Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Granted , Apple put themselves up for a measuring rod of such abuse by acquaint the Hi - Fi as an “ audiophile”-grade system that will “ redefine ” the home stereoscopic photograph system , when it ’s really a bookshelf - style speaker system — albeit one that can run off batteries — that seek to amend on some of the more democratic live organization on the market place . These include Bose ’s $ 300SoundDock , Klipsch ’s $ 280iGroove , ZVOX ’s $ 300 ( with bag and battery)ZVOX mini , Tivoli Audio ’s $ 330iSongBook , or even Altec Lansing ’s $ 250inMotion iM7and Cambridge SoundWorks ’s $ 200PlayDock MP3 . ( XtremeMac has also announce a alike system , the $ 200Tango . ) But how does the Hi - Fi actually bear up against the competition , and is it deserving the price ticket ? After drop a few days with one , it ’s time to give you the full run - down .
Big white box
The Hi - Fi initially stands out from the rivalry by being larger but simpler in its design : It ’s a clean - looking rectangular box , 17 in wide by 6.6 inch high by 6.9 inches deep , with rounded corner where the top and bottom meet the side . The back , top , and sides are glossy livid , while the system ’s speaker drivers and black front are hidden behind a obliterable black material grillwork . ( give that Apple is pushing the Hi - Fi as a “ home stereo ” replacing , I ’d wish to see an all - smutty interpretation — few people that I sleep together have white stereoscopic photograph systems . I ’d also like to see a grayish speaker unit grille on the white version to better match many of the other blank electronic product on the market right now . )
The top of the Hi - Fi hosts Apple ’s Universal iPod sour grass cradle ; 10 adapter inserts are include for compatibility with all current and late dockable iPod . In front of the dock are touch - raw up / down mass launching pad . Although this top - climb dock design grant for ready docking / undock and keeps the iPod ’s silver screen accessible and seeable , it also makes it more difficult to pick up and move the Hi - Fi — you have to concern about the iPod falling off — and it imply that if you require to put the Hawaii - Fi on a shelf or in an A / V cabinet , you have to pass on 4 to 5 inches of space above it .
The Hi - Fi ’s back board provides a 1/8 - column inch ( 3.5 mm ) supplemental stimulus jak that accepts either analog or optical S / PDIF input . ( The Hi - Fi includes its own digital - to - parallel convertor [ DAC ] . ) The back also hosts a barrage fire door — the organisation can run off six calciferol battery — and the jack for the organisation ’s AC cable television . remark that unlike many exchangeable systems , the Hi - Fi does n’t require an outside power brick ; the power supply — an auto - switching example that bear out 100 - 240V at 50 - 60Hz — is actually inside . ( I also care the fact that you get a 9′ 6″ cable — long enough to strive from most outlets . ) One outstanding omission : a video output larboard . give that Apple is pushing the Hi - Fi as part of your home entertainment scheme , a video - out interface seems like an obvious feature that would admit you to view your iPod - hosted photos and video on your tv set . ( Apple toldPlaylistthat the Hi - Fi is designed to take the place of a home audio system , not a household dramatics system . In improver , the troupe pointed out that you’re able to still get video from the AV [ headphone ] jack on video - capable iPod ; the drawback is that this is a composite video jack vs. the higher - quality S - Video signal of the iPod ’s dock connector . ) The Hi - Fi also does not include a dock - connective port for connect a docked iPod to your information processing system for syncing , but since the system is clearly not designed to be used on a computer desk , it ’s punishing to fault it for this omission .
The bottom of the Hi - Fi is almost completely covered in a thick , grey rubber human foot — standardised to the one on the bottom of Apple ’s iPod wharfage — that hold on the unit from sliding around while also protecting its livid plastic surface . ( devote that Apple tout the rigidness of the Hi - Fi ’s inclosure — it does feel very firm — I simulate that this caoutchouc gym mat is also designed to reduce shakiness and resonance . )
Finally , behind the front grille are the Hi - Fi ’s speaker drivers : two 80 mm wide - range number one wood — designed to take the place of freestanding midrange and tweeter drivers — in seal enclosure , along with a 130 mm , dual - voice - helix , ported woofer in a larger overall natural enclosure ; the woofer ’s two ports are clearly visible with the wicket bump off . The speakers are powered by a built - in Class D amplifier , but Apple does n’t put out official power evaluation .
Also on the front of the building block are the detector for the distant control ( on the left hand , between the midrange driver and the woofer ) and the system ’s condition light ( in the lower - right field ) . The grille attach via four alloy pin that make it easy to remove and put on ; with the grille off , the Hi - Fi choose on a decidedly retro appearance .
The Hi - Fi includes Apple ’s stock Apple Remote , featuring Play / Pause , Forward , Back , Volume Up , bulk Down , and Menu button . Although an infrared remote , which generally means “ line - of - sight with limited range of a function , ” I ’ve been pleasantly storm by the performance of Apple ’s remote control , which also work on with the Mac mini , iMac , MacBook Pro , and Apple ’s Universal iPod Dock . ( If you ’ve convey more than one Apple Remote - open gimmick , Apple recommendspairingspecific remotes with specific devices to avoid accidentally controlling multiple gimmick with a single keypress . ) Unlike most infrared remotes we ’ve tested , the Apple Remote works across large rooms and at off - axis angles ; I even had regular success using it from behind the Hi - Fi . My only critique of the remote is that it would be nice to have a flake more functionality — some systems offer control over play list or shuffle and repetition modes .
Youcantake it with you
Unlike Bose ’s SoundDock — but similar to Altec Lansing ’s inMotion iM7 — the Hi - Fi does n’t require that you be tether to an AC outlet , since it can also run away off batteries . Sturdy , built - in handle on the upper - right and -left help you move the Hi - Fi from place to place . Granted , at well-nigh 17 pounds with battery , it ’s not something you ’re going to be carrying with you regularly , but it ’s skillful to be able to take it out to the patio for a barbeque .
Given the Hi - Fi ’s surprisingly brassy end product levels and impressive bass response ( see below ) , I was curious as to the system ’s electric battery life . Although Apple ’s connection site does n’t provide official number , Bob Borchers , Senior Director of the iPod Ecosystem for Apple , toldPlaylistthat you should be able to get about 5 60 minutes of playback at maximum book , with up to 15 hours at normal hearing levels ; as with any stamp battery - power utterer system , actual shelling life also depends on the type of medicine , with sea bass - grueling and dynamic music requiring more power than other euphony types .
Interestingly , the Hi - Fi admit unique circuitry to prevent the sort of low - stamp battery distortion found in other portable speaker arrangement : As the batteries drain , the Hawaii - Fi automatically scale back the maximal loudness grade . In other word , you ca n’t turn the organisation up as meretricious with imperfect stamp battery — the system of rules ’s indicator brightness sprain orange as if to say , “ Sorry , that ’s it!”—but you get unobjectionable , undistorted audio all the way to the end . likewise , when you unplug the system ’s AC power cord , causing it to guide off battery power , the Hi - Fi automatically thin out volume to an “ ambient ” stratum to husband baron ; you may then line up the volume as desired . These touches are classical Apple — and I intend that in the very secure elbow room .
In my examination using brand - new Duracell alkaline batteries , the Hi - Fi played at very loud loudness for two to three time of day , then mechanically dropped down to a lower maximum book , where I lease it continue to bring . Overall , I got just under 11 hours of barrage fire life .
Related to the Hi - Fi ’s battery life is a unique feature for keeping your iPod running : Whereas most portable speakers commove your iPod only when the speaker arrangement is run off AC power , the Hi - Fi will charge your iPod even if range off barrage fire power . Apple ’s documentationstatesthat the Hi - Fi will saddle an iPod for “ up to 30 moment , ” but Borchers toldPlaylistthat the Hi - Fi will actually charge the iPod intelligently , providing enough juice so that it plays until both run out of succus . Of course , this slim the Hi - Fi ’s own battery living , although Borchers said that the amount is paltry compared to the amount of power used by the Hi - Fi itself . This is a great feature for those times when you bring your iPod Hi - Fi along on an outing , only to agnize that you forget to file your iPod . However , this charging also come about even if your iPod is not actually playing : The Hi - Fi will go into low - power mode after 2 minute of groundlessness , but it will continue to point your iPod for the full 30 instant . For this reason , Apple observe that your Hi - Fi will get respectable assault and battery life if your iPod is fully charged before docking it . ( Another tip : Do n’t put in your iPod in the Hi - Fi ’s wharfage unless the Hi - Fi is plug in . )
I should remark a couple caveats for those considering the iPod Hi - Fi for portable role : First , its showy white credit card scratches fairly easily — this is n’t something you require to toss in your trunk . likewise , you ’ll take to be careful not to snag the fabric front grille when incite it around . ( I would n’t recommend transporting the Hi - Fi with the grill off , as you risk damage the number one wood themselves . ) Thankfully , vendors are already act upon on cases : WaterField DesignstoldPlaylistthat they ’re working on a padded face , standardized to their ( much smaller)iPod Gear Pouch , that will hold the Hi - Fi , your iPod , and a few other piece of gear ; you ’ll be able to carry the whole package via a grip or shoulder strap . The Waterfield vitrine should be available in a few weeks .
Unique playback features
Physical size of it and battery use aside , what really set the Hi - Fi aside from other movable speaker systems are a number of interesting playback feature . For model , a new Speakers menu appears onfifth - generationandnanoiPods when you dock them with the Hi - Fi . This menu — actually present , but blot out , in these models since they were release , and updated via January ’s iPod Software 1.1 — bring home the bacon several option specific to Hi - Fi - moorage . Tone Control allows you to choose a Hi - Fi - specific EQ setting : Normal , Bass Boost , and triple Boost ; unlike the iPod ’s EQ preferences , the tone check take effect in real time , so you could chop-chop liken the options as you scroll through them . ( take note that the iPod ’s standard EQ configurations also appear to affect the iPod ’s output signal when docked with the Hi - Fi ; however , the Tone Control scope does n’t strike audio yield when dock with a different speaker arrangement , nor does it touch on phone output . ) Backlight lets you take when your iPod ’s screenland backlight should be lit when docked in the Hi - Fi : Always On , Always Off , On Keypress , or While Playing . Finally , a Large Album Art option will exhibit are in full - covert mode as long as your iPod is docked . The only trouble with this last setting is that if a track has no album graphics , the screen simply goes blank ; it would make more sentience if the concealment show the received informational display until another track with album artwork is play .
The caution here ? According to Apple , the Speakers menu item and its setting are not uncommitted on older iPods ; they rely on engineering science found in the most recent models .
As I mentioned above , the Hi - Fi includes a 1/8 - column inch ( 3.5 mm ) auxiliary input jack for connecting another audio machine via an parallel or optic - S / PDIF cable . For object lesson , you may use the Hi - Fi to take heed to an iPod shuffling , a TV or DVD actor , or even the output of an AirPort Express . ( During my examination , I used an AirPort Express — via both analog and optical cables — to hear to euphony streamed from iTunes ; the Hi - Fi function cleanly . So much so that I had to wonder if Apple considered including wireless functionality in the Hi - Fi itself ; it would make a great “ outback speaker ” system for iTunes / AirTunes . ) However , unlike many iPod - docking speaker system , which just mute iPod playback when a 2nd audio source is connected , the iPod Hi - Fi allows you to swap between the two sources using the remote control ’s Menu button : If the iPod is playing , holding down the Menu button for a few second pauses the iPod and switch over to the appurtenant comment ; holding down Menu again exchange back to the iPod ( although you have to manually weight-lift looseness on the remote control to summarise playback ) . During auxiliary - input playback , pressing the Play button mutes / unmutes the organization ’s volume .
I also liked the fact that when you place a play iPod in the Hi - Fi ’s dock , the system volume ramps up gradually instead of blast straight off .
Finally , the Hi - Fi ’s status twinkle provides a beneficial amount offeedbackduring use . For case , the light “ nictitate ” green whenever the arrangement receives a valid instruction from the outback control and orange when an invalid instruction is get — if you hold down the Menu clit when there ’s no source relate to the supplemental input jack , that ’s a bad dictation and you ’ll get the orange light . But the twinkle also radiate orange if you attempt to useanotherApple Remote that ’s already mate with a different Apple machine . This will be a utile lineament in multi - Apple - remote control households — it ’s the Hi - Fi ’s way of saying , “ Hey , buddy , you ’re using the haywire remote control ! ” The light also tells you when iPod playback is paused ( or auxiliary stimulus mute ) and when you ’re running off barrage vs. AC baron .
Home stereo redefined? Or compact stereo refined?
Given the bluff claims Apple has made about the Hi - Fi ’s sound quality , it ’s only meet to contain its feet ( foot ? ) to the fire , so to speak . I did just that , spending two full Day sitting in front of the Hi - Fi listening to a variety of music , from 128kbps iTunes Music Store - purchased rock and daddy to uncompressed and Apple Lossless - encoded classical and wind .
Before getting to my impressions , one thing I should point out is that the iPod Hi - Fi is clear designed for “ room ” listening , not screen background listening ; it soundsmuchbetter from a few understructure aside or across the room than it does sit in front of you on your desk . I used it as a steady stereo , bask it from the comfort of my couch and walking around the elbow room ; if you ’re looking for something for your desk , there are secure options out there ( see below ) .
A few thing immediately jump out at you when listening to the Hi - Fi . The first is that it has a racy , warm strait that does n’t grate or offend like many less iPod verbaliser . The second is that despite its relatively small size , the Hi - Fi has actualbass . ( Do n’t let frequency - reception snobs tell you that 53 Hertz — the official low - end of the Hi - Fi ’s say frequency range — isn’t “ real ” bass ; unless you ’re listening to tobacco pipe organs or putting together a home dramatics organization , a relatively flat reply down to ~50 Hertz is expire to give you more bass than you ’re in all probability used to . ) Finally , the Hi - Fi can playloud . fabulously loud , in fact , given the sizing of the system . Apple ’s Borchers evidence me that when running off AC power , the Hi - Fi is capable of 108dB SPL ( measured from 1 meter away ) without distorting ; off battery , the stratum is 102dB , still very garish . I was able to turn the Hi - Fi up to grade that were too loud to hear to comfortably ( or safely ) and the system did n’t even shrink . Put these things together and you get a system that easily fulfill even large rooms with surprising sound level — and sounds good doing it .
On the other hand , my inside audiophile is n’t all slaked . Granted , the iPod Hi - Fi is good enough that it can bring out the difference between honest and bad transcription , and between low - act - pace and higher - quality music file ; for many people , that alone will be enough . ( Borchers noted that Apple ’s finish was to make the hullo - Fi sound as good as possible on the widest range of medicine , and I think the company did a fairly good business of that . ) However , the Hi - Fi is n’t perfect . Its most obvious limitation is a lack of upper treble point that , combined with slightly elevate midrange levels , makes the very highest frequencies difficult to make out at times . For example , when listening to sealed classical pieces , the plan of attack of a harpsichord — which should be bright and precise — is slightly indistinct and overwhelm by those instruments crowding the midrange frequencies .
The Hi - Fi ’s other restriction is that it ca n’t really overcome its one - part design to provide expansive soundstage and precise two-channel imaging . On well - recorded tracks , the soundstage does plan somewhat outside the unit itself , but not in a way of life that ’s go to have you looking around for more loudspeaker . For illustration , in Dave Brubeck ’s Take Five , there ’s a barrel solo in which , on a higher - final stage system , you could clearly come in the tympan outfit — and even drums within the kit — along a horizontal plane . On the Hi - Fi , the drum kit is correctly shifted to the leftfield of the soundstage , but beyond that the drums are more of a undivided entity than a kit with decided pawn .
allow , these are the type of minor deficiencies that many people wo n’t care about — or perhaps even notice . However , since Apple is push the Hi - Fi as an “ audiophile - quality . ” organisation , it ’s only middling to give it an audiophile listen .
Compare and contrast
During last Tuesday ’s intro , Apple CEO Steve Jobs said , in effect , that none of the current iPod speaker systems on the market could equalise the iPod Hi - Fi in term of good quality . Given that we have many of those systems here atPlaylist , I also resolve to do some right comparative listening tests , match the Aloha State - Fi against some of the better “ screen background / bookshelf ” iPod speakers out there . None of them can contend with the Hi - Fi in terms of out-and-out mass and bass levels , but some do particular things better .
See a pattern here ? If you wish warm , sinewy sound and do n’t mind lose a fleck of upper treble detail , the Hi - Fi is going to be right up your alleyway . On the other hand , if treble detail is important to you , there are other systems worth considering . ( All of the comparisons above were made with the iPod ’s EQ reverse off and the Tone Control feature of the Aloha State - Fi set to normal ; using the iPod ’s EQ and the Hi - Fi ’s Tone mastery , you’re able to , for example , get better detail from the Hi - Fi . Also take note that , as I advert whenever I do these comparisons , the differences identify above are free-base on take heed to the same tracks on systems playing side - by - side ; it ’s quite possible that something I ’m noting here wo n’t be as noticeable — or wo n’t be obvious at all — when mind to a special organisation on its own . )
Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 , Audioengine Audioengine5 , Monitor i - Deck ( back row ) ; Bose SoundDock , Apple iPod Hi - Fi , Tivoli iSongBook ( middle row ) ; ZVOX Audio ZVOX Mini ( front )
I also compared the iPod Hi - Fi to three systems with interchangeable pretensions — replace a rest home stereo system — that use separate right and leave behind speaker . The first , Audioengine ’s $ 349Audioengine 5is a Seth of bookshelf speakers with a built - in amplifier , ports on top for connecting and charging an iPod , and an AC electric receptacle on the back of the left loudspeaker for directly connect an AirPort Express . The Audioengine 5 , like most other speakers here , is n’t quite as rich and strong as the Hi - Fi , but it allow similar bass response and volume point , better detail , and much better soundstage since you’re able to secernate the speakers . The 2d system is Monitor Audio ’s $ 349i - Deck , an iPod mini arrangement with a built - in loading dock and DAC , as well as left over and right speakers . The i - Deck loses out at the low end , but provides excellent clarity , soundstage , and imagery . Finally , Klipsch ’s $ 400iFifeatures separate satellites , a brawny subwoofer , and an iPod dock . The iFi is the only organisation that clearly bests the iPod Hi - Fi at the low end — thanks to an 8 - in sub in a large inclosure , powered by a monolithic adenylic acid — and it compare favorably in the mids , as well . The iFi ’s most pregnant flaw , in fact , is alike to that of the Hi - Fi : less - than - leading treble detail . But it does have the potentiality to cater better soundstaging and imaging thanks to separate speakers . On the other handwriting , surprisingly , the smaller Hi - Fi seemed a bit more “ in ascendence ” at the loudest volumes .
Of of course , it ’s not exactly fair to compare the all - in - one iPod Hi - Fi to these latter three systems , given that they take up more place and have wires and cable television service — the Audioengine 5 even requires you to buy a separate iPod dock and remote — but it ’s good to be intimate what ’s out there for like money if you ’re willing to put up with separate spell .
The Lowdown
Apple made some big claims when it introduced the iPod Hi - Fi — by calling it an “ audiophile - quality ” organization , the company invited harsh unfavorable judgment from audio eccentric everywhere . Had the pitch rather been , “ We do n’t think anyone else has done the all - in - one iPod speaker system correctly , so we ’re run to do it , ” the public chemical reaction plausibly would have been much more positive . After all , in add-on to supply good sound , the Hi - Fi include a number of clever and unparalleled feature that fructify it apart from systems that are simply speaker system and an amplifier . And consider that Bose ’s SoundDock has been selling exceptionally well at $ 300 , a $ 350 price point for the Hi - Fi ’s importantly better feature set along with good quality that some people will opt does n’t seem all that unreasonable .
And it really is in this context — summary systems — that you should consider the Hi - Fi . Although I ’m sure a few iPod owners will get free of a large home stereo system of rules — especially an older one — for the convenience and compact size of it of the Hi - Fi , I do n’t see mass with honest high - end stereo system trading them in . Rather , the Hi - Fi is go to be an attractive option for multitude looking for good , room - filling sound in a compact package : It ’s a bookshelf system for the iPod multiplication , and one that can even be take with you in a taking into custody . In fact , Apple ’s Borchers put it well : In designing the iPod Hi - Fi , Apple was aiming for rich , way - filling sound in a organisation that could interchange an amplifier , a set of bookshelf verbaliser , and a raft of CDs . In that regard , the Hawai’i - Fi succeeds praiseworthily , even though not everyone will favour its sonic presentation to that of its competitor . And the Hi - Fi ’s unequaled features might even bring home the bacon over a few rooter of the latter .
