Home > Consumer Reviews > Klipsch iFi Speaker System for iPod

The Klipsch iFi is everything an audiophile could ask for in a self-powered 2.1 $400 dollar system. Compatibility with the iPod is a merely a bonus!

I would like to respond to the previous user's review as it is honorable, but innocently false.

I also own the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's and the Klipsch iFi's, but I'm not sure why the previous user had such a difficult time getting his iFi to sound/image better than his Promedias, so let met male this clear: In no way shape or form is the Promedia 2.1 speaker system even remotely close to the quality, finesse and craftsmanship of the Klipsch iFi. The iFi achieves a far higher level of sound clarity and precision, while being more efficient, effective and exquisite. Klipsch tested the iFi to be almost three times louder at the respective maximum SPL while even maintaining a higher discipline of distortion than the Promedias 2.1's. Yes, three times louder with better sound quality. This does not even put them in the same category. That fact alone can whole heartily explain the price difference between them, but allow me to elaborate even further. The iFi's own RSX-3 satellite speakres provide much more impact and fuller and deeper midrange from a stronger, bigger and more capable aluminum driver. The 2.1's sats use a paper cone driver which is smaller and weaker and is held to the baffle with a cheap foam surround. The iFi employs a better, more elaborate titanium horn loaded tweeter that delivers far more sound with greater accuracy than the cheap plastic ones on the 2.1's. The RSX's are far more sophisticated speakers and deliver a sound that is sonically superior and louder than the proimedia satellites. I'm sorry to undermine the previous reviewer, but he is simply wrong.

The subwoofer even divides these two systems further. The 2.1's use a smaller 6.5" woofer with less power in a small enclosure that lacks both depth and proper porting as it emits gobs of port flutter when being pushed hard. The ifi `s subwoofer is a true beast with a full 10Hz lower frequency range, higher SPL, and far less distortion. Please don't get me wrong, the Klispch 2.1's are great speakers and that's exactly why the iFi is also a great system. Because it simply doest just offer the same experience with the addition of an iPod dock for three times the money. It offers you three times the sound quality and, conveniently has an iPod dock. I should also indicate that the remote, while slightly clumsy and small, is the best iPod speaker remote available do to its range.

I would not trade four promedia 2.1 sets for my iFi's

Here are pictures so you can clearly see I have both systems. You can also see the size difference of the subwoofer and the quality difference of the speakers.

Make no mistake, the iFi's trounce the Promeida 2.1's.

(...)

Thanks

I already owned the Bose Sound Dock, which certainly provides power to bring the music on your iPod to life...well, this system is truly room - even house-filling. And it's got the dynamic range to reach more longer distances. The amp provides a really intense depth and reach to the overall sound. Ever since I bought the iPod, I dreamt of finding a way to make it my main music system...well, that's what the iFi does! I do not use anything but this system in my home anymore! And for what you get...the price is great. Yes, the remote is tiny, very basic and difficult to handle, but a minor quibble overall.

I went to the Apple Store to pick up the cute little HiFi that just came out after reading several positive reviews online (and okay, some negative ones.) I went to the store just to give it a little listen and pick one up.

After a few minutes of listening I went "this is it?"

Yes, it is adorable and the iPod sticks right in the top but frankly - the Apple speaker system is not really great sounding.

I looked over to the back and sitting on the floor were two large Klipsch iFi speaker systems looking unwanted and ignored. I had previously been locked on getting those and the marketing machine at Apple almost made me forget them.

I peeked at the boxes and the prices were slashed from SRP. Asked a sales rep and he said they were being discontinued but it was too bad since he had a pair and he LOVED them. I asked him what he would buy and he said hands down - "The iFi."

So... with alot of hesitation I took the chance. And then almost broke my back trying to pick up the iFi box. (Yes, they are solid solid speakers.) Luckily the Apple Store is awesome and they wheeled them down to the dock so I could put them in my car (in a mall no doubt!)

Anyway -- I got them home and started hooking them up.

Okay -- so these things look like computer speakers. Don't let that fool you. Feel the weight of one of the satellites and you realize this is a nicely made speaker. I have Logitech 5500 Digitals hooked to my PC so I have pretty much the best computer speakers out there.

I think the iFi's are better. Truly big sound from 3 speakers. Great resonance. Crisp at every level. A subwoofer that is musical and not overly boomy or made to make up for the lacking of the other speakers (Bose.... yeah you know it.)

I put them through the paces of everything on my iPod and everything sounds awesome. The only thing not awesome is that i now feel like re-ripping all my music in Apple Lossless codec as I can now hear artifacts in some (not all) tracks.

They are wall mountable and everything is well made. The room I have them in has 20 foot ceilings and it fills it with large spacious sound. I had the satellites 4 feet apart and moving them to 12 feet made a big difference.

Downsides: the remote is tiny and you can't tell what the buttons are very well, NO balance control, the volume wheel seems backwards and is very hard to turn, and lastly - it is real speaker wire so you have to screw the wires on the back. No fancy plugs here.

Another gripe is with Apple -- you don't get the cool new features on your iPod that you get with their own speaker (surprise surprise). You also can't navigate the iPod menu with the remote only jump tracks.

All in all though -- this is the best iPod speaker system out there. Unless you have to have portability which was not an issue for me. This is now my stereo system.

And now I know why Apple wants to get the iFi's out of their store - next to these babies, the Apple HiFi sounds weak indeed. Smart move, really.

Strengths:
True sound reproduction, powerful system, 1/8" input in addition to the iPod dock, wall mountable sattelites, remote works well in my opinion, incredible clarity at high volumes, sub woofer does an incredible job.

Weaknesses:
The dock does not have the ability to synch with your computer, only one other input (1/8" mini) available for the speaker system, remote does not have bass level control (although the dock does).

Summary:
If you want the truest sounding iPod speaker system available on the market, the Klipsch IFI is that system. It is not portable, however. Most of the other speaker systems available for the iPod are portable, which is something you may want to consider. My iPod and headphones are my portable system, so I don't need speakers to travel with me as well. That said, there are many other speaker systems you can get at this price range, and simply hook up your $40 iPod dock to them. I also own the Altec Lansing iM7 In Motion, and there is no comparison between the two speaker systems. If you've turned your t.v. on, opened a magazine, or visited a website in the past few months, you will have been inundated by Bose's extensive marketing campaign to sell their product. The Bose system is decent for what it is, but it does not compete with this speaker system. Bose is selling small space, not top quality audio. It is impossible to get truly full, rich sound without a sub-woofer and power.

The Klipsch website warns that the clarity is so good that people who have mp3 files that are encoded at low bitrates will hear the artifacts and swirling symbols. I thought this was marketing shenanigans, but I can say first hand that this is true. I encode all my lossy files with EAC+Lame at -V2 VBR quality, so my rips sound amazingly clear. I cannot discern between the original CD and the mp3 file. However, the mp3 files I have from "other sources" at 128Kbps no longer cut it with this speaker system.

If you have a 60 Gig iPod Video, it will dock in the provided dock. I couldn't find any material online that would address this, so I went out on a whim and purchased it anyway (Costco has an amazing return policy). There is no connector for it, but one of the provided connectors (10G-15G) does fit the 60G iPod Video perfectly.

The 1/8" mini (think headphone jack) is the only available input besides the iPod dock. This is nice, because I can connect my computer to the speaker system as well, but I would have liked to see RCA or other audio input connectors. Also, the dock should have the ability to synch the iPod to a computer, but it does not. It does charge the iPod. The remote control works well and does not have to be pointed at - or even in the same room as - the dock. As with all other iPod speaker systems to date, the remote does not have the ability to sift through menu options or playlists - only the basics are provided (volume up, volume down, skip/seek forward, skip/seek backward, and play/pause)

In you need iPod connectivity with a self-amplified speaker system, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up this system. I purchased my set at Costco for $199. The lowest price I could find online shipped to California was $335 (as of December 13, 2005), so look around. Costco's website didn't have this system available, but it was in the store.

Klipsch has an extensive track record and long listory of making quality speakers, beginning with their large horn speakers in the 1950's and continuing to today. They do not market like some other big names (Bose), but they make amazing speakers.

I give this speaker system a 5 star rating because it is currently the best sounding iPod specific audio system in its class (Denon has an amazing system, but it's $1200). I wished it had the synchronizing feature and other input connectors, but these are personal preferences. With respect to sound quality for your buck, I give it 5 stars. If you need better sounding speakers, you'll need to spend more money.

Simply amazing! I like to think of my self as a smart shopper, and I test everything before making a purchase. The Ifi from Klipsch was in a league of its own. The sound from the Altec Lansing systems was mediocre at best. JBL's little box was good for the price, tested at $99.00. I wanted something a little more substantial though. So I tried the Bose. Don't even get me started on that company. They are robbing the American public! You will get a better sound system than any Bose model for an equivalent price in another brand. I used to praise their sound, but not anymore. Again, Bose's Ipod system was mediocre at best, I continued my search......
The Klipsch Ifi was my solution. Amazing sound! The bass was right up there with the moderate home theater systems. The technology was superb as well. There are two line inputs, so I can listen to more than just my Ipod. The remote is RF, which means it goes through walls and other objects, and never needs to be pointed right at the system. They included dock adapters, so any Ipod works with the system, which is nice because my girlfriend has the Ipod mini. There are also controls on the system itself. Last, but not least, it looks great in my living room! Hands down, the best Ipod system out right now. Hats off to Klipsch!