At the beginning of the year, Samsung gave us a preview of a new type of media player dock, with two separate connectors allowing it to perform double duty as an iPod/iPad dock and Android media dock. But that’s not all that’s on offer, with the Korean electronics giant adding retro-style vacuum tube amplifier technology and glass fibre drivers to mark out new territory for itself as provider of quality music playback systems.
First shown ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung’s first audio docks are now being made available in Australia, with three of the iPod/iPad and Galaxy S friendly devices hitting retail within the next few weeks.
“Samsung’s stunning new range of Wireless Audio with Docks incorporates principles of extreme simplicity and the natural environment, making them an outstanding addition for the home,” said Philip Newton, Director of AV at Samsung Electronics Australia.
The three docks start with the $399 DA-E650, a uniquely styled curved dock with glass-fibre speakers, USB direct play and wireless playback over Bluetooth.
Just ahead of this is the DA-E670, a conventional box-shaped design with 40 watts output, plus added AllShare support for streaming from DLNA compatible phones, PCs and tablets. It costs $479.
Finally, at the top of the bunch is the DA-E750, a cherrywood finish audio dock with 100 watts output and a 2.1 speaker design that includes a downward-firing subwoofer. AllShare (DLNA), Bluetooth and AirPlay wireless streaming are part of the package, as is USB support and an analog input for connecting other audio sources.
Like the E670 and E650, this model employs glass fibre speakers, but adds a vacuum tube pre-amp section for delivering what Samsung claims is ‘warmer sound’. The extra features push the price up, with the E750 fetching $699.
