Logic3 i-Station Docking Station for iPods and other MP3 Players - White

But think about where you'll be using this -- hotel room, tent, office, bedside; in other words, nowhere you'll want (or be able) to listen at mega volumes. At its functional volume the sound is fine and well-balanced; the 'subwoofer' adds realistic bass that doesn't sound artificially boosted (a common fault with mini-speakers and headphones alike), vocals are warm and the top end is clear without being hissy. Of course it's not going to sound as good as your separates or even a top set computer speakers, but for the price and size it's impressive.

The accessory kit is good -- adaptors for every iPod; USB and Firewire ports AND cables supplied; a line-in and connector cable for other portable devices. There's also the option of using batteries (inexplicably not available on all such systems, including JBL's OnStage) -- given which, I don't really understand the reviewer who found the system heavy and cumbersome.

The i-Station isn't quite as good as Altec Lansing's inMotion in terms of either sound or build quality, but it's half the price, and more than adequate for any situation in which you're likely to use it. And I'd bet money that it's at as good as or better than the new megabucks Bose offering (everything they've made is a rip-off aimed at posers with cloth ears and more money than sense).

It's either this or the inMotion (that has wireless remote, but it doesn't cater for households that have both iPod and iPod mini). I decided to go for the i-Station and spend the difference on music, and I'm not sorry.


Simply wonderful!   March 17, 2005
remarx1968
156 out of 159 found this review helpful

I had a demo recently of a top-end iPod speaker solution from a Famous Manufacturer with a four-letter name, which carries what may also be charitably described as a 'four-letter price tag'. This product rivals it in terms of sound quality, beats it in terms of utility, and pummels it into the ground in terms of price.

The iStation is astonishingly light, stylish, and versatile. The surround processor is a revelation, the input options are comprehensive, and the array of cabling which is generously bundled with the unit is a real bonus. The ability to power the unit with AA batteries where no power supply is available is a great idea too. Add to this the fact that the dock recharges your iPod into the bargain, and I'm struggling to think what else you'd want a pair of external speakers to do. Don't concern yourself re. changing the base plate to the one which corresponds to your model -- it's a doddle, somehow managing to be easy to prise out, yet solid as a rock when fitted at the same time.

Good looks and functionality aside, the sound this unit cranks out is clear, balanced, and surprisingly loud, and I'd recommend it on this basis alone.

It you own an iPod and are looking to fill a hotel room, study or bedroom with your music, look no further. There are legions of folk whose main stereo will sound worse than this, believe me.

Buy it and enjoy it.


So Glad I went for this....   March 9, 2005
148 out of 151 found this review helpful

I'd been looking at speaker docks ever since buying my ipod mini and was considering the altec lansing iMini which I found quite expensive, then I saw this advertised and because it was half the price decided to take the chance. I am now very glad I did, it looks great, nice rounded edges and the blue lights are really cool and it sounds fantastic! the one thing i worried about was would it be loud enough, certainly not a problem with this product I've never had it on full volume as I can hear it throughout the entire house at half volume. The number of addition cables provided is great and I'm sure the european adapter will come in very handy, you can charge your ipod while you listen and the whole thing folds flat into something smaller than most hardback books with a plastic cover to protect the speakers during transport.
If your considering speakers for your ipod for portability, sound and price these cant be beaten.


Fantastic product at a fantastic price   February 1, 2005
J. E. Davidson (UK)
85 out of 87 found this review helpful

It looks great (although it helps that I have a white iPod). It is lightweight (very light) and compact; ideal for travelling. For transport and storage the central sub-woofer sits between the two speakers, in use the sub-woofer is folded down providing a solid base and exposing the iPod connector.

A great feature is that the station recharges the iPod (again, fantastic if you are travelling or on holiday and do not want to bring a laptop) and for further convenience UK and European power cables are also provided.

A number of different trays are providing to accommodate the different models of iPod - it is relatively easy to change trays although a sharp implement is required.

The sound is good, much better than I had expected and although it does not match the quality of a good stereo system it is more than acceptable for the office and travelling.

You can also use the station for synchronising your iPod (via FireWire or USB - cables provided) and you can play other devices through the speakers.

All in all, it is a fantastic product. Recommended


Let the listening begin!   January 31, 2006
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Before I begin praising the Istation, I'd like to point out that it is not, and I repeat not, the device to buy if you are looking for an exceptional quality, resounding bass, multiple room house party sound system. A lot of the negative press the Istation has received focuses largely on its inability to cope with very high sound levels before either no higher volume option is offered or the sound quality is compromised, as well as its inefficiency as a sound system beyond a neat little set of travel/one-room speakers. These aspects - except for that of sound distortion which, in my particular case, didn't occur with any songs save those whose MP3 quality wasn't top notch prior to being transferred to the Ipod - are essentially true: it doesn't offer rich, booming, floorboard-vibrating sound sufficient for a house party, being limited to a volume that although loud, would perhaps not satisfy the needs of the more speaker-savvy and those looking for quality more likely to be found in the excellent but pocket-burning BOSE system. What it does do, however, is exactly what it says on the tin: it's a docking station for various forms of Ipods and other audio devices such as CD and MP3 players, allowing you to play music and simultaneously recharge your Ipod - or just let it sit there in silence and recharge -, and can be connected to the computer or battery-operated to make holiday or travel listening possible. What they don't tell you on the tin is that, while this is no BOSE SoundDock, the daddy of Ipod playback - after all, it's very easy to set up, easier still to get going, and offers a volume level that can certainly be classified as very loud for one or two rooms whilst still offering excellent sound quality that isn't compromised (unlike a cheaper PC speaker, for example, which may distort when playing deep bass, piercing strings or multi-layered orchestral music, fuzzing and straining to be turned down). The Istation doesn't offer that level of increasingly sick-sounding volume; instead it provides playback at levels that keep the music sounding well balanced, fuzz-free and great to pump up as high as it will go. It doesn't sound tinny and one-dimensional, but provides multi-layered, resonant music, ideal for the modest purpose for which it was created. While it wouldn't fit in your trouser pocket it's certainly portable, being lightweight and about the length and width of the average DVD case, though an inch or so thicker. I particularly like the inclusion of a European adaptor as I'm living abroad for six months, meaning reduced faffing with travel adaptors. My only criticism would be the lack of a remote allowing me to indulge in complete rather than partial laziness, but as it is I'll have to raise my finger occasionally to adjust the volume (oh, the strain). In summary, you get what you pay for, and this is money well spent. It's no BOSE, it's no Royal Albert Hall, but it is a neat, portable, easy-to-use system ideal for the listener who wants something for their bedroom or travel case that provides beautiful, if modest, sound quality. As I'm sure you've worked out by now, I'm no technical expert or speaker specialist, but I know what I think sounds good and what I want from my sound system, bearing in mind the objectives and limits of the model, and keeping a beady eye on the price. With that in mind, the Logic 3 Istation delivers on every count.