonusView, DVD, upconverted DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD and USB. The BD-20 features Anchor Bay’s award-winning Video Reference Series technology for the best 1080p picture possible.

In the world of speakers, Revel has the new Ultima Rhythm2 Powered Subwoofer to show off. This 18 inch subwoofer can supply 2,400 watts RMS and up to 5,600 Watts at peak. It also promises to perform at high output levels without any distortion.

The second new subwoofer from Revel is the Performa B150 which features a 15 inch transducer with integrated high-power amplification, and 1,200 watts RMS.

The Revel Performa B150 raises the performance bar, both in terms of low-distortion output capability, as well as in accurate, uncolored sound quality. Its 15-inch woofer and 4-inch voice coil are integrated with a 36-pound motor system and a true 1.5-inch linear excursion, resulting in the capability to provide enormous amounts of low-distortion bass. . Distortion is extraordinarily low without resorting to servo-feedback, thanks in part to the B150 woofer’s symmetrical magnetic field, flux stabilization ring and copper shorting ring. This is combined with an integrated amplifier which produces 1,200-Watts RMS continuous power and an extraordinary 2,800 Watts of peak power, providing the B150 with substantial headroom to avoid low-frequency distortion. Furthermore, Revel has engineered-in advanced protective circuitry that allows the B150 to reproduce natural bass with maximum dynamic “punch”. For the custom home systems integrator, this means they can reliably build home theater and music systems that can accommodate anything film sound can dish out, with a subwoofer that can hold its own mated with the finest loudspeakers available.

For those of you who are minimalists, or rather have your gear be hidden. Harmon also has special speakers that are designed to be built in to your wall. Once installed, you can paint over them and have them fit in perfectly with your decor.

There is no word on pricing yet for any of these products, but we’ll update this post as soon as pricing becomes available.

Michael Jackson Doll - I was so psyched to get this doll and parade Michael around to all of Barbie’s friends with his white glove and plan their first interracial date (scandalous). However, not only was that a treat – the fact that every limb of his moved and his knees and arms all bent was so exciting! None of my others dolls did that. He was also anatomically correct….

Michael Jackson and Videos Games – IGN has a great selection of games that Michael himself or his music were featured in. Moonwalker was a terrible game, but it didn’t stop me from playing it. However, I do plan on hitting Guitar Hero and playing “Beat It” tonight as an homage.

Moonwalker – When I first saw this movie – I guess I was expecting another a thriller. Sure the music was great, but it made absolutely no sense to me as a young person. I loved when he turned into a robot and which was my favorite part back then. But only now looking back at it many years later, do you see the mad genius behind it. Having so many things going on at once, was a perfect example of how Michael really was – a man with so much talent bursting out of his seams and trying to get it all out there for us to see – whether it made sense or not.

Las Vegas 50-foot Robotic Replica – In 2007 there was a crazy story circulating that MJ wanted to make himself a 50-foot replica in Las Vegas. At the time, there were plans of him putting on a show there ala Cher. The media was none to kind to him – and thought this was the most absurd thing. But if you look back now, can you imagine if they had build it?!

Walking Tutor – Excercising Aid for Physically Disabled Children - Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with Michael Jackson… if you look closely at the image you will see where I’m going with this. Karthik Kulkarni won the IEEE Distinguished Student Humanitarian Prize for creating a device to stimulate disabled kids, when they walk on the floor it would light up – encouraging them to keep on walking. Designed to be like an interactive game – Not only is Karthik (in my eyes) inspired by Billie Jean, he is also helping children. Now that truly would have made the King of Pop proud.