Kenwood on Friday trotted out the CLK, its new tabletop stereo for space-conscious listeners. The entire cabinet is seven inches deep and fits its CD player into the slim body by using a vertically mounted, slot-load reader instead of the trays that often dictate thicker designs. Though it can play regular CDs and MP3/WMA discs, the system is geared towards digital media players and includes a USB port that not only offers both audio but also direct control: with optional cables, the CLK can charge and play most recent iPods (including the iPod classic and 3G nano) as well as pause or skip tracks using the stereo’s own controls. Any media player with USB mass storage support will also have its MP3 and WMA songs (including DRM variants) recognized, such as Kenwood’s own Music Keg line.
Each of the 10-watt speakers are detachable from the main unit to save even more space when other speakers or headphones are used. Two models are available on launch, the audio equipment maker says. The base CLK-5i ships in white or silver and typically sells for about $359 in Japan’s open market; the CLK-7i ships only in silver but adds a MiniDisc deck for locals who continue to use the format, including for recording CDs at 4X normal playback speed. It sells for $449 and should be available alongside the CLK-5i within the next few days. US releases are unknown but may include the basic model.
Source: Impress
