One of the best accessories for an iPod owner to buy is the speaker. These devices play music at decibel levels that can fill rooms, charge the iPod while they are connected, offer a whole host of other features and work with multiple devices and platforms as well.
An iPod is a great device for music lovers to own, and it gives each and every individual the opportunity to carry their music collection around with them and listen to it at any time they please. However, some people find the experience of listening to music on earphones or headphones a rather pointless one, and would rather listen to the same stuff over a bigger speaker. This also enables other people to listen to the same songs simultaneously, and this is something that many people would prefer.
A simple solution to this is the iPod speaker. These are simple speakers that enable a connection between an Apple iPod so that the owner of the iPod can listen to his songs on the speaker. Additionally, such speakers are compatible with all iPod models, the Apple iPhone and other mobile phones and MP3 players as well (through an auxiliary cable). Some of these speakers also have fancy features like Bluetooth, remote controls, bass boost technology, etc., so they are a great tool for music lovers to own.
Top iPod Speakers 2011
Choosing the right one depends on what features you are looking for and what your budget is like. You can find a cheap speaker that only works with your specific iPod model and that will cost you around $50. Or you can find a multi-device speaker with great features and accessories that will sell for as much as $500.
Altec Lansing Mix iMT800 – $199
Altec Lansing is a very popular brand in the speaker industry, and even though the designing and physical appearance of this speaker may not appeal to everyone, its utility definitely will. You get a remote control, 2 auxiliary ports for connecting other devices, easy portability since the speaker runs on batteries as well and it has an FM radio too.
The disadvantage is that the speaker is a little expensive compared to similar speakers, but this is only because Altec Lansing guarantees nothing but the best sound quality and performance. The Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 for $85, the Altec Lansing InMotion Compact iMT320 for $49 and the Altec Lansing Octiv Mini M102 for $39 are also worth considering.
Bose SoundDock 10 – $549
If you’re wondering why this one costs so much, it’s simply because of the sound quality that it is capable of producing. The singular speaker is not designed very aesthetically, in fact it is rather plain looking, but the sound that it produces is enough to fill a large room with considerable ease.
You also have a video output/line input, a Bluetooth dock for private listening but no FM radio. For this price though, a lot more is expected from an iPod speaker, so be prepared to shell out mega bucks for this speaker simply for the glamor factor. The Bose SoundDock Portable system for $350 is a better option, since it is smaller and slightly more economical as well.
Logitech S715i – $115
With plenty of favorable reactions from all sources, this is definitely the speaker of choice for many people out there. Logitech typically produces immense quality, and the 8 sound drivers in this speaker make it an exceptional purchase for that price. There are not many advanced features on this speaker, but this is a compromise that most people are happy to make. The remote control makes it more user-friendly, and it is hard to imagine anyone overlooking this particular speaker. If you are looking for something a bit smaller, the Logitech S315i for $65 would also be a good option.
Philips DS8500 Fidelio Dock – $149
Philips has waned as a brand over the last decade, but this speaker is not a clear example of what is wrong with the company. The reviews for this speaker are pretty favorable, thanks to the slew of features that it offers. The best part is an integrated iOS app that offers amazing controls for enhancing the actual sound from the Apple hardware that is connected to the speaker, and along with other features like proximity-sensitive lights, a full-feature remote and a bass-reflex 30 watt single speaker, this device is more than capable of producing highly impressive sound quality.
A few more great choices and their prices are as follows.
- Boston Acoustics Duo-i Plus – $199
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air – $599
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini – $279
- iHome iP1 – $249
- Sony RDP-XF100iP – $199
- Soundfreaq Sound Platform – $149
- Yamaha TSX-70BU – $189
Each of these iPod speakers are highly portable as well, so you can carry them around with you and use them wherever you go. An external power socket, or a set of specified batteries, will power up the device so this will never be an issue. Moreover, these speakers can be used with any iPod model, any iPhone model, any MP3 player and any other mobile phone as well, making it a highly useful device for anyone.