Portable Sound Lab Handheld Speaker Case for iPod (Black)
by Portable Sound Lab
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List Price: Our Price: $19.91 You Save: $20.08 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 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 Portable Sound Lab Handheld Speaker Case for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: Great for travellers who need a piece of 'home'.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm very pleased with the sound of the "Soundlab". I was expecting cheap, tinny, and distortion at full volume levels--but this little packet performs quite well.
First, its not going to have big thumping bass, high trebels, and a booming mid-range. So those that criticize bass, c'mon, its the size of a paperback.
That being said, the sound is something that I can listen to for awhile. Even after reading the reviews (I was highly skeptical), the little unit puts out a very comfortable sound. I listen to mainly Top 40, Country, and easy listening type music, and it sounds pretty good.
I bought this mainly for travel so I could have something of 'me' in the hotel room w/o having to worry about voltage in different countries or carrying around a bunch of power adapters, as I have plenty of those that take up valuable packing space.
There are only two downsides, but once you get yours up and running not an issue. The installation of the Ipod is pretty lame with the velcro straps, little pieces of cut foam, and poor written directions. Discard the directions immediately go to their website for a graphic description of how to install your particular ipod.
Also, they make it look like you can operate the speakers with the case open. While I guess you could, the same lame system that velcroes your Ipod in, doesn't secure it to the case--the containing unit and your Ipod will most likely plop-out...so just leave it all zippered up, nice and secure. The other downside I see is if you want to take out your Ipod to listen to it with earphones. Not difficult, but just a pain digging it out of its case, and then putting it all together again. The pictures make you THINK it just plops in securely and snugly, but it doesn't.
That being said, I like the protective case, and the speakers seem to be well protected. It packs well, and I hope it keeps my Ipod from getting all scratched up like my last one. (I left it on a plane and would carry it in a zip-lock bag, so I bought a new replacement Ipod).
So downside is the initial set-up, but after that its all good. I'm not even afraid to let my little five year old daughter play with it, and she seems to really enjoy the music, too.
So basically, if you're ok with a portable 'radio' set-up, its quite good and I can't criticize the sound at all.
You'll be pleased with the sound for a unit this size. Its the other things you'll have to consider when buying this unit.
Hope that was helpful.
Customer Review: Big, heavy and clunky (especially as a complement to a Nano 3 G).
Summary: 3 Stars
Upon noticing that color preference accounted for as much as a twenty-dollar spread between the low and high price ends of these iMainGo Portable Sound Lab speakers, I had little trouble deciding on a color (some non-Amazon dealers are asking twice as much for the same speakers). Now that I have them, I'm not sure I want them (I certainly don't need them):
The Good: 1. The sound is rich, full, and loud in the mid-range register (nothing special in the treble and, especially, bass range); 2. If you have an iPod with alarm, this unit has the power to blast you to your senses; 3. It integrates your iPod and speakers in a single, stable case that can be carried on a wrist strap or tossed into a brief case.
The Not-so-good: 1. The 4 required AAA batteries are a bit awkward to squeeze into the battery compartment. 2. Packing your particular iPod into place requires binding it with indecorous straps. 3. The materials are a grotesque mix of shiny faux satin, shiny black plastic, and faux black velvet. 4. Upon opening the case, the user is greeted by nothing but the aforementioned materials plus a migraine-inducing light. 5. The unit is actually too heavy to be worn on a belt loop or strung around the owner's neck; 6. The transparent plastic front, though it protects the iPod and permits operation of the controls, feels like a Trojan obstruction between the owner and his nifty instrument.
The Truly Bad: The unit is larger (and heavier) than expected, all but neutralizing the size advantages of a 3rd-generation Nano iPod. In fact, this thing seems like an utter regression. I may as well have ordered a boom box! The trade-off (better audio in exchange for a clunky, not-so-portable device) simply isn't worth it.
I have another unit similar to this, the iSoundz wallet, which is sleeker and more practical, but the company has folded. If like me, you occasionally wish to use your iPod without the ear buds, I recommend something like the JBL On-Tour Portable System (big markdowns recently). If you wish to use your iPod on the go without ear phones, take a look at the Saitek-100 speaker, which is flat enough to slide easily into a pocket yet puts out sound equal if not superior to the iMainGo, offers easier battery replacement, and includes a connector that's tailor-made for a Nano 2 or 3g.
The iMainGo is another impulse purchase that gets returned. As long as Amazon keeps the prices nice and permits easy returns, I'll remain a loyal customer.
Customer Review: Finally! A Portable Speaker That Sounds Good
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, first let it be known, I'm a portable/travel speaker junkie. I've tried just about everything that looked halfway decent or that had passable reviews. This includes:
TDK single and dual OUTLOUD (dual is pretty good soundwise but eats up batteries, Creative XM (OK); Sony SRS T57 (don't buy it, no bass), Altec Lansing iM207 Orbit (not bad for the size and price, but clumsy to turn on and off), Creative Labs 51MF5045AA000 Travelsound 250 Speaker System (this one is one my latest and it's really not bad, especially when you use the 'wide' switch), and finally JBL On Tour (this is one of my favorites except for the weight and somewhat awkward unlatching/cord system)
But what is the one I personally like the best? Yup, it's the iMainGo2 and one reason is that I modified it. I'm not an iPodder. I have a Zen, and a Sandisk Clip so they don't work right in the MainGo case. I figured the only part I really needed was the sound half and so I simply cut off the half that holds the iPod. Now I have a speaker half the size with all the sound that fits easily in my carryon or suitcase. And I don't have to bother to unzip anything! I really was impressed by the sound of this unit. Pretty amazing bass for such a little package and great treble and midrange. Nice fullness also. Sounds best with a good recording of course.
My preference in order of first to last would be the iMainGo2 (even if you don't cut half of it off); the JBL On Tour, and then the Creative Labs Travel Sound 250. With all of those you will get decent sound when traveling for your hotel room without taking up a lot of space.
Hope this helped your decision process. Happy listening and traveling!
Customer Review: Love it
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very sick during Jan, and Feb. and found that taking long hot baths was the only help for the pain. I was too weak to read in the tub, so I would put my Nano clipped to a towel, and turn the headphones towards the tub. It worked, but I had a few fall in tub accidents, and also I had to crank up the volume on the headphones to full blast.
As I got better, I found I still enjoyed listening to audiobooks while taking a bath. Looked around for a solution to the problem, and found this wonderful device.
It is wonderful to use. I use a washcloth at the corner of the tub, and then put the unit on that so that it will not slip. It is large enough to be able to balance quite securely and I can use the regular volume I use with my headphones, + a little louder.
The sound is very good, as long as you are not an audiophile.
I don't think any headphones, or speakers can give one a fabulous sound coming out of an Ipod. But, this sound was really good, esp. compared to my headphones.
There are two problems in the design tho. 1: the AAA batteries are very hard to get into the battery holder. 2: When you begin to listen to the Ipod you must turn on the unit. This means that you have to unzip the case. If you forget to unzip it again to shut the unit off, you will really run through your batteries very fast.
So, make sure to turn the unit off, not just the Ipod. That is annoying, but not too bad for what you get.
I would NOT take this on a walk or to the gym. It is for your listening pleasure, and if you use it it might be at someone else's displeasure.
Customer Review: Ya can't please everybody!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's too big, it's too small. No speaker grills. Migraine-inducing light. Batteries are too hard to put in. Too hard to get the iPod in and out. Won't hold a Nano (Well, duh. Square peg, round hole.) We can all find something to complain about in anything; my last three marriages proved that to me!
I personally own several iPod thingies for my Classic 5 & 6G boxes. Anywhere from a $500 tube-amp system down to a couple of MP3 player plug-in speakers. I have a box that I bought on WOOT so that I could play video concerts during breaks in my gigs and I have an iLuv which turned out to be a real waste of bucks. All do what they are designed to do and so does this item.
Right out of the box me and my buds (all over 40) were impressed with this little thing. We use it at the beach for the most part to avoid disturbing others nearby. Sometimes we even tie a big rubber band to the strap, tie that to our canopy frame and put a butt-ton of twists in it to get a "Leslie" amp-type sound (If you don't know what that is go ask your dad.) as it rotates! The case is tough and protects the key and most expensive device quite nicely. Mine's been banged around quite a bit over the past year and has never had a problem. Good shielding from the weather and stays cool even in direct sunlight. The only thing I can see to improve is putting the power light somewhere where it can be seen when the case is closed; too easy to forget to turn the box off after a few adult beverages! Buy one; you won't regret it.