“For $349, the Hi-Fi is something of a hybrid iPod dock — not quite a “bookshelf” stereo, but not quite a home-theater system either,” Wilson Rothman writes for Time Magazine. “To add to the confusion, unlike the Bose and the Klipsch, the Hi-Fi can run on six D-cell batteries. In what locations without a power plug would a 14.5-lb. sound system come in handy? Up in a tree fort, perhaps? Surely even Bart Simpson would rig up an extension cord.”
“Whereever one chooses to put the thing, it will certainly sound terrific. Hi-Fi can get a lot louder than the Bose and still maintain the clarity of its sound. (I didn’t test it against the Klipsch.) And even though the left and right channels share a central 4.5-in. woofer for rich mid-range, I didn’t hear a problem with stereo separation. Things were as spread as they can be in a single unit,” Rothman writes.
“The Hi-Fi might have been the star last week, but the introduction of an Intel-based Mini and the updated Bonjour networking software have made Apple’s home-theater aspirations a little clearer. Apple has two desktop lines and one laptop line that can be operated with remote controls, and that — according to my tests — are able to effortlessly access each other’s music and video files. Now the company is hinting that perhaps one of these remote-controlled Macs should live next to your TV,” Rothman writes. “As it is, it takes home-theater enthusiasm and, possibly, a $19 DVI-to-video adapter, to get the thing hooked up to the sound system and TV. But if Apple were to sell a $300 version with no hard drive and built-in TV connectivity — and maybe some higher-definition video at the iTunes store — Microsoft and Sony will surely snap to attention.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Jim” for the heads up.]
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Related articles:
CNET: Apple iPod Hi-Fi is a ‘box of delights’ – March 09, 2006
Detroit Free Press: Apple’s new iPod Hi-Fi delivers ‘powerful, room-filling sound; mighty tempting’ – March 07, 2006
PC Magazine Editor’s Choice: Apple iPod Hi-Fi ‘this one’s a winner’ (4.5 stars out of 5) – March 04, 2006
Review: Apple iPod Hi-Fi – March 03, 2006
The Inquirer reports on attack of Apple cultists, blames MacDailyNews for inciting ’email fatwa’ – March 03, 2006
CSFB: Apple iPod Hi-Fi a harbinger of things to come – March 02, 2006
Inquirer writer: Apple Mac, iPod users are gullible saps – March 02, 2006
Apple iPod Hi-Fi photos from all angles – March 01, 2006
Videos of Steve Jobs introducing Mac mini, iPod Hi-Fi – March 01, 2006
Apple debuts iPod Hi-Fi speaker system, leather cases for 5G iPod, iPod nano – February 28, 2006
If the price is lower that would be peerrrrrfect.
NEAR the introduction of the Hi-Fi…well before many nay sayers had even heard the device, the negative posts were pouring in.
Now, with many positive reviews and Apple telling analysts that demand for the Hi-fi is strong, I wonder if any of those who slammed it will drive to their local Apple Store and listen to it…perhaps even purchase it?
I listened to mine just this morning in my kitchen.
I just bought the inmotion im7, if the price on the apple model woulda been out of the clouds, I woulda bought =/
very happy with my purchase
It doesn’t matter how good the iPod Hi-Fi sounds. Its ugly and its not coming to my home.
I’m getting one…they rock!! Just don’t tell Balmer – he’d throw a chair at me, and I’m afraid of him. The thing is, I’ve always been a closet applefanatic. It goes back to high school and my crush on Stevie.
Apple is getting all this press on a home theatre system and they haven’t even announced one yet. Microsoft has (I’ve heard) a shipping product and no one cares.
I don’t think I slammed it, but I did say it was too expensive. I do think it looks stupid with the ipod sticking out the top. It sounds pretty good, but not audiofile. I stand by these and I won’t go to buy one. If Apple can sell a ton for that price, good for them (and me). btw, I also listened to it before I commented on it.