External Speakers

Then there are times when you want everyone in the world to hear you. Some of these sound systems have enough juice to replace a boom box! Not only that, but they're not all simply speakers; a couple have some interesting extras.

i.Sound PSP Drive 'n Cinema Speaker System

www.dreamgear.net

Whoever thought this up deserves a Nobel Prize. You know those portable DVD players that people spend a thousand dollars on so they can strap them to the back of a car seat so the kids can watch movies from the back seat during long trips? Now you can do that with your PSP, thanks to the PSP Drive 'n Cinema (Figure A.3) from i.Sound.

Figure A.3. Complete with harness, this thing rocks the car.

This package brings new meaning to the term all-inclusive. It comes with an amplified speaker system so that everyone can hear the UMD movies as you cruise on the road or sit back at home. It includes a harness for strapping it to the back of Mom's or Dad's car seat. It includes a cigarette-lighter adapter to keep the PSP charged up for the whole trip. i.Sound even tossed in a headphone splitter so that two people can listen to a movie's audio without the sound blaring throughout the rest of the car or house. The device holds the PSP firmly in place with thumbscrews (Figure A.4), so you don't have to worry about dropping your precious device.

Figure A.4. The PSP fits snugly inside the casing.

To top it all off, the rear of the unit has a stand to set the PSP up on your desk or table so that you can watch a movie without holding it. The power-supply charger that came with your PSP can power the Drive 'n Cinema; simply plug it into the proper receptacle on the Cinema, and plug the other end into a wall socket.

Logitech PlayGear Amp Portable Speakers

www.logitech.com

Here's Logitech again, this time with a cradle for your PSP that features awesome, powerful speakers with some of the best sound around. This cradle folds into a neat carrying case so that you can take it anywhere, open it up, place your PSP inside, and sit back to watch movies or listen to tunes. The PlayGear Amp (Figure A.5) might be the best-sounding external speaker system for the PSP on the market.

Figure A.5. The PlayGear Amp lets you rock out, loud.

A long speaker cable allows you to grab the PSP and start gaming whenever you want, enjoying the game sounds from the PlayGear Amp's ample speakers. The four speaker drivers provide balanced sound with nice bass response and more volume than you actually need, considering that you'll probably be sitting relatively close to them.

You can power this cradle with 4 AA batteries or an included AC adapter, so it's as portable as you want it to be. Note, however, that the PSP only sits in placeit's not fastened or held in any wayso it's not ideal for use in a car.

Nyko Theater Experience for PSP

www.nyko.com

The downside of some cradle speaker systems is that you still rely on your PSP's lithium-ion battery to get you through a movie, a few hours of tunes, or whatever you have in mind. The Nyko Theater Experience for PSP (Figure A.6) has its own built-in li-ion battery that you charge with the PSP's own AC adapter.

Figure A.6. The Theater Experience has speakers, a battery, a stand, a sturdy case, a kitchen sink...

The Theater Experience is many things. When your PSP is docked snugly in its cradle, it uses its own battery to keep the PSP going for 7 or so additional hours. Its cradle also functions as a stand, so you can set it on a desk or table to watch movies or listen to audio. The whole thing folds into a strong, solid carrying case (Figure A.7) that feels like you can drop it down a flight of concrete steps without damaging it (please don't try it), and it has its own crisp speakers and headphone jack on top of all that.

Figure A.7. An armored personnel carrier for your PSP.

Using its battery to amplify its speakers, the Theater Experience boasts terrific sound. A true Nyko-of-all-trades, it's about the handiest thing you can buy for your PSP.