iPhone docks are virtually all the same.  Or at least one would assume so at first glance.  Delve a little deeper and you’ll soon find that most if not all are cheap, made of plastic and do more damage than good.  To make matters worse, in most cases you’ll need to tug and pull with two hands to free the iPhone from the dock.  No bueno.

Fortunately, there is a resolve: the Elevation Dock.  It’s ballsy, but the maker states that it is “the best dock for the iPhone.”  And based on what we’ve read we have no reason not to believe him (Casey Hopkins).  The dock is made from precision machined solid aluminum and comes in a variety of finishes.  But that’s hardly the savior of this device.  This dock incorporates a special low-friction connection, that when combined with the hefty all aluminum base – they didn’t skimp and add sand for weight or use injection molded plastic - can be removed with just one hand; other docks stay attached to the base of the iPhone and cause wear and tare on the handset’s 30-pin dock connector.  While we don’t know what case is too big for the Elevation Dock, apparently it will work with most, though we wouldn’t expect those water proof ones to slip into place.  Not enough for you?

For those of you with a penchant for opulence, Hopkins has a premium offering, called the Elevation Dock+.  It incorporates the same design and finish, but adds a line output and and a USB wall power adaptor.  The line output is not only convenient since you can leave a pair of speakers plugged in full time, but it also bypasses the iPhone’s preamp, which should result in better sound quality, provided the speaker’s version is superior.  The Dock+ has an exclusive color; Matte Black.

Want in?  You can grab one for $59, though you’ll hardly be the first.  This immaculately crafted iPhone dock has received over $250,000 in funding, which puts its $180,00 above the intended goal.  And it turns out that this is the fastest funded Kickstarter project to date.

Grace Digital is promising a fully submersible, and floatable, iPhone dock sometime this August called the Eco Terra.  Price is still TBD, and there doesn’t appear to be any official product shots; all we could dig up was the Old Spice guy holding what we’re assuming is a conceptual image.  But that hasn’t stopped Grace Digital from laying out the docks additional features, which include:

• IPX7 Approved
• High impact shock proof casing withstands drops, falls and spills
• 3.5mm headphone jack input
• All iPhone/iPod functions can be controlled while waterproof case is closed
• AC or battery powered

Grace Digital Audio: Eco Terra

World’s first 100% waterproof iPod/iPhone dock, provides rugged protection for your iPhone, Blackberry, MP3 player, keys, and other personal items

-Water and dirt resistant design protects your mobile phone, MP3 player, and personal items from the outdoor elements
-All iPhone/iPod functions can be controlled while waterproof case is closed, providing full protection even during use
-Fully submersible and floats – IPX7 Approved (International Weatherproofing Standard)
-High impact shock proof casing withstands drops, falls and spills
-Protective casing charges iPhone/iPod while docked
-3.5mm audio jack works with any mobile phone or MP3 player, with two high-quality full range forward firing speakers
-AC or battery powered, making it ideal for camping, beach trips, and backyard bbq’s

Price: TBD

The product will be announced and scheduled availability for August.

Today, Harman announced the price of their JBL On Air wireless Airplay dock.  It is available now in black or white for $349.99.  That’s a seriously steep price tag considering other docks in the same class.  Our best guess is that price includes a hefty licensing fee from Apple to use their Airplay tech, which allows iOS users to wirelessly stream their tunes to the On Air dock over their home’s WiFi network.  With that said, let’s not forget that it does have a full color display, on board play controls and a unique HALO (horizontal acoustic level optimization) design, that is said to deliver clean and powerful sound.

This morning HARMAN unveiled the new JBL On Air™ Wireless AirPlay® speaker dock, the newest in the JBL® lineup to provide music lovers an even more seamless music experience within the home. With AirPlay technology built in, the JBL On Air Wireless lets you play music from your iTunes® library on a Mac or a PC, and from an iPhone®, iPad® or iPod touch® device over your existing Wi-Fi® network. Users will enjoy album artwork and song information on the bright color display, and can use the included remote control to play and pause music, as well as navigate to next and previous tracks.

The new JBL On Air Wireless speaker dock’s price is $349.99 are available now at Best Buy and Apple online and Best Buy and Apple retail store locations throughout the U.S.

If you’re in search of an iPod or iPhone dock, then you can add Altec Lansing’s Octiv 650 to the long list.  Unlike the Octiv Stage we reviewed a few months ago, Altec Lansing has decided to make this one an iPhone/iPod only affair and has included a set of composite and component outputs for watching YouTube and Netflix on the big screen in full resolution.  For those that arrive to the party late (double entendre) they’ve also packed in aux input for non Apple devices, as well as a remote for manipulating volume and such from a far.  And let’s not forget the accompanying mood app with EQ that works in tandem with the two 3″ full-range drivers and a nested 4″ subwoofer.

The Octive 650 will be available this May for $199.95.

BRING YOUR LIVING ROOM TO LIFE WITH ALTEC LANSING’S NEW OCTIV 650 SPEAKER SYSTEM

The Octiv 650 Transforms Any Space into an Oasis of Ambient Sound and Visual Stimulation

MILFORD, PA – April 5, 2011 – Today, audio innovator Altec Lansing introduced the new Octiv 650 docking speaker system for the iPhone and iPod touch, marrying minimalist design with powerful performance. Destined to be an integral piece for any living space, the Octiv 650 delivers broad spectrum audio while displaying full screen video from an iPhone or iPod Touch on a TV screen. Utilizing Altec Lansing’s free Music Mood app, users can unwind with a number of soothing pre-loaded videos and sounds.

“The living room is often used as the hub for entertaining and relaxing. With the new Octiv 650, we’ve created the ultimate sound system to create the perfect environment for any occasion,” said Steve Schlangen, Altec Lansing product manager. “The clear, balanced sound quality that Altec Lansing is known for is combined with the Octiv 650′s video out capabilities to create an ambiance that no other home component system can match.”

Fusion of Sound and Design
With discreet lines and a flat front panel, the unique wedge shape provides room-filling, crystal clear sound without taking up much space. Powerful, well balanced audio is delivered through two 3″ full-range drivers and a nested 4″ subwoofer for deep bass. The attractive yet simple design blends seamlessly with almost any décor.

To enjoy streaming video with immersive audio, users can watch full screen Netflix™ movies and YouTube™ videos on a television from an iPhone or iPod Touch using the Octiv 650 component and composite video out jacks while enjoying superior sound quality. For greater song selection and to further expand home theater versatility, a second audio device can be added through the auxiliary input. A full-featured remote lets users control the audio and navigate their device from across the room. To help ensure a call is never missed, the Octiv 650 automatically pauses when a call is received on an iPhone.

Set the Mood
No matter what the desired mood, the Octiv 650 can help set the tone with Altec Lansing’s free Music Mood app. Users can watch and listen to a number of serene videos and sounds such as a crackling fireplace or a calming river stream with the app’s Ambient Sound and Visual Library. For additional customization, the user can pair each video to their audio counterpart and let the full package work its magic.

Also included within the Music Mood app is a graphic equalizer (EQ). From basic and preset options to a more advanced seven-band graphic EQ, customized sound can be saved and accessed at the user’s discretion.

Availability and Pricing
The Altec Lansing Octiv 650 will be available in May 2011 at www.alteclansing.com in black and slate. MSRP is $199.95.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Awesomely loud
• Built-in handle for carrying
• Includes remote and built-in iPod Dock
• GSM shielding prevents cell phone interference

Cons:

• Expensive; $300+
• A bit bright tonally at high volumes
• Heavy and big
• No battery or Bluetooth option

If 5 years ago someone would have told me that a rap artist turned producer would be behind one of the most successful line of headphones I would have laughed in their face. But the reckoning has arrived and in the form of not only $150+ earbuds and headphones, but a $450 iPod dock stereo system.

The Beatbox by Dr. Dre from Monster – they demand that you refer to the device this way – is a no frills, loud as balls iPod dock.

There’s a handle built into the form factor, a 30-pin dock, aux input, volume knob and power switch. On the back is a rubber flap that conceals a wireless port for a soon to arrive wire free streaming system called “Monster Streamcast”. They’ve also tossed in a pocket friendly, credit card sized remote.

The Beatbox houses 4 speakers; 2 tweeters and two drivers

The body of the Beatbox is plastic, which houses a metal grill, two 5.25-inch long throw bass drivers and two 2-inch concave high frequency drivers. A small red LED light hidden behind the grill indicates when the device is powered up.

It’s probably the largest iPod Dock I’ve had the luxury of playing with, as it measures 10″ x 22.5″ x 8.75″ (HxWxD) and weighs about 12 lbs, enough to warrant a “lift with care warning”. All that size and weight results in probably one of the most sonically capable docks I’ve tested. It had no problem handling any genre of music I threw at it, though tonally it was bright at times. I threw the proverbial audio curve ball at the beatbox, which is to crank it to full volume and listen for garbled output. To no surprise it was distortion free indicating that there is more than enough ampage outfitted in the Beatbox.

The Beatbox’s wireless module port (not used, yet), power input and AUX input

The Beatbox, I’m sad and disappointed to say, doesn’t have a Bluetooth option for wirelessly streaming your tunes. Also, it isn’t iPad compatible as the dock can only fit an iPhone or iPod Touch, and  lacks a  video output option, which would have been a useful since the Beatbox could very well pair nicely with a small LCD TV or monitor. However, it is shielded from GSM interference since during my testing I never experienced that buzzing noise that most speakers will pick up when a call arrives on the iPhone over Edge connectivity.

The build quality of the Beatbox is all around solid.  It survived a birthday party over the weekend, and while no one threw it from a roof top, I get the impression it could last and blast its way through just about any apocalyptic like environment.

Since the Beatbox’s arrival, the price has dropped significantly. As of my last check on Amazon it was about $309, which is more than $100 off the original price when it launched late last year. Is this an indicator of its sales volume? Probably not, since most of the Beats products have dropped in price, despite boasting significant sales numbers, or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

Beatbox power button and iPod/iPhone 30-pin dock

Nonetheless, $300+ is a hefty price to pay for a barebones iPod dock that serves one purpose: to play back music. Fortunately, it serves its duties with no qualms, no missteps and sounds so awesomely loud you’ll forget how much you paid for it.

You can purchase the Beatbox by Dr. Dre From Monster at Amazon for $309.

Beats by Dr. Dre have become a phenomenal success.  They’ve sold millions of dollars in headphones and in November launched a dedicated iPod/iPhone dock that retails for $449.95 (you can find it cheaper at Crutchfield, Amazon) called the Beatbox.   High price aside, the system really cranks and while I don’t think it will replace a stand alone home theater or stereo system, it definitely outclasses other speaker docks of a similar ilk.  

In terms of features the Beatbox is pretty barebones.  There’s a 30-pin dock for all things Apple, an AUX input and LED light to let you know that it’s powered up and running.  It includes a credit card sized remote and behind the metal grill are dual advanced 5.25-inch long throw bass drivers and two 2-inch concave high frequency drivers.  On top is a built in handle, which makes lugging it around from party to party a breeze, though no battery compartment is included, so parties in the park or at the beach will have to be relegated to the Jambox.  The top is finished in rubber which makes it pretty easy to grab and the bottom includes a rubber strip to dampen vibrations and secure it to any flat surface.

I’ll have a review posted of the Beatbox by Dr. Dre from Monster in the next week or so.  Until then, indulge in the unboxing video above and pics below.

The price is $129.99 – $52.59 coupon (USPC10N46576) + no ship = $77.40!

Don’t forget the coupon: USPC10N46576 (expires: soon)

There are a million iPhone and iPod docks for the car, but what about motorcyclists?  Or in this case what about Harley Davidson motorcyclists?

Enter the Dashlink Docking Console.  It’s actually a replacement fuel tank complete with dock, line out audio, power and integrated volume control through the stock handlebars (select models only). They say it takes as little as 15 minutes to install, which sounds a bit too good to be true.

If you’re concerned about the fuel/power combination, you can take some comfort in knowing that they’ve designed it to include a smart charging system with self-sensing on/off circuit to detect when a device is present.  Course, that doesn’t do you any good when the device is present and the tank is topped off with fire hungry fuel.

The tank/dock fits Harley-Davidson 1996 and newer FLHT/FLTR & FLHR models and they’ll soon have a version for the Sportster, Softail & Dyna.

You can order the Dashlink Gas Tank directly for $399.95, with shipping commencing January 15th, 2011.

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Yamaha’s PDX-31 probably won’t knock your socks off when it boils down to sound quality, but in terms of design and simplicity it’s a home run in our book.

Inside the box is a reinforced, dual wall “box-within-a-box” construction with twin 3 1/4 -inch speakers.  If you haven’t sussed it out yet, there is a 30-pin dock for all things Apple perched on the top and an Aux input for other MP3 players.  They’re tossing in a remote and an auto power off feature for the eco folks.

You should be able to pick one up soon in red, black or white for $169.95.

GREAT SOUND, SLEEK STYLING: YAMAHA’S NEW PORTABLE DOCK COMBINES MATCHLESS VERSATILITY AND STRIKING COLOR OPTIONS

PDX-31 Joins the Growing Range of Yamaha Speaker Docks for iPod, iPhone and MP3 Players ¾

BUENA PARK, Calif.––Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced the PDX-31 portable player dock for iPhones and iPods, featuring an AUX-in (stereo mini jack) for use with any MP3 player or other audio devices.

Available in three dramatic, yet versatile colors (dark red, black and light gray), the PDX-31′s superior sound quality is delivered by a Yamaha digital amplifier with extremely low noise distortion. The PDX-31 offers reinforced, dual wall “box-within-a-box” construction with twin 3 1/4 -inch speakers to provide rich dynamic bass response for powerful, clean sound from any music library.

The PDX-31 is compact, light enough and cosmetically versatile to be placed anywhere in the home. The flat-top design provides an attractive and sophisticated touch to any home interior. The supplied small, handy remote control works like your iPod controls, making it easy to browse menus and select songs. Embodying Yamaha’s continued drive toward environmentally sound products, the PDX-31 incorporates the advanced power management feature Auto Power Off which automatically powers the unit off after a certain amount of time to conserve energy.

The PDX-31 remembers the volume level when you remove your portable device so the next time you dock it, the volume is set to that level.

Yamaha places a high premium on versatility in designing its products,” said Tom Sumner, President, Yamaha Electronics Corporation. “The PDX-31 allows you to enjoy song files in several different ways, while offering great sound, effortless operation and sleek styling.”‘

The Yamaha PDX-31 carries an MSRP of $169.95.

If it weren’t for the Japanese market we’re not sure Sony would continue to build MP3 players and compatible docks.   But hey, that’s not the case, so today Sony Japan announced the CMT-L7D.

Yup, it’s a dock for your Sony MP3 player and can pump out tunes through its 50 watt speakers.  But the real meat of this player is the 9-inch touchscreen.  It sports the now standard Sony UI and lets you watch movies, control your tunes and access media from a connected SD card or USB stick.

I wouldn’t expect the CMT-L7D to hit Stateside ever.  But when it does arrive in Japan it will set Japanese consumers back $585 on October 11th.

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UPDATED.  When it comes to iPhone docks you want something that complements not conflicts with Apple’s design. The Tango TRX is a 2.1-channel iPhone/iPod touch speaker dock that is to drool for.

Hidden beneath the cool exterior are two tweeters, two midrange drivers and a downward firing sub for crystal clear tunes.  Bluetooth 2.1 +ERD is built right into the system, which means you can not only stream your tunes wirelessly, but control the device from afar thanks to Xtrememac’s custom iPhone app.   It also includes a line in input, 30-pin dock, LED indicator lights and physical remote control.

You might expect to pay hundreds of dollars for this system, but in actual fact you can buy it direct for $180.  Otherwise expect to pay $199.99 at an Apple retail location.

Update: Checkout our Xtrememac Tango TRX review.

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This is Jensen’s iPad Dock, the JiPS-250i. You’ve got two speakers for added volume and improved sound, as well as a video output for displaying the iPad’s contents on a larger screen. Supposedly, you can use the dock in either portrait or landscape mode and there is an included Jensen app that provides an alarm clock, calendar, voice records, photo album and a number of social networking features.  And don’t forget about the included remote!

Pricing and release info has not been released yet.

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Zemno’s new DeskBook Pro docking station is a sight to behold. It gives your laptop access to seven USB ports, 3 FireWire 800 ports, 1 FireWire 400 port, 1 ESATA data connection, 1 ESATA power connection, DVI output, stereo input/output, and a memory card reader. There’s also two hatches on the front which allow either a 500GB hard drive or a battery to power the dock without the need for a power cable. Though its design fits well with Apple’s MacBook Pro line, the dock is compatible with most laptops up to 15 inches that have USB and FireWire ports. All these features don’t come cheap — the DeskBook Pro is available now and will set you back $600, with the battery and hard drive as optional additions.

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Retro handsets for cell phones have been kicking around on the shelves of Urban Outfitters for many years now.  But this is the first one we’ve seen specifically for the iPhone complete with dock and 30-pin plug.  And yes, the handset does work. 

It’s currently sold out, but when and if they come back in stock expect to drop $200.

[via Dvice]

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Sony is sort of hit or miss in the design department, but these new Walkman docks are a definite “hit” in my opinion. The multi-colored NAS-V5 and NAS-V7M models are technically designed for the Walkman, but other players will work just fine with it. The latter also features 16GB of internal memory, allowing you to rip CDs directly the device for easy playback. Both also have WiFi support for Internet radio, good old-fashioned AM/FM radio, auxiliary inputs and a USB port. Each device is powered by 32-BIT DSPs for crisp audio quality.

The NAS-V5 and NAS-V7M will be available in Japan on June 26 for around $428 and $535 dollars, respectively.

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Rebate info here (expires: 5/12)

This deal ends 11/30

S&H is about $6