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Provides: External audio for your MP3 player or other device with 1/8” mini output
Developer: Altec Lansing (Orbit MP3); GrandMax (Tweakers)
Requirements: Any audio device with 1/8” mini output
Retail Price: $39.95 - Orbit MP3; $29.95 - Tweakers

In concept, I’m completely behind portable speakers for your iPod. Music is meant to be shared. That’s pretty much its primary purpose, after all. When I discover a new band, I find myself scheduling long car trips specifically so my wife and I will have the opportunity to sit down and listen to them together. But the iPod is an isolationist device. It separates you from others. Closes you off. Thankfully, companies such as Altec Lansing and GrandMax are here to help.

Both companies are selling low-cost portable speakers built to follow you and your iPod, iPhone or some other thing around. Both Altec Lansing’s Orbit MP3 and GrandMax’s Tweakers are battery powered only. Both come with carrying cases. Both are small and lightweight. But whereas one company chose to focus mainly on design and portability, the other chose to focus on sound. Can you guess which is which?

Orbit MP3

The Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 Speaker System ($39.95) is the first set I tried out. Although, “system” may be used inaccurately here, because the Orbit MP3 is actually just one speaker. Apparently, though, with Altec Lansing, one speaker is all you need.

The Orbit MP3 sits on your desk like a couple of hockey pucks (which, coincidentally, I actually have sitting on my desk). It’s 2” high by about 3-1/2” in diameter, and it looks very sharp; modern, without trying to be too “techy” or “artsy.” You have to give Altec Lansing credit, as they’re more interested in creating speakers that look like Altec Lansing products as opposed to Apple products.

The power button is located on the side next to a light that shines green when the unit is on. The power light is necessary because the Orbit MP3 is powered by three AAA batteries. There’s no option to plug it in, but Altec Lansing claims the batteries can provide up to 24 hours of play time. Even with the light, it’s still easy to forget the Orbit MP3 is on; I’d prefer there be an auto-off feature that kicks in after a minute or so when no sound is being sent to the speaker.

The cord for connection to your iPod or other audio device extends from the bottom of the unit, where it comfortably wraps under the battery cover when not in use. The cord is only nine inches long, so you don’t have much speaker placement flexibility unless you buy an extender.

Centered in the top of the Orbit MP3 is a single, upward driving speaker that’s built to fill the room with 360° sound. And it kind of does. The odd thing about the Orbit MP3 is that it actually sounds better the louder you play it, mainly because that’s the only way to get better bass. The sound remains clear and free of distortion, and does okay when it’s being big; better than you’d expect from such a small, solitary speaker. At lower volumes, though, the sound is quite hollow; okay for the spoken word, but lacking the punch necessary for music or games.

The portability of it suffers a bit from its height—the Orbit MP3 is too large to fit in anything other than coat pocket or bag—but it comes with a nice carrying case, and is very easy to break down and set up; unwind the cord, plug it in, turn it on, done. As far as portable speakers go, the Orbit MP3 is a pretty good value. It won’t replace your desktop speakers, but that’s not really the point. Consider it a low-cost entry into the Altec Lansing brand; I mean, if this little guy can get sound like this, just imagine what you can get out of something with two speakers and subwoofer.

Tweakers

The GrandMax Tweakers Pull-n-Play Speakers ($29.95) don’t have the brand identification of an Altec Lansing product, and they unfortunately don’t have the sound, either. I’ll get to that in a bit, but let’s first focus on the positive; the Tweakers are superbly designed, and are easily one of the coolest looking iPod accessories I’ve ever seen.

They look kind of like little black or red robots. Or maybe just robot heads. Magnets on the bottom of each hold them together when not in use, allowing them to be easily carried around in the included mesh carrying bag. Quite honestly, it’s kind of fun to just play with the Tweakers; the magnets actually allow them to stick to any metal surface, but there’s not really any practical use for that.

Unlike the Orbit MP3, the Tweakers contain an internal rechargeable battery that’s powered via USB. An 18” retractable cord in one of the speakers can connect to the included USB adapter which you then plug in to charge the battery. When not charging, this same cord connects to the other speaker to provide stereo sound. When not in use, the cord retracts within the speaker and sits under a small lid to keep everything nice and tidy.

Now, this speaker has the connection cable, the power button, and the blue power light. The other speaker contains the retractable line in cable (also 18” long) and the volume control. This is one advantage over the Orbit MP3, on which the volume can be controlled only by your audio device. Both of the Tweaker units feature upward driving speakers, but they contain something else, too.

With a twist, the top portion expands to provide more air space. In theory, this is to bring out the bass, which I guess it does; you can certainly hear the difference between when the tops are open and when they’re closed. The problem is that you’re not getting great sound either way. The volume is fine, but it never escapes its size, remaining tinny and hollow. This is too bad, because richer sound would’ve made the Tweakers a great option for mobile computing, too (they sit comfortably around my MacBook, and look good doing so). Yes, they’re better than the MacBook’s speakers, but not enough to make them a permanent solution. I also tried these with my Nintendo DS, and was pleased there, but the 18” cord isn’t long enough to make them practical for that, either.

So, that’s how you have to look at the Tweakers. They’re better than the built-in speakers of most portable electronic devices, and they’re certainly better than nothing if your only option are headphones, but they need more kick to warrant using them at any time other than when you have to. Blame it not only on the small speakers, but also on the portability of the retractable cords, as you’re just not going to get good sound pumped through something that’s basically flat.

What’s More Important: Portability or Sound?

That’s really what you have to ask yourself. The Tweakers are certainly fun, you get full stereo, they contain a rechargeable battery, the 18” cords provide some flexibility, and they collapse nicely in an easy to transport unit. Yet, the sound will leave you wanting more, and you can get more in the Orbit MP3. You also get a unit that’s easier to set up and use, although its bulky shape makes it a bit harder to transport.

Both units, however, allow you share your music at a reasonable price, making music a social medium once again. You certainly can’t go wrong with that.

Well…depending upon what bands you’re sharing, as my wife would have you know.