Inexpensive ipod dock?

RHerms716

Hey all, does anyone have any recommendations for a decent ipod dock that wont break the bank? I saw another thread recently on the same subject, but the OP had a much higher budget than I do. I suppose I'm looking to spend about $100, even less if possible. Is it even possible to get a decent dock for that price? Or would I have to spend more? Thanks!

flatlinegraphics

are you just trying to jack your ipod into a stereo?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=5597&seq=1&format=2

$2.55

or if you want fancy:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10831&cs_id=1083101&p_id=6226&seq=1&format=2
plus this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311&cs_id=1031106&p_id=4874&seq=1&format=2
for about $8.

RHerms716

Those look like they could get the job done. I should have said earlier, this may be a gift for someone. Mind you, I do not plan for this to be the main part of the gift, but instead a kind of bonus side gift. Ideally, I'd like to go for more of the dock format, but if I can't find anything in the price range, those cables are definitely an option. Thanks.

flatlinegraphics

RHerms716 wrote: »

Those look like they could get the job done. I should have said earlier, this may be a gift for someone. Mind you, I do not plan for this to be the main part of the gift, but instead a kind of bonus side gift. Ideally, I'd like to go for more of the dock format, but if I can't find anything in the price range, those cables are definitely an option. Thanks.

ah, a gift, that's different...

Esh

I'm confused, why not just get the official iPod dock and the proper cabling? What exactly do you need the dock to do?

Wezoin

I'm in Canada so my browsing the US stores is fairly limited. Here's some stuff I found though:

Altec Lansing - known as a fairly good name in speakers - $69.99 at BestBuy
- Doesn't seem very powerful but probably sounds pretty good for a small room.

JBL - also a high end speaker company - $99 at Bestbuy
- Higher power system, probably a better choice than the Altec Lansing if you don't mind the extra $30.

JBL - full version of above dock - $129 at Fry's Electronics
- I realize this is slightly over your budget, and if its for a gift you probably aren't interested in going over for that extra value, but it's probably a much more powerful system

If it came down to it and you were actually considering those cables... Here's a cheapo $13 dock
At BestBuy

Wezoin

Esh wrote: »

I'm confused, why not just get the official iPod dock and the proper cabling? What exactly do you need the dock to do?

I'm pretty sure he means a speaker with an ipod dock in it.

RHerms716

Yes - mostly looking for speakers to play an ipod on. What specifications should I be looking for on websites to determine quality of sound? Is there a wattage or something I can check for each model? I understand that it's probably better to go and actually listen to the sound quality first hand, so I'm going to try and do that later this week.

For now though I just want to know what I should look for. A dock is probably best since it can charge the ipod too (right?) but I suppose a set of speakers would do the job too so long as they had the correct input?

Again, I'm more interested in functionality and cost opposed to presentation. The actual gift-y part is taken care of already. Thanks again, going to check out some of those links now.

Esh

Wattage has absolutely nothing to do with quality of sound. Maybe look on Amazon and read through the reviews of models that are in your price range.

Wezoin

While wattage doesn't determine quality of sound, it does effect the maximum volume of the unit. 30 watts should be enough to fill a room reasonably well, but not if the person you're buying for likes their music ear-bleedingly loud.

RHerms716

Wezoin wrote: »

While wattage doesn't determine quality of sound, it does effect the maximum volume of the unit. 30 watts should be enough to fill a room reasonably well, but not if the person you're buying for likes their music ear-bleedingly loud.

This is more what I meant. Any idea on what a decent wattage to look for? This speaker system is the bestselling ipod speaker system on amazon. They look pretty cheap, but they have sold well and received decent reviews. Could these possibly be any good?

EDIT:More details on them here

Wezoin

That is very very low wattage. Won't be room-filling sound at all, but I dont know if that is what you are looking for.

Also I don't know the name at all so the sound quality is probably pretty awful.

Are you looking for the cheapest of the cheap or are you looking more at your original $100 guideline?

If you're going for the cheapest you can find don't expect much performance. You'd probably be better off buying a cheap set of computer speakers than that dock, to be perfectly honest.

RHerms716

That was my initial reaction too. I'm just confused how it can be so popular and get decent reviews if it's that awful. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with you. It probably is awful, I'm just curious to hear how it sounds for $5.

RHerms716

Insignia is Best Buy's brand of electronics correct? This speaker dock seems like a decent option. Any input?

I'm going to try to make it into the store soon to test it out.