Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 Firewire-Charging Portable Audio System for iPod (Black)
by Altec Lansing Technologies
|
List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
|---|
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 Firewire-Charging Portable Audio System for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: No Good for the Ipod Touch, Sound Pretty Bad
Summary: 1 Stars
I read reviews all the time and have never written one. However, I felt compelled to write this as I didn't see anybody comment who had an ipod touch (I assume the iphone is similar). I tried all the dock attachments and no matter what, my ipod touch touched the speaker grill which made the sound hiss, shake, and sound terrible. However, when I manually moved it away from the grill, and pumped up the volume, it still sounded really bad to my ears -- I have used the altec lansing m604 for my zune and I think it sounds incredible, deep bass and no distortion when raising the volume. Additionally, a few times when I put my ipod in, turned the system on and pressed "play" it simply did not work. I had to unplug the unit and plug it in again. I really am surprised given all the good reviews for this unit -- maybe I got a bum one. The bottom line is, these speakers don't work with ipod touch and the sound is very disappointing given all the competition out there. The logitech pure fi elite keeps coming out way on top in all reviews but looked a bit large from the pictures on line.
I decided to go for the sonic impact i-F3 for now as I have had a solid experience with the F2 model (I don't expect high end sound in the sound department but I've read they're better than the F-2 model). The I-F3 has a real working dual alarm clock, can withstand camping, etc. and does sound pretty great. I can also fit it nicely on my night stand.
Haven't received yet, sort of salivating at the pure fi dream, not on sale yet but unit looks pretty big.
Customer Review: 2 units, both defective, but great customer service
Summary: 3 Stars
Looks and sounds great; the sound quality is surprisingly good for such a small unit, the radio reception is good, and the design is elegant. However, first unit I received was defective: the power button on the unit didn't work properly (it wouldn't turn off) and the remote also didn't work right- its power button didn't work at all and the track forwarding button just made the song skip, not move to the next one. Altec's customer service was awesome. A person was on the phone right away, and he immediately agreed that the unit needed to be replaced. Amazon was also great- they replaced the unit immediately and shipping was free because it was defective. Unfortunately the 2nd unit had problems too. The power button on the unit worked but the remote still made songs skip and didn't work to control the iPod at all. Again, Altec and Amazon's customer service were both great and returning the unit was no problem, but Amazon refused to send a new one because in the face of two problems they wanted to "investigate". I am bummed because I liked the unit- I still might try a 3rd.
The only poor bit of engineering is that it is impossible to figure out how to switch adapters if you use more than one kind of iPod. There's no visible way to do it, and it would be very easy to break the unit if you pry too much. I had to call support again for that, and they admitted it was not only not obvious but also not documented in the manual. If you need to switch the adapter, don't fiddle with it too much- just call Altec and get walked through it.
Customer Review: Nearly perfect for me
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this so I could listen to music (from my iPod & iPhone) and the radio in the kitchen while eating breakfast or cooking dinner, and also have something to take to the garage or garden during weekend projects. This little box is nearly perfect for all these tasks.
The audio is very good -- not audiophile critical-listening quality, but no significantly noticeable harshness or boominess in the environments I describe. Everything I listen to -- NPR, modern rock, electronic, jazz, classical -- is pleasant to listen to. It can easily also play pretty loud -- enough to provide audible background music in a garden party with traffic noise nearby.
It has a nice slim front-to-back profile which makes it unobtrusive on kitchen counter. The FM reception seems perfectly normal.
The battery life is more than enough for a day out in the yard or the garage, but it's not really designed to be a multi-day portable device.
The only downsides I have found so far -- all minor -- are:
1. no AM reception -- would be nice for sports games. However there is an aux in, so I could just plug in a small AM radio.
2. can tune but can't select FM presets without the remote
3. no iPhone shielding. This system works really well with the iPhone even if you don't turn on airplane mode -- but you will of course get the GSM buzz.
There is also a possible downside that the internal battery is not user-replaceable -- but practically speaking I have not had any problem with this yet.
Customer Review: great product
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a Sansa 280 that I use with Jabra C820 noise canceling head phones---an amazing combination. But I got spoiled by this and started wearing the headphones all the time, which will start to grow moss inside your ears. So I went to Best Buy to Buy the Best speakers and saw the Altec-Lansing speakers there. But Best Buy didn't have any in stock, so I ordered from Amazon (ultimately Electronics Expo), where the price was much less. They came right away and I love them (I'm listening to Yo-yo Ma right now). I didn't expect much from the sound because the unit is so small and I am used to tinny sound from boom boxes, but the sound from these is precise, deep, and amazing for the small size of the unit.
The unit is very compact and looks very nice with the Sansa 280 plugged into it.
Finally, the built-in FM receiver is quite good---much better than the Sansa's because of the wire antenna everybody is complaining about. I don't complain---that's what top-end stereo receivers have and it works! Mountain climbers who insist on bringing it along to the summit can roll up the antenna and put a twist-tie on it. Most will use it in their office or bedroom and will be more than happy about the crisp FM sound.
One word of advice: I couldn't find the remote control unit and thought it was forgotten, but it's embedded in the bottom of one of the styro packing blocks.
Customer Review: GREAT Sound - Built in Battery - A Really Good Product
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased in September of '07 and have lived with (and enjoyed) it for about a year. I first bought this as a gift for our nanny to take back to college with her. I was so impressed with the size/sound that I had to have one. BTW, she said she loved it at school through last year also.
Pros: Incredible sound. Built in Lithium Ion battery (no more size "Ds" to buy & lug around). FM tuner is a very nice feature too.
Cons: None to speak of. A case would be nice, but I bought a nice, inexpensive case made for a portable DVD player that fits well & works like it was made for this.
This portable system is incredible. The sound defies its size, and it's head and shoulders above its competition (I owned 1 other). The closest in quality is the Klipsch, but this unit adds the fold-up feature, FM and a lithium ion battery (amazing how often this gets used away from the kitchen counter).
I've wondered why a couple of reviewers remark that the unit doesn't have AM (when no other unit has radio at all) or give it a lower score 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, 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.