We check out some Yamaha kit in different
locations.
The Yamaha PDX-11's title gives little away
regarding this product's functionality; although the appearance of the Yamaha
name should give the clue that audio will have a role to play. In fact, the
Yamaha PDX-11 is a portable speaker dock designed to work with the iPod/iPhone
family when connected to the mains or powered by batteries.
Yamaha
PDX-11
It has to be said that the PDX-11's design
concept will not be to everybody's taste. My first thoughts on receiving this
product were that I had been sent one of those lights used on a theatre stage
to illuminate the performance. However, the presence of a front-mounted dark
blue metal grille and the control/docking panel on the top of the unit quickly
put right my misconception. This octagonal device is clearly a speaker/docking
device but perhaps not one you might wish to be the focal point of a living
room. With its overall shape, studded collar and rigid silver metal carry
handle, the PDX-11 would feel more at home in a workroom, as it pumps out its
volume from a 4" woofer and 3.5cm tweeter.
The unit's controls and docking unit are
perched on top of the unit. Arranged between buttons for volume adjustment and
power on/off are two LED status lights colored green and red, with the latter
indicating problems or when the volume level is at the minimum or maximum. The
docking station is located in a sunken well.
The rear of the PDX-11 houses connection
sockets for mains power and aux-in. There's also a concealed compartment for
inserting six AA batteries for when away from a mains power source. While
you're supplied with a power lead, you will need to provide the audio lead with
3.5mm jack plugs for use with the aux-in connection and the batteries.
A remote control device is provided for
controlling the iPod/iPhone device mounted on the docking station. This remote
unit only fully supports the more recent Apple offerings. For instance, I could
control the volume level but little else with my iPod Classic docked on this
unit. I had access to greater functionality when I switched to an iPod touch.
With this device I could access its menu, switch between tracks as well as
adjusting the volume level. However, in mitigation, I must state that the
PDX-11 was able to recognize and play content from my iPod Classic whereas
other similar devices I have seen fail to manage this.
Yamaha
PDX-11
It has been my experience with speaker
docks that feature an aux-in connection is you could either play content from
one or the other. The Yamaha PDX-11 does not abide by this concept. It is
possible to have audio being played simultaneously from the docked device and a
second device connected to the aux-in. I am not really sure why you would want
to do this unless you have the remarkable ability to listen to two pieces of
music at the same time. I can work while I listen to music but the two music
streams is a talent I have yet to master.
Two simultaneous music tracks apart, the
Yamaha PDX-11 delivers well-rounded quality with excellent bass, clear vocals
and bright treble. With its weight of 1.5kg, this is not a device for being
your jogging companion, but it would be ideal for the evening barbecue or
countryside picnic when we next get a summer.
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Details
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Price: $128
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Manufacturer: Yamaha
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Website: www.yamaha.com
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Required spec: n/a
Verdict
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Quality: 9
·
Value: 8
·
Overall: 8
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