Altec Lansing IM2 Portable Speakers

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10365151&loc=101&sp=1' target='_blank'>http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...51&loc=101&sp=1</a><br /><br /></div><i>"You’ve got a gazillion hours of music stored on your MP3 player, but until now, you’ve been the only one dancing. Introducing Altec Lansing inMotion iM2 portable audio system. This tiny, ultra-portable, battery-operated stereo system is the ideal companion for your MP3 or CD player. A highly efficient Class D amplifier powers two 2” full-range neodymium micro drivers to deliver a full spectrum of pure, distinct sound, while the revolutionary MaxxBass™ technology allows listeners to enjoy deep bass without lugging around a subwoofer. Best of all, connectivity is as easy as plugging inMotion’s audio cable into your player’s headphone jack."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/10365151.jpg" /><br /><br />Looking for some speakers to go along with your Pocket PC? These speakers from Buy.com have received five perfect reviews - people seem to really like them. :D

[sundown]

Man I need something like this. I've been waiting for portable speakers with good reviews.

Interestingly I can't locate this product on the Altec Lansing website. They have the IM3 and two others listed but all retail for $140+. The link you give shows this IM2 model for around $45.

[CiscoKid]

I give these a thumbs-up...I work for one of their distributors in Canada and I've had a full demo...in fact I have some on order for when my new hx4700 gets here :)

[Gadget Guy]

Are these not the same speakers that they sell for iPods, just without the connector for the iPod?

Looks like a great deal - but am a little concerned that the speaker position will not allow me to make a connection to either my MP3 player or my PDA - any one have any actual experience with these?

Lastly, I did not see any information about international shipping - does anyone know if they ship to Canada?

TIA!

GG

[dean_shan]

You should cross post this on DMT, see what the people over there have to say.

[Solarix]

Well, I have the Creative Travel sound speakers and was very impressed when I first heard em. I use em on both my PPC (for betaplayer) and on my Nomad Jukebox Zen.

I would really like to see how these sound in comparision

[dhpss]

I give these a thumbs-up...I work for one of their distributors in Canada and I've had a full demo...in fact I have some on order for when my new hx4700 gets here :)

Bought 1 yesterday when it was "deal of the day" at buy.com for $34. Awsome speakers..and very cute..

They are the same for the much more expensive iPod IM3 version. Get them when you can. You won't be disappointed.

Beware: The space between the 2 speakers is not adjustable. It is perfect for the iPaq 41xx/19xx. Other larger device such iPaq 22xx (I assume the same for the hx4700) , Toshiba won't fit.

[AndrewF]

I bought some of these from Buy.com last week for about $38. I am very impressed with their performance for the size/weight/convenience.

Note that these are NOT identical to the ipod inMotion speakers, although they are very similar. The inMotions have 2 drivers each side, while the iM2 has one (larger I think) driver each side. You can see this is the pictures of the two models.

I was initially planning on getting the inMotion model, even though I don't have an ipod, due to the great reviews and my previous good experiences with Altec Lansing's speakers. The price was a bit of a put-off though. When I saw these iM2s for such a cheap price, I figured they had to be worth a go.

I haven't heard the original inMotion speakers to compare with (couldn't find any on display), but I am very happy with the iM2. I have a somewhat critical ear for music, so most small speakers I have heard I couldn't stand, but the iM2s are pretty good.

Keep in mind that I think they are very good for their size. That is, they are far better than any laptop built-in speakers I have heard, better than my ipaq speaker, and better than anything else I have heard for the size. The extra bass is noticeable, though causes some distortion at higher volume levels (not surprisingly for those little drivers). The volume level is good, though, and at least you can choose between quiet volume with best sound quality and higher volume with some distortion. The speakers seem to work equally well on batteries and the included power adapter.

Finally, for portablility while travelling, my main reason for buying them, I haven't seen any better. The folding design is excellent for protecting the drivers, and makes the unit very easily packable.

All in all, I am very pleased with them, and even tempted to get another pair at that price - my wife has taken them away on holiday at the moment!

The other speakers I was considering were the Sonic Impact SI-5 Gen 2 (http://www.si-5.com/si5.html). They are about $50, but I couldn't find anywhere to listen to them. Anyone tried them?

[Sven Johannsen]

Looks like a great deal - but am a little concerned that the speaker position will not allow me to make a connection to either my MP3 player or my PDA

The PPC, or whatever, connects via a miniphono plug into the headset jack according to the writeup. It doesn't need to sit between the speakers.

Anyone with one care to tell us what powers it? Is there a DC in socket and is it 5v, hope. Don't need another wall wart, and batteries get expensive. (AC is included in the hotel rate ;) )

[Sven Johannsen]

The other speakers I was considering were the Sonic Impact SI-5 Gen 2 (http://www.si-5.com/si5.html). They are about $50, but I couldn't find anywhere to listen to them. Anyone tried them?

I've got the originals, the $30 ones and they sound pretty decent to me, but I'm 50. I don't like the multi-piece design that much. You've got the little amp thing and the two speakers then two cables to the speakers and one to the media player. Then the power cord if you don't want to use the batteries. Allows a lot of separation, but at the cost of components. It's a trade off.

The other one that I have and really like is the Sony SRST77 (One place http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?icatid=4349&stk_code=sonsrst77&svbname=30 ) The sound real good and are very packable. The top two mickey mouse ears swivel in for travel.

Need somebody with a critical ear to buy all of them and compare ;) Not too critical though, or none of them will be any good.

[OSUKid7]

Source: :DThat just made me laugh. :lol:

[GoldKey]

After the last series of poweroutages from the neverending series of storms to hit us here in Florida this season, I realized that my iRiver makes a great emergency radio since it will last quite a while on a full charge. But I realized that headphones get tiring after a while and wanted some speakers; but, I did not want to waste battery power on them, so I found these.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=40-1434

While not audiophile quality, they do the job, and I never have to make sure I have batteries. Good for travel and when you just want to share the music with someone. Plus they fold up pretty cool.

[Craig Horlacher]

Well, I have the Creative Travel sound speakers and was very impressed when I first heard em. I use em on both my PPC (for betaplayer) and on my Nomad Jukebox Zen.

I would really like to see how these sound in comparision

I also got the Creative Travel Sound speakers just a week ago and am very happy with them. There were about 2x the price at around $70.00 but the quality of the sound is great. I got it mostly to use with my 40GB iRiver player (if you're looking at iPod's look at this before you buy). They're also perfect for my laptop and pocket pc of course! Has someone gotten to compare kinds of portable speakers? I'd also like to see a comparison.

[dhpss]

Anyone with one care to tell us what powers it? Is there a DC in socket and is it 5v, hope. Don't need another wall wart, and batteries get expensive. (AC is included in the hotel rate ;) )

It is 9V! wonder if I can use the 9v emergency battery adapter for iPaq:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/extremepcgear_1812_26058240
(Need a 2 male connector)

[James Fee]

My Dad has the similar iPod version.

Some thoughts...

1. Not much bass. If you like treble, this is the system for you. The sound is fine, but don't listen to any other speakers at the same time or you'll hear the problems.
2. Great for traveling. The case folds up really nice and is well protected.
3. It uses 4 AA batteries that seem to last about 24 hours, not too bad.

The latest iPod version is reviewed here:

http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=5016_0_6_0_C

[Sven Johannsen]

Anyone with one care to tell us what powers it? Is there a DC in socket and is it 5v, hope. Don't need another wall wart, and batteries get expensive. (AC is included in the hotel rate ;) )

It is 9V! wonder if I can use the 9v emergency battery adapter for iPaq:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/extremepcgear_1812_26058240
(Need a 2 male connector)

I wouldn't think that provides 9v at the end that goes to the PPC. I would presume it cuts it down to 5-6v.