Digital Trends

The SoundDock is Bose's attempt to impress iPod owners who are looking for a convenient docking solution without sacrificing style and sound.  Among casual consumers, Bose represents assured quality without the need to know the technical tidbits behind the scenes.  In a way, it's the perfect match for the iPod:  simplicity over customizing.  To audiophiles, Bose is an overpriced alternative with comparatively mediocre sound.  If you are an audiophile, chances are you use MP3s solely for the portability and convenience factors.  But for those reasons, even audiophiles may want to give the SoundDock a try.

Since the iPod comfortably sits on the lion's share of the hard drive based MP3 player market, manufacturers have been scrambling to offer the best custom add-ons for the popular audio player.  While most compact audio shelf systems offer a sound input connector, the lure of custom, matching iPod-specific speakers and headphones has created a sub-industry between the iPod and traditional audio markets.  Bose brings a familiar consumer name to the playing field with the SoundDock.