Tips for an affordable but decent iPod dock?

April 6, 2007 1:46 PM

I need a cheap but decent portable iPod dock, ideally for under $150.

This is a present for a dad who is not an audiophile, so top-notch sound quality is not an issue. He will probably be using it while working out, so something with a remote that can put out enough sound to be audible over the hum of a treadmill would probably be ideal. Anyone have any good/bad experiences with any of these options from best buy? Birthday is rapidly approaching, so ordering something online is probably not an option. Any recommendations for something cheap, decent, and available at a standard-issue big box retailer (best buy, circuit city, etc) would be much appreciated.

posted by hypocritical ross to Technology (9 answers total)

I got this as a present last year and I love it. In this configuration, the remote does come with it (mine didn't) so he should be ready to go.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 1:54 PM on April 6, 2007

I have a Logitech mm50 dock that I really like. It sounds great, the volume can go up quite high, and it comes with a remote. I don't see it at Best Buy, but I'm sure you can find it somewhere in your area (it's about $150).
posted by drycleanonly at 2:23 PM on April 6, 2007

Oh, here it is at Circuit City (for $127).
posted by drycleanonly at 2:31 PM on April 6, 2007

I just bought the jbl soundstage ($99) for my fiancee for her birthday to use as a ipod speaker at her work. She loves it, and the sound is good enough for her application. Unfortunately it does not have a remote.

I had actually previously bought her the same unit KevinSkomsvoid mentions. Im not sure if its a bad design, or I got a defective unit, but It produced an annoying hum and quickly got returned to the store.
posted by jlowen at 3:07 PM on April 6, 2007

I just bought a jbl soundstage for $99 and it came with a remote. Maybe your was missing from the box, jlowen.

Is there such an animal that will also play CDs?
posted by MrFongGoesToLunch at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2007

i like the logitech mm50 as well. it recharges its own batteries while plugged in, so you can take it and move it to another room now and then.
posted by Señor Pantalones at 3:47 PM on April 6, 2007

MrFong - Apparently there is an "on stage II" that has a remote and is roughly the same price as my "on stage I" (which does not have remote) and is now the same price. Should have done my research!
posted by jlowen at 4:59 PM on April 6, 2007

I have the JBL onstage and like it, but at work there are a variety of different docks that all work pretty well. My JBL has a remote and although the Circuit City site describes it as an IR remote, it is actually an RF remote which means it can work through walls and around obstacles which is a nice feature.
posted by TedW at 7:42 AM on April 7, 2007

Seconding the iHome. If he's not an audiophile, what could more unassuming than a clock radio?

Mine sits in there with an iTrip plugged into the top of it, so I can play my iPod on the stereo in the living room too.
posted by JaredSeth at 11:29 AM on April 7, 2007