Too much choice, people, I need some help.
Last Christmas, DsMam & I committed the sin most present-givers hate most: we asked for money in lieu of anything our friends and family would otherwise have given us. It could have backfired horribly, but our explanation ahead of the game – namely that we wanted to treat ourselves to a decent telly before the old one packed up on us, and didn’t have the disposable income to do it ourselves – seemed to head off any grumbles, and we ended up with a nice fund with which to attack the January sales.
Well, guess what? We’re pushing our luck and trying to pull off the same trick twice. For various reasons we simply don’t have a music system of any sort on the ‘ground’ floor of our home, and we intend to remedy that. But there are some limiting factors and parameters:
(i) Space. Whatever we buy is going to have to be SERIOUSLY compact, both for the player and speakers.
(ii) Finance. Whilst we can’t be certain, it is highly unlikely the budget will break the £500 barrier.
(iii) Accessibility. The unit is going in the dining room, and must be controllable without leaving the table.
(iv) Capacity. There is no storage space for piles of CDs in that room, so digital storage is vital.
(v) Functionality. Our music is in just about every format you can think of, and I want DAB radio for my sports commentaries.
(vi) Quality. Old-fashioned CD ghetto blasters don’t cut it; too indistinct at low volume, too rough at high volume.
(vii) Programmability. The ability to create child- or visitor-friendly playlists is essential, as is the ability to find any given song on demand.
My research to-date has narrowed the likely candidates to the following shortlist -
Cocktail Audio X10 (1TB HDD);
Sony GigaJuke;
Brennan JB7;
Roberts MP53 Sound 53;
or, the wildcard,
iPod 160GB Classic and Bose Sounddock speaker.
Things like PURE’s Avanti Flow, which stream wirelessly from the audio files on the house PC, are NOT being considered. The computer would have to be on to make those work, and isn’t on the same floor as the dining room. Besides, there are WAY too many songs in my iTunes that would not be suitable for the family teatable.
Normally, I’m an open-minded but eventually decisive consumer, but I have to admit that the reviews of all the above are making my head spin. There is no clear leader, pros and cons to all of the options, and no-one we know has any of these systems themselves from which to glean dependable feedback. So, my friends, help us out here. Any views, pointers, opinions or even further things to consider we may have missed, will be gratefully received.
Over to you … I’m off to bed, but will check in as much as possible over the next couple of days.
No ideas from me, DsD – but did you see <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/04/deborah-orr-choice-nhs-schools"
ach, messed up me html, but anyway, it’s Deborah Orr.
This is from CoolTools, a site you can always trust. I clipped it awhile ago thinking I might get one.
”I can’t recommend this enough for anyone who wants audiophile-quality music they can take with them to a cabin, condo, RV, or to their backyard as needed. The price is higher than your standard portable units, but Cambridge Sound Works constantly has sales and coupons on the net, making the price a little bit better. In any event, it’s well worth even the full list price!
There are few things I have come across that are “best of class” but this is certainly one. This is, hands-down, the best portable audio system I have ever heard. It takes a few minutes to set-up and pack-up, and you need a power source to run it, but wow! does it have great sound! The included speakers and amplifier, the necessary cables, and your iPod, all pack into the included hard case (which also contains the subwoofer)
http://tinyurl.com/634eukz
Haven’t heard of that site, Tin, so will look when I get back from the park with the girls. Ta.
Hi DsD ! ! !
I have a friend who buy some digital library and hi fi recently so I just called him and asked him about it and he actually bought the Sony Giga Duke. He said the sound quality is much better than he thought it would be and he is very pleased.
That was me ! ! !
Sorry I got logged out again……
Hi Sakura.
The issues with the GigaJuke are that is no longer a current product in the UK; it only rips from CDs at around 3.5x play speed; I’ve heard some horror stories about managing files – finding songs etc.
It’s also a little too big for the small space we have available in the corner of the room.
Not out of the question yet though.
Thanks.
I think I might be interested in the any answers here DsD.
our kitchen has old computer speakers with an old ipod that i attach – I have to make child friendly playlists on, but then have no way of seeing the tracks once playing… plus a boom box that the Ms. has permanently tuned to radio 4… not ideal.
front room has a decent stereo (but the CD bit part doesn’t work) so is attached to another cd/dvd player, to play through it… this has piles of children friendly ‘world music’ (for wont of a better term) … they are enjoying the huge Sterns ’50 Years Of African Music’ box set at the moment – constant evening bouncing around keeps them warm and means we only have the wood burner on for heating water still!
Up stairs has a mess of computers, record players and speakers doing some things together and some having fallen out when i’ve up graded bits and not others – temperamental technology (or more likely idiot user).
all in all: A MESS.
Well obviously I won’t be possessive of any answers The ‘Spill comes up with, Shane. I’ll also update you after the event on whatever we eventually buy.
you can tell that comment was typed while little (brilliant) terrors were jumping on me – can’t you!
This might do better for you @shane
https://www.jawbone.com/speakers/jambox/overview
I can’t comment on most of the aspects you mention, as I still operate with old-fashioned cds in the living room (albeit with the consequence that 75% of my music collection resides in boxes in the attic), but I would say that for the combination of smallness and superb sound my Bose system is wonderful – and a friend of mine in the Netherlands uses the combination of iPod and Bose with great success.
Chalk up one tick for the iPod/Sounddock combo then. Thanks, Prof. Trouble is, there’s no 5Live or TMS with this option, and “only” 160GB capacity.
Since I bought an iPod Classic last Christmas as my present to myself, I have swapped the bedroom mini stereo (which was showing signs of failure) for an internet radio with an iPod dock. It means I can listen to any radio station and I no longer have to keep any CDs in the bedroom. It was a bastard to tune in but works pretty well now.
Tarxien has a Brennan and loves it. Apparently the sound is fantastic but I’m not sure I could face redownloading all my CDs to a new system. It’s not clear whether you can do it from your computer or whether it’s back to loading each CD in turn. If you email her, I’m sure she can give you details.
Several years back, I bought a very upmarket JBL radial speaker (with iPod dock for my computer). Not sure whether they are still cheaper than Bose but the quality is very high. An advantage of the iPod Classic solution is that you can also take it with you in the car and on holiday.
There seems to be a small-but-determined internet community of Brennan-haters out there who say that actually, the sound quality is betrayed by an unavoidable hiss/buzz which is particularly noticeable and irritating on classical music. I don’t do classical, but do plenty of string-laden or gentle acoustic listening.
It’s about the most expensive of our options once you’ve added the speakers to the 500GB model. There are also complaints about the amount of work you have to do manually to ensure correct file names are right: given how much of my music was picked up digitally, er, for free, I can foresee many, MANY soul-destroying evenings spent renaming mp3 files.
I rename all my MP3′s as I get them. There’s a couple of free utilities that makes it quite easy. Helps tons with file management.
Can’t help either, but would be interested in the reply. Mine’s a mess too. Have heard good things about the Brennan but don’t know anyone who has got one.
Ali, see my reply to Shane above.
Am a big fan of the Bose dock – haven’t played a CD in over a year.
If I was buying today would want a device that incorporated AirPlay. These devices are just coming out. Here’s one:
http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iW1BC/
Haven’t seen any of these yet with CD & Radio, but fairly sure they’ll be available by Christmas.
Ta Shoey, will look up later.
Bit more on AirPlay:
Cons:
You need to have a reliable home Wi-Fi setup. Preferably with a single router.
You will need an iPhone or iPod touch to act as the remote
To stream from iTunes, it has to be turned on (but doesn’t if you only need to stream from your iPod touch or iPhone)
Pros
Cost. You may just need to buy an airplay enabled speaker (The cheapest option of all is to stream through your existing TV/home theatre, but doesn’t seem to be a good fit here). Could use the savings to upgrade the home wifi & mobile device, if necessary.
You can stream anything on the iPod Touch/Phone, including Internet radio.
Use existing playlists & music files
Found a few more AirPlay option devices for you here:
http://airplayspeakers.com/airplay-speakers-current-options-and-alternatives/#.Trb92bd5mc0
I have a bit of interest in this as I’d looked atgetting something similar this summer. In the end I didn’t due to budget so my research was half complete. I’m not an audiophile or A/V expert, but I’ll share my thoughts:
I’ve read specs and some reviews for the choices you mention, and if it was me I’d go for the Roberts Sound MP-53.
It’s a good all-around system and decent sound and I can’t see paying twice the price for something fancier. It is a kitchen, so it should be somewhat expendable. And no point paying for audiophile quality in a room with hard surfaces, clattering dishes, pots steaming, conversation and children running in and out. It’s also easy enough to use for kids. and ticks all the boxes for the requirements you list.
A few thoughts on the others:
Cocktail Audio X10 says ”internet radio”, not DAB. They brag about all their features, but not once is sound quality mentioned. WiFi is optional. How much? Speakers sold separatelty. are not included. How much? Doesn’t appear to allow an external drive – are you going to dravel 50 gigs of music from your PC 4 gigs at a time with a USB stick? No dependability track record.
Brennan JB7
Seems middle of the road quality wise. Short on features, no DAB, speakers sold separately, iPods will only play music loaded by iTunes…In short, it gets tepid reviews and for the price it should excite people.
Sony Giga Juke
If PURE’s Avanti Flow ”not being considered” why are you looking at Sony’s equivalent? Quality and dependability won’t be an issue. You also know Sony will be around to honour the warranty. Only 63 gigs available for music, but it does also stream. Can connect external drive, not just USB stick. Fairly big learning curve on remote but unit itself easy to navigate so hide remote from kids?
Two red flags: There’s only one USB, and you need one for wireless attachment/dongle, one for an external/stick, and one for the iPod dock. Better hope a hub works. Also, it’s not compatible with lossless music files (or AAC). If it’s meant for discenring ears, why is it MP3 & WMA only? Those are two oversights that make you wonder what other brain farts are hidden inside.
OVERALL:
- Get one that’s USB 3.0 compatibile if you can. It’s faster than current USB 2.0, which is being phased out. Most new devices and computers are 3.0 and 2.0 for now and in a few years will be 3.0 only.
- Do any of these allow you to make playlists from the stored tunes? Or multiple libraries (useful with several sets of listeners)?
- What is the return policy if it works fine but you just don’t like it?
cheerio
good luck
btw, there’s a Bose outlet in Chesire Oaks. I’ve been a couple of times to see (well hear) if it’s worth the big price and in my view, no it’s not. Shoey must be that 5% of people who can actually hear the last 25% of quality that you pay so much for. You might, too, but, not in a kitchen you won’t.
Excellent stuff, Tinny as ever. You missed a bit, though, in that it’s the dining room, not the kitchen, that we’re aiming at. The comment about hard surfaces being acoustically-unfriendly still stands nonetheless. But sound quality WILL matter, as this is the only serious investment in music-playing hardware we’re likely to make this decade!
USB 3.0 ?!?!?!? WTF ?!?!?!? Lawdy, I’m behind the times.
Cheshire Oaks? Yup, was in both the Bose and Sony stores over there last week; only 3 miles from my mam’s house.
This is all exactly the kind of stuff I wanted, folks. Your help is much appreciated. Keep it coming. Back later.
UPDATE:
I think I’m beginning to home in on the latest version of the Roberts MP53 as the favourite. At only £228 on Amazon, I’m fairly sure we could get an iPod, and a couple of high-capacity dedicated SD cards too, within what we plan to spend.
However, a combination of your comments, more reading, and sheer materialistic greed now has me wondering whether I should choose the iPod Classic to get 160GB for £175, or give up two-thirds of that capacity, and find another hundred quid for an iPod Touch.
Any thoughts on THAT conundrum, anyone?
Or even, says he, thinking out loud, just get the Roberts and some SD cards now, and put the rest of the budget towards getting a high capacity iPhone when my mobile contract gets into its renewal window from February.
I’ll go sleep on that one … may delete this comment before DsMam sees it tomorrow!!
G’night all.
i am impressed by you site, will surely put up like yours soo