iPod Speakers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 24 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
The iLounge Accessories Guide
by Jeremy Horwitz
Our Assessment
iLounge.com boasts excellent reviews that are detailed, balanced and illustrated with lots of photos. Editors review practically every iPod speaker on the market, but there is little variation in ratings --… nearly every speaker gets a Recommended label, although the site uses different levels of recommendation. The site's navigation also makes it difficult to determine which speakers have been reviewed recently, because you have to click on each individual article to see the rating and review date. Among iPod speakers reviewed in the last year, the Altec Lansing iMT800 Mix, Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus and iHome iP9 get high ratings.
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Best iPod speakers
by John P. Falcone
Our Assessment
John Falcone at CNET says he has reviewed "dozens upon dozens" of iPod speakers, but only a "select handful" could be considered the best of the bunch. While it's a little surprising that this select… handful includes 16 iPod speakers, each of these speakers gets a good review -- though some are disappearing from the market. Each iPod speaker gets a complete review based on testing, and pros and cons are clearly detailed. In a separate article, John Falcone also says the Altec Lansing Mix iMT800 is worth a look.
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Reviews
by Editors of iProng magazine
Our Assessment
iProng magazine has solid reviews of iPod/iPhone products and accessories, based on relevant testing and complete with a five-point rating system. There are also a ton of recent reviews, which boost this… source's rating in our book. There is decent variation in ratings and some comparison between models, but some reviews are more detailed than others. The only downside to this source is that you'll have to scroll through multiple pages to find the most recent speaker reviews. Several iPod speakers are included in iProng's list of the top 50 iPod/iPhone accessories for 2009.
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Speakers
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment
PCMag.com tests and rates iPod speakers, and the best models receive an Editors' Choice award. Reviews are detailed, and some reviews include comparisons with other top iPod speakers. Among recently reviewed speakers, the Boston Acoustics i-DS3 Plus and Altec Lansing iMT800 receive an Editors' Choice award.
Browse Speaker Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Our Assessment
Macworld has a decent number of recent iPod speaker reviews, and several speakers receive ratings of four stars or above. The reviews themselves are very detailed and are based on relevant testing, but not… many iPod speakers have been reviewed in 2009. Macworld also offers a search system based on iPod compatibility. But it doesn't appear that it's been updated recently, and it doesn't include the latest models.
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Mini iPod Speakers Roundup
by Roman Loyola
Our Assessment
This roundup of reviews focuses on miniature iPod speakers that are convenient for travel or listening on the go. Roman Loyola tests six ultraportable iPod speakers, rating each one on a five-point scale. The iMainGo 2 and Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 IM237 get the best ratings, but the reviews here are shorter.
iPod Speaker Docks
by Editors of Choice magazine
Our Assessment
Choice magazine, the Australian equivalent of ConsumerReports.org, tests 15 iPod docking stations in its latest review. Speakers are tested for sound quality, ease of use and standby power. Of the 15 iPod speakers reviewed, two are recommended.
MP3 Speaker Dock Reviews
by Editors of Which? magazine
Our Assessment
Which? magazine conducts impressive testing on 31 iPod speakers, and editors select two speakers as best buys. Testing criteria and processes are fully detailed, and the results are available for each individual iPod speaker. Three players are included on the "don't buy" list.
MP3 Reviews
by Editors of TrustedReviews.com
Our Assessment
TrustedReviews.com has some of the most detailed speaker tests we've seen -- on par with those at iLounge.com. However, the site reviews far fewer iPod speakers than sources we rank higher. The site does include several recent reviews, although only one iPod speaker gets a Recommended designation in 2009.
Roundup of Portable Travel Speakers
by J. Walker Clarke
Our Assessment
There are some computer speakers included in this roundup, but J. Walker Clarke at Audioholics.com provides good analysis on small iPod and iPhone speakers that are truly portable. Clarke lists several speakers that should be at the top of the list if portability is your first concern.
Best iPod Docking Stations
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our Assessment
Good Housekeeping evaluates several iPod speakers in various price ranges with a group of testers, but each speaker only receives a brief overview. We also aren't privy to any testing scores or details, so even though the first speaker listed is the test winner, we don't know how that compares with other speakers tested.
Spreading your iPod's music
by John M. Guilfoil
Our Assessment
John Guilfoil tests five iPod docks, choosing the Altec Lansing InMotion Max as the best of the bunch. He consults an audio expert, who concurs with his finding. Reviews are brief, but the comparisons are helpful.
Top 5 iPod Docks
by Campbell Simpson
Our Assessment
Campbell Simpson at PC World (Australia) picks five of the best iPod docks, and each links to a longer review. Elsewhere on the site, PC World (Australia) gives high ratings to the Altec Lansing Orbit, Cygnett GrooveTime II and Cygnett Unison i-XT.
Speaker Dock Reviews
by Editors of LaptopMag.com
Our Assessment
Laptop Magazine has good, detailed reviews that are based on thorough testing. Most speakers reviewed get only average ratings. In fact, the Altec Lansing Moondance Glow is the only recent iPod speaker to get a four-star or higher rating.
Speakers & Speaker Docks
by Editors of the Gadget Show
Our Assessment
The Gadget Show is a popular TV show on Britain's Channel Five. Two iPod speakers get perfect ratings -- the Fatman iTube Carbon Edition 2 and the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin. Pros and cons for each speaker are noted, but the reviews here are not the most detailed.
iPod Speakers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com is the best source for user reviews of iPod speakers. Most speakers on the market are available at Amazon.com, and while some speakers get more reviews than others, there are a good number of reviews here. Of course, many of the top-rated speakers are older models, because it takes time for products to accumulate owner-written reviews.
17. ConsumerReports.org
Dec. 2007
Speakers for Portable Players
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org last tested iPod speakers in December 2007. Editors review several iPod speakers that are still on the market, but this report is nearly three years old. Their recommendations are less useful because they don't take into account the advances and new technologies that have been introduced in the past several years.
Dock Systems
by Editors of What Hi-Fi?
Our Assessment
What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision has pretty brief reviews, although each iPod speaker receives a rating on a five-point scale. There's enough variation in ratings to determine which speakers truly stand out. Some of the speakers reviewed are not available in the U.S., but editors review several popular speakers available here, including the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 and Klipsch iGroove SXT.
Audio
by Editors of MacLife
Our Assessment
MacLife has only a few recent reviews of iPod speakers. While they're based on objective testing, the reviews here are much shorter than review sources we rank higher. Each iPod speaker is rated on a five-point scale, and pros and cons are clearly noted.
iPod Dock Reviews
by Gary Altunian
Our Assessment
Gary Altunian, About.com's guide to stereos, has some coverage of iPod speakers, but it appears that these reports are a little dated. Some of the reviews go into a good amount of detail, but there is little variation in ratings. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Apple Product and Accessory Reviews
by Editors of AppleTell.com
Our Assessment
Most of the reviews here seem to focus on iPhone and iPod Touch apps, and AppleTell.com has only reviewed one iPod speaker recently -- the iHome iP9. The iP9 receives a rating of four (on a five-point scale). The review is moderately detailed and includes some photos.
Reviews
by Editors of CultOfMac.com
Our Assessment
CultOfMac.com has good reviews of Apple products and accessories, but few iPod speakers have been tested recently. The only speaker reviewed recently, the Altec Lansing Mix iMT800, gets a positive rating. The review is based on testing, but it doesn't include too many details.
The Electronic Jungle
by Kevin Hunt
Our Assessment
Kevin Hunt, the author of a column called The Electronic Jungle, writes interesting reviews of the latest electronic gadgets. Hunt has only reviewed a few iPod speakers, and the products don't receive a rating. However, he has a very detailed review of the Boston Acoustics i-DS3, and it's clear that he has a very good impression of the speakers.
Guy Gear: Portable iPod Docks
by Aaron Broverman
Our Assessment
The reviews in this undated report are brief, and the author focuses mainly on features. Four portable iPod speakers are reviewed, although one has been discontinued. It's also not clear that the speakers have actually been tested.
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