Give those dismal white earbuds a rest. These excellent-sounding wireless speakers and docks set your iPod music free.
OB Roundup
Buying an iPod speaker isn't quite as simple as it used to beâ€"mainly because not as many people are buying and using iPods these days. As the first decade of the 2000s came to a close, iPod purchases peaked, and then began to decline. Instead, a lot of us are using our phonesâ€"either iPhones, which duplicate iPod functionality, or something elseâ€"to listen to music.
As a result, there's been a marked shift in the kinds of iPod speakers manufacturers have introduced in the past couple of years. That's because Apple's 30-pin dock connector has become less important. Sure, there are still plenty of folks who want to dock their iPhones, iPads, or existing iPods, and there's the added benefit of charging up your device while it's connected. But Bluetooth and Airplay open the possibility for wireless streaming, which can be much more flexible.
So which features do you need in a speaker system? And which iPod speaker should you buy? To make things simple, we'll put the best products we've tested into two groups: speaker docks, which are built around a dock for an iPhone, iPod, or iPad; and wireless Bluetooth and AirPlay speakers, which stream music remotely from your phone or MP3 player. Here are the best products we've tested recently in each category.
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FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP:
iPod Speaker Docks
JBL OnBeat Xtreme
$499.95 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% Our favorite dock, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme also delivers Bluetooth wireless audio, along with powerful bass response, and the ability to dock an iPad, iPhone, or iPod in either portrait or landscape mode. It's considerably more expensive than some other options, though, and not everyone will appreciate its unique design. Read the full review ››
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air
$599.95 list
%displayPrice% at %seller% If you want the best available sound in a dock that also doubles as a wireless AirPlay speaker, it's tough to go wrong with the B&M Zeppelin Airâ€"assuming you can afford the steep price. The Zeppelin Air even looks like a designer piece, making it perfect for any modern décor, plus it outputs video to a television. Read the full review ››
Edifier Breathe iF600
$349.95 list
%displayPrice% at %seller% Depending on your viewpoint, the Edifier Breathe iF600 either looks stylish or like a Pac-Man ghost. Either way, it's distinctive. It also sounds excellent, and doesn't distort at high volume, which is something we wish we could say about all iPod speakers. Edifier did a nice job with the full-featured remote control, too. Read the full review ››
Sony RDP-X500IP Personal Audio Docking System
$299.99 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Sony RDP-X500IP offers surprisingly deep low end and a useful, free alarm clock app. The RDP-X500IP isn't quite as refined as some other docksâ€"the system vibrates a bit during playback, and even moves around slightly when playing deep bass tracks at high volumes. But it's a solid value and offers great sound quality. Read the full review ››
Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox Portable From Monster
$449.99 direct
Remember when portable boomboxes ran on D-cell batteries? The Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox Portable needs six of themâ€"which is a little too retro, in an era of lithium-ion rechargeable cells. But it's one powerful system, with plenty of deep bass, plus the ability to stream via Bluetooth as well as dock iPhones and iPods. Read the full review ››
Wireless AirPlay and Bluetooth Speakers
Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker
$299.95 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% Our favorite portable wireless speaker, the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker offers top-notch sound quality, especially considering its small size. It's also well built and comes with a clever, protective cover that doubles as a stand. It's a little expensive, but trust us, it's worth the price. Read the full review ››
Logitech Mini Boombox
$99.99 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% The tiny Logitech Mini Boombox is a fun little wireless speaker that's a snap to carry and has a rechargeable battery. It's also easy to set up, and it doubles as a speakerphone for Bluetooth-enabled phones. Don't expect much bass or volume though. Read the full review ››
Altec Lansing inAir 5000 Wireless AirPlay Speaker
$499.95 direct
The pricey Altec Lansing inAir 5000 Wireless AirPlay speaker delivers impressive volume and deep bass, and it's also easy to set up. That's something we can't say about all wireless speakers. That said, some audiophiles may not appreciate the extra processing Altec Lansing builds in to prevent distortion. Read the full review ››
Jawbone Big Jambox
$299.99 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Jawbone Big Jambox is a significant step up from the original Jambox. For an extra $100, you get a larger (but still portable in a pinch) speaker with more volume and more punch than the original. It's also a good hands-free device for phone calls, and it lasts a long time on a full charge. Read the full review ››
Klipsch Gallery G-17 Air
$549.99 direct
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Klipsch Gallery G-17 Air works with iOS devices over AirPlay, and has a well tuned, balanced sound worthy of the storied speaker company's name. It's also sleek, modern, and wall-mountable. You're paying for the privilege, but it lives up to its high priceâ€"especially now that AirPlay works reliably, thanks to a recent iOS update from Apple. Read the full review ››
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