Logic3 i-Station30 Sound Bar review

The Logic3 i-Statiion30 Sound Bar is a TV-savvy iPod dock Tested at £90

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A dock that does more is always nice, but this one doesn’t sound good enough

Pros

  • +

    Bridges the gap between iPhone and TV

  • +

    free app works well for radio

  • +

    surprisingly decent video quality

  • +

    fairly clear voices

Cons

  • -

    Cluttered, dull audio

  • -

    app needs work

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There are a couple of things that mark out the Logic3 as not being your average dock.

The first is hinted at by the ‘Sound Bar’ bit of the name: with component and composite video outputs and a stereo RCA input, this Logic3 is happy to send your iThing’s video to a flatscreen and take over audio duties for all sources from your TV’s speakers.

Needless to say, it beats most flatscreens for sound quality, particularly smaller ones, and the video is surprisingly good considering the output is SD only.

Free i-Station app
The second USP is the free i-Station app, which you’ll be prompted to download the first time you plug in an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Using this, rather than the device’s controls, for navigating FM radio and setting up favourites is effective, but the music controls are more limited than Apple’s own.

The Logic3 might beat many flatscreens, but it’s weak next to the best dedicated docks.

Next to something like the Logitech S715i (which, unlike the Logic3, is portable), the i-Station30 sounds cluttered and subdued, with little impact or dynamics. Voices are fairly clear, making it perfectly reasonable for talkie radio shows, podcasts or TV, but you can do better for music.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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