A New Stylish Speaker For Sleepyheads
:extract_cover():upscale()/2014/01/08/123/n/1922507/bb4109c188d67f2c_thumb_temp_front_page_image_file31254731389232464.jpg)
Well, this is an alarm clock we wouldn't mind waking up to. Audio company Soundfreaq announced a redesigned version of their Sound Rise alarm clock this week, and we got to play with the speaker at this year's CES. The white model has wood-grain hardware that's soft to the touch. Needless to say, it was love at first listen.
Sound Rise 2.0 still streams music via Bluetooth and includes a USB charging port (which is especially handy if your outlet isn't nearby). There's an old-school auxiliary cable for wired connections as well. The speaker took light pollution into account with six adjustable display settings from bright to dim. A blackout option turns the clock display completely off, and one touch of any button will turn the display on again.
While it's not revolutionary from a tech standpoint, we're mostly in love with Sound Rise's look and super compact, square profile. At $69, it'll also be extremely affordable when it hits stores in April. The compact speaker is a perfect fit for someone who loves midcentury-inspired decor on a budget or a graduating senior on his way to college.
The snooze button is exactly where it should be — up top, where it's most tappable.
Love the wood-grain detail on the bottom of the white speaker paneling.
The Sound Rise also comes in black.