Using an iPod As a Portable Home Stereo or Boombox

If you want to be able to listen to your iPod without headphones, use it as a home stereo, or use it as a portable boombox, you can obtain a set of iPod speakers. Typically, the iPod drops into a Dock-like port on the speakers. When powered via an AC adapter, the iPod also charges while you are using it. Some speakers can be battery powered too, so you can use the iPod boombox anywhere.

Many iPod speakers are available, and most offer similar features. My favorite is the Altec Lansing IM3c (see Figure 8.3). These speakers are about the size of a small hardcover book and fold flat for easy storage. They can be run on the included AC adapter or on batteries. The unit also includes a remote control so you can control the iPod music from a distance. But the best part about these amazing speakers is how good they sound; you won't be sacrificing anything for the unit's small size. I take my set with me whenever I travel so I can have my own stereo system in hotel rooms or wherever I happen to be.

Figure 8.3. Altec Lansing IM3c speakers are small and compact, but the sound they produce is anything but small.

If the cost of a set of speakers like this is prohibitive for you, you can purchase an inexpensive set of computer speakers and plug them into the Headphones jack on the iPod. You'll need to make sure you get a powered set of speakers because the iPod won't be able to provide enough volume to unpowered speakers.

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One of the features I like best about the IM3c speakers is that they also include a Line In port to which you can connect other devices. For example, when watching DVDs on my laptop computer, I connect its audio output to the IM3c speakers. This provides much better sound quality than the tinny speakers on most laptops.