The holiday season is close, the season expected not only by everyone who wants to have a blast, but also by manufacturers, who are hopping for improved sales. However, some manufacturers are not going to reduce price tags this year. Even worse, prepare to see bigger price tags to their products. How and why, you may ask. The answer is quite simple in terms of management. Let's take Sony for instance. Its iPod and iPhone accessories are almost out of stock, within every line, headsets, music systems, and clocks and radios.
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This is only a strategy, since Sony is preparing to release new products, close to the shopping time, with a higher price tag. Even more, you aren't going to get improved accessories for your iPod touch and iPhone, at best their only going to be redesigned (this "more expensive within the shopping season" phenomenon is already happening in several smaller countries). Even more, to prove it, just go online on Sony's web site SonyStyle.com, and see for yourself that Sony is offering products on sale, that are out of stock and the "sales" are non existing. For instance one of the few remaining products on stock, the CD Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone, had a price tag of $99.99, and the new sale price is $99.99. You might find it even more surprising that the only product with a diminished price tag is HD Radio with Dock for iPod and iPhone, from $179.99 to $159.99.

This product is also on stock. Therefore, if you are interested in buying a clock radio system for your iPod and iPhone you have to choose between HD Radio with Dock for iPod and iPhone (with XDR S10 HDiP code), and CD Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone (model number ICF CD3 iPSIL). The first product is normal radio with dock for your Apple device. The only high light is the high definition Radio. In terms of design, the HD Radio with Dock for iPod and iPhone looks nice, not great, but nice. It sports a nice design with curves. The predominant color is black. The cylinder form format is really interesting. All the side length (since we are talking about cylinder) is made out of a coverer material (black) for the speaker. By doing so, Sony added continuity to the design of this product.

The upper part and bottom part are made out of plastic black material (nice at touch, non glossy); with the only special finish being the white iPod and iPhone dock on the center of the top side. With a height of 4 ¾ inches, wide of 11 7/8 inches, deep of 6 ¾ inches, this gadget weights about 7 lb 15.8 oz or 3.6 Kg. Sony included in the "front" side of this HD Radio a backlit LCD Display, with excellent brightness, display mode and contrast. Since this is a Radio speaker system, you get about 20 FM entries available and 20 AM entries available, sporting the High Fidelity AM / FM / HD Radio technology. The HD Radio is free of charge, so you don't get extra monthly charges like the satellite radio. The integrated sound system is really good offering nice quality sound with Bass reflex sound.

The speaker has a 6.6 cm diameter or 2 5/8 inches diameter, with a 4 ohm 2.6 inches stereo speaker range and cancel magnet system. The physical output power is 2 x 2.8 Watts. The HD Radio with Dock for iPod and iPhone is easy to use in any everyday activity rooms, bedroom, living room, and from what Sony believes in kitchen room (not recommended with the steam from the cooking might just make this speaker gross since it is hard to clean). The retail box is a nice surprise including beside the actual product the wireless remote control, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, FM dipole antenna, and Audio connecting cable. For a price tag of $159.99 you can certainly find better products.

Don't get me wrong, if you like this HD Radio compatible with iPod and iPhone then you should by it since it sports nice features, good retail package and a solid build quality, but price is too high for what this product has to offer. The second clock radio for iPod and iPhone is the ICF CD3 iPSIL also known as CD Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone. This product is compatible with all iPod models and iPhone generations. Its design is truly unique, with the round look, silver form factor, and black stand (including the dock). A truly nice feature is the sliding dock. Therefore when you have no iPod or iPhone connected just slide inside the dock, making the design even nicer looking. In comparison with the first product on this article, this gadget certainly sports a more modern design.

The ICF CD3 iPSIL not only looks nice, but it also sports a solid build quality, since this is a Sony product. With a height of 145 mm, wide of 152.8 mm, deep of 116.2 mm, this product weights about 2.8 lbs or 1.27 Kg. The front cover of this gadget sports beside the LCD display (digital time display), four buttons, CD button (with play and pause function), iPod key (with play and pause function), Radio Memory, and Off (with stop function) key. Even so, all the functions are available using the remote control (with full control over the menu and music). In the alarm mode you will find multiple alarm modes such as favorite music (from iPod, CD, or iPhone), or maybe your favorite radio station. You can easily chose the alarm volume yourself or just select a preset one. Also you get a dual alarm feature which works with iPod, or iPhone, CD, or radio, with one of the following modes, 2 days, 5 days, or even 7 days.

The audio department is well ensured by good features such as full iPod compatibility (regarding both audio compatibility, and all iPod models with dock connector - iPod touch all generations, iPod classic, iPod nano), iPhone compatibility (all iPhone generations with the supported audio files), CD (with CD - R and CD - RW). The frequency range for the FM radio is located from the lower 87.5 MHz to the higher 108 MHz, while the AM radio frequency is located between 530 kHz and 1710 kHz (excellent for anyone who lives within mountains range). The speaker output is as expected not very powerful with only 2 x 0.8 Watts.

A nice feature offered by ICF CD3 iPSIL is the possibility of connecting other digital music players using the line in jack. Overall, the CD Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone is truly a good product, with a nice design, solid build, fully compatible with iPod and iPhone. However, there are some drawbacks such as the basic retail box, very Spartan from Sony to deliver only a back up battery and instruction manual within the retail package of this gadget. Even more, Sony shouldn't have made such a big mistake with the sale prices, which are basically the same as the old prices. For the time being, time is not an issue when it comes to Christmas present. Therefore, wait a couple of weeks to see if Sony will actually diminish the price tags of these iPod and iPhone accessories, or maybe it will introduce new products.

The iPod accessory market is well represented by many devices from all important manufacturers. However, Apple is the only manufacturer who doesn't yet sell accessories for its devices. Instead, Apple prefers to sustain within its official web site (the Apple store) other manufacturers with their products being advertised as the best accessory solution for your iPod touch and iPhone. This couldn't be more wrong. The best accessory for an iPod should include the same logo as the product itself, in this case the Apple logo.
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For the time being we just have to learn to deal with the current accessories available on the market, from other manufacturers such as Sony. In the clock and radio department Sony has recently included two new products, the Multi function Clock Radio for iPod with the unique model number, ICF CL 75 iP, and iPod plus iPhone Speaker Dock / Clock Radio, with its unique model number, ICF CS 10 iPBLK (reviewed in a later article). The first gadget sports a few key features including dock, a watch, and wake up alarm all wrapped into a multi function clock radio.


The first element you are going to notice about this device is the contemporary design. Basically, with this design the ICF CL 75 iP well easily integrate within every design your home might sport (living room, bedroom, and modern family room) or even at your office. The overall form factor is unknown, or maybe is better to say it merges several form factors creating a unique design. However, Sony decided in all fairness to cover this clock radio with glossy black plastic surrounding the display, black matte plastic on the back side and dock part, and a patterned black on the speaker zone.


A nice feature in this device's design is the sliding dock connector for your iPod and iPhone. Therefore, when your Apple gadget is not connected you can easily slide the dock inside the clock alarm; even better, for the design since it will look more unitary with the in slide dock.


The overall design is really nice. This clock alarm for iPod and iPhone not only looks great, but it is also solid build, providing an excellent user experience. Sony knows how to build their devices and accessories and their not afraid to show it. With a height of 148 mm (or 5 7/8 inches), wide of 205.6 mm (8 1/8 inches), deep of 119.5 mm (or 4 ¾ inches), the ICF CL 75 iP weights about 976 grams (or 2.4 oz ~ 2 lbs) including the power supply. Speaking about power supply, this device needs 120 Volts AC, 60 Hz.


Included in the retail box is an extra Lithium Ion battery, code CR 2032. If you were wondering the output power is of 1 Watt x 1 Watt. The front side of the ICF CL 75 iP sports the 7 inches LCD screens, on the left side of the screen the alarm A on and off button, on the right side of the screen the alarm B on and off button, while on the lower side you get the speaker. The rear side includes several elements, mainly connectivity elements, such as the upper centered battery holder, the memory card slot compatible with Memory Stick memory card, Memory Stick PRO Duo memory card, SD memory card, MMC card, the AM antenna terminals, the FM Wire antenna, the AC power cord, and the 2.0 USB connections.

The above side includes several other buttons, such as off alarm reset button, sleep button, alarm set button, home button, back iPod menu button, control button (enter, tuning up, tuning down, preset left, preset right), option button, display button, iPod and iPhone play and pause button, radio band button, USB / memory play and pause button. Also on the top side you get the volume up and volume down button, and the snooze / brightness button.


The user interface is intuitive and doesn't need any manual checks in order to understand how it works. You get various functions within the menu, such as the music player, settings, video player, and others (including the iPod and iPhone mode, and the Fun Wake up mode). This device is compatible with any iPod or iPhone you might own, such as iPod touch 2^nd generation, iPod nano 4^th generation, iPhone 3G, iPod touch 1^st generation, iPod nano 3^rd generation, iPod classic, iPhone, iPod nano second generation, iPod 5^th generation, iPod nano 1^st generation, iPod 4^th generation with or without the color display, and the iPod mini.


Anything older then these models needs to be replaced with either iPod touch 3^rd generation or iPhone 3GS. Sony included within this alarm clock a 7 inches LCD display with a WVGA resolution also known as 800 x 480 pixels (the same resolution found on Sony digital photo frames). The brightness has four different "steps": Night mode (so it won't disturb your sleeping), Low mode (when you are not at home, and don't need the display to have a huge brightness), Middle level, and High level for anyone who wants or needs the ultimate brightness. In case you were wondering, this screen doesn't perform great under direct sunlight, just like the screens found on the digital photo frames that Sony has in its portfolio, either 7 inches or 9 inches.


The internal available memory is only of 1 GB, which means that only 902 MB are actually available for music, videos, and other data. However, remember that this is a compatible iPod and iPhone clock alarm. Therefore, you don't need a bigger memory, since you are going to play your playlists from your Apple device.


This clock alarm can render photos within the JPEG file format with a maximum resolution of 4.096 x 4.096 pixels. The ICF CL 75 iP can easily play MP3 audio files (with a varying bit rate from 32 to 192 Kb per second) and a sampling rate of 8 kHz to 48 kHz, while the WMA can include a varying bit rate from 32 Kb per second to 192 Kb per second, with a sampling rate from 8 kHz to 48 kHz. You get several available video compression formats, such as MPEG 1 and Motion JPEG, but the most used video format still remains the MPEG4 with both MP4 file format and AVI file format, with the advanced simple profile, a maximum bit rate of 4 Mb per second, 30 frames per second, and a maximum resolution of 720 x 576 pixels.


The audio compression format for the MPEG4 video compression format is the AAC LC with maximum 2 channels, and a various sampling rate including 24 kHz, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz. The radio is set to maximum FM entries of 20, and a maximum AM entries of 10. The background display is fully customizable, completing the user experience.


Because the ICF CL 75 iP is a new product the excellent design and great features were mandatory. However, a certain great element will make this multi function clock radio for iPod and iPhone a best seller, the price. The ICF CL 75 iP ships within the retail box along with an AM loop antenna, universal dock adapter, operating instructions, Sony CR 2032 Lithium Ion battery, and warranty, for a 149.95 price tag. Therefore, you get an excellent iPod and iPhone accessory for an average price. Something tells me, this gadget will be a best seller within the Christmas holiday.

With the latest iPod touch release and iPhone 3GS release, it is clear that Apple is trying to consolidate its position on the mobile game platform, with the latest processor and RAM memory embedded. However, even the third generation of iPod touch is not a true gaming platform, despite the Apple advertising. Even more, the App Store delivers more and more excellent applications. The Games category contains the best applications from the App Store. Now these games are more serious than last year, including excellent 3D graphics, expandable game play and story line, and an excellent user experience overall. The future might hold two possible paths for Apple.
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The first one would be to continue the iPod touch transformation into a great mobile game console (competitor for PSP), while the second direction includes somewhat the Apple Tablet or another device, which could take over from iPod touch the game console features, leaving the fourth generation of iPod touch to simply focus on music and videos. However, the iPod touch doesn't need a successor to run the free games on App Store. Today on the top three free games on App Store we can find basic games that will provide simple fun for a relaxing evening. The first game was released on September 15, 2009, by Lab Pixies Ltd and successfully entered the top 25 free games on App Store in only seven days. "Line up FREE" can be currently found on App Store under the Games category with the current downloadable version, 1.0.

This game was developed for both second and third generation operating system for the iPhone mobile platform, and it is compatible with all the generations of iPod touch and all three generations of iPhone. "Line up FREE" is a fun game, providing a simple game play, like matching the block colors while they fall from the top of the screen. Your coordinating and managing skills have to be fully recharged since you only get 100 moves on one "mission". Therefore, in order to complete the game you must remove as many blocks as you can with only one move. By doing so, you will not just remove blocks but also obtain a higher score since the game matches "combos" with higher score than the usual moves.

You get four different color blocks, and a whole new play stage every time you start a new game or continue the old one. The game sports a great looking user interface, which does have all the necessary options and settings (easy to access). In case you like difficult games then you should be happy to know that "Line up FREE" allows you to chose the speed cycles and the tap limit, for all of you extreme players out there. However you can chose to be helped by a random laser beam, in order to get rid of one column and one line (since this is a matrix we are talking about). The graphics are normal, good for this type of game, with fluid motion and no freezes. The sound is pretty good, basic sound effect, and the controls are intuitive, leaving no unanswered questions when you start playing the game.

Overall, the "Line up FREE" is a good game, which should provide enough fun. However, you have to be fully rested to complete this game. The second game in the top three free games on App Store is really fun to play. On September 25, 2009, the Candy Cane LLC released "Fling (free)", one of the best new puzzle games on the App Store. The current version of this game, 1.0.0, can be found on App Store with either the free version or the full paid application. Although the first version was released after the third iPhone operating system was launched, the "Fling (free)" was developed to be compatible with both second and third generations operating system for iPhone mobile platform.

"Fling (free)" works on both iPod touch and iPhone devices. If you ever played this game online or on your computer, then you should know what to expect from this iPhone version. This game includes more than 10000 puzzles, improving the user experience in terms of game play. You shouldn't encounter to identical puzzles when playing this game. All this puzzles are divided into almost 20 difficulty level (which contains the increase feature). This game should provide for an average user about seven days of fun (not more than one hour a day). Each of these 10000 puzzles has one single solution.

To complete a puzzle just push the fur balls in order to match at least three of the same kind. This game will provide you with three different game plays, such as arcade mode (you have to race against the clock, to solve as many puzzles as you possible can with the difficulty increasing with each new puzzle), the free play mode (just play in your own rhythm, and browse through the entire resolved puzzle collection to replay any finished puzzle), and challenge mode (every puzzle must be resolved in a specific amount of time). The graphics are really nice, offering you sufficient animation and attention to details. The sound effects complete the user experience. The controls are easy to use. You can easily listen to your own playlists while playing this game without even needing to manually turn off the sounds. No worries if you get a phone call while playing since this game auto saves all the progress, allowing you to resume your play. The "Fling (free)" is the free version of the paid application.

The full game will bring all the difficulty levels promised, making the game experience even more addictive. Overall, this game is a really great puzzle game, probably one of the best puzzle games on the App Store. The last game on the top three free games on App Store is the "iMobsters - 40 Favor Points", released by Storm8 LLC on August 30, 2009. You can find the latest version of this game, 1.72, on App Store under the Games category. "iMobsters - 40 Favor Points" is developed for both iPod touch (remember you need a stable Wi-Fi connection to play this game from an iPod touch) and iPhone running either the second (2.2 or higher) or third version operating system for the iPhone mobile platform.

The game provides a good solid story line, putting you in the shoes of a petty thief in the beginning of the game, allowing you to work your way up to Mafia Don. In order to do so, you have to create your own clan and bring as many followers as you can. Because this is a Storm8 LLC game, in order to play you must subscribe to the online network (with over 1.6 million players). The graphics are really nice, almost gorgeous, with an excellent soundtrack and sound effects. All the available updates will be free for anyone who plays this game (these updates contains new weapons, real estates, and missions). Bring your friends into your clan and survive dangerous missions, in order to control the city. The online messages are available for you to control all your followers.

This is an excellent game, which will provide sufficient attractive features for anyone who enjoys either mobsters or social network games. Today's top three free games on App Store is well balanced, with one fun and simple game, a great puzzle game, and the Storm8 LLC game (which is always present on the free top). All these games are free and will certainly provide sufficient fun, for free. However, most of them are only free versions (making you buy the full versions), while the social network game includes a small fee, when you must join the community.

If you own by now any of the iPod players or iPhone (first generation, 3G, or 3GS), then you already know that Apple provides in the retails package for this multimedia devices average (at best) two piece headset. Sure, the audio quality provided by this headset is good if you can make that ear buds stay in your years (really painful).
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Even more the quality of the included two piece headset is by far good. It looks nice in design, but the quality is really bad, you probably should take into notice that at best this headset will "survive" for about six months. After this period, they will start to lose audio quality rendering and this is just the beginning. However, today this is certainly no problem with all the available accessories, including headsets, which manufacturers have to offer.


For instance Sony has created its own iPod accessories portfolio that would make even Apple jealous. Therefore, today in this article I am going to present you to good, yet affordable, products that any iPod user and iPhone user should have. The first item is the Bluetooth Transmitter and Headset with the proper model number DRB T21K/B. This is truly a functional headset package, which is advertised as being the proper solution for getting rid of the wires and enjoys in freedom your entire audio library. The DRB T21K/B is at its core a package which contains the DR BT 21 G Bluetooth headset and the TMR BT8iP transmitter / receiver (used in several others packages delivered by Sony).


The whole process of betting this technological package up and running is quite simple. Since both DR BT 21 G and TMR BT8iP are paired in the factory before shipping, just insert the transmitter into the iPod / iPhone connector pin and turn on your headset, and there you go, fully functional Bluetooth headset. In terms of design, I have to say this headset could have looked better. Sure, the black really makes it look good, but the surrounding neck support is made out of rather thin plastic. Therefore, you should be careful when taking the headset of, and even when putting it on, since it can broke really easily even with the flexible hinges (remember thin plastic is breakable plastic). The ear buds look nice with the matte black plastic. Overall the design is accurate for the price range, even more the transmitter really looks good improving the overall design of this package.


How I said, for this price range, the design and the build quality are properly selected, providing a good balance between quality and price. Including the battery this headset weights about 65 grams, making it average in terms of weight. Speaking of battery and power, the built in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery should provide about 11 hours of continuous audio rendering, 100 hours in standby time, and 100 hours in continuous communication time. When completely depleted, a full battery charge will take about two and a half hours. In terms of hardware, this headset has a diameter communication line of about 10 meters or 30 feet.


This headset has the dynamic open air form type, with an embedded microphone (Electret Condenser). The remote controls on the headset are the usual ones, play, pause, stop, and fast forward, fast rewind. The Bluetooth version used, version 2.0 also sports the enhanced data rate, and the A2DP and AVRCP profiles. The audio rendering is quite strange, since the formats supported are either SBC or MP3. The frequency range for DR BT21K/B varies between 14.000 Hz ~ 24.000 Hz, with a frequency response between 100 Hz ~ 4.000 Hz.


Overall, for only $149.99, you get an interesting package, even more if you keep in mind that only the transmitter costs separately $69.99, you will understand that this package is truly worthy, but my opinion is two wait another two months and buy it for $129.99. The next device that should be on the desk of any iPod user and iPhone user, is the Stereo Bluetooth Speaker with the model number SRS BT M30. This device sports a truly interesting design including a great potential. This was seen by Sony advertising it under the style Bluetooth solution for your iPod and iPhone.



This device is light weighted, compact and not only compatible with Apple multimedia devices but also to different gadgets Bluetooth enabled such as mobile phones, music players and computers, both desktop computers or laptop computers. In terms of design, this product is truly unique sporting a rather strange form factor. The front black panel includes both speaker outputs, while the rest of the case includes a silver look (unfortunately made entirely out of plastic). On top of this speaker you get the important controls, such as power on and off, play, pause, and stop, fast rewind, and fast forward. With a height of 111 mm (or 4 3/8 inches), wide of 280 mm (or 11 1/8 inches), deep of 140 mm (or 5 5/8 inches), this Bluetooth speaker weights, with the battery included, about 750 grams or 1 lb and 10 oz. the speaker system includes a 48 m full range, magnetically shielded.


The Bluetooth used is the 2.0 version with the A2DP profile. This Bluetooth headset works with either three size AA batteries or with the DC 5.2 V. either way, you still get sufficient time of audio playback. When using the power input you get a continuous music rendering, while using the three AA batteries you should get about seven hours of continuous audio playback. Even more you get a stereo input mini jack, that should provide sufficient connectivity overall. Sony ships added in this products retail box beside the operating instructions, the AC Power Adaptor, and the AC Power cord.


Overall, the Stereo Bluetooth Speaker with the SRS BT M30 model number is a good balanced product offering a nice, youthful design, and good audio performances for either music playback or movie playback, with a connectivity that is not limited only at iPods and iPhones (compatible with all products that includes the Bluetooth 2.0 plus the A2DP profile). Even more the SRS BT M30 has a diminished price tag, from $149.99 to $129.99. Therefore, with almost $300 you get both Bluetooth headsets with transmitter and stereo Bluetooth speaker for your iPods and iPhones ore even other devices.

There is more to it than just owning a multimedia player. Sure, you can just buy a media player and keep it in its current retail package composition, but what would the point be if you don't buy some quality accessories to improve its performances. These days, is not all about devices.
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The attention nowadays customers offer to the devices is shared at half with the compatible accessories. Therefore, if a manufacturer doesn't offer some good quality accessories for its products, it might just lose big sales. Basically when it comes to multimedia players the most important sold accessory is the music system.Many customers focus their attention to the available sound systems compatible with the player.


The most important player on the planet is the iPod line of players. Even more, since the iPhone shares the same dock connection with the iPod players, the accessory lines available for these Apple devices has appeared in almost every important manufacturer's portfolio. Sony is one of these manufacturers who don't want to lose any opportunity to sell products and advertise its logo, even with the help of Apple, thanks to their excellent products. Sony has developed more than a few lines of accessories for iPod players and iPhones. One of these accessory lines is the music system line. Every user of iPod or iPhone who enjoys music has bought or will buy a good music system, compatible with their Apple device.


Apple knows that, and so does Sony. Therefore today I am going to write about two important Sony sound systems for iPods and iPhones, the Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi (also known as LBT DJ2i) and the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System (also known as LBT ZX99i). Although these music systems share the same name, "Muteki", there are not many features they share in common, not even in the design department. It would probably be correct to say that these products are orientated to different potential customers. The Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi provides a more conservative look with an important feature: dual iPod connector. This mini shelf system is made out of four elements, amplifier, subwoofer, front speaker and the DVD, VCD, and CD player. As an overall look, these entire components really look like they belong together.


The design is still modern, even if it's not as youthful as the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System design. The general color is black, complemented with several stainless steel finishes. The player and the speakers are well dimensioned and look very symmetrical, while the subwoofer sports the same style but looks a little oversized. The main component, the player, also contains metallic components to add more style to the overall design. Since it sports dual iPod connection, you will get two sets of controls for each iPod. A centered switch will allow you to choose between the first connection and second connection. The volume controls are located under the iPod controls, and are in terms of design oversized for a better handling.


The main unit sports a 5.78 inches (or 146.8 mm) height, wide of 13.96 inches (or 380 mm), deep of 11.33 inches (or 288 mm), the Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi main's unit weights about 3.2 Kg. Both speakers have a height of 15 inches (or 381 mm), wide of 8.07 inches (or 205 mm), deep of 9.76 inches (248 mm), with a weight per speaker of 4 Kg. The subwoofer has a height of 306 mm (or 12.05 inches), wide of 500 mm (19.67 inches), deep of 505 mm (19.88 inches), the subwoofer weight almost 16.5 Kg. Therefore, this system is not that mini in terms of dimensions and weight. Both speakers have a rated impedance of 2 ohms, with a 90 level sound pressure. The system contains a three way hybrid dual woofer. Beside the iPod connection the main unit also supports the following decoding format for sound, CD, CD - R, and the CD - RW, and also the small CD (also known as 8 cm disc).


This main unit contains several buttons for a better rendering of audio, such as repeat, shuffle and others. The audio accepted has a 44.1 kHz frequency with a maximum bit rendition of 24 bit. The equalizer included in this model provides several excellent features such as GROOVE / Z - GROOVE Bass Boost, the 3 band graphic equalizer, and the MP3 BOOSTER+ MP3 enhancer. Both speakers and subwoofer sport a power output of 150 Watt per component. Beside the iPod and CD accepted music, this sound system also sports one USB connection and 2 Line IN.  The accepted audio formats are AAC, MP3, and the WMA. Also present is the radio with 20 preset radio stations in FM mode and 10 radio stations in AM.


Beside the actual sound system Sony included in the retail box a remote control (the RM AMU 012 commander) and two AA batteries. The Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi is available for purchase for $499.99 advised price tag. The second sound system, the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System looks amazing and delivers a total of 720 Watts power. Its design is not only attractive, but extremely interesting, thanks to the color touch. Therefore, all the components from this sound system includes a metallic finishes with silver plastic inserts. Also you get dome dark yellow orange inserts on both speakers and on the main unit.

The sound system not only looks good but it is also well built making matching the iPod touch or iPhone build quality. The main unit sport a height of 17.20 inches (or 437 mm), wide of 14.25 inches (362 mm), deep of 18.30 inches (or 465 mm), with a weight of 18 Kg (you should probably find a place where to put it without moving it around). Both speakers sport a 437 mm height, wide of 362 mm, deep of 465 mm, and weight 8.5 Kg per piece.


The front speaker sports a 6 ohms rated impendence, with a 91 dB sound pressure level. Beside the iPod connection, this sound system can render music from the small CD (also known as 8cm Disc), CD, CD - R, CD - RW, and MP3 files by connecting a multimedia player using one of the LINE IN connection. The output power for any of the components of this sound system is rated at 180 Watts. For a better audio experience Sony included excellent Equalizer features such as X - GROOVE bass boost function, 10 preset EQ modes, and the 3 band graphic equalizer.

All the information added to the music files will be displayed on the main unit. Also included is the radio with both tuner types, FM and AM. You can save about 20 station entries in FM mode, and about 10 station entries in AM mode. In the retail package Sony included beside the actual sound system the remote control (RM AMU 008 commander) and 2 AA batteries. The Muteki Hi-Fi Music System is available for $649.99 price tag. Both sound systems complete the audio experience started by your iPod and iPhone. The first sound system sports dual iPod and iPhone connection in a conservative look, while the second Hi-Fi system sports more power rendering in a more attractive design. Both way, the prices are not small, and the choice is for you to make.