- Nested subwoofer on bottom delivers deep bass
- Full-featured remote lets you control audio and select iPhone and iPod features
- Auxiliary input - Connects a second audio source
I was quite surprised at the quality of the sound from this unit. I tested it in our living room, a large space in an open floorplan, and the sound filled the space pretty well considering how far apart the walls were. In the master bedroom, however, it was amazing! I put it on one side of the room and was surrounded by music.
I did a comparison with our Bose Companion 2 Series II multimedia speaker system, changing back and forth between them to see how each performed. In louder sections of music, the Bose did seem to retain more clarity, but the sound was highly directional. It's never an issue sitting at the computer, but compared to the Altec Lansing M650 Speaker System it did not fill the room with bass.
Some quick points to consider...
The Good:
* Great bass and clear treble on all styles of music
* Onboard EQ with presets and custom setting (really helps to bring the bass up or down as needed)
* Remote works well in large room
* Sound fills a large space
* Small footprint, can easily hide away on a bookcase or shelf
* Charges iPhone or iPod while in use (note: I tested it with an iPhone 3GS)
* Video out on the back for playing iPhone or iPod video (have not tested yet, will update when I get a chance)
* Auxiliary input for playing non-iPhone or iPod sources (something lacking from many other sounddocks)
* Blue LEDs on front light up when changing volume or EQ to indicate levels, very handy
* Decent size for travel, would be nice to have in a hotel room
The Not-so-good:
* It's a little tricky to get the iPhone off the dock connector at first. The dock is on a spring and angles back toward the speaker to hold it in place. It's easy to get off with two hands, but removing it with one takes practice.
* Power cord is bulky and will take up extra room on your power strip. (note that the Bose sounddock removes the bulky portion of the power cable and places it along the cable instead of right at the plug.) This isn't a huge deal, just something to be aware of.
* Music can lose some clarity at top volume levels
That's about it, really. None of these three criticisms are a deal-breaker for me, and my wife loves having it in the living room. She will play music all day no matter where she is in the house and has told me several times how much she appreciates it. The $200 price tag might scare some, but not when you compare it to other serious sounddocks. In fact, compared to the Bose SoundDock Series II Digital Music System for iPod (Black), which we've had before, it is a bargain and produces equal sound quality.
I would recommend this to anyone wanting a simple solution for good sound from their iPhone or iPod in their home.
Buy Altec Lansing M650 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Now
Update: Dec 8, 2011. I have been using this for two months now and I can say that I am extremely happy I decided on this model. Sound is full, remote is great, and it is just looks really nice. No regrets at all!!!
The design and features, not to mention the quality of the sound of the Altec M650 speaker system sets it apart from many others in this price range. First, the dock itself is allows iPhones to fit using with any size case. Also, rumors abound that the next iPhone may be slightly larger, 4" vs 3.5" screen. If that happens then many current docks will not be compatible with newer phones and you know what that means imagine spending $600 for a Bose 10 that doesn't fit your new iPhone/iPod!!! And, Yes, it does charge your device. The remote, unlike many, is full featured including dedicated Base and Treble controls, something you should expect at this price point. Plus, a free app includes four equalizer presets plus the ability to create several more of your own custom presets, all of which can be accessed from the remote or the app. So between Equalizer Presets, Bass & Treble controls, you have the ability to adjust the sound to what works best for your music. I listen to mostly classical but also jazz and talk radio using iTunes, Pandora, AccuRadio and TuneIn Radio apps. I may not want strong bass with talk radio since it is only voices so I can quickly and easily select the appropriate setting/preset. The App presets include Rock punches the bass, Hip Hop, punches bass and treble, Pop punches the midrange and to a lesser extent the bass, and the `Altec' preset which leaves everything alone. Lastly the free app has four mood/visualizer sounds with videos like waves crashing at sunset, a cracking fire, streams... These are useful for relaxation, reading, or just helping you fall asleep. In addition there are Audio In ports to hook up to non-Apple devices or a computer. Plus it also has ports to connect the video out to a TV I haven't used this feature but these do help to set it apart from other docks.
The unit is well constructed with a sturdy feel, sporting a beautiful, elegant design that will look good anywhere and uses two 3" woofers and a 4" subwoofer. The down firing subwoofer really helps create deep, rich sound. At this price point you should expect rich bass, not a tin box. Just be careful when picking it up so as not to press your fingers against the subwoofer at the bottom and also try to make sure it sits on something sturdy since that is what the subwoofer will vibrate off of. The unit has a blue LED power light and uses a series of small blue lights to show the volume, bass and treble levels while you are making a adjustment then a few seconds later these lights will dim away, except for the power light.
Of course what is most important is the quality of the sound full and rich. When I got mine I ran pink noise through it from my White Noise App for three nights to help burn in the speakers. It is important to note that sound from a new speaker is not necessarily at its best because the speakers need to burn in to open up like breaking in a new pair of shoes so be careful not to judge the sound of any new speaker too quickly. If you don't have the White Noise app, then get it or just use one of the mood sounds from the App like Mountain/Clouds to break it in. Bottom line, the sound is great, especially if it is in a small or medium size room. I do not have a very large room mine is in my living room which opens to a dining area and performs superbly. Also, unlike some other docks and many types of computer speakers, the sound is not particularly directional this is important if you will be moving around.
Okay, so what's wrong with it. Nothing really but I would not have minded if they designed it slightly wider and included 3/4" tweeters but I really don't have any complaints about the treble. However, I do have two small Cons, or rather, things to be aware of. First, at very high volume the sound will distort. For myself these volumes are louder than I will ever use it so this is not a concern for me but it might be if you blast your music. The other thing is that one of its virtues, the bass, can be unpleasant when listening to heavy bass music if the bass setting it all the way up. I suggest testing with your most bass heavy song to see for yourself. Turn it up all the way thensimply turn down the bass level until it sounds right and just leave it there. For myself this is only about 20-30% of max. The test doesn't work if the bass is maxed out and listening to non-bassy music so by adjusting this setting for heavy bass you will not need to play with the bass setting and instead can simply switch equalizer presets to optimize what you are listening to.
I highly recommend this system to anyone that wants quality sound without spending a fortune. The current price, October 2011, is $199 but Amazon had a Columbus day sale for only $165 and that was when it moved from the wish list to the cart. I would expect another big sale on Black Friday. The unit is still relatively new but after six months or so from its introduction I would expect the price to drop below list.
As a side note my short list included the Kicker iK501 Digital Stereo System for iPhone and iPod (Black) and Audyssey South of Market Audio Dock. I tested the Bose SoundDock 10 Digital Music System which sounded wonderful but it did not make my short list because of price, $600, and the dock design which I do not think will work with a iPhone case plus the bluetooth option costs another $100$150 dollars making the Audyssey SOMA dock a much better value. I also tested the Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox iPod® Dock High Performance iPod® Dock in three stores and passed because everyone had a broken dock making me fear this would happen to me. The dock holds the phone just right so without it unless I held my phone perfectly then error messages would constantly pop up stating 'this device is not compatible'. Also, this system does not have Bass or Treble adjustments but it does have great sound and if you love to play 'heavy bass loud' then check it out since that is exactly what it is designed to do best. The Bose series II seemed overpriced for the features, or lack of them, and didn't sound any better. The iKicker has great reviews and a good price, currently less than the Altec M650, but I passed because I did not want a 6" back facing subwoofer bouncing off my walls out of respect for my neighbors living below me. The 4" downward facing subwoofer of the Altec hits the top of a old stereo cabinet that sits on a rug so no problems with neighbors walls or ceilings vibrating. Also, the dock design of the Kicker may or may not hold a phone with a think case and certainly not a slightly larger phone if that is what the future holds. The Audyssey SOMA has excellent reviews for sound quality with two 4" woofers and two 3/4" tweeters, includes bluetooth and similarly designed dock but it is $369 making it better than the Bose 10 with the bluetooth option but almost 2x as much as this Altec. Bluetooth is a very useful feature as it does not tie up the phone but the downside is bluetooth is also a battery hog and will lower audio quality a bit. I may eventually get an Audyssey SOMA if the price drops and move my Altec 650 to my home office to replace my computer speakers and pick the Audyssey for my living room but for now I am glad I bought the Altec 650. You will not be disappointed in the sound and features but if you want something portable, (with batteries) then keep looking.
Update: Dec 31st: A couple of times in the past two months the unit seems to have died (working great now) no sound at all with a warning like 'device not compatible'. At first it drove me crazy as I tried to turn On/Off, both my iPhone 3GS and the Altec, but nothing. Then I simply I disconnected the power cord from the back of the Altec, waited about 60 seconds, then plugged it in and tried again just like I do when my router or modem has problems. After that everything works perfectly and my settings, Bass, Treble... remained. Not sure what the problem is but at least I now know the fix. Anyway, I mention this since I have seen a few reviews that indicate this unit stopped working but perhaps in some cases this was the fix.
Read Best Reviews of Altec Lansing M650 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Here
I needed a nice sounding unit for a bedroom that could play an Ipod and had an auxiliary port for an Ipad, etc. Cnet gave this a favorable review and i decided to pull the trigger. Despite being a little more expensive than most compact MP3 speaker systems, I decided it was worth a try. I tend to like nice stereo equipment so I was a little apprehensive to drop $200 on an Ipod player. I considered a Bose system, however, the unit won't be used daily so it didn't seem practical.
The unit itself is handsome, fairly compact, and fits nicely on a dresser, night stand, etc. The construction appears to be high quality. It has a density that contributes to the quality of the acoustics. The woofer generates nice base and is located on the bottom. I recommend putting it on a dense, solid surface to get the best results. The clarity of the treble is quite good.
If you are looking for "portable" then don't go here. This is not battery operated. It is easily transported from one room to another, but it is not something you can will want to pack and take with you. The remote works great with my Ipod Touch and there is some Altec Lansing Apps that you can download. One allows you to turn it into an alarm clock which is pretty cool.
I might change my mind and give it 5 stars, but since there are a lot of choices in the $100 range I feel I paid a slight premium for the product. The sound quality is certainly 5 stars and the value is 4 stars. If you want a great sounding unit, but don't want to overspend on a Bose system then give this a try. You won't be disappointed.
Want Altec Lansing M650 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Discount?
Altec Lansing has a reputation for good sound, and this system is no exception. There's only one con which is why I say 4½ stars, but it's no showstopper. First the pro's:
' The SOUND. Wow, once you tweak treble and bass correctly for the type of music, the sound comes alive! Rich in tone, especially due to the added subwoofer.
' I repeat, the addition of a subwoofer. Nothing adds fullness better.
' My iPhone fits on the dock with my rubber Incipio case on. That's a real nice convenience.
' Controls are placed right on top and there are blue LEDs that show you the level of bass, treble and volume, no guessing.
' A really small and flat remote control is included, and I mean flat, must use a watch battery. No additional monster-sized remote to throw on the pile.
' Component Video Jacks! I haven't tested them yet but there's no reason they shouldn't work. You can play video on your flat screen with rich sound coming from the Altec unit. Nice unexpected feature!
' The sound. Did I mention how good the tone is on this thing? I'm picky, believe me.
' The iPhone App. Download it and use it to play your tunes. Yes, the iPod will already do that, but there are EQ settings in the app that sweeten the sound. It's free, no brainer!
OK, one con: the subwoofer gets overdriven VERY quickly with bottom-heavy songs (like the low B the bass player hits in Riverdance's "Slip Into Spring". I'm not expecting magic from a unit like this, but it got fairly tubby sounding quicker than I had hoped. Once you dial it back, it sounds great. Careful, there's no screen, you can pick this unit up and put your finger right through the subwoofer cone.
All in all, if you want WOW sound for a device like this, look no further.
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Recently I purchased and reviewed the Devotec Industries Solar Sound 2, Solar Powered Bluetooth Speaker For iphone,iPad and any MP3 Player which I thought was incredible for a solar powered blue-tooth speaker system.
So having the Altec Lansing M650 seemed superfluous to my iOS audio needs. I was very, very wrong and whilst I wouldn't expect a battery driven external speaker like the Solar sound to really compete with the power speaker set with sub, I wasn't expecting such a stark improvement.
The first thing I noticed was the size of this set extremely deep to accommodate the hefty 4" sub which you can see underneath so take the time to gauge the measurements for your intended placement as this fellow's footprint is considerably larger than the current product pic suggests. Of course, that space is put to massive use and the M650 puts out large amounts of bass perfect for your summer deck parties. The second thing I thought was cool was the hidden multi-level bright blue LED lights which donate volume, power bass treble etc. They're tucked inside the speaker grill at the top left and so are invisible until the unit is switched on. Each LED has multiple levels of brightness denoting the current volume level which was a nice touch. The iPhone 4 I plopped onto the unit has a fairly hefty case on it but it fit without issue and immediately powered up to indicate the M650 was charging the iPhone. This was without the unit being on which is awesome. You can use this speaker system as a charger even if you're not playing any music or even have it on.
I tried Pandora and it was then I realized what an amazing sound it pumps out. I added many stations of random sound Tommy Dorsey, rap, hard rock and everything poured out with clarity and volume which totally belied the size (and cost) of the system. The tiny remote has many functions on it including the ability to custom EQ the sound or just choose from one of the presets.
A final function, which I did not try, is the ability to output both audio and video from the system. The video output connections are component which is the red/green/blue RCA type which if your TV is more than four years old may not have and the product spec claims composite too which is the single yellow RCA. I assume one of the component outputs doubles up as composite as I did not see a dedicated composite connector. Either way it would allow you to view videos through the M650 onto your TV. As an Apple TV owner this is something I can do wirelessly from the iPad/iPhone so I didn't test it on this unit but it's a nice feature to have.
All in all this is one of the best, if not the best, docking audio systems I've used and simply offers stunning sound from your phone/iPod without any issues. You may balk at the price but the speakers alone are worth the price of admission. The charger, the remote control, the video out are merely the icing on the cake.
