Note the reviewer's reference system is worth about 10 grand.
Review by hifi heretic (A) on March 09, 2006 at 17:50:19
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for the iPod Hi-Fi
I’m sure there will be those who feel a review of such a product is out of place here at Audio Asylum. I disagree. ..To me, it meets all the criteria: It’s a speaker system - albeit an active one as it has a built-in digital amp (and DAC) - and it’s intended to play music. Voila, it qualifies! Of course, to use it you must have either an iPod or some other MP3 player that has either a line-level output or a digital out (for such applications, the Hi-Fi has an input jack that accepts either a 3.5mm miniplug or a mini-Toslink digital plug).
I purchased this as a means of bringing my music to those places that my primary system (2 Sony 400 disc changers, Bryston BP25 Preamp, Bryston 3BSST Amp, and Vandersteen 3A sig speakers) cannot go – which is pretty much everywhere. ..It’s home will be our bedroom, then come spring it will be frequently walked to the deck or to our friends pool.
Physically, the Hi-Fi is darned impressive. As stated is one of the consumer reviews at Apple.com, “the thing feels as though it were chiseled from a billet of resin.” Rap on the top, sides or baffle and you hear no resonating. ..It’s solid as a rock. To ease carrying, there are reinforced handles molded into the casework. Control-wise, there isn’t much to it: two simple buttons control volume, the rest is controlled via the iPod itself. Apple’s now ubiquitous remote is also included which allows control of the volume and to move forward/ back in the playlist.
Mounted flush against the baffle are three drivers: two 3” full-rangers flanking a 5” woofer. Interesting, no tweeter! I’m not sure, but they appear to be synthetic cones suspended by rubber surrounds. Appearance-wise… Well, this is so subjective that you simply have to visit their website and make your own judgement. Personally, I like it. With it’s squareish shape and mostly white, glossy finish it certainly bears an obvious resemblance to it’s sibling products the ipod, and iMac (we just bought one of these a few weeks ago – great machine). On the back, the twist of coin will unlock a latch to access the battery compartment. Six D-cells are said to provide 4+ hours of near maximum power (while charging your iPod to boot!).
Sound. From the get-go it’s obvious that some compromises had to be made in designing this product. ..Though the Hi-Fi comes respectably close, I really doubt that full-range sound could be achieved from a portable 17”x7”x7” amplifier/speaker system that is durable, plays VERY loud, and sells at a sensible price point. While the Hi-Fi does come close on the high frequency side, it falls pretty far short on the low-end. Thankfully, the bass that isn’t filtered out is tight and tuneful. Personally, I much prefer the bass is rolled off at a reasonable depth then to have a speaker make an awful racket (vibrate, clank, etc..) trying to hit the low low low notes.
It’s important to judge this product for what it is – a portable sound system which should be used to provide background music in those places where it’s impractical to drag your primary sound rig. Of the other portables designed to partner w/ iPods (Logitech, Bose, Klipsch), the Hi-Fi clearly sounds the most musical (which IMHO is quite the same as saying accurate). Whereas the others all sound treble-enhanced (typical in most mass-market speakers, and more than a few high-end speakers too) the Hi-Fi sounds smooth and natural. It also beats the others in terms of it’s ability to play surprisingly loud without distorting. I have no idea how it does it with only 3 smallish drivers. I don’t know what the wattage output is as Apple doesn’t publish this spec. Of course, this is fine with us here at AA as we all know this spec is almost meaningless. Though I haven’t tried it outside, I’ll bet it will darn near fill our smallish backyard with sound. Imaging? Well, unless you place your head within 3’ of the drivers, your not going to sense much imaging; remember, it’s only 17” wide. That’s fine with me, because this will be used for background music for people who are either in motion or in conversation. Personally, when we entertain a group of people in our living room and I play my main system, I’ll often hit the mono button so that everyone is hearing the same thing.
Will purchasers of Hi-Fi dump their primary sound systems and use this exclusively - as suggested by Steve Jobs? Jeez, I hope not. Unless your primary system is a 1970’s Realistic Compact, most any home system will sound better. But just try dragging that home system onto your deck, then to the vacation house, then to your neighbors, then to the basement… Well, you get my point. For what it is, this product is very well made, sounds great, and works perfectly. I love it.
Product Weakness:slightly rolled off highs and lows. iPod stands straight up from top - bit odd looking.
Product Strengths:Very well built, runs on batteries, or AC (power supply built it - no wall wart!, excellent sound for size/price
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:N/A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):N/A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):N/A
Speakers:Apple
Cables/Interconnects:N/A
Music Used (Genre/Selections):all genres; zero 7 to charles Mingus
Room Comments/Treatments:N/A
Time Period/Length of Audition:4 hours
Type of Audition/Review
roduct Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):described in review
