iPod Apple iPod HiFi discontinued?

[dcv]

I've just checked the UK store and the Apple HiFi (which was still being sold for £229 earlier today with 24hr shipping) is now unavailable.

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I can't even see it on the US store.


Did I miss something earlier? I didn't think it was mentioned at all during the iPod event??

 

[WildCowboy]

No it wasn't mentioned...it just quietly slipped away. ThinkSecret has posted an article on it to follow up on their prediction that it would do so.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Tempted to see if I can pick up another at a sale rate... I like 'em but realise they're not for everyone. Does that make mine a collector's item, then?

Two of them wired up properly would make a great semi-portable outdoors mini-soundsystem.

 

[dcv]

I bought one almost 2 weeks ago for my sister's birthday. I don't want to return it, obviously, as it was a gift... but if they're about to launch a better replacement model I'd like to get her that one instead. Need to know by Friday!!

 

[acearchie]

I bought one almost 2 weeks ago for my sister's birthday. I don't want to return it, obviously, as it was a gift... but if they're about to launch a better replacement model I'd like to get her that one instead. Need to know by Friday!!

I think they simply discountinued it full stop...

No 'new features' models out soon...

Although I've heard next tuesday sounds promising! Ha

 

[Thanatoast]

I always lusted after one of these. Hopefully it's just gone for an update. Sadly, I think it's truly kicked the bucket and my best hope is that I can get one cheap at Best Buy or Target as a discontinued item...

 

[Queso]

I think they simply discontinued it full stop...

Yeah, it looks like it. That market is far more crowded than it was when the Hifi was first introduced. Apple probably just thought it better to leave the Made for iPod licensees to it.

 

[72930]

So far its the iSight and the HiFi, does this mean the leather cases are next!?

 

[Queso]

So far its the iSight and the HiFi, does this mean the leather cases are next!?

No. Didn't you hear? Apple Inc. are dropping the Mac

 

[michaelverdin]

I still have an iPod Hi-Fi, but for anyone looking for something similar in quality, have a look at the new Tannoy i30, the sound quality is excellent.

 

[kolax]

In the modern house - most people have Home Cinema systems and proper Hi-Fi systems.

Connecting an iPod up to one of those is just a simple means of plugged in a cable - and the sound quality beats any of the iPod speakers.

The Apple iPod Hi-Fi isn't portable, which is the main downside. Little portable iPod speakers are great because you can take them outside to where you want to chill out.

The design of it remained a question too...

 

[nlivo]

In the modern house - most people have Home Cinema systems and proper Hi-Fi systems.

Connecting an iPod up to one of those is just a simple means of plugged in a cable - and the sound quality beats any of the iPod speakers.

The Apple iPod Hi-Fi isn't portable, which is the main downside. Little portable iPod speakers are great because you can take them outside to where you want to chill out.

The design of it remained a question too...

actually the hi-fi is portable!

 

[dcv]

The Apple iPod Hi-Fi isn't portable, which is the main downside. Little portable iPod speakers are great because you can take them outside to where you want to chill out.

Well yes and no...

It's pretty big but it does run on battery power which is ideal for taking out into your garden or to the park etc; not so easy to take your wired-in home hifi or cinema system outside really is it?!! And um, no, the little iPod speakers you can buy really don't compare, sound quality-wise...

 

[kolax]

actually the hi-fi is portable!

You'd stick that in your suitcase for going on a trip would you?

 

[dcv]

You'd stick that in your suitcase for going on a trip would you?

Nobody said it was ultra-portable but it *can* be moved around and doesn't need to be wired to a power source, so yes, it's portable!

We used one at our London MR Picnics in Regent's Park

 

[kolax]

Well yes and no...

It's pretty big but it does run on battery power which is ideal for taking out into your garden or to the park etc; not so easy to take your wired-in home hifi or cinema system outside really is it?!! And um, no, the little iPod speakers you can buy really don't compare, sound quality-wise...

Have you heard the sound quality of the Apple Hi-Fi? Really poor. There is smaller portable speakers that give a much better range of frequencies than the Apple Hi-Fi.

And yeah you are right - you can't take a Home Cinema to your garden, and the sound quality of a Home Cinema is outstanding compared to portable speakers. That wasn't my original point though.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Have you heard the sound quality of the Apple Hi-Fi? Really poor.

Nonsense. I have one and can't think of any similar-sized and priced device that is comparable. Perhaps the one you were listening to had crappy 128 AACs playing on it... soundstage is understandably limited given its dimensions and treble detail is a bit weak but that's solved by removing the speaker grill.

Good reviews are all over the web. Its projection and clarity at high volume in outdoor spaces is outstanding given the enclosure's size. People should compare like with like, not with devices that aren't in the same bracket.

And it's portable, that's why it's got handles.

 

[dcv]

Have you heard the sound quality of the Apple Hi-Fi? Really poor. There is smaller portable speakers that give a much better range of frequencies than the Apple Hi-Fi.

Yes I have - as I said we used one at our picnics, I also recently bought one for my sister, which we used last weekend. We all thought the sound quality was great but then none of us are true audiophiles; perhaps you are. I've tried several iPod speaker systems out over the past couple of years and I haven't heard one that beats the Apple HiFi. The closest I found was the iM7, which I bought just before Apple released their hifi. It's a nice clear and quite bassy sound. Not tinny and weak sounding like the Bose SoundDock and all those cheap speakers. But hey, that's just my own opinion. Seems a lot of people agree on the iPod Hifi having decent sound though as it did get very good reviews on various sites.

Nonsense. I have one and can't think of any similar-sized and priced device that is comparable. Perhaps the one you were listening to had crappy 128 AACs playing on it... soundstage is understandably limited given its dimensions and treble detail is a bit weak but that's solved by removing the speaker grill.

Good reviews are all over the web. Its projection and clarity at high volume in outdoor spaces is outstanding given the enclosure's size. People should compare like with like, not with devices that aren't in the same bracket.

Yep ^ what she said



Anyway... this wasn't supposed to be a discussion thread about whether the iPod Hifi is any good or not but merely an observation that it has disappeared from the store since yesterday's event. I'd quite like to know if it has definitely been discontinued or if it's about to be replaced by a better model as I'm still just about within the exchange/refund period!

 

[bartelby]

I was very surprised by the quality of the Hi-Fi.

Most portable speaker systems rely on reflection of sound to project the bass. Stick them outdoors and they sound *****.

The Apple Hi-Fi still sounds good outdoors, hanging from a tree.

 

[mpw]

I thought the iPod HiFi sound was actually really good, but I'm not sad to see it go as I thought the iPod dock on the top was a pants design, and not being able to move properly round the iPod menus with the supplied remote seems like a huge oversight IMO.

...And it's portable, that's why it's got handles.

Handles? I had someone drop one on my foot once, it's a beast of a portable, but very robust..... mumblemumblemumbleSNAKE! Of course she was very, very drunk.

 

[dcv]

Just popped into the Regent St store on my way home - all the HiFis have been withdrawn by Apple but of course the staff there have even less clue than we do!

 

[Tom B.]

I really like the iPod Hi-Fi too, and it is a shame to see it go. I hope the new iPods will be compatible with it, including all the software features, like full screen album artwork and tone control.

 

[Prof.]

Maybe they are updating it. It is possible that they are making it smaller and more affordable.

Prof.

 

[wlman]

Guess what ! I just bought a MIB Ipod hifi today! 5 years after Apple ceases production of it. Must admit it sound quality is acceptable, but I went for its look only it goes fairly well with my iphone 4S.

 

[thatoneguy82]

Guess what ! I just bought a MIB Ipod hifi today! 5 years after Apple ceases production of it. Must admit it sound quality is acceptable, but I went for its look only it goes fairly well with my iphone 4S.

Wow. 5 year old thread. There's a lot better sound docks out there now since this was released with similar, if not better aesthetics. I hope you didn't pay the price it was going for when it first released.