iPod systems
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There are now several alternatives to the Bose and the list seems to be growing daily. This is a hot area.
The Focal iCub is a sub with an iPod dock. It has three BASH amps, a DAC, and three stereo audio inputs. You can add a set of stereo speakers to it as two of the amps have speaker outputs (75W/channel), or buy Focal's own Sib XL speakers. Admittedly, this is in a different price category than the Bose.
Other loudspeaker manufacturers like JBL, Altec, Monitor Audio, and Klipsch have offerings which look directly competitive with the Bose. Whether they sound better, I don't know.
Happy Hunting!
Jim
I bought the Monitor Audio i-Deck, but it doesn't really sound very good. Looks lovely, but weak bass and somewhat garbled mid-range. It may relate to my location on a shelf, but the Cambrige Soundworks clock radio sounds better in several ways. After CES is there something better?
I didn't see any new docking stations at the Alexis Park or St. Tropez. I guess you had to get over to the main hall.
I did see a few new integrated amps that have a front panel input for an iPOD. I suspect this will become more widespread in the future.
Jim
That makes me wonder if someone makes a simple dock that pulls the audio out off the iPod connector? Of course you can just run a cable from an input on an integrated amp, but to use the iPod wheel it would be nice to have a dock. The dock could also recharge.
Check out the forthcoming Polk I-Sonic, a desktop system with an iPod input. The unit has four speakers, a bass port, integral CD and DVD player, HD Radio, XM Radio, and a host of other features. It appears to be a complete entertainment center in a compact package. And the audio quality doesn't look like an afterthought.
It begins shipping in March.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
Thomas,
Here are a couple of thoughts on the Monitor Audio i-deck, plus a couple of suggested alternatives.
Re: The Monitor Audio i-deck
1. I don't doubt that the Cambridge tabletop radio/CD player sounds better than the i-deck in some respects. But, if we are thinking of the same model, bear in mind that the Cambridge is A) a one-box unit that doesn't allow separation of its speakers for proper stereo imaging, and B) doesn't have to bear the non-trivial costs of Apple licensing fees and iPod dock/adapter hardware.
In inexpensive products, those "Apple-compatibility taxes" can consume an awfully big chunk of the product's overall construction budget.
2. If midrange sounds significantly garbled on your i-deck system, I'd be inclined to suspect a possible defect. The review sample TPV had offered midrange clarity somewhat similarto the sound you'd hear through inexpensive mini-monitors (i.e., not the best midrange you've ever heard, but certainly decent). Go figure.
2. Here are some tips for getting best results with the i-deck.
Tip one: If using the i-deck speakers on a shelf (as we did in our review tests), try pulling them right out to the front edge of the shelf to help minimize diffraction. This helped clean up the sound of our review samples somewhat.
Tip two: Be sure to separate the speakers enough to allow a decent stereo image to form (an option you don't have with Bose or other one-box tabletop units). You'll miss a lot of what they can do if you use them too close together.
Tip three: Try listening to the i-deck speakers with their grilles off. This significantly opened up the sound of our review samples.
Tip four: To get more satisfying bass, try experimenting with the various iPod EQ settings (several offer not-too-garish amounts of bass boost). True, the i-deck rig doesn't produce really thunderous bass no matter what you do, but by judiciously using Apple's EQ settings you can make the most of what's there.
__________
RE: Other iPod systems
1. Thus far, the best iPod-specific system I've heard is Focal's iCub rig, though it is one of the more expensive solutions on the market.
2. One I think has potential, especially for those seeking comparatively full-range sound at a modest price, is the Klipsch i-Fi system, which comes with a powered subwoofer.
3. Both Paradigm and Polk Audio have upcoming iPod systems that look impressive, and that appear to give serious attention to sound quality.
4. Apple has just announced a new "Hi Fi" solution of its own, which I am confident The Perfect Vision will review as soon as possible.
5. More and more AVRs (and media servers) are coming with iPod docking/charging systems.
Best,
Chris Martens
Audio Editor, The Perfect Vision
Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision