Good sound quality, compact ;

Too bass heavy, missing top-end frequencies ;

Compared to a conventional two-box stereo speaker system, a 2.1 sub/sat setup means you can reap the benefits of smaller-looking speakers - although there will still be a nest of wiring to contend with. The Creative GigaWorks T3 is a well-designed ...

Cheap as chips, decent sound quality, simple and unobtrusive styling, versatile remote ;

Sound is a bit muddy at low volumes, no subwoofer line out ;

For a budget speaker system, Sharp's HT-SB200 sound bar performs well. Its small speakers reproduce surprisingly large amounts of mid-bass and it complements the in-built speakers of Sharp's LCD televisions well.

Classy styling, good treble and mid-bass ;

No lower bass, low maximum volume ;

For listening to music while using your computer the Logitech LS21 speaker system is more than powerful enough. These PC speakers lose a bit of their lustre in larger rooms as the maximum volume is quite low, but as a budget system the Logitech LS21 ...

Streams 48KHz audio to up to four satellite speakers, good wireless range, good mid-range and treble ;

Occasionally weak bass, lacks some functionality, remote cannot control iPod menu, expensive ;

The IntelliTouch EOS Wireless (EOS100T1RB) iPod dock effectively streams high-quality audio to satellite speakers despite operating on the same 2.4GHz band as many other electronic devices. The main problems are its price tag and the lack of features ...

Design, build quality, doubles as a speakerphone, line-in jack ;

Needs six batteries to run, can't connect wired and Bluetooth devices simultaneously, no way to turn off Trubass, no equaliser options ;

It doesn't offer outstanding sound quality, but the design and functionality of the Altec Lansing inMotion SoundBlade make it a decent choice if you're looking for a wireless speaker system.

Design, full iPod control integration, remote control, reasonable sound quality ;

No outstanding features, no EQ or sound adjustment settings, distortion at higher volume levels

Sony's SRS-GU10iP is a competent but not outstanding iPod dock. We love the fact that it can control the iPod interface via the remote, but for this price we expected a few more features.

Slim design, easily transported, SDHC slot, good battery life ;

No control screen, heavy, distortion at higher volumes

If you are looking for a volume boost over your iPod or laptop's integrated speakers, the Fiio S3 is very capable portable speaker. It will output acceptable quality sound except at high volumes.

Bluetooth with A2DP, good battery life, can take advantage of its surroundings to improve sound quality ;

Could be smaller, woofers are unprotected while in use, sound quality isn't great

ASUS' SP-BT23 doesn't deliver particularly good sound, but it has a good battery life and Bluetooth connectivity - a decent trade-off.

Small and very portable, long-lasting battery life, reasonable audio quality ;

Heavy distortion at high volumes, cord can be hard to retrieve when wound

The Altec Lansing orbit MP3 (IM237) is a great portable speaker designed for listening to music while on the go. Good battery life and acceptable sound quality make for a great way of sharing music with friends.

Project sound both forward and backward, remote control ;

Bass and mid-range get bloated and distorted at times, some harshness in the highs, no AC power

A basic set of PC speakers with a few quirks, the Logitech Z-5s operate entirely via USB, which means you need a PC to use them. The audio quality is adequate but nothing special.