The speaker system has a pair of compact wooden satellites that are small enough to reduce clutter in a packed studio. Each of them has a silk-dome tweeter and a 4-inch woofer with a Kevlar diaphragm. The speakers also have a dual port system for hearing the bass frequencies in music. The rear of the speakers have a lots of inputs.

Inputs include a RCA input for main source, a balanced TRS input, one line input, and one output for headphones. The speakers mute themselves when headphones are connected. The satellites measure 10.8 x 7.5 x 7-inches and they weigh 9.3 pounds for the right and the left speaker measures 6.3-pounds. Peak power is 80W and the speakers will launch in late October for $169.99.

The first is the XPS 2.0 10 and 2.1 20 Arc White speakers. These are made in an arching style and the only difference between the two sets is that the 2.1 has a subwoofer included. The 2.1 set will cost $34.99 and the 2.0 set will sell for $29.99. The Hercules XPS Sound Bar is a speaker that uses the USB port for connectivity and is made to clip onto the screen of a netbook or notebook. It will ship soon for $49.99.

The final set of speakers is the XPS 2.0 40 and 2.1 40 Slim. These are thin speakers offered in 2.0 and 2.1 kits with a black and white finish. The speakers look very nice and the 2.1 version has 32W of power. The speakers will ship at the end of the summer for $39.99 on the 2.0 set and $59.99 on the 2.1 set.

Hercules has already offered an eCafe netbook in the past but it was really more of a me too offering that was basically the same as hoards of other netbooks on the market at the time. We reviewed the eCafe about this time last year. Hercules has now come back to the netbook market with something a bit different in a new couple of new eCafe machines including the Slim HD and the EX HD.

The Slim HD is under an inch thick and weighs in at 1.9 pounds making it very portable and the EX HD is a bit larger at 1.1-inches thick and 2.5 pounds. Both of the netbooks have 10-inch screens with 1024 x 600 resolution and HDMI outputs. The rigs also both run a custom Linux version and have ARM Coretex-A8 processors inside. Storage is to either 8GB or 16GB of flash and they have 512MB of RAM. I just don’t see these things luring anyone considering a tablet back to the netbook realm.

[via Engadget]

The DJ 4Set measures 13.7″ x 9.8″ and is large enough to mix easily with space between the control and non slip feet to keep it in place on a desk or table. The device has large dual jog wheels that are 12cm in diameter and they have a Touch Wheel mode for scratching and other uses.

The backlighting on the wheels can be changed between red or green and the backlighting can be changed on the buttons as well. Other features include four channels and a stereo headphone input plus a mic input that allows talk over for tracks. The device has four virtual decks for mixing and 60 total controls in dual deck mode and 112 in four deck mode. The DJ 4Set will ship in April for $249.99.

The speakers are made in a really cool design with black and shiny metal accents and the controller for the volume has blue LED backlighting and more. The speaker system has 101 watts RMS power output. The subwoofer is covered in black Lycra fabric with a metal plate on top for style. The remote used for the volume is a wired unit.

The speaker system is designed to work with more than just the PC. Devices including a MP3 player, headphones, and game consoles can be directly connected to the XPS 101 speakers and they have headphone input as well. The speaker system will ship this month for $249.99.

Those jog wheels are 4.7-inches in diameter and ¾-inch tall and they are similar in size to the wheels used for scratching on CD players. The wheels are for DJs mixing to switch back and forth from a computer and CD payer without changing g scale. The jog wheels also have detection sensors with touch technology.

The controller can be used in 2-deck and 4-deck modes with 89 controls in 2-deck mode and 150 controls in 4-deck mode. The controller also has numerous pitch faders, controls, and cue zones among other things. A wide range of connectivity makes it easy to connect to different components as well.

The XPS 5.1 70 Slim speakers have 70W of total power and the front channel speaker is designed to mount to a flat panel monitor. The frequency response is 30Hz to 20kHz and the system uses a multifunction remote.

The XPS 2.0 35 speakers get all the power and connectivity they need from a single USB connector. Total power for the speakers is 2.5/3 watts and a volume knob is on the front of one of the speakers. The speakers are shielded to prevent any interference.

As well as the last-gen 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, the eCAFÉ EC-1000W gets 1GB of RAM, a 250GB 5,400rpm hard-drive and WiFi b/g/n. There’s also a 4,400mAh 6-cell battery, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader, along with audio in/out and a webcam/microphone. OS is Windows 7 Starter, and there’s an eCAFÉ Connect app which attempts to make common tasks – like hooking up to a WiFi network – a little more straightforward for entry-level users.

Design-wise the EC-1000W is reasonably distinctive. Measuring in at 10.8 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches, it swaps hard edges for rounded corners and a framed 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display that goes a little way to disguising the thick bezel. The 88-percent sized keyboard uses chiclet keys with decent travel but some sluggishness; combine that with the fact that they’re smaller-than-average and typing can be a little slow. In contrast, the trackpad is decently large, though it doesn’t support multitouch gestures. We wish Hercules hadn’t used such stubborn mouse buttons, though.

Like most other netbooks we see, the EC-1000W has a highly gloss-finish display, and that adds up to frustrating reflections during use (especially if you’re trying to work outdoors). It’s a shame, as the LCD panel itself is bright and color-rich, with particularly impressive contrast. While the speakers are confined to key-sized grills right under the netbook’s hinges, that doesn’t appear to impinge seriously on loudness; we were quite surprised by how much noise the eCAFÉ can put out. Of course, there’s a headphone socket for private listening.

Of course, your media consumption will be limited primarily by the hardware specifications. The Atom N270 processor isn’t known for its crunching ability, and the Intel GMA 950 graphics it’s paired with pales next to newer, NVIDIA Ion toting machines. End result is that standard definition streaming video, such as YouTube, plays reasonably well, though 720p proved beyond its abilities. Less ambitious applications, like internet browsing or music playback were more successful, though we learnt to dread sites making significant use of Flash since the EC-1000W would end up sluggish.

We benchmarked the EC-1000W using Geekbench, a synthetic test of memory and processor performance, and the netbook scored 802 overall.  That lags behind the 886 scored by an ageing MSI Wind U100, which uses the same processor but runs Windows XP Home .

Battery life, meanwhile, fell short of the 6hrs Hercules estimate. Used for basic internet browsing over WiFi, the EC-1000W held up for just under five and a half hours, though that figure fell when we watched video. Overall, it’s a lesser showing than machines based on the newer Intel N280 chip, which offers little in the way of a performance boost but can make for a slightly more frugal netbook, and well behind latest-generation Atom N450/N470 machines.

Given the number of netbooks out there with cookie-cutter specifications, price perhaps ends up playing a more significant role than in more mainstream notebooks. Amazon are currently listing the eCAFÉ EC-1000W for $319.99; problem is, they’re also offering the ASUS Eee PC 1005HA – which matches the Hercules’ specs but offers longer batter life – for $284.99. We prefer the ASUS’ keyboard, too, which is a lot less frustrating than the shrunken example on the EC-1000W. Some users may prioritise the eCAFÉ’s distinctive looks as justification for paying a little more, but for those looking for the best balance of price and functionality the Hercules falls short.

Hercules eCAFÉ EC-1000W unboxing video:

The new controller is called the Hercules DJ Console Mk4. Hercules claims the controller is the most portable and compact two deck DJ controller around measuring in at 10.4″ x 7.3″. It is compatible with Mac and Windows PCs and will ship in June for $199.99.

For the money, you get mix software and dual stereo audio inputs. The console allows the DJ to switch between mixing on their computer and mixing with standard DJ decks for vinyl or CDs. The controller connects to the PC via USB and has dual stereo outputs, dual inputs, headphone output, mic input, dual jog wheels, cross fader, dual volume faders, and dual pitch knobs. The controller also has six EQ knobs and 36 buttons total.

The new line of speakers includes the XPS 2.0 40 Slim and the XPS 2.1 40 Slim speakers. The two speaker sets use the same satellites that stand 9.5-inches tall and have a black lacquer finish with aluminum trim. The XPS 2.0 40 Slim speakers will sell for $34.99 and have 5 watts RMS power with 10 watts peak power.

The XPS 2.1 40 Slim speakers have the same satellites and add a subwoofer. In this set, the sub alone has 16 watts of power, the satellites have 8 watts each, and the system will sell for $59.99. Both sets of speakers will be offered in November.

Today Hercules announced its new eCafe EC-1000W netbook, and as much as I am surprised to say it, the machine offers some features that you don’t see often on netbooks. Namely, Hercules has crammed 250GB of storage into the machine. The system will also ship with Windows 7 starter edition in October.

Other features of the netbook include a 10.1-inch LCD with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and it runs an Intel Atom N270 processor. Along with the 250GB HDD, Hercules also offers 50GB of online storage. Wireless networking is integrated with 802.11n tech and a 6-cell 4400 mAh battery pack powers the entire works. One of the more impressive features is the price of the machine at $399; it’s a good value for what you are getting.

The DJ Control MP3e2 hooks up to your PC or Mac via USB, and packs twin virtual mixing-decks, twin jog-wheels, a cross-fader and dual volume faders.  There are also various peripheral controls, for important matters such as adding loops, playing with bass, treble and mids, and dropping in effects.

Compared to the previous model, the surface has become better spaced and the jog wheels broader and more precise.  More of the controls are backlit – all the better to see them in your bedsit – and the file navigation joystick has been replaced by buttons.  Still included is software for your computer, in this case VirtualDJDJC MP3 e2, which lets you play all sorts of havoc with MP3, WAV, WMA or AAC audio files.

The Hercules DJ Control MP3e2 will land in October, priced at $129.99.

Press Release:

Hercules Brings the Sensation of Pro DJing to the New Mixing Generation

NEW YORK, NY – (September 10, 2009) – Hercules, the leader in portable DJing solutions for computers and manufacturer of entertainment hardware unveils their latest DJ creation, the Hercules DJ Control MP3e2. This new DJ controller is designed for teens and adults, who want to experience the feeling of being a Pro DJ, or anyone enthralled with the world of DJing, digital music and the latest remixes. Users can create their own mixes with the DJ Control MP3e2 which features two decks to mix music tracks on and offers the ultimate mobility. The advanced, lightweight digital mixer retails for the SRP $129.99 and will be available starting early October 2009 at Musician’s Friend, ZZounds, B&H Photo, Six Star DJ and PSSL.com

The DJ Control MP3e2 is a new controller specifically designed to make mixing MP3’s easy. If you have a computer (PC or Mac®) equipped with a sound card, amplified speakers, your favorite music tracks and a USB port you are ready to rock the house with your personalized mixes. Feel like a DJ with a multitude of mixing functions at your fingertips including two mixing decks, two jog wheels for easy music track navigation, one cross fader and two volume faders for mixing two music tracks together and track speed controls for changing the pitch or tempo. Aspiring DJ’s can set the floor on fire by altering the music with the equalizer controls (bass, medium and treble ranges), adding (automatic) loops, multiple effects and even signature sounds.

“The success of our products has helped spread the Hercules brand throughout the international DJ community.” states Winn Keaten U.S. Marketing Manager for Hercules. “We are proud to offer this fun and intuitive DJ solution that gives novice users the sensation of being a Pro DJ” adds Keaten.

Simple DJ Operations

Swift Mixing, Solid Controls

User-friendly automation for beginners
Cue point suggested by DJ software during audio file analysis (Included software: VirtualDJ® DJC MP3 e2)
Track synchronizations with 1 push of a button
Automatic loops on 1, 2 or 4 beats
Lighter & smaller than a laptop
Compact DJ control surface
USB powered – no extra power supply needed
2 Mixing decks
3-Level equalization per deck for producing big sound
2 jog wheels to navigate tracks
1 Cross fader and 2 volume faders
4 Buttons to browse music lists
2 Buttons to load tracks
Alter your music files with your own effects
Save your mixes as your own music files
Non-slip pads ensure perfect stability

Compatibility

Runs on PC (Windows® XP and Vista 32 and 64-bit versions) and on Mac® (Mac G4/G5 and Mac OS 10.4)
For use with all digital music formats: Audio CD, MP3, WAV or WMA files for Windows®, AAC for Mac® OS
This new DJing controller succeeds the DJ Control MP3 by Hercules (Edition 1, the best-seller in its category on a global scale) and provides a number of additions including a new, wider, more slender design for comfortable mixing, broader and more precise jog wheels, 4 navigation buttons which replace the previous version’s joystick, increased space between the cross-fader and jog wheels, and more backlit buttons for mixing in low-light conditions.

It also articulates in two different ways, which means you should be able to find the perfect way to get yourself in shot, even if displaying more esoteric parts than your handsome face.  The 1-megapixel CMOS (1280 x 800) can capture 30fps 720p video, or interpolated pseudo-5MP stills, and the whole thing hooks up to your XP/Vista/Windows 7 PC via USB.

If your skin is up to 720p quality and you’re not satisfied with the in-built webcam many laptops now have, then you can pick up the Hercules Dualpix HD720p from early next month.  It’ll be priced at around $59.99.

Press Release:

Hercules Dualpix HD720p for Notebooks Offers High Definition Resolution with Multiple Positioning Options

NEW YORK, NY – (August 27, 2009) – Hercules, a specialist in IT devices including multimedia speaker sets, webcams, DJing solutions and consumer-friendly WiFi products, debuts a new era of mini webcams for notebooks with the Hercules Dualpix HD720p. This ultra-mobile high definition webcam solution brings 720p of high definition resolution to the mobile user generation. Whether serving in the military, a student studying abroad or a parent away from home, this new breed of webcam will help you stay connected starting in early September 2009 for the SRP $59.99 at Buy.com, NewEgg.com, Dell.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

The Hercules Dualpix HD720p has the capability of rotating on two axes for the best angle, capturing pictures and angles unachievable by earlier models of webcams. No matter how far away from home you are, with the wide-angle auto focus lens, exceptional image quality even in low-light conditions and a built-in microphone, you will feel like you are home with your loved one. At the start of each chat session the Dualpix HD720p will automatically rotate the picture angle and detect your position, further angle adjustment during the chat session can be achieved by using the software.

Specifically designed for laptop PC’s, the Dualpix HD720p features a new, highly secure attachment system that allows you to travel safely and move your computer around as needed without the webcam coming loose. The two rotation axes allow vertical or horizontal placement on the top or the sides of the screen and the wide-angle lens shows the room behind for the perfect video capture. It also features the Hercules Xtra Controller Pro software suite which enables users to share photos, videos and live music tracks during the conversation, thus eliminating the need to send these files prior to the virtual meeting.

Product Specifications Include:
1 megapixel CMOS sensor (1280 x800 pixels) for perfect image quality, even in low-light conditions
5 Megapixels photo resolution (interpolated mode)
HD720p (1280x720pixels) video resolution with up to 30 frames per second for perfect flowing 16/9 HD videos, ensuring the most realistic images ever
Wide angle autofocus lens with 3x zoom
High-quality built-in microphone
USB 2.0 Video Class (UVC) interface for high-speed transfers and ultra-simple driver free installation
Compatible with videoconferencing applications including Windows Live™ Messenger and MSN® Messenger Skype®, Aol Instant Messanger® and Yahoo!® Messenger
Compatible with Windows® XP, Vista 32/64 bit and Windows® 7
Dimensions: 28 x 55.4 x 62mm

Discover the complete Hercules webcam range at www.hercules.com

This new system is compact and features two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. They can be wall mounted for free standing and offer up a stylish look with a contrast between the black finish and orange driver cones.

With 32 Watts RMS and a wooden subwoofer that’s vented to ensure a rich and deep tone, you’re sure to get a great deal for your money here. You can get the XPS 2.150 starting in December for $69.99 from many online retailers.

Key Features Include:

Compact 2.1 speaker system (Satellite: 7.8” High x 2.3” Length x 2.1” Width; Subwoofer:8.6” High x 6” Length x 8.6” Width)

- 2 Slender speakers with a quality black glossy finish, orange driver cones and an orange backlit volume knob, removable feet for flexible positioning whether wall mounted or free standing

- Vented wooden subwoofer for an intense bass response

- 32 Watts RMS (8 watts per satellite and a 16 Watt subwoofer)

- Wide band speakers give well-balanced, homogeneous sound output for mids and treble

- Complete controls and connections: Bass control and an on/off button (on the back of the subwoofer)
Volume control, headphone jack and a line in connector, allowing users to connect an MP3 player directly to the right satellite speaker.