iMainGo is a tiny iPod stereo speaker system that sounds a lot better than a speaker system so small has a right to sound. Measuring just 5.7 inches by 3.8 inches by 2.4 inches, and weighing in at a mere 9 ounces, iMainGo is a teeny, tiny titan that fills a small room with surprisingly loud, pleasant, crisp, and undistorted sound. And that's a very good thing.

What makes iMainGo sound so fine is a combination of a high-quality digital amplifier, high-output stereo speakers, and tuned porting for enhanced bass response. That terrific little trinity delivers pleasant sound that's louder and clearer than you might expect from such a diminutive device. The midrange and high end response are exceptionally crisp and the bass response is surprisingly robust, especially given its miniscule size and weight.

A clever design utilizing a combination of foam and hard plastic inserts allows iMainGo to accommodate every iPod ever made. And, on top of being a great little speaker system, iMainGo is also a sturdy carrying case that protects your precious iPod better than most cases. Another clever design feature is the clear plastic back panel, which lets you control your iPod without unzipping the case.

Photo courtesy of iMainGo

iMainGo is powered by 4 AAA batteries, and has a battery life of up to 30 hours, which seems quite reasonable to me. The fit and finish of the entire package is top notch, with rugged stitching, a sturdy zipper, and what feels like solid construction throughout. Its one-year limited warranty is at least as good as most consumer electronics products.

Last but not least, if your iPod is a model that offers the alarm clock feature, you can wake up to your favorite tunes played through iMainGo, making the alarm feature much more useful (or at least more useful than headphones).

At the end of the day there was almost nothing I didn't like about iMainGo. If I had to come up with a single criticism, it would be that there is no way you can plug it into the wall and run it off of AC power--your options are AAA batteries or AAA batteries.

But that's just a quibble. In every other way, iMainGo rocks.

The Bottom Line

With its reasonable price tag ($69.95), tiny size, huge sound, and quality construction, iMainGo is without a doubt the best ultra-portable iPod speaker system I've seen to date. If you want a really small iPod speaker system that has really big sound, look no further. Or, as my 18-year old daughter puts it, "that thing is soooo tight!"