Gamexpert takes a note from Apple, intros PSP Hifi

It's not as if Apple needs the validation, but peeps in Cupertino: you made it. It's weird enough when companies rip product designs and preface every product with the letter "i," but "peripheral specialist" Gamexpert has gone to the next level by coating what appears to be an iPod Hi-Fi in a glossy black finish, slapping a PSP dock on top, and having the nerve to price it higher than Apple's (first-party) original. The self-proclaimed "ultimate sound experience" for your handheld Sony, the PSP Hifi houses two midrange drivers, a down-firing subwoofer, an aux input (for your iPod, perhaps?), a uninspiring 23 watts of total amplification, and, of course, a place to rest (and charge) your Sony device. While you even get a wireless remote to control the tunes from across the way, claims like "maximum bass extension" paired with its inability to thump below 50Hz seem a tad suspect. Nevertheless, the £199.99 ($376) PSP Hifi will be vying for your accessorizing wallet when it hits stores -- and mostly higher octaves -- soon enough.

[Via Tech Digest]

[Paddy @ Sep 21st 2006 5:55AM]

Not actually more expensive than the iPod Hi-Fi, which retails on the Apple UK online store at �229.

[Revels @ Sep 21st 2006 6:00AM]

I think I hear the siren of the Lawyermobile approaching...

[slyecho @ Sep 21st 2006 6:05AM]

How much time before a DS version?

[Gaz @ Sep 21st 2006 6:15AM]

I always find myself a little concerned by peripherals that cost more than the host device. (sense/more + money = ?)

[Ed Balaban @ Sep 21st 2006 6:31AM]

I think this could go on the keeping it real fake wall!

[dext3r @ Sep 21st 2006 7:34AM]

@slyecho

power and headphone jack are on opposite sides on the DS, making it kinda awkward to make into some kind of HiFi Dock dealie.

[Jason @ Sep 21st 2006 8:12AM]

All you need now is car battery strapped to your back too.

[Korexz @ Sep 21st 2006 10:19AM]

Who cares? The PSP is DEAD!

[Namssorg @ Sep 21st 2006 10:42AM]

JEEZE.. People are making as many peripherals for PSP as they did for iPOD... yet I have only seen TWO PEOPLE EVER using a PSP in public... are there THAT many of them out there with extra money for this shit?

[Jason @ Sep 21st 2006 11:06AM]

Uh, do you really need a speaker for such a small screen when watching a movie? Lame.

[Grant @ Sep 21st 2006 11:26AM]

This would be perfect if you've ever thought, "I'd really like to have an enormous speaker pressed flush against my chest while I play PSP."

Did anyone think of the ergonomics of this beast?

[DeShaun @ Sep 21st 2006 11:39AM]

Well, clearly, this is not for someone who wants to play games with their PSP. This is for that small population who actually uses their PSP to play music. And that certainly is a small population. Most people who I know that own a PSP use their memory stick space for video and homebrew stuff. I agree with an above comment saying that this is a bit overkill for watching a video. Seems rather pointless, also considering this is rather low-end for um..."hifi". More like Hi-Pri(ce).

[T-Will @ Sep 21st 2006 3:01PM]

Yeah, who actually uses their PSP for music?

[HiFi Experience @ Sep 22nd 2006 6:55PM]

actually I've heard one and it sounds the business and I've been in the HiFi industry for years, I also know loads of people that are using PSP for music downloading through wireless broadband and the memory cards cost next to nothing, infact I ditched my iPod long ago in favour of it - I just don't get the comparison with the iPod HiFi, they're totally different, combos like this have been around well before Apple ever came along with the iPod and Gamexpert are the first one I've seen that's done a decent job for the PSP, glad to see the 'true' RMS power rating too (none of this peak power hype bull) so full marks to Gamexpert for bringing it out and I'll be stocking it when it's available in the UK (p.s I'm a HiFi shop not a Gaming shop), so if you're into music I recommend it which is all of us right - do gamers only play games?!