An iPod Speaker Dock Goes Vertical

Most iPod docks make an effort at speaker separation for true stereo sound but, truth is, you’re not going to get much physical separation of speakers in a 12-inch-wide chassis.

Audyssey’s Audio Dock is an iPod dock that also doubles as a computer speaker.

Audyssey doesn’t even try.

The company, which has designed high-end home theater systems since 2002, just introduced an iPod dock that follows a vertical, rather than horizontal, format. The $399 Audio Dock: South of Market Edition is only 5 inches wide but 9 inches high. (Somewhat oddly, it’s named after San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, although Audyssey is based in Los Angeles.)

Inside, the Audio Dock has two four-inch woofers and two three-quarter-inch tweeters that are side-firing to provide the illusion of stereo separation.

Unlike most iPod docks, the Audio Dock also doubles as a computer speaker (it’s made to live more on the desktop than the countertop). The dock also includes built-in Bluetooth and microphones mounted at the front and back, enabling it to be used as a speakerphone when connected to an iPhone, a cool extra. Audyssey includes a remote that enables you to answer calls from across the room, as well as more prosaic adjustments to volume and tracks.

Its price range puts it in direct competition with the outstanding Bose SoundDock series. But while Bose employs hardware engineering to bolster bass, for instance, Audyssey relies on its deep knowledge of digital signal processing and electro-acoustic design to enhance sound, according to Robb Mason, director of marketing for Audyssey. The result, he says, is deeper bass, not louder bass.

I had a listen to the Audio Dock during a meeting with Mr. Mason and the speaker does deliver crisp midrange and a very warm bass. I have a Bose SoundDock at home and while I couldn’t compare the two side by side, the Audio Dock’s bass seemed a bit cleaner than that of my SoundDock. (I played my own music from my iPhone to provide a slightly truer comparison.) I didn’t have a chance to try the phone capabilities, but it seems like a great idea if you’re using the speaker on your desk.

All in all, the Audio Dock sounds fantastic and delivers great value by doubling as a PC speaker and speakerphone. It works with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, iPod Nano (fourth and fifth generation) and iPod Classic.

It will hit Apple stores in early November.