superior iPod and iPhone Docks for Audiophiles - The Best High-End, Hi-Fi Docking Stations Reviewed

I must admit I have never unmistakably carefully buying a standalone speaker dock for the iPhone or iPod. It is probably because I don't unmistakably have the need for one. I prefer to listen to music through the home theatre audio ideas I have spent many years building, but as a friend recently asked me to name the best iPod dock, I have lined up a few of the best.

There are a zillion cheap iPod docks out there, but my friend is chasing a dock of cheap quality. In the world of A/V electronics, ordinarily the more you spend on a product, the more it rewards you in the sound potential and features department. With that in mind, brands that came to mind are the Arcam rCube (8), Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin Air (9), and the Geneva Sound ideas - Model S (9). Arcam and B&W are two highly respected British brands, and the Geneva Sound ideas Model S is Swiss.

Given Arcam's audio inheritance and their strong Av stock range, I wasn't surprised when the Arcam rCube took out the What Hi-Fi award for best iPod dock in 2010.

I am a huge fan of B&W products. To me, B&W represents quality, innovation and dedication. The B&W Zeppelin was already a superb iPod dock, but now that it sports Apple's AirPlay, it is a time to come award winner. (AirPlay allows you to listen to your tunes from your iPod, iPhone or iPad wirelessly). The Geneva Sound ideas Model S is a bit of a looker, available in red, silver and white.

Which one is the best speaker dock? Before I quote my decision, we great have a closer look at a few specs and features.

Arcam rCube

The rCube sports a 90 watt amplifier with a frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz at 0.5% Thd. The rCube is a 200mm x 200mm x 200mm quadrate box weighing 5kg. It has an integrated carry deal with so shifting it around is easy. You have the option of using mains power, or if you intend to place it away from mains power, it comes with a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery that recharges once plugged back into the mains. It also charges your iPod or iPhone when docked, and if you want to watch video from your iPod or iPhone, not a problem, just connect the video output from the rCube to your television. The rCube offers an elective dongle, allowing you to stream audio from your iPod, iPhone or Pc. The rCube is also remote controlled.

B&W Zeppelin Air

Power shouldn't be a qoute with the new B&W Zeppelin Air, as the amplifier output is 2 x 25 watts (tweeter), 2 x 25 watts (midrange) and 1 x 50 watts to the subwoofer. Frequency response is rated at 51Hz - 36kHz (+- 3dB). Like most things B&W, form plays a key part in their success. I am not saying B&W form their products to look pretty, but they happen to form products with a safe bet character, different from other brands, whilst also delivering astounding sound. The Zeppelin Air is no different as it has a unique look and brilliant sound.

The Zeppelin Air measures 173mm x 640mm x 208mm (HxWxD). Weighing in at 6.2kg, the Zeppelin Air is somewhat heavier than the rCube and the Zeppelin Air has something that the rCube does not - AirPlay. AirPlay allows you to play your music from your iPhone, iPod or iPad - wirelessly.

Geneva S

The Geneva Sound ideas Model S has something that may request for retrial to a lot of buyers, which is a digital radio. It also has something that may not request for retrial to buyers, which is a digital clock with alarm.

While the purpose of buying an iPod dock is to listen to music through your iPod or iPhone, it is nice to have a option to switch it on and just listen to the radio. If you are conscious about how your iPod dock looks, the Geneva Sound ideas Model S is not too bad in the looks department. There are 3 colour choices - red, white and black. The Geneva Sound ideas Model S is supplied with a table stand in satin chrome finish.

The Geneva Sound ideas Model S measures 235mm x 156mm x 176mm (WxHxD). It is a bit of a lightweight compared to the rCube and especially the Zeppelin Air as it tips the scales at just 3.35kg. The Geneva Sound ideas Model S has 2 x 3 inch drivers, powered by 2 x 15 watt Class D digital amplifiers. Frequency response is rated at 75Hz - 20kHz (+-3dB).

So which excellent iPod speaker dock is best? The Arcam rCube has all the makings of a great sounding dock. Nice big amplifier with good frequency response and low distortion. No wonder it won the What Hi-Fi award for best iPod dock in 2010. B&W Zeppelin Air also has a lot to offer - good amplification, purposeful form and AirPlay. The Geneva Sound ideas Model S has a digital radio, remote operate and any colour options, and a significantly lower price.

The Winner!

Which one would I lay down my credit card for? The B&W Zeppelin Air. Why? It's a superb dock from a potential brand with a great feature set. If I were to predict which dock would take out the award for the best iPod dock in 2011, I would be putting my money on the B&W Zeppelin Air.

superior iPod and iPhone Docks for Audiophiles - The Best High-End, Hi-Fi Docking Stations Reviewed

Alarm Clock Radio

superior iPod and iPhone Docks for Audiophiles - The Best High-End, Hi-Fi Docking Stations Reviewed

superior iPod and iPhone Docks for Audiophiles - The Best High-End, Hi-Fi Docking Stations Reviewed
superior iPod and iPhone Docks for Audiophiles - The Best High-End, Hi-Fi Docking Stations Reviewed

Alarm Clock Radio

iPod, iPhone and iPad Docking Stations

Docking Stations

A docking station is a gadget that allows you to charge and/or play your iPod, iPhone or iPad. The dock is naturally the part that holds your iPod in place and connects the iPod to the station. There are many separate types of iPod docking stations all with their own set of features and style.

Charging Station

This is basically a dock that will connect with your Apple gadget and charge it for you. These come in many shapes, sizes and styles. Obviously they make ones designed for the iPod only as well as others for the iPad only. There are some stations that allow for more than one iPod or iPhone to be charged at the same time. Charging stations are a uncomplicated way to replace the need to plug in your iPod to the computer for charging.

Portable Speakers

Portable speakers or also known as "iPod Docking Stations", are a great way to share your music and bring it with you everywhere you go. The dock is designed the same as any other docking station. However, it is built into a set of or single speaker(s). Again, with many separate styles, an iPod docking station allows you to play your music approximately anywhere. They can run on batteries for up to 8 or even 12 hours. These are exquisite for camping or any vacation. The features will vary depending on which type of ideas you're seeing for. You can get a pretty uncomplicated speaker that replaces a set of headphones where songs are controlled from your iPod. Or go the more fancy route that allows you to navigate through your songs with a Lcd screen display or controls on the station itself. A good iPhone docking station will charge your iPhone while it plays music. Not all systems will support this feature. Be sure to check into this first. Having your battery being charged instead of drained while being used is all the time a best option.

Alarm Clock docks are other small but useful accessory to have. Just like any other alarm clock, these comprise Am/Fm radio, alarm setting and digital clock display. When you add a dock to the picture, you then have the selection to play your own music as well as wake up to your own music! This can also be used as a place to charge you iPod or iPhone.

iPad Docking Stations

An iPad Docking station is similar to the devices that have been mentioned above just bigger and designed slightly different. With all the features on an iPad or iPad 2, they are basically a Mac or Pc. With this in mind, iPad docking stations are designed to make using your iPad much easier. all the time seeing down at it and using an iPad flat on the table must get uncomfortable after a while. With a rotating or stationary speaker dock for you iPod, you can play movies and games from a much best angle. This also gives you the advantage of charging your iPad while using it. The speakers on a iPad are good but with a docking station you can unmistakably bump some tunes or watch a music with good volume. Rotating docks are very useful with their quality to spin and display your iPad at a vertical or horizontal angle.

Home Theatre Docks

Connecting you iPod gadget to a stereo is not a hard process if you have the right cords. If you want, you can skip this and just buy a stereo stand or set that has the docking station built in or related already. Just like any other stereo ideas these come with a set of speakers, 2 or more and maybe a sub woofer. The extra part is the dock that allows you to unmistakably play your music loud and clear. Stereo Stands are nice and simple. They furnish a tower create with the dock on top for easy access. These can unmistakably be located in a corner and out of the way, yet still shake a room.

In the same type are home Theatre Systems. These are more designed for movies and gaming. With a good quality set of surround sound speakers in your room your movies can go from good to Awesome! It is still so easy to play your music through these speakers with today's technology.

iPod, iPhone and iPad Docking Stations

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Alarm Clock Radio

iPod, iPhone and iPad Docking Stations

iPod, iPhone and iPad Docking Stations
iPod, iPhone and iPad Docking Stations

Alarm Clock Radio