Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 Portable Audio System for iPod (White)
by Altec Lansing Technologies
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List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 Portable Audio System for iPod (White)
Customer Review: Better than SoundDock, iGroove & Hi-Fi!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted new iPod speakers for my home office, so I decided to test a few out. I picked up the Altec Lansing inMotion iM9 and I liked the quality. It sat on my desk, and faced me from only a couple feet away. Then I noticed a "popping" sound between tracks that annoyed me. The default volume was way too high when you turn it on, too. I decided to return it.
Then I picked up the Logitech mm50. Nice design and good sound from small speakers. It came with a case and integrated nicely with the iPod. Everything seemed great until I decided to move it to a table across the room to free up space on my desk. My office is about 15' x 12', and the mm50 was now 10' away from me and didn't come close to "filling the room" with sound. I decided to return it.
I have now decided to shell out some bucks for bigger sound, but I still wanted a one-piece system with an iPod docking option. Keep in mind that by now, I really wanted that iPod Hi-Fi that I've had my eye on. I decided to compare the Hi-Fi with the Klipsch iGroove, Bose SoundDock and Altec Lansing iM7.
In short, the Klipsch iGroove and Bose SoundDock's sound was really disappointing. Bye. So now it's down to the Hi-Fi and the iM7. I don't know why, but I wanted to dislike the iM7 for some reason. While testing the two, some songs sounded better on the Hi-Fi, but most began to sound better on the iM7. When I looked closer, the iM7's design really began to grow on me. I continued to listen to clips of about 30 songs from different genres on the Hi-Fi and iM7 and a clear winner emerged for me - the iM7. The ability to change the bass and trebble was great, on the Hi-Fi, you can only increase one of them, not both, via the iPod's display.
Better sound, great bass, tone controls, a better design, video-out options, and an iPod "cassette" enclosure that keeps my music player inside were all great differentiators in favor of the iM7. After I brought it home, it really did a great job filling the room with powerful sound, with the ability to turn it up fairly loud without distortion.
I did my homework, so hopefully it will help you. The Hi-Fi's great, but the iM7 is a better integrated iPod speaker solution.
Customer Review: Altec Lansing im7
Summary: 5 Stars
This product arrived yesterday, and I was very impressed with it. The sound quality can really hit those high notes well with superior quality, and it can get really loud. I'm one of those annoying college kids who likes loud music, and I was very impressed. I even tried playing Hysteria by Muse (which is my song if I want to test the bass), and it hit all of the notes perfectly. I would highly recommend this product to all who are interested in getting a sound system. The price is fantastic, and I would certainly buy another one if I need to.
However, like all good viewers, you probably want to hear about the flaws. Here is my personal opinion on the product.
1. Remote is annoying since it has the Play/Pause, FF, and RW buttons not work. Every other button works but those don't, and it just bothers me. I wish Altec Lansing fixed this or just didn't have those buttons included on the remote.
2. The door just doesn't fit with my 30 gig iPod. I tried examining the various "fitters" for different sized iPods and none worked. I try not to be stupid, but none of them fit. They included some for the nano and other smaller ones, but I guess my 30 gig was that middle size that just didn't fit snugly. Whenever I closed the door (which so far is working fine) the iPod fell to teh back and the sound quit. To offset this problem, I just folded a piece of paper and pushed it in the back so that the iPod is pushed forward. Now I can close the door and still experience perfect sound!
The iPod hasn't frozen for me, even at the highest sound volume, the door hasn't broken (just that one slight problem), and I haven't tested the battery length. Overall, I'm very impressed with the product and don't think that the flaws lower my impression to a 4-star. I definitely recommend this product to anyone who likes good quality with wide ranges of volume. I'm definitely using this for my dorm room.
Customer Review: It's Everything they say, but makes Ipod act strangely
Summary: 3 Stars
We have the Bose and now the IM7.. both are great units but the IM7 is much more portable, and I like the (albeit blind) bass and treble controls.
One problem though, which doesn't affect listening but has been irking me nonetheless.. it makes the iPod act stranglely.
We leave our unit plugged in, in the kitchen where it is always ready to go out to the yard, etc. but when it is SWITCHED OFF and not in use, every time I walk past it something funny is going on with the iPod itself. Here's the list so far:
- Sometimes the backlight will be off and ipod off (normal)
- Sometimes the Backlight will be on with nothing dislayed.
- Sometimes the backlight will be on with the charge status displayed.
- Often when I turn it on, the backlight will not work. I have to manually enable it.
- Can't change SHUFFLE mode when the ipod is in the dock. I have to remove the iPod to see that option.
- Sometimes it my settings seem to be reset reset to factory defaults, and I have to change the contrast back, etc. etc.
*** Can anyone who has an IM7 tell me if I have a bum unit, or is this stuff to be expected (while left plugged into a reliable AC outlet?)
My final concern is what my battery life will be if I leave it unplugged. I know there is a minor draw for the infrared, but what if the darn thing turns the iPod on while the dock is off?
I'd give it 5 stars if these problems didn't occur AND there was no battery drain when the unit is turned off. The Bose has no such flaws.
UPDATE - 2 Weeks Later:
I exchanged this unit for another and it still does the same strange things. I have to occasionally set the iPod back to English and adjust my other personal settings (contrast, etc.) Oh well, I'd still rather hang onto it than return it for good.
Thanks.
Customer Review: Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 Portable Audio System is AMAZING!
Summary: 5 Stars
Guys/Gals,
The Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 Portable Audio System is truly amazing for the price point. Hec, I think the BOSE and other more expensive units CANNOT compair against it. My son set this up and called me into the room and clicked Play on the remote. I could not believe my ears! All the negative feedback (which is few and far inbetween) is just not an accurate description if taken in context. For about $150 bucks this unit is just unequal in sound and clarity. In high volume (I want that nice volume for my Latin Jazz tunes) it does a great job. We played John Mayer's Continuum at our family BBQ and everyone could not believe the great sound this unit generates. The first thing out of there mouth was... WOW! Another thing, the bass and midrange on this baby is just outstanding! Again, if you want a great sounding unit at a great price, this is the unit for you. Just check it out and you will hear what I am talking about. Amazon is great at making sure you are 100% satisfied. (Man - do I sound like a sales person or what?) I am really impressed.
I hope this helps those that, like me, are a little hesitant because of all the low quality junk that is out there and being promoted as a value. THIS IS BOTH A FANTASTIC SOUND AND A GREAT VALUE. Thanks to the folks at Altec Lansing for putting out a great product!
Just one beware: The first units that were released had a problem with the latching component that closes the enclosure the holds the iPod. This has been fixed after a recall. Be careful with the untis on eBay because most of the units sold there indicate they suffer from this problem in small print when they are honest. In my opinion, Amazon is the best place to purchas a new one. PEACE!
Customer Review: Oh so pleased!
Summary: 4 Stars
Mine had what my husband calls 'speaker rattle.' I was heartbroken. The sound was spectacular except that even at 50% of volume and bass, my unit made a buzzing sound. I've returned it for an exchange and I hope I just happened to get a lemon and the next one will be perfect. Electronics Expo was very responsive and sent me a UPS sticker to make the return without costing me a cent. I will add to my review as soon as I get my replacement IM7! I need good sound and good bass really badly!
Dec.16, 2008 - Okay, I got my replacement a few days ago. They were a bit slow but my new unit works! It works really well and I'm exceedingly happy. We hooked it up to the computer and watched the movie Polar Express and wow, it was fantastic. We travel a great deal and live in an RV so we gotta have small size. It's small, but the sound fills the trailer! I substitute teach dance occasionally and it's very portable (I bought the harness and good thing I did). The bass is bitchen. I did notice on one (new age) song it was too much even at the lowest setting, but, well, I'm not complaining. It is kind of peculiarly made, that's true. I have a lot of space behind my iPod and seems like it could be a potential problem. I have to hold it solidly before I push on the menu or it'll push the whole iPod back. Being cylindrical it's kind of tipsy like. It should be a rectangle. My eyes have trouble seeing the remote buttons and that's a bit of a pain - gray print on white. I bought two different portable boomboxes from Wal-Mart and returned both - JVC and I forget what the other was. They don't hold a candle to this one. I'm 49 and I luuuurve deep, LOUD, bass just like I did when I was 16.
Finally, I have it.