Customer Reviews

Griffin Evolve Wireless Sound System for iPod

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Griffin Evolve Wireless Sound System for iPod

With their Evolve Wireless Sound System, Griffin has produced a wonderful product that improves upon their previous iPod dock versions, namely the Amplifi. This iPod dock provides wireless satellite speakers that can be moved around your home independently within a very wide range. The integrated black and grey design is sleek and streamlined. The unit is still not as "portable" as some pure docks might be, but the base and satellite speaker design provides better sound and more connection options. This is what Griffin fans have come to expect, very good sound and all-around design.

Pros
+ Nice performing speakers with a great wireless range
+ Compatible with ALL new iPod versions, including the iPod touch with no issues!!!
+ Li-ion batteries are listed as providing 10 hours of charge, but seem to perform longer
+ Very respectable power and sound output
+ Sleek design with a slim base and square satellite speakers is attractive and functional
+ Two satellite speakers each include on/off switches and sleep modes for improved battery life
+ Built-in amplification in the charging base provides nice sound clarity
+ RF remote provides good wireless range
+ Great output connectors including S-Video, composite video and RCA for a wide range of connections
+ RCA audio connectors and auxiliary audio inputs for connecting additional devices
+ Simple instructions and plug and play performance for most users
+ 1-year limited hardware warranty

Cons
- Base still needs power connection in order to function, preventing pure mobile use
- The system is somewhat light and feels less durable than what one would ideally like
- Somewhat underwhelming remote control could have used more controls
- Not to be greedy, but a real subwoofer would have really put this over the top for me
- As with any wireless speaker system, there is a possibility it may cause interference with older home electronics

While the Griffin Evolve's sound doesn't reach the very highest end of the sound quality spectrum, the wide range of connectors allow you to integrate additional speaker and receiver options. These certainly still sound great, comparable to the Amplifi. Griffin Technology 1200-ITSPKR Amplifi Home Music System for iPod They are designed for well tuned all-around sound with a steady range and great mid-range and high range sounds. The sound they provide is perhaps second to the Harmon Kardon dock Harman Kardon - Portable Speakers and Docking Station for iPod, but what they provide in features will more than make up for that in this target market.

Operation is a snap. The main complaints one can have, which are minor, come from the very minimal design which is a Griffin trademark. In the case of the remote, the design could have been enhanced with more features. Also, the cases shape is nice but provides little to keep the speakers in place apart from the charging points they rest on. Only time will tell how durable this system is.

One thing that Griffin has accomplished is full compatibility with all iPods, including the iPod Touch. Apple iPod touch 32 GB With so many docks having bugs and compatibility issues, Griffin truly nailed this.

The price is high, but still provides a great value when you consider everything that's included with the system. The connectors alone are an improvement over many iPod docs on the market. Overall, this is a great set. Give the Evolve a try and see for yourself.

Enjoy!!!

I am torn between saying that this system is a 5 or a 1. All of the above reviews do explain what a great system this is. We love it. I bought it because we could connnect our Bose CD radio using the unput/output on both to either play the CD/Radio through the wireless speakers or I could connect to play my Ipod docked on the Griffin through my Bose, so in essence I got a third speaker using my Bose.

But the problem is that the Speaker batteries cannot be replaced. Mine are less than two years old and no longer take a charge. We are a family, and I know that it gets normal to less than normal use. This bothers me that you can't replace the batteries and that this will mean throwing away the system. In our dispoable society, I am annoyed.

An update: I emailed Griffin to see about ordering speakers...apparently the first batteries they used were not as good and they admitted this...and agreed to send me a new set of speakers free of charge, including shipping and return shipping for the old speakers that they send a box for and shipping label and requested that I send back that old ones.I think that was pretty amazing, considering the speakers were just shy of two years old and they could have told me that they weren't under warranty.
I do wish they would sell extra speakers/docks...they did at one point but they were discontinued.

This product is cutting edge in terms of performance, practicality and looks. It's CLASS 1 transmitter allows listening in ANY room in my 2 story/4 bed house as well as the backyard and frontyard. I have the base set up on the 2nd floor in the middle of the house. I also own the Sharper Image SR297/298 and they have about 60% the range as the Griffins and don't have an internal Li-Ion battery that lasts 12-14 hours. The sound is top notch with a usable frequency response down to around 80HZ . The final iceing on the cake is the class 1 radio frequency remote control that allows control of your docked ipod from approx. 100 meters! I'm planning on buying 2 more Griffin speakers and patching them in to my current system. The base can handle a total of 8 Griffins at one time! I've researched the handful of wireless speakers out there I can't recommend these babies highly enough. These are the best bar none end of story!....

This is by far the best and most versatile iPod sound system out of the many I have purchased. Let's start with it's looks first. It is sleek and modern in appearance with small removable cube speakers that are unobtrusive in any environment. You simply insert the iPod in the dock and move the two removable speakers anywhere within 150 feet of the base. The included remote will control your iPod and uses radiofrequency so you don't have to be in line of sight with the base unit. This means you can get rid of your outdoor speakers (unless there are birds nesting in them) and bring these babies outside along with your remote! Sound quality is excellent and fully charged speakers will supposedly work for 10 hours before needing to be returned to the charging base. Definitely worth the money for quality, looks, and versatility.

Purchased for wife's birthday. Appearance and sound are great. Speaker batteries last as claimed. Simple operation. Speaker range for me seems to be greater than remote, but could be due to site-specific issues of my home. Range of both is great and as advertised. Surprising volume from fairly small speakers. As noted by other reviewers, sound is good. More bass would be nice, but these provide adequate bass for size. Would purchase again.

The sound is good but the best feature is the ability to have music/tv sound in any room or outside. I have not used it enough to test battery life but I am sure it is fine. Inputs give you the ability to also hook up tv sound or what ever you want, no more needing a Ipod device thru out the house or outside. Great product and concept.

There are a lot of reviews for the Evolve on the internet. I read and watched most of these reviews before I purchased mine. Many of the experts feel that the Evolve just doesn't provide the sound range they are looking for in a system. My suggestion to them? Spend a lot more and get something that does. The Evolve is GREAT for the guy (or gal) who just wants to hear music in multiple locations. I use mine in the yard or the kitchen and it works and sounds just great. Nice product Griffin!

We bought these over 2 years ago. They got a lot of use and still working like new.

I wear hearing aids. Two features I would highly recommend to anybody with my reduced hearing.

1) Most critical, the sound is excellent. Our TV is hooked to it. I can understand what's being said better than with any other audio system, and I've tried many. My daughter has a full blown 5.1 system and I have problems when listening to it.
2) The ability to place the speakers closer to myself when I don't use my hearing aids; allows me to hear clearly without anoying my family. They are about 12' away normally. We take them in the kitchen when preparing meals.

This has been to me a lifestyle gift.

This was a great product, and I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately I only enjoyed it for under a year when it simply stopped working.
If it had lasted I would given it 5 stars in a heart beat. Great while it lasted.

I am very happy that I bought this stereo. The sound is great and the best part is the wireless speakers. I have the base unit in the living room but if I want to go into the computer room to work I just grab the speakers and take them with me and the sound is still just as good.