What's the best sound quality per dollar solution--iPod speakers? Table radios? Home theater in a box systems?

I've heard 'em all and I'm here to tell you there's a hierarchy of fidelity. The pipsqueak iPod speakers (pretty much everything under $100) sound tinny, screechy, with zero bass and can't play at all loud. They're all different shades of awful. Sure, some $300 iPod speakers are way better, more or less on par with a decent sounding table radio, I'm thinking here of my favorite Boston Acoustics Receptor, Tivoli, and Cambridge SoundWorks models. Then again, the better radios and iPod speakers are priced upwards of $500 or more, and for that kind of dough you could pick up a HTIB.

For a great tabletop radio, let's take a look at Cambridge SoundWorks i765 iPod/Video Entertainment System ($500). It comes with a nifty integrated iPod dock, plays CDs and DVDs, has a terrific AM/FM radio, and sound pretty good, for a table radio (my CNET review will be posted later this month).

Or you could buy an Onkyo HT-SR700 HTIB ($500 SRP, but street prices are closer to $350). It comes with a 5.1 channel A/V receiver, five satellite speakers, and a 230 watt, 10-inch subwoofer. Granted, you still have to add a DVD player, maybe a Philips DVP5982 that comes with HDMI/1080p connectivity for around $60. Got an iPod? Toss in a $6 mini-plug to stereo RCA cable so you can play your iPod over the HT-SR700's speakers and sub. Or treat yourself to Onkyo's dedicated dock, the DS-AS2 ($109 SRP).

You get a lot for your money.

(Credit: Onkyo)

Now sure, the Cambridge i765 is far more compact, doesn't require a mess 'o' wires, and is easier to set up, but sonically the Onkyo HTIB is miles ahead for music, and there's simply no comparison for movies. The Onkyo's bona-fide surround and powerful subwoofer are so much more satisfying than any table radio could ever be. Hey, the table radio and HTIB are nearly the same price, choose sound quality or a lifestyle solution. Just don't kid yourself that they sound the same, they don't.

[pubmat]

What about the new Meridian f80? Thats seems to be the best...but for 3 grand, you could but one helluva system.

[ematcion]

For roughly $500.00, you can assemble a real hi-fi system instead of using an iPod. This is what I own and paid....

TEAC A-1D stereo integrated amp $180.00 shipped
Monitor Audio Bronze B2 monitors $250.00/pair
Sony DVP-NS775 SACD/CD/DVD player $100.00

All brand-new from authorized dealers. I can drop another $100.00 from the total if I use the $70.00 Sherwood 4109 AM/FM stereo receiver I picked up at Radio Shack's Black Friday sale last year.

Really....why bother with an iPod??

[precogpunk]

I would have to say invest in a good pair of active monitors (connect the ipod directly) unless you think a DAC will give you better performance. I favor a used pair of quad l-series active monitors for my ipod setup. An alternative would be to get a powered DAC (like the one from bel canto) and a nice pair of monitors. If you really want the best SOUND quality per dollar, skip all-in-one solutions with a built in dock. You're paying for design and ease of use in those cases. I'd also recommend staying under the "point of diminishing returns" on these types of investments.

Why bother with an ipod? Because I can fit my entire CD collection on the little thing.

[ematcion]

>>>Because I can fit my entire CD collection on the little thing. <<<

Why would anyone want to do that. That's just crazy talk. Think of all the hassle I'd have to go thru if I drop or lose the darn thing. iPods are for those who value convenience over sound quality....so why read "The Audiophiliac"?

[minimalist]

What about non 5.1 satellite/sub systems? Does anybody make quality (and discreet) 2 channel speakers anymore? I love my 11 year old Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble (2 satellites and two 8" subs that can slip under a piece of furniture.

I am suspicious of 5.1 Home Theater in a Box systems. If you are selling me an amplifier and 5 speakers AND a powered subwoofer for 350 or even 500 dollars you can't tell me the quality will be all that great. Something's got to give. I would rather have a higher quality 2 channel speaker than a low quality 5.1 surround system. So who is making them?

[Rádi Pál]

Realy audiofilic Onkio set /[e-mail]/

[DosLoco]

For $500 you could get a pair of PSB Image B25 Monitors and a decent 2 channel integrated receiver for $200.

You'll have audiophile sound and wonder why you ever contemplated wasting your money on a toy HTIB.

[rlocker]

What's the best way to play music from your iPod through a home stereo reciever?

The RCA solution works but the sound is poor and control clumsy (cabled/through the ipod itself)

or

Is there a moderately priced receiver that allows an integrated ipod dock? Does this provide better sound quality than the RCA connection?

thanks.