Philips Fidelio DS9000 Primo Speaker Dock for iPod/iPhone (Brown/Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't know much about the sound to comment on it, not to mention it's highly subjective. Take my review for few basic comments.
1. This dock is extremely simple, without much function. For instance, there is not even power on/off button. You plug in the power, and it's on all the time through standby mode.
2. It's inconvenient to control your ipod once it's attached to the dock; pandora is fine, but if you want to go through your music files, or want to search on youtube for music, it's like using ipod on 90 degree angle.
3. Since its power is always on, you can hear the annoying (Hssss...) sound when your ipod is attached. You can eliminate this sound by pressing AUX button on a remote, but it's a pain if you are sensitive.
4. Dock doesn't support a headphone! Arrrrhhh... It has AUX slot for external devices, but it would have been nice if this dock could eliminate the use of amp for ipod/headphone.
5. No support for ipad, both as a charger and speaker.
6. Its application, fidello, is extremely simple as well. You see a lot of complains on its review, and I was surprised because I chose this dock instead of more expensive zeppelin with an idea that a new model in 2010 must have better support.
While some people have complained about this dock's shape, I am quite fond of it. My main complain is lack of support for headphone, hissing sound(barely audible, but still a pain to turn it off through AUX button), and the steep angle of ipod on it. Also, the 3.5 AUX cable provided is extremely poor in quality(probably cost a dollar or two), and I think Philips could have done better considering this dock's price.

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An audiophile's dream, the Philips Fidelio Primo DS9000 Docking Speaker plays music from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod with optimum clarity. Pumping out 100 watts of power through 12-millimeter-thick walls, this premium speaker renders your music with lush, lossless detail. It utilizes premium audio technologies--like passive crossover design and PureDigital technology--to create flawless audio reproduction. The DS9000 also features an elegant, curved design and sustainable wood cabinet--ensuring that it looks as good as it sounds. Additional features can be unlocked using the complementary Fidelio app, which gives you access to custom alarms, equalizer settings, and more.

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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini Docking Speaker for iPod Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been looking forward to this product since its introduction more than a month ago. I loved the original Zeppelin, but was excited about the smaller form factor and a USB digital connection in the Zeppelin Mini. Call me naive, I was actually hoping that the sound quality would be quite comparable to that of the original Zeppelin. As the B&W's website says:
"With Zeppelin Mini, you get everything you love about Zeppelin - advanced acoustic technology, intelligent design, elegant connectivity - in a streamlined, compact sound dock package that's perfect for desktops and bedside tables. "
But I was let down; the two speakers produce completely different sound. Pop music (I tried out Rhianna and Britney Spears) sounded okay due to the typically louder treble and bass in the recording, although when played louder it sounded clearly distorted and hollow; classical symphonies (I tried out Brahms' Symphony #4 and Shostakovich's Cello Concerto #1) sounded disappointing - the entire bass section cannot be heard until the volume is cranked up really high!; classical solo and chamber music (I played Vivaldi's Four Season - Winter, 2.Largo) turned out to be surprisingly really good and in my opinion the best genre for this speaker. After turning on Bass enhancer on my iPod EQ setting (unlike the original Z, the Mini does not have an external bass/treble control), the bass can be heard more but is too obviously distorted - cracking sound can be heard at times.
The bass sounded more full when positioned closer to me. B&W claims that the introduction of a flowport (absent in the original Zeppelin) is designed to amplify the bass; I found the outcome to be nothing like that of the original Zeppelin. I also expect the bass to be thicker if the speaker is placed against a wall or a corner (instead of in the middle of a table at the Apple store)
With the addition of USB connectivity, I was originally very excited about the idea of directly syncing my iPod to iTunes, controlling iTunes using a remote, and most importantly, the capability of bypassing analog signal processing on a computer to the speaker. However, given the significantly compromised quality of sound (esp. lack of bass), the idea of producing better quality analog signal that would only be greatly sacrificed in bass production seems meaningless.
Nevertheless, I was impressed with the design of the Mini. The speaker is much smaller than I'd envisioned based on the gallery (and after checking out the sound quality was I wished it was bigger). The Mini is light but feels very solid when carried around. The design is much more classy than other iPod speakers: the chrome bowl mirror matches the back of the original iPod (if you still own one); when firmly attached to the docking arm, it can be elegantly turned 90 degrees for cover flow (isn't that the only reason to buy an iPod touch/iPhone?); controlling the iPod has never been easier with the inventive protruded docking arm design (same as the original Z). Most impressive to me, the enclosure of black cloth over the speaker (as opposed to the colder, more industrial wire mesh used in Bose and other iPod speakers) stands out among the crowd with exquisiteness.
If I were to choose a small iPod speaker based on what looks best for my apartment, I would definitely go with the Mini. As for sound quality, it sounded very impressive for classical chamber music, good enough for pop, but definitely not satisfying for classical symphonies. However, if you are certain that any larger speaker (e.g. the original Z) cannot be considered, it is quite a good choice. (And at this price I would choose it over Bose any day - there, I said it).


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JBL On Stage 400P Speaker Dock for iPhone/iPod (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I read up about several iPod speaker docks before I decided on this one. The gizmodo ipod dock face-off helped a lot in my decision (http://i.gizmodo.com/5211025/ipod-dock-8+way-battlemodo). They tested several well known brand docks against each other including JBL, Sony, Bose, Altec Lansing, Klipsch, and Logitech. This JBL dock came out on top even over the Bose and after listening to it for a while now I can see why.
Crystal clear sound, deep clear bass, crisp mids and highs. What especially surprised me was the bass. I wasn't aware that such deep bass could be produced from a small ipod dock. I was able to listen to the Bose dock at Best Buy. Being in a huge store probably didn't help the bass but there was virtually no difference in sound between the two, and the JBL is less then half the price.
I personally like the design of the JBL over the Bose. A sexy silver and black oval shaped speaker with my iphone sitting on top. The speaker is shielded so there is no interference whatsoever from my iphone. And my iphone sits sturdy on the top with the correct adapter. The remote is also very useful as you can change volume, skip, pause, and navigate menus with it.
For me this is without a doubt the best ipod speaker dock on the market.

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The JBL On Stage 400P loudspeaker dock is a complete sound system for the iPod and iPhone--one that will become the new centerpoint of your personal entertainment space. Imagine a total audio system in one place, with no extra wires running across your table or desk. Connected to your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, or other music source, the JBL On Stage 400P system produces clean, powerful sound, letting you take complete control of your music.




Compatibility The JBL On Stage 400P loudspeaker system is compatible with docking versions of the iPod as well as the iPhone. A stereo mini jack connection also allows you to enjoy high-quality audio from a variety of other devices such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers (all platforms), satellite radio, and laptops.

Easy-to-Use Music and Navigation Controls Just a touch of the music controls increases or decreases the volume. Using the navigation controls, browse songs, playlists and photos, change tracks and settings, and more. With the JBL On Stage 400P RF remote, you have complete control of your iPod or iPhone, as if it were in your hand.

Connection Versatility The JBL On Stage 400P system is a multimedia focal point. Enjoy your iPod or iPhone, view photos or videos, and listen to virtually any other auxiliary audio component, all through the JBL On Stage 400P loudspeaker dock. Connect the USB cable to your computer for full compatibility with iPod and iTunes. Using your iPhone with the On Stage 400P? No need to put your iPhone into airplane mode. The On Stage 400P will let you interrupt your music to take a call and then seamlessly go right back to playing your tunes.

Digital Power and DSP The system features a powerfully tuned digital audio path. The clean and compact digital amplification, coupled with DSP (digital signal processing) equalization, efficiently provides the transducers with cool-running power.

Additional Features

Smart remote--The Smart remote has several modes of operation. The Music mode allows you to control the volume, change tracks, fast forward, and fast reverse. The Navigation mode allows you to navigate menus for your iPod or iPhone, just as if you were controlling the device itself. You can access your music, view your slideshows, and find and play your videos.
Evercharge topology--The JBL On Stage 400P system charges your iPod or iPhone, even when not connected to the computer or if the system is off.

Advanced Technology The JBL On Stage 400P loudspeaker dock combines many proprietary technologies for the highest quality sound, offering astonishing bass and clear sound from any direction.

Odyssey and Atlas transducers--The Odyssey drivers provide accurate high frequencies, while the Atlas woofer produces clean, powerful bass.
Slipstream port design--The JBL On Stage 400P port minimizes boundary layer separation, resulting in high-output bass with low distortion.
COE (Computer-Optimized Equalization)--The JBL On Stage 400P system equalization is computer-optimized, for a rich, complete soundstage.
OCT (Optimized Compression Topology)--The proprietary compression technology ensures clean, accurate sound at high output levels.

What's in the Box JBL On Stage 400P, iPod adapters, IR remote, power supply, audio cable

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Onkyo CS-445 CD Receiver System Review

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(More customer reviews)The key to being truly satisfied with this stereo is first knowing what you want from it. If you're looking for a full surround solution, this isn't it. If you're looking for a simple stereo with wall-trembling bass, keep moving. If, however, you're looking for a clean sound to enjoy in a single room, you're in the right product page.
I bought this strictly for music listening; not as part of a home theatre set up. As you know by know, all decent speakers should be allowed a burn-in period before being judged for their merit. And the included speakers on this unit are no exception. That said, though, these sound crisp (not sharp) and deep (not boomy), which fits the receiver's output optimally.
I loved the sound straight away. And after about 10 minutes using the stereo, I was reminded again why Onkyo doesn't run in the same circles as Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, and many of the other disposable consumer electronics manufacturers. It's all better here.
I bought a Polk Audio subwoofer to complete the low frequencies that this one just isn't made to provide, and already I've taken a great compact system and elevated it to a class that should be considered outstanding (especially once I adjusted the Onkyo's tone, increasing the treble to full throttle, and reducing the bass output to about 30%).
I'm looking at a pair of BIC bookshelf speakers to upgrade from the "free" set that came with this stereo, but I want to let these burn-in first and see how badly I want an upgrade. Already, though, this is a very good sounding set up.
A few other noteworthy things:
-subwoofer hookup is stupid simple with the pre-out on the back of the receiver
-though Onkyo has been careful not to make any promises regarding the receiver's compatibility with the new iPhone4, I have one and it plays/operates seamlessly via the built in dock
-the remote is well above par for intuitive layout and reception range
-it would have been nice to have an integrated USB port, and given the growing adoption of this feature on even lesser compacts, its absence is peculiar
All in all, you won't have any buyer's remorse about this stereo as long as your expectations are realistic. That is, the customers most likely to regret this purchase are those who have eaten up the propaganda that bass dBs and watts are the real measurement of sound quality.
The rest of you will enjoy this little powerhouse.

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Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox iPod® Dock High Performance iPod® Dock Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent many weeks researching high-end iPod speakers, including Monster/Beats, Bose, Kicker, B&W, Chestnut Hill, Polk, Audyssey, Cambridge Soundworks, Boston Acoustics, Sonos, and Altec Lansing. When I started the process, I had a simple goal: find the best sounding iPhone/iPod speaker available, with the best quality, for the lowest price possible. I had been warned that many of the more expensive systems justify the extra cost by adding a bunch of rarely-used features (video out, alarm clocks, HD radio, instrument jacks, internet radio, etc.) instead of better speaker quality. Sure enough, when I started looking at the different models, I was quickly overwhelmed by a bunch of features that had absolutely nothing to do with how good the thing actually sounds. So I spent some time asking a few friends, vendors, and online forums about all of these new capabilities. In the end, I learned that sound quality is (by far) the most important buying criteria, and other than that, there are really only two other features you need to care about. They are (a) Battery capability and (b) Bluetooth. And those two features only matter in specific cases. Here they are:
1) Battery - if you spend a lot of time at the beach, camping, or at a park and want to be able to play your music there, you'll need something with a battery. If you plan on listening to this at home or on your deck, the battery really doesn't matter.
2) Bluetooth - if you use an iPhone to store and play music and you also like to keep your phone in your hands for texting, e-mail, apps, or calls, OR if you change your music a lot (skip songs, change artists, etc.) then you'll want something with Bluetooth. This allows you to keep your iPhone in your hand (for texting, skipping songs, changing artists, etc.) and wirelessly stream music to the speaker. Bluetooth also gives you more possibilities for music storage devices (iPod & iPad & Zune & laptop, etc.)...not just an iPod. The downside of connecting with Bluetooth is that since you are not docked, your iPhone isn't charging. This could cause battery issues if you are playing music for a long period of time without being docked.
Other than those two features...ignore everything else that comes with these things. You already have an alarm clock, your iPhone already has Pandora and internet radio, you have other A/V gear in your house for watching/downloading TV, your phone already has a speakerphone, and you can probably get your favorite AM/FM radio station content over the internet anyway. It's also worth noting that if you're looking for something that could double as a sound system for your TV, you're actually better off getting a good TV surround sound system for the same price and buying a cheaper iPod speaker. You'll get a better speaker system for the TV, you won't have a big speaker sitting on your TV set, and you won't have the hassle of reconnecting/disconnecting a big iPod speaker every time you want to use it in another room.
Okay - now that we have that out of the way, that leaves the main criteria, sound quality. If you read enough reviews and talk to enough audiophiles, you'll learn that there is general agreement that the four best iPod speakers out there now for sound quality are:
1) B&W Zeppelin
2) Beats by Dre Beatbox
3) Bose SoundDock Portable (NOT SoundDock Series II!)
4) Audyssey Audio Dock
If you ask people who handle audio for a living, they'll say that the B&W Zeppelin has the best sound/sonics. Unfortunately, it isn't as loud as others in this category, costs a ton of money, and unless you're an audio engineer, you won't really notice a difference between the Zeppelin sound and the three others. Add the fact that many people have reported quality issues and poor customer service...and you quickly realize that the Zeppelin isn't worth the money. So we take that off the list as too expense without much additional value. That leaves us with the Beatbox, the SoundDock, and the Audyssey Audio Dock. Here's how to pick between them.
- If you don't care about bluetooth or battery, get the Beats by Dre Beatbox. It's the best sounding (and loudest) system of the three and the quality is fantastic. But it doesn't have bluetooth or a battery. It's just a REALLY good speaker.
- If you want a battery, get the Bose SoundDock Portable. It sounds great and the battery works well (buy an extra battery if you can!)
- If you want bluetooth, get the Audyssey Audio Dock. It sounds incredible (almost as good as the beatbox) and the bluetooth capability works perfect.
In the end I realized I don't care about Bluetooth or a Battery, so I bought the beatbox by Dre....and I couldn't be happier. This thing really sounds unbelievable with rap, classical and everything in between...and an incredible sounding speaker is really all I was looking for in the first place.
I should also note...if you get this far and decide this is just too much to spend, then buy either the Logitech S715i or the Altec Lansing iM600. Those are both great systems for the price.

Hope this helps others!

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Edifier IF500 2.1 Ipod Speaker Blk with Fm Radio Rms 32+10X2W Subw Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I watched this product for a while deciding whether it would be a good purchase, finally I decided to get it. I also have a Bose Soundock. The Edifier is a great looking device, and with the radio receiver it was a good buy. Unfortunately for all its good points, the Edifier just isn't up to scratch with the sound quality, and really doesn't match the Bose Soundock clarity and definition. It has good loud volume, but low end volume hasn't got great quality sound. In short I am hesitant to recommend this product especially next to a soundock which goes for around the same price.
I certainly enjoy the product but doubt I would have got it had i listened to it before purchasing.

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Cue Acoustics Model r1 Table Radio with iPhone/iPod Dock and Dual Alarms (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not your high-school clock radio.
This tabletop "clock radio" is a must-have for NPR junkies with small apartments! I listen to the radio all the time, and my stereo has good speakers but I can only set up two sets, which covers half the 600-square-foot apartment. I like to have NPR available in all rooms, so I typically use a clock radio as my alarm clock. After years of using a crappy-sounding old-school clock radio, I couldn't resist splurging on the Cue Aucoustics model r1 radio ("the Cue Radio"). It's a gorgeous, sleek little thing with whopping sound. It's small enough to fit on my tiny nightstand and looks nice enough to even be in the living room. I find myself listening to it even when I'm in other rooms, actually, because the sound is good enough and loud enough that if I'm in the middle of something I forget to switch to my real stereo. I used to hate the red glaring numbers showing the time on my old radio; the Cue has a soothing blue display that you can set to dim at night (one of my favorite features). The reception is better than any other radio I've used--I can get a bunch of stations I've never received well, and the signal status bar that comes up automatically while you're tuning is a nice confirmation of how well the station is
coming in. Setup is easy (the instruction booklet looks nice and was laid out such that I actually read it)--I could give this to my parents, for instance, and they would be able to readily suss out all the features. Best yet, it doubles as an iPod dock and also can be used as a receiver for my other mp3 players or my Pandora playlists
(the Cue speakers are way better than my laptop's), and its small size makes it easy to flip around, plug in an auxiliary cable, and enjoy the great sound--which you can control with the tiny remote that comes with it. Maybe future models could have wireless capability--but I'm pretty happy that's all I am left wanting with this snazzy little clock radio!


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