The Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 offers an understated, travel-friendly design that's compatible with both iPods and other MP3 players (via auxiliary line-in), and it includes GSM shielding for use with the iPhone. The speaker sounds great; has a built ...

The remote's range isn't very good, and the Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 isn't as compact as many portable speaker options

It may not be the most compact portable speaker on the block, but the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 offers useful extras and great sound for an affordable price.

Excellent pedestal design makes it disappear on your TV stand; dynamic sound and powerful bass on movies; can fill a large room with sound; two analog audio inputs; adjustable controls for treble, bass, and stereo width; dual built-in subwoofers; ...

Both audio inputs are always active, so sound gets mixed with devices that are constantly running, like DVRs; no digital audio inputs; doesn't compare to separate speakers for music; remote's button layout is uninspired

The Zvox Z-Base 575 sound bar gets loud and delivers deep bass from its unique pedestal design, but it's expensive and has a bare-bones feature package.

Excellent pedestal design makes it disappear on your TV stand; dynamic sound on movies; two analog audio inputs; adjustable controls for treble, bass, and stereo width; built-in subwoofer; subwoofer output allows you to add a separate sub to the system

Both audio inputs are always active, so sound gets mixed with devices that are always on, like DVRs; no digital audio inputs; can't fill a large room with sound; doesn't compare to separate speakers for music; remote's button layout is uninspired; can ...

The Zvox Z-Base 525 sound bar delivers better-than-average sonics and its unique pedestal design will make you forget it's even there.

A 7.1 surround sound speaker system; excellent sound quality; subwoofer blends well with speakers; can fill relatively large rooms; relatively inexpensive, especially for a 7.1 system

Relatively large speakers; boxy design; wood finish lacks refinement compared with other options; spring clip connectors

The Onkyo SKS-HT870 speaker package offers up tons of performance for the price, but it's not the most stylish speaker system.

Really good sound from a compact, single-speaker ; classy, minimalist styling ; plays loud without distorting, and fills a large room ; simple to operate ; interchangeable dock system ; composite video output/line input ; GSM shielded for iPhones

Expensive ; optional Bluetooth dock accessory works well but is $150 extra ; no radio ; you can't charge your iPod/iPhone when using the Bluetooth accessory ; video-out limited to low-res composite connection

While it's expensive and isn't loaded with features, the Bose SoundDock 10 is classy looking and sounds excellent for a compact iPod/iPhone speaker.

The inMotion Classic is an iPod- and iPhone-compatible speaker with an attractive design, FM radio, remote control, and a powerful sound that defies its compact size

Station presets can only be managed with the remote control ; the dock doesn't secure the iPod while the speaker is being carried ; and there's no AM radio or Bluetooth

The Altec Lansing inMotion Classic offers a stylish way play your iPod or iPhone around your home. It sounds remarkable for its size, but it lacks the low-end oomph of a larger system.

Compact and attractively designed ; comes with a protective carrying case ; produces better sound than most laptop speakers ; has an integrated USB cable and a flip-out kickstand for propping the speaker up at a 45-degree angle

More expensive than the previous Orbit ; no volume control on the speaker ; distorts at higher volumes ; can only be used with computers

While its $50 list price is high, the Orbit USB iML237 portable speaker is an attractive option for laptop users who want a compact travel speaker that outperforms their internal laptop speakers.

Great sound quality ; included remote ; auxiliary in ; video out (for iPods) ; replaceable grille ; powerful wireless subwoofer

Expensive ; small feature set ; no clock ; no AM/FM radio

The Boston Acoustics iDS3 is a bit low on features but high on performance and sound quality.

The M-Audio Studiophile AV 30 is a powered speaker system with magnetic shielding, a solid construction, and a beefy sound quality, all priced under $100

The integrated amplifier doesn't get loud enough to wake the neighbors and the power switch is inconveniently located on the back

M-Audio's Studiophile AV 30 speaker system delivers powerful, detailed sound in a relatively compact space, and does it all at a remarkably low price.

Clean, classy design ; decent clarity and sound quality ; headphone jack/auxiliary input ; drivers on the front and back of the speakers deliver omnidirectional sound

Bass is a little thin (lacks oomph)

Logitech's Speaker System Z320 offers decent but unspectacular sound at a reasonable price point.