Best Reviewed
iPod Speakers
- Best portable iPod speakers Arcam rCube *Est. $475
- Ultraportable iPod speakers Logitech Rechargeable Speaker S715i *Est. $150
- Budget iPod speakers Altec Lansing inMotion Compact iMT320 *Est. $50
- Wireless bookshelf iPod speakers Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air *Est. $600
- iPod/iPhone clock radio iHome iA91 *Est. $100
Get info about new reports and updates
- Lightweight and portable
- Works with iPod, iPhone and other MP3 players
- 24-hour battery life
- So-so sound quality
IPod speakers don't get much smaller than the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3, a portable speaker that connects to iPods, iPhones and other MP3 players through their headphone port. It weighs only 6.7 ounces and measures just over 3 inches wide. The Orbit runs on three AAA batteries and comes with a protective travel case, so it is highly portable. Don't expect impressive sound quality, though, because experts say speakers this size just can't match the audio performance of larger speakers. Reviewers say the Altec Lansing Orbit gets plenty loud, but bass-heavy music sounds flat, and audio distorts at high volumes. Overall, most reviewers are impressed with the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237, and they recommend it for those who need an ultraportable speaker. If you have more room, the Altec Lansing inMotion Compact iMT320 (*Est. $50) will give you better sound quality, but it's also more expensive.
Several sources test the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237. ILounge.com is particularly useful because it compares the iM237 to the previous model, the iM207. Macworld and Audioholics.com include the Orbit MP3 in roundups of portable iPod speakers, which provide helpful comparisons with other ultraportable speakers. CNET, PC World (Australia) and iPodObserver.com also have testing-based reviews. More than 150 owners review the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 on Amazon.com, and their opinions are generally in line with expert conclusions.
 |
||
|
|
| Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker for MP3 Players (Silver) | |
(942 reviews) In Stock. |
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $20.99 | See It |
 | 1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $32.35 | See It |
 |  4,564 store reviews | In Stock. | $33.99 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. iLounge.com
ILounge.com recommends the Altec Lansing Orbit, and Jeremy Horwitz thinks the sound is "fine" at everything except maximum volume. Overall, he says it's a "solid choice," although he thinks the previous model had a slightly better design.
Review: Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237, Jeremy Horwitz, Nov. 14, 2008
2. CNET
David Carnoy at CNET likes the Orbit's overall design and thinks it's better than the previous version, but he notes that the sound quality is not very impressive. However, he acknowledges that the Orbit isn't designed to offer exceptional sound quality.
Review: Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237, David Carnoy, Sept. 11, 2008
The Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 has the best sound quality out of six mini-speakers tested in this roundup. Roman Loyola says sound is better than the previous model, and unlike other reviewers, his tests show no distortion at high volumes.
Review: Mini iPod Speakers Roundup, Roman Loyola, May 8, 2009
Of the six miniature speakers J. Walker Clarke tests for this review, he says the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 was the "biggest surprise." He describes the sound quality as good and loud, and he can't think of any drawbacks.
Review: Roundup of Portable Travel Speakers, J. Walker Clarke, July 23, 2009
PC World (Australia) gives a Best Buy award to the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3. The Orbit gives them 37 hours of playback (Altec Lansing claims only 24 hours), and sound quality is good at mid-level volumes. Like other reviewers, Hutchinson notes distortions at maximum volume.
Review: Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 (IM237), James Hutchinson, Jan. 15, 2009
The Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 impresses Bob LeVitus, who says he was surprised at how good the Orbit sounds considering its size. He would like to see a longer cable, but overall, he says, "I don't know of any other sub-$40 portable speaker system that sounds as good as this one."
Review: Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 (aka iM237) portable speaker system, Bob LeVitus, Jan. 19, 2009
7. Amazon.com
More than 380 owners at Amazon.com give the Orbit MP3 extremely high ratings. Most reviewers are very happy with the Orbit, and they are impressed with the sound quality, but others say the speakers don't get loud enough.
Review: Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker for MP3 Players (Silver), Contributors to Amazon.com
iPod Speakers Runners Up:
4 picks including: T3.com, Anything But iPod…
3 picks including: CrunchGear.com, MacLife.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, iLounge.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, Engadget.com…
2 picks including: BestBuy.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, iLounge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, I4U.com…
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini Docking Speaker for iPod
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
 |
||
|
|
 |
||
|
|
 |
||
|
|
 |
||
|
|
iMainGo X Portable Stereo Speaker and Protective Case for iPhone, iPod, and MP3 Players (Black)
In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
