The iPod Hi-Fi is a big white brick that pumps out a wall of sound. As usual with Apple, the iPod Hi-Fi system is stylishly designed, easy to setup and use, provides functional flexibility, and with excellent build quality it doesn’t cost a fortune.
The system houses two 80 mm speakers and a 130 mm subwoofer. These air tight sealed speakers and the double walled shell are designed to eliminate any vibration or unwanted resonance, this allows for a balanced, clear, quality audio sound over a wide frequency range; the bass-reflex system enhances the bass, providing deep, rich sound with little distortion.
The Apple Hi-Fi system can be powered from the mains or by six D-cell batteries (D-cell batteries are sold separately). This flexibility makes the system portable, although this unit is heavy; it can be moved from room to room as required or even played outside in the garden.
Integration of your iPod with the Hi-Fi is straightforward and seamless. Simply insert your iPod into the dock on top of the speaker unit; volume can be controlled manually on the Hi-Fi system, as well the remote control provided allows you to adjust the volume levels, play, pause, fast-forward, rewind skip or go back on tracks. Tone controls give some adjustment to music; normal, treble boost or bass boost settings can be selected to adjust the sound to suit musical tastes or suit the area the Hi-Fi is situated.
The audio-in is a combined analogue and digital optical jack that allows a computer or other audio devices to be connected to the system. If you are a set up with Apple’s wireless network Airport Express music can be streamed to the iPod Hi-Fi as it is AirTunes Ready, so the music on your computer can be played anywhere you wish to set up the speakers. This feature has its limitation; you can only select one AirPort Express to stream music to, multiple tracks cannot be sent to several iPod Hi-Fi systems at the same time. If this is a requirement other systems such as the SONOS ZP100 should be considered.
The iPod Hi-Fi is a very inexpensive way to play and share your music without the hassle of wiring up a sound system; simply plug-in and play straight out of the box. The features, and controls are minimal but the results are fantastic.
If you are the proud owner of an iPod this system brings more versatility when it comes to enjoying your music; of you are not the proud owner of an iPod the iPod Hi-Fi system is yet another a compelling reason to get one!
