iPod Speaker Reviews

Updated December 2011

An iPod speaker dock can turn your personal music player into a stereo, but there's a huge variety of speakers on store shelves, from little clock/radio gizmos to full-on sound systems capable of major volume. Our editors compare reviews from audio experts, as well as reviews from regular people to find the best-sounding options in a variety of price and size ranges.

Arcam rCube

Best portable iPod speakers

$475

Estimated Price

The 11-pound Arcam rCube is pretty hefty for a portable iPod speaker, but users like its hideaway carry handle and compact, 8-inch shape. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to six hours of playback time at maximum volume, but what stands out most about the Arcam rCube is its sound. One reviewer describes it as "unmatched," and another calls the rCube one of the best speaker docks he's listened to recently. Reviewers say the rCube's high-end sound and simple, effective user interface are worth its high price, but most are unhappy about having to buy additional dongles (at $100 each) to activate its lossless Kleer streaming protocol. If wireless capability isn't important to you, the Bose SoundDock Portable (*Est. $350) costs a little bit less, and the Harman Kardon Go + Play (*Est. $180) is a little bulky for a portable speaker, but both provide excellent sound.

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Logitech S715i

Ultraportable iPod speakers

$150

Estimated Price

Reviewers say the 1.5-pound Logitech S715i strikes the best balance between value, portability and audio quality. This iPod speaker is easy to tote around, and it includes a rechargeable battery that provides up to eight hours of playback. The Logitech Rechargeable Speaker S715i has more bass drivers than previous Logitech speakers, providing very good bass response for a portable speaker, although you'll lose some volume when running it on battery power. Overall, reviewers say that the S715i has the best sound quality of any iPod speaker under $200. The Logitech S715i is compatible with iPods and iPhones, but you may need to remove your device's protective case to get it to dock properly. Reviewers also complain that the S715i's carrying case is thin and doesn't provide much protection. If you want a speaker small enough to fit in your backpack or purse, the iMain GoX (*Est. $70) doubles as a carrying case and surprisingly good speaker set, although it doesn't have an iPod-specific dock; its only input option is a 3.5 mm jack.

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Altec Lansing IMT320

Budget iPod speakers

$50

Estimated Price

If you want to spend less than $100, reviews point to the Altec Lansing inMotion Compact iMT320 as your best option. These 9.5-inch-wide speakers provide up to 24 hours of playback on four AA batteries, and the iMT320 is small enough to throw into a suitcase for a weekend getaway. Overall, experts are impressed with the inMotion Compact's sound quality, especially given its small size. The audio is loud and powerful, and the speakers resist distortion even at very high volumes. Reviewers also like the integrated travel case, which folds over to double as a stand. On the downside, the inMotion Compact always resets to a mid-level volume when you turn it on, no matter what its previous volume setting. Its controls are also very basic, so you'll need to use the iPod's menu to pause or skip songs. You also miss out on some of the features common to higher-priced speaker docks, such as a remote control and wireless streaming.

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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air

Wireless bookshelf iPod speakers

$600

Estimated Price

Reviewers sometimes complain about the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air's high price tag, but they almost always agree that it's worth the cost. Its lossless streaming AirPlay protocol also frustrates some users, who say it's difficult to set up. The reward, however, is a high-quality, wireless listening experience that one reviewer calls a "joy to use." The Zeppelin Air provides excellent sound at all volume levels, without the distortion that often afflicts other speakers at maximum volume. Reviewers don't seem to mind the Zeppelin Air's unusual shape; some like it, especially the curved iPod cradle. Some reviewers also say that the Zeppelin Air's audio quality is an improvement over the previous model, although we couldn't find any direct head-to-head comparisons for confirmation.

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iHome iA91

iPod/iPhone clock radio

$100

Estimated Price

IPod and iPhone clock radios don't attract as many rave reviews as larger speakers or portable systems. The iHome iA91 stands out from the pack, however, thanks to its compatibility with iHome's in-house apps -- iHome + Sleep and iHome + Radio. Reviewers are quite happy with the iA91's sound (size and type considered), but their focus always strays to the versatile apps. Examples of app options include fine-tuning the speaker and alarm settings, tracking your sleep stats, and streaming Internet radio. If you want a more compact iPod clock radio, the iHome iA5 (*Est. $75) is also app-capable, and gets excellent reviews.

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