Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus

Though he acknowledges that $500 is a "ridiculous sum to spend on an iPod dock," PCMag.com's Tim Gideon is convinced that the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus is well worth it. Experts agree the sound quality of the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus is so good, you can easily mistake it for a small home theater system. This two-part system has a main dock and a wireless subwoofer, and it's certified to work with the Apple iPhone. Experts say the sound quality is powerful and balanced, and the system is easy to set up. Other pluses include dual video-out ports, replaceable grilles of different colors and an overall design that matches the Apple aesthetic. However, some reviewers wish for a few more features, like an AM/FM radio, to justify its high cost. Others wish to have more control over audio equalization. Still, reviewers recommend the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus, despite these shortfalls. If your budget can't support a pricey iPod speaker, the iPhone-ready Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 (*Est. $120) also gets good reviews. It's smaller and portable, so you won't get the same sound quality, but it's also less expensive.

iLounge.com, PCMag.com and CNET provide the most comprehensive reviews of the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus. These sources test and rate the speakers and provide a great deal of balanced analysis. About.com also has a testing-based review of the i-DS3 Plus, but it offers fewer details. There aren't many user reviews of the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus.