CNET Editor's rating: 8.0 out of 10
Reviewed by
Donald Bell
Review date: 04/18/07
The good: Altec Lansing's iM600 speaker system offers a compact design, great sound, video output, auxiliary input, remote control, FM radio, and a rechargeable battery rated at seven hours of continuous playback.
The bad: The iM600 does not secure your iPod from falling out; its alarm clock feature only works with the iPod; the rechargeable battery is not removable; and the FM radio band is wider than necessary.
The bottom line: Altec Lansing has been in the iPod speaker market longer than anyone, and it shows. The inclusion of a rechargeable battery and an FM radio makes the iM600 incredibly versatile.
The Altec Lansing inMotion series of iPod-docking speaker systems has enjoyed a relatively long and respectable run against a slew of competition. The
original inMotion was one of the first to really deliver attractive design and great sound in a small, affordable system. The iM7 is perhaps the company's best-known product, with its distinctive futuristic boombox look. More recently, the iM500 brought a dramatically thin design to compliment the iPod Nano, and the iM9 offered a more rugged design for outdoor use. With this kind of history, no one can rival Altec Lansing's track record for producing small, rich-sounding iPod speaker systems with stunning design. The iM600 ($149.95) is no exception to the inMotion legacy.
Design
At 11 inches wide, 6 inches tall and just under 2 inches thick, the iM600 packs a lot of sound into an alarmingly small space. Although larger than the iM500, its basic design is nearly identical. A spring-loaded button centered on the front panel releases the system's kickstand and reveals the iPod dock, power button, and volume controls on the front, as well as the USB, audio, and power connections on the back. On the top of the system you'll find rubber buttons for track shuttling (they also double as FM scan controls) and audio source selection (iPod, FM, or auxiliary input), as well as one marked SFX that activates a stereo enhancement feature. An antenna telescopes out of the right side and can be angled in any direction.
The iM600 includes a small remote control with most of the functions you'd want as well as four preset keys for the FM tuner. FM presets only work with the remote, however, so be careful not to lose it. A remote control storage slot located on the back panel will help keep the remote from falling between your sofa cushions. One feature lacking on the remote control is the ability to navigate through your iPod's menus, which would allow you to switch between playlists, podcasts, and shuffle modes without having to touch your iPod.
Sizing up the competition
To put the iM600 in perspective, its closest high-end competition comes in the form of the
Bose SoundDock (twice the price of the iM600) and the
Klipsch iGroove. Both of these competitive systems offer great sound in a small package, but the iM600 is unique in its inclusion of a video output, subwoofer output, and a USB port allowing the iPod to sync with your computer while docked. On top of it all, the inclusion of a digital FM tuner and auxiliary input ensures the iM600 will still have a purpose long after the iPod inevitably changes its connection type again.
Some drawbacks
Still, the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 isn't perfect for everyone. It comes with adapters to support third, fourth, and fifth-generation iPods, iPod Nano, and iPod Mini, but the dock does not secure your iPod as much as cradle it. Because of this, the iM600 is less suited for outdoor use than systems like the iM9 or iM7, which really protect your iPod from falling out. Outdoor users also may bemoan the inclusion of a rechargeable battery which will need to be plugged in after it is drained, as opposed to common disposable batteries that instantly provide power in circumstances where a power outlet is not available. In this sense, the iM600 is really intended for home use where its seven-hour battery life feels more liberating than restricting.
Another disappointment was the iM600's advertised alarm clock feature. Instead of providing a functional alarm clock that could use either the iPod or the FM radio, this feature is nothing more than support for the iPod's existing alarm clock. This means no snooze button. It also means you'll be without an alarm clock if you forget to dock your iPod the night before.
Sound control
Like previous Altec Lansing inMotion systems, the iM600 lacks even basic EQ control. This is fine if you want to use your iPod's built-in EQ settings, but disappointing if you want tone control over the FM radio or auxiliary input. Regardless, the iM600 has a full, rich sound that didn't leave us wanting fiddle with EQ adjustments. There is an audio enhancement function that's subtle enough to leave on for most applications and gives a pleasant widening of the stereo image plus a little low-end boost.
Final thoughts
The Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 is a great audio system that in many ways improves upon the outstanding iM7 system by providing a more compact body, an FM tuner, and video output. The sound from the iM600 is loud enough to fill a room and detailed enough in both the high and low end to satisfy the majority of users. At maximum volume you will experience some distortion, but this is common among all its competition and a small price to pay for all the versatility the iM600 packs in such a small package.
10 out of 10 - Perfect True Quality sound with good looks and portability
This portable system is incredible. The sound defys its size, and it's head and shoulders above its competition (I'...
This portable system is incredible. The sound defys its size, and it's head and shoulders above its competition (I've owned 2 others). The closest in quality is the Klipsch, but this adds FM and a lithium ion battery (amazing how often this gets used away from the kitchen counter).
I laugh at reviewers that belittle the unit because it doesn't have AM (when no other has radio at all) or give it a "1" because it doesn't have a headphone jack (why would you dock your iPod in a speaker system only to plug in headphones? - NEWS FLASH - your iPod has a headphone jack).
Anywho, I first bought this for our nanny to take back to college. I was so impressed that I had to have one. If you're in the market, go to Best Buy (or any other electronics store) and just listen. I think you'll see and hear why anyone that owns one raves.
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by Par Seven (see profile) -
October 5, 2007
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular better than bose sound dock, ihome, and jbl dock
i'm quite an audiophile and am picky about how my music sounds. the sound quality is extremely impressive. mids ...
i'm quite an audiophile and am picky about how my music sounds. the sound quality is extremely impressive. mids and highs very clear. bass is quite responsive. anything but cheesy audio enhancement sfx. highly portable. perfect for taking to parties, friends' houses, long bus rides, as it has a rechargeable battery. i would say it retains about 90% of the sound quality as top-of-the-line IM7--the IM7 just goes louder. i don't know why people are complaining about not having a headphone port--that's what your iPod headphone port is for! not having an am band isn't that important for me. compared to the bose sound dock, it's probably equally good or better for about half the price. this is a really good product.
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by sb12345 (see profile) -
August 26, 2007
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Altec Lansing has created a user friendly, innovative speaker dock!
I've had this unit now for about 4 months and it has more than exceeded my expectations. I transport ...
I've had this unit now for about 4 months and it has more than exceeded my expectations. I transport it to work in my laptop bag. I found a CD case that it fits in, ripped out the CD slipcovers and now I use it as my transport case, a very cheap way to protect your unit from scratches and bumps. As far as the sound, I have to keep it down at work, unless we're having one of those afternoons when folks need a pick me up. The im600 delivers in a big way. Shortly after the purchase, I bought the Altec Lansing BB2001 Subwoofer. This beast adds another dimenson to the sound, from Jazz, R&B, to some classical music, for the price, $129 on Amazon, you can't beat the im600!
Updated AL outdid themselves with the im600. It is truly a great sounding portable ipod speaker system. The sound is crisp and clear in an average living room (25' x 30') and with the BB2001 Subwoofer it couldn't be better. A great investment!
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great sound in a compact package.
We love this little unit. A great combination of sound quality and portability. It is about the size and weight ...
We love this little unit. A great combination of sound quality and portability. It is about the size and weight of a hard cover book and just as easy to move from one room to another. As an example, because it is so compact and there are no wires or cables to fuss with, we will have it in the kitchen while we cook and then move it to the dining room during dinner. The ipod dock and stand fold away to leave a smooth surface that you can easily store away in a bag for travel. The sound is nearly as good as the bose, at about half the price and adds a very nice fm tuner. Highly recommended.
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by thatsinkingfeeling (see profile) -
April 26, 2007
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Slightly overrated
This system appears to be the current favorite among professional reviewers and the majority of consumers. Its practicality and style ...
This system appears to be the current favorite among professional reviewers and the majority of consumers. Its practicality and style are undeniable. It's an ingeniously engineered, thin and lightweight sound-dock radio-alarm, moreover, that radiates a widely-dispersed sonic pattern, especially effective in the mid and high range (though on the verge of shrillness if the gain is set too high). It handles low pitches without distortion, and perhaps as well as possible from a unit this small. But there was no comparison between the Altec IM600 and a slightly larger Athena iVoice: the latter speaker made me realize what I'd been missing with the Altec. With the Athena I was suddenly standing in the presence of a double bass violin, its wooden cabinetry, deeply resonant and clearly-defined sound, and the bassist's movements on the finger board and lower soundboard easily picked out in the life-like mix. Same with a Hammond B3 organ: the Altec reproduced its sound; the Athena virtually transported the instrument into the listener's space, practically "becoming" the instrument. Altec has a special "out" jack for use with an optional Altec subwoofer. Maybe that would make the two systems equal, but who wants to drag along an additional speaker simply to cover the bass frequencies convincingly? To be fair, the Altec provided much the same sound I've heard from most other systems of its ilk, including a comparably-priced JBL On Stage Micro. Moreover, the Altec can be operated on battery power and is engineered to work with an alarm (though I would not consider this latter feature anywhere close to the sophistication of an iHome iH9 clock radio dock system for iPod. I'm not fussy about the alarm, and I'm not a young "bass crazy" listener, but the Altec im600 made me appreciate what I've been missing by default. I returned to the bargain-priced Athena iVoice and for the first time realized the undeniable difference that accurately represented mid-range and bass frequencies (not artificial boominess or punched-up registers) can make. If you're a drummer, you'll appreciate the Altec's crisp crash, ride and trap cymbals and snare and brushwork. If you're attuned to the entire trio, you'll a swear you were in the same room with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Ed Thigpen (or Jimmy Smith) with your iPod or MP3 player connected to an Athena iVoice or its equivalent.
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by caponsacchi (see profile) -
August 7, 2008
7 out of 10 - Very good disappointed
Having had the JBL onstage speakers for my iPods to isten to at work, playing the music at soft volume ...
Having had the JBL onstage speakers for my iPods to isten to at work, playing the music at soft volume with good sound was key. Now, I find that I have to crank this speaker to get even decent tone, especially the bass, despite using the equalizer on the iPod. The sound in my office is really sub-par. I do, however like the radio option and the rechargeable battery - great perks.
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by npmd (see profile) -
June 27, 2008
10 out of 10 - Perfect Incredible sounding system for the buck and it size!
It?s a GREAT sounding system. It is so compact I take it everywhere. Especially to the pool so I ...
It?s a GREAT sounding system. It is so compact I take it everywhere. Especially to the pool so I don't electrocute the guests while they swim! I got mine at Costco for $89.00......quite the bargain I might add.....
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by titsmagee191 (see profile) -
April 6, 2008
6 out of 10 - Good OK product
I was initially really excited to buy this product as I'd done quite a bit of research and this ...
I was initially really excited to buy this product as I'd done quite a bit of research and this one seemed to be my best option for my price range. While it's a decent product, I haven't been blown away. My biggest complaint is the remote, although I must say that this product's remote has quite a bit more functionality than other product's remotes I looked at. The big bummer is that the remote only turns the product OFF, not on. There is an auto-shut off function that turns it off after a pretty short period of inactivity, so if say, I'm lying in bed and it hits the end of a playlist and I let it sit for more than a few minutes, the whole thing shuts down and then I have to get up to turn it back on. Also, the remote does not start play in ipod mode. It does allow you to go to or from song, but that's about it.
Sound quality is good. I guess I was a little disappointed due to the fact that I'd been used to listening to tunes through speakers w/ a pretty good sub woofer attached.
One other gripe--The radio function has pre-set station capabilities, which is nice, but I keep finding that my pre-set stations are getting erased. Not sure what that is about.
While it's not everything I'd hoped and dreamed of, I guess it's about what I'd expect for the size and price. Portability is great, I can easily take it anywhere in the house.
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by broo27 (see profile) -
February 20, 2008
7 out of 10 - Very good About the Battery...
Donald Bell did a great job reviewing this product.......but how can he say the terrific Lithium battery "not being ...
Donald Bell did a great job reviewing this product.......but how can he say the terrific Lithium battery "not being removeable" is the biggest downfall of the product....when, "Disconnecting the removeable battery" is fully explained right in the online owner's manual? (Here's the text copied and pasted straight from the website: "Disconnecting the rechargeable battery: 1. Unplug the inMotion iM600 from the wall outlet. 2. Open the inMotion iM600 by pressing the button on the front of the speaker system. 3. Remove the rechargeable battery compartment cover by removing the 2 screws. 4. Unplug the battery and remove it."
9 out of 10 - Spectacular The Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 is a great portable speaker system for ANYONE with an iPod.
Anyone with an iPod should get this (unless it's a shuffle). Even if you don't actually take it ...
Anyone with an iPod should get this (unless it's a shuffle). Even if you don't actually take it anywhere major, it's cool just to take it around the house. The remote works well, although it may take a few days to get the knack. It's got a radio, which is really nice if you want to listen to new music. It's got an external port for if you want to listen to another system, like a CD player, MD (minidisc) player, or another mp3 player, but I haven't used it yet. Really, the only complaint I have is that there's no internal speaker, although it will work with your iPod's, although mine hasn't worked yet. Like I previously said, if you have a compatible mp3 player, get this!!!!!
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by bagel4732 (see profile) -
January 12, 2008
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