4. Klipsch iGroove: Tied To The Wire

• iGroove iPod Speaker
• • Y2incusa
  • $199.99

About the size of an average radio-cassette player, but with very modern esthetics, the iGroove doesn't pretend to be a high-fidelity system, although Klipsch does tout its "audiophile" sound quality. In general, this is a small system capable of putting out quality sound just about anywhere without taking up too much space. But the first thing you should note is that this handsome object unfortunately can't operate on battery power. A remote control (infrared) is, of course, supplied.

Functionally, the iGroove is ultra-simple, with only an on/off switch and a volume adjustment. The track selector for the iPod is on the remote control. There are adapters for the different types of Apple players, and another adapter that should handle most other players. There's no separate line input, however. You can use the one in the docking cradle itself, but that smacks a little too much of do-it-yourself for a device that costs this much.

As a speaker system, the iGroove is a two-way system with a 2.4" (6-cm) woofer-midrange that uses a bass-reflex load (or similar - there's a small port opening on the rear) for each channel. The upper part of the spectrum is reproduced by 1" tweeters - horn-type, in keeping with Klipsch's trademark technique. Naturally, the right and left speakers are very close to each other, so here again you shouldn't expect excellent reproduction of the stereo image - especially since no particular sound processing seems to have been used, unlike the Apple system.

Technical Characteristics

Bass power output: Not specified Frequency response: 65 Hz - 17 kHz Maximum sound pressure level: 98 dB at 1 m Inputs: 1 shared line Headphone jack: No Speakers: 2.4" (6-cm) woofer/midrange + 1" tweeter Dimensions: 15.9" X 5.2" X 7.1" (405 mm X 132 mm X 180 mm)