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iTree could be the world's largest iPhone dock

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In addition to docking an iDevice, the iTree is also compatible with a wireless LAN streaming technology by ARCAM or CD player input - it can even be custom-fitted with a vinyl turntable
Stylish, elegant and quite simply huge - the iTree iPhone and iPod docking station from Austrian design house KMKG STUDIO
The tree truck dock's speakers are hidden to the rear, facing the wall
The rear of the iTree dock, showing the layout of the Trenner & Friedl speakers
There are currently three types of wood to choose from but KMKG is also open to buyers supplying their own tree trunks
You'll need a big room to squeeze in the iTree
In addition to docking an iDevice, the iTree is also compatible with a wireless LAN streaming technology by ARCAM or CD player input - it can even be custom-fitted with a vinyl turntable
Exploded view of the iTree iPhone and iPod docking station
View gallery - 7 images

While you might be tempted to think the Wall of Sound is one of the biggest music player docks you've ever seen, it doesn't quite live up to the huge proportional potential of the iTree iPhone and iPod docking station from Austrian design house KMKG STUDIO. The dock is carved from a simple tree trunk, its rear-mounted speakers are pointed towards a wall to reflect the audio and the wood serves to resonate the sound in a similar fashion to a piano or violin.

We've seen numerous variations on the iPod dock theme grace the pages of Gizmag over the years - from the arty to the iconic to the, frankly, odd. Now it's the turn of nature to nudge her way into the arena with an expertly hollowed out tree trunk featuring mounted high-end speakers, that's said to result in optimum sound quality.

Exploded view of the iTree iPhone and iPod docking station

Designed and built in cooperation with speaker manufacturer Trenner & Friedl, iTree's audio technology has a frequency response of 45Hz to 40kHz, 4 Ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 88dB (2.83 V/m). The speakers are hidden from view at the rear of the unit, pointing towards a wall that's used as a reflector - which is said to offer the listener a "voluminous yet defined acoustic spatial experience."

Buyers can currently choose from either cherry, poplar or spruce (but the designers also say that they are open to customers supplying their own tree trunk), and can determine the size of the trunk to be used and even what technology is included. Carpenters in the Steirische Vulkanland region of southern Austria are employed to shape, hollow out and lovingly finish the trunk casing by hand.

In addition to docking an iDevice, the iTree is also compatible with wireless LAN streaming technology by ARCAM and/or CD player input - it can even be custom-fitted with a vinyl turntable.

Each iTree is a unique creation, and as such carries a starting price of EUR 11,000 (US$14,982) - extra options include making the device compatible with Apple's AirPlay wireless streaming technology, and a special version for the iPad.

View gallery - 7 images
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4 comments
David Foxall
Nice and Compact!!!
halofirst
What a waste... One tree for a person.. just for nothing...
Page Schorer
It seems really decadent. Would not be if one made it themselves but as a "manufactured" product at $15K. Decadent.
warren52nz
\"the wood serves to resonate the sound in a similar fashion to a piano or violin.\" Musical instruments should resonate, speakers shouldn\'t. Otherwise they colour the sound. The exception is where the enclosure works in a controlled way to smooth out the woofer\'s natural resonance such as in a bass reflex system. That\'s why concrete can be used to make quite a good speaker enclosure.