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When on the go, DLO's new Portable Speakers for the iPhone connect and attach together in a handy egg shape that's easy to toss in a bag. You don't have to worry about damaging the speaker face, and when it comes time to listen, cracking them open reveals a surprisingly stylish two-speaker system with a base designed to hold an Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone.
Perhaps most importantly, DLO's aptly (yet unimaginatively) named "Portable Speakers for iPhone," are shielded from cell phone TDMA (time division multiple access) interference that plagues most speakers designed for MP3 players and computers. Basically, TDMA interference is the snap, crackle and pop that speakers emit when a nearby cell phone is activated. You can often remove the interference by turning off a cell phone's calling functionality -- by using the "Airplane Mode" feature in an iPhone, for example -- but doing so means you're not going to receive calls.
In any event, the US$49.99 DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone remove the problem altogether. In my testing, I only noticed one bit of squawking interference -- the very first time I plugged in my iPhone -- but I wasn't able to replicate it again, even with other cell phones that have built-in MP3 players. Score one for DLO.
The Design
If the shielding from interference is the most important feature, the innovative design comes in at a close second. Each of the two speakers is shaped like half of a sphere with a portion of the rounded ends flattened to keep them stationary. The center piece holds four AAA batteries and has a rubber connection that securely holds the speakers when not in use as well as a recessed area for wrapping for the connecting cords. The base also handles the connection for the included AC adapter. The entire setup is all black.
DLO includes an iPhone-specific plastic stand, which snaps into the base to hold the iPhone vertically or horizontally. The position makes it easy to select songs, playlists or videos.
Since the iPhone is also a phone, what do you do when a call comes in? You don't have to disconnect the iPhone because the portable speakers turn the iPhone into a speaker phone. Of course, disconnecting the iPhone is as easy as lifting it from the stand and pulling out the 3.5mm headphone jack -- the stand relies on gravity to hold the phone. While the DLO speakers will play the voice of your caller, in my testing, the speakers didn't appreciably improve the quality of an iPhone-based speakerphone call.
One flaw in the design is the stand itself. Unlike in the Transformers movie, where a Decepticon can transform itself into something impossibly small, the DLO speakers were built by humans -- the handy stand doesn't collapse at all, which increases the bulk and decreases the portability of the speakers.
The Sound
DLO says its speakers provide "room-filling sound" and feature an extra-wide sound stage and bass vents that deliver "powerful sound" that packs a "powerful punch." DLO's claim is both true and not exactly accurate at the same time. The speakers are surprising powerful for their small size, yet they fall short of delivering full, rich sound. Audiophiles will likely cringe, of course, but I'm not an audiophile -- the combination of portability and reasonable price more than make up for the sound, which all in all is pretty good, considering.
The Cinema Experience
While you're not going to host a party using these speakers, where they really shine is when you want to watch a movie and not do it using headphones. If there's one thing most movie-watching iPhone owners know, it's that using the built-in speaker is an exercise in frustration in any area that's not completely quiet.Of course, there is a give and take here. DLO includes a handy stand that holds the iPhone on the base in an upright or widescreen position -- perfect for watching movies at a desk, table or coffee table. It's really handy for children, and the built-in stand keeps them from handling and dropping an expensive iPhone.
If you're looking to relax in bed, though, this isn't a good system. The speakers will roll around and eventually you're going to tear out the connecting wires.
The Recommendation
If you're looking for speakers for listening to music at home, these aren't your best choice.
However, the DLO speakers really are all about portability, and it's easy to recommend the DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone to frequent travelers. Say, for example, that you're in a hotel room and you just got out of the shower -- these speakers will be a welcome addition for those times when you're brushing your teeth or don't have a pocket handy to hold the iPhone anyway.
Personally, I think my set will spend a lot of time in my vehicle, ready for impromptu use whenever I'm out and about.
