If you’re sticking out the cold weather in early 2014, it’s never too early to start pondering summer scenes of pool and beachside vacations.
NYNE, a “Lifestyle Inspired Audio” company founded in 2011, is already envisaging an escape with the announcement of a perfect item to pair with getaways to warmer climes. The Portable IPX7 Bluetooth Speaker 4.0, suitably named “Aqua,” is one piece of audio hardware that has no fear of getting splashed.
“Aqua” is not yet out on the market but an initial announcement by NYNE informs us that their newest creation will be making a full appearance at International CES 2014. The company already has their specific location mapped out for the convention, so anyone attending the show can add Central Hall #11626 to their must-see stops.
The fanciful aspect of Aqua beyond its water resistance, is its ability to float. NYNE do not simply want this speaker to be guarded against a dunk in the pool but want it to be integrated fully into the swimmer-listener experience. The speaker itself is not a burdensome size, with dimensions of 9.5″ wide by 5.2″ tall by 1.6″ deep, making it easy to move with the party.
Other specifications include:
- 2200mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
- Up to 10 hours of playback time
- Receives signal to play music from up to a 33-foot range
- A built-in microphone for incoming calls, text notifications and voicemail playback
- Available 3.5mm auxiliary input for use with a wired connection or non-Bluetooth devices
- 10w of power
- EQ switch that provides four preset settings
For the slightly more discerning (or simply curious) techies out there, the “IPX7” label in Aqua’s name is not a high-end addendum. While it is a code, IP labels provide information about the level of protection an enclosure has against foreign object/substance intrusion. “IP” stands for “ingress protection,” while the label’s last two characters run on a numeric scale and international standard set by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Comission), titled EN 60529. The first digit represents the degree of protection against solid objects and the second, against water. Absence of a rating replaces the number with an “X.” Because Aqua is primarily used while interacting with water, it holds a very strong level of protection, with its “7” rating deeming it protected against “immersion up to 1 meter” and able to withstand up to 30 minutes submerged as well.
It will be interesting to see, in light of more details during CES, how Aqua holds up in terms of actual sound quality. There is always a risk in focusing on durability in that sound quality receives less attention. Provided that NYNE delivers after the new year, these might start finding their way to a pool or boat near you.
Aqua is projected for retail release in early Q2 2014, available in blue and grey. Cost is estimated at $129.95.
You can find NYNE on Facebook and on Twitter @NYNEmultimedia
Kira is an old school music nerd with a love for all things creative; always searching for music’s common ground. She graduated with an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Drop her a tweet @shadowmelody1
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