im9: Mixed, Slick, Portable iPod System
Sharing headphones is not cool. At least, it’s not cool compared with being able to play your carefully-chosen iPod playlist for the whole party. And there are loads of systems out there that propose solutions: massive speakers that dwarf any MP3 player, small pocket size speakers that have a volume level acceptable only for a quiet room.
And there are the others: the mid-range sets like the Altec Lansing im9 that offer reasonable portability yet reasonably loud and clear sound. Sure, it won’t compare to your car stereo or even a low-end home audio system, but it will run off outlet power or batteries, fit in the included backpack or sit stylishly aloof on its own.
The im9 is pretty rugged, able to handle the normal strains of travel- but it won’t protect the front of your iPod, and is a bit finicky about which cases will fit easily. It will handle almost any iPod, and even can serve as a docking station- but it doesn’t include a remote control, odd for a device otherwise well-suited to picnics. It offers ports for extra audio and even video devices- but it’s heavier than you might want for a really portable system.
As you can see, the Altec Lansing im9 has a lot going for it, and there are plenty of good ways to use it. At $200, it is reasonably priced, but one wishes it came with rechargeable batteries at that price range, and maybe a few more colors, and heck, how about a handle? It’s been out for a bit now, and should be widely available- and is a good bet for a fairly rugged, portable iPodder.
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