iPod Hi-Fi brings music to the masses
By Marc Perton 
posted February 28th 2006 1:34PM
posted February 28th 2006 1:34PM
posted February 28th 2006 1:34PM
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Apple has definitely jumped the shark on this one.
So Expensive and Ugly!!!
How could the price be too high? Do you people realise how powerful the box is? The Bose SoundDock probably couldn't touch this thing in quality. the Hi-Fi could likely replace most home stereo systems people have. And of course this presentation wasn't huge. You think they would make a major announcement before their 30-year anniversary? Use sense guys.
This is almost as dumb as the time two Apple engineers had the following conversation.
Engineer 1: How will the user eject a disk?
Engineer 2: How about they drag it to the trash can.
Engineer 1: But won't that throw it away.
Engineer 2: Not if it's a metaphysical analogy to something being purged from the inner sanctum of the Macintosh.
Engineer 1: Brilliant!
Re article title: Masses my asses. This thing costs $350!
wow, this really sucks a big one
*CRASH*
The sound of the forklift trying to maneuver around the boxes in the warehouse.
For the next two years.
Steve-o, listen up. I WANT MY DAMN 13" WIDESCREEN IBOOK!
Christ. Where are the buttons? I wanna heat up my tv dinner.
We already have such an thing with radio and CD player, and that has one of purest and cleanest sound: Cambride SoundWorks CD740!!
Not excatly revolutionary, but, like a previous poster mentioned, Steve Jobs certainly knows his target markets. I live in London, Europe's iPod-central (on any given morning, about 40-50% of the people on my commuter train can be seen wearing the little white headphones), and this will be snapped up by those living in incredibly expensive and small city-centre apartments, for whom money isn't an issue, and space/minimalist styling is a premium.
Isn't the Roku SoundBridge Radio a better product? It streams music from iTunes over a wireless network, in addition to being a Clock Radio with AM/FM & Internet Steaming support: http://www.rokulabs.com/products/soundbridge/SoundbridgeRadio/index.php
Why didn't Apple make this?!
i just threw out a microwave that looks just like this. who cares if it takes batteries, anybody that is into boomboxes is NOT going to carry this effeminate
shipping crate around.
Wait, I think I get the size. The article states "runs on D batteries". Maybe thats a mistake and should say "runs on car batteries"? That would explain the size.
Every stuck-up, loaded Manhattan socialite will be buying one of these for the summer house in Wainscott or East Hampton. This product reeks of status.
I'll stick with my cheap-ass Best Buy brand 500W home theater in-a-box for $120.
That's not hi-fi, it's a music system (and an ugly one at that). Fight to reclaim your superlatives - this is no more a high fidelity sound system than Skoda is a limo or Bush is a statesman.
Fugly. Looks cheap. Wouldn't own one.
Half of the posts here look like they've been posted by PR folks for Bose, JBL, etc. Unless you can prove to me that you were one of the few people who actually got to hear this thing in action.......your words are meaningless bullshit. I think Apple knew it would get plenty of complaints of how 'expensive' this system is, that's exactly why they left out so many of the features that some of you douche bags are asking for. Imagine how much it would cost (considering they didn't sacrifice audio quality) if it had built in WiFi, Li-ion rechargable battery, FM & satelite radio, LCD display, etc.
I bet the people who don't 'get' the whole principle of iPod Hifi (which is sound quality) are the same people who are too stupid to realize that you can actually change the import settings in iTunes and that iPods can actually play files that are encoded in MUCH higher 'fidelity' than 128kbps. Now iTunes needs to offer content with an optional lossless format and people can convert the files to their preference. (I would back-up all my lossless files to a separate drive or DVD)
There are a few things Apple really should have included in this first iteration though: video out, a magnetic holster for the remote, and a Li-ion rechargable battery (although rechargable D cells are available and make it easier to find replacements when there's no AC outlet around.) While not necessary, an FM tuner would've been a cheap feature to add considering the new iPods have the built in interface. Otherwise I see a very solid product that's priced very reasonably for the market it's going after, which would include people looking for a better boombox, living in tight spaces(think students!), or that already have a HiFi surround system and want a secondary portable system that doesn't sound like the "billion cheaper piece-o-shit speaker systems".
If the HiFi sounds as good as SJ says-and I'm betting it does-count me in, I'll be buying one as soon as I can get my hands on one. Can't wait to hear this thing outside on my deck/patio!!! (Also hoping the second version will have the above mentioned, plus WiFi and some really 'innovative' MagSafe detachable mid-range drivers for true stereo separation with bluetooth & battery power in each section-NO SPEAKER WIRE-, each with a new tweeter for increased crossover separation. Maybe even a splash pad for wireless iPod charging!!!)
I'm pretty sure the big announcement was the Mac Mini Core Duo, not this.
um, for this price you could get a good pair of studio monitors (event tr6s). it baffles my why anyone would even consider buying this at $350.
The ipod could at least slide into a compartment or something. This thing is horribly concieved. A lot of ipods are going to be falling off of it and biting the dust.
And if you turn it on its side, what a nice refrigerator.
First off Bose sucks. I am sure this sounds much better than the Bose system does. That being said there is no way it sounds as good as running my music through airport express and my Denon/Paradigm/Velodyne setup. They can't seriously think that this is a replacement for the home stereo. Although it may be cool for a teenagers bedroom and I am sure there is a place for it, I have no use for this product. Nice try Apple. Now when do I get a Mac Mini with DVR?
Beautiful but a bit pricey
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/28/ipod-hi-fi-brings-music-to-the-masses/
pick me
The Concertino is a class A valve Amplifier with Full Range drivers it has been made for the iPod: http://www.goldster-audio.com/concertino/product.en.html
This is THE only Audiophile setup available for specifically for the iPod and this is made in Germany but only very few among you are ready to spend 3000 Euros more on your iPod : you will prefer the cheap sound of plastic and it maybe plenty enough for your ears.
Anyway this iPodHifi is an excellent product, it will give access to a very clean sound that will educate people's ears, it will effectively improve radically the audio experience of these people AND in the long term will contribute to the strong image of Apple. It will impress a lot of people! Most of them will not believe there is not another subwoofer hidden somewhere, in the end people will think: wow Apple makes some really FUN and powerfull products...
I think I want one, as a subwoofer to complement a Scott 1959 valve amplifier with two Dannish System Audio 1100 studio Monitor, I think I will get more deepness with the iPodHiFi + moving this to the beach time to time here in Tahiti will be cool too.
...dumbing down for a second here...
But what if I can't afford that^!
What are my other options?
Considering lots of stereos have audio inputs, there are plenty of complete setups, or do what almost every audiophile on terra firma does and piece together your own combination of equipment based on 1.)your price range and 2.)what you specifically want out of your system; whether that be portablilty, loudness, clarity, bass, treble, whatever.
I love tube amps, but the one #229 suggested should be considered a joke for that amount.
Right now, 3000 euros is around 3600 dollars.
4000 dollars will buy a widescreen and a stereo.
Or a hell of a stereo.
Or that little thing?
No offense, Tubes are great... especially for stereos that have good speakers, cover broad spectrums, and generally play high recording quality music. Or maybe you just like the mellow tones that tubes generally produce. But Is there really a market for #229's system outside of people who just have to have everything teutonic?
You can get so much for that amount of money.
I'm not too sure people are gonna be listening to those same speakers and tubes 20 years down the road, but who knows. Maybe they will last that long, or maybe somebody will continue making them, but don't count on it.
Why are the expensive tube amps of yesterday still valuable pieces today? Because we can STILL use them. The tubes can be quite expensive and sometimes even harder to find, and some of the speakers are too. But I've replaced all 8 speakers in my original HIWATT 100 fullstack and all the tubes in it's head, and it still sounds better than anything new and still is deafening, all because there is a market for great sounding, extremely loud guitar stacks.
I tend to think that when people spend multiple-thousands on a stereo, they already know they want seriously awesome equipment. And when people spend multiple-hundreds on a boombox or shelf-unit, they want the best or the prettiest or the smallest(maybe the biggest) or something worthwhile.
So then what does this Hi-Fi honestly present itself as? The 'only' one made by Apple? That is a selling point. The most feature packed? Thats an argument. The biggest? Probably. The 'best sounding'? So far it has been claimed, but every other manufacturer still says their's is better. Someone is going to have to prove them right or wrong, especially when considering the amount of stereo equipment that fits into the 200-500 dollar price range.
What a bunch of whingers you are!!!!
It's only a piece of kit... if you don't have anything nice to say just leave it.
It is actually a very nice sounding machine. There is no distortion whatsoever. It rocks! It looks good too! Go take a look and listen to it in a store. It is not an "Audiophile" system, but it is the best sounding single unit speaker system/amplifier in the market. Great for bedroom, patio, poolside.
90% of posters here didnt even care to listen to the damn thing before stating their opinion....
Very nice addition to my Apple "iworld"! They must be targeting the jet-set who really appreciate simple, modern...even retro-modern design! This baby looks like a modern take on the 1970s speakers that kicked @$$ back in the day...because we all know...the thicker and bigger the speakers...the better the sound and base...it's a FACT. The Bose, thin, cheap-looking
"plug-in-the-wall" only system sounds cheap and very, very THIN: like a speaker from a SONY "Cube" Clock/Radio from 1983! iWiFi: you know it's wireless ready...and WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT RADIO ANYMORE?!?!? It's 2006 people!!!! Radio died with "LP records" somewhere around 1989! CDs? WHY would you play CDs??? You already have an iPod?!? Right?!? I've used this, wireless, with my laptop for parties...and it's AWESOME! Very cool design: the "new" shelf unit of stereos. Thanks Apple, for bringing the "stereo" into the world of 2006.
How about a 1 INCH or
(2.5mm) cube
that produces the same
or better sound than this monster?
How many iPods could a person (figuratively speaking) fit
inside this 17.0" x 6.6" x 6.9" box?
Is there any possible way to have constructed this bigger?
Possibly a combination or mix of something like this tiny speaker
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMSM12V
added to this tiny little amplifier:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDEQ2496
and then shrunk down a bit, so they would fit into your pocket(s).
Well, this might just have been a better solution. I mean
why go around with empty arms, especially if you’ve thought
about using this speaker system portably every once in a while.
One small problem, of course, would be a few cable adjustments
needed to correctly attach the iPod to them. Now, is this such
a big deal?
This combo reminds me of that show on MTV where the little
person and the big person hang out together. The smaller
dude tries to help the larger dude lose some weight. This is the sort of
thinking that possibly ought to be placed into the realm of
development for iPod accessories.
Product development ought to incorporate the term "shrinkage",
whether submersible or not into water when working on any iPod
accessory. Personally, I want a portable speaker that will clip onto
my lapel.
Now get to work on it.
I bought it for my little brother for Christmas and it stop working the 3 days later. It really sucks and next time I think about buying something so expense I will look into it first.