The Bose SoundDock Docking Station for the iPod --- An Exemplary Digital Music System

The reason so many people have taken a liking to the iPod, is that it is so portable. I like them myself too, writing about the Fourth Generation 20GB iPod that I use. Sometimes though, you want music, but don't want the burden of carrying around a device best suited for working out, or listening to during long walks or runs. However, when you are cleaning the house, hanging out with friends, or cooking in the kitchen, it’s not quite so easy. That is probably a main reason that Apple and Bose got together to create docking stations that you could plug into your iPod, and gain you the ability to listen to music around your house. Not only does in increase the level of use that you can get from your iPod, but it almost makes a normal stereo system obsolete if you use it correctly.

This is the Bose SoundDock Docking Station, created for all types of iPods. It doesn't matter if you have a 10 GB, a mini, or a 60 GB Photo / Video capable iPod, you are going to be able to hook it up with this docking station. The product comes with the SoundDock digital music system, 1 power cord, 1 power pack, 2 dock inserts, a remote control, and the instruction manual printed in several different languages. It comes with the different inserts, because the different styles of iPods work with a different one of the inserts. In the manual they list all of the options, so that you can be sure whether to use insert A or insert B. I use option A for the 20 GB iPod, and all you do is take the insert, and place in the front "docking" part of the system. In snaps in nicely, and this is where you will be hooking the iPod itself up to the system when you are ready to use it.

When you have the insert ready to go, you can get started with plugging the power cable into the wall and then into the power pack intended to help and protect your iPod and system. You then hook that power pack up to the back of the system, and you are virtually ready to start up your system. Nearly all iPods will work once plugged in using their "plug and play" internal programs, but if you for some reason don't have the correct software, they give you a web-site to go to while connecting your iPod. From there you can download anything additional that you might need. As soon as you plug in your iPod it may start recharging if the battery isn't fully charged, which is a really cool thing, because it means you can double your use as a recharge session for your iPod. With everything plugged in, and the power flowing through your iPod, you can do virtually everything else from your remote control. On the base of the SoundDock you do have additional volume controls if you want to control it from there, but you won't need to if you keep hold of the remote.

On the remote you have of course the power button to control the system, and volume up/down buttons to control how loud your sound becomes. There are also directional keys to skip forward songs in your play list (all the songs on your iPod) or to backtrack through them until you find something else you like. The final button is the pause button, which also doubles as a play button when you are ready to start up the music. A neat trick, is that if you press and hold this button down for a second or two, it will turn your iPod off. The remote is on the small size constituting of only a few buttons, but it is surprisingly powerful when you put it to use. It works from across the house, and the signal works from different rooms as well. It actually works better than some of the other remotes (like the spare television) that are in the house right now. To keep it running, a 3-volt lithium battery has been installed, which is easy to change out if you ever exhaust its power.

Bose is really top-of-the-line when it comes to electronics products, and I think they produce some of the best speaker lines on the market. This system is very impressive, and provides quite a punch in terms of volume, and clarity of sound when you turn it up louder and louder. It sounds so great, even from the bottom floor of the house, and the base that you can hear with some of the most involved songs really makes it a pleasure to listen to. It has amazed me just how high the level of clarity in the sound and the singing on songs is with this system. I guess it should have been expected though, because I have never seen a Bose system that didn't sound great. In regards to size, this one measure out to 16 x 20 x 12 inches, and has a weight of 6 pounds total. The remote is about the size of a credit card, and the look of the system is improved by the nice white coloring. It really fits into any room that you decide to place it in.

The Bose SoundDock is compatible with iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPods with video. The Docking cradle charges the iPod while it is plugged in, and you don't have to use any additional wires or cables that came with your iPod to do that. The system just flat out works great, and the sound quality exuded from the SoundDock is something that everyone would enjoy listening to. One thing to note, is that when you are using the remote, always remember where you are putting it, because this one has already been lost once for a few days. Because it is slightly on the small side, the remote can be misplaced just about anywhere. Also, the cost could be somewhat of a detractor for someone on a tight budget because this one is selling in the neighborhood of $300.00. All I can say is that it was a great thing that this one was a gift! I enjoy listening to this SoundDock, and the ease of the plug-and-play system saved a lot of time and stress during set-up. Because of how well it works, and how great the music sounds while being used, this Bose SoundDock Digital Music System is getting my extremely high recommendation.