IPort Sonance Speakers Review: Worth the Price of Three IPods?

Expensive is the best adjective to describe the iPort Sonance speakers. If you thought the Apple iPods you bought was costly, then think three times that, and you're looking at this speaker port. However, it's definitely a top of the line device for playing audio in the highest definition.

Right up there with Russound, SpeakerCraft and Niles brands, iPort Sonance speakers are some of the best. You can have them installed in-wall/wall-recessed for a whole house system that you can control from one location. With them, you can press the play button in the kitchen and have the music come on in the din, all without seeing any unsightly wires or other detractors.

iPort Sonance speakers are seamless and easy to install. All you have to do is cut a hole the size of a light switch panel into the wall, place the iPort inside, do any necessary adjustments on the audio and electrical settings, then start playing your music. You can stick your iPod into the iPort and have the content play back through the iPort Sonance speakers. With a multi-room distributed system, the music will soon blanket the whole house. Photos can also be streamed to the television set. Adapters are available to connect the iPort Sonance speakers to current hard drive based iPods.

Those with extra time on the hands and the necessary know-how to do electrical installations can install the iPort Sonance speakers themselves, but snaking all those wires to a stereo system isn't going to be a five minute job. (Up to 500 feet are allowed between the iPort Sonance speakers and the stereo receiver. ) Therefore, you should throw in an extra $100-$250 for installation on top of the original $598 for the iPort Sonance speakers- although you may be able to find street prices of $400 to $500.

Yes, it's expensive, but it's more than just an iPort. It has many filters to protect your device against power surges, a 15-volt power supply to charge your iPod while powering the iPort, line-out connections for Ethernet and audio cables, and video out. You also have the option of remote control for the basic functions with the iPort Sonance speakers with iPod remotes like the TEN Technology NaviPod. You can also use a programmable remote in the same room, or a wall plate remote. Or, you can operate the iPort Sonance speakers directly through the iPod.

One downside of the iPort is that it won't connect to the internet. You'll have to use iTunes on your PC or Mac to download new music. Plus, if you have an apartment then you should look for a different port because this system requires a hole in the wall. There are other options for putting MP3 audio through your speaker system, and some of them are more affordable. However, none are as simple yet stylish.

Basically, go for the iPort Sonance speakers if you can afford to put a little into your love of music. It'll give you an easy to operate method for inputting MP3 audio into your household stereo system.