Reviews for Bose SoundDock iPod Speaker System

MPN: 35703

  • 5
  By member: cptucci - Mar 13, 2006

The Best Thing I Own!

Strengths: Amazing sound quality that does not distort when turned up to max. Easiest thing to set up. Easier to turn off the IPod than the IPods "off" function itself.

Weakness: No input port. Remote is only used for volume and the shuffle functions (next, back, pause and off).

When I got his home and dropped the IPod in I was blown away by the sound quality. I could hardly believe the BIG sound from this little box. Absolutely no distortion when cranked all the way up. I could hear it clearly from 2 rooms away. It beats almost all of my other stereo equipment in sound quality.

It's more useful than your computer when it comes to playing your MP3s. In truth, this and your IPod can serve all of your stereo needs. I wish I could connect other digital stuff to it. The sound is killer!

The one major downfall, actually minor, is that you have to switch your playlists, shuffle modes from the IPod's touchpad control and it dosen't have a very tight fit in the base, so even with the correct insert, there is some give and sway.

I know it's expensive, but when you consider it's all you need together with your IPod to make a exceptionally outstanding stereo, it's worth it! Friends with big systems will be impressed.

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  • 5
  By member: BestDigitalDeals - Apr 20, 2005

Bose SoundDock iPod Speaker System

Strengths: great clear sound, charges the iPod, remote control

Weakness: too bulky for travel

When I first plugged in the Ipod into the SoundDock, I could not believe that such great sound could come from such a small speaker. The sound is clear and you can turn up the volume really loud without losing clarity. The SoundDock provides more than adequate sound to any medium to large size room. I could not be happier with this purchase.

Before making the purchase, I went to the Apple store and truied the SoundDock, the JBL Onstage and the Altec Lansing InMotion. There is no comparison in sound quality between the three systems. The Bose blows the other two away. The only plus to the Altec Lansing InMotion is that it folds up small and would be much better for travel. However, If sound quality is your main concern, look no further than the Bose SoundDock.

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  • 4
  By member: zapatar - Dec 5, 2005

Good but not great

Strengths: Crisp sound

Weakness: Not enough "oomph". Pricey

I researched this last march quite a bit to see which I would give as a gift. At the time, I thought this was a great product and it certainly was the best out there. Now, however, I think there are other options you could purchase depending on what you are looking for. For example, there is the Klipsch iGroove and the Altec Lansing inMotion iM7. These products might suit your needs for less that what you would pay for the SoundDock.

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  • 4
  By member: Dissector - Mar 1, 2005

Bose SoundDock iPod Speaker System

Strengths: sound quality

Weakness: bass not as deep

A very nice system to complement my 20GB ipod. Hooked right up without a problem, charges and plays it very clearly. The only weakness is the bass. It's a little weak compared to my other Bose products.

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  • 3
  By member: kunny - Oct 29, 2005

Sounds good!!!

Strengths: Smart design and looks. Great sound

Weakness: Needs more power... cannot have a party using this dock

Overall I like this product. I wish that there was little more power / bass in the system.

The design and the looks of the product are very smart. I wont say that this is a must have product though

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  • 4
  By member: Got Gadget? - Jan 15, 2006

Bose brings the big sound to the iPod party

Strengths: Trademark Bose sound quality, compact size, cradle charges iPod while in use, remote control included

Weakness: Pricy, dock inserts do not hold iPod extremely firmly, no auxilliary inputs for other music players or Apple AirPort Express.

Before purchasing the Bose SoundDock speaker, I had purchased another manufacturers iPod speaker product. That one started to have problems connecting to a docked iPod, so I returned it and went for the Bose SoundDock... and boy was I pleased. I had decided not to buy the Bose SoundDock the first time around because it was 2-3x the price of the other competitors. But with the higher price comes stunning sound quality.

The Bose SoundDock loosely resembles the Wave Radio in it's style and will fit into almost any room decor without being obtrusive. The SoundDock has an iPod cradle positioned in front of the speaker that accomodates all docking connector iPods (product literature confirms compatability up to and including the iPod nano, but I assume the iPod Video as well). The cradle also serves as a charging source for the iPod when docked. I did notice that my iPod (30GB iPod Photo) doesn't seat in the cradle as securely as it does in the Apple dock, and it moves a little when selecting tracks with the scroll wheel.

The audio quality is magnificent for an iPod speaker accessory. Mine has soaring highs and booming bass, and my I have literally never heard sounds this good produced by my iPod. It's amazing that this all is delivered by such a compact speaker.

My recommendation to those who might say that this product lacks any sonic ability whatsoever is to ensure that their music library and downloaded iTunes are of decent bitrate (higher than 160 Kbps AAC or 192 Kbps MP3). I presume if any reduction in audio quality is evident that lower bitrate files are the cause. (**Apple's statement of the number of songs that can fit on an iPod assume 128 Kbps song quality, which is less than CD quality**)

The only gripe that I have with the overall design of the Bose SoundDock is the absence of an auxiliary input jack. Other similar products include such a jack, and I had used my Apple AirPort Express accessory to stream music from iTunes on my PC to my speaker dock, but this is not possible with the Bose SoundDock. Hopefully this is incorporated on a future upgrade of this otherwise fantastic product.

You will find the price range for this speaker to be fixed at $299 or higher because most retailers exclude Bose products when they offer percentage or cash off discounts. Your best bet would be to locate the Bose SoundDock at a reputable online retailer that offers free shipping and does not charge tax.

Do not be scared by this price tag. The Bose SoundDock is worth every penny.

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  • 5
  By member: vincerug - May 7, 2006

Bose Sound Dock

Strengths: Great sound as advertised...It can be used in a large family room and the quality does not diminish.....Much More expensive than it's competition but if you want the best sound..this is the one...

Weakness: It's a shame that it has no other uses...no fm, cd etc...once the i pod becomes obsolete then you have a $300 speaker system with no other function...

If you like great sound and don't concern yourself about the cost, this as a great system...if you're one of those who just wants to hear the music irrespective of the quality...save your money and buy a less expensive system...

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  • 4
  By member: bulldog93 - Dec 16, 2005

Bose SoundDock

Strengths: Good sound from a small footprint.

Weakness: Price.

I got this for an extrememly great deal. The sound is great, but does not have enough bass. The Klipsch model is $50 cheaper but has better sound quality and better bass. It is proably the second-best iPod speaker system available after the Klipsch.

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  • 5
  By member: jobbe - Dec 8, 2005

Bose-Is there really any other choice?

Strengths: Fantastic sound quality. Small size definately a plus. Charges while it plays, thank you Bose!

Weakness: For my family setting the sound level is more than appropriate. For the younger, partying kind of crowd it might be as loud as they would prefer.

Unbelievable sound from such a compact unit. There as several other competitors on the market which I considered and I am so cery glad I deceided to spend a couple of extra dollars and get this fantastic system.

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  • 4
  By member: xiaowei - Feb 6, 2006

Good product.

Strengths: Sound quality. Easy to use.

Weakness: No other input port.

The Bose sound dock is the best IPod speaker I have used. Great sound quality. Very intuitive remote. As stylish as any IPod. It works perfectly with my Mini and Nano. Three connector inserts are included. One for older models, one for Nano, and one for everything else. I had no problem using my Nano with the normal insert. So, I can swap in a Mini easily.
I do wish it had a normal stereo-in port. Who knows what sound source may be popular next year?

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  • 3.4
  testseek.com - Nov 4, 2008

Bose SoundDock

TestSeek.com has collected 21 expert reviews for Bose SoundDock and the average expert rating is 68 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use TestSeek.com to find all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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  • 4.0
  pocket-lint.co.uk - Feb 15, 2005

Bose Sound Dock

If you've got the cash this is a very impressive speaker.

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  • 4.0
  laptopmag.com - Nov 30, -0001

Bose SoundDock

The SoundDock is hardly a newcomer to this category, but we didn’t feel right doing an iPod speaker roundup without including Bose’s ultra-popular system. Like the iPod itself, the SoundDock’s design is elegant in its sparseness...

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  • 4.0
  ilounge.com - Nov 30, -0001

Bose SoundDock

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