iPod Speakers: Reviews

The best value among iPod speakers is the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600, which in reviews are rated slightly higher than the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 (*est. $120). (However, the inMotion iM600 isn't compatible with… iPhones while the Logitech is.) The iM600 comes with video pass-through, a digital radio tuner and USB syncing, features not typically found in other portable speakers of this price class. The sound quality is also rated as superb. Experts concur that the main (and in some cases only) downside is that the radio tuner is finicky. The inMotion speakers can run on its rechargeable battery or through the AC cable.

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While the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 is not the best portable iPod speaker overall, it dominates among iPhone-compatible speakers -- meaning it won't get interference, otherwise known as "GSM buzz," when playing music… through the speakers. Sound quality is very good in reviews, and the Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 is a good value. The main flaw is a somewhat inconvenient remote control that can't control your iPod after it's gone into standby mode. The Logitech speakers can run off the included rechargeable battery or with its AC adapter.

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The Sony ICF-C1iPMK2 portable speakers get mixed reviews for sound quality, but if you don't need audiophile-quality sound, the Sony speakers work with both iPods and iPhones, and are the best in their price range. They… come with a remote control and FM clock radio with digital display and dual alarms, so it's a good choice for a bedroom. Some owners say the digital display is too bright, and others say they still heard some interference when docking an iPhone, but overall, the Sony speakers are a good value. The Sony speakers can use a backup battery, but are mainly meant to be plugged in.

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If you need something with more oomph than portable speakers yet don't want to pay upwards of $300 for a top-of-the-line iPod speaker setup, reviews point to the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo-i. Reviewers say the Duo-i is… more powerful than competing models and is ideal for a small space or a backyard; it's not quite powerful enough for a large event space or party where you want something really loud with rumbling bass. Even so, reviews say the Duo-i sounds great within its limits. The Duo-i is also a clock radio with dual alarms, but reviewers say it's pretty bulky for a bedside table.

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Critics agree that the Chestnut Hill Sound George is the best-sounding iPod speaker system if price is no object. Audio quality is top-notch and the remote control system is especially innovative and well designed. A… universal docking cradle and adapters fit all dockable iPods (though it's not compatible with iPhones), and an auxiliary jack lets you connect an iPod shuffle or non-iPod music player. Unfortunately, there's no docking connector port for syncing your iPod with a computer -- so you'll need to disconnect to load your iPod with music. Although critics say sound quality is terrific, many question the sense of spending more on speakers than you did on your iPod.

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Though experts agree that sound quality isn't great, the Griffin Evolve speakers can do a big trick -- the battery-powered wireless speakers can be carried to other locations (within 150 feet of the base station). All… reviewers agree that the concept is terrific, but expert reviewers aren't very enthusiastic about sound quality. Owner reviewers so far are more generous, saying that the flexibility is a big plus. If you really need speakers in two parts of a house or large room, the Griffin is an option. Otherwise, other iPod speakers sound better.

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