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Get a docking speaker system for your MP3 player ...
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Get a docking speaker system for your MP3 player for £20 delivered
What's the deal?
The big problem with personal Ipods is how do you irritate others with your 'eclectic' music selection? The easiest and cheapest solution is just to plug it into your speakers or stereo, yet the massive popularity of portable MP3 devices has spawned a market for docking speaker systems.
Previously these were prohibited and even though they're the 'designed option' it wasn't worth it, yet now the price has dropped below £20, they're no longer such an unncessary luxury.
Next is the Intempo IDS-01b Speakers and Docking Station* available from Amazon for £20 including package and posting (provided you choose supersaver delivery). This is £10 cheaper than the next cheapest stockist for this model and its usually at £40.
For more power, a 15w RMS Trust 2.1 Mp3 Speaker Set Sp-3550b from Ebuyer is £30. This set has a small subwoofer and two mini speakers for clarity, and an 'enhanced 3D sound' mode.
IF YOU FIND ONE CHEAPER ELSEWHERE PLEASE CLICK REPLY AND REPORT IT BELOW. Plus do give your feedback if you already have one of these models listed.
Forget the docking station, how do I plug my Ipod into my stereo.
As mentioned above, the ultimate MoneySaving is not to buy one of these! If you already have a good hi-fi system at home which has an external input, then plug your MP3 player into that. You might need to get a 3.5mm (headphone) mini-jack to RCA (phono) lead, but these can be acquired very cheaply.
Martin
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I think they are a total waste of moeny as they have terrible sound quality compared to plugging it into a decent hi-fi seperates sound system. I appreciate that some people dont have the space but I'd rather pay a bit more to someone like RICHER SOUNDS and have somenthing thats not tinny and awful.
I agree, in general, except that there's nothing to prevent you making a decent-sounding docking station if you wanted to. I don't see how any of these things can be recommended without actually listening to them. And "enhanced 3d sound" does nothing for the frequency response, i.e. how tinny it sounds.
That said, I believe Costco had them in a few weeks ago for for £169....which for what you're getting, is a bit of a steal. John Lewis stock 'em ....go along & feel the sheer weight of the satellite speakers (heavy) & the accompanying sub (very heavy)...which in speaker terms is always a good thing! (but obviously, this is for a static home setup scenario....not for travellers!)
Last edited by HankMcSpank; 31-01-2007 at 8:16 AM..
I agree with the sound thing completely, and would normally avoid buying speakers as the sound is a waste of money regardless of 'cheapness'. However I travel a lot and obviously can't connect it to a decent hi-fi so had to decide on something 'worthy' of playing my music.
As a result (and it's more than £20) but I'd recommend the Creative TravelSound400s, which have a suprisingly excellent 80Db sound.
Cheapest I found them tonight was eBay, but then that's only until 1/2/07. I got mine from DABS last Easter during a 'sale'.
Hi all,
If you own a Zen try using the Creative Labs online store on eBay, They do the Creative Zen Traveldock speakers for £30 + £6 delivery...cheapest around by far, the next cheapest place was over £50 where I looked!
They're the 2 Pin EU Version but it doesn't matter, I got one and I found out how to plug it straight in...Plus, it runs off bateries.
I know the whole point of this thread was cheap docking stations but my recommendation for proper music lovers would be the Klipsch iGroove. It's a good size, attractive (the Apple & Bose devices are hideous!) and the sound is phenomonal!
Curry's and Dixons have it for £149.99 at the mo which is a great price.
Think it'll be the delivery charge that'll just tip it over the £20
If they're only £20 I think I'd go and collect it myself!
My daughter has a Logic7 2.1 speaker system for her ipod. Quality isn't great but it takes up little room on her bedside table, means she doesn't lose her ipod (as daughters will) and it charges it too. Costs a lot more than £20 but I also picked one up on ebay for £20+del for my SIL.
I know the whole point of this thread was cheap docking stations but my recommendation for proper music lovers would be the Klipsch iGroove. It's a good size, attractive (the Apple & Bose devices are hideous!) and the sound is phenomonal!
Curry's and Dixons have it for £149.99 at the mo which is a great price.
I can't recommend it enough!
Another vote for the iGroove. DH bought one in the US and the sound is amazing!
80dB signal to noise ratio is nothing to write home about, and says nothing about how tinny the unit will sound, I'm afraid. What might is the frequency response, but, as usual, the figure provided does not include the tolerance to which it was measured, making it totally and utterly useless.
Edit: from what you said, it seems you may have thought that "80dB" refers to how loud they are. It doesn't: it's how much louder the wanted noise is than the unwanted noise.
Allow another £20 for speaker cable and an ipod interconnect and you have a very simple system here that:
a) Will spank even the most expensive of ipod docks
b) is upgradeable
c) will probably last many more years than the cheap plastic crap you get for £20
d) costs less than £100.
e) Not just limited to Ipod - can be used with any mp3 player with a headphone jack
oh and yes - i appreciate this cant be taken on holiday etc but this is purely for sound quality.
If you really want to save your money dont waste it on a naff ipod dock - please!
Last edited by Neiliboy; 03-02-2007 at 1:45 PM..
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Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps.
Get a docking speaker system for your MP3 player for £20 delivered
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