What is so special about iPod speakers? Why iPod speakers over regular ones?

[simtse]

Hello everyone,

I had been shopping around for new speakers for traveling and home use and have recently been paying more attention to iPod speakers. I understand that they have been around for a number of years, but I wanted to really know the following:

What is so special about iPod docking speakers that warrant the need to make speakers designed specifically for iPods?
Are we getting some benefits from buying and using iPod docking speakers compared to hocking them up via 3.5mm audio jacks to some computer speakers?
How do iPod docking speakers compare to mini audio systems in terms of quality and functionality.

I thought these might have been some good discussion questions to allow other experienced macrumors users to share what they know. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[Pili]

Basically your gaining the ability to charge your ipod while playing music, being able to control the ipod via remote on some models, and the convenience of plug in play. Most docks though sacrifice sound quality and bass imo.

 

[brn2ski00]

What is so special about iPod docking speakers that warrant the need to make speakers designed specifically for iPods?

Are we getting some benefits from buying and using iPod docking speakers compared to hocking them up via 3.5mm audio jacks to some computer speakers?

How do iPod docking speakers compare to mini audio systems in terms of quality and functionality.

1. I think that iPod sound docking stations are great because it allows the iPod to be used anywhere. No longer is it a personal music player, but it becomes a social music player when it is attached to a sound dock. Another plus is that some of them can double as a home stereo because the speakers themselves are extremely high quality. Some even have video/audio inputs to truly make it a home theater.

2. The main advantage to dockign the iPod would be that it charges it. Also, I would say (but not for certain) that the sound docks that allow you to actually dock the iPod probably sound much better and are at a much higher level of quality. Sound stations with docks usually have many more features (like mentioned above).

3. I can speak specifically for the Bose iPod Sounddock. This thing is great and has yet to let me down. The Bose name speaks for itself. The sound is unmatched and I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Two of my closest friends also own the Bose Sounddock for their iPods.

 

[Michael CM1]

There are a couple of advantages. The obvious first one is charging the iPod. Related to that, it puts the iPod in a position in which you can easily control it and keep it from flying off a table or something.

Those are the main two advantages. For the iPhone, someone makes speakers that are shielded from the annoying cell phone interference sound that can raise the dead.

Of course some speaker systems just sound better than others. You have to check that out on your own.

 

[TallManNY]

I think you generally pay a massive premium and take a sound quality cut to get an iPod speaker. Just buying a fifteen dollar connection cable from radio shack and attaching it to your home stereo will produce better sound but only because your home stereo has better ability to start with than rinky dink little iPod speakers.
I'm sure the Bose iPod doc is fine, but I think it costs the same as their Wave radio and I bet it doesn't sound as well as that.
Generally I think the docs only bring small size to the table and the ability to charge. But you're iPod can be plugged in and charging and at the same time outputting through the 3.5 jack without getting an iPod pair of speakers.