Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)GEORGE does things very differently from most iPod products. The beauty of the iPod is it's interface, and Chestnut Hill has spent a great deal of time thinking about how users interface with GEORGE. What they've come up with is elegant and allows a significant feature set while remaining elegantly simple to use.
In a brilliant touch, the controls can be removed from the radio and placed in a charging stand. In this configuration everything functions as before, only wirelessly. You can put the radio a distance away -- with your iPod mounted on top -- and have complete control of both GEORGE and the iPod from your nightstand.
The sound quality also differentiates this product. It does not try to hide or gloss over the fact that it is a small box by using electronic tricks. Instead, it packs the cleanest, tightest, and truest sound I've yet heard from a box of this size. The bass is tight and musical, without the BOSE tendency towards flatulent exaggeration. Treble is good and articulate, without sounding harsh or edgy. And, considering it's size, GEORGE creates a decent stereo image as well.
Just for reference, I own a BOSE SoundDock, Apple HiFi, and have quite a bit of higher-end audio gear. GEORGE has proven to be one of the best-engineered iPod-related products I've ever owned.
Furthermore, the designers did not ignore the design of the built-in radio tuner. Connected to a Sangean Twin-Coil Ferrite AM Antenna, this thing pulls in each and every AM station that my top-of-the-line Sony Shortwave radio can. FM performance is also quite good and seems every bit as good as the tuner in our Tivoli Audio Model One.
Highly recommended, and we've just ordered a second unit for our guest room...
[UPDATE Jan. 20,2009]
Well, add "customer service, second to none" to my list of pros about the George. I recently began having issues with decreased battery life in the remote. I contacted the company at 10 p.m. PST, received a reply from Rob of Chestnut Hill Audio (within 10 minutes, via BlackBerry), and they promptly sent me a new battery for free. It's a pleasure to do business with a company who values its' customers and tries to take care of them!
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Chestnut Hill Sound George Audio Speaker System for iPod (White)Meet George, the first digital audio system to combine an iPod music playback system, fully-featured wireless remote, AM/FM radio and alarm system in one product. Designed to satisfy the discerning iPod user, George is a unique combination of power and functionality. Along with best in-class sound quality, George has a detachable front panel that functions as a remote control. Command your digital music library, AM/FM radio, alarms, or legacy devices, all from an intuitive and ergonomically crafted remote. The wait is over. See the George Video Presentation.
Remote Compact discs were invented in the early 80s, credit card-sized remotes followed shortly thereafter. These remotes were great for controlling CDs 20 years ago, but using Reagan-era innovation to control your iPod seems like a marriage of technology and nostalgia at best. George's remote--which measures 3.75 x 4.4 x 2.6 inches--is completely purpose driven, to give you what a remote should, complete control.
You'll never confuse the volume control with the play button, even in the dark. That's because George has an actual control that you turn and not just a little bump in an array of bumps. Navigation has never been easier with jump buttons. Hyper-search huge libraries with a few clicks, no more 'press and hold' til' you get there. In fact, all of the critical controls on George are distinct in feel and location and optimized for ergonomics as well as function. Spend a few minutes with it and you'll feel as if you've had it for years. That's intuitive. That's George.
The iPod has a great display in the palm of your hand. However, when you are across the room relaxing, that display is little more than a nightlight. That's why the George remote uses a high-resolution, backlit graphic display. Now you can see where 103.3 FM is stored without having to cycle through every preset button. The display makes it easy for you to search the music on your iPod as well as show you the information for the song playing, from anywhere in the room. Want to know how many songs are left on this album? Just look.
If you know how to use an iPod, you know how to use George. The menu structure and controls were designed specifically to match your familiarity with using the iPod. George has even added the capability to search by letter using a method common to every cell phone. So when you pick up the George remote, you'll feel right at home.
Radio George features "Bandless Tuning," eliminating the artificial barrier of AM and FM. Just spin the knob around a seamless circle of stations, no need for an extra button. This is not your father's radio. Using the high resolution screen on the remote, George not only shows you where you are but where you want to go. George knows you love to listen to the game as much as to Rock and Roll. That's why the AM was designed to be as great as the FM, and now you can access them democratically.
What's the use of having presets if you have to cycle through each one to find the station you're looking for? With four separate pages of presets, you can organize by interest and genre, be it sports, news, classic rock or hip/hop. No more guessing which preset is 94.5 FM, because each self-labeling preset is clearly indicated.
Sound Voiced by audio professionals to more closely approximate the way music was originally recorded, George emulates the multi-amped 2.1 systems which are now used to make professional recordings. Most table top systems deliver audio through a single set of small-sized speakers, resulting in artificial high notes and muddy bass. George uses coaxial (2-way) speakers that outperform highly equalized single cone speaker designs, resulting in greater detail and accuracy. These stereo coax speakers are paired with a dedicated downfiring 4-inch sub-woofer that is optimized for low frequency reproduction without excessive EQ or resonant ducts. The 5 speaker system is then bi-amped to ensure your music sounds more like the way the artist intended.
Great sound doesn't come from full-range 1-inch and 2-inch speakers, nor does it come from small boxes. George's size (14.25 x 5 x 8.6 inches) was determined not only by the internal components but also by optimizing the acoustics. Giving the speakers room to breath is what gives George the 'big system' sound in a compact table top size.
Despite popular convention, a system of this size on your night stand not only looks bad but sounds bad too. Optimum position for listening is in front of the speakers, not next to them. The available Charging Stand for George's remote allowing you to place the speakers anywhere in the room that sounds the best while keeping full control of George at arms reach.
A System with a Future George is smart and designed to get smarter. While other products fade with time, George improves and expands to fit your life. From changing its look to expanding its uses, George actually has a future.
Choose one of the optional wood panels and matching speaker grills to tailor George to your decor. Add the charging stand so that you can have full control of George in only a 4" footprint.
Update the software to take advantage of continuing enhancements. George is built to be the best music system today and it's also designed to continue to grow.
Juke Box: While George offers the best in tabletop sound, no tabletop playback device can match the "big systems" that may reside in your living or media room. Plug George's Preamp Out into your big system, and with the music collection in your iPod, you may just have the world's best juke box right in your home and at your fingertips via George's remote control.
Alarms: George has many different types of alarms, from nap and sleep timers to dual or one time alarms. Big day ahead? Pick the perfect song from your library to get you going in the morning, and don't worry about making sure that tune is queued up on your iPod when going to sleep. Just pick the song when you set the alarm and let George take care of the rest. Like headlines in the morning? Wake to any radio station. Heavy sleeper? You can set the wake up volume to be louder than whatever you are listening to for relaxation. And it's all easier to use than your conventional alarm clock.
Updates: Chestnut Hill Sound has enabled George with the ability to grow over time. A USB port on the back panel of George allows for software updates and upgrades. Hardware modules can be added as well.
Accessories: Choose from different wood shells and matching grill covers to suit George to fit your taste and room decor. With the included charging stand kit, the George makes an excellent the George makes an excellent hi-fi alarm clock for your bedroom or office. The stand charges the remote, and creates the smallest, most feature packed alarm clock your nightstand will ever see. The kit even includes a grille cover to replace the remote to maintain George's clean appearance. The flexibility provided by the charging stand allows you to place the speakers for optimum acoustics without sacrificing any control of George's features.
What's in the Box George unit, power adapter, battery, USB cable, philips screwdriver, AM antenna, FM antenna, charging stand kit, universal dock inserts, warranty card, and quick start card.
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