iPod docking station recommendations please

[cslwannabe]

Don't normally venture into this section of the Gassing Station but please can people give me their recommendations for an iPod/ iPhone docking station with speakers?

Originally I was thinking of the Bowers & Wilkins Zepellin as I'm a big fan of Bowers & Wilkins (so £400 is my upper limit) but a few searches on the internet indicated you can get a pretty decent docking station such as the Logitech S715 (IIRC) without spending anything like that amount. Doesn't need tons of features, just simple to use and good sound quality.

Thanks in advance.

[kingston12]

The B&W Zeppelin is the best I have heard by quite some margin, but I'd still question spending that much on something which doesn't give a proper stereo image. No dock can really do this as all of it's drivers are so close together.

I have got 2 Sonos Play 3s hooked up as a stereo pair in my kitchen about 6 feet apart. As a single unit, the Play 3 is a long way behind the B&W Zeppelin but I think two of them together are better as the stereo imaging and lack of localisation of sound outweighs the absolute bass weight and volume advantage that the Zep still has.

If you have £400 to spend, the Sonos pair mught be a better option. It is not an iPod dock, but will allow you to play all of your iTunes music from your PC using your iPod as a remote control, which is actually a lot more convenient than constantly going back over to the dock.

If it has to be a dock, then the Bose SoundDocks might be worth a look. They are nowhere near as good as the Zeppelin, but they are under half the price. I have never heard anything under £100 that I could stand listening to for too long!

[kazste]

I have a few bower and wilkins zep's and really like them, however if value means more to you than sound quality check out the klipsch igroove. A mate has one and whilst it doesn't look anywhere near as pretty, the sound is not to far off and definitely beats anything bose have to offer (imo) all for around£100

[.Mark]

I'll get blasted for this, but I'll go ahead anyway my week can't get any worse.

We have a couple of Bose Sound Docks and for what they do, they are great. Size of a shoe box and can fill a decent sized room with decent sound. Not tried to fit my iPhone to it but it should work.

Also I got a mail from them the other day and I think they have some sort of special off on.

[kingston12]

.Mark said:

I'll get blasted for this, but I'll go ahead anyway my week can't get any worse.

We have a couple of Bose Sound Docks and for what they do, they are great. Size of a shoe box and can fill a decent sized room with decent sound. Not tried to fit my iPhone to it but it should work.

Also I got a mail from them the other day and I think they have some sort of special off on.

I agree, Mark. I have never been a fan of Bose because I don't like their stereo systems or headphones, but I think the iPod docks and the 'Companion 3/5' series of computer speakers are pretty good.

The original SoundDock can often be had for £150, and is just so much better than the JBL type ones that seem to be up near £100 these days. I'd like to try the Klipsch one recommended above, though as I am a great fan of their stuff.

[cslwannabe]

Thanks for the replies - I've never been a fan of Bose personally but am a big fan of my B&W home cinema speakers which is why the Zeppelin appealed. Out of interest, can anyone comment on direct comparisons between the full-size and mini Zeppelin? I know What HiFi suggest the mini might struggle to fill a large room but its not a particularly large room where we're planning on using it.

Can't say I've ever heard of the Klipsch igroove but it certainly seems to get good reviews and is an absolute bargain compared with the B&W offerings...

[kazste]

They do sound good, not in the same league though as the full size. Did think about getting one for in a smaller room but decided that the increased cost was justified by the increase in sound quality combined with the greater aesthetic appeal. I just know if I had of bought one I would be wishing I'd forked out the extra especially if it was my only one.

[BalhamBadger]

My brother has a klipsch, it is amazingly loud for the size (quality is also good).

[kingston12]

cslwannabe said:

Out of interest, can anyone comment on direct comparisons between the full-size and mini Zeppelin?

Only by having a quick blast in John Lewis which is probably not representative of real listening conditions! The full size sounded a lot better to me.

[Ranger 6]

I've got a Roth wireless dock for mine. The other end goes to the main hi-fi for the room which avoids any issues with weak speakers.

[BenM77]

I listened to the Zeppelin mini in John Lewis today and it is really excellent, I went in with the intention of buying a Bose
Sound dock 2 and adding an airport express for streaming to it.

Then I listened to the Bose and the Zeppelin mini, the Zeppelin mini is in a different league IMO.

It is not that small either, very nicely finished and with a clever dock.

I ended up buying the Zeppelin Air but thIs is my only music player.

Once I had listened to the mini and the Bose then the Bose was out of the equation.

Good luck

Ben

[NIIKME]

Audio is very opinion based on what works for you. Test them in JL as above! I must be one of those rare breeds, as are all my mates and family, who prefer Bose.

[BenM77]

I agree it is opinion based and one thing for sure, I am no audiophile.

Have you listened to the Zeppelin mini back to back with a Bose sounddock?

To the OP, you asked about Zeppelin vs Zeppelin mini, they are both excellent, I played the mini quite loud with bittersweet symphony and some elbow and it was fine.

Ben

[NIIKME]

BenM77 said:

Have you listened to the Zeppelin mini back to back with a Bose sounddock?
Ben

No....bought a bose 5 years ago and never looked back. Im sure it sounds great and I notice monitor audio just released a dock too. Both very good names in audio.

[cslwannabe]

Anyone got an Arcam rcube? Am hoping to get to John Lewis to compare it with a zep air but see that Arcam have reduced the rcube to £350 (was £500) and a place online is selling it for that including an Rwand for wireless connection. From what I've read the B&W sounds marginally better but rcube is more portable and quite a bit cheaper (plus 5 yr warranty) unless there are some good deals on the B&W in the lead up to Christmas...

[The GMan]

I have a TEAC system with the ipod dock and DAB radio which is quite good.

My main system through out my house though is Sonos which I cannot compliment enough.

[PKLD]

Hi chaps - I'm biased but I know it's above budget but if you're near a B&O shop give the Beosound 8 a blast. There's a baby one coming out the beginning of next year that would be closer to budget but I'm guessing you'd want one pre-xmas!