When it comes to portable speakers that match the iPod's pint-size demeanor, there aren't too many options. In August, we reviewed MacAlly's PodWave (3 stars) and found the speaker to be lackng. The iChant from Mythix sports a very similar design to the PodWave, a good indication that the same factory probably manufacturers both.

Mythix iChant

Like the PodWave, the iChant is powered by a lone AA battery that provides up to 8 hours of playback, a reasonable claim in our testing, although a tad on the generous side. A manual on-off switch is the extent of the controls on the iChant. Simply turn it on, plug it in, and enjoy your iPod's music on-the-go sans headphones.

Assuming, that is, that you don't mind the naturally bass-light tones and generally low volume the speaker is capable of producing. Speakers like the PodWave and iChant surely have their applications, but the list is rather limited. While the iChant can fill a (very) small room with sound�provided the volume is maxed out and the surrounding environment virtually quiet�its practical use for the solo listener is marginalized by Apple's own earphones, which serve up a better listening experience.

One ideal use for a speaker like the iChant would be bed-side listening while you're falling asleep, where volume doesn't matter much. But unless you can remember to switch the iChant off before falling asleep you'll find yourself replacing the battery every morning as the iChant burns through its power supply even when your iPod is turned off, an annoying fact that plagues the PodWave as well.

Podwave & iChant

What differentiates the iChant from the PodWave is that its two speakers are mounted on the front and not the sides. Most people who listened to both found this to be a more desirable arrangement, although your ears may not. For this reason, though, we're giving the nod to the iChant, even though it's scoring the same three-star rating as the PodWave. But unless your needs are such that only a tiny speaker like the iChant will suffice, you'll probably better appreciate putting your $30 towards a better pair of headphones.