Of cases and boomboxes
SteveJobs stood on stage in the much-anticipated "Fun New Products" presentation, and introduced two
music-related items: Leather iPod cases and
a portable speaker unit with built-in iPod docking station. Clearly, Apple
is fed up with conceding the lifestyle accessory market, and is attempting to make a splash with pricey, premium
products. The snug, Italian-leather cases will lighten your wallet by 99 dollars. The boombox will set you back $350.
In the latter case, the test is in the sound--no point criticizing the product, as many are doing in this
exceptionally hostile comment section, until you hear the thing. Of course ... how good can it sound when it will
almost always be playing highly compressed music?
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Having just read the comments to the previous post I am just *dying* to say something really snarky.
But I won't. Except, you know, Apple sucks.
Ooops.
Posted at 8:10PM on Feb 28th 2006 by Sharky Laguana
3. Microsoft has traditionally been the company that builds the 60-80% and encourages the ISV market. Apple, of course, does not. So in that respect, I think it was an obvious and inevitable move for Apple.
I can't criticize Apple for wanting to take control of - or at least a major stake in - the ipod accessory market, but as a consumer I also can't get too excited about either of these offerings.
Then again, I also didn't buy any of the larget speaker offerings. I did buy the diminutive Logic3 I-Station - not for its sound quality, which isn't great, but because it's the size of a paperback and fits in my carryon luggage.
Posted at 10:34AM on Mar 1st 2006 by Tim Marman
4. A specified range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz for anything small that doesn't hang on your head is obviously false, and I think most audiophiles know that. Apple's specification for the speaker unit might be somewhat valid.
Posted at 2:46PM on Mar 1st 2006 by David Mitchell
5. "A specified range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz for anything small that doesn't hang on your head is obviously false..."
My Cambridge SoundWorks Model Twelve (not much bigger than the Apple Boombox) has a freq. response of 45hz to 20khz - It is truly a thing of beauty.
Anyway, my problem with yesterdays announcement was that Apple had the gall to use the word "audiophile" when taking about a boombox! I'm sure their unit sounds fine but, enough with the misleading statements.
-Bob.
BTW - I am an avid Apple user (I have 3) but would NEVER buy an iPod or any other audio component made by them. There are way better options out there.
Posted at 4:35PM on Mar 1st 2006 by Bob Arctor
1. Brad,
As far as not criticizing the boombox until you hear it, I was almost in agreement until I checked the specs:
Frequency response: 53Hz to 16kHz ± 3 dB
Ouch! This will have "audiophiles" frothing at the mouth. 20hz to 20khz is the bare minimum for anyone remotely interested in good audio gear. For me bass doesn't even start getting interesting until you go below 50hz.
-Bob.
Posted at 5:34PM on Feb 28th 2006 by Bob Arctor