iLounge

1

I bought a Model L back when they were $599 (now $979!).  Too bad the dollar has been so weak.  I thought the Model L was worth $599 but not $979, and I certainly wouldn’t think the smaller Model M is worth $799.

Some big omissions for a device this expensive:
(1) no digital (optical) audio in or out (analog line in only)
(2) no RF remote (IR only and too large and clumsy)

and unless they’ve updated this recently in newer models

(3) not iPhone compatible (get nag screen)
(4) charges by FireWire; i.e. won’t charge iPhone 3G, nano 4G, or Touch 2G.

(3 & 4 certainly apply to my version)

Posted by Dyvim on November 13, 2008 at 9:14 AM (PDT)

2

Dyvim, thanks for the comments and thanks for being such an early adopter of GenevaSound. We sincerely appreciate your support.

I work on the GenevaSound product and would like to clarify:
>(3) not iPhone compatible (get nag screen)
GenevaSound Medium is iPhone 3G certified by Apple, as are all new release models (upcoming - watch iLounge for news)
>(4) charges by FireWire; i.e. won’t charge iPhone 3G, nano 4G, or Touch 2G.
All GenevaSound models except for the earliest release - which you have - are no longer FireWire charging. I am sorry the switch in Apple specs has affected our first buyers.

On price/performance ratio of all-in-one high fidelity audio - in our class - Bose, Bang & Olufsen, Meridian AIO products are 50%, 100% and about 400% more than GenevaSound Medium, respectively. At price points lower, to find quality audio, the buyer must accept limits in performance and functionality - the others are single function iPod docks, not all-in-one hifi with radio, CD, iPod/iPhone all integrated.

We are a small company trying to craft quality and simplicity and offer it at the fairest price possible to support the venture. We were the first company to weld the iPod 30-pin connector to quality acoustics in a radically simple form. The very positive reviews (starting with iLounge) have encouraged some of the legendary names in audio (B&W;, et al) to discover there is demand for such from the iPod user community.

Posted by George Campbell Emerson on November 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM (PDT)

3

Good to hear that newer models are iPhone-compatible and charge by USB.  I also understand that it is difficult as a European company to maintain the same prices for your products in USD as the value of the dollar falls against CHF and EUR.

Your US website needs updating though- I see no mention of iPhone-compatibility or FireWire vs. USB charging on it.

Don’t get me wrong- I love the sound and aesthetics of your speakers and enjoy my Model L.  There’s truly nothing else like them on the market (esp. in terms of the minimalist cabinet design).  But obviously as a U.S. consumer I thought the Model L at $599 represented a much better price/performance ratio than a Model M at $799, and if faced with making the same decision now when the U.S. economy is in a recession and the Model L costs $979, I think I would simply have to abstain.

Posted by Dyvim on November 13, 2008 at 2:31 PM (PDT)

4

I’m also a Model L owner who bought during a recent clearance sale at a high-end AV store and got what I consider a great price.  I fully agree with Dyvim regarding the omissions and price/performance ratio.  A smaller Model M unit at $799 is a tough sell in an arguably niche market. 

I needed an all-in-one unit with high-end sound reproduction and nothing else came close.  I feed an FM HD radio signal from a Sony XDRF1HD tuner into the one aux input and the quality far exceeds the built-in tuner. 

I would also add that the IR remote often takes a couple of pushes to wake up the unit and the off angle response is poor compared to all other IR remotes (8) in my home theater.

The Dollar/Euro exchange rate has improved in the dollars favor recently.  Generally speaking, this is good if you’re buying goods from outside the USA.  So I do puzzle at the steep price increases of this Swiss made product.

Having said all this, I still consider this product to be at the top of its class in styling, build quality, and audio performance.

Posted by DJones on November 17, 2008 at 2:55 PM (PDT)