Computer Takeaway

If you are a keen iPod or iPhone user, it can't have escaped your attention the number of speaker systems and audio systems that include iPod docking stations, and the latest addition to the Cygnet range is no different.  The Cygnett Naestro is a standalone speaker system aimed firmly at the Apple iPod and iPhone market.

The speaker system itself comes wrapped in a retro styled black box with shiny metal legs and black gloss end panels, so there is nothing elaborate about the design.  On top of the unit is the docking station with controls for volume and the power button (with a blue LED).  The inputs are housed on the back of the unit, built into one of the metal legs and allow for the use of other mp3 players or devices through a 3.5mm input (Aux In).  The deivce is powered via an included 5V supply which has swappable plugs for use in different contries (UK and EU).  Above the power and Aux ports there is also a slide switch for selecting between battery power and mains power (more about this later).

Docking of any iPod or iPhone is very simple and blanks are provided for housing most variations. The included remote control although small allows full navigation of the iPods menu system and also volume controls, although slightly dissapointingly there are no controls for the bass and treble for fine tuning.  Overall for a device of this size the audio reproduction is solid, providing a surprising amount of bass and treble.  The overall volume produced by the devices 2W satellites and 4W woofer is good enough to fill a reasonable sized room and there was no distortion that we could hear at full volume.

The speaker system will charge any iPod device attached as with most docking stations, however probably the best feature of this docking station is the ability to run it using 4 AA batteries away from a mains source.  The unit is capable of running for up to 5 hours on one set of batteries making it an ideal travel either at home and abroad.

Although a very simple device in terms of features, the Cyngett Maestro provides a solid sound reproduction whilst being effectively a portable speaker system, making it ideal for use as a dedicated speaker system for a bedroom as well as travel use.  Retailing at ~£55 (at the time of writing) it compares favourably with other "dedicated" iPod speaker systems and if the device is registered with Cygnett you get an extra years warranty on top of the standard years warranty which is definitely worthwhile.

Available from:

Amazon: CYGNETT CYGCYAIPMMaestro Speaker Dock - Black

Compact travel sound systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but none so far have impressed us quite so much as the Edifier `On The Go` if350.  In comparison to other portable speaker systems, the Edifier if350 had obviously had a lot of time lavished on it during the design process.  Finished in a classic rounded casing with a contrasting black and white colour scheme the little design features of this model have been very well though out.  The credit card remote control is stowed in a discrete slot on the back of the unit, whilst the units stand and iPod docking point are cleverly pivoted using soft release system at the push of a button.  The stand itself also reveals the power inout and Aux IN port for other external devices to be connected and the telescopic aerial for the unit is carefully recessed on the top edge of the casing. All this can be carried in the included heavy duty neoprene case whilst travelling.

The units display is a fairly basic LCD (white on black in keeping with the main colour scheme) which displays the current input (Radio, iPod or AUX IN) as well as the volume levels and a basic menu system for setting the time, alarms (for travel use) and also regional world settings.

Internally the Edifier if350 sports two magnetically shielded 6W speakers for stereo output and in our tests they provided a well rounded reproduction of treble and mid-range.  Bass was slightly lacking (as would be expected from portable systems of this kind), however that is not to say there was none, and the unit provided ample volume and no distortion was evident in out testing even at the highest volume setting.  What impressed us most, however, was the incorporation of a LI-ion battery that allows operation of the speaker system for up to 15 hours from one 4 hour charge on the mains (which can be done anywhere in the world as the unit has a switching-mode power supply).

The radio unit in the system performs very well and using the automatic search facility local and national radio stations were found in a matter of seconds and saved, although we were slightly disappointed that it wasn't a digital unit and that there was no RDS facility.  Despite this even in a low signal area the reception was excellent and stable.

The Edifier if350 comes with a number of baseplates for use with all versions of the iPod for simple docking of the devices, and if you don't subscribe to the Apple generation of MP3 players, there is also the possibility of using the AUX IN port in the back of the unit.  Of course, if an iPod is docked the if350 remote allows full navigation of your media library for playback of your music at the touch of a button.

Every feature of the device is fully covered in the manual and as such is very simple to access and use.  The fact that the unit can be operated without mains power for up to 15 hours is brilliant in our eyes, as was the quality of the playback given the relatively small form factor of the device.  It can be used worldwide and is very well designed and packaged for ease of transport making it ideal as a travel companion.  In our opinion it compares very favourably with other travel speaker systems on the market (as long as you can live without the features of RDS or digital radio) and for ~£100 (at the time of writing) they won't break the bank.

Available from:

Amazon: EDIFIER iF350 docking station MP3 speakers iPod speakers AUDIO