Report: users experiencing iBoom problems

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Report: users experiencing iBoom problems

MacFixIt is reporting on a potentially dangerous issue with Digital Lifestyle Outfitters’ (DLO) iBoom when battery power and AC power are used at the same time.

“My father received an iBoom for Christmas and at first, everything seemed great. Initially, he plugged it into the wall and tried it out. Soon after, he put in the batteries and did some work outside. When he returned inside, he put the iBoom on his computer desk and just plugged it into the wall and listened to it while working on his computer (rather than draining the batteries). The following morning, he noticed the back of the unit was very hot and there was fluid around the iBoom. It turned out to be battery acid. It seems that if you plug in the iBoom, approximately 12.75 volts DC go to the 6 D cell batteries. This can be extremely bad possibly resulting in a fire.”

The Mac site has also received a reader report detailing other issues with DLO’s boombox accessory for the iPod.

“From the first day I received the iBoom I found it to have two problems: 1) The volume control is faulty—it will not lower the volume in a gradual way but simply switches the volume totally off at the low end of the scale rather than allowing for a lower volume setting. 2) There is an unacceptable amount of hiss coming from the iBoom speakers. This is regardless of which input or the volume control setting—both the tuner or the iPod input show the same problem at any volume control setting.”

DLO has not responded to inquiries from iLounge regarding the original issue, and has not provided hardware for testing and review.

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Comments

1

DLO never looked like a quality manufacturer to me. Their cases were pretty shoddy.

Posted by Asher in Oakland, CA on January 18, 2005 at 9:44 AM (PDT)

2

Go boom with iboom?

Posted by Flatso on January 18, 2005 at 12:22 PM (PDT)

3

Hi, I’ve posted about my disatisfaction with this product previously. I don’t have the issues with the volume though I’d like to be able to turn it lower than its basic volume setting. I get a lot of hissing or a high pitched buz sound when the iPod is changing tracks (reading the drive) but it seems to go away. Overall I’m happy with it though it could have been a far better product for sure. Just some basic improvements in the design and features could have made this a far better product than what they put on the market.

Posted by lsw999 in US on January 18, 2005 at 1:28 PM (PDT)

4

Their cases never worked out for me. The skin tight silicone mini case had a flimsy screen protector that would tear easily if stretched. I’m much happier now with my Pacific Design flip case. In short, do not patronize this shoddy corporation.

Posted by Mahzorim iPod in Wildwood on January 18, 2005 at 4:04 PM (PDT)

5

their products look like crap and are overpriced.. just goes to show ya..

Posted by Kloan in Toronto, ON on January 18, 2005 at 10:03 PM (PDT)

6

What a blunder, what a stupid idiotic senseless engineering blunder. And they must have Homer Simson working in product testing. DLO next time use:
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/CUI Inc/Web data/PJ-005B.pdf You don’t want to allow house current into Alkaline batteries.

Posted by __redruM in Gaithersburg, MD on January 20, 2005 at 6:05 PM (PDT)

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