The EXO 2.1 stereo monitoring speaker system from Blue Sky International isn't, strictly speaking (pun intended), an iPod speaker system. It has no iPod dock or iPod remote control though it does offer an iPod input on its desktop remote hub. So although you can use this system to listen to your iPod (and your iPod will sound great), this 4-piece desktop speaker system is more appropriately deployed as an audio subsystem for your Mac or PC, especially if you use that computer to produce audio or video.

Here's the technical low-down:

• Two - 3-inch 2-way satellites, with 1-inch soft-dome tweeter
• 8-inch subwoofer, for extended low frequency response
• 160 Watts of total system power (35W per satellite, 90W subwoofer)
• Convenient desktop remote control and connection hub
• XLR / TRS inputs for pro mixers and DAWs
• RCA inputs for computer soundcards and CD players, etc.
• 3.5mm mini jack input for iPods and mp3 players
• 3.5mm headphone jack

Here's what it looks like:

And here's a close up of the remote control hub, front and back:

It sounds great. I had forgotten how tasty a desktop speaker system sounds with a big, bad subwoofer to handle the low notes. Both desktop speaker systems I compared with this one -- Tapco S-5 reference monitors and AudioEngine 5s -- are excellent. I love the clean, flat response of the Tapcos and the bright, crisp, punchiness of the AudioEngines. But after a month of A/B/C testing, I have to say that I prefer the EXO 2.1 system most of the time for most tasks. And I'd have to say it's mostly because neither of the other systems has a separate subwoofer, so while their bass response is tight and sounds pretty darn good, the EXO system with its huge subwoofer sitting behind my desk sounds even better. Low notes that sound fine on other speaker systems sound even finer on the EXO system. The difference is that you also feel them in your guts on the EXO system.

I listened to a wide range of musical types from rock to pop to jazz to hip-hop and was always impressed with the superb balance between the desktop midrange/tweeter satellite speakers and the clean, well-defined low end coming from the sub. Given a choice of three really good speaker systems I kept switching to this one and marveling at how crisp and well-balanced its output was and how much I enjoyed its big bass sound. I also liked having the remote control hub on my desktop so I could easily adjust overall volume and bass level. And it (the remote pod) is where the audio input jack lives, which made it easy to connect and use my iPod with this system. And I did. A lot.

The Bottom Line

I had no complaints whatsoever about this speaker system. It sounds fantastic and I can't think of another desktop speaker system that can hold a candle to it dollar for dollar. If you're particular about your audio, don't mind the price, and have room for a big, 25 pound subwoofer, I'd be surprised if you could find a better speaker system for the money.