There are more and more ways appearing every day. And one of those is the Bose SoundDock. From the first moment you try one of these speaker docking stations out you can't help but notice how compact and easy-to-use the system is. But is that necessarily a good thing? Personally, I have never come across a "portable" sound system that has not been a disappointment when it comes to good sound. For a long time, boom boxes and other mobile sound systems could achieve sizes that would give back strain to Arnold Schwarzenegger, and still not be able to deliver good sound. It is always the bass that's missing, something you don't notice in a portable sound system until you try to use in a party situation where it has to compete with lot of background noise. Put the Bose SoundDock into that situation, however, and the difference is astounding. We've never heard such good bass sound from such a small unit. Granted, the "test scenario" get together was held in a fairly small space -- just that of a small living room -- but the quality of the sound drew everyone there around the unit (where they all began to pull iPods from their pockets and wrestle to get their set list played).
The other nice thing about plugging the iPod into Bose's SoundDock is that it all works just as you'd want it to: the iPod can be controlled via either the supplied remote, or by the controls on the front of the iPod itself. You can plug the headphones in and control the volume independently of the SoundDock volume. The iPod is continually charged as it plays, and the unit doesn't freak out when you plug or unplug the iPod while songs are playing.
The only possible negatives I managed to find had to do with the "brick" power supply that comes with the speakers. I know this way of doing things makes it possible for the speaker box to be smaller, but these things are still annoying. I think I'd rather have slightly larger speakers. The brick also got very hot after only a few hours of playing. I'd hate to think what would happen if it attempted to play the 3.7 days worth of music on my iPod. The one other drawback is the price: with an RRP of AU$499, it's way at the top end of the scale for these kinds of devices.
The bottom line is the Bose system is loud enough for you to enjoy good bass and clear sound in your living room or on the balcony at a volume loud enough to get your neighbours to complain. There are several other competing sound systems for the iPod, such as Harmon Kardon's Soundsticks II, but the all-in-one construction of the SoundDock sure is a lot more convenient than the three-piece format of the Soundsticks.
The SoundDock system works with third- and fourth-generation iPods, as well as the iPod mini. It measures just 16.89 x 16.47cm and weighs 2.1kg.
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lgiegerich
18/10/2008, 05:09 PM
rating
1/10
Just stopped working, ripped it apart trying to locate the problem, now its ruined. Thanks Bose!
Pros: none
Cons: Stops working what crap
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Savannah
05/10/2008, 04:01 PM
rating
8/10
Can I hook this up to my Mac & use them as computer speakers? I like sdmc's comment about the strength of sound :)
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mick301
31/05/2008, 01:37 PM
rating
10/10
I purchased an ipod classic 80gb (as a result of a friend leaving her nano for me to play with) The thought of cleaning away CD's, some not even in their cases, or incorrect case, the dust collected, made me think. 80gb, 2000 songs, why do I need these CD's in my living space. Put them on an ipod...buy a good set of ear phones (which I did..Sennheiser..not the best, but good sound per $$) Hmmm...then I looked at my ageing component stereo system and the space it consummed, thats where the Bose sound dock came in. Expensive / yes..versitlie / no... sound / excellent...happy / very. Fooled by it's size...don't be. Take it home and try it. Don't be confused by people saying it dosn't have this and that...it's made as an excellent sound experience for other people to enjoy your new found music storing and playing format. Cars don't fly or sail on water (yet). They are sold as a car This product is designed purley to be a speaker docking station. If you want to compromise, buy that 3 in 1 with all those outputs to show your pics on the TV. If you want quality, buy a product devoted to doing 1 thing..properly. No I don't work for or own other Bose products.
Pros: Mostly everything so far. Remote is basic and user friendly unlike others. Looks excellent in any surrounding.
Cons: people complaing the power pack takes up too much room...honestly, look beyond your nose. Price..Bose shops will part with 1 in black 0r white (I chose black) for $399... (RRP is stil $459)
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Del
27/05/2008, 05:52 PM
rating
9/10
How long does the battery last once it is fully charged?
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aaecolle
15/04/2008, 03:30 PM
rating
3/10
great sound, but terrrrrrible quality :(
Pros: it charges my ipod while it plays my music, and it sounds amazing for such a little system.
Cons: it will stop playing songs randomly and turn off my ipod because it's not "fully charged", and the cord shorted out after having it for only a month and a half. sometimes the remote is unresponsive, too. i was really excited when i got my Bose Soundock for my birthday, but now it's just back in it's box in the closet, and it's so sad!
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bossed
30/07/2007, 12:00 PM
rating
4/10
Great sound, poor quality
Pros: Sound is excellent
Cons: Has stopped working twice in 5 months
Outrageous price
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antoinep
02/06/2007, 02:00 PM
rating
9/10
What a great sound from such a small package!
Pros: Great sound; compact form factor; lovely design.
Cons: THe large brick power supply. Could benefit from a small clock display.
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Josef
25/03/2007, 08:26 PM
rating
9/10
I bought a Bose SoundDock a few weeks ago and i love it!
Pros: Very clear and crisp sound, good bass for such a small unit and yes, it is very portable... i am very impressed and did not mind the price after i started using it... i had a big smile on my face!
Cons: Pricey but very well worth the money... if you want to make the most of your iPod then i would recommend shelling out the extra cash... only gripe is that the remote volume seems a bit sticky.
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Dadicool
05/11/2005, 09:24 AM
Bose is excellent
To the dummy who thinks you can buy quality like this on Apple.com for $300 he better get his US dollars out and pay the airfreight too!!!
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11/06/2005, 05:26 PM
buy thisss
cheaper at bose store pay in cash
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