Of the myriad of iPod docking stations available, the ReVerb iPod dock from Regen looks set to tower above the rest - literally. At just over 35 inches (90cm) in height, this dock is not going to fit on your bedside cabinet. It will kick out an equivalent of a room-filling 60 watts, includes a backlit LCD display and features an integrated photovoltaic panel to draw energy from the sun.
The ReVerb won't only dominate a room's landscape with its huge proportions, it includes a 13.75 in (35 cm) by 19.7 in (50 cm) flat panel speaker with stereo drivers and a 6 in (15 cm) by 9 in (23 cm) sub-woofer which give an actual output of 6 watts with a frequency range of 50Hz to 20Khz. However, Regen (maker of the award-winning ReNu system we featured a few days ago) says that this is the equivalent to conventional speakers booming out 60 watts.
The gargantuan ReVerb is also making claim to some green credentials. The flat panel system includes solar panels that will fully charge the battery if given access to 20 hours of direct sunlight outdoors or direct sunlight indoors for 40 hours. A full battery will provide enough power for playing "loud" music for about 4.5 hours or 12 hours at "normal" volume level.
As very few of us will have access to 20 hours outdoor sunlight in one go, Regen claims that the system is capable of playing audio at "normal" volume for three hours after exposure to about three hours outdoor sunlight or six hours indoor.
For those who can't wait that long for the sun to donate its energy, "the ReVerb pairs the ability to draw power from the sun or a traditional electric outlet."
In order to fully enjoy this beast of a sound dock you're probably going to need an Apple audio player as the system only supports the AAC format (which is a bit of a disappointment).
The audio device sits on top of the system, slotting into the Apple 30-pin connector or 3.5mm TRS audio input (if using a non-Apple device that supports AAC).
Playback is controlled by buttons on the outside of the system and the 4.56 in (11.6 cm) by 1.5 in (3.8 cm) backlit LED display on the front of the ReVerb provides some visual system information.
What the system lacks is a touchscreen interface of some sort instead of, or to complement, the buttons or even a remote that allows the action to be controlled away from the device.
The Regen ReVerb will be available in April next year will cost US$2,299.
