iDesign Power Speaker Stereo Dock for iPod

Inexpensive iPod speaker systems are a dime a dozen, but every now and then we come across a product that stands out from the herd. The Brookstone iDesign Power speaker doesn't have the catchiest name or some dynamite feature, but it's easy on the eyes and ears, and a great value at $79.

Design
Measuring 5.5 inches tall by 9.75 inches wide by 5 inches deep, the iDesign Power speaker doesn't take up much more room than a lunch box. Two metallic plastic legs prop the speaker enclosure off the ground at a slightly upward angle and give the system a unique, modern look. Two 2-inch tweeters on the front of the system are covered with a removable cloth grille, while an additional 3.5-inch woofer is mounted on the bottom of the enclosure covered by a black, metal grille.

The top of the iDesign Power speaker offers a recessed, universal dock with interchangeable fittings for most iPod models. In front of the dock are buttons for volume and power. The back of the system includes a power adapter input, power mode switch (battery/adapter), and a 3.5 millimeter aux input jack discreetly placed along the right edge. The rest of the unit is fairly nondescript, aside from the battery compartment concealed on the left side that uses four AA batteries.

The back of the Brookstone iDesign Power speaker system includes a power adapter input, aux input, and a switch for battery power.

Performance
The Brookstone iDesign Power speaker can't hold up to audiophile scrutiny, but for $79, who cares? The 2.1 speaker array provides a surprisingly loud and full sound, considering that the whole system fits inside a shoebox. We also tested the Brookstone system using both the power adapter and batteries and noticed no difference in sound quality or maximum volume.

Compared with similar compact, battery-powered systems, such as the Griffin Journi or Altec Lansing inMotion Max, the 8 watts of power behind the Brookstone iDesign Power speaker system is able to hold its own when it comes to volume. Sonically, the Brookstone does a better job presenting lower frequencies than alarm-clock-style systems, like the XtremeMac Luna or iLuv iMM173, with a beefy, blunt sound closer to a miniature version of the Griffin Amplifi.

The only real complaint we can lay against the iDesign Power speaker system, given its low price, is the fact that it is not compatible with (or magnetically shielded against) the Apple iPhone. If you're an iPhone user or if you plan on becoming one, you'll need to invest some extra money on a compatible speaker system.

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