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Sonic Gear i-Steroid valve iPod speakers reviewed
If those run-of-the-mill iPod music stations are just too puny for your tastes, but your significant other won't allow a full-sized jukebox to invade your home, Sonic Gear's valve tube amplifier / speaker system could deliver those warm tones you've been yearning for. The bizarrely-named i-Steroid system injects 28 watts through the red-coned drivers, and sports the customary iPod dock-connector cradle along with an IR remote to control the jams from long range. UK's Personal Computer World was quite impressed with the "smooth and rounded" tonal qualities derived from the atypical tube-driven amplification, and found the included accessories to be adequate, but not exactly remarkable. The biggest dig came from the 10 minute warm up period required for the tubes to get prepped, but anyone interested in these rigs should understand the nature of the beast already. Overall, reviewers were impressed enough to slap 4 out of 5 stars on it, and although this high-class setup runs about £160 ($304), at least those of you seeking the perfect speaker system to match that U2 iPod can't say you still haven't found what you're looking for.[Via Chip Chick]
