Which of these iPod docks would you choose?

[jp_bl_68]

I'm after a speaker dock for a fifth generation iPod Nano. I've got a budget of £100. I've seen a few recommendations in other threads for Klipsch and Yamaha docks:

Klipsch iGroove HG
Klipsch iGroove SXT WWI
Klipsch iGroove MFI
Yamaha PDX50BLB Air


Which would you choose? Is there a different dock available that you'd recommend?

I read that on release the Klipsch docks had remote control issues. Does anyone know if they've been resolved yet?

 

[MikeHunt79]

Hmm, I've tried googling some of those models and they don't seem to mention much in the specs like frequency response so you have no idea how good or bad they are going to sound.

Would it be possible to audition them yourself before buying them ?

 

[jp_bl_68]

I've not been able to find out much in terms of spec:

Klipsch iGroove HG (High Gloss)- iPod Speaker System Black
40 Watts Total RMS System Power
Each speaker features 1" Tweeters with MicroTractix Horns and 2.5" fibre composite woofers in a ported enclosure
Frequency Response: 65 Hz-17 Khz
Maximum Acoustic Output: 98 dB SPL @ 1m
Crossover Frequency:2.9 Khz
Tweeter 1"
High Frequency Horn:Microtractix Horn

Frequency response: 60 Hz – 20 Khz
Crossover frequency: 6 Khz
Max acoustic output: 90 dB SPL @ 1m
Tweeter: 3/4-in./19.05 mm MicroTractrix Horn loaded
Mid-woofer: Heavy-duty 2.5 in./6.35 cm
Amplifier: Class D, Bi-Amplifier (separate amp for each woofer and tweeter)
Enclosure material: ABS plastic enclosure
Enclosure type: Tuned port
Inputs: 30-pin iPod docking connector and 3.5mm mini auxiliary input
Voltage: 230V
Dimensions: 4.75 x 30.48 x 4.625 in./12.06 x 30.48 x 11.75 cm
Weight: 4 lbs./1.81 kg

Frequency response: 60 Hz – 20 Khz
Crossover frequency: 6 Khz
Max acoustic output: 90 dB SPL @ 1m
Tweeter: 3/4-in./19.05 mm MicroTractrix Horn loaded
Mid-woofer: Heavy-duty 2.5 in./6.35 cm
Amplifier: Class D, Bi-Amplifier (separate amp for each woofer and tweeter)
Enclosure material: ABS plastic enclosure
Enclosure type: Tuned port
Inputs: 30-pin iPod docking connector and 3.5mm mini auxiliary input

Maximum power output: 15W x 2 (@ 6 Ohms
Speaker system: 8cm full range cone with bass-reflex port
Frequency response: 60 Hz-20kHz:Standby Power Consumption: 1W
Dimensions (W x H x D): 35 x 10.9 x 12.5cm
Weight: 1.7Kg

None of my local Hi-Fi stores have dedicated demo rooms so even high end docks (like the B&W Zeppelin) sound unimpressive.

 

[MikeHunt79]

Well you did better than I did, I had a quick look on the rainforest site and only found marketing spiel. Going by the specs above, the Klipsch iGroove HG looks like it may have the best specs so that would be the one I'd choose out of these.

None of these are going to produce much low sub-bass but they should be ok with kick drums.

I guess you could always order one and if you're not happy with how it sounds then always return it under DSR... Plus you'd know for sure if there are still remote issues.

 

[jp_bl_68]

The specs I posted don't really mean anything to me. What is it about the HG that makes it better (on paper at least) than the newer SXT WWI?

 

[MikeHunt79]

Well the Klipsch iGroove HG goes louder basically:
Maximum Acoustic Output: 98 dB SPL @ 1m
Compared to the Klipsch iGroove SXT WWI
Max acoustic output: 90 dB SPL @ 1m

The HG also uses a Tractrix horn which should also improve the sound quality for the higher frequencies (better directivity, and efficiency), Klipsch seems to one of the few manufacturers to use horn in this way.

 

[jp_bl_68]

Good to know. I was leaning towards the HG purely for aesthetic reasons. I think I might need to take a trip up to Tottenham Court Road, see if can test them out side by side.

Thanks, MikeHunt79

 

[MikeHunt79]

Good to know. I was leaning towards the HG purely for aesthetic reasons. I think I might need to take a trip up to Tottenham Court Road, see if can test them out side by side.

Thanks, MikeHunt79

No problem.

I'm sure you'll find them somewhere along Tottenham Court Road, I was around there yesterday myself and it's crazy how many electronics shops there are.