Customer Reviews

Vers 2X iPod Sound System (Walnut)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an audiophile. I also like good design. This is a beautiful object, and the remote has nice features. I also like the "green" aspects of their business. But the sound coming from this is an embarrassment. It would be embarrassing on a product costing less than half what this is selling for. There are no highs or lows, and the midrange sounds muffled and indistinct. Think AM radio, circa 1970. You can improve it slightly with some EQ settings on your iPod, but of course you'll then need to change the EQ once you use the iPod elsewhere, and then change it again when you return your iPod for use on the Vers. There is nothing about the sound range, depth, or clarity that has any relationship to the solid wood case that Vers claims is so important. Vocals sound muddy and distant. The Vers only provides you with a mere suggestion of the actual music, just enough to help you remember what the music really sounds like on your headphones or larger stereo. I get much better sound from a (less expensive) JBL powered iPod speaker dock, which is all plastic.

I'll keep the Vers because it looks nice on my dresser, but I'm disappointed.

Recently, I had to replace my old trusty Klipsch iGroove HG ipod speaker after it died. I had originally intended to replace my iGroove with an identical model, but I discovered that Klipsch discontinued the model. So, I started looking elsewhere for a replacement.

The unit that I finally settled on was the Vers 2X iPod Sound System. The reviews said that the sound quality was good, so I decided to pick this particular model just for the looks.

Upon receiving my new iPod speaker system from Fedex, I tore through the box and discovered the "green" packaging. All of the packing materials were made of recyclable paper and cardboard. There was no styrofoam packing to be found. There were a number of different iPod dock cradles included in the package, and the cradles are easily swapped in the event that you work with multiple iPods.

I was expecting that the Vers would ship with a small remote with minimal functionality. What I got was a relatively large remote that allows me to control most, if not all, of the iPods functions. In my opinion, the remote is a little too large. I'd be willing to sacrifice a little functionality for a smaller form factor.

The sound quality is everything that I'd read that it would be. According to my ear, it is easily the equal of my old Klipsch unit, and I thought that my old unit was superior to the various Bose iPod speakers that I had tried. I don't think that any iPod speaker/dock combo is going to match a decent stereo system, but I really didn't expect it to.

The wooden veneer construction is what really attracted me to this unit. In my opinion, Vers 2X iPod Sound System is one of the better looking iPod docks on the market. The wood just looks nicer than the plastic construction that I've seen on the other units that I've seen.

I have two relatively minor complaints about the Vers 2X. My old iGroove had a handle built in, so it was exceptionally easy to grab and lug from one room to another. The Vers unit isn't heavy, but it is missing the convenience of a handle on the back.

My second complaint is the positioning of the iPod on the top of the unit. I much prefer that the iPod not be sticking out that much. I liked the layout of the Klipsch iGroove where the iPod is settled in a slot at the front. I always felt that my iPod was securely attached to the iGroove, and I don't get that feeling with the Vers unit.

After about a week of use, I feel that I made a good decision in purchasing this unit, and I would recommend it to others.

I first saw this product when looking at a "green" catalog of Forest Stewardship Council-certified products. As a closet audiophile, I had to imagine that a wood cabinet would have better sound than the typical plastic iPod dock, so I wound up getting it. I was right, the sound is quite nice and it looks great in our bedroom. The one thing that is less than perfect is that using the remote control to select songs is more cumbersome than using the iPod interface, and it seems to react slowly. But the sound and the cabinet are great.

I bought this for my husband. He took it to work and loves the great sound quality that it gives. The wood look to it makes it highly unique and very much my husband's style since he likes to work with wood all the time.

I bought this product based on what was published on Vers' FAQs page. Here is the snippet:

"Q: What iPods does Vers work with?
A: Vers will charge and play all docking iPods."

This is not true. The 3rd gen iPods do not work because they do not charge using USB. That was fine by me because I can always charge then listen. But that even cant be done because the iPod freezes up. I used 2 3rd gen iPods a (40GB and 20GB). Both are not compatible operationally when docked.

So I sent Vers an email about this and this is what I received on Dec 30:

"The third generation iPod from 2004 charges via firewire; all Vers systems (and most iPod docks) charge via USB; it's completely different then all other iPods. There were only about 100,000 made out of 170,000,000 iPods sold, we thought it was safe to say 'all docking iPods'.

Vers systems will play ia 3rd generation iPod, but will not charge it and there will be limited remote functionality.

Have you considered upgrading your iPod?

David Laituri
Vers customer service"


Then on the same day when I told them I would not upgrade my iPod (my iPod is perfectly fine):

"We would be more then happy to arrange a refund. Since you did not purchase it from us directly, you will need to ship the unit back with complete packaging and all original accesories with a copy of your purchase receipt from Rare Devices. Once we receive it, we'll send you a check.

Please ship it to:

Vers
37 Alden ROad
Wayland, MA 01778

Sorry it didn't work out for you, thanks for giving us a try!

David Laituri
Vers customer Service"

The product was shipped back and UPS confirmed that they received it. I have tried calling the company 3 times and left voice messages and also sent 3 emails to support@versadio.com. To this date I have not received a single reply or call back. The next step for me is the BBB.