Audio Pro Porto iPod speaker system goes vertical

Branching out from the oh-so-typical when it comes to iPod sound systems is Audio Pro, who has put together a fairly unique docking station that takes your music (and iPod) higher. The rectangular, vertical design scheme may not fit the elongated mold that has been created for these type devices, but it plays nice with your dock-connecting iPod, tunes into FM stations, and handles a duo of other auxiliary units nevertheless. The boxes don black or red color schemes, sport a removable grill to show off the trio of drivers beneath, and even includes a nifty carry handle that admittedly detracts from the overall allure while adding utility. No word on price nor availability just yet, but be sure to click through for a darker shade.

[Via ChipChick]

[strider_mt2k @ May 24th 2007 11:36AM]

I'd take one in black if they made it for my Sansa e280. :\

[zoara @ May 24th 2007 11:40AM]

The one with the grille removed looks anthropomorphic - is it singing along?

[Parker @ May 24th 2007 11:57AM]

What's with the nose? It just looks awkward poking through the cover like that.

[kevink @ May 24th 2007 1:05PM]

Looks like a world war trench phone

[Ralph @ May 24th 2007 1:25PM]

Finally, a vertically-oriented iPod dock. I'll buy one the day they're released.

[Brandon @ May 24th 2007 2:30PM]

Commander we are taking heavy artillery fire from style critics!

I like the retro style but I don't even use my or should I say my 3 year olds ipod, loaded with Disney movies. Can you make one that has a Madagascar theme to it.

[Matt @ May 24th 2007 2:34PM]

Wow, that's so weird, I was just thinking that the one thing we really need is another iPod docking station!
[/sarcasm]

On the plus side, they must be rapidly approaching market saturation, so hopefully this crap will level off.

[macha88 @ May 24th 2007 6:04PM]

engadget logo on tag thing...?

[Mikael @ May 25th 2007 3:50AM]

The Audio Pro Porta costs 3130 SEK in Sweden in the store I checked (which translate to roughly 460 USD). On the other hand, that price inkludes 25% VAT, so would translate to about 370 USD before VAT.

The box is also (will also be?) available in silver.

[mikeminx @ Jun 11th 2007 4:56PM]

The Porto uses the same technology as the Geneva sound system (http://www.genevalab.co.uk) to reproduce a stereo soundfield.
I own the Geneva model XL and having been a sound engineer for the past 17 years I have tried and used in my work a great deal of R.E.A.L.L.Y. expensive and excellent studio monitor speakers.
I now use the Geneva which isn't even designed to be a stuido monitor.
But don't take my word for it. The depth and positioning information you get with the Embracing Sound technology (http://www.embracingsound.com), used in both the Geneva and the Porto, needs to be experienced first hand. Don't expect it to sound exactly as conventional stereo where you have a phantom middle point, here you have a real middle point and phantom stereo instead. It totally works and it totally reveals flaws in your mixes or any music you play through it.