Customer Reviews

Apple Hi-Fi Home Stereo for iPod (White)

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is obvious that Apple made a mistake claiming the Ipod Hi Fi would replace an Audiophile's home system. That claim has opened them up for criticism but, that is the only thing that can be criticized. The Hi Fi system is what it is - and that is a pretty amazing little device. I am not an expert, nor am I a novice in the art of high fidelity. I am, however, a Musician who has held Music and sound quality close to my heart for many, many years. I went to the Apple store with my AAC compressed 4 gig Nano and plugged into the system. Honestly, the sound at the store did not "blow me away"; I was in a busy store with much background noise. Realizing that the environment has much to do with sound quality, I took a chance and purchased it. I had dismissed most of the reviews that I read as sour grapes (for some reason) against Apple from people who do not own the system - had to be, some of the reviews were written before the system was even available! I was right; when I got this home and listened to it I was impressed. I do not listen to music that has that "wall' of sound (i.e. power chords, screaming vocals, retarded drums) I listen to music that has dimension (i.e. Jazz, Funk, Fusion). I wanted an audio device that would allow me to control my Ipod via remote, hold most of my favorite tunes, not fill my living room up with audio equipment, and be loud and clear enough to surround me with un-distorted sound. This system fills that bill. My one complaint is: you need to crank it up a bit for it to "come alive". At loud volumes, I find the tone control set to treble boost works best and at lower volumes set it to bass boost, meaning you need to re-adjust it upon volume changes. One other point, some of the lower end tunes on my Ipod sometimes distort when listening through the ear buds. This system seems to clean that up when cranking through the system. The added bonus being that I can use it in my backyard.
It is expensive? Yes. It is worth it? Yes, but keep in mind, it is what it is.

I listened to both at Apple store, and felt I needed a better test at home. So I bought both Bose and Apple. My report? Bose sounds a little richer, fuller. Apple has more user control capabilities to tune the sound for more bass, classic, jazz, etc. although none of these seemed to do much. Bottom line, both are good. I moved the Bose to my wife cuz she can't deal with making different settings, I kept the Apple so I could try a few changes in the settings and it was a bit louder and almost equalled the Bose in quality. If my wife told me to swap 'em, I'd be fine with that too. Slight preference for Apple controls and using ipod displays, slight preference for Bose sound richness. Bose does take up less desk top space, perhaps half the Apple. Sorry if I can't tell you that I have a definite pick, but it's a slight edge to the Apple for me (controls, visibility of what's playing) versus a slight sound advantage to Bose. BTW, each are very simple to use, plug in the iPod and you're set to go. Oh, should all our choices be so good.

Okay, I just purchased an iPod Hi-Fi (on Apple's 30th birthday!). It's sitting in front of me and I'm listening to it right now. Here is my impression after two days of usage...it is a VERY nicely designed product. The size is perfect and the ability to run on battery is highly convenient. As expected, it mates with the iPod beautifully (I have an iPod mini). The million dollar question is how does it sound? Well, honestly, do NOT expect to be amazed. Once you stop expecting earthshattering performance from it, it'll pleasantly surprise you. It sounds best when it's placed directly in front of you and at least 8 feet away. Some music sounds better on it than other (see end of this review). I'd say the sound quality/performance is good but not jawdropping, EXCEPT when you turn the volume up...way up! It can power a nice sized backyard party. I would not, however, buy it as a home theatre system replacement. It just doesn't have the floor-shaking bass nor the head-turning soundstage. Don't get me wrong, it sounds very good for what it is. It's perfect for the bedroom, in the backyard, on a boat, at tailgate parties. But is it worth the price for me? I'm still debating with myself on that question. It would be a nobrainer if I have an Airport Express and a 5G iPod already.

Music with emphasis on the following sounds great on iPod HF:
1. acoustic guitar/banjos
2. female vocals (superb!)
3. piano
4. music with real instruments

Music with too much of these doesn't sound as good on iPod HF:
1. music with a lot of bass
2. violin
3. synthesized music
4. tracks with weak recording/encoding
5. sound effect heavy music

I chose the Apple Hifi over the Bose for the following reasons:

-Apple Hifi has more BASS which for me was virtually too low on the Bose. This was a big factor for me since I listen to a very wide and versatile genres from R&B to Jazz, Classical, and Rock. Bass was absolutely impressive from the Hifi! Put in Black Eye Peas and you'll see the difference from both units. The Bose simply "punches" the bass while the Hifi goes deep down low. I could not believe they were coming out from such a small unit!

-Clarity is also very impressive on the Hifi which I can say could go side by side with the Bose. Voices come alive and the high's are amazing. Clarity is where Bose is well known for and I would have to say Apple did a great job on this.

-Touch sensitive volume control impressed me as well as with the amber and green light emitted by the Hifi to acknowledge you of remote function via the superb quality of the included iPod shuffle looking remote. Plus audio input for external audio source and operation via batteries is a big plus on the Hifi. This features were absent from Bose.

-Personally I love the simplicity and craftsmanship of the Hifi. Well built. You could really feel the sturdyness of this unit. Love the two carrying handles on the side. Plus it complements both black and white iPods.

The Bose performed good as well when I went to their showroom but it simply was'nt WOW for me..I was more impressed with Apple's Hifi that really amazed me. I was actually ready to purchase the Bose sound dock at our local mall when I came across a strange retro looking white box and asked if I could try it out, I was blown away by the tunes of "Sharing the Night Together" by Fiji, the bass was awesome! Right there I decided to get the Apple instead. No questions asked!

If you ask me why only 4 stars? well there are some minor downsides on the Apple..

-You do have to reach at least more than 1/4 of the volume to really hear the music come alive
-the Hifi is bigger and heavier than the Bose
-Bose offers 5 year warranty on their speakers
-There is no available carrying case for the Hifi as of now which hinders me from bringing it around and utilizing its being "portable"
-It is possible to damage the Hifi' speakers since its mesh grill can be removed unlike the Bose' shielded design

It's very common to be pulled by Bose and Apple while you stay in the middle. Both are great units but for my life style the Apple suits me best..I's as closest to perfection that my $329 could get!


If your still skeptical of what to purchase..take your time..Pray about it!

Godbless

I tried all the major offerings that had demos set up at Best Buy (Klipsch, Bose, JBL, Apple). I used my 5G iPod and tried some John Coltrane, J.S. Bach, Led Zepplin, and Rage Against The Machine (I wanted to test a wide variety). The Hi Fi was the most impressive BY FAR. If it sounded that good in Best Buy, I knew it would do well in my living room and quickly ordered one from Amazon.

I received it today, and after listening for a just few minutes felt compelled to write a review (something I have never done for any product before).

The sound is phenomenal. It is extremely powerful (fills my entire apartment at half volume), yet perfectly crisp at every level. The highs and lows have perfect clarity at the Normal setting, with no equalizer effects or boost. The box is solid, heavy, and clearly well-made. The base has a sturdy rubberized pad and there is no risk of it slipping off any surface even if accidentally knocked.

The device is small (relative to most sound systems) and has a very clean appearance. There is no transformer box to hide or large plug taking up all your outets - just a simple cord and small two-prong plug.

It interacts seamlessly with the iPod, and was literally plug-and-play when I took it out of the box.

My only complaint is the remote. It lacks any ability to change albums or playlists. It can change the volume, play or stop the music, and move from track to track within the same album/playlist. That's fine, but with a little more effort I'm sure they could have added some better interaction with the iPod itself.

That's a very small issue when you consider the sound, and other qualities of the device. It still deserves top marks.

I highly recommend it.

This is one awesome product.... the sound is amazing. We bought it to use to fill in while the musicians at our wedding reception were taking breaks, and the sound filled the room. This is my SECOND Hi-Fi however. The first one i had occassionally would not produce anything but a static sound, but I still give it 5 stars because of Apples phenomenal customer service. I took the unit to our local Apple Store and told them of the problem. The tecs there said it was the first unit that had come back to them, and had not heard of any similar problems... BUT... they replaced it on the spot. They looked up the serial number, and were able to view the date & location it was purchased at, and within 10 minutes we were in and out of the store with a new Hi-FI. I have not experienced any problems with this one, and as I said before.. we are thirlled with the sound quality it produces!!!

I'm a mother of three teenagers and I grew up in the 80s.... My kids like it HARD AND LOUD and I like it Fast and Loud and I want it to surround me. This little box does all of that for all of us. We each have our own iPODs (I personally have the 60GB video pod). This is our favorite place to dock them!

I am very happy with my purchase decision. I'm actually considering the purchase of another one!

I Like:

Sound Quality - Everything about it... nevertheless, as the other reviewer noted, it is what it is. Don't expect it to be something it's not. Do expect it to do everything it does VERY WELL!

Size - It's bigger than most of the docks of course but I can still grab the 'easy grip handles' and take it where ever I want to go... I even travel with it.

I don't like:

The Remote -- APPLE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put more than an afterthought into your remotes -- PULLLEEAAASSSEEEEEE

I wish the case had a lil slot to store the remote and the iPod universal docking dohickies in.

Thus far I'm not sure of a way to hook it to my pc so I can control the pod (while docked to the hifi) from my pc using something like iTunes...

I was given a 200 gift card to bestbuy as a university graduation present. I had planned on buying the bose ipod speaker dock, but I saw this and was immediatley interested. I paid the additional 150 on top of my giftcard, and brought it home.

First - yes, the Bose system is 50 dollars cheaper. But I submit to you that the extra 50 dollars is the cost of the form-factor and style. I was not excited about the Bose system, especially with the lack of bass. This system has the added bass, and the soundstage is not as bad as people make it sound. Plus, for MY money, the shape and form are awesome. I have it on top of a 3 shelf bookcase, which is all black, so the unit is about waist level. My other knicknacks and such that were on the shelf now are on either side of this unit, and I even have some on top.

The Hifi system blends into its surrounding so much better than the bose or the ugly JBL circular system. This is a bookshelf, table unit. Its not a huge home stereo, its for ambience and convienience. I personally use it for my family room/reading room where there is no other stereo or a tv, and its flawless.

This is a good unit for the price. Its convenient, stylish, and sounds great. It is a little pricey, but if you are in the 300 dollar range for ipod speakers (like the bose), then an extra 50 dollars isn't going to break the bank. If that extra 50 simply is NOT in your pricerange... well, you've got financial problems that a 50 dollar price break isn't going to fix.

I take this over the Bose or JBL anyday.

RAWK.

I have an IPod full of classic jazz & some rock, blues, country, etc., but most of the music was recorded on vinyl first. This is not a knock or meant to sound snobby, but it is music where a lot of ingenuity had to go into the engineering. With this type of music, the Hi-Fi is incredible. I move it form room to room and you can hear every instrument in each song, including some overdubs that I never knew exisited. This thing may be expensive, but with 809 albums on my $400 Ipod, I fell like I already invested enough money in music and this is just an accessory.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to confess that I'm not an audiophile. I'm a music fan, and I'm definitely not the type to be more into his stereo than the music he plays on it.

That said, I must confess that I'm digging my iPod Hi-Fi in a big way. Part of my sales pitch to my wife in buying an iPod in the first place was that we'd eventually also pick up an iPod Hi-Fi, then move our stereo - and our CDs & LPs - to the basement. So my big question in hatching this scheme was, "Can this thing really replace a home stereo for most people?" (That's MOST people...not audiosnobs.)

I'm happy to report that the answer is yes. Actually, a big YES!

For this unit, the folks at Apple have stuffed the workings of a completely serviceable home stereo into a neat, compact little box. It does what most (again MOST) people want a stereo to do: fills a room with music, keeps the music clear, and allows the user to pump up the volume a bit without sacrificing sound quality. So, my worry that I might be replacing a stereo with a boombox was unfounded. This thing has a nice, big, full, rich sound. Audio geeks may disagree but, truth be told, most of us are not audio geeks.

Unlike some other folks who have reviewed this system, I have no problem with the iPod Hi-Fi being a bit on the heavy side. Hey - you don't want your stereo to seem flimsy! If I have one complaint, it's that I'm not completely sold on the design. It's not exactly bad, but with its white finish and rounded corners, it does look a little like a kitchen appliance. On the bright side, Apple could add a Belgian Waffle making function to their next version, and they'll REALLY have a hit on their hands.