A/V In A Briefcase? The Focal P60 Porsche Kit and the LG StanbyME Go

Focal P60 Limited Edition Utopia Kit for Porsche 911

There’s something oddly appealing about an audio/video product that comes packaged in its own briefcase. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve never felt that the factory-installed audio systems in my various Porsche 911 (992) vehicles were up to snuff. Luckily, Focal has introduced the P60 Limited Edition, a plug-and-play loudspeaker upgrade kit compatible with the Porsche Panamera (971 / 2017 and newer), the Porsche Cayenne (PO536 / 2018 and newer), and the Porsche Taycan (2020 and newer). Designed and manufactured in France, the P60 comprises two woofers and three midranges with W-shaped cones, plus a pair of Focal’s inverted-dome beryllium tweeters. Delivered in a handsome suitcase finished in leather and wood, the Utopia speakers guarantee “an unparalleled level of detail, uncolored sound, powerful and dynamic bass, as well as an even larger soundstage,” according to Focal. The speakers are drop-in replacements for the factory-fitted speakers, making them easy to install. They’re also designed to work with the car’s existing amplification. Limited to 911 kits, the P60 is an exclusive product, as indicated by the engraved serial numbers on the speaker surrounds, and the hand-stamped, unscrewable aluminum plates used as certificates of authenticity. Yours for $7,800.

More information: Focal P60 Limited Edition

LG StanbyME Go

Described by LG as a “versatile on-the-go entertainment solution,” the new StanbyME Go ($1,199) is a 27-inch “lifestyle” touch display that conveniently packs into a cool-looking carrying case. The StanbyME Go (also referred to as model 27LX5) includes a 20-watt, four-channel speaker system integrated into the case, which measures approximately 26 by 17 by 4.7 inches when closed, and weighs in at 28 pounds. Not the ideal choice for your next backpacking trip, perhaps, but the StanbyME Go can be used indoors or out, and is designed for watching movies, playing games, and enjoying “memorable entertainment experiences,” while on the go, according to LG. 

To that end, the StanbyME Go features a built-in battery providing up to 3 hours of use without external power. It also promises to be unusually durable, having completed a series of 11 tests to qualify for the U.S. military’s rigorous MIL-STD-810G standard. This means that the StanbyME Go can handle a wide variety of environmental factors, including variations in temperature and pressure, dust and salt spray, accidental drops, vibration, and shock.

In addition to featuring “superior screen protection,” the 27-inch display can be tilted, rotated 90 degrees from landscape to portrait, and height-adjusted by up to 7 inches. The display can also be used in Table mode, in which the screen lies flat in the lower part of the case. This mode enables the display to become a digital board game or virtual record player. The display automatically turns on when the case is opened, and turns off when closed. The built-in speakers “automatically optimize audio output to the front of the screen,” according to LG, and the webOS smart TV platform allows users to stream audio and video content from their iOS or Android devices. There’s also an HDMI input, and the StanbyME Go supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. A remote control is included, but the StanbyME Go can also be controlled via voice recognition for hands-free operation.

Content viewing is no longer confined to the living room or even the home, but until now, consumers have had to sacrifice screen size in favor of portability. LG StanbyME Go makes the full-scale viewing experience travel-friendly and offers a versatile option for streaming, listening, remote working, and more.

— David Park, LG’s Head of HE Product Marketing

More information: LG StanbyME Go