Stereo
Apple released a new product for the iPod called the iPod Hi-Fi. Basically, it's speakers and a dock for the iPod. Available for $349, the device has two 80-mm wide range speakers and a 130-mm subwoofer that can supposedly fill the room with sound -- similar to the Herbie Hancock Bose Stereo. It comes with a remote so that you can operate your iPod from around the room and it has the option to be powered by six D-cell batteries so it could be used outside.
but I couldn't find a picture.)
Overall, I think it's a pretty slick new product but it has a few glaring missing features. First off, it doesn't have audio out ports. I'm positive that I'm not the only one that would like the option to plug the dock into a home-theater system. A 5.1 system would have a vastly superior sound. Secondly, it has no video output for your television. Newer iPods have photo and even video functionality now. Why not add the ability to view them on your TV? You can already do this with a cable hooked up the iPod, but that would require removing it from the iPod Hi-Fi. More importantly, if I want to use the remote to operate the iPod, I'd like to be able to see what I'm selecting. An output to the TV would allow you to do so.
In conclusion, it's a nice product -- especially for using outside on the patio, but I wouldn't consider it without the features I outlined.
Tags: Apple, iPod, Music, Technology
posted by Aventius @ 5:02 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
There are many 3rd part products like this that have been out for years now, which are far superior to this product.
Bose makes at least two different, speaker/docking systems for the iPod. And, yes they have remotes, too.
For $350, I would much rather have a Bose or Klipsch speaker enclosure than an Apple enclosure.
If anyone is interested in a product like this, do some shopping around. Not only, are name-brand speaker manufacturers involved in making these types of products, but they have the expertise in this area that Apple does not. In addition, you can find cheaper alternatives.
Bose/Klipsch pricing would be along similiar price-points, but would be much more worth the cost. Other, cheaper alternatives (JBL, for instance), are not only cheaper but most likely of comparable quality to the Apple system if, for no other reason, that they have been making these products longer. (That and the fact that JBL is focused on producing speakers, albeit cheaper speakers than Bose.)
NOTE:
I, for one, have not heard this new Apple product, but am willing to place my word on the Bose products instead.
Biz,
You haven't heard of it because it came out today. I agree - there are lots of 3rd party products out there. But do they have the features that I outlined? I'm not sure.
You are correct. I have never heard of this product. But, what I said was I have never heard this product... meaning never heard it in action. I have heard two of the Bose products because my brother owns one of them and helped him show around for it. And, the Klipsch one is also outstanding.
I personally, own one of JBL's products knowing that it would not have the greatest sound quality, but bought it purely on price ($150) to put in my unfurnished basement.
As for features, that is something you would have to do research on. I could go look at my brothers right now, but don't feel like it. I know it has one type of external connector on it, but am unsure if it is an output or external input. I know there are products out there that include features like that, but do not know off-hand.
Either way, I am speaking purely to sound... which, ultimately, is the most vital "feature" of the product.
"heard" instead of "heard of"...
my mistake. thanks for the insight Biz.
Biz,
Also... I posted about this not because I thought the product was really good but rather because there were obvious omissions that would keep me from buying and forcing me to look elsewhere.
unfurnished? did you make a couch out of pizza boxes and beer cans? if so... sweet.
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