Altec Lansing inMotion iM3 Make iPod Even More Portable

Even though Bose may very well be a first name in what is a truly remarkable audio system for iPod with its Sound Dock, Altec Lansing’s inMotion speakers are hardly confined to runner-up status. Instead, whereas the Bose is ideally suited for quality in-home use, inMotion are among the most portable, crisp-sounding iPod speakers on the market today. Because the speaker station actually folds up, it’s easy to take the unit on the road as it fits very easily into a lightweight carry-all.

As vacation season fast approaches, you can be sure that inMotion iM3 will save those of us from suffering from the din of clock radios located bedside at summer hot spots. To be sure, I packed up the unit to take on a trip to New Orleans recently. The first obvious hallmark of the speakers are their portability. The one-piece unit comes with a carry bag that securely fits the unit with a super-tiny, though no less handy, remote control. When ready to use, it’s simple to open the unit, plug it into a wall outlet, which creates an iPod docking station unto itself. The sound quality of the small speaker system is also surprisingly reliable.

While the digital device in no way competes with its traditional audio roots, the combination of iPod with its many thousand tracks and inMotion is a very efficient add-on to any small room or travel lodge.

After listening to Bose Sound Dock performance fairly religiously, I was nevertheless impressed by the loudness the inMotion speakers could accommodate, as well as the added bass—something I assumed would be missing from the equation. The amplifier powers four full-range micro drivers in total to deliver a clean sweep of tonalities. The addition of MaxxBass technology particularly gives inMotion “oomph.”

But probably the most notable characteristic of the speakers is the fact that the size does not eclipse the portability of the iPod itself. If you need a device that’s ultimately a transformer, then you also should consider inMotion for the sheer luxury of sharing music with others. iPod alone is ideal for moments spent that way, but it seems half-hearted not to also invest in components that only ever enhance the experience overall. In this case, the bonus is threefold: portability, lightweight design and practical usefulness.

Just remember that while inMotion speakers support a range of iPod and iPod minis (including the original model), it does not work with iPod Photo. -Natalie Hope McDonald