What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
19 MAY 2008
Kensington Entertainment 500
With its roots in computer accessories, Kensington’s move into iPod accessories was a small step, and so it is that we have the Entertainment Dock 500 in our hands.
This dock comes supplied with its own remote control – which is more than any other here does – and being able to change the tunes from the comfort of your sofa (should Rick Astley suddenly blare out at full volume) is a real bonus.
And unlike the Apple iPod Universal Dock device, this remote gives you access to all the controls on your iPod, not just volume and next/last track.
Excellent supplied remote is Kensington’s USP
The dock comes with mini-jack audio and S-Video outputs, and feels sturdy in your hand. An oddity is the slightly curious rack (on which you can place your remote) incorporated into the design.
Sonically, this dock is a clear step up from a cheap cable connection, and sounds better than the much cheaper Apple dock. Listening to Sergio Mendes’s Mas Que Nada, the Kensington delivers the necessary laid-back attitude, thanks to its fine timing and subtle detail.
Midrange clarity is decent enough, too, though tracks aren’t given the same space to breathe as via the best rivals. If sound quality is your first priority, you can buy better, but the useful remote still makes this dock an attractive one.
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