23 July 2008
Bose Sound Dock Portable Review
Posted by Louie Latour under: Music .
Most audio enthusiasts agree that the original Bose soundock is the best set of iPod speakers you can buy. The only problem I had with the first generation model is that it isn’t portable because you have to lug around the boxy power supply and power cord. This is no longer the casethe new Bose soundock portable is very similar to the first generation model in power and sound quality with a twist. It’s the best sounding and most powerful speakers available for your iPod and it’s portable. This comes with a premium price tag; with a retail price tag of $399 you’re paying not only for quality but the Bose brand name.
The soundock portable is available in both glossy white and black. It has a very compact design and measures just 12 inches by six inches by 5 inches. The speakers weigh just over five pounds and very closely resemble the original sound dock. There is one distinguishing feature in that the dock your iPod plugs into swivels and can rotate into the unit’s body when traveling.
The portable soundock has the same simplistic design as the first sound dock. There are no physical controls aside from volume up and down. There is a small remote control included that operates the volume, playlists, playback control, and power on and off. This remote is small but has rubber buttons that make it easy to use and operate as long as you don’t misplace it. The remote works well enough and I was able to control my iPod from nearly any angle in the room.
The back of the sound dock portable has only two connectors. There is an analog input and a plug for the unit’s charger. It would be nice to have USB ports or video outputs on the speaker system. The sound dock portable is charged by a lithium-ion battery and holds a charge for about eight hours of normal use. If you crank the volume up you’ll get about three hours use which is pretty good considering the volume and amount of Bass the speakers produce.
The only flaw I can find in the speaker’s design is the sensitivity of the volume controls; however, the included remote functions well enough. The sound dock charges your iPod whenever plugged in; charging the iPod will deplete the soundock’s batteries at a much faster rate. The bass port on the back of the speakers also functions as carrying handle. Bose calls it the unit’s Wave Guide Exit.
The Bose soundock portable has an LED light behind the speaker grill that lights up when using the remote control and flashes when the battery is depleted. One problem with the portable unit is that if you leave it unplugged for fourteen days you can only turn your speakers on by plugging the charger in. There are no iPod dock inserts included with the speakers so you’ll have to use the one’s that came with your iPod; however, replacement inserts are available from the Apple store. The power cord has a built in cable winder that makes it easy to travel with; however the plug is large and takes up a lot of room. With a $399 retail price tag it is well worth your while to comparison shop online for sites with the lowest prices and free shipping. There is an optional carrying case but you’ll have to shell out $60 more for that.