The best sounding iPod dock/portable speaker system in it's SIZE & PORTABILITY category.
Mind you, size was my primary criteria for choosing the new SoundDock Portable. It's louder than the original SoundDock, rechargeable, and can now accept Aux-In sources. Unfortunately, the carry-bag is optional (typical Bose)
The Bose SoundDock Portable (like most of their products) fits a very specific need for me ... for people who want to have a battery-powered, portable speaker system, that fits inside a small/medium sized messenger bag, light enough to bring everyday, and sounds decent.
The Bose is extremely small for the volume of sound it can give out, even outdoors. It's good enough for small get-togethers with friends... about 6 people or so.
The battery lasts about 3-4 hours at high volume, but I wouldn't recommend it since any sound system doesn't really sound its best at it's higher volume capabilities. At moderate levels, I've gotten a good 6 hours from one charge. Not bad at all.
The wall-adapter is worth special mention since it's SOOOOO F***IN HUGE!!! Geez... you'd think you've seen 'em all... this thing is like 2 Apple Macbook adapters stacked!!! At least it's 110/220v and has a cord winder similar to Apple's adapters.
The SoundDock Portable is worth the premium if size/weight/portability are your primary concerns for an iPod dock or portable personal sound system.
The iPod docking cradle also retracts into the speaker system for transport or when using the Aux-in port so the system looks sleeker.
The included remote works on all current iPod models except the iPod Shuffle.
The SoundDock also recharges your iPod whether it's running from AC or DC power.
Click here for more info on the Bose SoundDock Portable
**Important Note** This is NOT the best SOUNDING portable iPod dock I've heard. That title goes to Harman/Kardon's Go+Play sound system. It's a lot cheaper than Bose's offering, runs of regular D-cell batteries, has video-out, and storage for it's remote...but, it's about 4x bigger than the Bose SoundDock Portable.
If size/weight wasn't an issue, I would've chosen the Harman/Kardon Go+Play hands-down. But the Harman Go+Play doesn't fit in my bag. For something that you won't be lugging around everyday (like occasional trips to the beach, or a friend's condo), the Harman is a much better choice, better treble extension, and better accuracy. Not to mention it's about P10k cheaper than the Bose SoundDock Portable. The Harman also runs 8 D-cell batteries which makes it a lot heavier, but cheaper to run on battery mode.
Click here for more info on the Harman/Kardon Go+Play
**Update August 2012, the rechargeable battery on my Bose Sounddock Portable died. Time for a replacement. A four-year operating life for the Li-Ion battery sounds about right.**
Mind you, size was my primary criteria for choosing the new SoundDock Portable. It's louder than the original SoundDock, rechargeable, and can now accept Aux-In sources. Unfortunately, the carry-bag is optional (typical Bose)
The Bose SoundDock Portable (like most of their products) fits a very specific need for me ... for people who want to have a battery-powered, portable speaker system, that fits inside a small/medium sized messenger bag, light enough to bring everyday, and sounds decent.
The Bose is extremely small for the volume of sound it can give out, even outdoors. It's good enough for small get-togethers with friends... about 6 people or so.
The battery lasts about 3-4 hours at high volume, but I wouldn't recommend it since any sound system doesn't really sound its best at it's higher volume capabilities. At moderate levels, I've gotten a good 6 hours from one charge. Not bad at all.
The wall-adapter is worth special mention since it's SOOOOO F***IN HUGE!!! Geez... you'd think you've seen 'em all... this thing is like 2 Apple Macbook adapters stacked!!! At least it's 110/220v and has a cord winder similar to Apple's adapters.
The SoundDock Portable is worth the premium if size/weight/portability are your primary concerns for an iPod dock or portable personal sound system.
The iPod docking cradle also retracts into the speaker system for transport or when using the Aux-in port so the system looks sleeker.
The included remote works on all current iPod models except the iPod Shuffle.
The SoundDock also recharges your iPod whether it's running from AC or DC power.
Click here for more info on the Bose SoundDock Portable
**Important Note** This is NOT the best SOUNDING portable iPod dock I've heard. That title goes to Harman/Kardon's Go+Play sound system. It's a lot cheaper than Bose's offering, runs of regular D-cell batteries, has video-out, and storage for it's remote...but, it's about 4x bigger than the Bose SoundDock Portable.
If size/weight wasn't an issue, I would've chosen the Harman/Kardon Go+Play hands-down. But the Harman Go+Play doesn't fit in my bag. For something that you won't be lugging around everyday (like occasional trips to the beach, or a friend's condo), the Harman is a much better choice, better treble extension, and better accuracy. Not to mention it's about P10k cheaper than the Bose SoundDock Portable. The Harman also runs 8 D-cell batteries which makes it a lot heavier, but cheaper to run on battery mode.
Click here for more info on the Harman/Kardon Go+Play
**Update August 2012, the rechargeable battery on my Bose Sounddock Portable died. Time for a replacement. A four-year operating life for the Li-Ion battery sounds about right.**