iPod Hi-Fi Introduced

MacRumors · Feb 28, 2006, 02:13 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

At the media event February 28th, Apple unveiled an iPod stereo for home use, offering crystal clear sound and a built-in universal iPod dock. The new iPod Hi-Fi measures 17" x 6.6" x 6.9" and includes the Apple Remote.

While normally running on A/C power, the box is alternately powered by D-cell batteries, and features integrated handles to make moving the speakers easy.

The iPod Hi-Fi is priced at US $349 and is available immediately from the Apple Store.

Quote:

World-class acoustic design
Large soundstage
Precise imaging and separation
Wide frequency range
Room-filling power without distortion
Seamless iPod integration
Apple Remote
AC and DC modes
Analog/digital input
Compact footprint

zanevlc · 05:41 PM

Love At First Site!!!! What A Speaker!!! :-)

bwilfong · Feb 28, 2006, 02:20 PM

This is the solution? Get rid of your stereo? What a disappointment for the whole presentation!

bitfactory · Feb 28, 2006, 02:21 PM

Was expecting quite a bit more. This thing is fug. Just a molded plastic box with a black grille on the front. Hmmmph.

Joe2000 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:22 PM

I'm amazed the main feature was a Mini?! I was expecting iPod or somthing, anyway if this is first post i'l be amazed

Apple are going into direct competition with the Bose Soundock, i wonder if they'll still sell other iPod speakers (JBL, BOSE, ALTEC LANSING) at Apple Stores?

Thanks, Joe.

nagromme · Feb 28, 2006, 02:22 PM

Weird but cool--and pretty high end for my needs. But if it sounds GOOD the price is justified. (I'm always amazed by how much really good computer speakers cost sometimes--even ones without an iPod dock.) I don't see most people REPLACING their existing stereo system and speakers though. This would be for other rooms of the house.

Steve makes the thing sound well-built at least. How well did it fill the Town Hall?

The large album art display is a nice touch (now get it on my TV from iPod!) and the Front Row remote control is expected--but welcome. Aux input is good--so it's not JUST for iPod. And digital/optical input, not just analog. This is certainly high-end in terms of features, as iPod sound systems go.

Adjusting the speakers by using the iPod itself is an interesting way to keep things simple.

I want one--but do I need one?

The day's big news is how much faster the Mac Mini just got.

(Now... leather cases? So much for Steve's cruelty-free vegan lifestyle.)

Just remember... whatever you were hoping for (like iBooks) may still be in the works soon. Full-screen iPod? Maybe not... But if you got yourself worked up more than this event was worth, the year's not over yet

UWF404 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:23 PM

Uninspiring design.. Looks ugly IMHO.

advocate · Feb 28, 2006, 02:24 PM

http://www.ilounge.com.nyud.net:8090/h2feb.jpg

I think that's about the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

millypede · Feb 28, 2006, 02:25 PM

Way over priced, I hope that the sound quality is amazing, I have trouble enough selling the £200+ speakers, most people will just pick up a cheep set of speakers and use their Hi-Fi, is this was £150 maybe worth purchasing.

iGary · Feb 28, 2006, 02:27 PM

I give this a world-class Meh...

intlplby · Feb 28, 2006, 02:29 PM

the speakers are not removeable so you can't get good stereo separation..... i think it looks good though...... it's definitely for an office, extra room, dorm etc and not to be replacing a proper home stereo

WildCowboy · Feb 28, 2006, 02:31 PM

I already have a Mac, a stereo system, and an Airport Express...why on earth would I want this? Somebody please try to convince me.

Peel · Feb 28, 2006, 02:31 PM

What's up with the specs? Under In the Box it says there's "10 iPod universal adapters."

iMeowbot · Feb 28, 2006, 02:33 PM

Wow, that's ... underwhelming. I'd have expected more from them. It's really nothing more than Yet Another iPod Speaker Box, is it?

kwajo.com · Feb 28, 2006, 02:33 PM

i think the iPod HiFi looks great and probably sounds pretty great too, but I have two comments:

a) I probably won't buy one, I already have a high-end stereo and nice computer speakers, what's the point of this? where does it fit into my music needs?
b) it seems an odd market to go after - people who want high quality music reproduction, but yet don't understand the limitations of music compression. it's for pseudo-audiophiles, and how big a market is that? (I know you can put uncompressed .wav or .aiff files on an iPod, but still you get my point)

topher · Feb 28, 2006, 02:34 PM

weight with batteries is almost 17 lbs.

ddrueckhammer · Feb 28, 2006, 02:35 PM

At this price range the only thing that this product competes with is the Bose Sound Dock. I'm not sure about sound quality but the Bose design is much better to my eyes. At a lower price point JBL, Creative are all more interesting and lower priced.

This will never replace the combination of a good stereo and an Airport Express. My HK receiver isn't going anywhere...

Good point about Steve not replacing his stereo with this...I'm sure he has B&O stuff or something...

mtzmtz · Feb 28, 2006, 02:35 PM

how hard would it have been to include an FM radio?

sishaw · Feb 28, 2006, 02:36 PM

I don't know about this one. Usually, for me, it's love at first isight with Apple products. However, wouldn't most real audiophiles, if using an iPod at all, be using it to encode their CDs at high bitrates and play it through their high-end systems?

However, I accept the fact that Steve Jobs is orders of magnitude smarter than me and must know what he's doing. A few years ago, I remember, there was a market for sort of retro table-top stereo sets with nice speakers, so why not a high-end boombox?

It would be nice for travel, I guess--get to the hotel, plug it in, and have a home-stereo equivalent.

The price seems a shade high, though, considering that Bose has a similar offering for $300 US.

However, if it sounds good enough, people will pay for it because of the Apple brand.

mattalici · Feb 28, 2006, 02:36 PM

OK, what I want to know is:

1. If it can be positioned anywhere, does that mean that it can fake surround sound? (Like that new Sony speaker that is one speaker and does 5.1?)
2. Is that what Steve meant by he's replacing his home stereo?
3. To all the haters: How can you guys know if it sucks when you've never heard it?
4. Can you play multiple HiFi's all over your house at the same time?

I LOVE THIS THING. SO COOL. GIMME THREE.

mackeeper · Feb 28, 2006, 02:37 PM

I'm really dissappointed. It's just speakers, and it
doesn't look all that great either. What a letdown. I didn't think there was really anything to write home about in today's event.

MacPhreak · Feb 28, 2006, 02:38 PM

I don't understand the "large soundstage" bit. In order to have good stereo separation, you need to SEPARATE the speakers. Like SIX FEET plus. Henry Kloss understood this, which is why we have the Tivoli Model One and PAL. When the speakers are one foot apart, you won't be able to tell it's stereo from across the room.

Sorry, not a stereo replacement, and certainly not for $350. Tivoli makes better sounding gear for less, and it's not cocooned in plastic, either.

technocoy · Feb 28, 2006, 02:40 PM

obviously this isn't for you if you already have a stereo and such... Apple sisn't sit down and say, hey that guy over there, we have to make sure we make HIM happy today!

damn.

and in case you haven't noticed there are about 50 of this same type of product selling like mad. SOMEBODY is buying them. So Apple made one that sounds really nice and has great power.

I don't understand people's confusion here... It's a no brainer.

That said, the mini is nice, but we knew it was coming and the whole thing was a bit underwhelming. BUT, I'm glad they are starting to roll out new products on a regular basis, so it is very likely we could see something else next month.

Phase IV · Feb 28, 2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo.com

i think the iPod HiFi looks great and probably sounds pretty great too, but I have two comments:

a) I probably won't buy one, I already have a high-end stereo and nice computer speakers, what's the point of this? where does it fit into my music needs?
b) it seems an odd market to go after - people who want high quality music reproduction, but yet don't understand the limitations of music compression. it's for pseudo-audiophiles, and how big a market is that? (I know you can put uncompressed .wav or .aiff files on an iPod, but still you get my point)

I agree!

I was hoping for a must-have item or something along Sonos' device and am totally underwhelmed by this event.
I hope they are saving their best for an anniversary event!!

MrCommunistGen · Feb 28, 2006, 02:42 PM

it uses 2 80mm (3.15in)"full range" drivers and a 130mm (5.12in)woofer. It doesn't have a tweeter, so chances of getting clear trebble are not good.
"Frequency response: 53Hz to 16kHz" For a system of this size the bass extension is pretty good, but anything half way decent should have treble response out to 20kHz. Standard woofer-cone type speakers really aren't designed for high frequencies, and the larger the cone, the worse at trebble reproduction it is bound to be.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:19 PM	#2
zanevlc Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006	Love At First Site Love At First Site!!!! What A Speaker!!! :-) Last edited by Doctor Q : Mar 2, 2006 at 05:41 PM. Reason: no need to quote the first post

Feb 28, 2006, 02:20 PM	#3
bwilfong macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN	This is what we waited for? This is the solution? Get rid of your stereo? What a disappointment for the whole presentation!

Feb 28, 2006, 02:22 PM	#5
Joe2000 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK.	Wow! I'm amazed the main feature was a Mini?! I was expecting iPod or somthing, anyway if this is first post i'l be amazed Apple are going into direct competition with the Bose Soundock, i wonder if they'll still sell other iPod speakers (JBL, BOSE, ALTEC LANSING) at Apple Stores? Thanks, Joe. __________________ Black MacBook 2.4GHz, 4GB Ram, 250GB HD 23" Cinema Display Reason, Cubase, Serato

Feb 28, 2006, 02:22 PM	#6
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	Weird but cool--and pretty high end for my needs. But if it sounds GOOD the price is justified. (I'm always amazed by how much really good computer speakers cost sometimes--even ones without an iPod dock.) I don't see most people REPLACING their existing stereo system and speakers though. This would be for other rooms of the house. Steve makes the thing sound well-built at least. How well did it fill the Town Hall? The large album art display is a nice touch (now get it on my TV from iPod!) and the Front Row remote control is expected--but welcome. Aux input is good--so it's not JUST for iPod. And digital/optical input, not just analog. This is certainly high-end in terms of features, as iPod sound systems go. Adjusting the speakers by using the iPod itself is an interesting way to keep things simple. I want one--but do I need one? The day's big news is how much faster the Mac Mini just got. (Now... leather cases? So much for Steve's cruelty-free vegan lifestyle.) Just remember... whatever you were hoping for (like iBooks) may still be in the works soon. Full-screen iPod? Maybe not... But if you got yourself worked up more than this event was worth, the year's not over yet __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Feb 28, 2006, 02:27 PM	#10
iGary macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Villa Strangiato	I give this a world-class Meh... __________________ Mac Pro Octophallus 2.8 \| 13" UMBP 2.26

Feb 28, 2006, 02:21 PM	#4
bitfactory macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002	Was expecting quite a bit more. This thing is fug. Just a molded plastic box with a black grille on the front. Hmmmph.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:23 PM	#7
UWF404 macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004	Uninspiring design.. Looks ugly IMHO.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:24 PM	#8
advocate macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2004	http://www.ilounge.com.nyud.net:8090/h2feb.jpg I think that's about the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:25 PM	#9
millypede macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: UK	Way over priced, I hope that the sound quality is amazing, I have trouble enough selling the £200+ speakers, most people will just pick up a cheep set of speakers and use their Hi-Fi, is this was £150 maybe worth purchasing.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:29 PM	#11
intlplby macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2004	the speakers are not removeable so you can't get good stereo separation..... i think it looks good though...... it's definitely for an office, extra room, dorm etc and not to be replacing a proper home stereo

Feb 28, 2006, 02:31 PM	#12
WildCowboy macrumors god Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nowhere near the infinite loop anymore	I already have a Mac, a stereo system, and an Airport Express...why on earth would I want this? Somebody please try to convince me. __________________ 15" 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro -- 15" 1.67 GHz PowerBook -- 14" 1.2 GHz iBook

Feb 28, 2006, 02:31 PM	#13
Peel macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle	What's up with the specs? Under In the Box it says there's "10 iPod universal adapters." __________________ 24" Aluminum iMac 2.8GHz/4GB/500GB+1.5TB External HD MacBook Black C2D 2GB/160GB 8GB iPhone

Feb 28, 2006, 02:33 PM	#14
iMeowbot macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003	Wow, that's ... underwhelming. I'd have expected more from them. It's really nothing more than Yet Another iPod Speaker Box, is it?

Feb 28, 2006, 02:33 PM	#15
kwajo.com macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bay of Fundy	i think the iPod HiFi looks great and probably sounds pretty great too, but I have two comments: a) I probably won't buy one, I already have a high-end stereo and nice computer speakers, what's the point of this? where does it fit into my music needs? b) it seems an odd market to go after - people who want high quality music reproduction, but yet don't understand the limitations of music compression. it's for pseudo-audiophiles, and how big a market is that? (I know you can put uncompressed .wav or .aiff files on an iPod, but still you get my point) __________________ My Time on the Tropical Island of Newfoundland: http://gallery.mac.com/darkharbour/

Feb 28, 2006, 02:34 PM	#16
topher macrumors member Join Date: May 2004	weight with batteries is almost 17 lbs.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:35 PM	#17
ddrueckhammer macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: America's Wang	Blah and Meh! At this price range the only thing that this product competes with is the Bose Sound Dock. I'm not sure about sound quality but the Bose design is much better to my eyes. At a lower price point JBL, Creative are all more interesting and lower priced. This will never replace the combination of a good stereo and an Airport Express. My HK receiver isn't going anywhere... Good point about Steve not replacing his stereo with this...I'm sure he has B&O stuff or something... __________________ 20" iMac C2D Nintendo Wii and DS Lite

Feb 28, 2006, 02:35 PM	#18
mtzmtz macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2006	no radio? how hard would it have been to include an FM radio?

Feb 28, 2006, 02:36 PM	#19
sishaw macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2005	1980s redux I don't know about this one. Usually, for me, it's love at first isight with Apple products. However, wouldn't most real audiophiles, if using an iPod at all, be using it to encode their CDs at high bitrates and play it through their high-end systems? However, I accept the fact that Steve Jobs is orders of magnitude smarter than me and must know what he's doing. A few years ago, I remember, there was a market for sort of retro table-top stereo sets with nice speakers, so why not a high-end boombox? It would be nice for travel, I guess--get to the hotel, plug it in, and have a home-stereo equivalent. The price seems a shade high, though, considering that Bose has a similar offering for $300 US. However, if it sounds good enough, people will pay for it because of the Apple brand.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:36 PM	#20
mattalici macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: LA	you guys need to get into THE HYPE OK, what I want to know is: 1. If it can be positioned anywhere, does that mean that it can fake surround sound? (Like that new Sony speaker that is one speaker and does 5.1?) 2. Is that what Steve meant by he's replacing his home stereo? 3. To all the haters: How can you guys know if it sucks when you've never heard it? 4. Can you play multiple HiFi's all over your house at the same time? I LOVE THIS THING. SO COOL. GIMME THREE.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:37 PM	#21
mackeeper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006	I'm really dissappointed. It's just speakers, and it doesn't look all that great either. What a letdown. I didn't think there was really anything to write home about in today's event.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:38 PM	#22
MacPhreak macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lexington, KY	No thanks. I don't understand the "large soundstage" bit. In order to have good stereo separation, you need to SEPARATE the speakers. Like SIX FEET plus. Henry Kloss understood this, which is why we have the Tivoli Model One and PAL. When the speakers are one foot apart, you won't be able to tell it's stereo from across the room. Sorry, not a stereo replacement, and certainly not for $350. Tivoli makes better sounding gear for less, and it's not cocooned in plastic, either.

Feb 28, 2006, 02:40 PM	#23
technocoy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC	ok, ok, obviously this isn't for you if you already have a stereo and such... Apple sisn't sit down and say, hey that guy over there, we have to make sure we make HIM happy today! damn. and in case you haven't noticed there are about 50 of this same type of product selling like mad. SOMEBODY is buying them. So Apple made one that sounds really nice and has great power. I don't understand people's confusion here... It's a no brainer. That said, the mini is nice, but we knew it was coming and the whole thing was a bit underwhelming. BUT, I'm glad they are starting to roll out new products on a regular basis, so it is very likely we could see something else next month. __________________ 4GB 1G nano, 16GB iPhone 2.4 17" MBP 2.66 MacPro, 3TB, 5Gigs of RAM, 8800GT 2.9 Quad FakePro, 2TB, 8Gigs, 2 9800s, BR/HD DVD

Feb 28, 2006, 02:42 PM	#25
MrCommunistGen macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: "Wherever you go, there you are..."	I don't think so... it uses 2 80mm (3.15in)"full range" drivers and a 130mm (5.12in)woofer. It doesn't have a tweeter, so chances of getting clear trebble are not good. "Frequency response: 53Hz to 16kHz" For a system of this size the bass extension is pretty good, but anything half way decent should have treble response out to 20kHz. Standard woofer-cone type speakers really aren't designed for high frequencies, and the larger the cone, the worse at trebble reproduction it is bound to be. __________________ -"What is life but a fleeting eternity without its simple pleasures."- Me (as far as I know) -The function of "u" is the perfect mathematical insult: f(u) -iMacDVSE 400Mhz G3/512MB/13GB-->20GB (I upgraded!) /4xDVD-ROM, 52x32x52x Memorex CD-RW in LaCie D2 FW case. Folding. Good for the Mac, good for the PC, good for you and good for me. Fold for MR Team 3446!

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