Filed under: Audio, iPod Family
Consumer Reports: iPod Hi-Fi is "mildly disappointing"
Consumer Reports weighs in with
their review of Apple's new iPod Hi-Fi sound system and gives it a fairly lackluster rating, calling it a "mildly
disappointing" entry with "so-so sound quality" in the iPod sound system game. They also didn't like its
hefty weight (15lbs) and relatively poor sound performance when compared to competing products.The magazine did like the easy-to-use remote control and the unique power-saving features of the iPod Hi-Fi but in the end didn't see much of an advantage over competing products already on the market like the Altec iM7 and the Bose SoundDock.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill said 10:23AM on 3-17-2006
Now, maybe I'm in the minority with this opinion, but am I the only person who doesn't think the Bose SoundDock sounds all that great?
Granted, I don't own a SoundDock, and I don't own an iPod Hi-Fi either. I do, however, have a local Apple store that affords me the ability to conduct my own informal sound quality tests....and I thought there was a CLEAR advantage (in terms of sound quality) to the Hi-Fi. For one, the bass output from the Hi-Fi was orders of magnitude better (and considering it's twice the size, and $50 more, it better be).
I feel like the Hi-Fi's overall design leaves a little to be desired, but I don't think Bose's idea of putting the iPod IN FRONT of the speaker makes much sense either.
In short - I wouldn't call the iPod Hi-Fi "mildly disappointing." I wouldn't call it "The greatest iPod speaker system ever" either. It's a solid product for it's price point. It has good overall sound, and is a solid buy in my opinion. Once I have the money to burn, I'll be picking one up for sure.
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christine said 10:58AM on 3-17-2006
this product is very 'cool' because it's made by Apple obviously... but I think I still prefer my Klipsch iGroove. way better sound and easier to carry to a different room.
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bren said 11:00AM on 3-17-2006
I have a Bose Sounddock, my friend just got the Hi-fi two days ago!
Here in Ireland they are the same price 379 each, but in short the Hi-Fi is ten times better and I put an Ad. in my local paper today, should sell the Sonuddock soon, it's simply overrated.
The Hi-fi is louder, clearer, has better base, seperation and has better clearer treble too. Also in person it looks very cool and sophisticated!
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Luis said 11:03AM on 3-17-2006
I agree with Bill. I have compared the Bose and the IM7 with the Hi-Fi, and, by far, the Hi-Fi is the best speaker if what you want is having it in the center of your room. Yes, it could use more trebble response, but hey, it doesn't distort sound, it has VERY good bass, the sound it room filling with good spacing simulation, etc.
Yes, it could have been WAY better (I really was hoping for an internal airport express capability), but, comparing to what's available by other third parties, it is by far the best of the bunch.
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Shimmy Jammima said 11:14AM on 3-17-2006
Ok so, in agreement with post #1 and in disagreement with the review I think the HiFI is a solid product... all around. I havent read the entire review yet, but to say that its "mildly disappointing" completely off. I have the benefit of having an apple retail store nearby and i have heard the SoundDock, iM7, and HiFi and can honeslty say that if I were in the market for one of these things... i'd go HiFi all the way.
One thing to consider is the ability to input sound from other sources.. which the Bose device cannot do. The iM7 can, but then again you can also do analog and OPTICAL input on the Hifi. One Plus.
Its heavier, yeah, but in this league of iPod sound systems, people dont move them all that much. Theyre not designed with portability in mind.. therefore weight shouldnt be that much of a factor. At least with the HiFi you can put batteries in it, which im aaallmost sure (dont quote me here) you cannot do with either the Bose or ALtec Lansing devices. Yet another plus.
In terms of sheer volume the HiFI puts the Bose to SHAME... and can still drown out the iM7 significantly. Even before there was any HiFi in the picture, i liked the iM7 better, because in my opinion its sounds noticably better, has more input/output options, and cost $50 less. But the Integration you get with the Hifi, the volume (overall, but also Hi and Low end eq) advantage, the ability to input digital sound, the ability to use batteries, the apple remote that also wotks for other aple devices, and the fact that APPLE makes it gives the added $50 over the Bose some justice. And though its @100 more than the iM7, its docking design is 100 times better. The click-to-open door on the front of the iM7 is fugly and looks awkward when u have a nano in it. Plus ive seen the door broken before, which wouldnt happen on the HiFI.
In my opinion, were I to buy one of the 3 of these... its the HiFi all the way. I was skeptical at first... until i heard the thing in person. and saying that it has "so-so sound quality" is COMPLETELY off. maybe they were using a poor quality sound file, or had a defective unit. but the one i heard... the sound quality is amazing.
And I didnt even mention the surround sound simulation you get with the HiFi or the sheer ability to say " Hey yo, i have a HiFi, come party with me!
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Carniphage said 11:50AM on 3-17-2006
I was sceptical about the HiFi too ... 'till I actually listened to it in real life.
It's impressive how loud it could play without distortion. The Bose system sounds tinny and weak in comparison.
Not sure what these Consumer Reports guys were smoking - but I suspect they compared the two at "two" when they should have gone all the way up to "eleven"
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kelake said 11:51AM on 3-17-2006
What's all this talk about the weight? It's only 15 lbs - people make it sound like it's as heavy as a truck.
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elbertc said 1:36PM on 3-17-2006
Of all the reviews I've seen on the iPod Hi-Fi, only David Pogues review hit the nail on the head: From the Desk of David Pogue:
The Newest Member of the iPod Family
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elbertc said 1:39PM on 3-17-2006
oops, no link. Here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/15/technology/circuits/16POGUE-EMAIL.html
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Chris said 1:49PM on 3-17-2006
Blah, whatever. Only poor people read Consumer Reports. They should just go buy pc's. The HiFi is the best looking itegrated sound box on the market. Period. If it weren't quality, Apple wouldn't have made it.
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Quicksilver said 2:31PM on 3-17-2006
Chris #9 that is the worst post I have ever read on any forum.
"If it weren't quality, Apple wouldn't have made it"
Maybe you should change that to
"If it weren't quality, Apple woudln't have over priced it so much"
Really these kinds of comments don't help the mac population's reputation as a bunch of rich whining bitches.
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Larsz said 2:52PM on 3-17-2006
The HiFi really is a "10 foot experience" piece of equipment. I played with it at the Apple store and didn't think much of it up close (on a low bench so the highs went below my ears). If you stand back a ways, that thing rocks and sounds way better than the Bose I tried there too. I can't afford one but would be very tempted to replace my home stereo if it had a couple more inputs and a way to switch 'em. iPod, tuner input and sound from the TV and my credit card would be burning.
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SurferLeo said 3:14PM on 3-17-2006
Chris #9, with all due respect, I subscribe to and read Consumer Reports each month and make well over a six-figure income. Last I checked, we weren't all that poor. Comments like yours only disparage yourself. Please refrain from being so shallow-minded -- it give us Mac enthusiasts a bad rep.
On to my point. For me, the Hi-Fi has been nothing more than an embarrassing blemish on Apple's track record of late. For the last few years, Apple has led the industry in innovation and technological prowess. Everything they've released has been new, ground-breaking and standard-setting.
With the release of the Hi-Fi, Apple has simply joined the bandwagon. Nothing new. Nothing cool. Nothing you couldn't have already bought 1-2 years ago. And, it's overpriced.
Last, despite all the glowing reviews fellow Mac fans have given the Hi-Fi (from hearing it at the Apple Store, no less), I have yet to meet ONE PERSON who actually laid down the cash to buy it. Ouch.
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John said 3:33PM on 3-17-2006
My brother just got the hi-fi on Wednesday!
It is great, but one thing I would have loved is a radio option aswell!
Lets hope apple has planned that for 2ndG. That's my one want for this product.
Other then that and the fact that somtimes you have to touch the iPod buttons to do certain things. In an ideal world the remote shoud do everything.
That's why I give it 4 stars, not ?????
p.s. the sound kicks ass!
p.s. the sound kicks ass
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Eric said 5:29PM on 3-17-2006
To Christ:
ppl who DO care about sound quality will never have a crappy little iPod... MiniDiscs are already the bottom line and I chose to bring my slimline discman around.
MP3 = crap.. and iPod = fanccy little portable harddisc (with slow speed n short battery life)...
unfortunately, the mass market (aka poor people as you said) does not care about sound quality. so whats the point to blame "yet another apple product".
Afterall, only poor people that want to make'em self looked rich buy from Apple, others go for Alienware (for game), IBM (for business), B&O (for sound) and SONY/Sharp for the Screen.
Im not an Apple hater, but i only use my MBP when I went out and do some serious shootings... after all.. Mac OS X is rather a Windows Server 2003 + Google Desktop + Picassa + A fancy desktop theme.
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Mac Diva said 9:07PM on 3-18-2006
I had the pleasure of listening to both the Bose and the Apple Hi-Fi in the same setting -- a Bose store. (No, the latter was not being sold.) I agree with the people who rank the Hi-Fi high, especially at a distance. However, a full scale Bose system sounds even better than the Hi-Fi. If I were Steve Jobs, among the top 200 richest people in the world, that is the route I would go.
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Bill said 6:49PM on 3-23-2006
typical consumer reports nonsense.
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FAA said 3:38PM on 10-03-2006
SurferLeo, your argument that Apple is on the bandwagon with the Hi-Fi is either incredibly insightful or incredibly weak. I'm leaning towards the latter. A computer, portable or otherwise, with an Intel chip is nothing new - nothing you couldn't buy 2 years ago - so what do you think of the entire new line of Macs?
Regardless, SurferLeo, I'm pleased to meet you. Oops, now your comment about not having met someone who actually laid down the cash for a Hi-Fi is irrelevant.
In all seriousness I have to say that after having this thing out of the box for all of 10 minutes any arguments that it is overpriced are ridiculous. It costs 15% more than the Bose or Klipsch, and sounds 200% better. 200% may even be on the low side, since I can actually hear the bass with this thing.
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Bonvivant said 5:11PM on 1-30-2007
What about the Klipsch iFi?
Granted it's not very portable, but if I want portable I'll just bring my iPod w/ earbuds. The sound is phenominal and you can use it as a kick-ass speaker system for your computer too (or any other audio device.) Consumer Reports doesn't even acknowledge its existence. They used to be so thorough...the slackers!
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