The design of the Simpl A1 is elegant overall. The amplifier slips seamlessly onto the back of the iPod and the rubber tabs cause it to clings tightly. Apple’s docking cradle can still be used if the Simpl A1 is clipped to the top section of the iPod. Cases and covers, however, will not fit around the amplifier pack. A USB connection is used to recharge the batteries. I was not able test the battery life, but the manufacture claims a 16-hour life with 2 hours needed for a full recharge. A small patch cord connects the amplifier to the iPod.
My only complaint about the design is the push button power switch. Several times while traveling, I pulled the amplifier out of my bag to discover that the it had been turned on by accident. A sliding switch or a lock would have been a nice addition. Given Apple’s near perfect design work on the iPod itself, even a slight design failing on an accessory seems like a glaring error.
The Simpl A1 delivers as promised. It provides a serious volume boost with crystal clear sound across a wide frequency range. At half the price of a 20-gig iPod, the headphone amplifier is not cheap. People who listen to a few tunes with the earbuds provided by Apple probably won’t find the investment worth it. Serious audiophiles and dedicated road warriors who live on planes might find that the Simpl A1 is just the accessory they need.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
very nice Todd, thanks!
2 - Aaman
Here is the ASIN for the product - B0006ZL33W
Yr link for purchase does not work, and should be replaced with the Amazon ASIN, methinks
Coming to the product itself - audiophiles are not driven by volume or amplitude for musical appreciation. Distortion, or rather the lack of it, is more important, IMHO. This product will probably increase distortion - although I might be wrong - your review seems to indicate otherwise.
For a good listening experience, I would recommend listening to music on a well-equipped amp/speaker system rather than on an iPod/headphone:)
Nice detailed review - ty
3 - Eric Olsen
the link works fine as far as I can tell - takes me to MacMall - this begins a new affiliation for us for some electronics - no Amazon on Mac/PCMall product reviews
4 - Todd A. Price
This is part of new collaboration between PCMall and Blogcritics. That's why I didn't use Amazon links.
All the links work for me. Just tested them. Odd.
If your headphone can handle the power, then there is no distortion at even very loud volumes.
5 - Eric Olsen
hmm, there's an echo
6 - Temple Stark
So Todd works for ... Or did he just know sometihng about the new affiliate program that we all didn't.
On the product - how tinny are the headphones.
Do you all want to go deaf? Or is it really needed.
7 - Eric Olsen
the announcement was made in the Yahoo Group and products made available for review - moe will follow now that we finally have the kinks worked out
8 - Mark Saleski
Distortion, or rather the lack of it, is more important, IMHO
except in the case of single-ended triode, low-power amps....where some distortion is a good thing.
9 - Todd A. Price
This amp would quickly blow out the supplied earbuds. If you use bigger headphones, the iPod does have enough power to drive them.
I suppose you could use this to go deaf, if you really wanted.
10 - jonmac
Here's a very detailed review using good quality buds
11 - Dennis Downs
Most of you do not know why an amp is needed.
And it is not to blow out your ears!
If you ride a motorcycle and want to put headphones inside your helment, the ipod does NOT have near enough power to drive high quality speakers.
Even at full volume and the motorcycle engine OFF you can barely hear them!
And those ear bud speakers will have your ears hurting sooner than later inside a helment!