If you have an Apple iPod, and who doesn’t these days, you will eventually want to improve it’s functionality by adding an accessory.  As the leading portable digital audio player on the market, there are an incredible number of accessories available for the Apple iPod and Altec Lansing is one of the leading companies in the iPod speaker and general consumer audio market.  Lets take a look at a couple of the products available from Altec Lansing.

InMotion iM7

Price: $249.95
Compatible with: all docking iPods including nano and video.  Not for iPods with FireWire ports on top.
Older iPods and FireWire iPods, as well as most audio devices, can be connected to the iM7 through the Aux input jack on the back of the iM7.

For every Apply iPod owner, there will be a time when you want to share your music or listen in an open environment without using earphones.  When that time comes, you will want powerful, clear, accurate sound with deep rich bass.  That is exactly what the Altec Lansing iM7 will give you.  Based on a stylish cylinder shape, the iM7 will fit most room decor and is easy to transport.  Its amazing sound and complete set of features is a great compliment to any docking iPod.

The Altec Lansing iM7 features:
High efficiency digital amplification
XdB enhanced Subwoofer
Neodymium speaker drivers
Built-In iPod cradle for docking iPods
3.5mm auxiliary input
S-Video and Composite Video output
AC or Battery (8 D cells) powered
Universal Power Supply with international plug set
Wireless remote control
Two 1” Neodymium Tweeters
Two 3” Neodymium mid-range drivers
Two 4” side firing bass drivers
6.5” by 16.75” cylinder shape
Weight 9 Lbs.

The front of the iM7 is a simple, clean design with the speakers under a perforated, gray metal body with the power and volume buttons on the top.  The iPod cradle in the front is ejected by pushing down on the top edge and releasing.  The cradle will pop out.  Slip the iPod into the cradle and carefully align it to the docking connector.  An adjustment wheel in the cradle will move the back panel to customize the fit for different sized docking iPods and a cradle sleeve for the iPod Mini is included.  Once the iPod is firmly connected to the docking connector, push the cradle down on the top edge until it locks in place.  The front of the iPod is exposed so that you can use the control wheel.  An audio cable is included for connecting non-docking audio devices to the auxiliary input jack on the back of the iM7.  The only serious complaint I have about the iM7 is the method used to eject and secure the docking cradle.  A plastic clip is mounted behind the cradle which holds the cradle in the retracted position.  Do not allow anyone to pull the cradle forward from the retracted position.  If this is done too often, the clip will most likely no longer hold the cradle in the retracted position.  You should only open the cradle by pushing on the top edge so that it pops out from the retracted position and carefully push the top edge down until the cradle locks down.  Listen for the click when opening and closing the cradle.  If you damage the clip, the cradle will always remain in the open position.  While this does not affect the function and performance of the iM7, it will no longer have a “clean” look on the front panel and the cradle may be prone to further damage.  If you do not think that pulling on the cradle will damage the clip, take a look at the demo unit at your local electronics store.  Almost every one I have seen in a store has a damaged clip and the cradle no longer retracts due to customers pulling on the cradle.

The rear of the iM7 has a rubberized carrying slot, remote control storage compartment, and jacks for the S-Video, Composite Video, Power, Headphone, and Auxiliary Audio Input.  There are 2 compartments in the bottom for the 8 D cell batteries.  The S-Video and Composite Video connectors can be used to display photos and video from an iPod Photo or iPod Video on your television.  So now everyone can enjoy the photos and videos from your iPod along with great sound and music.

The sound quality from the iM7 is impressive.  With 6 speakers and the XdB-enhanced subwoofer, the iM7 can deliver all the sound and volume you will need.  Even when using outdoors, the sound volume is more than enough for your summer beach parties.  The iM7 is powerful enough for the largest room in your home or office.  The sound quality is very good from high to low frequencies, but there is a tendency for the iM7 to distort the sound if you turn the volume up beyond 70%, but this is not unreasonable for a portable system.  The deep, rich bass is a welcome addition to the iM7.  While the subwoofer will not rattle your teeth, it does an exception job of delivering a very full sound from any music.  The iM7 is easy to carry, but its weight does make it a little difficult to be portable and it would have been nice if a carrying bag were included.

The small remote control is very basic, but does a decent job.  I found the range of the IR remote to be less than 10 feet which is fine for small rooms, but poor for large rooms or outdoors.  The remote has controls for power, volume, treble, bass, play/pause, and track forward and backward.  Having bass and treble control for the iM7 is a great feature, but unfortunately Altec Lansing did not include any visual meter or indicator of the bass, treble, or volume levels, so you will have to determine your settings only by listening. 

Overall, I really like the iM7.  Its stylish design, good sound, rich bass, powerful amplifier, and video outputs make the iM7 stand out from most of the other speaker accessories for the iPod.  The $249 price is also in the mid-range for speaker for the iPod and while it is not quite the sound quality of the Apple HiFi, it is $100 less expensive and a nicer design.  So if you are looking for a room full of great sound from your iPod, check out the Altec Lansing iM7.

InMotion iM4
Price: $99.95
Compatible with: Any iPod, MP3, PMP, or CD player with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Having a large sound system with room filling sound is a great way to enjoy your music.  However there are times when a smaller solution that is easy to carry in your briefcase and still provides quality sound is what you want.  The Altec Lansing InMotion iM4 is a slim, lightweight portable sound system that is compatible with any music devices that features a 3.5mm headphone jack.  The iM4 features:

High Efficiency Digital Amplification
4 Watts RMS Total Continuous Power
(2 Watts/channel @ 8 ohms @ 10% THD @ 20-20,000 Hz.)
Four 25mm/1” Neodymium Drivers
60 Hz - 20 kHz Frequency Range
1KHZ Signal to Noise Ratio @>75 DB
AC / Battery Powered
Dual audio inputs
MaxxBass Technology
Class D amplifier
18+ hours of battery life (4 AA)
Self-Retracting audio cable
Black rubberized surface
Weight: 28oz without batteries
Size: 10.25"x5.3"x1.0"
Universal Power Supply with International Plug Set

The iM4 is a stylish product.  The center module is covered in a black rubberized surface that keeps it from slipping on a table and provides a non-scratch area for your iPod or MP3 player.  The left and right speakers tilt down for storage and up for normal use.  In the storage position, the iM4 is slim and easy to carry in the included carrying pouch.  Four AA batteries can be inserted through 2 doors on the bottom.  The front features a power switch and volume slider while the rear has a power input jack, auxiliary audio input jack, retractable audio cable, and a switch to self-retract the audio cable.

The speakers can tilt through a 180 degree range, so you can adjust the iM4 for any surface angle and listening position.  The plastic switch for retracting the audio cable feels a little weak, but I have not had any problems with it, although if the switch were ever to break, you would have no way to retract the cable.  Using the iM4 is very simple.  Just pull out the audio cable, plug it into your iPod or audio device, tilt up the speakers, switch the power on, adjust the volume, and start the music.  When you are finished, power off, disconnect the audio cable, and push the cable retract switch.

The sound quality is good for a personal speaker system.  While the iM4 will obviously not produce room filling, strong bass sound like the iM7, it does deliver an exceptional audio experience for 1 or 2 listeners in a small area.  The MaxxBass technology alters the low end frequency to give the “perception” of more bass without the need for a subwoofer, so the iM4 deliver a solid, rich bass sound.  The mid and high range is very good for a portable system.  It is not too difficult to overdrive the speakers on the iM4, so I do not recommend using more than 75% volume level on the iPod and iM4 at the same time.  Overdriving the iM4 will produce lots of cracking and distortion.  Overall sound quality and volume level is very good for a small room or in a car.

If you want a personal speaker system that delivers good sound, works with almost any audio device, and is portable enough to fit in a briefcase or purse, the Altec Lansing iM4 is a good choice at a reasonable price.

Reviewed by Harvey Lee, Senior Technology Editor

Product:  Altec Lansing iPod Speakers
Manufacturer:  Altec Lansing
Web Site:  http://www.alteclansing.com
Category:  Mobile / Audio Hardware