Just what the party needed...or office!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Fantastic sound and works well with iPods of different kinds.

Cons: Small remote that needs additional controls for iPod, price

The Bottom Line: 
Well worth the money, who needs stereo systems any more?

Author's Review
Back in 2003 I had just gotten rid of all my CDs and moved into the iPod age.  About that same time I had also secured a position as a software manager, meaning I'd be moving to an OFFICE instead of a cubicle.  Yes, I was excited...doors are nice when you need a power nap.  In any event, my next thought was to figure out how to be able to play music in my office without having to use headphones. 

After much searching and investigating, I settled on the Bose Sounddock as my choice.  I was initially hesitant about purchasing a Bose system, as I had heard on several occasions that Bose was simply the "big name" in sound and other smaller companies had better performing products.  However, five years ago the only other companies I found that were making docking stations for iPods were the kind you'd find at Wal-mart...cheap and not something I wanted to display in my office. 

I found a slightly used one on eBay and brought it to work.  Naturally I forgot my iPod that day, since I have a connection to use it in my car and left it there.  Set up is quick and fairly easy, as there's just the speakers, the stand and various adapters that fit over the iPod connection to allow for the different iPod models to be used with the dock.  This may take a little trial and error, keeping in mind it isn't enough to have the adapter that just fits, but the adapter that keeps the iPod SECURE.  Loose connections aren't good.

The sound is excellent, even at the lower volume levels required when playing music in a work environment.  Everything was extremely clear, the highs and the lows.  Size isn't much of a consideration, the entire thing weighs probably five pounds and measures about 6 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.  You can easily put this on any bookshelf or in my case, filing cabinet behind my desk.  It looks very upscale and sleek, not like some obnoxious boom box or something like that.  Another added bonus is that it charges your iPod as its sitting in the base of the dock.

The Sounddock also has a remote control that comes with the unit, but as things continue to get smaller and smaller, my fear is that this will get lost somewhere along the way.  I'd say the remote is slightly larger than a credit card both in length and width.  It's controls are limited, on/off, volume and next/previous track...and does nothing otherwise to control the iPod itself.  To change artists or playlists, you need to use the iPod wheel controller.

Later I moved on from that position and back to cubicle world, meaning the Dock would have to find a place at home.  It now resides in our dining-room-converted-to-home-bar where we have parties.  I am not surprised, but the Sounddock performs just as well in this different environment, playing music much louder for guests.  Many times the get-together ends up turning into Dance Party USA and the Sounddock is the reason for that. 

In short, this purchase has been an excellent choice.  The Bose Sounddock has outstanding sound and is flexible enough to use in your office at work, or at home when you're entertaining.