Philips Fidelio DS8530/37 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Speaker Dock

• SoundCurve for superb crystal-clear sound
• PureDigital for unsurpassed sound clarity
• Shielding technology to block mobile phone interference
• Optimal acoustic volume to match speakers' requirements

I own the Philips Fidelio DS8550 Speaker System as well as this model, the DS8530/37. Here are a few differences between the two.

1. The price of the DS8550 is around $100 higher or so, depending on the week. But there are reasons for this price difference that may be quite justifiable depending on your needs.

2. The DS8550 has Bluetooth. This model does not. You must have an iOS device docked to it or any other device connected via an AUX line-in jack.

3. The DS8550 has a rechargeable battery backup so the speakers will continue to play when you unplug the device. This model does not.

4. The DS8550 has a carrying handle. This model does not, but the speaker is smaller than the DS8550.

These are just a few of the differences. Now, for what is the same: they both have AMAZING sound. Great bass and clear treble. I've had guests that were quite surprised at how great this model sounds.

The remote that comes with this speaker allows you to perform basic functions like changing music tracks, adjusting volume, etc. The iOS app designed for this speaker allows you to also change equalizer settings and select from presets like rock, jazz, and classical. The ROCK setting makes most music sound even more fantastic. The app also gives you access to internet radio stations, playback options and album art, and weather forecasts.

Philips has been building some great docking stations and speakers over the past few years. I am very impressed with the sound from their speakers in general, and this model is no exception! Five stars for this speaker, but if you have another $100 to spend, take a look at the DS8550 as well.

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Seems like a minor gripe, but being a tree-hugger I really like to be able to turn off my electronics when I'm not using them. This speaker dock turns off only when the iPad or iPod is removed, so it can't really be used as a place to store the players. I also have a DS7700 which is smaller and it has a power switch. However, the power supply for that is at the socket; on the DS8530, the power supply is larger but away from the socket so it can be hidden.

The speaker system is stable and my iPad fits snugly into the dock. The sound is great and the bass is good. There is no distortion -just be careful to balance the volume on the iPad/iPod with the dock. I use this in the kitchen and don't expect it to function as my main stereo system.

The app is okay -I rarely use it, but it's a nice-to-have.

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Philips is really cornering the market on this type of product; and for good reason. I also own the Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker iPod, iPhone and iPad, DS7700, another great Philips product supporting Apple products. I also owned a Bose SoundDock Series II Digital Music System for iPod (Black)and it would be unfair to compare a Bose Sound Dock head on to this union. You pay more for a Bose Sound Dock. However, even then, Philips comes in a close second.

As judgment of sound quality will vary from person to person depending on tastes and level of being an audiophile, I can only offer my assessment of sound quality as an average user, not incredibly concerned with sound qualitybut definitely someone who will notice "cheap" sound reproduction. I found the sound quality of this particular unit to be exceptional providing great bass and clarity even at louder volumes. Easily fills an entire living room with quality sound unless you have incredibly high ceilings (and I mean very high). I encountered this situation in one of my rooms where my ceiling in a large sitting room is essentially at the height of a two story roof line. However, even my Bose experienced issues in that room because it is acoustically horrible. In most rooms in my house, the sound is great. As you get into larger rooms however (such as a 600 sq ft bonus room), sound quality depreciates. But, this is to be expected. The Sound Curve design is a noticeable improvement over previous Philips designs because it directs sound forward and up at about a 45 degree angle whereas units such as the Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker iPod, iPhone and iPad, DS3510and Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker iPod, iPhone and iPad, DS7700 directed sound mostly up at only a slight angle.

Packaging is spectacular for the product and immediately says quality. Build quality of the unit is great and you realize quickly this product is not one of those cheap docking/speaker stations we have all probably owned at one point. Setup for this device is about 5 minutes out of the box. This unit, compared to some other Philips units, is physically larger. Not a bad aspect as it provides what I term "fuller sound" but may be a slight issue for those short on space. It also does not offer wireless capability of any kind (802.11 or Bluetooth). I have a Philips unit that does offer Bluetooth capability and I rarely use it. This unit requires a direct physical connection to the Apple device. By no means an inconvenience because it also keeps the device charged. The Fidelio DS8530/37 connector is a great design allowing you to connect your Apple device WITHOUT having to remove the protective case (like a Bose Sound Dock). Very well thought out feature by the design team and hopefully other manufacturers will follow. This unit also includes a remote control many will find handy.

Another key feature that should not go overlooked is the Fidelio App for Iphone/Ipad (FREE DOWNLOAD from Itunes Store). This application easily brings radio to your device (great selection of about 7400 stations at this time). It also provides a host of other features such as customized alarms, wakeup music, weather reports and warnings, etc... It really is the perfect method to round out the device and expand its usefulness.

In summary5 Stars and definitely worth the money. This is a quality product you will have 5 years from now and will provide a good return of investment. Works especially well in rooms such as kitchens, bedrooms, dens, office, and living rooms. For sound purposes, be mindful of very large rooms in excess of 500 sq feet with high ceilings.

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This dock produces outstanding room filling sound.

Looks very modern and sleek.

Works well with my iPhone4 and iPAD2.

Only drawback is, I need to take my iPAD case off to mount it on the dock. If not for this, I would have given this 5 stars.

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This speaker does a good job boosting the music from an iPod so that you can listen to it in a bedroom or dorm room. It's big enough to deliver good sound, but small enough to be fairly portable. That makes it very handy for the college freshman in our family, who likes this a lot.