Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 Firewire-Charging Portable Audio System for iPod (Black) by Altec Lansing Technologies
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Digital camera reviews of Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 Firewire-Charging Portable Audio System for iPod (Black)
Digital camera Review: 4 stars for the first 2 months, but beware!
Summary: 2 Stars
In a list of Amazon's best-selling iPod speaker docks, the IM600 is listed first, followed by the less expensive iRhythms (from Cyber Acoustics) and Athena iVoice. I was initially impressed by the IM600's ability to play several different iPods, as Altec's website claims it will do. However, when I installed a Touch 2nd gen, it gave me a "will not charge this device" warning. Moreover, it soon stopped playing any iPod! In the instructions, the 16th troubleshooting symptom is "erratic or irresponsible behavior." Altec's suggested fix is to "disconnect the rechargeable battery per instructions in the Power Section." The full extent of the instructions in the Power section is: "Remove the rechargeable battery compartment cover by removing the 2 screws." The screws are tiny, easily missed, and deserve fuller explanation and illustration. In any case, the fix restored iPod Mode to operability (but for how long?). Moreover, Altec's failure to label each of the adapter/inserts for its intended iPod model (the only iPod speaker-dock I've seen that doesn't do so) required more trial and error experimentation (the inserts are so similar it's impossible to be certain that you've selected the right one).
If you can do without a radio (and the Altec's FM sensitivity, even with the rod antenna, is pretty weak), your better bet is the highly portable and dependable iRhythms (for under 40 bucks and with audio that's competitive) and/or the Athena iVoice (not portable, but it sounds twice as good as the Altec--and it charges the new Touch.) Altec's service and attention to detail both leave much to be desired. In fact, I'd have to rate the JBL Micro above it after my recent experience.]
Original review:
As a recent collector-hobbyist in the fascinating world of miniature audio reproduction, I simply had to get my hands on the unit which, in terms of consumer popularity and critical acclaim, is the reigning champion: the Altec Lansing IM600 system. As the rating of 4 stars may reflect, my experience is one of slight anticlimax if not mild disappointment.
Had I not picked up an Athena iVoice (currently in short supply, possibly no longer in production), I have little doubt that the rating for the Altec would be five stars. The Athena, described by one professional reviewer as a poor man's version of the Bose Sound Dock, may in fact be better. What is most striking about the Athena--and this is not so much a subjective impression as an irrefutable acoustic "fact"--is its fullness and solid, "substantial" bass. I'm far less bass-conscious than most of today's younger listeners, but when a recording features skillful reproduction of an acoustic double bass played by a master musician, I want to hear it. The Athena picks up the entire unwieldy instrument and transports it to the listener's acoustic space; by contrast, the instrument practically vanishes in the Altec's much more restrictive sonic field. (For an even more convincing demonstration, try the comparison using a well-recorded Hammond B3 organ.)
Now for the bright side. The Altec has brilliant treble, reproducing with verisimilitude the sonorities of a grand piano's upper register as well as a percussionist's entire kit--crash cymbal, ride cymbal, hi-hat, snares, brush work--it's all easily picked out by the attentive listener. The Altec also has a more fully-functioned remote than the Athena. Moreover, the sound expander (SFX) makes a more striking difference on this system than is usually the case, not merely dispersing the sound but exposing and highlighting individual instruments in the mix--no doubt the effect is sufficiently stunning to cause some listeners to forgive, or overlook, the deficiencies in the bass frequencies. (It's with a bit of incredulity each time when I look up to trace the panoramic sound source and see nothing larger than a small rectangular purse.)
The FM radio reception is adequate but not remarkable. Even with the antenna fully extended I'm getting static and air "noise" on stations that my Tivoli Model One pulls in non-problematically with its little pigtail. The alarm will not satisfy those looking for a system with ramping, two-alarm, multiple-schedule possibilities. It works in tandem with the iPod's alarm system to get the job done. The power adapter is of moderate size and weight (the Athena follows the commendable practice of eliminating the wall wart altogether, incorporating it inside the speaker cabinet). A rechargeable battery is frequently omitted on a unit with this much power; Altec's inclusion of it optimizes the practicality of the unit's compact size and light weight. Altec has also thoughtfully(?) provided an extra out jack, should you wish to boost the bass by purchasing an optional sub-woofer from Altec (Tivoli does the same, and I for one refuse to take the bait). The instructions are small in print size and sparse in explanation. (Take your time with things like selecting the right adapter for your iPod and installing the CR remote battery correctly, because some of these plastic pieces are fragile and easily cracked.)
In sum, the Altec Lansing reminds me of the treblish James B. Lansing (JBL) systems. And even though it doesn't "reconstruct" the sound of a bass, it has none of the distortion that I've occasionally heard from smaller speakers, such as the JBL Micro. If I were spending a week in a cabin with an iPod, my preference would be a collection consisting of an Athena iVoice (for vitamin-fortified, full-frequencied sound); a Tivoli iPal (for its expertly-tuned sound and unequaled FM reception); a JBL On Stage Micro or Cyber Acoustics 421 (for carrying the music into the neighbor's cabin or on a fishing expedition); a Saitek-100 Portable System (for sticking in my pocket while hiking). If packing all four would seem extravagant, there's option #5: the Altec IM600, which is versatile yet highly competent in all that it does. That virtuosity, plus its current price on Amazon, makes more than understandable its present position as the people's choice. As a special bonus, the Altec IM600 is the first dock connector I've tried (after 5-6 others) that would charge my 5-year-old 10 gig Ipod, which is not supposed to work with a dock connector.
Digital camera Review: A GOOD PRODUCT
Summary: 4 Stars
Great Sound even at higher volumes. Fills a room and more. It's a sleek design and looks good too. Comes with a mini remote and there's an adaptor port for different modles of mp3 players. I bought this for my boyfriend who travels. However, it'a a little larger than I pictured and probably not the best for the kind of traveling he does (he's in tents, not hotels). He's happy to have it, anyway. It would be great for hotel traveling or of course visiting friends and family.Digital camera Review: A GREAT alternative to the overpriced Bose speaker system
Summary: 5 Stars
Clear sound and lots of volume. We took it to a meeting and played music from my mp3 player during breaks. It was a hit! The Bose is so... overpriced. They are about the same size and it is readily portable. Who needs a humongous sound system??? We got a GREAT price for this Altec Lansing model through Amazon online. I highly recommend it.Digital camera Review: A Sturdy, Reliable Little System - Have Owned for 4+ Years
Summary: 4 Stars
I've owned this nice little Altec Lansing iM600 Firewire-Charging Portable Audio System for the iPod since early 2006, and it has done very well for me. I've used it almost exclusively in my office at work, where I've run it pretty consistently for between 5 and 12 hours per day. I've never had a single problem with the sound system. It is possible to get distortion at higher volume levels, but I've found that seems to correlate more with a lower mp3 quality than with the system itself. This unit is compact and folds up into itself securely for a sleek, easily portable system. I've taken it on road trips, camping, to my high school reunion, and more - it's never let me down. The iM600 is AC chargeable and will run for a couple to three hours on its battery reserve - nice for picnics, the beach, etc. This has a remote control that is compact and handy. The one problem I've had with the iM600 is that occasionally the manual power button won't work; this has happened to me, oh, six or seven times. The remote will bypass the manual button, though, and turn the unit's power on. The iPod charging dock works perfectly and is convenient for both selecting and changing music on an iPod and for ensuring an iPod is fully charged for when you want to grab it and go (I have a 1st generation 30GB video iPod). The iM600's radio reception is solid, if not occasionally staticky, but this will vary by location and surroundings, obviously. So, in January, I will have owned this unit for 4 years, and it's still going strong and working great. This is a great unit for an office desk, the kitchen, kids' rooms, traveling, outdoor excursions, etc. I really recommend this product. I'm kind of bummed because I'm here looking for a new unit to handle my iPhone and I see that the new iM600 isn't compatible with iPhones, just iPods. Ah well, my iPod is 5 years old and is still kickin', so I will have continued use for my iM600.Digital camera Review: A good accessory for your ipod
Summary: 4 Stars
We use this portable speaker outdoors. The sound is of good quality. I agree with some of the other reviews about the base...and I am not a big audiophile, but there are some base-rich songs that don't sound great and you have to adjust your ipod eq's. But that said, this is a great pick for the price and it does the trick. Not to mention, it has an FM radio which the Bose did not...which in my mind, makes the Bose way over priced.