Polk intros I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 with Apple iTunes Tagging
Friday, September 07, 2007 - 05:22 PM EST
Today at CEDIA Expo at the Colorado Convention Center, Polk Audio announced the introduction of the I-Sonic Entertainment System 2, joining the award-winning original I-Sonic Entertainment System introduced in 2006. Both models are table top entertainment systes; each I-Sonic model has a different feature set to serve different user profiles.
The new I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 is the first radio that allows listeners to buy songs heard on HD Radio broadcasts using Apple's revolutionary iTunes Tagging technology. iTunes Tagging enables consumers using HD Radio receivers that have been equipped with a special Tag button, to "tag" songs that they hear on the FM dial for subsequent purchase via iTunes.
The I-Sonic ES2 delivers rich, room-filling stereo sound 360-degrees around the entertainment system. With I-Sonic technology listeners enjoy a big-life-like stereo image wherever they are in the room. Patented PowerPort bass venting technology belts out the kind of rich powerful bass one would expect from large free-standing speakers. Professional audio critics and I-Sonic owners described the sound of the original I-Sonic as "extraordinary," "remarkable," "incredible," "live," and "shockingly good."
Polk Audio chose the feature set of the I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 to serve "new media" customers more likely to use their iPod for video delivery, while the original I-Sonic ES features a built-in DVD player for video.
The I-Sonic ES2 includes a second generation HD Radio tuner with full multicasting. With its advanced acoustical system, Digital Signal Processing, and new HD Radio tuner technology, the I-Sonic ES2 is the highest performing self-contained HD Radio product on the market. The I-Sonic ES2 accepts all Apple iPod models with dock connectors in its top-mounted dock hidden beneath a sliding door. S-Video and composite video outputs allow the user to connect a television or video monitor to the IES2 for viewing video content stored on a video iPod.
The I-Sonic ES2 will debut a new music discovery feature from Apple called iTunes Tagging which allows consumers to buy songs they hear on HD Radio stations. The iTunes Tag button on the I-Sonic ES2's front panel and remote control allows consumers to tag songs broadcast by HD Radio stations. The I-Sonic ES2 stores information about the tagged songs to its memory and transfers the tags to an iPod when docked. When the consumer connects the iPod to his/her computer, iTunes automatically presents the songs in a new Tagged play-list for the consumer to preview, buy, and download. iTunes Tagging is a great way to discover new music and add it to one's collection.
An auxiliary input allows hook up of any stereo audio device such as a portable CD player or cassette deck. The I-Sonic ES2 is also a full function dual-alarm clock that can use the radio or iPod as the alarm. It also features a headphone jack for private listening, 24 radio presets and a wireless remote control. On-product controls allow the unit to operate should the remote be lost or disabled.
The I-Sonic ES2 measures only 14.5" x 9" x 4.75", making it the perfect system to use on a kitchen countertop, on a nightstand, in a TV stand or on a coffee table. Use the I-Sonic ES2 in homes, offices, and small businesses to deliver rich, room-filling 360-degree stereo sound that rivals or betters that of much larger and costlier audio systems. The I-Sonic ES2 will be available from select specialty retail stores, Apple® stores and direct from PolkAudio.com in October 2007 for $499.
HD Radio is digital radio technology developed by iBiquity Digital that offers static-free, crystal-clear reception with CD-quality sound from FM stations and the richness of FM-analog stereo sound quality from AM stations. HD Radio also allows broadcasters to multicast program streams over a single FM frequency (e.g. 97.7-1, 97.7-2, etc.) to offer additional content to serve multiple audiences. A variety of data services that range from text-based information -- artist name, weather alerts, school closings, traffic alerts, etc. -- can be scrolled across the receiver display.
The Polk Audio I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 will be available in October for around US$500.
More info: http://www.polkaudio.com
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Related article:
Apple, iBiquity Digital, major radio broadcasters announce iTunes tagging for HD Radio - September 06, 2007
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The iPod ecosystem just got some more oomph!