MP3 Docking Stations – More than just Speakers
When and where you listen to your favorite music has drastically changed over the past century. We’ve seen vinyl records, reel-to-reel tapes, 8-tracks, and cassettes come and go. In a vain attempt to make music more portable, in-car record players were offered as an option on selected 1956 Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Plymouth models. Obviously, the results were disastrous. No further attempts were made and the program was completely abandoned.
Until the 1990s, audiophiles were restricted to listening to their private music collection at home or were at the mercy of the short lifespan of several D-cell batteries when jamming with their boombox at the beach or the park. Another drawback to all the playback mediums available at the time was that your entire collection couldn’t be brought along with you. You had to pick a few favorites when you left the house and then leave the rest of your music at home. Not anymore!
Let’s fast-forward to September 1995, when the first real-time software MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (aka MP3) player was released and in turn the public availability of the portable MP3 player in 1998. With these two inventions, the possibilities began to sound in the listening ear of music fans all over the world. Now you can listen to your entire music collection anywhere on the planet.
TYPES OF DOCKING STATIONS
Docking stations come in all shapes and sizes but their primary use is to play the music from your portable MP3 player through home stereo quality speakers. In space-restricted areas such as a dorm room, a docking station will provide plenty of sound while taking up considerably less space than a full-blown home stereo setup.
Other forms of entertainment where you might find a docking station are televisions (currently limited to JVC’s LCD TV TeleDock) and various home theater systems. Both will severely limit your portability options, but dramatically increase in sound volume and quality.
Most docking stations will recognize your MP3 player as soon as it is set into the cradle. From there you can control the music with the circle control, touch screen, or the docking station’s remote control.
MORE THAN JUST SPEAKERS
All docking stations offer external speakers but some offer additional features such as:
- AM/FM clock radio with the ability for you to wake up to music from your MP3 player.
- Snap-in iPod® adapter pack (newer generation iPods® include adapters).
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery plus charges your MP3 while listening to music.
- Wireless remote control which can work the basic functions of your MP3 player.
- Auxiliary input jack (3.5mm) with cable to connect non-compatible MP3 players.
- Dual power source – wall cord and battery.
- Traditional-style or discreet handles for easy transportation.
MADE FOR iPod®
There are many different brands and types of portable MP3 players and not all of them have a specific docking station compatible with them. This means not all MP3 players will work on all MP3 docking stations-check before you purchase.
In January 2005, Apple began a program to certify products as “Made for iPod” with a badge affixed to the product packaging of the MP3 device. This ensures non-Apple brand devices (e.g., docking stations, car adapters, speakers, power supplies, etc.) meet minimum quality standards and are fully compatible for use with specific generations of iPods/iPhones.
If the docking station doesn’t have the badge, it doesn’t necessarily mean an iPod® device won’t work on your docking station; it simply means it might not have been tested and approved by Apple’s performance standards. The badge does not apply to polishes, cases, or similar accessories which are considered nontechnical products.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The playlists on your MP3 player represents everything about you and since you go everywhere-so should your music. Although having all your favorite songs with you 24/7 on your portable MP3 player is awesome, they require you to don earbuds or headphones for listening. Not always convenient or practical-a docking station is the perfect answer. You can walk from room to room in your home and have a conversation while still listening to music without being tethered to you MP3 player.
Check out our line of MP3 Accessories including docking stations, cables, and cases. If you’re in the market for an MP3 player first, we have several to choose from here.
Still have questions?-Feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!
