Five docking stations that will make your iPhone sound new

JBL On Beat Micro

JBL was one of the first to release docking stations with a compact 8-pin Lightning connector for iPhone 5. Usually, the first does not mean the best, but in this case it's just the opposite. The quality of On Beat Micro is worthy of a well-known acoustics manufacturer.

There is nothing to complain about in the appearance and ergonomics of the device. A small case made of matte plastic with dimensions of 54x160x168 mm, which was decorated with a metal grille, resembles a flying saucer. Such a compact design of the device has its drawback — the station is not suitable for connecting an iPad. But it has a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB port for connecting many other devices and simultaneously charging another smartphone or tablet.

To control the JBL station, only the power and volume buttons are provided. There is a Lightning connector in a small recess on the top panel. The model is suitable for iPhone and iPod with the appropriate connector. Thanks to the rubber base, as well as a soft insert-back, the device will not be scratched and will not be damaged from frequent connection.

On Beat Micro can work both from a power adapter and from four AAA batteries. At the same time, from the batteries, the device will work for up to 5 hours without ceasing to delight with music. The batteries are hidden behind a cover on the bottom panel, equipped with a rubber pad that minimizes vibrations and increases the stability of the model. And considering that this is the lightest and most compact docking station in our selection (its weight is only 360 g), you can take it with you wherever you want. Two small speakers with a total power of 4 watts produce a decent sound, as for such a miniature system, although, according to reviews, the volume margin is small.

When choosing a compact docking station for your iPhone or iPod with a Lightning connector, we recommend that you first pay attention to the JBL On Beat Micro. At a relatively low cost, it has portability, AUX and USB ports, as well as the possibility of autonomous operation, but it lacks the Bluetooth connection function and the ability to install an iPad tablet.

Philips DCM-2260

Philips is one of the few manufacturers that have been producing docking stations and compact audio systems for mobile devices for a long time. Its model range includes dozens of devices for connecting smartphones, tablets and other mobile equipment. By design, one of these novelties — DCM2260 — will fit into a modern interior and will delight with a good sound.

Its appearance masterfully combines a glossy insert on the front panel, matte plastic on the back side, fabric-covered speaker grilles and a silver control panel. A pull-out shelf in the centre of the front side hides the Lightning and 30-pin slots for new and old Apple devices, starting from the second-generation iPhone and ending with the last iPad. Thanks to the rubber base and a small rubber insert in the very centre of the dock, the cases of these gadgets will not lose their presentation from frequent connection. The buttons on the upper side are used for control, as well as a small remote control. You can use it to switch between recordings and configure the operation of the device.

The functionality of the DCM2260 is very large considering its relatively low cost. For complete happiness, only the microUSB connector for connecting Android-based mobile devices is not enough. But the DCM2260 boasts the presence of many other functions. It has a 3.5mm AUX slot for transmitting audio from almost any device and an audio output for headphones. And the built-in player reads CDs and is able to play audio recordings in MP3 format from a flash drive (for which a USB port is provided). In addition, the docking station is equipped with an FM radio and an alarm clock. But that's not all. The model is complemented by a small display that displays the time, the selected radio frequency, the recording number on a flash drive or disk. In comparison with the JBL On Beat Micro, the dock turned out to be quite bulky, as it is equipped with large speakers with a total power of 20 watts. But its sound is louder and richer. Therefore, acoustics are quite capable of filling a medium-sized room with your favorite music.

Philips DCM2260 has everything you need for an acoustic docking station and a few bonuses like an alarm clock. Therefore, it will be interesting to connoisseurs of high-quality sound, who will be able to charge their iPhone or iPad while enjoying music.

JBL On Beat Venue With Lighting

JBL products are appreciated not only by musicians and sound engineers, but also by ordinary users who love high-quality acoustics. Therefore, do not be surprised by the participation in our selection of another docking station from this manufacturer. The differences between the models are not only in design, but also in functionality. On Beat Venue LT's shape is a bit like a soundbar made of matte plastic with fabric-covered grilles of music speakers. This dock is not very compact and weighs more than 2 kg. On the other hand, it is stable, so it will be a reliable support even for a tablet.

The manufacturer used a classic solution – a pull-out shelf on the front panel, where the Lightning bolt is hidden. Thanks to the thoughtful design of the shelf with rubber inserts and a soft pad in the centre of the panel, you do not have to worry about the case of your iPhone, iPod or iPad. At the same time, the devices can not only transmit sound to external acoustics, but also charge at the same time. And for the usual and wireless connection of other mobile (and not very) equipment, a 3.5 mm AUX connector and a Bluetooth module are provided, respectively.

Two speakers are capable of delivering 30 watts of power. The sound is not only loud, but also rich, with bass, which was achieved thanks to the use of a phase-invertor housing design and proprietary technologies of the manufacturer. Enhanced low-frequency sound is provided by a special Bass mode.

In addition, the docking station is equipped with a simple control system. Unless the remote control is not enough, it would be useful to control the device and select a song to play. Although, this did not prevent the device from receiving the MAC Awards 2013 award. On Beat Venue LT is a powerful docking station with clean and balanced sound for users who want to combine charging gadgets and listening to music. In addition to the Lightning connector, it has Bluetooth and a regular audio input.

Bose SoundDock Series III

Bose is known for its speaker systems, headphones and professional equipment. Its SoundDock Series III docking station received a laconic design, which is decorated with glossy plastic and a metal grille on the front panel. Bright colour options (for example, orange and purple) will help refresh the appearance of the device, which makes this dock stand out among the usual white, grey and black models.

The model turned out to be small, but wide (30.5 cm) and stable. Therefore, the dock with a weight of 2.1 kg will not wobble or vibrate even at maximum volume. The sturdy base with a Lightning connector is complemented by a rubber "back" that will withstand even an iPad. By the way, it will take less time to fully charge the iPhone, iPod and iPad with the SoundDock Series III than when charging from the laptop's USB port.

In addition to the Lightning connector, the dock is equipped with a 3.5mm AUX input for wired audio transmission from other devices like computers, tablets, etc. And it has no other interfaces or openings. Included with this model is a small remote control, with which you can remotely switch recordings and playlists.

Perhaps the main advantage of this speaker system is the high sound quality. Two speakers with a total power of 30 watts provide not only loud, but also rich sound with a pleasant frequency balance, with relatively deep bass and pure high frequencies. The dock does not have its own settings, but it reacts to the equalizer settings on the smartphone and the player.

If you are looking for an iPhone, iPad or iPod dock with high-quality sound and a remote control, then the Bose SoundDock Series III deserves attention. If you are looking for a dock with bright colours, then there are almost no alternatives.

Yamaha TSX-132

The championship in our TOP 5 gets Yamaha TSX-132, which combines technologies from the world of mobile technology and the tradition of Hi-Fi technology. First of all, the Japanese manufacturer should be praised for the interesting design of the docking station, reminiscent of stereos at the end of the last century. Speakers peeking out from behind the bars, a lot of controls, a lowercase screen and a wooden insert make it clear that you are looking at a premium device.

On the top panel, surrounded by control system elements, there is a 30-pin connector for connecting iPhone and iPod. As expected, the device will charge and transmit sound to the acoustics at the same time. To connect the iPad and newer Apple mobile devices, you will have to use a USB cable. But, unlike the dock connector, the devices will not charge. This nuance is compensated by the fact that the dock has a CD player that can read MP3 and WMA discs, a USB port for playing music from flash drives and a line input for connecting laptops, any tablets and other devices.

In the arsenal of the TSX-132 there is an FM/AM radio with memory for 30 stations and a headphone output so as not to disturb anyone while listening to your favorite songs. There is also a display that displays information about the track, radio station or carrier, clock, alarm clock and sleep timer. If you install the device in the bedroom, then the IntelliAlarm function will be relevant, which will gently wake you up with a cheerful melody, changing the volume and frequency range of music playback (high frequencies appear gradually).

A miniature remote control should control all this functionality, except for the buttons on the case. With its help, you can adjust the time, switch tracks and select a source. You can also use a proprietary iOS app to control the alarm clock and the IntelliAlarm function. An important advantage of this model is two speakers with a power of 15 watts each. The sound quality of the speaker system received positive ratings from reviewers (for example, on www.hi-fi.ru ). Your favorite compositions will sound harmonious, emotional and lively. A three-band equalizer will help you adjust the subtleties of the sound depending on the selected signal source or recording quality.

We believe that the high cost of the Yamaha TSX-132 is justified, because in addition to excellent sound, it has a bright design and rich functionality, which includes the ability to play music from CD and USB drives, FM radio, remote control for convenient control and other bonuses.