Content area
Abstract
The PDX-11 could not be less complicated to operate. It has three push-button controls on top, facing the dock - two for volume, one for on/off - and two status-indicator lights. The green tells the user the PDX-11 is powered on. The red means you-know-what. A small remote duplicates those controls and also has navigational powers over the iPod's/iPhone's menu.
You'd better with the PDX-11. Getting it too close to the action, whether a basement workshop or a beach volleyball game, risks damage to the iPod/iPhone and the dock connector. And watch where you're walking; the low-flung PDX-11 is only about 8 inches wide and slightly less than 9.5 inches high and deep.
The PDX-11 is so simple that Yamaha built in no input switch even though the user can engage either the dock or another device through a minijack connector on the back panel. For a time, I had it connected to an iPod Touch and, via the minijack, a cable box. With both playing simultaneously, out came a bizarre combination of HGTV's "My First Place" and Jimmy Scott's "This Bitter Earth."
Full text
The Yamaha PDX-11 portable player dock has been a house guest for little more than two weeks, and already it's suffering from a bad case of cabin fever.
It wants out.
Spring's coming, little guy. It's coming.
And to human sufferers of cabin fever: Because this clever workmate/playmate for the iPod and iPhone (sorry, an iPad would fall off this pony) costs $100 and, often, even less, Yamaha has created a potential star for the brighter, longer, warmer days ahead.
The PDX-11 can't wait to rip off its power cord, get outside and show its battery power (six AAs).
It's not exactly Apple-style pretty, though. The PDX-11's squat, industrial design is as nuanced as a bowling ball. Its grille looks like an oversize shower drain, secured by heavy-duty metal hex screws. The big-mouth speaker tapers to a simple back panel, with no legs (only tiny rubber feet). In a previous life, it might have been a high-beam work light.
The only visible metal, besides the grille and hex screws, is the carry handle and, of course, the stub of a dock. The PDX-11 looks about as rugged as a product can possibly look that's almost entirely plastic and weighs 3.3 pounds.
It has one speaker, as in mono. Not two, as in stereo. Yet it doesn't matter. A single speaker isn't unusual in a compact dock system. Even the bigger docks with two speakers can't produce a discernible stereo image because the individual drivers are simply too close.
Where the PDX-11 distinguishes itself from other single-speaker docks, however, is its use of two drivers - a 4-inch woofer for lower frequencies and a soft-dome tweeter for the highs - instead of a single "full-frequency" driver. The tweeter gives the PDX-11 sound an extra sheen.
The PDX-11 is incapable of hitting the low notes. In my listening tests, it quickly surrendered once it hit 80 hertz - just like a home-theater's tiny surround-sound speaker.
The PDX-11 could not be less complicated to operate. It has three push-button controls on top, facing the dock - two for volume, one for on/off - and two status-indicator lights. The green tells the user the PDX-11 is powered on. The red means you-know-what. A small remote duplicates those controls and also has navigational powers over the iPod's/iPhone's menu.
Yamaha does not even supply dock adapters for your iPod or iPhone. Manufacturers, with reason, have gotten away from supplying every possible dock adapter. It's a waste of plastic. Every iPod and iPhone comes with one. So use it.
And you'd better with the PDX-11. Getting it too close to the action, whether a basement workshop or a beach volleyball game, risks damage to the iPod/iPhone and the dock connector. And watch where you're walking; the low-flung PDX-11 is only about 8 inches wide and slightly less than 9.5 inches high and deep.
The PDX-11 is so simple that Yamaha built in no input switch even though the user can engage either the dock or another device through a minijack connector on the back panel. For a time, I had it connected to an iPod Touch and, via the minijack, a cable box. With both playing simultaneously, out came a bizarre combination of HGTV's "My First Place" and Jimmy Scott's "This Bitter Earth."
Remember, it's either party or chaos with the PDX-11.
The PDX-11, available in dark blue, black, green and white, does not reach those "party" levels, however, without pushing the iPod/iPhone volume close to its maximum. (That's a hint, Yamaha, that maybe the next generation could use a little more power.)
The PDX-11 will still play loudly - it reached 90 decibels comfortably, showing little sign of distortion. The batteries, surprisingly, powered the PDX-11 to similar volume levels, though they do not charge the iPod/iPhone simultaneously like an AC power connection. Expect up to eight hours on each set of batteries or, better, use rechargeables.
A built-in lithium ion rechargeable battery would have made the PDX-11 even better, but certainly more expensive. By keeping the PDX-11 at $100, it's hit the hot spot for versatile indoor-outdoor sound.
What: Yamaha PDX-11 portable player dock
Price: $99.95, usa.yamaha.com
Hot: Rugged, compact portable speaker dock for iPod/iPhone that also runs on batteries
Not: Can sound underpowered
Photo (color); Caption: Yamaha PDX-11 portable player dock
(Copyright 2012 by The Daily Press)