Creative seems to have overcome any animosity which may be lingering from its patent dispute with Apple (we imagine $100 million settlements heal many wounds) and is embracing the iPod add-on business with three new sets of docking speakers made exclusively for Apple’s ever-popular portable media players. The units will be available online an in Singapore in early May; although there’s no word yet, they should reach the North American market shortly thereafter.
The X-Fi Sound System i600 is designed to be a high-performance, high fidelity stereo music system, offering two 35 watt satellite speakers and a 130 watt subwoofer with an 8-inch driver, along with Creative’s X-Fi Crystalizer audio enhancement technology which is designed to bring back some of the detail and vibrancy often lost in compressed digital music formats. The system also touts Creative’s X-Fi CMSS-3D technology which tries to bring surround sound over headphones or stereo speakers—your mileage may vary. The i600 offers a remote control, and works with Dock Connector iPods, including the iPod nano, 4th and 5th generation iPods, and the iPod mini. The i600’s estimated retail price will be S$599.99, or just under US $400.
The PlayDock i500 is designed to be a portable docking speaker system with two 12-watt drivers and a 24-watt subwoofer. The unit claims to offer up to 16 hours of music playback on eight C batteries, although of course users can run it off an AC adapter, and a wireless remote gives users access to key functions. The i500 will carry a retail price of $$299.99, or just under US$200.
If the i500 isn’t portable enough for you, the TravelSound i might fit the bill, offering two 4 watt speakers in a compact 1.7 pound package which can run off four AA batteries for up to 25 hours. The TravelSound i comes with an IR remote, and sports both a subwoofer out (for connecting to a beefier system) and a line in for connecting non-iPod devices. It’ll carry a price of S$199.99, or about US$132.
