Most people agree that when it comes to your iPod the Bose sound dock is the best set of speakers you can find. The only downside of the first iPod soundock is that it has an enormous power supply and A/C cord that limits its use as portable speakers. The new sound dock portable from Bose solves this problem. Its portable speaker system has all of the power and sound quality you'd expect from Bose and it's portable. This great portable sound and the Bose name comes at a high price…if you pay retail for the speakers you'll have to fork over $399.

You have a choice of two colors with the sound dock portable: black and glossy white. The portable unit is small enough to travel with easily and measures 12 by 6 by 5 inches. It weighs just over five pounds and looks very similar to its cousin the original sound dock except for its swiveling iPod dock that protects the dock when traveling with the unit.

The portable model has a simple design just like the original sound dock and lacks physical controls aside from the two volume controls. The infrared remote include has eight rubber buttons that control volume, playback, play lists, and power. The included remote control is small and simple, but it's rubber buttons are easy to operate. The remote control works by infrared light; however it works well enough to control your iPod from nearly any angle in a large room.

The back of the sound dock portable has only two connectors. There is an analog input and a plug for the unit's charger. It would be nice to have USB ports or video outputs on the speaker system. The sound dock portable is charged by a lithium-ion battery and holds a charge for about eight hours of normal use. If you crank the volume up you'll get about three hours use which is pretty good considering the volume and amount of Bass the speakers produce.

The only flaw I can find in the speaker's design is the sensitivity of the volume controls; however, the included remote functions well enough. The sound dock charges your iPod whenever plugged in; charging the iPod will deplete the soundock's batteries at a much faster rate. The bass port on the back of the speakers also functions as carrying handle. Bose calls it the unit's Wave Guide Exit.

The Bose soundock portable has an LED light behind the speaker grill that lights up when using the remote control and flashes when the battery is depleted. One problem with the portable unit is that if you leave it unplugged for fourteen days you can only turn your speakers on by plugging the charger in. There are no iPod dock inserts included with the speakers so you'll have to use the one's that came with your iPod; however, replacement inserts are available from the Apple store. The power cord has a built in cable winder that makes it easy to travel with; however the plug is large and takes up a lot of room. With a $399 retail price tag it is well worth your while to comparison shop online for sites with the lowest prices and free shipping. There is an optional carrying case but you'll have to shell out $60 more for that.