Samson StudioDock 3i Powered Studio USB Monitors with iPod Dock Review

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Got these a few weeks ago and I'm pretty happy with them.
Pros:
- Great sound, very full, good bass response for smallish speakers.
- USB integrates perfectly with my "docked" macbook... they plug into my usb hub, I plug my usb hub into my computer when at my desk. OSX auto-switches to use them as the main output (except for sound alerts, they still go out my laptop speakers.
- independent volume control on the speakers with *tons* of headroom. I run these speakers at about the 9 o'clock volume level. (they go up to 5 o'clock).
Cons:
- Isn't "compatible" with iphone... iphone causes the standard, annoying cell noise in the speakers when docked. Iphone complains that it isn't compatible with the device (I haven't found anything "compatible" with the iphone 3GS besides Apple's charger anyway). I blame the iphone /apple for this more than the speakers.
- Dock for my iphone didn't work well... I had trouble getting it to make a connection with my iphone unless I docked it and pulled the iphone forward, which didn't seem very good. Maybe fine for other ipods. Because of the speaker noise, I prefer not to dock my iphone anyway, so I'd be happy with these speakers w/o the dock.
- Power switch for speaker is on the back of the right speaker. It's a bit inconvenient to reach over and turn it off/on. Turning it off/on while plugged into USB will wake up your sleeping macbook.
Samson StudioDock 3i Powered Studio USB Monitors with iPod Dock Feature
- 3 inch magnetically shielded inverted cone copolymer woofer with butyl surround
- 25mm silk dome high frequency driver
- Bass reflex vented cabinet design
- 2 x 20 watts of internal power
- Front-panel 3.5mm stereo aux input jack, headphone output jack, and volume control
StudioDock is a total solution for listening to your music. With its on-board iPod dock and USB interface, StudioDock lets you record, mix, sync and take your music with you. StudioDock will even charge an iPod while it's docked. And because you use USB to send your music digitally, you get extremely high quality audio from one convenient, incredible sounding set of desktop monitors.
 A total solution for listening to your music. Click to enlarge. |
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 Click above images for front/rear feature diagrams. |
Great Monitoring Performance
StudioDock 3i offers the same professional monitoring performance found in all Samson studio monitors, thanks to Samson's use of custom-designed components and a critically damped, vented cabinet design. The StudioDock even looks nice--an elegant complement to any desktop, home studio or mixing room.
Integrated iPod Dock
Use the universal iPod dock to charge your iPod, and play back your iPod music. And since the StudioDock is USB-enabled, you can sync directly with iTunes when connected to your computer.
Professional Features
StudioDock 3i features a 3.25-inch, copolymer woofer with a Santoprene surround for high excursion and internal damping, providing uncolored music reproduction. With its high performance, magnetically shielded woofer, the 3i also employs a precision made 25mm silk dome tweeter with a neodymium motor structure for smooth, extended high frequency response that reduces listener fatigue. The Solid MDF enclosure finishes it off.
In addition, this revolutionary monitor is powered by an internal 30 watt (2 x 15) high performance, low distortion power amplifier with custom equalization. The result is a system that delivers unusually smooth and accurate frequency response with precise stereo imaging.
Choose Your Input
The StudioDock 3i features a USB input to stream digital audio from your computer, offering high-resolution sound. In addition, you'll get convenient rear panel RCA inputs, and a front panel 3.5mm stereo input jack to plug in an additional sound source on the fly. (A headphone output jack is also included up front, to mute the speakers and listen with headphones and volume control.)
What's in the Box
Pair of StudioDock Speakers, Power Cables, USB Cables, Owner's Manual
StudioDock: A Monitoring Milestone for the iPod Generation. Samson unveils StudioDock, a USB studio monitor specifically designed for today’s music production needs. StudioDock allows you to play or stream digital audio via USB directly to the monitors. And because the music stays digital, StudioDock produces remarkably high quality audio. The monitors also provide an onboard iPod dock so you can sync, charge and play music from your iPod. StudioDock makes life easy on musicians and producers that want to take their mix with them to listen on other consumer audio sound systems. It’s the perfect companion for today’s music producers who want true digital audio that sounds clearer and cleaner than a traditional analog cable with soundcard output.In addition to the USB functionality and onboard iPod dock, StudioDock offers studio-quality performance. The StudioDock offers 2 x 15 watts of internal power respectively, along with a 25mm silk dome high frequency driver. An all-in-one solution with studio-quality sound for the iPod generation was missing from the marketplace. StudioDock fills the void and provides an intuitive, comprehensive listening station for today’s musicians, producers and general music-lovers.
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great speaker for the iphone - Charles - Coral Gables, Florida
These Samson StudioDock 3i speakers are great. I use them in the living room, and do not use them w/ a computer - stricly w/ my iphone 3Gs. Sound quality is superb; crisp, good bass and capable of being very loud. I am not a "techie", but for the .66 range this is an exceptional product. - Phone will ring through on the speakers when someone calls, while the iphone is docked and playing music, so that's also great. They even seem to charge the iphone sometimes, but don't expect this.
Great speakers; not to be confused with monitors though - Matthew Taylor - el paso, TX USA
I use these sometimes as an iPod dock but mainly as remote speakers for airtunes. These speakers have lots of bass for their size and the sound quality is very good. They remind me a lot of the old non-powered Minimus speakers from Radio Shack.
However, don't think you can really use them as studio monitors. The low frequencies are there, but are not accurate. The mids are accentuated on the low end by the porting. On the plus side, these have a very good stereo image -- unusual for designs where the amp is in one speaker only. Things mixed to the middle appear to exist in between the speakers, rather than off to one side.
If you need cheap but quality powered monitors, I can recommend the Alesis 520s.
If you need an iPod dock that sounds probably as good as the 0 model from Bose, and certainly better than the similarly priced junk at the discount retailers, look no further.

Jun 30, 2010 08:20:13