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November 2008

SAMSON DOCKS ON YOUR DESKTOP

Samson’s iPod-compatible, USB-equipped StudioDock series brings pro-audio performance to a desktop near you

Samson, a world-leader in the professional recording studio equipment arena, now brings its expertise with ‘near field’ monitors to the home. The American maker’s StudioDock series features two models, the 3i and 4i, and both versions offer a superb stereo soundstage from an incredibly compact, yet outstandingly well-equipped system.

Intelligent design is the key to the StudioDock’s compact styling: both models use an ‘active’ monitor, meaning your chosen package comprises just two smart-looking speakers. The 4i’s main monitor houses a digital amplifier capable of delivering an impressive total of 40 watts, while the 3i returns up to 30 watts. This right-hand speaker cabinet is also home to your Apple iPod – look on top of the speaker and you find a flush-fitted dock ready and waiting to deliver your portable’s tunes. This dock also charges your precious player’s battery while you concentrate on enjoying its sonic wares.

A further cunning touch is the StudioDock’s USB facility, which means it can instantly ‘make friends’ with your computer – be it an Apple Mac or PC. Connect your machine, using the supplied USB lead, to the StudioDock’s rear port and the system is immediately ready to replay audio from your computer. Additionally, dock your iPod, and the StudioDock acts a digital music conduit, enabling music library ‘synching’ with your computer. 

The StudioDock’s silky sounds are not exclusive to iPod owners, though. The right-hand speaker’s front panel makes room for a 3.5mm stereo input, meaning you can plug in, say, an MP3 player or mobile phone. For more personal listening sessions there is also a headphone jack, and round the rear of the speaker cabinet you find an RCA stereo input, letting you hook-up the likes of a CD player, DVD player or games console. What we have here is much more than an iPod dock; the StudioDock is an audio hub – you need just provide the music source.

Superb audio quality completes the StudioDock’s extensive list of talents. Samson equips each speaker with a copolymer woofer – the 4i features a 4.25in unit, while the 3i uses a 3.25in version – and backs up this lower frequency delivery with the smooth sounds of a 25m silk dome tweeter. To allow interference-free performance, when placed close to screens, the woofers are magnetically shielded. Meanwhile, the cabinet’s Santoprene surround boosts internal damping, and delivers uncoloured music reproduction. Finally, from even close listening positions – such as when sitting at a computer desk – the StudioDock presents a rock-solid, yet expansive stereo image.

Up against the raft of iPod docks on the market, this Samson is clearly poles apart….

The Samson StudioDock 3i UK recommended retail price is £109.
The Samson StudioDock 4i UK recommended retail price is £149.