iPod Hi-Fi Introduced

[pcp_ip]

From MaFixit:

The GMA950 uses "Dynamic Video Memory Technology" (DVMT) to support up to 224MB of video memory; system memory is allocated where it is needed dynamically. It has 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM of its own, shared with main memory...

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/

Supports:

HDTV 480i/p, 576i/p, 720i/p and 1080i/p display resolution support
Interlaced Display output support
16x9 and 16x10 Aspect Ratio for widescreen displays

Maybe this is the mactivo box...

 

[p0intblank]

The iPod Hi-Fi seems nice, but why the black grille? Why not white? I don't really like how the back looks in that picture iLounge supplied. It looks a lot better on Apple's Web site. I guess it's one of those things I have to see in person and then judge it.

 

[e-clipse]

A college student will not invest $2000 in a laptop.

Maybe..depending on their career plan. I see a Macbook Pro as a future job investment that is tax deductible. Live sound recordings with an Apple laptop is superb in my books.

 

[_bnkr612]

That was dumb. An Apple Hi-Fi? They took 3 steps back with that monster.

The smaller the crowds for invites, the smaller the excitement of the products released.


Leather cases, great. I didn't realize I needed one until this release. Since it has an Apple logo on it, it must be leather from apple trees. Bad item, bad price.

One word for both, Nasty.

 

[e-clipse]

<snip />


So, they won't buy one, but they'd steal one?

It is valued at $350. Campuses have all types. Criminal acts are common.

 

[BoyBach]

http://www.lardlad.com/assets/quotes/season12/hungry.shtml

Thanks Eaon!

The Simpsons make me laugh, hehe!!!

 

[e-clipse]

I believe there is still much FUD about the perceived poor sound quality of perceptual audio coders (MP3, Ogg Vorbis) as compared to its original source.

If one uses laboratory-quality headphones (not iPod earbuds!) and a studio-quality sound card (not the Griffin iMic!) and performs a valid A/B/X test, she may find that the sound-quality differences are imperceptible.

I for one, always thought MP3s sucked since back in 1997 codecs sounded awful. A Ph.D. student in audio engineering convinced me ,otherwise. He told me to give him what I thought was a good recording, and he burned an audio CD with three formats, 128 kbps MP3, 128 kbps AAC, and 16-bit 44.1 kHz PCM, and told me to identify which is which.

After repeated listening and frustration, I gave up and he told me the order. I could not tell which versions were compressed and which weren't. Old perceptions, especially in audio, die hard.

I have normal hearing (tested during 2004) and used Etymotic ER-4P headphones for the above test.

I'm looking forward to what the iPod Hi-Fi will sound like. I hope it sounds better than the Bose SoundDock, which has excellent bass and ability for high output, but the highs get very harsh at high levels.

I can definately hear a difference between 128kbps and 256kbps. More kb's equals better audio accuracy in reproducing the recorded sound. 16Bit = redbook standard for Cd Audio....24Bit = amazing audio clarity. A wave blows an mp3 out of the water. We were also given the mp3 versus wave audio test.

 

[nagromme]

SOME Apple products are revolutionary and worthy of an audience of thousands. OTHER Apple products are merely "useful" or "fun" and worthy of an audience of 150 like today There's a need for both.

Anyone who truly thinks Apple is doomed because they have SOME products that just do one job well instead of changing the planet... you had better not look here:

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/m9319ga_125.gif

There's a TRULY not fun Apple product. It just does its job. But even THIS "crime" doesn't mean Apple is doomed. Neither does iPod Hi-Fi which actually IS fun.

And if what you're REALLY angry about is not the existence of the iPod Hi-Fi, but rather "all the hype" leading up to it... stop a minute and ask where most of the hype came from: from US, and other outsiders, not from Apple.

A revolutionary amazing anti-gravity machine would have been really cool today. Instead we got fast new Minis with many improvements, and a new speaker system. Somehow we will have to survive

 

[ilmiacs]

Weird, because I can hear the difference. I've particiapted in essentially the same tests with friends and fellow musicians. Maybe it's because I'm a musician, have near-perfect pitch and have had ear training. Dunno, but all I'm saying is that I can definitely hear a difference.

Yeah, to hear the difference between mp3 and AAC at 128 is easy. But probably you need $349 + $1 bucks to make a difference between AAC at 128 and raw.

 

[ldburroughs]

Apple is losing its grip on its fringe consumers. This product is not worth the money. The problem for Apple is that people are expecting too much and it is delivering too little. It's not exactly Apple's fault that people have unrealistic expectations but, then again, that's what they get for being so innovative in the past. Both the Mac Mini and Boombox are a true disappointment from a product standpoint and for Apple's reputation. What is the point of the multimedia functions of front row anyway? Stupid, stupid, stupid. When they integrate DVR features, that will be impressive and more will be interested. So what if the Mac Mini can replace your dvd player and the boombox can replace your receiver? Big freakin' deal! At least I can listen to the radio on my receiver.

What a huge let down.

 

[MarcelV]

A Ph.D. student in audio engineering convinced me ,otherwise. He told me to give him what I thought was a good recording, and he burned an audio CD with three formats, 128 kbps MP3, 128 kbps AAC, and 16-bit 44.1 kHz PCM, and told me to identify which is which.

Not to be coming down on you, but there is a huge difference in sound. PCM will have much cleaner high tone level and a full base. There are some factors whether or not you will hear it. Even age can be a factor as well as the individual development to recognize any masking. Most people indeed will not be able to hear a difference, but there are. Not just theoratical differences.

 

[Stella]

Where did Apple style go?

That Boombox is really quite ugly. Also I'm disappointed about the lack of WiFi built it - but I suppose Apple want you to buy an Airport extreme ( which I'm surprised hasn't been updated in some way ).

Shall wait for reviews about sound quality. Hopefully it won't suck like the Apple in-ear phones.

 

[sonofslim]

sorry if this has been asked & answered, but what do the chinese characters on the brown packing tape on the iPod HiFi say?

 

[supermacdesign]

They are smoking crack!

$99 for the iPod leather sleave, come on Apple. I love you to death but really? Ninety-nine smackaroons?? Ha! Thats almost laughable. On top of that they didn't even spend money to have it die cut so you could atleast see the screen? Ha! Maybe they figure 1 out every 200 iPods sold with the leather case, so for every million thats another half million dollars!

Apple created a billion dollar iPod accessory business built around the iPod I think they want a piece of that action.

The Hi-Fi is certainly cool though. Not cool enough to warrant this special media event though.

 

[Detlev]

It's not just a speaker it's a Subwoofer and high end speakers with NO AUDIBLE DISTORTION. This is very very important.

~The Red Wolf~

Hold on there RW. Those are mighty high claims. First, it depends on your definition of a "high end" speaker. Try comparing it to a true Class A speaker and reconsider the comment. Second, "no audible distortion" is wonderful marketing and nothing more, never mind being farthest from the truth.

 

[anonicon]

It's the new iTackle® fishing box from Apple.

Hahahahahah, exactly, and if you pop the top, it doubles as a clothes hamper.

 

[The Red Wolf]

Just for you...

It all sounded half way intelligent till you said that. Everyone should bow down to it because it has an Apple logo on it. please

New Mac Books Tuesday...

And as for the comment about the Apple logo... What's on the back of every iPod? 5.7 Billion in sales? World Wide Religion... Just rather than some dude bound to sticks, it's a half eaten fruit... Besides, a shuffle on a necklace looks like a crucifix to me, oh yes, it has an Apple logo on it too...

Does your car have badging?

Do your appliances have badging?

Does the machine you typed your post on have an Apple logo or a lovely shinny new "Intel Inside" sticker next to "Compatible with Windows XP" sticker?

Give me half eaten fruit any day. Oh yes, Eve did take the bite out of the apple didn't she? Forbidden knowledge or the first Apple consumer?

 

[MrCrowbar]

iFridge with iPod Dock would be nice. Right atop of the ice maker in the full size iFridge Pro. I still think apple should not do accesories. There are plenty out there that are much better on the inside and (and for the HIFI) on the outside.

The FSB on the Mini is great news. Integrated graphics do the job, right?

I think I will buy the iPod Sock anyway. The design is so nice

 

[celavato]

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?

Unlike most Mac Rumors readers, I'm thrilled with today's announcement. I have both an iPod video and an Airport Express. I plan to buy an iPod HiFi immediately for my bedroom. If it sounds as good as Steve Jobs suggests, I may get one for my living room too for my Airport Express, and ditch my power amp/preamp/speakers, which take up a lot of room. I have all my songs in Apple Lossless (except those from ITMS of course).

I've had my eye on various speaker systems, but each one seems to have a shortcoming that held me back. Hoping that Apple would release a speaker system, I've instead just used the auxiliary input on my old Panasonic boombox biding my time. The built-in iPod alarm is excellent, which explains why I didn't buy an iHome, iSongBook, etc. -- I see no need for a second alarm system. The Klipsch iFi sparked my interest, but it does not use the universal dock -- plus it's too large for a bedroom thanks to the subwoofer. Etc.

Regarding all the rumors about a Mac Mini DVR, why would Apple release a DVR given TiVo's troubled history -- not to mention the underwhelming sales of Windows Media Center. Apple only has an interest in blockbuster products. With cable and satellite companies bundling DVRs with their service, standalone DVRs will never achieve the sales numbers of the iPod -- they will appeal only to enthusiasts.

I do, however, see a potentially large market for a video Airport Express that can also work in reverse like the Slingbox.

 

[Bubbasteve]

Unlike 95% of the readers, I wasn't really disappointed with the presentation. Especially when the headline to MR before the presentation predicted this....

The leather case is a joke, I don't see how/why anybody would pay that much for a case that covers the iPods clickwheel/screen

The Mac Mini I think is a great improvement. I'm disappointed that there is no "Tivo-Killer" featured with it.

The iPod Hi-Fi is very very modern. It looks like white and black cinder block. I don't think the price is too outrageous considering the BOSE is $300 and with the size alone I would expect it to have a very strong bass and great sound.

Like everything... don't knock it till you try it

 

[The Red Wolf]

Monsoon

Hold on there RW. Those are mighty high claims. First, it depends on your definition of a "high end" speaker. Try comparing it to a true Class A speaker and reconsider the comment. Second, "no audible distortion" is wonderful marketing and nothing more, never mind being farthest from the truth.

I've a 200 Watt Monsoon 8 speaker system in my car. It came with it. I would rather have a 6 speaker 80 Watt Boss Acusti-mass system in my car as it is indeed "NO ADIBLE DISTORTION". The Monsoon distorts at about 55% full volume... That to me is sacrilege.

Sorry it's not a fluid mounted vacuum tubed über speaker for $9999.99 with such bright sound it's like listening to the liquid honey... But then again it's $349... How much do you pay before you consider something "High End"? If I paid for a Mercedes with Monsoon $84,000 would not be worth it for distortion at 55% of full volume with the midrange maxed out and bass at 75% and Treble at 75%... Now, a Hundai Accent with a $81,000 speaker system in it might be tempting... No audible distortion, save for reality... Muahahahaha!

 

[kjr39]

Big yawn.

If they sell more than 5 of these things, I would be surprised.

Doesn't make sense to add a product into this already saturated market. For crying out loud, you can buy iPod accessories at the gas station...

 

[d.f]

not true

Real audiophiles would just play the CD.

not true. there is a revolution happening in hi-fi and high end hi-fi, and that's hard drive sourced systems and uncomnpressed / lossless files. they mean no jitter (unwanted variable digital signals heard as noise). feed into a high end DAC and BAMM you got a very hig end set up.

this is what has dissapointed me most about boombox. i really hoped the Apple was about to get into the hi-fi market like Sonos and the excellent Squeezebox - both fed into a high end DAC could compete with the best CD players out there. yes, i can still buy a squeezebox, but i'm sure Apple could have done it even better.

finally, not to sound like a hater, but don't fall for the RDF. it will sound really good and 'big', but it won't compete with a dedicated stero speaker set up. it can't. stereo imaging and deep soundstage require well positioned speakers. at least they made the boombox power the iPod, so anyone who does want to squeeze the best sound quality out of it can use uncompressed files. before this would have drained the battery quickly.

apple has simply gone after the lucrative 'iPod dock with speakers' market. more power to them. why should bose, sharp, sony, etc earn money off Apple's iPod??

 

[macidiot]

I believe there is still much FUD about the perceived poor sound quality of perceptual audio coders (MP3, Ogg Vorbis) as compared to its original source.

If one uses laboratory-quality headphones (not iPod earbuds!) and a studio-quality sound card (not the Griffin iMic!) and performs a valid A/B/X test, she may find that the sound-quality differences are imperceptible.

I for one, always thought MP3s sucked since back in 1997 codecs sounded awful. A Ph.D. student in audio engineering convinced me ,otherwise. He told me to give him what I thought was a good recording, and he burned an audio CD with three formats, 128 kbps MP3, 128 kbps AAC, and 16-bit 44.1 kHz PCM, and told me to identify which is which.

After repeated listening and frustration, I gave up and he told me the order. I could not tell which versions were compressed and which weren't. Old perceptions, especially in audio, die hard.

I have normal hearing (tested during 2004) and used Etymotic ER-4P headphones for the above test.

I'm looking forward to what the iPod Hi-Fi will sound like. I hope it sounds better than the Bose SoundDock, which has excellent bass and ability for high output, but the highs get very harsh at high levels.

There is a clear difference between uncompressed WAV and 128AAC and 128MP3. However, once you get to 192 or 256, you can't really hear the difference. And obviously, there is no difference between wav and Apple lossless.

I can hear the difference on the Bose system in my car. And that is a poor audio environment with only fair frequency response. And on top of that, Bose systems generally suck. So I have no idea why you can't hear the difference.

Next time, try outputting through a quality receiver and some quality speakers. As in speakers that are accurate and offer a full dynamic range.

 

[mackeeper]

All that time and effort Apple put into a developing a speaker system? Heck Apple should have given me all the R and D money and funds. Even I would have developed something better!