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We put five passive speakers for iPhones to the test. Clever science or fashionista fail?
How we tested
A sound-pressure meter was used to test the volume of each speaker, in decibels, using an iPhone tuned to volume-level ten and placed a metre from the speaker. "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane was played in full to test each product's highs and lows.
For powered comparison, an electric Sonos Play:3 speaker had a high of 96 decibels and a low of 68. Sound-pressure meters are employed to monitor the volume of sound, used by UK government Health and Safety inspectors, as well as live-music technicians. No dogs' ears were harmed during this test.
Trumstand
This heavy speaker takes its power from your iPhone to amplify the sound via a 30-pin iDevice connector. Output is more balanced than its rivals on test, but it lacks the iPhone Gramophone's soft edges, and at five times the price that's a problem -- unless you're looking for a silver horn to match your decor. Although solid, its plastic base feels cheap in comparison to the wood plinths of the other speakers.
Wired: Solid build
Tired: Huge price tag, not for iPhone 5
Score: 4
Cost: £1,599
Specifications
Weight: 4.3kg
Works with: iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S
Dimensions: Horn: 23.5cm x 55.6cm x 39.2cm
Materials: Brass, copper, aluminium
iPhone Gramophone
Screw the horn into the Gramophone's wooden base -- which stands on spikes so that vibration doesn't interfere with the sound -- and dock any model of iPhone on to it. As befits its genteel looks, it is more suited to acoustic tracks rather than club classics, and heavy rock sounds as if it's being performed in a fish tank. But John Coltrane's breezy jazz sounded great in our large test room.
Wired: Sturdy build; ideal for fans of jazz and acoustic
Tired: Needs an accommodating space
Score: 7
Cost: $249 (£160)
Specifications
Weight: 3.7kg
Works with: iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5
Dimensions: base -- 21.5cm x 15cm x 9.5cm; horn -- 35.5cm x 33cm x 63.5cm
Materials: horn -- iron and brass; base -- walnut
en&is Megaphone
The Italian-designed Megaphone is the best-looking in show, but it only works with softer tones. Jazz and acoustic music plays well, but Dave Grohl's rock drumming sounded like spanners on baked-bean tins. And its cavernous horn is just asking to swallow up your keys and small children.
Wired: Eye-catching design
Tired: Rock music sounds metallic
Score: 6
Cost: €399-€599 [£340-£510] (depending on colour)
Specifications
Weight: 2.5kg
Works with; iPhone 1, 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5; iPod Touch (second generation onwards)
Dimensions: 45cm x 32cm x 34cm
Materials: Wood, ceramic
Eco-made Amp
This is basically a piece of card that you can turn into a dome speaker by attaching it to your iPhone. Sound is barely amplified and feels squeezed -- and you get two in the pack, which speaks volumes about its shelf life. More of a novelty purchase than a worthy companion.
Wired: Price; you get two of them
Tired: Gimmicky; dreadful sound
Score: 1
Cost: $10 (£6.50)
Specifications
Weight: 3g
Works with: iPhone 4, 4S
Dimensions: 8.9cm x 6.3cm x 10.1cm
Material: Card
Griffin AirCurve Play
Offering basic sound amplification via a transparent plastic case, the AirCurve Play does boost volume, but the bass sounds brittle.
Although it manages to recreate the science of passive sound at an affordable price, it's on such a small scale that it's ineffective.
Wired: Good value; doubles as a stand
Tired: Chunky; poor sound
Score: 2
Cost: £4.95
Specifications
Weight: 295g
Works with: iPhone 4, 4S
Dimensions: 12.7cm x 18cm x 5cm
Materials: Plastic, metal
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
