Review: Logic3 I-Station Traveller portable speakers

There are countless portable speaker solutions available for mp3 players at the moment.

Logic3, not one shy of releasing numerous models, has launched yet another in the budget-priced I-Station Traveller.

Although promoted as an iPod accessory, there’s nothing here that specifically tailors it to Apple’s player. You’ll find a standard 3.5mm jack for use with just about any current mp3 player, and there’s a 2.5mm adaptor in the box should you want to hook it up to your mobile phone.

It’s a pretty compact device, thanks to a pair of slide-out speakers and battery compartment/player stand in the middle. Unfolded this provides a suitable rubberised support for your mp3 player and its adjustable slide design means it can be altered to comfortably fit any size. It’s an active speaker system that takes 4xAAA batteries, which are supplied, but strangely there’s no volume control on the exterior.

You’ll need to manually adjust volume via the player, which is a bit of an oversight in our opinion. Designed as a travel accessory, you wouldn’t expect any particular impact from the twin 2W speakers; they aren’t particularly loud, but are fine for background listening in a reasonably quiet environment.

We didn’t notice any distortion, even at maximum volume, but there is a faint hiss behind the music if you sit directly in front of it. The device is available in six different colours, varying from more traditional black or silver to rather garish pink or green, and comes with a soft carry case.

It would have been good to see a bit more power from the speakers, while the lack of a volume control is a little annoying, but overall this isn't a bad effort from Logic3 and will do you well on the move.

Also consider:
Yamaha NX-U10
Extra wattage means louder sound from these portable speakers

Intempo iDS-01
A decent attachment but rival devices offer battery-powered playback and other features

Saitek i-Phonic A-100
A good set of travel speakers

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