13/12/06
27Looking for an iPod speaker with...
One of the (many) reasons I don’t put advertising (other than Amazon affiliation), wishlists, or donation/begging buttons on Hicksdesign, is that occasionally I like to take advantage of the readership and ask them questions. It’s better than posting on forums, and has always come up trumps in the past. So I’m hoping that someone out there can help me!
I’m looking for a ipod speaker system that fulfils the following needs:
- Decent sound, but doesn’t need to be ‘audiophile’ quality.
- Must have Composite Video out
- Must have External audio in
- It doesn’t need to be portable, but an all-in-one Bose SoundDockish design is preferred. Small, compact (or at least ‘not very high’), and less wires. I currently use an Apple universal dock and remote, attached to a bulky stereo, but want something that will fit either underneath the TV with the DVD, or on a bookshelf.
- Remote controllable.
- Charges iPod while docked, extra points for being able to sync too (but not a deal breaker)
The video-out need rules out Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi, and the SoundDock. So far the best fit I’ve found is Altec Lansing’s iM7. There are a couple of niggles with the iM7, I’m not enamoured with the cradle bit that you put the iPod into, and Leigh is none too keen on the tube style design. Oh, and apparently the remote isn’t that great. The Klipsch iGroove “Klipsch iGroove” comes very close too (size, shape and styling and audio in), if it were not for the lack of video out.
I’ve been trawling the interwebs for a weeks, looking through all the very helpful reviews on iLounge. There are options like the new Logitech Audiostation (which loses points on style), and the Monitor i-Deck (which is another possibility), but maybe I’ve missed something new out there. I could get a non-ipod dedicated system such as a Denon DM33, but I’m looking for less wires if possible.
Hit me with your suggestions!
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Matt Carey said 635 days ago:
The video out might be a problem!
I’ve been looking for something slightly different recently, but also having problems. I want speakers to connect to an airport express so I can stream music to different rooms from my mac mini media machine. BUT I don’t want to have a dedicated hi-fi or amp as I want the speakers to be tucked out of the way on top of bookshelves. I have had real problems finding good powered speakers that will do that.
I’m going to be following this discussion with interest as it may give me an alternate option!
Richard Earney said 635 days ago:
Not sure of their credibility, but the Observer had a review of some at the weekend by The Pipettes?!?!?!?!?
http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1968466,00.html
JackSim said 635 days ago:
The iPod Hi-Fi is really good, but as you said it has no video output. So I would recommend the Tango from XtremeMac, witch is very much like the Hi-Fi but meets your needs completely:
Product page
Jon Crosby said 635 days ago:
I can confirm from experience that the iM7’s remote is not so hot. It requires holding in the air at all sorts of funny angles in hopes of working. The sound isn’t too bad though.
Alexander Graf said 635 days ago:
Well it’s probably not what you are looking for but I’d build it myself. I tried the Bose SoundDock once and while the sound was really good, I preferred something which would better integrate with my home stereo.
I have a Bang&Olufsen system, connected to a Yamaha amplifier. I just used the Apple Universal Dock to connect the iPod to
a) my home server for syncing and charging
b) the Yamaha amplifier
c) my TV
The Yamaha amplifier is then connected to a few JBL boxes sitting in bookshelves. Since my AirPort Base station is also connected to this setup, I now have a stylish looking home-sound-system which integrates everything. I even have a few connectors left for when Apple releases their iTV box.
But seriously, if you already have a sound system in your home, why get another set of speakers. Especially if you get way more out of it when doing it yourself.
For my workplace I’d either get the JBL dock or the Bose one, but I think both can’t sync and neither has AV out.
Eric Perlberg said 635 days ago:
Might this help (coupled with iPod dock or similar) with your options:
From Macworld:
Griffin’s HomeConnect for iPod delivers audio, photos and video from iPod to home sound system and television with a single high-quality cable. The cable offers Composite video out and a two-channel stereo connector from the iPod’s headphone port.
Jon Hicks said 635 days ago:
@ Matt – there are loads that have audio in to use with Airport Express (which is why I want it too). The sounddock tends to be an exception to that rule.
@ Jacksim – thanks, thats another option I hadn’t considered!
@ Alexander – that’s kind of the set up I have at the moment, but it takes up a lot of space, and I can’t fit the stereo anywhere near the telly to get the video out to be an option. If I don’t find anything I’ll be sticking with this solution, but really want smaller, neater and video out.
@ Eric – I have the cables and iPod dock, but I’m really looking for speakers
Alexander Graf said 635 days ago:
Jon,
ok that’s a problem then, I can definitely see that. I was lucky since when I moved in here, I knew where to put what and designed the interior around what I already had.
The only viable and somewhat good looking option I see then is the JBL Home Audio – it connects to a computer so you can sync, it charges even when not connected to a computer, it’s made by JBL so the Audio quality is superior and it has video out.
Personally I don’t like the design though. I’m more a fan of the sleek Bang & Olufsen style of their older products. If you like the JBL thingy though, I’d definitely get that. Has everything you want. And JBL customer support is great.
barry said 635 days ago:
I haven’t tried the iM7, but most everything else I have, including the other iPod oriented Altec Lansings. Perhaps things have improved with the iM7, but all of their other speaker systems were seriously lacking in quality of sound and construction.
My suggestion: get a universal dock. I don’t think any remote is going to beat the style and functionality of an Apple Remote (the remote controls the volume of the line out on the dock in addition to switching tracks). In a perfect world, set the dock on top of a HiFi. No other small speaker systems are designed so well as the HiFi – I am amazed all the time by the sound and ease of use of mine. Or to save money buy one of the Bose computer speaker sets for it. The Bose computer speakers are uglier but sound almost as good. Cheapest of all, just connect the dock up to whatever speakers you have lying around.
The point being that dock offers you S-Video or composite video out, is well designed itself, and still allows you to use well designed speakers. Trying to find one system to do it all I think will just cause you to end up with a system that is ugly, poorly made, and doesn’t sound that good.
Jon Hicks said 635 days ago:
Sorry, I should’ve made it clear that I already use an universal dock and remote with a home stereo, and I’m looking for something smaller and neater. I’d better add that to the post!
Matt Carey said 635 days ago:
Anyone else tried these
Alexander Graf said 635 days ago:
Ok I just checked, the JBL Home Audio sells for 220 euro around here… apparently the remote is good too.
brian warren said 635 days ago:
Hey Jon,
Try the Go+Play ... It’s supposed to have fantastic sound, line-in, video out, etc. The remote sounds great too – it’s RF instead of line-of-sight. It’s pretty new, that’s why you don’t hear much about it.
stb said 635 days ago:
That Tango looks tight. I think I may try that.
Alexander Graf said 635 days ago:
And tell us which one you got in the end :-)
Jon Hicks said 635 days ago:
Go & Play looks good, but that and the JBL Home Audio area bit too high for the space I’m intending. Thanks though – I thought I’d seen them all, but the Go & Play was definitely new to me.
brian warren said 635 days ago:
Yeeaah, it’s pretty pricey! The Radial is nearly 100 pounds cheaper, has a remote, line in, and video out. The design is a bit polarising though.
Brian Smithson said 634 days ago:
This company is in the States, I believe, but check out the HomeDock Deluxe from www.dlo.com
I have no idea if it will do as you want but I keep seeing it advertised on Photoshop TV :-)
Hasan said 634 days ago:
No remote control, but the sound will blow away any other iPod speaker you’ll find…
Audioengine 5
Jon Hicks said 634 days ago:
Hmmm, these Audioengine speakers combined with my ipod dock could be just the job!
Richard said 634 days ago:
ATC SCM2 preamp and SCM 50ASL active speakers – awesome. Plug whatever you want into the preamp. www.atc.gb.net You’ll never want to listen through anything else.
Jon Hicks said 634 days ago:
Ha! At just over a metre high, we can safely say these aren’t ‘Small, compact (or at least ‘not very high’)’ ;o)
jared said 633 days ago:
hi jon, no great suggestion, i just wanted to tell you from experience to stay away from the iM7. i’ve heard so many bad things.
Jon Hicks said 633 days ago:
Really? It does get a very high rating in place like iLounge. I do think the cradle design and remote is a put off though.
Hasan said 630 days ago:
Please post a review of the Audioengines if you get them.
Steven Zhou said 627 days ago:
Dear everybody,
We are an manufacturer of ipod speakers. We have an ipod speaker have similar function. If you please ask me for informations. I am looking for good distributor now.
My MSN is: stevenzhou09@hotmail.com
Welcome to chat with me.
Best regards.
Steven Zhou
Des Zhai said 617 days ago:
Please browse our web site:http://www.mistralaudio.com