Even though the Bose SoundDock 10 might look like your average iPhone and MP3 docking station, there are three unique audio innovations powering the dock. Beneath the attractive metal casing is a feast of audio engineering innovations that render sound production as good as we've heard from a unit so small.
Proprietary innovation
Specialising in wide frequency reproductions, the high-end $999 SoundDock 10 hinges on Bose's proprietary waveguide technology, which, over the years has been greatly modded to create the sound we heard today.
Typically, audio waveguides have been vulnerable to the length of the wave and how far that wave had to travel to fill a space accurately.
Even more difficult, acoustic waveguide technology has often been limited to the type of sounds it attempts to reproduce, as each instrument and the notes it reproduces requires a different waveguide length.
The SoundDock 10's waveguide length has been narrowed down from 190cm to 132cm, folded into the system's petite enclosure - an audio engineering marvel in itself.
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| The Bose SoundDock 10 reproduces sound with incredible accuracy thanks to improved waveform and woofer technologies |
In addition to enhanced waveform technologies, the on-board woofer works much better than typical iPod docks of its size. Bose claim its woofer can deliver up to four times the efficiency of a conventional one, and judging by the deep low tones we heard in a number of jazz and classical music demonstrations at the official press launch - we'd have to agree.
Finally, a proprietary multi-purpose metal cap seals the waveguide woofer, provides the adequate magnetic shielding (because of the huge size of the woofer - which is roughly 30% of the unit's weight) and directs air through the enclosure to stop the dock from overheating.
Apart from the usual iPod, iPhone and MP3 functionality; a separately available Bluetooth dock is also available for the SoundDock 10, meaning you can play tunes from your phone without the phone ever leaving your hand. It's a nice addition, if not a little costly at $249.
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| The optional Bose mobile dock is a little costly at $249, but some will find it very useful |
The SoundDock 10 is designed to be your standalone sound system, replacing the cables and multiple speakers. There's even a video composite connector for TV synchronisation. Overall, it might be out of the range of most buyers - but it does make some seriously beautiful sounds.