Last week I took a look at Altec Lansing’s iMT630 Portable speaker.  And today, to complement that, I’m reviewing the inMotion Air.  And like it’s smaller brother, it too sports a 7 hour battery life, though instead of a 30-pin dock you’ll have the option of connecting to it via Bluetooth or using the included USB stick that plugs into your computer.

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On top of the device are a set of controls allow for pairing your Bluetooth device as well as controlling playback and volume.  Hidden in the back is a handle for carrying the speaker as well as a remote that stores away in a threaded slot.  The remote works well for performing standard iPod controls and changing volume, but keep in mind it won’t work from another room (there is Apple’s iOS Remote for that, provided your streaming music from your computer).

For those who prefer a wired experience there is an AUX input, though the included wireless options are surely enough to satiate even those without the latest smartphone or computer thanks to the included USB stick which provides a wireless range of up to 300 feet.  While I didn’t test the truth of that figure to the maximum, I had no problem streaming music throughout the house and Bluetooth worked very well despite it boasting a much shorter range.  That said, there is a headphone jack output on the USB dongle for adding a second set of speakers, though that hardly seems necessary since you can stream music to two of these at the same time. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a second inMotion Air to test this and since Bluetooth doesn’t support dual streaming, it will have to be done using the included USB adapter for the computer.

For the most part the inMotion Air is just a plastic box.  So fair to say, it is underwhelming from an aesthetic standpoint.  But, it is simple enough that it will blend into just about any scenario, though I’d recommend the Black version since that might be a bit more innocuous than the gray.  Behind the grill are two 3-inch drivers that produce room filling sound.  In fact, I was pretty taken back by the sound quality of the inMotion Air despite being connected to the device over Bluetooth. So suffice to say, the look of the speaker manages expectations and far exceeded mine when it came to its sonic output.  However, it does lack bass kicking sound, but that is largely a reflection of the inMotion Air’s small size, which is just 13.2” (W) x 3.5” (D) x 4.1” (H).  So all together, I was pretty pleased with the sonic capabilities of the inMotion Air.

At the end of the day there are a variety of Bluetooth speakers on the market.  While there is no speaker phone option, as found in the Jambox, the inMotion Air is produces pretty kicking sound for a portable, rechargeable speaker.  Fold in the USB dongle for streaming tunes long distance (up to 300 feet) from your computer and there is hardly a wireless speaker on the market that can compete.  Just take note that it won’t kick out the same sound quality and range as some wired speakers of the same price ($199) and lacks an iOS dock.

Bottom Line: Convenience over sound quality makes this speaker a winner in my book, though it most certainly sonically stands tall despite its small size.

Editor’s Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Great

Pros:

• Portable wirelessly speaker with a 7 hour rechargeable battery
• Built-in remote and USB dongle for wireless music from your computer
• Holds it own sonically despite small size and portability

3.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Great bed side companion to the iPad
• Dock rotates 90 degrees left and right
• Aux input for non iProducts

Cons:

• Sonic abilities just ok in this price range ($149.99)
• Dock connector has a tendency to disconnect when jostled
• Remotes additional menu buttons are pretty much useless

Altec Lansing’s Octiv Stage is a simple as pie speaker dock system for the iPad.  The base of the dock contains two 2-inch full-range neodymium drivers hidden behind a mesh grill. A set of buttons (power, volume +/-) along with a power indicating LED light runs along the trim of the Octiv Stage.  On the back you’ll find a power port and Aux input for other devices that don’t sport a 30-pin dock.  While intended for use with the iPad – there is an oversized cradle that rotates 90 degrees to accommodate the tablet device – iPhone’s and iPods will also work.

Unlike some recently reviewed docks this one doesn’t include an accompanying app, at least not one that is specific to the device.  However, Altec Lansing does offer two iPhone apps (Alarm Rock and Music Mix) that if one so chooses could be used with the Octiv Stage.  With that said, the feature set of the device doesn’t extend beyond the already mentioned buttons (it power/recharges any docked devices), which depending on your penchant for complexity may be a good or bad thing.  That leaves me with little to review; sound and build quality.

While the Octiv Stage is far from a bass thumping system – the iA100, Sound Platform and Tango TRX all outperformed the device in sonic abilities – the Octiv Stage does pull enough weight to provide some convenience in your every day life.  For instance, me and some family members sat about 6 feet away one morning and listened to the morning news using the iPad’s NPR app.  The Octiv Stage’s sonic capabilities might be best described as sufficient, but most certainly won’t serve as an appropriate device in the event of a 20+ person party.

The design of the Octiv Stage probably best plays to that as a bed side companion.  It’s foot print measures only slightly wider than the iPad and is heavy enough to prevent the whole system (iPad docked) from toppling over even from the most heavy handed of users.  The cradle is your basic ABS plastic and has been molded to perfection to fit the iPad – inserting the tablet takes little effort.  Occasionally the dock’s connection can be a bit iffy and any sudden jolts, such as relocating the device and placing it down, can result in a disconnection, though physically the iPad was still very much be docked.  Slightly removing and reinserting the iPad resolved this problem and since most people won’t be moving the device with the iPad in place I don’t see this as a concern.

Altec Lansing includes a pocket sized infrared remote for controlling both the volume and power of the device, as well as the iPad’s iPod from afar.  The additional iPod controls (menu up/down/left and menu) worked to navigate to a song but that’s it.  Hitting the actual Menu button did nothing while playing a track, and unlike the other controls these functions were slow to respond, which is more a result of the iPod player than the Octiv Stage.  The other controls, power and volume, worked with no issue, provided of course I had line of sight to the device.

At $149.99 the Octiv Stage is no drop in the financial bucket.  Sonically it lacks the gusto we’ve seen from other comparably priced docks, though on the flip side (pun intended) it accommodates the iPad in ways others haven’t, such as the ability to rotate the iPad from landscape to portrait mode.

The Altec Lansing can be bought from Amazon for $149.95 or from one of the vendors below.

Looking a tad bit different than your run of the mill computer speakers, the Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus 2.1 system should add some offbeat flair to any desktop scenario.  Featuring two satellite speakers and a 5.25 in sub woofer, this system will work with DVD, MP3 players and such.  The sub begs you not to spill anything in it.  While these type of PC speaker systems are nothing new, will this shape and design appeal to the masses?  Due out later this month for $99.

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Features:

• Wireless range of up to 150ft
• 40mm Neodymium magnets
• Over the ear style headphones