Ipod Dock w/ Speakers

[Bryce_H]

Ok, so my wife wants an Ipod docking stations with speakers to be able to use at work. We're not talking about audiophile sound. I searched around Amazon and found a couple, read the reviews, etc. But frankly I trust the people here. So the specs would be:

<$75
AC power
Decent sound
charge while docked
Remote would be nice

She has an Ipod Mini.

The ones I found on Amazon are the:
CTA Digital Ip-rdd Ipod Sound Scale here
GPX iLive ISPK2806 Ipod Speakers here
Logitech mm32 Portable Speakers for Ipod here

There is also a Polk Audio miDock Portfolio, but it is slightly over $75 here

Anyone have any experience with these or have other suggestions? I'm leaning toward the CTA. Thanks.

 

[Bryce_H]

Hello, anybody out there??

I figure somebody out there has to own an Ipod with an external speaker system??

If nothing else, I KNOW everyone here has opinions!!

So any responses?

 

[a67676767]

Ok I know this is not exactly what you are looking for but here is what I did. My brother-in-law wanted some really good computer speakers (same line-in as Ipod headphones). We have a $50 spending limit for Christmas. I went on craig's list and got him a pair of Sony bookshelf speakers ($10) and an Aiwa A/V receiver ($40). Craig's list rocks (www.craigslist.com on the off chance you have not heard of it.)

I hooked it up to my IPod and it sounds awesome for the price. He will be stoked.

I don't know why people buy these tiny docking stations if they want good sound. I think they charge at the same time, but almost any stereo takes line-in. She could even use computer speakers, which are very cheap and take line-in.

 

[tomd51]

I wouldn't suggest anything for quality audio at that price point for what you're looking for. There's a few available for about $100-$150 more that would have good sound, but that's obviously way over the price you're targeted.

An alternative would be to purchase a decent pair of computer (powered) speakers along with an iPod universal dock, then you can plug the speakers into the line out of the charger.

Camrbidge Soundworks makes some very reasonably priced 2.1 sets such as the PC Works or the SoundWorks that will sound much better than the other all-in-one speaker/docking station setups. I actually have the SoundWorks at my office and they sound pretty darn good for the size and price. Food for thought... -TD

 

[jonnythan]

An alternative would be to purchase a decent pair of computer (powered) speakers along with an iPod universal dock, then you can plug the speakers into the line out of the charger.

That would be my suggestion.

If you want something a little better and a little bigger, combine the tiny Sonic T-Amp with a pair of bookshelf speakers. No receiver needed.

 

[tomd51]

From a quality sound perspective, that would be a better option. In that same vein, a receiver w/iPod connectivity, a universal dock and bookshelfs would be a good solution.

The only problem with these are that with the amp and bookshelfs, it still doesn't address the need for a docking (charging) station. Also I think the separate amp/bookshelfs and receiver/docking station/bookshelfs solutions might be a little more than his wife would want (gotta keep in mind the WAF), plus it is to use at work, so how much can/would she really crank it? -TD

 

[Bryce_H]

Thanks everyone - tomd51 hit the head of the nail - the WAF. Given it is for her office, the reviever option - isn't one. The seperates, maybe - but again, simplicity is the way to go. So I pulled the plug and got the CTA unit.

Thanks again.