Review: Altec Lansing iM7 iPod Speakers
The iPod portable speaker market is phenomenal. Hundreds of speakers are available, all with their own unique features, and pros, and cons. However, when I set my eyes upon Altec Lansing’s latest iM7 iPod speakers, I knew that they were unique and different from any other speakers on the market. I wasn’t wrong!
Searching for high quality, stylish, and widely compatible iPod speakers for months on end, I discovered Altec Lansing’s new iM7 portable iPod speakers. After days of researching, and reading about them, I was ready to take the plunge and purchase the speakers.
The iM7’s have a built in iPod cradle, which is compatible with all iPod’s featuring dock connectors, including the iPod mini, and the iPod nano. All future iPod’s, including the iPod shuffle can be played using the audio in port, which is a major reason that I opted for the iM7 above any other iPod speakers, including Altec Lansing’s main competitor product, the Bose SoundDock.
The speakers are extremely simple to use. Firmly press on the cradle to open it, click the iPod into the dock, and press close the cradle. Located conveniently on top of the unit are the power button and the volume controls. The buttons are large and easy to press, however an LCD screen displaying the volume would have been a wonderful addiction to an excellent product.
The device itself is solid and heavy, especially when packed with its 8 required batteries. The iPod is secured into the cassette deck type opening with a tightening vise when in use; therefore you can transport it without the hassle of removing the iPod.
One disappointment I had with the unit was the included wireless remote. The range it operated from was poor, around four metres was as far as I could accurately operate it from. Another disappointment; there is no display on the unit to indicate volume, bass volume, and vocal volume; therefore you have too guess how high they are turned.
The sound quality is stunning. Blasting music from my 3rd generation iPod, at a mid-range volume, the iM7 sounds amazingly crisp and clear. Although I have not tested them, many reviewers are claiming that the iM7 sounds better than the prestigious Bose SoundDock.
The bass of the iM7 is very strong; when you have it turned up, you can feel the thumping of the audio, and it feels like a live concert taking place right inside your room. You can almost close your eyes, and actually feel like you are there, reliving the moment. I prefer to have the bass set to about half way; this gives you a balanced audio reception while listening to various genres of music.
Despite its characterization as a “portable iPod sound system�?, the iM7 is equally as good to leave in a large room, in place of a stereo or other audio system, because the sound quality is so pristine, you wouldn’t notice a difference.
One of its best features is the design characteristic. The design is perfected down to the last tiny, fine details, making for a stunning, elegant look. The way Altec Lansing has packed so much power into the unit, with such an elusive design, is amazing.
Altec Lansing has hit the money with these speakers. The positives of the unit totally outshine the negatives. If your looking for iPod speakers, take a look at these - you won’t be disappointed!
#1
Chris Marshall → chrismarshall.ws
They do look cool but at $250 they also seem kind of expensive? As ever it all depends on how much you would use them I guess.
Nice review!
#2
Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net
hey wait a minute! you’re review stuff you’ve had for awhile. you should’ve done this a long time ago. nonetheless, I still love this blog.
#3
Dumitru Tira → www.static-13.deviantart.com
Could you clarify something?
The batteries are the only power source?
#4
Jonathan Powell → www.orangebeard.com
I used to own this unit and I totally agree with Glenn…flippin’ awesome! I had to return mine because my kids got a hold of it and broke the little latch thingy that snaps the ipod in place. I should have gotten a replacement because I miss it now. When I first bought it a Costco a bout a two years ago, I paid $185, I’ve seen it around a $100 there now…a steal at that price!
Dumitru Tira - it has a power source and battery compartment. I never used the battery source so I can’t vouch for the hours…
Thanks Glenn for making me want to go find one of these again…
#5
Dumitru Tira → www.static-13.deviantart.com
I can use it in my room without wasting batteries and take it with me on trips and use the battery, awesome.
I need something like this :D
#6
tom → tff4.com
No mention of actual battery life? I should think this would be a fairly important facet of the portability aspect.
#7
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
You can power the unit either by the batteries, or through a power socket. When plugged in via the AC plug, it neglects the batteries and uses available power.
I get around ten hours of playback when using batteries.
#8
Dumitru Tira → www.static-13.deviantart.com
Damn, where were these speakers then I was in Lloret del Mar, I could have rocked all the hotel floor and beat up the metal-smoking-pot guys :D
#9
DeathAxe → justincomparable.com
I have Altec Lansing inMoion speakers and they work great!
#10
Jorge Quinteros → www.jorgeq.com
Thanks for that very insightful review. My girlfriend has mentioned in several occasions about purchasing boom box with iPod compatibility. This one seems hot!
#11
rusty → www.myownswordsman.blogspot.com
looks funny to me…
have you bought this one yet? how is the sound??
#12
rusty → www.myownswordsman.blogspot.com
sorry, i didn’t mean your article, but i was trying to say the design of the speaker…lol
#13
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Yes, I have bought it - which is why I wrote this review. My thoughts on sound quality can be found above :-)
#14
themak → themak.org
They really are an amazing set of speakers, they can go as loud as I’d care for and still sound good. I’ve also found the remote almost completely useless (I can’t even remember where I left it now) but the only other glitch with it for me is although the back plate is adjustable- there is a good .5cm in front of a 5g iPod of loose space and that I cannot sync it from the cradle.
#15
PaulieHi there,
I was wondering if I bought the IM7 is there a way for my wife to use her Zune with the speakers? Thanks
#16
BonniePls help! iPod video won’t work in the IM7 cradle. It works if you plug it into the back (aux). A different iPod works in the cradle (a regular iPod). I’ve updated the software, etc. You would think it’s the plug on the bottom of the iPod but it syncs just fine when I plug it into my computer. Altec Lansing tech support is out of ideas for me! Any thoughts? Thanks so much.
#17
JeanneI absolutely love the IM7. Since I only play music from my iPod the IM7 is my stero. My only issue is the door latch. After over a year of operation it stopped catching when I closed the door. Of course the warranty is only a year so Altec Lansing won’t do anything for me. Is there any way to fix this. Are there more recent versions of the IM7 that do not have the latch issue? I have read that may be the case. Looking online I am not finding any way to fix this just a lot of people complaing about it. Was hoping you may have better info than me. Thank you!!
#18
JorgeThree Questions:
1) Although Amazon still carries the IM7, some of the reviews mention that it is discontinued. Is this true?
2) Does the unit has a handle to carry it around?
3) Do you need to put batteries on it even when you will only use it with AC power?
Thanks for a great review