(andPOP) - Product: iMainGo (by Portable Sound Laboratories)
Link:
http://imaingo.com/
Cost: $69.95US
Our Rating: 4/5
The iMainGo touts itself as a device that can deliver the same "rich full sound you'd expect from systems many times its size." I disagree. Compare it however to any other small, portable audio system (especially those built for the iPod) and you have yourself a winner.
iMainGo is made by Portable Sound Laboratories, and is a compact, portable audio system built for the iPod. The system is zipper enclosed and opens up to reveal a power switch, a battery compartment, an audio connector and a holster for the iPod.
The Design
The design is great. The system looks and feels awesome. The speakers are neatly built into the front of the case, blending right in, while the rear has a clear window allowing one to see and control an enclosed iPod. I was extremely surprised to see how responsive my iPod was while enclosed in the case, using it through the plastic window.
Like most other iPod accessories, iMainGo is incompatible with most others. Don't expect to use the system while your iPod is in a case. I couldn't even fit my first generation Nano in while it had a silicone skin on. The unit comes with an adapter to use the Nano and it was with this that I could not fit the Nano in with its case. I was able to use it without the adapter but that meant the Nano was less secure and harder to operate inside the unit.
As stated before, the machine runs off of batteries; four AAA. Originally I was a little disappointed, I usually am not a fan of devices that run off of batteries but this unit lasted a surprisingly long time.
Contributing to the long lasting batteries, the iMainGo has a great wake-up alarm feature that works off the iPod's built in alarm. The iMainGo can be set to "Alarm" and will sleep – preserving battery power – until the iPod until the iPod wakes it with some audio.
Although extremely insignificant, the small green indicator LED on the inside of the unit is way too bright, and annoying. I could hardly look at it.
The Sound
The first time I used the unit, the first thing I noticed was the tremendous bass response. Better than any other small portable unit I have ever used. Aside from that, I wasn't particularly pleased with the sound quality of the iMainGo. The system connects to an iPod (or any other audio device for that matter) with a normal stereo headphone jack, as opposed to using the dock connector, which would ultimately produce a much higher quality, digital output. At high volume outputs, the sound can get distorted and unclear (much like headphones would when blasting the sound with low quality MP3s). Up until about 80% of the iPod's volume maximum, the unit does however sound pretty good. It's certainly high enough quality for most general uses. I don't see any audiophiles loving the sound quality of the unit but then again I don't see them loving the sound quality of any other comparable unit.
Overall Thoughts
Rating: 4/5
I like this unit and I am going to continue to use it. I was a little let down by the fact that it doesn't connect to my iPod via the dock connector to allow for better sound quality. On the plus side however, that means I can use the device with my shuffle, or any other audio device I chose. It's compact, sleek, durable and lasts a long time. An added bonus, it also protects the iPod with its tough design. You can find out more information about the iMainGo at
http://imaingo.com/. The device can be purchased online for $69.95US at the
Mac Pac .
