Joining the likes of Bose and Altec Lansing, Apple has released its own speaker unit -- the iPod Hi-Fi -- for the enormously popular iPod music player. Obviously, the idea of being able to play your extensive collection of iPod tunes for others in a variety of settings is catching on fast.
The design of the unit elicited responses from those here at CNET.com.au that ranged from "ugly" to "cool". So we'll leave you to make that judgement. Check out our "images" page for more views. There are, however, quite a few other design features that are a bit less subjective.
Design
The iPod Hi-Fi is a solidly built unit, and features sturdy
handles on the top corners for carrying it around. The device is
original-iPod-white, but for some odd reason comes with a black
(removable) grille. Inside are a powerful 130mm woofer and two
80mm wide-range speakers. The only other features on the
enclosure are the universal iPod dock and volume buttons on the
top, and the power and external audio inputs on the back. The
power board is conveniently built into the unit itself, so
there's no bothersome brick to deal with on the power cord.
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 Check what you get inside the box with our iPod Hi-Fi image gallery. |
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Controls
The unit comes with an Apple Remote control and can be powered
via an AC outlet or six D-cell batteries for true portability.
The remote is the same one that comes with new Macs such as the
new iMac G5 (to take advantage of Apple's Front Row software). The Menu button on the
remote works exclusively with Front Row and unfortunately doesn't
have any effect when used with the iPod Hi-Fi. [We've since been
told by a reader that the Menu button does indeed have a
function: it allows you to switch between the iPod and another
source connected via the 3.5mm auxiliary input jack on the back
of the unit.]
To use the unit, all you need to do is plug it into the wall, or insert six D-cell batteries, pop your iPod into the universal dock (10 iPod dock adapters are provided to cater for all iPod versions) and you're ready to go. The iPod Hi-Fi charges your iPod while playing -- even with batteries. The remote lets you skip songs forward and back, and change the volume. With Video iPods and the nano, an extra "Speakers" setting appears on the menu that enables you to choose a bass boost or treble boost setting. This, however, can only be adjusted from the iPod itself -- not the remote.
Sound
Sound from the iPod Hi-Fi is quite good, though not as good as
that managed by the Bose SoundDock. It's more on par with the sound
quality put out by Altec Lansing's inMotion iM7 system. The Apple has a bit of an
edge at louder volume settings. Here, though, the iM7 has an
advantage because it provides bass and treble controls on its
remote that work with all iPod versions. The iM7 also has a handy
slot in the back to store the remote -- quite a nice feature for
remotes that are about the size of a pack of chewing gum.
According to the specs, the iPod Hi-Fi has a frequency response of 53Hz to 16kHz (±3dB) and maximum peak sound pressure levels of 108dB at 1m (when powered via AC) and 102dB at 1m (DC).
Price
Here's where things start to get interesting: the recommended
retail price of the iPod Hi-Fi is higher than that of Bose's
pricey SoundDock. (The Bose, however, only runs on AC power and,
not having handles, is slightly more unwieldy as a "portable"
system.) The Apple is quite a bit more expensive than the
inMotion iM7 -- a system we rate as having roughly equal
performance.
Bottom line
In the end we'd say that if price is your top consideration, the
InMotion iM7 is your best buy. If design rates highly on your
list of priorities, Apple's sleek and simple lines may just sway
you toward the iPod Hi-Fi. For pure sound quality, however, the
Bose SoundDock still reigns.
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mr_puff
13/03/2008, 10:45 AM
rating
10/10
i won it so it cost me $20 in raffle tickets
great design and sound would highly recomend
Pros: look
sound
Cons: not very protable
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kane656
22/08/2006, 12:12 PM
rating
8/10
Simple yet elegant design, excellent sound
Being in a flatting situation where space and ease of portability are issues, I wanted some sounds without going the whole hog and buying a regular stereo system. I had received my Nano as a gift and had already imported loads of my CD collection on there (encoded at 160kps) so it seemed logical to look for a decent speaker system for my iPod.
Being my thorough-self, I plugged my iPod into a variety of iPod-specific speakers such as the iM7, the Apple Hi-Fi and Bose Sounddock. Whilst the sound was very good in all of them, I found the sound from the Hi-Fi impressive and suited my taste in music (hip-hop, dance, techno, even some old school Mo-town etc.)
With all of the bad press the Apple Hi-Fi was getting I was surprised how good the sound was. I was seriously thinking about buying the iM7 but glad I paid a bit more for this unit. The iM7 felt a bit cheap with the light plastic open-close dock and felt awkward when changing the playlists etc. The Hi-Fi with iPod on top means everything is easily accessible.
I suspect a lot of people that have bagged the Hi-Fi have heard it in action or maybe own an older iPod without the extra 'Speakers' option. It's great but not perfect (it's playing compressed music after all).
Pros: Design looks great with white and black iPods (I own a black Nano). One cable is all you need to run this thing. Remote very responsive. Sound is very good with a variety of music.
Cons: More expensive than the iM7 or Bose Sounddock. A little bit heavy. Can't turn off completely while iPod is docked (iPod goes in standby mode)
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Ben
20/04/2006, 04:38 PM
Clean, simple design, good sound,
Very happy with the Hi-Fi. Have sound coming in to audio input from digital TV box. Good crisp sound from both digiTV and iPod, much better sound than new LCD TV whose speakers are lousy (expected to have 'home cinema' I suppose).
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17/04/2006, 07:49 PM
Looks great, sounds good
Agree thst it is not the most portable unit going around but the sound reproduction is impressive, particularly the bass, even when turned up the sound is clear with no distortion.
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08/03/2006, 08:15 AM
Sound is great - I love it
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Tim Reed
05/03/2006, 10:17 AM
Satisfying sound, very large
I like the sound of the unit - the bass is satisfyingly deep. Default settings leave it a little trebley, but setting iPod EQ resolves that. The unit is large and heavy and is really not portable, esp. with 8 DD batteries to power it on the road. Remote functionality is unsatisfying, as it does not allow you to navigate the iPod menu.
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03/03/2006, 11:10 PM
Why?
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Donny
03/03/2006, 05:17 AM
Don't believe the hype
I really wanted to like the system- it has a great design. I went and listened to it just after it was set up at The Apple Store. Based on my few seconds of listening- and I am not trained mind you- it sounded like a louder portable CD player. I love that it is portable but the bass was so distorted and I don't need lots of bass in my music that the song was barely intelligible. The system did not fill the room like a live performance in a small club. Jobs must be having a flashback to his Hippie days. But it is a very good way to take music on the road for friends. However since the system does not sound like a real speaker system there are some cheaper alternatives. But the system is very good for lower listenng and provides a clear sound. If you want to compare and contrast and own music- if you were happy with a portable boom box and nothing else and the price is not too high for you this is actually a great machine. An advanced boom box. But I am happy with my small non portable but minus receiver Bose subwoofer unit that I got for about $100 less. It is much better than the Bose dock I heard- there is no comparison. It doesn't fill the room but it is loud and clear. I don't know how such small speakers can produce such sound but they do. The best MP3/Computer speakers on the market. But if somebody really does make a system like the Hi-Fi that not only can be played at lower levels on the beach/apartments but also provide full sound at parties and seperate rooms and you want that then run out and buy it! Until then and unless you really want that kind of sound for most people the small Bose speakers are probably going to be excellent.
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