In order to control playback from afar, you'll need to use the included IR remote, which includes a power button, a Play/Pause key, track shuttle buttons, and volume controls. Simple, but effective. As mentioned before, the AudioStation Express includes a travel case, and we're surprisingly impressed with this extra. The case is padded and has a handle built into one side for easy transport, and it's designed in such a way that you can leave the speaker in it while in use: a flap opens to leave the front of the speaker unhindered, and there's a hole cut in the back for the ports. And of course, we appreciate that Logitech has included a dock adapter for every permutation of iPod since the Mini (10 in all, with all the sizes taken into account). There's even a line-in cable for connecting non-iPod MP3 players. It's the little things that count sometimes.
Considering how weak the iPod's EQ settings are, it would have been a nice touch if the AudioStation Express offered some adjustable bass and treble controls, though given the low price, we can't complain too much. Still, the unit could use some bass adjustment: there's little low-end to be had. On the whole, music played through the speakers had a hollow quality to it, though the high-end detail was impressive. In fact, audio sounded great if played in the lower third of the volume range, which makes the AudioStation Express an appropriate speaker system for rooms in which you'd likely play your music at a low volume, such as the bedroom or an office. However, while the unit gets quite loud, we don't recommend turning it up: this increased the hollow sound, and at the highest levels, introduced some irritating noise.
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Logitech Pure-Fi Express:
