Typical price: £249
What is it: Speaker system with integrated amplifier designed to dock seamlessly with the iPod
What we think: What at first glance seemed overpriced proved itself a competitive entry into this market. For volume and clarity, there's not much else that compares at this level
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 30 March 2006
Tags: Harmon Kardon, Sonos, PURE Digital, Apple, Apple iPod Hi-Fi
We like:
Clean design; simple operation; excellent separation and tone; loud volume without perceptible distortion
We don't like:
Small remote control; no display; heavy weight
You might also need:
You could add an external sound source (a CD player for example), using the optical/analogue line-in
CNET UK judgement:
If you're short on space, or you don't want a stereo system dominating your living room, the iPod Hi-Fi makes a compelling alternative to a full-blown separates system. It's loud, and it's clean-sounding. Fixed stereo speakers like these are always a compromise, but auditioning the Hi-Fi with acoustic tracks proves its mettle
Full review:
Apple is world famous for its iconic white MP3 player, but the company's experience in the acoustic design of speaker enclosures is not immediately obvious. Music has always been an integral part of Apple's products, however. From the early experiments with sound on the first Macintosh, through to the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks Apple was keen to pair with the iMac, Apple has dealt peripherally with the business of speaker cabinet design. Continue Reading...
Apple iPod Hi-Fi History
5 Feb 2007 in Reviews
Most people are lured into digital music by portable players such as the iPod, but that isn't where it ends. Soon you'll want better earbuds, speakers for the living room and maybe even a wireless streaming system to send your music all around the house.
31 Mar 2006 in Digital Living
Apple's big white box combines two speakers, a sub, an amplifier, an iPod dock and a remote control. It turns your portable music player into a room-filling home stereo, but is it over priced, over hyped, overly heavy and over here?
9 Mar 2006 in Crave
The box of delights: Apple iPod Hi-Fi
The dust has settled and now we're left to sift through the debris. Much derision was thrown at the iPod Hi-Fi when it was first unveiled, but was it justified?
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