Samsung phones only from AT&T
Compare the inMotion iM4 Portable Audio System to other portable speakers
Compare SelectedCNET editors' review
Expand full review- Reviewed by:
- Ben Patterson
- Edited by:
- Jasmine France
- Reviewed on:
The good: Excellent sound; portable music players fit nicely on the rubberized base; retractable minijack cord; speakers tilt at any angle; can be powered with batteries.
The bad: No remote control; slightly large and heavy compared with other small speaker sets.
The bottom line: The Altec Lansing iM4 finally delivers the bass we've been craving in small portable speakers, and they're not iPod-centric, so you can use them with any MP3 player.
Review:Measuring 10.3 by 5.3 by 1 inches, the folded-up inMotion is roughly the size of a slim hardcover book, and at 28 ounces, it's ... Expand full review
Measuring 10.3 by 5.3 by 1 inches, the folded-up inMotion is roughly the size of a slim hardcover book, and at 28 ounces, it's a little heavier than other portable speakers in its class. The twin speakers swing open in a smooth, firm motion, and you can tilt them at any angle, up to 180 degrees from the base. The power switch and the volume slider sit on the curved front section, while behind the base, you'll find an AC input, a minijack port, and a minijack plug on a retractable cable. There isn't a custom dock for an iPod, but our 20GB model sat comfortably atop the rubberized base. You can also plug the iM4 into your laptop with the included minijack-to-minijack cable. All that's missing is a remote control--a disappointing omission, given that the iM3 comes with a nice, wafer-thin remote that slid right into the assembly.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Altec Lansing inMotion iM4's full-bodied sound. In our experience, fold-up, portable speakers usually can't hack it when it comes to bass (the iM3 comes to mind, actually), but the iM4 delivered rumbling lows and crystal-clear high notes--impressive, considering the speakers' small size. We dialed up Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, and the iM4 cranked out the thumping bass and soaring strings of "Kashmir" without skipping a beat, even when we turned up the volume to ear-splitting levels (very nice). The iM4 can also power from four AA batteries for a promised 18 hours of sound.
Measuring 10.3 by 5.3 by 1 inches, the folded-up inMotion is roughly the size of a slim hardcover book, and at 28 ounces, it's a little heavier than other portable speakers in its class. The twin speakers swing open in a smooth, firm motion, and you can tilt them at any angle, up to 180 degrees from the base. The power switch and the volume slider sit on the curved front section, while behind the base, you'll find an AC input, a minijack port, and a minijack plug on a retractable cable. There isn't a custom dock for an iPod, but our 20GB model sat comfortably atop the rubberized base. You can also plug the iM4 into your laptop with the included minijack-to-minijack cable. All that's missing is a remote control--a disappointing omission, given that the iM3 comes with a nice, wafer-thin remote that slid right into the assembly.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Altec Lansing inMotion iM4's full-bodied sound. In our experience, fold-up, portable speakers usually can't hack it when it comes to bass (the iM3 comes to mind, actually), but the iM4 delivered rumbling lows and crystal-clear high notes--impressive, considering the speakers' small size. We dialed up Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, and the iM4 cranked out the thumping bass and soaring strings of "Kashmir" without skipping a beat, even when we turned up the volume to ear-splitting levels (very nice). The iM4 can also power from four AA batteries for a promised 18 hours of sound.
Previous pageUser Reviews
See All User ReviewsMost helpful user review
Showing number 1 of 12 reviews 5 of 5 users found this review helpful
stars"Better, but not all that."by aalasso on 2005-12-30 04:15:29.0
Pros: Better than other PORTABLE speakers. Goodlooking at a certain distance.
Cons: Sound worse than with even the cheapest creative 2.1 speakers. Plasticlike and cheaplooking finish.
Summary: I chose the IM4 for their size and portability, and supposedly good sound.
The design is fairly good. The black parts have a nice feel: Both the rubber and the metal (speaker guards) parts. The grey parts, however, Has a very plasticlike appearance and feel. Especially the buttons are of ... Expand full review
Most recent user reviews (Showing 2 of 12 reviews)
"Good performance to portable ratio." by gjj1056 on 2008-03-08 09:20:49.0
"Decent for the dollars" by feature_edit on 2007-07-19 22:26:26.0
Where to buy
Shop nowSpecifications
See full specs- Type of speaker: portable speakers
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 10.3 in x 5.3 in x 1 in
- Amplification Type: Active
- Power output: 2 Watt
