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Review: GenevaLab Sound System Model S

It's no substitute for a banging home theater system but for filling the bedroom with sweet sounds, this sound dock has little competition.
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Rating:

8/10

WIRED
Almost as loud as Liberace's wardrobe (definitely cheaper). Chrome pedestal helps reduce reflection (i.e. music sounds better when dock's on the stand). Motorized dock cover automatically closes when iPod is removed.
TIRED
Travelphobic: At seven pounds, this sucker's a pain to relocate, let alone tote. Death of physical media: no CD player! Slight but noticeable sound reflection when not sitting on the stand. Figuring out how to set the alarm requires reading the manual.

If looks could kill, Geneva's latest sound dock would be on trial for murder in the first.

Between the lacquered finish, mod design lines and luscious aluminum stand, the tabletop dock-clock is certainly the best-looking "accessory" we've ever coaxed into the bedroom.

Called the S model (S is for small), the minimalist device also features an integrated backlit display that turns on when you touch the dock. It's certainly not the banging-est system on the planet; a $500 home theater in a box will better serve to rock your casbah. But for what's essentially a 6x9-inch boombox with two 3-inch speakers, the better-than-average clarity, dynamic range and reasonable presence make Geneva's tiniest system a tempting buy, especially since it outperformed the pricier Yamaha TSX-130 combo dock we tested a few months back.

If you're serious space saver who cares about aesthetics, then purchasing an S dock is actually a pretty sound decision.