Cambridge SoundWorks PlayDock MP3

Built-in rechargeable battery. Compact. Good sound. Works with almost any audio device.

A bit heavy. No remote. No tone controls. No battery indicator. No rubberized or nonslip grip.

This portable speaker system provides good sound for its size and works with lots of MP3 players, but we wish it had a few extras, such as tone controls and a remote.

Good sound quality in a compact (though chunky) package ; works with any portable source ; rechargeable battery ; can charge iPod with a bit of resourcefulness

Not the best fit for iPods ; sound a bit treble-heavy ; audio connection cable too short ; no remote ; cloth speaker grill not a good choice for portable speakers

Finally, the top of the system also hosts the system's main controls via four small buttons: volume up, volume down, "Wide" (an EQ mode that allegedly "expands the stereo sound"), and Play/Mute. The latter is basically the unit's on/off switch. (A...