Pioneer XW-NAS3

Pioneer XW-NAS3 Review

We review Pioneer's XW-NAS3 part of their new Audition Series of high-end iPod speaker docks.As part of Pioneer’s new audition series, the NAS3 represents the company’s no-compromise attitude toward digital music playback. Outfitted with a rigid cabinet, premium finish, powerful amplifiers, proprietary drivers and Bluetooth wireless capability, the NAS3 seems to have what it takes to compete with some of the more esoteric of the high-end iPod speaker docks available today. In this review we put the NAS3 through its paces to see how its performance stacks up next to the competition.Straight out of the box we notice the NAS3’s weight to size ratio. While only 8.3 x 16.5 x 5.8 inches, it comes in at a relatively hefty 12 pounds. Our guess is that much of this heft is due to the “double isolated” cabinet - and what an attractive cabinet it is! Our review sample was finished in a glossy piano black finish with gently rounded edges that softens its appearance. The front and sides of the unit are covered in a jet-black grill cloth that is so dark it is difficult to distinguish from the rest of the cabinet. The top of the cabinet is kept extremely clean with only a few recessed buttons for operation and a flip-up lid that hides the docking interface.