How Hi-Fi is the new iPod Hi-Fi?

jqp · « **on:** 2 Mar 2006, 08:08 pm »

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/feb/28hifi.html

Apple® today announced iPod® Hi-Fi, an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system. iPod Hi-Fi delivers breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod in an innovative, all-in-one design that can be powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries. iPod Hi-Fi is easily controlled by the Apple Remote for an amazing stereo experience in any room in the house.

“Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.”

iPod Hi-Fi has been designed and engineered by Apple to deliver unrivaled sound quality, realistic sound imaging and optimal audio performance. Its clean, all-in-one design features a unique isolated enclosure system that includes two custom designed wide-range speakers and a tuned, ported bass system, minimizing vibration while maximizing sound quality and allowing users to listen to their favorite music as it was intended with amazing sound clarity and rich, deep bass.

Get ready to put those systems on AG!

Levi · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 08:39 pm »

Thanks for the update.

Bose comes into my mind. But portable.

fiveoclockfriday · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 09:06 pm »

What I thought was best about this announcement, was Steve Jobs announcing that he ditched his system in favor of the iPod Hi Fi. A quick search turns up several references to Jobs owning Wilson speakers, and one can assume, equally high end electronics.
Now, I haven't heard the iPod Hi Fi, and who knows, with good files pumped through it, it might sound decent. But, the idea that this would replace a 100k+ system is laughable.
I actually would like to hear it though; I was surprised to see they quote believable specs, ie freq range is stated to be 53hz-16khz I believe. It's nice to see them not claiming 30khz+ high extension like some of the "digital speaker" type crowd filling Best Buys and CC.

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 09:26 pm »

I think the jist of it was that this is a reasonably well engineered product that integrates well with the ipod & will at least produce sound on par w/ the home stereo likely to be in the homes of 99% of the folks out there who probably equate hifi with Bose. I looked at the specs and for $350 this looks like a very nice product for most people - at least they provided accurate specifications, unlike Bose. I'm thinking of getting one.

audion · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 09:57 pm »

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=30018

Pretty amusing

George

nathanm · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 10:52 pm »

For the TRUE Hi-Fi experience don't forget to try these new iPod HiFi Audiophile Accessories!

konut · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 10:52 pm »

What I find amusing is people applying definitive judgments on a product they've never heard. The engineer on the project is Jeff Hammerstrom, former chief engineer at Dahlquist.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 11:01 pm »

I'm not going to judge this product. I'm sure it has a fair chance against my Zu Definitions, with their 12 - 10" drivers, spread about 10 feet apart.

Out of all the tweaks for the hi-fi, the power cord is the best. I like the pebbles and the wooden knob (though I couldn't figure out where to stick it, oh wait, I know where to stick it). The clock and spikes smell of snake oil, I wouldn't waste my money.

The cord deserves special mention. Although it costs 10x the product it powers, you will be speechless in its presence. Soundstage explodes and it WILL sound like the speakers are 10 feet apart. I wouldn't have believed my ears, but now I expect you to.

C'mon! It's a friggin' plastic box with an amp and a couple of little drivers in it. The best audio engineer in the world couldn't make this beat even a modest "real" audio rig.

konut · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 11:26 pm »

Are there any 'real' audio rigs that cost $349? Lets see, if I buy 10 of these things and stack 5 per side in a line array and load my iMod with losslless files................

Loftprojection · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 01:50 am »

I think the Ipod (and all the similar gyzmos plus compressed files) are nice little apparatus but what I've never liked about them is it encourages people to love "low quality" sound. These speakers and their HI-FI marketing are just the cherry on the sundae. If more people were aware of how nice good sound is to your soul, maybe there would not be so many people copying music around and maybe REAL hifi equipment could be sold cheaper because companies would sell more. But no, geeks like Jobs come up with more low quality sound marketing and that is what the mass of people will endup buying. Ho well, sorry, I had to get this off my chest. I wont do it again!

KT · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 03:43 am »

Are you guys being serious? Of course this Apple system isn't for you and me. And it isn't intended to replace any sort of serious system that you and I would listen too.

I know that my Mom would be happy with a system like this, though (assuming it sounds decent), as would my brother and his wife and maybe 95% of my friends (who don't care a bit about gear but want something good sounding, good looking, and reasonably sized).

From the looks of it I would put it in a general classification with something like the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88 or the Tivoli Model One. These are definitely not systems that you and I would consider serious, but they are fine for having music around the house, non-critical everyday listening, an office system, or a bedroom system. I had both of these radios and was very satisfied with their sound quality while I worked in my studio.

I think those of you who are seriously ragging on this system in comparison to your high-end rigs aren't understanding the target market it was intended for.

BTW, just be thankful Steve Jobs does have an ear for good stereo equipment. At least he's capable of telling whether his mass-market iPod stereo sounds half-way decent or like crap. Based on the care he's taken in making the iPod THE de riguere portable listening system, I would think he'd want this stereo system to make his target market happy. I'd expect that it would sound equal or better than the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88. But that's just a guess.

Best,
KT

KT · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 03:58 am »

Here's a thought: If you took a diyParadise Charlize ($90) or other good class-D amp and mated it with a decent budget speaker like the Paradigm Atom ($180), I bet you would have a good sounding little system that most non-audiophile people would think was amazing.

Is this any different that what Apple is probably doing here? Of course, the configuration isn't going to do the stereo thing that well, but I could see this system potentially sounding better than what most folks have ever heard if it's of the same quality as the little system I just described above.

I didn't register your comment about Steve Jobs trading in his system - that IS over-the-top and clearly a marketing statement. But Steve Jobs has this tongue-in-cheek hyperbole that makes his speeches kind of amusing to listen to. In any case, he's done a fine job at Apple so far. I hope this little speaker system is as good-sounding as it's made out to be. That would only be good for the hi-fi industry (this could be a seed system for budding audiophiles and music lovers who would move on to better things later) and for our hobby.

Best,
KT

jon_010101 · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 04:37 am »

I'd be willing to bet that it sounds as good / better than many of the competitors one-piece iPod audioboxes. Those drivers, shown in the Apple pics, appear to be fairly robust, possibly with cast baskets even. Probably similar league to what you'd get in low-priced audiophile one-driver speakers. I seriously applaud the omission of a tweeter... at that price point there is little hope of finding one that sounds remotely good. And with mostly compressed audio sources, you definitely don't need (or want) anything over 16kHz. I doubt it produces a stereo image, but I bet it embarasses a Bose Wave Radio. Apparently it even weighs a decent chunk, 16 lbs+. Still... I will need to hear one.

Certainly I wouldn't buy one, but it could make a for good office or kitchen system for a non-audionut.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 05:05 am »

According to Ilounge and their preliminary review of the machine, it has enough resolution to clearly differentiate whether a low resolution or a uncompressed file is being played through it when it is driven loud. If this comment is to be taken seriously, either the reviewer has a refined ear OR Ifi has more resolution and transparency that many here doubt it does. It is $349 for godness sake, it ain't competing with B&O or anything else more hi end. But, I am glad that Apple got into the fray of aftermarket powered loudspeakers, because the alternative out there (Klipsch, JBL, Creative, BOSE) is horrible. Anything is better than Bose and company.

I actually once has this Sony Sports boombox called Zx-7, with a mid screwing CD transport, digital tuning, with two fullrange drivers and a woofer in the back...paid $99 for it and boy, did it sound freaking awesome.

Let us not discount this system until someone actually heard what it truly sounds like.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 05:22 am »

Just because Apple has done so much to bring digital/portable music to the masses for a reasonable price doesn't mean they are above a little marketing hype.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 03:57 pm »

Hear, hear. If Jobs didn't say he was replacing his Wilsons with this thing, this thread probably never would have gotten legs.

avahifi · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 04:32 pm »

If this thing actually gets more people interested in obsolete "stereo" music, then its good for all of us.

Frank Van Alstine

Levi · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Mar 2006, 03:28 pm »

I was able to audition the iPod Hifi this weekend at one of the Apple stores.

My first impressions were that the source is only as good as the speakers. It also does not image well. The only way I was able to hear stereo separation is when stick my face 10" away from this thing.

Yeah I know, I was lucky no one saw me doing or maybe not aware that they are looking at me strange.

It is not HiFi not even Mid-Fi quality. Then again for some people it is. Just my opinion.

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Mar 2006, 04:09 pm »

Lets just keep all of these 'claims' in perspective. I had a chance to listen to one at an Apple store this weekend. For what it is - its very nice. Reminds me of one of the Tivoli radios quality wise. When the speakers are all in one unit, you're not going to get great stereo, but it still sounds good. At $350, with the functionality of using the Ipod as source (I use one all the time away from home), it beats the pants off the Bose wave radio. I'll probably buy one for downstairs & portable use.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Mar 2006, 05:57 pm »

Quote from: miklorsmith

Hear, hear. If Jobs didn't say he was replacing his Wilsons with this thing, this thread probably never would have gotten legs.

Just curious...when did Jobs say this? I've read on a number of forums about this, but I haven't seen any specific references to any particular sources.