If you want a modern system with lots of features, or just an easy way to listen to your iPod without ear buds, you want to select the perfect speaker dock for your system. Many people use a PC or an MP3 player for their music, and in so doing, stereo systems and boom boxes with CD players have been virtually replaced by iPod speaker docks. Most docks are equipped with a 3.5-mm Auxiliary input, which allows you to connect your PC, and there are also other features, and the range of those features and the corresponding prices is vast.
Sound quality is the most important facet of your sound system, unless you absolutely have to be portable. Many speakers don't have a lot of features, but they produce excellent sound. Some models are seemingly feature-deficient, but the subwoofers help these systems to pump out excellent sound. Not everyone wants big bass, but your speaker docks should reproduce the lower frequencies correctly, without the sound being distorted when the volume is turned up high. Some other systems will allow you to adjust the bass and treble levels by the use of EQ, which is an excellent way to get the sound you want.
If you don't have a lot of space available, pay attention to the specs in reviews of speaker docks. Bose makes the SoundDock 10, which looks small enough, but the dock weighs eighteen pounds and it takes up a lot of floor or desk space. Klipsch's iGroove gives you quality audio from a smaller speaker dock, so you can get the sound you want without getting a bigger dock. Some people want a stylish dock, too, and the iHome iP1 has a great-looking plastic design that is translucent for extra style points.
If you want a system that you can take on the road, select a dock that is able to be folded flat, and that's easy to pack away in a suitcase. Docks made for travel sometimes run on batteries, so you'll be able to use them anywhere, whether there's an outlet handy or not. Portable docks sometimes don't have the same sound, with weaker bass, and they can distort your music when you crank up the volume. But if you want to enjoy your Beach Boys music on your iPod at the beach, good speaker docks don't need to be loud.
A remote may seem to be of lesser importance to speaker docks, but a remote will make your docks more functional, and more fun to use. If your remote will only let you play or pause a track, or rewind and skip forward, you're missing some of the key aspects of the iPod – the ability to switch albums, playlists or artists. Find speaker docks that include fully functional remotes and you will enjoy your music more easily.
If you want to use speaker docks with an iPhone, check to be sure that the player not only works with iPods, but with iPhones as well. A newer speaker dock will probably have this ability, so look for one with dual certification.