Sony AIRSW10TI iPod Docking Station
Review: Sony AIRSW10TI iPod Docking Station Review
Pros:
Works With iPhone in Phone Mode.
Small and Portable.
LCD Display Screen.
In this great big world of ours, there are iPod docks that are designed to be cheap and cheerful. There are iPod docks that are designed to replace the stereo as the main music center of the house and then there are iPod docks that are, essentially, a bloody great big amplifier with an iPod connector slapped onto it. This is the latter. Presenting the Sony AIRSW10TI ‘Superior Sounding’ wireless subwoofer, but is it all mouth and no trousers? Our intrepid reviewer dishes the dirt.
Introduction
Now, whilst Bose certainly have the market cornered when it comes to very expensive, (but exceptionally high quality) speakers, Sony are better known as a respectable all-rounder, capable of creating budget products as well as high end masterpieces. With the AIRSW10TI, however, Sony seems to be aiming for the very top.
Employing a wireless connector that is both super-strong and highly adaptive (Multi-Source Capability means that an additional speaker purchase can even connect this dock to other rooms in the house) as well as a bass sound that is deep and satisfying, the ‘Superior Sounding’ Sony AIRSW10TI certainly lives up to its boastful name in at least that sense. It is resoundingly satisfying to review a product that is both high performance and highly versatile. On the inside, the speakers are, predictably, somewhat more primitive than the nearest Bose model, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of delivering your sounds with jaw-dropping clarity and precision.
£210 might sound like a lot, and it is, but compared to a high end Bose speaker (some of which can set you back as much as £400) it is actually pretty reasonable. For my money, the Bose Soundlink is the better product, but the Sony AIRSW10TI undercuts it by almost £100 and also offers amazing sound. You really can’t ignore something like that.
Hardware / Design
The Sony AIRSW10TI is very easy to use and set up. Unlike some other high-end speaker docks, the AIRSW10TI doesn’t require a PHD in advanced Sonology and 10 years with the London Philharmonic just to plug it in.
And the sound, oh, the sound! With every effort ensuring that the bass is a crisp and warm as possible and a crystal clear reproduction of almost everything else, this really is one of the best speakers on he market today.
The Sony AIRSW10TI is a solid and durable speaker that is clearly a well-made product. However, it is not light, nor is it especially portable, two things that the Bose Soundlink really is. I know I shouldn’t compare the two, but I really can’t help it, for obvious reasons.
Conclusion:
If you have the extra hundred lying around, then I recommend the Bose SoundLink, as it really is a sterling product. However, if you want to save that money and you still want a high-end wireless speaker, then this is the one for you.
The Sony AIRSW10TI combines top quality speaker design with a smart and sturdy body to produce a product that is rooted in the basics of its function and yet cannily transcends it. Adaptable, enjoyable and all-round exceptional, the Sony AIRSW10TI is a speaker that is definitely worth a purchase.
£207.05
£219.99
£219.99
£219.99
£219.99
£219.99
NB! Confirm the retailer's price and product information prior to making your purchase.
Was: £249.99
Now: £207.05
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Customer Reviews
Honest reviews of the Sony AIRSW10TI iPod Docking Station from previous customers
The Amazon reviews for this product are generally positive, with 4 of the 5 reviews giving a perfect score and only one offering a 2/5.
‘Nice But Dim’ (5/5) said that it “beats my mate’s Bose dock all round and costs half the money”. Whilst I’m not entirely convinced of this claim, the review is enthusiastic, which is indicative of a happy customer.
‘G. Edwards’ (5/5) praised the “superb” sound from the speakers and commented on the “stylish” and “good quality” finish of the unit itself. (S)he then goes on to say that this speaker can actually go loud enough to easily “fill your neighbor’s house”. Uh oh.
Rounding off our rundown of perfect scores, ‘hetty’ (5/5) wrote, “This Sony system is great. No other words to describe the sound - fantastic. It's a MUST buy”.
‘A Keaveny’ posted the one negative review on Amazon. He raised the issue that the DAB radio reception is exceptionally poor on this device and he’s absolutely right. The DAB reception is really not up to much and the criticism stands in this case at least.
We encourage you to read them prior to making your final purchasing decision.