iHome says that the $300 iP1 uses "a complex chip-based algorithm" developed by Bongiovi Acoustics to restore "harmonics, brightness, clarity and presence" while also boosting the bass. How well does the technology work? To my ears, it sometimes works a little too well.
The iP1 has a blue button marked with a B that turns the special technology on and off. There's no doubt that engaging the algorithm makes a big difference. The volume jumps up, and both bass and treble become more pronounced. iHome says that the iP1 boasts 100 watts of power distributed among four speakers; but I found that without the B button on, the iP1 wouldn't be loud enough to drive any self-respecting party.
With rock and pop music especially, using the algorithm can have a good effect. But I found it harsh and unnatural on a jazz piece like Dexter Gordon's version of "Don't Explain." The sound of brushes on cymbals was so bright and distinct that I found it grating.
I also heard a consistent and annoying fuzzy sound below the music on the iP1 I tested. It was particularly noticeable on quieter pieces, such as classical piano works in which it came and went rhythmically, almost like the noise that a scratched LP would produce. I tested the same track on other , and the noise disappeared.
The iP1 has a sleek, modern design that I like, but it won't necessarily be everyone's cup of tea. The dock's two 4-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters are stuck through a plate of smoky plastic, with the backs of the speakers on display. The arrangement does provide more separation between the speakers than you find in many , and that seems to contribute to good voicing between different instruments.