iMainGo
Reviewed by Eddie Hargreaves
Portable Sound Laboratories, Inc. $70 USD Requirements: an iPod. Strengths: High quality audio from compact, stylish case. Weaknesses: Not easy to put in/take out iPod on a regular basis. |
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The iMainGo is a zippered iPod case that has a clear, touch-sensitive window on one side and a pair of high output, stereo speakers on the other. You wouldn't expect to hear great audio from speakers this small, but that's what's so surprising about the iMainGo.
Powered by four AAA batteries, the iMainGo delivers portable, headphone-less audio from your iPod. Without being tied down by your earbuds, you can move the small case from place to place and share your music with others. The battery life is rated for 30 hours and I haven't had to replace them yet.
In jet black, it's a stylish case that caused more than one person who saw it casually to query 'Wow, what's that?' It's also quite sturdy, protecting your iPod from bumps and other rough handling.
There are a number of foam inserts included in the packaging to safely hold any iPod, but some fit better than others. My 5G iPod had to be removed from its previous case in order to fit inside the iMainGo. It then had to be removed from the iMainGo (not a quick process) in order to be connected to my Mac, car or alarm clock. Thinner models like the iPod mini (which doesn't need a separate case) fit perfectly inside.
When I initially tried out the iMainGo, I was not impressed. But that's because I tend to prefer using earbuds. But that's like complaining that a breadmaker doesn't make good pizza. Everyone has different listening styles and the iMainGo will suit some more than others. If you like to listen to your iPod but find yourself snagging your earbud cables on corners as you move around, the iMainGo is a great solution.
Another situation that the iMainGo works perfectly for is ambient or background music. Because of its small size, you can place it vertically or horizontally in nearly any location to provide high-quality sound at any level.
And if your iPod is equipped with a wake-up alarm, you can set the iMainGo to alarm mode and it will sleep — conserving the batteries — until the iPod wakes it up and begins playing music.
The iMainGo is an eye-catching and, more importantly, ear-pleasing device that deserves more exposure.
