Audioengine 5

The iPod speaker market is dominated by one-piece models, but if you want separate speakers, reviews point to the Audioengine 5, a unit that offers extremely high quality audio at a relatively steep but fair price. While compact compared with home speakers (10 by 7 by 7.75 inches), the units have a combined weight of 23 pounds, so they aren't very portable. Another complaint is that you have to connect the iPod via a headphone jack rather than a docking station. But you can recharge your iPod via a USB cable. Reviews say there is minimal distortion even at high volume (maximum output is 150 watts total), but some say the sound reproduction is so true that it reveals the auditory "limitations" of MP3 files. If you want something portable, reviews suggest the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere (*est. $140).

The best Audioengine 5 reviews are at CNet.com, Macworld magazine and Audioholics.com, all of which conduct significant hands-on testing before spouting off. The review at iPodObserver.com is well-done but short. An owner review at Amazon.com, where about 20 users weigh in, notes that the Audioengine 5 sounds better after a "break-in" period, a common observation for high-end traditional speakers and headphones. Consumer Reports magazine rated iPod speakers in December 2007, but the Audioengine 5 isn't ranked.