Review: Roth Audio iPhone and iPod RothDock

Out of the box

The Roth Audio 'RothDock' is a wireless dock/receiver that can be used with any Apple iPhone or iPod unit. The sleek, matt black little unit serves a double purpose: it recharges your device, while allowing you to wirelessly transmit a signal from the RothDock to a receiver that plugs into any other audio device (such as an amplifier, or TV), allowing you to blast out your iTunes collection via any speakers connected to it.

While Roth Audio may not be a name everyone will recognise, it has made a name for itself in the audio market. This means the external packaging is slick and the components and internal packing assuring and professional - this is a good product at an attractive price point, not just another cheap add-on trying to cash in on Apple's iPhone and iPod brands. 

Inside you'll find the RothDock unit itself, receiver, remote control, standard stereo audio cable for the receiver, power cables with multiple power connectors (UK, European and US), instructions and a nice little bag for storing the RothDock.

Everything feels and looks fine, except the remote which is a little cheap. The matt black RothDock itself has come in for some criticism in some places, but I really like the design, especially at the price.

If you have any experience with audio equipment you'll have no problems getting up and running; the instructions are simple and clear, the components self explanatory and simple to suss out.

Usage

The concept is a simple one and the device is equally easy to use. Essentially you have a dock for your iPod or iPhone (or other MP3 player, via an adaptor - I'll use iPhone for the rest of the review), plus a Wi-Fi receiver: plug in your RothDock wherever you want to charge your iPhone or other device; plug the Wi-Fi adaptor into a socket near your stereo, TV etc and then connect it to said audio output via the leads provided.

Then, all you need to do is plug your iPhone into the RothDock and switch the dock on - it will immediately begin to charge. If you want to play any tunes from your MP3 collection, you simply tune into the right channel on your amp, TV etc and press play on the iPhone (or on the RothDock's remote control. That's it.

I've been using the RothDock for more than a month now and haven't had a single problem with the Wi-Fi connection at all (the two devices are in different rooms, with plenty of other Wi-Fi connections around); if you get a call, it will even quieten the volume so you can hear it coming through. Another nice touch on a smart little piece if kit.

However...

The sound quality through the RothDock isn't the best, which is a shame but not a deal breaker for me - it's still a hell of a lot better than you get from an internal speaker, or small travel speakers. It really depends on how you have your audio, computer etc set up at home - if you don't really have the chance to play your music through a a decent set of speakers, even without the best quality this is still a truly useful piece of kit. 

Also, it's relatively portable, so if you're not taking your laptop with you on holiday (not that sound through those tends to be much cop!) you could pack your wireless dock/receiver instead - plug it into your hotel TV and voila, your tunes will come alive. Let's face it - the iPhone's internal speaker is barely worthy of the name.

My only other problem is with the remote. not only is it a little on the cheap looking side, it only works on the iPhone itself, not the receiver. This means that if the two are in different rooms, and you're in the room with your audio equipment, you can't change the tune. Annoying, and it would be nice to see this changed on another model.

Conclusion

Despite those little misgivings, I'm really happy with the Roth Audio RothDock and would thoroughly recommend it, especially at a price point just above £50.

I've got my stereo/PC in one room and my TV in the other, so it solves the problem of having my MP3 collection in both rooms with ease, as well as being a nice little charging unit too. Also, the sound quality isn't that much of an issue as my TV doesn't have the best sound at the best of times!

The RothDock wireless dock/receiver won't be of use to everyone, but a lot of people out there will find this a really practical, useful little addition to their gadget collection - especially anyone who wants to play and charge their iPod without their headphones in, without spending extra cash on yet another set of speakers.