Those who have been lustfully eyeballing Bose's SoundDock or Altec Lansing's iM7 boom box will no doubt be pleased with Logitech's latest iPod speaker offering. The mm50 Portable Speakers for iPod offer sleek style and decent sound at half the price of the SoundDock and for about two hundred bucks less than the iM7.
At 325mm by 102mm by 38mm and 725 grams, the Logitech mm50 is on the hefty side for a travel speaker, but the flip-out metal legs, the built-in rechargeable battery, and the included travel case redeem its portability. Like most made-for-iPod accessories, the mm50 hits the town in Ice White with light grey speaker grilles, with two speaker drivers on either side of the built-in iPod dock. As long as the speaker is plugged into a wall outlet, your dock-connector iPod (yes, even the Nano) will be charged while in this slot.
Logitech includes snap-on adapters to ensure a snug fit for your iPod, with the exception of the Nano. There's even a pass-through adapter on the back of the mm50 so that you can sync with your computer without ever removing the iPod from its mini sound system. In addition, the speaker has an auxiliary line input for use with a Shuffle or other non-iPod MP3 players, but you'll have to provide your own 1/8-to-1/8-inch cable. Along the top, you'll find the power, 3D stereo sound, and volume buttons; the mm50 comes with a wireless remote, so you're not limited to using these controls.
The Logitech mm50 remote allows you to control the functions of the speaker, such as power and 3D sound, as well as those of the iPod, which include volume, fast forward/rewind, play/pause. When you turn the speaker on or off, it automatically does the same for the iPod as long as it's docked, and the iPod continues to charge while the mm50 is switched off. The 3D-stereo-sound option is a nice extra -- the effect noticeably widens the sound of the music without making it sound overprocessed.
Overall, the Logitech mm50 provided impressive performance, with clear highs, a good midrange, and decent lows. If you're looking for really booming bass, however, you may want a different brand, such as Bose or Altec Lansing. The volume levels for the mm50 were most impressive: Despite its relatively small size (if you take it as an "at home" speaker), it got really loud. You could definitely rock a small party. Just beware of the low-end distortion at the very highest level. Logitech's rated battery life of 10 hours is adequate, especially considering the fact that the battery is a built-in rechargeable. For AU$230, the mm50 is quite a deal for iPod lovers.
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Axel_01
18/08/2008, 09:47 AM
rating
9/10
Great sound, looks good, goes with you anywere, very high volume but must set ipod correctly, MINE DOES NOT TURN ITS SELF ON!
Pros: Good sound, built in battery makes things much easier
Cons: Remote sucks, go to skip a track and it just fast forwards through it. Hgh volume sound not so good, power supply need replacing after a week
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helsy
14/02/2008, 10:08 PM
rating
4/10
The remote will turn on and off but that's about it. The volume control works most times. We have an iPod Nano 2GB. Also have the problem most of you state that it turns itself on at random times. Can be freaky in the middle of the night.
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Coldplayer
16/08/2007, 02:03 PM
rating
9/10
These Speakers are great, im today buying a second pair. So i can keep one in my room and take the other out with me! Ive had these speakers for months now and personaly i think are great!
Pros: Love the sound! Great price! looks good to! The batter last long enough for my use.
Cons: Sometimes i cannot turn them on without having to plug them into a power outlet. Or at least come back later and try again.
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kk
26/07/2007, 01:58 AM
rating
3/10
I've had problems with 2 of these units now. The first one I returned to best buy and the second unit I'm returning to best buy again today. The first problem was the unit just went dead. The second problem is that the unit goes to max volume automatically and you can't turn it down. Its like the increase volume button is stuck or something.
This unit just sits in my garage and hasn't been dropped or mishandled. The units were purchased in 02/07 and 05/07 so it look like they both lasted for about 3 months before they died.
Pros: sound good
Cons: reliability issues!!
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matt_86
24/07/2007, 07:36 PM
rating
6/10
wasnt impressed with the mm50 for the price. sound wasnt that great at high volumes, and volume didnt go very loud. nice looking mdel and built in lithium ion battery a bonus. would recommend for philips aj300d if your after sound quality.
Pros: very portable with in built battery power
looks great
Cons: distortion at high volumes.
volume not very loud
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Dom
26/05/2007, 11:43 PM
rating
8/10
A great all round travel speaker, with good quality sound.
Pros: Easy use, good sound, rechargeable batteries. Perfect to bus trips with your mates.
Cons: From personal experience, these speakers seem to occasionally turn on while in the case which wastes the battery, and the 10 hour battery life seems to vary.
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kpines
12/02/2007, 03:02 PM
rating
9/10
bought this for an outdoor party and to have as an indoor stereo in my lounge. I am inpressed with the sound, though the batteries dont last as long as specified (10 hrs). Good value.
Pros: Good sound, even for large backyard party.
Cons: Battery doesnt last 10 hours as specified. More like 5 hrs i would think.
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MIKEinAZ
28/12/2006, 04:07 AM
rating
5/10
Distortion starts at approx 80% volume level. Right speaker died after about 2 hours of playing. Now I have to return it. Good thing I bought it at Costco.
Pros: Portability.
Cons: My unit was defective.
Distortion at higher volume levels.
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Simon
15/10/2006, 12:29 PM
rating
2/10
What Sound Quality?
Personally, I like to get my money's worth out of portable speakers and have a pair that can work as competently with my old discman or a laptop as with my iPod.
After reading the glowing CNET reviews, I decided to audition the mm50 utilising its line input with a new cable.
To my horror, I found that the sound was horrible and distorted, even at reasonable levels. I tried listening to a few different types of music, with no improvement.
I'll take it that CNET - or Logitech for that matter - failed to actually listen to the mm50 "with a Shuffle or other non-iPod MP3 players" before recommending it for such use.
While the mm50 has good integration with the iPod, look elsewhere if you're simply after a decent set of portable speakers.
The Logitech mm28 or JBL On Tour would be my picks.
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01/10/2006, 10:40 AM
rating
9/10
how about addding an fm tuner ?
Pros: great sound for its size
Cons: battery run time could be longer
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