iPod Speakers Reviews
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Updated November 2007
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Fast Answers - Best iPod Speakers
| Top Rated |
What the Research Says |
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Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere
(*est. $140)
>> Where to buy
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Best portable iPod speakers. No portable iPod speakers get better reviews than the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere. While they are slightly larger than some competing speakers, audio performance is excellent for a portable speaker, with very good bass and a well-designed 3D sound feature. Its docking cradle can accommodate all iPods (including the latest iPod Classic and Touch) with a docking connector, either directly or with an included adapter. There is a built-in rechargeable battery rated ten hours between charges, but road warriors will want to travel with the included AC adapter/charger. The Logitech iPod speakers come with a remote and a carrying case.
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Logic3 i-Station7
(*est. $90)
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Budget portable iPod speakers. Although not as highly rated as the Pure-Fi Anywhere, the Logic3 i-Station7 is a solid iPod speaker for the price. It is one of the only budget iPod speakers to come with a remote control. The i-Station7 can recharge your iPod, and a cable is included to sync up your iPod with your computer while still connected to the speakers. The i-station7 can either be run on the included AC adapter or 4 AA batteries. A plastic shield is provided for portability, but this does not prevent the case very well from scratches. Its universal dock comes with adapters to accommodate all dockable iPods, and an included minijack cable allows you to hook up non-iPods and the iPod shuffle.
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Logitech Pure-Fi Elite
(*est. $150)
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Budget bookshelf iPod speakers. If you need something with more oomph than portable speakers yet don't want to pay upwards of $300 for a top-of-the-line iPod speaker setup, review point to the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite. Reviews say the Pure-Fi can easily serve as a living room audio system, or provide background party music, but it's not powerful enough for a large event space or party where you want something really loud with rumbling bass. Even so, reviews say the Pure-Fi sounds great within its limits. A backlit remote is a nice touch, although critics say the AM/FM radio could be better, and an alarm feature is missing. The dock is compatible with all dockable iPods, including the newest 2007/2008 iPod Classic, iPhone, nano and Touch.
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Chestnut Hill Sound George
(*est. $500)
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Audiophile iPod speakers. Critics agree that the Chestnut Hill Sound George is the best sounding iPod speaker system available. Audio quality is top-notch and the remote control system is especially innovative and well designed. A universal docking cradle and adapters fit all dockable iPods, and an auxiliary jack lets you connect an iPod shuffle or non-iPod music player. Unfortunately, there's no docking connector port for syncing your iPod with a computer -- so you'll need to disconnect to load your iPod with music. Although critics say sound quality is terrific, many question the sense of spending more on speakers than you did for your iPod.
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Audioengine 5
(*est. $325)
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Best two-piece iPod speakers. One-piece speaker setups are stylish and compact, and many are capable of producing excellent sound quality, but most are incapable of proper stereo imaging. For that you need to turn to a component system in which the right and left channel speakers are housed in separate enclosures. Among these types of speakers, the Audioengine 5 is in a class by itself, say reviews. Sound quality is clean and balanced, and these speakers are capable of pumping out high volume levels with no distortion. However, the Audioengine 5's enclosures are large, and the speakers lack a docking cradle (the connection to an iPod is made via its headphone jack).
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Comparison Chart
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Full Story
What the experts say, our analysis, and more...
In terms of quantity and quality, iLounge.com, Playlist magazine and CNet.com have the most and best reviews of iPod speakers. Reviews at all three sites are packed with information, and all three use a ratings system that makes it easier to spot which speakers the editors believe are the best. iLounge.com is the best review source for iPod speakers, having both an extensive and current catalog of write-ups. Playlist deserves special mention ...
... Continued
More in this report:
Consensus Report
| # of picks |
Model (with retailer links) |
Details from Amazon.com |
| 5 |
Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere (*est. $140)
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details
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| 5 |
Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 (*est. $180)
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details
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| 5 |
Klipsch iGroove HG (*est. $190)
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details
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| 5 |
Audioengine 5 (*est. $325)
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details
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| 4 |
Chestnut Hill Sound George (*est. $500)
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details
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| 3 |
Bose SoundDock (*est. $300)
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details
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| 3 |
Altec Lansing iM600 (*est. $140)
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details
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| 3 |
Logitech Pure-Fi Elite (*est. $150)
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details
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| 2 |
Logic3 i-Station7 (*est. $90) |
details
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| 2 |
Altec Lansing FX-6021 (*est. $195)
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details
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| 2 |
JBL Radial (*est. $230)
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details
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| 2 |
Altec Lansing iM500 (*est. $80)
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details
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| 1 each |
Altec Lansing iM9
,
Altec Lansing iM11
,
Altec Lansing M602
,
Altec Lansing iMV712
,
Creative TravelDock 900
, Geneva Lab Model L,
iHome iH7
,
Jamo i300
,
JBL On Tour
,
JBL On Stage II
,
Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0
,
Logic3 i-Station Shuffle
,
Logic3 i-Station Traveller
,
Macally PodWave/AP-A111 Version 1/Version 2
,
Macally TunePro
, mStation Orb 2.1,
mStation Tower 2.1
, Nyko Speaker Dock 2,
Pacific Rim Cube
, PodGear PocketParty,
Tivoli Audio iSongBook
,
Tivoli Audio iPAL
, Zvox 325, Acoustic Energy Aego M,
Griffin Amplifi
, Griffin Evolve, Memorex iTrek Mi3000, Sonic Impact i-P22,
Phillips AJ300D
, Timex Ti700,
XtremeMac Luna
,
LG MSP-100
,
SoundCast iCast
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We found a large number of reviews for iPod speakers. But despite the huge number of models on the market, several stand out in reviews. We found the largest number of top ratings for the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere, a reasonably priced portable speaker that sounds better than most low-cost iPod speakers. The Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 tube-shaped speaker has a funkier look, but also gets good sound quality and volume for the price. It's more expensive than the similarly rated Logitech iPod speakers, however. Logic3's i-Station7 is a good low-priced pick if you want a solid all-around portable system that includes a remote. If you are looking for a one-piece bookshelf speaker, the Chestnut Hill Sound George is the current king, but it's very expensive. Less pricey options include the Klipsch iGroove HG, Bose SoundDock and Audioengine 5.
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