Bose's audio systems are among the most popular on the market, and for good reason: they provide powerful sound from a relatively small digital device. But Bose's products tend to be a bit more expensive than those of many of its competitors; it's part of the brand's allure, but is it worth it?

The SoundDock has been a favorite among iPod owners since it was released nearly four years ago. This new version is slimmer and more portable, and it runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It includes an easy-to-use remote that navigates songs and playlists, as well as auxiliary inputs that allow you to attach devices other than an iPod.

The SoundDock is available in both glossy white and black, so it looks great in practically any room. It sounds pretty great, too; it fills our average-size room with sound and handles music from many genres -- from classical to The Clash -- quite well. What's more, it almost sounds better outside, as it offers a much more immersive audio experience in the open air than we expected.

The SoundDock also includes several nice design features: a removable external power supply that wraps nicely around a cord groove, a rotating dock that swivels closed when not in use, and a recessed grip in the back of the speaker, to name a few. The SoundDock is designed to primarily work with the iPod family of products, but it will accept other scroll-wheel-controlled players through its auxiliary inputs.

Is the Bose SoundDock worth its high price? It certainly outperforms other speakers that sell for significantly less, and the units that do best Bose in terms of audio quality typically cost hundreds of dollars more. An FM tuner would add a bit more versatility to the system, but overall, it's difficult not to recommend the Bose, high price and all.


Pros: Great sound, responsive remote control, portability, elegant appearance
Cons: No FM tuner, high price

Warranty
1 year