Crave

Donald and Jasmine discuss potential issues with the Android-based Archos 5...namely, why does the sucker keep crashing on everyone? Also, a look at the freshly posted reviews for the Monster Turbine Pro and JayBird Tiger Eyes earphones, as well as the old-school appealing Altec Lansing inMotion Classic. Finally, big ups to SanDisk for its straightforward approach to an audio issue with the Clip.

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Before all of September's iPod and Zune hoopla devoured my attention, I was in the middle of telling you folks about the Altec Lansing inMotion Classic speaker dock. Now that the dust has settled, we've posted a full CNET review of the Classic, along with the customary First Look video and photo gallery.

If the thought of clicking over to the full review just seems like way too much trouble, then let's just cut to the chase. For the $130-ish dollars you'll spend on this iPod- and iPhone-compatible portable speaker, the inMotion Classic packs a surprisingly big sound into a striking, compact design. Sound-wise, it's not going to stand up to the inMotion Mix or the $600 Bose SoundDock 10, but as an affordable, portable, rechargeable iPod speaker, it rules.

Read the full review of the Altec Lansing inMotion Classic.

Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 -- photos

(Credit: Altec Lansing)

To date, Altec Lansing's little portable Orbit speaker has come in a few different colors and designs. The latest offering, the Orbit USB ($49.95), offers USB connectivity so you can conveniently plug it into your laptop.

In going to USB, the overall design of the speaker hasn't really changed (though we do prefer the black finish), but Altec has added a flip-out kickstand to the bottom, so you can prop it up at a 45-degree angle. Previously, the speaker fired upward or you could stand it up on its side, though not an angle. The kickstand is definitely a nice bonus and it appears to slightly improve the sound quality by having the speaker fire in a more optimal direction.

Earlier Orbits were battery powered, but the iML237 has no battery option; you must plug the USB cable into a computer for power. It's also worth noting that with other Orbits you had the option of using the integrated 3.5 millimeter plug to connect to a computer's speaker port or directly to an MP3 player or other device with an audio output. However, this model, as we said, is only designed for use with a computer.

So, how does it sound?

Read the full review of Altec Lansing's Orbit USB iML237 to find out.

(Credit: Altec Lansing)

Back in the 1980s, when portable audio was synonymous with "cassette tapes," boom boxes were a mainstay of music culture. While luggable, battery-powered speaker systems still exist today, they tend to be somewhat dainty iPod speakers. Altec Lansing's $300 Mix iMT800, meanwhile, aims to mix and match the best of the old and new. It has the look and feel of an old-school, crank-it-till-your-ears-bleed boom box--albeit a rather stylish one--but it boasts an iPod/iPhone dock (and it's GSM-shielded to boot, so you don't need to flip the iPhone into airplane mode).

While this can certainly be used as a stay-at-home stereo, Altec isn't shy about mentioning that it also makes for a good party system indoors or outside. On top, you'll find a handle, and you can also pick the unit up using the "grab" handles on the front of the speakers.

While the Mix doesn't have a second iPod dock, it does offer two 3.5-millimeter line inputs that allow your friends to plug in their MP3 players and cue up their playlists. The inputs are conveniently placed at the top of the unit, and there's a depression under the handle that's reserved for parking additional devices. Additionally, the Mix has a telescoping antenna on top of the unit. While there's no AM radio onboard, it does do FM, with four presets available.

So, how does it sound?

Read the full review of Altec Lansing's Mix iMT800 to find out.

The Altec Lansing inMotion Classic is an angular, powerful boombox made for the iPod and iPhone.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)

Altec Lansing has a long history of producing some stellar little speaker systems designed around the iPod. Their latest portable speaker, the inMotion Classic, continues the company's tradition of delivering quality audio in a compact and stylish design.

I've reviewed a number of Altec Lansing's iPod speakers, including last year's inMotion Max and im600, so I thought I had a pretty good idea what to expect from a seemingly basic, $149 speaker dock. I was wrong.

So far, my initial impressions of the inMotion Classic are excellent. For a budget-minded portable speaker that stands only 4 inches high and measures just 2 inches thick, this thing cranks. Sure, it's not as thin as the im600, or as impressive-looking as the inMotion Max, but the engineers have juiced the two 3-inch speakers on the Classic for all they're worth.

Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 -- photos

There are no EQ settings on the Classic, but the overall sound is crisp with a surprising amount of meat on the low end compared with other fold-flat speakers we've tested from Logitech and Griffin. ... Read more

The inMotion Classic works as a portable speaker for the iPhone and iPod.

(Credit: Altec Lansing)

We're a tough crew to impress when it comes to iPod speaker docks. Fortunately, Altec Lansing's latest offering, the inMotion Classic ($149), has more than a few things going for it.

For starters, this thing is iPhone-certified, so there's no worrying about annoying compatibility messages each time you dock your iPhone. It's also portable, with a design that folds up and uses an internal rechargeable battery for up to five hours of unplugged music. Throw in a built-in FM radio with station presets, a remote control, aux input, and a stylish design, and now you've got us excited.

Of course, the true test of any speaker system is how it sounds. Stay tuned for some hands-on photos and first impressions later Tuesday. Those already looking to buy this angular boombox beauty will need to wait until late September to pick one up.

(Credit: Altec Lansing)

Back in the 1980s, when portable audio was synonymous with "cassette tapes," boom boxes were a mainstay of music culture. While luggable, battery-powered speaker systems still exist today, they tend to be somewhat dainty iPod speakers. Altec Lansing's new Mix iMT800, meanwhile, aims to mix and match the best of the old and new. It has the look and feel of an old-school, crank-it-til-your-ears-bleed boom box--albeit a rather stylish one--but it boasts an iPod/iPhone dock (and it's GSM-shielded to boot, so you don't need to flip the iPhone into airplane mode). The Mix also includes two 3.5-millimeter line inputs, and it has a small remote that clips onto a belt loop or stores in a hideaway slot in the body of the Mix itself.

We'll have a full review of the Mix iMT800 next week, but we've already spent some time listening to it. We can tell you the thing gets good and loud, thanks in large part to its side-firing 5.25-inch subwoofers (one's active, one's a passive radiator). The other feature that hearkens back to its boom box roots: the Mix can run on AC or battery power. According to Altec, it can last up to 30 hours on eight D-cell batteries (alas, there is no rechargeable option).

A couple of notes on the photo above: while it may appear that the black iPod Classic is plugged into a second dock, it's really just resting on top (note the patch cable running from the headphone jack to one of the Mix's two line input jacks). Also, the protective silver bar over the top of the iPhone (docked in the bottom center) looks like it would make it tough to get iPhones/iPods in and out, but it actually slides up and down, making the dock easily accessible.

The Mix iMT800 is available now for $300. That's pricey, to be sure, but it does have a lot more heft and sonic oomph than the Lasonic i931, which is the only other retro iPod boom box we've seen so far.

Are you looking for a stereo Bluetooth headset that works as well for music as it does for calls? After spending a week with Altec Lansing's $99 BackBeat 903, I think I've finally hit on a Bluetooth headset that can successfully juggle both tasks without breaking the bank or making me cringe.

It's hard not to be picky when it comes to technology you wear on your head. Some people can't stand headsets that pinch their ears or rub against the neck, or they hate designs that make them look like blinking Bluetooth cyborgs. There's no perfect stereo headset for everyone, but so far, the BackBeat is one of the all-around best-sounding, best-fitting models we've tested in this price range.

To read the full review on the Altec Lansing Backbeat 903, head over to CNET Reviews.

Altec Lansing BackBeat 903 photos

The Expressionist Plus will be available this month for $99.95.

(Credit: Altec Lansing)

Altec Lansing is adding to its line of Expressionist PC speakers with the Expressionist Plus, which goes by the model number FX3021 and carries a list price of $99.95.

The compact, 24-watt, 2.1 system includes a sub with a 5.25-inch driver and two angle-adjustable satellite speakers with 2-inch drivers.

Don Milks, Altec Lansing's Senior Manager of Product Management for PC Audio, says, "The Expressionist Plus subwoofer packs tremendous punch for its tiny size," and he declares this "the best performing $99 PC speaker on the market."

OK, Don. We look forward to giving the Plus a whirl and reviewing the system soon. For more info in the meantime check out Altec Lansing's Web site.

Also, here's what's available now in the Expressionist line: