VAF Research's Octavio Speaker Dock: a HiFi for Zune

Unlike some, here's a manufacturer we're pretty certain is making Zune accessories. Meet the "designed for Zune" Octavio Speaker Dock from highly regarded VAF Research out of Australia. Yeah, you might be justifiably tempted to draw similarities to the same, top-loading design of the Apple HiFi or uh, Gamexpert PSP HiFi. No doubt you'd be hard to tell 'em apart in a tactile funhouse. Oh sure, we'd love to break the iPod and Zune speakers down side-by-side for you, but we can't. All we know is that the Octavio can blast up to 105 dB to the HiFi's 108 dB 'cause no matter how many times we slap our digits into their little registration forms, nothing ever comes. Let's just hope that inattention to detail isn't an omen of what's in the pipeline. Octavio is scheduled for release from Chinese manufacturing to US shelves in "late 2006."

[Via AustralianIT, Thanks David W]

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Sep 28th 2006 2:20PM]

That looks a bit familiar. I wonder what inspired its design?

[George @ Sep 28th 2006 2:42PM]

No shame, eh?

[Bryan @ Sep 28th 2006 2:50PM]

"That looks a bit familiar. I wonder what inspired its design?"

The last 60 years of radios and boom-boxes. Why do people think iPod invented audio appliances? They might have re-popularized minimalism, but they don't own it.

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Sep 28th 2006 3:08PM]

The real question is: How did you know I was talking about the iPod HiFI?? ;)

[Doug @ Sep 28th 2006 3:40PM]

Looks like the Apple HiFi is a 2 way, while this new box is a 3 way.... likely to sound better...

[Bochi @ Sep 28th 2006 3:48PM]

Maybe he knew you were talking about the Apple Hi-Fi because you both read the same article. I'm not saying the Zune is something special, but the iPod definately isn't special.

Apple has some of the best marketing in the world with a very aggresive legal department. They do not have anything that looks or acts in an original fashion or that does it better than what's offered by other vendors.

[Zachary Hinchliffe @ Sep 28th 2006 4:17PM]

"They do not have anything that looks in an original fashion"

Umm, what? I for one am a huge fan of Apple's aesthetic design. It's certainly original, I don't see very many imitators of their aesthetic style except for Nintendo with the DS lite.

[Kendall Tawes @ Sep 28th 2006 4:23PM]

I think I will stick with my 10 D-cell GE from '84. It may weigh more than the average stereo (or home theatre) but it's good for the money (free out of Dumpster). I wonder if this speaker lot has that cloth cover too. No matter I will never own a Zune anyway. iPods off eBay. I got a working 60gb video for $189. Though I did have to buy the $4 Brasso. (Scratch City)

[ND @ Sep 28th 2006 4:27PM]

is 108 Db better than 105 Db or is the other way around?

[Rick Lyon @ Sep 28th 2006 5:45PM]

Wow, two different companies companying the same company they are competing against. Poor Apple. They can't win. Seems like everything they do is copied. Badly.

[juepucta @ Sep 28th 2006 7:13PM]

But does it come in brown?!

-G.

[James @ Sep 28th 2006 7:34PM]

Good ideas deserve replication - especially if it means improving upon the original design. Based on the product shot, I think this speaker dock looks quite a bit classier than the white plastic Apple HiFi. I look forward to hearing how it sounds (especially with high, mid and low frequencies presumably accounted for in this 3-way setup.)

[josephhhh @ Sep 28th 2006 7:38PM]

If only someone would copy that aesthetic marvel, the Blueberry iMac...

[Richard @ Sep 29th 2006 7:27AM]

At least it has some dome tweeters on there, so the responce might actually go up to 20kHz. Unlike the apple one which to be honest makes the factory speakers in a mid 90's honda sound downright awesome in comparison...

[Richard @ Nov 9th 2006 10:44PM]

This unit is not comparable to any Apple speaker dock on the market, its' a quality leather bound room shaker! From my understanding the VAF Research company weren't interested in this market until someone was serious about quality. After all they are renowned for making the best speakers in the world! Check out their website at www.vaf.com.au

[cassidy @ May 20th 2007 6:13PM]

ok i just got a pink zune and i ABSOLUTELY luv it!! the sound quality is amazing and the video is better than the ipod in my opinion..i no bc i used to have one..
u geeks have to stop fretting over which one is better i mean c'mon its a freaking mp3 player as long as u like it, what else matters? the zune just came out in november, its gonna take time to fix some of the little glitches but overall its awesome.

there arent many stereos out for the zune so this is cool but who cares if its based on one by the ipod? i dont..

get a life and stop worrying about which one is "better"..there always gonna be something better and more improved coming out so get over it.