Kanto's Desktop/iPod Powered Speakers

Model: iPair5 | MRSP $399

These studio monitor inspired 2 channel powered multi input speakers by Kanto set a new standard in its price range for performance, quality and vesatilty. I personally think they are seriosly undervalued, especially when you compare it speaker systems twice its price point. Avaialble in High gloss Black, White or Silver, they are loaded with a 5-inch midbass driver and a 1-inch tweeter. One speaker has an iPod dock built-in on top of it. The provided credit card sized remote control can fully operate the iPod, select inputs, adjust bass, treble and volume from about 10 to 15ft away. The opposite speaker connects to the powered speaker via a 20ft high quality microphone cable that is very easy to connect and disconnect.

The speakers are very versatlile in terms of connectivity. Besides having a built-in iPod Dock, it also comes equipped to connect to a laptop or an MP3 player via a 3mm input jack and also has RCA inputs for connectivity to a TV, CD or DVD player. Very portable and easy to setup and take down, its perfect for small venue's, party's or meetings. You can even load your presentation or a movie onto your iPod and out put it via the built in S-VHS jack on the back of the powered speaker to a projector or monitor.

The powered speaker also has a 120V power outlet! This is awesome because this allows you to connect powered devices directly to the speakers. You can essentialy run your entire system off of a single wall outlet. Also a great feature having the power outlet directly on the speaker is that you can plug in an Airport Express unit directly into the back of the speakers and run an MP3 or Mini Jack cable to one of the audio inputs on the iPar5 giving you a Zoned Audio system that you can fully control from iTunes or an iTouch/iPhone using Apples "Remote Application". You can add multiple iPair5 speakers (and Airport Express attached to the back of the powered speaker) to differnet rooms in your home or office and have an awesome sounding MultiZone audio system all without running any cables! The remote application allows you to control your iTunes library and mange multiple zones of audio with the touch of your finger. This still leaves the ipod Dock and an additional input avaialble for local zone listenting if you wanted to play sound from another source other than your Airport Express.

As far as the sound performance goes, the iPair5 has a great soundstge with great dynamic range. Great attention is given to the Mids and Highs and the Bass is very tight and responsive. The voice coil has a nice flat sound that makes it great for listing to music with female or male vocals. Because the cone is made of paper the sound is warm and not to bright. Come by and have a listen to these speakers for your self. You really will be amazed at the out put and performace these speakers pack at $399.