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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 11/06/2008
- Released on: 10/15/2008
Logitech makes several iPod/iPhone audio systems, ranging in size and price from about $70 to about $200. The company's Pure-Fi Express Plus rolls in around $100 and it's designed to be a simple, compact stereo speaker with a built-in clock and alarm that can be used at home or taken on the road, so long as you're willing to splurge on a set of six AA batteries that power the unit when you cut the cord.
The Pure-Fi Express Plus looks understated and fairly sleek from afar, but pick it up and you realize it has all the traits of a sub-$100 system. The first tip-off is that it's fairly light, weighing in at 3.18 pounds and measuring approximately 13.5 inches wide by 5 inches tall by 4 inches deep, which makes it easy to carry; there's also a handle on the back for toting purposes.
This is one of the simpler iPod speakers we've tested. There's a single knob on the front that controls the volume and allows you to set the time and alarm when you're in the settings mode. One button on the front toggles the alarm on and off and you can have your songs repeat (one song or all) or set them to "shuffle" and play randomly. A small remote is included, but all it really controls is the volume, pause/play, and skipping tracks forward and back. There's no navigating your iPod's menus from the remote.
Some people will find the lack of features refreshing. This reviewer prefers to have an AM/FM radio on hand, but some users could care less about that. If you want the radio, you can opt for Logitech's similarly priced Pure-Fi Anytime, but you give up the portability factor. iPhone owners will appreciate that the Express Plus is GSM-shielded, so you won't need to put your iPhone in airplane mode to listen to music.
As noted, the Pure-Fi Express Plus runs on an AC adapter (included) or six AA batteries (not included). The unit runs for about 10 hours on a set of alkalines, but if you plan on taking this on the road a lot, we recommend purchasing some rechargeable NiMH batteries, which probably won't last quite as long. While there are some advantages to using standard batteries, we generally prefer a built-in rechargeable battery, which is included on the competing Altec Lansing inMotion iM600.
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