I am sure it sounds nice (never heard in person), but how would it be HiFi if the high end of frequency curve only extends to 16KHz?
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Apple's iPod Hi-Fi Launched 18 Years Ago – and Lasted Just 554 Days
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Which is less than a JBL Boombox 3 wifi now:
JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi | Powerful Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable speaker
The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable speaker delivers massive JBL Original Pro Sound with 3D Dolby Atmos and up to 24 hours of battery life. Stream high definition music anywhere over Wi-Fi. Taking a call or scrolling your feed? Go ahead—it won't interrupt your music. Switch to...
I just got one. Sure, it has more features, you’d sort of expect that 18 years later, but it doesn’t sound all that much better, if at all.
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Assuming you have it connected to your Record Player.
1. Does your Record Player have a pre-amp?
or
2. Does the Hi-Fi have one built in?
or
3. Do you have a pre-amp somewhere else not visible?
Man O'man, your frisbees are bigger than mine. Have any IBM punch cards?Hopefullly! I wonder how much my 8inch Displaywriter floppies will be worth, then!
Or maybe some folks have higher expectations? I don't think the HomePods sound bad per se, you can just get much better for the same price point. Say if you want stereo speakers, for less than a pair of HomePods you can get something like this https://uk.audiopro.com/products/a38-wireless-multi-room-speaker
even if you just want a single wifi speaker, I'd pick a drumfire or C5 over a single HomePod any day.
This thing sounded GREAT. I was working at an Apple Store when it was released and we used it exclusively during our overnight activities, of which there were many back then.
Reflecting on the iPod Hi-Fi, launched 18 years ago, many long-time readers may remember it as Apple's ambitious foray into the home audio market, long before smart speakers were a thing.
Priced at $349, it promised audiophile-quality sound within a compact design, offering home audio without the clutter of traditional stereo components. It featured a built-in Universal Dock for iPods, providing a seamless integration that allowed users to charge their device while playing music.
With its capability to produce a wide frequency range and room-filling sound without distortion, the iPod Hi-Fi combined Jony Ive's minimalist design aesthetic and high-quality audio performance. Its versatility was further highlighted by the inclusion of an Apple Remote, and the option for AC or battery power, making it portable.
Many products in the iPod series achieved remarkable success, but the iPod Hi-Fi wasn't one of them. The device was praised for its big rich sound, bass response, and ease of use, but its high price was a turn-off for many Apple device users. Also, the connector prominently positioned atop the speaker unit exposed docked iPods to potential knocks and damage.
Despite its innovative features, the iPod Hi-Fi remained a niche product in Apple's lineup, and the combination iPod dock/speaker system never took off. Apple discontinued it on September 5, 2007, just 554 days after its launch.
Article Link: Apple's iPod Hi-Fi Launched 18 Years Ago – and Lasted Just 554 Days
Apple didn't stop publishing the figures because they were so good. It's a strong indication (along with every other indication) that they're in fact quite poor.
We did learn that a sizable portion of them were sold to you. How much does a Pippin or the iPod Hifi go for these days? I feel like you've got a future equivalent product on your hands. Several, in fact.
Please post an image. I’m enjoying the other photos.I am still using mine
It is nice to hear people still using, and apparently loving, their iPod Hifi 🥳🤩
That S/PDIF connector is a life-extender for this machine and other powered speakers!
Shoutout for those mentioning the AirPort Express and it's great versatility 🥰
That S/PDIF connector is a life-extender for this machine and other powered speakers!
Shoutout for those mentioning the AirPort Express and it's great versatility 🥰
This is the way! Glad to hear people using their tech that they paid for. Just because something didn't sell well (generally speaking) does not mean it is useless.
I disagree. Compared to hi-fi separates that you need to pair to the right amp and have the right source yes. Compared to active studio monitors (which is my preferred way of listening) yes. But compared to other products in the same market segment (Bose, Sonos etc) it blows them out of the water as they're truly terrible.
Indeed it was. Around the same time JBL made a similar product that was smaller and easier to carry, but more importantly the iPod didn't sit loosely on top but got locked into the unit so you could carry it around.
the AASP I worked at sold lots of JBL systems and zero Hi-Fis. JBL was like $100 and granted it didn't sound _as_ good as the Hi-Fi but the price and functionality were much better than H-Fi.
