Libratone Beat Wireless Speakers Arrive At Apple December 2010

Danish wireless audio start-up Libratone brought their Beat speakers along to IFA 2010 a few months back and promised a January 2011 release; now it seems they've gone one better, and will have them on sale in December instead. Using a proprietary wireless transmitter, the cashmere-clad speaker has a 30ft range and promises 360-degree "FullRoom" sound despite only being a single unit.

That's thanks to some nifty DSP working with the 50W speaker and 2 x 25W midrange drivers and ribbon tweeters, bouncing sound off of the walls like, Libratone would have it, an acoustic instrument. Multiple units will also work simultaneously, automatically pairing when a transmitter comes into range.

In the box there's an Apple transmitter for the iPod/iPhone/iPad dock connector and a USB transmitter for PC and Mac; each speaker also has a regular 3.5mm stereo input. The unusually designed Beat has a satin chrome handle and comes in slate grey (£549) or blood orange, vanilla beige and blueberry black (£599); it'll land in Apple's online store in December and then see broader availability at other retailers in January 2011.

Press Release:

Wireless high-end speaker sets out to liberate sound

Mixing high-end components, ground-breaking technology and contemporary Scandinavian design, Libratone Beat is the next logical step in home entertainment

Denmark, 25th November 2010: Libratone, a Danish audio company developing innovative wireless sound solutions, today announces the launch of the Libratone Beat, high-end wireless speaker. By connecting a wireless transmitter to an iPod, iPad, iPhone, Mac or PC, audio is streamed wirelessly to a Beat speaker up to 30 feet away. Libratone's patent pending FullRoom™ technology then reflects the sound off the room's walls to provide high quality 360-degree sound, meaning that wherever the listener is in the room they are always in the 'sweet spot'. Offering a contemporary design – the Libratone Beat is finished in cashmere – it will be available in the Apple Online Store (EMEA) in December 2010 and in Apple Retail Stores (EMEA) in the beginning of 2011. Libratone Beat has suggested retail price for the standard slate grey at £549 and in cashmere colours at £599.

The Libratone Beat is not a regular speaker; the FullRoom technology ensures that the listener enjoys the same full stereo sound no matter where they are in the room. In addition to this technology, the speaker also features ultra-high-end components and advanced signal processing, which up until now has only been available in studio quality speakers. Output from the speaker is 50W and 2 x 25W from the midrange drivers and ribbon tweeters. The Libratone Beat comes with a transmitter for Apple portable devices and a USB-transmitter for a computer that extends the wireless range up to 100 feet.

The Libratone Beat is creating a new category of wireless speaker to fit with today's modern lifestyle and will help to boost the popularity and adoption of music streaming. Whether watching HD movies on an iPad, gaming on an iPhone or enjoying a catalogue of music files, it provides users with a new sound dimension in a stylish package that eliminates untidy cables found with other stereo systems. The system has a satin chrome handle for easy portability, comes in several colours including slate grey (standard), blood orange, vanilla beige and blueberry black, and is finished in cashmere wool. It is the perfect piece of sound furniture. Visit www.libratone.com to see the four colours.

The Libratone Beat is also tailor-made to cope with the needs of modern business communications such as phone and video conferences.

"Our vision is simple," says Fritz Andersen, CEO at Libratone. "We want to provide high quality sound without speaker cables. We wanted to keep the freedom that comes with portable devices – their mobility and their potential for vast media libraries, without settling for mediocre sound or clumsy design. That's what Beat gives you."

"Libratone Beat works like an acoustic instrument filling the entire room with sound. The speaker disperses sound in different directions, reflecting it off the walls, providing 360 degree sound. This means you are always in the so-called sweet spot. We call it FullRoom™ sound," explains Jes Mosgaard, CTO at Libratone. "Why should quality sound only be the privilege of hi-fi enthusiasts and professionals? We wanted to make amazing audio experiences available for a much larger demographic. We want to set the music free."

Pricing and availability

Libratone Beat will be available in the Apple Online Store (EMEA) in December 2010 and in Apple Retail Stores (EMEA) in the beginning of 2011. Libratone Beat has suggested retail price for the standard slate grey at £549 and in cashmere colours at £599.

The BEAT speaker set includes a BEAT speaker, Wireless 30-pin transmitter for iPod, iPhone and iPad, Wireless USB Transmitter, USB charging cable, Power cord and Quick Start guide.