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I want to share my great iPod music with the world. What’s the easiest way to do that?

You’re in luck. Several speaker manufacturers have developed high-end, all-in-one speaker systems with built-in iPod docks. You can simply place your iPod into the dock and treat your friends to your favorite tunes with a high-end listening experience.

I’m a little short on room. Can I get good sound out of a smaller speaker setup?

Absolutely. Many speakers are now designed in great space-saving, small-footprint designs that pack a big punch. Advancements in the audio industry have developed products that provide a rich experience without large, room-cluttering speakers. The days of “bigger is better” are no more.

I already have a stereo I like. How do I play my iPod through it?

In most cases, a standard RCA cable will be all you need.

The RCA plugs into your system’s left and right output jacks, and the other end goes straight into your iPod. It’s that easy. A standalone iPod dock will let you do the same thing with greater ease—and style. Got an older system with no RCA input? Consider a tape deck adapter that will play music directly from your iPod through the system’s cassette deck.

Can I use my iPod to play TV shows and movies through my TV and pump up the audio with an iPod speaker system?

Easily. Many iPod speaker systems can in fact be connected to your television. On the back of your speaker system, look for a video out connection such as S-Video or Composite. Use the appropriate cable to connect this jack with your TV and you can be watching a movie from your iPod and enjoying amazing sound from your speakers at the same time.

If you have powered speakers that don’t have an iPod dock, you can still plug into their Line-In connection with a standard RCA cable. You’ll be able to watch your TV programming, movies, etc.—with mind-blowing sound coming out of the speakers of your choice!

How about streaming music to other places—like the bedroom or kitchen?

Compact iPod speaker systems make a great space-saving addition to any smaller area where you would like to listen to music. Many small iPod speaker systems built for crowded spaces like the kitchen also feature a Line-In connection. Plug in an Airport Express within reach of your wireless network, and you can stream iTunes music to one or more speakers all over your house!

Master the fine art of streaming here.

I want to bring portable iPod speakers to the family picnic. Will I need batteries?

That depends on which of the two types of portable speakers you purchase. One type uses a built-in battery that can’t be removed or replaced. These recharge anytime the speakers are plugged into the wall, so you’re always ready to unplug and take your tunes with you. The second kind uses normal batteries that you can swap out at your convenience. Although these speakers can’t recharge their batteries, they do let you put in fresh ones anytime, making them a good option if you’re going to be away from power for a while.

What makes the more expensive iPod speaker systems worth the money?

Higher-priced iPod speakers don’t necessarily feature more or bigger drivers (the woofer, tweeter, etc. that actually generate sound). But what they do offer is more advanced technology—proprietary designs that the company has spent many years and millions of dollars researching. Such designs, often featuring complex internal acoustics, allow smaller speaker systems to pump out the kind of rich, resonant sound you normally only hear in traditional, large living room speakers. But do they actually sound better?

Are there speakers designed to work with my iPhone?

Any speaker bearing the WWi badge is designed to work seamlessly with your iPhone. Simply dock your iPhone and when a call comes in, the volume will automatically fade out, and iPhone will ring. You can answer your call directly or via a Bluetooth headset. Once the call has ended, your music will gently fade back in and continue to play.

If you dock your iPhone into a speaker system that is not WWI, a warning prompt will appear alerting you that your device is not WWI, and requesting you to turn on Airplane Mode. You can opt to turn on Airplane Mode, and listen to your music, but you will not be able to receive calls. In addition, some of these speaker systems are not shielded, so you may experience interference or “TDMA” noise. For best results with an iPhone, choose a system that is WWi compatible.

What other features should I be thinking about in the higher-end iPod speakers?

You may want to consider a speaker system with built-in standard or HD radio capabilities (that let you listen to radio) and iTunes Tagging (that lets you hear a song and buy it online). You should also think about whether you’ll want to connect your speakers to other devices and add value to your investment, especially if they have video out options to play your iPod media onto your television. Finally, bear in mind that groundbreaking industrial design can actually make your speaker system a piece of art in your home.