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iPod Speaker Reviews

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Even if you don't spring for the very best speakers, you don't have to settle for cut-rate audio. IPod speaker reviews credit plenty of low-priced models with producing good sound quality.

IPod and iPhone speakers worth buying are also user-friendly, reviewers say, and connect easily to a variety of devices. All our picks are portable, yet they hold up to the wear and tear that go with the territory.

Sound Quality.

Despite what you may fear, you can get quality sound from an inexpensive set of iPod speakers. But remember: Size does matter. If you choose a model that's no larger than a paperback book, the volume level will be limited. Also keep in mind that MP3s and Apple's ACC files are digitally compressed, which means the music has already lost some of its sound quality (even if many people don't notice when they're listening only on earbuds).

Perhaps the best-sounding speaker we researched is the JBL Flip (starting at $85, Amazon). This wireless model earns high praise in several iPod speaker reviews for its crisp, clear sound. An expert from iLounge proclaims that the JBL Flip is one of the best speakers the site has ever tested, regardless of price. A reviewer from Wired was blown away by how loud it was, even as it managed to produce such high-quality audio. A CNET expert notes the particularly great sound in the midrange and says the bass isn't too shabby by small-speaker standards. Playing bass-heavy music like hip-hop starts to push the limits of the speaker's ability, but as the reviewer points out, that's pretty typical for a unit this size.

The iHome iD55 (starting at $76, Amazon) may not be quite on par with the JBL Flip in terms of audio quality, but it still sounds very good, according to iPod speaker reviews, and costs considerably less. A reviewer from The Gadgeteer says this dock delivers clean and clear audio even when you turn it up loud, although the highest volume isn't quite up to party standards. At iLounge, an expert credits the SRS TruBass audio processing technology on the iHome iD55 with improving the bass on the small system. The sound in the midrange is sufficiently detailed, this iPod speaker review says, and overall the audio quality is very good considering the low price.

The tiny NuForce Cube speaker (starting at $99, Amazon) gets surprisingly loud, marvels an expert from Digital Trends, and yet the audio is distortion-free. Reviewers seem to agree that the small Cube can't kick out much bass, although one from Gadget Review says this speaker is still strong enough in the lower register to add some nice depth to the audio. Like the Cube, the JBL OnBeat Micro (starting at $100, Amazon) is pretty loud considering its diminutive size, according to an iPod speaker review from PC Mag, and doesn't produce very strong bass -- again, not unexpected. However, audio in higher registers sounds pleasant -- bright and detailed. This speaker also aptly balances bass, midrange, and treble, according to a reviewer at iLounge.

The Vizio VSD210 (starting at $76, Amazon) doesn't seem to have shown up on experts' radars, but we found plenty of iPod speaker reviews from users who bought this dock and attest to its very good sound quality, although they don't provide many specifics. On Amazon, many compare it to far more expensive systems, calling it a great value. However, several mention a problem with the volume control: If they leave their music playing for a while and then turn it up or down with the remote, the speaker reverts back to the original volume and refuses to adjust.

by Michael Sweet (Google+ Profile)

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