Play the iPod Through Portable Speakers

You can hook up your iPod to a home audio system to share your sounds, but sometimes it's more convenient to get the iPod a set of speakers to call its own. Some speakers connect to the iPod's headphone jack with a stereo miniplug cable, while others connect to the iPod's dock connector port.

The price and quality of iPod speakers can range from $15 cheap plastic things at the grocery store to $300 systems from high-end audio companies like Bose, Altec Lansing, Sony, Tivoli, and others. Here are a few speakers to sample, but check the list at the end of the chapter for more places to find booming iPod accessories.

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  • Altec Lansing Moondance Glow. Listen to your Van Morrison tracks in mood lighting! The Glow, pictured above, can splash a variety of colors on the wall behind it and lets you combine your iPod with stereo speakers, an FM radio, and dual alarm clocks. It comes with its own remote and you can find it for $180 at www.alteclansing.com.

  • JBL On Stage 200ID. Proving that speakers do not have to be square, JBL offers several circular sound systems in its On Stage line for iPod. Available in various colors, JBL's systems also charge the iPod's battery. Prices range from about $100 to $150; see them at www.jbl.com.

  • XtremeMac Tango Studio. This affordable bookshelf speaker system also has an FM radio and comes with its own remote control. It fits ...

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