Altec Lansing's inMotion Classic has good looks, bad price

There's a certain low-profile shindig going on today, and in its honor we thought we'd show off a new accessory you might need for your brand new something or other. Altec Lansing has updated its inMotion line of iPod / iPhone docks with the Classic, which takes the iM600, washes off most of the ugly, slaps on a multifunctional handle, and asks for the same $149 MSRP. An auxiliary input, FM tuner and rechargeable battery make it decently versatile, while the remote and the "cubby hole" for its storage score cuteness points aplenty. Unfortunately for Altec, the "cute" price range doesn't quite extend to the heights of its asking price, so it'll be down to sound quality to deliver the final verdict.

[darkmax Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:42AM]

yet another iPod dock.....

[Agent25i Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:24AM]

These would be a lot nicer looking, if they had the option to keep the iphone/pod dock covered if you don't use one. I suppose you could rest your zune, or phone, or whatever in the hole, but it wouldn't look as nice.
This guy knows how to build a decent portable speaker for all types of media devices. - http://www.habamon.com/monster/Snuffy

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:53AM]

Looks great except for the big ugly slab in the middle. Note to manufacturers: iPhones/iPods aren't the only thing that plays music.

[ndrwme Posted Sep 9th 2009 5:06PM]

But they are 73.8% of the things that play music.

[fieldcar Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:43AM]

Am I the only one who thinks all these speaker docks just plain suck?
Using the THX certified Klipsch promedia 2.1 with my charging/sync base for my zune80. One satellite has more power than most of these systems have total.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:45AM]

So your apple sounds better than these oranges?

[Genuine Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:51AM]

Do not underestimate the power of these speaker docks. I own the im600 and the main reason I bought it was for portability, with it's build in battery and slim profile it's much more useful on the go. And since the im600 had a subwoofer output (shame they dumped that feature), it can shake walls if you connect the right subwoofer. Oh and the neighbors don't like 'em even without the sub =P

This new machine seems like an overall improvement on the im600, while maintaining the same price point, so I wouldn't say it sucks...

[TurboTalon Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:51AM]

I also have the Klipsch.. but one of my Energy speakers connected to my Onkyo receiver (bi-amped) has more power than the entire 2.1 system!!! Yes, the Klipsch are great and better than a dock but man... you got junk punched!

(here's to hoping the comment goes in the right place this time)

[Galley Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:53AM]

Have you heard the $300 iHome iP1?
http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iP1

[Poop Chef Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:54AM]

the audience is now deaf

[fieldcar Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:56AM]

Identical function, added stereo seperation, power, and fidelity. =P

Not quite apples to oranges, more like "Sliced big apples" to "small whole apples".

[fieldcar Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:04AM]

@David: Though I do have my PC hooked up to an onkyo driving 2 JBL S38ii's with a 250w JBL 10" Sub, I actually realize it costs nearly $800, not $110 like the Klipsch. (which is comparable to dock prices, which you all fail to notice)

@Gallery: too much money for what you get.

@all: I'm not saying they suck, most are actually quite nice, but when price vs performance comes into play, the speaker docks loose every time.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:47AM]

Best Design prizewinner... from 1972?

[Duke Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:01AM]

Yeah, it's just plain ugly.

[anachostic Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:49AM]

That angular shape would look pretty good with the Zune HD.

I think FoxConn needs to make some sort of universal adapter connection for iPod, Sansa and Zune dock connectors so these speaker/dock/accessories manufacturers can make one device and simply swap out the dock connector for all three brands.

How hard could it be? Power, left, right, ground, data. Granted, the firmware in the dock will need to handle three different data command formats for the three brands (if Sansa even supports remote commands)

[vicdezen Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:48AM]

I've used a couple of these for my iPod (there's so many it's hard to keep track of what is what). I have used a Sony Dock which I found had much better sound quality than the other make I am currently using (Panasonic I believe), which does have more features.

[DRoizman Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:49AM]

I wonder when they will release the new compatible docks...
btw, anyone know where to tune in, in engadget for the live broadcast?

[TurboTalon Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:50AM]

I also have the Klipsch.. but one of my Energy speakers connected to my Onkyo receiver (bi-amped) has more power than the entire 2.1 system!!! Yes, the Klipsch are great and better than a dock but man... you got junk punched!

[admlshake Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:23AM]

Altec-lansing has always been guilty of over charging for their products. While they do make some good speaker set up's, they are almost always priced higher then they should be.

[pablofamoso Posted Sep 9th 2009 12:56PM]

i hope i'm not the only person who realises how hideous this is. i have the iM602, and i've had the iM7 before that, and both were beautiful. this, on the other hand, is just really ugly and strays too far from their usually good design aesthetic.

Altec Lansing will make you pay more but you WILL get what you pay for. the sound quality from these speaker docks is usually pretty excellent.

[ndrwme Posted Sep 9th 2009 5:09PM]

The squarish (retro) design looks fine by itself, but not when there's a big round slab in the middle.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2009 7:24PM]

I can’t believe the Bass that comes out of these speakers, this Maxx Audio thing makes a huge difference I have been using Waves in my studio for years.