You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I am looking to get a speaker gadget thingy to use with my iPod in my flat. I am too lazy to get off my bum to change the tracks so I want to use air play to stream from the iPod in my pocket. I would also like to be able to easily move it from room to room.
The candidates are so far:
[url= http://www.bowers-wilkins.eu/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/Zeppelin_Air/Product-Details.html ]B&W Zeppelin[/url]
and
[url= http://www.beoplay.com/Beolit12 ]B&O Beolit 12[/url]
The Zeppelin seems to have better sound, but is not very portable, and there are reports of problems with streaming.
The B&O is very beautiful and also portable but maybe the sound is not as good.
Any comments, or other ideas?
Have a look at a pair of Audioengine active speakers paired with an Apple Airport Express. Just plug the speakers into the Airport and control via iPhone/iPod Touch/etc. I have the Audioengine A2s (bigger sizes are available) and (i know this sounds like a cliché but) they really do sound like hi-fi. A lot cheaper than the Zeppelin/s. I've borrowed a Zeppelin and it was OK, just OK.
Phillips do an Airplay thingy called the Fidellio Soundring. Anything called Soundring must be worth checking out. IIRC there is a portable version as well as a mains only.
Arcam do one as well called the [url= http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,devices,Accessories,rcube.htm ]rCube[/url], think that's getting better reviews than the Zep.
Portable too - you use it as a dock, or plug the [url= http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,rseries,accessories,rWand.htm ]rWand dongle[/url] into your iProduct. Not Airplay mind, but means you can buy a USB dongle too and play music from PC. And it'll handle multiroom if wallets are deeper in the future.
I'm look at Arcam's rCube - [url= http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,rseries,Portable-Audio,rcube.htm ]info here[/url]
There seems to be deals at the moment for a wireless iPod adapter too - [url= http://www.hifix.co.uk/ipod-docks-with-speakers/arcam/rcube-inc-rwand-plus.html ]info here[/url]
I just need to get my head around that sort of cash for a set of iPod speakers 🙂
Depends how portable, at the "very" end, I have a jambox. Eye wateringly expensive mind, but ace.
We bought a Zeppelin a couple of years ago. The guy in the audio shop was full of praise for the Zep & rCube, but recommended that we wait for stock of the rCube (long story, but it wasn't possible). It's the none-airplay B&W, so can't comment on streaming ability, but sound quality is pretty darn good.
However, if you're after something really portable there's a chap in Bristol who's building these: www.minirig.co.uk
£90 each, can be daisy-chained for stereo & he's working on a sub. Small but very, very loud with excellent sound quality (built-in volume limiter to stop clipping). 50hrs playback on a single charge. The creator has a background of building speaker stacks for the bristol sound systems so he knows his stuff. I'll be getting one to play music through my laptop at home & trips away.
I have an airport express (£80ish?) with a wee Bose wave unit (£200 off ebay). Sounds brilliant, and I use it with mac, ipad and iphone.
I'd recommend the airport express plus speakers of your choice just for the flexibility.
Gah, got the url wrong. It's http://minirigs.co.uk/ for anyone interested.
That minirigs looks like an expensive Altec Lansing Orbit speaker.
[img] 
[/img]
Though I'm sure it's better quality/louder though 😀