iPod and iPhone Play-at-Home Accessories

Many of the thousands of accessories for the iPod and iPhone models are designed for use while traveling. But you can also find docks, speaker systems, and stands for using your iPod when you’re home.

Speaker systems

Dozens, if not hundreds, of speakers systems are available for the iPod. For an extremely powerful, single-cabinet, portable speaker system that offers iPod docking, the stylish, high-quality $300 Bose SoundDock, available in the Apple Store, offers exceptional sound. The $200 Altec Lansing T612 Digital Speaker System for iPhone, also available in the Apple Store, offers excellent sound with sufficient bass, and because it works with iPhones, if you get a call while listening, the music pauses automatically.

For superior, audiophile-quality sound, consider the $500 I-Sonic ES2 from Polk Audio, available in the Apple Store. It combines Polk Audio’s unique acoustic system and full 360-degree stereo sound field with a built-in iPod dock and HD Radio.

What if you have multiple iPods from different generations and need to organize your docks and cables? The Belkin Tunesync offers a unique USB cradle that not only offers a place for recharging and syncing your iPods, but also has five additional USB ports.

The Jukebox Station

The Jukebox Station cradles your iPod in a cool situation with a dock, FM radio, and CD player.

Perhaps the coolest home outfit for your iPod turns your living room into a juke joint for $700. The Jukebox Station from Saffire-USA houses a universal docking cradle for any iPod along with an FM radio and a CD player.

Remote controls

When your iPod is tethered to a dock and connected to your home stereo, you don’t have to be within reach to change the track or the settings. Instead, you can control it remotely. The wireless Apple Remote from the Apple Store provides the usual CD player controls for Apple’s Universal Dock: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, and Volume. The Apple Remote is supplied with current Mac models and with Apple TV, and is also available separately at an Apple Store (including the online store).

Engineered Audio provides a wireless remote control — the Aerolink — for $45. It features an operating range greater than 200 feet.