Recommendation please: Ipod 'speakers'

You might have already ruled out earphones, but in case you haven't, I'd highly recommend the ER4p earphones by Etymotic Research, which is what I use with my iPods. The good thing about the ER4p (the 'p' stand for portable) as opposed to the ER4s (the 's' stand for stereo) is that the ER4p doesn't require any additional amplification -- it was built for portables like your iTouch, and they sound awesome!: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4.aspx You just won't get anywhere near the sound quality from tin-can speakers like Bose, JBL, or Harmon Kardon speakers made for portables... however if you just want background music while you're in your office and you need to be able to hear the phone ring, then I'll defer to others who might have experience with tin-can speakers. But you at least owe it to yourself to hear how good your iTouch can sound with some er4ps or some shure SE530s: http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/P..._se530_content

this is one of my many areas of expertise.

speakers sold as "ipod speakers" are crap. at least from the hundreds and perhaps thousands and millions i've seen. they are nonetheless sold due to a lack of consumer awareness.

if you are thinking that connecting your ipod from its headphone jack to an amp or speakers is crap, you are right. but what most people don't know is that you can readily purchase cables from the ipod's line-out dock to an amp, speaker, etc. these are frequently abbreviated as "ipod LOD cables." the ipod's line-out produces exceptional sound quality, even better than if you were to dock your ipod in a dock station and make an audio connection from there (since the "line-out" of the dock station isn't a true line-out).

so what i strongly recommend is to get a good general sound system that's going to be more versatile and have better sound and then just get the corresponding LOD cable. since your audio source is now a line-out, your ipod won't be able to adjust the volume but you will be able to with your sound system. the line-out signal is "pure" and of a constant set volume. if you've ever connected speakers via an ipod's headphone jack, ever noticed how the sound distorts and the bass levels and general sound quality fluctuates depending on the volume you set on your ipod?

however, if all you care about is convenience and you like shitty sound, please disregard this entire post.

have a nice day!

I agree with IEDs over speakers. I use Westone UM2s but Etymotic is usually easier to find.

if mr. chobo chobo wants to be able to hear background noise, e.g. an office phone ringing, he should definitely avoid IEDs, as they are designed to seal off outside noise. your best bet would then be earbuds. i highly recommend the PK series by Yuin, and you have 3 options depending on your budget. the PK3 is like $40 i believe and they sound AMAZING. and not just for earbuds, but as headphones in general.

The B&W Zeppelin is the thing to get but barring that look at www.musicdirect.com for the Monitor Audio iDeck on sale.

Have you listened to this Zeppelin? I love B&W speakers and am contemplating this setup: But I'd really be curious to hear this Zeppelin with an iPod. Have you or has anyone actually listened to the Zeppelin? Please comment on your experience.... I mean, I realize it would be unfair to compare the Zeppelin to a full-sized system, but... is it OK for a bedroom? And while I'm at it -- has anyone tried or does anyone have an iMod? http://www.redwineaudio.com/iMod.html http://aloaudio.com/index.html

I did hear a Zeppelin and it is terrific. It has also received some great reviews.

Amerikajinda, if you can afford a surround B&W Diamond system then you are doing very well financially.

Selling ties shipped worldwide for $14 must be more lucrative than I had thought.

It's all about volume! You've gotta think "cookie cutter" -- just keep churning them out...

Assuming you don't want to go the expensive Hi-Fi route--you are much better off getting a set of computer speakers with an analog-in jack and getting a $5 analog cable then getting one of those iPod speaker units. You'll get much better sound quality for the price, even if you don't get a remote or other iPod control buttons. Logitech makes some very good quality 5.1 pairs for the money that have analog input jacks, I suggest looking into whatever Logitech makes for the money you're interested in spending.

Another good option, perhaps the best in fact, is to get the Audio Engine 5 speakers which are self-powered and have an iPod jack.

Are you hooking them up to a stereo? Using them with a computer? Using them by themselves? Pick one so everybody can narrow down their recommendations.

I'm using Harman Kardon Soundsticks II with my iPod and they work great!!