Bose has introduced the SoundDock digital music system, designed to deliver a new standard of audio performance for Apple’s iPod and iPod mini. No headphones, cables or adaptors required — the new speaker system lets iPod owners access, control and listen to their stored music with the ease of dock and play.
The SoundDock system includes a proprietary acoustic design that delivers clear, full sound across the entire musical spectrum. Using an integrated system approach, the amplifiers, equalizers and speakers are matched; there is no need for the user to make complex adjustments to ensure superb acoustic performance. Patented integrated signal processing automatically adjusts tonal balance, so music sounds natural at any volume.
“The SoundDock system continues the legacy of Bose products that deliver high-quality sound from small enclosures,” said John Roselli, category business manager of the Home Entertainment Division at Bose Corporation in the press release. “There was an opportunity in the industry to create a sound system that leveraged the iPods capability by doing more than adding features. We decided to combine functionality with a level of audio performance previously unavailable.”
The SoundDock system seamlessly integrates with third and fourth-generation iPods, as well as the iPod mini. For flexibility and convenience, the included infrared remote can control iPod from across the room. The iPod and SoundDock system can also be operated without the remote. When an iPod is docked, all of its controls are accessible, with one-button volume controls available on the SoundDock system’s enclosure. The system charges the iPod while in use, or when docked.
“The iPod allows music lovers to listen to their entire music collection anywhere — on the go, in the car, and in the home,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Product Marketing. “We’re excited that Bose is introducing the SoundDock so iPod customers can easily bring high quality music to any room in their home.”
The SoundDock digital music system measures just 6 5/8″ high by 11 7/8″ wide and only 6 1/2″ deep. It features quick installation and intuitive operation. Consumers plug the power cord into a wall outlet, insert the iPod into the docking cradle, and play.
To complement the iPod and iPod mini design, the SoundDock system’s industrial design is modern with a hi-gloss white finish. It is expected to sell for US$299 and will be available directly from Bose and Apple retail stores, [url=http://www.bose.com]http://www.bose.com[/url] and [url=http://www.apple.com]http://www.apple.com[/url], and toll-free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673).
Couldn’t I just buy another iPod for that price? $299, Damn!
The headline for this article should have been, “How to Make an iPod Butt-Ugly”.
bose needds to get with the program on design!!!!!
what the f**** is that!
over priced, no doubt
Bose,Blows.
I have a saying:
IF IT HAS NO HIGH’S AND IT HAS NO LOWS, IT MUST BE BOSE….
Id like to see Atlantic Technology bring one to tyhe table, now thats a badass speaker Co.
I’m sure this Bose model sounds better than the others, however as with the rest of their product line nowhere near what it’s price suggests. By attaching a high price tag, Bose creates an exclusive mystique to their product. Many consumers who have not seen the full range of speaker selections consider Bose “high end”. The high price of Bose products actually helps their marketing.
Can you recomend me a Powered Subwoofer with satellites to hook up with the ipod or the computer?, that is better than bose and not so expensive.
I’d like to see Bang & Olufsen making a sort of device like this. It would be expensive, but it would be design and have a decent sound quality.
I agree with the cheap sound quality of BOSE… Notheless, fellow, remember that they brought great music quality to some clubs in Europe with these BOSE TUBE Speakers, that inspired so many other companies. It’s such an 80’s company…
you guys are fuckin stupid, OWN a Bose system then you ll see.
there’s nothing on the Bose web site regarding this news release.????
Bose Rock what are you talking about.
I agree with Paul. I’d love to see B&O’s design for a product like this. I’ve always thought there were similarities between B&O’s designs and those of Jonathan Ive, so they’d complement each other beautifully.
Oh, and for the naysayers, good design is always worth paying for. C’mon, you’re Mac users!
Looks good to me. I like the design – very elegant and shows off the iPod very well. Nice.
I guess none of us really know what the sound quality will be like until we hear it for ourselves.
hey foo,
i bet you have a wicked-fast e-machines 4 ghz celeron with 128 MB ram to go along with your bose system that you own. congrats. i’m sure if i owned a bose system, “then i’d see” — the problem is that i’m more concerned with what i hear. and my ears tell me bose is extremely mediocre. just because the bass goes boom and the treble goes sizzle doesn’t mean lifelike sound reproduction.
on the other hand, i think the visual design of the sounddock is decent… appropriately minimalistic, and i’m sure it will sound better than altec lansing. i would consider it at $100 or less.
more crap trying to sell on the iPod 🙁
My god quit complaining. You don’t see Bose making this system for the other several hundred music players out there. This is a tribute to the iPod. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.
Slightly off topic, but I think this prodicut helps underscore an important point.
The real reason the iPod, and ultimately the iTunes Music Store, are going to remain the industry leader for the foreseeable future is that an entire peripheral industry has been created around the iPod.
You don’t see this kind of investment in the manufacturing of accessories for things like the Dell DJ. The reason is that there is no money to be made selling DDJ accessories, because there isn’t much money being made selling DDJS.
As evidence, just google the following: Dell DJ accessories. See hom many hits come up. Then try: iPod accessories.
The difference is staggering.
69,700 – 1,170,000
No contest.
product*
and *[insert correction here] for any other spelling errors I may have just made.
yikes.
What is a good brand (and model) of a powered speaker to hook up to an Airport Express?
Now just add a small touchscreen LCD and a internet connection and everyone will buy it.
Apple can make a killing if it just bypasses the computer.
I agree with artist, this is a tribute to the iPod. However, who will buy it?
As to who would buy it? Well, anyone that wants a nicely designed sound system in a room without all the wires and big silver and black boxes. Think the person who has a really nice home and would like to have a small but elegant sound system in their living or dining room. Something that is as much an art piece, conversational piece, status symbol, as music player. Hmm, sounds like Mac Users to me.
“Something that is as much an art piece, conversational piece, status symbol, as music player. Hmm, sounds like Mac Users to me.”
This “Mac user” also demands quality. In this case, quality of sound. My experience has been that Bose doesn’t deliver but I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt until I hear it. I was foolish enough to buy Altec Lansing’s iPod solution because I wanted a portable speaker system for the iPod and I’d read others giving it high reviews (including MacWorld). Wow, the sound quality is awful. It hasn’t been used once past the trial listen. I was also foolish enough to buy the iTrip because I wanted a solution for the car. Again, I’d read good reviews and again, the quality is awful and it will never be used buy me again.
Note to self: Never again trust what others qualify as “having good sound”.
I’m rather looking forward to seeing these in the BOSE store. Frankly, I think BOSE puts out some great things. If it can give a quality output, then I think this would be a great thing to have for many people.
And to back up some others’ points, this is just great that companies like BOSE are making accessories for the iPod.