Bose SoundDock — £250 from www.buyyourav.com
Four stars
Stylish, iPod-only mains-powered speaker
The best-value horse to bolt from the overpriced Bose stable. Purely an external speaker for iPods — there is no line input for other sources — this impressively sculpted device uses a dedicated Apple connector that also charges your iPod. The SoundDock will fit any iPod, but the connection is temperamental. Sonic performance is imperious for its size, filling a modest-sized room such as a kitchen with a rich, strident sound, though it cannot justify top billing in a living room over a budget hi-fi. The supplied remote control is handy, but the SoundDock is umbilically connected to a mains supply.

By comparison, Altec Lansing’s InMotion IM7 unit (available late summer) is battery-operated and serves up a beefier, barbecue-ready performance for less cash. In the meantime, the SoundDock is the premium iPod speaker for the summer.

FAITHFUL RETAINER

Creative TravelSound 200 — £35 from www.ebuyer.com
Four stars
Ace-value compact speaker. Lacks a decent case
If you hanker for portable music simplicity, then look no further. Creative’s venerable TravelSound speaker will work with any audio source, is available in silver or — you guessed it — white and sounds as good as any MP3 speaker at twice the price.

The mains charger is (relatively) slimline, but you can enjoy at least 10 hours of opera from four AAAs, which is plenty of time to polish off a few bottles of Chablis while serenading on the hotel balcony. Gripes include the fact that it’s tricky to tell if the unit is switched off, and the inadequacy of the soft carry-case. That said, this is a bargain.

POOLSIDE FRIEND

Logitech mm22 — £40 from amazon.co.uk
Four stars
Cute travel speaker with clever fold-up design
The first of several new Logitech MP3 speakers, the mm22 seems to be an iPod-only accessory. Yet, though it comes with iPod-shaped mounting clips, this clever stereo-speaker box has a standard 3.5mm line input. Sound quality is surprisingly creditable for the unit’s size. Though you should not expect crunching bass, it is ideal for lapping up the Stan Getz vibe while reclining on a sun lounger. The “deluxe” hard-shell carry-case can house your MP3 player and power supply — though the mm22 will also sup from four AAA batteries.

BEDSIDE CROONER

JBL OnStage — £115 from www.ebuyer.com
Three stars
Potent, iPod-friendly performer, at a hefty price
The OnStage is curiously ring-shaped, rather like an iced doughnut, with a dedicated iPod connection, though you can plug any audio source into the line input. Like Charlotte Church, it produces a voluble performance from a modestly sized package. It can also utilise the iPod’s timer function to become an alarm clock. The OnStage performs only with a mains connection, and its hefty power supply won’t be in an overnight bag. Perfect for a bedroom where space is at a premium. Elsewhere? Not tonight, Josephine.

EXECUTIVE TOY

Philips ShoqBox — £90 from amazon.co.uk
Three stars
Overpriced travel toy that packs in plenty of tricks
The ShoqBox is more than a mere external speaker. It ruggedly totes 256MB of Flash memory — enough for a fistful of albums — as well as an FM radio (plus timer) and an LCD display. This is all powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. The thing is, do you really want these extra functions? The ShoqBox’s biggest shock is that its 4W RMS audio output sounds no better than travel speakers that are considerably cheaper. This all-in-one package will enliven a businessperson’s barren hotel room. Otherwise, it’s a rip-off.

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