[ iPod Dock Stereos ] Which brand / model to buy?

[Mr Ten]

Any advice on audio quality and features for stereos w/an iPod dock for the video iPod? Price doesn't matter, just want the best audio quality and body at decent volumes. A remote control would be cool but isn't necessary. Here's a few models:

Bose SoundDock:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/3.RSLID?mco=FDD12778&nplm=TJ219LL%2FA

iHome iH5:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/3.RSLID?mco=F93306F&nplm=TH101LL%2FA

iPod Hi-Fi:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/3.RSLID?mco=685FC5DE&nplm=M9867LL%2FA

[Bryson]

Price doesn't matter? Are you sure? Then I have an iDeck (http://www.ideckusa.com/) that sounds fantastic. But then, my father won it in a competition. I would never have shelled out $250 for one... Cheaper (and better IMO) than $350 for the Apple one, mind.

My sister has the Bose one and to be honest, I'm not convinced it's that much better than the cheaper ones. The iDeck is made by "proper" speaker manufacturers, so it sounds more like a "real" hifi. As much as compressed audio can, anyway.

[Dorian Gray]

We had a good thread about the sound quality of the iPod Hi-Fi here (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=14379) which you might want to read. In my opinion Apple did a very good job with that product, and it would be the only iPod dock stereo thing I would buy.

[Mr Ten]

We had a good thread about the sound quality of the iPod Hi-Fi here (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=14379) which you might want to read. In my opinion Apple did a very good job with that product, and it would be the only iPod dock stereo thing I would buy.

Great thread indeed, thank you.

And the iDeck looks a little too sizable for me, and that the only dealer is 50 miles away, not enticing enough for the trip.

Thanks. :)

[colivigan]

I have the iHome iH5, and like it a lot for the way I use it - as a fancy clock radio/alarm clock. The sound is pretty impressive for such a small package, but I don't think I would recommend it as a primary home audio system. It might be OK (not great) for a dorm room, and the price is right. You do have to shell out an extra $20 for the remote if you want it.

[dark54555]

Have you considered buying one of the iPod docks and a real stereo? The sound quality will be better, there will be more versatility, and it'll probably be more bank for the buck.

[Robo]

The iPod Hi-Fi is the best iPod dock stereo out there. Of course, it's also the most expensive, but it's definitely worth the $50 over the Bose SoundDock (like many Bose products, it's overpriced and overrated).

But dark54555 brings up a valid point. I guess only you can decide if you want a dock stereo, or a dock + stereo.

[Mr Ten]

Have you considered buying one of the iPod docks and a real stereo? The sound quality will be better, there will be more versatility, and it'll probably be more bank for the buck.

good idea, know any decent ones? i like things to sound awesome and be in an attractive package all the same. i have the prior model bose soundwave cd and it is overrated/priced but don't know what's better really. thoughts? time to look. :cool:

[Brad]

http://www.popgadget.net/images/icarta-up.jpg (http://www.atechflash.com/products-icarta.html)

[dark54555]

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=72CBC84F&nplm=TG001LL%2FA
or
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=6653A28D&nplm=MA242LL%2FA
or
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=82F31275&nplm=TC850LL%2FA

Seems like that's what you're looking for. And a good universal remove can learn the codes.

[Quagmire]

I have the Sound Dock. Pretty good sound quality. I listened to the Hi-Fi, the only thing it has over the Sound Dock is bass, but take away bass it has around the same sound quality as the Bose. I would get the sound dock as it is smaller then the Hi-Fi and the bass isn't that bad.

[Mr Ten]

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=72CBC84F&nplm=TG001LL%2FA
or
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=6653A28D&nplm=MA242LL%2FA
or
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=82F31275&nplm=TC850LL%2FA

Seems like that's what you're looking for. And a good universal remove can learn the codes.

Nice, just the links I needed. Good simple father's day gift idea too. ;)

[RichieB]

If you have a stereo, all you need is a 1/8th inch audio cable male>male. All of 10 - 15 dollars. If you don't have a stereo, you would get better sound from a shelf stereo than your typical dock sound system. Plus you would get AM/FM and CD as a bonus for around the same price as the Bose or Apple docks. My 2 centimes.