This isn't modder Klaus Diebel's first experiment with the iMac case. In the past he has also used it to create a mailbox and a birdhouse. However, this design is far more ambitious—allowing you to use the computer, listen to bangin' tunes and make a cup of Joe all at the same time. Plus, if you ask him nicely (and fork over some cash), Klaus would be happy to make a custom version for you too. [Kiwidee via TUAW via Technabob]

We were raised to be quiet, well-mannered Lutherans. But for Erik, there was nothing quiet about the gospel. In church, he sang as loud as he could. He didn't care what anyone else thought – he was reaching out to the Lord and it was our problem if it made our ears ring.

One Sunday, the rumbling bass and baritone voices in the choir sang, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and Erik felt God's presence. That rattle and boom was God's voice literally vibrating his heart. We were still young but it decided everything: he would do the Lord's work and it would be loud.

He enrolled in seminary as soon as he could, spent some time in the Holy Land and discovered that a low-end 25 watt sub could not adequately convey the genius of either John Paul Jones bass work on Led Zeppelin IV or the sermons of that other John Paul. Both required an upgrade to a 125 watt Miller & Kreisel MK II sub.

God understood.

My brother must not have mentioned his acoustic theory of divinity when he was ordained because the Bishop assigned him to an elderly congregation in rural Washington State. The greeting committee could hear Pastor Erik coming from miles away – the sound of a booming bass floated across the raspberry fields and through the apple orchards. Things didn't quiet down after he parked his car in the church's gravel parking lot. Erik rejects silences with a roaringly good-natured laugh and a voice that would feel at home in the Super Dome. The senior citizens responded by permanently notching down their hearing aids.

Pastor Erik didn't mind - he just spoke louder and pointed out some immediate problems with the pretty, white steepled church. First, the 20 year old sound system was not up to the task of conveying God's word.

"This is the Word of God we're talking about," he said. "It needs dignity and a high power 12-inch subwoofer with a neodymium magnet and a vented enclosure."

The Church Elders blinked. Pastor Erik was not like their other ministers.

This young whippersnapper wanted to take this flock in a new direction. It didn't matter if they needed walkers, dialysis or a hip replacement to get there– they were going to hear and feel God's word.

He met any resistance with an out-pouring of Lutheran wisdom. Why spend thousands of dollars upgrading the sound system for a congregation of only 80 people? Because in 1541, Martin Luther himself said, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." Pastor Erik watched his congregants closely and asked if they were willing to run the world's greatest treasure through a dusty old sound board that muddled the low range? Would Martin Luther want that?

The Elders decided to approve a budget of $9000 and Pastor Erik set to work.

His first move: bring in Jim Hall, an acoustician who has spent 42 years installing commercial audio systems in the Northwest. Hall and the Pastor huddled near the altar and laid out a battle plan. Hall wanted to deploy a four speaker TOA HX-5 variable dispersion system above the altar to ensure speech clarity. It's what he typically recommended for small churches.

"But it won't rock, will it?" the Pastor asked.

Hall was a little surprised – most churches were content with the HX-5 system. But this minister was sharp. He knew the HX-5 couldn't deliver the low end. The Pastor was asking Hall to push himself, to dig deep and that could mean only one thing: the FB-120B.

The 120B is a crunk-ready 600 watt sub guaranteed to strip the paint off the steeple of any church silly enough to order it. It's exactly what Pastor Erik was looking for.

The system took eight hours to install. They added a 16 channel Mackie 1604 VLZ3 mixing board, an EAW CAZ 1400 dual-amp for the HX-5 and an additional CAZ 800 amp interlaced with an Ashly cross-over for the sub. The final touch: two 1 inch tweeters over the choir.

"It's got to be the best system for a church its size in the Northwest ," Jim Hall says.

To test it, Pastor Erik grabbed the nearest CD he could find: a copy of Veggie Tales left behind by a pre-schooler. He pressed play and the voice of Larry the Cucumber boomed across rural Washington as if Abraham himself had just come down from the mountain to tell the world that he had a new hat and it was made of lettuce.

Pastor Erik heard the music and it was good. It didn't matter what the Cucumber was babbling about. The tune sent its shock waves through his bones and brushed across his soul like a divine wind.

Now and truly, God was in da house.

Joshua Davis is a Contributing Editor for Wired Magazine who wrote about deep sea cowboys and the world's largest diamond heist. (Both of which are being adapted for film.) He's also the lightest man to ever compete in the US Sumo Open.

The subwoofer integration saves you the trouble of making room for an extra component, although how well it kicks out the bass remains to be seen. Still, as much as we can disagree about how much clutter your entertainment center can stand, it's always great to save space when it's possible.

The YHT-S400 also features UniVolume, which is Yamaha's way of keeping audio levels consistent from channel to channel and from program to commercial. The system has three HDMI inputs, is compatible with Yamaha's iPod and Bluetooth receiver, and is on sale now for $599.95.

YAMAHA'S INNOVATIVE TWO-PIECE HOME THEATER PACKAGE
COMBINES HD AUDIO AND SUBWOOFER-INTEGRATED RECEIVER

YHT-S400 Offers Several Installation Options with Ultra-Slim ‘Sound Bar,' Exclusive AIR SURROUND XTREME, UniVolume and Extended Stereo for Immersive Audio

BUENA PARK, Calif.––Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduces its innovative YHT-S400 two-piece home theater audio package. The system, which consists of an ultra-slim "sound bar" front speaker and a first-of-its-kind subwoofer-integrated receiver, provides HD Audio compatibility, three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs (and one output), the company's exclusive AIR SURROUND XTREME, UniVolume and Extended Stereo technologies for immersive audio for movies, sports and music experiences.

The YHT-S400's sound bar stands at 2-inches high and fits in front of most 32 to 50-inch TVs without blocking the screen. In addition, the feet of the sound bar can be adjusted horizontally or vertically, or taken off entirely, for additional installation flexibility. By integrating the system's subwoofer into the receiver, Yamaha is able to offer users an easy connection to a full-featured receiver without adding a separate component and the ability to place the unit in a rack or on the floor in tight spaces.

For optimal sound quality, the YHT-S400 accepts HD Audio signals (linear PCM transmission) from Blu-ray disc players. Three 1080-compatible HDMI inputs enable three different HDMI sources to be connected to the receiver.

Yamaha's UniVolume feature maintains a consistent volume level between different channel, programs, commercials and input sources. For instance, when watching TV, the volume of commercials will not be louder than the program being viewed. The same is true when switching sources to watch a DVD or Blu-ray movie or to listen to music on CD. This is particularly helpful for late night watching and listening when spikes in volume can disturb others in the house or apartment building.

Yamaha's proprietary AIR SURROUND XTREME technology better delivers sound around the listener than other "virtual surround" systems. Dialogue is clearly heard from the center while ambient audio from on-screen action is clearly heard from the right, left and behind the viewer with smooth sound movement from position to position. AIR SURROUND XTREME can also deliver surround sound from 7-channel sources. Yamaha's exclusive Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) maintains the dynamic virtual surround sound regardless of the viewers' positioning or direction they are facing.

Yamaha's proprietary Extended Stereo technology moves the stereo image further to the sides. With it, audio from the 31 ½-inch sound bar sounds as if it is emanating from speakers that are five feet or more apart, resulting in a wider optimum sound field.

The YHT-S400 also has HDMI CEC functionality that allows the unit to automatically power on with CEC-compatible TVs. In this scenario, the TV remote can also control the YHT-S400's volume. CEC-compatibility also provides advanced functions with other components.

The YHT-S400 also supports Yamaha's YDS-11 universal iPod dock and YBA-10 Bluetooth wireless audio receiver to stream A2DP audio from Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, PCs and Macs.

The YHT-S400 is currently available for MSRP $599.95.

The TH-BA3 system is a 280 watt 5.1 home theater that doesn't let any wires get in the way. The sound bar has a built in power-amplifier, one analog and two optical digital inputs and decodes Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby ProLogic II surround signals. Also new today is the 180 watt TH-BS7, a 4.1 channel system whose centerpiece is mountable sound bar that's a scant 1.4" tall by 1.2" deep, with a wee 6" wireless subwoofer to match.

The Yamaha YSP series is still our pick for best-in-class because of its sonar-like sound steering, but these two JVC systems do tickle our fancy. Both systems will be available this month, which I hope anyone with my Christmas list in hand picks up on. The TH-BA3 runs $550 while the TH-BS7 will set you back $600.

JVC LAUNCHES DUAL WIRELESS AND SUPER-SLIM SOUNDBAR SYSTEMS

New TH-BA3 includes wireless rear speakers; TH-BS7 features a slender soundbar and slim, wall-mountable amplifier.

WAYNE, NJ, December 14, 2009 - JVC today introduced a pair of soundbar home theater systems, offering consumers a home theater sound solution to meet a range of budgets and needs. Among the two new systems is the world's first dual wireless soundbar system that features a wireless subwoofer and wireless surround speakers. The other is highlighted by a super-slim soundbar and a thin, wall-mountable amplifier.

JVC's new dual wireless soundbar system is the TH-BA3, a 280-watt, 5.1-channel surround sound system that includes a sound bar, wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speaker kit comprised of wireless left and right surround speakers and a wireless receiver. The sound bar contains four speakers - one each for the left and right main channels and two for the center channel. Also built into the sound bar is the power amplifier, surround decoding, system controls and the transmitter for the wireless surround speakers. It offers one analog and two optical digital inputs and decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II surround signals.

The new JVC TH-BS7 system is designed to match the slimmest of flat panel HDTVs. It includes a sliver of a soundbar that measures just 1.4 inches (36mm) tall, an even slimmer wall-mountable amplifier/control unit and a wireless subwoofer.

The 180-watt, 4.1-channel TH-BS7 owes its slim design to JVC's own Direct Drive speaker technology that uses a unique voice coil design and strong neodymium magnets to deliver outstanding sound quality and a broad soundfield from a super-slim speaker. The design allows the TH-BS7's soundbar to boast a frequency range of 200 - 20,000 Hz that falls to just 200 - 10,000 Hz at 360 degrees off-axis. The soundbar features four JVC Direct Drive speakers - left and right main channels and left and right surround channels - each driven by 20 watts. The two surround channels are processed using JVC's Front Surround technology to provide a surround sound effect without the need for rear speakers.

Complementing the slim design of the soundbar is the system's amplifier/control unit. It measures just 1.2 inches deep and can be wall mounted. It decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II, and offers one analog and three optical digital inputs. The system's wireless subwoofer features a six-inch woofer powered by a 100-watt amplifier.

[JVC]

The subwoofer, which consists of two 3-feet deep and 31-feet long cavities, releases more than 110dB. Boy would I hate to be his neighbor—maybe that's why Coachella is in the middle of nowhere. Our guess is his insides have disintegrated by now.

Listening Test: It's music tech week at Gizmodo.

Sean Fallon: Why Rubik's?
Zachary Paisley: The idea for the Rubik's Cube came about from shopping for subs and looking at what DIY-ers were doing with their builds—in two words, "boring me." The entire thought process behind most DIY-ers, especially when it comes to audio, is to make it look like a major manufacturer built it, to make it blend into the background. I saw one man who turned his end table into a sub and another who built it into his desk. I thought "why not take the opposite approach?" Rather than have people ignore something I made; I want them to REALLY notice it. From there, the specific design for the Rubik's Cube just came to me as I was driving to work; it seemed a perfect fit.

SF: What was the most difficult aspect of the project?
ZP: I have been building sculptures and other artworks since high school but this was my first speaker build—two completely different ball games. To be honest though, the design, calculations, building—none of that was out of reach for me. The hardest part was convincing everyone who was watching (family, girlfriend, roommates, a pissed off landlord, even more pissed off neighbors) that I wasn't insane and attempting something like this WAS a good idea—I received a lot of flack for it.

SF: Did you encounter any major problems with the build along the way?
ZP:Yes—two. The first I encountered halfway through. I worked out the dimensions of the sub to be a scale representation of the puzzle, but miscalculated the thickness of the wood needed for the outer squares. I had to increase the thickness of the outer shell, which forced me to increase the thickness of the inner shell. It cost me five days' work. The biggest mistake, though small (no pun intended), was the end-weight. I guessed about 75 lbs and bought legs that I thought would work. After attaching them (without the driver/amp) the legs practically ripped out from the 100 lb shell just from blowing on it. I put in some bun feet meant for couches and haven't had any problems since.

SF:You talked about it a bit on your project site, but give us a quick idea of the sound quality one could expect from the Rubik's Subwoofer.
ZP: In a word—"Danceable." Just Kidding! Admittedly, I was trying to not get my hopes up but was quite surprised by the quality. I had listened to other subs on my system before for testing purposes and they taught me not to get one for stereo purposes. This sub, however, has turned me the other way. After playing around a bit with the stuffing/phase/crossover, I was able to so seamlessly blend the sub to my other speakers. My goal here all along was to make a sub that I could use with my music and not a god-awful booming box heard two miles away. In all seriousness, it's got some great sound and I'd happily put it next to anything bought for thousands more at an audiophile hangout, maybe I'll even offer a million dollars if they can prove it's better.

[SF: Sounds like a challenge! I'd put my money on Zachary though.]

SF:Would you ever consider selling your creation, or making another for a paying customer?
ZP: I've been told to market it by a few people and I even received an offer. I don't know if I could ever sell the prototype though, it's quite special to me. As for making another for a paying customer, I'd love to—I had a blast making this one. It was really the first time I got to blend my art into A/V engineering (what I do professionally). In fact, I had so much fun making this I'm currently working on the equations and drawings for two stereo fronts in the likeness of Coca Cola vending machines, one old fashioned and one newer. In all seriousness, I would definitely make a sculptured speaker for someone who wanted one.

SF: So how about making a subwoofer out of Legos—the tech geek's other favorite toy?
ZP: I had SOO many Legos as a boy! Of course the catch to Legos is which one do you model after—they come out with new types of bricks every five minutes! Legos would make a GREAT system—5.1: long bricks for the fronts, the four-prong square for the sub and the angled ones for the rears. Good call! Want me to build you one, Sean?

[SF: Hell, yeah, I would like a Lego subwoofer. Make a few in fact. I'll put them together and make the coolest Lego fort ever.]

SF: Can you even solve a Rubik's Cube?
ZP: The closest I ever came to solving a Rubik's Cube as a child was ripping the colors off to match the sides I needed them to. I actually bought a cube for photo purposes last week and before I had the chance to photograph it, my girlfriend jumbled it beyond recognition...two hours later I found a website that allows you to map the sides and then gives you the method for solving it. Thank God.

Hit the following link for a complete list of build instructions. [Project Cube 2007]

This 34-inch-high monster weighs 360 pounds and has 1.1-inch walls, presumably to keep it from exploding, and each speaker's fiberglass cabinet is so meticulously built, it takes an entire month to put one together from beginning to end. Then when you (or a crew of piano movers) schlep it into your listening room, you electronically set it up with an automatic room equalization system complete with microphone that figures out exactly how much subwoofer you're going to need. Just add just the right amount of cowbell and $11,000, and you're good to go. [JL Audio]

JBL's offering, the Cinema Sound CSS10W, has a 10" driver and will kick out 300watts. Infinity's slightly beefier, PS212W, houses a 12" driver that will boom out with 400watts. They will be priced at $559 and $679, respectively. The devices are for those who just cannot deal with all that wired nonsense that spews out from your speakers, making your sweet setup look like a three-year-olds art project, but given the likely compromise in sound quality, we aren't so sure it's worth it. [Technabob]

Drivers: active 6.5" forward firing anodized aluminium cone (5" piston diameter) 2 x 6.5" side-firing passive radiators with aluminium cones (5" piston diameter)
ERS class D amplifier: 1200 watts Dynamic power, 600 watts RMS
Frequency response: 38-120 Hz +/-3 dB
Digital Dynamic Driver Control: yes
Phase: 0 or 180 degrees (selectable)
Low-pass crossover: 50 Hz - 200 Hz (adjustable), 12 dB octave, 48 dB ultimate
Auto on/off: yes
Magnet structure: 1.8kg
Voice coil: 2" dual layer
Inputs: speaker-level, mini-jack and gold plated line-level
Outputs: speaker-level (120 Hz high-pass crossover), mini-jack (through)
Subwoofer direct (crossover bypass): yes
Cabinet (hwd) includes grill: 22.9 x 22.9 x 24.4 cm
Warranty: electronics - 3 years (parts/labour) / driver - 5 years (parts/labour)
Shipping weight (approx.): 9.1Kg
Finish: black or white

The MicroVee will cost 575 ($1,138) when it's released this Fall. [What HiFi]

There's an AM/FM radio, alarm clock, and you can adjust the tone with bass and treble controls, as well as a bass enhancement button. Out next month in the UK, ALFiE will set you back around 400 (that's a smidgeon over $800.) [Roth Audio via Shiny Shiny]

Focused on portability, the X-Mini features an extendable, accordion-style vacuum tube that attempts to mimic the resonance of a subwoofer (we don't mean to be complete dicks by saying "attempts" but we'll believe it when we see it). Mids and highs are represented through that top speaker. Playback lasts anywhere from four to six hours, after which time you'll need to pack up the portable party and call it a night. Well, that, or just put on some headphones instead. $37 [product via ohgizmo]

The SUBstage200, a follow-up to the older SUBstage100, will have a 200-watt Class D amp on board and have bass response down to 32Hz. The price? $399 when it ships in July. – Jason Chen

Product Page for SUBstage 100 [Sound Matters via Chip Chick via Slashgear]

Where was I? Oh yes, the sub, more about the interesting speaker config, and a photo after the jump...

The sub places three aluminum drivers, each with its own amp, at 120 degrees to each other. That theoretically cancels out cabinet vibrations that color sound with noise. The drivers are 10-inches across. $2,995 for all this glory. –Brian Lam

Descent [Martin Logan]

Two 8-inch subs with special aluminum cones anodized to give it a ceramic coating. Supposedly second in strength only to diamond. Rigidity = good for nice, taut, bass. Oh, all that room you're saving? You'll need to use to rackmount the 500-watt RSA-500 amp that powers it. $500 for the sub, $750 for the amp. Oh CEDIA, you're sooooo for rich guys.–Brian Lam

Klipsch Wall Subwoofer RW-5802 [audioholics]