Review: Intempo iFi-01 speakers

As the iPod market has grown, companies continue to come up with new and interesting ways of making money off the back of Apple's music player. Amongst all the iPod gadgets we've seen, speaker systems are most prevalent, so do we really need another?

The Intempo iFi-01 is a 2.1 (two satellite speakers and a sub-woofer) system that has an iPod dock but will also connect to other mp3 players.

Setting it up consists of slotting the two satellite speakers on their stands and sticking the power adapter into the bottom. While the speakers are designed to be swivelled, they remain loose and can't be screwed into a fixed position, which didn't fill us with confidence.

The iFi-01 comes with docking cradles to support 20GB, 40GB, nano and mini iPods, which slot neatly into the top of the system. The iPods will also re-charge when playing. A dust guard can be fitted when the iPod isn't housed.

More useful is the USB socket, allowing direct media transfer from iTunes. However, at almost 10kg, the iFi-01 will need to be positioned near a computer. Not only is it heavy, but its cylinder shape has no grips, making it extremely hard to move. It's tall too, making any docked iPod looks like a prisoner stuck on top of this 3ft brushed aluminium and black tower.

Non iPodders can make use of the line in socket for connecting other portable players. But, as there's no universal housing slot, they could end up hanging off the side of the iFi-01, Tarzan-style.

Yet what this speaker system lacks in daintiness, it makes up for in sound quality. Cranking up the volume to maximum will fill a bigger-than-average room and, although it was extremely loud, we didn't pick up on any distortion.

The two satellite speakers pump out 15W of power each, while the chunky sub-woofer emits 30 watts of neighbour-complaining bass. Plus, as previously mentioned, the speakers can be rotated 45 degrees to face different parts of the room.

The iFi-01 comes with a remote control which has buttons for adjusting volume, bass, treble settings and skipping to the next track. However, even the eagle-eyed will struggle to see the iPod's screen from afar.

At £210, the Intempo iFi-01 isn't cheap but it sounds great and is certainly a head-turner. However, the lack of extra inputs for multiple audio devices makes it an expensive niche product.

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