Apartment Therapy Unplugged | Good Questions: Low Cost iPod Dock

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Good Questions: Low Cost iPod Dock

We noticed Anne's question over in the open thread, and thought it deserved some special attention. Anne asks, "Can someone recommend an iPod speaker/dock for under $50? Just something to have at the office, the volume will always be low, so it doesn't have to be great."

Well Anne, we are a bit stumped with this one. The simple, inexpensive solution would be to find a pair of cheap computer speakers that you like. You could have a dedicated solution at your desk and just plug the speakers into your iPod's headphone jack.

If you'd like something more stylish, there are also some speaker attachments on the market like Miglia's Microsound or Macally's portable stereo. These are both for the nano, however, so they may not work. We'd suggest investing the money in better speakers rather than a single-use iPod device. We just didn't find anything under $50 that looked like it was worth the money. But maybe there is someone out there that's found a great, cheap iPod dock. Help us out!

Comments (5)

My friend here at the office just uses cheapy computer speakers that would otherwise be hooked up to her computer. She keeps the volume so low that the quality really doesn't matter. I would definitely go that route and then splurge on a nicer set of speakers for your home, where you can crank the volume up :)

posted by bluestar on 2007-06-15 10:14:33
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Wow, thanks for posting my question! It didn't even occur to me that I could plug computer speakers straight into the iPod. Sounds like a perfect solution, since the setup doesn't have to be pretty.

posted by Anne in Chicago on 2007-06-15 10:33:34
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http://www.smalldog.com/product/34034
$20. Compatible with all ipod models. Good for jamming while brushing your teeth, or washing the dishes, or getting your day started in a hotel room. We have one and like it.

posted by talldave on 2007-06-15 12:16:20
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http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=109684&RN=802

$5. Same as Small Dog, really. I have one in the kitchen AND in the bathroom, and it's perfect for relaxing in the bath and cooking. Not super strong speakers, but perfect for small spaces.

posted by annoushka on 2007-06-16 12:54:52
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i can highly recommend the Altec Lansing inMotion IM5. it has good quality sound at high and low volumes. AC or battery operated. it also charges the iPod, and functions as a dock.

it usually sells for alittle over $100, but it can be found for under $50.
http://www.powermax.com/catalog?src=g&p=a-alt-im5
http://www.google.com/products?um=1&client=firefox-a&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=inmotion im5&price1=40.00&price2=80.00&scoring=r

details
http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=IM5

you can also find Altec Lansings's IM3 and IM11 models, which are very similar and at similar prices, but i don't have any personal experience with either.