Near the very top of my list of enviable things about computer setups sit two drool-worthy items — one, when the setup is in an irresistibly cool remodeled space, like a man cave or a she shed, and two, when the setup’s audio blows the dang roof off. Today’s expansive example is a multi-computer, multi-display outfit in the UK with a very special stereo system, one of Apple’s brilliant failures — iPod Hi-Fi. It’s so much more than an iPod dock.
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iPod Hi-Fi stereo system entertains multi-computer, multi-display setup
Apple's discontinued iPod Hi-Fi stereo system, launched in 2006, remains a powerful audio option on the used market. You can use a Bluetooth adapter to stream audio to it.
- Room-filling sound
- Great bass response
- Need adapters for Bluetooth streaming or to add battery for portable use
In a post simply titled “Home office,” Redditor markgsj90 showcased his expansive setup in a man shed out in the “garden.” That’s UK-speak for a yard, garden or any space outside the house. The home office includes a MacBook Pro and PC laptops, plus a variety of displays placed strategically rather than grouped together. On the right is an oddly skinny, 43-inch ultra-wide from electriQ (discontinued). On the left next to the Creality Ender 3 3D printer is a 25-inch Dell 1080p monitor. And above that Mark mounts a 43-inch Toshiba Fire 4K TV.
The man shed home office even includes a mini fridge for beverages so Rick doesn’t have to walk to the house so much. These spaces, like this one and this one, are much-envied as cool setup lairs.
“We had an old leaky disused brick garage at the bottom of our garden that we decided to renovate,” he explained. “It was a long project that I did myself (excluding professional services like electrics).”
His excellent home office setup drew plenty of praise from commenters.
“Cozy and functional! Love the amount of work surface you have, and a good amount of natural light. This kind of setup would make the day go by quickly and pleasantly.”
“Thank you, exactly what I was going for,” Mark replied.
iPod Hi-Fi stereo system
Photo: [email protected]
One of the setup’s coolest elements is its audio, courtesy of Apple’s late, great iPod Hi-Fi Wired Speaker System. You can see the white and black box in the center of the photo above, or in a zoomed-in look below. The stereo system made Cult of Mac‘s list of failed Apple products that are actually awesome. And you can still find them second-hand. Check the links list below.
Apple co-founder and audiophile Steve Jobs was a huge fan of the system, using it to replace thousands of dollars’ worth of high-end stereo equipment, as he said when he introduced iPod Hi-Fi in 2006.
Years later, Cult of Mac’s founder and editor and publisher, Leander Kahney, got into the speaker system, as well. In 2017, he found one at a yard sale for an incredibly low price of $10. That’s quite a find, as it had already become a bit of a collector’s item, sometimes fetching a few thousand dollars. He attached an Amazon Echo Dot to it via Bluetooth adapter to add voice control. And, no stranger to quality audio, he loved iPod Hi-Fi’s audio chops.
“It sounds great. It has a muscular, room-filling sound with strong bass and clear mid-tones and highs, even at high volume,” he wrote at the time. “It’s powerful enough to blow out rows of candles. It’s a quite the thumper, even at lower volumes, and I love it. I heard a rumor that it’s Apple design chief Jony Ive’s favorite under-appreciated Apple product, and I can see why.”
Best speaker Apple ever made?
This version of Apple's iconic iPod music player features 160 GB of storage, in silver.
- Apple's iconic music player
- Play your MP3s and MP4s with brilliant sound
- 160GB of disk space
- Doesn't support variety of file formats
- No Spatial Audio
For his part, Mark — currently on the lookout for a replacement iPod Classic — simply connects iPod Hi-Fi to his MacBook via the AUX connection with a Bluetooth adapter. And he thinks it’s the best speaker system Apple ever made. And yes, he’s tried all the newer stuff.
“Yeah, I’ve tried the original HomePod, the newer one and the mini,” he told Cult of Mac. “They’re fine, but the iPod Hi-Fi just has a different sound. It’s more balanced, with better mids and lows, and doesn’t have that overly tuned feel the newer ones do. The bass is unmatched, compared.”
Mark added a Bluetooth adapter to AUX direct so he can stream to the system, which he said works well with everything he uses. He said he even fitted a rechargeable battery to make it “portable-ish” as a boom box.
“If you can get your hands on one I highly recommend it,” he added.
And one more thing, in case you missed it in the photo at the top of the page. That’s not a curtain rod hanging over the window. It’s a light saber from Star Wars.
Shop these items now:
This inexpensive accessory makes the wired iPod Hi-Fi speaker system capable of playing music streamed from other devices.
iPod Hi-Fi and other audio:
Computers:
Displays:
- ElectriQ 43-inch Super UltraWide 120Hz Gaming Monitor
- 25-inch Dell Pro 24 Plus Monitor P2425H (1080p)
- 43-inch Toshiba Fire 4K TV
Input devices:
3D printer:
Print out objects from source files with this affordable 3D printer. It's fully open source and includes resume-printing function (even during power outage). Printing size is 8.66in x 8.66in x 9.84in.
- Great beginner model with fast assembly
- Advanced Extruder Technology
- Lacks some features of high-end models
Furniture:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
