Although, as an iPhone dock it is clearly pleasing on an aesthetic level, Griffin’s AirCurve is primarily a passive speaker. Griffin describe it as an ‘acoustic amplifier’ which in layman’s terms means it makes iPhone speaker louder without the aid of powered amplification. It sounds like black magic, surely it isn’t possible to amplify sound [...]
Although, as an iPhone dock it is clearly pleasing on an aesthetic level, Griffin’s AirCurve is primarily a passive speaker.
Griffin describe it as an ‘acoustic amplifier’ which in layman’s terms means it makes iPhone speaker louder without the aid of powered amplification.
Sound channels in base
It sounds like black magic, surely it isn’t possible to amplify sound without power and an um.. amplifier? Well it’s difficult to easily convey the result here but you can take my word for it when I tell you that it works.
When placed in the dock, the output from the speaker is directed through a spiral channel in the dock base. The shape and size of the channel acts much like the horns attached to phonographs.
Cleverly this actually does have a pronounced effect on the volume. It isn’t going to power a party but as a personal player or one for a little background music at your desk it does the job nicely. Griffin claim a 10 decibel amplification.
Constructed from clear polycarbonate, the AirCurve looks stylish and comes with two inserts to ensure compatibility with the 1st Generation and 3G/3G S models.
There is also a slot in the base that allows you to use a Griffin or Apple sync cable. The only downside of this is you need to attach the cable and then sit the iPhone in the dock, this keeps the design simple but it would be nicer if this could be re-visited so that it could be used as a proper drop-in dock.
[UPDATE] It transpires that Griffin have already addressed this issue with a spacer that fits in the dock well and secures the sync cable. I appear to have received old stock but Griffin will ship this spacer to anyone who did not receive one. So another gold star for Griffin there!
Coincidentally I have been looking for a simple, lightweight powered speaker that I can pack for my forthcoming summer holiday but having now had a chance to use the AirCurve I think this will fit the bill perfectly.
Griffin list the AirCurve at $19.99 and Amazon UK have it at a £9.99. Considering a dock is no-longer supplied with the iPhone and costs $29.00/£19.00 that makes Griffin’s dock more stylish, more useful and a bargain to boot.
Griffin have the Aircurve on offer in the USA for $19.00 click here for details
Amazon UK have a sale on the Aircurve for £9.95…