One of the more expensive iPod speaker options, the Apple iPod Hi-Fi goes for bigger sound with bigger cones and a sturdier enclosure.

Joining the likes of Bose and Altec Lansing, Apple has released its own speaker unit -- the iPod Hi-Fi -- for the enormously popular iPod music player. Obviously, the idea of being able to play your extensive collection of iPod tunes for others in a variety of settings is catching on fast.

The design of the unit elicited responses from those here at ZDNet Australia that ranged from "ugly" to "cool". So we'll leave you to make that judgement. There are, however, quite a few other design features that are a bit less subjective.

Design
The iPod Hi-Fi is a solidly built unit, and features sturdy handles on the top corners for carrying it around. The device is original-iPod-white, but for some odd reason comes with a black (removable) grille. Inside are a powerful 130mm woofer and two 80mm wide-range speakers. The only other features on the enclosure are the universal iPod dock and volume buttons on the top, and the power and external audio inputs on the back. The power board is conveniently built into the unit itself, so there's no bothersome brick to deal with on the power cord.

This might be a matter of personal taste, but while the location of the dock on the speakers makes it extremely easy to plug in and remove your iPod, we'd worry that, in a party atmosphere (which, let's face it, is where this unit will often be used), the handheld device might be a bit too exposed.

Controls
The unit comes with an Apple Remote control and can be powered via an AC outlet or six D-cell batteries for true portability. The remote is the same one that comes with new Macs such as the new iMac G5 (to take advantage of Apple's Front Row software). The Menu button on the remote works exclusively with Front Row and unfortunately doesn't have any effect when used with the iPod Hi-Fi.

To use the unit, all you need to do is plug it into the wall, or insert six D-cell batteries, pop your iPod into the universal dock (10 iPod dock adapters are provided to cater for all iPod versions) and you're ready to go. The iPod Hi-Fi charges your iPod while playing -- even with batteries. The remote lets you skip songs forward and back, and change the volume. With Video iPods and the nano, an extra "Speakers" setting appears on the menu that enables you to choose a bass boost or treble boost setting. This, however, can only be adjusted from the iPod itself -- not the remote.

Sound
Sound from the iPod Hi-Fi is quite good, though not as good as that managed by the Bose SoundDock. It's more on par with the sound quality put out by Altec Lansing's inMotion iM7 system. The Apple has a bit of an edge at louder volume settings. Here, though, the iM7 has an advantage because it provides bass and treble controls on its remote that work with all iPod versions. The iM7 also has a handy slot in the back to store the remote -- quite a nice feature for remotes that are about the size of a pack of chewing gum.

According to the specs, the iPod Hi-Fi has a frequency response of 53Hz to 16kHz (±3dB) and maximum peak sound pressure levels of 108dB at 1m (when powered via AC) and 102dB at 1m (DC).

Price
Here's where things start to get interesting: the recommended retail price of the iPod Hi-Fi is higher than that of Bose's pricey SoundDock. (The Bose, however, only runs on AC power and, not having handles, is slightly more unwieldy as a "portable" system.) The Apple is quite a bit more expensive than the inMotion iM7 -- a system we rate as having roughly equal performance.

Bottom line
In the end we'd say that if price is your top consideration, the InMotion iM7 is your best buy. If design rates highly on your list of priorities, Apple's sleek and simple lines may just sway you toward the iPod Hi-Fi. For pure sound quality, however, the Bose SoundDock still reigns.

Apple iPod Hi-Fi
Company: Apple
Price: AU$549