After several years of an admittedly uninteresting battle, the iPod has survived as the queen of all portable music players. Today, we are not impressed with the punchy bass and dreamy treble of a state of the art sound system unless it is directly compatible with the iPod. Convenience and ease have become two of the main criteria by which e judge the success of a modern sound system – but just which modern sound systems are best when it comes iPod playback?
Onkyo CS245
Onkyo have been including iPod connectivity in their products for a long time now, and this is a notable contributing factor to their success. The CS245 is a simple and affordable mini hi-fi system which is designed around the iPod. Built around a traditional iPod docking station, the system makes use of your iPod’s digital dock, rather than the analogue output which is renowned for compromising a chunk of the sound quality. This nifty system also offers users a CD player, tuner and USB port for use with external drives.
JBL OnBeat Xtreme
This docking station from JBL is at the very forefront of portable music technology. The kooky aesthetic is not just a gimmick – the strange shape actually allows users to connect not only an iPod or iPhone but also an iPad for musical output.
In addition to the superior sound quality you can expect from the OnBeat Xtreme, the device is equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to send music to it remotely from a device in the palm of your hand.
Pioneer XW-SMA1
If wireless music streaming is what you’re after then look no further than this release from audio experts, Pioneer. Needless to say, the device is ready to go with any iPod or iPhone, but the connectivity doesn’t end there. In fact, one of the greatest blessings that comes with wireless technology lies in the connectivity. Connect a laptop or smartphone wirelessly or make use of one of the many wired options. Drop into Richer Sounds for more information on the product.
Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30
Cambridge Audio has made their name through their superior and affordable separate systems. This device, however, is all about high quality music streaming. As well as the ability to connect to internet radio, the Sonata has great connectivity which allows it to share music from your wireless devices.
The brilliance of this piece lies in its ability to play FLAC and WAV files. This is one for the audiophile who seeks something a little more compact than a full system.
Teac SR60i Baby AURB
This device from Teac won’t blow your mind with sound quality but the value for money will astonish you. If you’re looking for something small for the kitchen, or a short trip away, this is what you’re after. The iPod dock can also support an iPad and any connected device can then be controlled using the remote control – perfect!