Appletell reviews the i-DS3 Plus from Boston Acoustics

Product: iPhone/iPod dock and speaker system with wireless subwoofer
Developer: Boston Acoustics
Minimum Requirements: iPhone or iPod with dock connector
Price: $499.99
Availability: Now

Too often, the divergent goals of portable music and high quality audio lead to sound systems that skimp on the sound quality while simultaneously falling oddly short on portability. Speakers that require AC power but provide only mediocre sound trump both the iPod’s goal of portable music and an uncompromising listening experience that audiophiles demand. Luckily, the i-DS3 Plus falls short in neither of those categories, and brings with it innovative features and a streamlined interface that make its use a truly enjoyable listening experience.

Stick to the Basics

The i-DS3 Plus is the very definition of minimalism. Head-on, the only thing visible is the speaker grill and a separate black box (more on that later). A small row of buttons across the top activate power, volume, and a “wide stereo” mode. The remote is similarly simple; about the size of a few credit cards, it contains the same buttons as the base unit but adds the ability to control iPod playback (including pause, forward/back, repeat, and shuffle). This minimalism complements the iPod perfectly, and there is very clearly a market for such simple-but-excellent sound systems (Bose targets this niche relentlessly). If you want an equalizer to tinker with and lots of other buttons, look elsewhere. If you want to dock your iPod and enjoy superb sound, look no further.

Pure Sonic Pleasure

Listening to a range of music on the i-DS3 Plus provided a few surprises, and none of them bad! The external subwoofer has an independent volume control which allows customization of bass to complement any style of listening—from room-shaking dance tracks to light jazz accompaniment on the string bass. For most listening situations, it can safely remain at about 50% and still provide incredible sound. Listening to a track from a movie that included dialog interspersed with song, a curious rustling noise could be heard. Despite several attempts to cycle all the devices on and off it would not go away, but watching the movie later the cause of the rustling noise became apparent: the i-DS3 was reproducing subtle noise made by an actor’s elaborate costume! No other speakers I’ve used have replicated that detail from the audio soundtrack.

Normal listening required no adjustments; the i-DS3 comes with a “wide” stereo mode that provides a theatre-like experience. Using the integrated video-out connectors (composite/S-Video), the i-DS3 Plus can be a compelling 2.1 channel mini home theater, and the wide mode can make certain audio sound like it is coming from speakers placed farther apart. This wide mode can also make the mid-range feel artificially flat, which includes dialog, so it is a nice feature but definitely not a selling point.

Wireless Magic

Setup of the i-DS3 is a breeze, including the proprietary wireless subwoofer. No complicated pairing is required—simply set the switches on the back of the main speaker and subwoofer to the same number (1-4). This separation of the subwoofer allows for greater portability (though you will need two AC outlets), because the main speaker unit is small enough to fit comfortably on any bookshelf or table while the sub is tucked away in a corner. Other units with comparable audio quality are typically very large due to the integration of the subwoofer, woofers, and tweeters into a single enclosure, which makes them difficult to place. The woofer/tweeter portion of the i-DS3 and subwoofer can be up to 75 feet apart, so even if size constraints are present in a listening arrangement, setup and placement is no longer an all-or-nothing proposition.

Given the high price tag, the i-DS3 Plus is targeted squarely at a high-end listening audience. Many reviewers ding Boston Acoustics for the design minimalism and lack of configurable options; given the iPod-centric nature of the i-DS3 Pus, the minimalism is definitely an asset and not a drawback. The simplicity of the iPod is now mirrored in a docking speaker set that provides truly outstanding sound and unique innovation with the wireless sub. There is no compromise of sound quality for portability, as evidenced by the six-inch sub’s ability to produce neighbor-irritating levels of sound.

The only drawback, if it could be called such, comes in the unit’s video-out capabilities. Now that the iPhone is capable of handling 720p HD video, it is only a matter of time before Apple allows 720p out over the Dock connector. The iDS3 Plus’ composite and S-Video ports are not ready for that level of video quality, so use in a home theater setup could quickly become obsolete (though it should be noted no popular manufacturer is providing HD out).

For uncompromising audio performance and an unmatched superiority when it comes to providing clean, separate bass, the i-DS3 Plus earns a resounding five stars.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the i-DS3 Plus