best ipod speaker?

[BoxBoxBox]

Instead of a dock, I'm planning to buy a speaker I can plug my ipod into to charge, and play. Are these decent sounding? Recommendations appreciated!

 

[blessingx]

You'll still need a dock, but these have been much talked about (I haven't heard them).

 

[BoxBoxBox]

Thanks for the recommendation, that looks good.

Is there anything else out there?

 

[Jerome G]

I have some decent Harmon Kardon speakers that came with my PC. They plug right into the headphone jack. They sound really good(does not charge obviously, though)

 

[pds6]

For Portable Use:

I don't know your requirements or price point, but if your looking for something portable, I bought the following two products from Cambridge Soundworks (Creative) and they have delivered as promised:

1. The first product I bought was the SoundWorks Porta-Pack ($150.00). This is a system that includes a cloth bag, battery, three speakers (bass and two tweeters) and wires.

The bag provides better protection than plastic and is waterproof. The rechargeable battery will provide a full day of music. The Porta-Pack sounds good and is well built (I have used my system for about ten (10) years). The only thing I have replaced is the rechargeble battery.

On the downside, the Porta-Pack weighs twenty (20) pounds. In theory, you can take the speakers out of the bag and use the speakers on the desktop. In practice, getting the speakers in and out of the bag is a bit much. I haven't taken the speakers out of the bag in years!


2. Within the last two years, I purchased a Cambrdige SoundWorks PlayDock MP3 ($250.00). This is a one piece unit (three speakers and rechargeable battery). It is half the weight and size of the Porta-Pack.

I frequently use this system when I go away on Summer vacation and in the backyard. Unlike the Porta-Pack, I would not take this system to the beach. The system is portable, but not as rigid or as well protected as the Porta-Pack.

I have used both systems inside and out-of-doors. Inside your home, both systems sound good. Head-to-Head, the PlayDock sounds better. Out-of-doors, the PlayDock sound significantly better.


p.s.: Wait for a sale. I have seen both systems at $50.00 off retail, i.e., $99.00 and $199.00 respectively

 

[blessingx]

On the CSW front, although you'd still need a dock and charger, the Mick Fleetwood Model 12 is worth considering. I listened to it with a Zen model a year ago was impressed.

 

[ObiHuang]

I was pretty impressed by the Klipsch iFi. I was frightened off by the pricetag though.


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1886685,00.asp
http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/.../index_5.shtml
http://playlistmag.com/reviews/2005/05/ifi/index.php
http://reviews.cnet.com/Klipsch_iFi/...-31417596.html
http://www.thetechzone.com/?m=show&id=369

 

[Bones13]

I have had 2 sets of the Klipsch 2.1 speaker systems. One finally died after being on my kids computer for a couple of years, one of the amp channels went out. They are now using the second one. The "control" satellite has a mini jack input that plays their ipods well. I recommend this system if you are sharing it with a computer, it does both well.

I got a Klipsch iFi system this christmas for less than the price of the Bose SoundDock, which my wife had proposed as my christmas present. The iFi is a great system too, with the exception of the control unit. The volume dial is hard to turn, and frequently takes both hands, one to stabilize the pod, and the other to turn the dial. Recently the dial has stopped working well, and causes a lot of "wow" and screeching with turning.

Not sure I can recommend the iFi. I can recommend the 2.1 system. I listen to my computer-Headroom Desktop-receiver-speakers at home now, and replaced the Klipsch 2.1 at the office with some Swans M200 when I am not listening to the headphones. Headphones at the office, and usually the speakers at home.