Sony's mini-stereo system pumps big sound

Gannett News Service
You can mix it up with Sony's Xrossfade mini-component sound system. Designed with a dual dock for two MP3 players, an AM-FM tuner, a CD player, a cross fader and a two-channel mixer, the DJ-style shelf system lets you mix and play music to create a rockin' soundtrack. Equipped with 450 watts of power, two-way bass reflex speakers and a dual 7-inch subwoofer, the system is powerful enough to blast tunes indoors and out. Plus, it can convert CDs and radio to MP3 files, and save recorded sessions on a USB drive. Part of the Muteki stereo series, the LBT-DJ2i Xrossfade music system is available for $500. www.sony.com/muteki Scan on a budget Priced at just $100, the Epson Perfection V300 photo scanner produces sharp-looking images with a resolution of 4,800 dots per inch. Better yet, this versatile machine scans documents, prints, slides, negatives, and thanks to a high-rise 180-degree cover, 3-D objects. Plus, it includes a fix-it button that restores color, removes dust and reduces graininess. www.epsonstore.com Tooth Tunes Junior jazzes up brushing Tiger Electronics has created a pint-size version of its popular musical toothbrush for the preschool set. The smaller Tooth Tunes Junior is easier for small hands to grasp and its brush is just the right size for a preschooler's teeth. Like the original Tooth Tunes, the junior version transmits sound vibrations from the bristles through the teeth to a child's inner ear, so he hears the music in his head. Songs in the preschool line include "If You're Happy and You Know It, Brush Your Teeth." It will go on sale this fall for $10. www.toothtunes.com Archos lays out new media tablets Archos' Internet Media Tablets promise to streamline your digital entertainment at home and on the road. Designed with a sleek black frame, the portable tablets provide speedy access to the Web, e-mail, streaming media, music and TV shows. Available early next year, the Archos 5G can access a mobile broadband network with your data plan or a cell phone's SIM card through its built-in modem or card slot. Or if you're impatient, the Archos 5 and Archos 7, which will go on sale in the fall, can provide the same links with optional plug-ins. The tablets also boast technology that lets you broadcast live home TV onto your tablet anywhere in the world via a Wi-Fi connection. Both the Archos 5G and Archos 5 models sport a 5-inch touch-screen while the Archos 7 features a 7-inch screen. Available this month, an Archos 5 with 60 gigabytes of memory will cost $350 and one with 250GB will cost $450. Due in stores in October, an Archos 7 with 160GB of memory will cost $450. An Archos 5G with 30GB will be $550. Other configurations are available. www.archos.com