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| The iP46: Big Sound in a small package |
Don't get me wrong, we love reviewing these speaker systems. After all, we consider the iPod/iPhone a legitimate gaming system, making these devices officially gaming peripherals.
The latest dock we've had a chance to check out is the iHome iP46, a device designed around delivering big sound in a small form factor.
The iP46's big selling point is its rechargeable lithium ion battery, which means like the iPod itself, it doesn't need to stay plugged into the wall. Once it's charged, you can pick it up and bring it with you on the go.
So how does it sound?
Well, it sounds great.For such a little device, it's shockingly loud. Testing it out in my office, I had to turn the sound down to about 30%, or it was simply overpowering. When I brought it outside to listen to music on the deck, I didn't dare turn it up over halfway, for fear of annoying my neighbors. What can I say? I'm Minnesota Nice.
All this sound comes from a unit just over a foot long and two inches deep.
The trick is, according to iHome, the dock's four speaker design, which includes two active speakers, two passive speakers and a "Reson8" chamber. The docking unit for your iPod (which works with a dozen models) retracts into the body, as do two little kickstands that make the unit sit up properly. It's a sleek little design.
My only complainst about the iP46 are minor. First the wall plug is pretty huge - it's thick enough that it renders the second plug on a wall outlet useless. Second, you can't really use your iPod for games while it's docked. You could, but it would be pretty unwieldy. Of course, the same is true for pretty much any dock. Like I said, it's a minor complaint.
Overall, the iP46 is a great choice for a portable iPod speaker dock. And it's summer. Who wouldn't want to take their music outside?
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