External iPod Speakers with Added Requirements
November 27, 2006 8:25 AM Subscribe
iPod External Speakers Filter: I know this has been covered before (I read past threads) but now that it's the gift-giving season and my in-laws have asked for our list I have some specific questions and requirements.
I want to be able to hook up a Nano and 3G iPod to a portable system of good quality speakers. But, in addition, if I can hook up our regular TV (CRT) TV's sound to it, that would be a major bonus.
Does anything fit the bill? The Bose Wave allows for all of the above except portability. What about the Altec Lansing inMotion iM7?
I want to be able to hook up a Nano and 3G iPod to a portable system of good quality speakers. But, in addition, if I can hook up our regular TV (CRT) TV's sound to it, that would be a major bonus.
Does anything fit the bill? The Bose Wave allows for all of the above except portability. What about the Altec Lansing inMotion iM7?
I just bought the Altec Lansing IM9 for somebody, and it seems pretty nice. The sound isn't as good as the Bose, but it wasn't terrible by any means. It has a sort of rubberized exterior that seems durable and looks good (imo). It can hook up to a tv, but it may only support the video signal. It comes with a carrying bag that wasn't horrible.
Note that the IM9 (and probably any other Altec Lansing product) doesn't fit the new Nano just yet. Or it didn't a couple of days ago, at any rate. They should have a new adapter shortly, which they'll ship for $3. An older plastic Nano will fit fine with the adapters that come in the box.
posted by thinman at 9:05 AM on November 27, 2006
Note that the IM9 (and probably any other Altec Lansing product) doesn't fit the new Nano just yet. Or it didn't a couple of days ago, at any rate. They should have a new adapter shortly, which they'll ship for $3. An older plastic Nano will fit fine with the adapters that come in the box.
posted by thinman at 9:05 AM on November 27, 2006
When you say "portable" do you mean "a single compact unit with a handle" or "light enough that it's not hard to lug around"?
If the latter, you could get just about any set of powered speakers, an iPod dock, and you're good to go. This would not be a bad route, as powered speakers for computers—usually consisting of a subwoofer and a couple of satellite speakers—give you better stereo separation and there are simply more options available.
I've got a Logitech ZX3 speaker set, and it sounds great for the money. The Cambridge Soundworks w/ Portapack sort of splits the difference: it's a 2.1 system, but comes with a carrying case, and is supposed to have excellent sound. You'd still want an iPod dock, which is another $30 (?).
Note: strictly speaking, you don't need an iPod dock for this, but it ensures that the sound output is at line level, and it looks tidier.
posted by adamrice at 9:24 AM on November 27, 2006
If the latter, you could get just about any set of powered speakers, an iPod dock, and you're good to go. This would not be a bad route, as powered speakers for computers—usually consisting of a subwoofer and a couple of satellite speakers—give you better stereo separation and there are simply more options available.
I've got a Logitech ZX3 speaker set, and it sounds great for the money. The Cambridge Soundworks w/ Portapack sort of splits the difference: it's a 2.1 system, but comes with a carrying case, and is supposed to have excellent sound. You'd still want an iPod dock, which is another $30 (?).
Note: strictly speaking, you don't need an iPod dock for this, but it ensures that the sound output is at line level, and it looks tidier.
posted by adamrice at 9:24 AM on November 27, 2006
I misunderstood your tv requirement. In addition to video out, the IM9 has audio in. So you could hook it up to the tv for poor man's surround sound or whatever.
posted by thinman at 9:56 AM on November 27, 2006
posted by thinman at 9:56 AM on November 27, 2006
Response by poster: Sorry, I should have been more specific when I said portable.. Yes, something that is one unit that my wife could move around the house easily.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 12:55 PM on November 27, 2006
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 12:55 PM on November 27, 2006
I'm a big fan of JBL's OnTour portable speakers. It sounds great, packs up nicely (even covering the speakers against knocks), runs off batteries or mains and uses a standard 3.5mm jack so you aren't tied to just your iPod.
I have no idea how you'd hook it to a television but no doubt there is a cable out there to do that.
posted by mr_silver at 1:33 PM on November 27, 2006
I have no idea how you'd hook it to a television but no doubt there is a cable out there to do that.
posted by mr_silver at 1:33 PM on November 27, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
I use them to listen to music on my laptop and occasionally on my iPod too. One of the nice features is that they have two inputs: twin phono in on the back, which I have my laptop connected to, and a single headphone jack on the front, which is what I connect my iPod too, if I want to use it. This is nice and accessible, making it a cinch to switch from iPod to my laptop/your TV, which is more discreetly wired in, but less accessible (the speakers play input from the front device if it's connected -- no switch required).
One reason you might not choose these is that, because of their size (8" x 6" x 6") they're not very loud. They're certainly loud enough to watch a movie with a large group of friends, but I think you'd struggle to entertain more than about twenty people at a party. Also, they need mains power (no batteries). I think this is an oversight -- the left speaker if full of the electronics, but the right speaker is empty, and they could presumably make room for some batteries without compromising on sound.
Still, they're cheap and they sound great.
posted by caek at 8:52 AM on November 27, 2006