After all the PR noise had finally died down we managed to get ourselves an iPod HiFi into the office for review, like all Apple products it was wrapped up to perfection, Apple don't skimp on packaging! This is just as well as for once the Apple design is a little staid and reminded us a bit of a mini fridge or some other "white goods" yes this is what you'd expect from Apple but it does look a bit utilitarian.

Sitting your iPod (3G / 4G / 5G / iPod Photo / iPod Nano) into the dock on top of the speaker system is a snug fit, although the sight of your iPod nestling atop a large black fronted box is a little strange at first. You can connect an iPod shuffle or dare we even suggest and non Apple product via the aux input which can be either via 3.5mm mini jack or S/PDIF optical input.

There isn't much to do in terms of set-up or even control, the front of the HiFi unit has only two touch sensitive buttons for volume adjustment and the rest of the control is via the supplied standard iPod wireless control. However even this is limited to basic track forward / back and volume control but then what more do you need?

Measuring 43.2 x 16.8 x 17.5 cm it's not a small system but then it will still sit on an average bookshelf, plus with its double shielding and rubberised feet being in a tight space shouldn't affect the sound too much either. The musical delivery is courtesy of two 80-mm midrange drivers and a 130-mm woofer with dual voice coils, this is fairly high end, high power stuff for an iPod speaker system, it delivers a frequency response of 16khz up to 53khz. There are no other outputs so don't be expecting to hook up your 5G iPod for video replay, the only place you are going to see Video when sitting in the HiFi's dock is on the iPod's screen, it would have been nice to have a Video out guys!

Power is expected to be via the mains AC adaptor (which is built inside the HiFi unit) and the power jack on the rear of the unit, however the iPod HiFi can also run on batteries, it takes 6 monstrous D Cell's which add a significant amount to its not inconsiderable 6.6kg's. We're not sure you'll be taking this speaker system to the beech with you. Battery life varies according to the volume music is played at but you can expect around 10 hours at moderate to loud levels and our tests at near full volume emptied a set of expensive D Cell's in just under 6 hours (ouch there goes another £7).

A 5G iPod was used during the review and also an older model, the newer model brought up a speaker menu which allowed you to fiddle with the Bass (a little pointless) and to set album art to display full screen. this only seemed to work with an iPod 5G (Video) or iPod Nano while older models will fit they do not call up this hidden menu.

At normal volumes the Apple HiFi certainly deserves to be called a "HiFi" the bass which is always a good measure of any speaker enclosure is well weighted and yet punchy on fast moving tracks, plus when deployed on more mellow R&B it has a certain warmth about it. The midrange is perfect conveying the melody of a range of tracks from Jamie Cullum to the Gorillaz and the top end is bright without sounding trashy. Then we really cranked up the iPod HiFi within an inch of its life to see what would happen on the whirling Hammond organ of the James Taylor Quartet (LP's favourite) we can say without doubt that Mr Jobs speaker system is more than up to the task of grinding Hammond while preserving the fat bass track. Only a very slight hint of distortion even at these volumes is really a very impressive feat, especially when you can feel the air pushing out of the bass ports!

A strict comparison with the Bose a SoundDock sees the Apple HiFi pretty much on a par and it is only really beaten by the Inmotion IM7 for pure sound quality. So the real decider is price the Apple iPod Speaker System sells for £249, while the Bose SoundDock is also £249 and the new IM7 is a rather cool £175!

We have to admit to being impressed by the Apple iPod HiFi sound system, it provides fantastic sound form a relatively small enclosure and is compatible with a wide range of iPod's all for a Bose equalling price. However its not all sweetness and light, the design is a little 80's and in an audiophile test the IM7 would win plus the IM7 is cheaper!

The iPod HiFi gets our recommendation but if you can consider not buying the Apple branded system then the IM7 is the best home for your money.

More iPod Reviews

Published - 19/03/2006

More MP3 Speaker Systems-

[ Up ] [ Logic3 iStation ] [ TDK Outloud CD wallet with integrated speakers ] [ Creative Travelsound ] [ inMotion iMmini ] [ JBL On Stage ] [ inMotion IM3 Review ] [ Moshi iPouch ] [ Monitor Audio i ] [ Podgear Pocket Party ] [ Podgear Houseparty ] [ TruePower iPod Battery ] [ Zen Micro Traveldock ] [ Logitech MM28 Review ] [ Belkin Tunecast ] [ Griffin iTrip Auto Review ] [ Belkin Tunebase ] [ Logitech Z-10 Speakers ] [ DLO Homedock Deluxe Review ] [ Oregon Scientific iBall Review ] [ iTrip Nano Review ] [ Altec Lansing IM5 Review ] [ iPod Radio Remote ] [ Apple iPod HiFi Review ] [ Intempo IDS-01 Speakers ] [ Inmotion IM4 Speakers ] [ Griffin IFM ] [ inMotion IM7 Review ] [ Bose SoundDock Review ] [ Stripy iPod Speakers ] [ Tivoli iPal ]