Whats the best ipod speaker dock?

[niko-time]

Is it the ipod hi-fi (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...FF6&nplm=M9867) or are there some other better makes which has a dock and charges the ipod? Budget is around £250, may be able to strech that a little.

 

[FallenAngel]

Save yourself the headache and NEVER buy any dock + speaker combination. Get yourself a TriPath amp or GainClone, a pair of normal actually Hi-Fi quality speakers and an IPod line out.

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Save yourself the headache and NEVER buy any dock + speaker combination. Get yourself a TriPath amp or GainClone, a pair of normal actually Hi-Fi quality speakers and an IPod line out.

I also strongly recommend this. I've tried a number of different speaker iPod dock offerings, and the only ones that stood out for me were some Klipsch ones. I would still however contend that you can get much better for your money if you don't worry too much about aesthetics. Line out to a cheap amplifier and some nice speakers would be a more versatile and better choice.

 

[niko-time]

Okay, thanks for the advice. I am afraid I know very little about amps or speakers, are there any specific makes/models I should look out for? I had a google for tripath and gainclone and couldn't really find anything in England.

 

[FallenAngel]

Both are available for DIY if you're inclined that way. If not, any TriPath amp would work like a (aka T-Amp). It's fairly cheap and puts out enough power to drive efficient speakers fairly well for the money. Speakers, I can't recommend as I know very little about them.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

suggestion:

get a good receiver: onkyo tx304
get a nice subwoofer: hsu stf-1
get some decent speakers: look used on audiogon.com, polk audio in particular makes good speakers for cheap
get cables from bluejeanscable.com and monoprice.com

of course you may not want to take up this much space. if that is the case then i suggest some good powered computer speakers, like the klipsch promedia system.

 

[niko-time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Both are available for DIY if you're inclined that way. If not, any TriPath amp would work like a (aka T-Amp). It's fairly cheap and puts out enough power to drive efficient speakers fairly well for the money. Speakers, I can't recommend as I know very little about them.

You know what, I have a giant summer holiday after my exams so I may make the DIY thing my summer project. I'll ask for some advice nearer the time

Cheers

 

[Kokofong]

I don't know your budget and therefore I could only suggest you some inexpensive brands. Altec Lansing is a good brand producing good quality HI Fi at a fair price. However, most of them look dull. JBL is relatively cheaper but still sounds better than its price. You can go and check creature II and other latest products. If you look for a trendy one, I suggest Harman Kardon Soundsticks II.

 

[niko-time]

I'm probably going for this.
I shall be using my ipod, soloz is building me a dock-rca connector.

Things which I like the look of:
http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...d=WHAR-9.1-CHE
for the speakers and http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...ARA-PM4400-BLK for the amp, how does that look?

 

[Kokofong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by niko-time /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm probably going for this. I shall be using my ipod, soloz is building me a dock-rca connector. Things which I like the look of: http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...d=WHAR-9.1-CHE for the speakers and http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...ARA-PM4400-BLK for the amp, how does that look?

I hope to give some comments but the links above don't work.

 

[senns&nonsense]

Go for the Hi-Fi. Ok, it is not the highest fidelity - but it is a really fun sound, simple to use and use anywhere, and is designed beautifully. And it is ALOT of sound for the size and price. You can usually find them at the Apple refurb site used for a bit over $200. I love mine. It isn't audiophile but neither is my (fairly upscale) car stereo and I still like them both.

 

[niko-time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokofong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope to give some comments but the links above don't work.

Sorry, http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...d=WHAR-9.1-CHE and http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...ARA-PM4400-BLK

 

[musicmind]

I dont think you'll be dissapointed. For the budget you have, the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers are quite well regarded as decent budget speakers. Another one is the EPOS ELS-3.
I dont know much about the Marantz, so I wont comment.

You might also look to get the Swann M200 powered speakers.
Among ipod-ready speaker systems, the AudioEngine A5 seems to be very good.

There is a thread on it here :
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=200085

Hope that helps.

 

[Wildcard30]

I have a Klipsch Igroove that never gets used it was a X-mas gift.

 

[Spookykinkajou]

check out audioengine's speakers. i think they sound great from an ipod or computer. they are bookshelf sized 2.0 and around $350 I think.