As the iPod accessory market blithely passes saturation point, the prospect of another iPod-specific speaker system is hardly tantalising. What sets the iDeck apart from other, more portable, iSpeakers is its size and output. This micro system is never going to fit in your suitcase, and is more likely to find its place in the living room or study.

Developed by sound experts Monitor Audio, the iDeck certainly puts most of its competitors in the shade in terms of performance. With an output of 18 watts per channel, it should satisfy the needs of most domestic users, and you would be hard pressed to find a custom-built iPod stereo with better sound. Its bass shows impressive range and carries no loss of clarity even at the highest volumes.

It also comes with a neat remote control the size of a credit card and a mini-jack for those wanting to connect personal CD players or other MP3 units. As useful as this provision may be, it also highlights the glaring weakness of the iDeck. Music fans who still make frequent use of their CD, record or tape collections (or listen to the radio) will not want to replace their existing stereo with a system that consigns pre-digital music to the rubbish tip.

Traditionalists may likewise fail to appreciate its angular design, and it is a shame to see Audio Monitor abandon its customary timber-and-chrome aesthetic in favour of a plastic finish. It may fit in with the now-ubiquitous Mac look, but it also gives the system a slightly clunky and cheap feel.

Nevertheless, for iPod-only musos, the iDeck certainly has its charms. The system has been designed to accommodate a wide range of models, from 3G and 4G units of varying memory capacities all the way down to the mini. This feature makes it a handy dock for recharging while still listening to music. Unfortunately, there is no button for adjusting bass or treble on the stereo unit itself, so users are forced to rely on the limited flexibility of the iPod equaliser settings.

In the crowded iMarketplace, the iDeck is certainly one of the more attractive accessories on offer. Potential buyers might, however, consider whether their needs can be met by connecting their iPod to existing stereo systems, rather than splashing out on the latest fad.

Pros: A neat and compact unit with excellent sound

Cons: Feels a bit gimmicky, and doesn’t have the flexibility of a conventional micro-system

Verdict: The iDeck is an attractive product for the minimalist music lover, but those who are not yet ready to kiss goodbye to analogue music should look elsewhere for their audio-kicks

Website: www.i-deck.com

RRP: £249.99

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