When the iPod was first released, most viewed it as a personal music
player for traveling, working out, or other "individual" activities. But
that all changed when people started storing their entire music
collections on their iPods and doing away with CDs entirely. Among the
many product categories that emerged in the aftermath was the
iPod-specific speaker system, which lets you listen to your entire
iTunes library out loud but without sacrificing portability. The jWin
I177BLK is the latest incarnation--a user-friendly, compact speaker
system that looks somewhat like a clock radio (and functions like one,
too), but stands ready to deliver deep, rich audio playback. The powered system is outfitted with a dock on the top surface that
holds every iPod model--from the iPod video all the way down to the iPod
shuffle. The dock not only grips the iPod in an easy-to-access location,
making it a breeze to find specific songs or hit shuffle, but it also
charges the iPod while in use. As a result, you can remove the iPod from
the dock right before working out and it'll still be fully charged, even
after playing through the speakers for an entire afternoon. Even better,
the I177BLK isn't restricted to the iPod, as it also connects to other
USB-equipped personal MP3 players. Households with several personal
music players won't be left out of the playback loop.
The system's audio performance is warmly satisfying thanks to jWin's
Aura acoustic technology, which adds depth and clarity to the music
reproduction. And even though the system is built for digital music
files, it also includes a built-in clock, a dual alarm function, and an
AM/FM _radio with PLL digital tuning technology. The radio makes the
unit ideal for bedrooms, offices, and other locations where an alarm
comes in handy. Listeners even have their choice of waking to the iPod,
the radio, or a buzzer.
Additional features include a user-friendly backlit LCD screen, a
precision volume control that ensures a comfortable sound level, a
remote control for maximum convenience, and an external loop antenna
that improves the AM reception. The I177BLK, which comes in a sleek
black housing that measures 11.25 by 3.12 by 6.75 inches (W x H x D), is
backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box
I177BLK speaker system, remote control, iPod adapters,
external AM loop antenna, user's manual.
