X

Philips Fidelio DS8500 (photos)

Take a closer look at the Philips Fidelio speaker for iPhone and iPod, which includes an app for integrated control over music playback and advanced EQ settings.

Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Donald Bell
34181231_OVR.png
1 of 6 Josh Miller/CBS
The Philips Fidelio speaker dock for iPhone and iPod delivers exceptional audio quality for its price, along with unique extras, such as a full-feature remote, proximity-sensitive lights, and an iOS app with integrated control over hardware's sound enhancement technology.
34181231_FT.jpg
2 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET
Below the Fidelio's dock connector you'll find a wide, metal volume rocker switch, with a plus and minus symbol at each end, and a tastefully etched Philips logo at its center. The Fidelio performs a minor magic trick by automatically illuminating the volume icons when it detects your hands nearby. We can't say the proximity-sensing backlit buttons offer much as a practical feature, but it's a classy detail we didn't expect to find in a speaker priced less than $200.
34181231_BK.jpg
3 of 6 Josh Miller/CBS
The most surprising design aspect of the Fidelio speaker is its depth, stretching back 5.5 inches. For a product that measures 6 inches tall and 16.5 inches wide, that's a lot of junk in its trunk. Fortunately, Philips does its best to visually minimize the depth by rounding and tapering the white plastic back.
34181231_DT1.jpg
4 of 6 Josh Miller/CBS
As we mentioned earlier, a remote control is included that provides an impressive number of options for menu navigation, volume, mute, and playback controls. We're glad to see that the remote is large enough that you're unlikely to lose it between your sofa cushions. On the downside, the range of the IR remote is limited to around 15-20 feet, which doesn't get you too far.
fidelioapp_001_1.png
5 of 6
The Fidelio's most notable feature, surprisingly, is an app. Upon docking your iPod Touch or iPhone in Fidelio for the first time, a message will pop on your screen urging you to download Philips' free Fidelio app. For better or worse, the only way to get rid of these prompts is to download the app, and we're glad we did.
fidelioapp_002_1.png
6 of 6
Scratch beneath the surface by hitting the info icon in the lower left corner, and you'll find a number of sound enhancement controls not typically found on the iPod or iPhone, such as a custom five-band EQ and an adjustable dynamic bass boost control.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos