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Ask nearly any iPod enthusiast and you’ll find that the Bose sound dock is the best speaker system you can buy. The only limitation is that the speakers aren’t portable with a large power supply and cord. The new Bose soundock portable solves this problem with all of the power and punchy sound of the original model. This is simply the best sounding speaker system available for your IPod and it’s portable. These speakers come with a high price tag; at $399 retail you’re not only paying for great sound but the Bose name at the same time.

You have a choice of two colors with the sound dock portable: black and glossy white. The portable unit is small enough to travel with easily and measures 12 by 6 by 5 inches. It weighs just over five pounds and looks very similar to its cousin the original sound dock except for its swiveling iPod dock that protects the dock when traveling with the unit.

The portable model has a simple design just like the original sound dock and lacks physical controls aside from the two volume controls. The infrared remote include has eight rubber buttons that control volume, playback, play lists, and power. The included remote control is small and simple, but it’s rubber buttons are easy to operate. The remote control works by infrared light; however it works well enough to control your iPod from nearly any angle in a large room.

There are two connectors on the back of the unit; one analog input and a plug for the power charger. There are no USB ports or video outputs. The speakers are powered by a lithium ion battery pack that holds a charge for up to eight hours of normal usage. At its loudest volume settings the soundock operates for about three hours. The battery holds its charge for a very long time for considering the speakers power and the amount of bass it produces.

The only thing I don’t like about the sound dock’s design are the built-in volume controls. They are clumsy and not very sensitive to the touch. When your iPod is plugged into the dock the batteries are charged at the expense of play time if your charger is not plugged in. The carrying handle also serves as the speaker’s Bass port which Bose cleverly calls the wave guide exit.

There is an LED light behind the speaker grill that flashes with the remote control is used or the lithium-ion battery needs to be charged. If you forget to plug the sound dock into its charger and don’t use it for fourteen days the only way to turn it on is by charging the batteries. Bose did not include any dock inserts for the various iPod models so if you lost yours you can get replacements online or from the Apple store. The speaker’s power cord has a universal cable winder built in that makes it easy for travel. The plug is a tad large though. If you pay retail you’ll shell out $399 for the Bose soundock portable; however price shopping will get you a better deal with free shipping. Bose offers a carrying case; however, if you want one you’ll have to pay $59 more.

Tags: Computers and Technology