Unless you own an iPod, you'll generally be hard-pressed to find a slew of accessories available for your MP3 player. Aware of this, Creative offers some choices that are specifically designed for the company's players.
One of these is the TravelDock Zen Micro, and as the name suggests, it's geared toward Zen Micro owners, although you can plug other sources -- even an iPod -- into the auxiliary input.
Creative's strong suit has always been design and the TravelDock is no exception to this tradition. With a flip-top cover that, when open, becomes the stand for the unit to lean on and four drivers flanking the cradle for the Zen Micro in the centre, the TravelDock is a good-looking piece of equipment.
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We wish that the stand would stay put; it occasionally slides a bit and changes the angle of the speakers, but overall, this is a handsome and well-designed unit. It makes a good travel companion, too. Unlike the MP3 player for which it was made, the Creative TravelDock Zen Micro comes in only one colour: white.
Aside from its obvious, main use as a speaker dock for the Zen Micro, the TravelDock boast a few other tricks. It includes a remote control for adjusting volume, navigating tracks and turning the power on and off, though it works only if a Zen Micro is being used.
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The speaker also has an FM antenna, so you can listen to even clearer radio through your Zen Micro. And like several of its Creative cousins, it boasts an expanded stereo sound-enhancement feature. When pressed, the expanded stereo button seems to widen the stereo field and add vibrance to the music. Without this feature, the sound isn't so vibrant.
Just about every rock tune that we cranked up on the Creative TravelDock Zen Micro became a distorted mess; this machine is for lower listening levels. Regardless of the levels, the bass performance was a disappointment; given the size of the TravelDock and the four drivers involved, we were expecting a bit more punch.
True, it has a Sub Out, but who brings their subwoofer to a hotel? Don't expect any goose bumps from the low end, but for listening at moderate levels, this is a fine travel companion and it sure is pretty. The rated battery life of 25 hours from two AA batteries isn't bad, either.
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majic2151
19/09/2007, 07:44 PM
rating
10/10
I'm also looking to buy one for my creative zen microphoto so if anyone does find out please also let me know
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2duc
26/01/2007, 04:23 AM
rating
6/10
im looking to buy one of these but i dont know where from and how much they are so if anyone could help me out please
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tiger99
21/11/2006, 03:53 AM
rating
7/10
I have connected my 5:1 sound system to the traveldock and it works a treat. Nice little package with good remote functionality. On its own the sound is only good at low end (approx 1/3 of of its capacity) but still a good listening volume and very clear. There is no point crankink it up any louder as it becomes completley distorted (but no limits when plugged into external speaker system. I can't understand the design engineers providing the ability to turn it right up when you clearly cant use it that high.
Pros: Good looking easy to use unit. Charges player whilst in use. Great little remote.
Cons: Distorted sound at higher levels. Blue glow on player switches off when fully charged.
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jack
01/01/2006, 05:16 PM
craptastic
the sound is poor and not clear
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j-ploof
26/12/2005, 07:33 AM
this is awsome
i love it. the sound is loud and really clear, the bass is also good, but if you are expecting it to be loud enough where you cant hear the actual music, then you would have to buy one to connect it to. but over all its a beautiful piece of hardware, and so far i have found nothing wrong with it.
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