Boston Acoustics reveals Horizon i-DS2 iPod boombox

It only takes a glance to realize that Boston Acoustics' Horizon i-DS2 iPod boombox is merely a cleaned up version of the knobby Duo-i, but we must say, the new look is pretty sleek. Built to function with any dock-connecting iPod, this 60-watt speaker system includes twin 3.5-inch full-range drivers, a composite video output, USB connector and an auxiliary input for plugging in other DAPs / PMPs. The unit itself arrives in glossy white or glossy black, though users with an itch to customize can select from a variety of P.O.P. metal grilles. On paper, the unit isn't too shabby, but the $179.99 price tag is somewhat of a drag.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 5:14PM]

sweet dude! that's a rockin new iphone stereo you got there i wonder--

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ DOT DOTDOT DOT DOTDOT DOT

wow.. it even tells you when its ringing!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 5:21PM]

looks tiny, probably sounds tinny

[ChuChu Posted Aug 18th 2008 5:22PM]

Nice to see the extra connectors there. I have an original Bose Sounddock and it always bothered me that there was no aux input for it. I ended up picking up a custom cable online which basically converts the ipod data port into an 1/8th inch stereo adapter and I can't tell you how handy it is.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 5:32PM]

How many of these goddamned things can the market bear? I love my Ipod and all, but is there no end to the number of docks they'll introduce to the market? Is there anyone out there that is still holding out for one?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 5:59PM]

The sad thing is that compared to other iPod speaker docks, the price for this isn't that bad. The iPod accessory market is a ludicrous economy.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 7:07PM]

There's so many of these docks/speaker units on the market. Hard to differentiate.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 9:31PM]

My favorite: Does changing the volume on the speaker box change the master iPod volume, or does it change a volume level contained entirely within the speaker system? Only the (no longer produced) Apple HiFi, and I think the high-priced B&O Zeppelin thing, do this to my knowledge. It means you don't have to fight the interaction of two separate volume levels. Few vendors take the trouble to send the volume commands over the iPod API, apparently.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2008 1:26AM]

@Carl Lumma:
Everything that connects via the dock connector bypasses the iPod's volume controls. I.e., every speaker dock does that. The only time you have to balance the two devices' volume levels is when you connect through the headphone jack.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 9:38PM]

So, the front opens and that's where you keep the bread?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 10:17PM]

Ugh.

Will someone please reproduce the Apple iPod HiFi, or something as good with a damned TOSlink input?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 18th 2008 11:35PM]

This looks like an iPod toaster.