You want to take your tunes on the road, but headphones don't always cut it, and even the smallest home speakers and receivers/amplifiers aren't portable. In this photo gallery, you'll find the top ten portable speakers that have been reviewed by CNET.co.uk's sister site CNET.com. Some are perfect for frequent travellers, while others are best suited for the office or trips to the beach, and all of them have the option of being powered from built-in or replaceable batteries.
1. Altec Lansing InMotion iM7
Strengths: Seamless integration with any dock-connecting iPod; eye-catching design; includes remote; charges the iPod while plugged in; works on AC power or batteries; impressive sound with thumping bass; auxiliary line-in port for use with other audio devices.
Weaknesses: No meter display for bass, treble or volume adjustment; too bulky for ultimate portability; remote can't navigate through menus on the iPod.
Conclusion: The Altec Lansing iM7 offers good sound quality, flexible listening options and handy features, making it a solid choice for any iPod owner in the market for a complementary sound system.
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2. Sonic Impact i-Fusion
Strengths: The Sonic Impact i-Fusion offers great audio quality in a travel-friendly package and at a reasonable price.
Weaknesses: The Sonic Impact i-Fusion neither includes a remote nor natively accommodates the latest iPod.
Conclusion: The Sonic Impact i-Fusion portable speaker system for the Apple iPod is a compact and efficient powerhouse that enables you to share your music with the world -- or at least with those around you.
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3. LG Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100
Strengths: The LG Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100 is really tiny, has a rechargeable internal battery and sounds better than we expected, considering its size.
Weaknesses: There's no volume control on the LG Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100.
Conclusion: If you're looking for ultracompact speakers that don't sacrifice on sound quality, LG's Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100 fits the bill -- and it won't break the bank.
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(Not yet available in the UK)
4. Logitech mm50 Portable Speakers
Strengths: Travel-friendly folding design; built-in rechargeable battery; includes travel pouch, wall charger and remote control; great sound; acts as an iPod charger when plugged in; line-in port for non-iPod MP3 players.
Weaknesses: Slightly larger than other travel speakers; sound distortion at highest volumes.
Conclusion: The Logitech mm50 Portable Speakers for iPod are useful and affordable -- and they sound good, too.
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5. Logitech PlayGear Amp
Strengths: Styled to match the Sony PSP; includes case and adjustable PSP stand; can use both AC adaptor and battery power; compatible with any device that has a standard headphone minijack.
Weaknesses: Closer to backpack size than pocket size; weak bass response results in thin sound; exposed speaker cones are vulnerable to damage.
Conclusion: The Logitech PlayGear Amp is a great audio solution for users looking to get more sound out of their movies, music and games on the PSP.
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6. Altec Lansing InMotion iM4
Strengths: Excellent sound; portable music players fit nicely on the rubberised base; retractable minijack cord; speakers tilt at any angle; can be powered with batteries.
Weaknesses: No remote control; slightly large and heavy compared with other small speaker sets.
Conclusion: The Altec Lansing iM4 finally delivers the bass we've been craving in small portable speakers, and they're not iPod-centric, so you can use them with any MP3 player.
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7. JBL On Tour Portable Music Box
Strengths: Innovative, compact design; high-quality sound.
Weaknesses: Limited controls and extras.
Conclusion: JBL's On Tour is a good choice if you want great-sounding music to share on the road.
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8. Creative TravelDock 900
Strengths: The Creative TravelDock 900's stereo-expanding switch makes music seem bigger, and the speakers pack a decent punch despite their small size.
Weaknesses: Though relatively compact, the Creative TravelDock 900 looks rather clunky when closed.
Conclusion: The Creative TravelDock 900 puts out some decent power for its size, but it's not as small as one might wish for a low-end portable speaker set.
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9. Creative TravelSound 400
Strengths: We dig the travel-friendly design, the swivelling speakers and the 'enhanced stereo' option of the affordable Creative TravelSound 400.
Weaknesses: Unfortunately, the Creative TravelSound 400 offers virtually no low end, and it distorts at high volume levels.
Conclusion: Creative's TravelSound 400 is a snazzy, compact set of travel speakers. The enhanced stereo option manages to make sound seem more spread-out -- albeit with very little low end.
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10. Think Outside Boomtube H2O1
Strengths: Think Outside's Boomtube H201 features a slick, eye-catching design and an internal, rechargeable battery for use on the go.
Weaknesses: The pricey Think Outside Boomtube H201 offers so-so bass response, and there's no holder or slot for portable music players.
Conclusion: The overall design of Think Outside's Boomtube H201 might be unique -- even cool -- but we could have done with more boom.
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Price: around £150 online
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