My sister wants me to help her with ideas for a simple system under $500 or close. She will use her Ipod. I think she also has an airport express?

Here is what she said: i want something that looks good (minimal design) and, of course, sounds good and can connect to my ipod. i don't really have a home system - just a small bookshelf stereo that i might get rid of.

She is definitely not an audiophile.

Any thoughts appreciated.

A pair of powered quad 11Ls?

Just to be clear, this is a headphone system? Headphones + amp + cable + dock <= $500? Or is there a requirement for speakers of some kind too?

Does she have any headphone preference/requirements like closed vs. open or stylish-looking vs. don't care?

Edit: oh, duh. I just noticed this was in the speakers forum. Nevvermind.

Never heard these, but they have very Apple-friendly aesthetics:

Absolute Zero (white) | Bookshelf Speakers | Premium Audio Equipment

Should sound good enough for her.

Edit: No ideas for amp though.

Thanks for the thoughts so far.

Sonic Integrity Tube Pod [Tube Pod] - $400.00 : TTVJ, Home of High End Audio

I know nothing about it, but it looks cool.

Wow, that does look cool!

Audioengine A5

Audioengine - Upgrade your music

She can even plug her airport express into it.

Thanks, thrice, have you heard this? Sound decent?

I have..briefly... I haven't owned them, but I've had my eye on them for bedroom speakers when we buy a house. I did hear them a few times at a friend's house. They are good for what they are. I'd be willing to bet the Quad's grawk mentioned sound better. I don't have much other experience with powered speakers so, I don't have any basis for comparison. My rec. comes more from the iPod angle as well as the fact that they have an additional AC socket on the back for the airport express. So a combination of features and sound quality.

We have one of these:

Meet George - an iPod docking music system with full function remote

Very minimalist style and the remote menu is just like an Ipod. It comes with a separate charger for the remote or you can dock it in the main unit. Doesn't sound as good as A5s but thats the trade-off for the style and small footprint.

x2 or 3 on the A5s. No they're not going to match the Quads, but very good for price. I have a pair of the bamboos. Also hunt around web. There are almost always discount codes around.

OK, I think I will suggest the A5 or the Quads. Does she need anything else to connect the ipod to either of these? I know nothing of ipods.

Velo, I think she already has something akin to that and she wants to move up a bit. Thanks.

just the right cables.

OK, I think I will suggest the A5 or the Quads. Does she need anything else to connect the ipod to either of these? I know nothing of ipods.

Velo, I think she already has something akin to that and she wants to move up a bit. Thanks.

The A5s come with all the cables she'll need. For the Quads she'll need a mini to stereo RCA adapter and long ICs, assuming she uses the iPod volume control which would be easier since the Quads have separate volume controls on the back of the speakers.

We have one of these:

Meet George - an iPod docking music system with full function remote

Very minimalist style and the remote menu is just like an Ipod. It comes with a separate charger for the remote or you can dock it in the main unit. Doesn't sound as good as A5s but thats the trade-off for the style and small footprint.

I picked up one of these too, for my bedroom. Agreed with all above: sound is just decent, but functionality and style is very nice. Has a headphone jack, I use that and a Shure 840 for some fun but non-critical listening.

Buy.com was selling these for cheap when I got mine, not anymore so it seems. But you can likely find them for < $300, maybe used.

Anybody know anything about these Aktimates? Supposedly amp by Creek, speakers by Epos, have an iPod dock on top and an aux input as well. They seem most available in the UK and Oz, looks like they might be harder to find Stateside.

AktiMate 2010

^

I have heard the mini at an audio show (KLIAV 2009) late last year.

I remember thinking to myself that if I did own an ipod, that these speakers would make for a nice bedroom rig. These speakers did not suck.

I have the audioengine A2 (smaller than the A5) at work to use with my ipod. They're okay. A bit too much mid-bass bloom for my taste. From what other folks have told me, the A5s are better in that regard, and if true, I would definitely recommend them. As far as ease of use with an ipod, I bought a dock, and it took me about 5 seconds to figure out how to hook them up, and if anyone here has experienced my lack of....er...talent in that area, that's pretty dang good.

Great, I think A5s are on the top of the list. Nice they have a 30-day guarantee from the factory too.

Thanks to everyone.

Yay Audioengine! I think she'll like them.