I was looking for a Bluetooth-enabled sound system that on the one hand should be portable and battery powered, the other hand should also have the best possible sound. The Bose SoundLink had I liked the idea and design here, but I found the sound of the device is not really convincing, namely no better than a portable radio in the 70s but without radio. Too little volume and vague heights, to the relatively high price.
By chance I came across in the media market on the Sony RDP-XF300IP who really delivers a great sound.
The device has - in addition to Bluetooth - an iPod docking function also can load my iPad to 100%, an FM tuner which is really useful and have a remote control with which to operate all functions, including on / off.
Ergonomics: Very successful, makes it really fun. For example, you can with the right / left and Play / Pause - skip buttons on the remote control or the device to the previous / next track in the album or playlist or search hold down the button for the actual track. The work with my iPad not only in docking mode but also via Bluetooth!
The controls are located on the unit above, namely that where they were also suspected. Far left on / off, far right the volume. In between, from left to right: iPod, Bluetooth, FM, Line In, Sound (Equalizer Presets), Play / Pause, Previous and Next.
At the bottom left of the RDP XF300IP has a display, the display of the selected input, the FM frequency (non-RDS), volume, EQ setting, battery charging status is etc.
The device has an external power supply, which looks like a laptop and 20V / 3.5A DC supplies. So it can not be recharged in the car (goes with the Bose 18V not). But there may just go an iPad. The iPad is here even supplied on battery power.
If you have iPad / iPod infects the first time, it requires that you load a free app from the AppStore. This app can not do much, however. One can thus, among others FM transmitter though rearrange, but not - what would be useful for a mobile device - different station lists on computer iPad. So you need this app not really, it all works without.
The RDP XF300IP has a replaceable NiMH rechargeable battery. The manual describes how to change even this. The part you can obtain on the Sony service. This point is different from Apple and Sony beneficial consorts where you do not seem to expect a life of> three years. In my view, the heavier, but cheaper over LiIon rechargeable NiMH batteries for the sound are not a disadvantage. Without mass, there's no reasonable sound.
More unspectacular but useful details:
Retractable iPod dock that does not disturb the elegant look
if you do not need it and also makes the device safe for transportation.
If no signal is received,
The unit turns itself off after some time.
Thanks to a recess on the back of the device is easily portable.
You can also switch between Stereo and Mono using the FM button,
if a broadcasting station does not does not come purely strong enough.
Desirable improvements could
Remote control should be clamped / plugged the unit
A protective cover for transport
RDS display the Radio
Line Out jack
Conclusion: from classical to techno language the RDP XF300IP makes a very good figure. Absolute buy recommendation. Well done Sony!
