IPod Hi-Fi

Infobox Information appliance
title = iPod Hi-Fi


manufacturer = Apple Inc.
type = stereo speaker system
connectivity = Dock connector, Auxiliary Input
lifespan = February 28, 2006 to September 5, 2007.

iPod Hi-Fi was a speaker system developed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Inc. which was released on February 28, 2006 for use with any iPod digital music player. [cite web|author=Apple.com|title=Apple Announces iPod Hi-Fi|work=Apple.com|url=http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/feb/28hifi.html|date=February 28 2006] The iPod Hi-Fi retailed at the Apple Store for US$349 until its unexplained discontinuation on September 5, 2007.

Reaction

At launch

The iPod Hi-Fi was announced by Steve Jobs on February 28, 2006 alongside the first Intel-based Mac mini. Many Apple users were expecting to see other new products (such as the anticipated Macintosh Tablet or an iPod dedicated to video) and much of the disappointment associated with the release was directed to these products themselves. [cite web|author=Jennifer Guevin|url=http://news.com.com/2061-11199_3-6044465.html|title=Bloggers underwhelmed by Apple announcements|work=News.com|accessdate=March 1|accessyear=2006] In fact, Apple's stock price fell by almost US$3 per share in the two hours following these announcements reflecting this disappointment. [cite web|author=Yahoo.com|url=http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9084/stocks1gr.png|title=Apple stock chart|work=Yahoo.com|accessdate=2006-03-01] [cite web|author=Rachel Rosmarin|url=http://www.forbes.com/home/technology/2006/02/28/apple-ipod-tivo_cx_rr_0228apple.html|title=Apple Heads For Home|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=2006-03-01]

Early criticisms

* High price, more expensive than other similar products such as the iBoom and Bose's SoundDock. [cite web|author=John Borland|url=http://news.com.com/iPod+Hi-Fi+has+big-sounding+ambitions/2100-1041_3-6044422.html|title=iPod Hi-Fi has big-sounding ambitions|work=News.com|accessdate=2006-03-01]
* Lack of an AM/FM radio. [cite web|author=Jennifer Guevin|url=http://news.com.com/2061-11199_3-6044465.html|title=Bloggers underwhelmed by Apple announcements|work=News.com|accessdate=2006-03-01]
* Placement of the iPod itself in a vulnerable location compared to other similar devices such as the Bose SoundDock. This is due to the iPod device sitting atop the unit, with no other method of securing the player to the dock besides the 30-pin dock connector.
* The supplied remote control has limited functionality. The remote can only skip between tracks within the selected playlist. The menu button switches between the dock and the audio-in port; it cannot assume the function of the menu button on the docked iPod itself. [cite web|author=iPod Hi-Fi User guide|url=http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iPod_Hi-Fi_Users_Guide.pdf|title=Chapter 3, Using the Apple Remote, pages 20-21|work=Apple.com|accessdate=2007-05-25|format=PDF]
* iPod compatibility: Only some iPod models can use the iPod Hi-Fi dock. The stereo comes with adapters for third generation (20 GB, 40 GB, U2 special edition), fourth generation (20 GB, 30 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB) and fifth generation (30 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB) iPods, and the first and second generations of the iPod nano. The iPod shuffle does not have a dock connector, and so can only connect to the audio-in port and cannot be recharged by the stereo. [cite web|author=iPod Hi-Fi User guide|url=http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iPod_Hi-Fi_Users_Guide.pdf|title=Chapter 2, Step 2: Connect your iPod, page 13|work=Apple.com|accessdate=2007-05-25|format=PDF]
* The new curved iPod Nano 4G released in September 2008 is not compatible with the iPod Hi-Fi. The iPod does have the required dock connector and will play music through the iPod Hi-Fi but it cannot be charged because Apple has changed the pin configuration in the dock connector on this model of the iPod.
* The new iPhone 3G is also not supported. It will play sound, but will not charge.

ound quality

Reviews on the iPod Hi-Fi's sound quality have been mixed. A clear trend in these reviews is based on how the reviewer classes the iPod Hi-Fi: will it be a replacement for a high-quality hi-fi system or is it simply a "boom-box" for the iPod? The true hi-fi enthusiast tends to be critical, while the home user is likely to be more positive about it.Fact|date=February 2007

The iPod Hi-Fi has a warmer sound and bigger bass than other iPod and MP3 player speaker systems. It also plays noticeably louder than its competitors.Fact|date=February 2007 However, some of its competitors fare better in the treble range. [cite web|author=Dan Frakes|url=http://www.digitmag.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=5587|title=Digit news - Gadgets: Apple iPod Hi-Fi review|work=digitmag.co.uk|accessdate=2006-03-08]

Specific technical criticisms of the iPod Hi-Fi include:
* "Frequency Response": the system loses clarity and depth with frequencies higher than ~17 kHz due to the lack of a proper high frequency driver. This is believed to be the fault of Apple's decision to use polypropylene cones in their wide-range drivers.Fact|date=February 2007
* "Stereo quality": the placement of the two stereo drivers results in a loss of stereo depth and imaging due to their close proximity to each other. Also sound quality suffers because of the linear arrangement of the drivers on the front panel.Fact|date=February 2007

Marketing perspective

Apple's marketing of the iPod Hi-Fi has been the subject of criticism since its release. These criticisms include:

* "Audiophile quality claims": The iPod Hi-Fi initially met with harsh criticism by the Audiophile community, due to Apple's claims of the system delivering audiophile quality sound. Many audiophiles feel that Apple has started using this term incorrectly, due to the sound quality issues noted above.Fact|date=February 2007

* "Home Stereo, Re-invented" ? : Apple's use of the slogan "Home Stereo, Re-invented" for the iPod Hi-Fi has also been the subject of some rather harsh criticism, notwithstanding that other similar speaker systems for the iPod and other MP3 players have been around for some years. Another criticism is that while the iPod Hi-Fi is only capable of playing back audio from the iPod itself plus one other external source, home stereo systems are often much more multi-purpose; they can play back audio from multiple component pieces such as CD decks, DVD players, AM/FM tuners, and multimedia sources such as computers and television sound in one complete system. Also, the iPod Hi-Fi as stated by Apple, was never intended to replace a complete home stereo system, going against their marketing.Fact|date=February 2007

Discontinuation

On September 5, 2007 the iPod Hi-Fi was discontinued by Apple, and disappeared from Apple's online store. [ [http://www.tuaw.com/2007/09/05/bye-bye-hifi/ Bye bye, HiFi - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ] ] While no reason was given, one can presume it was due to poor sales, contributed to by the relatively high price, tepid consumer reaction to the device upon its introduction, and the myriad competing "speaker dock" systems on the market.

Engadget received an official statement from Apple: [ [http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/06/apple-hi-fi-rip-2006-2007/ Apple Hi-Fi, RIP: 2006 - 2007 - Engadget ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/the-ipod-hifi-306.htm Consumer Reports Review]
* [http://reviews.cnet.com/Apple_iPod_Hi_Fi/4505-6519_7-31762101.html CNET Review]
* [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1933838,00.asp PC Magazine Review]
* [http://www.sybarites.org/2006/12/19/dunhill-alligator-ipod-speakers/ Dunhill Alligator Skin iPod Hi-Fi]