Flaps

iTrader: (1)

I've just entered the world of the iPod, having bought a new Touch. It's primary function is to just stay in the living room and be our source of music so we need a docking station.
I was quite surprised to see the price of some of them! I'd like to spend less than £150 if possible.
Any recommendations?

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Interested in this one too.

Most of these things still seem quite portable too, as they don't get very big...which is handy.

FlightMan

Same hear, what does SN recommend?

ScoobyDoo555

Well, if you want to spend a BIT more (sorry) I can recommend the Bose Sound Dock

The JBL one is also good (great sound) - £150

Sound-wise, it's subjective. I love both - Bose uses Transmission Line technology (best compromise in speaker-theory), efficient bass and good quality sound. It FILLS the room - do not be put off by the size.
The JBL stuff I also like - I use em in my Recording studio (granted, they're a bit more expensive than the consumer stuff )

But, try them - you might think they sound sh1te

I can gladly advise you on the theories behind the speakers, but it means F-all if you don't like the sound characteristics.....

Hope this helps

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

another double post

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

@scoobydoo - would be interested if you would elaborate on the theories behind these speakers, I have heard both units in work locations and in friends homes and have been quite impressed with the clarity of output from such small speakers.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Is this the same one...
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProduct...T.mc_id=101689

ScoobyDoo555

Gladly :

There's in essence 3 main types of speaker technology (that correlate with microphones - they're the same thing, in reverse!)

Dynamic speakers - most conventional types.
Based around crude electro-magnets that move the speaker cone in and out when they receive a signal.
Very good at high volumes, but poor in terms of reproducing HQ audio.
Which is why you end up with speaker boxes (or enclosures) that house different types of speaker/driver - woofer (bass-end), Squawker (mid-range) and Tweeter (Top-end).
Each of these drivers is efficient at reproducing a collection of frequencies.

The trick is then applying a cross-over to the selected drivers, so that the right frequencies go to the right driver. - an art form in itself.

The enclosure also has a MAJOR effect on the sound.

A sealed enclosure is great at isolating the waveform being projected outwards, from the one that is generated when the driver goes back into the box. A killer phenomenon called phase.
The downside? - the pressure required to move the driver in and out is much higher than normal (due to the enclosure/box being pretty airtight)

The ported box (with the hole in it) - very efficient as the driver can move freely. The downside is that the hole (usually a tuned tube) enhances the sound too much - it's coloured. Not really an issue for home, but a killer in the studio.


So the above, is a bodge of different speakers/drivers, being sent frequencies in a box that isn't very efficient!
The crossover aspect is also a problem, as unless you spend a FORTUNE on a decent crossover, the point at which the circuit decides to send a sound to the Bass, rather than the Tweeter, the signal WILL drop - causing a colouration in the sound

There is a speaker that gets around all of this - the electrostatic.

Based on the premise of 2 "plates" - a moving plate (the driver "cone") and a fixed back plate. The plates are charged with a voltage. As the voltage changes (your signal), the resulting plate distance will change (think in terms of a moving speaker).

Pros? VERY clear and accurate sound reproduction
Cons? Because the distance between the plates is very small, you can't turn em up!!

Transmission line are a happy medium - "old school" drivers, with a port/tube, but a labrynth of tunnel behind the speaker that is acoustically treated to wipe out any colouration.
Usually VERY expensive.

There's also the material of the cone to consider. Think in terms of room acoustics - when you go in a church, why is there so much reverb? (answer - big space with hard/harsh surfaces for the sound waves to bounce off)
Hard/harsh materials are quite reflective. Soft stuff aren't.

I'll dog some pics out to back up my explanation

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

Dynamic speaker -



2-way crossover (between bass driver & Top end speaker) - bass=red tweeter=green.


Sealed enclosure box



Ported enclosure


Electrostatic speaker


Transmission Line Speaker


Check out PMC for the other type of transmission line (apart from Bose) - VERY expensive

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

So to summarise, they're all cr@p, just that some are less cr@p than the others

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

This looks ok, gets good reviews and it's on sale too so I think I might go down this route

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-SRSGU10.../dp/B001S2PLBW

We need one that doesn't have the iPod on top as it's going on the telly stand and wouldn't fit.

Torquemada

Another vote for the Bose. Does what I need and sounds fine without having to spend a real fortune (unfortunately more than the £150 though)
Also have a little JBL thing and got my brother a little logitech thing for 150 which does the job but doesn't sound as good as the JBL or Bose.

As said, it's a case of try before you buy, if poss.

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

Ordered it shortly after the above post and it arrived today. Looks a nice quality item and sounds pretty good too. Pretty chuffed with it for £65!

Jamz3k

The Boston Duo-I is probably the best Ipod dock i've heard without spending daft money. Generally retail around £200 but i'm sure if you get one for cheaper if you looked around or gave me a PM.