For the $70 less than the Playstation 3, the Insignia NS-BRDVD Blu-ray player is a good alternative. Available at BestBuy for $329, the NS-BRDVD has 1080p HDMI output, SD card slot, built-in decoders for next-generation Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD high-resolution surround and Dolby TrueHD. Outputs include 1x stereo audio, 1x composite video, 1x component video, 1x digital optical audio, 1x digital coaxial audio and 1x HDMI.

And for this price don't expect to get a sweet-looking player, it's just a basic rectangular-shaped player with a cheap front panel.

Creative has introduced a couple of new PCI Express sound cards, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series. What a short product name, must be easy to remember...

Anyway, the cheapest model, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series, priced at $149, features 7.1-channel output, EAX 5.0 support, Dolby Digital Live encoding with digital optical I/O, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES decoding, X-Fi Crystalizer technology, X-Fi CMSS-3D technology, to create virtual surround sound through speakers or headphones in games or music. The Champion Series is priced at $199 and comes with an additional I/O panel that can fit either a 3 ½" or 5 ¼" drive bay.

Both models are THX and Vista certified and will be available worldwide this month.

AMEX is launching an external model of the new SoundGraph's iMon HD, called the iMON HD Mobile, this sytem includes a remote control, an external VFD display (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) and the iMEDIAN an easy-to-use media center solution for Windows XP & Vista.

The iMON HD Mobile transforms your computer into a media center and allows you to remotely control it, the VFD device displays various useful information such as "Graphical EQ", "System Info", "Media Info", "Email Check", "News", "World City Time & Weather" and many more. It will be available in black or silver finish for $59.

Denon lowers price on high-end Blu-ray players by launching the DVD-1800BD player. This player incorporates HDMI v1.3a with Deep Color and Bonus View support, Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby True HD/DTS-HD/DTS-HD MA decoders, 1080p upconversion and high-class Burr-Brown DACs.

The Denon DVD-1800BD is scheduled for availability in October 2008 for $749 instead of $1,199 for the actual entry-level model.

Denon released a new hifi system, the D-M37 which is comprised of two speakers (SC-M37) and the main unit (RCD-M37). The system includes a CD player as well as a USB port to play MP3 files and CDs, an AM/FM tuner, 2x 30W power amplifier, and there is also an optional iPod dock cable so you can remote control your iPod directly through your Denon's system.

Speaker Specifications:
► Frequency response: 45Hz ~ 40kHz
► Nominal impedance: 6Ω
► Sensitivity: 86dB/mW
► Power handling: 60W

The system is sold separately, the speakers cost $190, and $350 for the main unit.

Pioneer has introduced in Japan two new A/V receivers, the VSX-518V & VSX-918V. Slightly different to the US models (VSX-518-K & VSX-918V-K), both Japanese receivers feature a built-in AM/FM tuner, iPod support, DTS/Dolby Digital/Dolby Pro Logic II decoders, WMA/MP3/AAC through USB, MCACC Speaker Calibration, and the Pioneer Hybrid Amplifier Technology (PHAT) to reduce the distortion caused by the dynamic change of heat in the system.

VSX-518V - 5.1 channel, 130 Watts per channel, 2x HDMI (video switching), WMA9 Pro Decoder.

VSX-918V - 5.1 channel, 130 Watts per channel, 2x HDMI A/V, WMA9 Pro Decoder, PCM via HDMI.

Following the introduction of the Image X10 last November, Klipsch expands its Image line to include the slightly larger X5. Bigger by only 2mm, this minimal size difference makes the X5 easier and slightly less expensive to manufacture, said Klipsch. The headphones employ balanced full-range armature drivers within electroplated aluminum housings with translucent patent-pending contour ear gels.

The Image X5 is compatible with the iPod, iPhone and virtually any device with a standard headphone jack. These headphones also come with a carrying pouch, an airplane adaptor and an ear gel cleaning tool. Priced at $249.99, the Image X5 headphones will be available for purchase late next month.

JVC aims the low-cost market with the launch of their new HP-S150 headphones in Japan in early July. Priced at $20 these headphones seem to be a good deal. There is not much to say about them except that they come in four colors (blue, black, red and white) and weight 68g.

Specifications:
► Frequency response: 12Hz ~ 23kHz
► Nominal impedance: 32Ω
► Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
► Power handling: 500mW

Here is the X-NX10A, the newest micro component system from Onkyo that comes equipped with an integrated 80GB hard drive. The X-NX10A features a color LCD display, CD player, support for MP3/ATRAC/PCM formats, USB connectivity as well as Ethernet connectivity because the Onkyo's system has the ability to automatically retrieve information on the music you are listening to.

The stereo comes with a pair of 2-way bookshelf speakers including 13cm medium and 3cm tweeters that produce a total output power of 26W each (4Ω). It retails for around $700.

This is not a concept anymore, the Sony's Soutina (NSA-PF1) speaker will hit Japan on June 20th. Measuring 1845x 325x 325mm at 12.5kg, the Soutina is an omnidirectional speaker where the sound comes from a 1m organic glass tube which reproduces sound vibration. According to Sony, this new technology provides a natural sound field reproduction.

For the specs, the Soutina speaker is composed of a 13cm woofer, 7cm medium driver and the tweeter is the glass tube. There is also a built-in DAC with bass and treble controls which includes 1x analog audio input (RCA), 1x coaxial digital and 1x optical digital. And to match your home decor, the speaker's glass tube offers the choice between three lighting colors including blue, amber and purple. As for the price, the Soutina comes for $8,000.