Ipod docks/logitech audiostation revived

rallyshark

I guess this would be slightly out of the realm here, but then again, maybe not. The first part of this is about the logitech audiostation. Mine has been laying dormant because of the notorious touch panel problems(volume/source changes by itself etc.) with those(don't sell them anymore). I finally decided I was tired of my crappy "back up" dock in my work room. Long story short: I disassembled that sucker and removed the board with the touch controls on it. I then cut the traces on the board that went to all the touch buttons, and re-installed it. I only use the remote anyway. I also re-sealed the enclosure, Wow! I had forgotten how good that thing sounded(all things considered). The bass that this little guy creates defies logic. It does have 80watts rms and obiously some "serioius" processing to achieve what it does. I bought mine when they were still making them new for $129. The origional price was $299. It makes a blose sound dock sound like bundled computer speakers. I mainly posted this because I know there's gotta be someone on the forum with one of these, and this may be useful to them. What has been you guys' impression of this particular sound dock?

The second part of this is about ipod docks(with speakers) in general. I haven't had a chance to listen to the polk one. How does it sound? What are some of the best sounding ones you have heard? Keep in mind I'm talking about ipod dock speaker systems, and not ipod docks hooked up to the stereo:) I just thought it would be an interesting discussion:)

rallyshark

Really, no one gives a shite huh:o Oh well, I tried, but I just don't have alot else to contribute lately:p

BlueFox

rallyshark wrote: »

Really, no one gives a shite huh:o Oh well, I tried, but I just don't have alot else to contribute lately:p

I just received last week a Polk iSonic with a built in iPod dock. I have only listened to it outside with all the associated external noise (damn birds, kids, wind, cars, airplanes, etc.), so I cannot give you a good answer to your question. For sitting outside and drinking beer it sounded fine. Maybe Friday or Saturday night I can put some quality time aside and give it a good listen inside then provide you with an answer.

rallyshark

Cool! Yeah with soooo many different dock systems out there, I just wondered which ones really are good. They all say they're the best, but....

BlueFox

My Polk iSonic review. It’s a great table/clock radio, at least with an iPod playing lossless songs.

When it arrived, it was double boxed, with the outer box filled with Styrofoam peanuts, which I hate. The iSonic suffered minor damage in that the UP volume button fell off. It reinstalled with no problem, and it seems to be okay.

Physically, the iSonic gives the first impression of being an inexpensive plastic radio thing.

For this test, I put it in my home office, 10’x11’, approximately 4’ in front of me, lengthwise in the room, placed my iPod Classic into the dock, and started my R&R playlist. This resulted in Guns and Roses playing “Sympathy For The Devil”. Using my Radio Shack digital SPL meter, the sound level, as a consistent max iSonic output, was in the low 90db range. I tested the sound quality and level between other R&R, and classical, songs. Classical, generally, resulted in lower SP levels that R&R.

More importantly, the sound was clear, not distorted, but obviously biased to the higher frequencies. Bass was very low, but the iSonic is a clock radio, so the sound was actually better than expected. Classical music sounded better, since, I suspect, it is not as bass heavy as modern music.

I haven’t yet listened to either the radio, or the digital radio features.

I purchased this from Crutchfield, who has a great return policy. Of course, you pay list price for that policy, but sometimes it is worth it. The iSonic cost $350, and I am keeping it. However, I suspect $200 would be a more accurate price for the performance, and build quality.

So, if you need a clock/table radio the iSonic is worth considering.

cfrizz

Mark gave me one for Christmas. I don't use the dock since I don't have an Ipod. But I do use the HD radio & it sounds great. The bass does go pretty low, I was quite surprised.

I agree with BF. If you are in the market for one, it is worth considering this one.