Most speakers, no matter how expensive, are usually pretty ugly in my opinion and although these glass ones from Harman Kardon aren't exactly beautiful (I think they look like something out of an alien spacecraft) they certainly score points for being different and having a design that sets them apart from the herd. It's also fun to note that the cut glass exterior not only serves an aesthetic purpose but it also helps improve sound quality by reducing movement and vibration.

Sold in pairs in a limited edition of 3,000 units, the GLA-55 cut glass speakers will be available starting next month for about £500.

It's called the Freewheeler, and it's a wireless outdoor speaker that won't do anything unexpected or special except roll around a little and 'freewheel' you out of $20,000.

Features include: wireless up to 656 ft, recharging station, and the capacity to project the quality stereo sound you'd expect from two speakers out of just the one unit. And apparently it's pretty good sized (as big as small car tire???) and that could be a pro or a con, depending on your taste.

It's got a nice contemporary design, and the "roll it around the yard" feature certainly is convenient, but I'm still not sure why the price tag is so high at £10838.74. Anybody have any idea?

Smaller has always meant better (and more expensive) in the world of technology, and it would seem that it's no different for the world of surround sound speaker systems. Sony's new Bravia Theater Micro System has speakers so small they make me giggle -- they look like something that was experimented on in that old movie Honey I Shrunk the Kids! With side, surround, and a center speaker that each barely measure up to a good sized strawberry, the system claims to sacrifice nothing in the way of sound and everything in the way of cumbersome space-gobbling size. The catch is that the collection's subwoofer is monstrous, but working to hide just the one piece seems like a small (pun intended) price to pay for such an "out of sight, out of mind" sound system. $799.99

Via Dvice

In the world of high-end loudspeakers these Penaudio Chronos speakers aren't striking me as particularly impressive to look at, although they are very tall and stately looking. Cased in wood (there are several different colors and options available) they don't have the same high-tech modern appearance as many other expensive speakers, but that doesn't mean they can't punch out sound with the best of them. Read this review and decide for yourself if they're worth the $8,550/pair price tag they come with -- I have to say I'm not convinced.

If I walked into someone's home and saw these babies hanging out in the corner I really don't know what I'd think, other than making a mental note not to stand too close in case somebody would accidentally hit the power switch on the stereo system. They're Ferguson Hill Horn Loudspeakers, and although their enormous horn shape and clear acrylic construction are definitely impressive from a visual standpoint, sound quality leaves something to be desired for some. I'd take the sites suggestion of getting a demonstration before you buy, especially considering the price tag is a whopping $19,916.

I'm really into having great surround sound for my home movies, but I just don't have the time to get all technical and read up on what's the best, what's a rip-off, etc. But in reading this post over at Spungle I'm thinking I want me a Niro 620 Home Theater System -- if it's only half as good as they say I'd be more than happy. If you're like me (the type that really gets into movies with awesome sound effects and music tracks) then you know that the entire viewing experience can be made or broken by the quality of your sound system. The Niro 620 sounds like it's one of the best, of not the best, and it's priced reasonably at $995.

We all want great sound, but all too often that sound comes from ugly and strictly functional looking speakers. And when spending as much as many people do on a set of speakers it's hardly fun to hide or camouflage them. The new Dynaudio Sapphire gives the best of both worlds with beautiful design and high-quality sound in one package. Shaped to resemble cut jewels when viewed from different angles, plus created in dark jewel-toned color (although it's not sapphire blue), these speakers will definitely fill your home with both great sound and awesome style. $16,500

Now we're just getting ridiculous. Joining the "$1 million" club is these Grand Enigma speakers by Karma, and there's apparently only 1 pair in existence in a basement somewhere in Belgium. Seeing as how there's only the one set, it really doesn't matter what the features are (it's not like you could get your own), but I'm still really curious! Just what does a set of speakers have to do to be worth that much? They look huge, but other than that I'm skeptical (I don't see any diamond accents...) and it seems feature specifics are hard to come by.

And be sure to check out the rest of HigherFi.com's list of the world's most expensive speakers, with 2nd place going to Wisdom Audio's Infinite Grande at $600,000.

You could go with one of those little waterproof clock radios with a handy hanging hook in your shower and have that wonderful "slightly staticky and not-even-in-stereo" sound to get you pumped up during your morning routine, or you could choose these, SoundTile loudspeakers for the shower.

From Kohler in conjunction with Polk Audio, in addition to being designed to match Kohler's WaterTile bodysprays and showerheads, the SoundTile speakers are coaxial models, marine certified, with stainless steel front grills that let sound through while keeping water out. Pretty nifty.

They are available in pairs, and depending on the finish you choose start at $295.



Thanks Rachel!

Be it for music or a movie, I'm a sucker for beautiful high-tech sound. And when it comes to the speakers that the awesome sound comes from, well they might as well be beautiful and high-tech too.

Gorgeous is a subjective term, but I must say that these Beolab 9 speakers from Bang & Olufsen aren't too shabby in the "looks" department. That works out nice because the outward design (although they are available in your choice of four colors) is largely based on maximizing performance. But they're also stacked with a long list of high-tech specs and fancy features, which makes the Beolab 9 speakers a very nice mix of form meets function.

The Duo Soundolier is a hybrid gadget that combines a sound system and a lamp, which allows you to get maximum functionality from your decor without the extra effort of trying to conceal speakers in the room somewhere. The high quality speakers are omnidirectional and because they are located near the top of the floor lamps, they are excellent for creating surround sound in a home theater. No extra wiring is needed because the system utilizes wireless audio, receiving signals directly from a wireless transmitter (the "maestro") with a 200-ft range and multiple channels to avoid interference with other networks.

The Duo took the CES Best of Innovations Award in the Home Theater Audio category this year. Price: $280 each.

Don't get stuck with the same boring iPod speakers that you can buy just about anywhere. Instead, opt for the Alligator iPod Speakers that Dunhill is offering this Christmas. The made-to-order speakers are covered in real chocolate-colored alligator skin, giving your speakers a luxurious look that you won't be able to find anywhere else. Prices start at £500 and, because it is a part of the Exotics collection, it is probably possible to get the speakers done in Ostrich or Shagreen, instead of Alligator, as well.

[via TUAW]

Many of us like to keep our audio equipment out of the line of sight of guests. After all, high quality surround sound is much more impressive at home when you don't have to look at a chair-sized speaker in every corner. If you are going to keep your speakers out, you may as well use them to make a statement. With Woofers, that statement might be a little on the creepy - if kitchy - side. The speakers come in a pair in either high-gloss black or white. Price: €599 ($756).

[via Shiny Shiny]

The FBI isn't just a government agency, it's also the name of Krell's latest amplifier. The FBI stands for Fully Balanced Integrated. This amp was created from a separate preamp/amplifier design. The FBI has a fully regulated 3 Kilowatt power supply and balanced circuitry for low noise floor and detail retrieval from any musical recording. It provides 300 Watts/channel (8 Ohms) and 1,200 Watts into 2 Ohms to work with your speakers to create amazing effects for your home sound system. The FBI retails for $16,500.

Engadget had a post about the brand new Mt. Everest Speaker System from JBL. True to their name, the speakers are huge, measuring 38 x 18.5 x 44-inches and weighing over 300 pounds. They offer, as Engadget so eloquently put it "500 watts of thump" - which is precisely all you might hear if you turn these boys up to full power. They'll be available in Japan at the end of the month with a price tag of just about $30,000.