Take a closer look at the TDK Sound Cube, a portable speaker that's compatible with the iPhone and iPod.
Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
The TDK Sound Cube puts a new spin on the "boom box" concept. The iPhone/iPod-compatible speaker system is due out in the first quarter of 2011, priced at $299.
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TDK Sound Cube
The TDK Sound Cube uses two active and two passive speaker drivers to deliver big sound on the go.
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TDK Sound Cube
A compact design and a swank leather handle help to make the TDK Sound Cube a rugged and portable speaker system.
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TDK Sound Cube
Like its more expensive sibling, the TDK 3 Speaker Boombox, the TDK Sound Cube offers AM/FM radio and an excellent assortment of aux input options, including an instrument jack input.
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TDK Sound Cube playback controls
The audio source, station preset, playback control, and other functions are accessed using illuminated capacitive touch controls located above the front speaker. To the left and right of these buttons are two gloriously oversize aluminum knobs that control volume, radio tuning, and other functions. The Sound Cube's volume knob goes up to 11.
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TDK Sound Cube
Without the batteries inside, the Sound Cube weighs as much as a 12-pack of beer. With the batteries installed, you're in for a workout. Still, it's a much more portable system than its big brother, the 3 Speaker Boombox--which was a bit of a shin-smacker.
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TDK Sound Cube back view
On the back, the Sound Cube offers an iPhone/iPod connection via USB, USB stick media playback (MP3, AAC, WMA, and a slew of auxiliary input options, including RCA, minijack, and a quarter-inch instrument input that can be blended with the other audio for instant karaoke and block party high jinks.
