Home > Consumer Reviews > IHOME Rechargeable Mini Speakers for iPods (Black)

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I have Bose computer speakers and they don't sound any better than these ones. The only reason I gave it 4/5 is because the cord between the two speakers is short enough to surround a 13" MacBook. Maybe a 15" if pulled tightly. But as far as performance is concerned they're amazing. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they come with a nice pouch to keep them in it when they're not being used. Go ahead and buy them. You won't regret it.

i make music for a living, and i have a music system in every room of the house...i have also owned a dozen different types of portable active speakers.....but, these iHOME speakers are awesome!.....crystal clear.....a very innovative portable design.....and, after using them for a week at a time, i will plug them in (even though they don't need charging) and they take maybe fifteen minutes to charge up....sometimes in the middle of the night, i will put one of these on each shoulder and lie in bed listening to my ipod.....and they have become my low-fi test speakers when we mix in the studio.....

Pictures belie how small and light they are with quite good sound. (8 or 9 years ago I purchased another very small "stereo" speaker unit [Creative Travel Sound] with front facing speakers with its own volume control and bass boost which I like, but 4 "AAA's" lasted only about 16-18 hours.) The bass on these is a bit weak and they did crack a little on a few Manheim and Trans-Siberian tracks. That's why they got a 4 from me. Their rechargeable batteries are a big plus. They're an innovative design and well worth getting.

I bought these speakers primarily for use when I travel; I like listening to music, but hate being tied to a set of headphones in a hotel room. Based on the pictures / description I had expected a baked-bean can-sized set of speakers that provided decent clarity at low volumes. I was wrong!

Upon opening the packaging, I shocked by the diminutive size of the speakers -- they're about the of two golf balls stuck together! I've only had them a few days, but the they seems as though they were built to last.

Sound quality is great for my listening preferences. I typically use these with my Apple iPod classic 80 GB Black (6th Generation), and there is minimal (but noticeable) distortion as you approach the higher end of the volume.

My only real complaint is the integrated speaker wire. While it is handy to have the one wire for charging and sending signal through the wires, having the USB plug dangling when not in use is a bit clunky... but this is admittedly more of an aesthetic preference than a performance issue.

[UPDATED 11/24/2009] About a month ago I set these speakers up only to find that one is inoperable. I was quite happy with the sound quality, but am less than impressed with a product that dies within a year of purchase. Scaling back a few stars accordingly.]

PROS:
Sound Quality (at mid-range volumes)
Li-Ion battery
Size / Transportability
Material Quality

CONS:
Integrated input / charging wire
Sound Quality (slightly tinny at HIGHER volume settings)