From the inbox:

Friend's son wants college system--$750-$1k. Just
input for iPod/amp and speakers. Mostly classical
music.

Any ideas? I'm not that up on things with docks...

Thanks for your help!

Cheers, Bill

No need to look at iPod speaker systems, Bill, your friend's son can join the hi-fi party with no compromises whatsoever! Here are three respected systems built with high-performance goals that will crush any Bose system or iPod dock/speaker hybrid.

First up, the classic Epos ELS3 speakers with the Cambridge Audio 340A or 540A integrated amplifiers. $329 a pair for these tiny British legends, they've won just about every award out there. As for Cambridge Audio, don't confuse these guys with Cambridge Soundworks, the american plastic speaker company. Cambridge Audio is Brit all the way and their 340A and 540A integrated amps have won almost as many awards as Epos. $299 and $399 for the products respectively, throw in some cables and you have yourself a classic little hi-fi system. Here in the states, Epos is distributed by Music Hall who also distributes Creek, another legendary Brit brand. Though more expensive, you'll see Epos and Creek packaged together all over the place. Even better, these guys have large distribution so finding these goods isn't that hard.

Next up is an underground sensation from Omega Audio and Red Wine. Packed as a combo for $788 (sans cables), you get Omega's signature single driver sound with Red Wine audio's Clari-T amp, an unusual Tripath-based battery-powered 6 watt monster. These guys blew up the audiophile underground scene for their wicked sound and cheap prices. Omega is also known as that hemp speaker company, using full range drivers made out of the royal herb. Omega also makes the Super 3 V2 and XRS speakers at $649 and $849, respectively. Like all Omegas, these speakers are sensitive enough to only need a few watts, making them perfect for the legendary $30 Sonic Impact t-amp. Same chip as the Red Wine Clari-T but in bare bones version, the SI had nearly everyone in audio running for their soldering irons and getting their frankenstein on.

Anthony Gallo is the guy who put good sound in lifestyle speakers. His top speaker the $2600 Reference 3 ruled the review scene for quite some time and his little speakers are even more famous in the too-cool-for-normal-speaker crowd. The Mirco Ti Speakers start at $400 a pair and the slightly larger A'Divas go for $550. Of course, since they're little orbs, the bass only gets down to around 75Hz on its best day. The speakers include little rubber rings so you can place these guys on your desk or bookshelf. One custom home theater consultant I know hangs A'Divas for side and rear surrounds and recently used A'Divas at a restaurant to create halos of sound around dining tables. Pair these guys with a good integrated like an NAD and you're set.

As for accessories, many companies include their own cables that can sound fine. When buying your own wire, you don't need to spend a fortune as long as you don't skimp and get a spool from Radio Shack. Ask your retailer/manufacturer what cables to buy. Also, Blue Tac from your office supply store is a necessity to keep your speakers stuck to your stands/shelves and to prevent them from rattling around. Speaking of stands, heavier is better. If your stands use hollow tubes, you can fill them with sand to make them even more inert and keep the metal from ringing in tune with your music.

For those of you new to hi-fi who are staring in horror at the low watt numbers listed on this site, you need to know that bigger isn't always better. The electronic giants play the watt game, pushing huge power to the detriment of quality. Power isn't everything and many of the best amps in the world don't have anywhere near the advertised juice of those plastic beasts at Best Buy with 1000+ watts. A few good watts into excellent speakers will be sonically superior to massive junk watts and plastic speakers.