Gizmodo
"One cannot live while the other survives."
- J.K. Rowling
It's been what feels like three years in the making, but the final fight in our iPod Dock Battlemodo begins now. The $150 Griffin Amplifi is our budget contender, going face to face against the posh $350 Altec Lansing IMV712. And with that long of a model number, you know it's gotta be good.
But only one will leave this ring coffee table alive.
Feature Test
The Amplifi has nothing extra. There are two ports on the back: one for power, one for a line-in. That's it. The lack of features will be argued as a good thing to some, who want the simplest experience whatsoever. And while it's true that not dealing with inputs is convenient, we would love to see a simple video out tuner, or a more advanced system with the volume
The Altec Lansing IMV712 is the exact opposite of the Amplifi, having the largest feature set of any dock we tested. It starts with a massive 8.5" screen. As we've complained before, it's put to poor use while listening to music, unless you enjoy watching the Altec Lansing hypnotic logo for hours on end.
But video playback is pretty decent. There is an aspect ratio issue that is tough to ignore, but other than that, it's a solid viewing experience.
You also get left and right audio inputs, RCA video in and S-Video out. Surprisingly, there's no radio, and alarm integration would have given the IMV712 and unbeatable feature set.
FEATURE WINNER: IMV712
The Bass Test
We busted out the Dr. Dre, a scene that closely resembled the opening scene in Office Space, we're sure.
And the Griffin comes to fight. Its low range swings for the fence, and the effect is low, loud and a bit sloppy. But the thing can thump. We're talking tubas. We're talking synth.
The IMV712 has clean bass, and you can certainly hear it, but it won't shake your guts. And sometimes we all could use our guts shaken. The IMV712 has a built-in subwoofer, otherwise it would have no bass, or faux bass. But we wish it had a bit more...balls.
The Griffin's underside "bass port" may look like a gimmick, but it's an excellent design...and it leads this category upset.
BASS WINNER: AMPLIFI
Sound Test
To many, even most, the Amplifi will pass as great audio. And for a selling price of about $130, it's gonna make a lot of people happy. But while the highs and lows are both very strong, there's a distinct lack of midrange balance. It's like eating great turkey and cranberry sauce, and then realizing, "Shit! We forgot the stuffing."
The result is that certain voices or instruments can either become harsh without solid grounding, or just be lost in the spectrum. But the Amplifi plays its game well, fooling my ear with its strong extreme ranges. And in that respect, it's very much doing its job. Enigma Variations sounds surprisingly brilliant, still respectable even when played side-by-side with the IMV712. That's a feat.
The IMV712, on the other hand, just has well-crafted audio—an iPod dock poster boy if you will. Despite a lack of EQ adjustments, the system is quite satisfying. Multiple genres of music, from folk to rap, have an excellent balance. I probably say it a bit better in my last review of the unit, but the entire gamut of instrumentation shows up, no matter what the song. It's tough to find any real weaknesses with the sound—other than maybe what we already talked about in the bass portion: an adjustable bass knob with a bit more kick would be the cherry on top here.
One complaint: When switching inputs or tracks, there's a semi-loud static in the speaker. We don't know what Altec Lansing can do to fix the problem—we're no engineers—but it must be fixable, and it's the only real thorn in the entire listening experience.
SOUND WINNER: IMV712
So the Altec Lansing should win, right? It took two of our three categories. Case closed.
Not quite.
To us, there is still the outstanding question of value and overall function. It's a decision we've known was coming from day one when I balanced the bracket to have a budget and premium winner, so we're not going to cry about it or anything. But it's not an issue that we ever necessarily resolved.
As reviewers, the choice could be very easy. We can tell you all that $350 is the price you should pay to have a good iPod dock.
But let's be honest. Most people will never watch video on the IMV712's screen.
And in most listening situations, the average consumer will not hear a massive difference between the docks. But that's the battle of buying audio: It's a game of diminishing returns. It's a question you need to be honest with yourself when answering: Do you need the Passat, or will the Jetta treat you just as well? Do you need the $20 brick of cheese, or will your crackers taste as good spending half that?
OVERALL WINNER: GRIFFIN AMPLIFI
For a shelf price of about $130, the Griffin Amplifi is a steal in the world of iPod Docks. Its worthy competition, the IMV712, is an excellent choice for those who plan on a close listening to their system. But for the many who are just looking for a decent-sounding box to pump out their tunes in an extra room, the Amplifi is the dock for you.
And they all lived happily ever after.
The end.
Comments
Should have used, "One shall stand, ons shall fall" -Optimus Prime. Just sayin'...
You've gotta be kidding me. I put all I had in on the IMV712? How in the world can you have the scrawny Griffin Amplifi win? Thanks a lot Gizmodo. Now I'm poor. Thanks a freakin lot.
"...and alarm integration would have given the IMV712 and unbeatable feature set."
OMG drink some water before you go to bed (or better yet warm milk to soothe yor inards) and you'll wake up when you hafta pee. Jeeze. GFYB(s)
I meant "one", dammit!
So, in the end it comes down to price? Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the best sounding dock was supposed to win.
I don't get the comment that the iMV712 would lack bass if it didn't have an added subwoofer (which it does). Thats kind of like saying grandpa would be grandma if he didn't have balls. Likewise, a Ferrari would be slower than a Yugo if it had a 3.5 HP Briggs and Stratton enginge...
So, was this contest supposed to find the best speaker, or the best cheap speaker?
Do any of these support the iPhone? I have an iPhone and I'd like a dock for it.
ALL READERS OF THIS POST BEWARE!!!
This Fight is not over.
Believe me.
hate to be a hater but... does anybody really use iPod docks? I guess i don't see a use because I am not that attached to my iPods, and use Sonos in my home for digital musak.
@ MAKSMIR
I see where you're coming from, and at my house, I never use a dock. I have a Bose sound dock (bring on the audiophile hate) that I keep in my office at work, and use it exclusively there when I have the door shut and I'm working.
I kept it at home for around a year and used it twice, maybe. It gets daily use at work.
count me as one who doesn't agree with the overall verdict.
i thought the point of these units was to offer great sound quality in a compact form (whether or not it's worth spending that much when it's playing back a lossy codec is another story).
even though it's "sloppy," the griffin wins the bass category because it "thumps"? one of my biggest pet peeves is sloppy bass. who cares if you can feel it in your gut when all you hear is a big muddled mess of bass? it's like all those ricers who shove huge subs in their trunk and crank up the low end so all you hear is bass.
@Maksimir: They're great in a lot of situations, especially for what I consider to be one of the iPod's main install bases: middle aged parents. Both my mother and my aunt got iPods a year or so ago, and they both use docks regularly for listening out on the porch, by the hottub, etc. Most people don't have networked or wireless speaker systems in their homes, so it's much more convenient (and cheaper) to invest in a semi-portable box for wherever you need music away from the home stereo.
@MACMANIAC: No, this was a best all-around dock competition. We always said value would be weighed in the equation.
@scott: It's not THAT sloppy...I know what you mean and it's not nearly at that level. Sorry if I was unclear.
The terrorists have won
i agree with the verdict. if the purpose was just to find the best sounding device and money was no issue why not just buy something like a home theater or stereo system. you know, something that will work with more than 1 product and serve more than 1 occasional purpose?
@sphrog:
That's sounds like an understandable scenario, I'll have to contemplate that since my folks are in their 60's and I could see them being able to learn to use an ipod with dock. Thanks!
@Mark Wilson:
"We will be grading primarily on sound, but form and functionality will both play a factor as well."
Not my words. No mention of value, either. Hmmm.
I couldn't find the original Gizmodo article announcing the competition, but I don't remember value being mentioned, let alone being high on the list.
Whatever you say goes, I suppose, but I would really appreciate some insight into your criticism of iMV712 on the grounds that it would sound bad if it didn't have a subwoofer (which it does). I really don't get where you're coming from here.
When this comparison started I was in high school and now as it finishes, I see that my grandchildren have their own iPods. In between--three presidents, a world war, and the cloning of Paris Hilton's dog.
@macmaniac: I'm sorry to disappoint. But what part of this is unclear: "The IMV712 has a built-in subwoofer, otherwise it would have no bass, or faux bass. But we wish it had a bit more...balls."
I suppose as a happy Logitech MM50 owner, I can be happy that my favorite of the bunch lost to the overall winner. Still, if the idea is overall best sound then I would not be using an iPod dock (that is what a real stereo is for). If the goal is portability with sound quality, my money is on the Logitech that lost in the first round.
So, when do we get the showdown between the Griffen Amplifi and the B&W Zeppelin? I think B&W makes great speakers in general and would love read how there dock compares.
Go back and read the original post for this challenge . . . I called it - Amplifi all the way!!!
NOW can we have an iPod/Griffin Amplifi vs Zune/[gizmodo.com] ?
This report HAS gone on for 3 years
Should be like the footie.
Griffin wins the Premiere ship, now lets scour other areas find more and have a Champions league (i'm sure there are lots of players in asia that have been left off...)
I'm still curious how the Klipsch stacks up to the Amplify since as noted in earlier comments the street price is currently a bit cheaper than even the Amplify (more than a bit at Costco).
And who the hell would EVER watch video on a dock? It's one thing to watch the iPod video on a plane, but it's definitely not something anyone is gonna do at home or office where their dock rests...
does anybody really use iPods?
Yes, it did come down to price, but you could buy three Amplifis online for the price you would pay for one of the Altec Lansing units at your local store. I have my Amplifi hooked up to an Airport Express, and I'm am very happy with the sound quality. I hope to see Griffin release an Amplifi version 2.0 with optical input, an RF remote and an 8-inch subwoofer. I'd gladly pay an extra $50 for those features.
@MacManiac: "Thats kind of like saying grandpa would be grandma if he didn't have balls" - I must remember that for future use. Brilliant.
You run this feature for months and then stumble at the finish line!
We will bring you the best (you say)
We will crown the king of docks (you say again)
then, when the finish line comes, you say "here is the clear winner! great sound plus extras, oh, but wait, this one is cheaper and therefor is the clear winner."
lame
and I call damned shenanigans!
I'm just glad I don't own an i-pod and don't read this crap that you put out on pod docks on nearly an hourly schedule.
amplifi is way prettier.
Congrats for taking not the best overall quality, but the best value (quality per price).
It was a very subjective test - and a good one. But resuling in a single winner (which was not the best / expensive one), it might be helpful to have a table with all the models and a classification by sound, bass, features, look, price (+size, weight or other characteristics).
@Fluidity:its "if your aunt had a dick she'd be your uncle." just sounds better than the grandpa version.
Plus WTF is up with the Apple Hi-Fi not making it past round f-ing one? Somebodies been feeding us a shit sandwich.
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