CES 2012 is right around the corner and a few companies are starting to tease their announcements. iHome will be debuting three new docking station alarm clocks in the company’s North Hall booth.

- The iW4 is iHome’s most advanced docking station to date. The device uses your home WiFi network to stream music from iTunes, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch (what, no video?). The firmware is also upgradeable to keep up with your devices advances. ($269.99)

- The iP18 is the dual alarm clock speaker system that we’d expect Kanye West to have on his nightstand. Aside from playing and charging the iPhone and iPad, the translucent cabinet also glows in five different colors at the touch of a button. ($69.99)

-iD50 is an app-friendly Bluetooth alarm clock that also works as a speakerphone for your  iPhone. It does everything one would expect a clock dock to do, plus it features SRS Bass and Reason8 speakers. ($169.99)

All three docks are expected to be available later this year.

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Akai recently launched a site to hype introduce the company’s new line of MPC’s. All jokes aside, the MPC is one of the most iconic pieces of equipment in hip-hop history so the new line, which includes the Renaissance (pictured above), MPC Studio and MPC Fly (for iPad users) have a hard act to follow.

While we do have to wait a few days for details on the Studio and Fly, Akai has leaked some info about the Renaissance. The Renaissance features 16-backlit pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen, Vintage Mode changes that allow sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 and more. And most importantly you can easily fuse the MPC with your computer.

The entire product line will make its physical debut at NAMM.

As of today, the Opena Case is the coolest phone case in the world. This is the first time we’ve ever seen a phone case/bottle opener so we’re going to go ahead and say it is the first one ever. Made by two Australian guys, the case (available in white or black) is made of hard  polycarbonate and the slide out bottle opener is stainless steel. It fits all iPhone 4 models and runs for $39.99.

If you’ve been paying any attention to Radio Shack’s commercials then you’ve probably noticed Ludacris doing the voiceovers for the “So Right” campaign. In addition to the holiday ads, as we previously reported Luda’s SOUL line is also sold in Radio Shack. Check out the SOUL rollout video below:

(Rapradar)

G-Form is best known for their RPT (Reactive Protection Technology) and in order to prove that their rugged cases are legit they put  the Extreme Edge and Extreme Portfolio iPad cases through a couple insane tests…and they taped it.

There are a lot of iPad cases on the market but we haven’t seen any of them protect the tablet from falling 1300 feet or being thrown from a moving car.

Check out the videos for yourself

The HTC Rezound is the first fruits from the Beats Audio and HTC partnership. Presented as the only phone to feature integrated Beats Audio, Rezound comes with a pair of lightweight Beats headphones, specially made for the phone. HTC claims that the Rezound will deliver “thundering bass, soaring midrange and crisp highs with stunning clarity and incredible stereo sound.”

As far as the non boom-bap features go, Rezound comes equipped with a true HD display, via a 4.3″ LCD screen, an 8-megapixel camera with some cool features (LED flash, panoramic mode and action burst) and HTC Watch.

The Rezound will be available on November 14 at Verizon Wireless, Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores for $299.99 with a two-year contract.

Hit the jump for more images and full Rezound specs.

A few weeks ago SOL REPUBLIC sent a pair of “Tracks” headphones. Given their history in the audio game (several SOL execs were responsible for Monster and Beats by Dre products) we were excited to see just what they had put together for a sub $100 price. The results are astounding.

Full review

Visual: The Tracks are pretty basic at first glance but the interchangeable pieces. Users can add flair with different ear cushions and headbands.

Functionality: The switchable cables and polymer “Sound Track” headbands with FlexTech technology are on point. You can drop, step on or sit on the headphones and they keep ticking—not that we advise you to be destructive with your purchase.

Tracks are very light and comfortable as well. On a five-plus hour flight, I wore them with no discomfort whatsoever.

The three-button remote and microphone is a good look. Granted the feature has become the norm since people started storing music on their smartphones but it is not something you expect from a $99 pair of cans.

Pros: Tracks have all the bells and whistles but they mean nothing if the sound isn’t right. Fortunately the V8 Sound Engine powered headphones produce superior sound. Highs, mids and lows come through with amazing clarity. Even at high volumes there is little to no distortion. Whether your pleasure is vintage Mobb Deep or Bach, Tracks get the job done.

Cons: The interchangeable parts that make SOL stand out can also be a downfall for the new brand. If you have a hard time keeping up with parts, the Track HD’s are not for you. Also, adjusting the removable headband is a different beast than with normal headphones, but over time users will get used to it. The 3-button remote is not Zune or Zune HD friendly.

Overall: Bottom line, you will not find a better pair of headphones for this price.

In a world where streamlined, noise-canceling headsets rule, the Soundesign Retro-style Hi-Fidelity Stereo Headphones are obvious artifacts from years past. Tearing the box open, I realized that these funny looking headphones were the exact ones I used to covet in my youth. As much as I smirked at the old-school design, I remembered that they were the ones I was never allowed to touch while my father played his music. They were the ones I never had enough money to buy for myself. More than two decades later, here they were, in my hands. Above all though, they are proof of how much the industry has changed in regard to how we listen to music.

Full review

SDi (an offshoot of iHome) held on to the black pleather and chrome design made famous by the original, with an adjustable headband and the volume control conveniently located on the earpieces. They aren’t physically appealing at all. I threw the headset on, glanced in the mirror, and thought, “Dork.” I acknowledged the ‘left’ and ‘right’ markings above the earpieces with a chuckle and an eyeroll initially, then considerable warmth. The padded cushions on the earpieces aren’t fitted to hug ears snugly, even my elfishly small ones. I plugged the coiled wire into my laptop to test the sound, which I noticed was clear and crisp, but-possibly because of the ill fit- I could still hear my obnoxious neighbor threatening her man- -again.

Clearly the company was going for nostalgic appeal in rereleasing the Soundesign Hi-Fidelity headphones. I’ll probably never wear them outside of the house, but they do make me smile and they deserve a spot next to the space I’ve cleared for whenever daddy lets me have his records. –N. Graham

If you grew up in the hood in the 80’s or you watch a lot of old school hip-hop movies, the boombox holds a special place in your heart. The Walkman and later the iPod (not to mention noise ordinances) effectively killed that era but Pioneer has found a new audience to market the boombox to in the new millennium. The STEEZ line of designed for the dance community. Offered in three models, the STZ-D10S-L “Solo,” STZ-D10T-G “Duo,” and STZ-D10Z-R “Crew,” STEEZ portable music systems incorporate mobility, durability, style and unique dance tools like Tempo Control, 8-Beat Skip and Dance Cue.

The models are somewhat pricey, they  range from $299-$499.

Full Specs

Three STEEZ Models and Styles

STZ-D10S-L“Solo”

Available in light blue, Solo is ultra-compact and lightweight designed for the individual/beginner dancer at home or other indoor environments.

• MP3, WMA, AAC, LPCM support
• 4GB internal memory
• 2.4” LED QVGA screen
• Dock for iPod & iPhone
• Full range drivers (40mm x 2)
• 5 Watt power output
• 6-AA batteries or AC adapter

The STZ-D10S-L is available in November for a suggested price of $299.

STZ-D10T-G “Duo”

Offered in stylish neon green, Duo is the rugged, go-anywhere model.  It’s designed for the intermediate dancer and small dance groups.  And, its water resistant design allows for both indoor and outdoor use.  The unit features:

• Sealed iPod & iPhone Enclosure
• MP3, WMA, AAC, LPCM support
• 4GB internal memory
• 2.4” LED QVGA screen
• Full range drivers (40mm x 2)
• 5 Watt power output
• 6-AA batteries or AC adapter

The STZ-D10T-G is available in November for a suggested price of $349.

STZ-D10Z-R “Crew”

The largest of the three models, Crew is designed for providing big sound in large or outdoor environments.   Offered in flashy red, the unit provides more output and bigger bass performance, perfect for dance crews, instructors and choreographers.  The unit features:

• Large 3.5” LED QVGA screen
• Tweeters (25mm x 2)
• Woofers (75mm x 2)
• Dedicated subwoofers (135mm x 2)
• 40 Watts total power output
• Sealed iPod & iPhone Enclosure
• MP3, WMA, AAC, LPCM support
• 4GB internal memory
• 10-D batteries or AC Adapter

The STZ-D10Z-R is available in November for a suggested price of $499

SOUL by Ludacris headphones have been getting great placement (peep DJ Premier rocking them during tonight’s BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers) but not so stellar reviews. In what could be considered a financial power move, SOUL is switching the retail game up by selling their entire line in Radio Shack stores nationwide. Ranging in price from $69 to $300, the SL49, SL99, SL100 and SL150 models will be sold in nearly 4,700 convenient locations. Radio Shack doesn’t exactly scream cutting edge high end toys but considering the superior competition available, this might be the best move SOUL has made yet.