Few iPod speaker systems on the market today seem to find that perfect balance of features and sound. The Harman Kardon Go + Play, however, combines amazing sound, advanced iPod controls and cool looks in one package.

The Go + Play boasts a smart, industrial design, with speaker ports in the front and back of its oblong body hosting its tweeters and woofers. The black body with silver trim has a flat, built-in iPod dock, which is a twist from the traditional top-down style slot. Three simple control buttons--volume and power--sit atop the system just below its carrying handle. Four small ports are on the back, including power, s-video out for connecting to an external monitor to display iPod video and photos, USB so an iPod can sync with iTunes on a computer, and 3.5mm auxiliary input for audio playback from other portable audio devices.

An included six button, multi-function remote has two modes: music control and iPod. We found this double-duty very innovative--a press of the mode button not only controls track selection and volume, but navigates the iPod's on-screen menus. The only caveat here is that, as the iPod is laying flat in the dock, you either need to look at the screen close-up or know how the menus are laid out.

Audio tests on the Go + Play revealed a great listening experience across the entire sound spectrum. One can easily pick out the highs, mid-range and bass as music plays. The bass in particular was notable for just enough thump. Audio, even at the highest volume, was virtually undistorted to our ears.

There were a lot of other features we liked about the Go + Play, including simultaneous charging and iTunes syncing of the iPod when docked, video output, portability via eight type D batteries, a good selection of iPod adapters (including for the mini and nano) to give a good fit in the dock and a storage compartment on the speaker's back for the remote. We believe the Harman Kardon Go + Play to currently be one of the best iPod speaker systems on the market. It may be a little pricey, but you will feel like you have gotten your money's worth with this device.

Pros: Industrial design, amazing sound, advanced iPod controls
Cons:Expensive, flat iPod dock limits on-screen iPod viewing

Warranty
1 year, limited