The Expressionist Bass speakers ditch the 3-piece setup in favor of built-in subs in each speaker, saving space under the desk if that's something you need. Separate drivers for mids and highs too, for $130.We know Altec can build a solid iPod dock already, so the inMotion Moondance GLOW ($180) above will look slick on the bedstand, featuring dual alarms and a really sweet looking ziggurat-shaped remote. The inMotion MAX (below) brings more power with four drivers for $200.
And the quirky Orbit speaker we've seen before also got dropped into a more industrial-looking enclosure with the iM237 edition, which will give you OK sound in a tiny package for $40.
All of the redesigned gear should be out in October. Now that the NYT deemed it a fad (typically a few years too late), it's interesting to see subtle steampunk-ish cues pop into a major CE company's design schemes. [Altec Lansing via Crave]

The S-Airplay has a transmitting range of 164 feet, alarm clock functions and an AM/FM tuner. Each speaker has the option of playing audio from the radio or iPod (or nothing), and each can control playback options remotely. The central dock can connect to your home theater system, allowing another method of playback.

The S-Airplay is available for pre-order now, and will begin shipping in September. For $400 you can get a bundle including one docking station and two wireless speakers. Additional speakers cost $130. [Sony]

SONY UNVEILS WIRELESS MULTI-ROOM
AUDIO SYSTEM FOR IPOD PLAYERS

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 21, 2008 – Sony today took the wraps off its new wireless, multi-room audio system for listening to iPod® players.
The new S-AIRPLAY™ system features Sony’s S-Air™ technology, which provides a practical, wireless multi-room solution without complicated setup requirements. Wireless audio can be transmitted from the system’s main docking station in one room to various rooms throughout the home — up to nearly 164 feet—simply by plugging a separate S-Air wireless speaker into a power outlet.
“This technology makes it easy to listen to music from a compatible iPod without carrying it from room to room,” said Andrew Sivori, director of marketing in the personal audio group at Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging and Audio Division. “It’s an easy, inexpensive way to get multi-room audio without professional installation.”
S-Air technology delivers audio wirelessly to the included speakers without interfering with other household devices. The system comes with one docking station and two S-Air wireless speakers, but it can transmit to up to 10 speakers simultaneously (additional speakers sold separately).
Equipped with an AM/FM tuner, the S-AIRPLAY system’s dual source feature lets users listen to music from the iPod player or from a radio station. Listeners in one room can hear their favorite radio station, while listeners in another room can enjoy music from the iPod at the same time.
The S-Air wireless speakers include remote control capability for the iPod player’s music tracks so you can advance or go back to previously played songs. The speakers also incorporate sleep timers and an alarm clock function, making them perfect for bedside placement.
To connect to an existing home theater system or television set, the docking station includes composite A/V outputs. It also charges the iPod while it is docked.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the S-AIRPLAY audio system are now being accepted online at www.sonystyle.com. The system (model AIR-SA20PK) will be available in September for about $400 at Sony Style® retail stores and select retailers nationwide. Additional S-Air wireless speakers will also be available next month for about $130 direct from Sony.

[Apartment Therapy Unplugged]

The main appeal of the i931 is it's nostalgia factor, hands down. If you have any sort of infatuation with the 1988, boom-bap era of hip-hop, you can't help but be in love with this thing. And after I spent a few hours with the i931, I was ready to march down to the nearest 7-Eleven, boombox in hand, and yell at the guy behind the counter for D batteries (This boombox takes TEN D batteries, but there's also a power cord, so fear not). The i931 also stays true to the historical design of Lasonic boomboxes. The speaker grates, the cheesy color graphics, the volume knob and power button, all taken from Lasonic designs of the past. The iPod dock even pops open like a tape player and you insert your iPod like a cassette. Awesome.

The iPod function works about as well as you could expect; the menu system is semi-complicated to learn, but functions efficiently with the external button interface, and the window in the dock face makes the screen clearly visible. The i931 is compatible with any iPod up though the 5.5g model iPod and the 1g and 2g iPod Nanos. I assume its also compatible with the iPod Classic and 3g Nano, but I wasn't able to test that, so I cant confirm. There is also an AV out in the back if you want to route video playback to your TV.

On the technical side of things, the i931 has an AM/FM tuner (w/telescoping antenna), 3.5mm stereo auxiliary input, USB input and an SD card reader for direct MP3 playback. It has a glowing spectrum analyzer and a 1/4" headphone jack. The two 15w speakers are powerful and clear, with no distortion until level 35 of a 40 point volume scale (with the bass turned up).This is all controlled by 10 buttons on the right, with the standard array of play/pause, stop, track up/down, random, repeat and function buttons. It also has a folder button for browsing file structures.

There are, however, a few issues I have with the i931. The most glaring problem is the lack of support for the iPod touch and iPhone. They don't close into the iPod dock, and they can't be controlled by the button interface. And the plastic on the door of the dock means you can't get to the touch screen. There are other minor issues like the omittance of the physical EQ sliders (pure nostalgia), which are replaced by presets and bass/treble controls. The AM/FM tuner graphic doesn't actually do anything, and the former tape deck buttons have been replaced with generic graphics that don't do anything. Also odd, is that the i931 will occasionally and randomly shut off during playback. Not enough to be an annoyance, but enough to notice.

That said, the i931 gets a big, fat Giz stamp of approval. The '88-'94 golden era of hip-hop occupies a special place in my heart, and the boombox was one of it's universal symbols. This isn't the most technically advanced or well-built audio gadget around, but that's not what this is about. The i931 gives a nod to the past with it's head in the future, exuding charisma along the way. At $170, you get a that sounds good, and it doesn't break the bank if you buy it just as a novelty item. Personally, this will be one of my favorite gadgets I ever play with. [Lasonic on Giz]

This review is dedicated to Radio Raheem, who was killed on the fictional streets of Brooklyn by the fictional N.Y.P.D.

Video by Chris Mascari

The Price: $199.99

The Verdict: The hook here is the iPhone-friendliness of the product. While testing the T612, GSM buzz never occurred once, making good on Altec Lansing's claim. The dock also mutes the music when a call comes through, so you can hear your ringer and pick up the call (the T612 doesn't have speakerphone, to be clear).

On the audio side of things, the T612 is powered by two 3-inch drivers and two 1 -inch tweeters. The dock sounds good enough if you only listen to pop songs at a moderate volume that don't go too crazy with highs or lows. When you start to venture outside the musical comfort of Celine Dion, heavy bass has a hollow sound, and if you turn it up too loud, everything gets really muddy. Of course, you can adjust the bass and treble to remedy this, but then the music loses some of its punch.

Also available is a wall mount, but you have to pay an extra $3 to have it shipped, and it doesn't look all that great. $199.99 seems a little steep for this dock (especially compared to Logitech's $150 Pure-Fi Anywhere ), but if you really need to dock your iPhone as a music solution, and you can't stand to deal with the interference (or putting your phone in flight mode), maybe this is for you.

DUAL iPod® MODEL AMONG NEW DOCKING STATIONS FROM JVC

New NX-PN7 plays and charges two iPod players; new iPod-docking clock radio also debuts.

LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2008 - iPod® users can double their listening pleasure with the new JVC NX-PN7, an iPod dock that holds two of the ubiquitous music players. The new dual dock is joined by another new JVC iPod dock, the RA-P31, a clock radio-style model.

The new dual dock NX-PN7 accommodates two iPod players side-by side, charging them simultaneously and offering playback from each through the dock's speaker system. Supplementing iPod playback is an AM/FM tuner, and adding to the unit's versatility is a clock and timer. In addition, there's an analog audio input for connecting other devices for playback.

Though the NX-PN7 handles two iPod players, it measures a mere 13 inches wide. It features sleek and sophisticated styling, with a black cabinet and speaker grille, and controls arrayed clearly and logically in a band along the bottom. Adding a bit of flair are two illuminated strips, one under each docked iPod. These can display one of nine colors - including white, blue, red and others. The included remote features dedicated iPod control keys that simulate the iPod control wheel layout and users are able to easily shuffle, repeat, scroll and select songs from the iPod menu.

For those searching for a portable iPod-playing replacement for the standard clock radio, JVC offers RA-P31. This low-profile unit features an iPod dock on top, FM tuner, calendar, dual alarm, white backlit display, two-inch built-in stereo speakers and a surround mode to produce a wider sound field. There's also an auxiliary input for connecting another playback device, and an included remote control. What's more, the RA-P31 can be AC- or battery-powered (six AA batteries). The RA-P31, measures just over one-foot long, stands less than three inches tall and weighs 1.6 lbs. (without batteries).

Model
Availability
National Ad Value
NX-PN7
April 2008
$149.95
RA-P31
April 2008
$99.95

Thanks, Virtual Press Office!

Retailing at $39.99, there have been cheaper white plastic eggs in the past, but none of them could keep your iPod dry and boom out the radio. If you care for your iPod so, grab it a shower cocoon, it will love you for it...back to purchasing love, eh? Hey, it's your life, lead it as you choose. We're saying nothing. [Ubergizmo]

• How long do the speakers last when they are away from their dock?
In my test, they ran for over 13 hours, nearly 14 actually. I had both speakers about 20+ feet away from the source, in my combo kitchen/dining room, where we could enjoy music while preparing dinner (linguini with Batali-style clam sauce and Sicilian broccoli, plus homemade creme brulee for dessert) and eating it.• How far can the speakers be from the base and still make sound?
Griffin says 150 feet, and I think that's probably right. It uses 433MHz 900MHz RF, and I was able to carry them pretty far on two separate occasions, and even when I started to lose signal, I could stand still and the signal would smooth out. I think the real answer is: they go as far as you're going to need them to. Best of all, the iPod-controlling remote which uses 433MHz RF works at that range too, so they can follow the speakers to the ends of the earth your property. See me way out in the yard, while the dock is safely inside:• What's the deal with the video outputs? (UPDATED)
There are both S-Video out and composite out. They work with older video-enabled iPods, but not with iPod classics, nanos or touches (or iPhones, for that matter). You don't get much quality from those connections, so you should really aim for small-screen viewing. The wireless is still a convenience, however: if you don't connect the audio output to a TV, you can still hear everything through the speakers. And guess what? There's no annoying out-of-sync latency issue that I can detect.

• So what's the problem?
Sound quality, sound quality, sound quality. Don't get me wrong: For a wireless system, these sound damn good, way better than the Bluetooth stuff I've heard from the likes of Logitech and Belkin, and even Radio Shack's smart Accurian powerline setup. But compared to other docks, there's a lot of high end and not a lot of mids or lows. If you have it turned down too low, it gets tinny, and there's no real satisfying way to enjoy rap music on it.

The bottom line is this: I was blown away by this product as a super-simple zero-setup way to get background sound to places where it matters the most, like the dining room or the patio. Seriously, I will probably buy one of these for just those reasons, even at $300. But when I'm all alone and want to rock out, I would need to seek an alternate source of sonic satisfaction, cuz I won't get it from the Evolve. [Griffin Evolve]
Oh, and special thanks to my dad for the two shots that I'm in.

The system is designed to hold the iPod video 30GB and 60GB, iPod nano and iPod mini. The front of the speaker has a clear door that allows you to see the iPod inside for track information. On the outside are buttons that give you access to the controls of the iPod while it is docked. External controls include play/pause, forward, back, and volume controls. A power button and a button that controls the speaker mode are included as well. The i-XPS 120 ships with an AC adapter and a car DC adapter, obviously it's not waterproof when using either of these power options. For use outside you power the speaker system with four C-cell batteries. The unit is waterproof to IP53 standards.

Inside the docking area for the iPod is a 3.5mm headphone jack. This and a short included 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable is supposed to allow you to use any MP3 player with the speaker. However, I found that the angled adapter wouldn't allow the door to close fully with the Sansa e280r I tried with the headphone port. I could have used the i-XPS 120 inside, but without closing the door, the water resistant design is not functional.

Sound quality was good, though lacked bass for my tastes. Peak power is 24 Watts RMS with an effective output of 2 x 6 watts RMS and the system uses a pair of 3-inch drivers. Dimensions for the speaker are 200mm x 320mm x 160mm (H xWxD). If you are the outdoorsy type looking for a decent speaker system that you can use for your iPod while you do, whatever it is people that go outside do the iXPS-120 works well. The i-XPS 120 should go on sale this month for $129. This would have been just the thing for the "camping" trips in my college days where more beer was involved than anything else and someone always seemed to end up peeing on something.

Inside that barrel chest is a 5.25" dedicated subwoofer, and there are four 2" midrange drivers and two 1" tweeters, too. The 10-key remote gives you EQ and playlist management, and the USB jack and aux input give you extra options for syncing and adding other sources. [mStation]

The Hi-Fi was a massive mistake. Apple, don't you know? Only third parties can make money off of big, tacky speaker systems, so the launch of the HiFi was lose lose. Either the system would be too big, too ugly or too worthless to listen to. And one thing's for sure: it was too expensive. [tuaw]

Says the press release:

Users can play iPod videos on the big screen, with big-screen quality, clarity, and freedom from video-noise, "jaggies," or blocking-artifacts.

Speaking of connectors, that little dock has a boatload of them: HDMI, component, and standard-def S-Video and composite video outputs, plus coax and optical digital-audio, and headphone and line-level analog-audio outputs. It even has HDMI input for a pass-through, so you don't lose an HDMI jack on your TV or receiver, and a USB jack for iPod syncing to a computer.

And of course iRIS comes with a wireless remote control, in addition to control buttons on its face for source selection, iPod syncing, and shifting video format and aspect ratio to fit the screen.

Meridian Unveils iRIS Universal Dock for iPod

A First From iPod Videos: High-Quality Video on HD Screens

Cambridgeshire, England, September 5, 2007—Meridian Audio, the British firm credited with creating digital home theater, will introduce and demonstrate a unique new enabler for the Apple Computer's hugely popular iPod™ family of personal media devices at the 2007 CEDIA Expo. Like many other iPod "docks," the Meridian iRIS ™ Universal Dock for iPod accepts the full range of current iPod models and delivers battery charging and home audio-system integration and control. Additionally, the Meridian design features high-end video up-conversion processing (up to 1080p) that produces astonishing images with clarity and detail, delivering true big-screen performance from iPod Video.

The Meridian iRIS design incorporates uniquely sophisticated and specialized video processing courtesy of its Qdeo™ digital processing engine from chip-maker Marvell®. This empowers the Meridian iRIS to derive upscaled and upconverted video—including full-HD-format 1080-progressive mode—with unprecedented quality. Instead of the lower definition resolutions "native" to small-format iPod Video clips, downloaded video can be displayed on the large screen in impressively tight, HD-formatted full-screen video—up to 1080p on HDMI, or 1080i or 720p via the Meridian iRIS analog component-video outputs. Qdeo technology further incorporates advanced DSP for per-pixel, motion-adaptive video processing that corrects both color and contrast losses.

Simply put: Users can play iPod videos on the big screen, with big-screen quality, clarity, and freedom from video-noise, "jaggies," or blocking-artifacts—a first for any iPod Video-integrating solution.

"It's not big news that the iPod continues to influence every aspect of home entertainment," says Meridian co-founder and Chairman Bob Stuart. "But the video side of the ubiquitous portable's capabilities has eluded effective usefulness in any sort of high-performance environment—until now. With the Meridian iRIS, Meridian can offer astonishingly good big-screen playback on today's HD displays, from an affordable device that features simple, 'dock-and-hit-play' usability."

The Meridian iRIS circular design provides a standard Apple 30-pin dock connector on its top surface, accepting any current or recent "3G" iPod or iPod Video model, while its rear edge includes HDMI, component, and standard-def S-Video and composite video outputs, plus coax and optical digital-audio, and headphone and line-level analog-audio outputs. There's also an HDMI input to accept an outboard non-iPod source such as a DVD player or game-console, and a simple source-select button to switch between a docked iPod and an external source—so the iRIS needn't "use up" an HDMI input on the home system. Another simple iRIS button selects video format/aspect-ratio, matching the displayed clip to the home screen. A third automatically synchronizes the iPod with a computer linked via USB.

Volume up/down keys complete the very simple and entirely intuitive iRIS controls. However, the Meridian solution also supplies a compact wireless remote controller that commands the docked iPod as well as the Meridian iRIS itself, and since Meridian iRIS displays iPod menus on-screen in the same format and organization as on the portable itself, there's no new interface to learn.

Meridian's iRIS Universal Dock for iPod is available November, at a manufacturer's suggest price of $379.

Meridian Audio Limited is based in Huntingdon, near Cambridge, UK, and was founded in 1977 by Allen Boothroyd and Robert Stuart. With a 30-year history of innovation and development of the highest quality consumer audio systems, the award-winning company is widely recognized as a world leader in digital and analog audio reproduction. Meridian developed the world's first audiophile CD player, the world's first consumer digital surround controller, developed the MLP lossless packing systems mandated for use in DVD-Audio and included in emerging high-definition disc formats, and is the only UK audio hardware manufacturer to be a member of the DVD Forum. The company's optical disc players, DSP-based loudspeakers and Digital Theater systems are unique in the industry, maintaining a super-quality digital audio signal throughout the path from the source to the amplifier, and using digital signal processing to generate advanced crossover characteristics that would be impossible with conventional passive analog systems. Meridian is also the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Faroudja High-Definition video processors and projectors.

The Dream merges the radio and iPod experiences with touches like one-button access to six playlists, 12 FM presets and six AM presets (like you'll ever need that many). It appears to be a pretty robust system, sound wise, too, with 3" woofers and "high-definition" tweeters. But let's face it, the real allure is the motion sensing: The system lights up when you approach it in the dark, and engage the snooze alarm when you wave your hand over it in the early morn.

The Pure-Fi Anywhere goes further than its mm50 predecessor with a souped-up remote. Like the Dream, it gives you one-touch shuffle and repeat buttons, so you don't have to dig several menus in to find those options on an iPod. (Really, it's one of the only things that still annoys me about the iPod interface.) Its built-in lithium-ion battery lasts for 10 hours, and has a light-up battery-life indicator. Which is great if you're already nearby a power socket anyway, but of not much use when you're at the beach or out on some camping trip.

Logitech® Pure-Fi Dream™ Bedroom Music System for iPod® Innovative technology and design are perfect for the bedroom Shipping: November 2007 Price: $249.99

Product Description
The Logitech Pure-Fi Dream Bedroom Music System redefines iPod® music with high-quality sound and features designed specifically for the bedroom. Advanced acoustics, dual woofers and tweeters, and integrated controls provide full, rich-sounding music. Additionally, the added convenience of a clock, dual alarms and an AM/FM radio, as well as an auto-dimming display and motion-activated backlighted controls, optimize the overall experience.

Key Features
• One-button direct access to presets: six iPod playlists, six AM and 12 FM radio stations
• Easy access for iPod shuffle and repeat functions from the speakers
• Motion-activated, backlighted controls for easy access in the dark
• Song title display shows track/song/artist information from iPod and radio stations with RDS support
• Auto-adjusting LCD automatically dims at night
• Dual alarm with battery backup
• Motion snooze alarm responds to the wave of a hand
• Digital AM/FM radio
• Backlighted remote control with snooze buttons for easy music management day or night
• Two-way acoustic design provides excellent audio performance
• 3/4-inch high-definition, soft-dome tweeters and 3-inch high-power, long-throw woofers
• StereoXL™ technology widens the sound stage
• iPod automatically charges when docked in the speaker

System Requirements
Works with iPods with appropriate dock connector (included with purchase)

Warranty
Two-year limited warranty

Logitech® Pure-Fi Anywhere™ Compact Speaker System for iPod®
World's best-selling iPod speaker system updated with enhanced portability features, richer sound
Shipping: August 2007
Price: $149.99

Product Description
The Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere compact speaker system for iPod offers one-touch access to shuffle and repeat functions, a battery-life indicator, cable-management system and protective travel case. Additionally, a unique combination of active and pressure drivers provide full, balanced audio despite the speaker's compact size.

Key Features
• One-touch access to shuffle and repeat functions - without having to navigate the iPod's menu
• Wireless remote control allows people to adjust volume, track forward, track back, play, pause, shuffle and repeat music without touching the speaker system or iPod
• 2-inch Max-X™ active, high-excursion drivers with neodymium magnets and 3-inch pressure drivers for clear sound, maximum bass response and minimal distortion
• StereoXL™ technology widens the sound stage
• iPod and speaker battery simultaneously recharge when powered by the included AC adapter
• 10-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery-life indicator lights up when speaker needs recharging
• Works with current and future iPods (uses the Apple "Universal Dock Adapter" specification)
• AC adapter includes integrated cable management
• Protective travel case holds the speakers, remote, and AC adapter as well as an iPod® Nano

System Requirements
Works with iPods with appropriate dock connector (included with purchase)

Warranty
Two-year limited warranty

FIGHT!

DESIGN
We were afraid to leave the Eton Sound 100 iPod alone with the Altec Lansing IMV712. The big boy looked hungry, and the Eton is just so delicate...possibly tasty...

Eton Sound 100 iPod
The Eton is a cute system. It's very small, yet has a feel of a bigger unit through its solid buttons and knobs. But we'd like to have seen video out along with the radio and line in/out options. And it's tough to look past the fact that the Eton Sound 100 iPod is just Eton's Sound 100 model with an external iPod dock. Is that bitchy of me? Maybe a little.

Altec Lansing IMV712
The IMV712 is more like a big SUV than a sleek Jeep. We're not crazy about its appearance, even though a diagonally arching top spruces up the boxy form. We've already gushed over the massive screen, etc, but we wish that the screen could be put to better use than movies or the Altec Lansing logo. A little visualization could go a long way here.

AUDIO
Once again, we did extensive audio testing. Sure, we knew (as you should expect) that the IMV712 would take the sound category. But just how much better is Altec Lansing's heavyweight than the little Eton...that's the big question.

Eton Sound 100 iPod
This is a big stage in the competition, so it's time to put away the baby music. We started out with the Boss, Springsteen himself. Human Touch sounded pretty solid. I can't help but to underestimate the output of this little unit, only to be surprised each time I put it on. It actually hits a pretty high frequency range. Vocals are clear, while the highest range instrumentation can thin out (cymbals can get a bit tinny). Lows...I can't quite explain. They hit without resonance, popping in an unnatural way in which a bass drum can resemble a snare hit. The sound is almost low enough, but it's sterile.

Nonetheless, I'm impressed by this little machine.

Altec Lansing IMV712
Of course the IMV712 is more open, reproduces sweeter bass and...well, you get the point. But the even bigger difference between the two units, however, is distinction. Layers of sound, no matter the genre, can be appreciated in full. In Outkast's Ms. Jackson, it's absurdly easy to pick out the tracks and dissect the subtle complexities that make the song so freakin' good. You won't get that with the Eton. And the tendency only gets more obvious when venturing into classical.

Strings and horns are both brilliant on the IMV712. And the Eton, the excellent little BSer that it is, can't begin to keep up.

I always separate sound quality in tiers, and maybe that's completely unfair since it's arbitrary and a bit meaningless in comparisons outside this battle. But you will hear a massive difference between the two units (or at least two tiers of quality). And it's not because the Eton is a disappointment, because I don't see many turning up their noses at the Sound 100's audio quality given the form—it's that the IMV712 transcends iPod docks and gives you a product that can be more of a home stereo than just a backup dock. It might not be perfect sound, sure, but it's fairly luxurious for MP3 playback—a bit of caviar on your Ritz cracker.

WINNER: IMV712

Like its competition in the finals, the Griffin Amplifi, the IMV712 is a bit on the big and ugly. But it sounds good and is feature-rich. Would we give up the IMV712's video for its audio in Eton's form factor? Of course. We just aren't there yet from a technological standpoint.

KEF has incorporated its Uni-Q technology into these diminutive speakers, which are still able to project plenty of separation even when they're positioned closely together. The system even has a S-Video and composite video outputs so you can watch the on-screen display of your iPod's antics, and there's a remote control shaped like a credit card to let you enjoy all the iPod's functions from afar. Other MP3 players can play along, too, by plugging in a 3.5mm audio jack, albeit without all that complete iPod control.

KEF says this mini system, available in either black or white, will be available next month in the UK for a whopping £250, which is $513 in real money. Ouch. It better sound pretty damn good for that kind of money. [HiFix]

[Sony]

SAMSUNG'S NEW MP3 PLAYER DOCKING STATION TRANSFORMS PERSONAL AUDIO ENJOYMENT INTO A ROOM FULL OF SOUND

Versatile Compact Docking Station Features iPod Support, 20 Watt speakers, MP3 CD Playback FM Tuner, and Alarm Clock

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., July 11, 2007 - Samsung Electronics, an award winning innovator in home theater technology, introduces a solution specifically designed for consumers who want to enjoy their portable digital music library at home without the earphones. The new Samsung MM-X5 MP3 Player Docking Station plays content from MP3 players, including any generation Apple iPod as well as CDs. The built-in USB port allows for instant music file playback directly from a standard USB memory drive for added convenience. From the comforts of the bedroom to the convenience of the living room, Samsung's MM-X5 provides consumers multiple ways to expand their personal digital music experience.

"Samsung's MM-X5 transforms an MP3 player from an on-the-go device to a player that can be just as easily be enjoyed at home," said Reid Sullivan, vice president of Digital Audio & Video Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "The MM-X5 offers a variety of useful features for consumers, including playing from an iPod and other digital audio players to CD and FM radio playback - all within a single compact unit."

The MM-X5 becomes a compact multi-function stereo with convenient features such as the bright, built-in display and an alarm that lets consumers select songs to wake up to - whether from their iPod, CD or FM Radio. With the built-in 20 Watt speakers (10 Watts each), combined with Samsung's Digital Natural Sound engine™ technology, consumers can immerse themselves in rich, clear audio that fills rooms with ease.

Specifications
MM-X5 Features
• DNSe (Digital Natural Sound engine)
• iPod dock
• USB host
• RMS 10 Watt / CH (Built in SPK)
• MP3 CD playback
• Alarm function
• Built in display
• FM tuner
MSRP $199
Availability October 2007
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

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Design/Features
Hi-Fi
The Hi-Fi's design is as minimal as anything we've come to expect from Apple. The volume buttons directly control the iPod, as opposed to most players that adjust the amplification within the unit. Handles allow for easy carrying, but that's a feature you forget about once you take it out of the box. But where are the extras? The second clickwheel? The video out? Anything? You can take the Hi-Fi on the road with D batteries, which is worth something, I guess.

IMV712
The IMV712 is a dock in a class of its own. Not only does it feature video out—it has a 8.5-inch screen. How does it look? While not the best LCD we've ever seen, it's bright, sharp and colorful enough for us. What we don't like, however, is that the screen stretches the image wider than it was intended...and it's not fixable when playing with the iPod's video out. Why would Altec Lansing engineer the product this way when iTunes doesn't support widescreen programming?

Sound
For sound testing we listened to Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations: Nimrod as directed by Sir Georg Solti. Because we were feeling pretentious.

Hi-Fi
Right off the bat we enjoy the sound of the Hi-Fi. It's not a bargain bin dock, and you can hear it. The balance is superb, with no real quality falloff high or low. And the bass gets really deep.

IMV712
The IMV712 sounds remarkably similar to the HiFi, as if they are long lost cousins, or even brothers. And of all our side-by-sides thus far, they are most similar in sound style. But all is not equal.

The IMV712 does have a small speaker hiss that the Hi-Fi does not. Otherwise the IMV712 has more presence, which you notice in the high ranges. Trumpets sound like they are made of metal, and strings have that extra scrape to them. Texture is the difference here, allowing listeners to point out when during a phrase, a warm piccolo becomes a flute, for example.

The Hi-Fi sounds nice, but it sterilizes the sound into something less real and more speakerlike, and that effect is especially noticeable when instrumentation is layered during Nimrod's most dramatic moments. Still, the phonic experience is an admittedly close matchup, and we're exaggerating the differences here for review purposes. Most ears will agree that the IMV712 isn't light years ahead of the Hi-Fi, if ahead at all.

WINNER: Altec Lansing IMV712
The IMV712 has some real problems with aspect ratio, and the screen is wasted with the Altec Lansing logo when music is being played (visualization would have been nice). But considering that its sound quality is on par with Apple's Hi-fi, and maybe even a little better, we can't justify the purchase of a Hi-Fi over the IMV712...even if buying the Hi-Fi would further annoy our PC-using brethren.

Looking like a mini boombox, this is a downright cute attachment for your shuffle, measuring just shy of 4 inches long and it's only 1.5 inches deep. It feeds .5 watts of musical juice to each of its two channels, powered by either a couple of AAA batteries or a USB port. And, it charges your shuffle when the dock's plugged into USB. It'll be available later this month for $30.

Corega Portable Speaker System for iPod shuffle [Far East Gizmos, via CrunchGear]

Design/Functions

IM7
The IM7 goes for that soup can on its side boombox look, which...works? Its most notable feature is that your iPod snaps recessed into the dock, though since the controls remain uncovered for iPod navigation, your precious music collection still isn't bomb proof. The s-video out is a nice bonus.

Playdock i
The Playdock i is almost a third less wide than the IM7, making it a better squeeze on to your shelf. And the build quality is excellent. The volume wheel offers a fulfilling tactile click and a knob on the back allows easy bass adjustment—I don't understand why more docks don't have simple EQ options. To finish it off, a single button allows toggle of their Wide Stereo Effect.

Sound
I tested this round with Rodrigo Y Gabriela's Tamacun, because my wife is listening to it nonstop so I am listening to it nonstop.
IM7
The IM7 has a rounded sound, not just in its excellent low to high balance, but the roundness of each note. The guitars, in any range, sounded almost wet in texture. The lows don't go quite the that guttural range that shakes the tummy, but they are about as well as one can expect without a sub.

Playdock i
The highest ranges play back with slap-you-in-the-face presence. But the listening experience degrades through the midranges and lower. "Wide Stereo Effect" sound enhancement cuts the lows too much for my taste. And cranking the bass adds false colors to the sound.

The companies are clearly taking different approaches to sound: Altec Lansing is trying to offer a solid stereo performance with their IM7, while Cambridge Soundworks' Playdock i attempts to offer a sound that emulates the live experience. But to pull off that live sound, the speakers have to be amazing.

WINNER: Altec Lansing IM7
Even with a retail of $50 more, we're giving the victory to the IM7. If we could only combine the two units: Playdock i build combined with the IM7 sound would be a force to reckon with. We'll see if Bose can fill that gap...

Who will win the battle?

Design/Functionality

Sonic Impact

The T24's design is stereotypical, so we'll save you clichéd descriptions of symmetry and my takes on the finer distinctions of silver and gunmetal. The T24 has video out and is generally streamlined for ease of use.

Eton

Internet shots of Eton's Sound 100 iPod (essentially their Sound 100 with iPod dock) never impressed me much, but the in-person effect is much less retro-wannabe and far more small and indiscrete. Plus, you get a radio, alarm with sleep timer and an LCD that has plenty of room for the song titles but doesn't display them. Oh, well.

Sound
We just haven't been able to shake Journey's Don't Stop Believing after watching the incredible Sopranos finale. So we looped that for a while.

Sonic Impact

The entire sound has a bit of an echo, but not obnoxiously so. On the contrary, it rounds out the sound. The vocals are very strong and, once again I'm left with that car stereo effect: strong mids with highs that that blend into an indefinable but palatable mixture. But there's not much of going on the lowest ranges.

Eton

The sound feels more contained, but the highest ranges feel truer...if occasionally metallic. And believe it or not, this little machine performs better at the lowest ranges. It's weird, the Eton's downfall is its lackluster midrange playback.

WINNER: Eton Sound 100 iPod

We choose the Eton, not because of the sound (which is admittedly a half step better on the Sonic Impact), but for the small stature that still manages to keep up that is packed with practical features. Neither of these units should be chosen based upon their fidelity alone, so with a width of roughly half its competitor's size, Eton's Sound 100 iPod takes this round.

After adjusting the bass level with the Mondo Mint Audio Control suite over USB (it comes set really bass heavy) the Mint sounded pretty darn good. Since we don't have the 100 docks Mark has to compare it to, we'd have to say the audio quality (even when streaming over wireless) was good enough to compare to a decent set of bookshelf speakers. It does have a nice remote, though.

The Mint definitely looks classy—as classy as an iPod dock can look. The buttons on the front of both docks aren't flimsy, and the speaker connections in back are sturdy as well. The solid and smooth (it slides around well on carpet) speakers combined with the sturdy construction of the docks themselves goes a long way into justifying the $349 price.

Whether the Mondo Mint is competitive compared to other $349 iPod docks is still up in the air, but the combination of wireless audio, the decent assortment of inputs and the pretty decent sound quality will make this a good buy either way.

Product Page [Mondo Mint]

No pricing info was available yet. – Charlie White

iLuv 'Wing' can turn the docking part horizontally for wide-view [Aving, via Coolest Gadgets