The Altec Lansing iM500 is a speaker system specifically designed for the super slim iPod Nano and not just a re work of one design for the main iPod with a dock adaptor. What this brings is a focus in getting the best out of the Nano and also ensuring that the svelte Nano isn't attached to a bulbous speaker system. The iM500 isn't exactly big but then again it isn't a Nano sized device either, measuring 215 x 17 x 128mm when folded and styled in Nano matching black it looks rather good sat on your desk. The thin and wide unit is powered by 6 AAA battery's or via a AC power adaptor, the battery's are split into 2 compartments at the rear 3 in each and give a claimed 8 hour battery life.

Around the back of the iM500 there is a small mini USB connector that enabled your Nano when in the dock to connect to a host PC or Mac to sync data and to recharge as the unit itself does not attempt to charge the iPod form its battery's or AC connection. All this juice goes to run the D class amplifier which in turn powers 2 full range drivers that sit behind the black mesh that covers the entire front of the unit.

The Nano slips into a snug dock middle of the unit and leaves the controls fully accessible, from a distance it looks as if the whole thing blends together very well and it's not until you are up close that you can see the difference between the Nano dock and the speaker grill. You mostly use the controls on the Nano itself with the iM500 system, with only a separate volume control on the unit itself and a power button and no remote control this speaker system is decidedly more minimalist that many on the market.

The key question is how does it sound? we tested with a range of tracks from some classical to full on drum and bass to see if the size of the iM500 impacts the audio quality, after all a deep bass normally requires a good enclosure to create it. Starting with the classical music and moving through some R&B the Altec unit seemed quite good for a battery powered device, volume is not it's strong point at only 12 watts but all of the 12 seemed useable with us cranking it up to full volume with only slight distortion and vibration from the case.

This speaker system is by no means a room filler and it struggled to fill the office with a warm sound and ended up sounding a bit tinny and lacklustre. This is accentuated further when we switched to bass heavy music and the iM500's single drivers struggled to produced both ends of the audio range and our suspicion that shrinking the system to be so thin would kill the bass reproduction was proved partly right. If you like bass rich music then you may be disappointed with the Altec Lansing iM500 which is not as good sonically as other products from them that we have previously tested. However with an aux input for other non Nano devices and being a highly portable and slim unit there will be those who are happy to accept the speakers shortcomings and pick one up for around £90.

Published - 17/09/2006

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