iPod iTunes Zone

Pros: An almost entirely superior sequel to the best $150 portable speaker of 2005, featuring superior functionality and sound quality to the prior model. Produces wide, dynamic sound at average to above-average volume levels, besting the clarity and range of peer-priced alternatives. Includes rechargeable battery, nice remote control, carrying case and color-matched Dock Adapters; comes in black or white. Packable design enables you to stow power supply inside rather than carrying it separately.

Cons: Small cosmetic blemishes around black unit’s speaker drivers. Battery should be topped off frequently because of relatively rapid on-shelf discharging. Physically wider than most other portable systems.

 In 2005, Logitech released mm50, a class-leading portable speaker system for the iPod, which was followed in 2006 by AudioStation, a similarly superb all-in-one desktop iPod speaker system. Last month, the company announced that it would discontinue both systems in favor of newer, better replacements: mm50 was being refreshed as Pure-Fi Anywhere ($150), and AudioStation as Pure-Fi Elite ($300), names designed to better reflect their purposes. Each was retooled cosmetically and electronically, supposedly fine-tuning characteristics that had previously won them awards. Did Logitech succeed at making great speakers even better, or did it stumble?

As the rating above indicates, the company succeeded in both cases: the two Pure-Fi speakers are extremely impressive speaker systems for their respective prices, and with the exception of certain aesthetic touches, the very best iPod portable and desktop systems we’ve seen overall. Pure-Fi Anywhere is a marked step up from mm50 sonically, with even better clarity, treble, and faux 3D spatialization, while Pure-Fi Elite remains on the same impressive level as AudioStation, but tilts its bass output in favor of more controlled sound.

 Pure-Fi Anywhere is a four-driver speaker system in a 13.25” wide by 3.7” tall by 1.6” deep white or black plastic enclosure—roughly 0.5” wider, barely shorter, and 0.1” deeper than the mm50. Both systems are propped up by flip-out metal feet with rubber pads, and come with rechargeable batteries, semi-hard carrying cases, wall chargers, and remote controls.

But Pure-Fi Anywhere’s components are better: the battery now has a level indicator which tells you how much of the 10-hour charge remains, the carrying case looks nicer and holds the wall charger inside, and the remote has gone from a membrane-based 7-button controller to a more tactile 13-button design. We were able to achieve 25-foot control distances with the remote under ideal, line-of-sight conditions, less under challenging lighting. Menu navigation buttons, shuffle and repeat controls have been added to the prior track, volume, 3-D sound and power buttons. Logitech has also replaced the mm50’s plain iPod-agnostic dock with a Dock Adapter-ready Universal Dock, and included nine color-matched adapters in the package.

The most obvious differences between mm50 and Pure-Fi Anywhere are external. mm50’s body was monolithic, with a unified metal speaker grille for all four drivers, and top buttons that matched the system’s base white or black color. Anywhere is more obviously two-tone: each system has a glossy plastic body that’s white or black, but silver trim is used to separately surround each of the speakers, and form a band that wraps around the unit. Up close, we noticed small paint alignment imperfections in the silver rings around the unit’s larger drivers, but they’re not noticeable from a couple of feet away and don’t take a lot away from Anywhere’s otherwise good looks.

Read the full article here.

Cool shaped iPod speaker docks are floading the market this holiday shopping season. Our review partner Digital Trends published a review of the snail house shaped Boynq Sabre iPod speaker dock.

Quote from the review: “Boynq, a product line by “youSP” in the Netherlands, has a new iPod dock speaker system – the Sabre – available for $129 USD. With little-to-no company information available to consumers, Boynq has managed to carve out a name for itself with its unusual and often hip-looking products. The Sabre has a funky design, two 10 watt speakers and can push audio and video from 5G iPods to a TV set.

Though looks are important, solid performance and superior sound quality are the ultimate goal of any speaker manufacturer. Does the Sabre live up to the hype? Read on to find out.”

Read the full article here

It didn’t take long for Logitech’s new Pure-Fi Anywhere speaker system to become my travel speaker system of choice. With its myriad of thoughtful features and surprisingly rich sound for its size, I have yet to find a portable speaker system I like as well.

What’s so good about it? Well, first and foremost it sounds better than most other similarly-sized iPod speaker systems. (For the record, that size is 3.6 x 13.2 x 1.5 inches and 1.6 pounds.)According to Logitech, the reason these speakers sound so good is that they:“Deliver dynamic, full-range sound quality with their dual 2-inch Max-XTM, high-excursion drivers with neodymium magnets. Additionally, 3-inch pressure drivers maximize bass response and minimize distortion. With the combination of active and pressure drivers, the Pure-Fi Anywhere speakers provide crystal clear highs and powerful, thumping bass.”
‘Thoughtful Features’
I’m not sure what all that means, but when I first read it I was skeptical. After a few days of using these speakers to listen to many different styles of music, I have to say they sound better than speakers so tiny have a right to sound.However, surprisingly good sound is just the beginning. Other thoughtful features abound. For example, my second favorite feature is that the rechargeable battery provides better than 8 hours of playing time and has a battery-life indicator so I don’t have to guess when it’s time to recharge. Plus, when it’s plugged into the wall it can play music and recharge your iPod simultaneously.Another plus is the carrying case, which is semi-rigid, has spaces for the power adapter and remote control, and provides somewhat better protection than many other cases.
‘A Wee Bit Pricey’
The wireless remote control has more features than many I’ve seen. Of course it has play/pause, next/fast forward, previous/rewind and volume controls. However, it also offers controls for the iPod menus so you can browse and select items remotely. Furthermore, there are loop and shuffle buttons on both the remote control and the speakers themselves, a nice touch. Finally, both remote and speakers offer a button for “Stereo XL,” which Logitech claims “dramatically widens the sound field.” I’m not sure about that but in my humble opinion, most music sounded better with this feature turned on than without it.The Pure-Fi Anywhere speaker system is available in black or white and works with any iPod that has a dock connector. You also get 9 of those little plastic universal dock connector inserts, a wireless remote control, an AC power adapter/recharger, and a padded carrying case.My only complaint or criticism of Pure-Fi Anywhere is that its suggested retail price, US$149, makes it a wee bit pricey. However, if you shop around, you should be able to find one for $10 or $20 less, which is a bit more reasonable. Other than that the Pure-Fi Anywhere delivers on its promise with excellent sound quality, thoughtful features, and a sturdy carrying case.

Source: ecommercetimes.com