Griffin, Acoustic Research intro new AirPlay-ready gear
updated 04:10 pm EST, Mon January 9, 2012
Griffin Twenty amps, streams iOS audio
Among the companies announcing AirPlay-based electronics at CES are Griffin and Acoustic Research. Griffin's contribution is the Twenty, an amp that pairs with an AirPort Express to pump AirPlay audio into a nearby speaker. The amp supports 2.1 channels, producing up to 20W of output per channel. Users can also attach a powered subwoofer; automatic active crossover kicks in at 80Hz. A pricing and a launch date for the Twenty remain unannounced.
Acoustic Research's hardware (not pictured) is the AirPlay Audio System. Few details of the unit have been made public, but it has Wi-Fi built in, and is mainly intended to be controlled through iTunes or an iOS device. Multiple speakers can be linked up across a home to spread out sound. The AAS (also known as the ARAP50) should launch sometime this spring for $200.
