-
CNET editors' rating:
3.0
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
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Product summary
The
good: The iHome iH69 is a set of PC speakers with an integrated iPod/iPhone dock that lets you play music, recharge your player, and sync it with your Windows or Mac PC. An auxiliary input is also included.
The
bad: No remote; lack of GSM shielding means iPhones must be toggled to airplane mode; too many cables; no way to toggle inputs.
The
bottom
line: While the iHome iH69B may not sound as good as its step-up sibling, the iH70, it effectively combines PC speakers and an iPod speaker dock in one product and is arguably the better value.
Price range: $81.00 - $95.63
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 08/13/2008
The iHome iH69 is the little brother to the company's iH70 computer speaker/iPod dock package. The two models share much in common, including integrated USB connectivity for syncing your iPod--or iPhone--with your computer. But the cheaper iH69 is slightly smaller, less powerful (5 watts per channel versus 15), doesn't sound as good, and doesn't include a remote control. But it's arguably better looking, and it has at least one nice control improvement over its big brother.
In our review of the iH70, we started off by trying to explain why the whole computer speaker and iPod dock combo makes sense in light of the fact that all of your iPod's music is, presumably, already on your computer's hard drive, obviating the need for having your iPod in the room. Fair enough, but most of us would prefer the instant start-up of the iPod to the long boot sequence of the computer. Plus, the fact that the iH69 replaces an existing charge cradle will save a bit of clutter on most people's desks.
We faulted the iH70's silver-colored speakers for looking cheaper than they should for a product that lists for $150 (the online price is closer to $130). The black-colored iH69 speakers don't look all that luxurious, either. They feel even lighter and cheaper than the iH70s when you pick them up, but we did prefer their nonremovable black plastic grilles and overall look. That said, we're not quite willing to let the iH69 completely off the hook: it lists for $100, and sells online for closer to $80, but considering what you're getting here, it should be closer to $60.
The speakers are around 8 inches tall and tilted slightly back at an angle. Controls for power and volume up and down are conveniently placed on the front of the right speaker, while the iPod dock is embedded into the front of the left speaker. As noted, the speaker grilles aren't removable, but you can see the two small drivers through the grilles--a 2-inch active woofer on top and a 1.5-inch passive driver below. While it doesn't affect the sound much, if you have one of the bigger iPods or an iPhone sitting in the dock, it will block the bottom driver of the left speaker. (By comparison, the single driver of the iH70 is positioned higher up on the speaker, so it's never covered.)
On a more positive note, the iH69s offer excellent connectivity--at least, they do if you're comparing them with most PC speakers. Around back you'll find two inputs: one for connecting the iH69 to your computer's audio output (or headphone port) and an auxiliary input in case you should want to connect another portable audio device. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be a headphone jack on the speakers themselves, but a closer inspection reveals one on the outside of the left speaker. The USB port is on the back of the left speaker; it's reserved for syncing your iPod or iPhone with iTunes on your Windows or Mac computer (the cable is included). You'll also need to connect the dedicated AC power supply.
On the iH70s, the small iPod syncing button is tucked away on the back of the left speaker, mixed in with the rest of the ports. But with the iH69s, the synching button is placed on top of the left speaker, where it should be. It is strange that iHome got it right with this model and not the iH70--but we'll take it where we can get it.
Continue reading- See more CNET content tagged:
- speakers,
- Apple iPod,
- iPod dock,
- connectivity,
- Apple iPhone
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Where to buy
iHome iH69B:
$81.00 - $95.63
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Buy.com
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$89.99 | Yes |
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$95.63 | Yes |
|
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$91.61 | Yes |
|
|
Amazon.com Marketplace
|
$83.86 | Yes |
|
|
$81.00 | No |
|
