Most audio enthusiasts agree that the original Bose soundock is the best set of iPod speakers you can buy. The only problem I had with the first generation model is that it isn’t portable because you have to lug around the boxy power supply and power cord. This is no longer the casethe new Bose soundock portable is very similar to the first generation model in power and sound quality with a twist. It’s the best sounding and most powerful speakers available for your iPod and it’s portable. This comes with a premium price tag; with a retail price tag of $399 you’re paying not only for quality but the Bose brand name.
The soundock portable is available in both glossy white and black. It has a very compact design and measures just 12 inches by six inches by 5 inches. The speakers weigh just over five pounds and very closely resemble the original sound dock. There is one distinguishing feature in that the dock your iPod plugs into swivels and can rotate into the unit’s body when traveling.
The portable soundock has the same simplistic design as the first sound dock. There are no physical controls aside from volume up and down. There is a small remote control included that operates the volume, playlists, playback control, and power on and off. This remote is small but has rubber buttons that make it easy to use and operate as long as you don’t misplace it. The remote works well enough and I was able to control my iPod from nearly any angle in the room.
On the back of the soundock you’ll find only two connectors. There are no USB ports or video connections, only a power connector and analog input. The sound dock is powered by a lithium batter pack that gets you about 8 hours of normal use or 3 hours at the highest volume setting. As lithium-ion batteries go this is pretty good considering the quality of sound and Bass response you get from the speakers.
The only thing I don’t like about the sound dock’s design are the built-in volume controls. They are clumsy and not very sensitive to the touch. When your iPod is plugged into the dock the batteries are charged at the expense of play time if your charger is not plugged in. The carrying handle also serves as the speaker’s Bass port which Bose cleverly calls the wave guide exit.
Bose hid an LED light behind the speaker grill that flashes when you use the included remote control and flashes to let you know when the battery needs charging. If you forget to charge the unit for fourteen days the only way to turn it on again is by plugging the charger in…this feature probably generates a lot of support calls for Bose. There are no dock inserts included in the box. If you lost the inserts that came with your iPod you can buy replacements from your local Apple store. The sound dock has a power cord winder that makes it easy travel with your speakers; however, the plug is a tad large and bulky. With it’s $399 retail price tag the soundock portable is a tad expensive; however, you can find better prices shopping online with free shipping. There is an optional carrying case for the portable sound dock but you’ll have to shell out sixty dollars more if you want one.
Tags: download free music for iPod, download iPod music for free, download iPod songs for free, download songs for your iPod, download unlimited iPod music, entertainment, free iPod music downloads, iPod Music, iPod song downloads, music, speakers
Leave a comment