Buying some speakers and advice needed

[Roba]

Hi, i am looking to buy some speakers from the Apple store in the UK and i would appreciate advice about the quality and performance of the models that i have shortlisted.

I have to shop at the Apple store only because i have a discount voucher of £63 of an item at least £210 that i can spend at the education or online store that is going to expire on 1st of July. I am going to purchase the speakers from the education store.

I probably would not find any of these speakers cheaper in the UK without the discount so i was thinking that i should take advantage of it while i can.

Apple prices for their own products are going to be discounted again in the Education store and the Apple hi-fi in the UK Education store is £203 and £140 with my discount. All the other items linked that are not Apple products are the same price in the Education store or near enough the same price. Also, if i was going to buy an item that was under £210 i would need to add something to my basket to bring the price up a bit.

I was looking for something that was powerful and that gave good a performance. I like the look of the JBL On Time model and several other models actually but i will see what some of you say about them. I don't really know to much about speakers to be honest.

These are the models that i have on my shortlist.
Apple iPod Hi-Fi
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=16402C6C&nplm=M9867
Bose SoundDock
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=16A67407&nplm=TA874
Altec Lansing inMotion iM7
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=16A7B2E3&nplm=TD059
Altec Lansing FX6021 Speakers
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=CC7EBC6E&nplm=T9551
JBL On Time Speakers for iPod
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=CC85288A&nplm=TG946
Monitor Audio i-deck
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=16A8A67F&nplm=TF321
Harman Kardon Soundsticks II 2.1 speakers
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...UbtPtsxYMO1no/2.PSLID?mco=CC7EA9EE&nplm=T9078

Thanks

 

[Eniregnat]

I like HK's sound sticks, but the design is part of why I like them.

You might want to update your post with the titles of the products your interisted in, as the links you provided will expire soon.

 

[Roba]

Thank you for your advice about the speakers and about the links. I have added in the names now.

I like HK's sound sticks, but the design is part of why I like them.

You might want to update your post with the titles of the products your interisted in, as the links you provided will expire soon.

 

[drlunanerd]

You don't say if portability is a factor in your decision.

If it isn't, I urge you not to buy any of these speakers but instead audition a hi-fi amplifier and speakers. Any quality budget models will blow away anything on your shortlist for sound quality. It doesn't need to cost you much more either. You can get certainly get setup for £140, although I'd spend a little more as it will be a long-term investment that you will enjoy for years to come. You'll have much more flexibility too than just buying a dedicated iPod speaker unit. You can easily connect an iPod and just about any other audio source you may want to use in the future.

Get down to Richer Sounds and see what they have to offer. I mention them as they allow home demos for free and usually have very good pricing. NAD, Marantz, Cambridge Audio and Denon all offer budget amplifier models that sound fantastic. For speakers look at e.g. Wharfedale, KEF or B&W if you have more money to spend.

When connecting an iPod mnake sure you're using its line out for the best sound (via a dock or suitable dock connector cable).

Please don't be blinkered by this Apple discount voucher - it's not a once in a lifetime deal, but buying nice hi-fi can indeed last you a long time and is so worth it over compromised all-in-one active speaker products.

 

[regre7]

I'm not sure, but I think the UK might have some Bang & Olufson stores. They won't have your discount, but they're very good quality (well, that's what my audiophile friend says).

 

[dsharits]

You should also consider the JBL Creatures. I have a set, and they are awesome. They would probably be right up there with the SoundSticks, except the Creatures have one advantage in that the satellites are shielded, so they can be used near CRT's and magnet-sensitive devices.

 

[drlunanerd]

PS If you really really don't want to go the hi-fi route, I'd recommend the Logitech MM50 iPod speakers. They're on offer in the Apple Edu Store at £69.95 at the moment. I bought some for a friend a while back and he used them at a party and they did the job well. They even have a built-in lithium ion battery and come with a travel case and remote. For the price I'd not bother looking at anything else of their type.

 

[regre7]

I agree with dsharits, my same audiophile friend has a set of Creature IIs (from his older brother), and not only do they sound good, they compliment Apple's design.

 

[Roba]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations i will consider those also.

drlunanerd portability is not a real issue for me but space is a bit and i would like to use the speakers on my desk the majority of the time. Also, I should have mentioned but I would like to use the speakers with my Ipod also.

I will for sure look around at some hi-fi's that are on the market to try to keep an open mind. Also, thank you for your sensible advice about the voucher. I will also look at the Logitech MM50 iPod speakers that you recommended also. If i go for something for that price i will need to add quite a bit to make up the money and i only need a skin protector and possibly some Cleaning fluid from Apple. I will though have a look around their website to see if there is anything else that i could need as well. It is possible that i could get a cheaper set of speakers now and just not use the voucher at all.

 

[Roba]

Well i just ordered the MM50 Logitech speakers today. The special deal finished in the HE store online so i decided to ring up Apple and ask them to do a price match with Amazon as they were selling these speakers for £68. I was informed by Apple that I could have these speakers for £64.95 if i ordered over the telephone as they were doing a special telephone deal with these speakers that runs until the 30th of this month. You can only get this deal if you order over the phone and it is not an online offer. I also did not use the voucher in the after all.
I got it down to the MM50 speakers and the Apple hi-fi in the end. As the sound quality of the MM50 seems like it will meet my needs and it is smaller i went with that. The Apple hi-fi is 17inch wide, i drew a marking on my desk of how big it would be and i felt that i would be a bit cramped for space. Maybe i had a bit more space i would have gone for the Apple hi-fi. I am sure that i will not regret my decision.

drlunanerd thank you for recommending these speakers to me.

 

[dollystereo]

M audio, the best option, they have studio monitors for $99
They rock

 

[drlunanerd]

drlunanerd thank you for recommending these speakers to me.

My pleasure, thanks for your courtesy!

I think you made a good choice. IMO the Apple iPod Hi-Fi is just not worth the money, ditto the Bose. If space is tight then the little MM50 will do sterling service for a much better price. You can easily take it with you too on holiday, to barbecues etc.

I'm tempted to get one myself, but as I don't use a full size iPod at present I can't justify it. I notice on Amazon (thanks for the tip) that you can pre-order a black version of the MM50 that they say will be available in August. Hmm

 

[esaleris]

I'm not sure how the conversions work out, but you would almost be better off sonically - if you had the space - to get a receiver/bookshelf combo that could later become a home theater system. Onkyo TX-SR504 + Polk Audio T20EB or something.

 

[Roba]

edit....................